School of Botany - Theses
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ItemAn ecological study of the sub-tidal macrophytic vegetation of three selected areas of Port Phillip Bay: Werribee, Altona and Carrum; and a literature review: sewage and oil pollution in relation to macrophytic marine algae, with a short account of the "wasting disease" of the marine angiosperm Zostera( 1970)The problems of pollution, resulting from population explosion, increased technology, industry and commerce will undoubtedly be of foremost concern for present and future generations. Pollution arises primarily from the concentration of large human populations into small areas. Populations tend to condense in urban seaboard cities, and it is in such situations that the pollutionary side-effects of economic expansion are most evident. In the United States about half the population lives on the margins of the Oceans or of the Great Lakes and in Australia at least 65 percent of the populus lives in coastal cities. Early studies of aquatic pollution centred around the fresh water environment and it is only in the last two decades that the urgency of the need for more precise scientific knowledge of the biology of marine pollution has become apparent. Consequently, the literature concerned with the ecological effects of marine pollution has increased considerably in recent years, prompted in certain instances, by the lack of knowledge evident in the handling of emergency situations such as oil spillages. Such disasters have encouraged symposia, conferences and many texts dealing with facets of marine pollution ecology. More recent publications are by Fyn (1965), Olson and Burgess (1967), Smith (1968), and Carthy and Arthur (1968). These publications review the literature available on marine pollution, but although much research is now being done to ascertain the effects of pollution. on marine organisms, its effects upon macrophytic marine algae has not received as much attention as the zoobenthos, nekton and plankton which play a more important role in food chains terminating with man. Boney (1965) has written the only review to include consideration of the economic aspects of the effects of various contaminants on seaweeds. The word POLLUTION is derived from the past participle of the latin verb 'Polluere'. The Oxford English Dictionary defines 'Pollute' as follows: To make physically impure, foul or filthy; to dirty, stain, taint or foul. Definitions of marine pollution are diverse and often contentious. However, two fundamental precepts are frequently reiterated. Firstly, that marine pollution is a man-induced phenomenon - a notable exception to this being the "red tides" or blooms of poisonous phytoplankton familiar to phycologists; and secondly, that it produces a change in the biological balance of the environment that is detrimental to marine life or man.
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ItemA primary ecological survey of the Kentbruck Heath( 1970)Introduction: The Kentbruck Heath is an area in the far southwest of Victoria, about six miles in from the coast, and almost mid-way between Portland and Nelson. The flora of the area is exceptionally rich and diverse, and is relatively undamaged. The western two thirds of the area was proclaimed as part of the Lower Glenelg National Park in 1969. For these reasons it was decided to investigate it by means of a primary ecological survey. This survey occupied only 12 months, and this limited the type of work which could be undertaken. The area known as the Kentbruck Heath can be broadly delineated on a map by the Kentbruck Road and F.V.C pine plantations on the west, Inkpot Road on the north, Heath Road and Kentbruck Settlement on the east, and other agricultural development on the south. The detailed survey was restricted to a representative square mile of this, but general observations confirm the validity of some extrapolations from the data obtained. By way of comparison, an area to the west known as Bulley Ranges has also been the subject of preliminary survey.
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ItemThe natural vegetation pattern of the Mornington Peninsula, with particular reference to the genus Eucalyptus( 1972)The natural vegetation pattern of the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, has been studied and presented in map form on the basis of: Environmental factors associated with eucalypt distribution and habit are discussed. Vegetation formations are described and evidence presented of dependence on changing equilibria of environmental factors particularly pedological factors. Data obtained from transects across salt marshes are discussed. This indicates the inadequacy of presently available information regarding the delicately balanced environment of this formation. Difficulties in determination and delineation of plant associations are discussed. Because of species gradations it was not possible to satisfactorily separate all associations by subjective determinations alone. Abrupt discontinuity in one or more environmental factors makes it possible to subjectively determine five plant associations. A further twenty associations were determined by computer analysis of qualitative floristic lists. Delineation and problems of field recognition of these twenty statistical associations is discussed with reference to the work of Braun-Blanquet and of Poore. A preliminary attempt is made to correlate environmental factors with distribution of Eucalyptus spp., of vegetation formations, and of plant associations. Appendices include descriptions of soil types in the region; historical evidence which relates to past condition and management of the vegetation; and field data.
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ItemThe ecology of Acacia malanoxylon R. Br.( 1973)The genus Acacia Mill. consists of more than 750 species of shrubs and trees (Willis, 1966) found throughout much of the tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate zones of the world. It is usually divided into two main sections, the Bipinnatae and the Phyllodineae. Species in the former section possess bipinnate leaves throughout their entire life-span, and are found on the Australian, African, Indian and North American continents. In the Phyllodineae the rachis of the bipinnate leaf expands vertically to form the adult foliage of phyllodes. Some examples of transitional stages between these two foliage forms are shown in Fig. 1.1. With the exception of a few species on islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Phyllodineae is confined to Australia. (From Introduction)