THE EFFECTS OF PAST FIRE REGIMES ON THE STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OFCOASTAL-PLAIN MELALEUCA-VIRIDIFLORA SOL EX GAERT WOODLANDS AND THE DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF EPIPHYTES (DENDROBIUM-CANALICULATUM R BR, DISCHIDIA-NUMMULARIA R BR) IN NORTHEASTERN QUEENSLAND

Distribution patterns of Dendrobium canaliculatum and Dischidia nummul aria were examined on branches of Melaleuca viridiflora trees in lowla nd, coastal woodlands of northeastern Queensland subjected to differen t fire regimes. These epiphytes are adapted to growing on branches and are able to withstand periods of drought. Epiphytic density was great est on the higher branches in comparison with the trunks. A greater pr oportion of trees > 1.5 m to < 1.5 m was recorded at sites with fire f requencies between 10 and 20 years. Epiphytic distributions appeared t o be correlated with the sizes of host trees (> 1.5 m in height) and t he effects of past fire regimes.