Heathlands
Swamp Wallaby. Photo: J.Tscharke
1 year ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Heathlands
Correa reflexa. Photo: Matt Hoskins
1 year ago from Parks Victoria
Location: Heathlands
Windswept heath. Photo: Mark Antos
1 year 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
Parks Victoria says 'thanks a million' to our volunteers at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
10 May 2013
Parks Victoria is saying a special thank you to its many volunteer groups across the state as part of National Volunteer Week, which runs from 13-19 May 2013. At Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary the Marine Care Ricketts Point (MCRP) friends group works hard to help protect and preserve the natural environment …
Latest posts
Participants enjoyed the first “Heart Week Walk” organised by the Heart Foundation at Yarra Bend Park last week http://t.co/YMBgy2vw5mView post | Fri, 17 May 2013 17.23
@jejuolletrail We believe it's a small cairn and plaque in memory of Molly Hill http://t.co/93XTmL8SYYView post | Thu, 16 May 2013 14.41
Photo of the week: "Molly Hill, Mt Feathertop View" by PV website contributor Ryan Malone. http://t.co/2jLM6OgYqJ http://t.co/QuQZsQWEEUView post | Thu, 16 May 2013 13.53
Quarry Beach Road which leads to Mallacoota Coastal Reserve has been repaired & re-opened http://t.co/zQxw5Frq2S http://t.co/HkS8Z89qAkView post | Thu, 16 May 2013 11.55
Thanks a Million to our wonderful volunteers at Werribee Park for their support in maintaining this historic landmark http://t.co/S00aich88CView post | Thu, 16 May 2013 11.20