There are around 270 islets around the Falklands that are are either covered with or hold some tussac grass Poa flabellata.
Growing up to 3m
high, bogs of tussac grow higher as new growth rises out of a bog of dead leaves and is perhaps the best natural shelter the Falklands has to offer. The long narrow green leaves themselves may grow up to 2m long
forming a dense plume of leaves above the bog pedestal which may be hundreds of years old. It is tolerant to salt, thriving in a maritime environment, and benefits from the nutrients of bird excrement.
Tussac grass is an important for habitat for small birds, insects, owls and seals. Originally tussac fringed the Falklands' coasts but as the islands populated, sealers burned it to flush out sea lions or put pigs or even goats on islands as a ready source of meat. Domestic livestock arrived, the tussac bogs were destroyed and is now tussac is mainly reduced to smaller uninhabited islands.
If conveniently situated tussac from these small islands can be cut for winter fodder for cattle, this was extremely important in the past. Carefully managed it quickly grows again. Horses and cattle are sometimes wintered on islands.
Kidney Island is a typical example of a tussac island. |
