Successional sequences in two Tasmanian valley Sphagnum peatlands

Abstract

The sequences of macrofossils in 17 cores from two Tasmanian valley Sphagnum peatlands reveal a wide variety of successional pathways. The most common sequence is from restiad mires to Sphagnum mires to heath. While it is impossible to conclusively separate allogenic and autogenic influences, it seems likely that the rapid rate of change recorded in the upper levels of the cores may, in part, reflect recent climatic change. Most other changes recorded in the core are likely to be predominantly autogenic.