Grassland ecosystems fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are grassland ecosystems?

Grassland ecosystems are places where grasses, herbs, animals, fungi, soil, sunlight, water and climate interact. They usually have few trees or shrubs, which allows sunlight and wind to reach the ground layer.

Native grasslands can look simple from a distance, but healthy grasslands can contain many species. Grasses, wildflowers and other low plants provide food and shelter for insects, spiders, reptiles, birds, mammals and decomposers.

Grassland ecosystems occur in different parts of Australia, including tablelands, inland plains, coastal headlands and high mountain areas. In NSW, natural temperate grasslands are especially important in parts of the Monaro, Southern Tablelands and Central Tablelands.

A grassland ecosystem.

Grassland ecosystems can provide open feeding habitat for grazing animals.

Where are grassland ecosystems found?

Grassland ecosystems are found in many parts of Australia. Some occur naturally on plains, valleys, tablelands, coastal headlands and high country where trees do not form a closed canopy. Others occur as grassy areas within woodland or as native grass-dominated patches after tree cover has changed.

In NSW, important natural temperate grasslands occur in parts of the Monaro, Southern Tablelands and Central Tablelands. These grasslands are now highly reduced and many remaining patches are important habitat for threatened plants and animals.

Native grasslands can form open ecosystems dominated by grasses and low plants.

What living and non-living features make up grassland ecosystems?

Living features include grasses, sedges, herbs, wildflowers, insects, spiders, reptiles, birds, mammals, fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms. Plants are producers because they use sunlight to make food. Animals are consumers, and fungi, bacteria and small invertebrates help recycle dead material.

Non-living features include soil, sunlight, rainfall, temperature, wind, rocks, water, nutrients and open space. Fire patterns, grazing by animals and soil disturbance can also affect which plants grow, how much plant material builds up and which animals can find shelter.

Kangaroo grass is a native grass found in some Australian grassland ecosystems.

What plants and animals live in grassland ecosystems?

Grassland plants can include kangaroo grass, wallaby grasses, speargrasses, sedges, lilies, orchids, daisies and other herbs. Many healthy native grasslands contain a mix of grasses and forbs, which are small non-woody flowering plants.

Grassland animals can include grasshoppers, beetles, native bees, butterflies, moths, spiders, lizards, snakes, ground-feeding birds and grazing mammals. Some threatened grassland species in NSW include grassland earless dragons, golden sun moths and little whip snakes.

Grassland earless dragons are one of the reptiles that can depend on grassland habitat.

How do living things depend on grassland ecosystems?

Grassland food webs begin with grasses, herbs and other plants. Grasshoppers, caterpillars, kangaroos and wallabies may feed on plant material. Spiders, lizards, snakes, birds and mammals may feed on insects or other animals. Fungi, bacteria, termites, beetles and worms help break down dead plants and animal waste.

Grass tussocks can shelter small animals from heat, cold and predators. Flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, while seed heads feed birds and other animals. Bare ground patches can help some seeds germinate and give reptiles warm places to bask.

Golden sun moth larvae live in the soil beneath native grassland.

How are grassland ecosystems connected to Aboriginal Peoples and Country?

Grassland ecosystems are part of Country for many Aboriginal Peoples. Aboriginal Peoples have long used careful knowledge of plants, animals, seasons, soils and fire to care for grasslands, grassy woodlands and open Country. In some places, this helped create a patchwork of open grassy areas, regenerating plants and habitats for animals.

In south-eastern Australia, natural temperate grasslands are adapted to fire patterns that included Aboriginal burning, often as patchy, low-intensity fires at suitable times of year. Cultural fire practices are guided by Aboriginal communities and local Country. They can support cultural responsibilities, protect natural and cultural values, encourage healthy plant growth and help knowledge pass between generations.

Cultural burning can help care for grassland Country.

Why are grassland ecosystems important?

Grassland ecosystems are important because they support many plants and animals, including species that need open grassy habitat to survive. Even small grassland patches can provide food, shelter, pollination places, seed sources and stepping stones between other habitats.

Grasslands also help protect soil, store carbon, cycle nutrients and support agriculture where grazing is managed carefully. Remaining native grassland patches are especially valuable because many have been cleared, fragmented or changed.

Wildflowers add biodiversity to grassland ecosystems.

What threatens grassland ecosystems?

Grassland ecosystems can be threatened by clearing, cropping, urban development, fragmentation, soil disturbance, overgrazing, weeds and inappropriate fire patterns. When grasslands are broken into small patches, plants and animals may become isolated and more exposed to weeds, trampling, erosion and edge effects.

Introduced perennial grasses can displace native vegetation and change grassland structure, composition and fuel loads. Climate change can also affect rainfall, temperature, drought, fire weather and the survival of grassland species.

Invasive grasses can change native grassland structure and reduce habitat quality.

How can you help protect grassland ecosystems?

You can help protect grassland ecosystems by staying on marked tracks, keeping dogs under control where they are allowed, cleaning shoes and equipment after visiting weedy areas, and never dumping garden waste. Schools and communities can help by planting local native grasses and wildflowers, protecting remnant vegetation, joining approved bushcare activities and learning how to recognise native grassland plants.

Protecting native grasses helps keep grassland habitat healthy.

Related fact sheets

Environments and ecosystems

• Ecosystems and environments fact sheet⁠ – Compare ecosystems, habitats and environments across NSW.
• Woodland ecosystem fact sheet⁠ – Compare grasslands with open grassy woodlands.
• Alpine and subalpine environment fact sheet⁠ – Explore high mountain environments that can include grasslands and herbfields.
• Arid and semi-arid environment fact sheet⁠ – Explore dry inland environments where grasses and shrubs shape food webs.
• Agricultural environment fact sheet⁠ – Compare native grasslands with managed farms, grazing and food production.

Habitats

• Habitat fact sheet⁠ – Learn how habitats provide food, shelter, water, space and breeding places.
• Ground cover habitat fact sheet⁠ – Explore low plants, grasses and herbs that protect soil and shelter small animals.
• Rock and log habitat fact sheet⁠ – Learn how rocks and fallen timber create shelter and basking places.

Animals in this ecosystem

• Grasshopper fact sheet⁠ – Explore plant-eating insects that are part of many grassland food webs.
• Butterfly fact sheet⁠ – Learn about insects that use flowers, sunshine and host plants.
• Insects fact sheet⁠ – Explore pollinators, plant feeders, predators and decomposers in food webs.
• Eastern blue-tongued lizard fact sheet⁠ – Learn about a ground-dwelling reptile that uses shelter and open sunny spaces.

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