Sub-asset stratification

Areas mapped as native grassland under pre-clearing datasets were surveyed in the field and found to be highly modified and degraded, dominated by introduced pasture species and African lovegrass. Given the extent of historical disturbance, it remains unclear whether these areas ever functioned as true native grassland.

Restoring them to native grassland was assessed as impractical for several reasons. Rebuilding the soil nutrient and microbial conditions required to support grassland is technically difficult, persistent weed pressure and a established weed seed bank pose ongoing management challenges, and sourcing suitable grassland species remains problematic. Changing climatic conditions in the Snowy Monaro region, particularly the reduction in intense frost events that may have historically maintained grassland, mean that woody vegetation is now better suited to these locations. Given these constraints and the site's proximity to established woody vegetation communities, reallocating these areas to support the woody vegetation sub-assets was determined to be the more viable and ecologically appropriate outcome.