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Australia's woodlands are home to a diverse range of plant species, from medium-sized trees to ground-layer plants. The term woodland in Australia typically refers to ecosystems with well-spaced trees whose crowns do not touch. These woodlands are dominated by Eucalyptus species, particularly in temperate regions. Other common trees include Acacia (wattle), Syncarpia (turpentine), Lophostemon (brush box), and Casuarina (she-oak). The understorey may include cypress pine, wattles, grass trees, Banksia, saltbush, spinifex, and tussock grasses. Some specific types of woodlands include box-ironbark woodlands, Banksia woodlands, and Leptospermum forests. Fungi, mosses, and liverworts can also be found in certain woodland areas, providing habitat and food sources for various organisms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tree species | Eucalyptus, yellow box, white box, red box, red ironbark, mulga, paperbark, Acacia, Syncarpia, Lophostemon, Casuarina, Banksia, Grevilleas, Hakea, Heterodendron, Myoporum, Geijera, Flindersia, Macropteranthes, Adansonia, Lysiphyllum, Pandanus, Terminalia |
| Tree spacing | Widely spaced, crowns do not touch |
| Understorey | Cypress pine, wattles, grass trees, Banksia, saltbush, spinifex, tussock and other grasses |
| Groundlayer plants | 90% of flora, including Grass family Poaceae, daiesies (Asteraceae), peas (Fabaceae), and chenopods (Chenopodiaceae) |
| Fungi | Mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls, bracket fungi, slime moulds, Calvatia lilacina |
| Lichens | Symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a green alga or cyanobacteria |
| Annual rainfall | 250-800mm |
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What You'll Learn
Eucalypt woodlands
In Australia, the term "woodland" is used to describe ecosystems with widely spaced trees, the crowns of which do not touch. In temperate Australia, Eucalyptus species dominate these woodlands, which occur predominantly in regions with a mean annual rainfall of between 250-800mm. These woodlands form a transitional zone between the higher-rainfall forested margins of the continent and the shrub and grasslands of the arid interior.
In south-eastern Australia, common woodland tree species include yellow box (*Eucalyptus melliodora*), white box (*Eucalyptus albens*), red box (*Eucalyptus polyanthemos*), and red ironbark (*Eucalyptus sideroxylon*). Associations of these trees are often referred to as box-ironbark woodlands. Prior to European settlement, these woodlands covered large areas of temperate southern Australia, forming a continuous vegetation community on the inland side of the Great Dividing Range, occurring from southern Queensland to the lower south-east of South Australia, with a narrow strip running north and south of Adelaide.
Today, these woodlands are under threat from a variety of processes, including clearing and fragmentation, insect outbreaks, diseases, and grazing. The greatest threat to the long-term survival of eucalypt woodlands is the failure of woodland trees to regenerate due to intensive grazing killing off any seedlings that appear. Additionally, the collection of wood from roadsides and remnant bush has been linked to declining numbers of birds and animals in these woodlands. Dead wood and old standing trees provide an important source of food and habitat for many species, and their removal can have significant ecological impacts.
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Banksia and Grevilleas
Banksia and Grevillea plants are native to Australia and can be found across the continent, except in the harshest desert or saltpan regions. Banksia woodlands are comparatively restricted in their extent but may be locally abundant. Grevillea species are diverse, with about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants native to rainforests and more open habitats in Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Sulawesi, and other Indonesian islands east of the Wallace Line. Banksia and Grevillea plants attract many nectar-feeding birds, adding to the bird diversity in the areas where they are found.
Banksia plants are known for their ability to produce copious amounts of edible nectar, which can be extracted directly from the base of the flowers. Banksia flowers can also be removed from the plants and dipped into water to infuse it with sweetness, a favourite treat of many native Australian tribes, especially in the arid interior and Top End. Banksia plants are also used for their antibacterial eucalyptus oils, which can be applied topically or inhaled as a mist to help with chesty coughs and other flu-like illnesses.
Grevillea species exhibit three main inflorescence structures: a cylindrical to ovoid raceme, a single-sided raceme, and a condensed or clustered raceme. Grevillea banksii, one of the most commonly cultivated Grevillea species, has been in cultivation for a long time. Grevillea plants are good bird-attracting plants and their flowers were traditionally used by First Nations Peoples for their sweet nectar. Grevillea sap, especially that of the gigantic G. robusta, can be extremely irritating to the skin and eyes, so caution should be exercised when handling this plant.
Both Banksia and Grevillea plants have become invasive pests in other parts of the world due to the careless introduction of these species to new environments.
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Grasslands and tussock grass
Grasslands are a common feature of the Australian landscape, with the country's extreme climate and poor soils making it ideal for hardy tussock grasses to flourish. Tussock grasslands, characterised by their distinctive perennial grasses that grow in dense, hardy tufts, are found across vast stretches of the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia and New Zealand. These grasslands are not limited to a specific climate and can be found in tropical, temperate, and even subalpine regions of Australia.
In Queensland, particularly in the western regions, tussock grasslands are quite extensive. The Mitchell grasslands are the most well-known example, covering approximately 500,000 square kilometres of Australia's arid zone. These grasslands occur on cracking clay plains across semi-arid tropical Australia, including the Channel Country of southern Queensland. The bluegrass tussock grasslands are found north of the Mitchell grasslands, where rainfall is higher, and they thrive on the cracking clay plains and floodplains closer to the coast.
The unique growth pattern of tussock grasses, with their cylindrical, clumped structure, creates intricate microenvironments. These microhabitats provide shelter and protection for smaller plants and animals, while also aiding in water infiltration and soil moisture retention. The spaces between the tussocks, known as inter-tussock spaces, are ecologically significant and help support a diverse range of life. Tussock grasslands are also known for their natural fire resistance, as the dense core of the plant often survives even when the outer leaves burn, allowing for quick regeneration.
Tussock grasses have a long history of cultural significance for Traditional Indigenous peoples, who have utilised these grasses for weaving and crafting baskets and mats. The grasses also provide essential habitats for native wildlife, including seed-eating birds like budgerigars, cockatiels, and button-quails, as well as larger birds like kites and the iconic Australian bustard. Many small mammals, such as dunnarts, kangaroos, and monitor lizards, also find shelter and food among the tussocks.
In addition to the tussock grasslands, Australia also has "almost grasslands" known as eucalypt and acacia open woodlands. These ecoregions have a tree cover of 10-30%, with a significant presence of understory hummock or tussock grasses. The eucalypt open grasslands are nestled within the true grasslands, while the acacia open woodlands are primarily found in the south. Unfortunately, these areas have faced threats such as overgrazing by livestock and increased fire intensity, impacting the natural balance of these ecosystems.
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Wet Tropics open woodlands
The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is a natural wonder and a cultural landscape that stretches along the coastal fringes from Townsville to Cairns. This area is home to a diverse range of plant life, including open woodlands, sclerophyll forests, and tropical grasslands.
The tropical open woodlands in this region are characterised by a mix of tree species and groundlayer plants. The dominant tree species in these open woodlands include the Australian Boab tree, which is endemic to the north-west of Australia. This tree, scientifically known as Adansonia gregorii, has a distinctive fat trunk and leafless dry season branches. Its fruit has edible stiff flesh described as having a "lemony styrofoam" texture. Other tree species found in the Wet Tropics open woodlands include the yellow box, white box, red box, and red ironbark eucalyptus species. These trees are commonly referred to as the box-ironbark woodlands and have been extensively cleared for firewood since European settlement.
In addition to the trees, the groundlayer plants make up a significant portion of the flora in the Wet Tropics open woodlands. These small and delicate plants may not be as showy as their larger counterparts, but they contribute to the overall biodiversity of the area. The predominant plant family in these woodlands is the Grass family Poaceae, with a mix of both native and exotic species. Other common plant families include the Daisies (Asteraceae), the Peas (Fabaceae), and Chenopods (Chenopodiaceae). Ferns, mosses, and liverworts are also present, thriving in the wet conditions of the tropical environment.
Fungi play an important role in the Wet Tropics open woodlands as well. Various species of mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls, bracket fungi, and slime moulds can be found in the area, particularly during the cooler months after good rainfall. Lichens, which are symbiotic organisms consisting of fungi and algae, are also prevalent in these woodlands. They provide essential protection against soil erosion in dry habitats.
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Fungi and lichens
Fungi are usually found after good rain, particularly during the cooler autumn months. Several species of fungi have been noted in the woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden, including mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, bracket fungi, and slime moulds. Some are native, while others are introduced. The mushroom is the fruiting body of the organism, and beneath it is a thin, 'root-like' net of hyphae that is the feeding system. Fungi cannot make their own food like higher plants. Most fungus species are microscopic or at least do not have any features visible to the naked eye. Examples include yeasts, moulds, plant rusts, smuts, mildew, and ringworm. There are estimated to be about 10,000 species of macrofungi in Australia, about half of which have been named.
Lichens are made up of two or more different organisms that exist in a mutually beneficial relationship called symbiosis. The fungus element requires carbohydrates as a food source, while the algae or cyanobacteria require shelter. As the algae/cyanobacteria are photosynthetic, they provide food for the fungus in return for shelter. Lichens are non-parasitic and do not harm the plants they grow on. They are useful to other wildlife, offering nesting material for birds and food and shelter to invertebrates, which in turn feed other creatures. Lichens are also sensitive to pollution and can highlight the quality of the surrounding air. They are important in providing soil surface protection against erosion in dry habitats. There are about 20,000 species of lichens, represented in most habitats in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian woodlands are dominated by Eucalyptus species, including yellow box, white box, red box, and red ironbark. Other common trees include Acacia (wattle), Syncarpia (turpentine), Lophostemon (brush box), and Casuarina (she-oak). The understorey can include cypress pine, wattles, grass trees, Banksia, saltbush, spinifex, tussock, and other grasses.
Australian woodlands are characterized by medium-sized trees that are widely spaced and do not grow very close together, with crowns that do not touch.
Yes, one example is the box-ironbark woodlands, which used to cover large areas of temperate southern Australia before European settlement. These woodlands are predominantly composed of Eucalyptus species, specifically yellow box, white box, red box, and red ironbark.
The Cumberland Plain Woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden is known to contain several species of fungi, including mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls, bracket fungi, and slime moulds, as well as mosses and liverworts.
