DOCSLIB.ORG

The Spatial Distribution of Alien and Invasive Vascular Plant Species on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

The spatial distribution of alien and invasive vascular plant species on sub-Antarctic Marion Island by Tshililo Ramaswiela Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Botany) at Stellenbosch University Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Supervisor: Prof. Steven L. Chown Co-supervisor: Dr. Justine D. Shaw December 2010 DECLARATION By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the owner of the copyright thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: September 2010 Copyright © 2010 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i ABSTRACT The patterns of spread of non-indigenous species and the factors influencing their distribution have been studied infrequently on Southern Ocean Islands, where the prevention and control of biological invasions is a priority for conservation management. Owing to its remoteness and relatively small size, sub-Antarctic Marion Island provides an ideal opportunity to investigate the patterns of spread of invasive species and the factors likely influencing the distribution of alien species. Therefore, this study provides a spatially explicit documentation of the alien and invasive vascular plant species on Marion Island, the change in their distribution patterns through time, an assessment of the correlates of the current distributions, documentation of species rich areas, and provides recommendations for control based on these data and life history data available for each species. To ensure comprehensive coverage for the current estimate of distributions, a combination of a systematic (spatially explicit) survey and an ad hoc data collection method was used to examine the abundance and occupancy of each alien plant species across the island. The spatially explicit survey was used to identify sampling sites on a ½ minute by ½ minute scale (926 m × 926 m) which resulted in 348 sites across the island, whereas 2356 additional presence records were added during the ad hoc sampling. The residence time of each species was also estimated from the first records reported in various literature. While it has been documented in many studies that residence time is an important factor explaining species distribution, this study showed that distribution of alien species on Marion Island is not explained by residence time. The alien plant species on Marion Island differ markedly in their occupancy, distribution and rate of expansion. Agrostis stolonifera, Cerastium fontanum, Poa annua and Sagina procumbens are all expanding their ranges, whereas the range of Stellaria media appears to be contracting. Cerastium fontanum is the most widespread species on Marion Island while Sagina procumbens is the most abundant (number of records) and most rapidly expanding species on both Marion and Prince Edward Islands. Generalized linear models demonstrated that altitude, distance to human disturbed sites, and nearest neighbour presence are all significant and often strong correlates of spatial variation in alien vascular plant species richness and individual species presences on Marion Island. In particular, alien species richness on Marion Island declines sharply with increasing elevation, and that the distribution of the most widespread species is spatially aggregated. The surroundings of the Meteorological station and Mixed Pickle hut exhibit high richness and a high likelihood of the presence of individual species. None of the models developed for this study resulted in habitat type being significant explanatory variable for the distribution of any of the alien plant species, although from the ii records alone it is clear that the salt spray vegetation type is avoided. Together with assessments of the life history of the species, the current distribution data suggest that few alien plant species can be easily eradicated. Most are already too widespread already for cost- effective eradication. Moreover, given the current rate of spread of Agrostis stolonifera, Cerastium fontanum, Poa annua and Sagina procumbens, and their apparent lack of habitat preference, it seems likely that within the next few decades many lowland habitats will be dominated by these species. By contrast, Rumex acestosella, Agrostis gigantea, Agropyron repens, Juncus effusus, Luzula cf. multiflora and the newly established shrub species should be the subject of control or eradication efforts. This thesis provides comprehensive baseline data on alien vascular plant distributions as a benchmark for future assessments. iii OPSOMMING Die verspreidingspatrone van uitheemse spesies en die faktore wat hulle verspreiding beïnvloed is selde op Suidelike Oseaan Eilande bestudeer, waar die voorkoming en beheer van biologiese indringing ‘n prioriteit is vir bewaringsbestuur. Te danke aan sy afgeleëndheid en relatiewe klein grootte, voorsien sub-Antarktiese Marion Eiland ‘n ideale geleentheid om die patrone van verspreiding van indringer spesies en die faktore wat moontlik die verspreiding van uitheemse spesies beïnvloed te ondersoek. Daarom voorsien hierdie studie ‘n ruimtelik eksplisiete dokumentering van die uitheemse en indringer vaatplant spesies op Marion Eiland, die verandering in hulle verspreidingspatrone oor tyd, ‘n bepaling van die korrelasies van die huidige verspreidings, dokumentering van spesiesryke areas, en voorsien aanbevelings vir beheer gebasseer op hierdie data en die lewensloopdata beskikbaar vir elke spesie. Om omvattende dekking vir die huidige skatting van vespreidings te verseker, is ‘n kombinasie van sistematiese en ad hoc metodes gebruik om die talrykheid en besetting van elke uitheemse spesie oor die eiland te ondersoek. Die ruimtelik eksplisiete opname is gebruik om moniteringsplotte op ‘n ½ minuut by ½ minuut skaal (926 m × 926 m), met die resultaat van 348 plotte oor die eiland, terwyl 2356 addisionele voorkomsrekords bygevoeg is tydens die ad hoc versameling. Die verblyftyd van elke spesie is ook beraam vanaf die eerste rekords in die literatuur. Terwyl dit aangeteken is dat verblyftyd ‘n belangrike faktor is om spesie verspreiding te verduidelik, wys hierdie studie dat verspreiding van uitheemse spesies op Marion Eiland nie verduidelik word deur verblyftyd nie. Die uitheemse spesies op Marion Eiland verskil aansienlik in hulle besetting, verspreiding en tempo van uitbreiding. Agrostis stolonifera, Cerastium fontanum, Poa annua en Sagina procumbens brei almal hulle areas uit, terwyl die area van Stellaria media bleik te krimp. Cerastium fontanum is die mees wydverspreide spesie op Marion Eiland, terwyl Sagina procumbens die oorvloedigste (aantal rekords) en die vinnigste uitbreidende spesie is op beide Marion en Prince Edward Eiland. Veralgemeende lineêre modelle het aangetoon dat hoogte, afstand na menslike versteurde plotte, en naaste buurman teenwoordigheid almal betekenisvol is en gereeld sterk korreleer met ruimtelike variasie in uitheemse vaatplant spesierykheid en individuele spesie voorkoms op Marion Eiland. Uitheemse spesierykheid op Marion Eiland neem in besonder sterk af met ‘n toename in hoogte en die verspreiding van die mees wyduitgebreide spesies is ruimtelik saamgesteld. Die omgewing om die Weerstasie en Mixed Pickle hut toon hoë rykheid en ‘n hoë waarskynlikheid van die voorkoms van individuele spesies. Nie een van die modelle wat vir hierdie studie ontwikkel is toon ‘n belangrikheid in habitat tipe as ‘n verduidelikbare veranderlike vir die verspreiding van enige van die uitheemse plant spesies nie, alhoewel iv vanuit die rekords alleen is dit duidelik dat soutsproei plantegroei nie verkies word nie. Tesame met ondersoeke oor die lewensloop van die spesies, stel die huidige verspreidingsdata voor dat min uitheemse plant spesies maklik uitgeroei kan word. Die meeste is eenvoudig te wydverspreid vir koste effektiewe uitroeiing. Voorts, gegewe die huidige tempo van uitbreiding van Agrostis stolonifera, Cerastium fontanum, Poa annua en Sagina procumbens en hulle skynbare gebrek aan habitat voorkeur, is dit hoogs waarskynlik dat baie van die laerliggende habitatte binne die volgende paar dekades gedomineer sal word deur hierdie spesies. In teenstelling, Rumex acestosella, Agrostis gigantea, Agropyron repens, Juncus effusus, Luzula cf. multiflora en die nuutgevestigde struik spesie moet die fokus wees van beheer/uitroeiing pogings. Hierdie tesis voorsien omvattende basislyn data oor uitheemse vaatplantverspreidings as ‘n standaard vir toekomstige ondersoeke. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project was funded by the South African National Antarctic Programme of the National Research Foundation (NRF – SANAP). Additional funding was provided by The Prince Edward Islands book fund. Logistical support for the project on Marion Island was provided by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). I thank the Marion 63 team for being my family during the period I spent on Marion Island. To Jacques Deere, thanks for sending all sorts of items that I requested while I was on the island. My gratitude goes to my supervisors, Dr. Justine D. Shaw and Prof. Steven L. Chown – thanks for your constructive criticism, guidance, and above all, your faith in me. The completion of this work would not have been possible without your support. Special thanks go to Ethel Phiri and Dr. Peter le Roux for invaluable comments and assistance with statistical analysis.
Recommended publications
  • TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION and ENVIRONMENTS on HEARD ISLAND by D.M

    TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION and ENVIRONMENTS on HEARD ISLAND by D.M

    Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Volume 133(2), 2000 33 TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION AND ENVIRONMENTS ON HEARD ISLAND by D.M. Bergstrom and P.M. Selkirk (with three tables, one text-figure, one plate and an appendix) BERGSTROM, D.M. & SELKIRK, P.M., 2000 (30:vi): Terrestrial vegetation and environments on Heard Island. In Banks, M.R. & Brown, M.J. (Eds): HEARD ISLAND PAPERS. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 133(2): 33-46. https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.133.2.33 ISSN 0080-4703. Department ofBotany, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4072 (DMB); and Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2019 (PMS). Significantly ice-covered and with a very small flora (11 vascular species and about 60 bryophyte taxa), Heard Island is still emerging from the effects of the last glacial maximum. This study presents the results of a general vegetation survey. A baseline framework of environmental conditions that affect vegetation on the island is described and a classification (TWINS PAN) analysis based on presence/ absence data of both vascular plant species and bryophyte taxa is provided. Distinct suites of taxa were identified on the island, some containing bryophytes only. Fifreen ecological groups were delineated. A discussion of ecological amplitude ofimportant bryophyte and vascular plant taxa on Heard Island is included. Key Words: Subantarctic, tundra, vegetation, bryophytes, cushion plants, Heard Island. INTRODUCTION during the Tertiary and included a variety of ferns and a podocarp (Quilty et al. 1983). Subantarctic Heard Island (53°06'S, 73°32'E) is approxi­ There have been few studies of terrestrial plant ecology mately 4850 km southeast of southern Africa, 4350 km on Heard Island.
  • Insects of Macquarie Island. Introduction1

    Insects of Macquarie Island. Introduction1

    Pacific Insects 4 (4) : 905-915 December, 15, 1962 INSECTS OF MACQUARIE ISLAND. INTRODUCTION1 By J. Linsley Gressitt BISHOP MUSEUM, HONOLULU Abstract: Collections of land arthropods were made on Macquarie Island by J. L. Gres­ sitt and J. H. Calaby, 4-10 December 1960, and by Keith Watson, December 1960-Decem- ber 1961. This paper is a brief discussion of the geography and environment of Macquarie, introductory to the systematic papers describing the fauna. Watson, of the Australian Na­ tional Antarctic Research Expeditions, will later publish his general ecological studies, when the species are all identified. INTRODUCTION This paper is a brief description of the geography and environment of Macquarie Is­ land, as related to land arthropods. It is presented by way of introduction to the series of reports by various specialists on the land arthropod fauna of the island. The bulk of these reports immediately follow this article. (One Macquarie mite is discussed in the third of the preceding articles by Wallwork on Antarctic mites, and another is mentioned in his second article.) Others will appear in later issues, when they are completed. After publication of the bulk of these taxonomic reports, Keith Watson will publish his general report on the land arthropod fauna of Macquarie, incorporating his ecological studies on the fauna. Through the kindness of Mr. P. G. Law, Director of the Antarctic Division, Australian Department of External Affairs, I was permitted to join the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition for the annual resupply trip to Macquarie Island in early December 1960. The operation, supported by the chartered Danish ice-breaker Magga Dan, was car­ ried on at Macquarie from 4th to lOth December.
  • Part 4 Appendices

    Part 4 Appendices

    Part 4 Appendices HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS MARINE RESERVE 139 Appendix 1. Proclamation of Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve 140 MANAGEMENT PLAN HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS MARINE RESERVE 141 142 MANAGEMENT PLAN Appendix 2. Native Fauna of the HIMI Marine Reserve Listed Under the EPBC Act Scientific Name Common Name Birds recorded as breeding Aptenodytes patagonicus king penguin S Catharacta lonnbergi subantarctic skua S Daption capense cape petrel S Diomeda exulans wandering albatross V S M B J A Diomeda melanophrys black–browed albatross S M B A Eudyptes chrysocome southern rockhopper penguin S Eudyptes chrysolophus macaroni penguin S Larus dominicanus kelp gull S Macronectes giganteus southern giant petrel E S M B A Oceanites oceanicus Wilson’s storm petrel S M J Pachyptila crassirostris fulmar prion S Pachyptila desolata Antarctic prion S Pelecanoides georgicus South Georgian diving petrel S Pelecanoides urinatrix common diving petrel S Phalacrocorax atriceps (e) Heard Island cormorant V S Phoebetria palpebrata light mantled sooty albatross S M B A Pygoscelis papua gentoo penguin S Sterna vittata Antarctic tern V S Non–breeding birds Catharacta maccormicki south polar skua S M J Diomedea epomophora southern royal albatross V S M B A Fregetta grallaria white–bellied storm petrel S Fregetta tropica black–bellied storm petrel S Fulmarus glacialoides southern fulmar S Garrodia nereis grey–backed storm petrel S Halobaena caerulea blue petrel V S Macronectes halli northern giant petrel V S M B A Pachyptila belcheri
  • Germination Studies Showed a Warm Day/Cold Night Regime to Be the Most Effective

    Germination Studies Showed a Warm Day/Cold Night Regime to Be the Most Effective

    SOME STUDIES ON THE GENUS ACAENA A thesis presented to the Faculty of Science and Engineering in the University of Birmingham by DAVID WINSTON HARRIS WALTON in supplication for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. September, 1974. University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. 09CC/.6 "The inner parts of the Country South Georgia was not less savage and horrible: the Wild rocks raised their lofty summits till they were lost in the Clouds and the Vallies laid buried in everlasting Snow. Not a tree or shrub was to be seen, no not even big enough to make a toothpick. I landed in three different places, displayed our Colours and took possession of the Country in his Majestys name under a descharge of small arms. Our Botanists found here only three plants, the one is a coarse strong bladed grass which grows in tufts, Wild Burnet and a Plant like Moss which grows on the rocks". The Journals of Captain Cook : vol. 2 - The Voyage of the Resolution and Adventure in 1772-1775. Cambridge University Press (1961).
  • THE ALPINE FLORA of TIERRA DEL FUEGO by D. M. MOORE

    THE ALPINE FLORA of TIERRA DEL FUEGO by D. M. MOORE

    Anal. Inst. Bot. Cavanilles 32 (2): 419-440 (1975) THE ALPINE FLORA OF TIERRA DEL FUEGO by D. M. MOORE This paper is dedicated to Prof. S, Rivas Goday on his 70th birthday. Introduction Since the first known collection of Fuegian plants, made along^ the NW coast of Tierra del Fuego by George Handisyd in 1690 (More- ton-Middleton, 1909; Gunckel, 1971), more than 200 collectors have contributed to our knowledge of the flora of this region (Moore and Goodall, unpub.). Because of the importance of shipborne expeditions, most of the earlier studies were confined to coastal areas and fuller information on the interior did not become available until the expe­ ditions of Nordenskjold (Dusen, 1900), Skottsberg (1916) and Roivai- nen (1954) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since then there has, of course, been a continued accumulation of data on the flora and vegetation of Tierra del Fuego so that now, although many problems remain, the general characteristics are fairly clear. The mountainous regions of Tierra del Fuego are generally difficult of access and have uncertain and inclement weather so that even today many parts have not been visited by botanists. However, the travels of Alboff (1896, 1897), Dusen (1900), Gusinde (Skottsberg, 1926) and Skottsberg (1916) served to outline the general features of the alpine flora and these have been confirmed and amplified by more recent studies (Godley, 1960; Moore, 1969, 1970, 1971, etc; Moore and Goodall, 1973, 1974, etc.). In consequence, despite the inevitable lacunae in our knowledge, it seems appropriate to summarize current information on the alpine flora of Tierra del Fuego and this paper represents the first such attempt since that of Skottsberg (1916).
  • 'Weeds by Nature': the Plants of Macquarie Island

    'Weeds by Nature': the Plants of Macquarie Island

    Twelfth Australian Weeds Conference ‘WEEDS BY NATURE’: THE PLANTS OF MACQUARIE ISLAND Mark Fountain, Alan Macfadyen, Natalie Papworth and Jim Cane Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Queens Domain, Hobart, Tas. 7000 Abstract Subantarctic Macquarie Island is a small, which the annual temperature varies little from the very isolated island in the Southern Ocean 1500 km mean of 4.8°C, rain falls nearly every day but there is south-southeast of Tasmania. It is a relatively young little persistent snow. Westerly winds predominate, landmass, emerging from the sea between 200,000 and frequently reach gale force for prolonged periods, and 90,000 years ago, and like other subantarctic islands cloud covers the island for most of the year. only has a small number (41 species) of flowering SOIL DYNAMICS plants. All species on the island have travelled there by long distance dispersal, often showing biogeo- The key characteristic of Macquarie Island soil is that graphical links to the other subantarctic islands and of instability, and the two factors of seismic activity land masses to the west and north. Many could be and gravity interplay here. Earthquakes 6.2 on the characterised as obligate colonisers or ‘weeds by na- Richter scale or stronger occur at least annually (Jones ture’ since they come from ‘weedy’ genera with cos- and McCue 1988), and are responsible for mass move- mopolitan distributions such as Galium, Epilobium, ment in the form of landslips typified in the ridgetop Cardamine and Stellaria. peatbeds (Selkirk et al. 1988). The steep slopes ex- posed to the constant rain and wind are susceptible to The island’s soils are essentially skeletal at high alti- gradual downward movement, aided on a more local tude or highly organic loam or peat at low altitude.
  • Studies on Colombian Grasses (Poaceae): Twenty Chorological Novelties

    Studies on Colombian Grasses (Poaceae): Twenty Chorological Novelties

    www.unal.edu.co/icn/publicaciones/caldasia.htm Caldasia 27(1):131-145.García 2005et al. ESTUDIOS EN GRAMÍNEAS (POACEAE) DE COLOMBIA: VEINTE NOVEDADES COROLÓGICAS 1 Studies on Colombian grasses (Poaceae): Twenty chorological novelties JOHN ALEJANDRO GARCÍA-ULLOA Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Ciudad Universitaria, Bogotá D. C., Colombia. [email protected], [email protected] CAMILO LASTRA CÉSAR SALAS Herbario de la Facultad de Agronomía “HFAB”, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Ciudad Universitaria, Bogotá D. C., [email protected], ecocambiol@yahoo. es; [email protected], [email protected] MÓNICA MEDINA MERCHÁN Departamento de Biología-Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Apartado 7495, Bogotá D. C., Colombia. [email protected] RESUMEN Se dan a conocer veinte novedades para la flora de Colombia: Agrostis mertensii, Agrostis perennans, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis subrepens, Agrostis tolucensis, Aristida schiedeana, Arundo donax, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua simplex, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cortaderia selloana, Cynodon dactylon, Cynodon nlemfuensis, Heteropogon contortus, Microchloa kunthii, Paspalidium geminatum, Pharus parvifolius, Tragus berteronianus, Urochloa distachya y Zoysia matrella. Se presentan la distribución geográfica, las preferencias ecológicas, los nombres comunes, los usos y las afinidades morfológicas para cada una de las especies. Asimismo, se excluyen de la flora de Colombia las siguientes especies: Agrostis araucana (= Agrostis magellanica),
  • The Vegetation Communities Macquarie Island Vegetation

    The Vegetation Communities Macquarie Island Vegetation

    Edition 2 From Forest to Fjaeldmark The Vegetation Communities Macquarie Island vegetation Pleurophyllum hookeri Edition 2 From Forest to Fjaeldmark 1 Macquarie Island vegetation Community (Code) Page Coastal slope complex (QCS) 4 Coastal terrace mosaic (QCT) 6 Kelp beds (QKB) 8 Macquarie alpine mosaic (QAM) 10 Mire (QMI) 12 Short tussock grassland/rushland with herbs (QST) 14 Tall tussock grassland with megaherbs (QTT) 16 General description the surface and is part of its identified value as a World Heritage Area. The vegetation mapping of Macquarie Island was prepared by P.M. Selkirk and D.A. Adamson in 1998 All of the vegetation of Macquarie Island is and is based on vegetation structure rather than herbaceous, with no woody species present. community composition. Vegetation categories Megaherbs are a distinctive and unique feature of indicate foliage density and foliage height, similar to the sub-Antarctic, occurring nowhere else in the scheme of Specht (Specht et al. 1995). Using Tasmania. There are two megaherbs on Macquarie Specht’s classes, ‘closed vegetation’ equates to Island – Stilbocarpa polaris (Macquarie Island foliage projective cover >70%; and ‘open vegetation’ cabbage) and Pleurophyllum hookeri. In tall tussock equates to foliage projective cover <70%. ‘Tall grasslands dominated by Poa foliosa, there are often vegetation’ describes vegetation where the foliage swathes of Stilbocarpa polaris. stands higher than 0.4 to 0.5m above the ground, The vegetation communities that make up the while ‘short vegetation’ has foliage <0.4m high. Coastal terrace mosaic are much more widespread Seven structural vegetation types have been than currently mapped. Components of this mosaic identified in the mapping of Macquarie Island (mire, herbland, tall grassland, bryophytes, lakes, vegetation.
  • Heard and Mcdonald Islands Australia

    Heard and Mcdonald Islands Australia

    HEARD AND MCDONALD ISLANDS AUSTRALIA Heard Island and the McDonald Islands are in the Southern Ocean, approximately 4,100 km south- west of Perth and 1,700 km from the Antarctic continent. Their distinctive conservation value is as one of the world’s rare pristine island ecosystems which have virtually no record of alien species and minimal human impact; also as the only volcanically active subantarctic islands they provide a window into ongoing tectonic activity, geomorphic processes and glacial dynamics. COUNTRY Australia NAME Heard and McDonald Islands NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SERIAL SITE 1997: Inscribed on the World Heritage List under Natural Criteria viii and ix. STATEMENT OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE [pending] The UNESCO World Heritage Committee issued the following statement at the time of inscription: Justification for Inscription The Committee inscribed this property under criteria (viii) and (ix). It noted that this site is the only volcanically active sub-Antarctic island and illustrates ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynamics in the coastal and submarine environment and sub-Antarctic flora and fauna, with no record of alien species. The Committee repeated its request by the sixteenth session for further documentation on the marine resources of the site. IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY 1a Strict Nature Reserve BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE Insulantarctica (7.4.9) GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Located in the southern Indian Ocean 4,100 km south-west of Australia and 1,700 km north of Mawson Base, Antarctica. Heard Island is at 53°06'S by 73°30'E with the McDonald Islands 43.5 km west of it at 53°03'S by 72°36'E.
  • South, Tasmania

    South, Tasmania

    Biodiversity Summary for NRM Regions Guide to Users Background What is the summary for and where does it come from? This summary has been produced by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) for the Natural Resource Management Spatial Information System. It highlights important elements of the biodiversity of the region in two ways: • Listing species which may be significant for management because they are found only in the region, mainly in the region, or they have a conservation status such as endangered or vulnerable. • Comparing the region to other parts of Australia in terms of the composition and distribution of its species, to suggest components of its biodiversity which may be nationally significant. The summary was produced using the Australian Natural Natural Heritage Heritage Assessment Assessment Tool Tool (ANHAT), which analyses data from a range of plant and animal surveys and collections from across Australia to automatically generate a report for each NRM region. Data sources (Appendix 2) include national and state herbaria, museums, state governments, CSIRO, Birds Australia and a range of surveys conducted by or for DEWHA. Limitations • ANHAT currently contains information on the distribution of over 30,000 Australian taxa. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, 137 families of vascular plants (over 15,000 species) and a range of invertebrate groups. The list of families covered in ANHAT is shown in Appendix 1. Groups notnot yet yet covered covered in inANHAT ANHAT are are not not included included in the in the summary. • The data used for this summary come from authoritative sources, but they are not perfect.
  • CHANGES in HEARD ISLAND GLACIERS, KING PENGUINS and Furby SEALS G

    CHANGES in HEARD ISLAND GLACIERS, KING PENGUINS and Furby SEALS G

    Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Volume 133(2), 2000 47 CHANGES IN HEARD ISLAND GLACIERS, KING PENGUINS AND FURby SEALS G. M. Budd SINCE 1947 (with two tables, three text-figures and one plate) BUDD, G.M., 2000 (30:vi): Changes in Heard Island glaciers, king penguins and fur seals since 1947. In Banks M.R. & Brown, M.]. (Eds): HEARD ISLAND Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 133 (2): 47-60. https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.133.2.47 ISSN 0080-4703. School of Exercise and RS. Sport Science, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia 2141. The purpose of this paper is to summarise and discuss the changes in glaciers, king penguins and fur seals reported by the nine wintering parties and 11 summer expeditions that have visited Heard Island since 1947, with emphasis upon those of the years between 1947 and 1971. These early years were notable for an initial period (1947-55) of minimal change, and a subsequent period(1963-71) of rapid change in which a complex pattern of asynchronous glacier retreat and readvance was observed and the main features of the island's recolonisation by king penguins and fur seals were established. Subsequent expeditions (1980-93) have reported continuing glacier recession, evidently in response to warmer air temperatures, and a continuing exponential increase in king penguins and fur seals. The glacier observations show that the Heard Island glaciers are sensitive indicators of climate change in the Southern Ocean, and of the interactions between climate and glacier topography. The island's recolonisation by king penguins and fur seals is attributed mainly to an improved food supply which may itself, like the glacier recession, be a response to changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation.
  • THE VEGETATION of SUBANTARCTIC CAMPBELL ISLAND ______Summary: the Vegetation of Campbell Island and Its Offshore Islets Was Sampled Quantitatively at 140 Sites

    THE VEGETATION of SUBANTARCTIC CAMPBELL ISLAND ______Summary: the Vegetation of Campbell Island and Its Offshore Islets Was Sampled Quantitatively at 140 Sites

    COLIN D. MEURK, M.N. FOGGO1 and J. BASTOW WILSON2 123 Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua, PO Box 69, Lincoln, New Zealand. 1. Department of Science, Central Institute of Technology, Private Bag 39807, Wellington, New Zealand. 2. Botany Department, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. THE VEGETATION OF SUBANTARCTIC CAMPBELL ISLAND __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Summary: The vegetation of Campbell Island and its offshore islets was sampled quantitatively at 140 sites. Data from the 134 sites with more than one vascular plant species were subjected to multivariate analysis. Out of a total of 140 indigenous and widespread adventive species known from the island group, 124 vascular species were recorded; 85 non-vascular cryptogams or species aggregates play a major role in the vegetation. Up to 19 factors of the physical environment were recorded or derived for each site. Agglomerative cluster analysis of the vegetation data was used to identify 21 plant communities. These (together with cryptogam associations) include: maritime crusts, turfs, megaherbfields, tussock grasslands, and shrublands; mid-elevation swamps, flushes, bogs, tussock grasslands, shrublands, dwarf forests, and induced meadows; and upland tundra-like tussock grasslands, tall and short turf-herbfields, bogs, flushes, rock-ledge herbfields, and fellfields. Axis 1 of the DCA ordination is largely a soil gradient related to the eutrophying impact of marine spray, sea mammals and birds, and nutrient flushing. Axis 2 is an altitudinal (or thermal) gradient. Axis 3 is related to soil reaction and to different kinds of animal influence on vegetation stature and species richness, and Axis 4 also appears to have fertility and animal associations.