Cockatoo Grass Alloteropsis semialata as a keystone species in northern Australia

Abstract

Cockatoo Grass fills an important role in the tropical savannas of Australia, providing food for seed-eating birds and small mammals. It can be considered a "keystone" species for at least two animal species that rely on it to survive when other foods are unavailable, the Golden-shouldered Parrot and the Northern Bettong.