Semi-evergreen vine thicket in the Brigalow Belt South and Nandewar bioregions - endangered ecological community listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket in the Brigalow Belt South and Nandewar Bioregions as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY on Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Listing is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. The ecological community known as Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket is a form of dry rainforest which in New South Wales is found in the Brigalow Belt South and Nandewar Bioregions.

2. The Community is made up of vines, deciduous (and/or facultatively deciduous) tree species that have affinities with species from subtropical rainforest. Characteristic canopy dominants are Cassine australis var.  angustifolia,  Geijera parvifolia and  Notelaea microcarpa var.  microcarpa, but with emergents typical of the surrounding woodlands ( Eucalyptus albens,  Eucalyptus melanophloia and  Callitris glaucophylla).

Other characteristic species include:

• Alectryon subdentatus
• Alstonia constricta
• Aristida ramosa
• Beyeria viscosa
• Boerhavia dominii
• Canthium oleifolium
• Carissa ovata
• Cheilanthes sieberi ssp.  sieberi
• Dichondra repens
• Dodonaea viscosa var.  angustifolia
• Indigofera brevidens
• Pandorea pandorana
• Parsonsia eucalyptophylla
• Phyllanthus subcrenulatus
• Pimelea neo-anglica
• Spartothamnella juncea
• Thellungia advena

Rare species in New South Wales found in Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket include:

• Acacia harpophylla
• Isotropis foliosa
• Triodia scariosa ssp.  scariosa
• Planchonella cotinifolia var.  pubescens

3. A detailed account of the community is provided by Benson, J.S., Dick, R. and Zubovic, A. 1996 Semi-evergreen vine thicket vegetation at Derra Derra Ridge, Bingara, New South Wales Cunninghamia Vol. 4(3): 497 - 510.

4. Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket is found on sites on deep loamy, high nutrient soils derived from basalt or other volcanic rocks, which are relatively less fire prone than surrounding areas, with average annual rainfall of 750mm.

The distribution of Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket is a reflection of fire history, soil nutrient status and climate. Before European settlement Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket would have had a relatively restricted distribution in New South Wales.

5. Since European settlement substantial areas of Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket have been cleared for grazing and cropping. Clearing has continued in recent years. Benson et al (1996) suggest that grazing in remaining stands may adversely affect regeneration of the community.

6. Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket in New South Wales is now very limited in total area and number of stands. One stand occurs at Planchonella Hill Nature Reserve.

7. In view of 3, 4, and 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket 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: 24/12/99

Exhibition period: 24/12/99 - 4/2/00