Australian grassland
Answers
Answer:
Australia has a latitudinal range of 11°S to 44°S, which, coupled with precipitation from 100 mm to 4 000 mm, generates a wide range of grassland environments. The landscape is characterized by vast plains with only limited elevated areas. Native herbage remains the basis for a significant portion of the grazing industry. Europeans settled in Australia two hundred years ago, and have had a massive impact on vegetation through agricultural development and introduction of exotic plants and animals. Most farms rely on animal products from grasslands. Grazing land tenure is a mix of freehold and leasehold from government. Family owned and operated farms remain the dominant unit. Most grassland products are exported. Arid and semi- arid tropical areas are used for extensive cattle grazing; water from artesian wells and bores is necessary. Pasture growth is very seasonal and stock lose weight in the dry season. The intermediate rainfall zone extends from south eastern Queensland through New South Wales, northern Victoria and southern South Australia, and includes part of south western Australia. Crops are combined with sheep rearing; ley farming systems, where a legume-based pasture phase of two to five years is alternated with crops for one to three years, were widely adopted in southern areas. This high-rainfall zone forms the greater part of the coastal belt and adjacent tablelands of the three eastern mainland states; sown pastures are widely used. Sheep and cattle dominate livestock numbers; wool sheep and beef cattle predominate, but dairying is locally important. Animals that compete for grazing include a range of macropods and feral domestic species. Sown pasture technology is well developed in the temperate zone, based on the use of selected, exotic species, with emphasis on legumes. Development of sown pastures was slower in the tropical areas and suffered a set-back when disease affected Stylosanthes stands.
Explanation:
this are Australian grassland
