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: Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
10 May 2002
Profile last updated:
15 Dec 2022
Description
Ranges from open forest to low woodland, with a canopy dominated by Broad-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus fibrosa) and Paperbark (Melaleuca decora). The canopy may also include other eucalypts such as Woolybutt (E. longifolia). The dense shrubby understorey consists of Prickly-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca nodosa) and Peach Heath (Lissanthe strigosa), with a range of ‘pea’ flower shrubs, such as Dillwynia tenuifolia, Hairy Bush-pea (Pultenaea villosa) and Gorse Bitter Pea (Daviesia ulicifolia) (can be locally abundant). The sparse ground layer contains a range of grasses and herbs. Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Occurs in western Sydney, and the extent of intact remnants is now reduced to 1011 hectares, with the most extensive stands occurring in the Castlereagh and Holsworthy areas. Smaller remnants occur in the Kemps Creek area and in the eastern section of the Cumberland Plain. Good examples can be seen at the Castlereagh and Windsor Downs Nature Reserves.
Habitat and ecology
- Has a very restricted natural distribution and mainly occurs on clay soils derived from the deposits of ancient river systems (alluvium), or on shale soils of the Wianamatta Shales.
- Can intergrade into Shale-Gravel Transition Forest (where the alluvium is shallow), Castlereagh Swamp Woodland (in moist depressions) and Castlereagh Scribbly Gum Woodland (on sandier soils).
- Most species in the community are able to regenerate from lignotubers and buds beneath the bark as well as seeds stored in the soil.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The main threat is further clearing for urban/rural residential development and industrial development.
- Fragmentation.
- Invasion and establishment of weeds particularly african lovegrass, scramblers and vines, and urban weeds such as mother of millions
- Inappropriate fire regime from wild fires and arson resulting in too frequent and high intensity fires
- Damage caused by human disturbance: motorbikes, bicycles, 4WD vehicles, arson, rubbish dumping, trampling, erosion
- Impacts from surrounding development including runoff bringing pollution, nutrients, and weed propogules as well as causing siltation and erosion
urban run-off, which leads to increased nutrients and sedimentation.
- Fencing, including chain mail barbed fencing, that prevents wildlife movement as well as injures and/or kills wildlife
- Clay/shale extraction
- Potentially impacted by phytopthera
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
- Promote public involvement in this 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 6 year period, and no part of the community remaining unburnt for more than 18 years. Where a management area exceeds 10 hectares, no more than 10% of the community within any management area should be burnt in one planned event. Any area to have a planned burn should be assessed by suitably qualified persons to ensure no adverse effects on species.
- 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.
- 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)
- Hewitt, A. (2013) Revisiting Tony Price’s (1979) account of the native vegetation of Duck River and Rookwood Cemetery, western Sydney. Cunninghamia 13(1): 25–124
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain - Final Edition. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Cooks River/Castlereagh ironbark 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
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