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HClNC Vegetation Classification & mapping Project: Volume 1: Vegetation Classification Technical Report
include Eucalyptus tereticornis, Angophora floribunda and Corymbia maculata.
➜ Southern tableland grassy woodlands: Restricted to a similar small zone in the southwest
of the study area as the Southern Tablelands dry sclerophyll forests at elevations
over 600 m, and with similar dominants, but a more low, open canopy. Dominant canopy
species often include Eucalyptus blakelyi, E. melliodora and E. macrorhyncha.
2.1.5 Grasslands
Native grasslands predominate in areas of lower rainfall, moderately to highly fertile clay
soils and low topographical relief (Keith 2004). These communities are characterised by a
predominance of tussock grass species and a relative absence of woody species. Grasslands
occur from the coastal plain to the drier inland and into montane areas; however, they become
more common and widespread in the more inland parts of the study area. Only two classes of
natural, native grasslands are recognised by Keith (2002) within the region:
➜ Western Slopes grasslands: Restricted within the study area to the heavy clay plains
of the Liverpool Plains region in the north-west, this class is characterised by dense
growth of tall tussock grasses and is commonly dominated by Austrostipa aristiglumis as
well as a number of other species, including Dichanthium sericeum and Austrodanthonia
bipartite.
➜ Maritime grasslands: Restricted to coastal headlands, dunal systems and off-shore
islands, these grasslands may occur as closed tussock grasslands on rocky headlands
and islands or as sparse, open grasslands on areas of sand. Dominant species in this class
include Themeda australis, Sporobolus virginicus and Lomandra longifolia.
2.1.6 Heathlands
Ecologically similar to the shrubby subformation of dry sclerophyll forests, heathlands are,
however, characterised by a general lack of tree species. This formation occurs typically on
low-nutrient, silica-rich soils and many of the common species have adapted in various ways
to acquiring trace amounts of nutrients and water from these soils. One such adaptation is the
presence of proteoid root structures in many heathland shrubs which allow them to capture
phosphorus and other nutrients unavailable to other plants. Within the study area four classes
of heathland have been recognised by Keith (2002) and occur in isolated patches from the coastal
sands and sandstone areas to rocky montane areas. Heathlands have often been left relatively
intact as they tend to occur on less productive lands.
➜ Wallum Sand heaths: Restricted to near coastal sand masses and more common in
the north of the study area this class is dominated by shrubs such as Banksia aemula,
Leptospermum spp., Melaleuca spp. and Monotoca scoparia. A range of low mallee trees or
tall shrubs may also occur as emergents.
➜ Sydney Coastal heaths: Restricted to the Sydney sandstone coastal plateaux in the southeast
of the study area, this highly diverse heath is dominated by a range of shrub species
including Allocasuarina distyla, Banksia oblongifolia and Hakea teretifolia.
➜ Sydney Montane heaths: Restricted within the study area to a small area of the western
Blue Mountains on sandstone in the far south-west, this class is typically dominated by
shrubs including Allocasuarina nana, Leptospermum trinervium and Banksia ericifolia.
➜ Coastal headland heaths: Restricted to exposed coastal headlands within the salt-
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