The collecting history of Disa bracteata Sw. (South African orchid) in Tasmania (Australia), the state’s only naturalised member of the Orchidaceae family, is presented. Details of its distribution in Tasmania, since it was first discovered in 2005, are included and discussed with information on habitat, abundance and management. The species is primarily distributed across the north coast (Smithton to Musselroe) with an outlier in Huonville in the state’s south. Most sites are from verges along public roads and highways, but the species has also been detected on several private properties and other less disturbed habitats. Many sites with the species have been actively managed with the objective of eradication, although some sites are now well-established so eradication will require concerted effort. It is recommended that the species be added to the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 as a declared species with the primary objective of eradication.
{"title":"Collecting history and distribution of the potentially invasive Disa bracteata (South African orchid) in Tasmania","authors":"M. Wapstra, ML Baker, G. Daniels","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.154.51","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.154.51","url":null,"abstract":"The collecting history of Disa bracteata Sw. (South African orchid) in Tasmania (Australia), the state’s only naturalised member of the Orchidaceae family, is presented. Details of its distribution in Tasmania, since it was first discovered in 2005, are included and discussed with information on habitat, abundance and management. The species is primarily distributed across the north coast (Smithton to Musselroe) with an outlier in Huonville in the state’s south. Most sites are from verges along public roads and highways, but the species has also been detected on several private properties and other less disturbed habitats. Many sites with the species have been actively managed with the objective of eradication, although some sites are now well-established so eradication will require concerted effort. It is recommended that the species be added to the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 as a declared species with the primary objective of eradication.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Since the 1970s, knowledge of Tasmania’s offshore islands has expanded greatly due to an increase in systematic and regional surveys, the continuation of several long-term monitoring programs and the improved delivery of pest management and translocation programs. However, many islands remain data-poor especially for invertebrate fauna, and non-vascular flora, and information sources are dispersed across numerous platforms. While more than 90% of Tasmania’s offshore islands are statutory reserves, many are impacted by a range of disturbances, particularly invasive species with no decision-making framework in place to prioritise their management. This paper synthesises the significant contribution offshore islands make to Tasmania’s land-based natural assets and identifies gaps and deficiencies hampering their protection. A continuing focus on detailed gap-filling surveys aided by partnership restoration programs and collaborative national forums must be strengthened if we are to capitalise on the conservation benefits islands provide in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions and pressure for future use.
{"title":"Overview of Tasmania’s offshore islands and their role in nature conservation","authors":"S. Bryant, S. Harris","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.154.83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.154.83","url":null,"abstract":"Since the 1970s, knowledge of Tasmania’s offshore islands has expanded greatly due to an increase in systematic and regional surveys, the continuation of several long-term monitoring programs and the improved delivery of pest management and translocation programs. However, many islands remain data-poor especially for invertebrate fauna, and non-vascular flora, and information sources are dispersed across numerous platforms. While more than 90% of Tasmania’s offshore islands are statutory reserves, many are impacted by a range of disturbances, particularly invasive species with no decision-making framework in place to prioritise their management. This paper synthesises the significant contribution offshore islands make to Tasmania’s land-based natural assets and identifies gaps and deficiencies hampering their protection. A continuing focus on detailed gap-filling surveys aided by partnership restoration programs and collaborative national forums must be strengthened if we are to capitalise on the conservation benefits islands provide in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions and pressure for future use.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Turner, M. Wapstra, A. Woolley, K. Hopkins, AJ Koch, F. Duncan
This paper describes the distribution of the threatened shrub Hibbertia calycina (DC.) N.A.Wakef., a distinctive plant restricted to northeast Tasmania. It compares changes over time in population size and evaluates the species response to disturbance. Results found H. calycina distribution is restricted to isolated clumps on highly insolated ridges and steep upper slopes of fine-grained Mathinna-series sedimentary rocks in dry sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalyptus sieberi L.Johnson. Nine populations were documented with an estimated area of occupancy of 0.43 km2 and area of extent measuring 95 km2, demonstrating that the current listing of H. calycina as vulnerable is appropriate on Tasmania’s Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. We believe that the distribution of the present population is a result of natural factors (i.e., restricted habitat range and natural fire events) and anthropogenic factors (managed fire regime and illegal firewood cutting). Although frequent fire and roading have the potential to impact populations, H. calycina appears to be stable without active management in a landscape of patchy, regular, low severity fire. Our results indicate susceptibility to the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is likely less problematic than previously postulated, yet more data and research is required before management is changed.
{"title":"Long-term monitoring of the threatened lesser guineaflower Hibbertia calycina (DC.) N.A.Wakef. (Dilleniaceae) in Tasmania","authors":"P. Turner, M. Wapstra, A. Woolley, K. Hopkins, AJ Koch, F. Duncan","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.154.61","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.154.61","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes the distribution of the threatened shrub Hibbertia calycina (DC.) N.A.Wakef., a distinctive plant restricted to northeast Tasmania. It compares changes over time in population size and evaluates the species response to disturbance. Results found H. calycina distribution is restricted to isolated clumps on highly insolated ridges and steep upper slopes of fine-grained Mathinna-series sedimentary rocks in dry sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalyptus sieberi L.Johnson. Nine populations were documented with an estimated area of occupancy of 0.43 km2 and area of extent measuring 95 km2, demonstrating that the current listing of H. calycina as vulnerable is appropriate on Tasmania’s Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. We believe that the distribution of the present population is a result of natural factors (i.e., restricted habitat range and natural fire events) and anthropogenic factors (managed fire regime and illegal firewood cutting). Although frequent fire and roading have the potential to impact populations, H. calycina appears to be stable without active management in a landscape of patchy, regular, low severity fire. Our results indicate susceptibility to the soil-borne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is likely less problematic than previously postulated, yet more data and research is required before management is changed.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Griffin, A. Hingston, Ce Harwood, J. Harbard, Mj Brown, KM Ellingsen, CM Young
In Tasmania, Acacia dealbata flowers from July to September when weather conditions are non-conducive to activity by the insects which are generally considered to be major pollinators of the genus. This paper examines the presence and behaviour of insect and bird visitors as potential pollen vectors. Very few insects were observed to visit the flowers. However, several bird species fed on the flower-heads and foraged for small invertebrates inhabiting the blossoms. These feeding behaviours resulted in adhesion of pollen to feathers likely to be transferred from one genet to another as birds moved. During feeding, rosellas were observed to not only ingest flower-heads but the presence of branchlet clip under 57% of A. dealbata trees surveyed is evidence of the widespread occurrence of these species foraging on flowers. However, given the profusion of flowers and the small numbers of birds observed, it is difficult to conclude that birds are wholly responsible for outcross pollination and we discuss the possibility that wind may also be an important pollen vector. Although the floral attributes of A. dealbata are more aligned with insect pollination, we failed to definitively identify any one major pollinator of the species in this environment and suggest that the pollination syndrome may most accurately be described as generalist.
{"title":"Potential pollen vectors of the mass flowering tree Acacia dealbata, within its natural range in southern Tasmania","authors":"A. Griffin, A. Hingston, Ce Harwood, J. Harbard, Mj Brown, KM Ellingsen, CM Young","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.154.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.154.9","url":null,"abstract":"In Tasmania, Acacia dealbata flowers from July to September when weather conditions are non-conducive to activity by the insects which are generally considered to be major pollinators of the genus. This paper examines the presence and behaviour of insect and bird visitors as potential pollen vectors. Very few insects were observed to visit the flowers. However, several bird species fed on the flower-heads and foraged for small invertebrates inhabiting the blossoms. These feeding behaviours resulted in adhesion of pollen to feathers likely to be transferred from one genet to another as birds moved. During feeding, rosellas were observed to not only ingest flower-heads but the presence of branchlet clip under 57% of A. dealbata trees surveyed is evidence of the widespread occurrence of these species foraging on flowers. However, given the profusion of flowers and the small numbers of birds observed, it is difficult to conclude that birds are wholly responsible for outcross pollination and we discuss the possibility that wind may also be an important pollen vector. Although the floral attributes of A. dealbata are more aligned with insect pollination, we failed to definitively identify any one major pollinator of the species in this environment and suggest that the pollination syndrome may most accurately be described as generalist.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The natural aesthetic resource is an important element of natural and cultural heritage and an attractor of tourists. It is important for heritage management to understand the scenic attractors of tourists. Photographs of Cradle Mountain (150) and Freycinet National Park (149) were collected from a range of sources to determine whether there is a constancy of gaze between those who promote tourism and those who tour, and between the two visually distinct destinations. Publicly available images from four different sources were used to compare content attributes and mise en scene attributes between localities using Chi-square and ANOSIM. The photographs were then ordinated using the same attributes, and the results were displayed using photographic average composites. The Discover Tasmania and Google Images photographs were similar, both better conforming to advanced compositional principles compared to the Instagram and promotional images, which were similar, especially in the featuring of people in landscape foregrounds. There may be a reciprocal interaction between promotional and tourist images, rather than a one-way process. The contrasting features in the images from the two places were largely a product of the very different physical environments. However, the photographs at Freycinet were taken from several geographic locations, whereas the vista of Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain dominated all image sources at Cradle Mountain. The content analysis of the images was consistent between places, except where a feature of an artefact or natural feature created opportunity for artistic expression.
{"title":"The tourist and tourism gazes upon Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Park","authors":"C. Ridley","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.154.27","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.154.27","url":null,"abstract":"The natural aesthetic resource is an important element of natural and cultural heritage and an attractor of tourists. It is important for heritage management to understand the scenic attractors of tourists. Photographs of Cradle Mountain (150) and Freycinet National Park (149) were collected from a range of sources to determine whether there is a constancy of gaze between those who promote tourism and those who tour, and between the two visually distinct destinations. Publicly available images from four different sources were used to compare content attributes and mise en scene attributes between localities using Chi-square and ANOSIM. The photographs were then ordinated using the same attributes, and the results were displayed using photographic average composites. The Discover Tasmania and Google Images photographs were similar, both better conforming to advanced compositional principles compared to the Instagram and promotional images, which were similar, especially in the featuring of people in landscape foregrounds. There may be a reciprocal interaction between promotional and tourist images, rather than a one-way process. The contrasting features in the images from the two places were largely a product of the very different physical environments. However, the photographs at Freycinet were taken from several geographic locations, whereas the vista of Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain dominated all image sources at Cradle Mountain. The content analysis of the images was consistent between places, except where a feature of an artefact or natural feature created opportunity for artistic expression.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paola Magni, David North, Melle Zwerver, Ian Dadour
Insect succession has been studied around the world using the predictable and mostly sequential arrival pattern of different insect species that are attracted to a decomposing carcass. In cases of suspicious death of humans and animals, carrion insects may be used to assist in crime scene reconstruction. The present research represents the first study in forensic entomology to be undertaken in Tasmania, investigating insect succession patterns on decomposing pig carcasses and providing a preliminary database of forensically important insects. Six pig carcasses were placed in two contrasting locations (rural and urban) in northern Tasmania. Insect successional waves were recorded over a 40-day study during the austral summer season. Results showed that decomposition rates and insect assemblages varied between each location. Eleven insect taxa, representing nine families, were identified in association with the decomposition of the pig carcasses at both localities. Blowflies present on the pig carcasses throughout the decomposition process were Calliphora stygia Malloch (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at both sites and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) at the urban site only. These preliminary results will provide useful information in any future casework involving human remains and associated insect material in Tasmania.
{"title":"Insect succession pattern on decomposing pig carcasses in Tasmania: a summer study'","authors":"Paola Magni, David North, Melle Zwerver, Ian Dadour","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.153.31","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.153.31","url":null,"abstract":"Insect succession has been studied around the world using the predictable and mostly sequential arrival pattern of different insect species that are attracted to a decomposing carcass. In cases of suspicious death of humans and animals, carrion insects may be used to assist in crime scene reconstruction. The present research represents the first study in forensic entomology to be undertaken in Tasmania, investigating insect succession patterns on decomposing pig carcasses and providing a preliminary database of forensically important insects. Six pig carcasses were placed in two contrasting locations (rural and urban) in northern Tasmania. Insect successional waves were recorded over a 40-day study during the austral summer season. Results showed that decomposition rates and insect assemblages varied between each location. Eleven insect taxa, representing nine families, were identified in association with the decomposition of the pig carcasses at both localities. Blowflies present on the pig carcasses throughout the decomposition process were Calliphora stygia Malloch (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at both sites and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) at the urban site only. These preliminary results will provide useful information in any future casework involving human remains and associated insect material in Tasmania.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dockrillia striolata (Rchb.f.) Rauschert, known as the yellow rock-orchid, occurs in New South Wales, Victoria and along the east coast of Tasmania. Within Tasmania, populations occur on the islands of the Furneaux Group and on mainland Tasmania (Kelvedon Hills south of Swansea through to wukalina/Mount William in the northeast). The taxonomy of the species is revised, with subsp. chrysantha no longer recognised as distinct based on a morphological examination of flower size and other characters. The species is restricted to Devonian granite-type rocks and Jurassic dolerite, usually in near-coastal areas and in various vegetation types. A review of the conservation status indicates that the species does not qualify as threatened under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, with it being well reserved throughout its range, an extent of occurrence of ca. 7500 km2, represented by at least 30 well-defined subpopulations, no apparent historical or contemporary declines in any population parameters, nor any identifiable risks.
{"title":"Taxonomic and conservation status of Dockrillia striolata (Rchb.f.) Rauschert (Orchidaceae) in Tasmania'","authors":"M. Wapstra","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.153.39","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.153.39","url":null,"abstract":"Dockrillia striolata (Rchb.f.) Rauschert, known as the yellow rock-orchid, occurs in New South Wales, Victoria and along the east coast of Tasmania. Within Tasmania, populations occur on the islands of the Furneaux Group and on mainland Tasmania (Kelvedon Hills south of Swansea through to wukalina/Mount William in the northeast). The taxonomy of the species is revised, with subsp. chrysantha no longer recognised as distinct based on a morphological examination of flower size and other characters. The species is restricted to Devonian granite-type rocks and Jurassic dolerite, usually in near-coastal areas and in various vegetation types. A review of the conservation status indicates that the species does not qualify as threatened under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, with it being well reserved throughout its range, an extent of occurrence of ca. 7500 km2, represented by at least 30 well-defined subpopulations, no apparent historical or contemporary declines in any population parameters, nor any identifiable risks.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Baker, S. Grove, M. de Salis, C. Byrne, L. Cave, K. Bonham, K. Moore, G. Kantvilas
A flora and fauna survey was conducted at the east coast Tasmanian property Wind Song in 2017 as part of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s ongoing research, collection-building and nature-discovery program. The survey recorded 885 taxa, primarily from the targeted groups of vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, butterflies, moths, beetles, snails and slugs. Several of the taxa recorded, chiefly lichens and invertebrates, are new to science or new records for Tasmania. The survey provides a benchmark for further work and serves as an indicator of the biodiversity of a former farming property on Tasmania’s east coast.
{"title":"Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s Expedition of Discovery I – The flora and fauna of Wind Song, Little Swanport, Tasmania","authors":"M. Baker, S. Grove, M. de Salis, C. Byrne, L. Cave, K. Bonham, K. Moore, G. Kantvilas","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.153.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.153.5","url":null,"abstract":"A flora and fauna survey was conducted at the east coast Tasmanian property Wind Song in 2017 as part of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s ongoing research, collection-building and nature-discovery program. The survey recorded 885 taxa, primarily from the targeted groups of vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, butterflies, moths, beetles, snails and slugs. Several of the taxa recorded, chiefly lichens and invertebrates, are new to science or new records for Tasmania. The survey provides a benchmark for further work and serves as an indicator of the biodiversity of a former farming property on Tasmania’s east coast.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Saltmarsh soils impose harsh selection pressures on vegetation resulting in characteristic plant communities. For our study of the effect of edaphic factors on vegetation we chose Long Point in Moulting Lagoon, Tasmania’s largest saltmarsh, which is dominated by a diverse assemblage of halophytic succulents and graminoids. Three transects were established to sample variations in vegetation along the gradient from saltmarsh to woodland. Soil samples were analysed for summer and winter moisture, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC); a mixed summer and winter sample from each point was analysed for soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon. Additionally, a particle size analysis was carried out on all summer samples. Aspects of soil characteristics were aligned to classified vegetation groups and elevation. Moisture, pH, EC, SOM and carbon were all negatively correlated with elevation; the saltmarsh zone displaying higher levels of all variables than those in the adjacent woodland zone. Clay content decreased and sand content increased from the marine margin of the saltmarsh zone to the woodland zone. Within the saltmarsh zone, soil moisture, EC and carbon had highest values in the low marsh area, with values decreasing towards the upper marsh area. This study deepens our understanding of the roles various edaphic factors play in the floristic composition of coastal saltmarshes.
{"title":"Vegetation communities and edaphic relationships along a typical coastal saltmarsh to woodland gradient in eastern Tasmania","authors":"J. Aalders, P. McQuillan, V. Prahalad","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.153.61","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.153.61","url":null,"abstract":"Saltmarsh soils impose harsh selection pressures on vegetation resulting in characteristic plant communities. For our study of the effect of edaphic factors on vegetation we chose Long Point in Moulting Lagoon, Tasmania’s largest saltmarsh, which is dominated by a diverse assemblage of halophytic succulents and graminoids. Three transects were established to sample variations in vegetation along the gradient from saltmarsh to woodland. Soil samples were analysed for summer and winter moisture, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC); a mixed summer and winter sample from each point was analysed for soil organic matter (SOM) and carbon. Additionally, a particle size analysis was carried out on all summer samples. Aspects of soil characteristics were aligned to classified vegetation groups and elevation. Moisture, pH, EC, SOM and carbon were all negatively correlated with elevation; the saltmarsh zone displaying higher levels of all variables than those in the adjacent woodland zone. Clay content decreased and sand content increased from the marine margin of the saltmarsh zone to the woodland zone. Within the saltmarsh zone, soil moisture, EC and carbon had highest values in the low marsh area, with values decreasing towards the upper marsh area. This study deepens our understanding of the roles various edaphic factors play in the floristic composition of coastal saltmarshes.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal paths can improve connectivity of species, alter vegetation growth, reduce fuel loads and further our knowledge of the behavioural ecology of mammals. Path patterning and the motivations for path creation are not well understood. The present study tested the hypotheses that animals form paths: (i) to efficiently move between palatable patches; (ii) for access to water; (iii) for access to shelter and (iv) to avoid predators. We used high-definition aerial online imagery to map paths in five treeless subalpine environments in Tasmania. Surveys of vegetation and scat counts were conducted at each site. We found that locality influenced wallaby scat density and that macropods and wombats created direct paths to move between areas of palatable vegetation, shelter and water. There was some weak indication of predator avoidance in some of the patterning. However, shelter from cold, strong southwesterly winds is a feasible alternative motivation for the patterns.
{"title":"'Patterns and causes of marsupial paths in subalpine Tasmania","authors":"EC Nichols, J. Kirkpatrick","doi":"10.26749/rstpp.153.53","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26749/rstpp.153.53","url":null,"abstract":"Animal paths can improve connectivity of species, alter vegetation growth, reduce fuel loads and further our knowledge of the behavioural ecology of mammals. Path patterning and the motivations for path creation are not well understood. The present study tested the hypotheses that animals form paths: (i) to efficiently move between palatable patches; (ii) for access to water; (iii) for access to shelter and (iv) to avoid predators. We used high-definition aerial online imagery to map paths in five treeless subalpine environments in Tasmania. Surveys of vegetation and scat counts were conducted at each site. We found that locality influenced wallaby scat density and that macropods and wombats created direct paths to move between areas of palatable vegetation, shelter and water. There was some weak indication of predator avoidance in some of the patterning. However, shelter from cold, strong southwesterly winds is a feasible alternative motivation for the patterns.","PeriodicalId":35513,"journal":{"name":"Papers and Proceedings - Royal Society of Tasmania","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69102108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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