Victorian Dry Eucalypt: Wombat

The Victorian Dry Eucalypt: Wombat site is a TERN SuperSite located in the Wombat State Forest (near Ballarat) and managed by the University of Melbourne.

Wombat State Forest is dominated by Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua), Broad-leaf Peppermint (Eucalyptus dives), Narrow-leaf Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata), Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and Candlebark (Eucalyptus rubida). Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and Yarra Gum (Eucalyptus yarraensis) are also present.

The native fauna of Wombat State Forest consists of mammals, including the Greater Glider (Petauroides volans), reptiles, amphibians and birds. Threatened bird species such as the Great Egret, Grey Goshawk, Australian Masked Owl and Powerful Owl, are found in the area.

The on-site OzFlux eddy covariance tower monitors ecosystem fluxes of energy, water and carbon dioxide above-ground, while below-ground measurements are obtained using six fully automated Green House Gas chambers that are connected to a Fourier Transformed Infrared gas analysis system.