Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20928
Title: Floristics, dominance and diversity within the threatened 'Themeda' grassy headlands of the North Coast Bioregion of New South Wales
Contributor(s): Hunter, John T  (author)orcid ; Hunter, Vanessa (author)
Publication Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1071/PC16013
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20928
Abstract: We surveyed subtropical closed tussock grasslands on headlands within the North Coast Bioregion of New South Wales. The aims of the investigation were to provide baseline data on this listed threatened community. Additionally, we tested the effects of macropod grazing and biomass changes on assemblages. 117 full floristic survey plots were placed within extant natural grassland occurrences on 16 headlands. Data collected included the percent cover and frequency of each species. In addition we ranked the three species contributing most to overall biomass. Analysis of the full floristic cover data (percent cover) was performed using the Kulzynski association measure and UPGMA fusion strategy. Further analysis was performed using constrained and unconstrained ordinations and Generalised Additive Modelling (GAM) using species frequency data and explanatory variables including overall, and proportional species biomass, and macropod grazing impact. Seven distinct grassland assemblages were derived of which three were 'Themeda' dominated. Concentrating on the 'Themeda' dominated assemblages it was found that increasing biomass depth and a reduction in macropod grazing impact was associated with a reduction in plot species richness and diversity and trait richness and diversity. These changes were associated with a shift in floristic assemblage identity. All three 'Themeda' assemblages are likely to provide a unique combination of functional resources and all should be maintained in order to promote landscape diversity. We predict that use of frequent fire is likely to cause homogenisation (reduced landscape richness) and loss of important components including listed threatened taxa.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Pacific Conservation Biology, 23(1), p. 71-80
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 2204-4604
1038-2097
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060208 Terrestrial Ecology
060202 Community Ecology (excl. Invasive Species Ecology)
050202 Conservation and Biodiversity
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 310308 Terrestrial ecology
310302 Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology)
410401 Conservation and biodiversity
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
960902 Coastal and Estuarine Land Management
960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180203 Coastal or estuarine biodiversity
180299 Coastal and estuarine systems and management not elsewhere classified
180601 Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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