The vegetation of Dover and Erith Islands, Kent Group, Bass Strait

Abstract

The terrestrial vegetation of Dover and Erith Islands is comprised oflow forest dominated by Allocasuarina verticillataor Myrtaceae species (including Eucalyptus nitida, Melaleuca ericifolia and Leptospermum laevigatum), closed-scrub, heath, Poa poiformis tussock grassland and a wide variety of coastal vegetation types. While Dover Island, which is infrequently burned and ungrazed by stock, is largely covered by low forest, closed-scrub and heath which almost totally lack exotics, Erith Island, which is frequently burned and grazed by cattle, is largely covered by P. poiformis tussock grassland with a high proportion of introduced species. Variation in the less disturbed vegetation of the two islands largely relates to soil nutrient conditions, as indicated by pH, soil drainage and exposure to salt-laden winds. Both islands have significant nature conservation values.