Groundwater rise, soil salinization and the decline of Casuarina in southeastern Australia during the late Quaternary

Abstract

Abstract The decline in interglacial importance of Casuarina over the late Quaternary across southeastern Australia is documented. Three previously proposed causes for the decline (change in fire regime, change to a wetter climate and competitive exclusion by eucalypts) are shown to be inadequate for explaining the majority of cases. Re‐examination of the evidence shows the decline at most sites occurred synchronously with a rise in groundwater or soil salinization, or both. From a review of biological literature, it is established that Casuarina stricta, the main species considered to have been affected by the decline, is likely to be disadvantaged by high water tables and saline soils. A link is demonstrated between groundwater salinity and the nodulation status of Casuarina in Victoria. It is concluded that the late Quaternary Casuarina decline was caused by a combination of rising groundwater levels and soil salinization. Soil salinization and groundwater level must therefore be considered as major factors determining vegetation patterns in southeastern Australia through the Quaternary up to the present day.