The effect of resource dynamics on invasive annual and native perennial grasses in grasslands of the mid-north of South Australia / Tanja Lenz.

Abstract

Investigates the effects of soil moisture dynamics on the growth and interactions between invasive annual grasses and native perennial grasses in the mid-north of South Australia. At most sites annual grass abundance was positively correlated with rainfall, soil moisture after rainfall and higher soil productivity. Perennial grass abundance was negatively correlated with annual grass abundance and soil moisture after rainfall, and was weakly positively correlated with percentage summer rainfall, elevation, radiation, gravel and slope. Overall perennial grasses responded little to the environmental variables investigated, but strongly to annual grass abundance, while for annual grasses soil moisture was the driving variable.