They revealed that gibber is concentrated in the bare inter-band zones where vegetation is minimal. This finding bolsters previous work in non-banded vegetation communities, which suggests that gibber works like a natural mulch, limiting vegetation growth in these regions by reducing surface moisture. This preserved the unique, heterogeneous landscape that species such as the critically endangered Plains-wanderer call home.
They also found that gibber acts as a protective blanket, armouring hillslopes against erosion and possibly preserving an ancient, relic landscape that formed under a different climate regime.
Moreover, the study was able to demonstrate that vegetation density across the surveyed sites is now within the ideal range for the Plains-wanderer, thanks to 19-years of dedicated habitat restoration efforts by Bush Heritage. In addition, removing livestock and feral management has allowed these remarkable ecosystems to bounce back, showcasing the power of conservation in action.
This is more than research – it’s a celebration of nature’s resilience and all its stripes!