Sandhill Pine Woodland in the Riverina, Murray-Darling Depression and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions - profile

Indicative distribution

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predicted

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: Sandhill Pine Woodland in the Riverina, Murray-Darling Depression and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 28 Mar 2008

Profile last updated: 12 Jul 2023

Description

Sandhill Pine Woodland in the Riverina, Murray-Darling Depression and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions is the name given to the ecological community dominated by White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla). Sandhill Pine Woodland is characterised by an open tree stratum, which may be reduced to isolated individuals or may be absent as a result of past clearing. The tree layer is dominated by C. glaucophylla, either in pure stands or with a range of other less abundant trees or tall shrubs. The structure and species composition of the community varies depending on disturbance history and temporal variability in rainfall.

Distribution

Sandhill Pine Woodland has been recorded in the far south-western portion of the NSW South Western Slopes bioregion near Urana, extending through the Riverina bioregion, from the Urana – Narrandera district in the east, into the southern part of the Murray-Darling Depression bioregion, as far west as the South Australian border.

Habitat and ecology

In the Riverina bioregion and the far south-western portion of the NSW South Western Slopes bioregion, the community is typically associated with prior streams and aeolian source-bordering dunes, which are scattered within an extensive alluvial clay plain dominated by chenopod shrublands.
Sandhill Pine Woodland typically occupies red-brown loamy sands with alkaline sub-soils on the alluvial plain of the Murray River and its tributaries, and on parts of the sandplain in south-western NSW.
The structure of the community varies depending on past and current disturbances, particularly clearing, logging, grazing and soil erosion, with species composition of sites being influenced by their size, recent rainfall or drought conditions and by their disturbance history, including grazing, land clearing and fire.
The number and relative abundance of species will change with time since fire, and may also change in response to changes in fire frequency or grazing regime. At any one time, above-ground individuals of some species may be absent, but the species may be represented below ground in soil seed banks or as dormant structures such as bulbs, corms, rhizomes, rootstocks or lignotubers.
At any one time, above-ground individuals of some species may be absent, but the species may be represented below ground in soil seed banks or as dormant structures such as bulbs, corms, rhizomes, rootstocks or lignotubers.
Sandhill Pine Woodland shares a number of species with another endangered ecological community listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995: Allocasuarina luehmannii Woodland in the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression bioregions. These two ecological communities inhabit similar soils and landforms and have similar geographic distributions. They may be distinguished on the basis of the relative abundance of their tree species and subtle differences in composition of their understorey. When tree abundance is assessed at the hectare scale, White Cypress Pine is the most abundant tree species in Sandhill Pine Woodland, whereas in Allocasuarina luehmannii Woodland, Buloke (A. luehmannii) is the most abundant tree species.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Geographic decline of the community as a consequence of small-scale clearing continues.
Lack of regeneration partly due to isolation and predation by grazers. Seed production is intermittent and sometimes it is mostly male trees in the remnants and hence not getting seed production.Successful recruitment is dependent on good seasonal conditions (e.g. above average rainfall) otherwise seedlings may not very long lived.
Fragmentation, grazing and small-scale physical disturbances have resulted in weed invasion throughout the distribution of Sandhill Pine Woodland; these issues continue to threaten the ecological function of the community
Lack of seed store.
Competition from invasive grasses, Paterson's Curse and other weeds causing a change in species composition by preventing the growth of TEC species.
Competition from African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) causing death of older trees.
Grazing in areas where there is regeneration and increased nutrients from rabbits and hares.
Grazing in areas where there is regeneration, increased nutrients, and the introduction of weeds from domestic stock.
Grazing in areas where there is regeneration by native herbivores.
Browsing impacts from feral goats.
Trampling by domestic stock causing the breaking up of the biological soil crust leading to erosion.
Overgrazing by domestic livestock and feral herbivores, including rabbits and goats, has resulted in a scarcity of palatable understorey shrubs and a lack of regeneration of trees.
Damage from feral pigs.
Altered fire regime which leads to impacts from burning as this TEC does not require burning.
Change in land use practices resulting in habitat loss and/or alteration.
Selective thinning in forest areas leading to less diversity and stands of even aged trees.
Impacts associated with climate change such as an increase in the frequency of fires, or a change in species structure and composition.
Lack of involvement of local land owners and the community in the protection and management of the TEC.
Disturbance from recreational users such as trail bike riders and 4WD vehicles.
Disturbance and damage from rubbish dumping
Disturbance and damage caused by the removal of timber for firewood collection.
Impacts from spray drift from herbicide/pesticide application on cropping areas.
Clearing for urban, agricultural, and rural development and activities.

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

Reduce small scale clearing pressures.
Implement integrated forestry practices that seek to maintain the integrity of the community.
Create wildlife corridors between remnant vegetation patches were possible to reduce the ecological impact associated with environmental fragmentation.
Reduce agricultural grazing pressures through the adoption of suitable grazing regimes.
Control feral animals
Control weeds.

Information sources

Benson, J.S. (2006) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Introduction - the classification, database, assessment of protected areas and threat status of plant communities. Cunninghamia 9(3): 331-382
Benson, J.S., Allen, C.B., Togher, C. and Lemmon, J. (2006) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 1 Plant communities of the NSW Western Plains. Cunninghamia 9(3): 383-450
Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of Western New South Wales. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
Keith, D.A. (2004) Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes - The native vegetation of NSW and the ACT. Dept. of Environment and Conservation (NSW) 353 pgs
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Sandhill Pine Woodland in the Riverina, Murray-Darling Depression and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions - endangered ecological community. Final determination DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Porteners, M.F. (1993) The natural vegetation of the Hay Plain: Booligal-Hay and Deniliquin-Bendigo 1:250 000 maps. Cunninghamia 3(1): 1-122
Porteners, M.F., Ashby, E.M. and Benson, J.S. (1997) The natural vegetation of the Pooncarie 1:250 000 map. Cunninghamia 5(1): 139-231.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Predicted	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Predicted	None
Riverina	Murray Fans	Known	None
Riverina	Murray Scroll Belt	Known	None
Riverina	Murrumbidgee	Known	None

Images

Sandhill Pine Woodland, Wahgunyah, David Parker Image 1 of 4.
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