Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
2
What makes a good remnant?
In a nutshell
A good temperate woodland remnant will typically have several or all of the follow-
ing features:
●
large diameter living and dead overstorey trees
●
trees belonging to several age classes so large trees are replaced as they age and
collapse
●
the presence of younger trees, indicating that natural regeneration is taking place
●
strategies (e.g. fencing) to limit the risk of overgrazing and excessive trampling by
stock
●
a well developed understorey - for those woodland types that naturally support
understorey trees and shrubs
●
a ground cover dominated by native plants, including native grasses
●
a ground layer characterised by fallen timber, a well-developed layer of leaf litter
and an intact surface crust of mosses and lichens in grassless areas.
As we stress throughout this chapter, if a remnant does not have some of these
features it does not mean it is without value for biodiversity. Rather, there will be
ways to improve it.
Introduction
This chapter is about remnant native vegetation, primarily temperate native
woodland. Remnant native vegetation encompasses not only overstorey trees but
