You are here: Tussock Grasslands MIS Site Contents Mixed short/tall tussock grassland Management options Conservation
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Goal: Maintain an open mixed tussock canopy



Altitude: Mid to Low. (i.e. below the natural )

These grasslands are less stable than tall tussock grasslands with a closed canopy. They will require active management to maintain the open canopy, unless the grassland is sited in an area of natural disturbance. Patches of open canopied grasslands will occur within larger areas of tall tussock grassland. Mixed grasslands, where not dominated by exotic pasture species, tend to have high species diversity, and are an important seed source for intertussock species which are reduced by a closed canopy. Disturbance by slips, burning and or grazing is required to maintain an open tussock canopy. However an open grassland is prone to weed ingress.

for more information on environmental gradients which determine the distribution of tussock grassland types, or the management factors which have influenced the characteristics of tussock grasslands.

MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE: Two suggestions to maintain an open canopied grassland are:

Specialised Grazing:
  • Light sheep grazing (no cattle).

    * Stocking rate: < 0.2su/ha/yr (dry areas); ~0.2 - 0.8 su/ha/yr (moist areas)

    * Ensure even grazing pressure by fencing the landscape units; graze the whole block at the rate that doesn't adversely impact areas in poorest condition; or shepherd the sheep around the block to prevent stock camping.

    * If none of these are feasible, DO NOT GRAZE. Try below:

  • Animal pest control

    • e.g., rabbits, hares, feral deer.

  • Weed control

    • Woody weeds such as gorse and Spanish heath should be spot spray. Burning encourages their spread.

    for more information on weed control.

  • Monitor to determine success of the management option, and status of weed and animal pest populations. for more information on monitoring in tussock grasslands.
Burning:
  • Patch burn small areas within the tussock grassland at 25 - 50 year intervals, or use Lee's Tussock Recovery Index to determine whether tussocks have recovered from the last episode of disturbance.

  • Animal pest control

    • e.g., rabbits, hares, feral deer.

  • Weed control

    • Woody weeds such as gorse and Spanish heath should be spot sprayed rather than regularily burnt.

    for more information on weed control.

  • Monitor to determine success of the management option, and status of weed and animal pest populations. for more information on monitoring in tussock grasslands.



MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE:

These grasslands are valued by farmers as part of a pastorally developed farming system. Most information provided relates to pastoral development strategies, which are provided under the management goal " increasing the pastoral value".

The information below was provided by farmers as suggestions for maintaining the natural values associated with these grasslands.