Subject to the influences of coastal environments. This includes sheltered and exposed cliffs on non-calcareous substrates, sheltered and exposed dunes on non-calcareous or calcareous substrates, and sheltered tidal zones. Coastal vegetation faces different environmental conditions than terrestrial vegetation, and in particular, it must be able to tolerate exposure, high salt content and unstable substrates such as sandy soils and eroded cliff-tops. parameters such as geology and level of exposure are important determinants of the type and composition of coastal vegetation that will persist at a particular coastal location.
Grassland
Few or no trees, and an understorey dominated by native grasses and herbs. Grasslands may have patches of shrubs in the mid-storey, particularly on shallow and rocky soils. All grasslands in the AMLR are tussock grasslands, having discrete clumps or tussocks of grasses, herbs or sedges. Inter-tussock spaces consist of bare ground with a diverse range of herbs and annual plans emerging in spring. Grasslands with an emergent tree or shrub layer have been classified in this document as grasslands with emergents. However, in reality, vegetation is a continuum with subtle intergrades between grasslands, grasslands with emergents and grassy woodlands.
Grassy Woodland
Woodlands with an understorey dominated by grasses, herbaceous species (e.g. daisies, lilies) and sedges, a scattered shrub layer and a discontinuous tree layer.
Grassy woodlands have an overstorey typically dominated by eucalypts, including smooth-barked gums and/or box. Tree density is variable, but a typical grassy woodland may have a tree density of approximately 30 trees per hectare, which results in some open areas without canopy. In high rainfall areas, tree density may be higher resulting in woodlands that resemble forests. The mid-storey of grassy woodlands may contain scattered woody shrubs. Shrub density is highly variable between communities and individual patches of vegetation, probably reflecting soil quality and fire history. Grassy woodlands contain a very high diversity of native plant species. This diversity is particularly apparent during spring, when many species of wildflower emerge from spaces between grass tussocks.
