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: Themeda grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands in the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions
Gazetted date:
21 Oct 2005
Profile last updated:
21 Sep 2021
Description
Themeda australis is the dominant species in the Themeda Grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands in the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner bioregion ecological commmunity. Themeda australis is an extremely widespread species, but in this community it may have a distinctive appearance, being prostrate and having glaucous leaves. These features are retained in cultivation and the form is believed to be genetically distinct. Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia, Westringia fruticosa and Acacia sophorae occurs as an emergent shrub or as a dense cover where they have recruited over grasslands. Smaller shrubs occur often as prostrate to dwarf forms, most frequently Pimelea linifolia, Hibbertia vestita, Pultenaea maritima and Westringia fruticosa. Although a number of woody species are listed as part of the community, these are usually sparsely distributed and may be absent from some stands. In central and south coastal stands tussocks of Poa poiformis may be found in some stands of the community, but Poa poiformis-dominated tussock grassland is generally found lower on cliffs (closer to the sea and more exposed to spray) and on steeper slopes. Other grasses that occur in the community include Zoysia macarantha and Cynodon dactylon. A number of threatened species occur in some stands of the community, including Diuris sp. aff. chrysantha, Pultenaea maritima, Rutidosus heterogama, Thesium australe and Zieria prostrata. The endangered population of the low growing form of Zieria smithii at Diggers Head is found in this community. Herbs in the ground layer include the twining Polymeria calycina, succulent Apium prostratum, Senecio pinnatifolius subsp. pinnatifolius and Xerochrysum bracteatum. The community is the major habitat for a number of other species, including Chamaecrista maritima, Plectranthus cremnus and Stackhousia spathulata.
Distribution
Themeda Grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands is found on a range of substrates in the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner bioregions. Stands on sandstone are infrequent and small. Larger stands are found on old sand dunes above cliffs, as for example at Cape Banks and Henry Head in Botany Bay National Park, and on metasedimentary headlands, as for example at McCauleys Headland in Coffs Coast Regional Park, Look-at-me-now Headland, Dammerels Head and Bare Bluff in Moonee Beach Nature Reserve and Wilson's Headland in Yuraygir National Park. Individual stands of the community are often very small, a few square metres, but at some sites larger stands of up to several hectares or tens of hectares occur. Overall, the community has a highly restricted geographic distribution comprising small, but widely scattered patches.
Habitat and ecology
- The community is found on a range of substrates, although stands on sandstone are infrequent and small.
- Larger stands are found on old sand dunes above cliffs, for example at Cape Banks and Henry Head in Botany Bay National Park, and on metasedimentary are rarely adamellite headlands on the north coast.
- Individual stands of the community are often very small, a few square metres, but at some sites larger stands of up to several hectares or tens of hectares occur. Overall, the community therefore has a highly restricted geographic distribution comprising small, but widely scattered patches.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition. Both shrubs such as bitou bush and lantana as well as introduced grasses are a major problem.
- Inappropriate fire regime, resulting in too frequent or infrequent fires.
- Although native shrubs and, sometimes, trees are a feature of the community, invasion and conversion to dense shrubland has occurred at a number of sites in recent years and threatens the persistence of grassland elements in the community. This may reflect changed fire regimes and reduced grazing pressure.
- Mowing resulting in frequent disturbance, introduction of weed propagules and excess cut grass that smothers native vegetation.
- Trampling and erosion associated with recreational use and off-road vehicles.
- Lack of tenure security leading to land management practices that may include clearing, overgrazing and inappropriate burning.
- Overgrazing from abundant kangaroos
- Competition from native Poa sp. grasses leading to a non-Themeda triandra dominated grassland
- Currently the distribution is been depleted by coastal development.
- Historically Themeda grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands have been affected by pasture improvement to accommodate livestock grazing to varying degrees throughout its range.
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
- Exclude livestock grazing where it still occurs.
- Reduce development pressures on the community.
- Control introduced weed species.
- Reduced grazing pressure from feral species and investigate appropriate burning regimes.
- Control recreational usage, and construct appropriate facilities to reduce human usage impacts.
Information sources
- Adam, P., Stricker, P., Wiecek, B. M. and Anderson, D. J. (1990) The vegetation of seacliffs and headlands in NSW, Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology Vol 15, pp 515-547
- Bell, S.A.J. (2002) The natural vegetation of the Wyong Local Government Area, Central Coast, New South Wales: Technical Report. Unpublished Final Report to Wyong Shire Council, Eastcoast Flora Survey.
- Bell, S.A.J. (2004) The natural vegetation of the Gosford Local Government Area, Central Coast, New South Wales: Technical Report. Unpublished Final Report to Gosford City Council, Eastcoast Flora Survey 131 pgs
- Bellingen Shire Council (2006) Coastal Vegetation of the Bellingen Local Government Area. A report by Flametree Ecological Consultants for Bellingen Shire Council.
- Benson, D.H. (1986) The vegetation of the Gosford and Lake Macquarie 1:100 000 Vegetation Map Sheet. Cunninghamia 1(4): 467-490.
- Cohn, J.S. (2004) Effects of slashing and burning on Thesium australe (Santalaceae) in Coastal grasslands of NSW. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales Vol. 125, pp. 57-65.
- DEH (2005) Nomination of mixed microphyll/notophyll vine thicket on bench ridges (Quaternary sands) as an Endangered Ecological Community under the EPBC Act 1999. DEH Website. Accessed: 15/09/06
- Ecological (2002) Wingecarribee Biodiversity Study: Vegetation Mapping, Threatened Species, Corridors and Conservation Assessment. Report prepared by Eco Logical Australia for Wingecarribee Shire Council 82 pgs
- Fisher, M., Body, M. and Gill, J. (1996) Vegetation Idenification and Classification of the Coffs Harbour City Council LGA. A report to Coffs Harbour City Council by North East Vegetation Surveys.
- Harden, G. (ed) (2002) Flora of NSW. NSW University Press Vol. 1-4
- Hnatuik, R.J., Thackway, R. and Walker, J. (2003) Vegetation - Guidelines for site-based survey. Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences 111pgs
- House, S (2003) Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Technical Report, Digital Aerial Photo Interpretation & Updated Extant Vegetation Community Map. Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, Callaghan, NSW.
- Keith, D.A. (1996) Fire-driven mechanisms of extinction in vascular plants: a review of empirical and theoretical evidence in Australian vegetation. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 116: 37-78
- Keith, D.A. (2004) Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes - The native vegetation of NSW and the ACT. Dept. of Environment and Conservation (NSW) 353 pgs
- Kendall and Kendall Ecological Consultants (2003) Nambucca Catchment Vegetation Survey. Report prepared for Nambucca Vegetation Sub-committee.
- McDonald, R.C., Isbell, R.F., Speight, J.G., Walker, J. and Hopkins, M.S. (1990) Australian soil and land survey. Field handbook. Second edition. Inkata Press, Melbourne. pp. 9-57
- Miles, J. (2007) Recognition and Management of Endangered Ecological Communities in the South East Corner of NSW. (Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Bega)
- Mills, K. (2003) The natural vegetation in the municipality of Kiama, NSW. A report prepared by Kevin Mills and Associates for Kiama Municipal Council.
- Nature Conservation Council of NSW (1999) Towards an Illawarra Regional Vegetation Management Plan. (NCC NSW, Sydney)
- NGH Environmental (2007) Endangered Ecological Communities Survey and Mapping in Eurobodalla Shire. A report prepared by NGH Environmental for Eurobodalla Shire Council.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Themeda grassland on seacliffs and coastal headlands in the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner bioregions - endangered ecological community determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Robinson, L (2003) Field guide to native plants of Sydney revised 3rd edition. Kangaroo Press 448 pgs
- Telfor, D. and Kendall, P. (2006) Native Vegetation Mapping and Endangered Ecological Community Mapping, Kempsey LGA east. Report to Kempsey Shire Council.
- Thackway, R., Creswell, I.D. (eds) (1995) An interim biogeographic regionalisation of Australia: a framework for establishing the national system of reserves. Australian Nature Conservation Agency: Canberra.
- Thackway, R., Neldner, J. and Bolton, M.
(2003) Chapter 7. Vegetation - Guidelines for Conducting Surveys. Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences 35 pgs
- Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Tozer, M.G., Turner, K. and Keith, D.A. (2004) Native vegetation map report series No. 4. Araluen, Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Burragorang, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Katoomba, Kiama, Moss Vale, Penrith, Port Hacking, Sydney, Taralga, Ulladulla, Wollongong (Priority 5 Mapping Area - P5MA). (NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Sydney)
- Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Simpson, C., Keith, D.A., Beukers, P., MacKenzie, B., Tindall, D. and Pennay, C. (2006) Native vegetation of south east NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. V1.0. (NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Sydney)
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