SUCCESSIONAL SEQUENCES IN 2 TASMANIAN VALLEY SPHAGNUM PEATLANDS

The sequences of macrofossils in 17 cores from two Tasmanian valley Sp hagnum peatlands reveal a wide variety of successional pathways. The m ost common sequence is from restiad mires to Sphagnum mires to heath. While it is impossible to conclusively separate allogenic and autogeni c influences, it seems likely that the rapid rate of change recorded i n the upper levels of the cores may, in part, reflect recent climatic change. Most other changes recorded in the core are likely to be predo minantly autogenic.