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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
19 Feb 2016
Profile last updated:
23 Mar 2022
Description
Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland of the Sydney Basin bioregion typically has a dense to open tree canopy up to about 15 m tall, depending on disturbance and regrowth history. The most common tree is Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall), which may occur with Eucalyptus crebra (Narrow-leaved Ironbark), A. salicina (Cooba) and/or trees within the A. homalophylla - A. melvillei complex. Understorey shrubs may include Canthium buxifolium (Stiff Canthium), Dodonaea viscosa (Sticky Hopbush), Geijera parviflora (Wilga), Notelaea microphylla var. microphylla (Native Olive) and Senna zygophylla (Silver Cassia). However, these shrubs are absent from some stands. The groundcover varies from dense to sparse, and is comprised of grasses such as Austrodanthonia fulva (a wallaby grass) and Themeda australis (Kangaroo Grass), and low shrubs and herbs such as Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Common Everlasting), Einadia nutans subsp. nutans (Climbing Saltbush), Enchylaena tomentosa (Ruby Saltbush), Maireana microphylla (Eastern Cotton Bush) and Ptilotus semilanatus.
Distribution
Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland of the Sydney Basin bioregion is currently known from parts of the Muswellbrook and Singleton Local Government Areas, but may occur elsewhere in the bioregion. It may also occur in the Upper Hunter Local Government Area within the Brigalow Belt South bioregion, although its presence has not yet been confirmed there.
A section of the community which occurs in heavy, brown clay soil at Jerry's Plains in the Hunter Valley is also listed by the Commonwealth as Critically Endangered.
Habitat and ecology
- This community is associated with heavy clay soils on depositional landforms in the south-western part of the Hunter River valley floor.
- It is of conservation significance because it represents a disjunct coastal example of vegetation that is found principally on the western slopes of Great Dividing Range. Taxa such as Acacia pendula, A. homalopyhlla-A. melvillei complex, Geijera parviflora, Enchylaena tomentosa, Maireana microphylla and Ptilotus semilanatus are typical of the inland flora of southeastern Australia.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland occurs within a region in which native vegetation has been extensively cleared and persists only as very small remnants of less than one-hectare or as isolated trees. The total remaining area of known remnants of the Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland is estimated to be less than ten hectares. It is therefore at risk from stochastic events due to its small patch sizes and restricted range.
- It is threatened by small-scale vegetation clearing, fragmentation, small-scale disturbance to soils and groundcover, many of the constituent species exhibit poor recruitment.
- The community is susceptible to overgrazing as Weeping Myall is palatable to cattle. The largest patches at Jerry's Plains and Wambo are fenced to exclude domestic stock.
- Invasion by pasture and roadside weeds, Mother of Millions and Bridal Creeper poses a significant threat throughout the range of the community.
- The fire history at sites where the community occurs is currently unknown. The response to fire and the most appropriate fire threshold is also unknown. It may take more than 10 years to recover from a severe fire.
- Rabbits are present at sites where the community is known to occur but are not considered to be a critical threat.
- Long wall subsidence at some has the potential to adversely affect the community.
- There is a lack of knowledge about the extent, distribution and condition of the community.
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
- Exclude grazing by domestic stock.
- Prevent clearing of any of the remaining remnants of this community.
- Control weeds particularly Asparagus asparagoides (Bridal Creeper).
- Encourage replanting and supplementary planting of component species in suitable areas.
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.
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