Characterising the woody vegetation in contrasting habitat types in the lower Fitzroy River, Western Australia

Context Riverine systems consist of distinct habitats along a landscape gradient and characterising the composition structure vegetation in these can support environmental water-management decisions. However, many regions, including northern Australia, there is paucity hydro-ecological data. Aims We aimed to characterise species riparian floodplain woody lower Fitzroy River. Methods surveyed different within zone floodplain. Multivariate analysis was used assess differences among four habitat types univariate compare structure, recruitment, variables habitats. Key results The physical differed River, indicating zonation response fluvial processes water availability. characterised by sparsely distributed Eucalyptus microtheca sparse (∼30%) canopy cover. In contrast, riverbank type had very large trees (mean basal area = 0.26 m2), with dense cover (∼80%) dominated Melaleuca argentea, M. leucadendra Barringtonia acutangula. Both top bank off-channel wetlands represent more intermediary environment, greater richness seedling recruitment. Conclusions Identifying their biological properties, such as relationship between flooding species, provides framework assist management river systems.