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: Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
28 Nov 2014
Profile last updated:
19 Feb 2024
Description
Occurs at the edges of the Cumberland Plain, where clay soils from the shale rock intergrade with earthy and sandy soils from sandstone, or where shale caps overlay sandstone. The boundaries are indistinct, and the species composition varies depending on the soil influences. The main tree species include Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Grey Gum (E. punctata), stringybarks (E. globoidea, E. eugenioides) and ironbarks (E. fibrosa and E. crebra). Areas of low sandstone influence (more clay-loam soil texture) have an understorey that is closer to Cumberland Plain Woodland. Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion contains many more species than described for the canopy (above) and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Before European settlement, this community was extensive around the edges of the Cumberland lowlands throughout western Sydney, most particularly in the southern half. Today, only 9,950 ha remains intact (22.6% of its original extent) and the bulk of this occurs in the Hawkesbury, Baulkham Hills, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith, Campbelltown and Wollondilly local government areas. Good examples can be seen at Gulguer Nature Reserve, in the Wilton area and in the Sackville - Maroota area.
Habitat and ecology
- Well adapted to fire, being often close to sandstone areas.
- Some species in areas with greater shale influence regenerate from profuse annual seeding and underground tubers.
- High-sandstone-influence sites have poor rocky soils, and many shrubs which rely on nitrogen-fixing root nodules and soil/root fungi to obtain nutrients.
- High-shale-influence sites often have a diverse and moderately dense groundcover stratum, with grasses a prominent and diverse component. Shrubs are usually less abundant and less diverse in shale sites.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing for residential, industrial and agricultural development resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation.
- Underscrubbing from mowing/mechanical removal and livestock.
- Inappropriate fire regime – combination of lack of fire and too frequent fires due to arson and hazard reduction burns.
- Invasion and establishment of weeds in disturbed areas including invasive exotic grasses like African love grass, Erharta and Chilean needle grass as well as Lantana, privet, African olive, blackberry and bridal creeper and environmental weeds such as Sweet Pittosporum and Blady Grass.
- Disturbance from recreational users – unauthorised visitor access; rubbish dumping; landfill, illegal trails; illegal mountain bike tracks; and 4WD.
- Hydrological change. Altered hydrology, increased nutrients, sedimentation, possible erosion through increased flow, runoff from residential.
- Invasion of introduced deer.
- Current vegetation mapping is considered to be over and under-mapped (depending on the areas). Geographical distribution is poorly understood in the higher sandstone forms of the community.
- The main threat is further clearing for urban/rural development, and the subsequent impacts from fragmentation.
- Inappropriate water run-off, which leads to increased nutrients, erosion and sedimentation.
- Weed invasion, particularly woody, smothering and grassy weeds.
- Inappropriate fire regimes, which have altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
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.
- 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.
- Protect habitat by controlling run-off entering the site, where it would change water, nutrient or sediment levels or cause erosion.
- Weed control.
- Undertake restoration including bush regeneration and revegetation.
- Identify and protect areas in perpetuity through landholder involvement in appropriate conservation schemes.
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 (1998) SUPERSEDED: Shale/sandstone transition forest - 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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