Swamp sclerophyll forest on coastal floodplains - profile

Scientific name: Swamp sclerophyll forest on coastal floodplains of the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner bioregions 
 Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community

Description

This swamp community has an open to dense tree layer of eucalypts and paperbarks although some remnants now only have scattered trees as a result of partial clearing. The trees may exceed 25 m in height, but can be considerably shorter in regrowth stands or under conditions of lower site quality where the tree stratum is low and dense. For example, stands dominated by Melaleuca ericifolia typically do not exceed 8 m in height. The community also includes some areas of fernland and tall reedland or sedgeland, where trees are very sparse or absent.

The most widespread and abundant dominant trees include Eucalyptus robusta (swamp mahogany), Melaleuca quinquenervia (paperbark) and, south from Sydney, Eucalyptus botryoides (bangalay) and Eucalyptus longifolia (woollybut). Other trees may be scattered throughout at low abundance or may be locally common at few sites, including Callistemon salignus (sweet willow bottlebrush), Casuarina glauca (swamp oak) and Eucalyptus resinifera subsp. hemilampra (red mahogany), Livistona australis (cabbage palm) and Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp turpentine).

A layer of small trees may be present, including Acacia irrorata (green wattle), Acmena smithii (lilly pilly), Elaeocarpus reticulatus (blueberry ash), Glochidion ferdinandi (cheese tree), Melaleuca linariifolia and M. styphelioides (paperbarks).

Shrubs include Acacia longifolia, Dodonaea triquetra, Ficus coronata, Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. polygalifolium and Melaleuca spp.. Occasional vines include Parsonsia straminea, Morinda jasminoides and Stephania japonica var. discolor.

The groundcover is composed of abundant sedges, ferns, forbs, and grasses including Gahnia clarkei, Pteridium esculentum, Hypolepis muelleri, Calochlaena dubia, Dianella caerulea, Viola hederacea, Lomandra longifolia, Entolasia marginata and Imperata cylindrica.

On sites downslope of lithic substrates or with soils of clay-loam texture, species such as Allocasuarina littoralis, Banksia oblongifolia, B. spinulosa, Ptilothrix deusta and Themeda australis, may also be present in the understorey.

Characteristic species are listed in the final determination for this complex (see links at top right).

Location and habitat

Distribution
 This community is known from parts of the Local Government Areas of Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey, Hastings, Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Wyong, Gosford, Hornsby, Pittwater, Warringah, Manly, Liverpool, Rockdale, Botany Bay, Randwick, Sutherland, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven but may occur elsewhere in these bioregions. Major examples once occurred on the floodplains of the Tweed, Richmond, Clarence, Macleay, Hastings and Manning Rivers, although smaller floodplains would have also supported considerable areas of this community.

The exact amount of its original extent is unknown but it is much less than 30%. There are less than 350 ha of native vegetation attributable to this community on the Tweed lowlands, less than 2,500 ha on the Clarence floodplain, less than 700 ha on the Macleay floodplain, up to 7,000 ha in the lower Hunter – central coast district, and less than 1,000 ha in the Sydney – South Coast region.

Small areas of Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains are contained within existing conservation reserves, including Bungawalbin, Tuckean and Moonee Beach Nature Reserves, and Hat Head, Crowdy Bay, Wallingat, Myall Lakes and Garigal National Parks. These occurrences are unevenly distributed throughout the range and unlikely to represent the full diversity of the community. In addition, wetlands within protected areas are exposed to hydrological changes that were, and continue to be initiated outside their boundaries. Some areas of Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest are protected by State Environmental Planning Policy 14, although this has not always precluded impacts on wetlands from the development of major infrastructure.

• Associated with humic clay loams and sandy loams, on waterlogged or periodically inundated alluvial flats and drainage lines associated with coastal floodplains.
• Generally occurs below 20 m (though sometimes up to 50 m) elevation.
• The composition of the community is primarily determined by the frequency and duration of waterlogging and the texture, salinity nutrient and moisture content of the soil, and latitude. The composition and structure of the understorey is influenced by grazing and fire history, changes to hydrology and soil salinity and other disturbance, and may have a substantial component of exotic grasses, vines and forbs.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Hawkesbury/Nepean
• Hunter/Central Rivers
• Northern Rivers
• Southern Rivers
• Sydney Metro

Threats

• Further clearing for urban and rural development, and the subsequent impacts from fragmentation
• Flood mitigation and drainage works
• Management of water and tidal flows
• Landfilling and earthworks associated with urban and industrial development
• Grazing and trampling by stock and feral animals (particulary pigs)
• Changes in water quality, particularly increased nutrients and sedimentation
• Weed invasion
• Climate change
• Activation of acid sulfate soils
• Removal of dead wood
• Rubbish dumping
• Frequent burning which reduces the diversity of woody plant species

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 12 priority actions to help recover the Swamp sclerophyll forest on coastal floodplains in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Instigate pig, deer and goat control programs.
• Ensure that the fire sensitivity of the community is considered when planning hazard reduction and asset management burning.
• Protect habitat by minimising further clearing of the community. This requires recognition of the values of all remnants in the land use planning process, particularly development consents, rezonings and regional planning.
• Promote regeneration by avoiding prolonged or heavy grazing.
• Undertake restoration including bush regeneration, revegetation and weed control, and promote public involvement in this restoration.

Detailed References

Below is a list of references relating to this ecological community. You can filter the list by the features or publication type you require.

Reference Details	Features
Adam, P. and Stricker, J. (1993) Wetlands of the Sydney Region. Nature Conservation Council, 42 pgs + App..
Anderson, J., and Asquith, J. (2002) Findings of the coastal lowland forests/swamp mahogany project: final report. Report to the NSW State Wetlands Advisory Committee..
Bell, S.A.J. (2002) The natural vegetation of the Wyong Local Government Area, Central Coast, New South Wales: Technical Report. Unpublished Final Report to Wyong Shire Council, Eastcoast Flora Survey, 197 pgs.
Bell, S.A.J. (2004) The natural vegetation of the Gosford Local Government Area, Central Coast, New South Wales: Technical Report. Unpublished Final Report to Gosford City Council, Eastcoast Flora Survey, 131 pgs.
Bellingen Shire Council (2006) Coastal Vegetation of the Bellingen Local Government Area. A report by Flametree Ecological Consultants for Bellingen Shire Council. Bellingen Shire Council, 88 pgs.
Benson, D.H. (1986) The native vegetation of the Gosford – Lake Macquarie 1:100 000 Mapsheets. Cunninghamia, Vol. 1, pp. 467-490..
Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (1990) Taken for Granted: The Bushland of Sydney and Its Suburbs. Kangaroo Press, Sydney., 160 pgs + illus bibliog index.
Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (2000) Sydney’s Bushland — More than Meets the Eye. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney..
Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (1993) A strategy for the rehabilitation of the riparian vegetation of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
Benson, D.H. and Howell, J. (1994) Natural vegetation of the Sydney 1:100000 Mapsheet. Cunninghamia, Vol. 3 (4), pp. 679-789.
Boulton, A.J. and Brock, M.A. (1999) Australian freshwater wetlands: processes and management. Gleneagles Publishing, Glen Osmond, 300 pgs + illus, tables, bibliog, glossary and index .
Brooker, M. and Kleinig, D. (1990) Field Guide to Eucalypts of South-eastern NSW. Vol 1 and 2. Inkata Press, Melbourne..
Chafer, C. (1997) Biodiversity in the Illawarra Catchments: an inventory. Illawarra Catchment Management Committee, 124 pgs + app.
DEC (2004) North East NSW Field Key to Forest Ecosystems. Natural Resource Management Field Assessment Guidelines. DEC, NE Branch Coffs Harbour..
DECC (2007) DRAFT - Salterwater Wetlands Rehabilitation Manual. Coastal and Floodplain Management. Dept. of Environment and Climate Change, Parramatta..
Fisher, M., Body, M. and Gill, J. (1996) Vegetation Idenification and Classification of the Coffs Harbour City Council LGA. North East Vegetation Surveys, 75 pgs.
Gilmore, P. (2006) Vegetation Communities of the Central Coast Region of NSW. In: McCauley, A. etal (2006) Vegetation of Regional Significance on the NSW Central Coast. HCR CMA and Hunter Councils Inc. NSW., 240 pgs.
Graham, M. (2001) Water habitats of the Tweed, Brunswick and Richmond Catchments. NSW National Patks and Wildlife Service., 169pgs.
Graham, M. (2001) Water habitats of the Clarence, Coffs coastal and Bellinger catchments. NSW National Patks and Wildlife Service., 141pgs.
Graham, M. (2001) Water habitats of the Nambucca, Macleay and Hastings catchments. NSW National Patks and Wildlife Service., 128pgs.
Graham, M. (2001) Water habitats of the Manning and Port Stephens/Wallis Lake catchments. NSW National Patks and Wildlife Service., 105pgs.
Griffith, S.J., Bale C, Adam, P., and Wilson, R. (2003) Wallum and related vegetation on the NSW North Coast: description and phytosociological analysis. Cunninghamia, Vol. 8, pp. 202-252..
Harden, G. (ed) (1999-2002) Flora of NSW. NSW University Press, Vol. 1-4.
Hnatuik, R.J., Thackway, R. and Walker, J. (2003) Vegetation - Guidelines for site-based survey. Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences, 111pgs.
House, S (2003) Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Technical Report, Digital Aerial Photo Interpretation & Updated Extant Vegetation Community Map. Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, Callaghan, NSW..
Howell, J., McDougall, L. and Benson, D. (1995) Riverside Plants of the Hawkesbury-Nepean. Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Trust and Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney., 62 pgs.
James, T. McDougall, L. and Benson, D.H. (1999) Rare Bushland Plants of Western Sydney, second edition. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney..
Johnston, S.G., Slavich, P.G. and Hirst, P. (2003) Alteration of groundwater and sediment geochemistry in a sulfidic backswamp due to Melaleuca quinquenervia encroachment. Australian Journal of Soil Research , Vol. 41, pp. 1343-1367.
Keith, D.A. (2004) Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes - The native vegetation of NSW and the ACT. Dept. of Environment and Conservation (NSW), 353 pgs.
Keith, D.A. (1996) Fire-driven mechanisms of extinction in vascular plants: a review of empirical and theoretical evidence in Australian vegetation. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales., Vol. 116, pp. 37-78..
Keith, D.A. and Bedward, M. (1999) Vegetation of the South East Forests region, Eden, NSW (Eden CRA). Cunninghamia, Vol 6, pp 1-218.
Keith, D.A. and Scott, J. (2005) Native Vegetation of Coastal Floodplains. Pacific Conservation Biology, Vol 11, pp 81-104.
Keith, D.A., Simpson, C., Tozer, M.G. and Rodoreda, S. (2007) Contemporary and Histroical Descriptions of the Vegetation of Brundee and Saltwater Swamps on the Lower Shoalhaven River Floodplain, Southeastern Australia. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW, Vol. 128, pp 123-153.
Kendall and Kendall Ecological Consultants (2003) Nambucca Catchment Vegetation Survey. Report prepared for Nambucca Vegetation Sub-committee, 155 pgs.
Law, B.S., Chidel, M. and Turner, G. (2000) The use by wildlife of paddock trees in farmland. Pacific Conservation Biology, Vol 6, pp 130-143.
Leonard, G. (2007) Eucalypts of the Sydney region: a bushwalker's guide. UNSW Press, Sydney, 77 pgs.
Lovett, S. and Price, P. (eds) (2007) Principles for riparian lands management. Land and Water Australia, Canberra., 200 pgs.
Manns, M. (2006) Bangalay Sand Forest and Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains - Fragmented in the Shoalhaven LGA. Unpublished Honours Thesis. University of Wollongong., 80 pgs + appendices.
McCauley, A., DeVries, R., Elith, J. and Gilmore, P. (2006) Vegetation of Regional Significance on the NSW Central Coast. Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Hunter Councils Inc. NSW., 308 pgs + appendices.
McDonald, R.C., Isbell, R.F., Speight, J.G., Walker, J. and Hopkins, M.S. (1990) Australian soil and land survey. Field handbook. Second edition. Inkata Press, Melbourne., pp. 9-57.
McKinnon, L. (2004) Sydney Coastal Estuarine Swamp Forest Complex. Validation and Field Assessment of this EEC on Community Lands in Wollongong LGA. Unpublished Honours Thesis. University of Wollongong..
Mills, K. (2003) The natural vegetation in the municipality of Kiama, NSW. A report prepared by Kevin Mills and Associates for Kiama Municipal Council, 49 pgs.
NCC (1999) Towards an Illawarra Regional Vegetation Management Plan. Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Sydney..
NPWS (2002) Native vegetation of the Illawarra Escarpment and Coastal Plain. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney, 242 pgs.
NPWS (1999) Forest Ecosystem Classification and mapping for upper and lower north east CRA regions. CRA Unit, Northern Zone, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coffs Harbour., 36 pgs + appendices.
NPWS (2000) Forest ecosystem classification and mapping for the Hunter Sub-Region in the Lower North East Comprehensive Regional Assessment. CRA Unit, Sydney Zone, National Parks and Wildlife Service..
Pressey, R.L. and Griffith, S.J. (1987) Coastal wetlands and associated communities in Tweed Shire, Northern NSW. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney, 22 pgs + maps and appendices.
Pressey, R.L. and Griffith, S.J. (1992) Vegetation of the coastal lowlands of Tweed shire, northern New South Wales, species and conservation. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW , Vol. 113, pp. 203-243..
Robinson, L (2003) Field guide to native plants of Sydney revised 3rd edition. Kangaroo Press, 448 pgs.
Smith, P. and Smith, J. (1990) Hornsby Shire bushland survey. Report and maps prepared for Hornsby Shire Council. P & J Smith Ecological Consultants, Blaxland..
Smith, P. and Smith, J. (2006) Native vegetation communities of Hornsby Shire. Report and maps prepared for Hornsby Shire Council. P & J Smith Ecological Consultants, Blaxland., 46 pgs.
Speight, J.G. (1990) Landform. In: 'Australian soil and land survey. Field handbook' Second edition (Eds. RC McDonald, RF Isbell, JG Speight, J, Walker, MS Hopkins). Inkata Press, Melbourne., pp 9-57.
Telfor, D. and Kendall, P. (2006) Native Vegetation Mapping and Endangered Ecological Community Mapping, Kempsey LGA east. Report to Kempsey Shire Council, 40 pgs.
Thackway, R., Creswell, I.D. (eds) (1995) An interim biogeographic regionalisation of Australia: a framework for establishing the national system of reserves. Australian Nature Conservation Agency: Canberra..
Thackway, R., Neldner, J. and Bolton, M. (2003) Chapter 7. Vegetation - Guidelines for Conducting Surveys. Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences, 35 pgs.
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Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., & Keith, D.A. (2004) DRAFT Native vegetation map report series No. 4. Araluen, Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Burragorang, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Katoomba, Kiama, Moss Vale, Penrith, Port Hacking, Sydney, Taralga, Ulladulla, Wollongong (Priority 5 Mapping Area - P5MA). NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources..
Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Simpson, C., Keith, D.A., Beukers, P., MacKenzie, B., Tindall, D. & Pennay, C. (2006) Native vegetation of south east NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. V1.0. NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natrual Resources..
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