Changes in the Vegetation of Sclerophyll Shrubby Woodland Associated With Invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Weste
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Cyclic Process ◽  
Symptom Expression ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Gravelly Soils ◽  
And Control

Changes in the vegetation of a sclerophyll shrub woodland community growing on deep infertile sands at the northern end of Wilson's Promontory National Park were monitored for infected and control plots over a 5- year period and compared with changes due to disease on a ridge site. In all cases disease appeared as a mosaic of chlorotic and dying plants. The plant community changed to an open sedge woodland characterized by a rediction in tree density, loss of susceptible species, an increase in cover by resistant sedges and increased amount of bare ground. There were highly significant changes in plant density for 12 of the 16 species and in the proportion of these species in the total vegetation. The changes are continuing and there is no evidence as to whether they are irreversible or likely to become part of a cyclic process of disease and recovery. Changes in soil temperature and soil matric water potential were monitored continuously during the 5 years and were correlated with changes in pathogen disease potential, symptom expression and deaths. Disease was most severe not on the plots but on nearby ridge sites with exposed shallow, gravelly soils, and in these plant deaths were more frequent and occurred in more species.

The Invasion of Native Forest by Phytophthora cinnamomi. III. Threat to the National Park, Wilson's Promontory, Victoria

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Weste ◽  
C Law
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Symptom Expression ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Ecological Significance ◽  
Maximum Root ◽  
Old Trees

Diseased vegetation was first reported from the northern slopes of the Vereker Range at Wilson's Promontory National Park in September 1970. Phytophthora cinnamomi was isolated from plants in diseased areas but not from unaffected localities. The pathogen has since invaded three types of plant community-dry sclerophyll woodland, heaths, and swamps-and can be isolated at all depths to 80 cm in deep sands. High inoculum potentials are found at depths of maximum root concentration, i.e, to about 32 cm. Except where free water occurs, the rate of extension of the disease is slow. Dominants of both tree and shrub strata are susceptible and have been killed. Highly susceptible shrubs of the understorey, such as Xanthorrhoea australis and Isopogon ceratophyllus, are destroyed first. These are followed 6-12 months later by less susceptible shrubs, and at least 12 months later symptoms appear in trees. This variation in time may be responsible for the characteristic mosaic appearance of diseased areas. Inoculation experiments on 9-month-old trees of Banksia serrata and Eucalyptus obliqua confirmed field observations of susceptibility and symptom expression. The origin of the disease at Wilson's Promontory and its ecological significance are examined. Experiments in control of the pathogen are reported and recommendations discussed for control within the National Park.

Vegetation Changes Associated With Invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi on Monitored Sites in the Grampians, Western Australia

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kennedy ◽  
G Weste
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Forest Regions ◽  
Steep Slopes

The effects of invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi were measured on sites representing the larger forest regions of the Grampians. Changes were obvious at first, with the death of more than 50% of the species including large plants such as Xanthorrhoea australis, but soon became dificult to detect as susceptible species were replaced by field-resistant graminoids. Reductions were assessed in species heterogeneity and plant density during 1976, at the onset of disease and from 1977 to 1984. Susceptible species disappeared from infested forest and no re-emergence was observed. Less-susceptible plants such as some Euca/yptus spp. declined in number, regeneration and size, due to deaths or dieback of the branches. Reductions in tree canopy and the loss of structural dominants of the understorey caused changes in the flora which are likely to persist. The survival of rare, susceptible endemic species may be endangered. On dry, steep slopes the dead plants were not replaced and the amount of bare ground increased causing erosion of the soil surface. Some graminoid species increased in abundance on level, infested sites, resulting in a different species composition but with both species heterogeneity and plant density numerically similar to the previous flora.

scholarly journals Development of a technique for assessing veld condition in Etosha National Park, Namibia, using key herbaceous species

Koedoe ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
W.P. Du Plessis ◽  
G.J. Bredenkamp ◽  
W.S.W. Trollope
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
National Park ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Multiple Regression Models ◽  
Grass Sward

A technique based on the potential of key herbaceous species to produce acceptable herbaceous forage for consumption by herbivores, and fuels for veld burning, was developed in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Twenty seven key species were selected out of a total of 108 recorded. Forbs and bare ground were treated as two individual "species". The key species selected for each plant community included at least five species, of which at least one Decreaser and one Increaser species had to be present. Multiple regression models, which were developed using these key species, are used to accurately estimate the forage and fuel potential of the veld, and also indicate trends in the condition of the grass sward.

scholarly journals Altitudinally coordinated pattern of plant community structure in the Shivapuri National Park, Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalik Ram Sigdel
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Flower Colour ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Plant Community Structure ◽  
Closed Canopy

Study on plant community structure was undertaken in different altitudinal ranges of Shivapuri National Park. The general objective of this study is to analyse different plant community structure in Shivapuri National Park with regards to altitudinal variation. The forest was divided into three distinct altitudinal ranges on the basis of dominancy. In each altitudinal range standard quadrats method was applied for vegetation analysis. The highest number of species was found in site II. All the ecological parameters of the plant species were higher in site II except Basal Area of tree that was highest in site III. The pattern of distribution of plant species was not uniform according to altitude. At higher elevation, the forest was mature with almost closed canopy and trees were large; so the tree density was low. Species richness was highest in site II. Species diversity among tree and shrub species was higher in site I. But for herb species diversity was higher in site II for both seasons. Such type of variations may be due to nature of soil i.e. acidity, nutrient availability and other micro-climatic factors. The most noteworthy thing was that variation in flower colour of Rhododendron arboreum i.e. deep scarlet at low altitude, but it gradually changed into pinkish white as altitude increased. Key words: Altitude, Density, Plant community, Species diversity doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i1.2161 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 1, 11-17

scholarly journals Distribution of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and its Conservation Threats in Bardia National Park, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
Pramila Koirala ◽  
Bijaya Neupane ◽  
Thakur Silwal ◽  
Bijaya Dhami ◽  
Siddhartha Regmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Zone Field ◽  
Conservation Threats ◽  
And Control

Blue bull is Asia’s largest antelope, a species of least concern in IUCN Red data list of 2020. In Nepal, it is vulnerable and is often considered as a problem animal for its crop raiding habit. Although, its population is restricted in India and Nepal, there are insufficient studies conducted on the distribution and threats of the species at local level. This study aimed to assess the distribution of blue bull and its conservation threats in Bardia National Park and its buffer zone. Field survey was carried out to identify the potential area with the information provided by park staff and buffer zone people and by the transect method in the selected habitat to determine the distribution of blue bull population. Additionally, six focus group discussions (1 in each of thefive sites and 1 with park staff) and a half-day workshop (involving 25 participants representing each site and park office) were organized to assess the existing threats to the species. Data were analyzed descriptively using MS Excel, while the distribution map was prepared using Arc GIS. Also, 8 major identified threats were ranked using relative threat ranking procedure and classified into four severity classes. We found that the population of blue bull was dispersed from core area of Bardia National Park towards the buffer zone area. Open grazing, invasive species, predation by tiger and flash flood were the major threats to the blue bull as perceived by the local people. Habitat management activities including control of grazing, removal of invasive plant species, plantation of palatable grass species, increase in other prey species of tiger and control of flood in blue bull’s habitats are recommended to protect the species and thus sustain their threatened population.

scholarly journals Effects of Domestic Livestock and Native Wildlife Grazing in Grand Teton National Park

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 91-95
Author(s):  
Michael Smith ◽  
Jerrold Dodd ◽  
Paul Meiman
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Jackson Hole ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Wildlife Populations

The Snake River plains and foothill areas of Jackson Hole have been grazed by domestic livestock since settlement of the area. Wildlife populations, including elk, mule deer, and antelope have historically used and continue to use the area. Moose are currently relatively abundant and a small herd of bison have been introduced. Currently, livestock use part of the area contained in Grand Teton National Park either as a concession or due to authorization by Park enabling legislation. Park managers need information concerning the effects of grazing by large ungulates on vegetation resources to assist in effectively managing grazing to service forage needs and achieve desired plant community goals.

March: Water Superheroes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Wohl
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Slow Motion ◽  
Season Of Birth ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Unpaved Road ◽  
Beaver Ponds ◽  
Standing Water ◽  
Air Pockets

By mid-March, daytime temperatures above freezing have left muddy puddles all over the unpaved road that runs above and beside the beaver meadow. This road extends to the national park trailhead farther upstream but is now closed for winter. I enter the beaver meadow on a lightly overcast day that is windy, as I expect March to be. Lack of recent snowfall and warm temperatures have caused the snowpack to shrink down, and I no longer break through into hidden pockets of air around the base of the bushy willows. I do break through the ice on my snowshoes, sinking in a slow motion that allows me to scramble and keep my feet dry . . . mostly. I sink in above the ankle at one point and the resulting icy ache makes me appreciate the ability of beavers to stay warm. The snow covering the higher peaks and the adjacent lateral moraines appears about the same, but numerous spots of bare ground have appeared along the creek banks. The remaining snow resembles a blanket draped over the undulating, grassy ground rather than an integral part of the landscape. I stand on the snowbank at the downstream end of one of the larger beaver ponds. The dam merges into a vegetated berm and appears to be intact, but I can hear water flowing swiftly somewhere beneath the snow. Most puzzling is that I can’t see where the water is going: the nearest downstream standing water has no apparent inflow or current. Mysterious, intricate plumbing surrounds me. The beaver meadow is on the move, flowing and changing, preparing for the season of birth and growth. Standing water is noticeably more abundant than a month ago. Interspersed among the ice and snow are big puddles and little ponds, some connected and draining, others isolated and still. The still pond waters have a shallow covering of meltwater underlain by ice with large, irregularly shaped air pockets trapped in the upper layer. These I can easily break with the tip of my ski pole. Thousands of tiny bubbles deeper in the ice look milky.

The Relationship Between Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthora Cinnamomi) and the Abundance of Antechinus Stuartii (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia) in the Brisbane Ranges, Victoria.

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
GR Newell ◽  
BA Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
National Park ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Public Land Management ◽  
Water Board ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
History Of

The Brisbane Ranges include areas of National Park, water catchment and freehold land that have a history of infection with the pathogen P. cinnamomi since the late 1960s. A systematic survey of the small-mammal fauna of the Brisbane Ranges National Park and the Geelong and District Water Board catchments in relation to the pathogen was carried out in 1987. A. stuartii was the only species trapped regularly. The volume of vegetation to a structural level of 60 cm was significantly lower at sites where P. cinnamomi was present. The abundance of A. stuartii was also significantly lower at sites infected with P. cinnamomi, and a significant relationship is shown between the capture rate of A. stuartii and the volume of vegetation present up to 40 cm above ground level. This work indicates a possible association between P. cinnamomi and populations of A. stuartii, and the relationships between the pathogen, habitat quality and small-mammal distribution are discussed. These findings have implications for public land management and management of fauna in areas prone to infection with P. cinnamomi.

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