Effect of soil pH on the distribution of Danthonia species on the tablelands of central and southern New South Wales

A survey of 126 grazed pastures on the central, southern, and Monaro tablelands was conducted during spring-summer of 1991/92 to determine the extent of Danthonia species and factors influencing their distribution. Seventeen species were found. The presence of D. racemosa, D. caespitosa, D. richardsonii, and D. linkii was associated with higher pH soils, whereas D. pilosa, D. eriantha, D. duttoniana, D. setacea, and D. monticola were more common on lower pH soils. The presence of D. laevis and D. carphoides appeared to be independent of pH. Further examination of the variation in the two most widely occurring species, and those species favoured by higher soil acidity, should provide a useful basis for deciding on any future selection programme.