The dynamics of vegetation regeneration after burning were examined in three dry .sclerophvU cotntmmities near Canberra, in south-eastern Australia. Changes in seedling atid regrowth populations were followed in permanettt quadrats during the first two years after burning, atid compared with both the preburn vegetation atid population changes over the same period in adjacent, unburnt plots.All species represented either by livittg plants in the tree and shrtib strata attd/or by seed in the soil and litter prior to burnittg regetierated duritig the first year after the fire treattnents. No tiew species invaded the areas after burning. Species varied in their regenerative strategy and recovered after the fires either by germination of seed residual in the soil and ash or releasedfrotn trees after burning, by regrowth from surviving vegetative organs, or by a combination of gertnitiation and regrowth. Both seedling inpttt and the vegetative recovery of populations were higher during the first than secottd year after burning. The vegetative multiplication and seed gertnination of many species were stimulated by fire.It was concluded that the regetteration of the communities studied, as well as the post-fire recovery of nitmerotts different communities reported in the literature, closely resembled an initial floristic composition model. It is considered that the process of vegetation redevelopment after a disturbance {i.e. seeondary successioti) will be influenced greatly bv the species composition at the time of disturbance, and by the type of disturbing agent. A single tnodel * Present address: Queensland Herbarium, Meiers Road. Indooroopilly. Australia 4068.wottid not be expected to adeqttately describe secondary sticcession following disturbance by agents imposing different stress conditions on a commtmity.

Studies on western myall rangelands are reported which show from population structure that Acacia sowdenii woodlands will not survive under present circumstances. Evidence is evaluated to allow informed discussion of landuse and management options affecting western myall.

No abstract

The literature relating to vegetation of the poplar box (Euca4,ptus populnea) lands of inland eastern Australia mas revieaed and a total of 31 plant communities recognised in which poplar bou (E pupulnea) was present. Descrjptions of floristics and structure were prepared for each community using published reports and data from approsimately 1,400 cite\ recorded during various regional and biological surveys. Structurally the communities occur mainly as low a.oodlands, woodlands and open forests, although closed scrubs and tall open shrublands also occur. I:loristically the communities varied considerably in composit~on and relative importance. Pastures of the communities show variation in composition due to the influences of climate, soils arid disturbance Areas for the conservation of the communities described are sma!l or non existent and further areas nerd to be reserved to conserve the variation in the communities.