Download An assessment of the vegetation occurring on coastal sands at

2004/2005
LAKE MACQUARIE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS
RESEARCH ABSTRACT
PROJECT TITLE:
An assessment of the vegetation occurring on coastal sands at Pelican Flats
PROJECT PERSONNEL:
Researcher:
Stephen Bell
East Coast Flora Survey
P.O Box 216
KOTARA NSW 2289
[email protected]
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Pelican Flats occurs on an area of mainly Holocene sands (old beach landscapes) between Belmont and Swansea. The
vegetation in this area has been over-simplified in all regional and sub-regional classifications, yet it supports a
diverse range of vegetation communities. This research aimed to classify and map the vegetation of Pelican Flats,
with particular regard to assessing the significance of areas characterised by Bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides). This
conspicuous canopy species is rare in the region, and occupies highly restricted habitats. In the Gosford and southern
Sydney districts, vegetation communities dominated by this species are protected through endangered ecological
community listings on the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and it is expected that Lake
Macquarie vegetation supporting this species is equally threatened.
PROJECT FINDINGS:
Sixteen vegetation communities have been mapped and defined through numerical and intuitive classification for
Pelican Flats, within Lake Macquarie local government area. This area, occupying 768 ha between Belmont and
Swansea, is comprised almost exclusively of Holocene sand deposits which have developed a diversity of vegetation
communities dependent on drainage and proximity to oceanic onshore winds. Due to a long history of human
occupation in this area, only 29% (or 225 ha) of this area currently supports native vegetation.
The diversity of vegetation communities present at Pelican Flats includes one grassland (Beach Spinifex), one
saltmarsh (Saltmarsh), two rushlands (Estuarine Juncus Rushland, Phragmites Rushland), seven scrubs and heaths
(Coastal Sand Banksia Scrub, Coastal Sand Bottlebrush Wet Heath, Coastal Sand Foredune Scrub, Coastal Sand
Wallum – Heath, Mangrove – Estuarine Complex, Tomago Clay Wallum Scrub, Bitou Bush Scrub), two dry forests
(Lake Macquarie Spotted Gum Forest, Pelican Bangalay Forest), and three swamp forests (Coastal Sand Swamp
Forest, Swamp Mahogany – Livistonia Swamp Forest, Swamp Oak – Rushland Forest). Detailed descriptions of each of
these communities is provided, and their distributions mapped. Nearly all are present elsewhere in the local
government area and region; the exceptions are Tomago Clay Wallum Scrub (which also occurs in Port Stephens LGA)
and Pelican Bangalay Forest (endemic to Lake Macquarie). The latter is floristically related to three other regional
communities; a focused numerical analysis of these four communities has shown that Pelican Bangalay Forest is
2004/2005 Environmental Research Grants
Proudly sponsored by:
Date submitted: April 2016
Project ID: 2004/2005-01
[F2004/12183]
DISCLAIMER: Council has published this grant funded research abstract for information only. The findings and opinions in the
research abstract are those of the researcher, not those of Council. Publication is no indication that the research has been subject to
peer review by Council, that the findings are endorsed by Council or are a commitment to any particular course of action by Council.
Whilst the Environmental Research Grants Committee considers project design and the qualifications of the researcher when awarding
grants, the research is carried out independently from Council with the accuracy and academic rigour of the findings remaining solely
those of the independent researcher and supervisor. The reader should use their own discretion in interpreting the findings and direct
requests for further information to the researcher.
2004/2005
LAKE MACQUARIE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS
RESEARCH ABSTRACT
significantly different (p<0.001) to the Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland from Gosford LGA (a listed Endangered
Ecological Community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995), Pearl Beach Sand Forest
(Gosford LGA) and Tomago Apple-Banksia Forest (Port Stephens LGA).
Vegetation present at Pelican Flats is representative of three Endangered Ecological Communities (Coastal
Saltmarsh,Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains), incorporating
six of the defined communities for the area. Although not currently listed as such, the highly restricted Pelican
Bangalay Forest meets the IUCN criteria for a Critically Endangered ecosystem, based on an estimated 72% loss of
geographical distribution since 1750 (32 ha down to 9 ha), a current-day Extent of Occurrence of 145 ha (1.45 km2),
and an Area of Occupancy of just one single 10 x 10 km grid cell. It follows, therefore, that Pelican Bangalay Forest
qualifies as Critically Endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and it is suggested
that a nomination to this effect be prepared.
PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that a nomination be prepared for listing of Pelican Bangalay Forest as a Critically Endangered
Ecological Community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
2004/2005 Environmental Research Grants
Proudly sponsored by:
Date submitted: April 2016
Project ID: 2004/2005-01
[F2004/12183]
DISCLAIMER: Council has published this grant funded research abstract for information only. The findings and opinions in the
research abstract are those of the researcher, not those of Council. Publication is no indication that the research has been subject to
peer review by Council, that the findings are endorsed by Council or are a commitment to any particular course of action by Council.
Whilst the Environmental Research Grants Committee considers project design and the qualifications of the researcher when awarding
grants, the research is carried out independently from Council with the accuracy and academic rigour of the findings remaining solely
those of the independent researcher and supervisor. The reader should use their own discretion in interpreting the findings and direct
requests for further information to the researcher.