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: Castlereagh Swamp Woodland Community
Gazetted date:
24 Dec 1999
Profile last updated:
15 Dec 2022
Description
A low woodland, often having dense stands of Paperbark trees Melaleuca decora along with other canopy trees, such as Parramatta Red Gum (Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. parramattensis). The shrub layer is not well developed and is mostly made up of young paperbark trees. The ground layer has a diversity of plants that tolerate waterlogged conditions, such as Swamp Pennywort (Centella asiatica), Common Rush (Juncus usitatus) and Branched Goodenia (Goodenia paniculata). Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Occurs in western Sydney in the Castlereagh and Holsworthy areas, on deposits from ancient river systems along today's intermittent creeklines, often in poorly drained depressions. There is now only 616 hectares remaining intact, which mainly occurs in the Hawkesbury, Liverpool and Penrith local government areas. Good examples can be seen at Windsor Downs Nature Reserve and Kemps Creek Nature Reserve.
Habitat and ecology
- Highly adapted to seasonal fluctuations of wet and dry, with the heavy clay soils cracking during extended dry periods
- Intergrades into Ironbark and Scribbly Gum woodland and is subject to periodic fires. Most species are able to quickly regenerate after fires from lignotubers and buds beneath the bark
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing for urban and rural development
- Associated impacts of fragmentation
- Inappropriate fire regime from wild fires and arson resulting in too frequent and high intensity fires
- Invasion and establishment of weeds along creek lines, tracks and disturbed areas particularly perennial grasses such as African Love grass.
- Altered hydrological regime from urbanization adjacent and/or upstream leading to changes in surface water flow, increased velocity from hard surfaces, increased nutrients and sedimentation, changes in the wet and dry cycle i.e. extended water inundation periods or long dry spells, and changes to groundwater levels.
- Climate change changing water regime including increasing dry periods
- Damage caused by human disturbance: motorbikes, bicycles, 4WD vehicles, arson, rubbish dumping, trampling, erosion
- Fencing, including chain mail barbed fencing, that prevents wildlife movement as well as injures and/or kills wildlife
- Damage from domestic livestock - goats
- Impacts from surrounding development including runoff bringing pollution, nutrients, and weed propogules as well as causing siltation and erosion
- Contamination of groundwater
- Potentially impacted by phytopthera
- Clearing and impacts from clay/shale extraction
- Grazing and mowing, which stops regrowth.
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 bush rehabilitation activities.
- Apply necessary fire regimes to maintain the community’s appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Protect habitat by minimising further clearing of the community. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants.
- Promote regeneration by avoiding prolonged or heavy grazing.
- Protect habitat by controlling run-off entering the site if it would change water, nutrient or sediment levels or cause erosion.
- Weed control.
- Undertake bush restoration and bush regeneration.
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)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1997) Native flora in western Sydney. Urban Bushland Biodiversity Survey Stage 1: western Sydney. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain - Final Edition. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (1999) Castlereagh swamp woodland community - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
- 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
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