Our Threatened Native Grasslands – Part II

Part II

Use of fire in managing grasslands

Ben Courtice, a local botanist and professional bush regenerator, spoke about the use of fire in managing grasslands.

People commonly think of grazing and mowing as tools to manage grasses, but native grasslands may be damaged by these. They usually benefit more from fire. Exactly when to burn is the question: before grasses reach the point of smothering other plants and each other, and of course when it’s safe to do so.

Grassland plants will happily regrow from the base after fire, and with the big grasses reduced there is bare ground between them, where many smaller native wildflowers and herbs thrive.

Bare ground may seem at risk of erosion, but typically a “biological soil crust” layer of mosses, liverworts and lichens establishes and holds the soil together. Attached photos show the same patch of grassland just after an autumn burn, and six months later.

Next week – Part III ‘Eyewitness to Port Phillip Grasslands’