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: Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
20 Apr 2007
Profile last updated:
04 Mar 2024
Description
A moist, tall open forest community, with dominant canopy trees of Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) and Blackbutt (E. pilularis). Forest Oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) and Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata) also occur. Species adapted to moist habitat such as Lilly Pilly (Acmena smithii), Sandpaper Fig (Ficus coronata), Rainbow Fern (Calochleana dubia) and Common Maidenhair (Adiantum aethiopicum) may also occur. Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Originally restricted to the ridgelines in Sydney's north from Crows Nest to Hornsby, and extending west along the ridges between Castle Hill and Eastwood. In 2000 there was less than 200 hectares remaining (about 4.5% of its original extent). It only occurs in small remnants of which the largest is less than 20 hectares. The remnants mainly occur in the Lane Cove, Willoughby, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Baulkham Hills, Ryde and Parramatta local government areas. An example of Blue Gum High Forest can be seen at the Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve, St Ives.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs only in areas where rainfall is high (above 1100 millimetres per year) and the soils are relatively fertile and derived from Wianamatta shale. In lower rainfall areas, it grades into Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
- The rainforest understorey species rely on birds and mammals to disperse their seeds and are vulnerable to fire.
- Along the drier ridgelines, fire would have been more frequent and an important factor in maintaining understorey diversity.
- The community also occurs on soils associated with localised volcanic intrusions, 'diatremes' .
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing and loss of vegetation (canopy, mid and ground cover) for development and bushfire protection
- Fragmentation - lack of vigour and genetic diversity and loss of habitat connectivity.
- Mixed Weeds – including (but not limited to) tree species (such as privet and ochna), shrubs (such as Lantana), vines (such as blackberry, corky passionfruit and bridal creeper) as well herbaceous species (such as asparagus, crofton weed and panic veldtgrass).
- Inappropriate fire management regime (lack of fire – related to the – small, isolated nature of bushland areas) which have altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Edge effects with residents, clearing for bush fire protection, solar panels and aesthetics
- Stormwater and nutrients pollution into reserves from external sources, feeding weeds, pesticides, management. (Primarily around golf course only) and more generally, a lot of properties backing on to reserves & creek-lines.
- Underscrubbing for fire protection.Loss of community structure particularly in the understorey due to landscaping and continual mowing.
- Human disturbance including dumping waste and inappropriate recreation activities e.g.Walkers not keeping to formal tracks, horses, trail bikes and other vehicles.
- Pathogens and the spread or pathogens such as myrtle rust, exotic rust, and Phytophthora.
- Upstream land use impacts from the quarry infill project at Hornsby which may impact the local soil (foreign materials), weed invasion and water quality issues and more.
- Overabundant native herbivores especially after fire.
- Urban run-off, which leads to increased nutrients and sedimentation.
- Browsing by Rabbits reducing vegetation and growth.
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
- Promote public involvement in restoration activities.
- Apply necessary fire regimes to maintain the appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Protect habitat by minimising further clearing of the community. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants of the community in the land use planning process, particularly development consents, rezonings and regional planning.
- Promote regeneration by avoiding unnecessary mowing.
- Protect habitat by controlling run-off entering the site if it would change water, nutrient or sediment levels or cause erosion.
- Weed control.
- Undertake restoration including bush regeneration and revegetation.
Information sources
- Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (2000) Sydney’s Bushland — More than Meets the Eye. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney)
- Lewis, J.A. (2001) Regeneration of remnant Blue Gum High Forest vegetation following the cessation of mowing. Cunninghamia 7(2): 173–182
- McDonald, T., Wale, K. and Bear, V. (2002) Restoring Blue Gum High Forest: lessons from Sheldon Forest. Ecological Management & Restoration 3(1): 15-27
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain - Final Edition. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2007) Blue Gum High Forest - Critically endangered ecological community determination - final.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Blue Gum High Forest 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
- 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
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|