Past and Present Vegetation on the Delegate River in the Highlands of Eastern Victoria. I. Present Vegetation

Abstract

Swamp and forest vegetation on the Delegate River near Bendoc, at about 900 m above sea level in the highlands of eastern Victoria, was analysed by two different computer strategies-one agglomerative polythetic (MULTBET) and the other divisive monothetic (DIVINF). Classification of the species with respect to sites by DIVINF (inverse) produced 10 meaningful species groups and a residue of relatively rare species. MULTBET (normal) produced the more satisfactory classification of swamp and forest sites with respect to species, enabling 10 communities to be recognized: these are mapped and described. In general, the communities are characterized by a number of species groups and some groups are confined to particular parts of the study area.

The main environmental features affecting the distribution of communities appear to be altitude above the valley floor and aspect for the forest and, for the swamp, aeration and drainage of the soil, flooding (degree and duration) and low temperature.