Nature conservation

Threatened species

Western Sydney Dry Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - profile

Indicative distribution


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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: Western Sydney Dry Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community
Commonwealth status: Not listed
Gazetted date: 24 Mar 2000
Profile last updated: 04 Mar 2024

Description

A dry vine scrub community of the Cumberland Plain, western Sydney. Canopy trees include Prickly Paperbark (Melaleuca styphelioides), Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa) and Native Quince (Alectryon subcinereus). There are many rainforest species in the shrub layer, such as Mock Olive (Notolaea longifolia), Hairy Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum tomentosum) and Yellow Pittosporum (Pittosporum revolutum). The shrub layer combines with vines, such as Gum Vine (Aphanopetalum resinosum), Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana) and Slender Grape (Cayratia clematidea) to form dense thickets in sheltered locations. Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these. This community is listed as Critically Endangered under the "Western Sydney Dry Rainforest and Moist Woodland on Shale" in the EPBC Act.

Distribution

Very restricted and occurs most commonly in the far southern section of the Cumberland Plain, in the Razorback Range near Picton. Outlying occurrences have been recorded at Grose Vale and Cattai. There are 338 hectares remaining intact, the majority of these occurring in the Wollondilly local government area, but occurring to a lesser extent in the Baulkham Hills, Camden, Hawkesbury, Parramatta and Ryde local government areas. A small remnant can be seen in Fairfield City Farm.

Habitat and ecology

  • Restricted to hilly country where it occurs on the sheltered lower slopes and in gullies.
  • Generally found at higher elevation, in areas receiving higher rainfall than much of the Cumberland Plain Woodland.
  • Occurs on clay soils derived from Wianamatta shale.
  • Rainforest plants within this vegetation are fire sensitive and dependent on the sheltered aspect and density of vegetation for protection.
  • Vine thickets in Western Sydney Dry Rainforest provide good habitat for birds and mammals.
  • Several species of plants (including Spartothamnella juncea and rare and threatened such as Marsdenia viridiflora) have their southern distribution limit within areas of Western Sydney Dry Rainforest.

Regional distribution and habitat

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


Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
Sydney BasinBurragorang Known None
Sydney BasinCumberland Known None
Sydney BasinPittwater Predicted None
Sydney BasinSydney Cataract Predicted None
Sydney BasinWollemi Known None
Sydney BasinYengo Known Cumberland Plain