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: Araluen Scarp Grassy Forest in the South East Corner Bioregion
Gazetted date:
16 Jul 2010
Profile last updated:
30 Aug 2021
Description
Araluen Scarp Grassy Forest in the South East Corner Bioregion an open forest or grassy woodland dominated by Maiden's Gum (Eucalyptus maidenii), Yellow Box (E. melliodora) and Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis) in the canopy. Rough-barked Apple (Angophora floribunda), White Stringybark (E. globoidea) and Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) are common associated overstorey species. An open shrub layer may contain Tree Violet (Hymenanthera dentata), Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) and various vines and climbers. The grassy groundlayer is generally s[parse, and may contain species such as Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides), Common Tick-trefoil (Desmodium varians), Creeping Beard Grass (Oplismenus imbecillis), Sickle Fern (Pellaea falcata) and Prickly Starwort (Stellaria pungens). Many other plant species are likely to occur, as outlined in the scientific determination. The community also includes micro-organisms, fungi, cryptogamic plants and a diverse fauna, both vertebrate and invertebrate.
Distribution
This community is largely restricted to the escarpment and associated ridges on the northern and western sides of the Araluen valley, occurring typically on sandy loams derived from granite, usually on steep slopes between approximately 200 and 700 metres in altitude. This distribution falls within a rain shadow zone, where mean rainfall is between approximately 890 and 1000 mm per annum.
Habitat and ecology
- The structure of the community varies depending on past and current disturbances, particularly clearing, selective firewood harvesting and grazing.
- After total or partial clearing, the tree canopy may remain sparse or may regrow to form dense stands of saplings and small trees, which are typically associated with a ground layer of reduced cover and diversity.
- Either or both the overstorey and mid-stratum may be absent from the community.
- The diversity of plant species (trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses and forbs) that occur in this community is extensive.
- Sites with particular characteristics, including varying age classes in the trees, patches of regrowth, old trees with hollows and fallen timber on the ground are very important as wildlife habitat.
- Sites in the lowest parts of the landscape often support very large trees which have leafy crowns and reliable nectar flows - sites important for insectivorous and nectar feeding birds.
- Sites that retain only a grassy groundlayer and with few or no trees remaining are important for rehabilitation, and to rebuild connections between sites of better quality.
- Some of the component species (e.g. wattles, she-oaks, native legumes) fix nitrogen that is made available to other species in the community, while fallen timber and leaves recycle their nutrients.
- Disturbed remnants are considered to form part of the community, including where the vegetation would respond to assisted natural regeneration.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Selective removal for firewood, fencing and other uses leading to a reduction in canopy diversity, woody debris and mature habitat provisions.
- Invasion of remnants by pasture and environmental weeds (e.g. serrated tussock, prickly pear, tree of heaven, broom).
- Overgrazing by feral herbivores (e.g. goats, deer) and domestic stock, leading to reduced groundlayer diversity, woody recruitment and damage to highly friable upper soil horizons.
- Clearing, fragmentation and modification of remnants for agriculture and hobby farms.
- Drying of the environment associated with climate change, exacerbating the effects of overgrazing and likely to contribute to die-back events.
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
- Undertake control of goats, deer, rabbits, hares, foxes and pigs (using methods that do not disturb the native plants and animals of the remnant).
- Do not harvest firewood from remnants (this includes living or standing dead trees and fallen material).
- Leave fallen timber on the ground.
- Manage stock to reduce grazing pressure in high quality remnants (i.e. those with high flora diversity or fauna habitat).
- Encourage regeneration by fencing remnants, controlling stock grazing and undertaking supplementary planting, if necessary.
- Undertake weed control (taking care to spot-spray or dig out only target species).
- Protect all sites from further clearing and disturbance.
- Ensure remnants remain connected or linked to each other; in cases where remnants have lost connective links, re-establish them by revegetating sites to act as stepping stones for fauna, and flora (pollen and seed dispersal).
Information sources
- NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Araluen Scarp Grassy Forest in the South East Corner Bioregion - Endangered Ecological Community determination - final.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Araluen Scarp Grassy Forest in the South East Corner Bioregion - Minor amendment to Endangered ecological community determination.
- Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Tozer, M.G., Turner, K. and Keith, D.A. (2004) Native vegetation map report series No. 4. Araluen, Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Burragorang, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Katoomba, Kiama, Moss Vale, Penrith, Port Hacking, Sydney, Taralga, Ulladulla, Wollongong (Priority 5 Mapping Area - P5MA). (NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Sydney)
- Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Keith, D.A., Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Simpson, C., MacKenzie, B., Beukers, P. and Cox, S. (2010) Native vegetation of southeast NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. Cunninghamia 11(3): 359-406
- Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Simpson, C., Keith, D.A., Beukers, P., MacKenzie, B., Tindall, D. and Pennay, C. (2006) Native vegetation of south east NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. V1.0. (NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Sydney)
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