Eucalyptus camaldulensis population in the Hunter catchment - 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: Eucalyptus camaldulensis - endangered population

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 29 Apr 2005

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The population of River Red Gum in the Hunter is unique in NSW being the only one to occur in a coastal catchment. It is disjunct and at the limit of range of the species, it may be genetically distinct, and is of conservation significance as the community dominant in distinct riparian and floodplain vegetation types.

Distribution

The Hunter population occurs from the west at Bylong, south of Merriwa, to the east at Hinton, on the bank of the Hunter River, in the Port Stephens local government area. It has been recorded in the local government areas of Lithgow, Maitland, Mid-Western Regional, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter.

Prior to European settlement, between 10,000 and 20,000 ha of habitat suitable for the River Red Gum occurred in the Hunter catchment. Today only 19 stands are known, occupying at most c. 100 ha, the largest remnant being 15 - 20 ha in extent. Smaller remnants contain only one to several trees. The total number of individuals is estimated to be between 600 - 1000 mature or semi mature trees.

Habitat and ecology

May occur with Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus melliodora, Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana and Angophora floribunda
Most of the occurrences are on private land and there are no known occurrences in conservation reserves.
Prior to European settlement, it is likely that the species formed extensive stands of woodland and open woodland on the major floodplains of the Hunter and Goulburn rivers, especially in areas where water impoundment occurs after flood. Since settlement, most of the floodplains have been cleared of woody vegetation. Flood mitigation works now prevent most minor floods from inundating floodplains. These flow changes, coupled with the clearing of native vegetation, have greatly reduced the extent of habitat favourable to the River Red Gum in the Hunter catchment.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Regeneration of trees is not occurring in most remnants because of changes in hydrology, cropping and grazing of the understorey or weed infestation by species including Galenia pubescens, Cardiospermum grandiflorum (Balloon vine), Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu) and Ricinus communis (Castor oil plant).
Loss of soil moisture and drying from climate change and associated drought, leading to dieback of plants.
Planting of individuals with inappropriate provenance to supplement the population threatens the genetic integrity of the population.
Rubbish dumping and pollution, degrading habitat and impacting on recruitment.
Lack of long-term protection of populations on private land and the potential for change of land use causing further negative impacts.
Risk of local extinction due to small population size.
Hydrological changes and reduction in alluvial groundwater available to support the plants growth due to downstream effects of surrounding underground coal mines.
Modification of the flooding regime, including over irrigation as a result of ground water allocations.
Inappropriate grazing regimes limiting species recruitment and leading to population decline.
Kikuyu grass and agricultural weeds threaten juvenile recruitment due to competition and shading by high density weed cover.
Disturbance as a result of roadwork (e.g. widening, grading) damaging plants or degrading habitat.
Weeds including balloon vine, willow, Tradescantia, and possibly African olive and Lantana smother juveniles and prevent regeneration.

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.
Undertake strategic grazing or grazing exclusion in conjunction with weed control.
Retain or reintroduce periodic water inundation of habitat.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing.
Encourage regeneration of remnants or disturbed areas of habitat.
Use locally-sourced seed in revegetation or regeneration projects.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Range	Predicted	Hunter catchment as per the Determination
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Predicted	Hunter catchment as per the Determination
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Predicted	Hunter catchment as per the Determination
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	Hunter catchment as per the Determination
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	Hunter catchment as per the Determination
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Predicted	Hunter catchment as per the Determination

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