Skull, Stephen David (1998) The ecology of tropical lowland plant communities with particular reference to habitat fragmentation and Melaleuca viridiflora Sol. ex Gaertn. dominated woodlands. PhD thesis, James Cook University.

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Abstract

Tropical lowland plant communities in north-eastern Queensland are under enormous pressure from continuing clearing, fragmentation, exotic species invasion, inappropriate fire regimes, and altered hydrological patterns. Few accurate figures with respect to past clearing patterns exist, and comparatively little scientific research has been conducted on the highly diverse and ecologically significant range of remnant vegetation types. Additionally, most plant communities remain very poorly represented in the existing conservation reserve system. The initial focus of this thesis was, therefore, to provide the first detailed assessment of clearing and fragmentation for an area of the tropical lowland environment (between Townsville and Cairns) widely recognised for its ecological significance.

In the area examined, approximately 140 ha yr-1 of remnant vegetation has been cleared over a 50 year period (1942-1992). This is more than double the rate recorded by any other study in the wet-tropics, but well below clearing rates calculated for more populated regions of the state. Dramatic changes in the size class (area) distribution of remnants were recorded for all vegetation types, particularly in the smaller size classes. A range of landscape indices were used to assess patterns of habitat fragmentation. Remnant shape, perimeter length and dispersion across the landscape all varied significantly for certain vegetation types, and the management implications associated with these changes are considered. The need for a "finescale" approach to landscape analysis in conservation planning exercises is discussed, with three vegetation types utilised as case studies.

Melaleuca viridiflora open woodlands were selected for further investigation, based on their relatively simple structure, the fact that opportunities arose to assess prescribed burns conducted by management agencies, and the large extent to which they have been affected by past clearing patterns. Their current conservation status as described within the literature was also reviewed. To assess this status fully, a detailed analysis of community structure and composition was conducted at 24 sites throughout the wet-tropics coastal region between Townsville and Cooktown. A high diversity of structural and floristic types was recorded. Many of these types are not adequately included (some not at all) in the existing conservation reserve system. A synthesis of previous research highlighted the significant level of biodiversity associated with these woodlands, adding weight to the argument for increased levels of protection in reserves.

A total of 127 species were recorded from the 24 sites, with classification analyses of species presence/absence data separating seven or eight main groups of sites, essentially related to a gradient of latitude and (predicted) rainfall. The groups were not well explained by either species richness, past fire frequencies or soil types. Structural classification analyses based upon DBH data identified six or seven main groups, the singularly most striking of which was sites with annual fire histories. Ordinations based on both the DBH and species presence/absence data produced groupings that supported those detected by the classification techniques. In a closer examination of sites with similar fire histories, soil moisture and soil type were both found to have significant effects on community structure and composition.

The effects of single prescribed burns were examined at several sites. Moderately intense fire dramatically affected individuals in the understorey and intermediate size classes, with reductions in the latter of up to 58%. The effects of repeated fires (i.e. an annual fire regime) on these size classes were also examined and suggest that two consecutive fires are sufficient to exhaust the regenerative ability of M. viridiflora saplings, even though the species is widely considered to be adapted to fire. The simplification of community structure (fewer strata with insufficient recruitment to maturity) as a result of subsequent high frequency fires is considered likely, and recommendations (adopted by management agencies) for longer fire-free intervals than those currently prescribed are proposed. The effects of fires on the fine fuel loads of these communities were also examined, with an average loss of 97% of fine fuel in moderate intensity fires. Even two to three years after fire, fuel loads remained well below pre-fire levels.

The spatial pattern of Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barrett & Golfari (Pch)) invasion (from plantations adjacent to high conservation value remnants) into M. viridiflora woodlands was also documented. Pines dispersed more than 400 m, with densities ranging widely between the remnants studied. At a site examined in detail, the distribution of pines was poorly correlated with that of the dominant native species in the community. Growth rates of the exotic pine were, at times, more than twenty-fold those of M. viridiflora, whilst mortality was substantially lower. Differences in the germination responses of the two species to varying temperature and soil moisture treatments were also examined, with M. viridiflora germinating more readily at higher temperatures and elevated soil moisture levels. A relatively intense prescribed fire was used to assess its effectiveness as a management tool for the control of exotic pines. Although successful in controlling juveniles (less than 1.5m tall), little effect was observed on larger trees. Other potential management techniques (hand removal, localised chemical treatment and the development of sterile plantation species) are considered essential for a successful integrated control program that minimises the potential for invasion into other significant remnant M. viridiflora habitats.

Finally, the results of this study are assessed within the context of the sustainable management and development of these woodland communities at the landscape level. The opportunities for future research relevant to each section of the thesis are also outlined.

Item ID:	16652
Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Keywords:	Melaleuca viridiflora, tropical lowlands, paperbark woodlands, Wet Tropics biogeographic region, north-eastern Queensland, plant communities, vegetation structure, composition, diversity, impact assessment, management, clearing, habitat fragmentation, exotic species invasion, fire regimes, prescribed burns, soil type, soil moisture, hydrology
Date Deposited:	08 Apr 2011 05:49
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050204 Environmental Impact Assessment @ 20% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060208 Terrestrial Ecology @ 60% 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050205 Environmental Management @ 20%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960504 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Environments @ 60% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960806 Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 40%
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