Plant communities of the ironstone ranges of South Western Australia: hotspots for plant diversity and mineral deposits

Gibson, Neil; Yates, Colin J.; Dillon, Rebecca

doi:10.1007/s10531-010-9939-1

Cited by 87 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Banded iron formations (BIF) and associated ironstone landscapes are hotspots of plant diversity around the world (Gibson et al 2012, Gledhill 1970, Porembski et al 1994, Valentin et al 1999, Vincent et al 2002, supporting plant communities distinctive, both structurally and floristically from surrounding vegetation (Gibson et al 2010, Jacobi et al 2008, Yates et al 2011a). In Brazil, campo rupestre refers to rupicolous (rocky habitat) vegetation that grows on a range of geologies, including quartzite-sandstone (Harley and Simmons 1986), granite-gneiss (Queiroz et al 1996) and itabirite -an iron-rich metal sedimentary rock (Jacobi and do Carmo 2011, Jacobi et al…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil-vegetation relationships on a banded ironstone 'island', Carajás Plateau, Brazilian Eastern Amazonia

Nunes

Schaefer

Júnior

et al. 2015

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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Vegetation and soil properties of an iron-rich canga (laterite) island on the largest outcrop of banded-iron formation in Serra de Carajás (eastern Amazonia, Brazil) were studied along a topographic gradient (738-762 m asl), and analyzed to test the hypothesis that soil chemical and physical attributes play a key role in the structure and floristic composition of these plant communities. Soil and vegetation were sampled in eight replicate plots within each of the four vegetation types. Surface (0-10 cm) soil samples from each plot were analyzed for basic cations, N, P and plant species density for all species was recorded. CCA ordination analysis showed a strong separation between forest and non-forest sites on the first axis, and between herbaceous and shrubby campo rupestre on the second axis. The four vegetation types shared few plant species, which was attributed to their distinctive soil environments and filtering of their constituent species by chemical, physical and hydrological constraints. Thus, we can infer that Edaphic (pedological) factors are crucial in explaining the types and distributions of campo rupestre vegetation associated with ferruginous ironstone uplands (Canga) in Carajás, eastern Amazonia, therefore the soil properties are the main drivers of vegetation composition and structure on these ironstone islands.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil-vegetation relationships on a banded ironstone 'island', Carajás Plateau, Brazilian Eastern Amazonia

Nunes

Schaefer

Júnior

et al. 2015

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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“…Continual weathering over this time has exposed banded ironstone formations (BIFs) extending north and east into the semi-arid and arid areas (Gibson and Yates, 2010). These small rock outcrops are now the dominant natural features of the otherwise flat landscape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic connectivity and diversity in inselberg populations of Acacia woodmaniorum, a rare endemic of the Yilgarn Craton banded iron formations

2013

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Historically rare plant species with disjunct population distributions and small population sizes might be expected to show significant genetic structure and low levels of genetic diversity because of the effects of inbreeding and genetic drift. Across the globe, terrestrial inselbergs are habitat for rich, often rare and endemic flora and are valuable systems for investigating evolutionary processes that shape patterns of genetic structure and levels of genetic diversity at the landscape scale. We assessed genetic structure and levels of genetic diversity across the range of the historically rare inselberg endemic Acacia woodmaniorum. Phylogeographic and genetic structure indicates that connectivity is not sufficient to produce a panmictic population across the limited geographic range of the species. However, historical levels of gene flow are sufficient to maintain a high degree of adaptive connectivity across the landscape. Genetic diversity indicates gene flow is sufficient to largely counteract any negative genetic effects of inbreeding and random genetic drift in even the most disjunct or smallest populations. Phylogeographic and genetic structure, a signal of isolation by distance and a lack of evidence of recent genetic bottlenecks suggest long-term stability of contemporary population distributions and population sizes. There is some evidence that genetic connectivity among disjunct outcrops may be facilitated by the occasional long distance dispersal of Acacia polyads carried by insect pollinators moved by prevailing winds. Keywords: gene flow; inselberg; isolation; landscape; phylogeographic structure INTRODUCTION For plant species, demographic and genetic connectivity is affected by seed and pollen dispersal vectors, by a number of life history traits including life form, longevity and the mating system, and by the size and spatial arrangement of populations. Rare plant species and those with specific habitat requirements often have geographically disjunct and small population sizes. For these species, the surrounding landscape typically comprises a matrix of unsuitable habitat that acts as an effective physical barrier to dispersal and the size and spatial arrangement of populations assumes an important role in the structuring and maintenance of genetic diversity. Limitations to connectivity result in a degree of demographic isolation and genetic isolation among populations (Slatkin, 1987), and produce the phylogeographic and genetic structuring observed in many habitat specific, rare, endemics (Yates et al., 2007;Byrne and Hopper, 2008;Butcher et al., 2009). Limited connectivity among disjunct populations can result in reduced levels of genetic diversity as a result of increased levels of inbreeding and via the negative impacts of genetic drift (Slatkin, 1987;Ellstrand, 1992), both of which are further enhanced in small populations. Structuring and maintenance of genetic diversity has a key role in the ultimate persistence of species as they evolve and adapt to changing conditions. As a result of ...

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“…Mining can also impact geological formations that are unique to the surrounding landscape; Banded Ironstone formations in the south-west of Western Australia being one example. Such landforms can comprise biodiverse vegetation assemblages that are unique, with high levels of plant species or plant community endemism and, in some cases, rarity (Gibson et al 2010). Protection of populations of rare plant species or communities against decline due to various threatening processes such as mining or the fragmentation caused by past land use is paramount.…”

Section: Seeds In Species-translocation and Landscape-restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeds at the forefront: synthesis of the inaugural National Seed Science Forum and future directions in Australian seed science

Offord

Guja

Turner³

et al. 2017

Aust. J. Bot.

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Abstract. Seed science is fundamental to many fields of endeavour, from agricultural production, to restoration, and conservation of threatened species and communities. This is especially the case in Australia which has seen hugely increased involvement and outputs from seed scientists across many sectors over the last three decades. This escalation in research is reflected in the program and outcomes of the first National Seed Science Forum that was held in March 2016 and was attended by delegates representing many scientific institutions, industry, non-government organisations and volunteer groups. There were delegates from nine countries, and keynote presentations and workshops by global leaders in seed science. A key outcome of the Forum was the unique opportunity for discussion and collaboration across sectors.

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Plant communities of the ironstone ranges of South Western Australia: hotspots for plant diversity and mineral deposits

Cited by 87 publications

References 28 publications

Soil-vegetation relationships on a banded ironstone 'island', Carajás Plateau, Brazilian Eastern Amazonia

Soil-vegetation relationships on a banded ironstone 'island', Carajás Plateau, Brazilian Eastern Amazonia

Genetic connectivity and diversity in inselberg populations of Acacia woodmaniorum, a rare endemic of the Yilgarn Craton banded iron formations

Seeds at the forefront: synthesis of the inaugural National Seed Science Forum and future directions in Australian seed science

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