Casuarina woodland of Allocasuarina decaisneana, Canning Stock Route, WA

Casuarina woodland dominated by Casuarina pauper, Qld

Casuarinas occur as Open Forests, Low Open Forests, Woodlands, Open Woodlands, Low Open Woodlands and Low Woodlands; a few of which structures are illustrated below: Foliage cover of tallest stratum 30 - 70% Foliage cover of tallest stratum 10 - 30% Foliage cover of tallest stratum less than 10%

Casuarina Forests and Woodlands

• Includes vegetation where dominant species are Casuarina and Allocasuarina genera— collectively known as she-oaks.
  
  
• Form a series of quite distinct communities, notably foredune (C. equisetifolia), swamp (C. glauca), riverine (C. cunninghamiana) and desert (C. cristata or A. decaisneana) communities.
  
  
• Occur mainly on littoral and riverbank sites along the south-eastern, eastern and northern coasts of Australia and on rocky sites throughout the continent.
  
  
• In other inland areas, she-oaks occur in association with acacias and eucalypts.

The Casuarina Forests and Woodlands have been extensively cleared in many coastal areas for agriculture or for industrial or urban developments. Areas in the arid zone are modified by grazing pressure from domestic stock, feral animals and macropods.

Photos from the Australian Plant Image Index

Sources: Australia's Native Vegetation - from rainforest to spinifex, map and information poster produced by the National Land & Water Audit, Natural Heritage Trust, Australian Government, 2001
Australia's Native Vegetation - A summary of Australia's Major Vegetation Groups, 2007, Australian Government website
https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/a9897cf2-9d38-4201-bea2-13dadf3af9a8/files/major-veg-summary.pdf
Structure diagram: Atlas of Australian Resources - Vol. 6, Vegetation, AUSLIG, Canberra, 1990

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