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Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The influence of landforms on sandalwood (Santalum spicatum (R.Br) A.Dc.) size structure and density in the north-eastern goldfields, Western Australia

J. E. Brand and P. J. Jones

The Rangeland Journal 24(2) 219 - 226
Published: 20 November 2002

Abstract

The density of Santalum spicatum was compared between 'land systems' and between 'land surface types' on four sheep stations in the north-eastern Goldfields: Yakabindie, Tarmoola, Glenorn and Minara. S.A spicatum density was recorded in 4–6A ha transect plots, with a total of 14,090 ha surveyed. Within each transect plot, the S. spicatum were divided into five groups based on stem diameter at 150A mm: < 25 mm, 25–74 mm, 75–124 mm, 125–174 mm and > 174 mm. The proportion of S. spicatum in each of the five size categories was similar between land surface types and between land systems, with the majority in two groups: 75–124 mm and 125–174 mm. S. spicatum recruitment was low, with less than 1.5 % seedlings (< 25 mm) and 7.9 % saplings (25–74 mm).

Total density of S. spicatum on hills and ridges (0.65 stems/ha) was significantly higher than any other land surface type. The sandplains (0.05 stems/ha) supported the least. Within land systems, Laverton and Bevon (both hills and ridges) had the highest S. spicatum density. Yakabindie supported higher densities of S. spicatum than the other stations.

Keywords: S. spicatum, landform, land surface type, land system, size structure, density

https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ02012

© ARS 2002

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