APPENDIX 6 VEGETATION COMMUNITY … Shire Council Biodiversity Strategy 217 APPENDIX 6: VEGETATION COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE FOUR DESIGNATED STUDY AREAS The species are listed

Uralla Shire Council Biodiversity Strategy

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APPENDIX 6

VEGETATION COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE FOUR DESIGNATED AREAS


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APPENDIX 6:

VEGETATION COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE FOUR DESIGNATED STUDY AREAS

The species are listed in order of importance, with species with the highest combined cover/abundance scores listed first. Not all species found are listed in these descriptions, only the most important taxa based on the method described. It is important to remember that this survey was conducted in an inopportune time of year and as such many species are likely to have been missed and a fuller understanding of the complement of species present within the study areas would require additional surveys within spring and late Autumn. As an example, three 20 x 20 m sites where placed within West Invergowrie prior to the first frosts in May of 2012 and reached an average species richness per plot of 59 species (data from one of the authors; Hunter 2012). During this current survey period which occurred during July and August during frequent frosts the maximum species richness per plot of 20 x 50 m plots was 44 species with an average of 29 species.

Additional rapid surveys undertaken in September yielded a further 43 taxa including 10 weed species.

Community 1: New England Stringybark – Blakely’s Red Gum – Yellow Box Woodland and Forest

PLANT COMMUNITY TYPE (PCT): New England Grassy Woodlands: Blakely’s Red Gum – Yellow Box Grassy Open Forest/Woodland of the Tablelands (Border Rivers Gwydir)

TEC Type: White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodlands - Endangered Ecological Community under TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10837

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10837


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White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodlands and derived native grasslands –Critcally Endangered Ecological Community under EPBC Act http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-

bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=43&status=Critically+Endangered

Ribbon Gum - Mountain Gum - Snow Gum grassy open forest/woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion - Endangered Ecological Community under TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=20040

Full floristic sample sites (9): UR1, UR2, UR11, UR12, UR13, UR14, UR25, UR42, UR47.

Rapid sample sites (10): URR1, URR2, URR20, URR26, URR29, URR88, URR92, URR94, URR100, URR167.

No. of taxa: 92

Most common natives: listed in order of decreasing summed cover scores (fidelity x cover).

Trees: Eucalyptus caliginosa, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus melliodora Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus viminalis.

Shrubs: Bursaria spinosa, Acacia filicifolia.

Climbers & trailers: Rubus parvifolius, Desmodium varians.

Ground cover: Microlaena stipoides, Geranium solanderi, Dichondra repens, Bothriochloa macra, Carex inversa, Scleranthus biflorus, Echinopogon caespitosus, Mentha diemenica, Eragrostis leptostachya, Cymbonotus lawsonianus, Vittadinia cuneata, Euchiton sphaericus, Asperula conferta, Sporobolus creber, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Cyperus gracilis, Austrostipa blackii, Acaena novae-zelandiae, Schoenus apogon, Poa sieberiana, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Juncus usitatus, Hypericum gramineum, Goodenia bellidifolia, Epilobium billardierianum, Bothriochloa decipiens, Veronica calycina, Schenkia spicata, Oxalis perennans, Juncus remotiflorus, Imperata cylindrica, Einadia nutans, Dichelachne micrantha, Dichanthium sericeum, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Austrodanthonia racemosa subsp. racemosa.

Introduced taxa: Hypochaeris radicata, Conyza bonariensis, Plantago lanceolata, Paronychia brasiliana, Cirsium vulgare, Trifolium repens, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus anglocandicans, Hypochaeris glabra, Solanum nigrum, Dianthus armeria, Verbena bonariensis, Taraxacum officinale, Sonchus oleraceus, Rosa rubiginosa, Petrorhagia nanteuilii, Medicago polymorpha, Ligustrum lucidum, Cerastium glomeratum.

FIGURE 33:

Community 1 with an understorey

dominated by exotic shrubs

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=43&status=Critically+Endangered




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Community 2: Youman’s Stringybark – Yellow Box – Rough-barked Apple Woodland and Forest

PCT: New England Grassy Woodlands: Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum (Border Rivers Gwydir).





Full floristic sample sites (15): UR17, UR18, UR19, UR20, UR21, UR22, UR23, UR24, UR29, UR35, UR36, UR41, UR69, UR70, UR75.

Rapid sample sites (21): URR4, URR6, URR30, URR31, URR101, URR102, URR103, URR104, URR105, URR106, URR137, URR141, URR164, URR165, URR166, URR171, URR172, URR173, URR174, URR175, URR176.

No. of taxa: 133







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Trees: Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus melliodora, Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus caliginosa, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus andrewsii, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus prava, Eucalyptus dalrympleana.

Shrubs: Bursaria spinosa, Cassinia quinquefaria, Acacia filicifolia.

Climbers & trailers: Rubus parvifolius, Clematis glycinoides, Hardenbergia violacea, Pyrrosia rupestris, Desmodium varians.

Ground cover: Microlaena stipoides, Poa sieberiana, Geraniums solanderi, Dichondra repens, Sporobolus creber, Luzula flaccida, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Schoenus apogon, Sorghum leiocladum, Acaena ovina, Acaena novae-zelandiae, Senecio diaschides, Bothriochloa macra, Austrostipa blackii, Themeda australis, Scleranthus biflorus, Euchiton sphaericus, Veronica calycina, Urtica incisa, Haloragis heterophylla, Epilobium billardierianum, Echinopogon caespitosus, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Aristida personata, Juncus usitatus, Asperula conferta, Schenkia spicata, Rumex brownie, Calotis cuneifolia, Senecio pinnatifolius, Poa labillardieri, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Mentha diemenica, Hypericum gramineum, Galium migrans, Eragrostis leptostachya, Carex inversa, Austrostipa scabra, Austrodanthonia racemosa subsp. obtusata.

Introduced taxa: Plantago lanceolata, Cirsium vulgare, Conyza bonariensis, Rubus anglocandicans, Hypochaeris radicata, Verbascum thapsus, Rosa rubiginosa, Trifolium repens, Solanum nigrum, Crataegus monogyna, Cotoneaster glaucophyllus, Acetosella vulgaris, Paronychia brasiliana, Medicago polymorpha, Lonicera japonica, Festuca elatior, Verbena bonariensis, Phalaris aquatica, Marrubium vulgare, Hypochaeris glabra, Hedera helix, Cyperus eragrostis, Bidens pilosa, Ammi majus, Taraxacum officinale, Sonchus oleraceus, Prunus persica, Phytolacca octandra, Petrorhagia nanteuilii, Modiola caroliniana, Ligustrum lucidum, Hyparrhenia hirta, Anagallis arvensis.


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Community 3: Blakely’s Red Gum – Rough-barked Apple – Mountain Gum – Manna Gum Woodland and Forest

PCT: Tableland Clay Grassy Woodland: Apple – Manna Gum Woodland (Border Rivers Gwydir).





Full floristic sample sites (8): UR4, UR5, UR6, UR7, UR8, UR15, UR16, UR46

Rapid sample sites (26): URR5, URR7, URR8, URR9, URR10, URR14, URR15, URR16, URR19, URR21, URR22, URR23, URR24, URR25, URR27, URR33, URR76, URR81, URR135, URR136, URR161, URR162, URR163, URR168, URR169, URR170

No. of taxa: 65


Trees: Eucalyptus blakelyi, Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus dalrympleana subsp. heptantha, Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus melliodora.






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Shrubs: Bursaria spinosa.

Climbers & trailers: none apparent.

Ground cover: Microlaena stipoides, Eragrostis leptostachya, Themeda australis, Sporobolus creber, Juncus pauciflorus, Lachnagrostis filiformis, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Euchiton sphaericus, Bothriochloa decipiens, Poa sieberiana, Haloragis heterophylla, Carex inversa, Schoenus apogon, Hypericum gramineum, Carex appressa, Juncus fockei, Acaena ovina, Juncus remotiflorus, Dichondra repens, Asperula conferta, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Panicum simile, Juncus vaginatus, Juncus usitatus, Imperata cylindrica, Geranium solanderi, Epilobium billardierianum, Eleocharis pusilla, Echinopogon caespitosus, Cyperus gracilis, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Austrodanthonia racemosa subsp. racemosa, Austrodanthonia racemosa subsp. obtusata, Aristida jerichoensis, Solenogyne bellioides, Schenkia spicata, Rumex brownie, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Mentha diemenica, Lagenifera stipitata, Ammobium alatum.

Introduced taxa: Cirsium vulgare, Rubus anglocandicans, Phalaris aquatica, Crataegus monogyna, Plantago lanceolata, Hypochaeris glabra, Medicago polymorpha, Paspalum dilatatum, Hypochaeris radicata, Holcus lanatus, Conyza bonariensis, Rosa rubiginosa, Prunella vulgaris, Cyperus eragrostis, Verbena bonariensis, Taraxacum officinale, Ligustrum lucidum.

Community 4: Manna Gum – Rough-barked Apple – Blakely’s Red Gum – New England Peppermint Woodland and Forest

PCT: Subalpine Woodlands: Candlebark (Border Rivers Gwydir) or New England Grassy Woodlands: Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum (Border Rivers Gwydir).

TEC Type: White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodlands - Endanagered Ecological Community TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10837



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White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodlands and derived native grasslands –Critcally Endangered Ecological Community EPBC Act http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-


Ribbon Gum - Mountain Gum - Snow Gum grassy open forest/woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion - Endangered Ecological Community TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=20040

New England Peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-anglica) Woodland on Basalts and Sediments in the New England Tableland Bioregion – Endangered Ecological Community TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10558

New England Peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-anglica) Grassy Woodlands – Critically Endangered Ecological Community EPBC Act http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=83&status=Critically+Endangered

Full floristic sample sites (7): UR9, UR10, UR40, UR43, UR44, UR63, UR64.

Rapid sample sites (10): URR56, URR58, URR73, URR77, URR78, URR126, URR128, URR129, URR130, URR131, URR132, URR133.

No. of taxa: 84


Trees: Eucalyptus viminalis, Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus nova-anglica, Eucalyptus dalrympleana subsp. heptantha, Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus melliodora.

Shrubs: Bursaria spinosa, Pimelea curviflora.

Climbers & trailers: Rubus parvifolius, Hardenbergia violacea.

Ground cover: Themeda australis, Sorghum leiocladum, Poa sieberiana, Geranium solanderi, Glyceria australis, Asperula conferta, Microlaena stipoides, Sporobolus creber, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Imperata cylindrica, Carex inversa, Acaena ovina, Juncus usitatus, Echinopogon ovatus, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Schenkia spicata, Hypericum gramineum, Dianella revoluta, Dianella caerulea, Aristida personata, Aristida jerichoensis, Acaena novae-zelandiae, Wahlenbergia luteola, Scleranthus biflorus, Ranunculus lappaceus, Lachnagrostis filiformis, Juncus remotiflorus, Juncus fockei, Haloragis heterophylla, Dichelachne micrantha, Daucus glochidiatus, Cyperus gracilis, Cymbopogon refractus, Austrodanthonia racemosa subsp. Racemosa, Austrodanthonia induta.

Introduced taxa: Plantago lanceolata, Ammi majus, Paspalum dilatatum, Rubus anglocandicans, Cirsium vulgare, Acetosella vulgaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Conyza bonariensis, Crataegus monogyna, Verbena bonariensis, Verbascum thapsus, Pinus radiata, Cotoneaster glaucophyllus, Paronychia brasiliana, Dianthus armeria, Cyperus eragrostis, Achillea distans, Trifolium repens, Solanum nigrum, Populus alba, Galium aparine, Conium maculatum.








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Community 5: Yellow Box – Apple Box – Mountain Gum Woodland and Forest

PCT: New England Grassy Woodlands: Blakely’s Red Gum – Yellow Box Grass Open Forest/Woodlands (Border Rivers Gwydir).





Full floristic sample sites (12): UR28, UR30, UR31, UR32, UR33, UR34, UR38, UR39, UR45, UR48, UR65, UR66.

Rapid sample sites (21): URR47, URR48, URR49, URR50, URR51, URR52, URR53, URR54, URR57, URR60, URR61, URR62, URR63, URR65, URR72, URR74, URR75, URR79, URR80, URR97, URR98.

No. of taxa: 121







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Trees: Eucalyptus melliodora, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus dalrympleana subsp. heptantha, Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus nova-anglica, Eucalyptus viminalis.

Shrubs: Bursaria spinosa, Melichrus urceolatus, Cryptandra amara, Pimelea curviflora, Hibbertia obtusifolia.

Climbers & trailers: Rubus parvifolius, Hardenbergia violacea, Glycine tabacina.

Ground cover: Themeda australis, Imperata cylindrica, Microlaena stipoides, Poa sieberiana, Sorghum leiocladum, Geranium solanderi, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Dichelachne micrantha, Cymbopogon refractus, Echinopogon caespitosus, Sporobolus creber, Scleranthus biflorus, Luzula flaccida, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Senecio pinnatifolius, Schoenus apogon, Lomandra multiflora, Acaena novae-zelandiae, Juncus usitatus, Juncus remotiflorus, Aristida personata, Haloragis heterophylla, Eragrostis leptostachya, Echinopogon ovatus, Carex inversa, Veronica calycina, Schenkia spicata, Pteridium esculentum, Lomandra longifolia, Euchiton sphaericus, Echinopogon mckiei, Cynodon dactylon.

Introduced taxa: Conyza bonariensis, Hypochaeris radicata, Cirsium vulgare, Rubus anglocandicans, Plantago lanceolata, Festuca pratensis, Verbena bonariensis, Hyparrhenia hirta, Ammi majus, Rosa rubiginosa, Paspalum dilatatum, Eragrostis curvula, Briza maxima, Medicago polymorpha, Festuca elatior, Cyperus eragrostis, Verbascum virgatum, Verbascum thapsus, Trifolium dubium, Pyracantha angustifolia, Prunus persica, Marrubium vulgare, Hedera helix, Crataegus monogyna, Cotoneaster glaucophyllus, Cestrum parqui, Anagallis arvensis, Acetosella vulgaris.

Community 6: River Oak Forest

PCT: Eastern Riverine Forests: River Oak Open Forest (Border Rivers Gwydir).

TEC Type: none listed


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Full floristic sample sites (1): UR54.

Rapid sample sites (0):

No. of taxa: 29


Trees: Casuarina cunninghamiana.

Shrubs: Correa reflexa, Bursaria spinosa, Acacia viscidula.

Climbers & trailers: Eustrephus latifolius.

Ground cover: Microlaena stipoides, Lomandra longifolia, Imperata cylindrica, Urtica incisa, Epilobium billardierianum, Entolasia stricta, Entolasia marginata, Swainsona reticulate, Senecio diaschides, Rumex brownie, Juncus pauciflorus, Joycea pallida, Geranium solanderi, Euchiton sphaericus, Dichondra repens, Austrodanthonia racemosa.

Introduced taxa: Verbena bonariensis, Cyperus eragrostis, Verbascum thapsus, Taraxacum officinale, Solanum nigrum, Plantago lanceolata, Conyza bonariensis, Cirsium vulgare.

Community 7: Grey Tea-tree – Blackthorn – Creek Tea-tree Shrubby Woodland

PCT: No equivalent type – Northern Tablelands Dry Sclerophyll Forests


Full floristic sample sites (2): UR71, UR77.

Rapid sample sites (4): URR55, URR59, URR177, URR198


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No. of taxa: 57


Trees: Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus melliodora, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus dalrympleana subsp. heptantha.

Shrubs: Leptospermum brevipes, Bursaria spinosa, Acacia rubida, Leptospermum polygalifolium, Dodonaea viscosa, Acacia viscidula, Acacia filicifolia.

Climbers & trailers: Rubus parvifolius.

Ground cover: Cymbopogon refractus, Juncus usitatus, Sporobolus creber, Lotus cruentus, Lomandra multiflora, Epilobium billardierianum, Dichelachne micrantha, Zornia dyctiocarpa, Themeda australis, Schoenus apogon, Rumex brownie, Microlaena stipoides, Luzula flaccida, Joycea pallida, Imperata cylindrica, Cyperus gracilis, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Cheilanthes sieberi, Cheilanthes distans, Carex appressa, Acaena novae-zelandiae, Vittadinia cuneata, Senecio pinnatifolius, Poa labillardieri, Panicum simile, Myriophyllum variifolium, Lomandra longifolia, Geranium solanderi, Euchiton sphaericus, Dianella revoluta, Carex inversa.

Introduced taxa: Verbena bonariensis, Rubus anglocandicans, Rosa rubiginosa, Plantago lanceolata, Medicago polymorpha, Festuca elatior, Dianthus armeria, Cyperus eragrostis, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Hypochaeris glabra, Conyza bonariensis, Ammi majus.

Community 8: Blakely’s Red Gum – Yellow Box – Rough-barked Apple Woodland and Forest

PCT: New England Grassy Woodlands: Blakely’s Red Gum – Yellow Box Grass Open Forest/Woodlands (Border Rivers Gwydir).


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Full floristic sample sites (17): UR3, UR26, UR27, UR37, UR57, UR58, UR59, UR60, UR61, UR67, UR67, UR68, UR72, UR86, UR89, UR92, UR94.

Rapid sample sites (23): URR11, URR12, URR18, URR64, URR68, URR69, URR70, URR71, URR90, URR93, URR96, URR119, URR120, URR122, URR140, URR142, URR150, URR182, URR183, URR193, URR194, URR195, URR205.

No. of taxa: 151


Trees: Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus melliodora, Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus caliginosa, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus viminalis.

Shrubs: Cassinia quinquefaria, Lissanthe strigosa, Bursaria spinosa, Melichrus urceolatus, Hibbertia obtusifolia.

Climbers & trailers: Rubus parvifolius, Hardenbergia violacea, Desmodium varians.

Ground cover: Cymbopogon refractus, Aristida personata, Sporobolus creber, Geranium solanderi, Dichelachne micrantha, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Poa sieberiana, Eragrostis leptostachya, Microlaena stipoides, Haloragis heterophylla, Dichondra repens, Lomandra multiflora, Themeda australis, Euchiton sphaericus, Cheilanthes sieberi, Aristida vagans, Echinopogon ovatus, Goodenia bellidifolia, Imperata cylindrica, Carex inversa, Scleranthus biflorus, Schenkia spicata, Lomandra longifolia, Cyperus gracilis, Cymbonotus lawsonianus, Schoenus apogon, Juncus remotiflorus, Hypericum gramineum, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Echinopogon caespitosus, Calotis cuneifolia, Bothriochloa decipiens, Asperula conferta, Luzula flaccida.

Introduced taxa: Conyza bonariensis, Hypochaeris radicata, Plantago lanceolata, Cirsium vulgare, Rubus anglocandicans, Trifolium repens, Festuca elatior, Ammi majus, Rosa rubiginosa, Verbascum thapsus, Solanum nigrum, Setaria pumila, Prunus persica, Paronychia brasiliana, Hypochaeris glabra, Crataegus monogyna, Briza maxima, Bidens pilosa, Verbena bonariensis, Verbascum virgatum, Trifolium campestre, Sonchus oleraceus, Silybum marianum, Pinus radiata, Petrorhagia nanteuilii, Dianthus armeria, Cyperus eragrostis, Cotoneaster glaucophyllus, Cerastium glomeratum, Acetosella vulgaris.

Notes: within this assemblage a small area contained the only stand of Callitris endlicheri found within the study area. This species is widespread and common throughout other parts of the tablelands but is only known from Mt Yarrowyck Nature Reserve within the local vicinity. This small stand only contains two mature individuals and a number of recently recruiting juveniles and is of local significance.





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Community 9: New England Stringybark – Rough-barked Apple – Tenterfield Woolybutt Woodland and Forest

PCT: New England Grassy Woodlands: Broad-leaved Stringybark – Apple Box (Border Rivers Gwydir).


White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodlands and derived native grasslands –Critcally Endangered Ecological Community EPBC Act http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=43&status=Critically+Endangered

Full floristic sample sites (14): UR73, UR74, UR78, UR79, UR80, UR81, UR82, UR83, UR85, UR87, IR88, UR90, UR91, UR96.

Rapid sample sites (31): URR118, URR121, URR124, URR143, URR144, URR145, URR152, URR153, URR154, URR155, URR159, URR178, URR179, URR180, URR181, URR184, URR185, URR186, URR188, URR192, URR197, URR200, URR201, URR202, URR203, URR204, URR206, URR207, URR208, URR209, URR211.

No. of taxa: 135


Trees: Eucalyptus caliginosa, Angophora floribunda, Eucalyptus banksia, Eucalyptus andrewsii, Eucalyptus prava, Eucalyptus melliodora, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus albens.





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Shrubs: Cassinia quinquefaria, Bursaria spinosa, Lissanthe strigosa, Hibbertia obtusifolia, Brachyloma daphnoides, Melichrus urceolatus, Acacia rubida, Acacia implexa, Pimelea linifolia, Olearia ramulosa.


Ground cover: Microlaena stipoides, Echinopogon caespitosus, Joycea pallida, Aristida personata, Dichondra repens, Veronica calycina, Cymbopogon refractus, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Calotis cuneifolia, Themeda australis, Dichelachne micrantha, Lomandra multiflora, Cheilanthes sieberi, Poa sieberiana, Goodenia bellidifolia, Aristida benthamii, Geranium solanderi, Euchiton sphaericus, Scleranthus biflorus, Eragrostis leptostachya, Goodenia rotundifolia, Goodenia hederacea, Bothriochloa macra, Vittadinia cuneata, Juncus pauciflorus, Echinopogon mckiei, Cymbonotus lawsonianus.

Introduced taxa: Hypochaeris radicata, Conyza bonariensis, Cirsium vulgare, Festuca elatior, Verbascum virgatum, Verbascum thapsus, Solanum nigrum, Plantago lanceolata, Paronychia brasiliana, Lonicera japonica, Ligustrum lucidum, Hedera helix.

Notes: a sparsely shrubby woodland or forest that is generally similar others found along the western margin of the New England, however they appear to be poorly represented in the described literature. Two sub-communities were delineated for mapping purposes. 9a is a community dominated largely by a variety of eucalypts probably reflecting the overlap of floristic elements that seem to occur particularly within the Invergowrie area. One of the major overstorey species in 9a is Eucalyptus banksii (Tenterfield Woollybutt) which is at its southern edge of distribution within Invergowrie. Sub-community 9b is dominated by Eucalyptus albens which is very unusual and rare at this altitude and which was thought to only have one disjunct location nearby on the Pinch (refer Figure 34). Thus the locations within the study area at West Invergowrie are of local significance.

FIGURE 34: Sub-community 9b dominated by Eucalyptus albens (White Box), an unusual and rare community at this altitude and therefore of local significance


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Community 10: Orange Gum – New England Stringybark – Apple Box Shrubland, Shrubby Woodland or Forest

PCT: No direct equivalent – potentially close to – Northern Tableland Dry Sclerophyll Forests: Orange Gum – Western New England Blackbutt – Tumbledown Gum (Border Rivers Gwydir).

TEC Type: None listed

Full floristic sample sites (4): UR49, UR50, UR55, UR56.

Rapid sample sites (7): URR108, URR109, URR110, URR115, URR117, URR151, URR190.

No. of taxa: 76


Trees: Eucalyptus prava, Eucalyptus caliginosa, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus andrewsii.

Shrubs: Leucopogon muticus, Cassinia quinquefaria, Calytrix tetragona, Acacia viscidula, Leptospermum brevipes, Acacia rubida, Lissanthe strigosa, Leptospermum polygalifolium.

Climbers & trailers: Pyrrosia rupestris, Glycine microphylla.

Ground cover: Cymbopogon refractus, Aristida personata, Poa sieberiana, Luzula flaccida, Gonocarpus micranthus, Cheilanthes sieberi, Tripogon loliiformis, Trachymene incisa, Themeda australis, Microlaena stipoides, Lomandra longifolia, Lepidosperma gunnii, Joycea pallida, Echinopogon caespitosus, Dichelachne micrantha, Carex inversa, Austrostipa scabra, Aristida calycina, Pomax umbellata, Opercularia aspera, Lomandra cylindrica, Juncus remotiflorus, Entolasia stricta, Veronica calycina, Pteridium esculentum, Isotoma axillaris, Imperata cylindrica, Haloragis heterophylla, Goodenia hederacea, Goodenia bellidifolia, Gonocarpus teucrioides, Euchiton sphaericus, Eragrostis lacunaria, Echinopogon mckiei, Dichelachne crinita, Cyperus fulvus.


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Introduced taxa: Hypochaeris radicata, Trifolium dubium, Conyza bonariensis.

FIGURE 35:

Areas of rock outcropping are common within Community

10


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Community 11: Western New England Blackbutt – Stringybark – Orange Gum Shrubby Forest and Woodland

PCT: No direct equivalent – potentially close to – Northern Tableland Dry Sclerophyll Forests: Orange Gum – Western New England Blackbutt – Tumbledown Gum (Border Rivers Gwydir).

TEC Type: None listed

Full floristic sample sites (7): UR51, UR52, UR53, UR76, UR84, UR93, UR95.

Rapid sample sites (15): URR111, URR112, URR113, URR114, URR116, URR146, URR147, URR148, URR149, URR156, URR160, URR187, URR191, URR196, URR210.

No. of taxa: 85


Trees: Eucalyptus andrewsii, Eucalyptus youmanii, Eucalyptus caliginosa, Eucalyptus prava, Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Eucalyptus melliodora.

Shrubs: Brachyloma daphnoides subsp. glabrum, Acacia rubida, Pimelea linifolia, Mirbelia rubiifolia, Melichrus urceolatus, Aotus subglauca subsp. subglauca, Leucopogon virgatus, Hibbertia obtusifolia, Olearia ramulosa, Monotoca scoparia, Acacia implexa, Lissanthe strigosa, Leucopogon muticus, Leptospermum brevipes, Cryptandra amara, Acacia venulosa, Acacia buxifolia, Lomatia silaifolia, Hibbertia riparia, Grevillea floribunda.

Climbers & trailers: Hardenbergia violacea, Cassytha pubescens, Billardiera scandens.

Ground cover: Joycea pallida, Dichelachne micrantha, Caustis flexuosa, Cheilanthes sieberi, Lomandra multiflora, Goodenia hederacea, Goodenia bellidifolia, Aristida personata, Cymbopogon refractus, Aristida calycina, Themeda australis, Poa sieberiana, Echinopogon caespitosus, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Patersonia sericea, Luzula flaccida, Veronica


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calycina, Microlaena stipoides, Lepidosperma laterale, Dianella caerulea, Pteridium esculentum, Lomandra longifolia, Hypericum gramineum, Hydrocotyle tripartite, Dianella revoluta.

Introduced taxa: Hypochaeris radicata, Cotoneaster glaucophyllus.

FIGURE 36: Community 11 with an understorey dominated by Caustis flexuosa (Curly Wig).


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Community 12: Upland Wetlands of the New England Drainage Divide

PCT: Montane Lakes: Basalt Plateau Lagoons (Border Rivers Gwydir).

TEC Type: Upland Wetlands of the New England Tablelands and the Monaro Plateau - Endangered Ecological Community EPBC Act http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=39&status=Endangered

Upland Wetlands of the Drainage Divide of the New England Tableland Bioregion – Endangered Ecological Community TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10824

Full floristic sample sites (1): UR62.

Rapid sample sites (0): None placed.

No. of taxa: 14


Trees: none apparent.

Shrubs: none apparent.


Ground cover: Eleocharis pusilla, Eleocharis dietrichiana, Ranunculus inundatus, Lachnagrostis filiformis, Stellaria angustifolia, Lythrum hyssopifolium, Glyceria australis, Euchiton involucratus, Rumex brownii, Juncus usitatus, Carex inversa.

Introduced taxa: Paspalum dilatatum, Hypochaeris radicata, Salix babylonica.

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=39&status=Endangered

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=39&status=Endangered



236

Notes: Bell et al. (2008) describe some of the major biological and physical properties of these Lagoons. The Northern Tablelands lagoons are shallow (mostly < 1.5 m deep) upland wetlands and ponds, typically located in saucershaped areas of negative relief with closed or semi-closed drainage, on flat or gently undulating landscapes associated with Tertiary basalt flows (Walker 1977). A distinguishing feature are their well-defined and apparently wave-cut banks that contrast with sandy lunettes on their downwind shores, both features indicating that they formed under climatic conditions different from the present.

Lagoons differ from other regional wetlands in morphology and location. Most are oval-shaped, often with distinct rocky margins, though with considerable recent silt accumulation on their edges. They occur above 900m asl, close to the top of the Great Divide or to adjacent leading ridges, and inland of the 1000mm rainfall isohyet. They are not found in the wettest areas of the eastern ‘falls country’, but in more inland areas prone to cycles of wetting and drying where weathering by watertable fluctuation is more intense. Retention of water in the closed basins is facilitated by drainage impediment caused by the accumulation of the secondary products of weathering, such as stiff clays and the duricrusts ferricrete and silcrete. These secondary products are most commonly associated with basalt weathering. But may occasionally form from different rock types under similar environmental conditions, probably that of marked seasonal variation in watertables and subsequent precipitation of duricrust minerals.

Lagoons receive water from their relatively small catchments by combinations of hydrological processes; some are mainly stream-fed, some spring-fed and some by overland flow. Most lagoons were probably initiated by return-flow sapping at the base of basalt rises, and some have marginal peatlands that may retain moisture when the central basin is dry. A number of lagoons have either sand dunes or clay-rich mounds on their eastern (lee) side called ‘lunettes’ (because of their typical wind-formed crescent shape). Probably the product of deflation or wave action, and formed under different climatic conditions during the glacial cycle of the last 2 million years (Pillans 1987). Unlike most lakes, their basins tend to be renewed by deflation (wind erosion) over periods of tens of thousands of years, and as their catchments are small, they are seldom completely infilled. Lagoon sediments are rarely more than several metres deep, and radiocarbon dating of the peat fraction indicates the present cycle of sedimentation commenced approximately 15 000 years ago, as climate became wetter and warmer after the last Glacial Maximum (Haworth 1994; Haworth et al. 1999). Since European settlement the hydrology of the Northern Tableland lagoons has been extensively altered by agricultural practices such as draining, impoundment, excavation and grazing.

FIGURE 37:

Upland wetland (lagoon) on crown land immediately behind Kentucky village.

This wetland has historically been drained. Draining and changes to the natural flow regimes is recognised as a key threat to these

lagoons.


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Community 13: Carex Sedgelands

PCT: No direct equivalent – Montane Bogs and Fens: Riparian Shrubland (Border Rivers Gwydir).

TEC Type: Carex Sedgelands of the New England Tableland, Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South and NSW North Coast Bioregions - Endangered Ecological Community TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/carexsedgelandFD.htm

Montane peatlands and swamps of the New England Tableland, NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin, South East Corner, South Eastern Highlands and Australian Alps Bioregions - Endangered Ecological Community TSC Act. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/MontanePeatlandsEndSpListing.htm

Full floristic sample sites (0): none placed.

Rapid sample sites (7): URR13, URR17, URR28, URR123, URR125, URR138, URR138.

No. of taxa: undetermined


Trees: Eucalyptus blakelyi, Eucalyptus nova-anglica.

Shrubs: none apparent.


Ground cover: Carex appressa, Carex gaudichaudiana, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Myriophyllum variifolium, Glyceria australis.

Introduced taxa: Cirsium vulgare, Conyza bonariensis, Verbena bonariensis.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/carexsedgelandFD.htm

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/MontanePeatlandsEndSpListing.htm


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Notes: There may be difficulty in determining which threatened ecological community this assemblage falls within without on-ground work. Carex Sedgelands that are largely dominated by Carex gaudichaudiana and which may form a peaty subsurface layer will fall into the Montane Peatlands and Swamps TEC, however those sedgelands dominated by Carex appressa or co-dominated by Carex appressa are more likely to be placed within the Carex Sedgelands of the Northern Tablelands TEC.

For simplification within this mapping program it has been assumed that the Carex Sedgelands are predominantly Carex appressa dominated, however it must be stressed that we have not visited all Carex Sedgelands to determine which TEC they individually may belong to.

Across the regional landscape, fens are most commonly found on the lowest parts of broad drainage depressions or in more or less narrow bands along creeks. Fens also occur in less predictable situations such as on the beds of closed basin wetlands. Keith (2004) infers that fens are more common on basalts and shales, and bogs on acidic substrates such as leucomonzogranites and sandstones. Hunter and Bell (2007 & 2009) indicate that substrate is less important as a driver of community patterns than variables such as rainfall, altitude and the origin of nutrients entering the system. Fens are sensitive to small changes in groundwater flow (Van Diggelen 2006). In the New England Tablelands Bioregion many of the largest fens have been significantly altered, reduced in size or completely destroyed by drains and dams; these activities still continue today. Sites that may have once contained Carex fens are now grasslands. On some soil types Pennisetum grassland rather than Carex fen are present in open depressions, suggesting that changes in moisture relationships could drive fen communities towards these and other grasslands. Recurrent fires may also cause degradation of the thin layers of peat or change its water holding capacity.

FIGURE 38: Carex sedgelands (fens) occur in open depressions, changes to the natural soil moisture regimes could potentially drive these communities to grasslands dominated by Pennisetum or other species.


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Community 14: Leptospermum Heath and Shrubland

PCT: No direct equivalent – Northern Tablelands Dry Sclerophyll Forests: Black Pine – Rough-barked Apple – Stringybark – Shrubby Open Forest (Border Rivers Gwydir).


Full floristic sample sites (0): None placed.

Rapid sample sites (3): URR157, URR158, URR199.

No. of taxa: undetermined.


Trees: Eucalyptus prava, Eucalyptus melliodora.

Shrubs: Leptospermum parvifolium, Leucopogon muticus, Leptospermum brevipes, Brachyloma daphnoides subsp. glabrum, Acacia rubida, Acacia buxifolia, Pultenaea sp. C, Mirbelia rubiifolia, Hibbertia obtusifolia.


Ground cover: Aristida personata, Cymbopogon refractus, Dichelachne micrantha, Cheilanthes sieberi, Aristida benthamii.

Introduced taxa: Hypochaeris radicata.

Notes: This community appears to be a natural heath and shrubland found on shallow to skeletal soils over acid volcanic and metasediment. It is an unusual association of species not formally described elsewhere. Such areas would continually promote shrubby regrowth and thus would be both an issue for fire management and for providing suitable infrastructure for housing (anything requiring digging or burying) consequently areas supporting this community are probably areas not suitable for subdivision.


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Community 15: Derived Grassland

PCT: no direct equivalent.







Full floristic sample sites (0): no formal sites placed.

Rapid sample sites (0): no formal sites placed.










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Sample Ground cover: Microlaena stipoides, Themeda australis, Poa sieberiana, Aristida personata, Cymbopogon refractus, Sporobolus creber, Dichelachne micrantha, Imperata cylindrica, Joycea pallida, Geranium solanderi, Echinopogon caespitosus, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Sorghum leiocladum, Eragrostis leptostachya, Dichondra repens, Lomandra multiflora, Euchiton sphaericus, Carex inversa, Cheilanthes sieberi, Luzula flaccida, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Scleranthus biflorus, Haloragis heterophylla, Schoenus apogon, Veronica calycina, Bothriochloa macra.

Sample introduced taxa: Conyza bonariensis, Hypochaeris radicata, Cirsium vulgare, Plantago lanceolata, Phalaris aquatica, Ammi majus, Medicago polymorpha, Paspalum dilatatum, Verbena bonariensis, Verbascum thapsus, Hypochaeris glabra, Trifolium repens, Paronychia brasiliana, Festuca elatior, Cyperus Eragrostis, Acetosella vulgaris, Holcus lanatus, Hyparrhenia hirta, Eragrostis curvula.

Notes: These grasslands are derived from a number of parent community types and are in various states of degradation. No formal surveying of this mapped type were conducted during this survey due to the widespread occurrence and the need to make assessments of conservation status on a site by site basis. Assessments of these grasslands, and whether they conform to a threatened community listing will require site based surveys conducted at an appropriate time of the year.

Community 16: Sedgeland – Grassland Undetermined Wetland Type

PCT: no direct equivalent.

TEC Type: May include the following around the margins.

White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodlands - Endanagered Ecological Community TSC Act http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10837



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Full floristic sample sites (0): no formal sites placed.

Rapid sample sites (1): URR134.


Ground cover: Carex sp. indetermined, Juncus usitatus, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Eleocharis dietrichiana.

Notes: This wetland type is widespread within the Kentucky area but does not currently conform to any described type. The wetland has as one of its dominants a species of Carex that as yet to be identified. The species is either an undescribed species or it could also be a new invasive species that has been recorded occasionally on the southern parts of the tablelands such as around Racecourse Lagoon (Dr Dorothy Bell, pers. comm.). Thus the conservation status of this community type is difficult to determine until the identity of this Carex is established.

FIGURE 39: Sedgeland-grassland dominated by an as yet to be identified Carex species. Until this species is identified the conservation status of these wetland communities cannot be determined.







Documents

APPENDIX 6 VEGETATION COMMUNITY … Shire Council Biodiversity Strategy 217 APPENDIX 6: VEGETATION COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE FOUR DESIGNATED STUDY AREAS The species are listed