Forb responses to varying grazing regimes in Australian native temperate grasslands

摘要

Australian temperate grasslands have been subjected to extensive clearing for agricultural and urban development for over 100 years.They are now one of the most endangered ecological communities in Australia.Forbs, non‐woody plants other than grasses, sedges and rushes, contribute significantly to the species richness of native grasslands.They have been particularly depleted in fertilised grasslands used as pasture.While livestock grazing has been a major driver in the decline of native grassland quality and extent (Garden et al., 2003), strategic resting from grazing can be used by land managers to target vulnerable or strong life history phases of unfavourable and favourable species (Ash and McIvor 1998).