Tasmanian Upland Eucalyptus Forests

Depending on altitude and other factors, these forests may be dominated by various eucalypts like Eucalytus bicostata, E. dalrympleana, E. delegatensis, E. ovata, E. regnans, E. subcrenulata and a variety of endemic species such as E. amygdalina, E, coccifera, E. gunnii, E. johnstonii, E. tasmanica, E. urnigera and E. vernicosa (Myrtaceae). In fact, there are some 13 eucalypts endemic to Tasmania. At elevations between 350-1000m, Eucalytus dalrympleana and E. delegatensis usually become the main species, especially on soils of low fertility. Here the under storey species typically include Bedfordia salicina, Pomaderris apetala and Tasmania lanceolata, while in more open stands, especially under Eucalytus dalrympleana, are Acacia dealbata and the endemic Lomatia tinctoria (Proteaceae). The main eucalypts extending up to the tree line (at an altitude of about 1400 m) are Eucalytus subcrenulata and the endemic E. coccifera, where they experience several months of snow and frost. In fact, these are the most cold resistant of the eucalypts except for the shrubby Eucalytus vernicosa found on the plateaus.

At lower altitudes, particularly in the southeast, Eucalytus coccifera may be partially replaced by the endemic E. johnstonii, and another endemic species Eucalytus urnigera becomes an important constituent of the forest. The shrub layer species of these montane forests vary from place to place. On the dolerite, in the Mt Wellington area near Hobart these include various endemic species such as Cyathodes parvifolia, Richea dracophylla (Epacridaceae), Gaultheria hispida (Ericaceae) and Telopea truncata (Proteaceae). In the Cradle Mountain area, a mallee-like (i.e. tracks of land dominated by many-stemmed eucalypts) community has developed in which Eucalytus coccifera is co-dominant with Nothofagus cunninghamii and the endemic Phyllocladus aspeniifolius (Podocarpaceae). In these boulder-strewn forests there is a wealth of shrubs including the endemic conifer Microcachrys tetragona (Podocarpaceae), and Bellendena montana (Proteaceae), which is also endemic at generic level. Moving to the northeast to the Ben Lomond, for example, Eucalytus coccifera is replaced by the endemic Eucalytus gunnii as the main tree line species. It also occurs on the central Plateau, where it may be associated with another endemic Eucalytus rodwayi. The latter tends to occur on or around bleak waterlogged moors. Here the few under storey species that can tolerate such conditions include Leptospermum lanigerum and the endemic Callistemon viridiflorus (Myrtaceae).

Tasmanian Nothofagus cunninghamii Forest

These once widespread ancient, temperate rainforests dominated by the near endemic Nothofagus cunninghamii are now mainly confined to Tasmania, with a few isolated occurrences in Victoria and in the eastern highlands. In Tasmania they occupy the wetter western areas and range from sea level to about 1000 m, with some of the best stands on the eastern slopes of the Harz Mountains, Nothofagus cunninghamii is an evergreen species that can reach heights of 50 m. The most common associate tree is Atherosperma moschatum while others include endemics such as Dacrydium franklinii (Podocarpaceae), Eucryphia lucida and E. milligani (Eucryphiaceae), and in the sub-alpine zones Phyllocladus aspleniifolius (Podocarpaceae). Shrubs are usually absent, but the tree fern Dicksonia antarctica is frequently present. As with all temperate rainforest, the trees are usually festooned with epiphytes including many bryophytes and ferns and also the unusual Tmesipteris (a member of the primitive seedless vascular plant group Psilopsida that may have given rise to the ferns). The only angiosperm epiphyte is the endemic Prionotes ceritheroides, which is regarded as the most primitive member of the Epacridaceae. The herbaceous ground layer typically includes Histiopteris incisa, Hypolepis rugulosa, and the sedge Gahnia psittacorum in some of the wetter areas. In more open parts of the forest, shrubs and small trees are usually more evident and typically include various endemic species such as Agastachys odorata, Cenarrhenes nitida, Telopea truncata (Proteaceae), Anopterus glandulosus (Escalloniaceae), Aristotelia peduncularis (Elaeocarpaceae) and Richae pandanifolia (Epacridaceae). At higher altitudes, bordering the alpine zones Nothofagus cunninghamii forms thickets, either in pure stands or in association with the two endemics Anodopetalum biglandulosum (Cunonaceae) and Telopea truncata (Proteaceae).

Tasmanian Nothofagus gunnii Forest/Scrub

At elevations above 1300 m, forests or scrublands dominated by the endemic Nothofagus gunnii occur. They tend to be confined to rock-strewn areas (stonefields) or talus slopes, or in shallow depressions above the tree line. Associated shrubs are few, but include the two endemics Athrotaxus selaginoides (Taxodiaceae) and Eucalytus coccifera that form trees at lower levels. Other such as Tasmania lanceolata and various endemics like Cyathodes straminea (Epacridaceae), Diselma archeri (Cupressaceae), Olearia alpina and O. pinifolia (Asteraceae) occur on the plateaus.

References

Barlow, B. A. 1981. The Australian Flora: its origin and evolution. In: Flora of Australia. Volume 1. Introduction. Bureau of Flora and Fauna.  Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Beadle, N. C. W. 1981. The Vegetation of Australia. Gustav Fischer Verlag.

Burbidge, N. T. 1960. The phytogeography of the Australian region. Australian Journal of Botany, 8: 75-212.

Curtis, W. 1967. The endemic flora of Tasmania. The Ariel Press, London.

Jarman, S. L., Brown, M. J. & Kantvilas, G. 1987. The classification, distribution and conservation status of Tasmanian rainforest. In: The rainforest legacy. Australian National Rainforest Study. Volume 1 – The nature, distribution and status of rainforest types. Australian Heritage Commission Special Australian Heritage Publication Series Number 1. Australian Government Published Service, Canberra.

O’Loughlin, T. & Blakers, R. 1985. Cool Temperate Rainforests: Tasmania and Victoria. In: Rainforests of Australia. Eds. P. Figgis and L. Meier. Kevin Weldon.

Read, J. & Brown, M. J. 1996. Ecology of Australian Nothofagus Forest. The Ecology and Biogeography of Nothofagus Forest.  Eds T. T. Veblen, R.S. Hill and J.  Read. Yale University Press.    

Webb, L. J., Tracey, J. G. & Williams, W. T. 1984. A floristic framework of Australian rainforest. Australian Journal of Ecology, 9: 169-198.