McKies Stringybark/Blackbutt Open Forest in the Nandewar and New England Tableland Bioregions - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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: McKies Stringybark/Blackbutt Open Forest in the Nandewar and New England Tableland Bioregions

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 09 Feb 2001

Profile last updated: 12 Apr 2024

Description

This is an open forest community characterised by the presence of McKie's Stringybark (Eucalyptus mckieana), New England Blackbutt (E. andrewsii), and Black Cypress Pine (Callitris endlicheri). Other tree species may also be present. A wide range of shrub, grass and forb species make up the understorey (see references and guidelines).

Distribution

Restricted distribution on the North West Slopes and New England Tablelands, from Kings Plains to Bundarra and to west of Uralla. The community has been severely fragmented, and generally occurs along roadsides and on Travelling Stock Routes and private property.

Habitat and ecology

This community is found on reddish, weathered (laterite) soils in low-lying areas, hill slopes and open depressions.
The shrub layer is generally sparse and with a ground layer of grass and forbs, but this community composition varies by site and disturbance history.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

New England Tablelands

Threats

Rural subdivision and subsequent development causing clearing and degradation of the TEC and leading to further fragmentation.
Damage caused by agricultural activities such as clearing, private logging, overgrazing, or removing fallen timber.
Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition, particularly invasive grasses such as Coolatai Grass.
Disturbance and damage caused by: motorbike riders, dumping of rubbish and arson, and the removal of timber for firewood collection, including lack of logs for fauna habitat.
Fragmentation.
Inappropriate fire regime - should not be burnt more than every 20-30 years.
Disruption of pollinator networks from apiaries of non-indigenous honey bees.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups to identify and protect local remnants.
Identify roadside remnants and protect during roadworks.
Assist with the control of introduced weeds.
Protect remnant areas of community from clearing, fragmentation and logging.
Support property agreements and voluntary conservation agreements.
Expand and reconnect isolated forest remnants.

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (2001) McKies stringybark/blackbutt open forest in the Nandewar and New England Tableland bioregions - Endangered ecological community determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Bundarra Downs	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Glenn Innes-Guyra Basalts	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Moredun Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tingha Plateau	Known	None

Images

McKies Stringybark/Blackbutt Open Forest
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