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: Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion
Gazetted date:
16 Feb 2013
Profile last updated:
01 Sep 2022
Description
The Lowland Grassy Woodland ecological community typically occurs as a grassy woodland but may also exhibit a more open forest structure. The species composition of a patch of Lowland Grassy Woodland is influenced by the size of the site, recent rainfall or drought conditions and disturbance history (including grazing, land clearing and fire). The number and relative abundance of species changes with time since fire, and may also change in response to changes in fire frequency or grazing regime (NSW Scientific Committee, 2007). A large proportion of the species diversity in the ecological community is found in the grasses and forbs of the ground layer. Identification of indicator species is easier in spring (for forbs) and summer (for grasses) than in cooler parts of the year when species diversity can appear very low (Miles, 2006).
Importantly, some patches of the ecological community now occur in management-induced states that mayvary from the typical vegetation description. The community can occur as a derived grassland, where the canopy layer hasbeen removed or thinned to very scattered trees but the ground layer with or without a shrublayer are intact and retain the native biodiversity components characteristic of these layers.
In order to meet the definition of the TEC sites must satisfy condition criteria stipulated in the Listing Advice and/or Conservation Advice. Typically condition is assessed by reference to patch size and vegetation structure thresholds or species composition metrics.
Distribution
Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner bioregion is currently known to occur within the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Palerang Local Government Areas, but may occur elsewhere in the bioregion.
Habitat and ecology
- Lowland Grassy Woodland communities in the South East Corner bioregion are located in rainshadow areas receiving less rainfall than more elevated terrain that partially surrounds them, with mean annual rainfall typically in the range of 700-1100 mm.
- The community typically occurs in undulating terrain up to 500 m in elevation on granitic substrates (e.g. adamellites, granites, granodiorites, gabbros, etc.) but may also occur on locally steep sites and on acid volcanic, alluvial and fine-grained sedimentary substrates.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Fragmentation resulting in altered fire frequencies within some patches, which may reduce the viability of some native plant populations.
- Invasion by non-native plant species, including noxious weeds (e.g. African Love-grass), pasture species (e.g. Kikuyu) and environmental weeds.
- Moderate to heavy grazing by livestock and feral animals resulting in the decline and disappearance of palatable plant species, including shrubs and herbs, and compaction and erosion of topsoil.
- Habitat degradation through fertiliser application to promote perennial exotic grasses.
- Lack of knowledge about the Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion amongst local landholders.
- Change in land use (passive management).
- Fragmentation of existing patches.
- Removal of dead and living trees and the collection of on-ground woody debris.
- Altered fire regimes resulting in changes to native plant diversity.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
0 priority actions
to help recover the Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion in New South Wales.
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