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NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEY

OF THE NORTHERN PORTION

OF ROCKTON SECTION,

BONDI STATE FOREST

by

F. Dominic Fanning and Barbara Rice

on behalf ofGunninah Consultants

for theForestry Commission of New Sout~ Wales, Sydn~y

Hay, 1989

P""'""---------------------------------- --"--

2

Forest Resources Series No. 7May, 1989

Published by:

Forestry Commission of New South WalesWood Technology and Forest Research DivisionOratava Avenue, West Pennant Hills, 2120p.a. Box 100, Beecroft, 2119Australia

1\,/

j;<

'.or} \01

Copyright: Forestry Commission of New South Wales

ODe:ISSN:ISBN:

149:182.3--05(944)1033-1220o 7305 5666 2

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4

MAMMAL SURVEY 42l'

5. Introduotion 42'

6. Methods 44

(a) Trapping Procedures 44

(b) Habitat Searches and Plot details 44

(c) Pr~dator Scat Ana lysis 45

(d) Spotlighting Transects 45

(e) Data from other Sources 45

7. Plot Lqqation and Descr7ptions 45

8. Survey Results 46

(a) Terrestria 1 Mamma ls 46

(b) Arborea 1 Mamma ls 49

9. Other Records < .51

10. History of Mamma ls in the Area 56

11- Species of Special Concern 58 ' \

'"12. Conclusions . 64

SITES AND FEATURES OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE 66

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 67

REFERENCES 70

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 73

5

LIsT OF APPENDICES ,>

.' "'1; ~.: • . '~\,..:PAGE

Habitat attributes of the eighteen mammal' survey plots.' 163

Characteristi~s-of·the immediat~'hafi~tat ~o~ each elllot 167trap on tthe eighteen 'niamma1 plots: " ,

Plant speci,es<,recotded'during the' ~urvey.

Floristic summary sheets - Permanent Plots A - JNon Permanent Plots 1 - 60

Plant species used in the two-way table analYsis.y-: • ~ ".:"~ . ,-.. ~ ~ . ' .. " '\ ~" ....

Permanent plot location details.

83

75

135

139

147

159:. "

,.Permanent plot "forest'data.· ,

Daily record of mammal ~~ptures.

!I 1 •

2.I'

3.~

4.

5.

6.

7.

8~

...··t ~ . ," ," ," "

, ..'9~ Annotated sp~'hi'es· '1 fst'. \, "

FIGURES~" ch ~ t' ; j ~$ 1 " < ,i.i:

, : ,,'LIST OF "r .. ;.

171

1.: Location'of;the~sutvey area - tne'Nortnern'Portio~ ofRockton Section of Bondi State Forest -, and features.of the reg ion ", ' '. ,"' "''', "

8

2.I l l' •

Features of the physical environment contained withinthe Northern Portion of Rockton S~ction

of Bond; State' Forest. ." , , ,".Ij.~ 50.. -'\. ...

11

3.

4.

Distribution of Forest Types (Forestry Commis~ion of NSW)in the Northern Portion of Rocktol'}. Se9tion surveY..,ar~a,~

• '~. \ • ".;., >,;" ,4. • .): ': '; ~ _ . '" • '

Recent wildffres and areas 'of' salvage" iogging 1:1)the Northern Portion of Rockton Section.

12

14

5. "Locations of 'the f.auna and· flora survey 'plots in"the Northern Port:idn of RocktOh Sect'ion.

16

6. Areas proposed for exclusion from harvesting by theForestry 'Commi s~ion'. ,"., ~

~

18

7. Frequency distribution across sample plots for the main 37canopy 'species in the 'Northern P6rtion;of~R9c~tdri,Section.

'. • • '! ~ ;. 't' •

8. Details of the upper catchment Qf Sheep Station Creek" 43Northern' Porti'on':of: Rockton' Section: Sites relevant .to the- Platypus 'and the ton'g-footed Potorcio, are 'indicat'ed. '

9. Comparison ·of the success rates '(as'8 'percentage'of traps 53set) in each of: the ei ght Habi'tat Types '1 n 'the: NO.rthe rnand Southern Port ions of Rockton Sect;o'" of" '. 'Bondi State Forest.

--------------------------------

6

10. Comparison of the total number of mammal species recordedin each Habitat Type in the Southern ~nd Northern Port1on~

of Rockton Sections. Macropods have been grouped, forconsistency.

53

LIST OF TABLES PAGE

1. Average rainfall and temperature data for Bondi S~ate 10Forest Climate Station.

2. Summary of structural characteristics and tree count~ 19on permanent plots.

3. structural and vegetation characteristics of ~1non-permanent plots. ,

4. Su~ary of Forest Type~ .recorded for individual plots in 22the Northern Portion of Rockton Section, Bond; state Forest.

5.. Two-way table for the Northern Portion Qf Rockton 24Section, Bondi State Forest.

6. Species associations in the shrub understorey layer. 40

7. Species assocjation~ in the ground layer v~g~tatio". 41

8. The eight 'Habitat Type~ described for the Northern 48Portion of Rockton Section and the m~~l survey plotsrepresentativ~ of each~. \ .

52

9. Total captures and numbers of inqivid~al animal~ for SOeach mammal survey plot in Nortnern Portion ofR~~k~on Sect ipn... '.' . .; .., .., ,

Mamma-l 'species'«recorded by all surv~y techniques on allsurvey plots. throughout the Northern Portion ofRockton Sect ion. '" .;, ,

".~

,10.

11.

12.'

13.

14.

Native mammal presence.on, the eight H~bitat Typesdescribed for the mammal ~urvey plots in the NorthRockton Section of Bondi State Forest.

Trapping success rate~;{% captures per total elliottrap-nights) for each of the eight Habitat Types,

Spotlightfng trMse~ts ~".det~ils of"location,. distancesurveyed'and mammals recorded' for each transect.

A11 mammal ian species recor'dad within the Northern Portionof Rockton Sect'ion and ....tlie.. evid,ence for the; r occurrence.

': ~."' .

55

57

59

63

15,. Comparison betw.~en native. mammals. observed in the wholeof Rockton Section' and those .recorded from three forestareas i.n Gippsland, Victoria..' .

65 '

•

7

INTRODUCTION

This report contains the results of a flora survey and of aterrestrial. an~ arboreal mammal survey conducted on the NorthernPortion of the Rockton Section of Bondi State Forest in south-easternNSW. This survey was a Natural Resource Survey commissioned by theForestry Commission of NSW on this forest block and will ultimately besupplemented by surveys for native birds and complements the NaturalResource Survey on the southern portion of the Rockton Section(Fanning and Mills, 1989).

The survey plot types generally corresponded with the Forest Typesshown in Figure 3. However, the large area of Mountain/Manna Gum(Type 159) in the centre of the map (Figure 3) is an apparentmisc1assification from aerial photos; lype 159 actually follows theline of Sheep Station Creek fairly closely in that Section and doesnot extend very far south. Therefore plots shown as another type inthat area are not incorrectly identified.

The aims of this Natural Resource Survey are:

- ra characterize the flora and fauna in the area to be surveyed.To locate areas of unusually rich biological diversity.to .record the presence of any endangered or unusual speciesor special communities.

- To ascertain the conservation value of the forest and ofcommunities within it.

The conservation value of the forest and of communities within ithave been assessed in regional terms and not simply within theconfines of the forest section itself.

SETTING. '

Bondi State Forest is located in the south-eastern corner of NSW,abutting the Victorian border south of the town of Bomba1a (Figure 1).The Rockton Section of Bondi State Forest lies on its easternboundary, east of the Cann Valley Highway. The portion to which thisreport refers is the northern 'half' of Rockton Section, north of theIm1ay Road to its 'boundary with Na1baugh National Park, encompassingapproximately 4500 ha. The southern portion was the subject of aprevtous report (Fanning and Mills, 1989).

Rockton Section is bounded to the north by Na1baugh National Parkand t~ the south by Nungatta National Park. Its western edge abuts an

• extensive area of P. radiata plantations, owned by the ForestryCommission of N.S.W., which continue across the Cann Valley Highway.Likewise, the lands on the eastern edge of Rockton Section have beenconverted to plantations of Pinus radiata or are cleared, with theexception of small areas of forest contiguous with Yambu11a StateForest (Figure 1).

The area is dominated by the peaks of Nungatta Mountain in thesouth and White Rock and Wog Wog Mountains to the north, with RocktonSection lying between them. The Northern Portion of Rockton Sectionalso extends northwards to the west of White Rock Mountain. This areaincludes the smaller peaks of Mount Calabash and Ke11ys Mountain.These peaks are on the south-eastern edge of the southern tablelands.

The Northern Portion of Rockton Section has a varied topography,ranging from gently undulating land to steep slopes and peaks

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NUNGATTANATIONAL

p 4DI<r:::r.L:L:.J

l7

Vacant and reserved Crown land

State Forest Plantation

Plantation

•

Figure 1._ location of the survey area - Northern Portion of Rockton section ofBondi State Forest - and features of the region (from ForestryConmission Eden Forests map). Scale 1-: 145,348 .

9

(Figure 2). The central southern portion of the study area ischaracterized by, slopes of less than 10° and broad shallow drainagelines. This area includes Sheep Station Creek and its southerntributaries, and also the headwaters of Wog Wog Creek. The valleyfloor of the White Rock River likewise contains areas of low reliefand small ar~as occur elsewhere throughout the Section, particularlyin the north-western portion. Much of the remainder of the NorthernPortion of Rockton Section contains steeper slopes of 10 to 25° andmore deeply incised gullies and drainage lines. These areas contain avariety of forest types, from dry open forests on the ridges andslopes to the moister habitats in the fern-filled gullies. Steeperslopes are located in scattered islands of land throughout the studyarea, including around Mt Calabash and Ke11ys Mountain, areas north ofSheep Station Creek up to Na1baugh National Park and in the southeastof the Section. In general, harvesting is to be excluded from areaswith slopes greater than 25° (Eden Native Forest Management Plan,1982).

Drainage from the Northern Portion of Rockton Section ispredominantly to the west and south, with the various creeks flowinginto toe White Rock River. The most significant feature is SheepStation Creek which constitutes the drainage for much of the centralportion of the study area. This creek1ine includes many broad shallowdrainage lines, characterized by Lamandra spp, and other more steeplyincised channels. The westward flowing portion of the creek is aswamp. The northwestern parts of the section are principally drainedby Bondi Creek which flows into the White Rock River.. The drainage ofthe eastern end of the Section is into the easterly flowing Wog WogCreek, which empties into the Wog Wog River.

Annual rainfall in the survey area will be similar to thatrecorded at the Bondi State Forest climate station which is located tothe west (1050 mm). localized areas of higher rainfall may occur,however, due to the orographic effect of the high ranges associatedwith the edge of the tablelands. This is particularly relevant to thearea immediately southwest of Wog Wog Mountain, which includes theupper catchment of Sheep Station Creek. Temperature data for theBondi State Forest station indicate that the average temperaturesrange from -2.6° C in July to 23.3° C in January. The climate dataavailable from the Bondi State Forest climate station are presented inTable 1.

The geology of the Northern Portion of Rockton Section ispredominantly granitic in nature, consisting of Nungatta Granodioritein the east, White Rock River Adame11ite in the central area andCalabash and Rockton Granodiorites in the west. These are Devonian inage. Small areas of Ordovician metasediments also occur in theSection, including Ke11ys Mountain and in the northeast. The soilsderived from the granitic parent materials tend to be poorlystructured and relatively erodible, and those derived from themetasediments are generally skeletal in nature. These soils are allof poor to moderate fertility, with some variation associated with theparent materials and, more particularly in this case, with topography.

Previous logging activities in the Northern Portion of RocktonSection date from the late 1800's, based on a sawmill at Rocktonvillage. Sleeper cutting continued until the early 1960's, generallyin the more accessible parts of the Northern Portion of RocktonSection south of Sheep Station Creek. Relatively heavy harvesting ofsawlogs and stringybark poles occurred in the areas north and west ofMount Calabash, also until the 1960's. Some saw10gs and pulpwood wereobtained from the road1ines of the Imlay Road and the Coo1angubra

10

Table 1. Average Rainfall and Temperature Data for Bondl State Forest ClimateStation.

stlltJ.Qn: Bondl State Forest 310 09' S 1490 33' E. Alt. 914m.

J F M A M J J A S 0 N 0 Year

Rainfall (mm), 34 years record.

82 83 73 88 88 117 93 83 76 87 90 90 1050

Temperature (GC), 14 years record.

max. 23.3 22.8 20.7 15.8 13.3 9.1 8.9 10.6 13.4 16.5 18.6 21.2 16.2

min. 7.2 7.2 6.4 3.2 0.4 -1.5 -2.6 -1.4 0.1 2.5 4.8 6.4 2.7

mean 15.3 15.0 13.6 9.5 6.9 3.8 3.2 4.6 6.8 9.5 11.7 13.8 9.5

i ;

Source: Bureau of Meteorology.

..

•

Scale 1:50000

... - I012

kilometre

Pi

o~

~

<100

10 - 25 0

>25 0

~~

Figure 2. Features of the physical environment contained within the Northern' Portion of Rockton Section of. Bondi State Forest. Slopes are lndicat~d as per key.

I!I"""- _ )

o 1 2kilometre

1.-riI....,1 :::;II

//I

/I

/.,/

./

'.

A

----

~ 111 Peppennint [g 152 Messnate - Qlm

r rmn 112 Sllvertop Ash ~ 155 Brown Barrel - Q.u1l

mm 113 Sllvertop Ash - • 156 Messnate - Sllvertop AshPeweDll1nt

t~'~~:~ 114 Sllvertop Ash - ~ 159 fob1ntain/Manna GunStringybark

D D123 Southem ..... 231 Bog and Fem....Str1nqybarlc

1:50000Scale

Figure 3. Distribution of Forest Types (Forestry Commission of NSW) in the Northern Portion of RocktonSection survey area.

13

Forest Way (1976-1980) prior to their construction. Integratedlogging commenced in South Rockton in 1983 and areas were salvagelogged after the 1983 wildfire until June, 1985 (see Figure 4).

Some grazing probably occurred through the Section from the firstsettlement of the Nungatta and Rockton Stations in the 1800's. Theflatter land immediately south of Sheep Station Creek was also farmedfor some period, as indicated by old fence lines in the bush.Currently, the Northern Portion of Rockton Section is undevelopednative forest, with no grazing leases in force, although stock almostcertainly stray into the forest on occasions.

From the early settlement of the area, the regular burning ofparts of the forest.to produce feed for stock is likely to haveoccurred. This practice ceased 15 to 20 years ago when the ForestryCommission obtained control of the crown land. Several majorwildfires have occurred in the Northern Portion of Rockton Sectionover the past 36 years. The area north of Sheep Station Creek,including parts of the northwestern area near Mount Calabash, wasburnt in 1952. In 1954, Rankin Hill was burnt and again in 1983,along with all of the area west of the Coolangubra Forest Way (Figure4). Some of the more seriously damaged areas of the forest weresalvage-logged following the 1983 wildfire. The area around SheepStation Creek, north to Nalbaugh National Park, and north to MtCalabash, was also burnt during 1965. Some of these fires appear tohave been locally intense (Rankin Hill and Mt Calabash are $everelyfire-affected), whereas in other localities the same fires were oflesser intensity (eg. the forest at the end of Hites Road). The areaeast of the White Rock River was hazard ~educed in April 1981 andMarch 1984. Approximately half of the area is estimated to have beenburnt during these operations.

FLORA SURVEY

1. Introduction

The aims of the flora survey were to:-

a) Describe the plant communities in the survey area

b) Compile a plant species list

c) Describe and assess botanical features of special conservationstatus

d) Comment on flora management along proposed exclusion corridors.

Although not extensive, there are some available data relevant tothe survey area, including a report complementary to this one on theSouthern Portion of Rockton Section of Bondi State Forest. Thebotanical data are considered and assessed primarily in relation tothose data. Assessment of the conservation status of plant species isbased on the broader scale information contained in Leigh et aT.,(1981).

012kilometre

--Scale 1:50000

.,.. - I

~ 1952.. 1954

ffiIll] 1957

~ 1983\~._"

Q Between 1983-85...

• 1985

/'./

1111 ....

( "..

"" I( l. ..."...., I

I1J"- '\

\)

~\- "" \""\

"

Figure 4. Recent wi1dfires and areas of salvage logging in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section.

l

15

2. Hethods

Fieldwork was carried out between the 30th of August and the 9thof September, 1988. Data were collected from 10 permanent and 40 nonpermanent plots. On both permanent and non-permanent plots, thesurvey methods were similar, except as noted in the separate sectionsbelow.

Three vegetation layers were distinguished and defined as follows:

a) Trees. Those over 8 metres in height were recorded asoverstorey and those between 3 and 8 metres as mid1ayer.

b) Shrub understorey. Woody plants over 50 cm and less than3 metres in height, including tree ferns.

c) Ground cover. All herbs, shrubs or ferns less than 50 cm tall.Also included in this category were ferns which sometimesexceeded 50 cm height, but which were rhizomatous with slendermultiple stems.

Percent foliage projected cover (FPC) for each species in a plotwas visually estimated. Species with less than 1~ cover were recordedas present (+). In the plot summary sheets (Appendix 2), presence isconverted to a notional 0.1~ cover for species with less than 1~ FPC.Because plant canopies overlap, some plot cover values exceed 100~.

For data presentation in the two-way table, the percent cover valuesfor each species were converted to abundance values on a scale of + to5 as follows:

+ cover < 1"1 cover 1 - 5"2 cover 6 - 10~

3 cover 11 - 50~

4 cover 51 - 75"5 cover 76 - 100"

On all plots environmental features such as litter depth, aspect,slope and presence of stones or boulders were recorded. Altitudeinformation was taken from topographic maps drawn at a 1:25000 scalewith a 10 m contour interval. Hollow-bearing trees within 50 metresof the plot centre were recorded.

(a) Permanent Plots

Ten permanent plots were located in areas considered to beof particular interest to the fauna1 survey and post-harvestingmonitoring. The rationale for establishing these plots is detailed inFanning and Mills (1989).

The centre of each plot was marked with a metal peg andvegetation sampled within a 20 metre radius of the peg. Within thecircular plot, five 4 x 4 metre sub-quadrats were selected, and allspecies present in the quadrat recorded. Species not present in thesub-quad rats but present in the larger plot were also recorded.

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Permanent Plots • flora surveyNon-permanent Plots • flota surveyterrestrial mammal trapping survey

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.&. WHlIl IIOC:II "OUNTA".

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:.20.,'., ,.

".,'.-- __ 2S.~,\

-, I ~' .......*~

Coe>v.KGIIeIIA falllST W~T~.!_.'

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l-- -- -- _-- __II

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Figure 5. locations of the fauna and flora survey plots in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section.Spotlight transects were conducted along all roads except the Im1ay Road and the Coo1angubraForest Way. Scale is 1:104,200

.-

17

All trees with DBHOB (diameter at breast height over bark)greater than 10 cm were measured and their position in relation to thecentre peg recorded. When possible, trees were identified to species.The DBHOB measurements were converted to total basal area for eachplot and total basal area per hectare and number of trees per hectarewere calculated.

(b) Non-Pennanent Plots

Non-permanent plots were spread along the entire east-westaxis of the survey area. An attempt was made to sample at least oneplot in each of the Forest Types mapped for the Northern Portion ofRockton Section.

The non-permanent plots were structured as 50 metre x 20metre rectangles with nested sub-quadrats of 1 m x 1 m (1 m2 ), 2 m x5 m (10 m2 ), 10 m x 10 m (100 m2 ), and 50 m x 20 m (1000 m2 ). Themethod gives a overall plot size of 1000 m2 , whereas the 20 m radiuscircular plot is 1257 m2 • A 50 metre tape was extended along thecentre of the plot, with the nested plots centered on the tape. Thispermitted more efficient sampling and recording than the circularplots because the search for species was across a continuouslyexpanding area.

The same variables were recorded in the non-permanent plotsas the permanent ones, except that DBHOB was recorded only for the 4largest individual trees present. Cover for each species was estimatedover the entire plot; specie~ less than 1~ cover were recorded aspresent.

(c) F70ristics and Plant Species List

The species list for the Northern Portion of RocktonSection contains all species recorded in the plots, plus any recordedelsewhere within the area during this survey. Nomenclature followsJacobs and Pickard (1981) except for some recent taxonomic changes.Beadle (1971) is followed for fern nomenclature.

Certain restricted habitats were subjectively identified asinteresting (from a botanical perspective) and were speciallysearched. These included steep rocky watercourses, and marshes orswamps. A number of taxa not recorded from the plots were found inthese habitats.

The species list is however not complete. The survey wascarried out in late winter, and consequently it was impossible toidentify a number of herbaceous species which were present, but onlyas juveniles. Ephemeral geophytes such as the Liliaceae, and many ofthe Orchidaceae, were evident only as remnants from the precedingyear, or new leaves. Most of the grasses, including the dominantunderstorey tussock and bunch grasses, were sterile. Plant namespreceded by"?" in the species lists, or in the text, have beenidentified from sterile or inadequate flowering material.

.. - - I

Scale 1:50000

....(Xl

Wildlife

Visual

Additional areas arisingfron this report

Undeveloped Native Forest

w[IT]

F?lli~.!t'". It

m

2

/----,, L_

II.

1kilometre

o

Figure 6. Sites of significance to the mammalian (non-bat) fauna and the native flora of the NorthernPortion of Rockton Section, including those proposed for exclusion from harvesting by theForestry Commission. Additional areas are indicated.

:I ":>" }

.< ~

Table 2. Summary of structural characteristics and tree counts on Permanent P~ots.

Canop y Trees Shrub Understorey Ground CoverPlot#

Forest Type'

# species B.A.(m2/ha)

# /ha # species % cover # species %.cover

A E. cypellocarpa - Eo obfiqua ('1'52) 3 48.1 127 7 4.4 24 79.0

B .E. elata (166) 4 38.8 199 9 16.7 25 48.1

C. E. ovata - E. viminalis (143/159) 4 33.1 263 6 26.4 21 " 50.6

0 Eo consideniana - 3 37.1 215 11 5.8 18 6.5

E. globoidea (102/123)

E E. dives (111) 5 51.4 317 5 16.2 17 8.2......\0

F E. cons/den/ana (102) 3 31.2 406 8 12.4 7 14.4

G E. agglomerata (121) 3 54.6 382 9 8.5 20 22.8

H E. cypellocarpa (152) 3 17.5 247 5 1.4 15 . 11.2

I E. cypellocarpa (152) 2 54.2 183 6 15.2 21 17.8

J E. elata (166) 5 86.9 617 4 .15.2 23 67.1

-Means 3.5 51.7 296 7.1 1'2.4 19 38.6

,

1 Baur, G.N. (19115) Forest Typa8 in Hew south Wale8. Forestry CoiIIiaaion 0' N.S.W. Reuarch Note 17

20

(d) Terminology of Vegetation Descriptions- "

The terminology used to describe ,the vegetation ~nits, orcommunities, in the survey area is primarily based on structure. Thefloristic information which aids in separating the units from eachother can be seen in the description summaries. The use of .geographical information (eg., "Northern", "Lowland") has been mostlyavoided in naming units, because it may have no meaning beyond theboundaries. of this survey. -

3. Resu7ts and Discussion

(a) Tree Data

Table 2 and,Ta~le 3 show the 'number and basal area of treeson the sample plots. Table 2 gives basal area of trees >10 cm DBHOBand number of trees per hectare calculated from permanent plots.Table 3 summarizes the distribution of plants in the overstorey, shruband ground layers for non-permanent plots. Table 4 shows the surveyplots classed into Forestry Commission Forest Types (Baur, 1965).These types are based on canopy species only, and take intoconsideration dominance and mixtures of tree spec~es in theirnomenclature.

Summary sheets for the plots, with environmental variablesand cover :values for each species in the three vegetation layers" arepresented in Appendix 1.

(b) Floristics

A total of 203 vascular plant species was recorded during.the survey. Of ,these'194 were native and 9 were introduced~ Appendix2 lists all species under families. Those marked with an· asterisk (*)are introduced. This is a fairly low number of exotics, an~ most ofthose recorded were annuals. It is possible that more introducedspecies would be recorded, in the area later in the growing season.Some of the species were not flowering or fruiting and furtherassessment, is required before final identification.

None of the plants recorded for the survey area andpositively identified to species are currently considered rare orendangered (Leigh et a7. 1981).

(c) Vegetat ion Types

Data from the 10 permanent and 40 non-permanent plots havebeen pooled and are presented 1.n a two-way table (Table 5). Onlyspecies which could be identified at least to genus are shown 1.n thetable, which is the primary database for identifying variation 'in thevegetation of the Northern Portion of Rockton survey area. The tablecontains the following information:

i) across the top; the plots which contributed to eachnamed vegetation type. Non-permanent plots are shown as numbers andpermanent plots as letters.

ii) down the left side, the species which characterize thevegetation types;

1'-

,..

~

"

'*

21

Tabl~ 3. Structural and vegetation characteristics of non-permanent plots.

Trees

N~mber: of species/plot

Mid-canopy

Number of species/plotNumber of non"eucalypt speciesPercent cover (FPC)

Shrub Unders10rey .

Number of species/plotPercent cover (FPC)

GrQund Cover

Number of specl~s/plot

Percent cover

, ,

Mean

3.1

15.0

1.316.5

21.238.9

Range

0-6

0-50-20-40

2 - 140.3 - 95.7

5 - 300.3 - 110

22

Table 4. Summary of For:.-est Types recorded for individual, "plots .:In,th,e,Northern 'Port'ion of Rockton 'Section, Bondr State F6rest." ....'.Although usually dominated by one or two species, all the forest

. .~ypes shown for these plots contain representatives of 'other' :.eucalypts, sorn.etime$ In appreciable numbers.

..

s'

N.ofl-permRJ1~n~

Plot

31

~ I, I), •• -

3, 7 . ~ " .1,;,

14, 39

1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 18, 25

5, 12, 32, 36

11,17,22

37

34

'I '

PermanentPlot

, ~~ ~~,:;..;. ,~ ...0, .F 2B" ~.~', '40, .; ~

19, 21, ·2p" 27" 38 .; :',

G :)" "'; .. ~, ~ l.' :;., ~)~ 8,' 1'5~ 20;' 24; 33,

10. ' ;, .tit·· . {.

E, 13, 16, 29, 30

B, J

A, I

H

c

,.,"

~f ..::

. ~.

-;',"

Vegetation .Type' n

Southern stringybark (123):<.{~ ~ ;.

with non-fern understorey

Allocasuarina heath (223)

", I'

Silvertop ash strlng¥bark (114)

Allocasuarina heath (223)

Peppermi nt (111)

Yertchuck (1q2)

Silvertop ash (112)

Messmate - gum (152)with fern understorey

Phragmites marsh (231)

Mountain/Manna gum (159)

Swamp gum (143)

'f!',

23

iii) the relationships between vegetation types can beseen;

iV) the abundance 6f each species in each plot, which is anumber derived from the estimated cover values;

v) the distribution of common, or ubiquitous, species inthe vegetation is clear.

The species shown across the bottom of the table are either"ubiquitous" or "low constancy" species. Ubiquitous species may be·found in many vegetation types. Low constancy species tend to bescattered in 1 to 3 communities'which may have little else in common.Brief summaries of the communities described for the ..Northern Portion of Rockton Section follow Table 5. In thesesummaries each vegetation unit has been equated with a communitydescribed by O. A. Keith and J. M. Sanders in a survey carried out forthe N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service (O.A. Keith, pers.comm.)1. Such comparisons are necessarily approximate, butnevertheless help put the Bondi State Forest information into a moreregional context.

In the summaries, "character species" are identified for acommunity. In this data set, character species usually are typical ofa particular vegetation unit, but may also be represented in otherunits.

(d) Vegetation Types and their Distribution

Fanning and Mills (1989) discussed the vegetation of theSouthern Portion of Rockton Section, Bondi State Forest, and brieflyreviewed other surveys relevant to the study area. In addition to.thesurveys mentioned, O. Keith (pers. comm.) described vegetation in the'Eden region in some detail.' Eight of his sample sites were locatedwithin the Northern Portion of Rockton Section, although his reportdoes not specify vegetation types for anyone site.

Binns (1988) has compiled an extensive plant species listfor the southern forests, with information on distributions (withinhis survey boundaries), risk codes (J. leigh, unpUblished data), andspecies occurrences on lands of varying tenure. He does not attemptto classify the vegetation.

The 50 survey plots fall into 12 reasonably distinct ForestTypes (2 of which are treeless; Table 4). As.shrub and ground layerinformation is integrated into the community classifications the plotsmay not be grouped the same way in Table 4 as in the two-way table(Table 5) •

._--------_._,---D. A. Keith, N.S.W. National Parks and WildlifeService, Hurstville, N.S.W. 2220

24

Table 5. Tvo-vay table for the Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest. Species vhichoccurred in fever than 3 sites are not shovn here (see Appendix 3 for their distribution).Pertanent plots are shown as letters across the top of the table; non-perllnent plots as nUlbers.Seven ~OItunitie$ have.been.identified, for this ,survey area. Brief descriptions of each follow thetable. The species below the double line are widespread tn lany cOllunities.

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(xoc",po••trlcle

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loooondro 'PP.

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tYoOOnolu. p'.I..I~.

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l_vlrg'lU'

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8011la08 prostrata

Table 5. Continued.

26

ALLOCASUARINA NANA HEATHLAND: COMMUNITY 1

100100100100100100100100100100100100~OO

% Freq

Western side of the White Rock River.

Closed shrub/and

520 m"

1

12 species

Uncommon as a pure stand in the surveyarea. Low elevation sites on shallow soi!sloping gently toward White Rock River;

Montane Heath

Allocasuarina nanaAotus ericoidesBrachyioma daphnoidesCassytha glabellaDil/wynia sp.Epacris impressaEucalyptus sp.Exocarpos strictusGonocarpos teucrioidesLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon virgatusLomandra longifoliaPoa ? meionectes

Character Species

Structure:

Altitude:

No. of Sites:

Di stri bution:

Mean Floristic Richness:

Notes:

Keith & Sancers nearestequivalent type:

27

EUCAL YPT WOODlAND/ALLOCASURINA HEATHlAND: COMMUNITY.2

Character Species

£pacris impressaGonocarpos teucrioidesLomandra longifoliaPoa ? melonectesExocarpos strictaAcrotricha serrulataAllocasuarina nanaLepidosperma IineareBanksia marginataPlatysace lanceolatauPteridium esculentumAcacia ? longissimaEucalyptus considenianaMonotoca scoparia

No. of Sites:

Strl,Jcture:

Distr-i bution:

Altitude:


Notes:

k:eitn, &. Sanders nearestequivalent type:

% Freq

100100100100 '80807575757:'

756060

8

Shrubby open woodland

Central part of the Northern Portion ofRockton between White Rock River and SheepCreek.

510 rn' - 560 m: mean = 540 m

31 species per plot

Distinguished by at least some Allocasuarin3nana in a diverse shrub understcrey whichalso contains £pacridaceae and Proteaceaespecies. The understorey is usualiy ratheropen.

YertcfluCk Heath Woodland

OPEN FOREST: SUB- COMMUNITY 3.1

Character Species

Epacris impressaLeucopogon lanceolatusPterideum esculentumGonocarpos teucrioidesAcacia ? longissimaLomandra multifloraMonotoca scopariaPoa ? meionectesLomandra longifoliaViola hederaceaSenecio minimusDianella revolutaHelichr.vsum scorploidesLomatla fraserlPersoonla linearlsPlatysace lanceolataEucaiyptus cypellocarpaHibbertia obtuslfollaAcrotriche serrulataLomandra laterale

No. of Sites:

Structure:

Distri bution:

~,'titude:


Notes:

"\e:~h & ~and~r:s nearestequivalent type:

% Freq.

100888888

·887575757575757575676i5767676767

9

Open Forest

Central and Western portion of area, ingullies and on sheltered slopes.

540 m - 690 m, mean = 598 m

33 spec;es per plot

Dr"y scierophyll Forest with a shrubbyunderst~rey dominated by Proteaceae andEpacridaceae:

In:and Scler-ophyll Forest I

.,

OPEN MOIST FOREST: SUB-COMMUNITY 3.2

Character Species

Poa ? meionectesPteridium esculentumViola hederaceaLeucopogon lanceolatusEucalyptus obliquaSenecio minimusBursaria spinescensLomandra longifoliaGeranium sp. 2Clematis aristata

No. of Sites:

Structure:

Distri bution:

Altitude:


Notes:

Keith & Sanders nearestequivalent type:

% Freq

1001001008888'8888676767

9

Tall Open Forest

Primarily east of White Rock River

540 m - 800 m, mean = 617 m

25 species per plot

Wet Sclerophyll Forest, with ferns and/or Poadominant in the understorey. 'At higherelevations, the type may be in west-facingswaJes or creeklines.

r-1oist Ridge Forest

.30

MESSMATE/SILVERTOP ASH OPEN FOREST: SUB-COMMUNITY 4.1

Character Speqies

Poa ? meionectesLeucopogon lanceolatusViola hederaceaSenecio minimusHypericum gramineumEucalyptus cypellocarpaPterideum esculentumGeranium solanderiVeronica calycinaViola betonicifoliaGonocarpos teucrioidesHypocharis radicataLomandra longifoliaHelicl7rysum scorpioidesLuzula meridionalisEucalyptus sieberiEucalyptus obliqua

No. of Sites:'

Structure:

Distribution:

Aftitud~: ,,


Notes:

/':.eith & Sandet's nearestequi valent type:

%. Freq

9090909090eo8080707070705050505050

.',

10

Open Forest •

Throughout the survey area

4.50 m - 830 {n,. mean = 726 m

35 species per plot

The canopy trees in this commuQity arecommonly Eucalyptus cypellocarpa, E. obliquaand E. cypellocarpa or £. sieberi with, a mix ..of other eucalypts. A. mearnsii is common inthe shrub layer. Often on steep rockyslopes or ridgetops, and the shrub layer- isopen with the ground layer diverse butpoorly developed.

Dry Messmate Forest

31

SHRUBBY OPEN FOREST: SUB-COMMUNITY 4.2

,It

Character Species

Acacia falciformis'Gonocarpos t-eucrloidesSenecio ? minlmusViola hederaceaEucalyptus, cypellocarpaPoa ? meionectes .Lomandra long/foliaLeucopogon lanceolatusHypocharis radicata ,Hibbertia obtuslfoliaEucalyptus .obliquaPlantago debills .Acacia mearnsiiPterideum esculentumExocarpos stricta .Hypericum gram/neumGeranium solanderiLuzula merldionalisGlycine clandestinaEucalyptus sieberi

No. of Sites:

Structure:

Distribution:

Altitude:

Mean F!qristic Richness:

Notes:

r.eith t, Sanders nearestequi valent type:

% Freq

10010010010080eo808080eo66666666666666666666

6

Shrubby Open Forest

Widespread in survey area, slightlyconcentrated on the eastern side.

530 m. - 760 rn, mean =604

35 species per plot

Acacia very cOrylmon and occasionallyabundant in patches in the under"storey.Usually in sheltered sites with a number ofmesic-site species present in under-storey.

Moist Sandstone Forest

MIXED EUCALYPT WOODLANDS: COMMUNITY 5

Acacia mearnsii 100 Pteridium esculentum 50Dianella caerulea 100 Viola hederacea 50Eucalyptus cypellocarpa 100 Gonocarpos teucrioides 50Eucalyptus globoidea 100 Senecio minimus 50Geranium solanderi 100 Acacia ? longissima 50Leucopogon lanceolatus 100 Epacris impressa 50Lomandra longifolia 100 Danella revoluta 50Lomandra spp. 100 Hypericum grarriineum 50Poa ? meioriectes 100 Helichr.vsum scorpioides 50Eucalyptus consideniana 50 Hibbertia obtusifolia 50Eucalyptus c.vpellocarpa 50 Luzula meridionalis 50Veronica calycina 50 Bursaria spinosa 50Plantago debilis 50 Acrotriche serrulata 50Acaena novae-zelandiae 50 Oxalis corniculata . 50Asperula scoparia 50 Clematis aristata 50Ranunculus plebius. 50 £ntolasia stricta 50Helichrysum diosmifolium 50

Character Species

No. of Sites:

Structure:

Distribution:

Altitude:

Mean Floristic Richness:'

Notes:

k,eith & Sanders nearestequivalent type:

% Freq

2

Tall Woodland/Woodland

Sheep Station Creek and Surveyor's Gully

520 m and 550 m

23 species per piot

Rather' dry sites, with little de'/elopment efthe ground layer, The midlayer isreasonablv well' developed, mostly eucal yptpol,es. "

Dry ~'Jestern vole-od land

e,

"

:33

SWAMPY FORESTS: SUB- COMMUNITY 6.1

",.

Character Species

Cyperus sp.Eucalyptus viminalisGonocarpos teucrioidesHypocharis radlcataLorriandra long/foliaPoa ? melonectesGalium sp. 1Ciusium vulgareCyperus sp.Kunzea ambiguaPterldeum esculentumViola hederaceaSenecio mln/mus'Geranium so{andel718ursar~a spinosaGeranium sp. 2Glycine clandestina

Nc. of Sites:

Structure:

Distribution: '

Altitude:


Notes:

~:eith & Sanders nearestequivalent type:

% Freq

1001001001001001006060506060606060606060

Tall Open forest/grassland

Flats along White Rock River and SheepStation Creek

.510 m - ,530 m, mean = 515 m

33 species per plot

Found on alluvial soils near watercourses, orin gentle swales draining into these. E.viminalis or E. ovata is dominant canopy tree.UnderstoreY often dominated by tussocks ofLomandra longifolia.

S\'lamp Forest.

SWAMP: SUB- COMMUNITY 6.2

Character Species

Acacia melanoxylonBaeckea utilisBaumea ? rUbiginosaEmpodisma minusEntolasia strictaEucalyptus ovataGalium sp. 1Geranium sp. 2Juncus sp. 2 (small)I<'unzea ambiguaLeptospermum scoparium

No. of Sites:

Structure:

Distri bution:

Altitude:


24

% Freq

100100100100100100100100100100100

1

ShrubJand/sedgelan::l

Sheep Station Creek

520 m

11 species

Notes:

Keith 8.: Sanders nearestequi'/alent type:

Type is common along the middle t-eache$ ofSheep Station Creek. E. ovata is scatteredthrough shrL!bs, or dense tangle ofEmpodisma minus and other sedges, grassesor ferns.

None

35

PHRAGt-:1ITES REED BED: COMMUNITY 7

Character Species

Acacia melanoxylonAcaena ,novae-zelandiaeBaumea ? rubiginosaBlechnum cartilagineumCassinia longifoliaCentaurium erythraeaCyinbonotus preissianusCynodon dactyloriCyperus sp.Geraniurri sp. 2Gratiola sp.Hydrocotyle sp.Leptospermum flavescensRhragmites australisPoa 7' labil/ardieri

No. of Sites:

Structure:

Distribution:

Altitude:

~1ean Flori'stic Richness:

Notes:

I':eith e. Sanders nearestequivalent type:

% Freq

100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100

Tall Grassland/Sedgeland

Sheep Station Creek

530 m

15 species

Uncommon vegetation type :n the' ar-e2, onlyrecorded for the sample plot. Phragmites isco-dominant \.',ith se':eral ':Jther grasses andsedges. There are no trees present; Acaciamelanoxylon is less than 2 metres tai!.

~' 'done

36

Scattered throughout the area, frequently in association withE. cype llocarpa.

Common in the central and western sections of the area on dryridges or shallow soils. Often wtth other stringybark species,or forming an association with Al10casuarina nana in awoodland/heath vegetation type.

Blue-leaved stringybark

Apple-topped box

Yertchuck

Mountain grey gum

Eucalyptus agglomerata

Euca lyptus angophoroides

Eucalyptus consideniana

Euca lyptus cype llocarpa

Abundant where found, as a co-dominant with E. sieberi,E. obliqua or E. cypellocarpa. Within the survey area itsdistribution is limited to the relatively flat, low countrybetween the two main headwater branches of Sheep Station Creek.

The forest types in the Northern' Portion of Rockton Sectionare dominated by tall open eucalypt forest, with E. cypellocarpa, E.viminalis, and E. ovata representing the moist end of a gradient; onewhich may support an appreciable fern understorey. E. sieberi and E.glohoidea typify a drier tall forest. E. consideniana and mixtures ofstringybark or peppermint species of eucalypt make up the other maintype, which could be broadly classed as Dry Sc1erophy11 Forest orWoodland. This vegetation is most common on low ridges such as thatrunning along the west side of the White Rock River. The understoreyis open and contains a diversity of low shrubs. Figure 7 shows ,thatE. cypellocarpa and E. obliqua were recorded respectively (notnecessarily as dominants) in 66% and 50% of all sample plots. Otherspecies were less frequently encountered in the sampling.

Twelve species of Eucalyptus were positively identified asoccurring in the survey area. Two species identifications were more·tentative (E. smithii and E. bridgesii) • . Brief comments on theirdistributions follow. Nomenclature, including common names, followsBrooker and K1einig (1983).

The most common and widespread species in the survey area. Itis present in 66% of the sample plots, often as the dominantspecies, or as a co-dominant with E. obliqua or E. sieberi.The largest individuals recorded in the ar~a, usually ingullies but occasionally on east-facing slopes.

Eucalyptus dalrymp7eana Mountain gum

Rare in the area, recorded only from· gullies on the easternedge which are minor tributaries of Wog-Wog Creek. Aquestionable record also from the low, flat forests south ofSheep Station Creek.

·uo~l~as UOl~OOH JO UO~lJod UJa~lJON a~l u~

sa~~ads Adouu~ U~uW aql JOJ SlOLd aLdwes SSOJ~B uO~lnq~JlS~P AouanbaJ~·L aJn6~~

O£

DV

Og

09

OL

09

I I I I II-

P fT1 fT1 f"l f"l.- rrJ0 a. 0 ..., a. rrJ '-:--0 < 0 <.ri- 0

. f'l::r 0 a. fT1m ~ r+ -. CD ::J 0 .

0 0 en to to 0..., 3 .rt- < ' rrJ0 0 to 0 -. .

en -0 -0 0::J 3 to

'fT]-0 ::r Cl)m CD 3 -.

00 0 Q. ::J en0

::J..., CD CD 0 0- CDm 0 0 ..., ::J -. 0 0--. 0 Cl)en Q. -. Q. mrt- 0 fIl..--... m 0 ::J CD :J.en 0 0N 0-.....-

0- fill--. .-0 ()C '< l-

D -0(l)

oOL

Ol

zc30-m-,0---00r-t-CIJ..--...

~ ::J-.....-<::r()

::r-,m()

0-,0..m0.....

Euca lyptus dives

38

Broad-leaved peppermint

Recorded primarily in dry sites above the White Rock River, oron low flat areas south of Sheep Station Creek. The dominantoverstorey species where it does occur.

Eucalyptus elata River peppermint

Uncommon in the area and found with either E. cypellocarpa orE. obliqua in gullies.

Eucalyptus globoidea White stringybark

Widely scattered, but most common in the relatively flatcentral area southeast of Sheep Station Creek.

Eucalyptus obliqua Messmate

Common and widespread. It is usually a co-dominant withE. cype170carpa or E. sieberi.

Eucalyptus ovata Swamp gum

Restricted distribution within the survey area, recorded frompermanently moist flats bordering Sheep Station Creek. It iseither an overstorey dominant by itself, or a co-dominant withE. vimina 1is.

Eucalyptus radiata Narrow-leaved peppermint

Scattered throughout the area, but in low abundance. Usually aminor element i~ forests dominated by E. cypel1ocarpa.

Eucalyptus sieberi Silvertop ash

Common and widespread, often found on dry steep slopes.E. glqboidea and E. obliqua are common associates.

Eucalyptus viminalis Manna gum

This species is generally found in sheltered gullies, onalluvial flats bordering Sheep Station Creek or White RockRiver. Usually associated with another smooth-barked eucalyptspecies, commonly E ovata.

(e) Species Distributions

Many of the plant species recorded during this survey haddistributions not easily defined. They were seldom present as morethan a single individual in any plot, were widespread across the area,and showed no obvious site preference. Although none are rare·absolutely in a regional sense, such distributions emphasize theproblem inherent in surveying for species which are. Frequently,finding scattered species with low fidelity to a community isserendipity; they cannot be effectively searched for in pre-determinedhabitats. A case in point was a Xanthorrhoea australis populationlocated between non-permanent sites 6 and 7 in a E. sieberi woodlandundistinguished for any other reason. It is completely unclear .

39

whether such patchy distributions reflect long-standing responses toenvironmental factors such as soil depth or aspect, or if the causesare linked to more recent forest history with respect to 'grazing orfires.

(f) Species Associations

The vegetation units shown in the two-way table areprimarily defined by the shrub or ground layer species. The treespecies associations, and likewise the Poa - or Lamandra longifoliadominated ground layer vegetation are here grouped with the ubiquitousspecies.

The tree layer is dominated by Eucalyptus species.Midlayer or mid-canopy species were those falling between 3 and 8metres. Mid-canopy species at any given site are generally the sameas the overstorey species; they are pole-sized individuals of thecanopy species. Exceptions to this are occasional Acacia melanoxylonor Acacia mearnsii thickets. Allocasuarina littoralis was a mid-layerassociate on the eastern side of the area.

While it is undoubtedly the case that the distribution offorest types in the area is determined by topography, soil type,altitude and soil moisture, the distribution of mid-layer species ismore problematical. The midlayer is very patchy, even within the areaof a single plot. This is possibly due to factors such as firehistory, litter accumulation and possibly grazing. Some plots had nomid-layer at all; the maximum recorded was about 50 percent.

No tree associations were recognized which were notdescribed by the Forestry Commission. The most widespread and commontype is E. cypel10carpa - E. obliqua in moist sites. The dry sites aremore mixed, with E. sieberi common on some ridges, and E. considenianaon others.

(g) Shrub Understory Species , .

There were 54 shrub species, including tree ferns, recordedin the survey. Table 6 shows 6 groups of 16 shrub species which werefrequently in association with each other. About half of the 50sample plots had no easily identifiable shrub associations. All plotshad some shrubs, although cover was low in the Dry Sc1erophyll Foresttypes. The A110casuarina heath1and had the highest shrub cover (95%);in this case there were no overstorey species in the vegetation type.

(h) Ground Cover Species

Ground cover in the area ranged from sparse in theE. consideniana woodland sites, to over tOO% in the swampy sites alongSheep Station Creek and White Rock River. The associations formed bythe ground cover species can be seen in Table 7.

A number of the more widespread and common ground coverspecies did not form strong associations with other understorey taxa,but rather fell into the ubiquitous grouping. These included

40

Poa ? meionectes which forms the tussock-grass understorey in the tallforests, and Lomandra 7ongffo7,ia which is found under E. ovata orE. vimina7is in moist swales and along watercourses.

The ground cover associations in particular are verysimilar to 'those recorded in South Rockton Section by Fanning andMills (1989). .

-,

Table 6. Species associations in the shrub understorey layer. It isthe species groupings which are of interest 'here, so the 6associations are delineated with dashed horizontal lines.About half the sample plots had no shrub species which wereconsistently associated with each other. The A770casuarinanana group is typical of the woodland/heath community. ThePime7ea axif70ra group is typical of mesic forests, oftenin sheltered sites.

3 3 3 3 1 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 4 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 12 2 3 3 3 32 1 906 3 d 8 6 7 556 7 9 0 044 0 5 A F G I 291 283 H 1 5 680 2 3 791 434 7 8 C E J

Leucopogon vi rgatus + + +Kunz"a a.,bigua 4 2Olllwynia sp. + + +

Allocasuarlna nanaLeptosper.,um scoparlaCall1ste<TlOn cltrtnus

53+ 1+ 3 +

2 +

1 ++ +

++

3 +

3

P"rsoonla llnearlsPtatysace l~nc"olata

Banksla marglnataHonotoca scoparla

1+1 ++ 1++++ + + + + + +. + + •

1 1 + 1 2 + + + 11+2 + + + + + +.+ + 2 2 1

+

+

+ ++

++ + +

Epacri s "impressa ... + ... + 1 1 + + + 1 2 + + ...... + + • + + + + + +

Acac la ? Ion 9 i ss 1ms 1 1 + 2 2 2 + 1 2 + 2 1 2 + 1 1 1 2 + 2

+

I + 2

Acacia ralcirormisLeucopogon junlperlnusAcacia stricto

PI.,alea axirloraCyathea eustrellsGoodla lotlrolle

++

+

+

1 + 21 + +

+ +

+ + +1 + + ++ 1 +

+

+ +

2

+2

+

IF

41

Table 7. Species associations in the ground layer vegetation. The species groupings are elphasized in the table by dashedhorizontal Iines. There are lore associations in the ground cover than in shrubs, but they tend to be spread lIorewidely across my sites. Peraanent plots are shown by letters, non-peraanent by nUlber.

131123313242 23221221112 3 3·211 3334 9 C a 2 $ 2800 690 0 2 6.J 3 3 5 A 7 9 0 1 1 4 3 T 6 E G r T 8 B 9 1 2 H 5 a 5 6 3 5 , 4 7 r

+

•

Lepldosperme llnearlslomandre gleucelomandre flllformlsHI bbert la esperaOrosera pc l ta taStylldlum gramlneumHovea lincariaPersoonla chamaepeucellndsaea llneerls80sslaea prostrateOxyloblum procumbans

1 •

+ +

•+ 1+

t

• •

+ ••

•+

+

+

• 2

+ •+ +

+ +• t

+ •

•

+

+

+

+

•t t

+t

+.t

+

+

+

+

G.l tum .p. IClrslum vulgareR.nunculus pleblus

.... .. ..+ ...........

•• ++

• ++

+

+

+

+

Olchelachne raraTetratheca beuerlfolla + +

3+ t •

3 + +

lepldosperme leterelePlentago deblllsV.ronlca celyclneAccana novce-lelendleaVlolc betonlclfollelom.ndr. corlcce.Asperule scopcrlc

·O.smodlum verlablll.

• +

1 •

+

+ +

+ 1 •+ •

+ t

•• +

+ + +

•

+• + t

• •+ • t

+,+ ..

+.

• + +

• •

+

••

• + • 1+ + • 2.........

+ •

••• +

• ••

• •

+ • +

+

+

• ••• •• • +

++ • +

+ +

+

• •

+ +

+

• +

+

.. .. ... ... ..

++ + +

+++++ .. ++.. .. .. .. + .. ..

.. .... .. .... .. .. .. +

+ 1

+• +

+

• +

+ •

•••+

• •+ •

• • •

+

• • •

• + •

.. .. .. ..

,. +.

• •

+ +

+ •+

.. ... .. .. ... .. ..+ 1

+ •+ •

• ++

••+ •+ •

+ +

... .. ..

+

+ +

••+• •

••

•

.. .. .. ...... ... ..

G.ranlum solcnd.rllUlula merldlon.llsGlycIne clandesllnaO•• lls cornlculat.

Olanell. revolutaLomatlc frasedLomandra multlflora811lardlera sccndens

Entolcsle strlctc •Tylophore berbateHeloragls sp.Culcltll dubleHlerochloe rerlflore8lechnulll nudumEustrephus let Hollus

•+

+

• + +1 +

+

•+

2 2 + 1• + + •

+ • + + +

1 2 4 + ~ +1 1 1

+ + ++ + +

+

Platyloblum formosumHardenbergla vlolaceaGahnla sleberana

•+

•

+ 1 ++ +

+ • ++ + + +

•

-------

42

4. Communities of Restricted Distribution

As stated in Section 3(b), no single species recorded during thesurvey is rare or endangered. However, several of the vegetationtypes are restricted in distribution in the survey area, and by theirnature belong to types which are restricted elsewhere. These are thecommunities bordering Sheep Station Creek and White Rock River: thePhragmites tall ,g,...assland (essentially a fresh-water wetland), and th~

swampy shrublands with Empodisma, Baeckea, Ca77istemon andLeptospermum. These communities are at risk from alteredsedimentation rates and waterflow regimes, but are protected with theproposed flora reserve areas.

The A770casuarina nana heath is unusual because it seems to be alow altitude representative of a generally higher elevation plantcommunity. The A770casuarina heath/woodland vegetation types are alsoof some interest. They are fairly species-rich, and as a groupcontained a number of taxa which could not be identified because itwas too early in the growing season to do so. It is possible that anumber of species were "missed" in these sites for this reason. Thisvegetation community would not be affected by harvesting, as it willbe included within a Flora Reserve.

MAMMAL SURVEY

5. Introduction

The survey of mammals reported herein includes both theterrestrial and the arboreal mammals of the Northern Portion ofRockton Section, but does not include the bats•. This group wasexcluded from this study because of the timing of the survey work.

This survey of forest mammals was designed with three main aims inmind; to characterize the mammal fauna of the Section, to ascertainthe conservation value of th~ Section as it pertains to the mammalfauna of the region, and to determine whether certain specificmammals, or their preferred habitats, were present in the survey area.

During the reconnaissance survey, all of the roads and tracksthroughout the survey area were investigated by motor vehicle. Inaddition" extended walking surveys were conducted in several areas,including at the end of Hites Road, around Mount Calabash and Ke11ysMountain, around the fsandpit' on Sheep Station Creek, along the WhiteRock River, around Sheep Station Creek and north of it towardsNa1baugh National Park and in the vicinity of compartment 1720 (seeFigure 8), between Sheep Station Creek and the Im1ay Road, andwestwards from Wog Wog Road. These surveys enabled assessmen~ of thelikely wildlife value of the various areas and habitat types withinthe Northern Portion of Rockton Section, and determination of thosesites which required trapping or further survey work.

l'

o

NALBAUGH

NATIONAL

• .-.... • .......,;I.

f(.

//

//

Scale 1:25000

1 2

•WOG WOG MOUNTAIN

KILOMETRES

Figure 8. Details of. the upper catchment of Sheep Station Creek, Northern Portionof Rockton Section. Sites relevant to the Platypus (*) and the Longfooted Potoroo (stippled area) are indicated.

44

6. Methods

(a) Trapping Procedures

Eighteen plots were surveyed for terrestrial mammals(Figure 5) using two types of trap. Twenty five elliottsmall-mammallive-traps (8 cm high, 8 cm wide, 25 cm long) and five pit traps (10cm diameter, 35.cm deep) were deployed on each plot along an X-shapedgrid. The grid was aligned across and along the plot contours, withthe grid arms intersecting at the centre of the plot. Six elliotttraps were placed along each grid arm, spaced at approximately fivemetre intervals, and one was placed at the centre. One pit trap waslocated approximately twenty metres along each arm of the grid and atthe plot centre.

Traps were placed using features of the local habitat, suchas logs, rocks, ,shrubs or in obvious runways through denseundergrowth, to. optimize the chances of capturing representatives ofthe local mammal populations. Traps (including the pit traps) werebaited with a mixture of rolled oats, honey, peanut butter and almondessence, and were set for three consecutive nights. They were checkedearly each morning.

The species and sex of all trapped animals were recordedand each was individually marked by toe-nail clipping so thatrecaptures could be determined.

A specific attempt was made to obtain data on the possiblepresence of the Long-footed Potoroo (Potorous longipes) at one 'locality within the survey area. This locality had been traversedduring the reconnaissance survey and had been identified aspotentially suitable habi'tat for the species (see Section 11). Hairtubes were deployed at two sites in an attempt to detect this rare and(trap-shy' species. These sample devices essentially consist of openended tubes with bait placed at the centre of the tube and doublesided sticky tape at the tube entrance. Any animal attempting to eatthe bait will leave hairs attached to the tape and these can later beidentified. Ten tubes were located alongside Sheep Station Creek anda further five along a tributary creek. These were baited and leftpatent for ten days before being collected. Additionally, ten cagetraps were baited, wired open and left for six days along SheepStation Creek at one of these sites.' For the hext three nights theywere re-baited, set and checked.

(b) Habitat Searches and Plot Details

Or When setting traps, details of the immediate environmentwere recorded, including such features as nearby'vegetation, logs,rocks, the nature of the substrate and the condition of the forestlitter. The number of hollow-bearing trees within 50 m of the plotcentre and the number of large habitat-logs on each plot were alsonoted. These data will provide a more detailed characterization ofthe favoured habitats for terrestrial mammals within the survey area.

45

Detailed searches were carried out on each plot and in theimmediate surrounds for evidence of the presence of other animals.Scats, burrows, tracks, diggings and feeding sites on trees were notedand identified where possible. Search times on each plot amounted tobetween 45 and 60 minutes.

(c) Predator Scat Analysis

The technique described by Brunner and Coman (1974) enablesthe determination of prey species by identification of the hairspresent in predator scats. Searches were made for the scats ofpredators and the regurgitated pellets of raptorial birds for analysisfor the presence of the hairs or bones of prey species, but none werefound.

(d) Spot 7i ght i ng Transects

The roads and tracks through the survey area provided thebasis for a spotlight survey (see Figure 5), directed primarily atdetermining the species of arboreal mammals present in the forest andobtaining an indication of the localities of high density. "Spotlighting transects were conducted on foot, with a full circularsweep of the area made every 50 metres. Calls made by the variousarboreal mammal species were also identified when possible.

(e) Data from Other Sources

Little detailed information on the native mammalpopulations is available from this specific area, or from the forestsnearby, with the exception of the Natural Resource Survey on the,Southern Portion of Rockton Section (Fanning and Mills, 1989). Therecent controversy over land use practices in the region hasencouraged the collation of available data and the collection of somelimited additional data. Additional information was obtained from:

The draft EIS for the Eden Woodchip Operation.The NPWS submission on the draft EIS for the Eden WoodchipOperation.Published literature on wildlife of the area:Discussions with individuals involved in the area.

7. Plot Locations and Descriptions

The locations of the survey plots trapped for terrestrial mammalsare ind"icated in Figure 5. A total of eighteen plots were surveyedusing the techniques outlined in Sections 6(a) and 6(b).

The plots surveyed for terre$trial mammals were chosen torepresent the habitats present within the study area. Some surveysites were located on gullies or near creeklines because of theimportance of these habitats to the nat"ive terrestrial mammal fauna.However, for the most part, those localities which are to be excludedfrom harvesting, as indicated in the Forestry Commission's PreferredManagement Priority (PMP) Classification of the area, were notsurveyed.

Details of the habitat attributes of the eighteen mammal trappingplots are included in Appendix 7. These descriptions and recordeddetails enabled differentiation of the plots into eight Habitat Typesof relevance to the terrestrial mammal fauna (Table 8), as with theplots surveyed in the Southern Portion of Rockton Section. TheHabitat Types are distributed along a moisture gradient which isreflected in the ground cover and shrub layer structure on the plots,these being of particular importance to the terrestrial fauna~ The

46

tree species which ,dominate each plot ~re also related to the moistureregime (in part) and, because the value of a site for arboreal speciesis dependent upon the tree. species present, a relationship betweenmoisture and arboreal density might be expected.

The drier Habitat Types were located on the upper slopes, ridgetops and broad ridge areas of the forest and typically possessed asparse understorey. Additionally, these sites tend to contain fewerhollow-bearing trees and, as the soils also tend to be nutritionallypoor, fewer of the tree species are associated with high populationsof arboreal mammals. These habitats are reported elsewhere assupporting relatively few species and low populations, "although somespecies (eg. the White-footed Dunnart and the Tuan - see section 11)favour this Habitat Type. The wettest of the Habitat Types consistedof swamps, mostly dominated by Lamandra spp. These generallycontained free surface water and are of somewhat more limited value tothe terrestrial mammalian fauna, although other fauna groups (forinstance, the reptiles and frogs) woul~ use them extensively. Asignificant feature of these swampy areas, however, is the generallyhi gh density of hollow-bearing trees along their boundaries. TheHabitat Types of greatest potential for the mammalian fauna are the!moist' ones - HT.6,and HT.7. These are characterized by a variable,often dense, understorey of ferns or shrubs and also containedsubstantial numbers of hollow-bearing trees of relatively highnutrient status.

8. Survey Resu7ts

A complete species list of the mammals (excluding the bats)recorded during this'fauna survey is included in Ta~le 14, along withthe type of evidence for presence of each species.

(a)" Terrestria 7 Mamma 7s

Trapping for terrestrial mammals occurred from the 1st tothe 11th of September,' 1988. The total numbers of each mammalianspecies .captured on each plot are indicated in Table 9, w.ith the dai lycapture details in Appendix 6. Trapping rates varied from 0 to 4captures (all were individual animals i.e. no re-captures wererecorded) for the 75 elliott trap-nights on each plot (0 to 5.33%success rates). Two plots (B and L) contained two different habitattypes and the trapping data were analyzed separately for these (seeTables 8 and 12). One of these sub-plots, a fern-filled gully on PlotB, yielded 3 animals from just nine trap-nights (a success r.ate of33.3%). Apart from this latter example, the trapping recor.ds are low,and are indicative of a generally dry open-understorey forest. Theyalso probably reflect the effect of the fire regime within RocktonSection and the resultant generally sparse nature of the understoreyvegetation throughout the study area. The low success rates might"also be explained, in part by the time of the year at which trappingoccurred, "although this is not regarded as parti~ularly significant irrthis instance, as species diversity was also low and subsequent birdsurveys also indicate relatively low species diversity (Fanning, inpress).

The apparently depauperate condition of the terrestrialmammal fauna of the Northern Portion of Rockton Section, study area isreflected also by the species composition of the captures during this

47

survey. Only five species were captured in the elliott or pit traps(the Brown Antechinus - Antechinus stuartii, the Eastern Pygmy-possum- Certartetus nanus, the Bush Rat - Rattus fuscipes, the Sugar Glider- Petaurus breviceps and the House Mouse - Mus musculus) and these areall common and widely distributed in eastern Australia. Furthermore,three of these species were obtained from just one plot each, theHouse Mouse is not a native species, and C. nanus and P. brevicepswere represented by just one individual each. 33% of the plotssurveyed yielded no animals at all, 44% yielded one species only, 17%yielded two species and just one plot of the eighteen provided threespecies.

Other information obtained during the survey (from faecalpellets, footprints and diggings) indicated the presence of severallarger species of native terrestrial mammals on the plots. Thecomplete species list for each plot 1s contained in Table 10~

Differentiation of the faecal pellets from the smaller macropods (theRed-necked Wallaby - Macropus rufogriseus and the Swamp Wallaby Wa77abia bicolor) was, at times, impossible. However, both specieswere regularly seen in the forest and are common throughout theirranges. Similarly, determination of the species of bandicootresponsible for the characteristic diggings recorded from seven of theplots was not possible. Faecal pellets of the Common Wombat (Vambatusursinus) were recorded from most plots, although active burrows wereonly located in the moister'sites with better soils, particularlyalong gullies and alluvial flats.

The relationship between the Habitat Types di~cussed inSection 7 and the terrestrial mammals recorded on the survey p.lots isindicated in Table 11. This, in addition to the small mammal capturerates, illustrates the significance of the moister habitats to thenative terrestrial mammals in this area. The results of this surveyare iA close agreement with the data which was obtained from theSouthern Portion of Rockton Section, although the small mammal capturerates are surprisingly low. Again, the greatest number and highestdensities of species occurred in the fern-filled gullies and along themore densely vegetated alluvial flats. Conversely, the drier HabitatTypes with open, sparse understoreys contained few species fn lower~umbers. These drier habitats may, however, support several specieswhich do not occur in the more moist gully locations (see Sections 11and 12).

.Despite the specific attempts made to establish itspresence, no definite evidence of the long-footed Potoroo wasobtained. During the reconnaissance survey, an area containing tretype of habitat which ·is possibly favoured by this species (D. Scotts,pers. comm.) was located (in Compartment 1720). This site is moremoist. than most of the remainder of the survey area, due to.itssouthwesterly aspect and its location on the'southwestern edge of WogWog Mountain, and consequently supports extensive areas of bracken andother ferns, as well as a variety of shrubs, from the creekline atleast up to the ridge leading to Wog Wog Mountain. The presence inthis area of diggings with the characteristics of the long-footedPotoroo, further suggested the possibility of the species occurringhere. These observations are near the location of the only evidence

---------~-----

48

Table 8. The eight Habitat Types described for the Northern Portion ofRockton Section and the mammal survey plots representative ofeach.

HABITAT PLOTTYPE NOS

HT.1 M

HT.2 A, K

HT.3 B1, C

HT.4 E, G, I, J,b, P, R

HT.5 F, H,I, 0

HT.6 82, D

HT.7 N, Q

DESCRIPTION

very dry open forest; very sparse und~rstorey onridge tops, upper slopes and broad ridges

dry open forest; open understorey and thick litter. on upper slop~ and broad ridges

dry open forest; small shrubs, grasses and thicklitter on upper and midslopes

dry open forest; well developed shrub layeron lower and mldslopes

mesic open forest; variable shrubs and some bracken,occasional Lomandra patches on' mid and lowerslopes and shallow drainage lines

riparian - open forest; dense shrubs and goundcover,. patches of bracken and other ferns on creek andriver flats

moist open forest; dense ferns, patches of treefernsin gullies and 'creeklines and on lower slopes

"HT.8 Lz wet swampy sites; sedges, reeds, Lomandra spp

in gullies and creeklines

B1 dry open forest on broad ridge and slope into gullyBz steep sided gully with dense brackenb . dry open forest on midslope above swampLz swamp with Leptospermum and Allocasuarlna nana

"

49

for the species in NSW; that of the hair and bone fragments found inthe fox scats 'near Sheep Station Creek by liz Dovey of the .NPWS of NSW(see Section 11 for further discussion). The area has been reservedfrom harvesting pending further investiga~ion (Forestry Commission,E.I.S.) .

One finding of some significance during the field surveywas a female Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and her egg in abreeding burrow, along the banks of Sheep Station Creek. This findwas somewhat unexpected due to the nature of the creek nearby, as itconsists largely of reedy swamps with little running water o~

elsewhere of a rather small channel with only small pools.' Thepresence of this female with her egg reinforces the significance ofSheep Station Creek for the fauna of the area.

Two species of terrestrial mammals both of which are'expected to occur in Rockton Section were not recorded during thisfauna sur.vey. The Australian Water Rat (Hydramys chrysogaster) is acommon and widely distributed native rodent, inhabiting most of thewaterways of the country. This species is certain to occur along theWhite Rock River and would probably use Sheep Station Creek as well.The Swamp Rat (Rattus 1utreo1us) , another common native rodent,inhabits heath and swamps and would be expected along Sheep StationCreek and in the moist A110casuarina nana heaths found along thedrainage channels in the central part of Rockton Section. Bothspecies will benefit from the fauna reserves proposed by the ForestryCommission and from the filter strip system of streamsidepreservation.

No predator seats were located during either thereconnaissance surveyor the subsequent trapping survey in theNorthern Portion of Rockton Section, despite continual searching forthem. This may have Qeen partly related to baiting on private landwith 1080 which had apparently occurred not long before the surveys(pers. comm, local landowner). This, unfortunately, has removed avaluable survey technique from the study.

(b) Arborea 1 Mamma 15

Spotlight transects were conducted· by foot along the maintracks through the forest between the 1st and the 10th of September,1988.

The record for arboreal mammals in the Northern'Portion of'Rockton Section ref'lects the rather poor results obtained during theterrestrial mammal survey. Sighting rates varied from 0 to 1.56animals per kflometre of walk~d transect, with no clear trend relatinghabitats to density of arboreal mammals being evident. The highestsighting rate occurred along Wog Wog Road which passes entirelythrough the driest forest types present in the study area. Other highsighting rates were recorded on transects through the forests on thelower slopes of Kellys mountain and on gently undulating land aroundSheep Station Creek.

50

The species recorded during this survey included theGreater Glider'- Petauroides volans, the S~gar Glider - Petaurusbreviceps, the Yellow-bellied Glider - Petaurus australis and theCommon Brushtail Possum - Trichosurusvulpecula. Of these, the mostabundant in this survey was the Greater Glider, a species which iscommon throughout its range and is widespread in the southern forests.The Brushtail Possum and the Sugar Glider, 'likewise, are commonspecies.

Table 9. Total capture,s and numbers of individual animals for eachmammal survey plot in, the Northern Portion of, Rockton Section.

PLOT A ST R FP OTHER TOTAL

AB 2 1 SG· 4C 2 2D 2 2E 1 1 2F 3 BP 4GH1.J 1 1KL MM 1M CN 1N 1 1 2 ,"'

0 1 1PQ 1 1R 1 1

A STR FPSGBPeNMM

Antechinus stuartiiRattus fuscipesPetaurus brevicepsTrichosurus vulpeculaCercatetus nanusMus musculus

Brown AntechinusBush Rat .

.Sugar GliderBrush-tailed PossumEastern Pygmy PossumHouse Mouse

51

The arboreal mammal sighting data indicate a generally poorenvironment for this group of forest animals, reflecting the dominanceof the lower-nutrient trees through the area and the effects of therather severe recent fire history. It is anticipated, however, thatsome areas of higher value to the arboreal mammal population wouldoccur in the Section, particularly in the catchment and surrounds ofSheep Station Creek' and in the northwestern part of the study area.

Two arboreal mammal species which were not recorded butwhich are expected to occur within Rockton sectiOn are the FeathertailGlider (Acrobates pygmaeus) and the Common Ringtail Possum(Pseudocheirus peregrinus). These species are generally extremelydifficult to observe and are more often recorded from predator scats'than from direct sightings. However, there appears no reason for theabsence of these species from the Section, although it is unlikelythat their popula~ion numbers would be particularly high, as for theother arboreal species observed during this fauna survey.

9. Other Records

little information is available on the native mammals of theNorthern Portion of Rockton Section of Bondi State Forest, despite itsaccessibility. The most complete data currently available are thosepresented in Fanning and Mills (1989).

The survey on the Southern Portion of Rockton Section indicates asimilarly depauperate condition of the terrestrial and the arborealmammal fauna to that described here for the Northern Portion ofRockton Section. Capture rates for the terrestrial mammals in thesouthern portion were low (0 - 6.2 %) and the number of speciesidentified was also limited (Figures 8 and 9). For both portionscombined, six small mammals were trapped, although three of theseconsisted of just one individual (Antechinus swainson7i~ Cercartetusnanus, Petaurus breviceps) and one of the remaining species' is anintroduced pest (Mus musculus). In both areas, the si'tes containilJgthe greatest densities of animals were the' fern-filled gullies(Habitat Type 6), as can be observed in Figures 8 and 9, and theimportance of these habitats for the survival of theforest:dependentmamma1s isdi scussed be1ow. .

likewise, the arboreal mammal fauna of the Southern Portion of,Rockton Section appeared rather poor in both observed diversity and inthe abundance of animals seen. However, one site in the SouthernPortion, along Reef Creek, contained a SUbstantially higher populationof arboreal mammals than was observed at any locality within the

52

Table 10. Mammal species recorded by all survey teghniques on all surveyplots throughout the Northern Por~ion of Rockton Section.

PLOT AT RF CN SG BP . VU M BB OA

A + +B + + + + +.C + + +0 + + + + +E + +F + + .+ + +G + +H + +I + + +J. + +K + +L + +M + +N + + + + +0 + +P + +Q + + +R + .+ .

Cercatetus nanus·CN

- ~- --------

Isoodon obesulus and PerlQT1eles nasutaMacropqs .giganteus; Macropus rufogri$8.us ·and

. Wallabia bicolor .Vombatus ursinus ·OA· Ornithorhynchus anatinus 'Petaurus breviceps BP Trichosurus vulpecula .

Ahtechinus stuartiiRattus fuscipesthe bandicoots the macropods -

ATRFBBM

VUSG

53

Figure 9. Comparison of the success rates (as a percentage of traps set) in eachof the eight Habitat Types in the Northern and Southern portions ofRockton Section of Bond1 State Forest.

20 ------- -,

• oSTH AOCKTON

m NTH ROCKTON

O-+--'---rO-'---.-"-

~o

Cl)WI-

~Cl)

~ 10()()~Cl)

a-ct:a:I-

2 3 4 5

HABITAT TYPES6 7 8

Figure 10.Comparison of the total number of mammal species recorded in eachHabitat Type in the Southern and Northern Portions of RocktonSections. Hacropods have been grouped for consistency.

8

• STHAOCKTON

0 .f2 NTHROCKTONw~ 6w

~Cl)w0 4wa-Cl)

'0a:

~ 2~z

o2 3 456

HABITAT TYPES7 8

54

Northern Portion. Attention was drawn to the value of reservation ofthis area from logging in view of its relatively high value for thearboreal mammals.

The Forestry Commission of NSW is currently undertaking aninvestigation into the Powerful OWl (Ninox strenua) during whichrecords are made of the arboreal mammals in several forest areas.Rockton Section has been investigated in this study. Sightingsinclude Yellow-bellied Gliders, Greater Gliders, a Feather-tail Gliderand a Common Brushtai1 Possum along the Im1ay Road east of White RockRiver (see Table 13). A number of other sites within the survey areayielded no animals. These data confirm the apparently smallpopulations of arboreal marsupials, although the observations alongthe Imlay Road indicate the relative importance of the habitats foundon the undulating land in the central southern portion of the NorthernPortion of Rockton Section. These habitats particularly includeshallow drainage channels with large gums (E. viminalis and E. ovata)along their edges.

The Forestry Commission has also conducted arboreal mammal surveysalong two transects in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section duringearly 1986 and 1988. The locations of these transects are indicatedin Figure 5, and the data obtained from them included below:

Transect AJan '86 4 Greater Gliders and 2 Mountain Brushtai1Possums

Feb '88 2 Greater Gliders and 1 Mountain Brushtai1Possums

Transect BJan '86 6 Greater GlidersFeb '88 2 Greater Gliders and 1 Mountain Brushtail

Possums

Although the species recorded here are common, these transectsfurther illustrate the importance of the gullies mentioned above forthe arboreal mammal fauna. The gullies' of Sheep Station Creek inwhich these transects were located are typical of the central plateauarea of Rockton Section, containing Lomandra swamps surrounded bylarge hollow-bearing specimens of E. viminalfs and E. ovata, withnumbers of E. ob7iqua.. These trees are of importance to'the arborealmammals because of their high nutrient status and their hollow forminghabits, and will become more so as logging proceeds. The dataobtained during the current study tend also to suggest the relativelyhigh value of these habitats to the arboreal mammal fauna of theforests.

The Waratah Creek Catchment, to the north of the survey area, hasbeen reserved by the Forestry Commission in recognition of itsrichness and diversity, particularly in respect of the arboreal fauna.Research.by the Forestry Commission in this catchment indicates thatthe habitats within it which are of principal importance, as elsewherethroughout the region, are the mosaic of forest types in therelatively flat moist areas of the catchment. These habitats arecharacterized by E. vimina7is, E. ovata, E. radfata and E. fastigata.

55

Table 11. Native mammal presence on the eight Habitat Types desc:ribed forthe mammal survey plots in the Northern Portion of RocktonSection of Bondi State Forest. The macropod speci.es have beengrouped because they were not able to be separated in the field.

HABITAT AT RF M BB VU OTHER

HT.1 + +HT.2 + +HT.3 + + + +HT.4 + + + + +HT.5 + + + + + +HT.6 + + + + + ++HT.7 + + + + +HT.8 +

'ATRFM

Antechinus stuartiiRattus fusci pesthe macropods

BB the bandicootsVU Vombatus ursinusOTHER see Table 13

8

cwc

6a:00wa:

4en.....cc:E:E 2cc:E

01 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

HABITAT TYPES

56

Again, as elsewhere, the dry forest types on the upper slopes' arerelatively depauperate. The numbers of arboreal animals observedwithin the preferred habitats in the Waratah Catchment,ar~approximately 10 times higher than those recorded, in the NorthernPortion of Rockton Section, although only two additional non-batspecies of mammalian fauna have been recorded from this research ,sitecompared with the whole of Rockton Section (the Feathertai1 GliderAcrobates pygmaeus and the Ring-tailed Possum Pseudocheirusperegrinus). Additionally, although all of the above tree speciesoccur in the Northern Portion of Rockton section, the generally driernature of the survey area and the poorly developed understorey aresupportive (and indicative) of only limited populatiohs of anapparently limited mammalian fauna.

The Victorian Department of Conservation, Forests and lands ·hasconducted pre-logging fauna and flora surveys in many forest blocks inthe Gippsland region throughout the 1980's. Three of these blocks arelocated near the NSW border and provide a useful data base f~r ~

comparison. The mammal (non-bat) species recorded from these threeforest blocks and from the Rockton Section (North and South) arecompared in Table 15. Rockton Section appears similar in speciescomposition. One significant aspect of the trapping data is th~

extremely low success rates for mammal traps in the Rockton Section approximately 10% of those recorded in the Victorian forests. Thisresult is suggested as reflecting the generally dry ,nature of theRockton section and its fire history, although it shpuld be noted, that*the capture rates in the moister sites were' comparable with those inthe Victorian studies.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW submission on thedraft EIS for the Eden Export Woodchip Operation' proviaes some' .,additional data on mammals of the area. The, most relevant informationrelates to the Long-footed Potoroo and is discussed in Section 11.

10. History of Mammals in the Area

Lunney and Leary (1988), in a paper on the impact of habitatalterations on the native fauna since settlement of the Bega Valley,have documented the extinction of six marpma1 spec,ies and the seriousdecline of several other species in this locality primarily due topastoral clearing. Although the Northern Portion of ~ockton Sectionis some distance from the Bega Valley and i,s of a different.topographic nature, many of the species discussed are likely' also tohave occurred here in the past. Three of the species regarded as ,rareand threatened by lunney and Leary (1988) (the Koala, the SouthernBrown Bandicoot and the Tiger Quo11).are discussed in Section 11.Lunney and Leary (1988) ac,knowledge that mos.t of the adverse changesto the environment which are responsible for the deterioration in themammal. fauna occurred prior to the involvement.-,of t,he';:National Parksand Wildlife Service and Of the Forestry CommissAon of NSW. ". .

57

Table 12. Trapping success rates (% captures per total elllott trap-nights)for each of the eight Habitat Types. The Habitat Types increasein moisture content-from Type 1 (the driest) to Type 8 (swamp).

HABITAT SUCCESS RANGETYPE RATE % CAPTURES

HT.1 0 0HT.2 0 0HT.3 2.09 1 - 2HT.4 0.97 0-2HT.5 1.67 0-4HT.6 17.98 2 ..: 3 *HT.7 2.00 1 - 2HT.8 0 0 _! -

- -* 3 captures in nine trap"'nig!its in Habitat Type 6 on plot B! 1 capture of Nus musculus Ignored (not a native species)

20';I.

U)U)w00:J

10U)

0z0:a-cea:t-

O1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

HABITAT TYPES

"

, 58

11 . Spec i es of ~pecia 1 Concern,

Several native mammalian species of special concer.n have beenrecorded in the region of the Rockton section of Bondi State Forest,or may possibly exist in the area. These species are either rare orendangered in this region, or over ,thei r 'whole 'ranges, or have ~,

requirements for habitats or resources which are threatened or whichmay become so. Although some of the species discussed h~r~in areunlikely to occur within the survey area, they are inclUded, forcompleteness~

The Long-footed Potoroo - Potorous longipes

This species was only described in 1980 (Seebeck and Johnston,1980) and is regarded as extremely rare and vulnerable. Nearly allrecords of the species, and all captures so far, have been.from theEast Gippsland area of Victoria. The only other confirmed evidence ofthe species is from two predator scats obtained from the Sheep StationCreek area in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section. 'The two scatswere collected in 1986 and hair samples of the Long-footed Potoroo,together with a characteristic fragment of jawbone c'ontai'ninrf sOmemolar teeth were identified. Whilst presence in a predator scat doesnot indicate that the prey species i,nhabit~ the exact, location,atwhich the scat was found, it' do~s'infer ~~s existence in the area.. . ....

Specific searches for the preferred habitats of the Long-footedPotoroo (and for those' of other mammals of speci~l concern) were'conducted throughout the survey area on foot (see Figure 5). Thepreferred habitat types of the Potoroo in Victoria (0 Scotts, pers.comm.) are the ~oister forests, including warm-temperate rainforest,riparian forest, wet sclerophyll forest and damp lowland sclerophyllforest. The rainforest and riparian forest are characterized by adense tree~fern layer and a dominant tall shrub layer, and by an openunderstorey with dense 1itter~ patches of bare ground and ferns in themoister areas. The latter two forest types possessed a sparse treefern layer and a 1e$s dense tall, shru~ layer, but again,w1th a mosaicof litter, bare ground and dense ground-cover. The dry fore~t typesof the upper slopes and ridges are avoided entirely. The habitatpreferences of Potorous longipes appear to 'be determined primarily bythe distribution of its principle food item, the sporocarps ofhypogea1 fungi which are mycorrhiza1 on the roots of trees and shrubsin the forest. The presence of these sporocarps is dependent in parton suitable soil moisture and their abundance and ease of accessappear related to the presence:of patches of 'bare ground. Inaddition, the potoroos require patches ,of dense low vegetation,inclUding wire grass, shrubs and sedges for prdtection:

: 59,

Table 13. Spotlighting transacts - details of location, distance surveyedand mammals recorded for each transect.

1. WOG WOG ROAD

..

,

from the Imlay Road to Wog Wog Stationanimals - 5 Greater' Glider'

1 Yellow-bellied Glider2 Eastern Grey Kanga~

'. ~ ,

2. HAYES HOAD

from the Itnlay Road to the topanimals - A. 4 Greater Glider

2 Sugar Glider' ,B. 1 Greater Glider'

1 Yellow-'bellied Glider1 Swamp Wallaby

C. to Sheep Station Creekanimals - none recorded

3. SHEEP STATION CREEK TRACK

from the Imlay Road to S S Cr'eek and environsanimals - none recorded

4. SHEEP STATION CREEK

around the gravel pit near White Rock Riveranimals - 1 Common Brushtall Possum

5. WHITE ROCK RIVER ROAD

north from the Imlay Roadanimals - 1 Yellow-bellied Glider

1 Common Brushtall Possum

6. KEllYS MOUNTAIN ROAD

3.2 km

4.0 km

0.25 km,

3.0 km

0.8 km

3.2 km

from the Coolangubra Forest Way to the link Road 1.5 kmanimals - 1 Yellow-bellied Glider

, 1 Rat1 Swamp Wallaby

along the link Road to the gate, 1.5 kmanimals - 1 Wombat

2 Brushtail Possums

7. HITES ROAD

from the Coolangubra Forest Way to the bottomanimals - 1 Wombat

1 Red-necked Wallabyl' Feral Cat

1.4 km

60

Taple 13. continued. Qetails of spotlighting· survey.

J.QJ..AL.Qa.s.EB.~TIONSON EACH .IBANSECI;

1. Wog Wog Road, 5 animals * 1.56 per km2. Hayes Road 6 animals 1.50 per km2 animals 0.50 per kmo animals

3. Sheep Station Creek Track o animals4. Sheep Station Creek 1 animal 1.25 per km5. White Rock River Road 2 'animals· 0.63 per km6. Kellys Mountain Road 1 animal ,0.67 per km2 animals '1.33 per km '7. Hites Road o animals

* The Yellow-bellied Glider has been ,excluded from this calculationbecause it was recorded aurall:y from a gully Some distance fromthe transect.

IMLAY ROAD: ",.

2.0 km east of White' Rock River

1 Yellow-bellied ~lider

1 Feather-tailed Glider1 Common Brushtall Possum

'IMLA'(.. R01D 3.7 km east of White Rock' River

1 Yellow-bellied Glider,

IMLAY ROAD 5.7 km east of White RoCk River, "

1 Yellow-belUed Glfd~r2 Greater Gliders '

IM LAY ROAD 0.4 km west of Nungatta Creek

1 Yellow-bellied GUder,2 Greater Gliders,

61

Compartment 1720 has been identified as possibly suitable habitatfor the Long-footed Potoroo, as discussed in Section 8(a) followingdiscussions with D. Scotts and J. Seebeck of the Arthur Rylah,Institute, Victoria. The occurrence of the species at this site inrecent times may be further supported by the proximity of the two foxscats containing the hair and bone samples (as stated earlier, thesewere collected in 1986, positively identified and are now resident 'atthe Australian Museum). Other areas of similar potentially suitablehabitat do occur throughout the survey area. However, the habitat inCompartment 1720 is possibly extensive enough to support a viablepopulation of the Potoroo, whtlst most of the other areas would almostcert~inly be too small. This compartment has been reserved fromharvesting actiVity pending further study (Forestry Commission,E.I.S.).

The Tiger Quoll - Dasyurus maculatus

This species, the largest of the mainland marsupial carnivores,has suffered a serious decline, in distribution and abundance since thesettlement of Australia by Europeans. It inhabits dense sclerophyllforest and rainforest in eastern Australia and has been only rarelyrecorded in the region in recent times•. The nearest locality for theTiger Quoll is east of Bombala,' '30 km to the north. '

No evidence of the Quoll was obtained during this survey. Theirpreferred habitat of dense, closed forest and rainforest appears to beabsent from the survey area, altho~gh patches of dense moist forestwould occur in the sheltered gullies associated with Nalbaugh NationalPark. other locations which may contain suitable habitat but which'were not investigated in detail during tbis survey would include thesteeper slopes from Mount Calabash and some of the, more shelteredgullies in the northwestern portion of the survey area near HitesRoaq. These habitat types would be largely excluded from theharvesting plan and the retention of unlogged coupes during the firstpart of the logging cycle should enable the species to. survive in thearea, if it occurs there at all.

The Koala - Phasco7arctos cinereus

The Koala is another species which has been seriously affected bywhite settlement and is now rarely reported from the region. Largepopulations originally existed in the Bega Valley to the northeast ofthe current survey area. No specific reports of the Koala are knownfrom the vicinity of the Northern Portion of Rockton Section, althoughthe species can be extremely difficult to detect. Although severalspecies of eucalypt preferred by Koalas occur within the forest(E. ovata, E. vimina7is), no evidence for the presence of the animalwas obtained. The process of harvesting woul d·, however, besufficiently flexible to enable conservation of the species if it issvbsequently located in areas to be logged or during the harvestingprogramme.

62

The Brush~tailed Phascogale - Phascogale tapoatafa

The Brush-tailed Phascoga1e (or"Tuan) is a predominantly arborealcarnivorous marsupial which favours the drier ridges, inhabiting opendry forest with a sparse ground-cover. Little is known of itsspecific habitat requirements as it is a difficult animal to detect,although tree hollows appear to be necessary for shelter.

The Tuan has not been recorded in recent years from the region.The proposed harvesting pattern, which would produce a mosaic ofrecently logged, partially burnt, un10gged and regenerating forestshould provide sufficient suitable habitat to enable this species tosurvive in the forests of the region, if it exists there at all.

The White-footed Dunnart - Sminthopsis leucopus

The White-footed Dunnart, like the Tuan, is an inhabitant of thedry open forests along the ridges and elevated land in the forests.It appears to avoid dense ground-cover and prefers forest which hasbeen recently burnt and with a sparse ground-cover of grasses andsmall shrubs. Consequently, the role of hazard reduction burns andthe pattern of forest ground-cover growth will be of particularsignificance to this Dunnart.

As for the Tuan, no records for the Dunnart were obtained fromwithin the survey area, despite trapping in" suitable habitat. Thehabitat types which these two species prefer are widespread within theNorthern Portion of Rockton Section and throughout the State Forestsnearby. In studies on the coastal forests near Bega, Lunney et al.(1986, 1987) reported that the White-footed Dunnart occurredpredominantly on logged ridges:despite the widespread distribution ofits food items. Furthermore, the populations appeared little affectedby fire and only disappeared from localities once substantial regrowthhad developed following the fire. The mosaic of logging and theretention of 'habitat trees' within logged coupes should enablepopulations of these species to persevere, if they occur in the surveyarea at all.

The Southern Brown Bandicoot - Isoodon obesulus

The characteristic diggings of bandicoots were recorded from ninemammal survey plots within the Northern Portion of Rockton Section,although it was not possible to determine the species which wasresponsible. Both the Southern Brown and the Long-nosed Bandicoot(Perameles nasuta) occur in the region, and their diggings are oftenindistinguishable.

The"Southern Brown Bandicoot is apparently becoming rare in theregion, although it is still locally common in patches throughVictoria. This species prefers open dry forest with a heathunderstorey of dry sclerophyll shrubs. It favours areas which areoccasionally burnt to produce a mosaic of habitats and stages ofregrowth, along with areas of higher density understorey for shelterand nesting. Again, the pattern of hazard reduction burning and ofalternate logged and unlogged coupes throughout the forest shouldprovide sufficient suitable habitat for this species, if it currentlyoccurs in the survey area.

.~

63

Table 14. All mammalian species recorded within the Northern Portion ofRockton Section and the evidence for their occurrence.

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME EVIDENCE

NATIYE MAMMALS

Brown Antechinus Antechlnus stuartii TDusky Antechlnus Antech/nus swa/nsonii MBush Rat Rattus fusclpes TRed-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogrlseus V, F, PSwamp Wallaby Wallab/a blcolor V, F, PEastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus glganteus V, F,' P, Mbandicoots -

SOuthern Brown lsoodon obesu/us 0Long-nosed Perameles nasuta D

Common Wombat Vombatus urslnus B, F, D, VGreater Glider Petauroldes volans V, AYellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australls ASugar Glider Petaurus brev/ceps V, A, TCommon Brushtai I Possum Trlchosurus vulpecula V, A, TEastern Pygmy-possum Certartetus nanus TPlatypus Ornlthorhynchus anatlnus "T"

INIRQDUQE~5

House Mouse Mus musculus T" Feral Cat Fells catus V

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus V, F, 0

Techniques for recording of mammal species

A auralB burrowsD characteristic diggingsF faecal pelletsM mortality (carcass)o .odour or scentP printsT trappingV visual observation

----------- ------

64

12. Conclusions

The Northern Portion of Rockton Section of Bondi State Forestappears to support a rather sparse and depauperate community ofarboreal and terrestrial fauna. The n~mbers 6f small mammals trapped,

'and the small number of species recorded, is indicative of a somewhatdisturbed dry open forest, which is typical of the study area.Similarly, the observation rates for atborea1 mammals were poor,particularly when compared to the nearby Waratah Creek Flora Reserve.Rockton Section of Bondi State Forest appears in general to be ofsubstantially less value in terms of the native mammal fauna thanother forest nearby, although a few sites within it require specialconsideration.

The relatively depauperate condition of the mammal fauna in the' "survey area is most likely a consequence of the very dry nature ofmost of this forest and of the fire history of the area. Many of the'gullies throughout the survey area support only very limited areas'ofthe dense fern understorey which seem to be favoured by many of thesmall mammals. Other gullies, notably those draining into SheepStation Creek, are broad shallow swamps dominated by Lamandra spp.,andappear of limited value to the terrestrial mammals. likewise, becauseof its dry nature, most of the forest will not support highpopulations of the arboreal mammals. The relatively low value of thisSection of the forest for the mammalian fauna has been 'furtherexacerbated by the severe fires of recent years.

The habitats of greatest diversity and density of animals are themoister areas along the gullies containing substantial numbers ofhollow-bearing trees and a varied, sometimes dense understorey offerns and shrubs. This observation is characteristic of the forestswhich have been studied in the southeast of NSW and is a majorconsideration in current forest management practices. In this regard;certain sites within the Northern Portion of Rockton Section areexpected to support significant populations of the arboreal mammals.These si'tes would include'the upper catchment of Sheep Station Creekand the southern slopes from Na1baugh National Park, the complex ofSheep Station Creek tributaries in the south-central part of thesurvey area (corresponding to compartment 1724 and parts of 1725 and1726) and the gullies containing E. fastigata and the moister foresttypes in the northwest of the area.

Data from the 1986 submission of the National .Parks & WildlifeService of NSW on the Harris-Daishowa EIS indicate a high mammalianspecies diversity in the Bondi State Forest. The survey, of preyspecies in predator scats, included Rockton Section. Unfortunately,no details of the localities of predator scats are available as yet,but the data in the 1986 submission (Appendix K) indicates that thearea of particularly high fauna value is Bondi Gulf, west of the CannValley Highway. This situation would conform to the pattern of highfaunal densities and diversities found in the moister gully forests inthis and earlier surveys, although direct comparisons will requiremore details of the locations of the predator scats in the NPWSsurvey.

No evidence for the presence within the survey area of most of themammals of special concern (the Koala, Tiger Quoll, Tuan, White-footed

65

.Table 15. Comparison between the native mammal species observed In thewhole of Rockton Section of Bondl State Forest and thoserecorded from three forest areas In Glppsland, Victoria•

..

~ES ROCKTON QUADRA BULDAH BUCKLANDEchldna + + +Platypus + + +

Brown Antechlnus t + + +Dusky Antechlnus + s +White-footed Dunnart + + +

long-nosed Bandicoot -} + s +Southern Brown Bandicoot ? +long-footed Potoroo C

Common Brushtall Possum + +Mountain Brushtall Possum + + + +Common RIngtal I Possum s s +Eastern Pygmy Possum + + +

Sugar Glider + + + +Feathertall Glider s s +Greater Glider + + + +Yellow-bellied Glider + + + +..Swamp Wallaby + s + +Red-necked Wallaby + + +Eastern Grey Kangaroo + s + +Common Wombat + + + +

Bush Rat + + + +Swamp .Rat +Australian Water Rat +

mean trap success rates 1.22 9.0 16.2 12.3

+?C

recordedspecies not determineddata circumstantial

snot recorded during surveyrecorded from predator seats only

ROCKTONQUADRABULDAHBUCKLAND

Fanning and Mills (1988) and this .report.Brown et sI (1986).Cherry et sI (1986).Macfarlane et sI (1987).

66

Ounnart and Southern Brown Bandicoot) was obtained. Localities withinthe forest do, however, contain the possible preferred' habitats ofthese species.

No further proof was obtaine~ of the, existence of the Long-footedPotoroo in the survey area, despite a specific trapping effort.However, there is circumstantial evidence for its presence, includingthe occurrence of hair and bone in two fox scats along Sheep Station.Creek in 1986, and the location of its preferred habitat. The area'considered' suitable for the survival of a viable population of theLong-footed Potoroo is the upper catchment of Sheep Station Creek inthe vicinity of Logging Compartment 1720. A subsequent walked surveyin and around coupe 1720 was executed on the 23rd and 24th of January,1989, to determine the extent of suitable habitat for the Long-footedPotoroo. Although no further definitive evidence of this species waslocated, areas of suitable habitat were located on the eastern side QfSheep Station Creek near Nalbaugh National Park. Extensive diggingswere located in several sites, mostly characterized by Bedfordia sp.with a sparse ground cover, in a moist forest on the southern slopesof Wog Wog Mountain. Whilst some of these diggings were undoubtedlydue to wombats or bandicoots, some appeared typical of the long-footedPotQroo. '

SIT~S AND FEATURES OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE

The most significant feature within the Northern Portion ofRockton Section of Bondi State Forest, in terms of both the fauna andthe flora, is Sheep Station Creek. This creekline, which drains asubstantial portion of thesurvey area, arises on the southern slopesof Wog Wog and White Rock Mountains in Nalbaugh National Park. Forseveral kilometres (along most of the westward-flowing portion of thecreek), it consists of an extensive swamp containing a range of ferns,sedges and other moisture loving plants. This set of communities is,unique within the survey area and generally uncommon in the region,providing a significant area of habitats for native plants and'animals, which are dependent upon it for their survival. The creekbenefits from the orographic effect of the high peaks in Nalbaugh 'National Park and probably only very rarely dries up. The easternportion of the creek contains some small swampy sites but generallyflows through steeper country than the main swamps, and supports arange of moist forest types along its length. These habitat types arethose which tend to support the greatest diversity and numbers ofnative mammals and are consequently of great significance in themanagement of the forest for native fauna. This portion of Sheepstation Creek yielded a breeding female Platypus during the faunasurvey and evidence (i.e. two fox scats found in 1986) for theexistence of the rare -Long-footed Potoroo. Additionally, thetributaries of the creek from the south and the undulating landthrough which these flow constitute a variety of habitats of somesignificance in both fauna and flora terms. The Forest Types in thearea include Type 159 which is dominated by'a number of high-nutrienttree species and is therefore attractive to the arboreal species.Arboreal mammals appear more common in this locality, and theunderstorey and shrub layer are better developed and more diverse thanelsewhere in the survey area.

67

The White Rock River, although only a short stretch of it existswithin the Northern Portion of Rockton Section, is also ofsignificance to both the native fauna and flora of the region. Anumber of species of animals and plants will only occur in thehabitats which are to be found along the river. It will also act as arefuge during wi1dfires, a focus during periods of drought and asource for animals to reco10nize the surrounding forest followingnatural calamities or integrated harvesting. The river has beenprotected by the Forestry Commission in its PMP Classification.

No direct evidence was obtained regarding the value to wildlife ofthe gullies and creek1ines which constitute the upper catchment ofBondi Creek in the northwest of the survey area. However, this areais considered potentially rich arboreal mammal habitat and the fernfilled gullies may support substantial terrestrial mammal populations.The gullies in this area should therefore be provided with protectionadditional to the normal filter strip system used. in the loggingprocedures.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The forest contained on the Northern Portion of Rockton Section ofBondi State Forest appears typical of that found along the easternportion of the southern tablelands in southern NSW. The survey areacontai.ns substantial areas of dry open forest and several areas ofmoister or riparian forest vegetation. Swampy areas and some heathsoccur in the southern central part of the Section and along the WhiteRock River and Sheep Station Creek. This latter waterway is the mostsignificant feature of the Northern Portion of Rockton Section, asdiscussed below.

The vegetation types and the flora of the survey area, asindjcated in the report on the Southern Portion of Rockton Section,reflect its location on the edge of the coastal and tablelandbotanical divisions. The Forest Types are common and widespread, andthere are none which are rare or unusual. The twelve eucalypt specieswhich dominate the forests of the study area are also common andwidespread species.

As for the Southern Portion of Rockton section, the vegetationassociations are a reflection of the following major environmentalfactors: moisture availability, soil type and altitude.

As indicated above, no single plant species recorded during thesurvey is rare or endangered. The Phragmites tall grassland(essentially a fresh-water wetland), and the swampy shrublands withEmpodisma, Baeckea, Ca71istemon and Leptospermum, along both Sheepstation Creek and the White Rock River are restricted in distributionwithin the survey area, and by their nature belong to types which arerestricted elsewhere. These communities are at risk from alteredsedimentation rates and waterf10w regimes and require specialconsideration. They will be protected in a Flora Reserve proposed forthe area.

68

Allocasuarina nana heath is regarded as unusual because it is alow altitude representative of a generally higher elevation plantcommunity as reported in the Southern Portion of Rockton Sectionstudy. Allocasuarina heath/woodland vegetation types are also of someinterest. Those types located south of Sheep Station Creek arerelatively species~rich, and as a group contained a number of taxawhich could not be identified because of the time of th~ survey.

In terms of the mammal fauna of the survey area, the habitats ofprime importance are the moister forest types located in gullies. Therichest sites were characterized by a relatively dense understorey offerns or shrubs and contained high numbers of hollow-bearing trees,suitable for the arboreal mammals. The moist gullies supported~onsiderably higher numbers of both species and of individuals of theterrestrial mammals.' A1thou'gh the numbers of arboreal mammals werevery low, the moister'sites in the forest again generally containedthe highest densities.' It should also be noted that the broad swampydrainage lines in the central southern part of the survey area, whilstof limited significance to the terrestrial mammalian fauna, weregenerally lined with substantial numbers of large hollow-bearingtrees, and are therefore likely to be of major value in maintainingthe arboreal mammal popu1ations.

The significance of the moist gully sites for the mammal fauna ofthe forest·· has two principal elements - as refuges for animals tosurvive in whi1e'logging is occurring and as sources of individuals torecolonize' the regenerating forest once logging has ceased. The .concentration of species in the gullies means that thei.r localpreservation is guaranteed by satisfactory conservation of moistgullies throughout the forest. This situation will also provide asource of animals which is widely distributed throughout the forest torecolonize it once logging has ceased and regeneration begins.Implementation of the prescriptions pertaining to wildlife containedin the cEden Native Forest'Management P'lan' (1982) and the cWild1ifePolicy for the Eden Regi,on' cont~lined therein should enable theindigenous native mammals to' survive in the forest. For some species(for example Tuan, White-footed Dunnart anq the South~rn BrownBandicoot) the moist gullies are largely or ~entirely avoided.However, these speci,es will also be able to survive in the forest, andin certain instances their existence may be encouraged, by the patternof logging which is proposed.

The Commission presently retains cHabitat trees' "preferablygrouped" on each logged coupe at "a minimum of 5 trees per 15hectares" (Forestry Commission of NSW, 198~). These trees are largehollow-bearing ("over-mature") trees which are used by arborealmammals and birds' for nesting. These Cgroups' should include a rangeof younger trees to both protect the lhabitat trees' and to replacethem as they 'die.' Where individual habitat trees are to be left, theytoo should be part of a group of younger trees. It should be notedthat for several decades these habitat trees will be surrounded byyoung seedlings and then sapling eucalypts, whiGh will be of verylimited use to most of the arboreal mammals. Consequently, it isanticipated that recolonization of the logged coupes by arborealmammals will be minimal for between 10 and 20 years and the habitattrees will therefore need to be viable during this period of forestregeneration. Additionally, it is apparent that strong mature treesof a range of ages should be retained to supplement the cover-mature'

69

habitat trees and to replace them as they inevitably die.Preservation of the understorey associated with these groups andminimization of damage to the trees are also important to ensure theirintegrity while the forest around them regenerates.

The comments of Recher et al. (1980, 1987) in respect of both<wildlife corridors' and !habitat trees' are considered pertinent.They suggested that long narrow corridors, by themselves, may beinsufficient for the survival of the full complement of species withinthe forest. They suggested the additional retention of unloggedareas, at least in the medium term, to provide as it were. beads on thechain of the wildlife corridors. To a large extent, this objectivecan be met by the identification of areas of relatively rich orparticular·habitat type and their incorporation into thecorr'idor/reserve system. The Sheep Station Creek area falls into thiscategory.

Finally, the role of fire in this forest ecosystem is recognisedas"being highly significant. Several habitats within the nativeforests of the region rely on fire for regeneration. However, thepattern of intensity and frequency' of fires which is optimal for theforest's normal development is not fully understood. Certainly, somehabitats and the mammalian species they harbour are unlfkely tobenefit from fire, at least in the short- to mid-term (for example,the moist gully forest with tree-ferns and blanket bush possiblyfavoured by the Long-footed Potoroo). On the other hand, the .preferred habitat of this species requires occasional fire in a patchydistribution to maintain optimal conditions for its primary fpodsource. Certain other species (eg the White-footed Dunnart) onlyexist in disturbed dry open ridge forest. Clearly, a patchY mosaic ofhabitats ranging from recently burnt to unburnt are required for thefull suite of animals dependent on the forest for survival. However,for the present it is reasonable to assume that a fire regime whi~h

produces a mosaic of burnt and unburnt forest will provide thegreatest variety of habitats for the forest's animals and plants andmaximize the chances .of survival for all species currently inhabitingthe forest. Future monitoring of the permanent plots set up in thisstudy wiJl also be relevant.

The underlying principles for the conservation of the native faunaand flora within the forest are to maximize the variety of habitatsavailable, to prevent the isolation of small areas of undi.sturbedforest and to provide a mosaic of habitats and ages of forest standswhich will enable all native species to survive while ensuring thatviable logging operations can proceed.

70

REFERENCES

Baur G N. (1965). Forest Types in New South Wales. Research Note No.17. Forestry Commission of NSW, Sydney.

Beadle N C W. (1971). Students Flora of North Eastern New SouthWales. Part 1. Pteridophytes. University of New England,Armidale, NSW.

Beadle N.C.W., Evans 0.0. and Carolin R.C. (1982). Flora of theSydney Region. Reed, Sydney.

Binns D. (1988). A Preliminary List of Vascular Plant Species forFar South-Eastern New South Wales. Forestry Commission of NSW.Research Paper No. 4.

Braithwaite L.W. (1983). Studies of the arboreal marsupial fauna ofeucalypt forests being harvested for woodpulp at Eden, New SouthWales. I. The species and distribution of animals. Aust. Wildl.Res. 10: 219-230.

Braithwaite L.W. (1986). Forests and fauna. Fore~t and Timber,22: 23-26.

Braithwaite L.W., Clayton M., MacLean. L. and Parker B.S. (1984).Vertebrate fauna of a 144-ha water catchment within eucalyptforest being harvested for woodpulp at Eden, south-eastern NewSouth Wales. CSIRO Technical Paper No. 35. CSIRO, Australia.Braithwaite L W, Dudzinski M.L. and Turner J. (1983). Studies of thearboreal marsupial fauna of eucalypt forests being harvested forwoodpulp at Eden, New South Wales. II. Relationships between thefauna density, richness and diversity, and seasonal variables ofhabitat., Aust. Wi ldl. Res. 10: 231-247.

Braithwaite L.W., Turner J. and Kelly J. (1984). Studies of thearboreal marsupial fauna of eucalypt forests being'harvested forwoodpulp at Eden, New South Wales. III. Relationships betweenfaunal densities, eucalypt occurrence and foliage nutrients andsoi) 'parent materials. Aust. Wildl. Res. 11: 41-48.

Brooker'M.I.H. and Kleinig D.A. (1983). Field Guide to Eucalypts,South-eastern Australia. Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Brown G.W., Carr G.W., Cherry K.A., Craig S.A., Horrocks G.F.B.,Menkhorst K.A, Opie A.M. and Triggs B.E. (1986). Flora and Faunaof the Quadra Forest Block, East Gippsland, Victoria. EcologicalSurvey Report No. 6. Department of Conservation, Forests andlands, Melbourne.

Brunner H. and Coman B. (1974). The Identification of Mammalian Hair.Inkata Press, Melbourne.

71

Cherry K.A.; Brown G.W., Carr G.W., Horrocks G.F.B., Opie A.M. andTriggs B.E. (1986). Flora and Fauna of the Buldah Forest Block,East Gippsland, Victoria. Ecological Survey Report No.7.Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne.

Cherry K.A., Brown G.W., Carr G.W~, Horrocks G.F.B., Menkhorst K.A.,Opie A.M. and Triggs B.E., (1987). Flora and Fauna of theFreezeout and pyke Forest Blocks, Central Gippsland, Victoria.Ecological Survey Report No. 13. Department of Conservation,Forests and Lands, Melbourne.

Costin A.B., (1954).New South Wales.

A Study of the Ecosystems of the Monaro Region ofGovernment Printer, Sydney.

Denny M. (1984). Rapid surveys of fauna'and their habitats. InSurvey methods for Nature Conservation. Myers K., Margules C.R.and Musto ,I. eds. pp 376-391. CSIRO, Canberra.

Fannin.g F.D. 'and Mills K. (1989). Natural Resource'Survey of theSouthern Portion of Rockton Section, Bondi State Forest. ForestResources Series No. 6. Forestry Commission of N.S.W.

Forestry Commission of NSW (1982). Eden Native Forest Management', Plan. Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Sydney.

Heyligers P.C. (1977). The Natural History of the Tasmanian, Manjimupand Eden-Bombala Woodchip Export Conc~ssion Areas. Studies BureauReport No. 22 Dept. of Environment, Housing and CommunityDevelopment, Canberra.

Jacobs S.W.L. and Pickard J'. (1981). Plants of New South Wales. ACensus of the Cycads, Conifers and Angiosperms. > NationalHerbarium of NSW, Sydney.

Kavanagh R P. (1984). Seasonal changes in habitat use by gliders andpossums in southeastern New South Wales'- In Possums"and Gliders.Smith A.P. and Hume I. D. eds. Australian Mammal Society, Sydney.

Leigh J., Briggs J. and Hartley W. (1981). Rare' or ThreatenedAustralian Plants Special Publication No. 7. Australian NationalParks and Wildlife Service, Canberra.

Lunney D., Ashby E., Grigg J. and O'Conne11 M.' (19"86). Foodavailability and habitat selection of Sminthopsis leucopus (Gray)(Marsupialia:Dasyuridae) in logged forest on the south coast ofNew South Wales. Aust. Mammal. 9: 105-110.

Lunney D. and Barker J. (1986). Mammals of the coastal forests nearBega, New South Wales. I. Survey. Aust. Zoologist. 23: 19-28.

Lunney D. and Barker J. (1986). Mammals of the coastal forests near'Sega, New South Wales. 11. Annotated checklist. Aust. Zoologist.23: 41-49.

Lunney D., Cullis B. and Eby P. (1987). Effects of logging and fireon sma'l1 mammals in Mumbulla State Forest, near Bega, New SouthWales. Aust. Wi ldl. Res. 14: 163-181.

72

Lunney D, and Leary T. (1988). The impact on native mammals of landuse changes and exotic species in the Bega District (New SouthWales) since settlement. Aust. J. Eeo1. 13: 67-92.

Macfarlane M.A., Schulz M., Parkes D.M., Traill B.J. and Triggs B.E.(1987). Flora and Fauna of the Buckland Forest Block, EastGippsland, Victoria •. Ecological Survey Report No.8. Departmentof Conservation, Forests and lands, Melbourne.

Margules and Partners Pty. Ltd. (1986). Draft environmental impactstatement for the 'Eden (NSW) export woodchip operation for theperiod 1989-2009.

Mills K. and Fanning F.D. (1988). Vegetation Project, TantawangaloForest Study Area, Initial Findings and Report. Report preparedfor the Forestry Commission of NSW Gunninah Consultants, Sydney.

National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW (198~). Submission on theEIS for the Eden (NSW) Export Woodchip Operation 1989-2009 (byMargules and Partners Pty. Ltd~).

Recher H.F., Rohan-Jones W. and Smith P. (1980). Effects of the EdenWoodchip Industry on Terrestrial Vertebrates with Recommendationsfor Management. Research Note No. 42. Forestry Commission of NewSouth Wales, Sydney.

Recher H.F., Shields J., Kavanagh R. and Webb G. (1987). Retainingremnant mature forest for nature conservation at Eden, New SouthWales: A review of theory and practice. In Nature Consarvation:TheRole of Remnants of Native Vegetation. Saunders D., Arnold G.W.,Burbridge A.A. and Hopkins A.J.M. ads. pp 177-194. Surrey Baattyand Sons Pty Ltd, Sydney.

Seebeck, J.H. and Johnston, P.G. (1980). Potorous 10ngipes(Marsupalia: Macropaedae): A new species from eastern Victoria.Aust. J. Zool.· 28:' 119-134.

Scotts D.J. and Seebeck J.H. in press. Studies of Potorous longipes(Marsupi·a1i a: Potoroidae); with prel iminary recommendat ions for itsconservation in Victoria. Dept. Conservation, Forests and Lands,Melbourne.

Strahan R. ed. (1983). The Complete Book of Australian Mammals. TheAustralian Museum, Sydney.

Taylor A C. (1958). A Soil Conservation Survey of the SnowyCatchment. Part 11. Soils, Vegetation and Land Use. J. Soil Cons.Service. NSW, 14: 5-23.

Triggs B. (1984). Mammal' Tracks and Signs. Oxford Univ~rsity Press,Melbourne.

73

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Forestry Commission of New South Wales gratefully acknowledgesfunding for this research project from Harris Daishowa (Aust.)Pty. Ltd.

The authors of this report wish to acknowledge and thank a number ofpeople whose contribution to this study has been invaluable:

Dr. John Turner for his assistance with obtaining information;

Mr. Mike Rowland (District Forester at Bombala) and his staff, fortheir assistance; .

Various personnel from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSWfor their advice on NPWS concerns and interests;

Mr. David Read, Mr. Tim Clancy and Mr. Colin Pendry for their effortsin the field;

Ms. Patricia Fanning advised on geomporphological aspects of thestudy.

Mrs. Debi Bergan for presentation of this report for publication.

..,

75

Appendix 1

Plant Species Recorded during the Survey

Appendix 1.

FERNS

Adiantaceae

Aspidiaceae

Aspleniaceae

87echnaceae

Cyatheaceae

77

Plant species recorded during the survey of the NorthernPortion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest, .August/September 1988. Taxa marked with an asterisk (*) areintroduced. Species preceeded by ? are uncertainidentification made on sterile or inadequatelyf19wering material.

Adiantum aethiopicum L. Cheilanthes sp.

Polystichum proliferum (R. Br.") Presl.

Asplenium f1abel1ifolium Cav.

8lechnum carti1agineum Swartz8lechnum nudum (Labi 11.) Mett. ex Luerss.8Technum minus (Labill.) Mett. ex Luerss.Doodia aspera R. Br.

Culcita dubia (R. Br.) MaxonCyathea australis (R. Br.) Dom.

Dennstaedtiaceae

Gleicheniaceae

Lindsaeaceae

Osmundaceae

GYMNOSPERMS

Pinaceae

ANGIOSPERHS

Honocotyledons

Cyperaceae

Juncaceae

Liliaceae

pteridium esculentum (Forst. f.) Cockayne

Gleichenia microphylTa (R. Br.) Dom.

Lindsaea Linearis Sw.

Todea barbara (L.) T. Moore

* Pinus radiata D. Don

8aumea ? rubiginosa (Spreng.) Boeck.Cyperus sp.Gahnia ? microstachya Benth.Gahnia sieberana Kunth·Lepidosperrna ? fi 1iforme Labi 11.Lepidosperrna ? 1ineare R. Br.Lepidosperma TateraTe R. Br.Lepidosperma tortuosum F. Muel1.Lepidosperma urophorum N.A. Wakef.

Juncus sp. 1Juncus sp. ·2LuzuTa meridionaTis NordenskioldDiane17a caeru7ea SimsDiane77a revoluta Hook. f.

Orchidaceae

Phi tes iaceae

Poaceae

Restionaceae·

Sm i 7acaceae

Xanthorrhoeaceae

01COTYLEOONS

Apiaceae

Ara 7iaceae

Asc 7ep iadaceae

Asteraceae

78

Stypandra glauca R. Br.

Caladenia catenata (Smith) Druce.Ca ledenia carnea R. Br.Corybas Spa

Pterostylis nutans R. Br.Pterostyl is pedunculata R. Br.

Eustrephus lat ifo 1ius R. Br.

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.Dichelachne rara (R. Br.) VickeryEchinopogon ovatus (Forst. f.) Beauv.Entolasia stricta (R. Br.) HughesHierochloa rariflora Hook. f.Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.Poa ? labi 71ardieri Steud.Poa ? meionectes Vickery .

. Themeda australis (R. Br.) Stapf.

Empodisma minus (Hook. f.) L.A.S. Johnson & Cutler

Smi lax austra 1is R. Br.

Lomandra ? filiformis (Thunb~) Britten ssp. coriaceaA.T. Lee.

Lamandra ? gracilis (R. Br.) A.T. LeeLomandra filtformis spp. filifonmis (Thunb.) BrittenLomandra glauca (R. Br.) EwartLomandra longifolia Labill.Lamandra ? montana (R. Br.) L. Fraser & VickeryLamandra multiflora. (R. Br.) BrittenXanthorrhoea austra 1is R. Br.

Hydrocotyle sp.Platysace lanceolata (Labill.) Druce

Polyscias sambucifolia (Sieber ex DC.) Harms

Tylophora barbata R. Br.

Bedfordia arborescens Hochr.Brachycome angustifolia A. Cunn. ex DC.var.

heterophylla (Ben.)Ca70tis ? glandulpsa F. Muell.Cassinia aculeata (Labill.) R. Br.Cassinia longifolia R. Br.

* Cirsium sp.* Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronqist

Craspedia sp.Cymbonotus preissianus Steetz

* Gnapha 7ium ? purpureum L.He7ichrysum bracteatum s. 1. (Vent.) Ander.

..

Bignoniaceae

Campanulaceae

Caryophyllaceae

Casuarinaceae

Convo 1vu 1aceae

Crassulaceae

Di lIen iaceae

Droseraceae

Epacridaceae

Euphorb iaceae

Fabaceae

79

He 1ichrysum scorpioides Labil1.* Hypocharis radicata L.

01earia erubescens (Sieber ex DC.) Dippel01earia phlogopappa (Labill.) DC.Senicio minimus Poir.

* Sonchus oleraceus L.* Taraxacum officinale Weber

Vernonia cinerea Less.

Pandorea pandorana (Andr.) Steenis

Wah lenbergia sp.

Stellaria f1accida Hook.* Ste 77aria media (L.) Vi 11.

Allocasuarina littoralis (Sa1isb.) L.A.S. JohnsonAllocasuarina nana (Sieber ex Spreng.)

L. A. S. Johnson

Dichondra repens Forst. & Forst. f.

Crassula sieberana (Schu1t.) Druce

Hibbertia aspera DC.Hibbertia obtusifolia DC.

Drosera peltata Srn. ex Wi11d.

Acrotriche serrulata (Labi11.) R. Br.Astroloma humifusum (Cav.) R. Br.Brachyloma daphnoides (Srn.) Benth.Epacris impressa Labi 11.Epacris microphyl1a R. Br.Leucopogon fraseri A. Cunn.Leucopogon juniperinus R. Br•.Leucopogon lanceolatus (Srn.) R~ Br.Leucopogon virgatus (labi11.) R. Br.Lissanthe strigosa (Srn.) R. Br.Honotoca scoparia (Srn.) R. Br.Styphe 1ia adscendens R. Br.

Por-anthera microphylla Brongn•.

Aotus ericoides (Vent.) G. Don.Bossiaea buxifolia A. Cunn.Bossiaea prostrata R. Br.Daviesia corymbosa Srn.Daviesia latifolia R. Br.Daviesia ulicifolia Andr.Desmodiqm varians (Labi11.) Endl.Di l1wynia sp.Glycine clandestina Wend1.Gompho lob ium huege 1i i Benth.Goodia lotifolia Sa1isb.Hardenbergia violacea (Schneev~) StearnHovea linearis (Srn.) R. Br...Indigofera australis Willd.

Gentianaceae

Geran iaceae

Ha 70ragaceae

Hypericaceae

Lamiaceae

Lauraceae

Loranthaceae

Himosaceae

Hyrtaceae

*

80

Oxylobium arborescens Ai t. f.Oxylobium ilicifolium (Andr.) Dom; nOxylobium probumbens F. Mue11.Platylobium formosum Sm.PUltenea daphnoides Wendl.Pu 1tenea pa 1eacea Wild.Pu7tenea scabra R. Br.

Centaurium erythraea Rafn

Geranium? potentilloides L'Herit. ex DC.Geranium solanderi Carol in

Gonocarpus teucrioides DC.Ha loragis sp.

Hypericum gramirieum Forst. f.

Prostanthera lasianthos Labill.

Cassytha glabella R. Br.Cassytha pubescens R. Br.

Amyema miquelii (Lehm. ex Miq.) Tieghem

Acacia brownei (Poir.) Steud. ex DC.Acacia fa le iform is DC.Acacia gunnii Benth.Acacia? longissima H. Wendl.Acacia mearnsii De. WildernanAcacia melanoxylon R. Br.Acacia myrtifolia (Sm.)Willd.Acacia obtqsifolia A. Cunn.Acacia stricta (Andr.) Wi1ld.Acacia terminalis (Salisb.) Macbride

Baeckea utilis F. Muell. ex Miq.Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) SkeelsEucalyptus agglomerata MaidenEucalyptus angophoroides R.T. Bak.Eucalyptus bridgesiana R.T. Bak.Eucalyptus consideniana MaidenEucalyptus cypellocarpa L.A.S. JohnsonEucalyptus dalrympleana MaidenEucalyptus qives SchauerEucalYPt~s elata Dehnh.Eucalyptus globoidea Blake1yEucalyptus obliqua L'Herit.Euca lyptus ovata Labi 11.Eucalyptus radiata Sieber ex DC.Eucalyptus sieberi L.A.S .. JohnsonEucalyptus smithii R~T. Bak.Euca lyptus vimina 1is Labil1. .Kunzea ambigua (Sm.) DruceKunzea ericoides (A. Rich.) J. ThompsonLeptospermum attenuatum Srn.Leptospermum flavescens Srn.Leptospermum juniperinum Srn.Leptospermum scoparium Forst. & Forst. f.

Oxa 1idaceae

Pittosporaceae

Plantaginaceae

Polygalaceae

Proteaceae

Ranunculaceae

Rosaceae

Rubiaceae

Santalaceae

Scrophulariaceae

Stackhousiaceae

Stercu 1iaceae

Sty 1idiaceae

Thymelaeaceae

Tremandraceae

Violaceae

81

Oxalis corniculata L.

8i l1ardiera procumbens (Hook.) Bennett8i l1ardiera scandens Srn.8ursaria spinosa Cav.

Plantago debi 1is R. Br.

Comesperma volubi le Labi.ll.

8anksia marginata Cav. ~

Hakea eriantha R. Br.Hakea sericea Schrad.Lomatia fraseri R. Br.Lomatia myricoides (Gaertn. f.) Dom;nPersoonia chamaepeuce Lhotsky ex Me;sn.Persoonia silvatica L.A.S •. JohnsonPersoonia levis (Cav.) DominPersoonia linearis Andr.

Clematis aristata R. Br. ex DC;Ranunculus? plebeius R. Br. ex DC.

Acaena novae-ze landiae Ki rkRosa sp.Rubus parvifolius L.

Asperula scoparia Hook. f.Coprosma hirtel1a Labill.Coprosma quadrifida (Labill.) B.L. Rob.Galium sp. 1Ga 1ium sp. 2Opercularia aspera Gaertn.Pomax umbellata (Gaertn.) Soland. ex A. Rich.

Exocarpos c.upr(iJssiformis Labi 11.Exocarpos strictus R. Br.

Gratiola sp.Veronica calycina R. Br.

Stackhousia monogyna Labi11.

Lasiopetalum macrophyllum Grah.

Stylidium graminifolium Sw. ex Willd.

Pimelea axiflora F. Muell. ex Meisn.

Tetratheca bauerifolia F. Muel1. ex Schuch.

Viola betonicifolia Srn.Viola hederacea Labi11.

..

83

APPENDIX 2

Floristic Summary Sheets

Penmanent Plots - A to JNon-penmanent Plots - 1 to 40

85

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

'",Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Hites Forest RoadAltitude: 650 mTotal No. Speci~s: 34

Plot Species

Plot No: ATopography: Shallow gullyAspect: 2500 Est. Slope~ 50Survey Date: Sept. 3, 1988

Basal area m2 /ha Number of trees/ha

Euca7yptus ob7iquaEucalyptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus considenianaEuca 7yptus sp.

Canopy

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus sp. (stringybark)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaBanksia marginataBursaria spinosaEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon 7anceo7atus

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataBi77ardiera scandensCirsium vu7gareComespe rma vo 7ub i 7eConyza bonariensisOiane77a revo7utaGahnia microstachyaGa 7ium sp. 1Geranium so7anderiGeranium sp. 2G7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioides

Tota1 Cover:

8.315.77.3

16.8

% Cover15.03.0

20.0

38.0

% Cover2.0O. 10.1O. 10.11.01.0

4.4

% CoverO. 1O. 10.10.10.1O. 10.1O. 1O. 1O. 10.1O. '1

641640

8

Poaceae (unidentified)He 7ichrysum scorpio idesHe7ichrysum bracteatum s. 7.Hypocharis radicataLepidosperma 7ineareLomandra 7ongifo 7iaLuzu7a meridiona7isOxa7is cornicu7ataPoa ? meionectespteridium escu7entumSenecio ? minimusVio 7a hederacea

% Cover1.0O. 1O. 1O. 10: 1

30.00.1O. 1

45.01.0O. 1O. 1

79.0

86


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Kellys MountainAlt itude: 690 mTotal No. Species: 38

Plot No: BTopography: Ridge topAspect: 96° Est. Slope: 10°Survey Date: Sept. 4, 1988

Plot Species

Euca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus sieberiEuca7yptus vimina7isEuca7yptus sp.

Canopy

Euca7yptus cype7locarpaEuca7yptus e7ataEucalyptus sieberiEucalyptus sp. (stringybark)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Aotus ericoidesBanksia marginataBursaria spinosaEpacris impressaHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeucopogon 7anceolatusMonotoca scopariaPersoonia 7inearisP7atysace lanceolata

Total Cover:

Basal area m2 /ha

15.95.2

10.93.43.4

% Cover10.010.04.0

15.0

39.0

% Cover0.10.10.11.00.1

15.00.10.10.1

16.7

Number of trees/ha

968

403224

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru lata'Billardiera scandensBrachycome, augustifo7ia

var~ heterophyllaCassinia longifo7iaComesperma volubileCyperus sp.Diane 77a revo 7utaDrosera pe 7tataGlycine clandestinaGonocarpos teucrio idesPoaceae (unidentified)He7ichrysum scorpioides

Total Cover:

% Cover1.00.10.1

0.10.10.10.10.1O. 1O. 10.10.1

% CoverHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLepidosperma latera7e s.l.Lomandra 7ongifo 7iaLomandra mu7tif7oraLomandra sp.P7antago debi7isPoa ? labi 17ardieriPoa ? me ionectespteridium escu7entumSenecio? minimusVeronica ca7ycinaViola hederaceae

0.10.10.10.10.10.10.11.0

40.04.00.10.10.1

48.1

87


Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Surveyor's GullyAltitude: 510 mTotal No. Species: 32

Plot Species

Plot No: CTopography: Rolling flatsAspect: 2900 Est. Slope: <2 0

Survey Date: Sept. 5, 1988.

Basal area m2 /ha Number of trees/ha

Euca7yptus vimina7is/ovataEuca7yptus sp. (gum)Acac ia sp.

Canopy

Euca 7yptus cype 770carpaEuca7yptus ovataEuca7yptus sp. (peppermint)Euca7yptus vimina7is

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia melanoxy7onAcacia mearnsiiBanksia marginataBursaria spinosaCassinia acu7eataLasiopeta7um macrophy71umRosa sp.

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeAsperu7a scopariaCymbonotus preissianusCyperus sp.Diane77a caeru7eaGeranium sp. 2G7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hypocharis radicataLomandra longifo7ia

Total Cover:

31.50.51.0

% Cover5.0

20.01.0

15.0

41.0

% Cover2.0

25.01.00.10.10.10.1

28.4

% Cover1.00.10.10.10.10.10.10.1O. 1O. 1

40.0

2158

40

% CoverP7antago debilisPoa ? meionectespteridium esculentumRanunculus? plebeiusRubus parvifoliusSenecio ? minimusStel laria flaccidaVerononia cinereaViola hederaceaWahlenbergia sp.

0.15.02.00.10.10.10.10, 11.0O. 1

50.6

88

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rpckton Section Bondi State Forest

Pennanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station CreekAltitude: 550 mTotal No. Species: 32

Plot No: DTopography: Rolling flatsAspect: 270° Est. Slope: <1°Survey Date: Sept 6., 1988.

Plot Species Basal area m2 /ha Number of trees/ha

Euca7yptus consideniana/g7oboidea

Canopy

37. 1 215

Euca7yptus agg70merataEuca7yptus considenianaEuca7yptus g7oboidea

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acac ia brown i iAcacia? 70ngissimaAotus ericoidesBanksia marginataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifo7iaHonotoca scopariaOxy7obium arborescensPersoonia 7inearisP7atysace 7anceo7ata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Bi77ardiera scandensDiane77a caeru7eaDiane77a revo7utaEnto7asia strictaGompho7obium huege7iiHibbertia asperaLepidosperma 7atera7e s.1.Lindsaea 7inearisLomandra ? fi7iformis

ssp. coriacea

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover0.1

15.015.0

30.1

% Cover0.10.12.00.10.10.10.1 ..1.02.00.1O. 1

5.8

.% Cov'er % Cover·0.'1 Lomandra g7auca 3.0O. 1 Lomandra 7ongifo 7ia 0.10.1 Lomandra mu7tif7ora 0.10.1 Lomat ia fraseri 0.10.1 P7aty7obfum formosum 1.0CL 1 Poa ? 7abi 77ardieri O. 10.1 pteridium escu7entum 1.00.1 Sty7idium graminifo7iun 0.1

O. 1 Tetratheca bauerifo7ia 0.1

6.5

89


above creekEst. Slope: 50

Aug. 31, 1988.

Plot No: ETopography: SlopeAspect: 2600

Survey Date:

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station CreekAltitude: 550 mTotal No. Species: 27

Plot Species' Basal area m2/ha Number of trees/ha

Euca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca 7yptus sp.

24.99.0

17.4

160'16

128

Canopy

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus divesEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus sp. (peppermint)Euca !yptus vimina 7is

% Cover2.0

15.020.015.010.0

Tota1 Cover: 62.0

Shrub Understorey

Acacia? 70ngissimaBursaria spinosaDaviesia 7atifo7iaHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeucopogon 7anceo7atus

% Cover10.0

O. 15.0O. 11.0

Tota1 Cover: 16.2

Ground Cover:

Astrotricha 7atifo7iaBi7lardiera scandensCassinia longifoliaClematis aristataDianella revolutaEntolasia strictaGlycine clandestinaHa loragis sp.He 1ichrysum scorpioidesLomandra g7aucaLomandra mu7tif7oraLuzula meridiona7isPoa ? 7abi77ardieriPoa ? meionectesPteridium esculentumSenecio? minimusVio7a hederacea

% Cover1.0O. 10.1O. 1O. 11.00.1O. 10.10.10.10.12.02.01.00.10.1

Tota1 Cover: 8.2

90

Vegetation.. Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Im.l ay. RoadAltitude: ,5,60 mTotal No. Sp'~cies: 18,

Plot Species

Plot No: FTopography: Rolling sandy flatsAsp~ct: 3600 Est. Slope: 2°Survey Date: Sept. 2, 1988.

Basal area m2/ha Number of trees/ha

Eucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus consideniana

Canopy

,Eucalyptus angophoroidesEucalyptus considenianaEuca7yptus sp. (gum)

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia gunniiAcacia ? 70ngissimaAotus ericoidesEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusLeptospermum juniperinumLeucopogon 7anceo7atusP7atysace 7anceo7ata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataGonocarpos teucrioidesLep tdosperma 7ineareLindsaea linearisLomandra longifoliaPoa ? meionectespteridium escu7entum

Tota1 Cover:

0.231.0

% Cover0.1

30.05.0

% CoverO. 13.05.00.10.1 '3.01.00.1

12.4

% Cover0.10.10.10.11.05.08.0

14.6

8398

91


Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek trackAltitude:' 560 mTotal No. Species: 32

Plot No: GTopography: Shallow head of gullyAspect: 3000 Est. Slope: 10°Survey Date: Aug. 31, 1988 .

Plot Species .Bass.1 area o'm2 /ha Number of trees/ha

Euca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus g7oboideaEuca7yptus agg70merataEuca7yptus sp.

Canopy

14.523.12.8

10.63.0

1123256

10480

Euca7yptus agg70merataEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus g7oboideaEuca7yptus ob7iqua

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaAcac ia mearns i iCoprosma quadrifidaEpacris impressaHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeucopogon fraseriLeucopogon 7anceo7atusLissanthe strigosaP7atysace 7anceo7ata

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Diane77a revo7utaEnto7asia strictaGahnia microstachyaGlycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)He7ichrysum scorpioidesHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLomandra 7ongifo7ia

Total Cover:

% Cover. "

20.015.01.01.0

37.0

% Cover1.05.00.10.10.11.01.0O. 10.1

8.5

% Cover % Cover0.1 Lomandra mu7tif7ora O. 10.1 Lomandra sp. 0.10.1 Lomatia fraseri 0.10.1 Oxalis corniculata O. 10.1 Poa ? labi 1lardieri 5.00.2 Poa ? meionectes 15.00.1 pteridium esculentum 0; 10.1 Senecio? minimus O. 10.1 Vio7a betonicifo7ia 0.11.0 Vio 7a hederacea O. 1

22.8

92

Vegetation Survey Norther~ Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: West of end Sheep Station Creek trackAltitude: 590 mTotal No. Species: 23

Plot No: HTopography: Gully on steep ridgeAspect: 1700 Est. Slope: 15°Survey Date: Aug. 30, 1988.

Plot Species Basal area m2{ha Number of trees/ha

Eucalyptus obTiquaEuca lyptus cype 770carpaEucalyptus sieberiEucalyptus viminalisEuca lyptus sp.Cyathea

Canopy

Euca lyptus cype 770carpaEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus sieberi

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

15.27.6

26.9 .2~.8

0.40.5

~ Cover20.0

O. 115.0

35.1

4816

1518

168

~ CoverAcacia obtusifoliaBedfordia arborescensCyathea australisLeucopogon lanceolatusPime lea axiflora

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:~ Cover

Adiantum aethiopicumB7echnum nudumCulcjta dubiaDiane17a caeruleaEnto7asia strictaEustrephus latifo7iusGeranium sp. 2Haloragis sp.Hierochloa rarif70raHypocharis radicataLepidosperma laterale's~ 1.Poa' ? meionectes ' ,Pteridium esculentum ' . ,Ty7ophora barbataViola hederacea

Tota1 Cover:

O. 11.00.10;10.1

1.4

0.1., 0.1

0.10.10.1O. 10.10.13.0Q. 1

. O. 12.05.0O. 10.1

11.2

93

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion 'of"Rockto~ Section Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Track,Altitude: 580 mTotal No: Species: 31

Plot No: I,Topography: Broad'Aspect: 2100

Survey Date: Aug.

head of gullyEst. Slope: 50

31, 1988.

Plot Species Basal area m2 /ha Number of trees/ha

Eucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus cypellocarpa

Canopy

29.424.7

10380

"

Eucalyptus cype7locarpaEucalyptus obliqua

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? longissimaDaviesia latifoliaEpacris impressaLeptospermum flavescensLeucopogon lanceolatusPu ltenea scabra

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-zelandiaeAdiantum aethiopicum

Astroloma humifusum8lechnum nudumCulcita dubiaDiane77a caeruleaDiche 7achne raraDrosera pe ltataGahnia microstachyaGeranium solanderiGonocarpos teucrioidesHelichrysum scorpioidesHypericum gramineum

Total Cover:

% COVer30.0'15.0

45.0

% Cover8.05.00.11.01.0O. 1

15.2

% Cover % Cover0.1 Hypocharis radicata 0.10.1 Lomandra ? ff 7iformis

ssp. coriacea 0.10.1 Lomandra longifo 1fa 15.0O. 1 Lomandra sp. 0.10.1 Lomat fa fraseri 0.10.1 Luzula meridionalis 0.1O. 1 Poa ? meionectes 60.00.1 pteridium esculentum 1.00.1 .Ranuncu 1us ? p7ebeius 0.10.1 Vio7a hederacea 0.1O. 1O. 10.1

78.0

94

Vegetation Survey 'Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Wog~Wog RoadAltitude:.530 mTotal No. Species: 32

Plot Species

Plot No: Jtopography: Slope above gullyAspect: 2980 Est. Slope: 150

. Survey Date: Sept. 2, 1988.

Basal area m2/ha Number of trees/ha

Eucalyptus obliquaEuca lyptus cype 1locarpa·Eucalyptus sieberiEucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus dalrympleanaAcacia Spa

Canopy

9.918.3

1.548.77.41.0

96128

16208

6480

Eucalyptus cypellocarpaEucalyptus dalrympleanaEucalyptus elataEucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus sieberi

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia falciformisAcacia ?irrorataBursaria spinosaPinie lea ax iflora

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-zelandiaeAsperula scopariaClematis aristataDesmodium variansGeranium solanderiGeran ium Spa 2Glycine clandestinaGonoca,~os teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hypocharis radicataLepidosperma laterale S. 1.Lomandra ?fi 1iformis

ssp. coriacea

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover0.11.0.4.0

10.0O. 1

15.2

% Cover5.0

10.0O. 1O. 1

15.2

% Cover % Cover0.1 Lomandra longifo 1ia 0.1O. 1 Luzu la meridiona1is '0. 10.1 Oxalis corniculata 0.10.1 Plantago debilis O. 10.1 Poa ? labi llardieri 5.0O. 1 Poa ? me ionectes 60.0O. 1 pteridium esculentum 0.10.1 Pterostylis nutans 0.10.1 Senecio? minimus 0.10.1 Viola betonicifolia O. 10.1 Viola hederacea 0.1

0.1

67.1

95


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek trackAltitude: 550 mTotal No. Species: 22

Canopy

% CoverEuca7yptus agg 70merata 5.0Euca7yptus cype 770carpa 20.0Euca7yptus ob 7iqua . 15.0

Total Cover: 40.0

Shrub Understorey% Cover

Bursaria spinosa 0.1Goodia 70t ifo 7ia 1.0Indigofera austra 7is 0.1Leucopogon 7anceo 7atus 0.1

Tota1 Cover: 1.3

Ground Cover:

" % CoverC7ematis aristata 0.1Culcita dubia .10.0.. Ent07asia stricta 5.0Eustrephus 7atifolius 0.1Geranium solanderi 0.1G7ycine c7andestina O. 1Ha 70ragis sp. 0.1Lomandra 7ongifo 7ia 10.0Oxa7is corniculata 0.1Poa ? meionectes 0.1pteridium escu7entum 40.0Senecio? minimus 0.1Ty7ophora barbata 0.1Veronica ca7ycina 0.1Vio 7a hederacea 0.1

Total Cover: 66.1

Plot No: 1Topography: RidgeAspect: 1230

Survey Date: Aug.

slopeEst. Slope: 30°

30, 1988..

96

Vegetation SurveY,Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Cree~ trackAltitude: 590 mTotal No. Species: 27

Canopy

Plot No: 2Topography: RidgeAspect: 1200

Survey Date: Aug.

topEst. Slope: 250

31, 1988.

Euca7yptus cypellocarpaEuca7yptus ob7iquaEucalyptus sp. (peppermint)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Bursaria spinosaCoprosma quadrifidaCyathea austra7isGoodia t0t ifo 7iaIndigofera austra7isLeucopogon 7anceo7atusPime7ea axiflora

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

B7echnum nudumC7ematis aristataCu7cita dubiaEntolasia strictaEustrephus 7atifo7iusGeranium sp. 2G7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesHa70ragis sp.Hieroch7oa rarif70raLuzu7a meridiona7isOxa7is cornicu7ataPoa ? me ionectesPteridium escu7entumRubus parvifo7iusTy7ophora barbataVio7a hederacea

Tota1 Cover:

~ Cover15.015.02.0

32.0

~ Cover0.1O. 13.00.1

, 0.1O. 1O. 1

3.6

% Cover0.1O. 1

55.010.0O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 10.12.00.1O. 10.11.00.1O. 10.1

69.3

97


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek trackAltitude: 5800

Total No. Species: 27

Canopy

,:% CoverEuca lyptus cype 770carpa 10.0Eucalyptus obliqua 15.0Eucalyptus sieberi 15.0

Total Cover: 40.0


Acacia falciformis 0.1Acacia mearnsU 1.0Daviesia ulicifolia O. 1Exocarpos strictus 0.1Hibbertia obtusifo7ia 0.1Leucopogon lanceo7atus 0,1Persoonia 1inearis 1.0P7atysace 7anceo7ata 0.1

Total Cover: 2.6

Ground Cover:% Cover

Astro7oma humifusum 0.1Cassin ia longifo1ia 0.1Cynodon dacty 70n 0.1Diche 7achne rara 0.1Ga7iumsp. 1 0.1Gonocarpos teucrioides O. 1Hypocharis radicata 0.1Lomandra ?graci lis O. 1Lomandra longifolia 0.1Oxalis cornicu7ata O. 1Poa ? meionectes 0.1Poranthera microphy77a 0.1Pteridium esculentum 25.0Pterosty7is nutans o. 1Senecio ? min imus O. 1Viola hederacea· , O. 1

Total Cover: 26.5

Plot No: 3Topography: Base of RidgeAspect: 3080 Est. Slope: 15°Survey Date: Aug. 31, 1988.

9'8

Vegetation Survey North~rn Portion of Rockton $ection Bondi State Forest

Permanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Sheep Station Creek trackAltitude: 550 mTotal No. Species: 22

.Plot No: 4Topography: RidgeAspect: 108°, Est. Slope: 10°Survey Date: Aug. 31, 1988.

Canopy

'% CoverEuca7yptus cype 770carpa 15.0,Eucalyptus globoidea 15.0Euca7yptus ob7 iqua' 15.0

Total Cover: '45.:0


Acacia ? 70ngissima 1.5.0,Acacia mearnsii 0,. l'Bursaria spinosa O. 1Epacris impressa O. 1Leucopogon 7anceo7atL!s 2.0

Total Cover: 17 .3

Ground Cover:% Cover

C7ematis aristata '0. 1 .Diane77a caeru7ea O. 1 i

Diane77a revo7uta 0.1Ento7asia stricta 1.0Ga 7ium sp. 1 0.1Geranium so7anderi 0.1Gonocarpos teucrioides 0.1.Lomandra 7ongifo 7ia 0.1Lomandra sp. 0.1Oxa7is cornicu7ata O. 1Poa ? meionectes 5.0Pteridi~m escu7entum 0.1Senecio ? min imus O. 1,'Vio 7a hederacea' 0.1

Tota1 Cover: 7.2

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion 6f Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Sheep Station Creek trackAltitude: 540 mTotal No. Species: 24

Canopy

J:>lot:.No: 5Topography: Shallow drainage basinAspect: flat Est. Slope: <50Survey Date: Sept. 1,' 1988.

..

..

Euca7yptus angophoroidesEucalyptus ob7iquaEuca 7yptus vimina lis

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

A770casuarina nanaBossiaea buxifo7iaEpacris impressaLeptospermum juniperinumP7atysace 7anceolat~

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeCynodon dacty70nGahnia microstachyaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLepidosperma 7ineareLindsaea 7inearisLomandra ?fi7iformis

ssp. coriaceaLomandra 7ongifo 7ia?Scrophu7ariaceaePoa ? meionectesPteridium escu7entumSenecio? minimusVio 7a hederacea

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover'1.0

. 5.010.0

26.0

%.C()ver0.10.10.10.1O. ·1

0.5

% Cov~r

0.13.00.10.1

10.00.10.15.00:1

0.110.00.12.00:10.11.0

32.0

100


Permanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Sheep Station Creek TrackAltitude: 550 mTota1 No. Species: 35 .

Canopy

Plot No: 6Topography: Broad ridgeAspect: 3580 Est. Slope: 100


Eucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus sieberiEucalyptus viminalis

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia falciformisBossiaea buxifolia 'Exocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifoliaLeucopogon lanceolatusPersoon ia 1inearis

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-zelandiaeAsperula scopariaComesperma volubileCymbonotus preissianusCyperus sp.Desmodium variansGeranium solanderiClycine clandestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesHypericum gramineum

, Hypocharis radicataLomandra fi 1iformis.

spp. fiT iformisLomandra longifo 1iaLomandra montanaLuzula meridionalis

Total Cover:

~ Cover30.010.05.0

15.0

60.0

~ Cover0.10.13.00.1

10.00.1

13.4

% Cover0.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.1

1.01.00.10.1

Opercularia asperaOxalis corniculataPlantago debilisPoa ? labillardieriPoa? meionectesPteridium esculentumSenecio ? min imusVeronica calycinaViola betonicifoliaViola hederacea

% Cover0.10.10.1

50.00.11.00.10.10.1O. 1

55.1

101

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section pondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Stati.on Creek TrackAltitude: 540 m .Total No. Species: 33

Canopy

Plot No: 7Topography: Broad ridgeAspect: 3460 Est. Slope: 150


.•

Eucalyptus angophoroidesEucalyptus cypellocarpaEuca7yptus sieberiEuca7yptqs sp. (stringybark)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaBanksia marginataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeptospermum juniperinumLeucopogon 7anceo7atusLissanthe strigosaMonotoca scoparia07earia erubescensPersoonia 7inearisPu 7tenea scabra

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataCa7adenia catenataDiane77a revo7utaGahnia ~icrostachya

Gonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)He7ichrysum scorpioides

Total Cover:

% Cover10.010.05.0

10.0

35.0

% Cover0.10.10.13.0O. 10.10.1O. 10.10.10.11.0

5.0

X·Cover1.0O. 10.10.10.10.1O. t.

;;

Hibbertia aspera~epidospe(ma 7atera7e s.1.Lomandra: iongifo7ia

.Lomandra ·spp.P7antago ,·debi 7isPoa ? la'bi 77ardferiRteridium escu7entumSenecio? minimusVio7a betonicifo7iaVio 7a hederacea

% CoverO. 10.10.10.20.1

20.00.1'0.10.10.1

22.6

---~ ~-~ - - ---

102


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek TrackAltitude: 570 mTotal No. Species: 35

Canopy

. Plot No: 8Topography: Broad RidgeAspect: 3260 Est. Slope: <100


Euca7yptus angophoroidesEuca7yptus cypellocarpaEuca7yptus globoideaEucalyptus sieberi

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? longissimaBursaria spinosaHibbertia obtusifoliaLeucopogon juniperinusLeucopogon lanceolatus

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataCirs ium vulgare

Craspedia SpaDichelachne raraGa7ium Spa 1Geranium solanderiGnaphalium ? purpureum?Poa SpaHa 70ragis sp.He 7ichrysum ? scarp io idesHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLepidosperma latera7e s.1.

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover2.05.0

30.02.0

39.0

% CoverO. 1O. 10.1O. 1O. 1

0.5

% CoverO. 1O. 1O. 1

0.10.1O. 10.1'-

15.00.1O. 10.1O. 10.1

Liliaceae, un-id remnantsLomandra ?filiformis

ssp. coriaceaLomandra longifoliaLomandra multifloraLuzula meridionalisOxalis corniculataPlantago debilisPoa ? meionectes

. Senecio? minimusStackhousia monogynaTetratheca bauerifo liaVeronica calycinaViola betonicifolia

% CoverO. 1

0.10.10.10.1

·0.10.15.0O. 10.1O. 10.1O. 1

22.4

103 .

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Seqtion Bondi 'State Forest

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek Track·Altitude: 570 m ~

Total No. Species: 37

Canopy

Plot No: 9 .Topography: Steep gully bottom/sideAspect: 1320 Est. Slope: 100Survey Date: Sept. 1, 1988.

Euca7yptus angophoroidesEuca 7yptus cype 770carpaEuca 7yptus ob 7iqua

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia fa7ciformisAcacia strictaBursaria spinosaOaviesia 7atifo7iaExocarpos strictusLeucopogon juniperinusLeucopogon Tanceo7atusPersoonia 7inearis

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeAsperu7a scopariaBTechnum nudumBrachycome august ifo 7iaheterophy 7Ta

Cirsium vu7gareCTematis aristataCu7cita dubiaDesmodium variansDiche7achne raraGeranium so7anderiGeranium sp. 2Ha70ragis sp.He7ichrysum scorpioides

Total Cover:

% Cover10.015.010.0

35.0

% Cover0.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.1

0.8

% Cover0.10.10.1

0.10.10.11.00.12.00.10.10.10.1

Hypericum gramineumLepidosperma 7atera le s.l.Lomandra 7ongifo 7ia

Luzu7a meridiona7isOxa7is cornicu7ataP7antago debilisPoa .? me ioflectesPoranthera microphyTlapteridium escuTentum·Senecio ? minimusTyTophora barbataVeronica ca TycinaViola hederacea

% Cover0.10.10.• 1

0.1O. 10.1

50.00.12.00.1O. 1O. 10.1

57.2

104


broad ridgeEst. Slope: 15°

Sept. 1, 1988.

Plot No: 10Topography: Top ofAspect: 3080

Survey Date:

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Wog Wog TrackAltitude: 600 mTotal No. Species: 31

Canopy

Euca7yptus agg70merataEuca7yptus bridgesianaEuca7yptus cype770carpaAllocasuarina 7ittora 7is

% Cover20.010.05.00.1

Tota1 Cover: 35.1

Shrub Understorey

Bursaria spinosaHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeucopogon 7anceo7atusPersoonia 7inearis

% Cover0.10.10.10.1

Tota1 Cover: 0.4

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeCa7edenia carneaDesmodium varia.ns .Diche 7achne raraGeranium so7anderiG7ycine c7andestinaGnapha 7ium ? purpureumGonocarpos teucrioidesHardenbergia vio7aceaHypericum gramineum .Hypocharis radicata .Lepidiosperma 7atera 7e s.l.Liliaceae, un-id remnantsLomandra ?fil i form is .

ssp. coriaceaOxa7is cornicu7ataP7antago debi 7isPoranthera microphy77aPtyerosty7is peduncu7ataSenecio ? minimusVernonia cinereaVeronica ca7ycinaVio7a betonicifo7iaVio7a hederacea'

~ Cover0.10.10.1

.26.00.10.10.10.10.1O. 10.10.10.1

0.10.11.00.10.10.10.10.10.10.1

Tota1 Cover: 29.1

105


"

Penmanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Wog-~og TrackAltitude: 570 mTotal No. Species: 37

Canopy

A7locasuarina littora7isEucalyptus agg70merataEucalyptus cype770carpaEucalyptus sp. (peppermint)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia falciformisAcacia mearnsiiAcac ia strictaBursaria spinosaExoc~rpos strictusHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeucopogon juniperinusLeucopogon 7anceo7atus

Total Cover:

% Cover1.0

10.05.0

20.0

36.0

% Cover10.0

O. 10.10.10.10.10.11.0

11~6

Plot No: 11Topography: Ridge SlopeAspect: 3250 Est. Slope: 200


,.

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeAsperu7a scopariaAstro 70ma humifusumCymbonotus preissianusDesmodium variansDianel la revolutaGlycine clandestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hardenbergia violaceaHe 7ichrysum scorpio idesHypericum gramineumLepidosperma latera7e s.l.

Total Cover:

% Cover0.10.15.00.10.10.10.10.10.10.11.0O. 11.0

Lomandra 7ongifoliaLomandra sp.Opercu7aria asperaPlantago debi7fsPoa ? 7abi 77ardieriPterostylis nutansSenecio ? minimusTy7ophora barbataVeronica calycinaVio7a betonicifoliaVio7a hederaceaWah7enbergia sp.

% Cover0.10.10.15.0

40.00.10.10.10.10.10.10.'1

54.0

106


Permanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Wog-Wog TrackAltitude: 460 mTotal No. Species: 35

Canopy

Eucalyptus cype7locarpaEucalyptus dalrympleanaEuca 1yptus ovataEucalyptus sieberiEucalyptus smithiiEucalyptus viminalis

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia mearnsiiHibbertia obtusifolia

Total Cover:

% Cover2.01.00.10.15.0 .

27.0

35.2

% Cover1.00.1

1.1

Plot No: 12Topography: Gully slopeAspect: 30° Est. Slope: 25°Survey Date: .Sept. 12, 1988.

Ground Cover:

Astrotricha 7atifo7iaCentaurium erythraeaCirsium vulgareDood'ia asperaEchinopogon ovatusGahnia microstachyaGa 7ium sp. 1-Geranium solanderiGeranium sp. 2Poaceae (unidentified)Hypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLomandra sp.Luzu 7a meridiona 1is

Total Cover:

% Cover0.10.1O. 1O. 11.00.10.1O. 1O. 15.00.10.1O. 1O. 1

Opercularia asperaP7antago debilisPoa ? labi l7ardieriPoa ? meionectesPoranthera microphy77apteridium escu7entumSenecio? minimusSonchus oleraceusSte 77aria mediaVernonia cinereaVernonica ca7ycinaViola betonicifo7iaVio7a hederacea

% CoverO. 10.10.1

15.0O. 10.10.1O. 10.10.10.1O. 1O. 1

23.4

107


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Imlay RoadAltitude: 550 mTotal No. Species: 23

Canopy

Euca7yptus angophoroidesEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus radiata

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaExocarpos strictusLeucopogon 7anceo7atus

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataOiane 77a revo7utaGeranium so7anderiGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)He 7ichrysum scorpioidesHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLomandra Spa

Oxa7is cornicu7ataPoa ? 7abi 77ardieriPoa ? meionectesPteridium escu7entumSenedo ? min imusVeronica ca7ycinaVio7a betonicifo7iaVio 7a hederacea

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover.30.010.010.0

50.0

% Cover1.00.10.1

1.2

% Cover0.1O. 1O. 10.10.1O. 10.10.10.10.1

15.05.02.00.1O. 10.10.1

23.4

Plot No: 13Topography: Rolling flat countryAspect: None Est. Slope: noneSurvey Date: Sept. 2, 1988.

108


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek bush trackAltitude: 570 mTotal No. Species: 29

Canopy

Plot No: 14Topography:'Rolling flat countryAspect: 360° Est. Slope: (soSurvey Date: Sept. 2, 19.88.

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus g7oboideaEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus sp. (peppermint)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaA710casuarina nanaEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeptospermum attenuatumLeptospermum juniperinumLissanthe strigosaMonotoca scoparia

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru 7ataBossiaea prostrataDrosera pe7tataEntolasia strictaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)He 7ichrysum scorpio idesHibbertia asperaHovea linearisHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLepidosperma 7ineareLomandra 9 7aucaLomandra 7ongifoliaPoa ? labi 7lardieriPoa ? meionectes

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover5.0

15.01.0

10.0

31.0

% Cover1.0

40.00.10.10.15.0

10.0O. 10.1

56.5

% Cover1.0O. 10.1O. 10.10.1O. 1O. 1" ..v. i

0.10.11.00.10.15.01.0

9.2

..

109

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bond; State Forest

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station Creek bush trackAltitude: 550 mTotal No. Species: 27

Canopy

Plot No: 15Topography: Rolling flat countryAspect: 2900 Est. Slope: noneSurvey Date: Sept". 6, 1988.

Eucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus sp. (peppermint)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia longissimaAotus ericoidesCassinia aculeataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusLeucopogon juniperinusLeucopogon lanceolatusMonotoca scopariaPersoonia linearisPlatysace lanceolata

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serrulataDiane 77a caeru leaGonocarpos teucrioidesHardenbergia violaceaHe 1ichrysum scorpio idesHibbertia asperaLepidosperma laterale s. 1.Lomandra ?filiformis

ssp coriaceaLomandra 9 laucaLomandra multifloraLuzula meridionalisPlatylobium formosumPpa ? meionectesStylidium graminifolium

Total Cover:

% Cover15.015.010.0

40.0

% Cover15.0

0.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.1

15.9

% Cover1.00.10.10.10.10.10.1

0.11.00.10.10.15.00.1

8.1

110


PermanentLocation:Altitude:Total No.

Canopy

Plot Summary SheetSheep Station Creek540 m

Species: 31

Plot No: 16bush track Topography: Slope above Creek

Aspect: 3600 Est. Slope:Survey Date; Sept. 6, 1988

Eucalyptus divesEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus viminalis

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia melanoxylonAllocasuarina nanaBanksia marginataBossiaea buxifoliaCallistemon citrinusEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon 7anceolatusMonotoca scopariaP7atysace lanceolata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serrulataBrachycome angustifolia

heterophy7 laGahnia sieberanaGompho7obium huege7iiGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hardenbergia via ,aceaHypocharis radicataLomandra 7ongifo7iaLomandra mu7tiflora

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover15.0

1.010.0

26.0

% Cover1.03.01.00.10.10.11.00.10.10.10.1

26.3

% Cover0.1

0.10.10.10.10.10.10.1

10.03.0

Persoonia chamaepeuceP7aty7obium formosumPoa ? labi 77ardieriPoa ? meionectesPteridium escu7entumThemeda austra lisViola hederacea

%. Cover0.10.10.1

10.0O. 10.10.1

25.3

111


'....

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Hites Forest RoadAltitude: 720 mTotal No. Species: 36

Canopy

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus sp. (stringybark)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaAcacia mearnsiiBursaria spinosaDavies ia u7 ic ifo 7iaExocarpos strictusLeucopogon juniperinusLeucopogon 7anceo7atus07earia erubescens

Tota1 Cover:

~ Cover10.02.0

25.0

37.0

% Cover0.11.00.10.11.00.15.00.1

7.5

Plot No: 17Topography: Mid-slope w/bouldersAspect: 2580 Est. Slope: 150

Survey Date: Sept. a, 1988

I,

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataAsperu7a scopariaBi77ardiera scandensCirsium vu7gareCymbonotus preissianusDiane77a revo7utaEchinopogon ovatusGeranium sp. 2G7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesHelichrysum scorpioidesHypericum gramineum

Tota1 Cover:

% CoverO. 10.10.1O. 10.1O. 10.10.10.1O. 1O. 10.1

Lepidosperma 7atera 7e $. 1. 'Lomandra 7ongifo 7iaLomat ia fraseriLuzu7a meridionalisOpercularia asperaPlatylobium formosumPoa ? labi 17ardieriPoa ? me ionectesPoranthera microphy71apteridium esculentumSenecio ? minimusVeronica claycinaVio la hede'racea

% Cover0.11.01.00.10.1O. 15.0

35.00.13.00.1O. 1O. 1

47.0

112


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Coolangubra Forest DriveAltitude: 800 mTotal No. Species: 35

Canopy

Plot No: 18Topography:

.Aspect: 1800

Survey Date:

Mid-slopeEst. Slope:

Sept. 3, 1988100

Euca7yptus considenianaEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca 7yptus ob 7iquaEuca7yptus sieberi

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia mearnsiiBedfordia arborescensBursaria spinosaCyathea austra7isGoodia 7otifo7iaLeucopogon 7anceo7atusPime lea axif10ra

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeB7echnum carti7agineumCirsium vu7gareC7ematis aristataCorybas sp.Oiane 77a revo 7utaOichondra repensGa 7ium sp. 1Ge7ium sp. 2Geranium sp. 2Poaceae (unidentified)He 7ichrysum bracteatum s. 1.

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover2.0

20.08.0

15.0

45.0

% Cover2.01.01.0O. 12.0O. 10.1

6.3

% CoverO. 12.00.1O. 10.1O. 10.10.10.10.13. 1O. 1

Hypocharis radicataLomandra 7ongifo7iaLuzu7a meridiona7isPoa ? me ioneetespteridium escu7entumRanuncu7us ? p7ebeiusSenecio ? minimusSmi7ax austra7isTylophora barbataVeronica claycinaViola hederacea

% Cover

0.10.10.1

25.02.0O. 1O. 10.10.1O. 10.1

34.0

113


Permanentlocation:Altitude:Total No.

Canopy

Plot Summary SheetCoolangubra Forest830 m

Species: 34

DrivePlot No: 19Topography:Aspect: 68°Survey Date:

Steep Ridge TopEst. Slope:

Sept. 3, 198850°

Amyema sp.Euca7yptus g7oboideaEuca7yptus radiataEuca7yptus sieberiEuca7yptus sp. (peppermint)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia mearnsiiBursaria spinosaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifo7iaIndigofera austra lisLeucopogon 7anceo7atusPo7yscias sambucifolia

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Asperu7a scopariaBi77ardiera scandensCyperus sp.Diane77a revo7utaGa7ium sp. 2Geranium so7anderiG7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hypericum gramineumLepidosper.ma 7atera7e s. 1.

Tota1 Cover:

X Cover0.13.00.15.00.1 .

8.3

~ Cover5.00.10.1O. 10.1O. 10.1

5.6

~ Cover0.10.10.10.10.11.00.1O. 10.1O. 1O. 1

Lomanqra fi7iformis SPP..fi7iformis

Lomandra 7ongifo7ia. Oxalis cornicu7ata

P7antago debi7isPoa ? 7abi} 7ardieriPoa ? meionectespteridium escu7entumSenecio ? minimusSmi tax austra 7is

. Veronica ca7ycJna. Vio 7a hedera<;ea

~ Cover

O. 10.1O. 10.1

10.05.0~.O

O. 10.10.1O. 1

19.8

.-------------

114

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section ijondi State Forest


Canopy

Plot Summary SheetCoolangubra Forest760 m

Species: 46

DrivePlot No: 20Topography:Aspect: 2400

Survey Date:


Sept. 4, 1988100

Eucalyptus considenianaEuca lyptus cype IlocarpaEucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus sieberi

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia falciformisAcacia ? longissimaBanksia marginataBursaria spinosaCassinia aculeataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifoliaLasiopetalum macrophy77umLeucopogon lanceolatusPu ltenea scabra

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-zelandiaeAcrotriche serrulataAsp lenium flabe 77 ifo I iumBi77ardiera scandensBrachycome angustifolia

heterophy77aCassinia 7ongifo7iaCentaurium erythraeaC7ematis aristataCymbonotus preissianusDiane 77a revo 7utaGa 7ium sp. 2Geranium so7anderiGeranium sp. 2G7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioides

Total Cover:

% Cover5.05.06.0

15.0

31.0

% Cover0.1

10.0O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 18.0O. 1

18.9

% Cover0.11.0O. 1O. 1

O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 10.1O. 1

Hardenbergia violaceaHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLepidosperma laterale s.l.Lomandra ?fi 7iformis ssp.

coriaceaLomandra 7ongifo7iaLomandra sp.Lomat ia fraseriLuzula meridional isP7antago debi7isPoa ? meionectespteridium esculentumSenecio? minimusTy7ophora barbataVeronica calycinaViola hederacea

% CoverO. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1

O. 11.0O. 1O. 10.1O. 1

65.01.0O. 10.1O. 11.0

71.6

115


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Coolangubra Forest DriveAltitude: 770 mTotal No. Species: 35

Canopy

Plot No: 21Topography:Aspect: 2600

Survey Date:

Gentle mid-slopeEst. Slope:

Sept .. 3, 1988-

..

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus sieberiEuca7yptus vimina7is

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia mearnsiiAcacia terminalisDaviesia ulicifoliaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifoliaLeucopogon lanceolatusPersoonia linearisPultenea scabra

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Comespe rma vo 7ub i 7eDichondra repensGeranium so7anderiGeran ium sp. 2Gonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)He 7ichrysum scorp iodesHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLepidosperma 7atera7e s.l.Lomandra ?fi 7iformis ssp.

coriacea

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover10.010.015.0·5.0

40.0

% Cover1.01.00.10.10.11.00.11.0

4.4

% Cover0.11.00.10.10.10.1O. 10.10.10.1

0.1

Lomandra spp.Lomat ia fraseriLuzu7a meridiona7isP7antago debi7 isP7aty7obium formosumPoa ? 7abi 77ardieri

. Poa ? meionectes. pteridium escu7entum

Senecio ? minimusVeronica ca7ycina

'Vio7a betonicifo7iaVio 7a hederacea

% Cover0.21.0O. 1O. 1O. 15.0

25.03.0O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1

36.9

116



Plot Summary SheetCoolangubra Forest

680 mSpecies: 37

DrivePlot No: 22Topography: SlopeAspect: 2400

Survey Date: Sept.

above gullyEst. Slope:

4, 1988 "100

Canopy

% CoverEuca7yptus agg70merata 3.0Euca7yptus cype 770carpa 15.0Euca7yptus obliqua 15.0

Total Cover: 33.0

Shrub Understorey"% Cover

Acacia fa7ciformis 3.0Acaci ? 70ngissima 0.1Acacia mearnsii 1.0Cassinia acu7eata O. 1Epacris impressa O. 1Hibbertia obtusifo7ia 0.1Leucopogon juniperinus 1.0Leucopogon 7anceo 7atus 2.007earia erubescens 0.1Pu7tenea scabra o. 1

Total Cover: 7.6 ~

Ground Cover:% Cover % Cover

Acrotriche serru7ata O. 1 Lomat ia fraseri 0.1Bi77ardiera scandens 0.1 Luzu7a meridiona7is 0.1Diane77a revo7uta 0.1 P7antago debi7is O. 1Ga 7ium sp. 2 O. 1 Poa ? meionectes 25.0Geranium so7anderi 0.1 Poranthera microphy77a 0.1Gonocarpos teucrio ides 0.1 Senecio? minimus 0.1Poaceae (unidentified) 1.0 Taraxacum officina7e 0.1He7ichrysum scorpiodies 0.1 Tetratheca bauerifo7ia 0.1Hypericum gramineum O. 1 Vernon ia cinerea 0.1Hypocharis radicata 0.1 Veronica ca7ycina 0.1Lomandra mu7tif7ora 0.1 Vio 7a hederacea O. 1Lomandra sp. O. 1 Wah7enbergia sp. O. 1

Total Cover: 28.2 ~

1 1 7

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest'


Canopy

Plot Summary Sheet~1t. Ca 1abash

730 mSpecies: 27

Plot No: 23Topography: Top of long gentle gullyAspect: 1600 Est. Slope: 200Survey Date: Sept. 3, 1988

..

Eucalyptus cypellocarpaEucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus obliqua

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? longissimaCyathea austra 1isGoodia lotifoliaLeucopogon lanceolatus

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-zelandiaeAsperula scopariaCirsium vulgareClematis aristataDianella revolutaGeranium solanderiGeranium sp. 2Glycine clandestinaPoaceae (unidentified)Hypocharis radicataLomandra longifoliaLuzu la meridiona 1isPoa ? labillardieriPoz ? meionectesPteridium esculentumSenecio? minimusTaraxacum offic ina leTy lophora barbata\liola betonicifoliaViola hederacea

Tota 1 Cover:

% Cover15.0

O. 115.0

30.1

% Cover5.0O. 10.1O. 1

5.3

% CoverO. 10.10.10.1C. 10.10.1O. 10.1O. 1O. 1O. 10.1

70.00.10.1O. 10.10.11.0

72.8

118



Canopy

Plot Summary SheetHites Forest Road

760 mSpecies: 27


Survey Date:

Top of gull yEst. Slope:

Sept . 37 1988

Euca 7yptus cype UocarpaEuca7yptus Spa (peppermint)Euca7yptus Spa (stringybark)

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia? 70ngissimaBursaria spinosaCassinia acu7eataCyathea austra7isLeucopogon 7ance07atus

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Asperu7a scopariaB7echnum carti 7agineumCirsium vu7gareC7ematis aristataCynodon dactyTonDichondra repensGeran ium so 7anderiGeran ium Spa 2G7ycine c7andestinaPoaceae (unidentified)Hypericum gramineumLomandra 70ngifo I iaPoa ? Iab i 77ardieriPoa ? meionectesPo 7ystichum pro Uferum .pteridium escu 7entumRanuncu7us ? p7ebeiusSenecio? minimusVio7a hederacea

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover10.010.015.0

35.0

% Cover0.11.00.15.01.0

7.2

% Cover0.12.00.1O. 10.10.10.10.10.1

30.0O. 1(\ iv ••

1(\ (\IU.V

35.0n iv. :

15.0O. 10.10.1

93.4

119



Canopy

Plot Summary SheetCoolangubra Forest

640 mSpecies: 39

DrivePlot No: 25Topography:Aspect: 1320

Survey Date:


Sept. 4, 198810°

Euca7yptus agg70merataEuca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus vimina7is

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaBanksia marginataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifo7iaLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon 7anceo7atusHonotoca scoparia

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeAcrotriche serru7ataAsperu7a scopariaCassinia 7ongifo7iaCentaurium erythraaaCymbonotus preissianusDiane77a revo7utaDiche7achne raraGa7ium sp. 1Geranium so7anderiGeran ium sp. 2G7ycine clandestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesHypccharis radicata

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover3.0

40.05.0

48.0

% Cover15.00.12.00.10.10.10.10.1

17.6

% Cover0.1O. 10.1O. 10.10.10.1

26.00.10.1O. 10.10.10.1

Lepidosperma 7ater.~ le s.l.Lomandra ?gracilisLomandra longifo 1iaLcmatia fraseriLuzu7a meridionalisOxa7is cornicu7ataP7antago debi7isPoa ? meionectesPoranthera microphy77aPteridium escu7entumRanuncu7us ? plebeiu5Senecio ? minimusViola betonicifo7iaVio7a hederacea

% Cover1.0f"I 1v ••

0.10.10.1O. 10.1

55.00.1.~ {'\_.v('\ 1V ••

" 1l...•• ,

,", 1v •.

1.0

87.5

120

Vegetation Survey Northern Portlon of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest

Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation:Coolangubra Forest DriveAltitude: 600 mTotal No. Species: 31

Canopy


Survey Date:

Flat ridge topEst. Slope:

Sept. 4, 1988

Euca 7yptus cype] locarpaEuca7yptus sieberiEucalyptus sp. (stringybark)

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acac ia ? 70ngiss imaBanksia marginataEpacris impressaHibbertia obtusif07iaLeptospermum f7avescensLeucopogon lance07atusHonotoca scopariaP7atysace lance07ata

Tota 1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataBrachycome angustif07ia var.

heterophy7 laDiane71a revolutaGeranium sp. 2G7ycine c7andestinaGonocarpos teucrioidesHe lichrysum scorpioidesHypericum gramineumLepiodosperma 7atera)e s. 1.Lomandra 70ngifo 7iaLomandra mu7tif70raLomat ia fraseriLuzu7a meridiona7isOpercu7aria asperaPoa ? meionectesPoranthera micropl7y 77apteridium escu7entumSenecio: minimusVeron iea ca tyc ina 'Via 7a h9deraeea

Total Cover:

% Cover10.025.010.0

45.0

% Cover15.00.1

10.00.1~ .00.10.10.1

26.5

% Cover1.0

0.10.10.1O.lO. l'0.10.10·. 10.10.10.1.-, i~. I'

0, ,1:).00.10.10.1O. 1O. 1

12.8

..

121



Canopy

Plot Summary SheetKellys Mountain

650 mSpecies: 31


Survey Date:

Rocky ridge topEst. Slope:

Sept. 4, 1988400

..

..

EucaTyptus obTiquaEucaTyptus sieberiEucaTyptus Spa (gum)

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia fa TciformisAcacia ? TongissimaEpacris impressaLeucopogon lanceoTatusMonotoca scoparia01earia erubescensPersoonia TinearisPimeTea axifloraPlatysace TanceoTata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Brachycome angustifoTiavar. heterophyT Ta

Dianella revoTutaDichelachne raraGeranium solanderiGonocarpos teucrioidesHelichrysum scorpioidesHierochloa rarifloraLi7iaceae, (dry remnants)Lomandra multifToraLomat ia fraseri

Tota1 Cover:

~ Cover5.0

35.02.0

42.0

t Cover0.10.10.13.00.10.10.10.10.1

4.7

~ CoverO. 1

0.10.10.10.10.11.00.10.10.1

OpercuTaria asperaPoa ? labiTTardieriPoa ? me ionectesPoranthera microphyT Tapteridium esculentumSenecio ? minimusStylidium graminifoliumViola hederaceaWahlenbergia sp

% CoverO. 15.05.0O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 1O. 10.1

13.5

122


II


Canopy

Plot Summary SheetImlay Road

510 mSpecies: 33

Plot No: 28T.opography:Aspect: 1620

Survey Date:

Low stony ridge.Est. Slope:

Sept. 4, 198810°

Eucalyptus consideniana

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? longissimaAcacia terminalisA7locasuarina nanaBanksia marginataDj] lwynia sp.Epacris impressaExocarpos strictusKunzea ambiguaLeptospermum flavescensLeucopogon lanceolatusLeucopogon virgatusMonotoca scopariaPersoonia linearisP7atysace 7anceolata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataCulcita dubiaCynodon dacty70nDiane7la revo7utaGahnia sieberanaGonocar.pos teucrioidesHardenbergia vio7aceaHovea 7inearisLepidosperma tortuosum

Total Cover:

% Cover26.0

26.0.

% Cover1.0O. 11.01.00.11.0O. 18.01.00.10.10.11.00.1

14.7

% Cover0.10.11.00.11.0

15.00.10.11.0

Lomandra ?fi7iformis sspLomandra 7ongifo 7iaLomandra sp.Lomat ia fraseriOxy7obium probumbensPersoonia chamaepeucePoa ? labi77ardieriPoa ? meionectespteridium escu7entum

% Covercoriacea 0.1

0.10.10.10.10.1

10.012.05.0

46.1

123



Canopy

Plot Summary SheetWhite Rock River

550 mSpecies: 35,

Plot No: 29Topography:Aspect: 106°Survey Date:

Low rocky ridgeEst. Slope:

Sept. 5, 1988

% Cover

Euca7yptus considenianaEuca 7yptus divesEuca 7yptus obTiquaEuca7yptus viminaTis

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

. Acacia ? TongissimaA770casuarina nanaBanksia marginataCassytha pubescensEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusifoTiaKunzea ericoides

'Leucopogon 7anceoTatusMonotoca scopariaPersoonia TinearisP7atysace 7anceoTata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataDiane77a revo7utaDrosera pe7tataGahn ia s ieberanaPoaceae (unidentified)Ha70ragis sp.He7ichrysum scorpioidesHovea TinearisLepidosperma 7ineareLepiodosperma urophorum

Total Cover:

~ Cover10.015.03.02.0

30.0

% Cover3.00.11.00.10.1O. 1O. 18.05.0

10.00.10.1

27.7

% Cover0.10.10.10.1O. 'I0.10.10.10.11.0

Lomandra fiTiformis spp.fi 7i form is

Lomandra Tqngifd iaLomat ia fraseriPersoonia chamaepeucePoa ? 7abi 77ardieriPoa ? me ionectesPteridium escu7entumSty7idium graminifoliumVio 7a hederacea

O. 10.10.10.1

10.00.12.0C.10.1

14.6

124

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion· of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest


Canopy

Plot Summary SheetWhite Rock River

510 mSpecies: 40


Low rocky ridgeEst. Slope;:

Sept. 5, 1988

Euca7yptus agg70merataEuca7yptus divesEuca7yptus sp. (stringybark)

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

A770casuarina nanaBanksia marginataDi 77wynia sp.Epacris impressaExocarpos strictusHibbertia obtusif07iaLeucopogon 7ance07atusLeucopogon virgatusMonotoca scopariaPersoonia 7inearisP7atysace 7ance07ata

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acrotriche serru7ataDiane77a rev07utaDichondfa repensDrosera pe 7tataGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)He 7ichrysum 'scorpioidesHovea linearisLepidosperma 7ineareLepidosperma urophorumLepidosp~rma 7atera7e s. 1.Li7iaceae (dry remnants)Lomandra fi 7iformis spp.

fi 7iformis

Tota1 Cover:

%Cover2.0 ,

30.030.0

62.0

% Cover0.11.0O. 10.10.10.10.11.0

10.01.00.1

13.7

% Cover0.10.10.10.1O. 11.00.10.11.01.01.00.1

O. 1

Lomandra g7aucaLomandra 70ngif07 iaLomandra multif70ra

.Lomat ia fraseriOxy70bium probumbensPersoonia chamaepeuceP7antago debil isP7aty7obium formosum

,Poa ? 7'abi 17ardieri.Poa ? fTJe ionectespteridium escu7entumSenecio? minimusTetratheca bauerif07ia

% Cover0.10.10.1O. 10.11.00.10.10.11.00.10.10.1

8.0

,..

125


Penmanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: White Rock RiverAltitude: 520 mTotal No. Species: 13

Canopy

X qoverEuca lyptus sp. (str1ngybark) 0.1

Tota1 Cover: 0.1

Shrub UnderstoreyX Cover

A1locasuarina nana 95.0Aotus ericoides 0.1Brachyloma daphnoides 0.1Oi 77wynia sp. 0.1Epacris impressa 0.1Exocarpos strictus 0.1Leptospermu(11 scoparium 0.1Leucopogon virgatus 0.1Cassytha glabella 0.1

Total Cover: 95.8

" Ground Cover:X Cover

Gonocarpos teucrioides 0.1Lomandra longifolia 0.1Poa ? meionectes 0.1

Total Cover: 0.3


stoney flatEst. Slope:

Sept. 5, 1988<5°

126

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Roc~ton Section Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: White Rock RiverAltitude: 510 m.Total No. Species: 26

Canopy

Eucalyptus vimina7is

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia mearnsiiCa77istemon citrinu$Kunzea ambiguaLeucopogon virgatus

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-ze7andiaeCirsium vu7gareCymbonotus preissianusCyperus SpaDesmodium variansGa 7ium Spa 1Galium Spa 2Geranium solanderiGeranium Spa 2Gonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hypocharis radicataJuncus Spa 1 (large)Lomandra g7aucaLomandra 7ongifo 7iaLuzula meridiona7isOxa7is cornicu7ataPoa ? 7abillardieriPoa ? meionectesPoranthera microphy7 lapteridium escu7entum

Tota1 Cover:

~ Cover40.0

40.0

~ Cover2.02.0

70.00.1

74.1

~ Cover0.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.1O. 10.10.1O. 11.0O. 10.11.01.00.10.1

4.8

Plot No: 32Topography:Aspect: noneSurvey Date:

River·flats.Est. Slope:

Sept. 5 t 1988none

127

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest. ,

Permanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation:- Surveyors GullyAltitude: 520Total No. Species: 23

Canopy

~ CoverEucalyptus consideniana 10.0Euca lyptus cype 770carpa 10.0Euca7yptus g7oboidea 8.0Euca 7yptus radiata 3.0

Total Cover: 31.0

Shrub Understorey~ Cover

Acacia mearnsii 10.0Cassinia aculeata 2;0Hibbertia obtusifolia 0.1Leucopogon 7anceolatus 0.1

Total Cover: 12.2

Ground Cover:~ Cover., Acrotriche serrulata 0.1

Brachycome angustifoliavar. heterophy7 la 0.1

Cassinia longifo 7ia 2.0Crassula sieberiana 0.1Cymbonotus preissianus 0.1Dianella caerulea 0.1Geranium solanderi O. 1Poaceae (unidentified) 0.1He 1ichrysum scorpioides 0.1Hypericum gramineum 0.1Lomandra longifo 1ia 2.0Lomandra sp. O. 1Luzula meridionalis 0.1Poa ? meionectes 1.0Wahlenbergia sp. 0.1

Total Cover: 6.2

------------------ - ---

Plot No: 33Topography: SandyAspect: 1040

Survey Date:' Sept.

slope with bouldersEst.- Slope: 100

6, 1988-

128

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion of Rockton:S~ction Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Sheep Station CreekAltitude: 530 m .Total No. Species: 15

Canopy

. Plot No: 34Topography:, Creek flood plainAspect: none Est. Slope:Survey Date: Sept. 6, 1988'

'none

Acacia melanoxylon

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Cassinia longifoliaLeptospermum flavescens

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Acaena novae-zelandiae8aumea ? rubiginosa8lechnum cartilaginiumCentaurium erythraeaCymbonotus preissianus

, Cynodon dactylonCyperus SpaGeranium Spa 2Grat io la Spa

Hydrocoty7e SpaPhragmites austra 1isPoa ? labil Tardieri

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover0.1

0.1

% Cover15.,010.0

25.0

% CoverO. 11.02.0O. 1O. 1

10.040.0

O. 10.10.1

15.02.0

70.6

129


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Slope west of Sheep Station CreekAltitude: 570 mTotal No. Species: 34

Canopy

Plot No,: 35Topography: Rocky ridgeAspect: 1340 Est. Slope: 150 ,

Survey Date: Sept. 6,' 1988

".

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus radiata

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia ? 70ngissimaBursaria spinosaCoprosma hirte77aDaviesia 7atifo7iaEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusGoodia 7otifo7iaLeucopogon 7anceo7atusPersoonia 7evisPersoonia 7inearis

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Bi 77ariera scandensCassinia 7ongifo7iaComesperma vo7ubi7eCu7cita dubiaDesmodium variansDiane77a caeru7eaEnto7asia strictaGeran ium Spa 2Ha 70ragis SpaHardenbergia violaceaHieroch7oa rarif70ra

Total Cover:

% Cover20.020.0,5.0

45.0

% CoverO. 1O. 10.1O. 10.10.10.13.00.1O. 1

3.9

% CoverO. 11.0O. 18.0O. 10.12.0O. 10.1O. 14.0

Lomandra 7ongifo77aLomandra mu7tif7oraLomandra SpaLomatia fraseriP7atylobium formosum',Poa ? meionectesPteridium escu7entumSenecio ? mir17'mUSSty7idium' graminifo7iumViola hederacea

% Cover0.1O. 11.0O. 12.05.08.0O. 10.10.1

32.2

130



Canopy

Plot Summary SheetSheep Station Creek

530 mSpectes: 40

Plot No: 36Topography:Aspect: noneSurvey Date:

Creek flood plainEst. Slope:

Sept. 6, 1988none.

Euca7yptus cype770carpaEuca7yptus e7ataEuca7yptus ob7iquaEuca7yptus sp. (peppermint)Euca 7yptus vimina 7is

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia? 70ngissimaAcacia strictaA770casuarina nanaBanksia marginataBursaria spinosaCassinia acu7eataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon 7anceo7atusPu7tenea paleacea

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Asperula scopariaBi 77ardiera scandensBossiaea prostrataCirs ium vu 19areCyperus sp.Diane77a caeru7eaEpacris microphy 77aGalium sp. 1Geran ium so landeriGlycine cla~destina

Gonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (un i dent if i ed )

• ", • #

Total Cover:

~ Cover10.05.0

10.05.0

10.0

40.0

% Cover1.00.10.15.00.12.00.10.10.10.10.1

8.8

% Covero.r0.10.10,. 10,; 1O. 10.10.10.1o. 10.12.0

Helichrysum scorpioidesHypericum gramineumHypocharis radicataLomandra ?fi7 iformis ssp.

coriaceaLomandra longifo 1iaLoinandra sp.Poa ? labi 1TardieriPoa ? me ionectesRanunculus? plebeiusSenecio ? minimusVernonia cinereaViola hederacea

% Cover0.1O. 10.1

0.135.00.15.0

40,00.10.10. 1O. 1

84.0

131


Penmanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Sheep Station CreekAltitude: 520 mTotal No. Species: 12

Canopy

X Cover£uca 7yptus ovata 5.0Acacia me7anoxy7on 0.1

Total Cover: 5.1

Shrub UnderstoreyX Cover

Baeckea uti7is 5.0Kunzea ambigua 2.0Leptospermum scoparium 35.0

Tota1 Cover: 42.0

Ground Cover:X Cover

Baumea ?rubiginosa 40.0£mpodisma minus 70.0£nto7asia stricta 0.1Ga 7ium sp. 1 0.1Geranium sp. 2 0.1Poaceae (unidentified) 0.1Juncus sp. 2 (small) 0.1

Tota1 Cover: 110.5

Plot No: 37Topography: Creek flood plainAspect: none Est. Slope: noneSurvey Date: Sept. 6, 1988

132

Vegetation Survey Northern Portion Qf Ro~kton Section.Bondi State Forest

Penmanent Plot Summary Sheetlocation: Imlay RoadAltitude: 580 mTotal No. Species: 25

Canopy

Euca 7yptus ob 7iquaEuca7yptus sieberiEuca7yptus Spa (stringybark)

Total Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Leucopogon juniperinusLeucopogon 7anceo7atus07earia erubescens

Total Cover:

Ground Cover:

Bi7lardiera scandensBrachycame angustifolia

var. heterophy77aCynodon dactylonDiane77a revo7utaGonocarpos teucrioidesHelichrysum scorpioidesHibbertia asperaHypericum gramineumLomandra ?fi7iformis ssp.

coriaceaLomandra fi 7iformis spp.

fi liformisLomandra longifoliaLomandra mu7tif7oraLomat ia fraseriOxalis corniculataPoa ? meionectesPteridium escu7entumSenecio ? minimusViola betonicifo7ia'Viola hederacea

Total Cover:

% Cover20.030.02.0

52.0

% CoverO. 10.10.1

0.3

% Cover0.10.1

0.10.10.10.10.10.1

0.1

O. 1O. 10.10.10.1

30.01.0O. 1O. 1O. 1

32.7

. Plot No: 38Topography: Broad flat ridge topAspect: 2700 Est. Slope: 50

Survey Da~e': Sept . 7, 1988.

133


Permanent Plot Summary SheetLocation: Imlay RoadAltitude: 560 mTotal No. Species: 28

Canopy

X CoverEucalyptus consideniana 30.0Eucalyptus dalrympleana 5.0Eucalyptus obliqua 5.0Euca lyptus smithi i 5.0

Total Cover: 45.0


A1locasuarina nana 45.0Callistemon citrinus 5.0Cassytha glabella 0.1Epacris impressa 0.1Leptospermum scoparium 30.0

Total Cover: 80.2

Ground Cover:X Cover

Acrotriche serrulata 0.1'" Bossiaea prostrata 0.1

Brachycome angust ifo1ia 0.1var. heterophyl la

?Lepidosperma tortuosum 70.0Gonocarpos teucrioides 0.1Poaceae (unidentified) 0.1Hardenbergia via lacea 0.1Hibbertia aspera 1.0Hypericum gramineum 0.1Lep idosperma 1ineare O. 1Lindsaea linearis 0.1Lomandra fi 1iformis spp.

fi 1iformis 0.1Lomandra glauca 0.1Lomandra longifo 1ia 0.1Opercularia aspera O. 1Poa ? meionectes 8.0Styphelia adscendens 0.1Taraxacum officinale 0.1Viola hederacea 0.1

Total Cover: 80.6

Plot No: 39Topography:

. Aspect: 80° .Survey Date:

Rolling flat countryEst. Slope: 100

Sept. 7 I 1988

--- -_.~--------_._-

134

Vegetation Survey North~rn Portion of Rockton Section Bondi State Forest


C'!nopy

Plot Summary SheetSheep Station Creek

530 mSpecies: 32

track.Plot No: 40Topography:

. Aspect: 32°Survey Date:

Dry rocky f1 atsEst. Slope:

Sept. 8, 1988

Euca7yptus considenianaEuca7yptus cype77ocat~aEuca7yptus sieberi

Tota1 Cover:

Shrub Understorey

Acacia browniiAcacia gunniiAcacia ? 70ngissimaBanksia marginataEpacris impressaExocarpos strictusLeptospermum scopariumMonotoca scopariaPersoonia 7inearisP7atysace 7anceo7ata

Tota1 Cover:

Ground Cover:

Bi 77ardiera procumbensDiane77a revo7utaDrosera pe 7tataGahnia microstachyaGonocarpos teucrioidesPoaceae (unidentified)Hibbertia asperaHovea 7inearisLepidosperma 7ineareLepidosperma tortuosum

Tota1 Cover:

% Cover25.00.10.1

25.2 '

% Cover0.10.15.01.00.1O. 10.15.00.1O. 1

11.7

% CoverO. 10.1O. 10.10.10.1O. 10.1

15.00.1

Lomandra fi 7i form is spp.fi 7iformis

Lomandra longifo7iaLomandra sp.Oxy7obium probumbensP7aty7obium formosumPoa ? 7abi 77ardieriPoa ? meionect'esPteridium escu7entumTetratheca bauerifo7ia

% Cover0.1

O. 10.10.10.10.11.0O. 10.1

18.6

..

135

Appendix 3

Plant Species used in, the Two-way Table Analysis

Appendix 3.

137

Plant species used in the two-way table analysis, but whichdid not occur in more than 2 sample plots.

Acacia browni iAcacia gunniAcacia obtusif07 ia·Acacia sp.Acacia tenmina7isAdiantum aethiopicumA770casuarina 7ittora7isAmyema sp.Asp7enium f7abe77if07iumAstrotricha 7atif07ia8aeckea ut i 7is8edfordia arborescens8i 77ardiera procumbens8rachy70ma daphnoidesCa7edenia carneaCa7adenia catenataCassinia 70ngif07iaCassytha g7abrataCassytha pubescensCirsium sp.Coprosma hirte77aCoprosma quadrifidaConyza bonariensisCraspedia sp.Crassu7a sieberanaCyperus sp. 1Cyperus sp. 2Doodia asperaEchinopogon ovatusEmpodisma minusEpacris microphy77aEuca7yptus bridgesiiEuca 7yptus smithiiEuca7yptus sp.Gomph070bium heuge7iiGnapha 7ium ? purpureumGrat io 7a sp.He 7ichrysum bracteatumHyrocoty7e sp.Juncus sp. 1Juncus sp. 2Kunzea ericoidesLas iopeta lum macrophy77umLepidosperma tortuosumLepidospenma urophorumLeptospermum attenuatumLeucopogon fraseriLomandra ? gracilisLomandra ? montanaOxylobium arborescensPersoon ia levis

40, 040, FHJ

21, 28H, I

10, 1119~O

12, E3718,. H403110

73431, 3929A

352, GA8

3334, 373912-1.2, 17'37361012, 3927, F16, 08, 10

348, A

3432372920, C28, 4029, 3014G3, 256o

35

Appendix 3. continued.

Phragmites communisPoaceae (unidentified)Po 7ysc i as sambuc i fo 1i aP07ystichum pr07iferumPterosty7is peduncu7ataPultenea pa7eaceaRosa sp.Rubus parvif07iusSmi7ax australisStackhousia monogynaSonchus oleraceusSte 17aria mediaSte 77aria f1accidaStypeh7ia adscendensThemeda austra 7is

138

3418, 24192410, 1836C2, C

1.8, 198

1212C

3916

139'

Appendix 4

PenRanent Plot Locatiqn ~tails

Appendix 4.

SITE NO:

141

Permanent Plot Locations.

A

Hites Forest Rd, Bondi ~tate ForestLOCATION:

ASPECT: 250° SLOPE: 50. ELEVATIQN: 6.50 m

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

ASPECT:

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

1.3 km Wes:t of Coo)angubra Forest Drive

3 m North of track. E. viminalfs

50 m• 3540 to tree 1

15.2 m_300. E. vimina1is

10 m • bearing' 2540 ,E. ? ob1iqua

Considerable eucalypt regrowth <2 metres tall, withabout 40% cover where ,present... Patchy.

16 trees > 10 cm DBHOB

B

Ke1lys Mountain, ~ondi State Forest

"sLOPE:' 1'00 ElEVATION:' 690 m

0.7 km West of Ke1lysMountain ~raveJ pit

E. cype77ocarpa, on, west s1de of track

10 m _ 1000 to Tree 1

13.15 m• 72°. E. vimina1is

9.8 m • 194° •. E. ,viminalis

Large ,bouder pile ~mSouthwests'1deofTree 1.2-8 mid-layer cover ,ca. '20~, mixed' eucalypt species.

25 trees > 10 cm DBHOB

Appendix 4.

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

142


C

Surveyor's Gully, Bondi state Forest

ASPECT: 290° SLOPE: <20 ELEVATION: 510 m

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

60 m North of Surveyor's Gully gravel pit

8 m from North side of Imlay Rd, 5.85 km West ofNugatta Creek track. Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark).At this point a drivable track runs along theeastern side of the gravel pit for about 600 m. Thefirst blazed tree ,past reference tree is at the endof this track.

Follow track on east side gravel pit for about, 600 m~ A,very large isolated:E. cypellocarpa about

20 m from end' 200 is blazed. From theE. cypellocarpa go 90 m' bearing 130 to aE. vfmfnalfs on the edge of the pit area. TheE. viminalis blaze can be seen from theE. cypel1ocarpa. From the blazed E. vfmfnalis,go55 m• bearing 290 to Tree 1.

7.02 m • 334°. E. viminalis

7.5 m• 1480. E. viminalis

Plot in drainage line. Understorey dominated byL. longifolia. ,Mid-layer of mostly Acacia 2.5-6 mtall, flowering, with a'cover of about.40~.

D

Sheep S~ation Creek, Bondi State Forest.,

ASPECT: 2100 SLOPE: flat ,ELEVATION: 550 m

" SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

1.0 km North of Im1ay Rd, on bush track starting atDMR Stockpile 10. '

Eucalyptus? globoidea just east of bush track

70 m• 260 to Tree 1

3.95 m• 60. Eucalyptus ?·consideniana

5.6 m (I 118°. Eucalyptus? consideniana

Well-developed mid-layer 2-6 m tall, cover about30%. Lower shrub layer < 2 m also about 30% cover.

'. .

Appendix 4.

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

143


E •

Sheep Station Creek, Bondi State Forest

ASPECT: 260° SLOPE: 50 ELEVATION: 550 m

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

50 m east of creek

Euca,lyptus sieberi, 300 m West of main track, onside track.

80 m.,3260 to blazed E. cypellocarpa; then50 m• 3060.

10 m • 2740. E. obliqua

13.8 'm • 2800. E. cypellocarpa

Side track 3.45 km North of Imlay Rd, on main track.

Tree OBHOB in,tbis plot was measured within a radiusof 14 m from centre peg. This is, i the plot totalarea. .

F

Imlay Road" ASPECT: 3600 SLOPE: 2° ELEVATION: 560 m

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

2.3 km West of Nungatta Creek Rd.

15 m North of ImlayRd. E. cypellocarpa

110 m• 3460 to Tree 1.

9.6 m. 2980. E. ?'consideniana

5.9 m• 940. E.? consideniana

Mid-layer dominated by eucalypt saplings,2.5 m- 9 m tall. Cover patchy, 25% - 30%.

H

Sheep Station Creek, Bondi State Forest

REFERENCE TREE:

560 m

'590 m

"

E. sieberi

120 ELEVATION:SLOPE:

.. SLOPJ:: " 15°" ELEVATION:

144

G

11.5 m _ 3500 .' E. ?, globoidea

7.1, m • 2570 • E. cype llqcarpa:

3000

4.6 km North of·Imlay Rd.

Sheep Station ,Creek Track, Bondi state Forest

Heterogeneous plot, with Lomandra swale on westside.

6 m West of track. E. sieberi.

80 m • 3260 then 50 m • 3060 to Tree 1.

1'70° ,

5 km North Imlay Rd, on Sheep Station Creek track

Mixed mid-layer of"Cyathea, Leucopqgon, Astrotrichaand eucalypt poles.

5 km North; Northwest of track.

'350 m (320) from r.~ference tree.

20 m • 510.' E. cypel10carpa

5.2 'm • 2380 .. E: sieberi ..

Permanent Plot Locations.Appendix 4.

LOCATION:

ASPECT:

SITE NO:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

NOTES:

SITE LOCATION:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

LOCATION:

AsPECT:

SITE NO:

PLOT LOCATION~:

NOTES:

SITE LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE· 2 TO' PEG:.

Appendix 4.

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

145

Penmanent Plot Locations.

I

Sheep Station Creek Track

ASPECT: 210° SLOPE: 50 ELEVATION: 580 m

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

SITE NO:

LOCATION:

1.95 km North of Iml~y Rd.

10 m South of track. E. sieberi.

60 m • 1280 to Tree 1.

5.3 m• 840. E.? obliqua

7.1 m • 26°. .E. cypel10carpa

Plot borders Lamandra swale and woodland with amid-layer of Acacia. Abundant Daviesia in shrubunderstorey.

J •

Wog Wog River Track, Bondi State ·Forest

" ASPECT: 298° SLOPE: . 150' ELEVATION: 530 m

SITE LOCATION:

REFERENCE TREE:

PLOT LOCATION:

TREE 1 TO PEG:

TREE 2 TO PEG:

NOTES:

2.35 km North Imlay Rd,. on track to Wog Wog River.

2 km West of track~ E. cypellocarpa

100 m • 2660 then 25 m • 2800 to Tree 1.

15 m I 2200. E. cypel10carpa

3.4 m • 290°. E. gloQoidea

Mid-layer of mixed Acacia and eucalypt poles,2 m - 10 m tall, with about 10% cover.

Tree DBHOB in this plot was measured within a radiusof 14 m from centre peg. This is i the plot totalarea.

147

Appendix 5.

Permanent Plot forest data.

149

Appendix '5. . Permanent Plot forest data. Where distances or bearings are notgiven, they were not recorded. Bearings are in degrees and,wer~taken with a magnetic compass. Distances are in metres and wereestimated. Eucalypt ~pecies were identified where possible.Diameter at breast height over bark is given in centimetres(DBHOB) •

Plot Bearing to Distance to Species· DBHOBNo. ce':ltre peg centre peg(0 ) (m) (cm)

A 1 E. ob1iqua 19A 220 12 E. obliqua 63A 15 E. ob7iqua 18A .250 10 E. 'ob1iqua 71A 286 4 E. ob7iqua 28A 320 6 E. ob7iqua 18A ~336 10 E. ob7iqua 12A ·340 13 E. ob7iq/Ja 48A 13 .Euca 7yptus sp. 164A 46 10 E. 'cype 770carpa 152A 48 3 E•.consideniana 20A 1-26 19 E. consideniana 69A -150 5 E. consideniana . 13A 150 3 E. consideniana 20A 16 :E• . cype 1-1ocarpa 45A 184 14 'E. consideniana 77

'",' ....

151i I! 5111 , , ,1 • t:~ t , ,

,Plot Bearing to Distance t6 Species DBHOBNo. centre peg centre peg(0 ) (m) (cm)

C 140 Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) (Tree 2) 58C Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 28C Eucalyptus sp. (gum) 61C 170 Euca lyPtus sp. (gum) 23C Acacia 19C Acacia 20C 190 Eucalyptus sp. (gum) 31C Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 46C 200 Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 31C Euca Iyptus .sp. (gum) 30C 220 Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 70C 230 Euca lypt'us sp. (gum) 59C Euca Iyptus sp. (g~m) 25C 250 Euca lyptus sp. (gum) 50C 280 Euca lyptus sp. (gum) 43C Euca lyptus sp. 29C 300 Eucalyptus sp. (gum) 52C 3'00 Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 27C Euca lyptus sp. (gum) 34C Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 26C 325 Euca lyptus sp. (gum) 28C Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 43C 330' . Euca lyptus sp.• (gum) (Tree 1) 80C 50 Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 25C Euca 1yptus sp. (gum) 41C 70 Euca lyptus sp. (gum) 49'"" C Acacia 16C 80 Euca Iyptus sp. (gum) 17C Acacia 17.....

C 110 Acacia 18C 135 Eucalyptus, sp. (gum) (out) 32C 135 Eucalyptus sp. (gum) (in) 35C Eucalyptus sp. (gum) 47 '

Note: When DBHOB values were recorded for this plot, all gums were calledE. viminalis. The floristic survey showed that many of the gums wereE. ovata. The DBHOB recorded were not redone, and it is therefore not·possible to allocate individu~l DBHOB for those two species.

152

Plot Bearing to Distance to Species DBHOBNo. centre peg ceptre peg

(0 ) (m) (cm)

D 120 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark)(inner) 87D 120 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark) (outer) 490 Euca lyptus sp. (stringYbark) 19D Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) 330 160 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) (inner) 620 160 - Eucalyptus sp. (strihgybark) (outer) 200 Euca lyptus sp. (~tringybark) 150 170 Eucalyptus sp. (stri.ngybark) 580 180 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) 180 210 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark) 83D 245 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark) (outer) 430 245 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark)(inner} 170 260 Euca 1yptus sp. (stringybark) 360 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark) 380 280 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) 400 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark) 370 300 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) (outer) 370 300 Eucalyptus sp. (strfngybark) (inner) 240 325 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) 260 330 El!ca lyptus sp. (stringybark) 790 5 Eucalyptus sp. (stringybark)(inner) 590 5 .,. Euca lyptu$ sp. (stringybark) (outer) 500 55 Euca ly'ptus sp. (stringybark) 30D 65 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybarl<) 75D 75 Eucalyptus sp. (strl ngybark) 25,

(stringybark) 53D Euca lyptus sp~

D 85 Euca lyptus sp. (stringybark) 15

...Note: When recording DBHOB for this plot, we did not feel that we could

reliably distinguish in the field between'the two main species present,E. consideniana" and E.globoidea. All DBHOB records are thereforelumped under "stringybark".

153,

[ ,t t

,Plot Bsaring to Distance to Species DBHOBNo. centre peg centre peg(0 ) (m) (cm)

E* 194 1 E., obliqua 13E* 198 10 Euca lyptus sp. (peppermint) 36E* 220 5 E. obliqua 12E* 260 9 Eucalyptus sp. (peppermint) 13E* 9 Eucalyptus sp. (pepPE!rmint) 99E* 310 1 Eucalyptus sp. (peppermint) 14E* 320 10 Euca Iyptus sp. (peppermint) 44E* 320 E. obliqua 12E* 340 13 E. obliqua 14E* 180 E. obliqua (Tree 1) 104E* 360 10 E. obliqua 80E* 6 Euca lyptus sp. (peppermi nt) ! 12E* 6 10 E. obliqua' 36E* 56 9 E. obliqua 19E* 56 5 Euca lyptus sp. (peppermint) 14E* 56 2 . Euca lyptus sp. (peppermint) 14E* E. cype710carpa (Tree 2) 85E* 106 6 E. obliqua 17E* 144 8 E. obliqua 12Note: Only thos~ trees within a 14 m radius of the centre were measured &

counted on this plot and 1/2 the total plot area is represented inDBHOB records. Therefore, species recorded in the plot summary sheet(App. 2) may be missing from this list .

...

..

154

Plot Bearing to Distance to Species 'DBHOBNo. centre peg centre peg(0 ) (m) (cm)

F 8 E. consideniana 37F 100 10 E. consideniana 23F 102 12 E. cons iden. iana 24F 11 E. consideniana 34F 146 10 E. cons iden iana 16F 150 19 E. consideniana 30F 154 5 E. cons iden iana 29F 6 E. consideniana 18F 162 9 E. cons iden iana. 21F 164 11 E. consideniana 43F 172 10 E•. consideniana' 27F 174 15 E. consideniana 38 .F 180 14 E. cons iden iana 23F 194 3 E. consideniana 24F 208 5 E. cons iden iana 23F 226 6 E. consideniana 27F 230 " 4 E. cons iden iana 24F 231 5 E. consideniana 36F 231 10 E. considenfana 20F 234 10 E. consideniana 32F 242 20 E. consideniariiJ 36F 252 15 E. consideniana 39F 252' 20 E. cons iden iana 17F 260 20 E; obliqua 18F 262 5 E. cons iden iana 31F 268 20 E. consideniCfna 17 .,'F 19 E. consideniana 36F 278 20 E. consideniana 31F 284 17 E. consideniana 21F E. consfdeniana (Tree 1) 31F E. cons iden iana 23F' 324 19 E. consideniana 15F 322 20 E. cons iden iana 57F 328 E. consideniana 33F 332 19 E. consideniana 22F 348 12 E. consideniana 41F E. consideniana 33F 358 9 E. cons iden iana 45F 15 E. cons iden iana 23F 14 9 E. cons iden iana 30F E. cons iden iana 37F 16 E. considenianll 62F 17 E. cons iden ianlj 38F 46 12 E. cons iden iana 32F E. cons iden iana 28F 18 E. consideniana 35F 17 E. consideniana 26F 60 12 E. consideniana 40F 62 8 E. cons iden iana 26F E. cons iden iana 22F E. cons iden iana 24

--!156 ,

Plot ~earing to Distance to Species DBHOBNo. centre peg centre peg

(0 ) (m) (cm)

H E. cypel10carpa (Tree 1) 41H Cyathea 29H Eucalyptus sp~ 21H 290 20 E. sieberi . 54H 280 15 E. ?pblfqua . 21H 278 12 E. sfeberf 37H 306 15 E. cype7locarpa 102H 306 10 E. sieberi 38H 342 10 E. ?oblfqua 107H 238 5 E. sieberi (Tree 2) 62 ..H 238 7 Eucalyptus Spa 16H 54 18 E• .vfminalis 207H 74 E. sieberi 40H 92 8 E. sieberi 97H 90 10 E. sieberi 27H 92 20 E. sfeberi 46H 18 E. ?oblfqua 42H 105 13 E. sieberf 38H 100 12 E. sieberi 20H 112 E. sfeberi 49H 118 E. sfeberf 26H 134 20 E. sfeberi 43H 134 11 E. sieberf 22H 140 18 E. sieberi 56H 150 10 E. ?ob7iqua 32H 156 20. E. sieberf 37H 150 8' E. sie4eri 53H 190 8 E. ?obliqua 32H 206 6 E. si(3beri 65 ..H 200 15 E. ?obliqua 93H 216 10 E. sfeb!3ri 30

157

If" ~ , \ t.1' 1 1>' -" ! •••

Plot~ ',Bearing to Distance to Species DBHOBNo. centre peg centre peg

(0 ) (m) (cm)

I 180 8 E. cype 110carpa 92I 180 10 E. cype710carpa 92I 198 < ,10 E. ob1iqua 34I 210 E. ob1iqua 45I 240 10 E. cype 110carpa 31I 278 11 E•. cypel10carpa 63I 284 11 E. ob7iqua 60I 294 11 E. cype 110carpa 61I 332 10 E. cype 710carpa 13I 332 15 E. ob1iqua 74I 6 20 E. ob1iqua 38I 26 20 E. cype 710carpa 20I 26 8 E. cype 110carpa 39I 38 12 E. ob7iqL/a 32I 62 19 E. ob1 iqua 33I 62 11 E" cype l10carpa 46I 84 19 E. ob1iqua 22I 88 19 E. ?ob7iqua 76I E. ?ob 7iqua (Tree 1) 127I 108 16 E. ob1iqua 75I 148 14 E. ob1iqua 36I 160 6 E• . cype 71ocarpa. 99I 164 12 E. ob1iqua 44

158

Plot0 ___ ': __ ._

Distance to Species DBHOBDcal III~ \.U

No. centre peg centre peg(0 ) (m) (cm)

J* Acacia 12J* 219 14 ~ E. g10bofdea 65J* 15 E. globoidea (Tree,2) 103J* 248 8 E. ?ob 1fqua 21J* 302 14 E. ?dalrympleana '35J* 302 12 , E. globofdea 12J* 290 3 E. globoidea 57J* 3 E. cype 110carpa 12J* 304 5 E. ?ob!.iqua 21J* E. globofdea 15J* 324 14 ',E; ?dalrympleana .51J* 11 Acacia 13J* 336 13 E. '?obliqua 37J* 14 Acaqia 13J* 12 Acacia 12J* E. sfeberf 35J* 10 14 E~ 9 lobo idea , 1-19

",

J* 7 E. cype 110carpa 18J* 22 7 E. globoidea 14J* 7 E., cype l10carpa 18J* 30 9 "Ac4cia 13J* 2 E.,globoidea ' 12J* 42 '11 E. cype 110carpa 13J* 52 14 E. ?dalrympleana 23J*, 4 E. cypel10carpa 1'5J* 58 12 E. 9 loboidf]a ' 45J* 66 14 E. ?dalrytilpleana 40J* , 14 E. cype 110carpa 11J* 7 E. cypel10carpa 10 ...J* 120 10 E. ?obliqua.' 57J* E. globoidea, 12J* 144 5 Eo' globofdea 36J* 154 12 E. cypel10carpa 115J* 5 E. globoidea 19J* 158 8 E. ?obliqua 28J* 172 6 E. ?obliqua 40J* 190 3 E. globoidea 47

Note: Only those trees falling within a 14 m radius of the centre weremeasured & counted on this plot, and 1i2 the total plot area isrepresented in DBHOB records. ,Therefore, species recorded in,the plotsummary sheet (App.2) may be missing 'from this list.

159

Appendix 6.

Daily Record of Mammal Captures on the Eighteen Trapping Plots.

161

Appendix 6. Daily record of mammal captures on the eighteen trappingplots in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section of BondiState Forest. Tot~l captures and numbers of individuals can

;; be found in Table 12.

PLOT DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3

NO At Rf X At Rf X At Rf X

AB 2 SG 1C 1 1D 1 1,E 1 1F 2 1 BPGHIJ 1KL MMM CNN 1 10 1PQ 1R 1

AtRfX

Antechinus stuartiiRattus fuscipesother spp - ' SG

BPCHMM

Sugar G'l iderBrushtail PossumEastern Pygmy PossumFeral House Mouse

163

Appendix 7.

Habitat Attributes of the Eighteen Mammal Survey Plots.

165

.. Appendix 7• Habitat attributes of the eighteen mammal survey plotsemployed in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section NaturalResource Survey.

4.

PLOT HBT LOG LTR SLP ASP F.T H.T PHYSIOGRAPHY

A 0 1 1 20 275 114 HT2 upper slope/ridgeB 14 8 2 10 085 114/123 3+6 . ridge+steep gullyC 8 15 2 3 050 113 HT3 broad ridge0 1 2 2 3 230 114/152 HT6 creek edgeE 16 4 2 10 ·170 111/152 HT4 lower slope, ridgeF 14 7 2 <5 205 152 HT5 creek, small ridgeG 14 4 1 3 215 156 HT4 broad ridgeH 0 1 0 5 020 159 HT5 upper drainage lineI ? 8 1 <1 270 159 HT5 broad ridgeJ 4 4 1 20 270 114 HT4 gentle midslopeK 7 5 1 10 220 152 HT2 lower slope, spurL 0 1 0 12 208 123 4+8 mid-lower slopeM 7 7 1 <5 035 123 HT1 broad ridgeN 12 9 ? 5 225 112/155 HT7 upper drainage 1ine0 '15 3 1 20 175 155 HT5 midsl,opeP 0 1 1 15 290 152 HT4 mids10peQ ? 2 2 17 215 152 HT7 gullyR ? 3 1 10 265 152 HT4 lower slope, gully

...HBT number of Hollow-Bearing Trees within 50mLOG number of large C>.5m dia) logs on groundLTR ranking for 1itter -

o very little litter on ground1 scattered litter to a maximum depth of 3cm '2 complete litter cover, 3 - 6cm deep3 litter extensive, dominates ground,' > 6cm deep

SLP average slope of surv~y plotASP aspect of survey plotF. T Forest Type per Forestry Commi.ssion of NSWH.T Habitat Type per this report

167

Appendix 8.

Characteristics of the Immediate Habitat

for each Elliott Trap on the Eighteen Mammal Plots.

169

Appendix 8. Characteristics of the immediate habitat for eachIt> elliott trap on the eighteen mammal plots and the

Habitat Type to which each plot belongs (see Table 11).

"PLOT log LOG tree TREE SHR TUS FTR FRN ROX OPN TYPE

A 2 1 14 8 2B 7 2 4 1 2 1 4 4 3+6C 3 4 6 2 2 8 30 2 2 2 2 5 11 1 6E 6 4 7 2 1 4 4F 9 1 3 1 3 4 1 3 5G 5 2 3 10 2 2 1 4H 5 1 5 1 6 5 2 5I 7 7 2 6· - 3 5J 3 2 1 14 1 4 4K 2 4 3 2 2 3 1 2 2L 1 3 19 2 4+8M 5 6 8 2 1 1 2 1N 4 2 2 8 1 8 70 3 1 2 9 4 3 3 5'P 4 2 4 5 1 5 2 2 4Q 3 4 8 2 4 -- 4 7R .3 1 7 I 2 3 7 2 4

log small log on ground «10 cm diameter)LOG large log on ground (>10 cm diameter)tree small to medium-sized treeTREE Hollow Bearing (Habitat) TreeSHR shrubs, notably dry sclerophyll speciesTUS grassy tussocks - Lamandra, Pos, sedges etcFTR fallen treeFRN bracken or Blechnum ferns doini.nantROX exposed rocks and boulders dominantOPN open ground (with litter) dominant

'1'/

171

Appendix 9.

Annotated Species List

,

Appendix 9.

NAIIY..E....MAHKAl.S

MONOTREMATA

173

Annotated species list - mammals of the Northern Portion ofRockton Section of Bondi State Forest.

.E.ami.lY....la.CDY,91.o..s..s..idAe

Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus uOnly two instances of the evidence of their predations upon·termites in

fallen tree~ were recorded. This species is, however, commo~ throughoutits very large range.

Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus R

One animal was accidentally unearthed during excavations for mammaltrapping along Sheep Station Creek. It is expected to occur in the WhiteRock River and other individuals may occur elsewhere along Sheep StationCreek, although a large population is not anticipated. Regarded as commonbut vulnerable throughout its range in eastern Australia.

MARSUPIALIA

.E.am.U.Y......D.ll.s.Y..ULtd.a.e

Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartii C

The mos't;.-frequent1Y caught species during this study. Present in mostForest· Types and Habitat Types in the Study Area. The numbers werehowever, remarkably low compared to other forests· in the region for whichdata are available.

Ousky Antechinus . Antechinus swainsonii R

Recorded from the Northern Portion of Rockton Section only as two malesfound dead on the side of a road at the end of the breeding season~ Thisspecies is generally an inhabitant of moister sites with a well-developedfern layer.

long-nosed BandicootSouthern Brown Bandicoot

174

Perameles nasutaIsoodon obesulus

?? '.

The characteristic bandicoot diggings were observed in severallocations throughout the Section, although not in great numbers. AS noindividuals were trapped, it was not possible to determine which speciesoccurs in the survey area. The Southern Brown Bandicoot is becomingincreasingly rare in NSW.

Conmon Wombat Vombatus ursinus C

Deposits of faeces on stones and' logs along the 'forest tr~ils andthroughout the forest were common in the Study Area. The·dens;ty.ofanimals within the forest appears typical of native forest, that israt~erlow when compared with cleared and semi-cleared land.

EwnDY....f.Q.t.ft.u.rid.A.Q

Greater Gl ider Petauroides volans C

By far the most pommon of the arboreal marsupials recorded· during thissurvey. Observed in a range of forest types but in greater numbers in themoister and more varied forest types. Abundant through its range.

Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus austra 1is R

Observed at the most favourable sites, usually by calls rather than bysighting. This species occurs in the moister gullies and qppears more .restricted in its habitat preferences than is the Greater Glider. numbersare sUbstantially lower than at sites such as Waratah Creek.

Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps u

This species is probably more common throughout the StUdy Area thanindicated, although all arboreal mammals appear in. rather limited numbersin the Northern Portion of Rockton Section. No affinity for a particularHabitat Type was noted. The species is common over its extensive range .

.Eam.ilY.....f.b.a..l..W19.e..d.d.a.e

Conmon Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vUlpecula uSeen occasionally on spotlight transects ... The species is generally not

common in the region, although it is abundant throughout its extensiverange.

,r' Eastern Pygmy Possum

175

Cercartetus nan~s R

Captured once in the survey, this species may also be somewhat ,morecommon than is indicated." It is regarded as common throughout its range in

.southeastern Australia.

Long-footed Potoroo Potorous 70ngipes

This species has been recorded from fox scats by the NPWS of NSW alongSheep Station Creek in the Northern Portion of Rockton Section. Althoughno individuals have been trapped, the presence of suitable habitat andtheir characteristic diggings confirms the probabi·lity of their ,presence.Rare and limited in distribution•

.E.am..tly.__.M.a.c'[QPQdj.d.a.e

Red-necked ,Wallaby' .' . Hacropus rufogriseus C

This macropod was seen often, and its seats regularly recorded, during• this survey and that in South Rockton Section. This species is common to

abundant in most of its range.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo Hacropus giganteus' u

Observed ~n ~Jeared land abutting the Study Area and ~ceasionallywithin the forest. Numbers resident in the forest are expected to berelatively low,. but· to, be found in patches where the habitat is woodlandlike. The species is abundant.

Swamp Wallaby Wa77abia bico7or u

More common in the southern section of the. forest block. Observed bothdirectly and by its seats. Common throughout its extensive range.

176

ElJTHER!A

.Eam.J.J..Y-...,Mu.r:.id.a.e

Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes R

This species was only recorded from 7 plots in the survey area,although it was the second-most trapped species. It· is usually mostabundant in areas of moister forest and requires a dense groundcover offerns and herbs. Abundant throughout its range. . .

.I.NIRQ.Q.!J.G.ED..lWfHAL.s

House Mouse Nus musculus ·R

Trapped only once, this species often plagues and. forms part of thetempora 1 changes in population composition following fi re.' Widespreadthroughout Australia.

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus R

Seen on only a few occasions, most often near open grazing land.Faeces infrequently sighted within the forest. Recorded from a number ofpredator seats. Widespread.

Feral Cat Felis domesticus R

Observed once during spotlighting transects but maYbe more common andsimply evading detection.

't-.

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