Terrestrial vegetation and environments on Heard Island

• Published in: Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
• Main Authors: Bergstrom, DM, Selkirk, PM
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: Royal Society of Tasmania; RST; Van Diemens Land; natural history; science; ecology; taxonomy; botany; zoology; geology; geography; papers & proceedings; Australia; UTAS Library; Heard Island
• Online Access: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/13599/; https://eprints.utas.edu.au/13599/4/2000_Bergstrom_Terrestrial_rst.pdf

Significantly ice-covered and with a very small flora (11 vascular species and about 60 bryophyte taxa), Heard Island is still emerging from the effects of the last glacial maximum. This study presents the results of a general vegetation survey. A baseline framework of environmental conditions that affect vegetation on the island is described and a classification (TWINSPAN) analysis based on presence/absence data of both vascular plant species and bryophyte taxa is provided. Distinct suites of taxa were identified on the island, some containing bryophytes only. Fifteen ecological groups were delineated. A discussion of ecological amplitude of import ant bryophyte and vascular plant taxa on Heard Island is included.