Native Vegetation Group 11 - Sub-alpine Grasslands, Shrublands or Woodlands

Back to Native Vegetation Groups for Victoria home

Sub-alpine Grasslands, Shrublands or Woodlands Native Vegetation Map

High resolution map of Simplified Native Vegetation Group 11 [PDF File - 212.8 KB] - includes major roads and towns.

Ecological Vegetation Class Descriptions

11.1 Sub-alpine Grasslands, Shrublands or Woodlands – Shrublands or Grasslands EVC 42 Sub-alpine Shrubland EVC 44 Sub-alpine Treeless Mosaic EVC 156 Alpine Coniferous Shrubland EVC 171 Alpine Fen EVC 202 Snowpatch Herbland EVC 206 Sub-alpine Grassland EVC 208 Sub-alpine Riparian Shrubland EVC 1001 Alpine Grassland EVC 1002 Alpine Damp Grassland EVC 1003 Sub-alpine Dry Shrubland EVC 1012 Snowpatch Grassland EVC 1014 Late-lying Snowpatch Herbland

11.2 Sub-alpine Grasslands, Shrublands or Woodlands – Woodlands EVC 43 Sub-alpine Woodland EVC 977 Sub-alpine Wet Heathy Woodland EVC 978 Sub-alpine Damp Heathy Woodland

Bioregional Conservation Status and EVC benchmarks

11.1 Sub-alpine Grasslands, Shrublands or Woodlands - Shrublands or Grasslands

EVC 42 Sub-alpine Shrubland
A generally dense shrubland of sub-alpine and alpine areas frequently found on sheltered sites fringing Sub-alpine Woodland where snowfall persists as ground cover in winter months and where rainfall is high. It occurs on a range of geologies on shallow soils.

EVC 44 Sub-alpine Treeless Mosaic
An early mapping unit that included a range of treeless EVCs restricted to cold air drainage areas on the highest peaks and plateau at sub-alpine elevations greater than 1100 m. The soils are often poorly-drained and snow persists for long periods over winter and into spring. The EVCs contained within this unit may include Sub-alpine Grassland, Sub-alpine Shrubland, Sub-alpine Grassy Shrubland, Sub-alpine Wet Heathland, Sub-alpine Damp Heathland, Sub-alpine Dry Heathland, Alpine Coniferous Shrubland, Alpine Fen and Snowpatch Herbland.

EVC 156 Alpine Coniferous Shrubland
An alpine and sub-alpine shrubland dominated by Mountain Plum Pine Podocarpus lawrencei and restricted to rocky, fire protected sites amongst granite tors or associated with basalt block streams.

EVC 171 Alpine Fen
A low, open sedgeland of pools within bogs, or within some valley floor heathlands in high rainfall alpine areas of Victoria. The pools form in wet peats within a bog or fen or wet valley floor heathland.

EVC 202 Snowpatch Herbland
Extremely restricted herblands of free-draining sites occupied by snow patches in alpine areas. Ecologically defined by the short growing season as the consequence of the persistence of snow rather than seepage.

EVC 206 Sub-alpine Grassland
Occurs primarily in areas at altitudes or around 1200 m ASL. Structurally and floristically this EVC is dominated by grasses. Any shrubs present tend to be small and cryptic. The fertile and highly organic soils which are generally derived from granodiorite provide a suitable substrate for a lush cover of grasses and herbs, many specific to montane/sub-alpine environments. Snow persists for several months over winter. Species richness is low, indicative of the harsh environment.

EVC 208 Sub-alpine Riparian Shrubland
A closed heathland through to open shrubland to a heavily grazed “marsupial lawn” grassland. Develops in narrow strips along deep sub-alpine creeks in treeless areas subject to cold-air drainage. Soils range from a deep uniform textured gravelly sand to an organic loam. These habitats are prone to disturbance by periodic flooding and grazing by wombats, rabbits and deer.

EVC 1001 Alpine Grassland
A tussock grassland dominating valleys and saddles of extensive high altitude plains such as the Bogong High Plains and the Howitt Plains with a high cover and diversity of forbs generally on free draining substrates. It is primarily delimited by topography, altitude and ultimately frost tolerance. Alpine Grassland is typically wedged between heathlands and shrublands on higher ground and wetland vegetation types (eg. Sub-alpine Wet Heathland or Alpine Damp Grassland) on the valley floor.

EVC 1002 Alpine Damp Grassland
A dense tussock grassland of high altitude valleys and plains generally above 1500 metres ASL and dominated by a thick sward of grasses such as Bog Snow-grass Poa costiniana and sedges such that individual grass tussocks are not readily distinguishable. It occurs on moist sites with deep humic soils tending towards peat. Alpine Damp Grassland is usually found within or on the margins of wet heathland and bogs but may occur within drier grassland as isolated patches.

EVC 1003 Sub-alpine Dry Shrubland
An alpine and sub-alpine open shrubland occurring on shallow soils associated with steep slopes, rocky outcrops, peaks and ridge-lines of mountains where denudation is comparatively active and exposure to strong cold winds and drought stress are common in the winter and summer respectively.

EVC 1012 Snowpatch Grassland
An alpine short turf (or sward structure) grassland/sedgeland occurring on the lee side of ridges and peaks above 1600 m ASL on southerly or easterly aspects where accumulations of snow persist beyond the general thaw. The snow cover extends to early summer and truncates the growing season.

EVC 1014 Late-lying Snowpatch Herbland
A low alpine herbland confined to sheltered slopes of highly exposed summits and ridges where wind-blown snow accumulates and snow melt is not complete until mid-summer, resulting in very few species being capable of existing on these sites within a very short growing season.

11.2 Sub-alpine Grasslands, Shrublands or Woodlands – Woodlands

EVC 43 Sub-alpine Woodland
Grows on a wide range of geologies and aspects, at sub-alpine to alpine elavations. Rainfall is relatively high and snow may persist for long periods over winter. Soils are generally shallow sandy clay loams with a rich humus topsoil layer. A low, open woodland dominated by Snow Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora, with the understorey variously consisting of a rich suite of grasses and herbs, or a dense layer of woody shrubs, depending on soil fertility.

EVC 977 Sub-alpine Wet Heathy Woodland
Woodland to open woodland with species characteristic of Sub-alpine Wet Heathland dominant in the understorey. Widespread across sub-alpine areas in drainage gullies, often below bogs, at elevations of 1000-1700 m.

EVC 978 Sub-alpine Damp Heathy Woodland
Woodland to open woodland with species characteristic of Sub-alpine Damp Heathland dominant within the understorey. Occurs in sub-alpine areas in cool-air drainage, low gradient boggy gullies, on mostly medium to low elevation plains.

Bioregional Conservation Status and EVC benchmarks