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: Tecticornia lylei, Wiry Glasswort, low open-shrubland in the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion
Gazetted date:
17 Dec 2004
Profile last updated:
13 Dec 2021
Description
Tecticornia lylei, Wiry Glasswort, low open-shrubland is an Endangered Ecological Community dominated by the chenopod shrub T. lylei. It occurs on saline clay soils on the beds of small salt lakes and around the perimeter of larger salt lakes. Generally the community is almost entirely monospecific. Other species that occasionally occur include: Atriplex vesicaria, Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum, Tecticornia pergranulata and Osteocarpum acropterum var. deminuta.
Distribution
This community is very limited in its extent and is found in South Australia and in the far south west of New South Wales. To date it has been recorded from 14 locations within the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion. Most locations (11) occurred to the immediate north-east and south-east of Nanya Station.
Habitat and ecology
- The species composition of a site will be influenced by the size of the site, recent rainfall or drought condition and by its disturbance history. Although the list of species given above is of vascular plant species, the community also includes micro-organisms, fungi, cryptogamic plants and a diverse fauna, both vertebrate and invertebrate. These components of the community are poorly documented.
- This community belongs to the Inland Saline Wetlands vegetation class of Keith (2004).
- Grades into Bladder Saltbush shrubland and Black Oak low woodland upslope from the margin of the salt lakes.
- Would always have been very restricted in area in NSW based on current extent - little or none has been cleared.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Over-grazing and trampling by domestic livestock. At some sites, this threat may be attenuated through increased availability of artificial water sources.
Together with direct adverse effects on plants of trampling and mechanical destruction, disturbance may facilitate the invasion of weeds, cause erosion, disrupt cryptogamic flora and soil-dwelling invertebrates, and affect associated vertebrate fauna.
- Inadequate knowledge of distribution and extent, and inadequate mapping making it difficult to protect the TEC across its distribution. Clearing of vegetation for mineral exploration and sand mining.
- Vulnerable to local extinction via stochastic events.
- Limited genetic diversity to cope with potential change environmental conditions.
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
- Control access of livestock to community by installing fencing.
- Encourage conservation management of sites by targeting for incentive funding.
Information sources
- Benson, J.S. (2006) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Introduction - the classification, database, assessment of protected areas and threat status of plant communities. Cunninghamia 9(3): 331-382
- Benson, J.S. (2008) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 2 Plant communities in the NSW South-western Slopes Bioregion and update of NSW Western Plains plant communities. Version 2 of the NSWVCA database. Cunninghamia 10(4): 599-673.
- Benson, J.S., Allen, C., Togher, C. and Lemmon, J. (2006) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 1 Plant communities of the NSW Western Plains. Cunninghamia 9(3): 383-451.
- Keith, D.A. (2004) Ocean shores to desert dunes: the native vegetation of New South Wales and the ACT. (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Halosarcia lylei low open-shrubland in the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion - Endangered ecological community determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Westbrooke, M.E., Miller, J.D. and Kerr, M.K.C. (1998) The vegetation of the Scotia 1:100 000 map sheet, western New South Wales. Cunninghamia 5(3): 665-684
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