Grassed up - living with the legacy

Abstract

The grass family is a critical part of human life as we know it. This group of plant species is linked to the development and sustaining of much of human society over thousands of years. Grasses are present in almost every habitat on earth, from polar and equatorial regions including mountains, lowlands, aquatic and desert regions (Wheeler et al. 1982). This is observed in Australia where grass is present in salt, brackish and freshwater aquatic systems, arid and semi-arid grasslands and woodlands, tropical savannahs and alpine regions (Wheeler et al. 1982).

Most exotic plants including grasses are moved and introduced into new environments both intentionally and accidentally through human activities with further spread often facilitated by human disturbance (Fusco et al. 2022). Many grasses have become some of the most persistent and troublesome weeds in the world with their spread and survival enabled by human activities (Wheeler et al. 1982). This paper discusses the history, impacts and what the legacy of grass introductions might look like for future generations.