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: Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
31 May 2019
Profile last updated:
04 Mar 2024
Description
Open forest, with dominant canopy trees including Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera, Grey Gum Eucalyptus punctata, Grey Ironbark E. paniculata and Thin-leaved Stringybark E. eugenoides. In areas of high rainfall (over 1050 mm per annum) Sydney Blue Gum E. saligna is more dominant. The shrub stratum is usually sparse and may contain mesic species such as Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum and Elderberry Panax Polyscias sambucifolia. Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these.
Distribution
Occurs in Sydney and is heavily fragmented, with only 0.5 percent its original extent remaining intact. Remnants mostly occur in the Baulkham Hills, Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Parramatta, Ryde, Sutherland and Hurstville local government areas. Good examples can be seen in small reserves such as Wallumatta Nature Reserve and Newington Nature Reserve.
A similar form of the community occurs more widely (particularly in the Wollondilly and Hawkesbury areas) but this is outside the nominated councils that are included in the determination (Ashfield, Auburn, Canterbury, Concord, Drummoyne, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Bankstown, Ryde, Hunters Hill, Baulkham Hills, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Parramatta, Bankstown, Rockdale, Kogarah, Hurstville and Sutherland). This form could be equated to Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest, although the correlatio is less strong for Wollondilly (which is not mentioned in that determination).
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs close to the shale/sandstone boundary on the more fertile shale influenced soils, in higher rainfall areas on the higher altitude margins of the Cumberland Plain, and on the shale ridge caps of sandstone plateaus.
- A transitional community, between Cumberland Plain Woodland in drier areas and Blue Gum High Forest on adjacent higher rainfall ridges.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing and loss of vegetation for development.
- Fragmentation - increased edge effects, lack of vigor and genetic diversity. Edge effects. Edge effects caused by local residents on the edge of reserve lands/remnants.
- Mixed Weeds – lantana, berry spread weeds, asparagus, privet, bridal creeper corky passion-fruit, and ochna, african lovegrass, mother of millions morning glory and other vines/scramblers as well as invasive grasses.
- Inappropriate treatment of weeds such as over spraying of herbicides and inappropriate use of herbicides
- Inappropriate fire regime; including lack of fire in certain areas and too frequent fire in others leading to an altered floristic and structural diversity within the community.
- Storm water release into waterways as well as nutrients enrichment and pollution – causing changes in vegetation type, bank erosion, augmentation of weed invasions by providing greater source materials, pesticides.
- Human disturbance from recreational users including informal/illegal tracks and illegal entry from bikes, 4WD and motorbikes. As well as illegal dumping of hazardous, household and green garden waste into reserves and remnants. Illegal firewood collection.
- Grazing of pest herbivores - rabbits
- Grazing from overabundant native herbivores- macropods.
- Urban run-off, which leads to increased nutrients and sedimentation.
- Predation from pests species – including cats foxes, dogs (both domestic and feral)
- Loss of key fauna habitat resources for associated species (native and threatened) including but not restricted too loss of hollows and lack of recruitment of large overstorey trees
- Mechanical removal of vegetation for brushfire protection, mowing and encroachment issues including underscrubbing and clearing.
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 of the community. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants of the community.
- Promote regrowth by avoiding unnecessary mowing.
- Protect habitat by controlling run-off entering the site if it would change water, nutrient or sediment levels or cause erosion.
- Control weeds.
- 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)
- 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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