Near Boulia, Queensland, Australia Photograph by www.c2ctours.com   Northeastern Australia Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   177,900 square miles (460,700 square kilometers) -- about the size of Oregon and Kansas Vulnerable

· Rolling Grassland
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Rolling Grassland

This region got its name from the endless, rolling downs of Mitchell grass that extend from the Northern Territory far into New South Wales, Australia. Because these savannas are a long distance from the coast, annual rainfall is low and drought conditions are common. Still, this is one of the best grazing areas on the continent. Only about 16,500 people live in this ecoregion, all of whom are involved in ranching. Because the vegetation is so uniform, the wildlife found here is not very diverse.

Special Features

A Mitchell grass plant can live for up to 30 years. The grass grows as scattered clumps or tussocks with roots well over 3 feet (1 m) long, allowing the plant to access soil moisture deep within the cracking clays. Mitchell grass remains palatable and nutritious even during summer when it dries up. While other grasses and shrubs may grow between the tussocks, few native trees are found in the Mitchell Grass Downs ecoregion.

Some people think ranchers should destock cattle and sheep completely, replacing them with kangaroos. Three kangaroos eat as much as two sheep and generally select similar kinds of grasses, so that the same amount of land would produce more meat if sheep were replaced with kangaroos. However, the kangaroo is a source of national pride for Australia, and it may not be easy to convince people to eat kangaroo meat.

Wild Side

No tree-dwelling birds and few mammals live here, but amphibians and snakes and other reptiles are abundant. When winter rains moisten the cracked clay soils, burrowing frogs soon emerge from the mud to breed in the short-lived abundance of water. The speckled brown snake and Ingram’s brown snake are only found in these tussock grasslands. During the day, slim whip snakes make their way through the low grass. As night falls, the venomous common death adder awakens to search for prey. The death adder twitches the thin tip of its tail and lures unsuspecting small mammals, such as the Julia Creek dunnart, within striking distance. The Julia Creek dunnart is a rare mouse-like marsupial that is found only in this ecoregion. Other venomous snakes found here include the well-named fierce snake, the mulga snake, and the western brown snake. The harmless orange-naped snake and banded snake are also found here. Grassland birds are very common, including the small, red-brown singing bushlark, the larger brown songlark, and several species of quail. Pelicans, ibises, herons, and terns fill the skies, seeking marshy breeding grounds. As the ponds dry up, migrant birds flock to the Mitchell grasslands. The little curlew, with its long, down-curved bill, and the graceful, black-legged oriental pratincole are just two such species.

Cause for Concern

Until recently, almost no land in this area was put aside for conservation, and the entire area was used as pasture. Overgrazing can devastate grasslands, and even controlled grazing can have a significant effect on vegetation. Livestock will eat palatable plant species more than others, upsetting the natural balance among species. In addition, permanent water set up for stock animals attracts birds, such as cockatoos, that can invade these areas where their range was previously restricted, once again disrupting natural patterns. Feral animals, the overpopulation of kangaroos, and invasive weeds are also continuing problems.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.