Threatened Forests and Fauna

Australia is home to more than one million species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 85 per cent of flowering plants, 84 per cent of mammals, more than 45 per cent of birds, and 89 per cent of inshore, temperate-zone fish are only found in Australia.
Changes to the landscape and native habitat as a result of human activity has put many of these unique species at risk. Over the last two hundred years many species of plants and animals have become extinct. For the other species of plants and animals whose survival is threatened a range of management and conservation measures are in place.

The  NSW Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act 1995 identifies and protects native plants and animals in danger of becoming extinct. The Act also provides for species recovery and threat abatement programs.

To date, there are 26 known threatened plant species and 42 known animal species in Hornsby Shire.

 List of threatened species in Hornsby Shire (100Kb)

ENDANGERED, VULNERABLE OR EXTINCT?

Schedule 1 of the TSC Act lists threatened species, populations and ecological communities and species that are endangered or presumed extinct. Schedule 2 lists vulnerable species and Schedule 3 lists key threatening processes.

The TSC Act defines 'endangered' as a species, population or ecological community that is likely to become extinct or is in immediate danger of extinction.

A species that is 'presumed extinct' has not been located in nature during the preceding fifty years despite the searching of known and likely habitats.

A 'vulnerable' species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

THREATENED FOREST COMMUNITIES

BLUE GUM HIGH FOREST

This is a moist, tall open forest community, with dominant canopy trees of Sydney Blue Gum Eucalyptus saligna and Blackbutt E. pilularis. Forest Oak Allocasuarina torulosa and Sydney Red Gum Angophora costata also occur. Species adapted to moist habitat such as Lillypilly Acmena smithii, Sandpaper Fig Ficus coronata, Soft Bracken Calochleana dubia and Maiden Hair Adiantum aethiopicum may also occur.

Only 37 ha of Blue Gum High Forest remains in Hornsby Shire, most of which has been modified or degraded and is critically endangered. Often these areas consist of clumps of trees in urban landscapes in less developed sites such as Council reserves, large backyards, creek lines and schoolyards. These sites are of natural heritage significance as they are remnants of past vegetation. They contain genetic material indigenous to the area and provide habitat for native fauna including threatened species and endangered populations. They also form parts of vegetation corridors and urban habitat links and contribute to the landscape character of the suburb.

Many people would drive along Boundary Rd, Pennant Hills every day and not realise they are passing through a Blue Gum High Forest remnant. (see picture at right)

LOCAL EXAMPLES

Blue Gum High Forest can be seen in several areas of Hornsby Shire including Epping, Beecroft, Hornsby, Pennant Hills and Thornleigh.

MAJOR THREATS to Blue Gum High Forest remnants include:

Property development which leads to further fragmentation and increased nutrients and weed growth.

Mowing and clearing understorey plants.

 Blue Gum High Forest fact sheet (195Kb)

SYDNEY TURPENTINE IRONBARK FOREST

This is an open forest community and the dominant canopy trees are Sydney Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera), Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) and Sydney Redgum (Angophora costata). Common understorey shrubs include Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra), Elderberry Panax (Polyscias sambucifolia) and Sickle Wattle (Acacia falcata).

In open grassy areas, Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) and Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica) are common.

Only 195 ha of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest remains in Hornsby Shire, in urban, rural ands roadside areas with similar fragmentation and weed issues to Blue Gum High Forest areas.

LOCAL EXAMPLES

Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest can be seen at Reddy Park in Hornsby and Carrs Bush at Fagan Park in Galston.  Ironbarks also line Old Northern Rd and some small remnants are often seen on private properties and school grounds from Cherrybrook to Glenorie.

MAJOR THREATS to Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forests include:

Property development which leads to further fragmentation and increased nutrients and weed growth.

Mowing and clearing understorey plants.
Rubbish and green waste dumping
Cattle or sheep grazing

 Sydney Turpentine Ironbark fact sheet (400Kb)

THREATENED FAUNA

Under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995

Endangered Species which have been listed for the Hornsby Shire area include:

• Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor
• Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia
• Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon finbriatum
• Southern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon obesulus

Vulnerable Species which have been listed for the Hornsby Shire area include:

• Giant Burrowing Frog Heleiporus australiacus
• Red-Crowned Toadlet Pseudophryne australis
• Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami
• Barking Owl Ninox connivens
• Powerful Owl Ninox strenua
• Eastern Pygmy-Possum Cercartetus nanus
• Large Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii
• Large-footed Myotis Myotis macropus (pictured)
• Koala Phasolarctos cinereus