Abstract
The pollen and stratigraphic analysis of two coastal interdune swamps on Sperm Whale Head in the Gippsland Lakes of south-eastern Victoria provides a regional picture of vegetation and environmental changes from beyond 7200 years BP to present. Moisture availability was greatest between about 7000 and 5200 BP with continuously moist swamp conditions and the presence of tall open forest in the area. Rainfall may then have fallen slightly causing the elimination of tall open forest elements though the increasing influence of the sea on ground water salinity may also have affected the vegetation. Water levels in the depressions were higher between 5200 and 4000-3000 years ago, due perhaps to the attainment of present sea level, and lake conditions prevailed. Subsequently lakes became very shallow or intermittent, and hypersaline, while open eucalypt woodlands replaced the previously dominant Casuarina communities on dry land. A decrease in moisture availability to present-day levels is inferred, combined with an increase in fire frequency or intensity. The dry land and aquatic vegetation was further modified in recent times, due presumably to the activities of European man. The derived record from this area correlates well with others from lowland southeastern Australia and provides some valuable information on the status of present-day communities within the region.
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