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The effect of extra CO2 on Wallaby grass

27 Aug 2025 | Science Notes

From the CO2Science Archive: Wallaby grass, formally known as Rytidosperma richardsonii (Cashmore) but formerly formally known as Austrodanthia richardsonii (Cashmore) and formally before that Danthonia richardsonii Cashmore. We don’t know why a grass would change its name so often since it can hardly be hiding from the law. Rather, under its tongue-friendly long-standing moniker of Wallaby grass it’s also lawn-friendly, a popular low-maintenance option for front and back yards in Australia. In 2008 two experiments showed an boost in seed mass of 72% from an extra 300 ppm CO2 in the air “under not-warmed conditions” and 84% if it was also 2C warmer. So it will be reaching higher, or lower since it’s down under, with all the extra CO2 now available to it, especially if it also gets hotter.

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