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: Western Sydney Dry Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
Gazetted date:
24 Mar 2000
Profile last updated:
04 Mar 2024
Description
A dry vine scrub community of the Cumberland Plain, western Sydney. Canopy trees include Prickly Paperbark (Melaleuca styphelioides), Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa) and Native Quince (Alectryon subcinereus). There are many rainforest species in the shrub layer, such as Mock Olive (Notolaea longifolia), Hairy Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum tomentosum) and Yellow Pittosporum (Pittosporum revolutum). The shrub layer combines with vines, such as Gum Vine (Aphanopetalum resinosum), Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana) and Slender Grape (Cayratia clematidea) to form dense thickets in sheltered locations. Contains many more species and other references should be consulted to identify these. This community is listed as Critically Endangered under the "Western Sydney Dry Rainforest and Moist Woodland on Shale" in the EPBC Act.
Distribution
Very restricted and occurs most commonly in the far southern section of the Cumberland Plain, in the Razorback Range near Picton. Outlying occurrences have been recorded at Grose Vale and Cattai. There are 338 hectares remaining intact, the majority of these occurring in the Wollondilly local government area, but occurring to a lesser extent in the Baulkham Hills, Camden, Hawkesbury, Parramatta and Ryde local government areas. A small remnant can be seen in Fairfield City Farm.
Habitat and ecology
- Restricted to hilly country where it occurs on the sheltered lower slopes and in gullies.
- Generally found at higher elevation, in areas receiving higher rainfall than much of the Cumberland Plain Woodland.
- Occurs on clay soils derived from Wianamatta shale.
- Rainforest plants within this vegetation are fire sensitive and dependent on the sheltered aspect and density of vegetation for protection.
- Vine thickets in Western Sydney Dry Rainforest provide good habitat for birds and mammals.
- Several species of plants (including Spartothamnella juncea and rare and threatened such as Marsdenia viridiflora) have their southern distribution limit within areas of Western Sydney Dry Rainforest.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing for both rural, industrial and urban development. The small size of the remnants makes them particularly vulnerable to further fragmentation.
- Increased fragmentation of community and under scrubbing clearing of the mid and ground storey by private landholders. The small size of the original remnants makes them particularly vulnerable to further fragmentation.
- High fire frequency, which has altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity.
- Mixed weed invasion: Broad-leafed Privet (Ligustrum lucidum), Lantana (Lantana camara), Cats Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati), African Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidate) , invasive scramblers/vines, grasses and others.
- Lack of knowledge about the extent and ecological function of the TEC
- Disturbance by feral animals, including deer, pigs, rabbits and goats.
- Inappropriate land use, including lack of knowledge, illegal clearing and lack of compliance
- Erosion and landslip from clearing, over grazing and reduced vegetation on steep slopes. Potential subsidence from long wall mining.
- Agricultural pollution, including nutrient plumes and nutrient loading from agricultural chemicals in soils and water table.
- Disturbance by recreational users (4wd, illegal dumping, motorbikes, mountain bikes etc.)
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 the community’s 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 and linkages needed to allow species (animals and plants) to move between patches.
- Weed control, especially for woody weeds such as Lantana and Olea that have the ability to out-compete native species and produce a very altered community structure.
- Undertake restoration including bush regeneration and revegetation.
- Identify remnants of the community in areas that have been mapped or are to be the subject of mapping and determine condition of all patches to nominate areas under greatest threat from weed invasion.
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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