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: Agnes Banks Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
20 May 2015
Profile last updated:
04 Mar 2024
Description
A low woodland community with Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus sclerophylla), Narrow-leaved Apple (Angophora bakeri) and Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata) as the dominant canopy trees. Diverse understorey shrubs include Wallum Banksia (Banksia aemula), Banksia oblongifolia, Coneseed (Cononspermum taxifolium), Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpos pinifolius), Showy Parrot Pea (Dillwynia sericea) and Nodding Geebung (Persoonia nutans). Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Occurs in western Sydney and originally extended over about 615 hectares, but now has only 98 hectares remaining intact, mostly near Agnes Banks on the east bank of the Hawkesbury River, in the Penrith local government area. A good example can be seen at the Agnes Banks Nature Reserve, near Richmond.
Habitat and ecology
- The community occurs on areas of wind-blown sand which overlay Tertiary Alluvium deposits from ancient river systems.
- Depending on drainage conditions, there is great variation within the community, from low woodland on higher ridges to sedge-type vegetation in low lying depressions.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing for sand mining, development, and the subsequent impacts from fragmentation.
- Altered hydrological regime and soil water levels from past and current activities such as clearing and earthworks causing changes in the water table
- Mixed weed invasion and spread of exotic species from dumped garden waste, invasive grasses particularly African Love Grass which out compete native grasses and groundcovers.
- Inappropriate fire regimes, which have altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity
- Fencing, including chain mail barbed fencing, that prevents wildlife movement as well as injures and/or kills wildlife.
- Damage caused by human disturbance including rubbish dumping, arson, trail & other motorbikes, 4WDs, bicycles, and trampling.
- Clearing and underscrubbing from agricultural activities.
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
- Support and promote public involvement in bush restoration activities.
- Sites should be burned in a mosaic pattern, with no more than 40% of the community present in the management area burnt within any 10 year period.
- Protect habitat by minimising clearing of the community. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants.
- Maintain appropriate soil water conditions.
- Weed control.
- Undertake restoration including bush regeneration and revegetation.
Information sources
- Benson, D.H. (1992) The natural vegetation of the Penrith 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 2(4): 541-596
- Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (2000) Sydney’s Bushland — More than Meets the Eye. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney)
- Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2005) Recovering Bushland on the Cumberland Plain: Best practise guidelines for the management and restoration of bushland. (DEC (NSW), Sydney)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain - Final Edition. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Agnes Banks woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Agnes Banks woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Minor amendment to Endangered ecological community determination.
- Tozer, M.G. (2003) The native vegetation of the Cumberland Plain, Western Sydney: systematic classification and field identification of communities. Cunninghamia 8(1): 1-75
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