Edaphic range and cohabitaion of some Mallee Eucalypts in South-Eastern Australia

Abstract

The ranges of seven mallee eucalypts in a large area of south-eastern Australia are described with respect to topography and topsoil texture, and clay, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium values. In some cases, relatively subtle soil differences appear to control species distribution. The data are compared with results from wetter areas and the effect of rainfall on species distribution is examined. Mallee eucalypts are shown to exhibit both very wide and very narrow edaphic ranges. The cohabitation patterns of the eucalypts in question are described, and the existence of widespread mixtures of closely related species is demonstrated.