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Publication Date

2023

Series Number

4913

Abstract

These guides address a recognised gap in readily applicable and easily accessible information on southern rangelands pasture condition and management.

These guides provide descriptions and images for southern rangelands pastures with similar management requirements for the grazing of native pastures by livestock. Therefore, the focus is on palatability of vegetation to livestock, and the effects of livestock management and external factors on the condition of the vegetation and soils.

The first section provides an overview and map, introduces concepts and terms important to understanding arid shrubland management in general, these guides in particular; and includes an economic analysis of the cost of land degradation specific to the southern rangelands.

The main body of the bulletin provides descriptions and information on maintenance, improvement and recovery or rehabilitation of each pasture group.

Twenty-three broad pasture groups are described, divided between 3 supergroups of chenopods, shrubs and grasses. Each description consists of:

  • the broad pasture group title
  • occurrence statement with estimated areal extent
  • vegetation structure and composition description
  • pastoral value statement with general management advice
  • condition statement describing the likely changes that occur with transition from good condition through to fair and poor condition with photographs where available
  • other relevant notes including suggestions for fire management and the reported condition of the pastures if known from department data or other sources
  • species list showing relative desirability of common and important species for management and monitoring.

Appendixes include maps showing the estimated distribution of each broad pasture group, species lists, grass growth basics and a schematic diagram showing the effect of land degradation on fragile and productive sand sheets.

Number of Pages

182

ISSN

1833-7236

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

City

Perth

Keywords

pastoral rangelands, vegetation condition, southern rangelands, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agriculture | Animal Sciences | Biodiversity | Botany | Desert Ecology | Environmental Education | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Natural Resources and Conservation | Sustainability

Maps

Maps are not included as part of the complete document download. If this report contains a map, it will be available in the individual parts list below.

Pasture condition guides for the southern rangelands, including the Gascoyne, Murchison and Goldfields-Nullarbor

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