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Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 52(6)

Vegetation patterns in permanent spring wetlands in arid Australia

R. J. Fensham A C , R. J. Fairfax A , D. Pocknee B and J. Kelley A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Qld 4066, Australia.

B Department of Main Roads, Barcaldine, Qld 4725, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: rod.fensham@epa.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Botany 52(6) 719-728 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT04043
Submitted: 19 March 2004  Accepted: 11 August 2004   Published: 24 December 2004

Abstract

A transect-based quadrat survey was conducted within 11 spring wetlands fed by permanent groundwater flows from the Great Artesian Basin at Elizabeth Springs in western Queensland. Flow patterns within individual wetlands change with sedimentation associated with mound building, siltation of abandoned drains and changes in aquifer pressure associated with artificial extraction from bores. The pattern of floristic groups for the wetland quadrats was poorly related to soil texture, water pH, slope and topographic position. Patterns were most clearly related to wetland age as determined from aerial photography, with a clear successional sequence from mono-specific stands of Cyperus laevigatus on newly formed wetland areas to more diverse wetland assemblages. However, evidence from other Great Artesian Basin springs suggests that succession can also result in reduced species richness where the palatable tall reed Phragmites australis develops mono-specific stands.


Acknowledgments

Thanks are extended to David Akers, Dan Kelman and Jon Luly for assistance with fieldwork. We also thank Darren Niejalke for hosting the senior author on a tour of the South Australian springs and for his insights in relation to spring wetland dynamics. Tim Fatchen is recognised for his pioneering and long-term insights. Will Smith helped with figures, and John Neldner and the formal reviewers provided valuable comments on the manuscript.


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