Vegetation and environmental relations of ephemeral subtropical wetlands in central Queensland, Australia
J. J. Halford A B C and R. J. Fensham A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Queensland Herbarium, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Qld 4066, Australia.
B Department of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: jason.halford@uqconnect.edu.au
Australian Journal of Botany 62(6) 499-510 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT14115
Submitted: 22 May 2014 Accepted: 4 November 2014 Published: 23 December 2014
Abstract
An extensive network of ephemeral wetlands exists within arid and semiarid Australia. These wetlands provide important resources to local and migratory species; however, they are poorly studied, particularly in terms of their vegetation–environmental relations. To better understand these relationships, a flora survey was conducted in a large complex of ephemeral, subtropical wetlands in central Queensland, in an attempt to describe the vegetation patterns present, and determine their underlying environmental conditions. In total, eight vegetation groups were identified, with water depth having the greatest influence over vegetation patterns, with slope, assumed to affect drainage, having a secondary influence. Aquatics, such as Nymphaea gigantea Hook. and Vallisneria nana R.Br., characterise the deepest zone, grasslands and sedgelands characterise intermediate depths and a herbfield including many ephemeral terrestrial species characterises the shallow zone. The geography of the wetland-dependant species indicates mostly tropical affinities. All wetland-dependant species present are broadly distributed, with none requiring special conservation considerations. There are no significant infestations of exotic species, including ponded pasture species, that have spread throughout other tropical and subtropical wetlands. The complex of wetlands extending over a large catchment area in the upper Dawson River catchment is in excellent natural condition, and as such, it forms a very important component of the network of wetlands extending along the east coast of Australia.
Additional keywords: environmental gradients, floristics, invasive species, species distribution.
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