MVG 3 - SUBTROPICAL AND TEMPERATE OPEN EUCALYPT FOREST Dry shrub/grass sclerophyll forest near Awaba (Newcastle area), NSW (M. Fagg) Overview Correspond well with ‘dry sclerophyll forests’ (Beadle 1981; Keith 2004), but may include some wet sclerophyll forests (mostly classified within MVG 2) that do not exceed 30 m in height. Distributed widely in subtropical and temperate latitudes where mean annual rainfall exceeds 600 mm, on soils of low to moderate fertility (Gill and Catling 2002). Dominant trees vary from 10 m to 30 m tall and with crown cover 50 - 80% (foliage projective cover of 30 - 70%) depending on soil characteristics, local moisture and rainfall. Occur in a broad range of humid to subhumid climates from subtropical to temperate latitudes. Dominated by a variety of eucalypts from the genera Corymbia, Angophora and Eucalyptus subgenus Eucalyptus, occasionally with Eucalyptus species from other subgenera. Understories typically dominated by shrubs, but may have a variable grass component, depending on soil characteristics (Specht and Specht 1999). Periodically fire-prone. Form the bulk of Australia’s forested country and are a primary resource for the timber industry Facts and figures Major Vegetation Group MVG 3 - Subtropical and Temperate Open Eucalypt Forests Major Vegetation Subgroups 4 Eastern dry shrubby sclerophyll forests ACT, (number of NVIS descriptions) QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, TAS (747) 5 Dry shrub/grass sclerophyll forests ACT, QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, TAS (370) xx Western dry shrubby sclerophyll forests WA xx Riparian eucalypt forests QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA Xx Subtropical open wet sclerophyll forest NSW, QLD (primarily in MVG 2) Xx Cool temperate open wet sclerophyll forest ACT, NSW, VIC, TAS (primarily in MVG 2) Typical NVIS structural formations Mid open forest Open forest Number of IBRA regions 51 Most extensive in IBRA region Est. pre-1750 and Present: South Eastern (Est. pre-1750 and present) Highlands (NSW and Vic) Estimated pre-1750 extent (km2) 394 280 Present extent (km2) 272 121 Area protected (km2) 61 661 Riparian eucalypt forest Narrabri, NSW (D. Keith) Structure and physiognomy In comparison to Eucalypt Tall Open Forests (MVG 2), Subtropical and temperate open eucalypt forests allow more light to penetrate the canopy providing scope for development of less shade- tolerant understories. Generally the tree canopy varies from 10 m to 30 m tall and has a crown cover 50 - 80% (foliage projective cover of 30 - 70%) depending on soil characteristics, local moisture and rainfall. Leaf canopies are evergreen, typically with vertically oriented notophyll (20-45 cm2) leaves. Sclerophyllous understories dominated by shrubs with varying grass component, depending on soil texture, moisture and fire history. Substantial structural variation in both tree and understorey components of open forests occurs at local scales (Gill and Catling 2002). Indicative flora This MVG exhibits high levels of species turnover in dominant species regionally, and with local environmental gradients. Dominance by Corymbia, Angophora or Eucalyptus subgenus Eucalyptus is a uniting feature. Other subgenera within Eucalyptus may be present, but rarely dominate or occur without co-occurring trees of these three main taxa. Forest understories are similarly variable, but typically contain some genera from Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and Asteraceae and have a variable ground layer. Shrub genera common to both east and west Australian forms of MVG 3 include species of Acacia, Allocasuarina, Banksia, Daviesia, Grevillea, Hakea, Hibbertia, Leptospermum, Pultenaea, Xanthorrhoea and Xanthosia. Common herbaceous genera include Dianella, Lepidosperma and Lomandra and the ferns Adiantum and Pteridium (Gill 1994). Six subgroups are recognised, including two that occur primarily within MVG 2. o Eastern dry shrubby sclerophyll forests – eucalypt forests with sclerophyllous shrubby understories. Corymbia gummifera is widespread, but trees and shrubs show marked spatial turnover across the distribution of the subgroup. To the south Eucalyptus sieberi, Eucalyptus baxteri and Eucalyptus agglomerata are widespread while in the north Eucalyptus baileyana, Eucalyptus planchoniana and Eucalyptus signata are widespread. In Tasmania Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus tenuaramis and Eucalyptus pulchella are common. Shrubs include Banksia serrata, Banksia spinulosa, Allocasuarina littoralis and various other sclerophyll species of Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Proteaceae. The groundlayer has a sparse cover of sclerophyllous Cyperaceae and various forbs with few grasses (Keith 2004; Harris and Kitchener 2005; Neldner et al. 2014). o Dry shrub/grass sclerophyll forests – eucalypt forests with mixed shrub and grass understories. In the south Eucalyptus globoidea, Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus ovata, Eucalyptus pulchella and Eucalyptus sieberi are widespread. In the north Corymbia intermedia, Eucalyptus biturbinata, Eucalyptus caliginosa and Corymbia citriodora are widespread. Shrubs include Allocasuarina littoralis, Exocarpos cupressiformis, and various species of Acacia, Cassinia, Daviesia, Dillwynia and Jacksonia. The open groundlayer is dominated by tussock grasses, including various species of Aristida, Rytidosperma, Themeda, and in the south Poa (Keith 2004; Harris and Kitchener 2005; Neldner et al. 2014). o Western dry shrubby sclerophyll forests – eucalypt forests with sclerophyllous shrubby understories. Eucalyptus marginata is the primary dominant trees species, sometimes mixed with Corymbia calophylla. A small tree layer includes Banksia grandis, Allocasuarina fraseriana and Persoonia longifolia. A rich shrub layer with many species from the families Myrtaceae, Proteaceae, Fabaceae, Ericaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae (Beard et al. 2013). o Riparian eucalypt forests – are dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Occasionally Eucalyptus largiflorens, Eucalyptus melliodora or Eucalyptus microcarpa can co-occur. In south Western Australia Eucalyptus camaldulensis is replaced by Eucalyptus rudis. Shrubs are sparse and include species of Acacia, Muehlenbeckia and Melaleuca. The groundlayer has a broad range of species from the following families Asteraceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Goodeniaceae, Campanulaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Ranunculaceae (Keith 2004; Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004; Beard et al. 2013; Neldner et al. 2014). o Subtropical open wet sclerophyll forests – are primarily in MVG 2, but some structural forms less than 30 m tall are assigned here. They are dominated by Eucalyptus pilularis, Eucalyptus siderophloia, Eucalyptus propinqua, Eucalyptus microcorys, Eucalyptus montivaga, Eucalyptus campanulata, Syncarpia glomulifera, Corymbia intermedia and Lophostemon confertus. Shrubs and small trees occur more sparsely than in the preceding subgroup and include Allocasuarina torulosa, Acacia species, Alphitonia excelsa, Breynia oblongifolia, Maytenus species, Notelaea longifolia, Persoonia species and Pittosporum species. Graminoids are prominent in the ground layer and include Imperata cylindrica, Lomandra longifolia, Entolasia stricta, Lepidosperma laterale, Themeda australis and Oplismenus species. Other common ground layer species include the fern Pteridium esculentum, vines such as Eustrephus latifolius, Hardenbergia violacea, and Smilax australis, and herbs including species of Desmodium, Dianella, Geranium and Pratia. The distribution extends from southeast Queensland to southeast NEW SOUTH WALES (Keith 2004; Neldner et al. 2014). o Cool temperate open wet sclerophyll forests - are primarily in MVG 2, but some structural forms less than 30 m tall are assigned here. They include Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus obliqua, Eucalyptus fraxinoides, Eucalyptus delegatensis, Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Eucalyptus laevopinea, Eucalyptus brunnea and Eucalyptus campanulata. Small trees and shrubs are scattered include species of the Fabaceae family and from the genera Acacia, Lomatia, Leucopogon, Olearia, Persoonia and Trochocarpa. A prominent grassy groundlayer is dominated by tussocks of several species of Poa, and from the genera Geranium, Veronica and Viola as well as Lomandra longifolia. These forests are found from Tasmania to the New England tableland in northern New South Wales (Keith 2004; Harris and Kitchener 2005). Western dry shrubby sclerophyll forests (Eucalyptus marginata), south-west WA (Photo: M. Bolton) Environment Low soil fertility and soil phosphorus in particular, is crucial in determining the distribution of dry sclerophyll forests (Beadle 1954). The forest terrain in much of south eastern Australia is rugged but in the south western region the terrain is relatively subdued (Gill and Catling 2002). o Eastern dry shrubby sclerophyll forests occur across a broad range of environments from coastal sand plains, hills and plateaus of sandstone dolerite and granites. Soils can be deep sands to shallow, infertile soils derived from sedimentary or granitic substrates with a high concentration of quartz. Rainfall ranges from 500 to 2000 mm annually (Keith 2004; Neldner et al. 2014; Harris and Kitchener 2005). o Dry shrub/grass sclerophyll forests occurs on well drained loams and sandy loams of moderate fertility on undulating lowlands, foothills and gorges and the western slopes of, the Great Dividing Range. Substrates include mudstones, dolerite, lithic sandstones, lateritic duricrusts, acid volcanics and metamorphosed siltstones. Rainfall ranges from 500m to 1200mm annually (Keith 2004;