Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 08 Apr 2005

Profile last updated: 23 Mar 2022

Description

This community occurs north of Bourke between the Culgoa and Warrego Rivers on soft red earths and heavy grey clays on level to slightly undulating plains. The structure of Brigalow-Gidgee ranges from woodland to shrubland and scrub depending on local conditions. The canopy is dominated by either Brigalow Acacia harpophylla or Gidgee Acacia cambagei with the other species being co-dominant or part of the shrub layer, depending on site disturbance.

For a detailed list of the vascular plants that characterise this community see the Scientific Determination (link in right hand box on this page).

Belongs to the 'Brigalow Clay Plain Woodland' vegetation class of Keith (2002, 2004).

Distribution

Recorded from parts of the local government areas of Bourke and Brewarrina, but may occur elsewhere in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions. The community has been extensively modified with at least 79% of the estimated original 190,000 ha cleared or thinned. Brigalow-Gidgee EEC has been mapped on Culgoa National Park and on Ledknapper Nature Reserve.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing, thinning and fragmentation resulting from agricultural practises.
Alteration to natural fire regimes resulting from agricultural practises and promoted by the invasion of exotic grasses.
Overgrazing and disturbance by domestic stock.
Invasion by exotic grasses and other weed species, increasing the frequency of fire and affecting community composition and diversity.
Predation by introduced predators (foxes, dogs, cats, pigs).
Grazing and disturbance by feral species including goats and pigs.
Loss of habitat and understorey complexity through the removal of coarse woody debris.
Lack of knowledge of TEC, particularly with regard to its extent and condition.
Lack of awareness of status and importance of TEC amongst land managers and decision-makers.

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.
Control foxes and feral cats.
Control weeds.
Protect remaining areas of Brigalow-Gidee community from clearing, fragmentation, thinning and timber collection.
Reconnect isolated patches of Brigalow-Gidgee with vegetated corridors.

Information sources

Benson, J.S., Allen, C.B., 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): 383-450
NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions - Minor Amendment to Endangered ecological community determination.
Pickard, J. and Norris, E. H. (1994) The natural vegetation of north-western NSW: notes to accompany the 1:1 000 000 vegetation map sheet. Cunninghamia 3(3): 423-465

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species