RVC 43 Mugga Ironbark open forests, Nandewar and western New ...

RVC 43
Mugga Ironbark open forests,
Nandewar and western New England Tablelands
RVC 43
Note: this RVC is a combination of former RVC 92 and RVC 93
Description: Usually a shrubby open forest that is dominated by Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon).
Other tree species that may be present include (in the north) Blakely's Red Gum (E. blakelyi), Silvertop
Stringybark (E.laevopinea), White Box (E. albens), Red Stringybark (E. macrorhyncha) and Yellow Box (E.
melliodora), and in the south, Broad-leaved Stringybark (E. caliginosa) and Narrow-leaved Peppermint (E.
radiata ssp. sejuncta). Common shrubs include Cough Bush (Cassinia laevis), Sticky Daisy-bush (Olearia
elliptica), Common Guinea Flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia), Native Olive (Notelaea microcarpa), Broad-leaved
Hickory (Acacia falciformis), Sticky Hop-bush (Dodonaea viscose) and Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa). The
ground layer is usually sparse and the most frequently occurring species include Barbed Wire Grass
(Cymbopogon refractus), Red-anther Wallaby Grass (Joycea pallida), Redleg Grass (Bothriochloa macra),
Stinkweed (Opercularia diphylla), Large Tick-trefoil (Desmodium brachypodum), Purple Wiregrass (Aristida
ramose), Plume Grass (Dichelachne micrantha), Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens), Ivy-leaved Goodenia
(Goodenia hederacea), and Smooth Darling Pea (Swainsona galegifolia).
Keith Vegetation Class: North-west Slopes Dry Sclerophyll Woodlands
Equivalent Biometric Vegetation Type: This RVC represents 2 Biometric types: Mugga Ironbark - Blakely's Red
Gum shrub/grass open forest of central parts of the Nandewar Bioregion and Mugga Ironbark - stringybark
shrubby open forest of the far southern Nandewar Bioregion
Distinguishing Features: This RVC is the only community in the Namoi catchment
dominated by the often pink flowered Mugga Ironbark.
Condition and Threats: This RVC has been extensively logged and/or cleared for
construction timber. It remains threatened by further logging for fencing timber and firewood collection. The
spread of Coolatai Grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) is also a serious threat along roadsides where some of the best
remaining stands are to be found.

Distribution: This RVC occurs as scattered
stands mainly in hilly areas in the eastern
parts of the Nandewar Bioregion.
Current extent: 7 500 ha
Former extent: 10 200 ha
Percent cleared: 27%
Formally reserved: 283 ha
Percent reserved: 4%
Conservation status: This RVC is poorly represented in reserves in the Namoi catchment, and remains at high
risk of exploitation for farm timber and firewood. When flowering Mugga Ironbark is a very important food
source for several threatened bird species.
EPBC type/status: not listed
TSC type/status: not listed
Threatened flora: McKie's Stringybark (E. mckieana), Small Snake Orchid (Diuris pedunculata)
Threatened fauna: Barking Owl, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Border Thick-tailed Gecko, Brown Treecreeper,
Diamond Firetail, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Glossy Black-cockatoo, Hooded Robin, Koala,
Masked Owl, Painted Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler, Square-tailed
Kite, Squirrel Glider, Swift Parrot, Turquoise Parrot
Potential Climate Change impacts: This RVC occupies a range of environmental conditions and is unlikely to
be adversely impacted although changes in flowering time of Mugga Ironbark could impact on its importance
as a nectar resource for endangered birds such as Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot. Increased fire
frequency and intensity could affect the understorey composition.
Management recommendations: Prevent further clearing and control the collection of firewood, especially in
some of the better areas in TSRs. Control infestations of Coolatai Grass.
Ecological Benchmarks:
50 x 20m plot 20 x 20 m sub-plot
Large tree diameter (cm) 75 Native species richness (midstorey) 2
Large Callitris diameter (cm) - Native species richness (groundcover) 20
Number of large trees 3 Transect points
Number of large Callitris trees - Native canopy cover (%) 30
Number of trees with hollows 5 Native midstorey (shrub) cover (%) 10
Length of coarse woody debris (m) 35 Native groundcover (%) 20
Native species richness (canopy) 2 Mosses/lichen cover (%) 10
Native species richness (canopy recruitment) 2 Organic litter cover (%) 30
Rock/bare ground cover (%) 40