Section a obbens p65

Discussion

Vegetation and habitat

Most of the vegetation communities of the reserve

were distinctive, but considered as not particularly unique,

there being several other remnants in the area having

similar habitat types. The low heath community is not as

common locally; however, all habitat types were in rela-

tively good condition.

Flora

Jingaring Nature Reserve, with 264 species located

within 34 ha, represents an exceptionally species-rich area.

As a comparison, a ‘random stratified’ flora survey of

Yilliminning Rock reserve, just east of Narrogin and about

55 km directly south of Jingaring Nature Reserve, found

238 vascular species in 80 ha (Pigott & Sage 1997). A

quadrat-based flora survey near Popanyinning (~30 km

south-west of Jingaring Nature Reserve) by Gunness (1998)

found 249 vascular species in 60 ha of bushland remnant.

Additionally, several surveys over a number of years for

the nearby Tutanning Nature Reserve (2310 ha) have so

far recognized 628 species for that reserve. Some of the

differences found in species richness of these areas might

be attributed to the different survey techniques used (i.e.

not comparable), to different habitats surveyed and to the

intensity of surveying (i.e. one season or more). Regard-

less of these factors, Jingaring Nature Reserve has an

unusually high concentration of flora species and thus

plays a big role for its size in conserving wheatbelt bio-

diversity. Any future intensive surveys using a similar

methodology could act as benchmarks. These benchmark

surveys of reserves/remnants spaced equally distant and

appropriately throughout the wheatbelt would help to

increase our knowledge of the flora in this highly frag-

mented landscape.