Mvg 15 Low Closed Forests and Tall Closed Shrublands draft

Facts and figures

Major Vegetation Group	MVG 15 - Low Closed Forests and Tall Closed Shrublands
Major Vegetation Subgroups (number of NVIS descriptions)	28. Low closed forest or tall closed shrublands (NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, NT, WA(115)
Typical NVIS structural formations	Low closed forest Closed shrubland (mid, tall) Tall closed shrubland
Number of IBRA regions	28
Most extensive in IBRA region	Est. pre-1750 and present: Coolgardie (WA)
Estimated pre-1750 extent (km^2)	25 819
Present extent (km^2)	16 278
Area protected (km^2)	4 963

Coastal melaleuca, Bournda National Park, NSW Kathy Tracey

Structure and physiognomy

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  The canopy is generally dense and less than 10 m in height (Keith 2004; Beard et al. 2013).
  
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  Foliage of dominant shrubs or trees is sclerophyllous and varies in size from nanophyll, (0.25 – 2.5 cm²) to microphyll (20 – 45 cm²).
  
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  Sometimes forms a dense canopy with a projected foliage cover of 70 – 100% which can limit light penetration, reducing the understorey to shade tolerant grasses and sedges (Keith 2004; Beard et al. 2013).