BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WHEATBELT

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 9 years ago

ABSTRACT - A detailed study of vegetation at Bendering Reserve was undertaken to improve on the vegetation classifications currently available, and to then apply the classification to vertebrate habitats. The final classification was derived from that of Beard and Webb (1974) by subdividing some of their life-form groups, modifying other aspects of their system, and classifying all strata. Litter and soils were examined in some detail.

Although ca 80% of the vegetation on Bendering Reserve is mallee dominated, all major wheatbelt formations except salt complex are represented there.

The number of plant species recorded is 288: 263 perennials and 25 annuals, in 37 families. Plant species diversity per square kilometre is comparable to Tarin Rock/North Tarin Rock Reserves ,(Muir 1976). The most diverse formation is woodland with 0.65 species/hectare. Eucalyptus burracoppinensis dominated mallee formations have about five times as many plant species as formations dominated by other species of mallee. Therefore they are regarded as a different faunal habitat to these other mallees. The greatest number of plant species restricted to a single formation type is 0.11 sp/ha in woodland, which constitutes only 3% of the area of the Reserve.

The Reserve has four plant species listed by Specht et al. (1974) as rare, endangered, or of particular interest. It is the type locality for a Baeckea, a Chamelaucium and a Hakea. An undescribed genus of Cyperaceae is also found on the Reserve.

Evidence from the Reserve suggests that some heaths may reach climax in 6-10 years, shrublands in 15-20 years, and other formations after much longer periods. Evidence is presented supporting the view that llIe may not be essential for some vegetation types.

Some observations on successional changes in vegetation are presented, and the effects of fertilizers, grazing and rubbish dumping are discussed.

An air-photography project carried out concurrently with this vegetation survey is discussed briefly.

Author(s) B.G. Muir : Part 2
Page Number
1