Conservation Science W. Aust. 7 (1) : 121–149 (2008) Flora and vegetation of the banded iron formations of the Yilgarn Craton: the central Tallering Land System ADRIENNE S. MARKEY AND STEVEN J. DILLON Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51, Wanneroo WA 6946 Email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT A quadrat-based survey was undertaken on the flora and floristic communities of several ironstone ranges and outcrops in the Yalgoo bioregion, covering the central extent of the Tallering Land System. One hundred and three 20 x 20 m quadrats were established over the extent of this region, and covered the topographic profile of these landforms. A total of 414 taxa (species, subspecies, varieties and forms) and four hybrids were identified from these quadrats. Fifteen taxa of conservation significance were found in this survey, five of which had not been previously recorded from the area. Significant range extensions for 21 species are reported in this study. At least nine new taxa were identified, of which several are of conservation significance. Nine regional endemic and near-endemic taxa were found over the study area, with half restricted to the south-west hills. Eight floristic community types (five main types, two with subtypes) were resolved from classification analysis of floristic data (presence / absence). These community types were strongly associated with topography and soil chemistry. Geographical variation was found among the floristic communities within the region, and some communities were found to be restricted to the south-west of the survey area. These restricted communities were found to occur in the more mesic regions of the survey area, on rocky uplands of BIF, and had notable component of flora from the South West Floristic Region.