VEGETATION PATTERNS, ENVIRONMENTAL CORRELATES AND VEGETATION CHANGE IN A PUFFINUS-TENUIROSTRIS BREEDING COLONY AT CAPE-QUEEN-ELIZABETH, TASMANIA

Variation in the vegetation in and adjacent to a Puffinus tenuirostris breeding colony at Cape Queen Elizabeth, Bruny Island, Tasmania is re lated much more closely to burrow density, bare ground and soil drynes s than to either the phosphorus or organic content of the soils. Betwe en 1977 and 1992, burrow density declined on average by 0.11 per m(2). In the parts of the rookery where burrow density decreased, Rhagodia candolleana Moq. increased its cover. Where burrow density remained co nstant or increased, Pteridium esculentum (G.Forster) Cockayne and Lom andra longifolia Labill. had declining cover. The major overall change s were increases in the cover of the succulent scramblers Tetragonia i mplexicoma (Miq.)J.D.Hook and Rhagodia candolleana at the expense of P teridium esculentum and Lomandra longifolia.