Vegetation-Banked Terraces on Subantarctic Macquarie Island: A Reappraisal

A reappraisal of vegetation-banked terraces on Macquarie Island reveals that previously described 'windward' and 'leeward' types are not distinct but instead represent a continuum influenced by hillside aspect. The study documents dynamic processes, including mobile gravel, substrate erosion, and vegetation growth, challenging the notion of separate terrace forms. Additionally, stone-banked terraces, not previously reported on the island, were identified. Recent die-offs of the cushion plant Azorella macquariensis may threaten long-term terrace stability. The research combines morphological documentation with process-based analysis to provide new insights into these unique subantarctic landscapes.

Selkirk-Bell, J. M., & Selkirk, P. M. (2013). Vegetation-Banked Terraces on Subantarctic Macquarie Island: A Reappraisal. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 45(2), 261–274. https://doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-45.2.261