Tasmanian woodlands range from the coast to the climatic treeline, from some of the poorest soils in the world to some of the richest, from waterlogged ground to sharply drained dry ridges. They are unusual in temperate Australia in that they support a full complement of native marsupial herbivores, which can occur in high densities. This chapter covers the subset of these woodlands with understoreys potentially dominated by native grasses and herbs, henceforth called grassy woodlands. These grassy woodlands have been dramatically reduced and degraded in Tasmania (Kirkpatrick et al. 1988), but still cover large areas of private land, largely utilised for wool production (Kirkpatrick et al. 2007) (see map below). They also occur on some smaller areas of public land, largely utilised for recreation and nature conservation. The remaining areas of grassy woodland on both types of tenure are under severe threat as the State Government embarks upon a misguided program to turn the dry Midlands of Tasmania into an irrigated food bowl. One key to the conservation of those grassy woodlands that are fortunate enough to survive lies in a middle path, avoiding both the thinning and thickening of trees. The other key lies in preventing a native grass and herb-dominated understorey from losing significant species or transforming into heath, scrub or vegetation dominated by exotic plants. The prevention of the last of these transitions relates to land-use decisions, and therefore to the economic, social and political context. The other transitions involve ecological interactions between climate, soils, fire regimes and grazing regimes. While climate change cannot be altered in the short term, fire and grazing regimes, two of the most effective vegetation management tools, are fortunately more malleable. The task given for this chapter was to report the conservation implications of ecological and social studies of Tasmanian grassy woodland in which I have been involved. Particular r.

Describes a set of principles that will enable landholders to maintain or increase productivity without compromising ecological sustainabilty, and at the same time maintaining a substantial proportion of the native flora and fauna. The book provides the technical foundations underpinning the principles.

In eastern Australia, grassy eucalypt woodlands have been under severe pressure from agricultural development, with problems of land degradation and species decline being most severe in the cropping lands of south-eastern Australia. Managing and Conserving Grassy Woodlands describes a set of principles that will enable landholders to maintain or increase productivity without compromising ecological sustainability, and at the same time maintaining a substantial proportion of the native flora and fauna. The book provides the technical foundations underpinning the principles and explains the importance of planning at a landscape scale. Each major principle is addressed in a separate chapter which explains the scientific understanding behind the principle and which discusses some of the issues relating to its practical application. Additional chapters outline the basic ecological concepts underpinning the principles and the responses of landholders who have had the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the principles. For those interested in translating the principles into a property plan, a final chapter explores the steps that can be taken. Managing and Conserving Grassy Woodlands is intended for those at the interface of disciplinary research and on-ground application, whether they are working in research, regional planning, extension, landcare or land management.

This book summarizes the main discoveries, management insights and policy initiatives in the science, management and policy arenas associated with temperate woodlands in Australia. More than 60 of Australia's leading researchers, policy makers and natural resource managers have contributed to the volume. It features new perspectives on the integration of woodland management and agricultural production, including the latest thinking about whole of paddock restoration and carbon farming, as well as financial and social incentive schemes to promote woodland conservation and management. Temperate Woodland Conservation and Management will be a key supporting aid for farmers, natural resource managers, policy makers, and people involved in NGO landscape restoration and management. KEY FEATURES * High quality chapters from the nation's leading researchers, managers and policy makers in temperate woodlands * New perspectives on the integration of woodland management and agricultural production * Easy to follow format that distills key new insights and lessons for future conservation and management initiatives

With almost half a million people and more than six times as many sheep, Tasmania has a rich history of wool production. In the drier parts of the island, graziers raise sheep partly using the native vegetation on their extensive runs. People, Sheep and Nature Conservation explores this use of the run country and the interaction of graziers, sheep and nature. Other topics covered include how graziers manage the runs for profit, how they feel about nature and manage their properties for conservation, how sheep interact with native animals and plants on the runs, and the implications of the ongoing loss of run country to clearance and inundation. In an unusual combination of history, geography, social science, ecological science and policy analysis, this entertaining and well-illustrated book uses the vivid words of the graziers, historical sources and the results of contemporary research to provide some insight into these issues. Although a Tasmanian story, it will resonate more widely, as the integration of production and nature conservation within complex societies, cultures and economies is an outcome desired on a global scale.

Examines the effect of agricultural and conservation management practices on grassy communities in the sub-humid, low altitude Midlands of Tasmania. Examines the effects of grazing by sheep and cattle, fertilisation, the introduction of exotic pasture species, and the responses of vegetation to burning.