Plant species‐richness and invasion by exotics in relation to disturbance of wetland communities on the Riverine Plain, NSW

Abstract

A combination of field surveys and seed‐bank measurements were used to describe the macrophytic vegetation of intermittent wetlands on the Riverine Plain, in New South Wales. Three habitat types were sampled, representing wetland vegetation subjected to varying intensities of exogenous (human‐induced) disturbance: swamps (least disturbed), roadside table drains (moderately disturbed), and rice crops (highly disturbed). Forty‐two plant species were common to all three habitats and 36 species occurred in two of the three habitats. Of the 82 species that were restricted to a single habitat type, 33 were recorded for swamps, 19 for roadsides and 30 for rice fields. Species‐richness (number of sp..