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: Shale Gravel Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
14 Oct 2011
Profile last updated:
20 Dec 2022
Description
Has an open forest structure with a canopy dominated by Broad-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus fibrosa, with Grey Box E. moluccana and Forest Red Gum E. tereticornis occurring less frequently. Paperbark Melaleuca decora is common in the small tree layer. A sparse shrub layer is usually present which includes Blackthorn Bursaria spinosa, Daviesia ulicifolia and Peach Heath Lissanthe strigosa. Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Mainly found in the northern section of the Cumberland Plain, western Sydney, in the Richmond, Marsden Park and Windsor districts. Also appears in the Liverpool/ Holsworthy area, and there are small occurrences at Bankstown, Yennora and Villawood and the Kemps Creek area. There are 1,721 ha remaining intact. Good examples can be seen at Windsor Downs Nature Reserve and Kemps Creek Nature Reserve.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs primarily where shallow deposits from ancient river systems overlay shale soils, but also associated with localised concentrations of iron-hardened gravel.
- A transitional plant community which grades into Cumberland Plain Woodland where the influence of gravel soil declines, and grades into Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest or Castlereagh Scribbly Gum Woodland where gravel deposits are thick.
- The shrub understorey includes a number of listed threatened species in the ‘pea’
flower group. The plants in this group rely on nitrogen fixing root nodules and soil/root fungi to extract nutrients form the poor soils.
- There are periodic fires in Shale-Gravel Transition Forest and most species are able to regenerate from lignotubers and buds beneath the bark, as well as seed stored in the soil.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing for rural, residential, and industrial development and associated activities.
- Fragmentation impacts to TEC associated with increased urban edges including underscrubbing, encroachment, and increasing weed invasion on urban edges
- Competition from mixed weeds: primarily invasive grasses, especially African lovegrass but also Coolatai grass, and Whisky grass as well as Tiger pear, Mother-of-millions, and Bridalcreeper.
- Inappropriate fire regimes, which have altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Disturbance from recreational and local users, unsuitable track usage and creation by 4WDers and mountain bikers; arson; illegal dumping.
- Potential for pathogen and disease spread from known but not well-understood Phytophora infection in Kemps Creek Nature Reserve downstream to core TEC remnant.
- Overbrowsing by feral deer.
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 restoration activities.
- Apply necessary fire regimes to maintain appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Protect habitat by minimising further clearing. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants.
- Promote regeneration by avoiding prolonged or heavy grazing.
- 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)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain - Final Edition. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Shale gravel transition forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - 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
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