The influence of dwarf cherry (Exocarpos strictus) on the health of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).

摘要

Recent studies suggest that river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) health is declining across much of the Murray floodplain. Some anecdotal reports assert that localized but severe declines in river red gum health are related to the increased abundance of the hemi-parasitic shrub dwarf cherry. To investigate this, river red gum health was measured by canopy cover in 548 trees on the Murray floodplain downstream from Swan Hill (Victoria, Australia), in areas with varying amounts of dwarf cherry (Exocarpos strictus). Trees were slightly but significantly less healthy where dwarf cherry was present. However, river red gums in poor health were widespread in the study area, suggesting that decline is largely due to broad-scale ecological changes. Dwarf cherry appears, at most, to play a secondary role in localized river red gum decline..