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.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: River-flat eucalypt forest on coastal floodplains of southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria
Gazetted date:
15 Dec 2020
Profile last updated:
04 Mar 2024
Description
The River-flat eucalypt forest on coastal floodplains of southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria is found in the South East Corner (SEC) and Sydney Basin (SYB) IBRA bioregions. This encompasses the area from around Sale on the south-east coast of Victoria to around Raymond Terrace, just north of Newcastle on the New South Wales east coast. The extent of the ecological community corresponds to country (the traditional lands) of several Indigenous groups. These include the Worimi, Wonnarua, Awabakal, Darkinung, Kurin-gai, Eora, Dharug, Tharawal/D’harawal, Yuin, Bidwell and the Kurnai. The ecological community occurs on alluvial landforms related to coastal river floodplains and associated sites where transient water accumulates, including floodplains, river-banks, riparian zones, lake foreshores, creek lines (including the floors of tributary gullies), floodplain pockets, depressions, alluvial flats, fans, terraces, and localised colluvial fans. Floodplains may be occasionally or more often saturated, water-logged or inundated. The ecological community is typically found below 50 metres above sea-level (m ASL), although it can occur up to 250 m ASL (e.g. on floodplain pockets and plateaus above nick points). The ecological community occurs on alluvial soils of various textures, including silts, clay loams and sandy loams, gravel and cobbles. Alluvial soils are very diverse and usually reflect the properties of their parent material in the upper catchment. They may include in-situ subsoils, fluvial sediments, and colluvial fans where they overlay the alluvial floodplain. The ecological community is typically found on deep (greater than one metre) alluvial soils but may be found on shallower soils on the margins of the floodplain and in smaller narrow alluvial systems. However, the ecological community does not occur on soils that are primarily marine or aeolian sand.The structure of the ecological community is generally a tall open forest to woodland, but there may be localised areas of closed forest and/or low forest, often associated with disturbance (including flooding). The structure tends to be lower and less dense in the wider floodplains, whereas taller denser forests occur in the more confined floodplains.
The canopy is dominated by eucalypt species, often with several species present. The canopy may exceed 40 m in height, but can be considerably shorter, for example in regrowth
stands or where growth is inhibited (such as on waterlogged sites or in areas with lower rainfall). When intact, the canopy typically has between 40 and 60 percent crown cover, with
large trees often containing hollows; but crown cover may be as low as 20 percent. Areas of higher crown cover also occur. A mid-layer of small trees or sub-canopy may be present with scattered to dense shrubs. For example, Melaleuca, Leptospermum and related genera may form dense thickets beneath eucalypt canopies or in gaps between trees. The mid-layer may be sparser in lower rainfall areas, or where partially cleared, grazed or frequently burnt. The ecological community often has climbers and vines extending into the mid-storey and canopy.
The ecological community generally has a more diverse and abundant groundcover than locally adjoining slopes and typically includes grasses, forbs, ferns, sedges and scramblers.
The intact ecological community may also have high litter cover and fallen logs. The local expression of the ecological community is influenced by its location relative to the riparian areas of the floodplain, frequency of inundation by stream flows, local climate, latitude, and the contribution of biota from surrounding areas. Hence there is regional variation and intergradation of key species, although structure and function remain similar throughout the extent. The ecological community typically forms mosaics with other floodplain forest ecological communities, lowland woodlands and treeless wetlands. In order to meet the definition of the TEC sites must satisfy condition criteria stipulated in the Listing Advice and/or Conservation Advice. Typically condition is assessed by reference to patch size and vegetation structure thresholds or species composition metrics.
Distribution
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
0 priority actions
to help recover the River-flat eucalypt forest on coastal floodplains of southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria in New South Wales.
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