VEGETATION OF DERRIMUT GRASSLAND RESERVE 
45 
Fig. 2. Amphibromus-Agrostis grassland on edge of 
Lake Stanley. December 1986; tape measure encloses 
a 5 x 3 m quadrat. 
land (Table 2). Its recognition as a separate 
group was based on differences in habitat, domi¬ 
nance and appearance as well as floristics. 
Mixed-species herbland was co-dominated by 
a variety of herbs, each of which generally oc¬ 
curred at low cover values. Common species in¬ 
cluded Eleocharis acuta (to 150 mm tall only). 
Lobelia pratioides, Danthonia duttoniana, 
Agrostis avenacea and * Leon to don taraxacoides 
(Fig. 5). This vegetation type was most extensive 
in a broad zone around Lake Stanley, behind the 
narrow band of Amphibromus-Agrostis grass¬ 
land, but it also occurred in places along the 
drainage lines (Fig. 1). It was seasonally flooded 
but for a shorter period than Amphibromus- 
Agrostis grassland or Eleocharis sedgeland. Bare 
soil was often abundant and deep cracks 
appeared in late summer. In contrast to the other 
wetland groups, species richness was very high: 
Fig. 4. Eleocharis sedgeland in small depression on 
western drainage line, December 1986; Potamogeton 
tricarinatus, *Lilaea scilloides and Myriophylhim sp. 
dominate central depression. 
Vegetation Group 
Fig. 3. Mean number of total, native and exotic species 
in five vegetation types; hatching shows exotic species. 
AA = Amphibromus-Agrostis grassland, ES = Eleo¬ 
charis sedgeland, MH = mixed-species herbland, TG 
= Themeda grassland, VG = Vulpia grassland. 
viz. 29 species per quadrat (Fig. 3). However, the 
mean number of exotics per quadrat (15 species) 
was greater than in all other vegetations (Fig. 3). 
The total number of species in mixed-species 
herbland was significantly greater than in 
Themeda grassland and Eleocharis sedgeland, 
and the number of exotic species was signifi¬ 
cantly greater than in Themeda grassland, Eleo¬ 
charis sedgeland and Amphibromus-Agrostis 
grassland (p < 0.05). 
Fig. 5. Mixed-species herbland, December 1986; 
species include Eryngium vesiculosam, Lobelia pra¬ 
tioides and Danthonia duttoniana. 
