Western Australian Species-rich Kwongan (Sclerophyllous Shrubland) affected by Drought

Observations of responses to aseasonal water stress are reported for 124 species of native vascular plants in a 20 km2 area surveyed during the second consecutive year of below average rainfall. Both vegetative regeneration and seedling regeneration appeared to be successful means of surviving drought stress in this region. The drought affected species of the families Proteaceae and Epacridaceae more than those of other major families. There are similarities in the response of the vegetation to the two main. irregularly occurring phenomena, aseasonal drought and fire: both can affect vegetation over large areas and yet leave considerable patches within the area that are little affected. Together these two factors contribute to the production of complex and dynamic mosaic-patterns in the vegetation.