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: Central Hunter Ironbark-Spotted Gum-Grey Box Forest 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 Ironbark-Spotted Gum-Grey Box Forest typically forms an open forest or woodland dominated by Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) and Grey Box (Eucalyptus moluccana). Other tree species such as Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus fibrosa) and Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) may be present, and occasionally dominate or co-dominate. A sparse layer of small trees including Bulloak (Allocasuarina luehmannii) or Silver-stemmed Wattle (Acacia parvipinnula) may be present in some areas. The shrub layer varies from sparse to moderately dense. Common shrub species include Gorse Bitter Pea (Daviesia ulicifolia subsp. ulicifolia), Grey Bush-pea (Pultenaea spinosa), Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), Needlebush (Hakea sericea) and Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa). Ground cover can be sparse to moderately dense and consists of numerous forbs, a few grass species and occasional ferns and sedges. Common species include Poison Rock Fern (Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi), Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Whiteroot (Pratia purpurascens), Many-flowered Mat-rush (Lomandra multiflora subsp. multiflora), Pomax umbellata, Glycine tabacina, Blue Flax-lily (Dianella revoluta), Slender Wire Lily (Laxmannia gracilis), Vernonia cinerea var. cinerea, Slender Tick-trefoil (Desmodium varians) and Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens).
Distribution
Central Hunter Ironbark-Spotted Gum-Grey Box Forest occurs in the central Hunter Valley mainly between Maitland and Muswellbrook. It has been recorded from Singleton, Cessnock and Muswellbrook LGAs but may occur elsewhere within the North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions.
Habitat and ecology
- Central Hunter Ironbark-Spotted Gum-Grey Box Forest occupies undulating country including low rises and slopes, occurring on all aspects. It may also occur on alluvial and colluvial soils in valleys.
- It mostly occurs on clayey soils found on Permian sediments.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Inappropriate fires regime (too frequent & intense fires particularly from arson) leading to change in TEC structure and composition.
- Grazing by livestock.
- Disturbance and damage caused by recreational users such as motorbikes and 4WDs.
- 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).
- Habitat loss from clearing for mining, infrastructure, urban and agricultural development and activities such as grazing.
- 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).
- Disturbance and damage caused by the removal of timber for firewood collection.
- 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.
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
- Exclude grazing by domestic stock in remnants of this community by appropriate fencing.
- Prevent further clearing and fragmentation of remnants.
- Control invasive weed species.
- Apply apropriate fire regimes.
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 National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Vegetation survey, classification and mapping, Lower Hunter and Central Coast Region. Report prepared for the Lower Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environment Management Strategy. (NSW NPWS, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Central Hunter Ironbark-Spotted Gum-Grey Box Forest 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)
- Watson, P. (2006) Fire Frequency Guidelines and the Vegetation of the Northern Rivers Region – Draft 2. Hotspots Fire Project. (Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Sydney)
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