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Topic Grassland ecosystems
Question How do we know if grasslands are ‘healthy’? Can we measure this?
Expert Dr Nick Williams
Dr Nick Williams is a plant ecologist at the University of Melbourne. Nick’s research investigates the ecology of urban areas in particular, grassland ecology and restoration, green infrastructure for climate change adaptation and weed invasions. Nick’s research has highlighted how surrounding landscapes influence the processes that occur in remnant habitats, such as edge effects and local extinctions, and, has developed ways to make urban areas more biodiversity friendly.
Native grasslands are healthy If they have a diversity of inter-tussock herbs, particularly species that are palatable to sheep and cattle. These plant species only occur on very few sites that have been fenced for a long time like cemeteries and railway reserves. Another indication of grasslands that are healthy is if it has an intact soil crust of bryophytes and liverworts. This enables native species to colonise but keeps weed species out. If that soil crust is disturbed by trampling or other effects, the weeds can colonise the grasslands, meaning it is unhealthy.
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