Vegetation structure and floristics of granite landforms in the South-west Slopes of New South Wales

We describe the natural vegetation structure and floristics of 44 small-sized granite outcrops (inselbergs) in agricultural landscapes in the South-west Slopes (SWS) bioregion of New South Wales (35º 26’ S, 147º 23’ E to 35º 58’ S, 146º 59’E) and their relationships with geomorphology. We provide a list of 196 species (117 natives and 79 exotics). We found that structurally complex outcrops supported a greater diversity of native ground cover species and fewer exotic species than structurally simple outcrops. Tor landforms lacked vegetation structural complexity and were deficient in native shrubs, mid-storey and over-storey species but typically supported exotic grasses and broadleaved exotic weeds. Floristic composition differed among landforms and cluster analysis revealed highly dissimilar native plant communities among outcrops. Our study highlights the need to rehabilitate tor landforms and manage a broad spectrum of outcrops to conserve floristic diversity in agricultural landscapes. Selecting genetically diverse species for replanting, considering the density and spatial arrangement of plantings, and controlling invasive plants and feral herbivorous animals are fundamental issues in restoring granite outcrop vegetation in the SWS bioregion