Natural History of Curtis Island, Bass Strait - 2. Soils and Vegetation with notes on Rodondo Island

Abstract

The soils of Curtis Island are described and the vegetation of Curtis and Rodondo Islands is described and mapped. The main plant communities on Curtis are Poa poiformis tussock grassland, Disphyma blackii herbfield, and Melaleuca armillaris scrub and forest. These occur on Rodondo too, with Eucalyptys aff. globulus forest and Casuarina stricta forest. The role of salt spray, altitude, fire and biotic factors in determining the distribution of these communities is discussed. Six species recorded are not known from the adjacent mainland and their distribution is discussed in relation to long distance dispersal and former land bridges.