Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Vegetation group which occurs in semi-arid areas of southern Australia}} |
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{{Use Australian English|date=July 2017}} |
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2017}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} |
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[[File:Map of Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands plant communities across southern Australia.png|thumb|Extent of Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands plant communities across southern [[Australia]]]] |
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'''Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands''' ('''MVG 14''') is a [[List of Major Vegetation Groups in Australia|Major Vegetation Group]] which occurs in semi-arid areas of southern [[Australia]].<ref name=MVG14>{{cite web|title = MVG 14-Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands| work=Australian Natural Resources Atlas|publisher=Australian Government|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/17345e0a-40dc-4cae-97d3-e972c52c4ea7/files/vegfsheet-mvg14.pdf |accessdate=2011-03-08}}</ref> The vegetation is dominated by [[mallee (habit)|mallee eucalypts]] which are rarely over 6 metres high. Other dominant plant genera are ''[[Melaleuca]]'', ''[[Acacia]]'' and ''[[Hakea]]''.<ref name=MVG14/> |
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'''Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands''' is one of 32 [[List of Major Vegetation Groups in Australia|Major Vegetation Groups]] defined by the Australian Government [[Department of the Environment and Energy]]<ref name="NVIS">{{cite web |title=NVIS 4.2 Major Vegetation Groups (numeric order) |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/ba1d4b30-d46f-42f7-bec2-fac391f26072/files/mvg42-numeric-order.pdf |publisher=Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="environment">{{cite web |title=NVIS Fact sheet series Introduction to MVG fact sheets |url=https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/2edcda80-d9b7-49d4-9e97-36236b91e9f9/files/mvg-introduction.pdf |publisher=Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> and one of the 189 habitats in the HOTW habitats of the World classification.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=Iain |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctv1jhvngg |title=Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists |last2=Behrens |first2=Ken |last3=Hesse |first3=Charley |last4=Chaon |first4=Phil |date=2021-09-28 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-22596-8 |doi=10.2307/j.ctv1jhvngg}}</ref> |
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==Description== |
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The composition of the [[understorey]] depends on factors such as rainfall, soil composition as well as fire frequency and intensity. In subhumid areas, a variety of grasses and shrubs predominate, while in semi-arid areas hummock grasses (''[[Triodia (plant genus)|Triodia]]'' species) predominate.<ref name=MVG14/> |
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"[[Mallee (habit)|Mallee]]" refers to the growth habit of a group of (mainly) [[eucalypt]] species that grow to a height of {{cvt|2–9|m}}, have many stems arising from a [[lignotuber]] and have a leafy canopy that shades 30–70% of the ground. The term is also applied to a vegetation association where these mallee eucalypts grow, on land that is generally flat without hills or tall trees and where the climate is [[semi-arid]].<ref name="parks">{{cite web |title=Plants of the Mallee Shrublands |url=https://parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens/pub/plants-of-the-mallee-shrublands.pdf |publisher=Australian Government - Parks Australia |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="ANBG">{{cite web |title=Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands |url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/photo/vegetation/mallee-woodlands-shrublands.html |publisher=Australian National Botanic Gardens |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> |
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Of the 32 Major Vegetation Groups classified under the National Vegetation Information System, "Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands" (MVG14): |
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In 2001, the area covered by this vegetation group was estimated to be 65% of its pre [[1788 in Australia|1788]] coverage.<ref name=Lindenmayer>{{cite book|author=Lindenmayer, David|author2=Mark Burgman|title=Practical Conservation Biology|year=2005|publisher=CSIRO|url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/onborrowedtime/docs/PCB_Ch09.pdf|accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref> |
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* are [[semi-arid]] areas dominated by mallee eucalypts; |
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* may also have co-dominant species of ''[[Callitris]]'', ''[[Melaleuca]]'', ''[[Acacia]]'' and ''[[Hakea]]''; |
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* have an open tree or [[shrub]] layer with more than 10% foliage cover and more than 20% [[Crown (botany)|crown]] cover, distinguishing MVG 14 from "Mallee Open Woodland" (MVG14) and "Sparse Mallee Shrublands" (MVG32); |
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* have an [[understorey]] composition strongly influenced by rainfall, soil type and fire regime; |
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* are among the most fire prone of all plant communities in semi-arid and arid zones.<ref name="MVG14">{{cite web |title=NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands |url=https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/2edcda80-d9b7-49d4-9e97-36236b91e9f9/files/mvg14-nvis-mallee-woodlands-and-shrublands.pdf |publisher=Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> |
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The major vegetation subgroups of MVG14, based mainly on the [[Perennial plant|perennial]] components of the understorey are: |
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* mallee with hummock grass (''[[Triodia scariosa]]'' and ''[[Triodia irritans]]''); |
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Mallee woodlands and shrublands occur in 39 [[IBRA]] biogeographic regions.<ref name="MVG14" /> |
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The Major Vegetation Subgroups for this group are: |
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*Mallee with hummock grass |
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| ⚫ | [[File:Panorama of the Mallee woodland - shrublands of north west Victoria. Image taken near Red Cliffs on 2013 12 19 @16-57. Image mapping is exact. Peter Neaum. - panoramio.jpg|thumb|center|800px|{{center|360° panorama of Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands in northwest [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].}}]] |
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[[File:Road through thick mallee country, South Australia.jpg|thumb|Dense mallee country in South Australia]] |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Changes since European settlement== |
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==External links== |
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The present extent of this vegetation group is estimated to be about {{cvt|214,000|km2}} but the estimate prior to 1750 is {{cvt|318,000|km2}}. In 2001, the area covered by this vegetation group is estimated to be 65% of its pre-1750 coverage.<ref name="MVG14" /> |
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*[http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/17345e0a-40dc-4cae-97d3-e972c52c4ea7/files/vegfsheet-mvg14.pdf Environment.gov.au: Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands plant communities] — ''range maps, plant species, images, +conservation''. |
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| ⚫ | [[File:Panorama of the Mallee woodland - shrublands of north west Victoria. Image taken near Red Cliffs on 2013 12 19 @16-57. Image mapping is exact. Peter Neaum. - panoramio.jpg|thumb|center|800px| |
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About 33% of the clearing of this vegetation type is estimated to have accounted for 10% of the total area of land clearing in Australia. In South Australia, clearing of the mallee started in the late 19th century, following the introduction of the [[stump-jump plough]] in 1876.<ref name="MVG14" /> |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands| ]] |
[[Category:Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands| ]] |
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[[Category:Ecoregions of Australia]] |
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[[Category:Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub in Australia]] |
[[Category:Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub in Australia]] |
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[[Category:Biogeography of |
[[Category:Biogeography of New South Wales]] |
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[[Category:Biogeography of New South Wales]]<!--per: Environment.gov.au--> |
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[[Category:Biogeography of the Northern Territory]]<!--per: Environment.gov.au--> |
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[[Category:Biogeography of South Australia]] |
[[Category:Biogeography of South Australia]] |
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[[Category:Biogeography of Victoria ( |
[[Category:Biogeography of Victoria (state)]] |
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[[Category:Biogeography of Western Australia]] |
[[Category:Biogeography of Western Australia]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Sclerophyll forests]] |
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[[Category:Vegetation of Australia]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:58, 10 August 2024
Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands is one of 32 Major Vegetation Groups defined by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy[1][2] and one of the 189 habitats in the HOTW habitats of the World classification.[3]
Description
[edit]"Mallee" refers to the growth habit of a group of (mainly) eucalypt species that grow to a height of 2–9 m (6 ft 7 in – 29 ft 6 in), have many stems arising from a lignotuber and have a leafy canopy that shades 30–70% of the ground. The term is also applied to a vegetation association where these mallee eucalypts grow, on land that is generally flat without hills or tall trees and where the climate is semi-arid.[4][5]
Of the 32 Major Vegetation Groups classified under the National Vegetation Information System, "Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands" (MVG14):
- are semi-arid areas dominated by mallee eucalypts;
- may also have co-dominant species of Callitris, Melaleuca, Acacia and Hakea;
- have an open tree or shrub layer with more than 10% foliage cover and more than 20% crown cover, distinguishing MVG 14 from "Mallee Open Woodland" (MVG14) and "Sparse Mallee Shrublands" (MVG32);
- have an understorey composition strongly influenced by rainfall, soil type and fire regime;
- are among the most fire prone of all plant communities in semi-arid and arid zones.[6]
The major vegetation subgroups of MVG14, based mainly on the perennial components of the understorey are:
- mallee with hummock grass (Triodia scariosa and Triodia irritans);
- mallee with a dense, shrubby understorey;
- mallee with an open shrubby understorey;
- mallee with a tussock grass (Themeda, Poa and Astrebla species) understorey.[6]
Mallee woodlands and shrublands occur in 39 IBRA biogeographic regions.[6]
360° panorama of Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands in northwest Victoria.
Changes since European settlement
[edit]The present extent of this vegetation group is estimated to be about 214,000 km2 (83,000 sq mi) but the estimate prior to 1750 is 318,000 km2 (123,000 sq mi). In 2001, the area covered by this vegetation group is estimated to be 65% of its pre-1750 coverage.[6]
The most extensive area of this vegetation association in Australia today is found in the Great Victoria Desert. Prior to 1750, the largest area is estimated to have occurred in the Murray-Darling basin.[6]
About 33% of the clearing of this vegetation type is estimated to have accounted for 10% of the total area of land clearing in Australia. In South Australia, clearing of the mallee started in the late 19th century, following the introduction of the stump-jump plough in 1876.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "NVIS 4.2 Major Vegetation Groups (numeric order)" (PDF). Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "NVIS Fact sheet series Introduction to MVG fact sheets" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ Campbell, Iain; Behrens, Ken; Hesse, Charley; Chaon, Phil (28 September 2021). Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists. Princeton University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1jhvngg. ISBN 978-0-691-22596-8.
- ^ "Plants of the Mallee Shrublands" (PDF). Australian Government - Parks Australia. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 30 April 2020.