Kurnell Dune Forest in the Sutherland Shire and the City of Rockdale - endangered ecological community listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the Kurnell Dune Forest in the Sutherland Shire and the City of Rockdale as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY in Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of endangered ecological communities is provided for by Part 2 of the Act
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found:
1. The Kurnell Dune Forest is a low open sclerophyll forest community with a distinct mesophyll element found on sand, often in association with areas of sclerophyll heath and scrub.
2. The characteristic species composition of the community is:
- Actinotus helianthi
- Angophora costata
- Aotus ericoides
- Banksia ericifolia
- Banksia serrata
- Breynia oblongifolia
- Cissus antarctica
- Cissus hypoglauca
- Clematis aristata
- Clematis glycinoides
- Clerodendrum tomentosum
- Cupaniopsis anacardioides
- Elaeocarpus reticulatus
- Endiandra sieberi
- Eucalyptus botryoides
- Eucalyptus robusta
- Eustrephus latifolius
- Glochidion ferdinandi
- Hibbertia scandens
- Lepidosperma laterale
- Leptospermum laevigatum
- Leucopogon parviflorus
- Lomandra longifolia
- Maclura cochinchinensis
- Monotoca elliptica
- Notelaea longifolia
- Pandorea pandorana
- Parsonsia staminea
- Pimelia linifolia
- Rapanea variabilis
- Smilax australis
- Stephania japonica var. discolor
The total species list for the community is considerably larger, with many species restricted to single stands or having very low abundance. At any one time some species may be represented only in the soil seed bank.
3. The community occurs in the Sutherland Shire and in the City of Rockdale (Leo Smith Reserve). Within Sutherland Shire the major occurrences are on the Kurnell Peninsula, with other stands near Bundeena.
4. The extent of the community has been much reduced by clearing and development and remaining stands are disjunct. The large edge/area ratio of remaining stands makes them vulnerable to disturbance and weed invasion. Weed invasion is a feature of most stands. Altered fire regimes may have long term impacts on species composition.
5. Several stands are included in either NPWS estate or Council reserves. However, reservation itself does not, in itself, prevent degradation from weed invasion and disturbance. Non reserved stands which include Calsil Dune may be at risk from development.
6. Given the limited extent of the community and in the light of 4 and 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the Kurnell Dune Forest in Sutherland Shire and the City of Rockdale is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.
Proposed Gazettal date: 29/1/99
Exhibition period: 29/1/99 - 12/3/99