The Morphology and Microclimate of Dactylis Glomerata Tussocks

Grasses of various species form tussocks when growing in rough or ungrazed grassland, and Kershaw (1959) has studied the structure of such grassland containing Dactylis glomerata. Tussocks of this and other grasses are well known as habitats of invertebrates, and Pearce (1948) suggested that their fauna might be an interesting ecological study. D. glomerata tussocks were studied from 1961 to 1964 at the Imperial College Field Station, Silwood Park, Berkshire, with reference to their beetle fauna, and the possible roles which the tussocks play in their survival from climatic extremes. As a basis for this work, the morphology and microclimate of the tussocks were studied, and are described here.