Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Hunter Lowland Redgum Forest in the Sydney Basin and New South Wales North Coast Bioregions
Gazetted date:
13 Dec 2002
Profile last updated:
30 Jun 2023
Description
Hunter Lowland Redgum Forest is an open forest where the most common canopy tree species are Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum) and E. punctata (Grey Gum). Other frequently occurring canopy species are Angophora floribunda (Rough-barked Apple), E. crebra (Narrow-leaved Ironbark), E. moluccana (Grey Box) and Corymbia maculata (Spotted Gum). The shrub layer is open and common shrub species include Breynia oblongifolia (Coffee Bush), Leucopogon juniperinus (Prickly Beard-heath), Daviesia ulicifolia (Gorse Bitter Pea) and Jacksonia scoparia (Dogwood). The ground cover typically comprises grasses and herbs with common species being Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Forest Weeping Grass, Pratia purpurascens (Whiteroot), Lomandra multiflora (Many-flowered Mat-rush), Cymbopogon refractus (Barbed Wire Grass), Cheilanthes sieberi (Poison Rock Fern) and Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed).
Distribution
Occurs between Muswellbrook, Beresfield, Mulbring and Cessnock in the Lower Hunter in the Sydney Basin and North Coast bioregions. It has been recorded from the Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Muswellbrook and Singleton LGAs, but may occur elsewhere in these bioregions. Probably less than 500 hectares of this community remains.
Habitat and ecology
- Hunter Lowland Redgum Forest occurs on the Permian sediments of the Hunter Valley floor.
- Much of the remaining community is disturbed and fragmented. The floristic composition and structure of the community is influenced by both the size and disturbance history of the remaining fragments. Consequently at heavily disturbed sites only some of the species which characterise the community may be present.
- Occurs on gentle slopes of depressions and drainage flats on the Hunter Valley floor.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Inappropriate fires regime (too frequent and intense fires particularly from arson) leading to change in TEC structure and composition.
- Dumping of rubbish, plants, and cars in areas of the TEC leading to disturbance of the site, weed invasion, and deliberately lit fires.
- Encroachment of weeds, particularly around dumping sites where garden plants are deliberately discarded.
- Disturbance and degradation caused by recreational users such as trail bike riders and 4WD vehicles leading to erosion and introduction and spread of weeds.
- Fragmentation, degradation, and loss of TEC affecting ecosystem function.
- Lack of long term protection for remaining TEC remnants and potential for change of land use causing further negative impacts.
- Potential for noisy miner to encroach and impact the TEC by displacing threatened and regionally significant bird species.
- Potential impacts from deer from rutting and wallowing.
- Disturbance and damage caused by the removal of timber for firewood collection
- Lack of involvement of local land owners and the wider community in the protection and management of the TEC.
- Impacts associated with climate change such as an increase in the frequency of fires, or a change in species structure and composition.
- Threats including weeds, disturbance by vehicles, firewood collection and road maintenance activities.
- Limited access to properties under mining lease to assess the TEC and monitor it.
- Pollution of creek lines and adjacent areas from mining activities.
- Habitat loss from clearing for mining, industrial, urban and agricultural development.
- Fragmentation.
- Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition, particularly along drainage lines, easements, and roadsides.
- Dumping of rubbish and arson resulting in habitat degradation.
- Frequent fires caused by arson.
- Disturbance and damage caused by recreational users such as motorbikes and 4WDs.
- Disturbance and damage caused by the removal of timber for firewood collection.
- Over-grazing by livestock and trampling which destroys florisitic structure and diversity.
- Lack of hollow bearing trees to provide habitat for fauna in the TEC.
- Loss of woody debris.
- Lack of known sites.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Reinstate an appropriate fire regime (either prevent frequent fire or undertake ecological burns as appropriate).
- Fence off areas supporting the community to preclude stock from remnants.
- Control access to remnants by installing fencing and signage and rationalising informal tracks through the community.
- Undertake weed control as required using removal methods that will not damage the community.
- Protect and actively manage remnants through conservation mechanisms such as covenanting and the preparation/implementation of site-specific vegetation management plans.
- Improve vegetative connectivity between and within remnants through revegetation/regeneration programs.
Information sources
- Bell, S. and Driscoll, C. (2007) Vegetation of the Cessnock-Kurri region, Cessnock LGA, New South Wales: Survey, Classification & Mapping. Report to Department of Environment & Climate Change, Newcastle.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Vegetation survey, classification and mapping, Lower Hunter and Central Coast Region. Report prepared for the Lower Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environment Management Strategy. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- Peake, T.C. (2006) The Vegetation of the Central Hunter Valley, New South Wales. A report on the findings of the Hunter Remnant Vegetation Project. Hunter - Central Rivers Catchment Authority, Paterson.
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