Site 1.10 Coniferous microshrubbery/herbfield - halfway along Tarn Shelf. 
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Site 1.10 Coniferous microshrubbery/herbfield - halfway along Tarn Shelf.
Site 1.10 Coniferous microshrubbery/herbfield - halfway along Tarn Shelf.
Grid Reference E4641 S52758. Altitude 1150m.
Site Description: Fascinating vegetation type, less than 10cm in height but a wealth of species.
Distinguishing species:
Carpha alpina Species Information Page Lepidosperma inops Species Information Page
Celmisia saxifraga Species Information Page Microcachrys tetragona Species Information Page
Cyathodes dealbata Species Information Page Mitrasacme montana Species Information Page
Dracophyllum milliganii Species Information Page Oreobolus pumilio Species Information Page
Drosera arcturi Species Information Page Pentachondra pumila Species Information Page
Ewartia planchonii Species Information Page Senecio pectinatus Species Information Page
Helichrysum pumilum Species Information Page
 
Ecological factors:
Soil: Shallow fibrous peat over shallow olive brown, stony clay loam.
Aspect: North-north-east, 20 degrees.
Slope: < 5 degrees.
Rainfall: 2600mm.
Vegetation type: Alpine herbfield / microshrubbery.
Geology: Dolerite.
 

Vegetation Structure

  • less than 0.1m high, a mat of continuous cover except for rock outcrops.

  • main species Gymnosperms, but generally a very diverse assemblage of species with >15 spp in a 0.5m x 0.5m quadrat, many epacrids.

Vegetation Processes

  • Exposure

  • Snowlie creates equivalent of mainland herbfields.
Common species at this site