ut less (20–54%) in H. canterburyana. Both palms showed evidence of a reduced capacity to maintain a juvenile bank of palms through regular recruitment as a consequence of over 90 years of rat impact. This will limit the ability of these species to take advantage of episodic canopy gaps. Baiting for rat control reduced fruit losses and resulted in the re-establishment of a juvenile palm bank. Conservation of both endemic palms necessitates control (or eradication) of rat populations on the unique cloud forest summits of the island.
Floristics and structure of the mossy cloud forest of Mt Gower summit, Lord Howe Island
The summit of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island (31°33’8, 159°05’E), is a small area of 27 ha supporting mossy cloud forest. This study describes patterns in the floristic composition and structure of the vegetation of the summit, in relation to a range of environmental variables. A total of 42 vascular plant species was recorded, 86% of which are endemic to Lord Howe Island, and 17% of which are found only on the summit and upper slopes of Mt Gower and adjacent Mt Lidgbird. A complete species list for Mt Gower is presented, including species from the present survey and all previously recorded species. The composition of the vegetation differed In gullies and on ridges, reflecting differences in substrate rockiness and soil moisture, and was also influenced by the number of bird burrows and aspect. The summit of Mt Gower is of high conservation significance, due to the restricted distribution of the habitat type it represents, its relatively undisturbed state and high levels of endemism. Potential threats to the summit vegetation include the impacts of climate change, seed predation by introduced rats, and the introduction of weed species and exotic pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi.