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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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Inland Grey Box Woodland in the Riverina, NSW South Western Slopes, Cobar Peneplain, Nandewar and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions
Gazetted date:
27 Apr 2007
Profile last updated:
29 Jun 2022
Description
Inland Grey Box Woodland includes those woodlands in which the most characteristic tree species, Eucalyptus microcarpa (Inland Grey Box), is often found in association with E. populnea subsp. bimbil (Bimble or Poplar Box), Callitris glaucophylla (White Cypress Pine), Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong), Allocasuarina luehmannii (Bulloak) or E. melliodora (Yellow Box), and sometimes with E. albens (White Box). Shrubs are typically sparse or absent, although this component can be diverse and may be locally common, especially in drier western portions of the community. A variable ground layer of grass and herbaceous species is present at most sites. At severely disturbed sites the ground layer may be absent. The community generally occurs as an open woodland 15–25 m tall but in some locations the overstorey may be absent as a result of past clearing or thinning, leaving only an understorey.
Distribution
Inland Grey Box Woodland occurs predominately within the Riverina and South West Slopes regions of NSW down to the Victorian border. It includes Albury to the east and may extend out west towards Hay. This community also extends across the slopes and plains in Central and Northern NSW up to the Queensland Border. This includes Yetman and Inverell in the North, Molong to the east of the Central Slopes and plains and out towards Nymagee to the west.
Habitat and ecology
- Inland Grey Box Woodland occurs on fertile soils of the western slopes and plains of NSW. The community generally occurs where average rainfall is 375- 800 mm pa and the mean maximum annual temperature is 22- 26°C.
- There is a correlation between the distribution of Eucalyptus microcarpa communities and soils of Tertiary and Quaternary alluvial origin, largely corresponding with the Red Brown Earths.
- The majority of remnant patches of Inland Grey Box Woodland survive with trees largely intact but with the shrub or ground layers degraded to varying degrees through grazing or pasture modification. Some species that are part of the community appear intolerant to heavy grazing by domestic stock and are confined to the least disturbed remnants.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Small scale clearing for cropping, pasture improvement or other developments.
- Grazing by domestic stock
- Degradation of the landscape in which remnants occur including soil acidification, salinisation, extensive erosion scalding and loss of connectivity.
- Grazing by introduced European Rabbits
- Poor representation in isolated conservation reserves.
- Illegal firewood collection
- Innapropriate fire regimes; stubble burning
- Competition of native understorey with invasive grasses and other weeds
- Invasion of remnants by feral cats / foxes results in loss or modifcation of habitat
- Clearing for mining, infrastructure, and agricultural development and degradation activities such as grazing
- Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition
- Overabundant native herbivores e.g. macropods, and introduced herbivores e.g. feral goats and rabbits, leading to loss of floristic structure and ecological function
- Death to vegetation caused by herbicide drift
- Aggressive exclusion of small woodland birds from overabundant Noisy Miners
- Lack of distributional knowledge
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
- Assist the regeneration of the community through the continuation and/or adoption of sustainable grazing practices.
- Re-instate appropriate fire regimes.
- Control grazing by feral rabbits and undertake programs to reduce feral cat populations.
- Manage and reduce weed invasion.
- Reduce firewood cutting and stop small scale clearing.
- Address widespread environmental issues such as salinity.
Information sources
- NSW Scientific Committee (2007) Inland Grey Box Woodland in the Riverina, NSW South Western Slopes, Cobar Peneplain, Nandewar and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions - endangered ecological community. Final determination DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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