Len Webb Ecological Images Collection

Image No. 4-79

Landscapes -- Typical narrow boundary separating moist subtropical "Hoop Pine scrub" from eucalypt open forest/woodland South of Mt Bauple, Queensland 1964 Larger image (105K)

Fire as well as geological soil factors are involved in these patterns under natural conditions (including Aboriginal use of fires for hunting purposes before European settlement).
Higher fertility soils from basic volcanics, e.g. basalt of early Tertiary age occurred sporadically in coastal eastern Australia on coastal plains and tablelands. Where well-drained, the red soils (krasnozems, red earths) generally supported different types of rainforest depending on latitude, altitude, and rainfall distribution. The luxuriant rainforest areas were favoured for clearing for agriculture and dairying, even on steep slopes. There was the added advantage that once felled, allowed to dry, and burnt, the "scrubs" (so-called because they were dense) did not coppice like the eucalypt forests, and the soft weed growth was easily controlled. Depending on rainfall and soil fertility, the rainforests varied in type from tall (40-50 metres) complex mesophyll/notophyll vine forest types with or without emergent conifers (Araucaria, Agathis) to low (9-12 metres) microphyll semi-evergreen and deciduous vine thickets.

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