The Perth Regional Biodiversity Project Reference Sites

Supplementary information for the interpretation of reference site data

Shaun Molloy November 2007 Index

Introduction...... 3 Vegetation condition scales for natural area assessment ...... 4 Vegetation Complexes of the PMR ...... 5 Descriptions of vegetation complexes...... 6 Ecological Vegetation Systems...... 8 Vegetation Site Types...... 12 Nomenclatural Code for Ecological Vegetation Systems...... 13 Northern Darling Scarp Floristic Community Types...... 14 Vegetation structure classification scheme for natural area assessment...... 15 References...... 16

2 Introduction

Bush Forever is a 10 year strategic plan instigated by the Western Australian Government in conjunction with the general community and appropriate Local Government organisations to protect some 51,200 hectares of regionally significant bushland in 287 Bush Forever Sites, representing, where achievable, a target of at least 10 percent of each of the original 26 vegetation complexes of the Swan Coastal Plain portion of the Perth Metropolitan Region.

Subsequent to Bush Forever, the Perth Biodiversity Project identified the need to catalogue and describe a series reference sites to facilitate consistency in the assessment of local natural areas and to further enhance the capacity of relevant people to undertake site recording tasks. To this end 40 reference sites were established based on Bush Forever on the Swan Coastal Plain part of the Perth Metropolitan Region (PMR) as part of the Perth Region Plant Biodiversity Project (PRPBP), a collaborative project between the WA Local Government Association’s Perth Biodiversity Project and the Department of Environment and Conservation.

The PRPBP recognises a need to provide a fuller appreciation of the diversity of native vegetation found within the PMR. To that end, it was decided to establish reference sites within, or in close proximity to, Darling Plateau part of the PMR. It is proposed that these reference sites are established so as to represent major variations found in the plant communities found within this area.

The purpose of this document is to provide supplementary information on the codes and terminology used in the Jarrah Forest photo reference site recording process and to thereby allow the reader an adequate understanding of the information provided in the photo site records.

3 Vegetation condition scales for natural area assessment As taken from Del Marco et al (2004)

Keighery Condition Scale Kaesehagen Condition Scale (Keighery 1994) (Kaesehagen 1995) Pristine Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance Excellent Very good to excellent Vegetation structure intact; disturbance • 80% to 100% native flora composition affecting individual species; weeds are non- • Vegetation structure intact or nearly so aggressive species • Cover/abundance of weeds <5% • No or minimal signs of disturbance Very good Fair to good Vegetation structure altered; obvious signs of • 50% to 80% native flora composition disturbance • Vegetation structure modified or nearly so For example, disturbance to vegetation • Cover/abundance of weeds 5% to 20%, structure caused by repeated fires; the any number of individuals presence of some more aggressive weeds; • Minor signs of disturbance dieback; logging; grazing

Good Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires; the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density; partial clearing; dieback; grazing.

Degraded Poor Basic vegetation structure severely impacted • 20% to 50% native flora composition by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not • Vegetation structure completely modified to a state approaching good condition without or nearly so intensive management. • Cover/abundance of weeds 20% to 60%, For example, disturbance to vegetation any number of individuals structure caused by very frequent fires; the • Disturbance incidence high presence of very aggressive weeds; partial clearing; dieback; grazing

Completely Degraded Very Poor The structure of the vegetation is no longer • 0% to 20% Native flora composition intact and the area is completely or almost • Vegetation structure disappeared completely without native species. • Cover/abundance of weeds 60% to 100%, These areas are often described as ‘parkland any number of individuals cleared’ with the flora comprising weed or • Disturbance incidence very high crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.

4 Vegetation Complexes of the PMR

VEGETATION COMPLEX COUNT SUM_HECTARE Dwellingup 2 (D2) 34 64210.041 Murray 2 (My2) 38 33061.760 Yarragil 1 (Yg1) 175 20623.496 Dwellingup 4 (D4) 12 20095.763 Murray 1 (My1) 26 18974.827 Helena 2 (He2) 3 14895.465 Darling Scarp (DS) 5 12758.810 Yarragil 2 (Yg2) 15 12491.428 Dwellingup (D1) 22 11494.255 Pindalup (Pn) 60 11396.877 Yalanbee (Y5) 15 4783.810 Swamp (S) 29 3967.935 Dwellingup 3 (D3) 7 3892.871 Helena 1 (He1) 4 3428.871 Yalanbee (Y6) 8 2493.983 Cooke (Ce) 32 2310.413 Goonaping (G) 6 1483.220 Coolakin (Ck) 3 918.891

The vegetation complexes found within the Jarrah Forest part of the PMR. Vegetation complexes were described and mapped in Havel and Mattiske (2000). Count refers to the number of occurrences within the PMR and Sum Hectare refers to the area of each vegetation complex within the PMR.

5 Descriptions of vegetation complexes. As taken from Havel and Mattiske (2000)

Code Name Description 6 Cooke (Ce) Mosaic of open forest of subsp. marginata- (subhumid zone) and open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica-Corymbia calophylla (semiarid and arid zones) and on deeper soils adjacent to outcrops, closed heath of Myrtaceae-Proteaceae species and lithic complex on granite rocks and associated soils in all climate zones, with some Eucalyptus laeliae (semiarid), and Allocasuarina huegeliana and Eucalyptus wandoo (mainly semiarid to perarid zones). 3 Coolakin (Ck) Woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo with mixtures of Eucalyptus patens, Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica and Corymbia calophylla on the valley slopes in arid and perarid zones. 25 Darling Scarp (DS) Mosaic of open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata- Corymbia calophylla, with some admixtures with Eucalyptus laeliae in the north (subhumid zone), with occasional Eucalyptus marginata subsp. elegantella (mainly in subhumid zone) and Corymbia haematoxylon in the south (humid zone) on deeper soils adjacent to outcrops, woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo (subhumid and semiarid zones), low woodland of Allocasuarina huegeliana on shallow soils over granite outcrops, closed heath of Myrtaceae-Proteaceae species and lithic complex on or near granite outcrops in all climate zones. 33 Dwellingup (D1) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla on lateritic uplands in mainly humid and subhumid zones. 27 Dwellingup 2 (D2) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla on lateritic uplands in subhumid and semiarid zones. 17 Dwellingup 3 (D3) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica-Corymbia calophylla on lateritic uplands in the arid zone. 18 Dwellingup 4 (D4) Open forest to woodland of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica- Corymbia calophylla on lateritic uplands in semiarid and arid zones. 29 Goonaping (G) Mosaic of open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata (humid zones) and Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica (semiarid to perarid zones) on the sandy-gravels, low woodland of Banksia attenuata on the drier sandier sites (humid to perarid zones) with some Banksia menziesii (northern arid and perarid zones) and low open woodland of Melaleuca preissiana-Banksia littoralis on the moister sandy soils (humid to perarid zones). 32 Helena 1 (He1) Mosaic of open forest of Corymbia calophylla-Eucalyptus patens- Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata with some Eucalyptus rudis on the deeper soils ranging to closed heath and lithic complex on shallow soils associated with granite on steep slopes of valleys in humid and subhumid zones. 20 Helena 2 (He2) Mosaic of open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica- Corymbia calophylla and woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo with some Eucalyptus accedens and Eucalyptus rudis on the deeper soils ranging to closed heaths and lithic complex on shallow soils associated with granite on steep slopes of valleys in semiarid and arid zones. 31 Murray 1 (My1) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla-Eucalyptus patens on valley slopes to woodland of Eucalyptus rudis-Melaleuca rhaphiophylla on the valley floors in humid and subhumid zones.

6 15 Murray 2 (My2) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica-Corymbia calophylla-Eucalyptus patens and woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo with some Eucalyptus accedens on valley slopes to woodland of Eucalyptus rudis-Melaleuca rhaphiophylla on the valley floors in semiarid and arid zones. 10 Pindalup (Pn) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica-Corymbia calophylla on slopes and open woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo with some Eucalyptus patens on the lower slopes in semiarid and arid zones. 12 Swamp (S) Mosaic of low open woodland of Melaleuca preissiana-Banksia littoralis, closed scrub of Myrtaceae spp., closed heath of Myrtaceae spp. and sedgelands of Baumea and Leptocarpus spp. on seasonally wet or moist sand, peat and clay soils on valley floors in all climatic zones. 8 Yalanbee (Y5) Mixture of open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica- Corymbia calophylla and woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo on lateritic uplands in semiarid to perarid zones. 4 Yalanbee (Y6) Woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo-Eucalyptus accedens, less consistently open forest of Eucalyptus marginata fs24 subsp. thalassica-Corymbia calophylla on lateritic uplands and breakaway landscapes in arid and perarid zones. 28 Yarragil 1 (Yg1) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla on slopes with mixtures of Eucalyptus patens and Eucalyptus megacarpa on the valley floors in humid and subhumid zones. 30 Yarragil 2 (Yg2) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica-Corymbia calophylla on slopes, woodland of Eucalyptus patens-Eucalyptus rudis with Hakea prostrata and Melaleuca viminea on valley floors in subhumid and semiarid zones. 231 Yarraleena (Ya) Open forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla with some Eucalyptus wandoo on plains and terraces in the subhumid zone. 95 Yelverton (Y) Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla-Allocasuarina fraseriana-Agonis flexuosa and open woodland of Corymbia calophylla on low undulating uplands in the humid zone. 91 Yelverton (Yd) Woodland of Allocasuarina fraseriana-Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Xylomelum occidentale-Banksia attenuata on sandy slopes in the humid zone. 125 Yelverton (Yf) Woodland of Corymbia calophylla-Eucalyptus patens-Agonis flexuosa on less undulating lower slopes in the humid zone. 100 Yelverton (Yw) Woodland of Allocasuarina fraseriana-Nuytsia floribunda-Agonis flexuosa-Banksia attenuata on slopes and open forest of Corymbia calophylla-Eucalyptus patens-Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata on the lower slopes and woodland of Eucalyptus rudis-Melaleuca rhaphiophylla on valley floors in the humid zone. 176 Yerraminnup (YE) Open forest of Corymbia calophylla-Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata on valley slopes and woodland of Eucalyptus patens- Eucalyptus rudis on the valley floors in the subhumid zone. 182 Yerraminnup (YEf) Mosaic of woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo, woodland of Eucalyptus rudis-Melaleuca preissiana and tall shrubland of Melaleuca viminea- Hakea prostrata on broad flats in the subhumid zone. 159 Yornup (YR) Mosaic of open woodland of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata- Corymbia calophylla, open woodland of Melaleuca cuticularis, open woodland of Melaleuca preissiana-Banksia littoralis-Banksia seminuda, tall shrubland of Myrtaceae spp. and sedgelands on broad depressions in humid and subhumid zones.

7 Ecological Vegetation Systems As taken from Havel and Mattiske (2000)

Valleys incised into the northern Darling Plateau

MS5 Component vegetation complex, He1 Deeply incised, steeply sloping valleys at the western margin of the northern Darling Plateau, in the humid zone. Soils range from bare rock and skeletal sandy loams to yellow and brown duplex soils. Vegetation ranges from Lithic Complex, Herbfield and Heath to Woodland of Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus rudis, and Eucalyptus laeliae and Allocasuarina heugeliana. Shrub and herb storey of Borya spherocephela, Darwinia citriodora, Grevillea bipinnatafida, Cheilanthes austrotenuofolia, Hakea undulata and Hakea trifurcata on shallow soils to aquifolium subsp. aquifolium, , Pteridium esculentum, Clematis pubescens, Acacia urophylla and Macrozamia riedlei on deeper soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are G and R; less consistently C, Q and T.

WS2 Component vegetation complex He2 Deeply incised steeply sloping valleys at the western margin of the northern Darling Plateau in the subhumid to arid zones. Soils range from bare rock and skeletal gritty loams to yellow and brown duplex soils. Vegetation ranges from Lithic Complex, Herbfield and heath to Woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo, Corymbia calophylla and Allocasuarina heugeliana. Shrub and herb story of Borya sphaerocephala, Darwinia citriodora, Grevillea bipinnatafida, Cheilanthes austrotenuofolia, Hakea undulata and Hakea trifurcata on shallow soils to Trymalium ledifolium, Hakea lissocarpha, Grevillea pilulifera, Phyllanthus calycinus `and Macrozamia riedlei on deeper soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are G and R; less consistently C, Y and Q.

Valleys moderately incised into the northern Darling Plateau

NM6 Component vegetation complex, My1 Major valleys moderately incised into the humid zone of the northern Darling Plateau, with red brown earth and red and yellow duplex soils. Vegetation ranges from Woodland of Eucalyptus patens over Banksia seminuda, Callistachys lanceolata and Agonis flexuosa on valley floor to Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata with second storey of Banksia grandis and Persoonia longifolia on slopes. Shrub and herb storey of Grevillea diversifolia, Trymalium floribundum, Hypocalymma cordifolium, Lepidosperma tetraquetrum and Chorizema ilicifolium on valley floor to Bossiaea aquifolium subsp. aquifolium, Leucopogon verticillatus, Leucopogon capitellatus, Macrozamia riedlei, Acacia urophylla and Pteridium esculentum on slopes.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are C, Q, U and T; less consistently D, O, R and W.

WM2 Component vegetation complex, My2 Major valleys moderately incised into the subhumid to arid zones of the northern Darling Plateau, with red brown earths and red and yellow duplex soils. Vegetation ranges from Woodland of Eucalyptus patens, Eucalyptus rudis with Melaleuca rhaphiophylla on valley floor to Woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo and Corymbia calophylla on slopes. Shrub and herb storey of Lepidosperma squamatum, Hypocalymma angustifolium, Astartea fascicularis on valley floor to Hakea lissocarpha, Diplolaena drummondii, Baeckea camphorosmae, Gastrolobium calycinum, and Leucopogon capitellatus on slopes. Dominant Havel site vegetation types are G, R and Y; less consistently A,C,H,L,M,Q and W.

8

Valleys mildly incised into the northern Darling Plateau

Hl6 Component vegetation complexes, Yg1 and Yg2 Minor valleys shallowly incised into the humid zone of the northern Darling Plateau, with soils ranging from orange earths and humus podzols on valley floor to red and yellow gravely duplex soils on slopes. Vegetation ranges from Woodland of Eucalyptus megacarpa, Eucalyptus patens with Banksia littoralis and tall shrub and sedge storey of Taxandria linearifolia, Lepidosperma tetraquetrum, Astartea fascicularis, Mesomelauna tetragona and Ghania trifida on valley floor to Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata and Corymbia calophylla with a second storey of Banksia grandis, Persoonia longifolia and Allocasuarina fraseriana on slopes. Shrub and herb storey under the forest consists of Grevillea wilsonii, Styphelia tenuiflora, Adenanthos barbiger, Hakea ruscifolia, Lechenaultia biloba, Baeckea camphorosmae and Hakea lissocarpha.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are C, D, E, and W; less consistently Q, T, U, P, F, J, A and B.

Wl1 Component vegetation complex, CK Minor valleys mildly to moderately incised into the semiarid to perarid zones of the northern Darling Plateau, with mainly yellow and red duplex soils of varying depth. Vegetation mainly Woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo with Eucalyptus rudis in streamlines and Eucalyptus accedens on transition to uplands. Shrub and herb storey consists of Pyllanthus calycinus, Bossiaea eriocarpa, Bossiaea ornata, Macrozamia riedlei, Trymalium ledifolium and Lasiopetalum cardiophyllum.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are R and G; less consistently S, P, Z and M.

Wl2 Component vegetation complex, Pn Minor valleys shallowly incised into the subhumid to arid zones of the northern Darling Plateau, with soils ranging from sandy to gravely duplexes. Vegetation is primarily Woodland of Eucalyptus wandoo and Corymbia calophylla with Eucalyptus rudis and Eucalyptus patens near streamlines and Eucalyptus accedens and Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica on transition to uplands. Shrub and herb storey ranges from shrublands of Kunzea recurva, Lepidosperma leptostachyum, Hakea varia, Hakea ceratophylla, Melaleuca viminea, Melaleuca incana, Hypocalymma angustifolium and Meeboldina scariosa on valley floors to Hakea lissocarpha, Macrozamia riedlei, Patersonia rudis and Hakea incrassata on slopes.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are H, M and Y; less consistently A, L and Z.

Lateritic Uplands of the northern Darling Plateau

JP6 Component vegetation complexes, D1 Upland ridges and spurs in the humid zone of the northern Darling Plateau, with gravely duplex soils and lateritic outcrops. Dominant vegetation is Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata and Corymbia calophylla with second storey of Allocasuarina fraseriana, Banksia grandis and Persoonia longifolia. Shrub and herb storey consists of Adenanthos barbiger, Hovea chorizemifolia, Styphelia tenuiflora on the sandier soils and Leucopogon verticillatus, Leucopogon capitellatus, Pteridium esculentum, Clematis pubescens, and Hakea lissocarpha on the loamier soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are S and T; less consistently O and P.

9 JP4 Component vegetation complex, D2 Upland ridges and spurs in the subhumid zone of the northern Darling Plateau, with gravely duplex soils and lateritic outcrops. Dominant vegetation is Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata and Corymbia calophylla with second storey of Allocasuarina fraseriana, Banksia grandis and Persoonia longifolia. Shrub and herb storey consists of Adenanthos barbiger, Leschenaultia biloba, Hakea ruscifolia, Hovea chorizemifolia, Styphelia tenuiflora on the sandier soils and Leucopogon propinquus, Leucopogon capitellatus and Hakea lissocarpha on the loamier soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are P and S; less consistently H, O, R and Z.

Ip3 Component vegetation complexes, D3, and D4 Upland ridges and spurs in the semiarid zone of the northern Darling Plateau, with gravely duplex soils and lateritic outcrops. Dominant vegetation is Woodland to Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica in the north, Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata in the south, and Corymbia calophylla with weakly developed second story of Allocasuarina fraseriana, Banksia grandis and Persoonia longifolia. Some intrusion from the slopes of Eucalyptus wandoo and Eucalyptus accedens. Shrub and herb storey consists of Patersonia rudis, Lechenaultia biloba, Hakea ruscifolia, Petrophile serruriae, Styphelia tenuiflora on the sandier soils and Gastrolobium calycinum, Leucopogon propinquus, Leucopogon capitellatus Hakea lissocarpha and Macrozamia riedlei on the loamier soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are P, H and Z; less consistently G, R and P.

Vp2 Component complex, Y5 Upland ridges and spurs in the semiarid to arid zones of the northern Darling Plateau, with gravely duplex soils and lateritic outcrops. Dominant vegetation of Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica in the north, Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata in the south, Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus wandoo and Eucalyptus accedens with weakly developed second story of tall Dryandra sessilis. Some intrusion on the slopes of Eucalyptus astringens. Shrub and herb storey consists of Lechenaultia biloba, Petrophile serruriae, Styphelia tenuiflora on the sandier soils and Gastrolobium calycinum, Leucopogon capitellatus, Hakea lissocarpha and Macrozamia riedlei on the loamier soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are H, M and Z; less consistently G.

Vp1 Component vegetation complex, Y6 Upland ridges and spurs in the semiarid to perarid zones of the northern Darling Plateau, with gravely duplex soils lateritic outcrops. Dominant vegetation is Woodland of Eucalyptus accedens, Eucalyptus wandoo, Corymbia calophylla and some Eucalyptus marginata subsp. thalassica. Weakly developed second storey of tall Dryandra sessilis. Some intrusion from the slopes of Eucalyptus astringens subsp. astringens. Shrub and herb storey consists of Daviesia preissii, Hibbertia commutata, Dryandra bipinnatifida, Leucopogon nutans, Lechenaultia biloba, Petrophile serruriae, Styphelia tenuiflora on the sandier soils and Gastrolobium calycinum, Leucopogon capitellatus, hakea lissocarpha, Trymalium ledifolium, Hakea erinacea and Macrozamia riedlei on the loamier soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation type is M and T; less consistently G, Z and H.

Rocky slopes on the northern Darling Plateau

Rs4 Component vegetation complex, DS Steep slopes of the northern Darling Scarp in the semiarid to humid zone, with numerous granitic and doleritic outcrops and shallow skeletal soils. Vegetation ranges from Lithic

10 Complex, Herbfield, and Heath to Woodland of Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus wandoo, Eucalyptus laeliae and Allocasuarina heugeliana. Common shrub and herb species are Borya sphaerocephala, Grevillea bipinnatifida, Hakea erinacea and Macrozamia riedlei on the loamier soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are G and R.

Rs3 Component vegetation complex, Ce Moderate to steep slopes of monadnocks rising above the northern Darling Plateau in the subhumid to semiarid zones. Soils range from bare rock and skeletal sandy loams through red brown duplex soils to gravely yellow duplexes. Vegetation ranges from Lithic Complex, Herbfield, Heath through Woodland of Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus wandoo, Eucalyptus laeliae and Allocasuarina heugeliana to Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata, Corymbia calophylla on milder slopes with deep soils. Common shrub and herb species are Borya sphaerocephala, Grevillea bipinnatifida, Hakea undulata, Hakea lissocarpha, Trymalium ledifolium, Hakea trifurcata on shallow soils; Adenanthos barbiger, Grevillea wilsonii, Styphelia tenuiflora and Hovea chorizemifolia on deeper soils.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are G and R; less consistently M, P, S and Z.

Slopes and valleys in sedimentary deposits within the northern Darling Plateau

Ac2 Component vegetation complex, G Mild sandy slopes on the uplands of the northern Darling Plateau in the humid to arid zones, with deep pale leached souls. Vegetation ranges from Low Open Woodland of Melaleuca preissiana and Banksia littoralis on lower slopes to Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. (thalassica in the NE and marginata in the SW), Banksia attenuata, Banksia menziesii and Nuytsia floribunda. Shrub and herb storey is Hakea varia, Hakea ceratophylla, Pericalymma ellipticum, Leptocarpus tenax on lower slopes and Conospermum stoechadis, Stirlingia latifolia, Petrophile linearis, Scholtzia involucrata, Hibbertia subvaginata, Eremaea pauciflora and Patersonia occidentalis on upper slopes.

Dominant Havel site vegetation types are F and J; less consistently A and B.

Swampy depressions and valleys

Sw3 Component vegetation complex, S Floors of broad valleys and depressions in the northern Darling Plateau with bleached loamy or sandy duplex soil, seasonally waterlogged. Dominant vegetation is Sedgeland of Baumea articulata, Meeboldina cana, Meeboldina scariosa, Shrubland of Melaleuca lateritia, Hakea marginata, Hakea varies, Hakea ceratophylla with emergents of Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Melaleuca preissiana and Banksia littoralis.

Dominant Havel site vegetation type is A.

11 Vegetation Site Types As taken from Havel (1975 a and b)

12 Nomenclatural Code for Ecological Vegetation Systems As taken from Havel and Mattiske (2000)

Composition of Overstory

A Banksia attenuata low woodland B Banksia ilicifolia low woodland C Casuarina obesa woodland or thicket D Allocasuarina heugeliana woodland or low forest E Flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis) with Casuarina obesa F Flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis) with yarri (Eucalyptus patens) G Melaleuca preissiana- Banksia littoralis woodland H Bullich (Eucalyptus megacarpa) woodland or forest I,J Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) woodland or forest K Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) tall open forest M Marri (Corymbia calophylla) tall open forest N Marri (Corymbia calophylla)- yarri (Eucalyptus patens) open forest P Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) woodland Q Coastal complex of shrublands R Rocky outcrop with herbland and shrubland S Swampy shrub and sedgeland T Tingles (Eucalyptus jacksonii, E. guilfoylei) tall open forest with karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) V Powderbark wandoo (Eucalyptus accedens) woodland W Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) woodland Y Flat topped yate (Eucalyptus occidentalis) woodland Z Melaleuca cuticularis low woodland.

Landforms Climate a Crystalline hills 0 perarid p Crystalline plateau uplands 1 arid g Sedimentary plateau uplands 2 broadly arid s Strongly dissected crystalline slopes 3 semi-arid m Moderately dissected crystalline slopes 4 subhumid n Moderately dissected sedimentary slopes 5 broadly humid l Mildly dissected crystalline slopes 6 humid k Mildly dissected sedimentary slopes 7 perhumid w Waterlogged coarse textured deposit 8 broadly perhumid v Waterlogged fine textured deposit 9 hyperhumid u Unstable coast dune y Young stable coastal dune o Old stable coastal dune b Loamy well drained deposit c Sandy well drained deposit

Note: As p, m and n are dominant landforms, capital as well as lower case letters had to be used to accommodate the full range of combinations

13 Northern Darling Scarp Floristic Community Types As taken from Markey (1997)

Supergroup 1 – Woodlands and shrublands on scarp and valley slopes 1a Upper slope Eucalyptus wandoo woodlands 1b Eucalyptus wandoo- Corymbia calophylla woodlands on poorly drained clay flats 1c Northern granite shrublands and woodlands 2 Southern granite shrublands and woodlands 3 Woodlands on steep, loamy Scarp and valley slopes 4 Woodlands on steep colluvial slopes of Scarp face and upper valleys

Supergroup 2 – Seasonal Wetlands 5 Central granite shrublands 6 Talbot Road Corymbia calophylla- Eucalyptus wandoo woodlands and heaths 7 Woodlands on poorly drained colluvial deposits 8 Shrublands on upper slope granite outcrops

Supergroup 3 – Uplands centred on Bassendean Dunes and Dandaragan Plateau 9 Upland Jarrah Forest 10 Upland Corymbia calophylla woodland 11 Upland Corymbia calophylla- Eucalyptus marginata woodland

14 Vegetation structure classification scheme for natural area assessment As taken from Del Marco et al (2004)

Canopy Cover Life Form/ Height Class 100% to 70 % 70% to 30 % 30% to 10 % 10% to 2 %

Trees over 30 m Tall Closed Tall Open Forest Tall Woodland Tall Open Forest Woodland Trees 10-30 m Closed Forest Open Forest Woodland Open Woodland

Trees under 10 m Low Closed Low Open Forest Low Woodland Low Open Forest Woodland

Mallee over 8 m Closed Tree Tree Mallee Open Tree Very Open Tree (Tree Mallee) Mallee Mallee Mallee Mallee under 8 m Closed Shrub Shrub Mallee Open Shrub Very Open (Shrub Mallee) Mallee Mallee Shrub

Shrubs over 2 m Closed Tall Tall Open Scrub Tall Shrubland Tall Open Scrub Shrubland Shrubs 1-2 m Closed Heath Open Heath Shrubland Open Shrubland

Shrubs under 1 m Closed Low Open Low Heath Low Shrubland Very Open Heath Shrubland

Grasses Closed Grassland Grassland Open Grassland Very Open Grassland

Herbs Closed Herbland Herbland Open Herbland Very Open Herbland

Sedges Closed Sedgeland Open Sedgeland Very Open Sedgeland Sedgeland

15 References

Del Marco A., Ryan T., Clarke., Savage., Cullity J., and Miles C. 2004 Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region. Perth Biodiversity Project. Western Australian Local Government Association. West Perth. WA

Havel, J. J. 1975a Site-vegetation mapping in the northern jarrah forest (Darling Range). I. Definition of site-vegetation types. Bull. For. Dep. W. Aust. 86.

Havel, J. J. 1975b Site-vegetation mapping in the northern jarrah forest (Darling Range). II. Location and mapping of site-vegetation types. Bull. For. Dep. W. Aust. 87.

Havel J. J. and Mattiske EM 2000 Vegetation Mapping of South West Forest Regions of Western Australia. A report prepared for the Department of Conservation and Land Management and Environment Australia. Mattiske Consulting Pty. Ltd. Perth Western Australia.

Markey A. 1997 Floristic Survey of the northern Darling Scarp. Unpublished Report to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Western Australian Conservation Council (inc.) for the Australian Heritage Commission.

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