Genetics and ecology of plant species occurring on the Banded Iron Formations in the Yilgarn, Western Australia

Abstract

Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) are a distinctive feature in the Yilgarn craton of southern Western Australia occurring as geographically isolated ranges within a mosaic of alluvial clay soils interspersed with sandplains and occasional granite outcrops. They are prominent features across a flat, highly weathered plateau, forming unique geologically stable components in an unglaciated landscape. The topographic complexity of BIFs provides areas of key environmental heterogeneity in a subdued landscape, offering a mosaic of habitats and abundance of niche microhabitats that support unique plant communities with high species diversity including many narrowly endemic species and those with distributions centred on these banded iron formations. Genetic and ecological studies have been undertaken on several species that are endemic to, or have distributions centred on, the banded iron formations of the Yilgarn. These studies provide a basis for understanding the diversity and evolutionary history of the plant communities that occur in these diverse environments. This Special Issue brings together studies on several these species to complement studies already published, and this overview provides a summary of the genetics and ecology of 21 species that are restricted to, or have distributions centred on, BIFs. Many of these species have conservation status under national and state legislation and understanding of genetics and ecology of these species assists with conservation strategies. A range of genetic patterns was identified among these species making generalisations difficult and indicating analysis of individual species is required in order to provide information for conservation and management decisions.