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MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION 1271, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



that, while there is considerable information 

 on the physiological and morphogenetic proc- 

 esses as a whole, we have little specific knowledge 

 on Australian range grasses. There is ample scope 

 here for research and the application of research 

 findings. 



In my view, the main demands for such re- 

 search do not come from the need for increased 

 productivity, but from the need for improving 

 the condition of the range soil and vegetation. 

 This is a matter of environmental protection, 

 conservation, and promotion of landscape sta- 

 bility. In Australia, we are fortunate that a 

 reasonable proportion of the rangeland is not 

 badly degraded; nevertheless, improved manage- 

 ment is urgently needed to stem the processes of 

 degradation of the natural vegetation which in 

 some areas are well advanced. This needs to be 

 done while maintaining or improving existing 

 productivity levels and should be based on a 

 better understanding of the growth and develop- 

 ment of range plants. 



Astrebla is only one grass among many. The 

 study of its biology and autecology has helped in 

 formulating management practices in the re- 

 gions where it dominates. We should be able to 

 discuss with equal confidence the work on Dan- 

 tfionia, Stipa, Eragrostis, and other significant 

 perennial grass species and, indeed, many other 

 range plants. 



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