Changes in composition at a native pasture site in poor condition in southern Queensland have indicated that Heteropogon contortus dominance can be restored by exclosure and annual spring burning. Such a treatment changed a pasture composed of 70% ArÃstida spp. and 20% H. contortus (by weight) in April 1987 to one composed of 16% Aristida spp. and 70% H. contortus in April 1990. Basal area data indicated a pasture composition of 68% Aristida spp. and 15% H. contortus in December 1986, compared with 13% Aristida spp. and 57% H. contortus in December 1989. The results imply that practical rehabilitation might include burning in spring for at least two years and lenient stocking or grazing deferment during the subsequent growing period.
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.