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: Ribbon Gum-Mountain Gum-Snow Gum Grassy Forest/Woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion
Gazetted date:
21 Oct 2005
Profile last updated:
12 Apr 2024
Description
Ribbon Gum—Mountain Gum—Snow Gum Grassy Forest/Woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion is characterised by a tree layer that is usually 20 metres tall and reaches up to 30 metres in resource-rich sites, but is considerably shorter than 20 metres on exposed or damp sites or where past clearing has removed mature trees. Common overstorey species include Eucalyptus viminalis (Ribbon Gum), E. dalrympleana subsp. heptantha (Mountain Gum), E. pauciflora (Snow Gum or White Sallee) and occasionally E. stellulata (Black Sallee). The mid-layer and understorey comprise sparse layers of small trees and shrubs, including Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Pultenaea microphylla and Pimelea linifolia (Slender Rice-flower) and a dense to very dense grassy ground cover dominated by Poa sieberiana var. sieberiana (Snowgrass), P. labillardieri var. labillardieri (Tussock), Themeda australis (Kangaroo Grass) and Elymus scaber (Common Wheatgrass), with herbs such as Acaena spp. (Bidgee-widgees and Sheep's-burrs), Ammobium alatum (Tall Ammobium), Asperula conferta (Common Woodruff), Geranium solanderi (Native Geranium), Ranunculus lappaceus (Common Buttercup) and numerous other species. Ribbon Gum—Mountain Gum—Snow Gum Grassy Forest/Woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion provides important habitat for the nationally vulnerable plant species Thesium australe (Austral Toadflax).
Distribution
Ribbon Gum—Mountain Gum—Snow Gum Grassy Forest/Woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion is currently known from parts of the Local Government Areas of Armidale, Dumaresq, Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes Severn, Guyra, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha, but may occur elsewhere in this bioregion. Ribbon Gum—Mountain Gum—Snow Gum Grassy Forest/Woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion may co-occur with White Box Yellow Box Blakely's Red Gum Woodland, also listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. The two endangered ecological communities may intergrade where they adjoin and in intermediate habitats, such as occur in the vicinity of Armidale. All intermediate assemblages are collectively included within the two communities.
Habitat and ecology
- Throughout the range of this community, most of the understorey is highly modified, with many weeds present and a reduced native species richness.
- An unknown area of the community persists as a derived native grassland where the woody component of the community has been eliminated by clearing. The derived grassland component is still considered to be part of the endangered ecological community.
- Much of the community now exists as remnants in roadside, rail and power easements and in TSRs.
- Of the area still wooded, much is regrowth after clearing or has had its understorey adversely affected by grazing or weed invasion
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Removal or conversion of understorey and woody debris for agricultural activities such as cropping or grazing.
- Clearing of the overstorey for agricultural activities such as cropping or grazing.
- Dieback.
- Continuous grazing by livestock.
- Lack of recruitment.
- Weeds, particularly ox-eye daisy, invasive grasses, and woody weeds.
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
- Ensure remnants remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish them by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for fauna, and flora (pollen and seed dispersal).
- Manage stock to reduce grazing pressure in high quality remnants and develop more sustainable fire regimes.
- Mark remnants onto maps (of the farm, shire, region, etc) and use to plan activities (e.g. remnant protection, rehabilitation or road, rail and infrastructure maintenance work). On-site markers can alert maintenance staff to the presence of a threatened species.
Information sources
- Benson, J.S. and Ashby, E.M. (2000) Vegetation of the Guyra 1:100 000 map sheet New England Bioregion, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 6(3): 747-872
- NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Ribbon gum - mountain gum - snow gum grassy forest/woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion - endangered ecological community determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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