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: Lowland Rainforest in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions
Gazetted date:
22 Dec 2006
Profile last updated:
23 Mar 2022
Description
Lowland Rainforest in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions is an ecological community of subtropical rainforest and some related, structurally complex forms of dry rainforest. Lowland Rainforest, in a relatively undisturbed state, has a closed canopy, characterised by a high diversity of trees whose leaves may be mesophyllous and encompass a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Typically, the trees form three major strata: emergents, canopy and sub-canopy which, combined with variations in crown shapes and sizes results in an irregular canopy appearance. The trees are taxonomically diverse at the genus and family levels, and some may have buttressed roots. A range of plant growth forms are present in Lowland Rainforest, including palms, vines and vascular epiphytes. In disturbed stands of this community the canopy cover may be broken, or the canopy may be smothered by exotic vines.
Distribution
The Hawkesbury River notionally marks the southern limit of Lowland Rainforest in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin bioregions. South of the Sydney metropolitan area, Lowland Rainforest is replaced by Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion, which is listed as an endangered ecological community. Milton Ulladulla Subtropical Rainforest is also a related rainforest endangered ecological community that occurs still further south in the South East Corner Bioregion.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing from rural, agricultural and urban development leading to edge effects, degradation and further fragmentation.
- Invasion and establishment of transformer weed species changing community structure and floristic composition.
- Inappropriate fire regimes associated with burning off and hazard reduction pose a threat to the margins of rainforest stands and the entirety of small stands in fragmented landscapes.
- Myrtle rust infection of characteristic species resulting in changes to community structure and floristic composition.
- Grazing and trampling by livestock causing loss of or damage to plants, compaction of soil, erosion, influx of nutrients and dispersal of weeds.
- Climate Change.
- Reduced pollination and lack of seed.
- Bell Miner associated dieback affecting the eucalypts in some remnants
- Damage caused by human disturbance including trampling, rubbish dumping, arson, motorbikes, bicycles, and the construction of jumps for bikes within the TEC.
- Patches of Lowland Rainforest that may be subject to biogeographic homogenisation and inbreeding depression and/or not have genetic fitness to survive predicted climate change conditions and emerging pests and diseases.
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
- Ensure remnants remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish them by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for fauna, and flora (pollen and seed dispersal).
- Manage weed populations.
- Protect against inappropriate fire regimes associated with burning off and hazard reduction burns.
- Reduce grazing by livestock and minimise environmental impacts associated with human interaction.
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