The vegetation of Tasman Peninsula

Abstract

Although its area is less than 1% of Tasmania, Tasman Peninsula possesses more than one- third of the total native vascular plants of the State. The number of species present is close to that predicted by the theories of island biogeography. There are 70 Tasmanian endemic vascular plant species present, representing 13 % of the total. This figure is lower than that expected on a proportional basis due to the absence from the peninsula of the distinctively Tasmanian alpine, wet and oligotrophic western environments. There are two vascular plants known only from the peninsula. Nevertheless there is a distinctly local flavour to the flora due to those components held in common with other predominantly lowland dolerite parts of southeastern Tasmania. The vegetation types present on the peninsula include coastal heaths, dune vegetation and wetlands, dry and wet sc!erophyll forests and some small areas ofsubalpine scrub and rainforests. The structure and composition of the vegetation on the peninsula reflect climatic, topographic, firing and biotic influences. Thus dry sclerophyll forests grade into wet sclerophyll forests as moisture availability increases . The forests grade into heaths as sites become more exposed to the prevailing salt-laden onshore winds. Within a particular vegetation type, the composition is influenced by local climate and landform but is also attributable to local drainage conditions, geological substrate and fire history. The plant species and communities present are, some exceptions, moderately well- conserved, but sensitivity in future management will be required to retain the character conferred on the peninsula by its native vegetation.