Ecotypes: What are they?
Within some plant species, different populations may show adaptations to growing in different environments.
When such populations are ecologically distinct they are termed ecotypes.
Ecotypes may develop in response to soils and/or climates.
Eucalyptus obliqua (or messmate) is a common and widespread species in south-eastern Australia that exhibits considerable variation across its range. Its form varies from that of a tall forest tree (up to 60 m) in wet forests on rich soils, to a bushy shrub (approximately 2 m) in heathlands on deep infertile sands. Such variation may be exhibited within a relatively small geographic area, such as in the Otway region on Victoria's southwest coast.
Open-forest of Eucalyptus obliqua . This species commonly occurs with other eucalypts and may support a grassy or sclerophyll understorey.