Typical pattern of rainforest on deeper more fertile soils of basaltic origin, and in less fire-prone gullies, with open sclerophyll forest on shallow soils of exposed ridges and spurs which function as "fire paths". Coomera Gorge, Queensland, October 1970.

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Len Webb Ecological Images Collection

Image No. 5-39
Landscapes -- Vegetation Patterns
Typical pattern of rainforest on deeper more fertile soils of basaltic origin, and in less fire-prone gullies, with open sclerophyll forest on shallow soils of exposed ridges and spurs which function as "fire paths"

Coomera Gorge, Queensland

October 1970

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Rainforest also favours the deep fertile soils of basaltic plateaus, typically krasnozems at mature stage of weathering under the stable conditions of the dense canopy. The ridges and spurs exist as the result of erosion-resistant quartzites and other siliceous lag material, from earlier dissected landscapes with metamorphic rocks and sandstones over which the basaltic lavas flowed.
Dense dark-green canopy of subtropical moist rainforest in gullies and lower slopes; open sclerophyll forest on spurs and ridges.
Reference:
Stevens, N.C. (1984) Queensland Field Geology Guide. Brisbane, Qld.: Geological Society of Australia (Queensland Division).

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