by Kelly Menadue
Gamba Grass is a tall perennial monsoon region grass species of
African origin. It was originally introduced into the Northern
Territory as a pasture grass, however today it is invading savanna
ecosystems across the Top End. When effectively managed Gamba Grass
produces large quantities of feed for cattle, however when
uncontained it can reach 2 - 3 metres in height and result in high
fuel loads.
Gamba Grass is of particular concern as it can rapidly colonise
areas forming dense monoculture patches that out-compete native
plant species. It also has the potential to alter key determinants
of savanna ecosystem function: - nutrient and water availability,
and fire regimes. One of the most effective methods of controlling
further spread of the species is burning it late in the wet season
(prior to April) before it goes to seed.
Articles
Cut and dried: the issue is how to manage disturbance
The article Introduced grasses: triumph or Trojan horse raises valid concerns about the potential for introduced plant species to spread beyond what was originally intended and then disrupting ecosystems through disturbing existing… [
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Effects of canopy cover and ground disturbance on establishment of an invasive grass in an Australia savanna
Discussion on Gamba's grasses preference for establishing on disturbed and undisturbed sites [
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Fire and Weed Management
Weeds and the use of fire for their management in the tropical savannas [
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Grazing Issues in the tropical savannas - stocking and pastures
Stocking rates, methods to adjust stocking and pasture management. [
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Introduced grasses: poor master, but useful servant
Agricultural consultant Trevor Howard looks at some strategies the grazing industry and government are implementing to help contain exotics while reaping the benefits. Discusses the impact of exotic grasses on fire hazard. From Savanna Links, Issue 16, Oct - Dec 2000 [
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Introduced grasses: triumph or Trojan horse?
David Bowman of the Northern Territory University argues that one of the most profound threats to the tropical savannas is developing under our noses yet little research is being carried out on the issue Over the past… [
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Natalie Rossiter
Charles Darwin University The impacts of invasive grasses on ecosystem processes in Australia's savannas Background | Aims and scope | Impacts on nitrogen dynamics | Impacts on fire… [
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Testing the grass-fire cycle: alien grass invasion in the tropical savannas of northern Australia
Compares fuel loads in areas invaded by Gamba grass with areas dominated by native grasses and discusses how Gamba grass contributes to the grass fire cycle. [
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Weed Managers
Gamba grass The picture at right shows gamba grass in the Northern Territory Gamba produces robust tussocks that can reach a height of 4 metres producing fuel loads for fires four to ten times that of native savanna grasses… [
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