Heathlands
Swamp Wallaby. Photo: J.Tscharke
5 months ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Heathlands
Correa reflexa. Photo: Matt Hoskins
5 months ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Heathlands
Windswept heath. Photo: Mark Antos
5 months ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Heathlands
Heathlands are characterised by dense, low shrubs with scattered, twisted trees – a function of the harshness of the environment where they occur.
They support a very high floral diversity, a large number of small mammals and rich bird life. They are widespread in Victoria, particularly near the coast and in the south-west.
More about heathlands
- Occur where drainage is poor so distribution is often patchy
- Soils have extremely low levels of nutrients
- Dominated by tough, hard leaved plants and terrestrial orchids - many are rare or threatened in the state.
Key Threats
Fire is a fundamental environmental factor. Fire allows regeneration of many small ground layer species, however fire regimes that are too infrequent or too large in scale pose a major threat to this ecosystem.
Heathlands support more than 80 species of birds and small marsupials such as dunnarts, bandicoots and potoroos and mammals such as the Swamp Rat and New Holland Mouse, which are prone to predation by foxes.
Heathlands are also particularly prone to Phytophthora cinnamomi (a fungal dieback) and invasion by woody native species
Where to see heathlands
Prickly Pear under attack in the Wimmera River Reserve
27 Apr 2012
A major Prickly pear infestation In the Wimmera River - Heritage River Reserve has been controlled by Parks Victoria with over 1100 infestations sprayed with herbicide. Stuart Lardner, Ranger in Charge with Parks Victoria based at Wail said: “The Prickly pear cactus spreads easily when the fruiting heads break off …
Latest posts
Even in cooler weather there’s great opportunities for boating on Port Phillip....View post | Tue, 22 May 2012 14.29
Let's hope this cold weather means that there's lots of snow on the way soon. Mt...View post | Tue, 22 May 2012 13.53
Parks Victoria's Matt Hoskins sheds some light on the recent discovery of Northe...View post | Mon, 21 May 2012 14.58
YouTube
Marine pest spreads to Wilsons PromontoryView post | Mon, 21 May 2012 13.48
Marine pest, Northern Pacific Seastar discovered in Tidal River. The team working rapidly to remove it from the River. http://t.co/MIYeG3gdView post | Fri, 18 May 2012 15.55