RYDE FLORA and FAUNA STUDY 2007 - City of Ryde - NSW ...
RYDE FLORA and FAUNA STUDY 2007 - City of Ryde - NSW ...
RYDE FLORA and FAUNA STUDY 2007 - City of Ryde - NSW ...
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Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd<br />
<strong>Ryde</strong> Flora <strong>and</strong> Fauna Survey <strong>2007</strong> 29<br />
Weed problems in Pembroke Park include many garden escapes <strong>and</strong> most <strong>of</strong> the Class<br />
4 Noxious weeds. Of special note is Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) in<br />
bushl<strong>and</strong> behind houses in Menzies Avenue <strong>and</strong> in the bush below the s<strong>and</strong>-capped<br />
area below the CSIRO. The Class 3 Noxious Weed, Green Cestrum (Cestrum parqui)<br />
is also sporadically found along Terrys Creek. Pavonia hastata, near the entrance near<br />
Epping Road, is not listed as a noxious weed but does have the capability <strong>of</strong> rapid<br />
spread.<br />
All three quadrats (including Somerset Quadrat) failed the classification procedure<br />
due to a lack <strong>of</strong> diagnostic species. The Acacia binervia quadrat had the highest<br />
diversity with 51 species but only 25 out <strong>of</strong> 27 positive diagnostic species. The<br />
Coachwood/Christmas Bush quadrat was lacking by 6 diagnostic species while the<br />
Pembroke Park quadrat had 10 fewer diagnostic species. The Pembroke Park quadrat<br />
was heavily impacted by its proximity to houses, mowing <strong>of</strong> the fire trail (ongoing<br />
disturbance to the edge), run<strong>of</strong>f from houses upslope <strong>and</strong> rabbits that inhibit<br />
regeneration. The Coachwood/Christmas Bush <strong>and</strong> Acacia binervia quads were both<br />
affected on the lower slopes by periodic flooding <strong>of</strong> Terrys Creek, which has<br />
increased the nutrient <strong>and</strong> moisture levels <strong>of</strong> the soil providing a rich environment for<br />
weed growth.<br />
Somerset / Lucknow Parks, Marsfield<br />
These reserves border the Somerset Road Reserve along the northwest side <strong>of</strong> Crimea<br />
Road down to Terrys Creek. The northern border <strong>of</strong> Somerset Park was taken to be<br />
adjacent to the National Parks <strong>and</strong> Wildlife sign just north <strong>of</strong> the M2 overpass while<br />
the southern border ended at Epping Road.<br />
At Crimea Road, the soil is clay, most likely an extension from the Wianamatta Shale<br />
along the ridge. Closer to Terrys Creek the vegetation is consistent with Hawkesbury<br />
S<strong>and</strong>stone geology. Parts <strong>of</strong> Somerset Park appear to have been affected by fire<br />
around 1994 (Adam Smith, pers. comm., November <strong>2007</strong>); this has stimulated the<br />
seed bank <strong>and</strong> there is excellent diversity - 183 native species). Vegetation along the<br />
creek in the road reserve <strong>and</strong> on the east slopes is Western S<strong>and</strong>stone Gully Forest but<br />
a north-facing quadrat, consistent with Map Unit 31: S<strong>and</strong>stone Ridgetop Woodl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
was set up in the reserve, 20 m above Terrys Creek (Somerset Road Quadrat). The<br />
diversity in this quadrat is high (69 native species; over 1/3 <strong>of</strong> species within the<br />
whole reserve) with a canopy <strong>of</strong> Eucalyptus piperita (Sydney Peppermint) in<br />
association with Angophora hispida (Dwarf Apple), numerous sclerophyllous shrubs<br />
<strong>and</strong> a diverse ground cover including 2 orchid species. An uncommon plant in the<br />
quadrat is Styphelia tubiflora (Kubiak, 2005), which is likely to be killed by fire, but<br />
has obviously regenerated from the soil seed bank as have the Sydney Boronia<br />
(Boronia ledifolia). There were no weeds within the quadrat. Bush regeneration work<br />
is commencing near Crimea Road to control weeds in preparation for an<br />
environmental burn behind the units on the northern cliff line (Adam Smith, pers.<br />
comm., October <strong>2007</strong>).<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the vegetation on the northwest-facing ridge <strong>of</strong> Lucknow Park is S<strong>and</strong>stone<br />
Ridgetop Woodl<strong>and</strong> while the vegetation bordering Terrys Creek <strong>and</strong> adjacent to<br />
Epping Road is Western S<strong>and</strong>stone Gully Forest.