Brisbane Water National Park

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Brisbane Water National Park
New South Wales
Waterfall in the deeper areas of the Brisbane Water National Park.
Map
Brisbane Water National Park
Nearest town or cityGosford
EstablishedSeptember 1959 (1959-09)[1]
Area115.06 km2 (44.4 sq mi)[2]
Managing authoritiesNSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
WebsiteBrisbane Water National Park
See alsoProtected areas of
New South Wales

Brisbane Water National Park is a national park on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The national park is situated 70 kilometres (43 mi) north of Sydney and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) southwest of Gosford. It consists the Brisbane Water and Mooney Mooney Creek waterways.

The National Park includes the Lion Island and the Spectagle Island near the Pacific Ocean. Brisbane Water National Park features fertile valleys which runs along the northern side of the Hawkesbury River towards Brisbane Water and the Pacific Ocean. The national park has an area of 11,506-hectare (28,430-acre) and is inhabited by the Darkinjung people.[3]

Features

The park has many pleasant and interesting walks that can vary from mild to rugged.

Central Coast railway line. The Great North Walk, that leads from Sydney to Newcastle
, passes through the park.

The national park is bounded to the south by the

Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge, part of the Central Coast Highway, part of the Pacific Highway and part of the M1 Motorway bisect various sections of the national park.[3]

Region Description

Natural Swimming hole in Brisbane Water National Park

Brisbane Water National Park is described as a ‘living space’ for plant and animal communities in the National Parks Plan of Management.[6] The park is a sanctuary for plant and animal communities to adapt and migrate in the face of climate change. The size and shape of the park should allow adjustment in the Northwest and South for biological adjustment. The park is a system of reserves protecting the states significant waterways of the lower Hawkesbury River, Broken Bay and Brisbane Water.[6] The park also protects a range of Aboriginal sites and extends the representation of rock art from the Sydney Basin in the National Park systems. The geology is mainly in the Hawksbury series of cross bedded quarts sandstone, conglomerates, and grey and red shales.[7]

Biology and Ecology

The park covers enough area to provide critical nesting and breeding sites for several species whose territories range over surrounding rural and urban areas. For many of these species the park provides the only secure available land for them to find seclusion from human impacts. For many of these plant and animal species the park is the only available

understorey. Rainforest communities occur in sheltered sections of valleys and along streams.[6] 20 vegetation communities are represented in the park, all of which are considered endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. 5 are listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC).[8] The critically endangered communities listed in the EPBC act in the park are: Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, Littoral Rainforest in the New South Wales North Coast, Lowland Rainforest in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions, Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, and Western Sydney Dry Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion.[8]

The Blue Gum High Forest is a tall open forest community where the Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna) dominates the canopy layer. Other tree species that occur in this community are: blackbutt (E. pilularis), forest oak (Allocasuarina torulosa), and Sydney red gum (Angophora costata). Species occurring in the shrub layer are ones adapted to moist habitats.[9] Only around 4.5% of the Blue Gum High Forest remains, now occurring in small remnants. It only occurs in areas where rainfall is high and soil fertility is good. For this reason it can only occur in small sections which are suitable for growth. Understorey species rely on bird and mammal species to distribute seeds and this community does not cope well in fire events.[10] The Blue Gum High Forest is known to occur in Brisbane Water National Park and is now reliant on national park status as protection from habitat degradation, as well as good park management with regards to invasive species control and fire regimes.

Flora

A number of areas in Brisbane Water National Park contain rare and endangered plants. It is likely that these remnant populations demonstrate the ways that environmental conditions have changed in the past few thousand years. In some cases these rare species are remnants of populations that would have been extensive before widespread clearing took place for urban and agricultural use.[6] The park encompasses a wide variety of flora with 814 species recorded.[8] The diversity of plant species and plant communities is reflective of variations in geology, soils, hydrology, aspect, and fire history.[6] Ten of the recorded plant species are considered to be rare and several others are uncommon or restricted in their distribution.[6] The park hosts a number of vulnerable and threatened species as listed under the EPBC act. Vulnerable species include: thick-leaf star-hair (Astrotricha crassifolia), Camfield's stringybark (Eucalyptus camfieldii), Deane's paperbark (Melaleuca deanei), and Grevillea shiressii. The endangered Somersby mintbush (Prostanthera junonis) is also present in the park.[8]

Somersby mintbush

The donkey orchid (

Wyong areas are the only existing species known to survive.[11]

The vulnerable Camfield stringybarks (Eucalyptus camfieldii) range in NSW has contracted and is now only found in small numbers isolated mainly to nationals parks surrounding Sydney.

habitat loss and fragmentation from development, and low genetic diversity as a result of contracted population numbers.[13]

The endangered Somersby mintbush (Prostanthera junonis) is only known to occur in the Somersby Plateau area in 9 locations after having been previously present in a broader range.[14] The bush grows low with most of the branches growing along the ground to a maximum height of around 30 cm. Its flowers are pale mauve to almost white.[15] Most of the remaining population are present in Brisbane Water National Park and face similar threats to Camfield's Stringybark which are: habitat degradation, invasive weed competition, and inappropriate fire regimes.[15]

Fauna

The allocation of land in the National Park has provided and conserved valuable habitat to a range of vulnerable and endangered species as listed under the

reptiles representing one-third of the continent's reptile genera are also found in the park.[6]

Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)

Over 150 species of birds have been recorded. Habitat destruction and fragmentation has impacted many of the species, this is an example of the significance of preserved habitat which the park provides. A number of birds found in the park are considered rare in the Sydney bioregion due to lost habitat, these include: Collared sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrhocephalus), Pacific baza (Aviceda subcristata), Lewin's rail (Rallus pectoralis), Buff-banded rail (Rallus philippensis), Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), Glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum), Powerful owl (Ninox strenua), Australian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae), and the Red-browed treecreeper (Climacteris erythrops).[6]

The endangered swift parrot (Lathamus discolour) has been recorded in the park during their migration from Tasmania between March and October. This species returns to foraging sites depending on food availability and available habitat in tree hollows.[16] The critically endangered regent honeyeater (Anthochaera Phrygia) has been sighted in the park. Regent honeyeater range has contracted significantly in recent times and they face a significantly high risk of extinction in the near future [17] The regent honeyeater is a flagship species whose conservation benefits a wide variety of other threatened and vulnerable woodland fauna. Foraging non breeding flocks are recorded on the Central Coast every few years and rely on healthy woodland which is species rich for their survival.[18]

Other migratory bird species known to visit the park are the

white-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).[8]
These seasonal bird species are protected under several migratory bird agreements with China, Korea, and Japan.

Other than birds, the following EPBC endangered species are known to occur in the park: giant burrowing frog (Heleioporus australiacus), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), which is now restricted in distribution on the Central Coast,[6] spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), lLong-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), and the New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae).[8]

Rosenberg's goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus), and the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) are species listed as vulnerable which inhabit the park.[8]

Spotted-tail quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

All of these species are listed as endangered and vulnerable on the EPBC threatened species list mainly due to habitat loss, fragmentation of suitable habitat, degradation of habitat such as removal of dead trees and logs, introduction of feral species, inappropriate fire regimes, and climate change.[19][20] The spotted tail quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is in serious decline due to habitat loss, competition from predators, and poisoning from humans.[21] The quoll occupies a large home range meaning they require a lot of space for foraging, and is therefore mainly restricted to large reserves and national parks. The species require suitable den sites which can be tree and log hollows, rock outcrops, and caves.[22] Habitat fragmentation and degradation are severe impacts for this species as smaller parcels of fragmented land do not provide the necessary habitat, rainfall, nesting sites, and prey, which the spotted tail quoll relies on for survival.[21]

The

prey. Forest dependent species such as the marsupial gliders and ground dwelling mammals are relied on for food by owl species, therefore reduction in the abundance of prey due to habitat fragmentation is an indirect impact on owls.[25]

Environmental Threats

Common Fox, Vulpes vulpes

Brisbane Water National Park is vulnerable to various environmental threats. Introduced invasive

mammals.[26] These pests can cause local extinctions and are a real threat to species which are already vulnerable or endangered.[6]

Invasive weeds are a threat to the natural processes within the park. The low

catchment areas outside the park boundary giving rise to major management issues. These management issues are largely due to altered natural processes such as sedimentation and nutrient alterations.[6]

Park Management

The management of Brisbane Water National Park is by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), under the Office of Environment & Heritage. Park management is vital in conserving biodiversity by offering physical protection to vulnerable and endangered wildlife. This refuge for Australian native plants, animals, and ecosystems allows research programs and conservation initiatives to be undertaken such as weeding and pest control programs to restore native habitats. Fire management strategies are developed in the balance of protecting life, Aboriginal sites, historical sites, and natural processes.[28] The areas surrounding the national park on plateaus was easily settled, therefore the remaining area originally reserved for parkland was limited to remnant areas on the plateau and areas of the catchments in Mooney Mooney, Patonga, and Mullet Creeks, because these areas remained inaccessible for settlement, they are generally harder for access. The locations of settlements mean the national park is hemmed in on two sides by development. The threats to the park caused by intensive agricultural, urban, and industrial development on the boundaries and headwaters make the management of the park difficult, and are increasing over time with continual development proposals such as those on the Kariong and Somersby plateaus which are in various catchment areas of the park.[6] The following are some of the other management issues in the park. Woy Woy refuse tip is an inholding within the park which is a particular management issue as it is within the Patonga Creek Catchment. Agricultural, industrial, and domestic runoff from surrounding developments have long term harmful impacts on aquatic plant communities. Weeds also spread down creek lines from runoff. Fire suppression and management trails need to be planned so potential impacts and erosion which leads to sedimentation of creeks is minimised. Dirt bikes and four wheel drive access to the park is not permitted. Physical damage to plants and soils occurs and erosion has further impacts. Their access is hard to manage as many possible entry points are available.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Brisbane Water National Park: Park management". Office of Environment & Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  2. ISSN 1838-5958
    .
  3. ^ a b "Brisbane Water National Park". Office of Environment & Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Brisbane Water National Park". Wild Walks. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Pindar Cave" (PDF). Wild Walks (PDF). 17 January 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Brisbane Water National Park Plan of Management (PDF). NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. 1992. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 August 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  7. ^ Hawkins, Cedric. A; Haddad, Nawash. I (2011). Soils of the Plateau of the Central Coast, NSW (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Office of Environment & Heritage. "Atlas of NSW Wildlife". BioNet. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  9. ^ Lewis, J.A. (2001). "Regeneration of remnant Blue Gum High Forest vegetation following the cessation of mowing" (PDF). Cunninghamia. 7 (2): 173–182. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  10. doi:10.1046/j.1442-8903.2002.00093.x
    .
  11. ^ Office of Environment & Heritage. "Diuris bracteata - profile". Threatened Species. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  12. ^
    ISBN 978-0333356807.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  13. ^ Department of the Environment. "Eucalyptus camfieldii — Camfield's Stringybark". Threatened Species and Ecological Communities. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  14. ^ Quinn, F.; Williams, J.B.; Gross, C.L.; Bruhl, J. (1995). Report on rare and threatened plants of north-eastern New South Wales. Armidale: University of New England.
  15. ^ a b "Somersby Mintbush Prostanthera junonis Recovery Plan - 2000-2005" (PDF). Department of the Environment. NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  16. ISBN 0-7246-6283-9
    . Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  17. doi:10.1111/izy.12040
    .
  18. ^ Department of the Environment. "Anthochaera phrygia — Regent Honeyeater". Threatened Species and Ecological Communities. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  19. ^ Yencken, D.; Wilkinson, D. (2000). "Resetting the Compass: Australia's Journey Towards Sustainability". 28 (3): 13–26. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. ISBN 9780643096141
    .
  21. ^
    S2CID 38277758
    .
  22. ^ Edgar, R.; Belchar, C. (1995). Spotted tailed quoll, in: The Mammals of Australia. Chatswood: Reed. p. 67.
  23. ^
    doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2005.01514.x
    .
  24. ^ Russel, R (1995). Yellow-bellied glider. In: The Mammals of Australia. Chatswood: Reed Books. p. 226.
  25. ISBN 9780643067943
    .
  26. doi:10.1071/WR9960387
    .
  27. ^
    JSTOR 3988073
    .
  28. ^ "Protecting Biodiversity". NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

External links

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