Native and natural pastures on the Northern Slopes and Tablelands of New South Wales: A review and annotated bibliography

Abstract

This resource document is presented in two sections. Firstly, the physical characteristics and the native and rural pastures of the Northern Slopes and Tablelands of New South Wales are described. The topography, geology, soils and climate of the region are briefly outlined. Then the development and characteristics of the native and natural pastures and the important native and naturalised grasses are discussed in detail. These species arc classified into warm-season perennials, yearlong green perennials, cool-season perennials, warm-season annuals and cool-season annuals. The native warm-season perennials are the largest group of species present in the region and so those grasses characterise the structure and productivity of the native and natural pastures. Information drawn from a wide range of sources is used to indicate the grazing value of the predominant species of each of these groups. A schematic outline is presented showing the interrelationships between the original and present-day pastures and an extensive literature review examines the probable effects of grazing, fertiliser application and fire on pasture composition. Essential to pasture management is the manipulation of the species composition to obtain and maintain desirable species assemblages. Hence pasture management objectives need to be clearly defined and desirable species identified before these pastures can be managed effectively. The development and implementation of grazing management systems based on plant ecology and physiology is outlined together with research investigating the potential for domesticating and sowing the better quality, adapted, native perennial grasses. The second section comprises an annotated bibliography of either refereed scientific journals, bulletins and review papers, or theses and book chapters, published since 1970 and relevant to native and natural pasture research on the Northern Slopes and Tablelands of New South Wales. Over 50 scientific articles arc included, together with 25 theses and five book chapters. The general philosophy and principles of native pasture improvement and management are discussed and the future direction for research is outlined.