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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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Shale Sandstone Transition Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
16 Dec 2014
Profile last updated:
19 Feb 2024
Description
Shale Sandstone Transition Forest occurs only in New South Wales, within the Sydney Basin Bioregion, as defined by version 7 of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRAv7, 2012). As the name implies, this ecological community occurs between other ecological communities found respectively on shale or sandstone substrates. The ecological community is found to the west of Sydney, on the edges of the Cumberland Plain, (particularly the southern edge), as well as on the sandstone-dominated Hornsby, Woronora, and Lower Blue Mountains plateaux that adjoin the plain (although less prevalent on the latter). Shale Sandstone Transition Forest is found on soils that are primarily derived from shale substrates and thus tend to have a clay texture, but also have some influence from weathered sandstone substrates. This most commonly occurs where the Wianamatta Group shale underlying the Cumberland Plain grades into sandstone, mainly from the Hawkesbury Group, which dominates the surrounding elevated plateaux. In some cases the ridges of the uplifted Hornsby, Woronora and Blue Mountains plateaux also have remnant shale caps, where Shale Sandstone Transition Forest is also found. Less often, the ecological community occurs on Hawkesbury shale lenses within the otherwise sandstone-dominated Hawkesbury Group; on Hawkesbury shale caps; on sites dominated by Hawkesbury sandstone but significantly enriched by colluvium derived from upslope shale; where watercourses have eroded the overlying shale to expose the underlying sandstone; and in association with relatively rare outcrops of Wianamatta Group sandstone (e.g. Minchinbury Sandstone) amongst otherwise predominantly Wianamatta shale geology. Shale Sandstone Transition Forest is also strongly associated with the Mittagong Formation, which is the transitional beds between the Wianamatta and Hawkesbury Groups, and which support unique soil landscapes, with the most relevant being the Lucas Heights landscape. In summary, the ecological community is found in a range of situations across the gradient between shale based and sandstone-based soils, with its expression reflecting the level of sandstone influence on the otherwise primarily shale-associated vegetation. 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
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
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 Shale Sandstone Transition Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion in New South Wales.
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