Land of Sweeping Plains Managing and Restoring the Native Grasslands of South-Eastern Australia

About this book

Native temperate grasslands are Australia's most threatened ecosystems. Grasslands have been eliminated from across much of their former extent and continue to be threatened by urban expansion, agricultural intensification, weed invasion and the uncertain impacts of climate change. Research, however, is showing us new ways to manage grasslands, and techniques for restoration are advancing. The importance of ongoing stewardship also means it is vital to develop new strategies to encourage a broader cross-section of society to understand and appreciate native grasslands and their ecology.

Land of Sweeping Plains synthesises the scientific literature in a readily accessible manner and includes a wealth of practical experience held by policy makers, farmers, community activists and on-ground grassland managers. It aims to provide all involved in grassland management and restoration with the technical information necessary to conserve and enhance native grasslands. For readers without the responsibility of management, such as students and those interested in biodiversity conservation, it provides a detailed understanding of native grassland ecology, management challenges and solutions and, importantly, inspiration to engage with this critically endangered ecosystem.

Practical, easy to read and richly illustrated, Land of Sweeping Plains brings together the grassland knowledge of experts in ethnobotany, ecology, monitoring, planning, environmental psychology, community engagement, flora and fauna management, environmental restoration, agronomy, landscape architecture and urban design.

Contents

Acknowledgements
About the Authors
Glossary
Foreword

Introduction
    Nicholas S.G. Williams and Adrian Marshall

Humans and grasslands – a social history
    Beth Gott, Nicholas S.G. Williams and Mark Antos

The native temperate grasslands of south-eastern Australia
    Nicholas S.G. Williams and John W. Morgan

The ecology and dynamics of temperate native grasslands in south-eastern Australia
    John W. Morgan and Nicholas S.G. Williams

The wildlife of our grassy landscapes
    Mark Antos and Nicholas S.G. Williams

Planning, documenting and monitoring for grassland management
    Sarah Sharp, Georgia Garrard and Nathan Wong

Understanding the social context of native grasslands
    Kathryn J.H. Williams

Working together – grassland management in the community
    Karen Reid

Biomass management in native grasslands
    John W. Morgan

Weed management in native grasslands
    Randall Robinson

Integrating grassland conservation into farming practice
    Nathan Wong and Josh Dorrough

Sourcing seed for grassland restoration
    John Delpratt and Paul Gibson-Roy

The restoration of native grasslands
    Paul Gibson-Roy and John Delpratt

Designing and planning for urban native grassland biodiversity
    Adrian Marshall

The future of south-eastern Australia’s native temperate grasslands
    Nicholas S.G. Williams, Adrian Marshall, John W. Morgan, John Delpratt, Paul Gibson-Roy and Nathan Wong

Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Nicholas (Nick) Williams is an urban ecologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. His PhD and other native grassland research has examined how urbanisation changes vegetation composition and distribution, the impact of slug herbivory and, more recently, restoration techniques, including attempting to recreate grassland communities on green roofs. This project is Nick’s way of giving something back to the grasslands that have enriched his life.

Adrian Marshall is a landscape architect, editor and writer, currently working at the University of Melbourne. As a landscape architect his focus is on matters of ecological importance. Recently, through the Victorian National Parks Association, he authored Start with the Grasslands, design guidelines to support native grasslands in the urban context.

John Morgan is a plant ecologist interested in the long-term dynamics of Australian tussock grasslands. His scientific research focuses on seedling regeneration and plant population processes, fire regimes, the effects of exotic plant species, and how these factors all affect species co-existence. He continues to marvel at the capacity of Kangaroo Grass to dominate grasslands, and hopes his legacy will be a better understanding of the ecology that underpins successful conservation and management of grasslands.