Tussock grassland
Encyclopedia
Tussock grassland is a form of open grassland
common in many temperate southern hemisphere regions, notably in New Zealand
, but also in Australia
, Argentina
, some subantarctic
islands, and parts of southern and eastern Africa
.
It is usually typified by low rainfall and poor soils, in which few plants other than hardy tussock
can flourish.
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
common in many temperate southern hemisphere regions, notably in New Zealand
New Zealand tussock grasslands
Tussock grasslands form expansive and distinctive landscapes in the South Island and to a lesser extent in the central plateau region of the North Island of New Zealand...
, but also in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, some subantarctic
Subantarctic
The Subantarctic is a region in the southern hemisphere, located immediately north of the Antarctic region. This translates roughly to a latitude of between 46° – 60° south of the Equator. The subantarctic region includes many islands in the southern parts of the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and...
islands, and parts of southern and eastern Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
It is usually typified by low rainfall and poor soils, in which few plants other than hardy tussock
Tussock (grass)
Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are found as native plants in natural ecosystems, as forage in pastures, and as ornamental grasses in gardens....
can flourish.
External links
- Otago University, Department of Biology - The Conservation Status of NZ's Indigenous Tussock Grasslands
- Te Ara:The encyclopedia of New Zealand - Tussock grasslands