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: Central Hunter Grey Box-Ironbark Woodland in the New South Wales North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions
Gazetted date:
12 Feb 2010
Profile last updated:
23 Mar 2022
Description
Central Hunter Grey Box–Ironbark Woodland typically forms a woodland dominated by Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus subsp. populneus) and Grey Box (Eucalyptus moluccana). Other tree species such as Rough-barked Apple (Angophora floribunda) and Black Cypress Pine (Callitris endlicheri) may be present and occasionally dominate or co-dominate. A shrub layer is often present and common shrub species include Velvet Mock Olive (Notelaea microcarpa var. microcarpa), Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa), Cassinia quinquefaria and Sticky Hop-bush (Dodonaea viscosa). Subshrubs may also be common and include Narrawa Burr (Solanum cinereum), Phyllanthus virgatus and Small-leaf Bluebush (Maireana microphylla). Ground cover can be moderately dense to dense, and consist of numerous forbs and grass species as well as a small number of ferns, sedges and twiners. The more common species include Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Purple Wiregrass (Aristida ramosa), Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens), Poison Rock Fern (Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi), Bristly Cloak Fern (Cheilanthes distans), Tall Chloris (Chloris ventricosa), Slender Tick-trefoil (Desmodium varians), Yellow Burr-daisy (Calotis lappulacea), Many-flowered Mat-rush (Lomandra multiflora subsp. multiflora), Blue Trumpet (Brunoniella australis) and Glycine tabacina.
Distribution
Central Hunter Grey Box-Ironbark Woodland occurs in the Central Hunter Valley between about Singleton and Muswellbrook. It is known to occur in the Cessnock, Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs but may occur elsewhere within the Sydney Basin Bioregion.
The Central Hunter Grey Box-Ironbark Woodland - Scientific Committee Determination states that the mapped area of the community is approximately 46,920 ha. However, this figure is the pre-European estimated area. The actual mapped area is 14,818 ha.
Habitat and ecology
- Central Hunter Grey Box-Ironbark Woodland occurs in areas of relatively low rainfall and high temperatures. It is associated mostly with Permian lithology, and is situated on gently undulating hills, slopes and valleys, or occasionally on rocky knolls.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat loss from clearing for mining, infrastructure, urban and agricultural development and activities such as grazing.
- Grazing by livestock.
- Invasion and establishment of weed species changing community structure and floristic composition, particularly Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (African Olive). Other problematic weeds include Galenia pubescens (Galenia), Opuntia aurantiaca (Tiger Pear), Lantana camara (Lantana) and invasive grasses such as Hyparrhenia hirta (Coolatai Grass).
- Invasion and establishment of non-endemic native species, originally planted for rehabilitation and now spreading into the TEC changing community structure and floristic composition. Species include Acacia saligna (Golden Wreath Wattle), Acacia baileyana (Cootamundra wattle) and Acacia podalyriifolia (Queensland silver wattle).
- Lack of structural diversity, senescing of older trees.
- Disturbance and damage caused by the removal of timber for firewood collection.
- Disturbance and damage caused by recreational users such as motorbikes and 4WDs.
- Dumping of rubbish and arson resulting in habitat degradation.
- Lack of hollow bearing trees to provide habitat for fauna in the TEC.
- Lack of logs remaining on the ground for fauna.
- Inappropriate fires regime (too frequent & intense fires particularly from arson) leading to change in TEC structure and composition.
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
- Control weeds in remnants of this community.
- Prevent further clearing and fragmentation of remnants.
- Control grazing by domestic stock.
Information sources
- Bell, S. and Driscoll, C. (2007) Vegetation of the Cessnock-Kurri region, Cessnock LGA, New South Wales: Survey, Classification & Mapping. Report to Department of Environment & Climate Change, Newcastle.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Central Hunter Grey Box-Ironbark Woodland in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions - Endangered ecological community determination - final.
- Peake, T.C. (2006) The Vegetation of the Central Hunter Valley, New South Wales. A report on the findings of the Hunter Remnant Vegetation Project. (Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Paterson)
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