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FLORA AND FAUNA SURVEY, MT. ROYAL MANAGEMENT AREA, NEWCASTLE REGION

BY

J. M. SHIELDS, A. YORK and D. BINNS

FORESTRY COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA AND FAUNA SURVEY, MT. ROYAL MANAGEMENT AREA, NEWCASTLE REGION

by

J. M. SHIELDS, A. YORK and D. BINNS

FOREST ECOLOGY SECTION WOOD TECHNOLOGY AND FOREST RESEARCH DIVISION FORESTRY COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY 1992 Forest Resources Series No. 16 May, 1992

Published by:

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales, Wood Technology and Forest Research Division, 27 Oratava Avenue, West Pennant Hills. 2125 P.O. Box 100, Beecroft. 2119 Australia.

Copyright © 1992 by Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales

ODC 18:15--05(944) ISSN 1033-1220 ISBN 0 7305 5679 4 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -i- Management Area, Newcastle Region

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

INTRODUCTION 1

A. FLORA 2

METHODS 2

1. Plot Location...... •...... 2 2. Floristic and Vegetation StructuralData 2 3. Habitat Data 5 4. Limitations 5 5.· Taxonomy and Nomenclature 5 6. Data Analysis 6

RESULTS 7

1. Floristics and VegetationCommunities 7 (a) Floristic communities 7 (b) Comparisonofvegetationmap units andfloristic communities 14 (c) Forestry CommissionofNew South Wales Forest Types 15

DISCUSSION 15

1. General ; 15 2. Significant Plant Species 15 3. ConservationStatus ofPlant Communities ...... •...... 22 4. Impact ofLogging 23 5. Weeds , 24 6. Impact ofGrazing 24

B. FAUNA 25

INTRODUCTION ~ 25

1. Previous Fauna Studies : 25

METHODOLOGY 25

1. General Survey Design 25 (a) General survey 25 (b) Plot-based survey 25 (i) Study sites 27 (c) Specialized survey 27

2. Avifauna Survey 27 3. Large Arboreal Mammal and Owl Survey 28

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mr. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region. -ii-

4. Small ArborealMammal Survey : 28 5. Large Terrestrial Mammal Survey 29 6. Small Terrestrial Mammal Survey 29 7. Bat Survey 29 8. Reptile andAmphibian Survey ~ 30 9. Survey Limitations 30 10. Data Analysis 31

RESULTS 32

1. Avifauna Survey 32 (a) Population analysis 32 (b) Total habitat species richness 34 (c) Bird species richness per50 m circle 36 (d) Forest dependent birds 37 (e) Birdspecies ofspecial concern 38 (f) Owls 39 2. Large ArborealMammal Survey 40 (a) Numbers ofall arboreal marsupials 40 (b) Population density ofall arboreal marsupials .43 (c) Species richness ofall arboreal marsupials .45 (d) Total counts ofGreater Gliders 47 (e) Population density ofGreater Gliders 49 (f) Total counts ofall Petaurus species 51 (g) Population density ofall Petaurus species 53 (h) Total counts ofYellow-bellied Gliders 54 (i) Koalas 56 (j) Ringtail and Brushtail Possums 57 3. Small ArborealMammal Survey 59 4. Large Terrestrial Mammal Survey : 62 (a) Macropods 62 (b) Other native mammals 63 (c) Introduced mammals 63 5. Small Terrestrial Mammal Survey 64 6. BatSurvey 64 7. Reptile andAmphibian Survey 65 (a) Reptiles : 65 (b) Amphibians 66

DISCUSSION 66

1. Avifauna 66 (a) Population analysis 66 (b) Species richness 67

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fa\U1a Survey, Mt. Royal -iii- ManagementArea, NewcastleRegion

(c) Species ofspecial concern , 67 (d) Owls 68 2. Large ArborealMarsupials : 68 (a) Greater Gliders 68 (b) Yellow-bellied Gliders 69 (c) Brushtail and Ringtail Possums 69 (d) Koalas 69 3. Small ArborealMammals :69 ~ 4. Large Terrestrial Mammals 70 (a) Macropods 70 (b) Other native mammals 70 (c) Introduced mammals 70 5. Small Terrestrial Mammals ; 71 6. Bats 71 7. Reptiles and Amphibians , 72 (a) Reptiles 72 (b) Amphibians 12 8. Concluding Comments 72

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 73

REFERENCES 73

TABLES

Table 1. Areasof mapped vegetation units andstratification of florasurveyplots 3 Table 2. Floristiccomposition of vegetation strataof floristic communities 8 Table 3. Altitude, vegetation structure andfloristic richness of floristic communities 11 Table 4. Floristiccomposition of vegetation strataof ForestTypes 16 Table 5. Population density of totalbird community. Comparison of meanvalues 33 in Unlogged forest Table 6. Population density of totalbirdcommunity. Comparison of mean values 34 for all BroadForestStrata Table 7. Total habitatbird species richness. Comparison of meanvalues 35 in Unlogged forest Table 8. Totalbird community habitatspecies richness. Comparison of mean 35 valuesfor all BroadForestStrata Table 9. Bird species richness per hectare. Comparison of meanvalues 36 in Unlogged forest Table 10. Bird species richness per hectare. Comparison of meanvalues 37 for all BroadForestStrata. Table 11. Population density of forestdependent birds. Comparison of 38 meanvaluesin all BroadForestStrata Table 12. Sightings of GlossyBlackCockatoos 39 Table 13. Sightings of RoseRobins 39

Forest ResourcesSeriesNo. 16 ForestryCommissionof New SouthWales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mr.Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region. -iv-

Table 14. Occurrence ofOwl species detected in nocturnal surveys .40 Table 15. Total numbers of arboreal marsupials observed in all 41 Broad Forest Strata Table 16. Mean counts ofarboreal mammals in Unlogged Broad Forest Types .42 Table 17. Mean counts ofarboreal mammals in all Broad Forest Strata .42 Table 18. Population density ofarboreal marsupials observed in all .43 Broad Forest Strata Table 19. Mean values for population densities ofarboreal marsupials 44 in Unlogged forest Table 20. Mean values for population densities ofarboreal marsupials .45 in all Broad Forest Strata Table 21. Species richness ofarboreal marsupials observed in all 46 Broad Forest Strata Table 22. Mean values for species richness ofarboreal marsupials in Unlogged forest.. 46 Table 23. Mean values for species richness ofarboreal marsupials in Unlogged forest.. .47 Table 24. Total counts ofGreater Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata .48 Table 25. Total counts ofGreater Gliders in Unlogged forest. Comparison of .48 mean values Table 26. Total counts ofGreater Gliders in all Broad Forest Strata .49 Table 27. Population density ofGreater Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata 50 Table 28. Population density ofGreater Gliders in Unlogged Forest 50 Table 29. Population densities ofGreater Gliders in all Broad Forest Strata 51 Table 30. Total count ofPetaurus species observed in all Broad Forest Strata 52 Table 31. Total counts ofall Petaurus species in Unlogged forest as observed 52 on spotlighting transects Table 32. Total counts of all Petaurus species in all Broad Forest Strata as .53 observed on spotlighting transects Table 33. Population density estimates ofPetaurus species observed 54 in all Broad Forest Strata Table 34. Total counts of Yellow-bellied Gliders observed in all 54 Broad Forest Strata Table 35. Total count ofYellow-bellied Gliders on Unlogged forest sites 55 Table 36. Numbers ofYellow-bellied Gliders in all Broad Forest Strata 56 Table 37. Total numbers ofKoalas observed in all Broad Forest Strata :.57 Table 38. Total numbers of Common Brushtail Possums observed in 58 all Broad Forest Strata Table 39. Total numbers ofMountain Brushtail Possums observed in 58 all Broad Forest Strata Table 40. Total numbers ofRingtail Possums observed in all 59 Broad Forest Strata Table 41. Total numbers of Sugar Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata 60 Table 42. Total numbers ofthe Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuanii 60 trapped in all Broad Forest Strata Table 43. Mean numbers ofthe Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartti 61 trapped on Unlogged plots

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -v- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 44. Numbers ofAntechinusstuartiicaught in tree traps across all 62 Broad Forest Strata Table 45. Total numbers of Long-nosed Bandicoots observed in all 63 Broad Forest Strata Table 46. Bat species recorded during surveys ofthe Mt. Royal State Forest.. 65

FIGURES

Figure 1. Mt Royal Management Area. Location offlora survey plots .4 Figure 2. Dendrogram from 'FUSE' at the 13 group level.. lO Figure 3. Approximate locations ofpopulations ofSenecio macranthus 21 Figure 4. Mt. Royal Management Area. Location offauna survey plots 26

APPENDICES

Appendix 1. List ofvascular plant species recorded during a survey ofMt. Royal 76 Management Area Appendix 2. Frequency ofoccurrence ofvascular plant species in floristic communities 88 Appendix 3. Descriptions ofvegetation map units, Mt. Royal Management Area 97 Appendix 4. List ofavifauna from Mt. Royal area 101 Appendix 5. List ofmammal fauna from Mt. Royal area (excluding bats) 106 Appendix 6. Bat species inventory ofthe Mt. Royal area and surrounding district 108 Appendix 7. List ofreptiles and amphibians from Mt. Royal area 109 Appendix 8. Australian Museum records for reptiles and amphibians in the general 110 area ofthe Mt. Royal Management Area

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal: -1- Management Area, Newcastle Region

INTRODUCTION

This reportpresentsthe results of a survey of floraand selected faunal groups undertaken in Mt. Royal Management Areaon the southern slopes of the Barrington Topsplateauin NewSouthWales. The Mt Royal Management Areaconsists of all of Mt RoyalStateForestNo. 297 westof Mt. Royal Range, about45 km northof Singleton in theHunterValley. Detailed information concerning various aspects of the Management Areacan be found in the PlanofManagement (Forestry Commission of New SouthWales, 1988).

The vegetationcomponent of the field workwascarriedout by DougBinns,TraeceyBrassil, Bill Chapman, Bob SergeantandPatrickMurphy, duringSeptember 1990andFebruary-March 1991. Onlyvascularplants wererecorded.

The fauna surveywas carriedout by Jim Shields, AIan York, Traecey Brassil, KhiaBamkin, Bill Chapman andPatrickMurphy, withsupport from Forestry Commission personnel fromtheNewcastle, Port Macquarie and CoffsHarbour Forestry Regions. Surveys of the avifauna and arboreal marsupials wereprimarilyconducted by RickWebster of ARMATAEnvironmental Consultants and dataprovided to the Commission for analysis. Bats were surveyed by GlennHoyeanddatainterpreted by Greg Richards of AppliedBatResearch Australia (ABRA). Discussions concerning bats are drawnfrom the e : J preliminary reportpreparedby ABRA(Richards, 1992b). Surveys (excluding bats)wereconducted /~-, duringthe period 2n~~ary to 18thMarch 1991. Batsweresurveyed in April 1992 in conjunction IJ? with a large-scale surveyof the adjacem Gtoueester andChichester Management Areas.

The objectives of the surveywereas follows:

1. To describethe vegetation of the areaandcompile an inventory of vascularflora.

2. To compilean inventory of selected faunal groups. Thesefaunalgroups were determined to be thosemostaffected by forestry management practices, andthose " considered to be "of special significance" because of conservation status and representations madeby otherinterested parties.

3. To characterize the faunaparticularly in relation to vegetation communities.

4. To assessthe relationships of vegetation communities in a local and regional context, particularly with regard to conservation value.

5. To evaluatethe conservation significance of the faunaandtheirhabitats in the study area in a local and regional context

6. To assessthe impactof past forestry practices on the faunal communities in orderto provideguidelines for future management of the Area.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region - 2 -

A. FLORA

METHODS

1. Plot Location

Floristicdata were derived from a seriesof non-permanent plots established withinthe study area. Plots wereinitiallymarkedon a I:25,000 topographic map andtheir positions transferred to the field as accurately as possibleusingtopographic features.

Plot pointsin previously unloggedareaswere stratified primarily by vegetation type, on the basis of a map of foresttypes ('Royal Milli' types)previously preparedfrom aerialphotograph interpretation withextensive field checking(Forestry Commission of New SouthWales, unpubl. map). For forest typeswhichoccurred in two or more discretepatches,a minimum of two plots was randomly located per foresttype stratum. More plotswere locatedin more extensive types. A singleplot waslocatedin eachforesttype mappedas only a singlestand. For eachof the five most extensive types, several plots were alsolocatedin previously logged areas. Sampling intensitywashigherin the essentially unlogged Davis Creekcatchmentand thepartiallyloggedeasternpart of CarrowBrookcatchment. Fal Brookcatchmentand the westernside of Carrow Brookcatchment havebeen mostlylogged and wereless intensively sampled. Plots werelocatedto sampleeach geologytypein the area.

In the field, plots werepositioned as far as possiblewithina relatively homogeneous patch of vegetation. The standard size was a 50 m x 20 m (0.1 ha) rectangle, although somehabitatsrequired a variationin size or shapeto ensurehomogeneity withinone plot e.g. 100 m x 10m plots were used for riparian vegetation, and smallerplots for vegetation of restricted extent A total of 76 plots was surveyed duringthe presentsurvey. Approximate locationsare shownin Figure 1. Table 1 showsthe distribution of sampleplots amongmappedvegetation units and catchments.

2. Floristic and Vegetation Structural Data

All vascularplant specieswhichcouldbe distinguished withina plot wererecorded and identifiedas far as possibleto species level. Vertical heightsof vegetation stratawere subjectively defined and recorded for eachplot. Stratum limitsof 0-1 m, 1-6m, 6-20m and20-35 m and >35 m wereused as a guidefor the codingof structural data,even thoughactualheightswere recorded.

Covercodes,based on projectedcanopycover,were estimated for each specieswithineachvertical stratum. Wherea species occurredin more than one stratum, an overallcovercode for the plot as a wholewas also recorded. Codesare as follows:

Cover Code Projected Canopy Cover

1 < 5%, few individuals 2 < 5%, any numberof individuals 3 6-25% 4 26-50% 5 51-75% 6 >75%

Forestry Commission ofNew SouthWales Forest.Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -3- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -4 -

32'07'8--

o 1 km t •

Figure 1. Mt. Royal Management Area. Location offlora survey plots.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -5- Management Area, Newcastle Region

The locationsof any occurrences of significant species notedwhiletraversing the area, additional to those occurringin plots, and any species not previously recorded in plots,werealsorecorded.

The mapunit in whicheachplot waslocatedwas recorded and a subjective assessment madeof the foresttype (Anon., 1989) to whichthe vegetation would be most appropriately allocated.

3. Habitat Data

At each plot, slope (in degrees), altitude, aspect, topographic position, drainage, percentage cover and particlesize of surfacerock andcoverof outcropping bedrock were recorded. Anyotherunusual featurewas also recorded.

4. Limitations

Fieldworkwas carriedout in early spring andlate summer. Someephemeral species mayhavebeen overlooked, and summerdormant geophytes, including most Orchidaceae andmanyLiliaceae, would havebeen generallyoverlooked during the secondpart of the survey due to the absence of active growth. Althoughthe areawastraversed comprehensively, the survey wasnot exhaustive andfurther specieswouldbe recorded with additional effort. No attempt wasmadeto sample soil-stored seed and speciespresentonly as dormantseedswould havebeenoverlooked.

5. Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow the National Herbarium of NewSouthWales. This is mostlyas published in JacobsandPickard (1981), Jacobs andLapinpuro (1986) or Harden (1990, 1991), whichever gives the most recenttreatment.

Difficulties were experienced withthe following species or groups, mostly due to lack of suitable material:

Acaenanovae-zelandiae. No fertile material was available. Otherspecies mayhavebeen included.

Baeckeasp. aff. virgata. Specimens collected represent an extreme form of this veryvariable specieswhichmay eventually deserve separate specific status. The form is widespread in north­ east New SouthWalesandis oftenlocallycommon on rockoutcrops, and evenif taxonomically distinctis unlikelyto be of conservation significance.

Carexappressaldeclinata. Somesterilematerial mayhavebeenincorrectly assigned.

Carexbreviculmislinversa. Sterilespecimens mayhavebeenincorrectly assigned.

Clematis aristata. Immature specimens of C. glycinoides mayhavebeenincluded.

Danthonia racemosa. Mayinclude records of D.pilosa.

Galium spp. Exceptfor the distinctive G. binifolium, galiums couldnot be consistently identified to species level andhavebeen aggregated for analysis.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 6 -

Gonocarpus humilis. Most of the materialwas sterileand it is likelythat records of this species includeG. teucrioides.

Haloragis?serra. Only a few smallplantswerefound. Itwas not possibleto unequivocally determine whetherthesebelongedto H. serra or H. exalata in the absence of fertilematerial.

Hydrocotyle laxifloralpeduncularis. This genusrequires revision. Somerecords weredifficult to assignto a species.

Juncus sp. Specimens of one taxon couldnot be matched. Itmostlikely represents a hybrid, withJ. 'alexandrissp. me1anobasis' as onepossibleparent,but furtherinvestigation is necessary (Dr. L. A. S. Johnson,pers. comm.).

Poa labillardierilsieberiana Somespecimens may havebeen incorrectly assigned to either of these species.

Pratiapurpurascens. May includerecords of P. pedunculata.

Pterostylis decurva. This species exhibited considerable variationin the area. Somespecimens approached P. abrupta.

Ranunculus plebeius. Flowering materialwas rare and records of this species couldinclude R. lappaceus.

Seneciodiaschides. Somespecimens of S. species E may have been included here.

6. Data Analysis

Floristic data were classified into vegetation communities usinga numerical hierarchical agglomerative classification process, usingthe Bray-Curtis association measure on percentage cover and a flexible UPGMA sortingstrategy (part of 'FUSE') with beta =0.0 (Be1bin, 1988). Althoughthis provides a repeatable and explicitmethodof defining communities, there are a numberof critical decisions requiredwhich are essentially subjective and whichmay substantially affectthe final community composition. The most important of these are the choiceof beta andthe choiceof an appropriate level in the dendrogram to definecommunities. A beta value of zero was chosento minimise distortion and most realistically reflectactualassociations. Combined overstorey and understorey data were analysed to yielda total vegetation community classification. Specieswith a combined covercode over all plots of =:;; 2 werefoundto not contribute significantly to the resultof the analysis and wereexcluded from thefmal analysis.

Forestry Commission of NewSouth Wales Forest Resources. Series No. 16 Flora and 'Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -7- Management Area, Newcastle Region

RESULTS

1. Floristics and Vegetation Communities

A totalof 447 vascularplanttaxa (431 nativeand 16naturalized) wasrecorded from the surveyarea. These arelisted, with authorities, in Appendix 1.

(a) Floristic communities

Floristicsurveydata from the 76 plotshavebeen classified into ten vegetation communities. Communities are subjectively defined unitswhichintergrade to varying degrees. They shouldbe regarded as a convenient meansof vegetation description andcomparison ratherthan as discrete entities. Figure2 is the dendrogram resulting from the numerical classification, cut off at the 13group level. Three of the 'groups' aresingleplots whichare considered eitheranomalous or transitional and not representative of a particular community type. The ten communities arebrieflydescribed below. Withineach floristic community, the distribution of plots across the foresttypemap unitsis indicated. Table2 lists the majorcharacteristic species of eachheightstratum in eachcommunity. Table 3 lists altitude, canopycover for each stratum, maximum canopy heightandfloristic richness for each community. Appendix 2 shows thefrequency of occurrence of eachspecies in each community.

ROY 1. Mid-altitude grassy forest.

This is by far the most extensive community type throughout the area, occurring over a broad range of habitats, on both sedimentary andbasaltgeology, from 400 m to 1000m altitude. On a broadscale, there is a remarkable uniformity of structure andfloristics of the understorey, andvariations in understorey floristics do not appearto be related to overstorey structure or floristics. This community includes openforest andtall openforest, withcanopy heightbetween 25 m and50 m. The understorey is typicallygrassywith a poorlydeveloped or non-existent shrublayer. Poa labillardieri is usuallydominant, oftenwithImperata cylindrica, Lomandra longifolia andPteridium esculentum. Otherfrequent and widespread, but less abundant species include Desmodium varians, Glycine clandestina, Dianella caerulea, Dichondra repens andRubus parvifolius. On a scaleoftens of metres, smallpatchescharacterised by ground coverspecies typicalof swampy sites(e.g.Carex appressa, C. longebrachiata, Cyperus lucidus) occurin smalldrainage depressions in a mosaicwith more extensive drier sitespecies.

Five overstorey typesmaybe recognised withinthis broadcommunity, as follows: lA. E. campanulata, oftenassociated withE. canaliculata, E. saligna or E. laevopinea. Plots 1, ID, 2D, 14M, B3, NC3, NC5 Map units Na- , Na + , Ne + , Nc - lB. MixedstandswithAllocasuarina torulosa prominent as a subcanopy tree,usuallyat lower altitudes. Common canopy species include Eucalyptus canaliculata, E. eugenioides, E. saligna andAngophora floribunda. This represents the drierend of the openforestcontinuum in the area. Plots 9, 24, 27,34, 3D, 13D, Bl, B54,DL5,NI, N2,NCl, NC7 Mapunits DI,Gm,NaT-- , Na , Nc , Yl

1C. E. saligna withE. campanulata or E. laevopinea. Plots 28, IM, 2M,3M,5M, NAI2, B35,B58 Mapunits NaT, Nb", Nc+

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Table 2. ci1 Floristiccomposition of vegetation strataof floristic communities, Mt. RoyalManagement Area. ; ==~ ~ ~ ~'" Veg. n Stratum 1+2 FR MC Stratum 3 FR MC Stratum 4 FR MC Stratum 5 FR MC El ~ Q g "n Corn. >20 m 6-20 m 1-6m 0-1m .. § ~. ?:II> '" ~ Cl) '"g' 1 36 Eucalyptus saligna 0.59 2.9 Allocasuarina torulosa 0.69 2.4 Poa labillardieri 0.95 4.0 ~~ ....,0 Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.51 3.0 Lomandra longifolia 0.95 2.0 ~':'= ~ ~ ~ Glycine clandestina . 0.87 1.8 r=,f'O== Cl) (1) ~ ,0 Desmodium varians 0.85 1.9 .~ 0 (1)'< ~ Pteridium esculentum 0.79 2.1 g'eo 2 10 Eucalyptus obliqua 0.80 3.5 ~ Poa labillardieri 1.00 3.0 '" Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.60 2.8 Lomandra longifolia 1.00 3.3 Desmodium varians 1.00 2.0 Glycine clandestina 1.00 2.0 Hydrocotyle laxiflora 1.00 1.9 3 2 Eucalyptus nobilis 1.00 2.0 Eucalyptus nobilis 0.50 1.0 Cyperus lucidus 1.00 3.5 Juncus sarophorus 1.00 3.0 Poa labillardieri 1.00 3.0 I~ Hydrocotyle peduncularis 1.00 2.5 Juncus pauciflorus 1.00 2.5 4 6 Eucalyptus saligna 0.83 3.0 Eucalyptus saligna 0.50 2.3 Eustrephus latlfolius 0.67 1.5 Hydrocotyle laxiflora 1.00 2.0 Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.50 3.0 Acacia maidenii 0.50 2.0 Geitonoplesium cymosum 0.67 1.5 Viola hederacea 1.00 2.0 Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.50 2.0 Dioscorea transversa 0.67 1.3 Hibbertia scandens 1.00 1.7 Helichrysum rufescens 0.50 1.3 Oplismenus imbecillus 1.00 1.7 Clematis aristata 0.50 1.0 Pteridium esculentum 1.00 1.7 ~ 5 3 Eucalyptus saligna 1.00 3.7 Acmena smithii 1.00 2.7 Synoum glandulosum 0.67 2.5 Lomandra spicata 1.00 2.0 ,~.. ,~ Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.67 1.0 Cryptocarya glaucescens 1.00 2.0 Eupomatia laurina 0.67 2.0 Doodia aspera 1.00 1.7

,~ 0 Synoum glandulosum 0.67 3.0 Psychotria loniceroides 0.67 2.0 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.00 1.3 ,Ej Caldcluviapaniculosa 0.67 2.5 Cryptocaryamicroneura 0.67 1.5 Adiantumfonnosum 0.67 2.0 8 Melicope micrococca 0.67 1.5 Dioscorea transversa 0.67 1.0 Daphnandra sp. A 0.67 1.5 ,Cl)'" (1) ~, (1) 6 1 Acacia irrorata 1.00 1.0 Leptospermum variabile 1.00 5.0 Lepidosperma laterale 1.00 3.0 Z'" Eucalyptus tereticornis 1.00 1.0 Phyllanthus gasstroemii 1.00 2.0 Cheilanthes sieberi 1.00 2.0 '? ...... Plectranthus graveolens 1.00 2.0 Entolasia stricta 1.00 2.0 0\ Callistemon salignus 1.00 1.0 Imperata cylindrica 1.00 2.0 Correa reflexa 1.00 1.0 Lagenifera stipitata 1.00 2.0 611Table 2. (cont.) ~ '"'"' Veg. n Stratum 1+2 FR MC Stratum 3 FR MC Stratum 4 FR MC Stratum 5 FR MC Corn. >20 m 6-20 m 1-6m 0-1 m il8 '"en

~. 7 3 Caldcluvia paniculosa 1.00 2.7 Diospyros pentamera 1.00 2.7 Guioa semiglauca 0.67 2.5 Lastreopsis decomposita 1.00 3.3 '" Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.67 2.0 Diploglottis australis 1.00 1.7 Tasmanniainsipida 0.67 2.5 Lomandra spicata 1.00 2.0 ~ ..... Doryphora sassafras 1.00 1.7 Alectryon subcinereus 0.67 1.5 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.00 1.7 0- Acmena smithii 0.67 3.0 Cyathea leichhardtiana 0.67 1.5 Arthropteris tenella 0.67 1.5 Orites excelsa 0.67 2.5 Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.67 1.5

8 8 Daphnandrasp. A 0.88 2.4 Pennantia cunninghamii 0.88 2.1 Alangium villosum 0.75 1.8 Lomandra spicata 1.00 1.6 Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.63 3.4 Cissus antarctica 0.75 2.0 Ripogonum album 0.63 1.8 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.00 1.5 Baloghia inophylla 0.63 2.8 Baloghia inophylla 0.63 1.6 Pterisumbrosa 0.88 2.4 Dendrocnide excelsa 0.63 2.4 Diospyros pentamera 0.63 1.4 Adiantumformosum 0.88 . 2.1 Doryphora sassafras 0.63 2.2 Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.63 1.4 Daphnandrasp. A 0.75 1.7 9 2 Casuarina cunninghamiana 1.00 2.0 Cissus antarctica 1.00 4.0 Daphnandrasp. A 0.50 3.0 Adiantumformosum 1.00 2.5 Daphnandrasp. A 0.50 3.0 Ficuscoronata 1.00 3.0 Aphanopetalum resinosum 0.50 2.0 Doodia aspera 1.00 2.5 I~ Eucalyptus saligna 0.50 1.0 Alectryon subcinereus 1.00 2.5 Hymenanthera dentata 0.50 2.0 Aneilema acuminatum 1.00 2.0 Cissus hypoglauca 1.00 2.0 Ripogonum album 0.50 2.0 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.00 2.0 Dioscorea transversa 1.00 2.0 Backhousia myrtifolia 0.50 1.0 Oplismenus imbecillus 1.00 2.0

10 1 Nothofagus moorei 1.00 4.0 Doryphora sassafras 1.00 4.0 Coprosma quadrifida 1.00 2.0 Lomandra spicata 1.00 2.0 61 ~ Quintinia sieberi 1.00 3.0 Dicksonia antarctica 1.00 2.0 Polystichum proliferum 1.00 2.0 ~'" Nothofagus moorei 1.00 2.0 Doryphora sassafras 1.00 2.0 Dennstaedtia ~ o Orites excelsa 1.00 2.0 Notelaea longifolia 1.00 1.0 davallioides 1.00 1.0 :'1T 0 ~~ " , Nothofagus moorei 1.00 1.0 Histiopteris incisa 1.00 1.0 III 'l' § ~. !!l a 8- 6' '"'''1:1 ::s 0 n=no.ofplots; FR=frequencyofoccurrence;MC=meancovercode. ~~ ..... l' III Foreachcommunity,onlyspecieswith frequency>0.5 arelisted, five abundantsuchspecieswheretherearemorethan Withineachcommunity,speciesare order decreasing ~ a orthe most 5. listedin of ~ frequencyandabundance.Absenceofrecordsfor a stratumdoesnotnecessarilyimplythatthestratumisnon-existent,onlythatnospeciesoccurredwithfrequency >0.5. ~~ en 0 ~~ So ~~ i='::I' ~ i='::I (IQ 0 ~ ~.,< eo ':1 '" g Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -10 - - o- - (:) _ <» C\I 0 C\I

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Figure 2. Dendrogram from 'FUSE' at the 13 group level, using Bray-Curtis coefficient of dissimilarity and beta=O. Plots 4D, NA8 and B55 are regarded as anomalous or transitional.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Table 3. Altitude,vegetationstructureand floristicrichnessof floristic communities. ~I " ... ,'I~ '" ~ '" Median % canopy cover . Max. canopy height Floristic richness Altitude(m) Strat 1 Strat2 Strat3 Strat4 Strat5 (m) (spp.IO.1 ha) ~ :-" '" Community n range median (>35m) (20-35m) (6-2Om) (1-6m) (elm) range median range median t':"I en ~ ~" '" ~I 1 36 380-1090 755 27.5 30 10 1 70 25-50 35 13-81 44 .... 0- 2 10 920-1350 1150 46 32.5 2 1 70 25-45 35 38-60 45.5

3 2 780-950 865 3 1 100 12-20 16 31-42 36.5

4 6 540-790 705 12.5 10 10 15 50 25-45 36 38-64 61

5 3 360-650 530 30 70 37.5 25 40-55 40 53-56 56 6 1 490 1 70 10 10 24 I .... 3 670-810 15.5 40 .... 7 810 53 12.5 25 30-40 ·40 24-35 33 I 8 8 370-890 615 20 55 65 7.5 10 30-40 40 35-64 51.5 ~: .'I 9 2 550-620 585 5 6 90 2 40 25-40 35 54-79 66.5 t""

~

~t ;,:; "rjl 10 1 1140 35 45 3 4 45 17 "1 0 r,~I' i'1 a 'i .. ~'" a::

~; o ~~ " 0 (IQ ... J: § '" ~. ~~, '" 8 8- ~ '"S" "'''rj =r ::s ·.f' ~§ ,.' ....,0 " l' '" "'~ ~ l' ~ f~ en

"~: 0 ~~ 1, c:: It So ~~

~ ~. ~ ~~ [' ~ ~"'< ~:, '" g e. 1 r-

J ------Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -12 -

10. E. salignadominant. Plots 3, 4, 23, 120, 13M Map units Oh, 01, Na+, Yf

lE. E. laevopinea dominant. Plots 35,140, l2M, B15, B4l, N3 + - + - - Map units 01, Na ,Na, Nb ,Nb, Nc

ROY 2. High altitude grassy forest

Plots 110, NA13, CNl, 20, 22, B22, B40, B50, B5l, B52 + - - + - - Map units Na ,Na, Nc ,Ne ,Ne, Ng , en

Structurally and floristically similar to community 1 but occurring at higher altitudes. Eucalyptus obliquais usually dominant, associated with E. laevopinea at lower altitudes. The understorey is dominated by Lomandralongifolia and Poa spp. with scattered small shrubs, commonly Leucopogon lanceolatus.

Plots 110 and B22 represent stands transitional with community 1. Plot CNl is an area ofgrassland (grassy bald) with scattered stunted eucalypts. Other grassy balds occur in the study area near the summits ofPieries Peak and Mount Carrow, and are a conspicuous feature ofseveral high mountain peaks in the Barrington tops area generally. Although structurally distinct, grassy balds as sampled by plot CNl are floristically very similar to the high altitude open forest stands. Plot B52 samples the only stand in the study area containing E. pauclflora, a small area north ofMount Cockrow.

ROY 3. Sedgeland

3A. Carex-Cyperus-Juncus sedgeland (plots 30, B17)

Widespread but oflimited overall extent, occurring in soakage areas and perched swamps on basalt. Variable in composition with a mixture ofgraminoids, commonly abundant species being Cyperus lucidus, Carexlongebrachiata, Juncus 'alexandri ssp. melanobasis' and f. pauciflorus. There are occasional eucalypts, often E. nobilis.

3B. Eleocharis sphacelata sedgeland

Only two stands ofthis type, each ofseveral hectares, occur in the area, in Davis Creek section. E. sphacelata is dominant in the wettest zone, associated with species such as Schoenoplectus mucronatus and Isolepisinundata. This community was not quantitatively sampled and is not included in Figure 2.

ROY 4. E. saligna-Bclaevopinea moist forest

Plots llM, NA2, NA5, NAIl + - Map units Na ,Na

A tall open forest with mesomorphic herb and fern understorey with moderate to well developed shrub stratum. Common shrub species are Synoumglandulosum and Hedycarya angustifolia. Hypolepis glandulifera, Calochlaena dubia, Rubus rosifolius and Senecioamygdalifolius are common ground cover species.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna SUrvey,Mt. Royal -13,- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Plots NA8 and B55 are transitional betweenthis community andROY 5. NA8 is a previousiy heavily logged stand of E. salignawith densesubcanopy of Acacia irrorataand shrubthicketsof rainforest species. Plot B55 is a sheltered site with a very densefern groundcover (CaIochlaena dubia and Hypolepis glandulifera), whichis near the forestboundary and probablyregularly burnt.

ROY S. E. saligna wet sclerophyll forest.

Plots 2, 10,B7 Map units Na+, Yh

A tall open forest with well developed shruband smalltree understorey, oftenof rainforest species such as Acmena smithii,Synoum glandulosum, Cryptocarya glaucescens andPsychotria loniceroides. Ferns such as Doodia aspera andDennstaedtia davallioides andthe herb Lomandraspicata are commonin the usuallysparsegroundlayer.

This communityoccurs on sheltered aspects andlower slopes, usually adjacentto rainforest communities. It is oflimited extentin the DavisCreeksectionand the easternpart of Carrow Brook catchment, but is more extensiveelsewhere.

ROY 6. Leptospermum variabile shrubland.

Plot CRI Map unit Cr

A very distinctivebut floristically poorcommunity of localisedextentcorresponding to map unit Cr and occurringon an extensiverock slab. Variously dominated by densethickets, mostlybelow 3 m tall, of Leptospermum variabileor Micromyrtus striata,withPlectranthus graveolens.

ROY 7. Caldcluvia-Orites-Doryphora rainforest.

Plots lR, 3R, 4R + ­ Map unitsRm .Rm

Fairly extensivestandsof this essentially wann temperate rainforest, often with welldeveloped structure,occur in Fal Brookcatchment and on sheltered slopesin Carrow Brookcatchment. Commoncanopy species includeCaIdcluvia paniculosa, Oritesexcelsa, Doryphora sassafras and Diospyrospentamera. Otherfrequent species includeDiploglottis australis, Citriobatus pauciflorus, Lomandraspicata andArthropteristenella.

ROY 8. Dysoxylum rainforest.

Plots 2R, RSl, 16,31, B13,B18, B20,B53 + - Map unitsRm , Rm .Rs

A subtropical rainforest whichis widelydistributed in the areabut with individual patchesof generally limited extent andlargelyconfmedto narrowstripsalongcreeksand on sheltered slopes. Structure and floristiccomposition arevariable, with a canopy of varyingheight(maximum heightsbetween 30 m and 45 m) and development. The canopyis typically very uneven,with the tallest dominants commonlyof less than 50%canopycover. Common tree species are Dysoxylumfraserianum, Baloghia inophylla, Pennantiacunninghamii, Daphnandra speciesA, Dendrocnide excelsaand Cryptocarya erythroxylon. Understorey species includeCitriobatus pauciflorus,Lomandraspicata, Arthropteris tenellaandAdiantumformosum.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -14 -

ROY 9. Ficus coronata-Casuarina cunninghamii gallery forest.

Plots B56, RM2 Map units Rm-, Rs

A variableand often floristically rich (up to 78 speciesper 0.1 ha) type occurringin narrowbands (usually<30 m wide) along streamsat altitudes below 600 m. There are occasionaltall (up to 45 m) emergenttrees of Casuarina cunninghamii, withlower strataof a mosaicof closedthickets(usually below20 m height)of Acmenasmithii, Ficus coronata, Alectryon subcinereus and Streblus brunonianus, withmany gaps. Lianes are prominent, especiallyCissus hypoglauca and C. antarctica. Plot B56 samplesa depauperate fonn on an apparently marginalsite, whichincludesdense thicketsof C. antarctica.

ROY 10. Nothojagus mooreirainforest.

Plot 17 Map unit Rb+

A verywell definedand well developed (maximum canopyheight45 m) but floristically poor (17 speciesper 0.1 ha) cooltemperaterainforestof Nothofagus mooreioccurs over about 17ha at the head of CrossCreek above950 m altitude. This is the only knownlocationfor N. mooreiin the survey area. Associated tree speciesare Doryphora sassafras, Quintinia sieberiand Oritesexcelsa, all of whichoccur commonly in other rainforeststandsin the area. This stand is close to the southernand westernlimit of distribution for this vegetationtype.

(b) Comparison ofvegetation map unitsandfloristic communities

As indicated above,the most extensivefloristiccommunity (mid-altitude grassy forest)encompasses a very widerange of map units. Similarly,the most extensivemap units are variablein floristic composition and each includesa rangeof floristiccommunities. Overstorey types within the broad categoryof open grassyforest correspond more closelyto map units, with variationsmainlydue to differences in scale of standdefinition. The structurally distinctand generallyrestrictedfloristic communities correspond much more closelyto map units (e.g.Rb, Rm, Rs, Cr). The generallack of correspondence betweenthe more extensivemap units and floristiccommunities is a result of several factors, as follows:

(i) Map units are definedon the basis of structureandfloristics of the overstoreyonly. Variations in understorey, whichare importantin definingfloristiccommunities, are not considered.

(ii) Map units have a coarseresolution, of the order of hectares,relativeto the finer resolution of 0.1 ha plots. Detailsof variationin overstoreycompositionrecorded on a plot basis are obscuredin map units. Somemap units, such as Dl and Dh, are very variablein overstoreyfloristic compositionin any case, by definition.

(Hi) There appear to be some mappinginaccuracies possiblydue to misidentification of speciesfrom air photos. In particular, forest dominated by E. obliquaseems more extensivethan the mappingindicates, and occursin map units Na, Ne and Ng as well as unit Ne with whichit nominallycorresponds. E. paucifloraforest is much less extensivethan indicatedand is restrictedto a single small standof several hectaresat most. Most of the area mapped as Ng is dominated by E. obliqua.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -15 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 3 provides descriptions of mapunitson thebasisof plot data andgeneralobservations recorded whiletraversing the area. i l· (c) Forestry Commission ofNew South WalesForestTypes

For each plot, thevegetation was allocated to the most appropriate ForestType (Forestry Commission of New SouthWales, 1989) on the basisof canopy composition. The resultant rangeoftypes corresponds reasonably wellto those described in the Management Plan for the area (Forestry Commission of New SouthWales, 1988). The maindiscrepancies are as follows:

• standsdominated by E. obliqua havebeen allocated to type 153(whichusually includes E. laevopinea as a eo-dominant) ratherthantype 151,due to theabsence of E.fastigata.

• poorlystuctured rainforest atloweraltitudes hasbeenequated to type 6, ratherthan23/26, becausetype 6 more accurately reflects the floristic composition of the stands.

Someforest typesequatewell withsinglefloristic communities. Othertypes,notablythe extensive type 46, vary considerably in understorey composition andinclude several floristic communities. Table4 showsthe relationships betweenforest types andfloristic communities andlist majorspecies . in eachvegetation heightstratum for eachforesttype-community combination.

DISCUSSION

1. General

The extensive grassynatureof muchof the forestunderstorey andthe general paucityof shrubsover large areasis slightly unusual. Itmay be the resultof a longhistoryof combined fire and grazing. A densegrass swardprovides intense competition for seedlings of woody plantsandonceestablished, wouldtendto persistevenif fire frequency wasreduced. .

Exceptfor the association of perched swamps withbasalt'benches', no clear relationship was found betweengeological substrate andvegetation, possibly because of widespread basalticenrichment of downslope sedimentary substrates.

As notedby Floyd(1983), the Mt RoyalRangein the broadsense(andMalumla Rangein particular) is the highestof the north-south ranges in the Barrington Topsmassifand is on the westerly side, presenting a topographic barrierto moisture-bearing easterly air flows. The broad,low HunterRiver valleyhas been a dry southerly barrierto plantdispersal. Thecombination of thesetwo factors results in the study area,by virtueof its position, beingat the southern and western limitof distribution for a numberof rainforest species. These arediscussed below. Valleys become progressively moister towards the east, resulting in the occurrence of a greater rangeof rainforest species and generally betterdevelopment of rainforest thanexistsin the survey area. This patternis comprehensively discussed by Floyd (1983).

2. SignificantPlant Species

The conservation significance of plantspecies is assessed on a national basisusingBriggs andLeigh (1988)as a standard. Onlytwo of the species recorded in the areaare listedby BriggsandLeighas rare or threatened.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Table 4. Floristic compositionof vegetation strata of ForestTypes (Forestry Commission of NewSouthWales, 1989), Mt RoyalManagementArea. 61 ti::§l ca ~ ~ ~'" o Forest Veg. n Stratum 1+2 FR MC Stratum 3 FR MC Stratum 4 FR MC Stratum 5 FR MC ~[ Type Com. >20 m 6-20 m 1-6m 0-lm !!~ !. ~~ '" j: (12 g' 2/3 8 7 Daphnandra sp. A 0.8 2.3 Pennantia cunninghamii 0.8 2.3 Alangium villosum 0.7 2.0 Lomandra spicata 1.0 1.7 0 ~~ .... Dysoxylum fraserianum 0.7 3.4 Cissusantarctica 0.7 2.2 Acmena smithii 0.5 1.5 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.0 1.6 :E~ ~ ~ti:: :E Baloghia inophylla 0.5 3.3 Baloghia inophylla 0.5 1.5 Pterisumbrosa 0.8 2.5 r::.l'* (12 Dendrocnide excelsa 0.5 2.3 Diospyros pentamera 0.5 1.5 Adiantumformosum 0.8 2.2 CD l:iC ~~ s Doryphora sassafras 0.5 2.3 Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.5 1.5 Daphnandra sp. A 0.7 1.6 So ....g e. ~ 3 7 3 Caldcluvia paniculosa 1.0 2.7 Diospyros pentamera 1.0 2.7 Guioa semiglauca 0.6 2.5 Lastreopsis decomposita 1.0 3.3 '" Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.6 2.0 Diploglottis australis 1.0 1.7 Tasmannia insipida 0.6 2.5 Lomandra spicata 1.0 2.0 Doryphora sassafras 1.0 1.7 Alectryon subcinereus 0.6 1.5 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.0 1.7 Acmena smithii 0.6 3.0 Cyathea leichhardtiana 0.6 1.5 Arthropteris tenella 0.6 1.5 Orites excelsa 0.6 2.5 Dysoxylumfraserianum 0.6 1.5

6 9 2 Casuarina cunninghamiana 1.0 2.0 Cissusantarctica 1.0 4.0 Daphnandra sp. A 0.5 3.0 Adiantumformosum 1.0 2.5 Daphnandra sp,A 0.5 3.0 Ficuscoronata 1.0 3.0 Aphanopetalum resinosum 0.5 2.0 Doodiaaspera 1.0 2.5 I~ Eucalyptus saligna 0.5 1.0 Alectryon subcinereus 1.0 2.5 Hymenanthera dentata 0.5 2.0 Aneilema acuminatum 1.0 2.0 Cissushypoglauca 1.0 2.0 Ripogonum album 0.5 2.0 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.0 2.0 Dioscorea transversa 1.0 2.0 Backhousia myrtifolia 0.5 1.0 Oplismenus imbecillus 1.0 2.0

16 10 1 Nothofagus moorei 1.0 4.0 Doryphora sassafras 1.0 4.0 Coprosma quadrifida 1.0 2.0 Lomandra spicata 1.0 2.0 Quintinia sieberi 1.0 3.0 Dicksonia antarctica 1.0 2.0 Polystichum prolijerum 1.0 2.0 Nothofagus moorei 1.0 2.0 Doryphora sassafras 1.0 2.0 Dennstaedtia Orites excelsa 1.0 2.0 Notelaea longifolia 1.0 1.0 davallioides 1.0 1.0 Nothofagus moorei 1.0 1.0 Histiopteris incisa 1.0 1.0 f'... l:iC 46 1 8 Eucalyptus saligna 1.0 3.6 . Allocasuarina torulosa 0.8 2.6 Eucalyptus saligna 0.5 1.5 Poa labillardieri 1.0 3.6 a0 Eucalyptus eugenioides 0.5 1.8 Angophorajloribunda 0.5 2.5 Dichondra repens 0.8 2.0 Lomandra longijolia 0.8 1.6 ~ Dianella caerulea 0.8 1.4 '"(12 CD Glycine clandestina 0.8 1.4 ~. '" 46 4 2 Eucalyptus saligna 1.0 3.0 Acaciairrorata 0.5 4.0 Melicope micrococca 0.5 2.0 Hydrocotyle laxijlora 1.0 2.0 ~I Eucalyptus campanulata 0.5 3.0 Eucalyptus saligna 0.5 2.0 Eustrephus latifolius 0.5 2.0 Hibbertia scandens 1.0 2.0 Allocasuarina torulosa 0.5 1.0 Neolitsea dealbata 0.5 2.0 Poa labillardieri 1.0 2.0 Angophorajloribunda 0.5 1.0 Rapanea howittiana 0.5 2.0 Viola hederacea 1.0 2.0 Acaciairrorata 0.5 1.0 Cynoglossum latijolium 1.0 1.5 , ~--

"I11 Table4. (cont.)

~ m " Forest Veg. n Stratum 1+2 FR MC Stratum 3 FR MC Stratum 4 FR MC Stratum 5 FR MC ~IType Corn. >20 m 6-20 m 1-6m 0-1m

~ m CI.l Eucalyptussaligna 1.0 3.7 Acmenasmithii 1.0 2.7 Synoumglandulosum 0.6 2.5 Lomandra spicata 1.0 2.0 ~. 46 5 3 m Eucalyptuslaevopinea 0.6 1.0 Cryptocarya glaucescens 1.0 2.0 Eupomatia laurina 0.6 2.0 Doodiaaspera 1.0 1.7 ~ Synoumglandulosum 0.6 3.0 Psychotria loniceroides 0.6 2.0 Citriobatus pauciflorus 1.0 1.3 ...... Q\ Caldcluvia paniculosa 0.6 2.5 Cryptocarya microneura 0.6 1.5 Adiantumformosum 0.6 2.0 Melicopemicrococca 0.6 1.5 Dioscoreatransversa 0.6 1.0 Daphnandra sp. A 0.6 1.5

46 8 1 Daphnandra sp, A 1.0 3.0 Dendrocnide excelsa 1.0 3.0 Cissusantarctica 1.0 3.0 Lastreopsismierosora 1.0 3.0 Eucalyptussaligna 1.0 3.0 Doryphorasassafras 1.0 2.0 Cryptocarya glaucescens 1.0 3.0 Adiantumformosum 1.0 2.0 Eucalyptusresinifera 1.0 2.0 Baloghiainophylla 1.0 1.0 Eupomatia laurina 1.0 3.0 Daphnandra sp. A 1:0 2.0 Ficus obliqua 1.0 2.0 Brachychitonacerifolius 1.0 1.0 Ripogonumalbum 1.0 3.0 Pollia crispata 1.0 2.0 Caldcluvia paniculosa 1.0 1.0 Baloghiainophylla 1.0 2.0 Pteris umbrosa 1.0 2.0

62 - 1 Eucalyptus campanulata 1.0 2.0 Acacia irrorata 1.0 2.0 Acaciairrorata 1.0 3.0 Hardenbergia violacea 1.0 2.0 Eucalyptus canaliculata 1.0 2.0 Allocasuarina torulosa 1.0 2.0 Imperatacylindrica 1.0 2.0 I~ Indigoferaaustralis 1.0 2.0 Lomandralongifolia 1.0 2.0 Poa labillardieri 1.0 2.0

62 1 6 Eucalyptus canaliculata 1.0 2.6 Allocasuarina torulosa 0.7 3.0 Eucalyptuseugenioides 0.5 1.5 Poa labillardieri 1.0 4.0 Eucalyptus eugenioides 0.7 2.8 Eucalyptuseugenioides 0.7 2.0 Desmodium varians 1.0 2.0 ~ m Dichondrarepens 1.0 2.0 a:: ~ Lomandralongifolia 1.0 1.9 o J~ 0 Plectranthus parvlflorus 1.0 1.6 ~ 11' ~,m B 8- m 140 2 1 Eucalyptusobliqua 1.0 3.0 Eucalyptusobliqua 1.0 1.0 Poa labillardieri 1.0 5.0 "'XI g' ~§ 0 Eucalyptuspauciflora 1.0 3.0 Lomandralongifolia 1.0 3.0 ...... I" 11'• Arthropodium milleflorum 1.0 2.0 ZCl.l ~ Carex inversa ~.O7.0 ~~ CI.l o~ 0 Clematisaristata 1.0 2.0 ~ . I: =-a:: So G" ~ ~.~ (IQ 0 e. ~.,< Gm g e. 61 ~i5l ~ Table 4. (cont.) § iil ~'" o al Forest Veg. n Stratum 1+2 FR MC Stratum 3 FR MC Stratum 4 FR MC Stratum 5 FR MC ..9 §"n !. Type Corn. >20 m 6-20 m 1-6m 0-lm ~fO '"er j: en =' ~~ ....0 153 2 6 Eucalyptus obliqua 1.0 3.8 Eucalyptus obliqua 1.3 Eucalyptus obliqua 1.7 Lomandra longifolia 3.5 ~~ ~ 0.6 0.5 1.0 ~~ ~ Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.5 2.3 Tristaniopsis collina 0.5 1.7 Poalabillardieri 1.0 3.0 =.. en CD ::0 0 Desmodium varians 1.0 2.0 c:: ~~ Er Dianella caerulea 1.0 2.0 .... g e. ::E! Glycine clandestina 1.0 2.0 ~ 163 1 8 Eucalyptus campanulata 1.0 3.4 Eucalyptus campanulata 0.8 2.1 Eucalyptus campanulata 0.6 1.8 Imperata cylindrica 1.0 3.5 Allocasuarina torulosa 0.6 1.6 Pteridium eseulentum 1.0 2.4 Persoonia linearis 0.5 1.8 Lomandra longifolia 1.0 2.3 Glycine clandestina 1.0 1.8 Hibbertia scandens 1.0 1.8 I ...I 167 1 6 Eucalyptus laevopinea 1.0 3.7 Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.8 1.8 Poalabillardieri 1.0 4.7 100 Lomandra longifolia 1.0 2.5 Desmodium varians 1.0 2.2 Pteridium esculentum 1.0 2.0 Wahlenbergiastricta 1.0 1.7

167 2 2 Eucalyptus laevopinea 1.0 4.0 Angophorajloribunda 0.5 2.0 Acacia maidenii 1.0 2.0 Poalabillardieri 1.0 2.5 Acacia maidenii 0.5 1.0 Cassinia compacta 0.5 4.0 Lomandra longifolia 1.0 3.5 Hymenosporumflavum 0.5 2.0 Carex inversa 1.0 2.0 Indigojera australis 0.5 2.0 Desmodiumvarians 1.0 2.0 [I Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.5 1.0 Dichondra repens 1.0 2.0 a~ 0 168 1 7 Eucalyptus laevopinea 1.0 2.9 Allocasuarina torulosa 0.7 2.0 Poalabillardieri 1.0 4.2

~ Eucalyptus saligna 1.0 2.8 Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.5 1.6 Pteridium esculentum 1.0 2.6 '"en Pratia purpurascens 1.0 1.8 g. Desmodium varians 0.8 2.0 CD '" Geraniumpotentilloides 0.8 1.9 ~ ... 0\ Table4. (cont.) 61 ~ ~

~ Forest Veg. n Stratum 1+2 FR MC Stratum 3 FR MC Stratum 4 FR MC Stratum 5 FR'MC I Type Com. >20m, 6-20 m 1-6m 0-1m en

~. 168 4 4 Eucalyptus laevopinea 0.7 3.0 Acaciamaidenii 0.7 2.0 Geitonoplesium cymosum 1.0 1.5 Hypolepis glandulifera 1.0 3.5 0.7 2;0 Rubus rosifolius 2.3 ~ Eucalyptus saligna 0.7 3.0 Eucalyptus laevopinea Dioscorea transversa 0.7 1.3 :1.0 ~ 2.5, Eustrephus latifolius 1.3 Hydrocotyle laxiflora 1~02.0 0\ Eucalyptus saligna 0.5 0.7 Helichrysum rufescens 0.7 1.3 Violahederacea 1.Q 2.0 'Clematisaristata 0.1 1.0 Oplismenus imbecillus 1.0 1.8 " 224 6 1 Acaciairrorata 1.0 1.0 Leptospermum variabile 1.0 5.0 Lepidosperma laterale . 1.0 3.0 Eucalyptus tereticomis 1.0 1.0 Phyllanthus gasstroemli 1.0 2.0 Cheilanthes sieberi 1.0 2.0 Plectranthus graveolens 1.0 2.0 Entolasia stricta 1.0 2.0 Callistemon salignus 1.0 1.0 Imperata cylindrica 1.0 2.0 Correareflexa 1.0 1.0 Lagenifera stipitata 1.0 2.0

230 2 1 Eucalyptus laevopinea 1.0 2.0 Poa sieberiana 1.0 4.0 I,~ Eucalyptus obliqua 1.0 2.0 Sorghum leiocladum 1.0 4.0 Dichelachne micrantha 1,0 3.0 Poa labillardieri . 1.0 3.0 Scleranthus biflorus 1.0 3.0

231 3 2 Eucalyptus nobilis , 1.0· 2.0 Eucalyptus nobilis ,0.5 1.0 Cyperus lucidus 1.0 3.5 61 ~ Juncussp. 1.0 3.0 .~ ~ Poa labillardieri : 1.0 3.0 I!l .::!1 o Hydrocotyle peduncularis 1.0 2.5 i» -0 (IQ ·il Juncuspauciflorus 1.0 2.5 §) I. :9 ~ gJ '"'''t1 g' ~,:l!1 n .:s g, Veg. Corn. is the corresponding community or communities derived from the floristic classification; n;=D.0.of plots; FR=fr~uencyof occurrence; MC=mean cover code. _.~t ~ For each Forest Type+community combination, only species with a frequency >0.5are listed, or the five most abundant such species where there are more than 5. Within each combinationspecies are .~~~ ~ ~'n en listed in order of decreasing frequency and abundance. ' ~~ .' ~~ ~ n '"' '/~ ;., ,- 'n 0 OS·~ t =s

I 'j Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -20 -

Haloragis Yserra - this species is rare and localised in the survey area, the few individuals in plot 35 being the only population noted during the survey. Although widespread and not listed by Briggs and Leigh, H. serrais represented by relatively few specimens at New South Wales National Herbarium and appears to be uncommon throughout its range, The record from Mt. Royal Management Area is the first from the Northern Tablelands subdivision, although the survey area is very close to the boundary with the Central Western Slopes subdivision for which previous records exist. As noted above, it is possible that the record is actually H. exalata, a species listed as 3RCa by Briggs and Leigh. Until the identity oftheMt. Royal plants can be confirmed, and the conservation status ofH. serrafurther investigated, it is best to regard the record as being ofconservation significance.

Papillilabium beckleri (3RC-, Briggs and Leigh, 1988) - uncommon and localised in the survey area, occurring mainly in riparian rainforest at lower altitudes, or rarely in lower slope eucalypt forest (e.g. on Rhodamnia rubescens in plot B1). Itis distributed from south-east Queensland to Wollongong and occurs in several National Parks and other reserves. It is an inconspicuous twig epiphyte which appears to be much more common than its risk code would indicate.

Senecio macranthus (3RC-, Briggs and Leigh, 1988) - fairly widespread and sometimes locally common in the area, mostly on steep, rocky basalt slopes in open grassy forest. It was noted to be regenerating, presumably from seed, along recently «2 yr) constructed road batters in the Davis Creek area. The approximate extent ofknown populations in the study area is shown in Figure 3. Itis endemic to eastern New South Wales, occurring between Wollomombi Falls and Tallong, mainly on the tablelands, but is also recorded from the coast and western slopes. The only reserve from which it is recorded by Briggs and Leigh (1988) is Kanagra-Boyd National Park, but there are also specimens at New South Wales National Herbarium from Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Barrington Tops National Parkand Winburndale Nature Reserve. There is a total of32 collections at the New South Wales Herbarium representing at least 15 separate localities, although many ofthe collections are old, with vague locality data. It is doubtful whether this species should be considered rare.

Species which occur at the geographical limit oftheir distribution in the survey area, according to FIoyd (1983, 1989), or from specimens held in the New South Wales National Herbarium (NH), are listed below, with localities previously reported as geographical limits (S=southern limit; W=western). Nothofagus mooreiin the head ofCross Creek is close to its southern and western limits.

Cryptocarya erythroxylon S,W Boonabilla Creek Cryptocarya foveolata S,W Mt. Royal- Dendrobium mortii S Diplazium assimile S,W NH (Nabiac) Elauostachys nervosa W Williams River Eucalyptus campanulata S' NH (Mt. Royal) Eucalyptus nobilis S NH (Barrington Tops) Helichrysum ruiescens S Blue Gum FIat, Boonabilla Ck. Leptospermum variabile S NH (Gloucester Buckets) Mischocarpus australis W Williams River Oritesexcelsa S Jerusalem Creek Sloanea woollsii S,W Chichester River Trochocarpa sp. aft. laurina S,W Barrington Tops Vesselowskia rubifolia S,W FalBrook

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 21- Management Area. Newcastle Region

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fl o JL~ 151·17' ------~. I t

Figure 3. Approximate locations ofpopulations ofSenecio macranthus.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -22 -

Specieswhich apparently do not occur south of the HunterRiver valley and are near their southern limit are:

Alangium villosum Austromyrtusbidwillii Elattostachysnervosa Lastreopsismunita Mischocarpusaustralis

3. Conservation Status ofPlant Communities

It is very difficultto assessthe conservation statusof plant communities becauseof the ultimately subjective nature of community definitionand its dependence on scale. Attemptsto assess conservation status at a national scale are toobroad for adequate consideration of regional conservation requirements. Benson(1989)has made an attemptto describeconservationstatusof plant associations in New South Wales. This providesa preliminary basis for conservation assessment, althoughit considersonly the tallest vegetationstratumandthere are difficulties in . relatingobservedstandsto Benson's associations becauseno descriptions are provided. Assessment of conservation statusis also severely restricted by the lack of adequate site-specificdata for the existingreservesystemState-wide.

Muchof the eucalyptforestin the surveyarea may be broadlyequatedto the followingof Benson's associations: .

E. salignaassociation- equatesto forest type 46 and possiblypartly type 168;floristic communities 1, 2, 3 and 8; coded N3, not threatened and adequately conserved,

E. obliqua±E. andrewsii- probablyincludestype 153 and type 140;floristiccommunity2; coded N2, not threatened but regardedas inadequately conserved.

Ei laevopinea - includestype 167and partly type 168;floristiccommunities 1,2 and 4; coded N2, not threatened but regardedas inadequately conserved.

E. (andrewsii ssp.) campanulata - equatesto type 163; floristiccommunity 1; coded N3, not threatened and adequately conserved.

The fairlywidespread grey gum - stringybark forest type (type 62, floristic community1B,) characterised by Eucalyptus canaliculata and E. eugenioidesis more difficultto relate to Benson's associations. Itmay have most similarities to the E. acmenoides - E. propinqua association. In the broadsense,forest type 62 is widespread in north-easternNew South Walesbut may not be well conserved, In thenarrowersense,forests containingspecifically E. canaliculata as the grey gum are probablypoorly conserved, and wouldbe worthyof furtherreservation due to the geographically restricted distributionof E. canaliculata (which,althoughit may be locally abundant, occurs only betweenGloucesterand the HunterRiver).

The conservation statusof the rainforestvegetationmay be assessed by comparisons with Aoyd's (1990) suballiances. Floristiccommunity ROY7 has most similarities with suballiances 13 (Schizomeria-Doryphora-Caldcluvia-Cryptocarya glaucescens) and 39 (Schizomerta-Doryphora­ Caldcluvia-Orites). These suballiances are both regarded as adequately conserved. Community ROY8has affinitieswith suballiance 13 and also 12 (Sloaneawoollsii-Dysoxylum fraserianum­ Argyrodendron actinophyllum-Caldcluvia). The conservationstatus of the latter is regardedas

Forestty Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources.Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 23- Management Area. Newcastle Region

excellent Community ROY9 represents a structurally poorly-developed rainforest with tloristic similarities to suballiances 14 (Doryphora-Daphnandra-Dendrocnide-Ficus-Toona) and 23 (Ficus­ Streblus-Dendrocnide-Cassine). Suballiance 14is regarded as well conserved, while23 is inadequately conserved, with no representative samples reservedin the southof therangeof this suballiance, south of the ManningRiver. Reservation of standsin Mt. RoyalManagement Areawould contributein only a minor wayto improvement of the conservation statusof this suballiance, sincethe Mt. Royal stands are poorly-developed, atypical examples. Muchmore well developed examples occur elsewhere (e.g. Whispering Gully,Chichester StateForest).

The shrub1and community ROY6 appears to haveno Bensonequivalent, probablynot surprising consideringits very restricted extentin the surveyareaand Benson's aimto describe primarily "major" associations. Bensonincludes an Eleocharis sphacelata association (possible equivalent to communityROY3B)whichhe regardsas adequately conserved. There appears to be no equivalent to communityROY3A. In any case,all the shrubor herb dominated communities are of verylimited extent in the survey area and are worthy of particularconsideration.

4. Impact ofLogging

Althoughboth logged andunlogged standsweresampled, it wasvery difficultto assesslogging impact, for the following reasons:

• There are no detailedpre-logging data available, and substantial differences exist between major environmental features of previously loggedandunlogged areas. Davis Creeksection is largely on basaltand mostlyat higheraltitudes than the previously loggedFal Brook catchmentand westernside of Carrow Brookcatchment, so that presentdifferences in vegetationmay be relatedmoreto site factors otherthan logginghistory. • Previouslylogged areaswereoftenloggedrepeatedly or usingdifferentprescriptions to that planned for futureoperations. Itis thus difficultto relateimpactof past loggingto that of plannedlogging.

As a result of these complications, it wouldbe verydifficultto attemptto interpretloggingimpacton individualspecies. Relationships amongplots resulting fromthe community classification give a broad indicationof impact. If loggingimpacton tloristiccomposition wasmajor,loggedplots would be expectedto be grouptogetherat a highlevel of dissimilarity compared to unloggedplots. The classificationdendrogram showsa strongtendency for loggedplots in the extensiveopen grassyforest to be grouped separately from the unlogged plots,although the two groups aremore similarto each other than to other vegetation types. The grouping corresponds evenmore strongly to the division betweenDavis Creekplots and thoseelsewhere, withonly three plots out of21 in the "Davis Creek group" being "misclassified", Thus plotswithineachof the two broadphysio-geographic units tend to be groupedtogetherregardless of logginghistory and the apparent loggingimpactin the open grassy forest is more likelydue to site differences unrelated to logging. For moist eucalyptforests and rainforests, logged plots are generally dispersed among unlogged plots in termsof tloristic similarity, suggestingthat loggingimpactis withinthe rangeof variationdue to site differences.

Of a total of 23 loggedplots,only plot 40 showsa clearseparation tloristicallyfrom othergroups of plots. Itis an anomalous dry forestplot whichdiffersmainlydue to verylow tloristic richness. Since the tloristic richness oflogged plots is not significantly differentto that ofunlogged plots (overall means of 46.0 and 46.2 respectively, p »0.05), it is unlikely thatthe anomalous natureof plot 40 is simplydue to logging. Plot NA8 is a slightlyunusualloggedplot which, with unlogged plot Bss, representsa transitionbetweenmoistforest (community ROY4) and wet sclerophyll forestwith mesophyllshrubunderstorey (community ROYs). Its composition maybe partlydue to previous heavylogging and partlydue to physicalsite factors and fire history.

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Even thoughit is not possibleto examineloggingimpactin detail,vegetationpost-logging remains broadlysimilarto unloggedforest.

5. Weeds

A smallnumberof weed speciesare widespread in the areabut, with theexceptionof a narrow«10 m wide)strip alongparts of somefrequently traversed roads,fonn only a very minorcomponent of the flora. Trifolium repens, Hypochoeris radicata, Picrishieracioides and Cirsium vulgareare widely distributed in a range of habitats,including both logged andunlogged areas, presumably dueto the long historyof grazing, but are never abundant.

"Pioneer" speciesproliferateaftermajorsoil disturbance, particularalongroadsides such as the recently constructed part of CassellsRoadin DavisCreekcatchment. Bothnative (e.g.Goodenia ovata, Juncus usitatus, Seneciolinearifolius, Solanum aviculare) andnaturalized (Cirsium vulgare, Conyza albida) species are prominentin the roadside flora. Smalldepressions are colonised by native speciessuchas Isolepis inundata, Persicaria decipiens andSalviaplebeiaand the possibly introduced Persicaria hydropiper.

Creekbeds and banks,particularly nearthe boundary withprivatepastureland, are commonly colonised by introduced weeds,probably due to fairlyintensive use of these areas by cattle. These are usuallya very minorcomponent of the flora, but Ageratina adenophora (croftonweed)is locally abundant on banksof the larger streams near the forestboundary with privateproperty.

Apartfrom the few widespread weedswhich occurthroughout the areain both logged and unlogged stands,severalspecies colonisesmallhighlydisturbed patchesimmediately afterlogging. These tend to be thespecieswhichproliferate alongrecently constructed roads. The absence of these species fromolderlogged areassuggeststhat they do not persistas actively growingindividuals beyondabout 5-10yr post-logging, althoughsomeundoubtedly persistas soil-stored seed.

6. Impact ofGrazing

It wasnot possibleto assessgrazingimpactby sampling grazedand ungrazed areas becausegrazing by nativemacropods, feralhorses and feral and domesticcattle was ubiquitous in open forest, in both the StateForest and adjacentNationalPark, The widespread, althoughminor,occurrence of herbaceous weedsis probablydue to grazing. That they remaina minorcomponent of the flora suggests a long historyof light grazingis fairly benignin terms of invasionby exotics. Long term changes whichmay have occurred in floristic composition, particularly of the herbaceous component, andthe extentto whichcurrentvegetation reflectsthe grazinghistory,is unknown.

Of possible concernis localisedheavierdisturbance in perchedswamps. Severalsuch swamps had beenheavilytrampled, in some casesmost of the aboveground vegetation in particularpatcheshaving beendestroyed. However, most swamps appeared relatively undisturbed andnaturalised weedswere a minorcomponent or non-existent. Most of the dominant species are tuftedor rhizomatous > monocotyledons which wouldbe expected to be fairly resilientto destruction of their above-ground parts. Heavydisturbance by large herbivores appears to havebeen periodicandhas probablyallowed adequate regrowth duringdisturbance-free periods. However, it is not clear whether, if at all, the currentabundance of apparently resilientspeciesis a resultof past disturbance history,more sensitive species havingbeen possiblyeliminated. Although there is no evidenceof adverseimpactor otherwise, there wouldbe someconcernover increased grazingintensity and subsequentpotential increase in disturbance of these swamps.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 25- Management Area. Newcastle Region

B. FAUNA

INTRODUCTION

1. Previous Fauna Studies

The Management Areaforms the south-west cornerof an extensive and continuous tractof forested countrycontaining a diversity of habitattypes. No comprehensive faunasurveys havepreviously been conducted in the Management Area,or in Barrington TopsNational Park whichadjoins to the north.

A limitedsurveyof terrestrial mammals wasconducted nearMt Royalin 1984(Dickman and McKechnie, 1985), primarily to locatepopulations of the Hastings RiverMousePseudomys oralis. This species was subsequently studiedat the samelocalities in January 1988 and July 1989(Read, 1988, 1989). A similarlimitedsurvey of vertebrate faunawasconducted in the Davis and Cross Creekarea over fourdays in November 1989 (seeHines, 1990). Somedata are available from Australian Museum studiesin the ''Tuglo'' Wildlife Refuge, a privateproperty locateda few kilometres fromMt. RoyalStateForestand withsimilarvegetation, and from nearby Chichester and Gloucester Management Areas. Faunadetected in thesesurveys are indicated in Appendices 4-7 and discussed in the text .

METHODOLOGY

1. General Survey Design

In order to determine the distribution and abundance of fauna withintheMt. RoyalManagement Area, and to document the impactof past management practices, three complementary strategies were employed. In the firstinstance, a broadscale("general") survey (including literature review) was conducted across the wholearea. The purpose of this wasto determine the stateof the wildlife resource in generalterms, Secondly, a moredetailed stratified surveydesign("plot-based") was employed to determine relative species richness andpopulation density in different foresttypesand management treatments. Thirdly, "specialised survey"wasundertaken for faunaconsidered to have high conservation significance. Thesestrategies form a composite approach to faunaassessment whichis currently beingemployed by the Forestry Commission of New SouthWalesin surveys for Environmental ImpactStatement purposes on the northcoastof NewSouthWales(Yorket al., 1991). The studyareacomprised the upperreaches of three catchments: Carrow Brook, Fal Brook,andDavis Creek(incorporating Cross Creek), andis shown in Figure4.

(a) General survey

For the broad-scale study,the entireareaof the threecatchments of the Mt.Royalregionwas surveyed. Appropriate techniques wereutilised for the different faunal groups (seeYorket al., 1991) with an overallaim to record observations overthe whole studyarea. Thesearepresented in tabular form anddiscussed.

(b) Plot-based survey

For the detailedphaseof the study, the areawasstratified according to "BroadForestType" and "Management History".

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -26 -

32'07'5 -

Figure4. Mt. Royal Management Area. Location offauna survey plots.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 27- Management Area, Newcastle Region

The vegetation ofthe Area can be broadly described in structural terms as: sclerophyll forest (84%), rainforest (15%), and non-forested areas (1%) (Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales, 1988). Of the sc1erophyll forest, 66% can be considered to be composed of"Moist Hardwood" forest types, and 34% as "Dry Hardwood" forest types. Forthe purpose ofthis study, three Broad Forest '[xpes were recognised: Moist Hardwood, Dry Hardwood and Rainforest.

Records suggest that timber harvesting began in the Carrow Brook catchment in the 1930's and the Fal Brook catchment in the 1960's, both catchments now having been extensively logged (Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales, 1988). Two levels ofMana~ment HiStOly were established: Logged and Unlogged.

On the basis ofthis stratification, permanent "plots" were established in Rainforest, Moist Hardwood and Dry Hardwood forest. Plots were established within Unlogged areas (primarily the Davis Creek catchment), and Logged areas with regrowth in excess of20 years ofage. Rainforest logging is no longer carried out in these State Forests, so this was not a consideration in this study. Thus, there were five cate~ries offorest sampled: Rainforest, Unlogged Moist Hardwood, Unlogged Dry Hardwood, Logged Moist Hardwood and Logged Dry Hardwood. Fauna were surveyed using techniques most appropriate foreach group following guidelines specified in York et al. (1991).

(i) Study sites

Twenty study "plots", representing four replicates ofeach combination ofBroad Forest Type and Management History, were randomly located within the Management Area. The location ofstudy plots is shown in Figure 4, and are identified as follows:

Broad Forest Type Management History Logged Unlogged

Dry Forest ID, 2D, 3D, 4D llD, 12D, 13D, 14D Moist Forest 1M,2M,3M,5M 11M, 12M, 13M, 14M Rainforest 1R, 2R, 3R, 4R

Each study "plot" consisted ofa transect five hundred metres long. Width and sub-division ofeach plot varied for the faunal group being sampled, with five study "points" being established systematically within each plot. The vegetation ofeach fauna study plot was sampled and is described in the preceeding section.

(c) Specialized survey

Because ofits high conservation status, specific surveys were conducted for the Hastings River Mouse Pseudomys oralis. Four sites (p1-4) were specifically located in areas which were regarded as potentially good habitat for this species (see 6 below).

2. Avifauna Survey

A running list was compiled ofthe bird species encountered in each Broad Forest Type and stream catchment to supplement lists generated during theplot-based survey. These records are reported in Appendix 4 where, with information from other sources, they constitute an inventory ofthe over-all avian resource.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 28 -

Birdsweresurveyedprincipally at studyplotsusingthe following configuration. A 500 m transect was established as described in 1(b) above, with a bird countstationestablished at lOOm malic. intervals alongthe transectand marked withflagging tape. All birds seen andheard at each station wererecorded for a ten minuteperiod. The distance from the pointto the bird was estimated, and recorded in pre-setdistancecategories (0-5m, 5-10m, 10-20m, 20-30m, 30-50m, and >50m) in corresponding columns on thedata sheet. Graphically, the areacountedresembles the outlineofa targetor bull's-eye, with the stationat the centre. Birds wererecorded in each of the expanding rings of the target area in theappropriate columnson the data sheet. All thoseentirelyoutsidethe target areas, but withinthe habitat,are recorded in one column. Datafor eachbird speciesis recorded on a .separate line on the data sheet. Four countsare madeon each studyplot on four differentdays,with the plotsbeing censused from alternate ends to avoidtemporal bias. That is, if a countbeginsat station1the first day, it was started from station5 the following day. A balancednumberof early and late countsis achieved in this manner.

The formal census was conducted fromthe 2nd January 1991 to the 10thFebruary1991. Additional records for speciesoccurrence weremade from Ist Marchto 15thMarch 1991.

3. Large Arboreal Mammal and Owl Survey

In the general survey,all roads withinthe Management Area werespotlighted from a vehicle travelling 5 km per hour,usingtwo observers and l00W spotlights. Surveys began whenit was completely dark and endedone-halfhour before sunrise. At 5 km intervals, taped calls fromthe Masked, Sootyand PowerfulOwlswereplayedfor five minutes each (totalof 15 minutes from a standard tape). Additionally, whenever a heavilyforested streamcatchment was crossedor "audibly" accessible (e.g. a ridge overlooking the stream), the owl calls wereplayed.

Infonnationrecorded for each species observedincludedan accurate roadlocation,distancefrom the road, tree species in whichthe animals was observed, DBH (diameter at breastheight)of the tree, heightof the tree and heightof the animal. Noteson foraging, reproductive condition, sex and age wererecorded wherepossible.

Onthe surveyplots, observations weremade from the onsetof darkness (one-halfhour aftersunset)to one-halfhour beforesunrise. An initial 10 minutelisteningperiodto detect any owls or mammals whichwerecallingor movingabouton the site wasconducted at the beginning of the transect. Calls of the Sooty Owl,Masked Owl andPowerfulOwl wereplayedfrom a standardized tape througha IOW speakerfor 15minutes, followed by another10minutes of waiting for responses. The transect wasthen surveyed for a minimum of 45 minuteswithtwo observers using l00W spotlights. In other words, atleast nine minuteswere spentcovering each 100metresof the transect, if there wereno animals seen. All animals seen withina 20 m band eitherside of the transectwerecountedfor the purpose of population densityanalysis. All animals seen wererecorded to providespecies richness information and additional explanatory data. Data for each species recorded: tree species, height of perch,anda perpendicular distance approximation from the transectline to the animal.

4. Small Arboreal Mammal Survey

In orderto detect small arboreal mammals not always adequately censused by spotlighting and to quantify their use of the tree resource, 10 tree-mounted trapswereinstalled in each studyplot. At each of the five pointswithinthe plot, two 33 x 10x 9 cm aluminium ("Elliot") box traps were attachedto brackets mountedapproximately two metres abovegroundon trees representative of that BroadForest Type. Each trap was placedinsidea smallplasticbag to excludemoisture, and baited with candied honey(see Smith and Phillips, 1984). The tree trunk adjacent to the trap was sprayedwith a honey!

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 29- Management Area. Newcastle Region

water mixture as an attractant. Traps were checked daily, and re-baited as required. Animals captured were identified, weighed, sexed and measured, given a temporary marldng to distinguish them if subsequently re-captured, and then released. Traps were operated for four successive nights during fine weather in early March 1991, providing data for 760 trap nights in total.

5. Large TerrestrialMammalSurvey

The presence in the study area oflarge terrestrial mammals was detected firstly through incidental observations made whilst surveying other groups, secondly by systematic searches at each study plot for evidence such as tracks, diggings, burrows and seats, and thirdly by the use ofcage traps. Two 60 x 30 x 30 cm wire cage traps were placed along animal runways at one "point" in each study plot. One trap ofeach pair was baited alternately with fish and chicken (to detect carnivorous marsupials) and the other with a peanut-butter/rolled oats mixture (to detect possums, bandicoots and small macropods). Traps were checked daily, and re-baited as required. Animals captured were identified, weighed, sexed and measured, given a temporary marldng to distinguish them ifsubsequently recaptured, and then released. Traps were operated for four successive nights during fine weather in early March 1991, providing data for 152 trap nights in total.

6. Small TerrestrialMammalSurvey

In keeping with the specific goals ofthis project, survey ofsmall terrestrial mammals was directed specifically towards one species, the Hastings River Mouse Pseudomys oralis, which reaches the southernmost limit ofits known distribution in the Mt. Royal area. Four sites were chosen which were regarded as potentially good habitat for this species (see King, 1984; Dickman and McKechnie, 1985; Read, 1988, 1989). Twenty-five 33 x 10 x 9 cm aluminium ("Elliot") box traps were placed along transect lines at each site and baited with a peanut butter/rolled oats mixture. Traps were checked daily, and re-baited as required. Animals captured were identified, weighed, sexed and measured, given a temporary marldng to distinguish them ifsubsequently recaptured, and then released. Traps were operated for three successive nights during fme weather in early March 1991, providing data for 300 trap nights in total. .

7. Bat Survey

Following recommendations from Mr. Greg Richards (Bat Biologist, CSIRO Division ofWildlife and Ecology), bats were not surveyed during 1991. The timing ofthe survey would have meant that seasonal migrants within the bat fauna would not have been present, therefore rendering a survey impractical.

As an extensive survey ofbats in the general region was scheduled for 1992 (for the Gloucester/ Chichester Environmental Impact Statement), data from that survey were incorporated into this report. Within the Mt. Royal Management Area, bats were surveyed primarily at a sub-sample ofsites used for the "plot-based" surveys ofother faunal groups. Study sites chosen were:

lR Rainforest IM Moist forest (logged) with a grassy understorey 12M Moist forest (unlogged) with a grassy understorey 2D Dry forest (logged) with a shrubby understorey 12D Dry forest (unlogged) with a grassy understorey

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 30 -

A supplementary site wasused for inventory purposes andwas locatedat "Tuglo" nearFalbrook (32°14'45"8, 151°16'12"E). This supplementary site wasused to extendcoverageandensurethe compilation of a species inventory as complete as possible. The "Tuglo" site had been previously surveyed on a numberof occasions by Mr. Hoye.

Methods for surveying bats involved the use of bat ("harp")trapsto capturebats at appropriate locations either at, or in the vicinityof, fauna surveyplots. In addition, electronic identification of bats at siteswas conducted by analysis of their species-specific echolocation calls. Usingthese techniques in tandemallowsthe observation of all species in a community, especially thosethat may be in ecological nicheswhere directcaptureis impossible, particularly those speciesthat fly just above the forestcanopy. Detailed explanations and discussion of thesetechniques can be foundin Richards (1992a).

Information was also obtainedfroma centralised databaseof bat distribution records maintained by ABRA. This extensive database has been compiled from specimen data available in museum collections throughout Australia, frompublished distribution records, from Australian Bat Banding Scheme records, as well as personalcommunications fromotherbat"researchers. This database was searched for anyreference to the Mt Royalarea.

8. Reptile and AmphibianSurvey

Reptiles and amphibians (frogs)were surveyed by opportunistic hand collecting, systematic searching andpitfalltrapping. Two dry (non-baited) pitfall traps (plastic buckets20 cm diameterx 20 cm deep, withfunnel inserts) wereinstalledat one"point" in each studyplot Traps were checkeddaily,and animals captured were identified, given a temporary markingto distinguish them if subsequently recaptured, and then released. Traps wereoperated for four successive days duringfine weatherin earlyMarch 1991,providingdata for 152trap nightsin total. Systematic searcheswereconducted for 30 minutes at eachpoint on everyplot

As part of the generalsurvey, records of the Australian Museum for the generalarea around Barrington Tops and Mt. Royal were obtained as a guideto possibleherpetofauna of theManagement Area. Whilemanyof thehabitatscoveredby this database are not found withinthe Management Area, these records wereexamined for indication of the presence of rare and endangered faunathat II1Wlt havebeen missedduringthe survey(see limitations below).

9. SurveyLimitations

All fauna! groupsexhibitseasonaland diurnalpatterns of abundance and activitywhichinfluence their "detection"in surveys. This studywas conducted duringthe period2nd Januaryto 18thMarch 1991, whichcombined with an extendeddroughtin the region, meantthat reptilesand amphibians were probably under-sampled. It is likelythat many frog species wereremaining dormantin response to the dry weatherconditions, whilethe oftencool conditions duringautumn at this altitudemeantthat activity periodsfor many reptileswas greatlyreduced.

A majorconstraint of this surveywas one of access as dictated by the steepterrain. Accessto the northern sectionof the Davis Creekcatchmentwasnot feasible, howeverstudy sites selected are considered representative of the catchment. Site 4D in the Carrow Brookcatchmentwas only surveyed for birdsand large arboreal mammalsbecauseof limitedvehicularaccess.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 31- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Despite these limitations it is considered that the results ofthis survey represent an effective and significant sample ofthe fauna present. Realistic conclusions can therefore be drawn concerning the distribution offauna and the future implications offorestry management practices.

10. Data Analysis

Throughout the Results and Discussion sections ofthis report, the term "Broad Forest Strata" incorporates "Broad Forest Type" (based on structure and moisture levels: Dry and Moist Hardwood Forest, Rainforest) and "Management History" (LoggedlUnlogged). Broad Forest Strata studied are therefore: Rainforest, Logged Moist forest, Unlogged Miost forest, Logged Dry forest and Unlogged Dry forest.

The plot-based survey phase was statistically analysed, and the results are interpreted in the Discussion. In general, Broad Forest Type and Management History constituted class variables, which were analyzed in terms ofanimal population density and species richness (sample estimates) as the dependent variables. Analysis ofvariance procedures, both parametric and non-parametric, were employed for arboreal marsupials, diurnal birds and small mammals. Data for large mammals, bats, reptiles and amphibians were analysed qualitatively.

Data are first presented in tabular form, partitioned by Broad Forest Type and plot and/or replicate number. In order to establish the natural variability ofthe system, data for Unlogged sites (Rainforest, Unlogged Moist and Dry forest) are then compared across the different Broad Forest Strata using One­ way Analysis ofVariance (ANOVA) procedures. With small sample sizes there was a risk that certain conditions required by this parametric procedure could not be verified, in particular, the homogeneity ofvariance (all variances equivalent). Therefore a non-parametric analysis (the Kruskal-Wallis One­ way ANOVA) was also utilised, and in addition, data were log-transformed to improve normality and homogeneity. In every case all procedures produced comparable results.

Where the ANOVA suggested that a significant difference between forest types did exist (with a=0.05), a multiple range test (Scheffe's procedure) was implemented to identify which group means were significantly different (where P<0.05). The significance (P) value represents the probability of obtaining this result due to chance factors alone (Le. random variability in the system). In this study, any result with a P value of<0.05 (5%) was deemed not to have occurred by chance and to reflect a .n:al. (significant) result. Appropriate test statistics and their probability values are noted in the text.

The second step was then to include Logged sites into the overall context for comparison. The procedures described above were then utilised to compare Logged and Unlogged sites across all Broad Forest Types.

Thirdly, sites were then partitioned according to Management History (Logged/Unlogged) and forest moisture levels (Moist/Dry), with Rainforest excluded from this analysis. This enabled a more detailed analysis (Two-way ANOVA) to judge the effects ofManagement History and Broad Forest Type on the measured faunal variables. Unless statistically significant interaction (a=0.05) was shown to exist between these two variables, the interaction term is not displayed in the ANOVA tables and was added to the error term in the analysis.

Data from the detailed (plot-based) component ofthe survey were analysed using the SPSSX statistical package (SPSS Inc. 1988) on a VAX 11n85 mainframe computer and the SAS statistical package (SAS Inc., 1987) running on an Osborne 386 PC. Details ofthe analytical procedures used can be found in Steel and Torrie (1981) and Zar (1984).

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area,Newcastle Region - 32 -

The conservation significance offauna was determined primarily with reference to Schedule 12 ofthe National Paries and Wildlife Act 1974. Species listed on Parts 2-4 ofthis Schedule are considered as "endangered", and those on Part 1 to be "ofspecial concern" but not endangered in New South Wales.

RESULTS

1. Avifauna Survey

A total of90 species ofbirds have been recorded from the Mt Royal study area (see Appendix 4). A limited four day study by Hines (1990) recorded 51 species ofbirds. His methods were not recorded, but the data indicates an informal search technique was used. Incidental species are included in the Hines list (Dusky Moohen, Peregrine Falcon). The current study recorded 73 species, 64 ofwhich were recorded on the formal censuses (plot-based survey), Of those species not recorded on the formal censuses, six were nocturnal birds (powerful Owl, Boobook Owl, Sooty Owl, Masked Owl, White-throated Night Jar, Tawny Frogmouth). The Peregrine Falcon recorded by Hines is the only species with a rarity rating on Schedule 12 ofthe National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Notable groups are the pigeons (four species, three of which are fruit-eating rainforest birds), cockatoos (four species, including the obligate Casuarina feeder: the Glossy Black Cockatoo, and two pest species), honeyeaters (eight species, including the rainforest dwelling Scarlet Honeyeater) and owls (four species; see Section 1(t) below).

Species at the extremity oftheir distribution include the Noisy Pitta, the Regent Bowerbird (southern limit) and the Pilot Bird (northern limit).

(a) Population analysis

(i) Unloggedforest

The three Unlogged Broad Forest Types were compared using analysis ofvariance. In terms of population density ofthe total bird community, there were differences among Broad Forest Types (F=4.56 d.f.=2,237 P=O.Oll). The result from this parametric analysis ofvariance (ANOVA) procedure should be interpreted cautiously due to lack ofhomogeneity ofvariance among treatments, however the non-parametric procedures employed (Kruskal-Wallis) revealed similar results c-l=23.16 n=4oo P

Rainforest had the highest number ofbirds per hectare, and Unlogged Dry forest had the lowest, with Unlogged Moist forest occupying an intermediate position. A comparison ofplot means using Scheffe's procedure indicated that there was a significant difference between Dry forest and Rainforest, but that Moist forest was not significantly separated from either ofthe other two (Table 5). These results must be viewed cautiously, due to the lack ofhomogeneity ofvariance in the original analysis. Interpretation ofthe rankings in the Kruskall-Wallis test, which indicated there was a significant difference among Broad Forest Types gives more reliable information on the relationship. The rankings for Dry and Moist forest were very similar (104.2 and 106.5, respectively) while the Rainforest ranking was much higher (150.8). This indicates that Rainforest clearly supported a higher population density ofbirds than the other two Broad Forest Types.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -33 - Management Area. Newcastle Region

Table S. Population density of total bird community. Comparisonof mean values in Unlogged forest

Broad Forest Types (Unlogged) Dry forest Moist forest Rainforest

Mean count* 4.3 5.6

##: Mean rank 104.2 106.5 150.8

+ VaIues represent the mean number ofindividuals observed within a 30 m radius at each offive points over four visits. ... Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

(ii) All BroadForestStrata The population density of the total bird communitywas not shownto be significantlydifferent across all Broad Forest Strata by parametric analysisof variance(F=2.32 d.f.=4,395P=0.056). The probability value was very close to a (0.05), and the result must be interpretedcautiously due to lack of homogeneity in variance. The Kruskall-Wallistest revealed a very significantdifference among all 2 Broad Forest Strata (X =21.5 n=400 P=O.OOOO3). No assumptions of the latter test were violated, and it is a robust measure of the relationshipbetweenbird populationdensity and Broad Forest Strata. Similarly, ANOVA with log-transformeddata revealedsignificantdifferencesbetween Broad Forest Strata (F=4.58 d.f.=4, 395 P=O.OO13).

A comparison of mean values across all Broad Forest Stratausing Scheffe's procedure revealedno difference among forest strata, inherently,at a=0.05. Howeverthe results of this test must be interpreted cautiously due to lack of homogeneity of variancein the original analysis. Inspection of the means (fable 6) shows Rainforest and Logged Moist forest as the two most productive habitats in termsofbird population density (5.6 and 5.5 birds per 30 m circle, respectively),while UnloggedDry forest and Unlogged Moist forest were the two least productivehabitats (3.7 and 4.3 birds per 30 m circle, respectively. LoggedDry forest occupieda central position in terms of bird productivity (5.0 birds per 30 m circle). Heuristically, it would appear that there are close relationships between the bird productivity of Rainforest and LoggedMoist forest (high) and Unlogged Moist and Dry forest (low).

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -34 -

Table 6. Populationdensityof total bird community. Comparison of mean valuesfor all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged Rainforest Dry Moist Dry Moist

Mean count* 3.7+ 4.3 5.0 5.5 5.6

# Mean rank 175.2 179.2 190.3 . 209.5 248.3

+ Values represent the mean number ofindividuals observed within a 30 m radius at each of five points over four visits. * Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test ­ Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

Inspection of the rankingvaluesfrom the Kruskal-Wallis procedure agreewith the preceding interpretation of the data. The two Unlogged foresttreatments had very similarlow rankings (175.2 and 179.2). However, the productivity of Rainforest in terms of population densitywas emphasized by the very high ranking(248.3), whencompared to the closestHardwood plot (LoggedMoistforest = 209.5)

(iii) Logging effects The effectoflogging wasisolatedin a two-wayanalysis of variance model. In this analysis, only the Hardwood plots wereconsidered, as there was no LoggedRainforest treatment(rainforest loggingis not carriedout in the MountRoyalManagement Area). BroadForestType wasnot significant in termsof bird populationdensityin this subsetof the data (f=1.16 d.f.=1,317 P=0.281), while Management Historywas (F=4.85 d.f.=1,317 P=O.028). TheLoggedtreatments of both Dry and Moistforesthad more birds per hectarethan the Unlogged treatments.

. (b) Total habitat species richness The total habitatspeciesrichness was estimatedfrom the numberof bird species recorded at each pointduringthe plot-based census. These data reflectall species detected withinthe habitat, irrespective of distancefromthe point, and are therefore a good indicatorof the generalaviandiversity of the habitat(BroadForest Strata)sampled. There were four countsmadeon each of four plots, and therewerefive point countswithineachplot; each forest type wasthus sub-sampled 80times.

(i) Unloggedforest The threeUnlogged BroadForestTypeswere analyzed with ANOVA procedures. Both parametric andnon-parametric tests indicated that all three Unlogged BroadForestTypesdifferedsignificantly in species richness (F=28.45 d.f.=2,237 P

A comparison of plot means revealed that Rainforesthad thehighestmean numberof species(10.8), Unlogged Dry forestthe fewest (7.2),and Unlogged Moist forestoccupied the intermediate position (8.8) (seeTable 7).

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -35 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 7. Total habitat bird species richness. Comparison of mean values in Unloggedforest

Broad Forest Types (Unlogged) Dry forest Moist forest Rainforest

Mean count* 8.8 10.8

j Mean rank. 86.1 117.0 158.4

+ Values represent the mean number ofspecies detected within the total habitat at each of five points over four visits. * Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

(ii) AllBroadForest Strata

ANOVA tests revealed significantdifferencesamongBroad ForestTypes and ManagementHistories whenthese treatments were includedin theanalysis (F=17.139 d.f.=4,395 P

A comparisonof plot means indicatedthat LoggedDry forest (9.9 speciesper habitat),LoggedMoist forest (10.4 species per habitat)and Rainforest(10.8speciesper habitat)did not differ significantly in total habitat species richness (fable 8). UnloggedMoist and Logged Dry forest supportedsimilar numbers ofbird species (8.8 and 9.9 respectively), while UnloggedDry forest was separated significantlyfrom all other groups (7.2 speciesper habitat).

Table 8. Total bird community habitatspeciesrichness. Comparisonof mean values for all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged Rainforest Dry Moist Dry Moist

Mean count* 7.2+ 8.8 9.9 10.4 10.8

# Mean rank. 128.3 177.9 217.5 231.9 246.7

+ Values represent the mean number ofspecies detected within the total habitat at each offive points over four visits. * Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew SouthWales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -36 -

(iii) Logging effects

A Two-way Analysis of Variance procedurewas employed to examine the effectsof loggingand forestmoisturein Hardwood habitats. Bothfactors were significant (forestmoisture: F=22.47 d.f.=1,317 P=O.OO6; history: F=37.21 d.f.=1,317 P

(c) Bird species richness per 50 m circle

Bird species richness per 50 m circlewas determined fromthe total speciescount withineachcensus point (50m radius circle). These data were analyzed to determine local, ratherthan general, species richness in each habitatsampled.

(i) Unloggedforest

Analysis revealed a significant difference among BroadForestTypesin terms of bird species richness per hectare(F=23.7 d.f.=2,237 P

Means testingseparated all three Unlogged BroadForestTypes(Table9), withRainforest supporting the highestnumberof speciesper 50-mcircle (6.5),Unlogged Dry forestthe least (3.8) andUnlogged Moistforestoccupying a centralposition(4.4). These resultssupportthose of the analysis of species per habitat

Table 9. Bird species richness per 50 m circle. Comparison of mean values in Unlogged forest.

Broad Forest Types (Unlogged) Dry forest Moist forest Rainforest

Mean count* 4.4 6.5

# Mean rank 94.1 106.5 160.9

+ Values represent the mean number of species detected within a 50 m radius at each offive points over four visits. * Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

(ii) AllBroad Forest Strata

Analysis of the entire suiteof BroadForest Strata sampledrevealed differences amongdifferent groupings of habitats(F=9.95 d.f.=4,395 P

Rainforest and LoggedMoistforest were shownto be similarin speciesrichness per 50 m circle(6.9 and5.2, respectively), although LoggedMoistforest,LoggedDry forest andUnlogged Moist forest alsoformed a groupthat did not differ significantly (Table 10). A grouping of habitatsthat supported low numbers of speciesper hectarewas also indicated, andthese were Unlogged Dry, Unlogged Moist andLoggedDry forest.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora andFauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 37- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 10. Bird species richness per 50 m circle. Comparison of meanvaluesfor all BroadForest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Unlogged+ Unlogged Logged Logged Rainforest Dry Moist Dry Moist

Mean count* 3.8 4.4 4.9 5.2 6.9

# Mean rank 156.2 177.1 197.9 204.7 266.8

+ Values represent the mean number ofspecies detected within a 50 m radius at each offive points over four visits. * Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

This close grouping may be clarified by inspection of the rank valuesgenerated in the Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Unlogged Dry foresthad a verylow ranking (156.2), whileRainforest had a very high ranking (266.8). The two LoggedHardwood plotshad very:similar rankings (Dry = 197.9, Moist= 204.7). Unlogged Moistforest(rank = 177.1) fellin between the Unlogged Dryforestandthe Logged treatments.

(iii) Logging effects

A Two-way Analysis of Variance indicated that therewasa significant effectfor logging(F=8.73 d.f.=1,317 P=0.OO3) but not for forestmoisture (F=1.55 d.f.=1,317 P=0.214), whenboth factors were included in the model. Loggedplotshad higherbird species richness per 50 m circlethanUnlogged plots.

(d) Forest dependent birds

The preceding analyses investigated the natureofthe distribution, abundance and diversity of the total bird community. To provide insightintothe factors concerning the suiteof birdsspecies that are de.pendent on forest resources, a subsetof datawas analysed. Included in this groupwerethe: Brown Pigeon, King Parrot,Ground Thrush, CicadaBird,RoseRobin, Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fan­ tail,Red-brewedTreecreeper, ScarletHoneyeater andGreenCat-bird. Otherspecies whichareforest dwellers wereexcluded because: a) they areextremely abundant andtheymaskeffectsof treatment and foresttype whichare the subjectof this particular analysis (forexample, BrownThombill), or b) they occur in a widevarietyofforested environments (cityparks, gardens, remnant bushin paddocks) and similarly mask effects(forexample, Yellow Robin, Spotted Pardalote). The suiteof species chosenall have somedependence on naturalforestresources suchas treehollows or forestinterior micro-habitat.

Data analysed werethe population estimates from the 50 m radius circleat eachpointof the formal census. The natureof these datawasnot suitable for standard ANOVA testing, andthey were subjected to the General Linearized Models procedure usingthe SAS statistical package, whichdeals with unbalanced designandheterogeneity of variance in a robustmanner.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 38 -

Results indicated that there was no significant difference between all Broad Forest Types (Logged and Unlogged) with respect to the population density offorest dependent birds at the a=0.05 level of significance (F=2.28 d.f.=4,1462 P=0.0588). However, the probability value was very close to this level ofconfidence, and it can be assumed that there are some discernible differences among Broad Forest Strata.

Inspection ofmean values (Table 11) reveals that Rainforest supported the highest population density ofthis suite ofspecies (0.65), and Unlogged Dry forest supported the lowest (0.50). Logged Dry forest was the second highest in population density (0.62) and Logged Moist forest was the second lowest (0.52). Unlogged Moist forest occupied the central.position. These results in general support those ofthe total bird community analysis, in that the high, low and median groupings remain consistent There is a change in the order ofthe habitats within the median group, with Unlogged Moist forest supporting proportionately more forest specialist birds than forest generalists. It should be noted however that the rankings are nominal as plot means are not significantly different.

Table 11. Population density offorest dependent birds. Comparison ofmean values in all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Unlogged Logged Unlogged Logged Rainforest Dry Moist Moist Dry

Mean count* 0.52 0.55 0.62 0.65

+ Values represent the mean number of individuals observed within a 50 m radius at each of five points over four visits. * Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure).

(e) Bird speciesofspecialconcern

The Glossy Black Cockatoo has been put forward as a species ofspecial concern, and there has been mention ofthe Ground Thrush in this context. The Rose Robin is common and widespread, but is a habitat specialist that may indicate suitable old forest interior micro-habitat.

Glossy Black Cockatoos were recorded most frequently in Logged Dry forest. The data presented are from the formal census process in Table 12. During the course offieldwork for the entire project, Glossy Black Cockatoos were observed frequently in all catchments.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 39- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 12. Sightings of GlossyBlackCockatoos.

Forest strata Number ofrecords

LoggedDry 11 Unlogged Dry 2 LoggedMoist 2 Unlogged Moist 3 Rainforest o

The GroundThrush wasrecorded exclusively in Rainforest plotsduringthe formal census. During nocturnal censuses for arboreal marsupials and owls,this species wasfrequently (11 records from 40 visits)pickedup in spotlights.

The Rose Robinoccurred primarily in Rainforest andUnlogged Moistforests on the formal censuses (Table 13). It was recorded in mostareaswitha moistunderstorey throughout the courseof fieldwork, includingcreeklines in drierhabitats.

Table 13. Sightings of RoseRobins.

Forest strata Number ofrecords

LoggedDry o "" Unlogged Dry 1 LoggedMoist 1 Unlogged Moist 3 Rainforest 5

(f) Owls

Owlswere sampled on the 20 detailed survey sitesby recording responses to tapedcalls and auditory censuses. The methodis described in detailin the Arboreal Marsupial sectionof this report, as thetwo fauna groupsweresampled simultaneously.

.Dataare presented in Table 14 andrepresent the totalnumberof records of owlsfromtwo countson four studyplots withineachBroadForestStrata.

The MaskedOwl wasrecorded in all BroadForestTypesexceptRainforest. A pair was spotlighted on the LoggedMoistforestplot in DavisCreekcatchment, anda singlebird wasrecorded callingfrom the same spot near a Logged Dryforestplot in the Fal Brookcatchment on several successive nights. Two other records wereobtained from the general arboreal mammal and owl survey (not shownin Table 14). Both wereon Cassel'sRoadin Logged forest in the Fal Brookcatchment. From simultaneous records, it appears that thereis onepairof Masked Owls in eachcatchment, although the CarrowBrookCatchment birdsmayhavebeenbirdsin passage.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -40 -

Table 14. Occurrence ofOwl species detected in nocturnal surveys.

Broad Forest Strata Owl Unlogged Logged Unlogged Logged Rainforest species Dry Dry Moist Moist

Masked 1 3 1 3 0 Sooty 1 2 2 2 1 Powerful 9 2 4 6 2 Boobook 11 9 15 10 4 Total 22 16 22 21 7

The Sooty Owl was recorded in all Broad Forest Types. Although there was only one record from a Rainforest plot, most ofthe records from Hardwood forest were influenced by the presence of Rainforest in nearby gullies. Plots that were long distances from Rainforest gullies did not have Sooty Owls. An additional record from the general road survey was obtained near the entrance to Mt. Royal State Forest on Cassel's Road. A single bird was called into Logged Dry forest from the Rainforest gully below the road. The isolated nature ofthe observations ofthe Sooty Owl prevent population estimates, but it appears likely that there is more than one pair resident in the Rainforest gullies ofeach catchment

The Powerful Owl was recorded in all Broad Forest Types, but was most common in Unlogged Dry forest (nine records) and Logged Moist forest (six records). The Powerful Owl was recorded from all catchments. Simultaneous records suggest that there are one pair ofowls in each catchment. One individual was called to within ten metres ofthe Logged Moist plot in Davis Creek catchment An additional record was obtained during the course offieldwork from Fal Brook catchment, where a single individual was heard calling in Logged Dry forest near the base camp for the survey team on Cassel's Road.

The Boobook Owl was common in all Broad Forest Types, and by far the most common species of owl.

2. Large Arboreal Mammal Survey

'Seven species oflarge arboreal mammal were detected during this survey (Common Ringtail Possum, Greater Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Common Brushtail Possum, Mountain Brushtail Possum, and Koala). No additional species have been recorded for this area (see Appendix 5) and none ofthese are listed in Schedule 12 ofthe National Paries and Wildlife Act (1974) as endangered in New South Wales, although the Koala is listed as "ofspecial concern".

(a) Numbers ofall arborealmarsupials

The data described below represent the total sum ofrecords for all individuals ofall species recorded during the detailed survey phase ofthe study. They should be interpreted with caution due to the varying detectability ofarboreal marsupials in different Broad Forest Types. Arboreal marsupials were more easily observed in strata with more open structure (Dry, Logged) than in closed forests (Rainforest). However, the comprehensive nature ofthis data set makes it ofinterest to the overall analysis.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 41-·- Management Area. Newcastle Region' ~~. ~~- Inspectionof Table 15 revealsthat Unlogged Dry foresthad the highest.number of detections, 01 ~ followedby UnloggedMoist,LoggedMoist,LoggedDryforestand then Rainforest. ~ k--

. V. ~ Table 15. Total numbersof arborealmarsupials observed in all BroadForest Strata. ~

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~lots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 9 8 5 3 b 2 11 9 2 3 2 a 3 6 14 5 2 b 4 8 14 4 5 3 a 2 8 14 3 1 b 3 7 4 1 2 4 a 1 3 14 15 3 b 2 3 11 13 5 Total 17 55 88 48 24

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice.

Results from both the generalsurveyandthe plot-based surveyphase indicatedthat there were differencesbetweenBroadForest Stratain the numberof arboreal marsupials and the speciesrichness of arborealmarsupials. Analyses wereperformed on the entiredata set collectedduring the detailed surveyphase, and on subsetsof this data. Resultswere generally consistent, in tennsofboth populationdensity and speciesrichness, that Unlogged Dry foresttypeshad thehighestnumbers of arborealmarsupials, andRainforestthe lowest. Ranking withinthe other BroadForest Stratawas variable.

(i) Unloggedforest One-wayAnalysisof Variance revealed a significant difference (Table 16)betweenthe countsof all arborealmarsupials recorded betweendifferent(Unlogged) BroadForestTypes (F=20.26 d.f.=2,21 P

Forest Resources Series No. 16 . Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and 'Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region -42 -

Table 16. Mean counts ofarboreal mammals in Unlogged Broad Forest Types.

Broad Forest Types (Unlogged) Rainforest Moist Forest Dry Forest

Mean count* 2.1 6.9 11.0

Mean rank.* 5.1 13.4 19.1

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

Rainforest plots supported the lowest number ofarboreal marsupials, with Unlogged Moist forest supporting (on average) three times as many individuals, and Unlogged Dry forest two times as many again (on average). This may be due to high numbers ofYellow-bellied Gliders and Sugar Gliders detected on some ofthe Unlogged Dry forest plots. Most ofthese detections were by call, and came from a considerable distance away from thetransect lines, thus inflating the numbers of animals recorded. The following section, which deals with population density of a known area, addresses this problem.

(ii) All BroadForest Strata

A One-way Analysis ofVariance revealed a significant difference (Table 17) in thetotal number ofall arboreal marsupials between Broad Forest Strata (F=9.54 d.f.=4,35 P

Table 17. Mean counts ofarboreal mammals in all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Rainforest Logged Logged Unlogged Unlogged Dry Moist Moist Dry

Mean count* 2.1 3.0 6.0 6.9 11.0

#: Mean rank. 9.4 13.6 20.9 25.6 33.0

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wal~s Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora.and FaunaSurvey, Mt.Royal -43 - Management Area. Newcastle Region

Unlogged Dry forest clearly supports thehighest numbers ofarboreal marsupials (as determined by spotlighting). The number ofindividuals is significantly higher than that found on Rainforest, and Logged Dry forest plots, however not significantly higher than numbers found on Logged Moist and Unlogged Moist forest plots.

(iii) Logging effects

A Two-way Analysis ofVariance indicated that there was a significant effect for logging (F=10.05 d.f.=1,28 P=O.OOl) but not for forest moisture (F=2.53 d.f.=1,28 P=O.657) when both were factors were included in the model. There was also a significant interaction between these two factors (F=8.06 d.f.=1,28 P=0.OO8), due primarily to the large numbers ofindividuals recorded on Unlogged Dry forest plots (see Table 15).

This suggests that Management History is a more important influence on the total numbers ofarboreal marsupials found than forest moisture levels. Unlogged forest sites have the highest numbers of large arboreal mammals, irrespective ofBroad Forest Type (for Hardwood forests). This is an artifact ofthe apparent reduction in the number ofdetected animals in Logged Dry forest as compared to Unlogged Dry forest. As in the analysis for other strata, the high level ofdetectability ofPetaurus gliders in Dry forest habitats is likely to have biased the results.

(b) Population density ofall arborealmarsupials

Estimates ofpopulation density ofall arboreal mammals observed on spotlighting transects are presented in Table 18.

Table 18. Population density ofarboreal marsupials observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~lots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 6 0 2 2 b 2 ·3 3 0 1 2 a 3 3 5 2 2 b 0 3 4 1 1 3 a 2 6 8 3 0 b 2 4 3 1 1 4 a 0 1 3 2 2 b 2 0 0 9 0 Total 11 26 26 20 9

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the number of all arboreal marsupials counted on a transect 40 m wide by 500 m long (20 m each side of the transect line).

Porest.Resources-Series.No. 16 Forestry'Commission'ofNew .South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -44 -

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysisof Variancerevealedno significant difference in the population densityof arboreal marsupials (as measured by spotlighting) betweenBroadForestTypes (F=2.22 d.f.=2,21 P=O.l34). A non-parametric analysis (Krqskal-Wallis ANOVA) alsorevealed no significant 2 difference betweenBroadForestTypes

Unlogged Dry forest supported (on average) themost arboreal marsupials, whileRainforestsupported the least (fable 19). Although meanvaluesarehigherfor Moist and Dry forestsites,variability within sites is suchthat BroadForestTypedoesnot appearto be influencing total arborealmammal density.

Table 19. Meanvaluesfor population densities of arborealmarsupials in Unlogged forest.

Broad Forest Types (Unlogged) Rainforest Dry Forest Moist Forest

Mean count* 1.4 3.3 3.3

Meanrank# 7.9 14.6 15.0

* Lines indicategroupmeansnot significantly differentat the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-wayAnalysisof Variance.

(ii) AllBroadForest Strata

A One-way Analysisof Variance revealedno significant difference betweenBroadForest Strata (F=1.93 d.f.=4,35 P=O.127). This result shouldbe interpreted cautiously howeveras one of the conditions for the test (homogeneity of variances) was not met. A non-parametric analysis (Kroskal­ Wallis ANOVA)howeveralso revealed no significant difference betweenBroadForest Strata 2=8.58 (X n=40 P=O.0724), as did ANOVA withlog-transformed data (F=1.54 d.f.=4,35 P=0.2ll).

Although meanvalues arehigherfor Unlogged Moist andDry forest sites (fable 20), variability withinsitesis suchthat BroadForestType doesnot appearto be influencing total arboreal mammal density. Inspectionofthe Kroskal-Wallis ranking reveals two groupsof values. Loggedplots and Rainforest had low ranks (13-20)whilethe Unlogged forestplotshad high ranks (26-27).

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and.Fanna Surv~y,Mt. Royal -45 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 20. Meanvaluesfor population densities of arboreal marsupials in. all BroadForestStrata.

Broad Forest Strata Logged Rainforest Logged Unlogged Unlogged Dry Moist Dry Moist

Meancount* 1.1 1.4 2.5 3.2 3.3

Meanrank# 13.6 15.8 20.1 26.0 26.9

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). 1# Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVarimce.

(iii) Logging effects

A Two-wayanalysis of variance indicated thatneitherManagement History(F=16.53 d.f.=1,29 P=O.076) or forestmoisture (F=3.78 d.f.=1,29 P=O.386) would seemto be influencing arboreal mammaldensity. Considering the eucalypt foresthabitatalone,the relatively highnumbers of arborealmarsupials in all BroadForestStratadid not allowthe modelto separate maineffects at the a--Q.05 level. However, loggingeffectsweresignificant at the a=O.llevel (P=O.076). This indicates that thereis someinteraction betweenlogginghistoryandthe distribution of arboreal marsupials, with Unlogged plots (on average) having higherpopulation densities.

(c) Species richnessofall arborealmarsupials

Estimates of speciesrichness of all arboreal mammals observed on spotlighting transects arepresented in Table 21.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew SouthWales Flora and Fauna Survey,Mt. Royal ManagementArea, NewcastleRegion -46 -

Table 21. Species richness of arboreal marsupials observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 4 1 1 2 b 2 2 3 2 3 2 a 2 2 4 2 1 b 2 2 2 1 3 3 a 1 3 4 1 1 b 2 3 2 1 2 4 a 1 2 4 3 3 b 1 1 4 3 1 Total 11 19 24 14 16 Mean 1.4 2.4 3.0 ' 1.8 2.0

* Plots are the 1-4 replicateswithin each class variable. # Countsare the two repetitionswithin each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are total number of species recordedon each transect.

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysis ofVariance revealed a significant difference in species richness ofall arboreal mammals between Broad Forest Types (F=5.72d.f.=2,21 P=O.Ol04). A non-parametric analysis 2 (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) also revealed a significant difference (x =7.79 n=24 P=O.0203), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=5.22d.f 2,21 P=0.015). Dearly Rainforest supports the lowest numbers ofarboreal mammal species and Dry forest the highest, with Moist forest occupying an intermediate position (Table 22).

Table 22. Mean values for species richness ofarboreal marsupials in Unlogged forest.

Broad Forest Type (Unlogged) Rainforest Moist Forest Dry Forest

Mean count* 1.4 2.4 3.0

Meanrank# 7.4 13.5 16.6

* Lines indicate groupmeansnot significantlydifferent at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-WallisOne-wayAnalysis of Variance.

ForestryCommissionof New South Wales Forest ResourcesSeriesNo. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -47 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

(ii) AllBroad Forest Strata

A One-way Analysis of Variance revealed a significant difference betweenBroadForestStrata (F=3.46 d.f.=4,35 P=O.0175). A non-parametric analysis (Kruskal-WallisANOVA) also revealed a significantdifference ('l=9.62 n=40P=0.0473), as did ANOVA usinglog-transformed data (F=3.02 d.f.=4,35 P=O.031).

Rainforest againsupports thelowestnumber of species, and whileMoistand Dryforestsitesare more speciesrich,variability withinsitesindicates that neitherBroadForestType norManagement History clearlyinfluences arborealmammal species richness in Hardwood forest. Unlogged Dry forestwas the most distinctive treatment, supporting higherspecies numbers than any of the otherplots (see Table 23).

Table 23. Meanvaluesfor species richness of arboreal marsupials in Unlogged forest.

Broad Forest Strata Rainforest Logged Logged Unlogged Unlogged Moist Dry Moist Dry

Mean count* 1.4 1.8 2.0 2.4 3.0

# Mean rank. 13.2 16.8 19.8 23.8 29.0

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

(iii) Logging effects

Whenonly Hardwood forestis considered, is it apparent that Unlogged sites supporta higherspecies richness whereas forestmoisture is not an important factor(logging: F=3.54 d.f.=1,29 P=0.026, moisture: F=1.61 d.f.=1,29 P=O.215). Thislendssupport to the general trendsindicated in the preceding one factormodels.

(d) Total counts ofGreater Gliders

The total countsof GreaterGliders as observed on spotlighting transects arepresented in Table24.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region -48 -

Table 24. Total counts ofGreater Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots :# Moist Dry Moist Dry . Plot Count

1 a 0 5 8 5 ·2 b 0 7 7 1 1 2 a 0 5 6 4 2 b 0 7 8 4 3 3 a 0 6 3 3 1 b 0 6 2 1 1 4 a 0 2 2 10 2 b 0 3 2 14 0 Total 0 41 38 42 12

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. 1# Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice.

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysis ofVariance revealed a significant difference in the total count ofGreater Gliders between Broad Forest Types (F=17.95 d.f.=2,21 P<0.OO1). This result should be interpreted cautiously however as one ofthe conditions for the test (homogeneity ofvariances) was not met A non-parametric analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) however also revealed a significant difference 2=16.1O (X n=24 P=O~OOO3), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=60.21 d.f.=2,21 P

Itis clear from this result that Rainforest sites are not preferred habitat for Greater Gliders. Unlogged Moist and Dry forests would appear to support equivalent numbers ofthis species (see Table 25).

Table 25. Total counts ofGreater Gliders in Unlogged forest. Comparison ofmean values.

Broad Forest Type (Unlogged) Rainforest Dry Forest Moist Forest

Mean count* 0.0 4.8 5.1

Meanrank# 4.5 16.4 16.6

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). 1# Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest.Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -49- Management Area, Newcastle Region

(ii) AllBroad Forest Strata

A One-wayAnalysisof Variance(ANOVA) revealed a significant difference betweenBroadForest Strata (F=7.24 d.f.=4,35P=O.OOO2). This result shouldbe interpreted cautiouslyhoweveras one of the conditionsfor the test (homogeneity of variances) was not met A non-parametric analysis 2=25.53 (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA)howeveralso revealeda significantdifference (X n=40 P

AlthoughMoist forest supportson average highernumbersof GreaterGliders,BroadForestType is not clearly a significantdeterminantof these numbers (seeTable 26). Rainforestand LoggedDry forest supportlow numbersof GreaterGliders.

Table 26. Total countsof GreaterGlidersin all BroadForest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Rainforest Logged Unlogged Unlogged Logged Dry Dry Moist Moist

Mean count* 0:0 1.5 4.8 5.1 5.3

-# Mean rank 5.0 14.8 27.4 29.2 26.1

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

(iii) Logging effects

When only Hardwood forest is considered, analysis of varianceresultsconfirmthat numbersof Greater Glidersobservedwas not relatedto eitherManagement History(F=2.28 d.f.=1,29P=0.142) or forest moisture (F=3.97 d.f.=1,29P=0.056). The probability value for this factor(P=0.056) in the model is close to a, and inspectionof the means(fable 26) indicates that Moist sites supportmore Greater Glidersthan Dryforest, irrespective of Management History.

(e) Population density ofGreaterGliders

Estimatesof populationdensityof GreaterGlidersas observed on spotlighting transectsarepresented in Table 27.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South waies Flora and Fauna Survey;Mt. Royal . Management Area,Newcastle Region - 50 -

Table 27. Population density ofGreater Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

BroadForest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 2 3 0 1 b 0 4 1 2 0 2 a 0 3 3 2 1 b 0 2 3 3 2 3 a 0 4 2 1 1 b 0 4 3 3 0 4 a 0 1 0 2 0 b 0 0 2 9 2 Total 0 20 17 22 7

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the number ofGreater Gliders counted on a transect 40 m wide by 500 m long (20 m each side of the transect line).

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysis ofVariance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference in the population density ofGreater Gliders between Broad Forest Types (F=12.28 d.f.=2,21 P=0.OO(3). A non-parametric analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) also revealed a significant difference (X2=13.08 n=24 P=0.OO14), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=17.28 d.f.=2,21 P<0.OO(1). While Greater Gliders were absent from Rainforest sites, their densities were not significantly different on Unlogged Moist and Dry forest sites (Table 28).

Table 28. Population density ofGreater Gliders in Unlogged forest.

Broad Forest Type (Unlogged) Rainforest Dry Moist

Mean count* 0.0 2.1 2.5

# Mean rank 5.5 15.3 16.8

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 51- Management Area. Newcastle Region

(ii) All Broad Forest Strata

A One-way Analysis of Variance revealed a significant difference in population densityof Greater GlidersbetweenBroadForestStrata (F=4.72 d.f.=4,35 P=O.OO37). This resultshouldbe interpreted cautiously howeveras one of the conditions for thetest (homogeneity ofvariances) was not met A non-parametric analysis(Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) howeveralsorevealed a significant difference 2

A comparison of plot means revealed a similarpatternto the totalcountdatadiscussed in the previous section: Moist(Logged andUnlogged) forestsupported thegreatestnumbers of GreaterGliders, respectively, followed by Dryforestsites,whileRainforest wasunproductive (seeTable 29). These differences, however, were not significant This resultextends theprevious conclusion to showthat GreaterGlidersdensities are not significantly different on bothLoggedand Unlogged MoistandDry forest sites. .

Table 29. Population densities of GreaterGliders in all BroadForestStrata.

Broad Forest Strata Rainforest Logged Unlogged Unlogged Logged Dry Dry Moist Moist

Mean count* 0.0 0.9 2.1 2.5 2.8

# Mean rank 7.5 15.6 25.9 27.8 25.8

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

(iii) Logging effects

The two way modelthat considers Management Historyand forestmoisture revealed no significant effectsof eitheron population density of GreaterGliders (history: F=0.676 d.f.=1,29 P=0,418, moisture: F=3,424 d.f.=1,29 P=0.074). Although GreaterGliderdensities wereon average slightly higheron Moistforest sites,Management History and forestmoisture do not significantly influence animaldensities in Hardwood forest The effectof forestmoisture wasmorepronounced than Management History.

if) Total counts ofall Petaurus species

Total countsof all Petaurus species(SugarandYellow-bellied Gliders) as observed on spotlighting transectsarepresented in Table30.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales fjora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 52 -

Table 30. Total count ofPetaurusspecies observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged l!nlogged, Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Mois~ Dry Plot Count

'1 a 0 2 0 0 0 b 1 3 1 1 1', 2 a 0 1 5 1 O· b 0 1 4 0 1 3 a 0 1 7 0 0 b 2 0 2 0 0 4 a 0 0 9 4 2 b 0 0 6 1 2 Total 3 8 34 7 6

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts 'are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the total number of Sugar Gliders and Yellow-bellied Gliders counted on each plot.

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysis ofVariance revealed a significant difference in the numbers ofindividuals of Petaurus species between Broad Forest Types (F=9.16 d.f.=2,21 P=0.OO14). This result should be interpreted cautiously however as one ofthe conditions for the test (homogeneity ofvariances) was not met. A non-~arametric analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) however also'revealed asigniricant difference (X =9.56 n=24 P=0.OO84), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=:=8.72 d.f.=2,21 P=0.OO17). There were a significantly higher number ofPetaurus species on Unlogged Dry forest sites (fable 31). This would appear to be due to the very high number of Yellow-bellied Gliders on one site (see Table 34).

Table 31. Total counts of all Petaurus species inUnlogged forest as observed on spotlighting transects.

Broad ForestType (Unlogged) . Rainforest Moist Dry

Mean count* 0.4 1.0 4.3

:# Mean rank 7.9 11.4 . 18.2

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -53 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

(ii) AllBroad Forest Strata

A One-way Analysis ofVariance revealed a significant difference in the number ofindividuals of Petaurus species between Broad Forest Strata (F=7.17 d.f.=4,35 P=0.OO(2). This result should be interpreted cautiously however as one ofthe conditions for the test (homogeneity of variances) was not ~et. A non-~arametric analysis (Kruskal-~allis ANOV~) however also revealed a significant difference (X =11.75 n=40 P=O.0193), as did ANOVA usmg log-transformed data (F=5.32 d.f.=4,35 P=0.OO19). Itis clear that Unlogged Dry forest sites support higher numbers of individuals of Petaurus species (Table 32), however this would appear to be due specifically to the greater number of Yellow-bellied Gliders on these sites.

Table 32. Total counts ofall Petaurus species in all Broad Forest Strata as observed on spotlighting transects.

Broad Forest Strata Rainforest Logged Logged Unlogged Unlogged Dry Moist Moist Dry

Mean count* 0.4 0.8 0.9 1.0 4.3

# Mean rank 13.9 18.4 18.0 20.5 31.7

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

(iii) Logging effects

The numbers ofindividuals ofPetaurus species vary significantly between sites with different Management History (F=7.84d.f.=1,28 F=O.OO9) and forest moisture (F=5.83 d.f.=1,28 P=0.023). There is also a significant interaction between these two effects (F=6.80 d.f.=1,28 P=0.014). These results are seen primarily to be an artifact ofthe large number ofindividuals on a number ofplots established on Unlogged Dry forest sites (see Table 30).

(g) Population density ofall Petaurus species

This data, which is not sufficient for analysis, is presented in Table 33 to give an over-view ofthe actual population density ofPetaurus species occurring in these Broad Forest Strata. Population density was very low on most plots. The total count data reflects the wide area that can be sampled for these species, due to their loud and persistent calling behaviour.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area,Newcastle Region - 54 -

Table 33. Population density estimates of Petaurus species observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 1 1 0 0 0 2 a 0 1 0 0 0 b 0 0 1 0 0 3 a 0 1 4 0 0 b 1 0 1 0 0 4 a 0 0 0 0 1 b 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 3 6 0 1

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # C01.Ults are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the total number of Sugar Gliders and Yellow-bellied Gliders counted on the 40 m x 500 m transect

(h) Total counts o/Yellow-bellied Gliders

Total counts ofall Yellow-bellied Gliders as observed on spotlighting transects are presented in Table 34. '

Table 34. Total counts of Yellow-bellied Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~lots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 1 0 0 0 b 0 2 0 1 1 2 a 0 1 5 1 0 b 0 1 4 0 0 3 a 0 1 5 0 0 b 0 0 2 0 0 4 a 0 0 8 2 0 b 0 0 5 1 2 Total 0 6 29 5 3

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the total number of Yellow-bellied gliders counted on each plot

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 55- Management Area, Newcastle Region

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysis of Variance revealed a significant difference in the numbers ofindividual Yellow-bellied Gliders observed in different Broad Forest Types (F=lO.72 d.f.=2,21 P=O.OOO6). This result should be interpreted cautiously as one ofthe conditions for the test (homogeneity ofvariances) was not met. A non-parametric analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) however also revealed a 2 significant difference (X =11.21 n=24 P=0.OO37), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=11.23 d.f.=2,21 P=0.OO(5). Itis apparent that while no Yellow-bellied Gliders were observed on Rainforest sites, considerably higher numbers were recorded on Unlogged Dry forest sites than Unlogged Moist forest sites (Table 35).

Table 35. Total count ofYellow-bellied Gliders on Unlogged forest sites.

Broad Forest Type (Unlogged) Rainforest Moist forest Dry forest

Mean count* 0.0 0.8 3.6

# Mean rank 7.0 12.7 17.8

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

(ii) All Broad Forest Strata

A One-way Analysis ofVariance revealed a significant difference in numbers of Yellow-bellied Gliders recorded between different Broad Forest Strata (F=9.09 d.f.=4,35 P

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area,Newcastle Region -56 -

Table 36. Numbers ofYellow-bellied Gliders in all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Rainforest Logged Logged Unlogged Unlogged Dry Moist Moist Dry

Mean count* 0.0 0.4 0.6 0.8 3.6

# Mean rank 12.0 16.6 20.5 22.4 30.9

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis ofVariance.

(iii) Logging effects

Both Management History and forest moisture influence the numbers ofYellow-bellied Gliders observed (history: F=9.80 d.f.=I,28 P=O.OO4, moisture: F=5.93 d.f.=1,28 P=0.022). There was significant interaction between these factors (F=8.39 d.f.=1,28 P=0.OO7). Specifically, the results showed that higher numbers were recorded on Unlogged Dry forest plots (Table 34).

(i) Koalas

A total ofsix Koalas were recorded during the plot-based survey phase ofthe census procedure, three each in Unlogged Moist andDry Hardwood forest (Table 37). Three other Koalas were recorded during field investigations, all in Logged Dry forests. Two were in the Logged portion ofthe Davis Creek catchment, anda third was recorded near Cassel's Road in the Fal Brook catchment. Numbers recorded were insufficient for statistical analysis.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 57- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 37. Total numbersof Koalas observed in all BroadForestStrata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 2 0 0 0 b 0 0 1 0 0 2 a 0 0 2 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 0 3 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 0 1 0 0 0 4 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 3 3 0 0

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the total number ofKoalas recorded during the formal census procedure.

(j) Ringtailand BrushtailPossums

Numbers of Ringtailand Brushtail Possums wereinsufficient to permitstatistical analysis, however a numberof conclusions can be drawnfrom inspection of observation records.

Brushtail Possums were recorded in allBroadForestStrata. The records in Table38 are from the detailed surveyphase of the census procedure. During the general survey, this species was found to be abundant in partsof theDavisCreekcatchment andin partially cleared areas of privateproperty and Loggedforest along Cassel's Roadin Fal Brookcatchment.

ForestResources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area,Newcastle Region - 58 -

Table 38. Total numbers of Common Brushtail Possums observed in all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 0 2 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 1 3 a 0 1 0 0 0 b 0 1 0 0 1 4 a 0 0 4 0 0 b 2 0 1 0 0 Total 2 2 5 0 2

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice.

The Mountain Brushtail Possum was restricted to Rainforest within the study area. Within this habitat, it was relatively common (Table 39).

Table 39. Total numbers of Mountain Brushtail Possums observed in all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~ots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 0 2 a 2 0 0 0 0 b 2 0 0 0 0 3 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 1 0 0 0 0 4 a 0 0 0 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 0 Total 5 0 0 0 0

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series.No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 59- Management Area. Newcastle Region

The RingtailPossumwas mostcommon in Rainforest, but alsooccurred in Hardwood forests wereits numberswere relatively low (Table 40).

Table 40. Totalnumbersof Ringtail Possums observed-in all BroadForestStrata.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~lots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 0 0 0 1 b 1 0 0 0 1 2 a 1 0 0 0 0 b 2 0 0 0 0 3 a 2 0 1 0 0 b 0 0 0 1 0 4 a 1 0 0 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 0 Total 7 0 1 1 2

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice.

3. Small Arboreal Mammal Survey

Four speciesof smallmammal thatmakesubstantial or partialuse of foresttrees weredetected during this survey(Brush-tailed Phascogale, BrownAntechinus, SugarGlider, andBushRat). One additional species(Fawn-footed Melomys) has beenreported for the area(see Appendix 5) but wasnot caughtin its preferredhabitat(Rainforest) during this study. Noneof thesespecies arelisted in Schedule 12 of the NationalParks and Wildlife Act (1974) as endangered in NewSouthWales.

Three speciesof small arboreal mammal weredetected during the tree trapping program (Brown Antechinus, SugarGlider, BushRat), andthe Brush-tailed Phascogale and SugarGliderwereobserved duringspotlighting. Two SugarGliders weretrapped on trees(plots IIM and 14D) andwere recorded 15times duringspotlighting (seeTable41). Although SugarGliders werecaughtand/orobserved in all BroadForestStrata,numbers aretoolow for meaningful analysis. Similarly, data for BushRats (five individuals) and Brush-tailed Phascogales (onesighting) cannotbe interpreted in thisstudy.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 60 -

Table 41. Total numbers ofSugar Gliders observed in all Broad Forest Strata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~lo~s # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

1 a 0 1 0 0 0 b 1 0 1 0 0 2 a 0 0 1 0 0 b 0 0 0 0 1 3 a 0 0 2 0 0 b 2 0 0 0 0 4 a 0 0 1 2 2 b 0 0 1 0 0 Total 3 1 6 2 3

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are all Sugar Gliders recorded in Forest Types sampled by spotlighting.

Over the four day sampling period (760 trap nights), a total of 89 individuals ofthe Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartiiwere caught in tree traps (99 captures, 13% capture rate). The data are presented in Table 42 and the results of statistical analysis presented below.

Table 42. Total numbers ofthe Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartiitrapped in all Broad + Forest Strata .

Broad Forest Strata SurvW Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged plots Moist Dry Moist Dry

1 6 2 8 8 2 2 11 7 2 2 4 3 4 3 10 0 4 4 6 0 7 3 • Total 27 12 27 13 10 Numbers per 0.68 0.30 0.68 0.33 0.33 trap night

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable. + Data are numbers ofAniechinus stuartii caught over four days at each site. • Plot not sampled.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 61- Management Area. Newcastle Region

(i) Unloggedforest

A One-way Analysis ofVariance (ANOVA) revealed no significant difference in the numbers of Antechinus stuartiibetween Broad Forest Types (F=1.93 d.f.=2,9 P=0.201). A non-parametric analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) also revealed no significant difference (·i=2.95 n=12 P=0.228), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=2.27 d.f.=2,9 P=0.159). It is apparent therefore that there is no significant difference in the numbers ofAntechinus stuartiicaught in different types ofUnlogged forest (Table 43).

Table 43. Mean numbers ofthe Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartiitrapped on Unlogged plots.

Broad Forest Type (Unlogged) Moist forest Dry forest Rainforest

Mean count* 3.0 6.8 6.8

# Mean rank 4.0 8.0 7.5

... Lines indicate.group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple RangeTest - Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

(ii) All BroadForest Strata

A One-way Analysis ofVariance (ANOVA) revealed no significant difference in the numbers of Antechinus stuartiibetween Broad Forest Strata (F=1.66 d.f.=4,14 P=0.215). A non-parametric 2=5.32 analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) also revealed no significant difference (X n=19 P=0.256), as did ANOVA using log-transformed data (F=1.50 d.f.=4,14 P=0.255).

Itis therefore apparent from an inspection ofmean values for each plot (Table 44) that the largest numbers ofAntechinus stuartiiwere caught in Rainforest and Unlogged Dry forest sites. High variability in capture rate however meant that these results were not statistically different from other plots.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region - 62 -

Table 44. Numbers ofAntechinus stuartii caught in tree traps across all Broad Forest Strata.

Broad Forest Strata Unlogged Logged Logged Unlogged Rainforest Moist Moist Dry Dry

Mean count * 3.0 3.2 3.3 6.8 6.8

:# Mean rank 7.0 7.5 8.2 13.4 13.5

* Lines indicate group means not significantly different at the 0.05 level (Multiple Range Test ­ Scheffe's Procedure). # Kruskal-Wallis One-way Analysis of Variance.

(iii) Logging effects

A Two way Analysis ofVariance procedure was employed to separate effects ofManagement History and forest moisture in Hardwood habitats. Neither factor was significant (history: F=0.84 d.f.=1,12 P=0.378; moisture: F=l.71 d.f.=1,12 P=0.216) in determining the number ofAntechinus stuartiiper habitat.

It is apparent therefore that there is no significant difference in the numbers ofAntechinus stuartii caught in forests with different management histories or moisture levels.

4. Large Terrestrial Mammal Survey

(a) Macropods

Eight species ofMacropod (Red-necked Pademelon, Parma Wallaby, Red-necked Wallaby, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Common Wallaroo, Swamp Wallaby, Long-nosed Potoroo and Rufous Bettong) were detected during the survey (see Appendix 5). Ofthese, the Parma Wallaby is listed as "vulnerable and rare" in Schedule 12 ofthe National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Macropods were recorded during spotlight surveys, night and day-time travel and the general road survey for arboreal marsupials. Small to medium sized macropods were ubiquitous and abundant throughout the study area. The two large species to be expected in the area, the Eastern Gray Kangaroo and the Wallaroo, were recorded, but not commonly. The Red-necked Wallaby and the Red-necked Pademelon were extremely abundant, with the former species predominating in forests with open grassy understorey, and the latter most common in Moist Hardwood and Rainforest.

The Parma Wallaby was recorded once (T. Brassil, M. Rowlands, J. Shields). A single individual hopped onto the road-way at the junction ofCassel's and Young's Roads during a road spotlight transect. It remained on the road for 10 minutes, and was positively identified by facial markings, hip stripe, size and bilateral colour pattern. It was in heavily Logged Moist Hardwood forest.

The Long-nosed Potoroo was recorded once 0. Shields, R. Webster). A single female was observed with a young at foot on Cedar Road in Logged Moist Hardwood forest. The young animal, about half the size ofits mother, entered the pouch during observation.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No..16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region

The Rufous Bettongwas observed onceduringthe courseof the study(D. Binns). A singleindividual was observedin Moist Hardwood forestwithheavyregrowth ofAcacia afterlogging.

(b) Other native mammals

Five additional mid-sizednativemammals havebeen reported from the Mt. Royal area (Echidna, Spotted-tail Quoll,NorthernBrownBandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot and Common Wombat) (see Appendix5). None of these are regarded as rareor endangered in New SouthWales. One Spotted-tail Quoll was caughtin a cage trap in Fal Brookcatchment (plot ID) howeverthey werecommonly heard vocalisingat night duringspotlighting transects. A pair of Quollswas resident near the surveybase camp and were observedregularly throughout the study. Bothanimals were seen in andaround the kitchenarea. Wombats wereuncommon in the area,withseats andburrows evidentin loggedareasof the CarrowBrookcatchment.

The Long-nosed Bandicoot was common throughout the studyarea, andwas recorded in all Broad ForestTypes duringthe detailedsurvey phaseof the study(fable 45). LoggedMoist foresthad the fewest records,but the otherhabitatshad similarnumbers of Long-nosed Bandicoots.

Table 45. Total numbers of Long-nosed Bandicoots observed in all BroadForestStrata+.

Broad Forest Strata Survey Rainforest Unlogged Unlogged Logged Logged ~lots # Moist Dry Moist Dry Plot Count

I a o I I o o b o o o o I 2 a o o o o I b o I o o o 3 a I 2 o o 2 b o o o I I 4 a 4 I 3 o I b o 2 3 I 2 Total 5 7 7 2 8

* Plots are the 1-4 replicates within each class variable # Counts are the two repetitions within each replicate - each plot was counted twice. + Data are the total number of Long-nosed Bandicoots on the study plots.

(c) Introduced mammals

Six speciesof introduced mammals (rabbit, dog, fox, cat,horse,cow andpig) are knownfromthe study area (see Appendix 5). Feralhorse andcattleare widespread throughthe area and have caused considerable trampling of groundvegetation andotherhabitatdamage (seeFlora section). Rabbits were commonin open forest adjacent to pasture, dog tracksand seatswerefound alongroadsnear habitationandone feral cat was trapped on a Rainforest plot (3R). Foxes wereoccasionally seen in Dry Hardwood forestareashoweverno evidence of pigs was detected in this survey.

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5. Small Terrestrial Mammal Survey

Eight small terrestrial mammals have been reported from the Mt. Royal area (Brown Antechinus, Dusky Antechinus, Common Dunnart, Bush Rat, Fawn-footed Melomys, Swamp Rat, House Mouse, WaterRat and Hastings RiverMouse - see Appendix 5). The Hastings River Mouse Pseudomys oralis is regarded as very rare and endangered in New South Wales.

Except for the Hastings RiverMouse, only the Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartii was deliberately investigated in this survey, primarily because of its use oftree habitats for shelter. Results for this . species have been described previously. Habitat in the area is largely unsuitable for the Common Dunnart and Dusky Antechinus, and the Swamp Rat and WaterRat use habitats which are not directly affected by logging operations.

A number ofinvestigators have conducted surveys for the Hastings River Mouse Pseudomys oralis in the Mt. Royal Management Area (see Dickman and McKechnie, 1985; Read 1988, 1989) anda general conclusion would seem to be that this species prefers moist areas near streams with dense ground vegetation (King, 1984). This survey trapped one individual (sexually mature female) in logged forest in the Fal Brook catchment (plot PI). Previous researchers had also trapped animals in this area. There is growing evidence that the distribution ofthe species is more widespread in New South Wales than previously thought (David Read, pers. comm.).

6. Bat Survey

A search of records from the Australian Museum revealed that 11 species ofbat had previously been recorded from the general area (see Appendix 6), but only one species (Vespadelus regulus) from Mt. Royal State Forest. Hines (1990) reported two species (Vespadelus regulus and V. darlingtoni from a limited survey ofthe Davis Creek section ofMt. Royal State Forest An extensive survey ofthe Gloucester and Dungog Forestry Districts and surrounding area (ofwhich Mt. Royal formed a component), has recorded a total of20 bat species (see Appendix 6 and Richards, in prep.).

Nine individuals from four bat species were recorded during the "plot-based" component ofthis survey (fable 46). These were Gould's Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus gouldi, the King River Bat Vespadelus regulus, the Large Forest Bat Vespadelus darlingtoni, and the Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus morio. An additional four species were recorded at the inventory site at "Tuglo": Gould's Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii, the Tasmanian Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis, the Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geojJroyi, the Eastern Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax orion, and the Small Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus.

Within the Management Area, one species was trapped on each Logged and Unlogged Dry forest plot surveyed, and four species in Unlogged Rainforest. No species were trapped in Moist forest, and no species were detected by electronic means. Sample sizes are too small to comment on habitat preferences or the impact ofpast management practices.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. is Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 65- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Table 46. Bat species recorded during surveys ofthe Mt. Royal State Forest.

Plot Habitat Bat species caught*

12D Dry forest (Unlogged) Nyctophilus gouldi (1) 2D Dry forest (Logged) Vespadelus regulus (1)

IM Moist forest (Logged) nil 12M Moist forest (Unlogged) nil

1R Rainforest Chalinolobus morio (3) Nyctophilus gouldi (1) Vespadelus darlingtoni (1) Vespadelus regulus (2)

* No species were detected by electronic means.

7. Reptile and Amphibian Survey

(a) Reptiles

Australian Museum records indicate that 49 species ofreptile are known from the general area surrounding Barrington Tops and Mt. Royal (Appendix 8). However, many ofthese require habitats which are not found within the Management Area. Ofthe 49 species, the Carpet/Diamond Python is listed as "ofspecial concern" and the Southern Angle-headed Dragon as "threatened" on Schedule 12 ofthe National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Thirteen species of reptiles have previously been described from the Management Area (see Appendix 7). This survey recorded 12, of which six were new records, bringing the new total to 20 species. During this survey, two dragon, six skink, and four snake species were recorded. Numbers of individuals recorded were insufficient for statistical analysis.

One Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus was collected on a Logged Dry forest plot in the Carrow Brook catchment, and several Eastern Water Dragons Physignathus lesuerii were observed adjacent to creek lines in Logged Moist forest in the Fal Brook catchment and Unlogged Moist forest in the Davis Creek catchment.

One Land Mullet Egernia major was captured in a cage trap in Logged Moist forest (with adjacent Rainforest), and one Tree Skink Egernia striolata was captured in a pitfall trap on a Logged Moist forest plot in the Carrow Brook catchment. Lampropholis challengeri was captured during plot searches in Rainforest and Logged Moist forest plots in the Carrow Brook catchment. The Grass Skink Lampropholis delicata was commonly observed in leaflitter in the Fal Brook and Davis Creek catchments, and the Weasel Skink Saproscincus mustelina was observed on one Rainforest plot in the Fal Brook catchment. The Eastern Water SkinkEulamprus quoyii was commonly observed in Logged and Unlogged forest plots in all catchments.

During this study, four species ofsnake were captured or otherwise positively identified. The Diamond Python Morelia spilota was observed in Logged forest plots in the Fal Brook and Carrow Brook catchments. The Eastern Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus was observed on a snigging-track in Logged Moist forest in the Carrow Brook catchment. One Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis

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porphyriacus was observed in Logged Dry forest in the Fal Brook catchment The Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textiliswas collected from a road in Logged Moist forest and observed in Rainforest in the Fal Brook catchment

(b) Amphibians

Australian Museum records indicate that 24 species offrog are known from the general area surrounding Barrington Tops and Mt Royal (Appendix 8). Many ofthese require habitats which are not found within the Management Area. Ofthese, only the Tree Frog Litoria glandulosa and Fletcher's Frog Lechriodusjletcheriare listed as protected Amphibians (Schedule 12A, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974). In addition, the Sphagnum Frog Kyarranus sphagnicolus has been reported from rainforest on the south-eastern edge ofthe Barrington plateau (Wotherspoon, 1981), and is listed as ''protected'' in New South Wales.

Six species offrogs have previously been described from the Management Area (see Appendix 7). This survey recorded two, ofwhich one was a new record, bringing the new total to seven species. None ofthese are protected in New South Wales under Schedule 12A ofthe National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. The low success rate ofthis survey was due to seasonal dormancy and the drought conditions prevalent during the study period. The Common Eastern Froglet Ranidellasignifera was collected on Logged Moist forest plots in the Fal Brook catchment and Unlogged Moist forest plots in the Davis Creek catchment. Lesuer's Frog Litorialesueriiwas collected on one Logged Moist forest plot in the Carrow Brook catchment. No frogs were heard calling during the survey period.

DISCUSSION

1. Avifauna

The avifauna ofthe Mt. Royal area is rich and diverse, and widely distributed throughout forest types and management treatments. Species and family distribution are typical ofthe mix ofEucalyptus forest and sub-tropical rainforest found in mid-altitude sub-coastal areas in temperate eastern Australia. Species typical ofhigh altitude forest ofthe adjacent Barrington Tops National Park. were not recorded, or expected, specifically the Rufous Scrub-bird and the Olive Whistler. This is in agreement with studies conducted in the National Park and adjacent areas ofprivate property (Bell, 1990; Ferrier, 1985; Hyem, 1936, 1937).

Species present here that are at thelimit oftheir distribution (Noisy Pitta, Regent Bowerbird and Pilot Bird) are common in central regions oftheir range.

(a) Population analysis

Of all the Broad Forest Types, Rainforest proved to be the most productive habitat in terms ofbird population density for both the total avian community and for a suite offorest dependent birds. This difference was significant in statistical terms (a.=0.05). In terms oftheimpact oflogging, rainforest can be considered a permanent and productive refuge for the bird population for two reasons. Firstly, rainforest logging is not a current or proposed operation in the Mt Royal Management Area. Secondly, rainforest occurs in riparian strips along creeks in this region, and these stream-side areas are protected from disturbance by soil protection legislation and the management procedures ofthe Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales.

Logged areas were found to support more birds than unlogged areas when the entire bird community was considered, and this difference was significant in statistical terms (a.=0.05). The nature of Unlogged Hardwood forest in the Mt. Royal area is an open vegetation type with a grassy understorey

ForestryCommissionof New South Wales Forest ResourcesSeries. No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 67- Management Area, Newcastle Region

(see Flora section). The disturbance created by logging promotes undergrowth ofthe shrub and regeneration layer, which provides a larger number offoraging niches and more protection from nest predation than does the open understorey of Unlogged forest. Thus, it can beexpected that more birds would occur in logged habitat with increased structural and floristic diversity. In addition, the nature ofthe logging treatment sampled added to the potential for retaining and maintaining bird populations. Logging was light in nature, and the treatments sampled demonstrated the effects of20(+) years of recovery from logging.

In considering effects oflogging on forest dependent birds, a somewhat different relationship was revealed. Again, Rainforest was the most productive habitat. This difference was significant in statistical terms, and Rainforest was demonstrated to be different from all other Broad Forest Types and treatments, which were grouped together numerically. Unlogged Dry, Unlogged Moist and Logged Moist forest had very similar population densities offorest birds within that sub-grouping. Logged Dry forest had higher population density than the preceding three Broad Forest Types. In terms ofthe impact ofcurrent logging practices, forest dependent birds should be maintained within Rainforest reserves and Logged areas.

-(b) Speciesrichness Bird species richness on both the macro (habitat) and micro (per hectare) level followed much the same pattern as population density. Rainforest was the most species rich habitat, followed by the Logged Hardwood habitats (Moist and Dry, respectively) and finally Unlogged Hardwood habitat (Moist and Dry, respectively). Unlogged Dry habitat was particularly species poor, while Logged Moist forest was very close to Rainforest in species richness (see Table 8). The floristic and structural uniformity ofUnlogged Dry habitat does not contain the resources essential to many forest birds, particularly those species that require rainforest elements or thick cover. Both ofthese resources are readily available in Logged Moist Hardwood.

These results were somewhat different than those ofa similar study (Shields et al., 1985) conducted at Mt. Boss, near Wauchope New South Wales. In that study, Moist and Dry Hardwood forest had the highest species richness when compared to three types ofrainforest. This was due to the presence of a dense rainforest understorey in the Moist Hardwood forest, which supported many rainforest species ofbirds. At Mt. Royal, theeucalypt forest types had no or little rainforest elements in the understorey, and subsequently the avifauna was limited to non-rainforest species.

(c) Speciesofspecial concern The Glossy Black Cockatoo is an obligate Casuarina feeder, obtaining most of its food resources from the seeds ofthis forest tree. A SUb-canopydominated by casuarinas is a feature ofthe Mt. Royal area, and consequently this species is wide-spread. It was recorded in all Broad Forest Types except Rainforest, and was by far the most common on Logged Dry sites. Casuarina, an invader species that fixes nitrogen in disturbed soils, is common in Logged Dry sites, and the preponderance of observations ofthe Glossy Black Cockatoo in this forest treatment is no doubt an artifact ofthe increased food resource available there.

The Glossy Black Cockatoo also requires large tree hollows for nesting. Reproduction and fecundity - investigations were beyond the scope ofthis study. Direct removal ofnest sites would be highly deleterious to the species continued survival in the Mt. Royal area in its present numbers. Forest management plans call for the retention ofhabitat trees within all logged areas, and specific plans for the retention ofknown Glossy Black Cockatoo nest sites are in effect.

The Ground ("Bassian") Thrush is a tropical migrant with a requirement for forest interior habitat. The local subspecies has been put forward by some taxonomists as a true species, but there is some doubt about the validity ofthis classification. In some areas, there may be a threat to the Ground

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey,Mt. Royal ManagementArea, NewcastleRegion - 68 -

Thrushin conservation terms due to competition fromthe introduced Blackbird. At Mt. Royal it was a common residentof rainforesthabitatand not recorded in other BroadForestTypes. It no doubt occursin Moist Hardwood forestin low numbers, but rainforest is obviously the most important habitat. The effectof loggingon Rainforest is minimalfor the proposedoperations at Mt. Royal and, ipsofacto, for the GroundThrush. Similarconditions existin the case of species such as the Rose Robin,Black-faced Monarch, and for the fruit-eating rainforest pigeons.

The Peregrine Falconrecorded by Hines (1990) is an incidental occurrence, and no population estimate, habitatrequirement, or factorof distribution can be described in the contextof the proposed operations. Itis possiblethat there are nest siteson someof the local cliff faces.

(d) Owls

Owlswererecorded in all BroadForestTypes andtreatments and in all three catchments of the Management Area. Most of the rainforest gulliesin the Area supported pairs of PowerfulOwls,at a spacing of aboutfive kilometres apartwithinthe samecatchment The distribution of the Sooty Owl probably follows much the samepatternbut, due to lack of reproductive behaviour(calling), it was not possibleto determine the exactpattern. The Masked Owl avoided Rainforest, but was recorded in all otherforested habitatsand in adjoining opencountry.

The large owls in the study area are dependent uponlarge trees for nest sites, and this factormay be affected by logging. Otherwise, their prey base shouldremainconstant, as indicated by the arboreal marsupials, andpopulations of owlswouldbe retained withinthe contextof the proposed operations, giventhat individual nest trees are not destroyed in the processof tree harvest.

2. Large Arboreal Marsupials

Largearborealmarsupials werecommonand widespread throughout the Management Area, and species richness was high. All speciesthat couldbe expected in the Area wererecorded on this study. Rainforest wasthe least productive habitatin termsof both speciesrichness and population density, although it wasthe onlyhabitatthat supported populations of MountainBrushtailPossums. It is possiblethat all methods underestimated populations of Rainforestarboreal marsupials, due to the extremely densenatureof the understorey, canopy and sub-canopy. The lack of a Eucalyptus resource is responsible for the absence of GreaterGliders from this habitat,whichin turn is responsible for the low total numbers of arboreal marsupials.

Unlogged Moist andDry foresthabitatsupports the highest,andnearly equal,populations of arboreal marsupials. The productive natureof the canopyand lack of disturbance to the canopy are possible explanations for this factor.

Loggedhabitat supported a complete suiteof species of large arborealmarsupials, but population densitywaslowerthan the corresponding Unlogged habitats. Lack of consistent canopyresources (foliage, flowers, buds, shelter)explainthis phenomena. Populations werehigh on some individual plots,indicating that high productivity sites can supportpopulations of the total arboreal marsupial community.

(a) Greater Gliders

The GreaterGliderwas the most abundant, although not the most widespread, speciesof arboreal marsupial. It did not occurin Rainforest regularly, due to the lack of a eucalyptresource. Populations werehighestin LoggedMoistforest, whichwas grouped aloneby analysis procedures as the most productive habitatfor this species. However, populations werevery similarin Unlogged Moist forest,

ForestryCommissionof New South Wales Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 ~. ~i' '. Flora and Fawl..a Survey,Mt. Royal - 69- ManagementArea, NewcastleRegion

and these two habitats are no doubtthe most importantfor theGreaterGlider. The GreaterGliderwas uncommonand in some cases totallyabsentfromLoggedDry forest. The richnessand diversityof Eucalyptus foliage is the controlling factorin the distributionof this speciesin undisturbed forest,and this is reflectedby the resultsof this study. In somecases, the shelterresource, tree hollows, may be a limiting factor, if these are totally removed. The logging operations sampledin the detailedsurvey part of the study were light andleft manyhollows, and this was apparently not a factor in distribution. Results from the general survey,whichsampledheavilyLoggedareas along Cassel's Road, found very few Greater Gliders, andthe lack of hollowsis the most likely explanation for this phenomena.

(b) Yellow-bellied Gliders

Yellow-bellied Gliders weremost commonin Unlogged Dry forest. This BroadForestType was represented in the sampleby two plots whichoccuron open,level countrywith a diversemix of Eucalyptus species. The Moistforestsites, althoughmore productive, wereless diversein terms of tree species,and this factorexplainsthe distribution of patternsobserved. The Yellow-bellied Glider requiresdiverse Eucalyptus resources for energysupplythroughout the year. The high populations and widespread nature of this speciesin Dry forestis notable.

(c) Brushtail and Ringtail Possums

The BrushtailPossum was the most widespread species,occurring in all BroadForest Types and treatments; it was abundantthroughoutthe study area. The RingtailPossum was widespread, but nowhereabundant The MountainBrushtailPossumwasconfinedto rainforest gullies. This suite of speciesshowedno apparentresponse to logging,andonly the preference of MountainBrushtail possumsfor Rainforestindicateda particularhabitatselection.

(d) Koalas

The Koala was relativelycommonin the area,but not abundantor widespread. A pair was recorded in the Davis Creek catchment, wherethey utilizedboth Loggedand Unlogged Moist forest. Another regularrecordingwas made near CedarRoad in the Fal Brookcatchment in heavilyLogged country on StateForest and adjoiningprivateproperty. Asidefromdirectdisturbance, the impactof logging was not demonstrated to be deleterious.

3. Small Arboreal Mammals

Results of a tree-mounted trappingprogram andextensivespotlighting has shownthat SugarGliders are relativelyuncommonin theMt. Royal Area. Individuals wererecorded in Rainforestandboth Moist and Dry forest. Whilethe highestnumberswererecorded in Unlogged Dry forest. animalswere also recordedin Logged forestplots. There is no evidencethat past loggingpracticeshave had a deleterious effect on sugargliderpopulations.

The Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartii is an abundant memberof the small arborealmammal fauna in the Mt. Royal area. In Unlogged forestit is equallyabundant in Rainforestand Moist and Dry forest. There was no significant difference in the numbers of individuals caughtin Logged and Unloggedplots, suggestingthat past management operations have not affected populationnumbers of this species.

Numbersof the Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes andBrush-tail Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa were too low to draw meaningfulconclusions. However, both specieswere recorded from areas that had previouslybeen logged.

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4. Large TerrestrialMammals

(a) Macropods

Oneof the main features of the environment at Mt. Royal wasthe abundance and species richness of smallandmedium-sized macropods. This resultsfrom a corresponding richness and diversity in the grazingandbrowsingresource. In particular, the Red-necked Wallabywas ableto exploitthe open grassyunderstorey of both the Moistand Dryforesttypes. InRainforest, recentlyLoggedMoist Hardwood andthe relatively uncommon areasof Moistforestwiththick understorey, the Red-necked Pademelon was extremely abundant. In thesehabitatsthe SwampWallabyalsooccurred, but at lower population levels.

For these species, a regimeof continued disturbance fromloggingand fire can be expected to maintain overallpopulation levels. Afterlogging,whenthickerregrowth replaces grassyunderstorey, the Red­ neckedWallaby, a grazer,may declineand the SwampWallaby, a browser, may increase.

The Panna Wallaby, recorded only once duringthe study, occursin Loggedforests and plantations as wellas undisturbed sites throughout its rangein north-eastern New SouthWales. Optimum habitat appears to be wet Hardwood forest with a thick,shrubby understorey associated with grassypatches (Maynes, 1977). Initialdisturbance by loggingactivity may displace someindividuals, however habitatcarryingcapacityshouldremainat similarlevelsor increase afterlogging. The samelogic and argument pertains to the Rufous Bettongand theLong-nosed Potoroo. All three specieswere recorded in heavilyloggedHardwood forestduringthis study.

Largemacropods wereuncommon in the study area,but abundant in adjoining clearedareas. Loggingandroadingmightincrease habitatcarryingcapacityfor these species.

(b) Other native mammals

The five othernativemammal species occurring in the areahaveno known requirements for unlogged habitat. Wombats are common inhabitants of disturbed agricultural land and wereonly detected in the loggedareasof the Carrow Brookcatchment The NorthernBrownBandicoot is approaching the southernlimit of its distribution at Mt. Royal andis commonand securethroughoutits range. The Long-nosed Bandicootis similarly securewithinloggedandunlogged components of its distribution. The Spotted-tail Quollis uncommon over mostof its rangebut is regarded as having "secure" status (Strahan, 1989). Recordsfor the Quollat Mt.Royal were restricted to LoggedDry Hardwood forest

(c) Introduced mammals

The introduced rabbitoccursin someareas adjacent to cleared privateproperty. Habitatcarrying capacityshoulddecrease directlyafterlogging,due to regrowth of woodyshrubs and eucalyptus saplings, and may possiblyincreaseas the forestmatures. The effect and impactof this introduced specieson nativemammals is not significant in forested areas.

Introduced carnivores may be deleterious to populations of smallmacropods and other marsupials. An activeand selective program of predatorcontrolis proposed for the Management Areato reduce this effect. The effectof loggingon populations of these animals is minimal.

Fire trails andprimitiveroadsexistin the studyarea, andhavebeen in existencesinceearly in this century. The forestis by andlarge open and easy to travelthrough. The argument that the roading processwouldallowincreased access to introduced predators is thereforenot relevant.

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Horses and cattle occurthroughout much ofthe area. Logging should, eventually, advantage these grazing species, after the first stages ofwoody regrowth vegetation are replaced by the more open understorey typical ofmature forests in the area. Numbers should be monitored, but the effect ofthese animals on native species offauna is minimal at current stocking levels. The possible effects ofhorses and cattle on swamp vegetation is discussed in the Flora section ofthis report.

5. Small TerrestrialMammals

Because ofthe great diversity ofhabitats in the Mt. Royal region, the area has a potentially rich small terrestrial mammal fauna. The Water Rat has been recorded from the region but as it requires permanent water it is not likely to be a permanent resident within the Management Area. Similarly, while the Common Dunnart Sminthopsis murinais widespread in southern Australia, habitats are marginal for this species around Mt. Royal. Low-lying swampy areas provide good habitat for the Swamp Rat while dense Rainforest vegetation along gullies is ideal habitat for the Fawn-footed Melomys. Both these species are not at risk from forestry operations due to existing Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales' policies that protect streams and their riparian vegetation.

The Hastings River Mouse Pseudomys oralisreaches the southern limit of its known distribution at Mt. Royal. Fossil evidence suggests that it was once more widely distributed in New South Wales but it is currently known from only a few isolated locations. In 1974 it was listed as in "imminent danger ofextinction" in Schedule 12 ofthe National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, however it is likely that further survey work may uncover more widespread populations. This species has been regularly caught within the Fal Brook catchment at Mt. Royal overthe past six years. Its known habitat requirements suggest that it is not at risk from forestry operations. However, there is no doubt that further investigations into the biology and requirements ofthe animal should be undertaken.

6. Bats

Four ofthe 11 bat species previously known from the region (Australian Museum records), were recorded in this survey ofthe Mt. Royal Management Area. This included the two species previously known from the Area (Hines, 1990). The species count increased to nine when data from the nearby inventory site were added, and the two other species not detected, the Flying-foxes Pteropus poliocephalus and P. scapulatus, could be expected to utilise this and other State Forests when eucalypt blossom is abundant. The single P. poliocephalus record from the Australian Museum is undated, and the P. scapulatus records do not show the month ofcollection, only the year (1937), so the time ofyear that these species may visit the area cannot be estimated.

The overall species count for the Management Area still represents a lowerthan expected result. Richards (in prep.) recorded 18 Microchiropteran (insectivorous) bats in an extensive regional survey. The most likely explanation for the low results in this survey is that the high altitudes and consequently cool and wet conditions at the time ofthe survey (April) had an adverse effect. The higher catch in Rainforest, which undoubtedly has a more stable microclimate, supports this explanation. At the same time, Richards was using the same techniques to survey bats in nearby State Forests and was achieving what can be considered a normal success rate. An additional factor is the low sampling intensity, as this bat survey did not replicate plots across Broad Forest Strata within the Management Area, but did on a larger scale.

Therefore, this survey should be regarded as a preliminary examination ofthe bat fauna. The probable effects offorestry management practices will need to be inferred from more extensive bat surveys of the adjacent Gloucester-Chichester Management Areas (Richards, inprep.), and from other large-scale surveys in similar Broad Forest Types (Richards, 1992a). In a survey ofthe Wingham Management

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Area,Richards(op. cit.) concluded that in general the bat faunawouldnot be disadvantaged in the long-term by logging,providedthat areasof Unlogged forestwere retained in reserves as refugia, or areas for breeding. No bat species recorded withinthe Management Area are currently considered to be endangered (Schedule 12,National Parks andWildlifeAct 1974). Future surveys will be required however, as part of an ongoingmonitoring strategy, in orderto clarifythestatusof bats withinthese . StateForests.

7. Reptiles and Amphibians

(a) Reptiles

Twentyspeciesof reptilehavepreviously been described fromthe Area. Although conducted in Autumn, this surveyuncovered 12species, all of whichwererepresented in Loggedforestareas. Representatives of groups requiring riparianvegetation (Eastern WaterDragon), moistvegetation (Eastern WaterSkink),rainforest vegetation (LandMullet), arboreal habitats(TreeSkink,Bearded Dragon), abundant leaflitter (Lampropholis spp.),and openforesthabitats(Tiger, Blackand Brown 1 snakes) weredetectedduringthis survey. Although the impactof management practices couldnot be ~~ quantitatively assessed with this group,it would appearthat the reptiles have not been adversely affected by past operations. The Diamond/Carpet Pythonwas observed in rockycreeklines in previously loggedforest and should be securewithinthe Management Area.

The National Parks and Wildlife Serviceexpressed their concernaboutpossibleoccurrences of the skink. Lampropholis caligula, howeverits habitatrequirements of cool-temperate forest are not met I~ withinthe Management Area (Ingram and Rawlinson, 1981). .

(b) Amphibians

Itis likelythat the primehabitatsfor frogs in the Mt. RoyalManagement Areawouldbe adjacent to the few permanent streamsand withinthe large numberof smallswampyareas. These environments would providegoodlocalisedenvironments for a numberof species, and forestry management practices are suchthat streams and accompanying riparianvegetation provide~ habitatin the region. Tree Frogs are not at risk within areas of Rainforest andthere is no evidencethat logginghas diminished habitatqualityfor otherforest dwelling species. Sevenspecies of frog havebeen described from the Area and it is likelythat this list wouldbe extended with continued surveywork. Potential Rainforesthabitatsexistfor the Sphagnum Frog withinthe Management Area, andthese are currently protectedfrom loggingoperations. Similarly, the preferredhabitatof Fletcher's Frog is Rainforest and adjacentwet sclerophyll forest, and existingmanagement strategies shouldprotect significant proportions of its potentialhabitatwithinthe Management Area. The distribution of the TreeFrog Litoria glandulosa doesnot extendsufficiently southto includeMt. RoyalStateForest (Cogger,1983).

8. Concluding Comments

Mt. RoyalStateForest consists of 7,447 hectares of native forestwith a widelyvariablelogging history. A rich and diversefauna currently occupies the areawithinthis context. Itformsthe southern end (about5%) of a much largerarea of contiguous forest (140,000 ha.), whichincludes Barrington TopsNational Park (Forestry Commission of New SouthWales, 1988). Withinthis overallecological domain, the effectsof the proposed operation on fauna are consistent withthe continued conservation of nativespecies.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -73 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are very gratefulto T. Brassil, K. Bamkin,W. Chapman, P. Murphy and R. Sergeantfor assistance with field work, to T. Brassilfor assistance with data analysis and J. Gardner for report preparation. Rick Websterfrom ARMATA Environmental Consultants and Greg Richardsfrom Applied Bat Research Australiaprovidedhigh-quality data and useful commentsduring the Fauna survey. Thanks also to staff of the CessnockDistrictForestryOfficefor their help and encouragement,and staff of the NationalHerbarium, Royal BotanicGardens,for accessto that collection andassistancewith enquiries. Dr. J. Turner, University of Newcastle,providedhelpful comments on an earlier draft ofthe Flora componentof this report.

REFERENCES

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Bell, S. 1990. Effects of the weed scotchbroom on bird communities in open forests on Barrington Tops. Hons. Thesis. University of Newcastle.

Benson, J. (1989). Establishingprioritiesfor the conservation of rare or threatenedplants and plant associationsin New South Wales. In The Conservation of ThreatenedSpecies and their Habitats. pp. 17-82. AustralianCommittee for IUCN.Canberra.

Briggs, J.O. and Leigh, J.H. (1988). Rare or ThreatenedAustralian Plants. NationalParies and Wildlife Service SpecialPublicationNo. 14. 278 pp.

Cogger, H.G. (1983). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. AH. and AW. Reed Pty. Ltd. 608 pp.

Dickman, C.R. and McKechnie, C.A (1985). A surveyof the mammalsofMt. Royal and Barrington Tops, New SouthWales. Aust. 2001. 21: 531-543.

Ferrier, S. (1985). Habitat requirements of a rare species,the Rufous Scrub-bird. In Birds of Eucalypt Forests and Woodlands: Ecology,Conservation, and Management. Keast, A, Recher, H.F., Ford, H. and Saunders,D. eds. pp. 241-248. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and Surrey Beatty and Sons. ChippingNorton.

Floyd, A.G. (1989). RainforestTrees of MainlandSouth-eastern Australia. InkataPress. Sydney. 420 pp.

Floyd, AG. (1990). AustralianRainforests in New SouthWales. Vol. 2. SurreyBeatty and Sons. Sydney. 180 pp.

Forestry Commissionof New SouthWales (1988). Management Plan for Mt. Royal Management Area.

Forestry Commissionof New SouthWales (1989). ForestTypes in New South Wales. Forestry Commission ofNewSouthWales Research NoteNo. 17.

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1990). Flora of New SouthWales. Vol. 1. New SouthWales UniversityPress. 601 pp.

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1991). Flora of New SouthWales. Vol. 2. New South Wales UniversityPress. 574 pp. Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -74 -

Hyem, E.L., (1936). Notes on the birds of"Memot", Barrington Tops, New South Wales. Part I. Emu 36: 109-127.

Hyem, E.L. (1937). Notes on the birds of"Memot", Barrington Tops, New South Wales. Part n. Emu 37: 262-272.

Ingram, G.J. and Rawlinson, P. (1981). Five new species ofskinks (genus Lampropholis) from Queensland and New South Wales. Mem. Qld.Mus. 20: 311-317.

Jacobs, S.W.L. and Lapinpuro, L. (1986). Alterations to the census ofNew South Wales plants. Telopea 2(6): 705-714.

Jacobs, S.W.L. and Pickard, J. (1981). Plants ofNew South Wales, A Census ofthe Cycads, Conifers and Angiosperms. Government Printer, Australia. 226 pp.

King, G.C. (1984). Habitat utilized by Pseudomys oralisThomas (Rodentia:Muridae). Aust. Mammalogy 7: 139-147.

Maynes, G.M. (1977). Distribution and aspects ofthe biology ofthe Parma Wallaby, Macropus parma, in New South Wales. Aust.J. Wildl. Res. 4: 109-205.

New South Wales Government (1974). National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 No. 80.

Richards, G.c. (1992a). Fauna Survey, Wingham Management Area, Port Macquarie Region. Part 5. Bats. ForestryCommission ofNew SouthWales ForestResourcesSeriesNo. 22. 46 pp.

SAS Institute Inc. (1987). SAS/STAT Guide for Personal Computers, Version 6.

Shields, J., Kavanagh, R and Rohan Jones, W. (1985). Forest avifauna ofthe upper Hastings River. In Birds ofEucalypt Forest and Woodlands: Ecology, Conservation and Management Keast, A., Recher, H.E, Ford, H. and Sanders, D. eds. Surrey Beattey and Sons. Sydney. 674 pp.

Smith, A.P. and Phillips, K. (1984). A systematic technique for census ofSugar Gliders and other small arboreal mammals. Aust. Wildl. Res. 11: 83-7.

SPSS Inc. (1988). SPSSX User's Guide. McGraw Hill, Chicago.

Strahan, R (1983). The Australian Museum Complete Book of Australian Mammals. Angus and Robertson. Sydney. 530 pp.

Strahan, R (1989). Representation ofsurvival status. In The Conservation ofThreatened Species and Their Habitats. Occasional Paper No. 2. Hicks, M. and Eiser, P. eds. pp. 109-115. Australian Committee for IUCN.

Steel, RG.D. and Torrie, J.H. (1981). Principles and Procedures ofStatistics. A Biometrical Approach. McGraw-Hill. 633 pp.

Wotherspoon, D. (1981). Note on the range ofthe Sphagnum Frog Philoriasphagnicolus. Herpetofauna 12(2) :36.

Zar, J.H. (1984) Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall. 718 pp.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey,Mt. Royal -75 - Management Area, NewcastleRegion

Unpublished Reports and Data Sources

Floyd, A.G. (1983). Rainforests ofthe Barrington Tops and Slopes (unpubl. rep.)

Hines, H. (1990). Results of a fauna survey ofthe Davis Creek section, Mt. Royal State Forest, New South Wales. Report submitted to the Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales in fulfillment of conditions ofResearch Permit No. 3646.

Read, D.G. (1988). Surveys for the Hastings River Mouse (Pseudomys oralis) in the Marengo, Hyland and Mt. Royal State Forests. Report submitted to the Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales in fulfIlment ofconditions ofResearch Permit No. 2874.

Read, D.G. (1989). Captures ofthe Hastings River Mouse (Pseudomys oralis) in the Mt. Royal State Forest, July 1989. Report submitted to the Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales in fulfillment ofconditions ofResearch Permit Nos. 3197 and 3617.

Richards, G.C. (1992b). Bat survey ofMt. Royal State Forest. Applied Bat Research Australia. Report submitted to the Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales.

Richards,G.C. (inprep.) Bat survey ofGloucester and Chichester Management Areas. Applied Bat Research Australia.

York, A., Binns, D. and Shields, J.M. (1991). Flora and fauna assessment in New South Wales State Forests. Survey guidelines. Version 1.0. Wood Technology and Forest Research Division, Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales.

Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 ForestryCommissionof New SouthWales Flora and Fauna Survey,Mt. Royal ManagementArea, Newcastle Region -76 -

Appendix 1. List ofvascular plant species recorded during a survey ofMt. Royal Management Area.

Class FILICOPSIDA

ADIANTACEAE Adiantumaethiopicum L. H Adiantumdiaphanum BI. Adiamumformosum R. Br. Adiantumhispidulum Sw. ASPLENIACEAE Asplenium australasicum R. Br. Asplenium bulbijerum Forst. f. Aspleniumflabellifolium Cav. ATHYRIACEAE H Diplazium assimile(Endl.) Beddome Diplazium australe(R. Br.) Wakef. BLECHNACEAE Blechnum cartilagineum Sw. Blechnum patersonii (R. Br.) Men. DoodiaasperaR. Br. H Doodiacaudata(Cav.) R. Br. H Doodiamedia R. Br. CYATHEACEAE Cyathea australis(R. Br.) Domin Cyathea leichhardtiana (F, Muell.) CopeI. DAVALLIACEAE Davallia pyxidata Cav. DENNSTAEDTIACEAE H Dennstaedtia davallioides (R. Br.) T. Moore Histiopteris incisa(Thunb.) 1. Srn. H Hypolepis glandulijera (Thunb.) Kuhn Pteridium esculentum (Forst.) Nakai DICKSONIACEAE Calochlaena dubia(R. Br.) M. Turner & R. White Dicksonta antarctica Labill. DRYOPTERIDACEAE Lastreopsis acuminata (Houlston) Morton H Lastreopsis decomposita (R. Br.) Tindale H Lastreopsis microsora(Endl.) Tindale H Lastreopsis munita (Men.) Tindale H Polystichum australiense Tindale H Polystichumfallax Tindale H Polystichum prolijerum(R. Br.) Presl HYMENOPHYLLACEAE Hymenophyllum cupressijorme Labill. OLEANDRACEAE Arthropteris tenella(Forst. f.) J. Srn. OPIDOGLOSSACEAE H Botrychium australeR. Br.

ForestryCommissionof New South Wales Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -77 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 1. (cont.)

POLYPODIACEAE Dictymia brownii (Wikstr.) Copel. Microsorum diversifolium (Willd.) Cope!. Microsorum scandens (Forst. f.) Tindale Platycerium bijurcatum (Car.) C. Chr. Pyrrosiaconfluens (R. Br.) Ching Pyrrosia rupestris (R. Br.) Ching PTERIDACEAE Pteris tremula R. Br. Pteris umbrosa R. Br. SINOPTERIDACEAE Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia (Bunn. f.) Sw. Cheilanthes sieberiKuntze Pellaeafalcata (R. Br.) Fee var.falcata Pellaeafalcata (R. Br.) Fee var. 0000 Hook. Pellaeaparadoxa(R. Br.) Hook. THELYPTERIDACEAE Christella dentata (Forsskal) Brownsey and Jenny

Class MAGNOLIOPSIDA Subclass MAGNOLIIDAE

ALANGIACEAE Alangiumvillosum (B!.) Wangerin ssp. polysomoides (F, Muell.) Bloemb. AMARANTHACEAE H Deeringia amaranthoides (Lamk.) Merr. APIACEAE Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Daucusglochidiatus (Labill.) Fisch., C. A. Meyer and Ave-Lall. Hydrocotyle geraniijolia F. Muell. H Hydrocotyle laxiflora DC. Hydrocotyle peduncularis R. Br. ex A. Rich. s. lat. Hydrocotyle tripartita R. Br. ex A. Rich. H Oreomyrrhis eriopoda (DC.) Hook. f. Platysace lanceolata (Labill.) Druce APOCYNACEAE Parsonsia brownii (Britten) Pichon Parsonsia straminea (R. Br.) F. Muell. Parsonsia velutina R. Br. Parsonsia species A ARALIACEAE Astrotricha latijolia Benth. Cephalaralia cephalobotrys (F, Muell.) Harms Polyscias murrayi(F, Muell.) Harms Polyscias sambucijolia (Sieber ex DC.) Harms

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Appendix 1. (cont.)

ASCLEPIADACEAE * Gomphocarpus sp. Marsdenia rostrataR Br. Marsdenia suberosaS. T. Blake Tylophora barbataR Br. Tylophora paniculataR Br. ASTERACEAE * Ageratinaadenophora (Spreng.) RM. King and H. Robinson H Ammobium alatumR Br. H Brachycome microcarpa F. Muell. Bracteartha bracteata(Vent.) Anderberg and Haeyi Calotiscuneifolia R Br. H Cassinia compacta F. Muell. H Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Labill.) Steetz * Cirsium vulgare(Savi) Ten. * ConyzaalbidaWilld. ex Spreng. H Gnaphalium gymnocephalum DC. H Gnaphalium sphaericum Willd. Helichrysum elatumA. Cunn ex DC. Helichrysum scorpioides Labill. * Hypochoeris radicata L. Lagenijera stipitata(Labill.) Druce Olearianernstii(F. Muell.) F. Muell. ex Benth. H Olearia oppositifolia (F. Muell.) Lander H Olearia viscidula (F. Muell.) Benth. Ozothamnus diosmijolius (Vent.) DC. Ozothamnus rufescens DC. * Picrishieracioides L. H Rhodanthe anthemoides (Sieber ex Spreng.) Paul G. Wilson Senecioamygdalijolius F. Muell. H Seneciobiserratus Belcher H Seneciodiaschides Drury H Senecio ?hispidulus A. Rich. var. hispidulus H SeneciolautusForst. f. ex Willd. ssp. aft. maritimus All H Seneciolinearijolius A. Rich. H Seneciomacranthus A. Rich. SeneciominimusPoir. SeneciovagusF. Muell. ssp. vagus * Sigesbeckia orientalis L. * Sonchus oleraceus L. * Taraxacum officinaleWeber Vernonia cinerea Less. var. cinerea H Vittadinia tenuissima (Benth.) J. M. Black BIGNONIACEAE Pandorea pandorana(Andr.) Steenis BORAGINACEAE Cynoglossum australeR Br. var. australe Cynoglossum latifolium R Br. Cynoglossum suaveolens R Br. Ehretiaacuminata R Br. Myosotis exarrhena F. Muell. Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 ~~~a"andiF~a. ~~~y,;Mt. ~q~al . -79.- Management~ea, Newcastle Region

Appendix 1. (cont.)

BRASSICACEAE H Cardamine paucijugaTurcz. H Cardamine sp. Y CALUTRICHACEAE H Callitriche muelleri Sond. CAMPANUI..ACEAE H Wahlenbergia stricta Sweet ssp. stricta CAPRIFOUACEAE Sambucus australasica (Lindl.) Fritsch CARYOPHYLLACEAE * Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. H Scleranthus bijlorus(Forst. and Forst. f.) Hook. f. Stellariaflaccida Hook. * Stellaria media (L.) Vill. CASUARINACEAE Allocasuarina torulosaAit. L. A. S. Johnson Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq. CELASTRACEAE H Cassineaustralis(Vent.) Kuntze Celastrus australisHarv. and F. Muell. Maytenus silvestrisLander and L. A. S. Johnson CONVOLVULACEAE DichondrarepensForst. and Forst. f. CRASSULACEAE Crassulasieberiana(Schult.) Druce CUNONIACEAE Aphanopetalum resinosum Endl. Caldcluvia paniculosa(F. Muell.) Hoogl Callicoma serratifoliaAndr. Schizomeria ovata D. Don Vesselowskya rubifolia (F. Muell.) Pampanini DILLENIACEAE Hibbertia dentata R. Br. ex DC. H Hibbertia ?diffusaR. Br. ex DC. Hibbertia scandens(Willd.) Gilg. EBENACEAE Diospyrosaustralis(R. Br.) Hiem Diospyrospentamera(Woolls and F. Muell.) F. Muell. ELAEOCARPACEAE Elaeocarpus kirtoniiF. Muell. ex F. M. Bail. Elaeocarpus obovatus G. Don Elaeocarpus reticulatus Srn. Sloaneaaustralis(Benth.) F. Muell. SloaneawoollsiiF. Muell. EPACRIDACEAE LeucopogonfraseriA. Cunn. Leucopogon lanceolatus (Srn.) R. Br. Trochocarpa laurinaR. Br. H Trochocarpa sp. aff. laurina

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey,Mt. Royal Manllgement Area, Newcastle Region - 80 -

Appendix 1. (cont.)

ESCALLONlACEAE Polyosma cunninghamii Benn. Quintinia sieberi DC. EUPHORBIACEAE Baloghiainophylla (Forster f.) P. Green Breyniaoblongijolia MueIl. Arg. Claoxylon australeBaill. Croton verreauxit BaiIl. Omalanthus populifoliusGrab. Phyllanthus gasstroemii MueIl. Arg. Phyllanthus similisMueIl. Arg. Poranthera microphylla Brongn. EUPOMATIACEAE Eupomatia laurinaR. Br. FABACEAE MIMOSOIDEAE Acaciaimplexa Benth. Acaciairrorata Sieber ex Spreng. H Acaciamaidenii F. MueIl. Acaciamelanoxylon R. Br. Pararchidendron pruinosum(Benth.) Nielsen FABOIDEAE H Daviesiagenistifolia A. Cunn. ex Benth. Desmodium brachypodum A. Gray Desmodium rhytidophyllum F. MueIl. ex Benth. Desmodium varians(Labill.) Endl, H Glycine clandestina Wend!. Hardenbergia violacea(Sclmeev.) Steam Indigofera australisWilld. Kennedia rubicunda (Schneev.) Vent. Oxylobium ilicijolium (Andr.) Dornin Swainsona galegifolia (Andr.) R. Br. * Trifolium repens L. FAGACEAE Nothofagus moorei(F. MueIl.) Krasser GENTIANACEAE * Centaurium erythraea Rafn GERANIACEAE Geranium neglectum Carolin H Geranium potentilloides L 'Herit. ex DC. H Geranium solanderiCarolin GOODENlACEAE Goodenia ovata Sm. H ScaevolaalbidaR. Br. HALORAGACEAE H Gonocarpus humilisOrch. H Haloragis heterophylla Brongn. H Haloragis Tserra Brongn.

ForestryCommissionof New South Wales Forest Resources. SeriesNo. 16 Flora and-Fauna Survey; Mt. Royal - 81- Management-Area. Newcastle Region

Appendix 1. (cont.)

HYPERICACEAE Hypericumgramineum Forst. f. H HypericumjaponicumThunb. ICACINACEAE H Citronellamoorei (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Howard Pennantiacunninghamii Forst. and Forst. f. LAMIACEAE Ajuga australisR. Br. H Mentha diemenicaSpreng. Plectramhus graveolens R. Br. Plectranthus parviflorus Willd. PrunellavulgarisL. H Salviaplebeia R. Br. ScutellariahumilisR. Br. Scutellariamollis R. Br. LAURACEAE Cryptocarya erythroxylon Maiden and Betche Cryptocaryafoveolata C. T. White and Francis Cryptocarya glaucescens R. Br. Cryptocarya microneura Meisn. Cryptocarya obovataR. Br. EndiandrasieberiNees Litsea reticulata (Meisn.) F. Muell. Neolitseaaustraliensis Kostenn. Neolitsea dealbata(R. Br.) Merr. LOBELIACEAE Pratiapurpurascens (R. Br.) E. Wimmer LOGANIACEAE Loganiaalbiflora(Andr.) Druce LORANTHACEAE H Amyema congener(Sieber ex Schult. and Schult. f.) Tieghem ssp. congener Amyemapendulum (Sieber ex Spreng.) Tieghem H Muellerinaeucalyptoides (DC.) Barlow MALVACEAE Hibiscusheterophyllus Vent. MELIACEAE Dysoxylumfraserianum (A. Juss.) Benth. Synoum glandulosum (Srn.) A. Juss. Toona australis(F. Muell.) Harms MENISPERMACEAE Sarcopetalum harveyanum F. Muell. Stephaniajaponica (Thunb.) Miers var. discolor(Bl.) Fonnan MONIMIACEAE Daphandra species A DoryphorasassafrasEndl. H edycarya angustifolia A. Cunn. Palmeriascandens F. Muell.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -82 -

Appendix 1. (cont.)

MORACEAE Ficus coronataSpin Ficus obliquaForst. f. Ficus rubiginosa Desf. ex Vent. Macluracochinchinensis (Lour.) Corner Malaisiascandens(Lour.) Planch. Streblusbrunonianus (Endl.) F. Muell. MYRSINACEAE Embeliaaustraliana (F, Muell.) Mez RapaneahowittianaMez Rapaneavariabilis(R. Br.) Mez MYRTACEAE Acmenasmithii(Poir.) Merr. and Perry Angophorafloribunda (Srn.) Sweet Austromyrtus bidwillii(Benth.) Burret Backhousia myrtifoliaHook. f. and Harv. H Baeckeasp. aff. virgata Callistemon salignus(Srn.) DC. H Eucalyptus acmenoides Schauer Eucalyptus campanulata R. T. Bak. and H.G. Srn. H Eucalyptus canaliculata Maiden H Eucalyptus eugenioides Sieber ex Spreng. Eucalyptus laevopinea R. T. Bak. H Eucalyptus nobilisL. Johnson and K. Hill Eucalyptus obliquaL'Herit. Eucalyptus paucifloraSieber ex Spreng. Eucalyptus quadrangulata H. Deane and Maiden Eucalyptus resinifera Srn. Eucalyptus salignaSrn. Eucalyptus tereticornis Srn. H Leptospermum polygalijoliumSalisb. ssp. montanum J. Thornpson Leptospermum variabile1.Thornpson H Melaleuca styphelioides Srn. H Micromyrtus striataJ. Green Rhodamnia rubescens (Benth.) Miq. Syncarpia glomulifera (Srn.) Nied Syzygiumaustrale(Wendl. ex Link) B. Hyland Trtstaniopsis collinaPeter G. Wilson and Waterhouse OLEACEAE Notelaealongifolia P. S. Green NotelaeavenosaF. Muell ONAGRACEAE Epilobium billardieranum Ser. ssp. hydrophilum Raven and Englehom OXALIDACEAE H Oxalis?chnoodes Lourt. PEPEROMIACEAE Peperomia tetraphylla (Forst. f.) Hook and Am. PHYTOLACCACEAE * Phytolacca octandraL.

Forestry Commission of New South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna' Survey, Mt. Royal - 83- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 1. (cont.)

PIPERACEAE Pipernovae-hollandiae Miq. PITTOSPORACEAE Billardiera scandens. Sm. Citriobatus pauciflorus A. Cunn. ex Ettingsh. Hymenosporum flavum (Hook.) F. Muell. Pittosporum revolutum Ail. Pittosporum undulatum Vent. PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago debilis R. Br. POLYGALACEAE Polygala japonicaHoutt. POLYGONACEAE H Muehlenbeckia gracillima Meisn. H Persicaria decipiens (R. Br.) K. L. Wilson H Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach H Persicaria strigosa (R. Br.) Gross Rumexbrownii Campd. PROTEACEAE Hakeaeriantha R. Br. Lomatiaarborescens L. Fraser and Vickery Orites excelsa R. Br. Persoonia linearis Andr. Stenocarpus salignus R. Br. RANUNCULACEAE Clematis aristata R. Br. ex DC. Clematis glycinoides DC. H Ranunculus inundatus Ranunculus plebeiusR. Br. ex DC. RHAMNACEAE Pomaderris asperaSieber ex DC. Pomaderris ligustrina Sieber ex DC. ROSACEAE Acaenanovae-zelandiae Kirk RubushilliiF. Muell. Rubus sp. aff. mooreiF. Muell. Rubusparvifolius L. Rubusroslfolius Sm. RUBIACEAE Asperulascoparia Hook. f. Canthium coprosmoides F. Muell. Coprosma quadrifida (Labill.) B. L. Rob. Galium binifolium N. A. Wakef. Galium ciliare Hook. f. Galium migrans Ehrendorfer and McGillivray Morinda jasminoides A. Cunn. Opercularia aspera Gaertn. Psychotria loniceroides Sieber ex DC.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region - 84 -

Appendix 1. (cont.)

RUTACEAE Acronychia oblongifolia (A. Cunn. ex Hook.) Endl. ex Heynh. Correa reflexa (Labill.) Vent H Melicope micrococca (F. Muell.) T. G. Hartley Sarcomelicope simplicifolia (Endl.) T. G. Hartley Zieriaarborescens Sirn s. lat, SANTALACEAE Exocarpos cupressiformis Labill. SAPINDACEAE Alectryonsubcinereus (A. Gray) Radlk. Diploglottis australis (G. Don) Radlk. Elattostachys nervosa (F. Muell.) Radlk. Guioasemiglauca (F. Muell.) Radlk. H Mischocarpus australis S. Reyn. SAPOTACEAE Planchonella australis (R. Br.) Pierre SCROPHULARIACEAE H Gratiola peruviana L. Veronica calycina R. Br. Veronica notabilis F. Muell. ex Benth. Veronica plebeiaR. Br. SOLANACEAE H Solanum aviculare Forst. f. H Solanum brownii Dunal Solanum prinophyllum Dunal Solanum stelligerum Srn. STERCULIACEAE Brachychiton acerifolius F. Muell. SYMPLOCACEAE Symplocos stawelliiF. Muell. THYMELAEACEAE Pimelea ligustrina Labill. ssp. ligustrina ULMACEAE Trema aspera (Brongn.) Bl. URTICACEAE Australina pusilla Gaudich Dendrocnide excelsa (Wedd.) Chew Elatostemma reticulatum Wood. Urtica incisaPoir. VERBENACEAE Clerodendrumfioribundum R. Br. Clerodendrum tomentosum R. Br. Gmelina leichhardtii F. Muell. * Verbena bonariensis L. H Verbena officinalis L. VIOLACEAE Hymenanthera dentata R. Br. ex Ging. Viola betoniclfolia Srn. Viola hederacea Labill.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 8~- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 1. (cont.)

VITACEAE Cayratia clematidea (F. Muell.) Domin Cissus antarctica Vent. H Cissus hypoglauca A. Gray Tetrastigma nitens(F. Muell.) Planch. WINTERACEAE Tasmannia insipida R. Br, ex DC.

Subclass LILnDAE

ANTHERICACEAE Arthropodium millejlorum (Red.) Macbride Arthropodium minusR. Br. ARACEAE Gymnostachys ancepsR. Br. ARECACEAE Livistona australis (R. Br.) Mart. ASPARAGACEAE * Protasparagus sp. COMMELINACEAE Aneilemaacuminatum R. Br. H Aneilemabiflorum R. Br. Commelina cyanea R. Br. Polliacrispata (R. Br.) Benth. CYPERACEAE H Carexappressa R. Br. H Carexbreviculmis R. Br. H Carexdeclinata Boon H Carexfascicularis Soland. ex Boon H Carexgaudichaudiana Kunth H Carexhattoriana Nakai ex Tuyama H Carexinversa R. Br. H Carexlobolepis F. Muell. H Carexlongebrachiata Boeck. H Cyperus enervis R. Br. H Cyperus imbecillis R. Br. H Cyperus lhotskyanus Boeck. Cyperus lucidus R. Br. H Cyperus tetraphyllus R. Br. H Eleocharis?atricha R. Br. H Eleocharis sphacelata R. Br. Gahnia melanocarpa Gahnia sieberiana Kunth H Isolepis inundata Lepidosperma laterale R. Br. H Schoenoplectus mucronatus L. H Schoenus apogon Roem. and Schult.

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Appendix 1. (cont.)

DIOSCOREACEAE Dioscoreatransversa R. Br. IRIDACEAE Libertiapaniculata (R. Br.) Spreng. JUNCACEAE H Juncus 'alexandri ssp. melanobasis' (L.A.S. Jolmson unpublished) H Juncusfilicaulis Buchen H Juncus homalocaulis F. Muell. ex Benth. H JuncuspaucifiorusR. Br. H Juncusprismatocarpus R. Br. H Juncus 'lsarophorus L. A. S. Johnson H Juncus usitatus H Luzulameridionalis Nordenskiold ORCmDACEAE Acianthusfomicatus R. Br. Chiloglottis gunniiLindl, H Chiloglottis sp. aff. reflexa (Labill.) Druce Corybas Yfimbriatus (R. Br.) Reichb. f. Cymbidium suaveR. Br. Dendrobium fairfaxii F. Muell. and Fitzg. Dendrobium gracilicaule F. Muell. Dendrobium mortii F. Muell. Dendrobium pugioniforme A. Cunn. Dendrobium tarberiM. elements and D. Jones Dipodium Yvariegatum M. elements and D. Jones Genoplesium sp. Microtis sp. Papillilabium beckleri(F. Muell. ex Benth.) Dockr. Plectorhiza tridentata (Lindl.) Dockr. PterostyliscoccinaFitzg. PterostyliscurtaR. Br. H PterostylisdecurvaR. S. Rogers Pterostylis longifolia R. Br. PterostylisnutansR. Br. Sarcochilus falcatus R. Br. Sarcochilus olivaceusLindl. LUZURlAGACEAE EustrephuslatifoliusR. Br. Geitonoplesium cymosum (R. Br.) A. Cunn. ex Hook PHORMIACEAE Dianella caeruleaSims Dianellalongiiolia R. Br. Dianella revolutaR. Br. Dianella tasmanica Hook. f. StypandraglaucaR. Br. POACEAE Agrostis aemulaR. Br. Agrostis avenaceaGmel. var. avenacea Cymbopogon refractus (R. Br.) A. Camus

ForestryCommissionof New SouthWales Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 87- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 1. (cont.)

H Danthonia longifolia R. Br. H Danthonia racemosa R. Br. H Deyeuxia quadriseta (Labill.) Benth. Dichelachne micrantha (Cav.) Domin Dichelachne rara (R. Br.) Vickery H Digitariaparviflora(R. Br.) Hughes Echinopogon ovatus(Forst. f.) Beauc. Elymusscaber (R. Br.) A. Love H Entolasia marginata (R. Br.) Hughes Entolasia stricta(R. Br.) Hughes H Eragrostis leptostachya Steud . H Glyceria australis C. E. Hubbard Imperata cylindrica Beauv. var. major (Nees) C. E. Hubbard H Microlaena stipoides (Labill.) R. Br. var. stipoides Oplismenus imbecillus (R. Br.) Roem. and Schult H Panicum obseptum Trio. * Paspalum dilatatum Poir. H Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. H Poa labillardieri Steud. var. labillardieri H Poa queenslandica C.E. Hubbard H Poasieberiana Spreng. var. sieberiana H Sorghum leiocladum (Hack.) C. E. Hubbard Stipa ramosissima Trio. Themeda australis(R. Br.) Stapf POTAMOGETONACEAE H Potamogeton tricarinatus A.Benn. RIPOGONACEAE Ripogonum albumR. Br. Ripogonum discolor F. Muell Ripogonumfawcettianum F. Muell. SMILACACEAE Smilaxaustralis R. Br. SPARGANIACEAE H Sparganium subglobosum Morong LOMANDRACEAE Lomandrafiliformis (Thunb.) Britten Lomandra hystrix(R. Br.) L. Fraser and Vick. Lomandra longijolia Labill. Lomandra spicataA. T. Lee XANTHORRHOEACEAE Xanthorrhoea ?malacophylla Bedford

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow Jacobs and Pickard (1981), Jacobs and Lapinpuro (1986) and Harden (1990,1991), except where more recent revisions are-available. Symbols are: H specimen retained at Forestry Commission New South Wales Herbarium, West Pennant Hills *naturalized taxon ? determination uncertain

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 88 -

Appendix 2. Frequency of occurrence of vascular plantspecies in floristic communities.

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Acaciaimplexa 1 0.03 Acaciairrorata 11 0.13 0.33 0.33 1.00 0.50 Acaciamaidenii 23 0.41 0.30 0.67 Acaciamelanoxylon 12 0.13 0.50 0.50 0.33 Acaenanovae-zelandiae 29 0.54 0.40 1.00 0.33 Acianthusfornicatus 4 0.05 0.20 Acmenasmithii 15 0.50 1.00 0.67 0.75 0.50 Acronychia oblongifolia 3 0.03 0.67 Adiantum aethiopicum 17 0.33 0.10 0.33 0.50 Adiantum diaphanum 1 0.13 Adiantumformosum 19 0.13 0.10 0.17 0.67 0.33 0.88 1.00 Adiantum hispidulum 3 0.05 0.13 Ageratina adenophora 1 0.50 Agrostisaemula 2 0.20 Agrostisavenacea var. avenacea 5 0.08 0.10 0.50 Ajugaaustralis 3 0.05 0.10 Alangium villosumssp. polyosmoides 8 0.33 0.88 Alectryon subcinereus 12 0.67 0.67 0.75 1.00 Allocasuarina torulosa 32 0.74 0.33 Alyxiaruscifolia 1 0.13 Ammobium alatum 1 0.10 Amyema congener ssp. congener 5 0.13 Amyemapendulum ssp. pendulum 3 0.08 Aneilema acuminatum 7 0.50 0.33 0.13 1.00 Aneilema biflorum 1 0.50 Angophora floribunda 16 0.36 0.10 0.17 Aphanopetalum resinosum 4 0.33 0.25 0.50 Arthropodium milleflorum 13 0.26 0.30 Arthropodium minus 3 0.08 Arthropteris tenella 13 0.67 1.00 1.00 Asperula scoparia 2 0.05 Asplenium australasicum 8 0.75 1.00 Asplenium bulbiferum 1 0.13 Aspleniumflabellifolium 7 0.15 0.10 Astrotricha latifolia 4 0.05 0.33 0.50 Australina pusilla 1 0.50 Austromyrtus bidwillii 2 0.25

Backhousia myrtifolia 1 0.50 Baloghia inophylla 6 0.33 0.63 Billardiera scandens 4 0.08 0.17 Blechnum cartilagineum 2 0.33 0.13 Blechnum patersonii 2 0.25 Botrychium australe 2 0.05 Brachychiton acerifolius 6 0.33 0.63 Brachycome microcarpa 14 0.15 0.80 Bracteantha bracteata 11 0.15 0.40 0.17 Breyniaoblongifolia 14 0.31 0.17 0.50

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 89- Management Area. Newcastle Region

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Caldcluvia paniculosa 12 0.03 0.17 0.67 1.00 0.63 Callicoma serratifolia 1 0.17 Callistemon salignus 4 0.05 0.33 1.00 Callitriche muelleri 2 0.17 0.50 Calochlaena dubia 8 0.05 0.67 0.33 0.50 Camhiumcoprosmoides 2 0.25 Cardamine paucijuga 4 0.10 Cardamine sp. Y 7 0.05 0.50 Carexappressa 18 0.26 0.10 1.00 0.67 0.50 Carexbreviculmis 3 0.05 0.10 Carexdeclinata r 0.10 Carexfascicularis 1 0.50 Carexhattoriana 3 0.25 0.50 Carex inversa 27 0.41 0.70 0.50 0.33 0.50 Carexlobolepis 1 0.50 Carexlongebrachiata 11 0.15 0.50 0.50 0.50 Cassine australis 4 0.33 0.38 Cassinia compacta 8 0.15 0.10 0.17 Casuarina cunninghamiana 2 1.00 Cayratia clematidea 4 0.08 0.17 Celastrusaustralis 3 0.03 0.13 0.50 Centaurium erythraea 1 0.03 Centella asiatica 2 0.05 Cephalaralia cephalobotrys 6 0.67 0.38 0.50 Cerastium glomeratum 1 0.03 Cheilanthes austrotenulfolia 1 0.03 Cheilanthes sieberi 1 1.00 Chiloglottis gunnii 1 0.10 Chiloglottisspp. 4 0.03 0.30 Christella dentata 1 0.50 Chrysocephalum apiculatum 1 0.10 Cirsium vulgare 27 0.51 0.30 1.00 0.33 Cissusantarctica 19 0.13 0.50 0.67 0.33 0.75 1.00 Cissushypoglauca 21 0.26 0.33 0.67 0.33 0.50 1.00 Citriobatus pauciflorus 19 0.05 0.17 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Citronella moorei 5 0.63 Claoxylon australe 2 0.33 0.33 0.13 0.50 Clematisaristata 30 0.49 0.70 0.50 0.33 Clematisglycinoides 2 0.17 0.33 Clerodendrumfloribundum 1 0.33 Clerodendrum tomentosum 1 0.03 Commelina cyanea 4 0.05 0.17 0.50 Conyzaalbida 13 0.28 0.10 0.17 Coprosma quadrifida 12 0.10 0.50 0.33 1.00 Correareflexa 1 1.00 Corybas?fimbriatus 1 0.10 Crassula sieberiana 6 0.08 0.30 Crotonverreauxii 2 0.03 0.13 Cryptocarya erythroxylon 5 0.33 0.50 Cryptocaryafoveolata 3 0.33 0.25

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region -90 -

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Cryptocarya glaucescens 11 0.33 1.00 0.67 0.38 0.50 Cryptocarya microneura 9 0.08 1.00 0.25 0.50 Cryptocarya obovata 7 0.67 0.33 0.38 0.50 Cyathea australis 1 0.17 Cyathea leichhardtiana 2 0.67 Cymbidium suave 6 0.15 Cymbopogon refractus 3 0.08 Cynoglossum australe 3 0.05 0.10 Cynoglossum latifolium 27 0.41 0.20 0.50 1.00 0.33 0.50 Cynoglossum suaveolens 1 0.03 0.50 Cyperus enervis 3 0.05 0.50 Cyperus flaccidus 1 0.03 Cyperusimbecillis 13 0.23 0.10 0.50 Cyperuslhotskyanus 2 0.03 0.50 Cyperuslucidus 5 0.05 1.00 0.50 Cyperus tetraphyllus 9 0.03 0.17 1.00 0.25 1.00

Danthonia laevis 1 0.10 Danthonia longifolia 2 0.05 Danthonia ?racemosa 13 0.26 0.30 Daphandra species A 20 0.05 0.10 0.33 1.00 0.67 1.00 1.00 Daucusglochidiatus 3 0.08 Davalliapyxidata 2 0.03 0.33 Deeringiaamaranthoides 2 0.17 0.50 Dendrobiumfairfaxii 3 0.33 0.25 Dendrobium gracilicaule 1 0.13 Dendrobium mortii 1 0.13 Dendrobium pugioniforme 7 0.33 0.33 0.50 1.00 Dendrobium tarberi 3 0.13 1.00 Dendrocnide excelsa 9 0.17 0.33 0.75 0.50 Dennstaedtia davallioides 10 0.33 1.00 0.25 1.00 1.00 Desmodium brachypodum 1 0.03 Desmodiumrhytidophyllum 3 0.08 Desmodium varians 50 0.87 1.00 0.50 0.67 Deyeuxiaquadriseta 1 0.10 Dianellacaerulea 46 0.82 0.80 0.83 Dianellalongifolia 2 0.03 0.10 Dianellarevoluta 2 0.05 Dianellatasmanica 7 0.08 0.30 0.50 Dichelachne micrantha 6 0.08 0.30 Dichelachne rara 3 0.30 Dichondra repens 43 0.79 0.80 0.67 Dicksonia antarctica 2 0.13 1.00 Dictymiabrownii 4 0.50 Digitaria parviflora 1 0.03 Dioscoreatransversa 16 0.10 0.67 1.00 0.38 1.00 Diospyrosaustralis 14 0.05 0.33 1.00 0.63 1.00 Diospyrospentamera 8 1.00 0.63 Diplaziumassimile 2 0.25 Diplaziumaustrale 1 0.13

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 91 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 . Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1) .

Diploglottis australis 11 0.03 0.17 0.67 1.00 0.50 Dipodium Yvariegatum 4 0.10 Doodiaaspera 40 0.56 0.20 0.83 1.00 0.33 0.63 1.00 Doodiacaudata 3 0.08 Doodiamedia 2 0.03 0.17 Doryphora sassafras 14 0.33 0.33 1.00 0.88 1.00 Dysoxylumfraserianum 13 0.03 0.33 1.00 1.00

Echinopogon ovatus 26 0.41 0.60 0.50 0.50 Ehretiaacuminata 4 0.17 0.25 0.50 Elaeocarpus kirtonii 1 0.13 Elaeocarpus obovatus 1 0.17 Elaeocarpus reticulatus 2 0.05 Elatostemma reticulatum 6 0.17 0.38 1.00 Elattostachys nervosa 1 0.33 Elymusscabervar.scaber 10 0.15 0.40 Embelia australiana 2 0.25 Endiandra sieberi 4 0.03 0.17 0.33 0.13 Entolasia marginata 3 0.05 0.17 Entolasia stricta 2 0.03 1.00 Epilobium billardieranum ssp. hydrophilum 1 0.03 0.50 Eragrostis leptostachya 1 1.00 Eucalyptus acmenoides 6 0.16 Eucalyptus campanulata 20 0.36 0.50 0.67 Eucalyptus canaliculata 19 0.44 0.17 Eucalyptus eugenioides 14 0.36 Eucalyptus laevopinea 32 0.54 0.60 0.50 0.67 Eucalyptus nobilis 7 0.10 0.10 1.00 Eucalyptus obliqua 9 0.03 0.80 Eucalyptus pauciflora 1 0.10 Eucalyptus quadrangulata 7 0.13 0.20 Eucalyptus resinifera 1 0.13 Eucalyptus saligna 36 0.64 1.00 1.00 0.13 0.50 Eucalyptus tereticornis 4 0.08 1.00 Eupomatia laurina 11 0.03 0.17 1.00 0.33 0.63 Eustrephus latifolius 26 0.46 0.20 0.83 0.33 Exocarpos cupressiformis 1 0.03

Ficuscoronata 7 0.63 1.00 Ficusobliqua 2 0.25

Gahnia melanocarpa 9 0.13 0.50 0.33 Gahnia sieberiana 2 0.05 Galium binifolium 3 0.20 0.17 Galiumspp. 37 0.67 0.80 0.50 0.33 Geitonoplesium cymosum 19 0.26 0.10 0.67 0.67 1.00 Genoplesium sp. 1 0.10 Geranium neglectum 1 0.50 Geranium potentilloides 40 0.62 0.90 1.00 0.50 1.00

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and FaWla Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area. Newcastle Region -92 -

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Geranium solanderi 6 0.10 0.20 Glyceria australis 1 0.50 Glycineclandestina 53 0.87 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.50 Gmelinaleichhardtii 1 0.33 Gnaphalium gymnocephalum 22 0.36 0.70 0.50 Gnaphalium sphaericum 1 0.03 Gomphocarpus sp. 5 0.10 0.17 Gonocarpus humilis 26 0.44 0.80 0.17 Goodenia ovata 1 0.17 Gratiolaperuviana 3 0.50 0.17 0.50 Guioasemiglauca 13 0.10 0.33 0.67 0.67 0.25 0.50 Gymnostachys anceps 19 0.15 0.33 0.67 0.33 0.75 1.00

Hakeaeriantha 1 0.10 Haloragis heterophylla 18 0.33 0.20 1.00 0.17 Haloragis ?serra 1 0.03 Hardenbergia violacea 26 0.51 0.50 Hedycarya angustifolia 5 0.20 0.50 Helichrysum elatum 2 0.03 1.00 Helichrysum scorpioides 1 0.10 Hibbertia dentata 15 0.31 0.10 0.33 Hibbertia scandens 36 0.67 0040 1.00 Hibiscusheterophyllus 1 0.03 Histiopteris incisa 1 1.00 Hydrocotyle geraniifolia 1 0.03 Hydrocotyle laxiflora 40 0.56 1.00 1.17 Hydrocotyle peduncularis 8 0.10 0.20 1.00 Hydrocotyle tripartita 3 0.03 1.00 Hymenanthera dentata 10 0.15 0.17 0.13 1.00 Hymenosporumjlavum 7 0.10 0.17 0.33 0.25 1.00 Hypericum gramineum 16 0.28 0.20 0.33 1.00 Hypochoeris radicata 21 0.28 0.90 0.50 Hypolepis glandulifera 8 0.03 0.10 0.50 0.67 0.33

Imperata cylindrica var. major 33 0.59 0.20 1.00 0.67 1.00 Indigofera australisvar. australis 16 0.31 0.20 0.17

Juncus 'alexandrissp. melanobasis' 5 0.08 0.50 0.17 Juncusfilicaulis 2 0.03 0.50 Juncushomalocaulis 1 0.03 Juncuspauciflorus 14 0.21 1.00 0.33 1.00 Juncusprismatocarpus 1 0.50 Juncussp. 1 0.50

Kennedia rubicunda 11 0.28

Lageniferastipitata 9 0.13 0.30 1.00 Lastreopsisacuminata 4 0.50 Lastreopsisdecomposita 8 0.33 1.00 0.38 0.50 Lastreopsismicrosora 5 0.50 0.50

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 93- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Lastreopsismunita 1 0.13 Lepidosperma laterale 23 0.36 0.60 0.33 1.00 Leucopogon fraseri 2 0.20 Leucopogon lanceolatus 13 0.08 0.90 0.17 Libertiapaniculata 1 0.03 Litsea reticulata 3 0.03 0.33 0.13 . Livistonaaustralis 1 0.13 Loganiaalbiflora 1 1.00 Lomandrafiliformis 1 0.03 Lomandrakystrix 1 0.50 Lomandralongifolia 55 0.95 1.00 1.00 0.67 1.00 Lomandraspicata 16 0.17 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Luzulameridionalis 10 0.08 0.70

Maclura cochinchinensis 4 0.17 0.33 0.13 0.50 Malaisia scandens 5 0.33 0.50 Marsdenia rostrata 6 0.05 0.17 0.33 0.13 0.50 Marsdenia suberosa 2 0.03 0.13 Maytenussilvestris 1 0.28 0.17 Melaleuca styphelioides 3 0.08 Melicope micrococca 9 0.05 0.33 0.67 0.33 0.13 0.50 Menthadiemenica 10 0.26 Microlaena stipoides 19 0.33 0.40 0.33 Microsorum diversifolium 1 0.13 Microsorum scandens 11 0.67 0.33 0.88 1.00 Microtis sp. 1 0.03 Mischocarpus australis 7 0.33 0.33 0.63 Morinda jasminoides 12 0.03 0.17 0.67 0.88 0.50 Myosotis exarrhena 2 0.20

Neolitseaaustraliensis 1 0.33 Neolitsea dealbata 10 0.17 0.33 0.67 0.63 0.50 Notelaea longifolia 5 0.10 0.17 1.00 1.00 Notelaeavenosa 1 0.03 Nothofagus moorei 1 1.00

Olearia oppositijolia 3 0.03 0.20 Omalanthus populifolius 1 0.17 Opercularia aspera 3 0.05 1.00 Oplismenus imbecillus 34 0.62 0.10 1.00 0.33 1.00 Oreomyrrhis eriopoda 4 0.40 Oritesexcelsa 6 0.17 1.00 0.13 1.00 Oxalis?chnoodes 3 0.05 0.10 Oxylobium ilicifolium 3 0.05 0.10 Ozothamnus diosmifolis 2 0.05 Ozothamnus rufescens 11 0.15 0.10 0.50 0.50

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey,Mt. Royal ManagementArea, Newcastle Region -94 -

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Palmeriascandens 8 0.33 0.67 0.63 Pandorea pandorana 28 0.33 0.30 0.50 0.67 0.67 0.50 0.50 Papillilabium beckleri 3 0.03 0.33 0.50 Pararchidendron pruinosum 2 0.25 Parsonsia brownii 1 1.00 Parsonsia speciesA 1 0.50 Parsonsia straminea 17 0.13 0.33 1.00 0.67 0.63 Parsonsia velutina 6 0.75 Paspalumdilatatum 1 0.50 Pellaeafalcata var.falcata 23 0.36 0.10 0.67 0.67 1.00 Pellaeafalcata var. nana 6 0.33 0.50 0.50 Pellaeaparadoxa 1 0.03 Pennantia cunninghamii 12 0.17 0.67 1.00 0.50 Pennisetum alopecuroides 1 0.50 Peperomia tetraphylla 1 0.13 Persicaria decipiens 2 0.03 0.50 Persoonia linearis 14 0.33 Phragmitesaustralis 1 0.50 Phyllanthus gasstroemii 3 0.17 1.00 0.50 Phyllanthus similis 1 0.10 Phytolaccaoctandra 1 0.03 Picris hieracioides 14 0.13 0.80 0.17 Pimelealigustrina ssp. ligustrina 2 0.17 0.33 Piper novae-hollandiae 6 0.33 0.63 Pittosporum revolutum 8 0.18 0.17 Pittosporum undulatum 7 0.08 0.10 0.33 0.33 Planchonella australis 2 0.33 0.13 Plantagodebilis 27 0.46 0.80 0.17 Platycerium bifurcatum 12 0.13 0.33 0.33 0.50 0.50 Platysace lanceolata 2 0.03 1.00 Plectorhiza tridentata 2 0.03 0.13 Plectranthus graveolens 1 1.00 Plectranthusparviflorus 28 0.56 0.10 0.50 0.50 Poa labillardieri 59 0.97 1.20 1.00 0.67 1.00 0.50 Poa sieberiana 4 0.40 Pollia crispata 5 0.67 0.25 0.50 Polygalajaponica 1 0.03 Polyosmacunninghamii 7 0.67 0.63 Polysciasmurrayi 2 0.17 0.13 Polysciassambucifolia 9 0.18 0.10 0.17 Polystichum australiense 1 0.50 Polystichumfallax 12 0.21 0.10 0.50 0.33 Polystichum proliferum 3 0.20 1.00 Poranthera microphylla 15 0.18 0.70 0.17 Pratiapedunculata 1 0.03 Pratiapurpurascens 41 0.72 0.90 1.00 0.17 1.00 Protasparagus sp. 1 0.03 Prunellavulgaris 5 ·0.08 1.00 Psychotrialoniceroides 19 0.21 0.33 1.00 0.75 Pteridium esculentum 50 0.85 0.80 1.00 1.00 forestry Commissionof New South Wales Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 "4

Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -95 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Pteris tremula 13 0.21 0.33 0.67 0.50 Pteris umbrosa 10 0.33 0.33 0.88 0.50 Pterostyliscoccina 2 0.20 Pterostyliscurta 5 0.10 0.10 Pterostylisdecurva 7 0.05 0.50 Pterostylislongifolia 1 0.10 Pterostylismaans 1 0.10 Pyrrosiaconfluens 11 0.03 0.17 1.00 0.50 1.00 Pyrrosiarupestris 17 0.26 0.10 0.17 0.67 0.25 1.00

Quintiniasieberi 1 1.00

Ranunculusplebeius 22 0.26 0.90 1.00 0.17 Rapanea howittiana 4 0.10 0.33 '0.13. Rapaneavariabilis 17 0.23 0.10 0.50 1.00 0.33 Rhodamnia rubescens 6 0.08 1.00 Rhodanthe anthemoides 3 0.03 0.20 Ripogonumalbum 7 0.63 1.00 Ripogonumdiscolor 1 0.33 Ripogonumfawcettianum 1 0.50 Rubus hillii 3 0.03 1.00 Rubusparvifolius 38 0.74 0.40 0.50 0.50 Rubus rosifolius 20 0.26 0.10 0.50 0.83 0.67 0.50 Rubus sp. aff. moorei 1 . 0.13 Rumex brownii 10 0.21 0.50 0.17

Sambucusaustralasica 2 0.25 Sarcochilusfalcatus 15 0.08 0.17 0.67 0.33 0.63 1.00 1.00 Sarcochilus olivaceus 1 0.13 Sarcomelicope simplicifolia 1 0.13 Sarcopetalum harveyanum 4 0.03 0.67 0.13 Scaevolaalbida 1 0.03 Schizomeria ovata 7 0.10 0.17 0.67 0.67 0.13 Schoenus apogon 7 0.05 0.30 1.00 Scleranthus biflorus 3 0.05 0.10 Scutellaria humilis 4 0.05 0.10 0.17 Scutellaria mollis 1 0.17 Senecioamygdalifolius 15 0.21 0.20 0.67 0.33 Seneciobiserratus 1 0.03 Seneciodiaschides 20 0.28 0.90 Senecio'lhispidulus 10 0.18 0.20 0.17 Seneciolautusssp. aff. maritimus 3 0.30 Seneciolinearifolius 11 0.15 0.20 0.50 Seneciomacranthus 3 0.08 Seneciominimus 6 0.08 0.50 0.33 Seneciovagusssp. vagus 2 0.05 Sigesbeckia orientalis 26 0.54 0.20 0.50 Sloaneaaustralis 6 0.33 0.63 Sloanea woollsii 1 0.13 Smilaxaustralis 15 0.13 0.20 0.50 1.00 0.33 0.50 Solanumaviculare 4 0.03 0.33 0.50

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora:and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 96 -

Appendix 2. (cont.)

Community number Tot. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Freq. (39) (10) (2) (6) (3) (1) (3) (8) (2) (1)

Solanum brownii 13 0.26 0.10 0.33 Solanum prinophyllum 9 0.15 0.33 1.00 Solanum stelligerum 11 0.21 0.50 0.17 1.00 0.50 Sonchus oleraceus 1 0.03 Sorghum leioc1adum 7 0.13 0.20 Stellaria flaccida 17 0.36 0.10 0.33 Ste1laria media 2 0.05 Stenocarpus salignus 1 0.03 Stephania japonicavar. discolor 3 0.05 0.50 Stiparamosissima 1 0.17 Streblus brunonianus 9 0.67 0.63 1.00 Stypandra glauca 1 1.00 Swainsona galegifolia 1 0.03 Symplocos stawellii 3 0.17 0.33 0.13 Syncarpia glomulifera 2 0.05 Synoum glandulosum 25 0.33 0.67 1.00 0.33 0.50 Syzygium australe 9 0.33 0.75 1.00

Taraxacum ojficinale 4 0.10 Tasmannia insipida 9 0.33 0.67 0.67 0.38 Tetrastigma nitens 1 0.13 Themeda australis 6 0.13 0.10 Toona australis 5 0.17 0.33 0.33 0.25 Trema aspera 1 0.50 Trifolium repens 13 0.28 0.10 0.50 Tristaniopsis collina 5 0.30 0.17 0.33 Trochocarpa sp. aff. laurina 1 0.10 Tylophora barbata 4 0.05 0.10 0.17 Tylophora paniculata 2 0.05 Typha orientalis 1 0.50

Urtica incisa 23 0.33 0.50 0.83 0.67 1.00 Verbena bonariensis 1 0.50 Verbena officinalis 2 0.03 0.50 Vernonia cinerea var. cinerea 8 0.21 Veronica calycina 22 0.28 1.00 0.17 Veronica notabilis 4 0.10 0.17 0.33 1.00 Veronica plebeia 2 0.05 Vesselowskya rubifolia 1 0.13 Viola betonicifolia 21 0.33 0.80 Viola hederacea 31 0.33 0.80 0.50 1.00 0.67 0.50 Vittadinia tenuissima 1 0.03

Wahlenbergia stricta ssp.stricta 28 0.41 1.00 0.33

Species are listed alphabetically. Frequencies shown under each community are the proportion ofplots within the community in which the species was recorded. .=not recorded in that community.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal - 97- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 3. Descriptions of vegetation map units,Mt. RoyalManagement Area.

Vegetation units are those mapped by the RoyalMilli Assessment Survey, 1961-62. Descriptions are based on plot data and generalfieldnotesfrom thepresentsurvey.

Rb CooltemperateRainforest. Tall closedforestwithanoverstorey up to 45 m tall of predominantly Nothofagus mooreiand a subcanopy of Doryphora sassafras, Orites excelsa and Quintinia sieberi. Understorey usuallysparsebut withsomelocallydensepatches of Dicksonia antarctica. Othercommonunderstorey species areCoprosma quadrifida, Polystichum proliferum andLomandra spicata: This unit occursonly as a singlewell-defined standof about 17ha in theheadof CrossCreek. Emergent Eucalyptus obliqua occur at the marginof the stand. This unit grades intoRm/Rs at loweraltitudes. Rm+ Subtropical/warm temperate Rainforest. Tall closedforestup to 40 m tall,usuallywithwell­ developed, even canopystructure. Overstorey composition variable. Caldcluvia paniculosa is usuallycommon, variously associated withSchizomeria ovata, Dysoxylumfraserianum, Oritesexcelsa, Citronella moorei, Dendrocnide excelsa, Diospyros pentamera, Doryphora sassafras and otherspecies. Theunderstorey is usuallysparse, commonspeciesbeing Citriobatus pauciflorus, Lastreopsis decompositaand Lomandra spicata. This map unit overlapsfloristically withunitsRm- andRs, although warmtemperate elements tend to be more commonin this unit whilesubtropical elements become morefrequent in unitsRm- and Rs, a reflectionof Rm+ generally occuring at higheraltitudes. Rm+ characteristically has a more evenlydeveloped canopy, although to someextentthis is a resultof previous loggingin the otherunits. Rm- Subtropical Rainforest. Thisunitincludes a rangeof floristic communities, although Dysoxylumfraserianum occurs in moststands. Typically, it is a closedforestof uneven canopyheight and structure, consisting of patches oflow closedforest(up to 20 m) interspersed withtaller forest (upto 45 m) on a scaleof thousands of squaremetres. In some areas,such as alongmajortributaries of Carrow Brook, this unevenstructure is dueto past logging,especially of Difraserianum. Common tree species apartfrom D.fraserianum includeDaphnandra species A,Alectryon subcinereus, Syzygium australe andPennantia cunninghamii. Ground covervariesfrom sparseto denseandis oftendominated by ferns including Lastreopsis spp.,Pterisumbrosa andAdiantum formosum, withscatteredsmall shrubsof Citriobatus pauaiflorus. Alongthe lowerpartsof Carrow Brook, on narrow bands of alluvium whereperiodic flood damage occurs, thisunitis a low closedforestofAcmena smithii, Backhousia myrtifolia andotherspecies withrare,tall (up to 45 m) emergents of Casuarina cunninghamii.

Rs Nominally ''viney scrub",thisvariable unit is floristically similarto Rm- but tendsto have moreunevenstructure, generally lowercanopy height(mostly <20m) and a higherproportion of DryRainforest elements. Tallertrees(upto 40 m), if present, usuallyoccuras scattered emergents ratherthan grouped into stands, andvine thickets aremorefrequent, andin some areas,dominant. The standimmediately downstream from the patchof map unitRb on Cross Creekis atypical in beingstructurally muchmorewelldeveloped anddominated by Cryptocaryafoveolata. Itwouldbe moreappropriately mapped as Rm. MapunitRs generally occursalongcreeksin drier areas atlow altitudes. It oftenoccursas narrowstrips alongcreekssurrounded by Dryopenforest, in siteswhichareprobably marginal for Rainforestdevelopment dueto a combination of low moisture andregularfiresin surrounding open forest. Emergents include Diospyros pentamera, Ficusobliqua and Toona australis. Common tree species include Pennantia cunninghamii, Daphnandra species A, Syzygium australe, Streblus brunonianus andAlectryon subcinereus. Backhousia myrtifolia is not widespread but may be locallyabundant. Vinethickets dominated by Cissus antarctica, C. hypoglauca andto a less extent, Morinda jasminoides, areusuallyprominent.

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region - 98 -

Appendix 3. (cont.)

S This unit is similarto unit Yh but wasnot sampled.

Yh A mapunit of limited extentoccuringonlower slopesadjacentto and gradingintoRainforest Itis a tall (40 m) open forestof Eucalyptus saligna with a very denseunderstorey of Rainforest trees (up to 12m tall) including Guioasemiglauca, Cryptocarya glaucescens, Acmenasmithiiand Synoumglandulosum. Limitedareasof the extensive unit Na+, on lower slopesor othersheltered mesic sites, arevery similarand wouldbe appropriately classified withunit Yh.

YC Openforestof Eucalyptus saligna(up to 35 m tall) with subcanopy of Allocasuarina torulosa and densegroundcoverdominated by Poa labillardieri, Dichondra repens andHydrocotyle acutiloba. This map unit overlaps withNa+. .

YI Openforestof Eucalyptus saligna(up to 35 m tall) with subcanopy of Allocasuarina torulosa, scattered shrubsof Acaciairrorata, Callistemon salignus andMelicope micrococca and dense grassyground cover of Imperata cylindrica andPoa labillardieri. This unit overlapswith Dh and D1.

Nm Verysimilarto Yh but not sampled.

Na+ This is by far the most extensive map unitin the area. Itis very variableboth structurally and floristically andis a composite mapunit whichincludes fairly extensive areasof stands best classified in otherunits. Typically, it is a tall open forest, usuallyup to 40 m but occasionally up to 55 m tall, dominated by a mixtureof Eucalyptus saligna and E. laevopinea, although eitherspecies maybe absent. Associated species include E. campanulata and E. eugenioides. Thereis often a subcanopy of Allocasuarina torulosa andAngophora floribunda. The understorey is typicallygrassywith a sparse to very sparseor occasionally absentshrublayer. Dominant groundcover speciesare usually Poa labillardieri, Lomandra longifolia and Pteridium esculentum. Otherfrequent species includeDesmodium varians, Dichondra repens, Pratiapurpurascens, Rubusparvifolius, Acaenanovae-zelandiae and Eustrephus laufolius. On sheltered sites ferns suchas Calochlaena dubiaand Hypolepis glandulifera oftendominate the groundlayer andclumpsof mesomorphic shrubs (suchas Synoum glandulosum andHedycarya angustijolia) occur. In the most mesicenvironments, on lower slopesadjacent to Rainforest, thereis a denseto closedunderstorey of tall shrubsand this unit gradesinto, and wouldbe most appropriately mappedas, unit Yh. Low closedforestof Melaleuca styphelioides or Leptospermum polygalifolium occurs as small,linear stands along somecreeksin gently slopingareasof poordrainage. Carexappressa, C. longebrachiata and Juncus spp. maybe locallycommonin minordrainage depressions, and there are severalmore extensive areas(>1 ha) of impededdrainage whichare sedgelands with only scattered, stunted trees.

Eucalyptus obliquabecomesincreasingly dominant (andE. saligna less frequent) at higher altitudes, wherethis unit overlapswithNe+ and shouldperhapsbe mappedas such. At lower altitudes, E. campanulata or E. canaliculata may be locallydominant and Na+ gradesinto eitherNc+ or Dl respectively.

Na- This unit is similarto Na+ but generally has a lower canopyheight (usually <30 m) and tends to occuron drier sites. Understorey structure and floristics are very similar. Eucalyptus saligna is less frequent in the overstorey whileE. campanulata and E. canaliculata are more frequent. This unit is intermediate between typicalNa+ and Dl and gradesinto both.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -99 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 3. (cont.)

Nb+ A tall open forestdominated by Eucalyptus laevopinea, withor withoutE. saligna, with grassyunderstorey. As mapped, thisunit is not distinctfrom Na+.

Nb- A minor variant of Nb+ on slightly driersites,with slightly lower canopyheight Not distinct from Na+.

Ne+ A tall (35 m) open forestfloristically very similarto typicalNa+. Eucalyptus campanulata tends to be more prominent in the overstorey andmaybe locallydominant, but is absentfrom some stands.

Ne-InFal Brook andCarrowBrookcatchments, this is a grassy open forest(up to 35 m tall) in whichEucalyptus campanulata is usuallyprominent. It grades intoDl on drier sites, with increasingfrequency of E. eugenioides, E. canaliculata andE. acmenoides. In Davis Creek area it is a taller, slightlymoremesicforestin whichE. laevopinea or E. obliqua are dominant and whichis intermediate between Na+ andNe+.

Ne+ Tall open forestof E. obliqua (35m) withdensegrassyunderstorey dominated by Poa sieberiana and Lomandra longifolia.

Ne- Very similarto Ne+, but withgenerally lowercanopy height(usually <30 m).

Ng- A map unit of very limitedextent, occurring in two separate smallpatchesin the DavisCreek area. The more southerly patchis almostexclusively E. obliqua with scattered or occasionally locally commonE. nobilis, and is not distinctfromNe-. The more northerly patchis a woodland of E. obliqua withE. pauciflora, whichis otherwise floristically very similarto Ne-.

Dh Openforest of very mixedcanopycomposition andvariablecanopy height,usuallybelow 35 m but up to 45 m on favourable sites. Canopy species includeEucalyptus saligna, E. acmenoides, E. eugenioides andE. canaliculata. There is usuallya sparseto moderately dense shrub stratum of Acaciairrorata or A. maidenii, with a grassygroundcover. Limited areason lower slopes adjacent to Rainforest have a more well developed understorey of tall shrubsor smalltrees ofA. irrorata, Callistemon salignus or Melaleuca styphelioides. This unit grades into 01 andto someextent, Na+. Itusuallyhas a moremesicshrubby understorey thanDl.

Dl Openforest (mostly <30 m tall) of mixedcanopycomposition, occurring mainlyon drier sites at low altitudes. Typicalcanopy species includeEucalyptus canaliculata, E. campanulata, E. eugeniotdes and E. acmenoides. E. saligna andE. laevopinea may' be locallycommon, especiallyon more mesicsiteswherethistype grades intotypicalNaT. Allocasuarina torulosa invariably occursas a subcanopy species, oftenwithAngophorafloribunda. Understorey is grassywith sparse or absentshrublayer,common groundcoverspeciesbeing Poa labillardieri, lmperatacylindrica, Lomandra longifolia, Dianella caerulea, Dichondra repens and Glycine clandestina.

Gm Openforest (upto 35 m tall)dominated by Eucalyptus canaliculata with a subcanopy of Angophora floribunda andAllocasuarina torulosa, representing the drierend of the open forestgradientin the area. Overlaps withOh, 01 andto a lesser extent, Na+ andNe- on drier, low altitudesites.

Forest Resources Series No. i6 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -100 -

Appendix 3. (cont.)

Cn This map unit which occurs as several small patches includes two different grassland vegetation types. Trees and shrubs are absent or rare. On very steep upper slopes at high altitudes it is floristically very similar to the understorey ofunits Ne-and Nc-. The patch on gentle slopes north-west ofMount Carrow differs in being an area ofimpeded drainage on a basalt bench. Species ofCyperaceae and Juncaceae are more abundant and there are several small swarhps. These were not sampled.

Cr This is a distinct unit occurring as a single discrete patch. It is a mosaic ofshrub thickets (mostly <3 m tall) and bare rock. The shrub thickets are variously dominated by Leptospermum variabile, Micromyrtus striataand Plectranthus graveolens, with a ground cover ofLepidosperma laterale.

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16- Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal · -101 - Management Area. NewcastleRegion

Appendix 4. List ofavifauna from Mt. Royal area.

Zoological name Common name Catchment Forest .Authority Type FBCBDC DFMF RP F HM

Family ANATIDAE: Swans, Geese and Ducks Maned (Wood) Duck Chenonetta jubata X X X X

Family ACCIPITRIDAE : Kites, Hawks, Eagles & Harriers Collared Sparrowhawk Accipitercirrhocephalus XX XX XX Grey Goshawk Accipiternovaehollandiae X X XX Brown Goshawk Accipiterfasciatus XXXX X X Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides X X X Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquilaaudax X XXXX XX Swamp Harrier Circusaeruginosus X

Family EALCONIDAE : Falcons and Kestrels Peregrine Falcon Falcoperegrinus X XX Brown Falcon Falcoberigora X Nankeen Kestral Falcocenchroides X

Family MEQAPOPIIDAE : Mound-builders Australian Brush-turkey Alecturalathami XX XX X

Family PHASIANIPAE : Quails, Partridges and Pheasants Brown Quail Coturnix australis X King Quail Coturnix chinensis X

Family RALLIDAE : Rails, Crakes, Water-hens and Coots Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa X X

Family CHARADRllDAE : Plovers and Dotterels Masked Plover Vanellus miles X

Family COLVMBIDAE : Pigeons and Doves Topknot Pigeon Lopholaimus antarcticus XX XXX White-headed Pigeon Columba leucomela X XX X Brown Cuckoo-dove (Brown Pigeon) Macropygia amboinensis X XXXXXXXX Wonga Pigeon Leucosarcia melanoleuca X XXXXX X Emerald dove Chalcophaps indica X

Family CACAIUIDAE : Cockatoos Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lamami XXXXX X· XX Yellow-tailed Black- Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus XXXXXX X X Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Sulphur-crested (White) Cockatoo Cacatua galerita X X X XX

Family POLXTELITIDAE : Long-tailed Parrots King Parrot Alisterusscapularis XXX XX XX XX

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales Flora and Fauna Swvey, Mt. Royal Management Area, Newcastle Region -102 -

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Zoological name Common name Catchment Forest Authority Type FB CB DC DFMF RF F H M

FamilyPLAIYCERCIDAE : Broad-tailedParrots CrimsonRosella Platycercus elegans XX XXXX XX X EasternRosella Platycercus eximius X

Family CUCULIPAE : Cuckoos and Coucals BrushCuckoo Cuculus variolosus X X X Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus X Fan-tailedCuckoo Cuculus pyrrhophanus XX XXX Horsfield's BronzeCuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis XX X ShiningBronzeCuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus X X XXX Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae X X X Koel Eudynamys scolopacea X

Family STRIGIDAE : Owls PowerfulOwl Ninox strenua XX X XXXX SouthernBoobook(Owl) Ninoxnovaeseelandiae X X XXXXX X X

FamilyTYTONIDAE : Barn Owls MaskedOwl Tyto novaehollandiae XX XXX X X SootyOwl Tyto tenebricosa X X X XX

FamilyPOPARGIDAE : Frogmouths TawnyFrogmouth Podargus strigoides XX XX XX

FamilyAEGOTHELIDAE : Owlet-Nightjars (Australian) Owlet-Nightjar Aegothelescristatus XX X XXX

FamilyAPODIDAE : Swifts White-throated Needletail (Spine-tailed Swift) Hirundapus caudacutus XX XXXX X

Family ALCEDINlPAE : Kingfishersand Kookaburras LaughingKookaburra Dacelonovaeguineae X X XXX X XX X SacredKingfisher Halcyon sancta X XX XX AzureKingfisher Ceyx asureus X

Family CORACIIPAE : Rollers Dollar-bird Eurystomus orientalis X

FamilyPIDj\DAE : Pittas NoisyPitta Pitta versicolor X XX

FamilyMENURIDAE : Lyrebirds SuperbLyrebird Menura novaehollandiae XXXX XX XX X

Family HIRUNDINIDAE : Swallowsand Martins WelcomeSwallow Hirundo neoxeno X

Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Forest Resources.Series.No, 16 " . Flora and'Fauna StJrvey;Mt. Royal -103 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Zoological name Common name Catchment Forest Authority Type FB CB DC DFMFRF F H M

FamilyCAMPEPHAQIDAE : Cuckoo-shrikes and Trillers Black-facedCuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae XX XXXX X White-wingedTriller Lalage sueuri X White-bellied(Little) Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis XX X Cicada-bird Coracina tenuirostris XX XXXXX

FamilyMUSCICAPIDAE : Thrushes,Flycatchers, Monarchs andFantails White's (Scaly) (Ground) Thrush Zoothera dauma XX X X XXX Rose Robin Petroica rosea XXX XXXX X ScarletRobin Petroica multicolor XX XXXXX X EasternYellowRobin Eopsaltria australis XX XXXXXX X Jacky-Winter (BrownFlycatcher) Microeca leucophaea X X CrestedShrike-tit Falcunculusfrontatus X X XXX X Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris X X GoldenWhistler Pachycephala pectoralis XX X X XXXXX Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica XX X XX XX X X Black-facedMonarch Monarcha melanopsis XX XXXXXX X SatinFlycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca X X XXXX X RufousFantail Rhipidurarufifrons XX XXXXXX X Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa X X XXXXXX X Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys X

FamilyQRTHONXCHIDAE : Chowchillas and Quail-thrushes Logrunner Orthonyx temminckii XX XX X EasternWhipbird Psophodes olivaceus XX XXXXXX SpottedQuail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum XX XXXXXX

FamilyMALURIDAE : AustralianWarblers (Wrens) Superb (BlueWren) Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus XX X XX XX X Variegated(Wren) Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti XX XX XXX

Family ACANTHTZIDAE: Australian Warblers,Scrubwrens, Thombills Pilot-bird Pycnoptilusfloccosus X XX Large-billedScrub wren Sericomis magnirostris X X X X X Yellow-throated Scrub wren Sericomis citreogularis XX XX X- X X White-browedScrub wren Sericornis frontalis X X XXX XXX X BrownThombill Acanthizapusilla XX X XX x XX X Buff-rompedThombill Acanthiza reguloides X XXX X XX StriatedThombill Acanthiza lineata X X "X XX XXXX Yellow-romped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa X YellowThombill Acanthiza nana XX X X Brown (Warbler)Gerygone Gerygone mouki X X X X X' X X' X Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris X

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Conuhission ofNew S6utliWales Flora and Fa\U1& Survey,Mt. Royal ManagementArea, NewcastleRegion -104 -

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Zoological name Common name Catchment Forest Authority Type FBCBOC DFMFRF F H M

FamilyNEOSUUDAE : Sittellas VariedSittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera X X XX XX

FamiIvCLlMACIERIDAE : Treecreepers White-throated Treecreeper Climacteris leucophaea XXXXXX X X X Red-browed Treecreeper Climacteris erythrops XXXXXX X XX

FamilyMEIFHAGIDAE : Honeyeaters Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata XXXXXX X X X Spiny-checked Honeyeatyer Acanthagenysrufogularis X NoisyFriarbird Philemoncomiculatus X X XXX X XX Bell Miner Manorina melanophrys X X Lewin's Honeyeater Meliphaga lewini X XXXX XXXX Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops XXXXXX X XX White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus X X XXX X X White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyrisnigra X EasternSpinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris X X XXXX X XX ScarletHoneyeater Myzomela sanguinoletua X XX XX

FamilyDICAElPAE : Flowerpeckers Mistletoebird Dicaeumhirundinaceum X XXXX XX XX

FamilyPARDALOTIPAE : Pardalotes SpottedPardalote Pardalotuspunctatus XXXXXX X XX StriatedPardalote Pardalotus striatus XX X X x

FamilyZOSIEROPIDAE : (Silvereyes) White-eyes Silvereye Zosteropslateralis XXXXX XX XX

FamilyPLQCEIDAE : Australian GrassFinchesand Allies Red-browed Firetail Emblematemporalis XXXXX XX X X

FamilyORIOUDAE : Orioles& Figbirds Olive-backed Oriole Oriolussagittatus XX X

FamilyPARADISAEWAE : Bowerbirds, Catbirdsand Riflebirds SatinBowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus X X XXXXX X RegentBowerbird Sericuluschrysocephalus X XX GreenCatbird Ailuroeduscrassirostris X X XXXX X

Family ARTAMIDAE : Woodswallows DuskyWoodswallow Artamus cyanopterus X X X

FamiIv CRACJICIDAE: Currawongs, Butcherbirds and Magpies Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus X X X X X Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen XXXXX XX Pied Currawong Strepera graculina XXXXXXX XX

FamilyCORVIPAE :Ravens,Jays and Crows Australian Raven Corvus coronoides XX XX X X

ForestryCommissionof New South Wales Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 , Flora andFauna'Survey, Mt. Royal -105 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Reference: List ofRecommended EnglishNames, The Emu, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. Vol.77 May 1978.

Catchment: FB Fal Brook CB Carrow Brook DC Davis Creek Forest: DF Dry MP Moist RF Rainforest Authority: F Forestry Commission Survey H Hines (1990) M Commission Management Plan 1988(Compiled from local knowledge and a list supplied by the Australian Museum based on preliminary studies in "Tuglo"Wildlife Refuge a few kilometres from Mt. Royal State Forest, and Gloucester and Chistester Management Plans).

Foresi'Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission ofNew South wales Flora andFaunaSurvey,Mt. Royal Management Area, NewcastleRegion -106 -

AppendixS. Listof mammal fauna from Mt.Royal area(excluding bats).

Common name Scientific name Catchment Forest Authority Type FB CBOC DFMF RP RDFHM

MONOTREMES

FamilyTACHYQWSSIDAE: SpinyAnteaters Echidna Tackyglossus aculeatus X X X X XX

Family0RNIIHORHXNCHIDAE Platypus Omuhorhynchus anaunus X

MARSUPIALS

FamilY DASXURIPAE : Marsupial MiceandNativeCats Spotted-tail Quoll Dasyurus maculatus X X X XX X Brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatofa X X X BrownAnteehinus Antechinusstuartii XX XXXX XXX X X DuskyAnteehinus Antechinus swainsonii X X X Common Dunnart Sminthopsis murina X

FamilyPERAMELIPAE : Bandicoots Northern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon macrourus X X X Long-nosed Bandicoot Perameles nasuta XXXXXXXX

Family PHASCOLARCIlDAE :Koala Koala Phascolarctos cinereus XX X XXX

FamilyVOMBATIDAE : Wombats Common Wombat Yombatus ursinus X XX XXX

FamilyPETAURIDAE : Ringtails andLargerGliders Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus XXXXX XXX X Greater Glider Petauroides volans XXXX X XXX X Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus austrolis XX X XX XXX SugarGlider Petaurus breviceps XX X XX X XX X

FamilyPHALANGERIDAE : Possums Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula XXXX X X XX X Mountain Brushtail Possum Trichosurus caninus X X X X XX

FamilyPOroROIDAE : Potoroos andBettongs Long-nosed Potoroo Potorustridactylus XX X X X Rufous Bettong Aepyprymnus rufescens X X X

Family MACRQPODIDAE : Kangaroos andWallabies Red-necked Pademelon Thylogale thetis XX X X X XXX X Parma Wallaby Macropus parma XX X Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rujogriseus XX X XX XXXXX Eastern GreyKangaroo Maeropus giganteus XXX XXXX Common Wallaroo Macropus robustus X X X X Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bieolor XXX X XXXXX

Forestry Commission of New SouthWales ForestResources SeriesNQ. 16 4

Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -107 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix S. (cont.)

Common name Scientific name Catchment Forest Authority Type FB CB DC DFMF RF RD FHM

EUTHERIAN MAMMALS

Family MURIDAE : Rats and Mice .HastingsRiver Mouse Pseudomys oralis X X XXX X Bush Rat Rattusfuscipes XXXXXX XXXXX SwampRat Rattuslutreolus XXX XXXX House Mouse Mus musculus X X XX Fawn-footed Melomys Melomys cervinipes XXX XX Water Rat Hydromys chrysogaster X X X

OTHERS

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus X XX XXX X Feral Dog, Dingo Canisfamiliaris XXXXX XXX X Fox Vulpes vulpes XXX X XX Cat Feliscatus XXXXX XXXXX Horse Equuscaballus XXX X X XX Cow Bos taurus XXXXX X Pig Susscrofa X X X

Reference: Names as in Strahan (1983) The Australian Museum Complete Book of Australian Mammals.

Catchment: FB Fal Brook CB Carrow Brook OC Davis Creek Forest: DF Dry MF Moist RF Rainforest Authority: R Read (1988, 89) D Dickman and McKechie (1985) F Forestry Commission Survey H Hines (1990) M Commission Management Plan 1988 (Compiled from local knowledge and a list supplied by the Australian Museum based on preliminary studies in "Tuglo" Wildlife Refuge a few kilometres from Mt Royal State Forest, and Gloucester and Chichester Management Plans).

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of NewSouth Wales Flora and Fa\D1a Survey, Mt. Royal Manl$ement Area,Newcastle Re~ion -108 -

Appendix 6. Bat species inventory of the Mt. Royal area and surrounding district .

Data source* Scientific name Common name MSIG

*Data Source:

M Australian Museum records. S Captured at fauna survey plots during this survey. I Detected at inventory site ("Tuglo") during this survey. G Detected in survey of Gloucester and Dungog Forestry Districts (Richards, in prep.)

Forestry Commission of New South Wales For~tResourcesSeriesNo.16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -109 - Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 7. List ofreptiles and amphibians from Mt Royal area.

Common name Scientific name Catchment Broad Authority Forest Type FB CB DC DFMF RF F H

FROGS Common Eastern Froglet Ranidella signifera XXXX X Peron's Tree Frog Litoria peronii X X Litoria verreauxii X X Blue Mountains Tree Frog Litoriacitropa X X Eastern DwarfTree Frog Litoria fallax X X Lesuer's Frog Litoria lesuerii X XX Uperolia laevigata X X

AGAMIDS Bearded Dragon Amphibolurus barbatus XX X Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus XXX XX Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesuerii XX X X

SKINKS Copper-tailed Skink Ctenotus taeniolatus X X Land Mullet Egernia major X XX TreeSkink Egernia striolata X XX Hemiergis decresiensis X X Lampropolis challengeri XXXXX Lampropholis delicata X XX XX Lampropholis guichenoti X X Weasel Skink Saproscincus mustelina XX X X X Red-throated Skink Leiolopisma platynotum X X Leiolopisma entrecasteauxii X X Saiphos equalis X X Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii XXXXXXX Eulamprus heatwolei X X

_ SNAKES Family BOIDAE Diamond Python Morelia spilota XXXX X

Family ELAPIDAE Eastern Tiger Snake .Notechis scutatus X XX Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus XXX XX Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis X XXX

Reference: Names as in Cogger (1983) Reptiles and Amphibians ofAustralia.

Catchment: FB FalBrook CB Carrow Brook IX: Davis Creek Forest: DF Dry MP Moist RP Rainforest Authority: F Forestry Commission ofNew South Wales Survey (1991) H Hines (1990)

Forest ResourcesSeries No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South'W3Ids Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal Management Area.Newcastle Region -110 -

Appendix 8. Australian Museum records for reptiles and amphibians in the general area ofthe Mt Royal Management Area.

Family CHELIDAE: Side-necked Ionises Eastern Long-necked Tortoise Chelodina longicollis family GEKKQNIDAE: Geckos Robust Velvet Gecko Oedura robusta family PYGOPODIDAE: Snake-lizards Delmaplebeia Common Scaly-foot Pygopus lepidopodus

Family AGAMJDAE: Dram Uzards Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus Southern Angle-headed Dragon Hypsilurus spinipes Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii

Family SClNCIDAE: Skinks Anomalopus leuckartii Calyptotis ruficauda Cunningham's Skink Egerniacunninghami Striped Skink Ctenotus robustus Copper-tailed Skink Ctenotus taeniolatus She-oak Skink Cyclodomorphus casuarinae Pink-tongued Lizard Hemisphaeriodon gerrardii Land Muilet Egerniamajor McPhee's Skink Egerniamcpheei Tree Skink Egerniastriolata White's Skink Egemia whitii Southern Water-skink Eulamprus heatwolei Alpine Water Skink Eulamprus kosciuskoi Murray's Skink Eulamprus murrayi Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii Barred-sided Skink Eulamprus tenuis Highland Water Skink Eulamprus tympanum Hemiergis decresiensis Lampropholis caligula Grass Skink Lampropholis delicata Lampropholis entrecasteauxii Garden Skink Lampropholis guichenoti Red-throated Skink Eulepisplatynota Leristapunctatovittata Lygisaurus joliorum Morethia boulengeri Three-toed Skink Saiphos equalis Challenger's Skink Saproscincus challengeri Weasel Skink. Saproscincus mustelina

Family BOIDAE: Pythons Diamond Python/Carpet Python Moreliaspilota

Forestry'Commission ofNew,South Wales Forest Resources Series No. 16 Flora and Fauna Survey, Mt. Royal -111- Management Area, Newcastle Region

Appendix 8. (cont.)

FamilyELAPIDAE: ElapidSnakes Copperhead Austrelaps superbus Golden-crowned Snake Cacophis squamulosus Yellow-faced WhipSnake Demansia psammophis White-lipped Snake Drysdalia coronoides Red-naped Snake Furina diadema MarshSnake Hemiaspis signata Stephen's BandedSnake Hoplocephalus stephensii EasternTiger Snake Notechis scutatus Red-bellied BlackSnake Pseudechis porphyriacus EasternBrownSnake Pseudonaja textitis Rough-scaled Snake Tropidechis carinatus BandyBandy Vermicella annulata

AMPHmIANS

FamilyLEPTODACfXLlPAE: Southern Fro~s TuskedFrog Adelotusbrevis Common EasternFroglet Crinia signifera Fleteher's Frog Lechriodus jletcheri Brown-striped Frog Limnodynastes peronii Spotted GrassFrog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis BarredFrog Mixophyes balbus GreatBarredFrog Mixophyes fasciolatus GiantBarredFrog Mixophyes iteratus BrownToadlet Pseudophryne bibronii Red-backed Toadlet Pseudophryne coriacea Yellow-spotted Toadlet Uperoleia laevigata

FamilyHYLIDAE: Tree Fro~s Booroolong Frog Litoria booroolongensis GreenTree Frog Litoriacaerulea Red-eyed TreeFrog Litoriachloris BlueMountains Tree Frog Litoriacitropa Freycinet's Frog Litoriajreycineti TreeFrog Litoriaglandulosa Litorialatopalmata Lesueur's Frog Litorialesueurii Peron's Tree Frog Litoriaperonii Leaf GreenTree Frog Litoriaphyllochroa DesertTree Frog Litoriarubella TreeFrog Litoriatyleri Verreaux'sTreeFrog Litoria verreauxii

Forest Resources Series No. 16 Forestry Commission of New South Wales