Temperate Grasslands

Geography

Location (VVP)

Located in the southwest of Victoria and is bordered by the Wannon River in the west, the Grampians in the north-west and Kilmore in the north-east

Distribution (VVP)

The distribution of the environment includes core landscapes and wetlands. The area is primarily treeless open areas which consist of Kangaroo grass. There is also a range of wetlands including deep freshwater lakes, shallow swamps and other water bodies.

Biophysical characteristics (VVP)

The landscape has been formed by newer volcanoes. The areas have irregular topography and lack internal drainage as the lava flows are constricted. It has exceptionally fertile soils due to the volcanic activity. The climate is hot, dry summers and cold winters with the average rainfall of 500-700mm a year. The area has many native orchids, daisies, lilies, peas and grasses and small animals such as striped legless lizards, the fat tailed dunnart and the golden sun moth.

Importance of the Environment (VVP)

It is one of the 15 main biodiversity areas in Australia that supports more than 25 endangered species of flora and fauna. It is possible to find more than 25 different species in a single square metre.

Location (NAP)

Located in the middle of the continent, stretching from Canada to the southern area of the United States, passing through 10 US states and 3 Canadian provinces.

Distribution (VVP)

The distribution of the environment mainly consists of the prairie distribution. Tallgrass prairie are typically found in eastern areas, due to the humid environment and increased rainfall. Mixed grass prairies are found in the central area of the region, acting as a transitional zone between the tallgrass prairie and the shortgrass prairie. The shortgrass prairie lives in the west and is characterised by low precipitation.

Biophysical characteristics (NAP)

The area experiences high temperatures and droughts in summer and freezing winters. The area is mainly made up of perennial grasses with many flowering plants during spring seasons. The Prairies are home to a diverse range of wildlife including the American bison, pronghorns, elk and prairie dogs. They are also covered in purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Leadplant and various asters.

Imortance of the ecosystem (NAP)

It is one of four areas in the world that has the potential to preserve temperate grasslands. The Prairies also store carbon in the vast networking roots which can help climate change as they are unable to be reached by wildfires.

Human Impacts (VVP

The natural grasslands and eucalypt woodlands of this area have severely declined since European settlement

Farmers have continued to use the land even though the area has been listed endangered under national environment law

Climate change has also increased droughts, heatwaves and fire risks

There hasn't been a volcanic eruption in this area in roughly 5000 to 7000 years out of 400 volcanos

Over 95% of the original grasslands been destroyed or modified due to human development

Introduction of exotic plants has degraded the native flora

Rock removal, infrastructure development, rock crushing and traffic have disturbed soil crusts

Increased erosion has lead to land degradation

Human Impacts (NAP)

The three different types of grasses in the prairies used to cover the entire grasslands now only exist in small isolated fragments due to habitat loss

Introduced species are threatening native animals

Approximately 80% of the grasslands have been destroyed or modified from agriculture, urban sprawl and other industries,

It is estimated that the Prairies have lost a greater portion of grasslands than the Amazon has lost rainforest.

Human development has also broken up the remaining grasslands, causing habitats to be split into fragments

Industries and agriculture has led to water shortages within the prairies

Increasing pollution in grasslands

Invasive grass species now take up roughly 30% of the grasslands instead of the native grasses

Australian Government National Landcare Program (VVP)

Who: Australian Government's National Landcare Program

Length: is funding a 5 year project to monitor the grasslands to stop them from further being endangered due to bushfires.

Solving: This is planned to be done by starting back burning earlier in the season, but less frequently.

Negative: to this idea is that it will stop new seeds from growing as they are planning to do this during the flowering season but it is likely that those seeds would have been affected by bushfires anyway.

Positive: they will be able to control the fires and the seeds for the next 2-3 years will be able to properly grow.

Success: So far, this strategy is working in restoring the grasslands as over 1500 hectares of habitat have been improved.

Threated Species Conservancy (VVP)

Who: Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC)

Solving: is raising awareness to improve habitat conditions through weed control, seed banking, community engagement, landholder extension and surveying and mapping to support the plains environment.

Length: They are able to do this project with several partners, with an estimated cost of $50 000 but received $0 of funding for this 12 month plan.

Positives: focuses on restoring and managing the area and has specific targets to boost populations.

Negative: the project is becoming more of a struggle as urban development continues to put pressure on the environment.

Success: While the TSC is putting in lots of effort into raising awareness about this concern, habitat loss continues to decline and the area is still facing pressure from urban and agricultural expansion.

Corangamite CMA (VVP)

Who: Corangamite CMA is partnering with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Greening Australia

Solving: to protect the endangered plants that hold cultural significance for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. This is going to be done by collecting the endangered seeds and replanting them to boost their populations.

Length: No set time period

Positive: Corangamite CMA is working with the Traditional Owners of the land to ensure plants that are of importance to them are saved from endangerment.

Negative: this plan is estimated to cost over $2 million per year and the current efforts are still insufficient against the total ecological decline.

Success: this plan has not been enough to reserve the overall decline of the ecosystem.

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Who: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is collaborating with the American Prairie Reserve to restore the Prairies.

Solving: They are aiming to understand how changes to the grasslands affect the wildlife and help endangered species. Their aim is to restore small populations of animals in these areas which balance out the ecosystems.

Positive: it aims to restore the biodiversity of the grasslands. Negative: it would involve restoring decades of agricultural changes.

Success: This plan appears to be working as it is estimated to have helped 3 million out of over 240 million acres of the Prairies.

Grassland Adaptation Menu

Who: Grassland Adaptation Menu is being created by Berneath-Plaisted

Solving: to establish guidelines which consists of eight overarching categories that include 32 targets and 145 specific management strategies. This will be done through seed diversity, restoring native vegetation and improving land management.

Positive: Will enhance the ecosystems resilience for warmer climates and increase biodiversity.

Negative: Can increase invasive species that will disturb the balance of the ecosystem

Success: This project is currently in a transitional phase to develop these strategies so the environment is currently not adapting enough to keep up with climate change.

American Prairie

Who: American Prairie

Length: Beginning in 2023, have already tested the idea in 2012

Solving: Conduct controlled burning to reintroduce habitat that is used for animals at different points in their lifecycle. They are aiming to burn 1000 - 3000 acres per year strategically to restore habitat, attract large herbivores and reduce wildfires.

Positive: Mimic natural disturbances that would normally create habitat but have been unable to in recent years.

Negative: Frequent burning can result in the death of small insects, pollinators and small mammals that were using the previous area as habitat

Success: Has reduced potential wildfires up to 62% with 99.8% of prescribed fires working successfully with minimal damage.

Comparison

The Victorian Volcanic Plains mainly focus on protecting habitats and species

that are endangered. This is being done through organised burning, to

Stop wildfires from destroying habitats, raising community awareness and

protecting certain plants that hold importance to the Traditional owners

of the land. In comparison, the North American Prairies are focusing on

restoring the balance of the ecosystem.