Native flora and fauna have co-evolved to reflect local natural conditions. This map shows how the distribution of dominant plant associations closely matches landform features.
The pre European vegetation of the region was influenced by several factors including soil, distance from the coast, aspect and water regime. Activities of Aboriginal people through their use of fire, so-called ‘firestick farming’, also influenced plant type and composition and encouraged plant associations like open grassy woodlands.
Plant associations reflected the landform characteristics of the area. The City can be broadly divided into the following areas and dominant plant species:
coastal dunes (Coastal daisy and wattle Tall Shrubland)
coastal cliffs (Sheoak or Pale turpentine bush Low Shrubland)
plains/lower ranges (Mallee box Woodland over limestone)
foothills/ escarpment/ central ranges (Grey box Woodland on deep red brown clays)
riverine (Red gum Open Woodland on sandy river soils)
upper ranges (Stringybark Woodland in wetter areas on acidic soils)
Other areas:
former coastal dunes (Banksia / Sheoak/ Native Pine Low Woodland)
sandy rises in foothills (Pink gum Low Woodland)
flood plains (Blue gum/ Sheoak Open Woodland).
Trees 10 – 30 metres
Cover 10 – 30%
WOODLAND
Trees 10 – 30 metres
Cover < 10%
OPEN WOODLAND
Trees < 10 metres
Cover 10 – 30 %
LOW WOODLAND
Shrubs > 2 metres
Cover 10 – 30%
TALL SHRUBLAND
Shrubs < 2 metres
Cover 10 – 30 %
LOW SHRUBLAND
Vegetation type, landform and climate influence the type of animals found therein. Many species of plants and animals have evolved together to provide mutual benefits to each other. For example the stiff white spider orchid relies on the native bee for pollination. A decline in the number of native bees is a major reason why the orchid is now a threatened species.
