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: Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain in the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion
Gazetted date:
13 Aug 1999
Profile last updated:
21 Apr 2023
Description
Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain is a rainforest community which now occurs only as small remnants in scattered localities on the NSW north coast, with less than 1000ha in total thought to remain. Larger stands of the community typically have a dense canopy, which blocks most light from reaching the ground, creating cool, moist conditions within. Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain supports a rich diversity of plants and animals. Typical tree species in the community include figs (Ficus macrophylla, F. obliqua and F. watkinsiana), palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Livistona australis), Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta), Black Bean (Castanospermum australe) and Brush Cherry (Syzygium australe). Animals present include fruit-eating rainforest pigeons, Noisy Pitta, Brush-turkey, pademelons, flying foxes, the Land Mullet skink and rainforest snails.
Distribution
Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain generally occupies riverine corridors and alluvial flats with rich, moist silts often in subcatchments dominated by basic volcanic substrates. Major examples once occurred, and remnants remain, on the floodplains of the Tweed, Richmond, Clarence, Bellinger, Macleay, Hastings, Manning, and Hunter Rivers. Other minor river systems also support the community.
Habitat and ecology
- This community occurs on fertile soils in lowland river valleys.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Invasion and establishment of transformer weed species changing community structure and floristic composition.
- Clearing from rural, agricultural and urban development leading to edge effects, degradation and further fragmentation.
- Myrtle rust infection of characteristic species resulting in changes to community structure and floristic composition.
- Climate change causing sea level rise leading to changes in flooding regimes and loss of habitat.
- Grazing and trampling by livestock causing loss of or damage to plants, compaction of soil, erosion, influx of nutrients and dispersal of weeds.
- Browsing by deer leading to removal of understorey and suppression of regeneration as plants are eaten.
- Patches of Lowland Rainforest that may be subject to biogeographic homogenisation and inbreeding depression and/or not have genetic fitness to survive predicted climate change conditions and emerging pests and diseases.
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
- Support a local Landcare group or bush regeneration team.
- Avoid burning edges of rainforest remnants.
- Fence remnant areas to protect from grazing stock.
- Assist with the control and removal of introduced weeds.
- Protect remaining areas of rainforest from clearing or development. Even small stands have conservation values.
Information sources
- Floyd, A.G. (1990) Australian rainforests in New South Wales, Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
- Keith, D.A. and Scott, J. (2005) Native Vegetation of Coastal Floodplains - a diagnosis of the major plant communities in New South Wales. Pacific Conservation Biology 11(2): 81-104
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|