Grasslands are often called by different names in different regions but they are all dominantly formed by grasses. Natural grasslands can be found in areas with inadequate regular rainfall to support the growth of woody plants, whereas in some regions they are maintained by fires and grazing by animals. Grasslands are a vital agricultural asset as they provide the feed base for grazing livestock, and they also act as water catchments and a carbon sink to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions.
In Hong Kong, grasslands are mostly human-modified habitats as a result of frequent human-induced hillfires. As grasses can regenerate quickly following fire, frequently burned areas are commonly dominated by grasslands. Such habitats are usually inhabited by relatively few species of plants and animals. Intermediate habitats between grassland and shrubland are common and widespread in Hong Kong, and the local environmental conditions and fire frequency determine the grass to shrub ratio in these habitats. Common grasslands in Hong Kong include the Tre-awned Minireed (Arundinella setosa) – Grey Lemongrass (Cymbopogon mekongensis) – Dichotomy Forked Fern (Dicranopteris pedata) community and the Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) – India Duck-beak (Ischaemum ciliare) community.
