Observations on the regeneration of shrubs and woody forbs over a ten year period in grazed quadrats on Mileura Station, Western Australia.

Abstract

Observations are reported on the regeneration of shrubs within grazed quadrats in inland Western Australia (26' 22's; 117' 20'~). The observations showed that in a ten year period of slightly above average rainfall, an increase in number of individual plants occurred in 24 out of 30 species of shrubs. No change occurred in four species and a decrease in numbers was observed in two species. Figures are given of the stocking rate of merino sheep on each quadrat in each year. Although no overall differences in amount of regeneration was observed in quadrats subjected to different stocking rates, within the range of rates occurring in this study (6.9 to 13.7 ha per sheep) individual species did show trends indicating different rates of regeneration under different stocking rates. Eremophila fraseri regenerated faster in quadrats experiencing high stocking rates than in those experiencing low ones and the reverse trend was shown by Solanum ashbyae and Acacia tetragonophylla. The Eremophila is considered unpalatable to stock whereas both the Solanum and the Acacia are eaten by sheep. Such trends could lead, eventually, to changes in species diversity in the area. The results of these observations suggest that the regeneration of rangeland shrubs is not incompatible with commercial stocking rates at Mileura.