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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 56(6)

Environmental correlates of coastal heathland and allied vegetation

S. J. Griffith A D , C. Bale B and P. Adam C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Botany, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

B School of Education, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

C School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: sgriff7@bigpond.net.au

Australian Journal of Botany 56(6) 512-526 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT06147
Submitted: 7 July 2006  Accepted: 17 June 2008   Published: 16 September 2008

Abstract

The east Australian coastline supports regionally distinct heathlands and allied structural formations, and of particular interest is the vegetation on Quaternary dunefields and beach ridge plains containing aquifers. Groundwater is abstracted from these aquifers for domestic, industrial and agricultural consumption, and this abstraction proceeds without a sound understanding of plant–water relations. This study examined relationships between the vegetation and a range of simple and complex environmental variables. Aspects of intra-habitat and micro-site environmental heterogeneity were also explored. Watertable depth varied spatially and temporally relative to vegetation type, although differences were not consistently significant. Differences in watertable depth were significant for vegetation samples grouped by topographic position. Plant roots were invariably present at the upper boundary of the aquifer and these were observed at depths of up to 10.5 m. Groundwater was found to have the chemical composition of dilute seawater. Soil properties for the A1 horizon (total phosphorus, total nitrogen and organic matter content) varied with vegetation type and topography, and although mean values were generally higher in wetter habitats, differences were not consistently significant. Ordination identified topography as the more important determinant of vegetation pattern. Intra-habitat and micro-site differences in soil and groundwater properties were detected, and the likely causes of this variation are discussed.


Acknowledgements

Staff members in Botany (UNE) are acknowledged for support, especially Dr Jim Charley for his perceptive discussion and comment, and instruction and assistance with laboratory analyses. Bob Wilson (Canberra) is thanked for his collaboration (with S.J.G.) over many years on the project to map coastal vegetation in northern NSW. Drs Ian Davies (UNE, since retired) and Graham Watson (Armidale) provided assistance with statistics and related analyses. As industry partner in collaborative research, MidCoast Water (Taree/Forster) partly funded manuscript completion. Permission to conduct the research was granted by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change under Scientific Licences No. A1882 and A2088, and Licence Agreement No. 302. One of us (S.J.G.) received an Australian Postgraduate Award and N.C.W. Beadle Grant. Constructive comments from two anonymous referees greatly improved the manuscript.


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