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: Coastal Upland Swamp in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
09 Mar 2012
Profile last updated:
21 Oct 2024
Description
The Coastal Upland Swamp in the Sydney Basin Bioregion includes open graminiod heath, sedgeland and tall scrub associated with periodically waterlogged soils on the Hawkesbury sandstone plateaux. The Coastal Upland Swamp is generally associated with soils that are acidic and vary from yellow or grey mineral sandy loams with a shallow organic horizon to highly organic spongy black peat soils with pallid subsoils.
The vegetation of the Coastal Upland Swamp may include tall open scrubs, tall closed scrubs, closed heaths, open graminoid heaths, sedgelands and fernlands. Larger examples may include a complex of these structural forms. The flora comprising the upland swamp is diverse there are 73 plant species listed as characterising the ecological community. The total species list is much greater and is likely to exceed 200 species of vascular plants.
Distribution
The Coastal Upland Swamp is endemic to NSW and confined to the Sydney Basin Bioregion. It occurs in the eastern Sydney Basin from the Somersby district in the north to the Robertson district in the south.
In the north it occurs on the Somersby-Hornsby plateaux, in the the south it occurs on the Woronora plateau.
It occurs in elevations from 20 metres to over 600 metres above sea level, with the majority of swamps occurring within 200 and 450 metres elevation.
Habitat and ecology
- Coastal Upland Swamps occur primarily on impermeable sandstone plateaux with shallow groundwater aquifers in the headwaters and impeded drainage lines of streams, and on standstone benches with abundant seepage moisture.
- The Coastal Upland Swamp is generally associated with soils that are acidic and vary from yellow to grey mineral sandy loams with a shallow organic horizon to highly organic spongy black peats with pallid subsoils.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Alteration of habitat including hydrology following subsidence due to long wall mining.
- Changes in climatic moisture associated with climate change.
- Alteration of fire regimes.
- Clearing, disturbance, runoff and sedimentation associated with infrastructure, quarries, surface facilities and recreational facilities.
- Localised disturbance associated with unauthorised recreational activities including access by vehicles, trailbikes and horses.
- Browsing and soil disturbance by deer and pigs.
- Loss of diversity from an over-abundance of large shrubs.
- Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi.
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
- Assess, avoid and mitigate impacts arising from proposed developments, in particular longwall coal mining on the Woronora Plateau.
- Carry out an Audit of all swamps and their impacts to prioritise for protection or restoration
- Manage fire regimes to reduce fire frequency, avoid subsurface fires (in peat soils), predicted changes in fire frequency and intensity associated with climate change
- Monitor the predicted changes in climatic moisture and fire regimes associated with climate change
- Manage unauthorised access
Information sources
- Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (1994) The natural vegetation of the Sydney 1:100 000 mapsheet. Cunninghamia 3(4): 679-789
- Benson, J.S. and Fallding, H. (1981) Vegetation survey of Brisbane Water National Park and environs. Cunninghamia 1(1): 79-113
- Buchanan, R.A, (1980) The Lambert Peninsula, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Physiography and the distribution of podzols, shrublands and swamps, with details of the swamp vegetation and sediments. Proceedings of the Linnean Society New South Wales 104: 73-94
- Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (2008) The Native Vegetation of Yengo and Parr Reserves and Surrounds. (DECC NSW, Hurstville)
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2009) The native vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority Area. (DECCW, Hurstville)
- Gibbins, L. (2003) A Geophysical Investigation of Two Upland Swamps, Woronora Plateau, NSW, Australia. Honours Thesis, Macquarie University.
- Keith, D. (1994) Floristics, structure and diversity of natural vegetation in the O'Hares Creek catchment south of Sydney. Cunninghamia 3(3): 543-594
- 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. and Myerscough, P.J. (1993) Floristics and soil relations of upland swamp vegetation near Sydney. Australian Journal of Ecology 18(3) 325-344
- Keith, D.A., Rodoreda, S.Holman, L. and Lemmon, J. (2006) Monitoring Change in Upland Swamps in Sydney’s Water Catchments: the roles of fire and rain. Sydney Catchment Authority Special Areas Strategic Management Research and Data Program. Project No. RD07. (Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), Sydney)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Vegetation survey, classification and mapping, Lower Hunter and Central Coast Region. Report prepared for the Lower Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environment Management Strategy. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Native Vegetation of the Woronora, O'Hares and Metropolitan Catchments. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2012) Coastal Upland Swamp in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
- Thomas, J. amd Benson, D.H. (1985) Vegetation survey of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney)
- Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Keith, D.A., Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Simpson, C., MacKenzie, B., Beukers, P. and Cox, S. (2010) Native vegetation of southeast NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. Cunninghamia 11(3): 359-406
- Young, A.R.M. (1982) Upland swamps (dells) on the Woronora plateau, NSW. PhD thesis, University of Wollongong.
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