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Short Tussock Grasslands

These grasslands are dominated by short tussock grasses (commonly fescue tussock (Festuca novae-zeelandiae), blue tussock (Poa colensoi), silver tussock (Poa cita), or bristle tussock (Rytidosperma setifolium). Most short tussock grasslands occur where tall tussock grasslands have been significantly modified through pastoral disturbance (usually in the mid to low altitudinal zone), resulting in an induced cover of short tussocks, which are more tolerant to grazing and burning disturbance than Chionochloa sp. tussocks.