Community dynamics in relation to management of heathland vegetation in Scotland

The paper describes studies of post-fire succession in heathland vegetation in N.E. Scotland, dominated by Calluna vulgaris. A preliminary model (Legg, 1978) suggested good agreement between simulation of succession on the basis of a Markov chain and observations of stands at different stages of development after burning, at least in the earlier stages. Vegetation transitions are currently being recorded in permanent plots on burnt areas. First results confirm the view that (a) the post-fire succession has the properties of a Markov process, (b) this type of model remains valid when constructed from records of actual transitions, rather than data obtained by inference from evidence of transition. Comparing successional events in stands where, at the time of burning, the Calluna population was in pioneer-, building-, mature-and degenerate phases, shows that transition matrices generally agree with the Markov hypothesis, but not in the case of stands where Calluna was degenerate when burnt. The composition of establishing vegetation 1 year after fire is not confined to species normally associated with the early stages of succession, but reflects the composition of the stand before burning. Redevelopment after fire is described in terms of an initial floristic composition of species with strategies permitting early re-establishment, selected by the recurrence of the fire factor. Subsequent transitions represent changes in their relative abundance due to differing growth properties and competitive interactions. This interpretation applies only under conditions of recurrent incidence of fire (normally once in 10–15 yr). If fire does not recur, Calluna stands pass into the degenerate phase, where changes in the nature of relay floristics may come into play (e.g. with tree colonization).Nomenelature follows Clapham, Tutin & Warburg (1962) for vascular plants; Smith (1978) for bryophytes.     

Multivariate analysis of the vegetation of the volcanoes Tláloc and Pelado,Mexico

Abstract. Multivariate analysis was used to describe the composition and distribution of vegetation types on the slopes of the volcanoes Tláloc and Pelado, Mexico. These volcanoes are situated in the transitional zone between the Holarctic and Neotropical floristic regions, which offers a partial explanation for the relatively high α and β diversities. Previous research argued that human activities, i.e. burning and grazing, rather than abiotic factors, play a major role in determining the distribution and floristic composition of the vegetation. TWINSPAN, Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis were used to test this hypothesis. Floristic and environmental data from 138 relevés and seven explanatory environmental variables were included: elevation, soil depth, soil moisture, percentage litter cover, percentage cover of bare ground, burning and grazing were included in the analysis. Soil moisture and elevation accounted for ca. 63% of the residual inertia and none of the remaining explanatory variables proved to be correlated significantly with the first two axes. The present results suggest that burning and grazing operate on a finer scale. In conclusion, soil moisture and elevation are the most relevant variables to explain the distribution of the vegetation under study.     

Ecological Disturbance Through Patch-Burn Grazing Influences Lesser Prairie-Chicken Space Use

Across portions of the western Great Plains in North America, natural fire has been removed from grassland ecosystems, decreasing vegetation heterogeneity and allowing woody encroachment. The loss of fire has implications for grassland species requiring diverse vegetation patches and structure or patches that have limited occurrence in the absence of fire. The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a declining species of prairie-grouse that requires heterogeneous grasslands throughout its life history and fire has been removed from much of its occupied range. Patch-burn grazing is a management strategy that re-establishes the fire-grazing interaction to a grassland system, increasing heterogeneity in vegetation structure and composition. We evaluated the effects of patch-burn grazing on lesser prairie-chicken space use, habitat features, and vegetation selection during a 4-year field study from 2014–2017. Female lesser prairie-chickens selected 1- and 2-year post-fire patches during the lekking season, ≥4-year post-fire patches during the nesting season, and year-of-fire and 1-year post-fire patches during post-nesting and nonbreeding seasons. Vegetation selection during the lekking season was not similar to available vegetation in selected patches, suggesting that lesser prairie-chickens cue in on other factors during the lekking season. During the nesting season, females selected nest sites with greater visual obstruction, which was available in ≥4-year post-fire patches; during the post-nesting season, females selected sites with 15–25% bare ground, which was available in the year-of-fire, 1-year post-fire, and 2-year post-fire patches; and during the nonbreeding season they selected sites with lower visual obstruction, available in the year-of-fire and 1-year post-fire patches. Because lesser prairie-chickens selected all available time-since-fire patches during their life history, patch-burn grazing may be a viable management tool to restore and maintain lesser prairie-chicken habitat on the landscape. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

Vegetation dynamics in central european forest ecosystems (near-natural as well as managed) after storm events

All over the world forests and woodlands are damaged or reset to initial stages by fire, insect outbreaks or storms. In Central Europe storm events are the most important natural disturbances affecting stand structures of both natural and managed forests and yet only a few studies exist on long-term forest development following the destruction of the tree layer by a storm. This paper presents a permanent plot study established in 1988 in the Bavarian Forest National Park (SE Germany) on areas, where the tree layer had been destructed by a storm on August 1, 1983. The records concerning (1) floristic composition (spermatophytes, pteridophytes, bryophytes, lichens) and cover degree, (2) location and shape of each tree higher than 1 meter (height, diameter at breast height) including position of fallen trees and (3) number of seedlings and saplings were taken in 1988, 1993 and 1998. Two windfall areas, situated next to each other in the same broad and flat valley bottom on wet soils under local cold climate conditions (potential as well as recent vegetation:Calamagrostio villosae-Piceetum bazzanietosum) were analyzed, one of them with completely free development after the storm event (“untouched”), the other with dead wood cleared off after the event, but thereafter with free development (“cleared”). The vegetation analysis separated two major trends in vegetation dynamics: (1) On the cleared plots with intensive soil-surface disturbance (removal of the damaged wood) the species composition changed towards pioneer herb vegetation (Rubus sp.), and pioneer forest species (here: birch,Betula pendula and/orB. pubescens) established. Subsequently, vegetation dynamics leading towards clusters of forest ground-layer species composition took place. (2) In untouched stands, where soil-surface disturbances were restricted to pit-and-mound-system created by uprooted trees, the patchiness of forest vegetation increased and a regeneration of mainly terminal tree species (here: Norway spruce,Picea abies) started. Stand development for the next 100 years was simulated using the model FORSKA-M. The model is individual-based and includes competition for light, soil water, and nutrients. The simulations suggest that floristic structures of cleared and untouched plots, respectively, will remain different for several decades, but within one century, the floristic structure becomes rather similar. Major processes in forest ecosystems which can be used to improve forest management and nature conservation practices have been identified based on the results of the case study.     

Contrasting changes in vegetation structure and diversity with time since fire in two Australian Mediterranean‐climate plant communities

Mallee‐heath and mallee communities occur in a mosaic across large areas of south‐western Australia, in topographically subdued and fire‐prone landscapes. Consequently, it could be expected that these communities would have historically experienced similar fire regimes, and would respond similarly to variation in aspects of the fire regime. We studied the response of mallee‐heath and mallee to time since the last fire, measuring species density, species–area relationships, diversity indices and vegetation structure. Floristic responses to time since fire accorded with the initial floristic composition model of plant succession, with declining species density and Shannon diversity with age in mallee‐heath. Mallee‐heath exhibited structural senescence when > approximately 45–55 years since fire, with increasing standing dead vegetation, bare ground and stagnating or declining size in sprouting Eucalyptus spp. Mallee showed no such evidence of senescence, and indeed continued to increase in stature beyond the mean fire interval but without the compositional change required to provide support for the relay floristic model of plant succession. These results indicate that mallee‐heath is a fire maintained community and as such is reliant upon periodic burning to maintain diversity and vigour. Mallee, in contrast, is modified but not maintained by fire (at least over the period of time since fire examined) and hence is less susceptible to fire interval effects. Indeed, structural attributes likely to be significant for fauna habitat and carbon sequestration continue to develop in mallee unburnt for 55 years or more. Different responses to time since fire will create challenges for management, particularly in fragmented landscapes where fire potentially interacts with other threatening processes.     

A synecological investigation of Matteuccia struthiopteris — dominanted stands in Western Norway

This investigation is based on phytosociological and ecological analyses of stands dominated by M. struthiopteris within its main distributional area in Western Norway. The distribution and floristical composition of such stands are related to different environmental parameters such as regional climate, soil and topography. The data are analysed by numerical methods, of which two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and simple discriminant functions (DISCRIM) are the most useful. Few stands occur in areas where the mean July temperature is below 12.0 °C, and where the mean January temperature is higher than 0 °C. The soil is rich in metal cations, with a base saturation mostly higher than 50% in the B-layer. Based on a TWINSPAN classification of the 230 investigated stands, 9 different groups (types) are distinguished. Many stands have a tree layer of Alnus incana, while stands with a canopy of Betula pubescens, Fraxinus excelsior and Ulmus glabra are considered to be marginal sites for M. struthiopteris. The types described are interpreted as belonging to the Pruno padi-Alnetum incanae, Alno incanae-Fraxinetum excelsioris and Alno incanae-Ulmetum glabrae associations within the Alno-Ulmion alliance. The floristic composition of the quadrats is highly correlated with the altitude/temperature gradient. The other important factor is interpreted to be soil moisture. Soil richness is poorly correlated with the floristic composition of the different stands. Several stands represent a regeneration stage after cessation in cultivation, while others appear to have been very little influenced by human activity.     

Post-fire bryophyte dynamics in Mediterranean vegetation

Abstract. Bryophyte dynamics after fire in the Mediterranean macchia of Southern Italy was studied both by diachronic and synchronic approaches. Changes of bryophyte cover and species composition were found in relation to both age and fire intensity. During the first 2 yr after fire, bryophytes dominated the plots which had experienced the highest fire intensity while herbs were dominant in plots affected by lighter fires. Pioneer species, such as Funaria hygrometrica, Barbula convoluta and Bryum dunense, characterized recent intense fires, whereas Bryum torquescens, B. radiculosum and B. ruderale were dominant after less intense burning. Pleurochaete squarrosa, Tortula ruraliformis and Tortella flavovirens dominated intermediate successional stages. Pleurocarpous mosses were dominant only in the older closed stands. Different patterns of regeneration strategies were described: spores dominated early stages of intense fire, while vegetative propagules characterized later successional stages and less severely burned areas. Although bryophytes usually have a low abundance in Mediterranean vegetation, their role in post-fire vegetation dynamics may be locally enhanced according to burning conditions.     

Impact of storm‐burning on Melaleuca viridiflora invasion of grasslands and grassy woodlands on Cape York Peninsula,Australia

This paper examines invasion of grasslands on Cape York Peninsula, Australia, by Melaleuca viridiflora and other woody species, and the role of storm‐burning (lighting fires after the first wet season rains) in their maintenance. Trends in disturbance features, fuel characteristics, ground layer composition, and woody plants dynamics under combinations of withholding fire and storm‐burning over a 3‐year period were measured on 19 plots in three landscape settings. Population dynamics of M. viridiflora are described in detail and 20‐year population projections based on transition matrices under different fire regimes generated. Numerous M. viridiflora suckers occurred within the grass layer, increasing each year regardless of fire regime, and were rapidly recruited to the canopy in the absence of fire. Storm‐burning had little impact on fuel, ground layer or woody plant composition, but maintained open vegetation structure by substantially reducing recruitment of M. viridiflora suckers to the sapling layer, and by reducing the above‐grass‐layer abundance of several other invasive woody species. Population projections indicated that withholding fire for 20 years could cause a sevenfold increase of M. viridiflora density on Ti‐tree flats, and that annual to triennial storm‐burning should be effective at maintaining a stable open vegetation structure. These findings argue against vegetation thickening being an inevitable consequence of climate change. We conclude that a fire regime that includes regular storm‐burning can be effective for maintaining grasslands and grassy woodlands being invaded by M. viridiflora.     

Vegetation succession after fire in sclerophyll woodland communities in south-eastern Australia

The dynamics of vegetation regeneration after burning were examined in three dry sclerophyll communities near Canberra, in south-eastern Australia. Changes in seedling and regrowth populations were followed in permanent quadrats during the first two years after burning, compared with both the preburn vegetation and population changes over the same period in adjacent, unburnt plots. All species represented either by living plants in the tree and shrub strata and/or by seed in the soil and litter prior to burning regenerated during the first year after the fire treatments. No new species invaded the areas after burning. Species varied in their regenerative strategy and recovered after the fires either by germination of seed residual in the soil and ash or released from trees after burning, by regrowth from surviving vegetative organs, or by a combination of germination and regrowth. Both seedling input and the vegetative recovery of populations were higher during the first than second year after burning. The vegetative multiplication and seed gertnination of many species were stimulated by fire. It was concluded that the regeneration of the communities studied, as well as the post-fire recovery of numerous different communities reported in the literature, closely resembled an initial floristic composition model. It is considered that the process of vegetation redevelopment after a disturbance (i.e. secondary succession) will be influenced greatly by the species composition at the time of disturbance, and by the type of disturbing agent. A single model would not be expected to adequately describe secondary succession following disturbance by agents imposing different stress conditions on a community.     

Predicting decay and ground vegetation development in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> snag stands

In a Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce) mountain forest on the Gandberg site in the northern Swiss Alps, trees were killed by bark beetles in 1992–1997. A combination of field studies and dynamic modelling was used to project snag decay and future ground vegetation succession in these steep, unharvested stands. In permanent plots, ground vegetation cover and natural tree regeneration have been monitored annually since 1994. To obtain additional information on the abundance of snags, logs, boulders and other microsite types in these stands, the relative frequency of the microsite types was quantified along four strip transects on the montane and subalpine elevational levels. A dynamic model of snag decay and ground vegetation development was constructed (modified matrix model approach). Based on field data and literature values, the model was parameterised and initialised separately for the montane and the subalpine level. For model validation, microsite types were quantified in 2001 with the line-intercept method on both elevational levels. Starting from the conditions in the stands before the bark beetle attacks, it was possible to project short-term succession and to accurately simulate the decay and ground vegetation patterns eight years after tree die-back. Long-term simulations suggest that on the montane level, raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) will be replaced by Picea abies, while on the subalpine level ferns will dominate for a long time.     

Canopy seed bank structure in relation to: fire,tree size and density

To assess the canopy seed bank structure of Pinus halepensis, we measured the level of serotiny and the seed bank size and density of trees in unburned stands and post-fire regenerated stands in Israel. We analysed the effects of tree size, tree density and fire history on the level of serotiny. The level of serotiny decreased with an increase in tree height. The high level of serotiny in short trees could be explained by selection to increase regeneration chances after burning at pre-mature age. Also, limitation of long-distance seed dispersal opportunities in short trees may favour high serotiny levels. The level of serotiny was higher in post-fire stands than in unburned stands, suggesting a fast selection for serotiny by fire. Unburned stands had a higher total stand seed density than post-fire regenerated stands, but the proportion of seeds in serotinous cones of the total stand seed density was higher in post-fire regenerated stands. The fact that P. halepensis bears simultaneously serotinous and non-serotinous cones reflects its dual strategy as both a post-fire obligate seeder, mainly from serotinous cones and an early coloniser during fire-free periods, mainly from non-serotinous cones. The relative investment in these strategies is dependent on fire history and varies with tree height. Furthermore, mature brown cones can contribute to post-fire regeneration in case of spring fires, and serotinous cones are known to open partially also in dry spell events. Thus, post-fire regeneration and invasion are strategies, which seem to complement each other.     

Direct and indirect responses of tallgrass prairie butterflies to prescribed burning

Fire is an important tool in the conservation and restoration of tallgrass prairie ecosystems. We investigated how both the vegetation composition and butterfly community of tallgrass prairie remnants changed in relation to the elapsed time (in months) since prescribed fire. Butterfly richness and butterfly abundance were positively correlated with the time since burn. Habitat-specialist butterfly richness recovery time was greater than 70 months post-fire and habitat-specialist butterfly abundance recovery time was approximately 50 months post-fire. Thus, recovery times for butterfly populations after prescribed fires in our study were potentially longer than those previously reported. We used Path Analysis to evaluate the relative contributions of the direct effect of time since fire and the indirect effects of time since fire through changes in vegetation composition on butterfly abundance. Path models highlighted the importance of the indirect effects of fire on habitat features, such as increases in the cover of bare ground. Because fire return intervals on managed prairie remnants are often less than 5 years, information on recovery times for habitat-specialist insect species are of great importance.     

Conservation management of coastal dunes for Orthoptera has to consider oviposition and nymphal preferences

Dune and heathland ecosystems can harbour a multitude of specialized insect species. To assess the habitat quality of these ecosystems, the presence of specialized insect species may act as a useful indicator. The Orthoptera species Myrmeleotettix maculatus, Decticus verrucivorus, and Platycleis albopunctata present such umbrella species. Because knowledge of oviposition and nymphal habitats of these species is insufficient, we conducted a combined study consisting of an outdoor oviposition experiment and a field survey analyzing nymphal habitat preferences during summer 2009 on the Baltic island of Hiddensee, Germany. The oviposition experiment showed, that all three species mostly avoid oviposition under lichens (= mature grey dunes). M. maculatus preferred bare ground for oviposition, D. verrucivorus favoured both bare ground and mosses, and P. albopunctata laid most eggs into mosses. Young nymphs of both M. maculatus and P. albopunctata preferred initial grey dunes with a high proportion of bare ground and moss-rich grey dunes. Old nymphs were related to moss-rich and lichen-rich grey dunes with more dense vegetation. Based on our results, early seral stages of dune succession with bare ground and mosses as keystone structures are crucial for the conservation of the three studied umbrella species. Because old nymphs and adults additionally require more dense grey dune vegetation or adjacent heath stands, practical dune and heathland management measures should aim to maintain a mosaic-like pattern of different grey dune and dwarf-shrub vegetation stands.     

The use of teak (Tectona grandis) plantations by large mammals in the Kilombero Valley, southern Tanzania

The establishment of plantations is impacting the large mammal populations of the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Animal spoors were used as a proxy for activity to determine the influence of teak stand age on mammals. Habitat variables were compared between different aged stands to investigate the relationship between mammal activity and vegetation characteristics. Vegetation surveys found plantation composition to differ with age; with young stands characterized by slender teak trees, limited leaf litter, abundant grass layer and substantial bare ground. Older plantations contained a high leaf litter layer and dead wood, low grass abundance and minimal bare ground. Spoor transects revealed that mammal species number decreased as the teak matured. Of those vegetation variables tested, grass and bare ground abundance explained significantly the variation in species number and in individual species' habitat use between differently aged stands; therefore this habitat use was influenced by the foraging value of the plantation. This study showed that several species (some of which warrant conservation attention, such as elephant) use plantations <6 years old to a greater extent than plantations >6 years. Thus, there is a need for conservation measures, such as wildlife corridors and staggered teak planting to be continued, allowing large mammal movements in the valley.     

Regeneration patterns in a Central European dry heathland: effects of burning,sod-cutting and cutting

Vegetation development in dry heathlands was studied during a six-year period following experimental burning, sod-cutting and cutting in a continental area in the southern part of the Czech Republic (Podyjí National Park). Calluna vulgaris-dominated heathlands in the area were composed of uneven-aged stands and had been unmanaged for several decades. The aim of the study was testing the applicability of Western European management systems to nature conservation in a continental area. Species composition was recorded in 8 permanent plots using 25×25 cm grids, and vegetation recovery following different treatments was analysed. Calluna recovered successfully after burning. Burning dense heathlands, which contained a large amount of woody fuel, resulted in a medium-intensity fire that destroyed moss mats and litter and exposed patches of bare ground to facilitate Calluna regeneration by seed, in addition to vegetative regrowth. On the contrary, in open heathlands with patches of herbaceous vegetation, low-intensity fires which failed to expose mineral soil were more typical. Almost all Calluna regeneration was vegetative in this case, and regrowth was slower. Heathland recovery after sod-cutting to mineral soil depended on whether or not Calluna seed germination occurred in the plot. With germination, the community developed towards heathland; without towards grassland. Cutting promoted a striking increase in grass cover, which was followed by the slow recovery of Calluna. The experiments suggest that of these management systems, burning is perhaps the most appropriate in the study area. A nature conservation management system is proposed, based on sheep grazing combined with rotational burning of restricted patches.     

Post‐fire regeneration in alpine heathland: Does fire severity matter?

Fire severity is thought to be an important determinant of landscape patterns of post‐fire regeneration, yet there have been few studies of the effects of variation in fire severity at landscape scales on floristic diversity and composition, and none within alpine vegetation. Understanding how fire severity affects alpine vegetation is important because fire is relatively infrequent in alpine environments. Globally, alpine ecosystems are at risk from climate change, which, in addition to warming, is likely to increase the severity and frequency of fire in south‐eastern Australia. Here we examine the effects of variation in fire severity on plant diversity and vegetation composition, 5 years after the widespread fires of 2003. We used floristic data from two wide‐spread vegetation types on the Bogong High Plains: open heathland and closed heathland. Three alternative models were tested relating variation in plant community attributes (e.g. diversity, ground cover of dominant species, amount of bare ground) to variation in fire severity. The models were (i) ‘linear’, attributes vary linearly with fire severity; (ii) ‘intermediate disturbance’, attributes are highest at intermediate fire severity and lowest at both low‐ and high‐severity; and (iii) ‘null’, attributes are unaffected by fire severity. In both heathlands, there were few differences in floristic diversity, cover of dominant species and community composition, across the strong fire severity gradient. The null model was most supported in the vast majority of cases, with only limited support for either the linear and intermediate disturbance models. Our data indicate that in both heathlands, vegetation attributes in burnt vegetation were converging towards that of the unburnt state. We conclude that fire severity had little impact on post‐fire regeneration, and that both closed and open alpine heathlands are resilient to variation in fire severity during landscape scale fires.     

Similarity between seed bank and vegetation in Mediterranean grassland: a predictive model

Abstract. The similarity in species composition between seed bank and vegetation was analysed in Mediterranean grasslands in relation to altitude, topography and grazing. Soil samples were collected in permanent plots in autumn at the end of the summer drought period and in spring, before the new seed fall and after the natural winter seed stratification. The seed bank composition was determined by greenhouse germination over a nine-month period. Presence/absence of species in the standing vegetation throughout the complete annual cycle, and the percentage area of bare ground in October, were recorded in the same plots. The species composition of the standing vegetation is clearly determined by altitude, topography and grazing, while the floristic composition of the seed banks is only related to altitude and topography in the case of autumn seed bank and with any of the three factors in the spring seed bank. Relative abundances of grasses, legumes and forbs also show different patterns in vegetation and seed bank data. Sørensen similarity between the autumn seed bank and the vegetation declines as altitude rises, but there are no significant differences for topography and grazing. This similarity decreases in the case of the spring seed bank and does not show any significant relationship with any of the factors. The perennial/ annual ratio and the proportion of bare soil in October are proposed as explanatory variables in a predictive model of similarity between the seed composition of the seed bank and vegetation.     

Alpine and subalpine snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains,SE Australia

Abstract. Snow patch vegetation in Australia is rare, being restricted to the relatively small area of alpine and subalpine country in the highlands of southeastern Australia. Snow patch vegetation occurs on steeper, sheltered southeastern slopes, where snow persists until well into the growing season (December/January). We surveyed the vegetation of 33 snow patch sites in the alpine and subalpine tracts of the Bogong High Plains, within the Alpine National Park, in Victoria. The vegetation was dominated by herbs and graminoids, with few shrubs and mosses. Major structural assemblages identified included closed herb‐fields dominated by Celmisia spp, and grasslands dominated by Poa fawcettiae or Poa costiniana. These assemblages occurred on mineral soils. Open herb‐fields dominated by Caltha introloba and several sedge species occurred on rocky and stony substrata. Vegetation‐environment relationships were explored by ordination and vector fitting. There was significant variation in the floristic composition of snow patch vegetation as a function of duration of snow cover, altitude, slope and site rockiness. Alpine sites were floristically distinct from subalpine sites, with a greater cover of Celmisia spp. and a lesser cover of low shrubs in the former. There was floristic variation within some snow patches as a function of slope position (upper, middle or lower slope) but this was not consistent across sites. The current condition of snow patch vegetation on the Bogong High Plains is degraded, with bare ground exceeding 20% cover at most sites. Snow patch vegetation is utilized preferentially by domestic cattle, which graze parts of the Bogong High Plains in summer. Such grazing is a potential threat to this rare vegetation type.     

Resource partitioning by small mammals in lowland heath communities of south-eastern Australia

Habitat selection by seven species of small mammals was investigated in three areas of heathland in Victoria. A total of 12 120 trapnights over 22 months was used to assess preference for different vegetation groups formed by clustering trap sites on (a) floristic and (b) structural criteria. Rattus lutreolus proved to have both floristic and structural requirements. Seasonal changes in distribution in relation to rainfall appeared to be dependent on soil type. Greatest movement occurred on sandy podzol soils. Pseudomys shortridgei selected the most diverse vegetation types. Rattus fuscipes preferred wet, structurally complex vegetation. Mus musculus appeared to fill the niche of Antechinus minimus and partially replace A. stuartii and A. flavipes when Antechinus spp. were absent. M. musculus seems to commonly fill three niches in these heathlands: fossorial insectivore, scansorial insectivore and immediate post-fire omnivore. A small mammal community structure of five major food niches may be common to both heathland and forest communities of south-eastern Australia.