Terrace types and vegetation dynamics on Macquarie Island

Feldmark vegetation occurs extensively on the plateau of Macquarie Island above about 200 m. Alternating stripes of vegetation and gravel are frequently associated with terraced terrain. Detailed study of 38 terraced sites with non-windward aspects shows vegetation-terrace interaction to be active under present climatic conditions. Wind, moisture, hillslope, slope stability and vegetation all affect terrace form.