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Population structure of Livistona eastonii Gardn., Mitchell Plateau, Western Australia
Author(s) -
HNATIUK R. J.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
australian journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 0307-692X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9993.1977.tb01161.x
Subject(s) - woodland , plateau (mathematics) , palm , climax , population , understory , geography , biology , forestry , ecology , demography , canopy , mathematics , mathematical analysis , physics , quantum mechanics , sociology
Livistona eastonii on the Mitchell Plateau of northern Western Australia forms a dense, multi‐aged understorey to an open eucalypt woodland. The palm population has the characteristics of a species that comprises a climax vegetation type. Reproduction of the palm appears to have been stimulated in recent years, perhaps by annual burning. The present palm population has been reproducing throughout its life with only minor though significant fluctuations. The average maximum age is estimated to be about 280 years, based on an average increment of 2.85 cm/year for plants taller than 30 cm and 1.15 cm/year for the first 30 cm of height growth. Exceptionally tall plants of 21 m (Gardner 1923) and 10.4 in (Beard 1976) may be about 720 years and 360 years old respectively.