The Koonamore daisy (Erodiophyllum elderi) is a short-lived herbaceous perennial restricted to locally low-lying regions in parts of semi-arid South Australia. Due to the topography of the region this species has a naturally sub-divided population. We have been investigating the effect of different grazing regimes on various aspects of daisy population dynamics. Monitoring of patches for the last 2.5 years indicates that the populations have been significantly affected by the presence of sheep. Populations in heavily grazed areas have different dispersal patterns, different population size structure and greater temporal fluctuations. Long-term photographic records indicate that daisy plants are frequently absent from these patches (approximately 63% of the time), although the seedbank is still present in the form of seedheads. The seedheads gradually release seeds through time, enabling the population to persist through unfavourable conditions such as droughts. Browsing of flowers by sheep reduces seedhead production and leads to a significantly lower seedbank in heavily grazed areas.
September 24-27, 1996
Port Augusta, South Australia
ISSN 1323-6660
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.