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 Mountains Shale Cap Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
06 Oct 2000
Profile last updated:
23 Mar 2022
Description
Characteristic tree species of this ecological community are Mountain Blue Gum (Eucalyptus deanei), Monkey Gum (E. cypellocarpa) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera). Other tree species include Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata), Rough-barked Apple (A. floribunda), Mountain Mahogany (E. notabilis), Sydney Peppermint (E. piperita) and Grey Gum (E. punctata). Tree species composition varies between sites depending on geographical location and local conditions (e.g. topography, rainfall exposure).
Distribution
Known from the local government areas of Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, both within the Sydney Basin Bioregion. It may occur elsewhere in the Bioregion, and communities within Wollondilly LGA certainly show similarities to this community.
Habitat and ecology
- Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest is found on deep fertile soils formed on Wianamatta Shale, on moist sheltered sites at lower to middle altitudes of the Blue Mountains and Wollemi areas. Extensive occurrences of shale are at Springwood, Berambing to Kurrajong Heights, Mountain Lagoon and Colo Heights.
- Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest includes vegetation that is part of Map Unit 9a Shale Cap Forest of the Royal Botanic Gardens' 1:100 000 vegetation maps and vegetation that is part of Smith and Smith's Eucalyptus deanei–Syncarpia glomulifera Tall Open Forest .
- Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest is a rich habitat for fauna, supporting greater numbers and a greater diversity of mammals and birds than the typical lower, drier eucalypt forests and woodlands of the Blue Mountains. The Eucalyptus deanei trees are a major provider of nest hollows for owls, parrots, gliders and other hollow dependent fauna including the threatened species Powerful Owl and Glossy Black-Cockatoo.
- Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest has been extensively cleared for agricultural and urban development and is poorly represented in Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks.
- The structure of the community was originally tall open forest to open forest, depending on site conditions and history, but as a result of partial clearance may now exist as woodland or as groups of remnant trees.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Climate change
- Restricted distribution and habitat size.
- Transmission of diseases and plant pathogens
- Hydrological changes due to orchard watering
- Damage from fire retardant use and application
- Agriculture development activities, including spraying of chemicals and fertilise primarily around orchards
- Culling of flying foxes by residents affecting pollination and seed dispersion
- Disturbance from utilities - telephone cables, rural supply lines, power lines
- Disturbance from recreational users
- Disturbance through erosion and sedimentation
- Uncertainty of land use practises including mining, forestry and agricultural
- Rubbish dumping along roadsides and on private properties
- Disturbance from road and trail works
- Disturbance from livestock - trampling and grazing.
- Inappropriate fire regime
- Collection of dead and live wood
- Land tenure uncertainty and, intensification of land use
- Habitat loss through urban / rural development.
- Habitat loss through slashing and spraying,
- Lack of ecological knowledge and threats
- Bell miner dieback - BMAD
- Impacts of domestic dogs and cats.
- Emerging pest species
- Feral animals impacts
- Weeds - mixed perennial grasses (KTP)
- Invasion by non-native plant species
- Indirect threats include those associated with proximity to urban and agricultural areas.
- Disturbance from commercial activities (orchards)
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
- Prevent incursion of pest or feral animals into the community.
- Seek expert ecological advice when considering bushfire hazard reduction.
- Protect remnants from further clearing.
- Retain standing dead fallen timber.
- Manage access by recreational vehicles and horses to protect remnants.
- Prevent incursion of weeds into the community.
- Retain old trees as a source of hollows.
- Survey potential sites for presence of community.
Information sources
- Benson, D.H. (1992) The natural vegetation of the Penrith 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 2(4): 541-596
- Keith, D.A. and Benson, D.H. (1988) The natural vegetation of the Katoomba 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 2(1): 107-144
- NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Blue Mountains shale cap forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Minor amendment to Endangered ecological community determination.
- Ryan, K., Fisher, M. and Schaeper, L. (1996) The natural vegetation of the St Albans 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 4(3): 433-530
- Smith, P. and Smith, J. (1998) Sensitive vegetation units in the City of Blue Mountains. Report to Blue Mountains Conservation Society. (P & J Smith Ecological Consultants, Blaxland)
- 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
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