Boorganna Nature Reserve

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Coordinates: 31°38.015′S 152°23.74′E / 31.633583°S 152.39567°E / -31.633583; 152.39567
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Boorganna Nature Reserve
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
WebsiteBoorganna Nature Reserve
See alsoProtected areas of
New South Wales

The Boorganna Nature Reserve is a protected

small leaf fig are particularly noteworthy.[3] The reserve is a remnant of the former extensive rainforest on the Comboyne Plateau. The plateau was cleared between 1900 and 1925. Australian red cedar was logged in the area in the nineteenth century. Originally proposed to be part of the world heritage rainforest group.[4] The exploration, knowledge, uses and history of this area by Indigenous Australians is not well known in the present day. Boorganna Nature Reserve was proposed, but rejected for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage
, due to being geographically isolated from other rainforests in the group.

Location and features

A picnic area next to the forest provides chairs and tables for visitors. Walking trails, a lookout to Rawson Falls and an information board is also provided. Picnics provide a pleasant view of the nearby area. A variety of small birds appear from the edge of the forest. The reserve is situated 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of

Port Macquarie and Tamworth.[2]

Geology and climate

The reserve receives an average annual rainfall of 1,930 millimetres (76 in).[2][5] The climate is sub tropical, though at an elevation ranging from 360 to 732 metres (1,181 to 2,402 ft),[2] it is cooler than at the coast nearby. Soils are derived from Miocene basalt, which provide a deep red loam. Below the basalt are less fertile sedimentary rocks. The western area of the reserve where it adjoins the Great Dividing Range has partly eroded, forming areas of cliffs, rocks and shallow soils. Deep gullies, isolated hills and sharp edged rocky ridges occur here. Rocks include pebbly mudstone, conglomerate siltstone and shale. Serpentinite outcrops can also be seen.

Fauna

Animals are seldom seen in the rainforest, being nocturnal. However, many species live in the reserve. Such as a bats,

bush rats, snakes, lizards and antechinus
.

Bird life is varied and extensive with around a hundred species recorded. Many rainforest pigeons frequent the reserve such as the

rose crowned fruit dove and wompoo fruit dove.[2] As well as other seldom seen species such as the noisy pitta, green catbird, and figbird
.

Invertebrate biology is not so well understood. However, a vast number of insects, arachnids, molluscs, worms and other small creatures live in the rainforest.

blue planarian live on the forest floor. Tree dwelling snails
may be found here.

Flora

Sub tropical rainforest

Rawson Falls

The jungle or sub tropical rainforest features a dark forest with many large trees. Several species grow to great height and a broad trunk diameter, such as

walking stick palm and the Macleay laurel.[6][7]

Boorganna Nature Reserve features several plants at or near their most southern limit of natural distribution. Such as the

red carabeen.[2]

The

Comboyne area, growing in cool stream side rainforests at elevations ranging from 570 to 630 metres above sea level.[9][10]

Warm temperate rainforest

Below the more fertile basalt is a poorer soil type. Warm temperate species are more frequently seen here, such as the

lilly pilly.[11][2][7]

Gully rainforest

Gully rainforest occurs south of Mumford's Creek, in steep sided narrow gullies. Plant species from the sub-tropical and warm

Bangalow palm.[2]

Dry rainforest

Where the soil is shallow, and conditions are exposed to winds and fire is infrequent, dry rainforest occurs. Rainforest tree species in this area include the

shatterwood.[2]

Eucalyptus forest

Eucalyptus forest occurs in areas where fires often occur. In the wetter areas are

black sheoak.[2]

Fungi

At Boorganna Nature Reserve fungi is noticeable and often colourful and spectacular, particularly after rain in the autumn.[12] The bracket rainbow fungus often appears on fallen logs.

Photos from Boorganna Nature Reserve

  • Picnic area by the carpark at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Picnic area by the carpark at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Rawson Falls
    Rawson Falls
  • base of Rawson Falls
    base of Rawson Falls
  • Sour cherry at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Sour cherry at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Small leaf fig at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Small leaf fig
    at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Small leaf fig bark at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Small leaf fig
    bark at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Rosewood at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Rosewood at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Pigeonberry ash at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Pigeonberry ash at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • White beech at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    White beech
    at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Rainbow bracket fungi at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Rainbow bracket fungi at Boorganna Nature Reserve
  • Fungi at Boorganna Nature Reserve
    Fungi at Boorganna Nature Reserve

See also

References

  1. ^ "Boorganna". Protected Planet. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-74122-082-3. Retrieved 14 September 2014. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  3. ^ a b "Boorganna Nature Reserve". Office of Environment & Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  4. ^ Geoff Williams, former CEO of Australia Heritage. Who said that "Brussels saw them as disjunct units rather than a continuum". So, an omission based on ignorance, bias or whim. (Personal Communication).
  5. ^ "Peace, Quiet & Fresh Mountain Air". Comboyne. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  6. ISBN 0-949324-32-9
    .
  7. ^
    JSTOR 2257290
    .
  8. ^ "Boorganna Nature Reserve" pamphlet 1977, National Parks & Wildlife Service
  9. ^ "Lost & Found, Nothofagus moorei at Comboyne. authors C.L. Bale & J.B. Williams" (PDF). Cunninghamia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  10. ISBN 978-0-958943-67-3
    . Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  11. ISBN 0-949324-32-9
    .
  12. ^ "Boorganna Nature Reserve - visitor information". National Parks & Wildlife Service of New South Wales.

External links

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