Search

Context: There have been few long-term studies of the flora, phenology, and ecology of specific reserves in the species-rich flora of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Aims: This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods: The study used botanical collection on repeat surveys, herbarium studies, granite outcrop surveys and comparative phytogeographic analyses from maps on the Western Australian Herbarium's Florabase. Key results: Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 26% of those known in the Albany local government area. Possibly as many as 950–1000 taxa will be found in the future. The herbarium collections are the second largest of any conservation reserve in the Albany area. Flowering was most evident in spring and least in autumn. Three declared rare species and 20 conservation priority species were identified, as were short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Conclusions: The flora is dominated by species predominantly from wetter forest regions. Consequently, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is correctly placed within the Bibbulmun Botanical Province. Several hypotheses of OCBIL theory (which addresses old, climatically-buffered, infertile landscapes) were supported, with increased local endemism, ancient clades, and reduced rates of natural hybridisation identified for the granite inselberg OCBIL Maardjitup Gurlin/Mt Gardner. Implications: Long term studies are invaluable for plant inventory. Continuing the minimal use of prescribed burning is advocated from plant data, in support of approaches to help conserve threatened animals. This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Intensive field work by many collectors was involved. Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 3 declared rare species, 20 conservation priority species and various short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Continued avoidance of prescribed burning is advocated. This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Although the vascular flora of Western Australia is renowned for high species diversity and endemism, very little is known about the state's moss and liverwort flora. Aims: In 1984 we conducted surveys of bryophytes in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods: We searched comprehensively for bryophytes at seven major habitats on the Reserve, collecting voucher specimens subsequently identified with modern literature and with the help of Australian bryophyte experts. We updated the text to reflect modern taxonomy and considering modern literature on phytogeography and hypotheses associated with OCBIL (Old, Climatically Buffered, Infertile Landscapes) theory. Key results: A total of 38 species of mosses representing 25 genera from 13 families were identified along with 10 species of liverworts representing nine genera and six families. Two moss species (Distichium inclinatum and Tortella dakinii) were previously unknown from Western Australia. Another represented a new species (Pleurophascum occidentale) in a heretofore monotypic genus, family, and order. The Pottiaceae, with 11 species, was the most diverse family of mosses. The Lepidoziaceae, with three species, was the most diverse family of liverworts. Conclusions: Lower levels of endemism in bryophytes versus vascular plants may reflect the bryophytes' capacity for wide and long-distance dispersal of spores and fragments. Bryophyte diversity and endemism may be less than on extensive OCBILs because much of the Reserve emerged from the ocean as recently as the mid-Pleistocene. Implications: This, the first listing published of bryophytes on a Reserve in WA, indicates the potential rewards for further survey of mosses and liverworts. In 1984 we searched comprehensively for bryophytes at seven major habitats on Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. A total of 38 species of mosses and ten species of liverworts included two moss species (Distichium inclinatum and Tortella dakinii) previously unknown from Western Australia. Another represented a new species (Pleurophascum occidentale) in a heretofore monotypic order. This, the first listing published of bryophytes on a Reserve in Western Australia, indicates the potential rewards for further survey of bryophytes. This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be aware that this document may contain sensitive information, images or names of people who have since passed away. Context: Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve on Western Australia's south coast is world renowned for its biodiversity, particularly its threatened fauna. Future co-management of the Reserve with Aboriginal peoples is likely, although very little information on the Noongar cultural heritage of the Reserve has been published and thus available for stewardship guidance. Methods: This study used oral history interviews on Country based on open-ended questioning and respect for intellectual property. Comprehensive surveys for Noongar cultural heritage were conducted on foot on the Reserve. Key results: A rich trove of women's and men's stories from the Knapp family about Two Peoples Bay is recalled and recorded. The Reserve features prominently in Wiernyert/Dreaming stories with classical human moral dilemmas, and transformations for wrong-doing are featured. Threatened animals and important plants are named as borongur/totems. Trading of gidj/spears of Taxandria juniperina is prominent. Use of fire traditionally was circumspect, and is confined to small areas and pathways in lowlands. Granite rocks are replete with lizard traps, standing stones, and stone arrangements. Conclusions: The Reserve has a long and layered oral history for Merningar Bardok Noongars, exemplified here by the Knapp family, members of which have enjoyed continuous oral history for countless generations. Granite rocks, wetlands, flora, and fauna are vitally important vessels of such knowledge. Implications: Cultural suppression has inhibited free cross-cultural exchange of kaatidjin/knowledge until recently. As respect for culture and Elders becomes paramount, positive co-stewardship of the Reserve will become a reality. Vibrant cultural interpretation and active management by Noongar guides and rangers is recommended. Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be aware that this document may contain sensitive information, images or names of people who have since passed away. Future co-management of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve Reserve with Aboriginal peoples is likely, although very little information on the Noongar cultural heritage of the Reserve has been published and thus is available for stewardship guidance. Published for the first time, a rich trove of women's and men's stories from the Merningar Knapp family about Two Peoples Bay includes Wiernyert/Dreaming stories with classical human moral dilemmas, trading of gidj/spears, and stone structures on granite. Some Noongar names for landforms are provided. This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological variation is common within widely distributed plant species and often raises interesting taxonomic and evolutionary questions. We sampled eight typical inland populations and two coastal dwarf populations of Banksia occidentalis to assess whether the coastal variant warrants taxonomic recognition. Genomic (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and morphometric analyses were undertaken to assess the variation within and between variants. Genetically, the coastal populations were more closely related to geographically adjacent populations of the typical variant than they were to each other, indicating that each coastal population has originated independently. Morphologically, the coastal populations also did not represent a cohesive phenotypic group, with both falling outside the range of variation for the typical variant, but also not overlapping each other. Wide morphological, but not genomic, variation was identified along a coastal–inland transect. Combined, these data indicate that the morphological variation in these coastal populations is the result of parallel ecotype evolution from experiencing similar environmental conditions and does not represent the diversification of a distinct evolutionary lineage that would have warranted taxonomic recognition. Our study highlights the consequences of strong selection pressures in marginal environments and provides fascinating insight to the long evolutionary history of the flora in this ancient Australian landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]