Jlch. Vanvalkenburg et P. Ketner, VEGETATION CHANGES FOLLOWING HUMAN DISTURBANCE OF MID-MONTANE FOREST IN THE WAU AREA, PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA, Journal of tropical ecology, 10, 1994, pp. 41-54
This paper examines the floristic changes that occur following human d
isturbance in mid-montane forest in the Wau area in Papua New Guinea.
The study was restricted to a 1600-2400 m altitudinal range on Mt Kain
di, with disturbed forest, and Mt Missim, with undisturbed forest. Spe
cial attention was given to the status of Nothofagus pullei which is l
ocally dominant on Mt Kaindi. A major change in floristic composition
was observed between 1800 and 2000 m. The abundance and species compos
ition of ferns and mosses above 2000 m characterizes the floristic dif
ferences. Nothofagus pullei was found to be a pioneer species with a l
ong life-span, one which does not regenerate under its own cover. Ther
e were no other important floristic differences between Nothofagus-dom
inated forest and mixed mid-montane forest. Nothofagus pullei locally
dominates the canopy and thereby suppresses the growth of other trees.