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Topic Grassland ecosystems
Question How do grasslands of the Western Volcanic Plains differ from other Victorian, Australian and overseas grasslands?
Expert Fiona Smith
Fiona Smith is an environmental planner in the Environment and Heritage Division of Parks Victoria. Fiona is currently working on planning for the establishment of the Western Grassland Reserves, a new grassland park which will connect the You Yangs area to the Werribee River across the Volcanic Plains west of Melbourne.
The Western Volcanic Plains occur (as the name suggests) over old lava flows. As a result, the Western Plains are dotted with extinct volcanoes and stony rises. They are dominated by tussock grasses such as Kangaroo Grass and Wallaby Grass with flowering lilies, daisies, orchids and peas, which occur in the spaces between the grasses. Fauna species such as the Striped Legless Lizard, Eastern Barred Bandicoot and Plains Wanderer occur there also.
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