The regeneration ecology of Kunzea ericoides (A. Rich.) J. Thompson at Coranderrk Reserve, Healesville

Abstract

The spatial structure, age structure and population dynamics of the shrub Kitnzea ericoides (A. Rich.) J. Thompson were investigated at Coranderrk Reserve, near Healesville, Victoria, Australia. The shrub is known to be invasive in many areas and, although indigenous to the reserve, has greatly increased its population size and distribution within the reserve in the past 30 years. Dendrochronology showed a constant relationship between age and stem diameter for K. ericoides in the reserve. The spatial structure of the variable stem diameter was investigated by the use of spatial correlograms and results suggested that K. ericoides is spreading via the formation of discrete clumps and gap-pha..