Vegetation monitoring site with two converging landslides, covered in snow. Even with the snow cover it is obvious that tussock grasses (Poa foliosa) are colonizing this site.

Just arrived back at the station via helicopter. Unfortunately we lost about half of our planned fieldwork time: operations on the island are winding up early due to forecast bad weather, and earlier in the week we had two days where the island was blanketed in snow – sure looked nice, but hopeless for studying plants! Nevertheless we managed to complete 4 of our 6 long term vegetation change study sites and made lots of other observations. The plants are certainly getting taller without rabbit grazing.

Vegetation monitoring plot at Brothers Point under snow. Toe of landslide has flattened grass but not the corner marker stake.

Another unfortunate but interesting thing is that a few of the 35 year old monitoring plots have been impacted by some of the numerous landslides and debris flows which occurred during the unprecedented heavy rains in January this year. Getting on the ship and heading back to Hobart soon. Full report and pictures to come…