Natural Temperate Grassland
In late 2024, we established a new conservation zone in Crace following conservation mapping. We identified the area from the existing Gungaderra Grasslands Nature Reserve to the bicycle path on Drooka Cres as critical in protecting several species.
The new zone helps protect the Striped Legless Lizard, Box Gum Woodland, Superb Parrot and Gang-gang Cockatoos. To maintain the habitat for these species a restricted mowing schedule will be implemented and there will be an increase in invasive plant control in this new area.
The area is still open for recreation and access to the new zone and nearby nature reserve is unchanged.
Description
When European settlers first came to Australia, they found large areas of natural grassland. These areas were covered in grass, with large numbers of wildflowers with few scattered trees and shrubs. Farms and cities have since replaced the original grasslands in southern Australia.
Where to find it
Natural Temperate Grassland grows in places with fewer trees. This is due to the low temperatures, little rainfall, and infertile or clay soils. In the ACT, these grasslands are usually found in valleys below 625 m in altitude.
Perennial tussocks can grow up to one metre high. Tussock grasses are grasses that grow in clumps, tufts or bunches. They give Natural Temperate Grassland its unique look. Other grasses, wildflowers, and sometimes mosses and lichens grow below and between these tussocks.
Conservation threats
Less than about 5% of the ACT's original extent Natural Temperate Grassland remains.
Conservation threats to the grasslands include:
- urban development
- pasture improvements
- weed invasion and spread
- poor grazing practices
- poor fire management practices.
There are several threatened animals and plants that live in these grasslands that are also at risk of extinction. These include:
- Striped Legless Lizard
- Grassland Earless Dragon
- Golden Sun Moth
- Perunga Grasshopper
- Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper
- Ginninderra Peppercress
- Baeuerlen’s Gentian
- Button Wrinklewort.
Conservation status
- National – Critically Endangered (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
- Australian Capital Territory – Critically Endangered (Nature Conservation Act 2014).
Conservation actions
Conservation actions and restoration programs aim to:
- develop formal agreements with Commonwealth landholders
- identify conservation needs in Land Management Agreements with rural lessees
- use special management measures in small urban open spaces
- use ecological burning as a management tool
- learn how to protect the plants and animals that live in these places
- enhance the condition and functionality of the grassland through restoration
- improve knowledge of the community’s ecology, restoration techniques, and how to manage threats
- retain areas of native grassland in lower ecological condition that serve as ecological buffers or landscape connections, or that are a priority for restoration.