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: White Gum Moist Forest in the NSW North Coast Bioregion
Gazetted date:
04 Jul 2008
Profile last updated:
21 Mar 2022
Description
White Gum Moist Forest at maturity typically has a tall open canopy of eucalypts. The community is dominated by White Gum Eucalyptus dunnii with common associates being Sydney Blue Gum E. saligna, Tallowwood E. microcorys and/or Brush Box Lophostemon confertus. In undisturbed state the understorey typically includes a diverse and prominent stratum of rainforest trees, vines, palms, ferns and herbs. Disturbed sites generally support a moist shrubby understorey containing both native and introduced species. The mesic understorey may be absent from highly disturbed occurrences which typically occur on the less steep lower slopes.
Distribution
White Gum Moist Forest typically occurs on the escarpment slopes and foothills of the north-east NSW, most commonly between 400 and 650 m elevation, where mean annual rainfall exceeds approximately 1000 mm and has a summer maximum. Soils that support the community are relatively fertile and derived from basalt or fine-grained sediments, or colluvium or alluvium influenced by the presence of these substrates upslope or upstream. The community is typically found in gullies and on lower slopes, but has been recorded on upper slopes and basalt ridges. It occurs less commonly on west-facing slopes than on other aspects. White Gum Moist Forest occurs in the NSW North Coast bioregion, as well as adjacent regions in south-east Queensland. In NSW, White Gum Moist Forest is currently known from the local government areas of Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle and Tenterfield, but may occur elsewhere within the bioregion. In addition to these areas, suitable habitat for the community is predicted to occur within the local government areas of Bellingen, Glen Innes - Severn and Richmond Valley.
Habitat and ecology
- White Gum Moist Forest typically occurs on the escarpment slopes and foothills of the north-east NSW, most commonly between 400 and 650 m elevation, where mean annual rainfall exceeds approximately 1000 mm and has a summer maximum. Soils that support the community are relatively fertile and derived from basalt or fine-grained sediments, or colluvium or alluvium influenced by the presence of these substrates upslope or upstream. The community is typically found in gullies and on lower slopes, but has been recorded on upper slopes and basalt ridges. It occurs less commonly on west-facing slopes than on other aspects.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss of hollow-bearing trees.
- Landuse practices resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation
- Bell miner associated die back
- Grazing and trampling by livestock causing loss of plants, compaction of soil, erosion, and transfer of weeds
- Invasion and establishment of weed species, particularly lantana and riparian weeds, changing community structure and floristic composition and/or altering the soil chemistry and miccorhiza. Disturbances accelerate the invasion of weeds, including Lantana camara, Ochna serrulata and Senna septemtrionalis.
- Possible genetic contamination of wild populations of White Gum from nearby plantations including selected genetic stock.
- Potential threat from fire occurring in the vegetation around the TEC that could spill over into the TEC
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
- Protect remaining forests from clearing for agriculture and plantation forestry.
- Protect remaining old growth forest from logging and clearing.
- Manage eucalypt forest dieback in regrowth forests using currently understood best practice techniques and continue research.
- Integrate fire, grazing and weed management to restore ecological function and acclerate maturity of early regrowth forests.
- Avoid using non-local genetic stock on plantations near wild populations of White Gum until the potential impacts of genetic contamination have been assessed.
Information sources
- Binns DL (1995) Urbenville Forestry Management Area Environmental Impact Statement - Flora Survey. State Forests of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour.
- DEC (2007) Nomination to list White Gum moist forest the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion as an Endangered Ecological Community under the NSW TSC Act 1995.
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