Warkworth Sands Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - 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: Warkworth Sands Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 13 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 23 Mar 2022

Description

Warkworth Sands Woodland is a low woodland dominated by Angophora floribunda (Rough-barked Apple) and Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia (Coast Banksia). Other tree species may be present such as Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum)and E. glaucina (Slaty Red Gum). Shrub and ground layer species commonly present include Acacia filicifolia (Fern-leaved Wattle), Melaleuca thymifolia (Thyme Honey-myrtle), Brachyloma daphnoides (Daphne Heath), Pteridium esculentum (Bracken), Pimelea linifolia (Slender Rice Flower), Imperata cylindrica var. major (Blady Grass), Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Common Everlasting) and Glycine clandestina. Small drainage lines within the area occuied by this community may support the presence or higher abundance of certain species (such as Melaleuca thymifolia) and the absence or lower abundance of others (such as Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia). Such areas are included as part of this community..

Distribution

Warkworth Sands Woodland is confined to a small area near Warkworth, about 15 km south-west of Singleton in the Hunter Valley. Only approximately 800 hectares of Warkworth Sands Woodland remains, none of which occurs within a conservation reserve. Due to the extent of vegetation clearing and modification, this is estimated to be as little as 13% of its pre-settlement extent. Currently known to occur only in the Singleton LGA, but may occur elsewhere in the Sydney Basin Bioregion.

Habitat and ecology

Warkworth Sand Woodland occurs on aeolian sand deposits south of Singleton in the Hunter Valley.
The species composition of a site will be influenced by the size of the site, recent rainfall or drought condition, and by its disturbance (including fire) history.
Several threatened fauna species including Petaurus norfolcensis,(Squirrel Glider), Chthonicola saggitata (Speckled Warbler), Climacteris picumnus victoriae (Brown Treecreeper) and Pomatosomus temporalis temporalis (Grey-crowned Babbler) have been recorded in this community. .

Regional distribution and habitat

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Sydney Basin

Threats

Open-cut coalmining, sandmining, and clearing for construction of mining infrastructure, agricultural use or residential development.
Inappropriate fires regime (too frequent & intense fires) leading to change in TEC structure and composition.
Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition, including Lycium ferocissimum (African Boxthorn), Bryophyllum delagoense (Mother of Millions), Galenia pubescens (Galenia), Opuntia aurantiaca (Tiger Pear), Opuntia stricta (Common Prickly Pear), Lantana camara (Lantana) and invasive grasses such as Eragrostis curvula (African Lovegrass).
Grazing by livestock.
Disturbance and damage caused by recreational users such as motorbikes and 4WDs.

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

Encourage retention and rehabilitation of remnants on rural holdings.
Minimise further clearing and fragmentation of the community. This requires recognition of the biological and ecological values of all remnants of the community in land use planning, particularly in the assessment of development applications for mining.
Exclude grazing by domestic stock from remnants.
Ensure appropriate fire regimes are applied to remnants.
Complete mapping at high resolution of the extent of the remaining remnants of the EEC.

Information sources

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.