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 Vine Thicket in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions
Gazetted date:
31 Jul 2009
Profile last updated:
22 May 2024
Description
Hunter Valley Vine Thicket typically forms a low forest, usually less than 10 m tall, with a closed canopy dominated by small trees. The canopy may include Elaeodendron australe (Red Olive Plum), Geijera parviflora (Wilga), Notelaea microcarpa var. microcarpa (Native Olive), Alectryon oleifolius subsp. elongatus (Western Rosewood), Melia azedarach (White Cedar) and Brachychiton populneus subsp. populneus (Kurrajong). Emergent eucalypts are common and include Eucalyptus albens (White Box), E. dawsonii (Slaty Box) and E. crebra (Narrow-leaved Ironbark). A shrub stratum is usually present and includes Olearia elliptica subsp. elliptica (Sticky Daisy Bush) and Rhagodia parabolica (Mealy Saltbush). Vines are common and include Cissus opaca (Small-leaved Water Vine), Marsdenia flavescens (Hairy Milk Vine), Parsonsia eucalyptophylla (Gargaloo) and Pandorea pandorana subsp. pandorana (Wonga Vine). Ground cover is generally sparse and includes Urtica incisa (Stinging Nettle) and Austrostipa verticillata (Slender Bamboo Grass).
Distribution
Hunter Valley Vine Thicket has a highly restricted geographic distribution in the central Hunter Valley. The community occurs mostly as patches of less than 10 ha, with a few larger patches exceeding 100 ha. Approximately 85% of the pre-European distribution of the community remains. The largest occurrence is at Brushy Hill adjacent to Glenbawn Dam, north east of Scone. The only stand known to occur in a conservation reserve is at Mt Dangar within the Goulburn River National Park. Hunter Valley Vine Thicket has been recorded from the local government areas of Muswellbrook, Singleton, and Upper Hunter but may occur elsewhere within the Sydney Basin Bioregion and NSW North Coast Bioregion.
Habitat and ecology
- Important site characteristics include low precipitation and high levels of solar radiation. This semi-arid soil environment will have selected the more xerophytic species from the available regional assemblage of rainforest species.
- Hunter Valley Vine Thicket mainly occurs on rocky slopes on Carboniferous sediments and volcanics, occasionally with limestone.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Human disturbance from activities including rubbish dumping, illegal track creation, use of vehicles such as 4WDs and motorbikes, and firewood collection.
- Uncontrolled fire due to lack of buffer between neighbouring lands.
- Fire is likely to adversely affect the community because of the number of fire-sensitive species in the community.
- Weed invasion by species such as Opuntia stricta.
- Grazing by domestic stock.
- Habitat loss due to mining activities.
- Invasion by various weed species.
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 fire from remnants where possible.
- Exclude grazing by domestic stock in remnants of this community by appropriate fencing.
- Control invasion and spread of weeds.
- Restore degraded remnants using bush regeneration techniques such as weed control and supplementary planting.
- Prevent further clearing and fragmentation of remnants.
Information sources
- Curran, T.J., Clarke, P.J. and Bruhl, J.J. (2008) A broad typology of dry rainforests on the western slopes of New South Wales. Cunninghamia 10(3): 381-405
- Floyd, Alexander (1990) Australian rainforests in New South Wales. Volume 2. Surrey Beaty and Sons 180 pgs
- NSW Scientific Committee (2009) Hunter Valley Vine Thicket in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions. Final Determination. NSW Scientific Committee, Sydney.
- 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.
- Turner JC, Vernon SL (1994) Rainforest stands between Barrington Tops and the Hunter River, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 3, 465-514.
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