Effect of disturbance regimes on populations of Darwinia glaucophylla on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia

The effect of disturbance regime (slashing and time since last fire) was assessed for a vulnerable plant species (Darwinia glaucophylla) on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia. The species has a limited geographic range and high habitat specificity. Percentage cover, flowering, germination and seedling development of the species were measured across disturbance regimes. The habitat of D. glaucophylla was examined by measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), cover and height of the surrounding vegetation, mycorrhizal colonisation and a suite of soil attributes (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen, phosphorous, moisture and organic matter) within each of the different disturbance regimes. Results indicate significant differences among variables between disturbance regimes. This was less so at the macroplot level, although differences at this level suggest that site- specific characteristics may contribute to some of the variation reported. Slashing had a more significant effect than time since last fire on many of the variables investigated. These findings have implication for management of the species in terms of slashing practices and because the species requires fire-related cues to stimulate germination.