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: Robertson Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
15 Jun 2001
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
Robertson Rainforest is a warm or cool temperate rainforest with a generally dense structure. It is dominated by Possumwood Quintinia sieberi, Featherwood Polyosma cunninghamii, Sassafras Doryphora sassafras and Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon. Common shrub species include Tree Violet Hymenanthera dentata, Prickly Coprosma Coprosma quadrifida and Brush Pepperbush Tasmannia insipida.
Distribution
Robertson Rainforest has a restricted distribution in the eastern parts of the Southern Highlands of NSW. There are two main occurrences of the community within this distribution; the principal occurrence is on the Robertson Plateau around the town of Robertson on the Southern Highlands; the second is on the higher parts of the Cambewarra Range further to the south where it is less widespread. It occurs in the Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven local government areas, but may occur elsewhere in the Sydney Basin Bioregion.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs almost exclusively on highly fertile soils derived from basalt and basanite.
- Occurs on the gently undulating Robertson Plateau in the eastern parts of the Southern Highlands, at altitudes of between 500 to 700 metres.
- Appears to be restricted to the Robertson Basalt; no observations of the community have been recorded on the surrounding Wianamatta Shale.
- Disturbed remnants are considered to form part of the community if the vegetation is likely to respond to assisted natural regeneration.
- Between 400 and 600 hectares, or about 20% of this community's original extent is estimated to survive.
- Remnants are highly fragmented, with most occurring on private land.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Continued clearing, degradation and fragmentation of remnants for agricultural activities and the development of small holdings and further subdivision for urban use.
- Invasion of remnants by non-native plant species.
- Grazing and trampling of remnants by livestock, resulting in losses of plant species (simplification of the understorey and suppression of overstory), erosion and other soil changes (including increased nutrient status).
- Grazing, browsing and trampling by deer causing simplification of the rainforest community structure, altered species composition, erosion and compaction of soil and spread of weeds.
- Climate change impacts on community composition, structure and function - including reduced precipitation and increased drying winds, and increased storm events.
- Destruction or degradation of remnants by pile burning.
- Bush rock collection.
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
- Do not burn remnants and protect with appropriate fire-breaks.
- Fence around sites and revegetate to increase the size of remnants.
- Fence remnants and exclude stock grazing.
- Undertake weed control (taking care to remove only target species).
- Protect all sites from further clearing and disturbance.
- Ensure remnants remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish them by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for fauna, and flora (pollen and seed dispersal).
- Mark remnants onto maps (of the property, shire, region, etc) and use to plan activities (e.g. remnant protection, rehabilitation or road, development proposals).
Information sources
- Mills, K. (1988) The clearing of Illawarra rainforest: problems in reconstructing pre-european vegetation patterns. Australian Geographer 19(2): 230-240.
- Mills, K. and Jakeman, J. (1995) Rainforests of the Illawarra District. Coachwood Publishing, Jamberoo.
- NPWS (2002) Wollongong LGA Bioregional Assessment (Part 1): Native Vegetation of the Illawarra Escarpment and Coastal Plain
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|