Brigalow has a remarkable capacity to regrow via vegetative reproduction from root stock in the soil; sometimes even after a decade of cultivation. Long regarded as a nuisance by landholders, brigalow regrowth currently occupies large areas in the Brigalow Belt. In comparison to tree planting, brigalow regrowth potentially offers a cost-effective and less labour-intensive means for conducting broad-scale habitat restoration.
The structure and floristic composition of brigalow regrowth vegetation is often very different from the original remnant forests (far left). After clearing, young brigalow regrowth (≤15 years; middle) is characterised by low height, the absence of trees and few non-brigalow shrubs. Intermediate age regrowth (16 – 30 years; second from right) exhibits characteristics overlapping both young and old regrowth, but is often more similar to old regrowth (> 30 years; far right).
