Distribution, composition and environmental correlates of high-altitude gravelly pavement herbfields in north-eastern Victoria, Australia

Context Gravelly pavement herbfields are a rare, geographically restricted community found in high mountain areas of south-eastern Australia. plant communities occur where there is continuous waterflow, with vegetation comprising sparse, semi-aquatic species on rock or gravel substratum. Aims This study aimed to further the understanding Bogong High Plains, Victoria, by asking questions relating their location, structure and floristic composition. In particular, we ask what determines distribution at landscape-scale; abiotic factors govern between- within-site patterns? Results were associated groundwater outflows likely be formed an interaction between surface waterflow slope. work adds current wetland types high-mountain Australia because, our knowledge, this relationship has not been previously described. Floristic patterns vary slope elevation, high-elevation pavements steep slopes being floristically dissimilar those lower elevation flatter slopes. Species richness was consistent across sites only few abundance. Within-site patterning apparent most pavements, attributable such as rockiness water availability, leading characteristic patterns. sedge Oreobolus pumilio margins levels variable, whereas forbs Psychrophila introloba typically middle constant supply. Conclusions groundwater-dependant ecosystems, landscape-scale contain many rare and, such, deserve higher protection than currently offered.