Unassuming Heathlands

If you have ever joined us on a Nocturnal Woylie Walk of Woodland Reserve, or delved into the Park’s conservation role, you may have heard talk of the extensive open heathlands found in Whiteman Park.

But what are heathlands? And why are they important?

The heathlands can be easily overlooked as insignificant, with their low and scrubby vegetation, but these vast areas of scrub are home to some of our most beloved species.

An ancient name for an ancient community

The heathlands found throughout south-western Western Australia are also termed the 'Kwongan', a Bibulmun aboriginal term used to describe the seasonally arid vegetation community.

The Kwogan (heathlands) are characterised by sandy, nutrient-poor soils, and can be found throughout the northern conservation area of the Park. It is typically rich in species from the Proteaceae and Myrtaceae families, which have coevolved with specialised birds, insects and mammals that assist with seed dispersal and pollination.

Adapted, but not adaptable?

Importantly, the Kwongan has also adapted to periodic fire. Many species open their seed follicles in response to heat, while smoke can promote germination in some, and others can recover by resprouting from buds along their stems. Banksias and hakeas are well represented in the Park, in and around the heathlands, and are excellent examples of species that have fire-stimulated seed shed and germination, as well as the capacity to resprout following a fire event.

The 2014 bushfire at the Park demonstrated the incredible resilience of Kwongan bushland to recover following fire, but like all natural systems throughout the southwest of Western Australia, the heathlands are not immune to the negative impacts of climate change.

An area rich and rare

Occupying over a quarter of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, the Kwongan contains 70% of the native plant species from this Global Biodiversity Hotspot. It's high species diversity and unique assemblages (groups) of plants, animals and micro-organisms make it of important conservation significance. So much so, that there have been proposals for Kwongan to be nominated for UNESCO World heritage listing.

Whiteman Park sits within this region bioregion – which is one of just 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots – on the Swan Coastal Plain. Our examples of Kwongan heathlands may be limited in comparison, but they are also an approachable example for many Perth locals to see and experience.

Yellow flowering shrubs such as the Hibbertias and Acacias can be seen on the heathlands

A game of spotto

Here, surrounded by suburbia, an incredible assortment of wildlife thrives… and there are more species hiding in this low open scrub than you may first think.

Resident black-gloved wallabies and the translocated tammar wallabies are particularly fond of the shelter provided by the low vegetation in the heathlands. They feast on the grasses and surrounding vegetation, while hiding in the thickets during the day. They are not the only mammals that love the heathlands, the Endangered dibbler and cute-as-a-button noolbenger are also Kwongan regulars (although their populations in Whiteman Park are now unknown).

Bobtails are common, as are plenty of the burrowing reptiles, from legless lizards to blind and burrowing snake species. In fact, almost all of the Park’s 36 known reptile species can be found in the heathlands! Why? Thanks to plenty of things to eat (no matter if they are plant or meat lovers!).

The most obvious signs of species diversity may be in the bird and insect life though. Small to medium birds flock to the shrubby thickets, where the nectar from the wildflowers feed either the birds or the insects that others feast on.

Legless lizards, insect life and wallabies are all found in the Park's heathlands.

Where can I see the heathlands?

A bushwalk along the Wununga Trail will take you through some beautiful examples of Kwongan vegetation here in Whiteman Park. Spring’s wildflower season is the best time to appreciate the botanical diversity of this bushland, which is so much more that sandy scrub!

Look closely and the incredible diversity of these communities can soon be appreciated.

References

Heartland Journeys. "Ancient Wonderland: Kwongan."

ResearchGate. Biodiversity hotspots in Western Australia: What, where and why? Authors: Mark Brundrett, Greg Keighey and Russel Barrett; The University of Western Australia.

The Conversation. Australia's south west: A hotspot for wildlife and plants that deserves World Heritage status. Authors: Hans Lambers and Don Bradshaw; The University of Western Australia.