University Research Projects Luke Collins 05

University Research Projects - Manns

UoW Bachelor of Environmental Science Research Report Abstracts

Melissa Manns

Bangalay Sand Forest and Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on coastal floodplains, fragmented in the Shoalhaven local government area

Two fragmented Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) were locally defined in the Shoalhaven Local Government Area (LGA). Bangalay Sand Forest and Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains (SSF) communities have been highly fragmented from past land clearing and are currently suffering from intense development pressure, risking further land clearing and fragmentation. This habitat fragmentation, caused primarily from human disturbance, creates an artificial and disconnected environment that affects species' distribution, abundance and interactions.

The literature highlighted that vegetation fragment size and edge effects were sources of variation within fragmented landscapes. A range of vegetation fragments, of various sizes, were selected from two EECs, using the Shoalhaven City Council's mapping. Vegetation sampling was performed in the edge and core areas of the selected vegetation fragments, documenting the species composition and community structure occurring in these areas.

The key findings of the study included: a) species composition was highly variable between individual fragments and between fragment sizes in both EECs; b) exotic species richness appeared to increase in edge areas in both EECs; c) EEC listed species appeared constant between edge and core areas in both EECs; and d) community structure was highly variable between individual fragments in both EECs.

The study was successful in developing a local description for each EEC within the Shoalhaven LGA to aid the identification of the communities by the Shoalhaven City Council. Implications for the conservation of the EECs that may be drawn are that fragment size is important and should be considered in the management of these communities. Furthermore, this study suggests exotic species are more abundant in edge areas therefore should be monitored to recognize further invasion. Edge areas are recognized as functionally important as clearing would be detrimental to maintaining the core area.

In conclusion, the variation depicted between vegetation fragments within each defined community is large. This suggests that the 'community concept' may not be a practical way to protect EECs, as vegetation is a dynamic continuum with variability increased by fragmentation.

To obtain a full copy of this report or more information please contact University of Wollongong School of Earth & Environmental Sciences.

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