Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - 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: Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 12 Feb 2010

Profile last updated: 24 Mar 2022

Description

Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland is a woodland, or occasionally an open forest, with a sparse to moderately dense tree layer with occasional small trees and a moderately dense to dense shrub layer. The tree canopy is typically dominated by Eucalyptus dawsonii (Slaty Gum) and/or Eucalyptus moluccana (Grey Box). Acacia salicina (Cooba) and Allocasuarina luehmannii (Bulloak) may form a small tree layer or be part of the upper-most canopy. Other trees which may be present include Brachychiton populneus subsp. populneus (Kurrajong), Callitris endlicheri (Black Cypress Pine), Eucalyptus crebra (Narrow-leaved Ironbark) and Eucalyptus punctata (Grey Gum). The shrub layer includes species such as Olearia elliptica (Sticky Daisy Bush), Acacia cultriformis (Knife-leaved Wattle), Canthium odoratum (Shiny-leaved Canthium), Notelaea microcarpa var. microcarpa (Native Olive), Dodonaea viscosa subsp. cuneata (Wedge-leaf Hopbush), Acacia decora (Western Golden Wattle) and Solanum brownii (Violet Nightshade). The groundcover is typically sparse to very sparse and is relatively species poor. The most frequently occurring species include Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed), Lomandra multiflora subsp. multiflora (Many-flowered Mat-rush), Aristida ramosa (Wire Grass), Brunoniella australis (Blue Trumpet), Cymbopogon refractus (Barbed Wire Grass), Desmodium brachypodum (Large Tick-trefoil), Fimbristylis dichotoma (Common Fringe-rush) and Sida corrugata (Corrugated Sida).

Distribution

Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland mainly occurs on the southern side of the Hunter Valley from near Bulga to the Bylong/Goulburn River National Park area. It occurs on colluvial soils on exposed footslopes associated with the interface between Triassic Narrabeen sandstones and Permian sediments. Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland is known to occur in Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter LGAs, and may occur in the Mid-western Regional LGA.

Habitat and ecology

Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland occurs on colluvial soils derived from Triassic sandstones and conglomerates that has covered the underlying Permian.
It tends to occur in relatively hot and dry parts of the landscape.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Removal of fallen timber and dead trees.
Grazing impacts from livestock.
Removal of bushrock.
Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition. Species such as Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (African Olive) and Galenia pubescens (Galenia) are a major problem. Other problematic weeds include Bryophyllum delagoense (Mother-of-millions), Opuntia aurantiaca (Tiger Pear), Opuntia stricta (Prickly Pear), Cestrum parqui (Green Cestrum) and Lycium ferocissimum (African Boxthorn).
Inappropriate fires regime (too frequent & intense fires particularly from arson) leading to change in TEC structure and composition.
Habitat loss from clearing particularly for mining and grazing activities.
Browsing impacts caused by goats.

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 in remnants of this community by appropriate fencing.
Prevent the removal of bush rock and dead timber where possible.
Apply appropriate fire regimes to areas of Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland. A fire interval of not less than about 7 years is probably required to maintain a shrubby understorey.
Control invasive weed species.

Information sources

McRae, R.H.D. & Cooper, M.G. (1985) Vegetation of the Merriwa area, New South Wales. Cunninghamia Vol. 1, pp. 351-369.
NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion. 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.