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: Cumberland Plain Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
18 Dec 2009
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
The dominant canopy trees of Cumberland Plain Woodland are Grey Box (Eucalyptus moluccana) and Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis), with Narrow-leaved Ironbark (E. crebra), Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) and Thin-leaved Stringybark (E. eugenioides) occurring less frequently. The shrub layer is dominated by Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa), and it is common to find abundant grasses such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) and Weeping Meadow Grass (Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides). Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Occurs on soils derived from Wianamatta Shale, and throughout the driest part of the Sydney Basin. Before European settlement, was extensive across the Cumberland Plain, western Sydney. Today, only 9 percent of the original extent remains intact, with the remnants scattered widely across the Cumberland Plain. Good examples can be seen at Scheyville National Park and Mulgoa Nature Reserve.
Habitat and ecology
- Typically occurs on heavy clay soils derived from Wianamatta Shale.
- Well adapted to drought and fire, and the understorey plants often rely on underground tubers or profuse annual seed production to survive adverse conditions.
- Cumberland Plain Woodland is habitat for threatened species such as the Cumberland land snail (Meridolum corneovirens).
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Weed and foreign plant invasion, particularly African Olive and exotic grasses.
- Death of of trees caused by fungus following borers.
- Bell miner associated dieback.
- Urban heat island effect and persistent dry/low rainfall conditions.
- Lack of awareness and appreciation of Cumberland Plain Woodland, with the perception that the community is unattractive.
- Inappropriate fire regimes, which have altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Disturbance and damage by recreational users being litter, arson, trail & motorbikes, 4WDs, firewood collection, and removal of woody debris.
- Threat of further clearing for urban or rural development, and the subsequent impacts from fragmentation including increased roadkill of fauna.
- Inappropriate water run-off, which leads to increased nutrients and sedimentation.
- Predation of native fauna by cats and foxes.
- Grazing and mowing, which stops regrowth of the community.
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 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. No more than 10% of the community within any management area should be burnt in one planned event. Any area to be subject to a planned burn should be assessed by suitably qualified persons to ensure species present in the area will not be adversely affected by the planned burning event.
- Protect habitat by minimising further clearing of the community. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants.
- Promote regeneration by avoiding mowing or 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 restoration including bush regeneration and revegetation.
Information sources
- Benson, D. and Howell, J. (2002) Cumberland Plain Woodland Ecology then and now: interpretations and implications from the work of Robert Brown and others. Cunninghamia 7(4):631-650
- Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (2000) Sydney’s Bushland — More than Meets the Eye. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney)
- Cuneo, P. and Leishman, M.R. (2006) African Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) as an environmental weed in eastern Australia: a review. Cunninghamia 9(4):545-557
- 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 (1997) Cumberland Plain woodland - Endangered ecological community determination - final
- NSW Scientific Committee (2009) Cumberland Plain woodland - Critically endangered ecological community determination - final
- Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Tozer, M.G., Turner, K. and Keith, D.A. (2004) Native vegetation map report series No. 4. Araluen, Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Burragorang, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Katoomba, Kiama, Moss Vale, Penrith, Port Hacking, Sydney, Taralga, Ulladulla, Wollongong (Priority 5 Mapping Area - P5MA). (NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Sydney)
- 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
- Wilkins, S., Keith, D.A. and Adam, P. (2003) Measuring Success: Evaluating the Restoration of a Grassy Eucalypt Woodland on the Cumberland Plain, Sydney, Australia. Restoration Ecology 11(4):489-503
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