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Ecological gradients in forest communities on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia

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Abstract

Vegetational changes over a series of geological boundaries through an area of managanese mineralization on the western side of Groote Eylandt, have been analysed using pattern analysis techniques. Hierarchical classification of data on the frequency of occurrence of plant species in the transects through each of the vegetational zones gave five ecologically identifable groups. The degree of interrelatedness between the sites was emphasized by ordination of the groups, incorporating minimum spanning analysis. The vegetational groups represent developments under different environmental conditions in which differences in water relations and the presence of an impermeable barrier in the soil profile were important.

Comparison of the soil nutrient contents of the sites indicated major differences in the total manganese concentration in the topsoil. Even though manganese levels in Eucalyptus tetrodonta leaf tissue were high, no evidence could be found for an iron-chlorosis induced by a low Fe/Mn ratio. The levels of other nutrients in eucalypt foliage were similar to those measured elsewhere.

In each vegetational grouping the frequency of occurrence of termite species varied according to site and food type. The role of termites in nutrient cycling needs to be further studied. The closed-forest maybe the climatic climax on the acid red earth soils since in the absence of fire it extends into the surrounding Eucalyptus tetrodonta open-forest. On the Sandstone and Manganese ares the stable state of the vegetation is likely to be composed of the Australian element of the vegetation modified to various extents by fire.

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Author notes

  1. P. J. Langkamp

    Present address: Shell Company of Australia Limited, 155 William st., 3000, Melbourne, Vic., Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Sciences Section, School of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, Vic., Australia

    P. J. Langkamp & M. J. Dalling

  2. Botany School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, Vic., Australia

    D. H. Ashton

Authors
  1. P. J. Langkamp
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  2. D. H. Ashton
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  3. M. J. Dalling
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Additional information

Nomenclature: Chippendale (1971)

It is a pleasure to acknowledge Miss J. Waddy, Mr. P. Wurrawilya and Mr. N. B. Byrnes for their help in identifying the plant samples; Dr. A. Gillison and staff for advice and assistance with computing; Dr. D. M. Calder and Mr. T. P. Farrell for help in the initial field work; Dr. P. Ladiges for comments on the manuscript; Mr. J. Cook for geological assistance; Mr. G. K. Farnell for practical advice and assistance; Mr. L. B. Swinden for undying technical backup and support. We thank Kevron Photographics Pty. Ltd. Perth, for the aerial photograph. The financial support and provision of facilities on Groote Eylandt by the Groote Eylandt mining Company Pty. Ltd. is gratefully acknowledged.

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Langkamp, P.J., Ashton, D.H. & Dalling, M.J. Ecological gradients in forest communities on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia. Vegetatio 48, 27–46 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00117359

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