Synthetic Plant Communities: Problems in Definition and Management )

Abstract

Synthetic plant communites are defined as plant communities which are ad-mixtures of native, naturalised and exotic species, or, rarely, combinations of native species not typical of the landscape in question. Such communities may be transitional phases in the degeneration of a native plant community or they may be metastable communities capable of persistence, given appropriate management. Maintenance of synthetic communities depends on the intervention of man through varying management practices. It is unlikely that synthetic communities would persist in a stable form without man. There are a few exceptions to this statement: all concern communities which have developed in physical settings which are recently created by european man. Although Australia has many examples of synthetic communities they are to be found in all continents. Breakdown of phytogeographic barriers by deliberate or accidental introduction of alien species is the main genesis of synthetic communities.