THE EFFECTS OF RABBIT GRAZING ON THE GRASSLANDS OF MACQUARIE ISLAND.

The article describes the effects of rabbit grazing on the grasslands of Macquarie Island, located mid-way between New Zealand and Antarctica. The two widespread dominant species in the grasslands are the Poa foliosa and Stilbocarpa polaris, while the Polystichum vestitum and Poa hamiltoni are the co-dominants that are not widely developed. The article states that the effects of rabbits are due to the selective grazing of only the most number of species. In addition, remote plant communities consisting of few species are likely to be susceptible to rabbit invasion.