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The Forest
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Wet Schlerophyll Forest |
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Pallotti College is about 243m above sea level. The forest around the College, in the Yarra Valley and on the mountain slopes on either side of it is classified as Wet Schlerophyll Forest. High rainfall has caused a thick growth of a variety of trees, among which the Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and Messmate stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) are the dominant species. Originally the big Mountain Ash dominated the forest and kept the growth of other species down, but these ancient giants have all been logged by early settlers or burnt in the big fires. In the years 1981 to1984 I have seen 78 species of birds in the forest around the College and in 1994 I found 6 more. During that time I have also observed 18 species of other animals. The flora is more difficult to identify and I have recorded only 29 species. There are many more that I haven’t seen. In this program I present a selection of the Flora and Fauna you can see around Pallotti College. |
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| Mist | ||
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In the mornings the Valley is often shrouded in mist, which then lifts to reveal beautiful views of the surrounding hills.
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| Bush fires | ||
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Bush fires are a threat every summer. Fanned by strong winds they can engulf the whole valley and cause immense damage, as the fires in 1939 and 1983 did.
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