Volume 37, 176-181

Tropical Grasslands (2003) Volume 37, 176–181

Competition affects survival and growth of buffel grass seedlings — is buffel grass a coloniser or an invader?

JOHN G. MCIVOR

CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

The survival of buffel grass seedlings in quadrats either with or without competition from other plants was measured in 2 pastures near Townsville over a 65-week period. No buffel grass seedlings survived in the competition treatment but 40% and 80% of the seedlings without competition survived. These results suggest buffel grass is able to colonise bare areas but is unable to invade dense vegetation. The studies need to be extended to other vegetation types to determine the generality of the results.