Talk by Leon Costermans.

Why do plants grow where they grow? Leon posed this complex question and provided a list of the influences which could provide some of the answers.

• Firstly, and most importantly the earth itself. The evolution of plants is related to changes in climate and movements in the earth’s crust, which amount to geological history.
• The nature of the rock forming the base of the area.
• Land movements, perhaps part of larger movements of the earth’s crust, cause local climate changes.
• The shape of the land. Leon illustrated this strongly by discussing differences north and south of the “Great Divide” in Victoria.
• The nature of the soil in the area, which is a result of the geological history of the area.

Plants have complex interactions with other living things, such as dependence for pollination and for seed dispersal. The changes made for the convenience of human society have very drastic results in terms of what grows where.

These influences in combination may explain why plants grow where they do. It was certainly a thought provoking guide to looking at the Victorian alps.

contributed

1: Granite Buttercup, as the name suggests grows on granite soils. Mt Buffalo. Dec 2005.
2: Snow Gum close to the end of its range. The tree is protected by a ridge on the upper slope. Near Mt Cope. Dec 1972.