Treeless grassland restoration

Left: Clump Point grassland, 1953. Right: Clump Point grassland, date unknown. Source: Len Webb Ecological Images Collection, Griffith University.

Where are the native grasslands in the Wet Tropics? What condition are they in and how would you go about restoring them? 

Treeless grasslands are now rare in the Wet Tropics. Most have been invaded by trees and exotic grasses. Many are cultural sites that were actively managed by Traditional Owners through fire. Now fire is more complicated with exotic grasses benefiting from fire, and rainforest invasion preventing fire.

A unique treeless grassland is the Themeda grassland on Clump Point’s basalt headland. There have been numerous attempts to restore it using fire, weed management and revegetation. However, it is increasingly dominated by trees and weeds.

Clump Point Coastcare in partnership with Djiru, Cassowary Coast Council and grassland restoration experts are preparing a restoration plan. To share your ideas, contact Tony O’Malley on 0437 728 190.

Visit Eubenangee Swamp National Park to see the region’s best example of native lowland grassland.