Moss distribution along a rainfall gradient in semi-arid, non-Eucalypt woodland of Victoria, Australia

171 Pages·2014·6.11 MB·English

Moss distribution along a rainfall gradient in
semi-arid, non-Eucalypt woodland of Victoria,
Australia

by

Christine Lorraine Tyshing
BA, BSc (Hons)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Deakin University
December, 2013

This thesis is dedicated to my parents Arthur and Nancy Hartshorne (dec.) and my
aunt Alene (dec.), and also to my brother Darryl, who collectively, imbued me with a
love for the natural world, and lovingly gave me the tools to see it.

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Acknowledgements
First, I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank my supervisor, Dr Mary
Gibson very much for her guidance, support and friendly encouragement throughout
the different phases of the research and thesis preparation.
I would also like to thank the staff at Deakin University (Burwood Campus),
including, Michael Holmes, Clorinda Schofield, Linda Moon, the HDR section and
the librarians. A big thank you goes to Khanh van Tranh who taught me how to use
the Sputter-coater and Scanning Electron Microscope during my honours year, and in
so doing, opened my eyes to another, amazing world full of intricate detail and
beauty. My time at Deakin University has been enriched by those whom I have met
there, including Cuong van Huynh, Chantal Carrigan, Aaron Floyed, Melanie
Birtchnell. Bernadette Sinclair, Sharon Morely, Emma Carlos and Sarah Bradbury.
Thanks also go to Tony Smith who accompanied me on two fieldtrips to Wyperfeld
National Park.
My family has provided me with their love, encouragement and great support during
my rather long PhD candidature which has been punctuated with the events that life
throws at you. My mother always believed in me and was very encouraging, and
would often ask me how the moss identification etc was going. My two children have
been great to discuss computer hassles with and my son Nicholas gave my studies a
great start by providing, setting-up and maintaining my computer system for me. My
daughter Anna has patiently shared many study related discussions with me and has
been a great help with the formatting of the thesis. Christopher and Narelle have
given me welcome encouragement, as have my brother Darryl, his wife Phyllis, and
my cousins Wendy and Irene, while Jenny and Ross were instrumental in my ability
to use the Wimmera/Mallee dust storm photograph. I have been very lucky to have
you all on my team, and I thank you all very much.
Special thanks go to my husband, Ray, who took care of things whilst I was away on
extended field-trips. He has also had many opportunities during my candidature to
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refine his culinary skills to a high level of expertise, and he has also been a willing
proof reader.
I would also like to thank Dr Niels Klazenga (National Herbarium of Victoria) and
Mr Graham Bell (State Herbarium of South Australia) for their technical support
during my early candidature.
Thanks also go to Parks Victoria for permission to carry out research in the amazing
and beautiful Murray-Sunset National park, Wyperfeld National Park, and the Little
Desert National Park, and to the Parks Victoria staff who were always helpful with
my enquiries.
I would also like to thank Mr. Nick Bade for permission to use the photograph he
took and supplied of the Mallee/Wimmera dust storm which enveloped Melbourne on
February 8th, 1983.
My study-buddy and companion, the ancient cat, ‘Tatty’, lived to see the last chapter
written, but only just.

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Preface
During the preparation of this thesis there have been some changes in the
nomenclature for some mosses, e.g. the thesis contains two species, Microbryum
brevicaule (Taylor) R.H. Zander and Microbryum starkeanum (Hedw.) R.H. Zander.
Microbryum brevicaule now is known as Microbryum starkeanum; however, both
names are maintained in the species list for this thesis. Other changes include:
Barbula crinita Schultz = Pseudocrossidium crinitum (Schultz) R.H. Zander
Barbula hornschuchiana Schultz = Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum (Schulz)
R.H.Zander
Bryoerythrophyllum binnsii (R.Br.bis) Wijk & Margad. = Bryoerythrophyllum
dubium (Schwägr.) P.Sollman
Ceratadon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. subsp. convolutus (Reichardt) Burley =
Ceratadon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.
Tortula antarctica (Hampe) Wilson = Syntrichia antarctica (Hampe) R.H. Zander
Tortula pagorum (Milde) De Not. = Syntrichia laevipila Brid.
Tortula papillosa Wilson = Syntrichia papillosa (Wilson) Jur.

These changes are listed in AUSMOSS, the Online Catalogue of Australian Mosses
by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria, which is available at:
http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/dbpages/cat/index.php/mosscatalogue/search
The nomenclature followed in this thesis is that of Streimann and Klazenga (2002)
for all species except those in Bryaceae, for which Spence and Ramsay (2000) was
used. The list of species and authors is provided in Appendix 1 at the back.
Four of the chapters in this thesis have been prepared as stand-alone papers for
publication, so there is a degree of repetition, especially in parts of the Methods
sections. To avoid further repetition, all references are placed together at the end of
the thesis.
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All photographs, micrographs and figures are by Chris Tyshing except for the
photograph of the Wimmera/Mallee dust storm over Melbourne, which was taken by
Nick Bade in 1983.

VII
Abstract
Moss distribution along a rainfall gradient in semi-arid, non-
Eucalypt Woodland of Victoria, Australia.

This thesis examines the distribution of moss assemblages of non-Eucalypt woodland
along a rainfall gradient in semi-arid natural parkland of north-western Victoria,
Australia to determine:
1. whether the moss flora showed a sequential change in species assemblage
along the rainfall gradient and to identify the environmental factors that
explained this;
2. the habitat exploitation of the moss flora along the rainfall gradient and to
determine the environmental factors that explain this;
3. whether life-form, leaf architecture or life strategies contribute to the
explanation of moss distribution along the rainfall gradient.

Seventy-four species were identified with those of the Pottiaceae and Bryaceae
dominating as is characteristic of arid and semi-arid regions across the globe.
Seriation of moss assemblages occurred at the site level with rainfall, areal actual
evapotranspiration, average maximum summer temperature and pH being pivotal
factors determining moss distribution. This suggested the moss assemblages could
be used as indicators of climate change within non-Eucalypt Woodland, and could be
monitored to show which species were disappearing, which were surviving and
whether migration of species occurred as conditions became hotter and drier.

Examination of the moss flora at the habitat level also showed variation along the
rainfall gradient within each habitat but soil texture also assumed a significant
proportion of the explanation of moss distribution, suggesting habitat amelioration of
conditions. Three habitats were examined: soil exposed to the sun, shaded soil and
tree trunks. Soil exposed to the sun had greatest species richness while epiphytic
species were very few.
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The contribution of leaf architecture and life-form to distribution of moss
assemblages was investigated. Both life-form and leaf architecture contributed to the
explanation of the distribution of moss assemblages along the rainfall gradient with
affiliation of specific adaptations occurring. Short turfs or small tufts were most
common in the wetter regions while herd species were most prevalent in the driest
regions, although both occurred throughout the length of the rainfall gradient. The
most important adaptations were concave leaves, dry leaves that curve towards the
stem, short turfs or small tufts, papillae/mammillae, dry leaves that twist and/or
overlap, herds, specialised cells on borders of leaves and incrassate cells.

Each moss was assigned a life strategy and colonists were found to dominate along
the length of the rainfall gradient although annual shuttles also formed a strong
component. Life strategies did not explain the distribution of moss assemblages along
the rainfall gradient although other studies found life strategies were environmentally
driven. In the process of examining life strategies, a novel method of spore dispersal
was identified for Goniomitrium acuminatum Hook.f. & Wilson.

Studies that examine the ecology of the moss flora of native vegetation in semi-arid
Victoria, Australia are limited, other than what has been completed for the
rangelands. The work presented in this thesis, therefore, fills an important knowledge
gap and is all the more pertinent in this current time of climate change, particularly as
much of Australia is arid and semi-arid.

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