Insights into spinifex (Triodia species) pastures and their management

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-2025

Conference Title

XII International Rangeland Congress 2025: Working Together for our Global Rangelands Future

Place of Publication

Adelaide

ISBN

978-0-646-72121-7

Keywords

interviews, hummock, livestock, fire

Disciplines

Agricultural Education | Environmental Monitoring | Soil Science

Abstract

Interviews about various aspects of spinifex pastures were conducted with 21 pastoralists, five Traditional Owners, and seven rangeland scientists from the Pilbara, Kimberley, and central Australia regions. Interviews sought to provide insights into spinifex pastures and covered topics such as plant identification, burning, grazing systems, tree/grass balance and Indigenous uses of spinifex and burning practices; knowledge gaps were also identified.

The interviews made it clear that fire plays a significant role in spinifex pastures and is frequently used to enhance grazing productivity by removing old or moribund spinifex and allowing palatable new growth to replace it. Additionally, fire is used as a tool for wildfire mitigation by creating different-aged fire scars and subsequent variations in fuel levels across the landscape. The amount of non-spinifex material in the diet of grazing animals was also commonly discussed where, after rain, cattle primarily grazed on a non-spinifex diet by selecting the soft fresh growth of annual and perennial grasses and forbs where available.

At the conclusion of each interview, interviewees were asked what additional information they would like regarding spinifex pastures and their management. The most common request was for accurate identification of spinifex species. Interviewees also wanted more information on the nutritional value of spinifex seed heads and leaves; specifically, how nutrient content and digestibility change throughout the year and between fire intervals. Additionally, they expressed interest in comprehensive information on various aspects of spinifex biology, including growth habits, reproduction, response to fire, and the formation of spinifex rings.

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