Nightcap National Park
Nightcap National Park NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service | |
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Website | Nightcap National Park |
See also | Protected areas of New South Wales |
The Nightcap National Park is a
Regional geology and climate
The park is on the south-eastern edge of the Mount Warning erosion caldera. Creating features of gullies, ridges and a massif of peaks that form the eroded remnants of the Tweed shield volcano.[4] The tallest peak at Nightcap is Mount Burrell also known as Blue Knob with an elevation of 933m above sea level.[5] The Nightcap Range is mostly situated in the park and is a spur off the Great Dividing Range.
The basalt and rhyolite lava that once flowed from the Tweed volcano (known as Mount Warning), which erupted over 23 million years ago, has produced various vegetation communities. On soil with a rhyolitic base is warm temperate rainforest that covers much of the park, and the nutrient rich basalt soil produces sub-tropical rainforest.[5][6]
Nightcap has the highest rainfall in NSW with rain exceeding 2500mm per annum. The mean temperature ranges from 19.1 °C to 29.7 °C; the region can experience high humidity and temperatures can get close to 40 °C. High rainfall events and storms of cyclonic strength can occur during the summer.[6]
Aboriginal heritage
Several Aboriginal communities inhabited the region and a spiritual connection to the land, including the
Park history
Before it became a national park, it provided the historic link between the Richmond and Tweed valleys known as the Historic Nightcap Track. It provided the first bridle track in 1871 and as of 1874 a telegraph line between the two valleys. A section of this historic link is now part of a walking track at the park.[4]
The beginning of the modern conservation movement involving direct action occurred during 1972 to 1982 in the upper Northern Rivers region. The conservation campaigns started in an attempt to prevent further logging of the rainforest in the region.[4] Terania Creek at Nightcap was the site of the first rainforest anti-logging demonstrations in Australia. By 1979 the campaign against logging increased in intensity, starting an event known as the three-year Rainforest War involving a group of dedicated activists being supported by former NSW Premier Neville Wran.[8][9] At one point, 100 people took radical action, forming a human barricade to block bulldozers.[10]
"So overpowering was the draw of these trees that people risked their lives. A spirit of transformation emanated from the forest." - Ian Cohen, Green MLC, 1997
Nightcap became a national park in 1983 under the Forestry Revocation and National Park Reservation Act 1983 (NSW) involving an area of the former Goonimbar State Forest (SF). The remainder of Goonimbar SF and part of Whian Whian SF were added to the national park later that year.
In 2009 BirdLife International identified the Nightcap Range as important bird and biodiversity areas (IBA). The Nightcap Range IBA includes Nightcap NP, Mount Jerusalem NP, Goonengerry NP and Whian Whian State Conservation Area (SCA). It has been recognised for its populations of Albert's lyrebird (Menura alberti), green catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris), pale-yellow robin (Tregellasia capito), Australian logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii), paradise riflebird (Ptiloris paradiseus) and regent bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus).[13]
Ecology
Approximately 70% of Nightcap NP is covered by a variety of rainforest communities, and the rest is covered by mostly wet sclerophyll forest and partly dry sclerophyll forest. The park also supports lowland species of the former Big Scrub, which was the largest area of subtropical lowland rainforest that was intensively cleared; now less than 1% remains.[6] Of all the known native vascular flora in NSW about 10% of it can be found here with 72 that are identified as threatened with extinction. The park supports a rich diversity of species that includes more than 40 species of mammals, 27 reptiles, 23 frogs, over 140 bird species, over 650 known plant species including numerous ferns and various orchids, and a diverse variety of fungus and lichens.[14][15]
As of 2011, Forests of East Australia became the 35th Biodiversity Hotspot, which includes Nightcap NP. The concept of the Biodiversity Hotspot is that there are "exceptional concentrations of endemic species that are undergoing exceptional loss of habitat".[16][17]
Threatened flora and fauna
Mammals
Spotted-tailed quoll (
Bats
Many microbat and megabat species inhabit the park, several of which are threatened. The following bats are listed as vulnerable on the TSC Act: greater broad-nosed bat (Scoteanax rueppellii), eastern long-eared bat (Nyctophilus bifax), golden-tipped bat (Kerivoula papuensis), eastern false pipistrelle (Falsistrellus tasmaniensis), large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), eastern tube-nosed bat (Nyctimene robinsoni), little bentwing-bat (Miniopterus australis), Eastern bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) and southern myotis (Myotis macropus).[14]
Birds
The red goshawk (
Frogs
Two frog species are classified as endangered on the
Reptiles
Two species of reptiles are listed as vulnerable on the TSC Act. The Stephens' banded snake (
Trees
The Nightcap oak (
Other flora
The following species are all listed as Endangered under the
Environmental threats
Pest animals
Wild dogs (
Weeds
Lantana (
Fire
Fire is not a requirement for rainforest species to germinate or to reproduce. If a fire did occur it would change habitat conditions and have an adverse impact on threatened rainforest species like the Nightcap oak.[39] A suspicious fire occurred in September 2014 near Minyon Falls Road at the park. Fortunately no one was harmed and it only burned dry sclerophyll forest.[40] The park was devastated by the 2019-2020 Australian brushfire season, raising grave fears about the fate of its inhabitants.[41] However, many of the burned nightcap oak trees managed to regenerate after the fires, with only less than a fifth dying, and some of the inhabitants such as red-legged pademelon and long-nosed potoroo were shown to not be significantly affected, although others such as the golden-tipped bat were likely negatively affected.[42][43]
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Phytophthora cinnamomi is a microscopic soil-borne pathogen (a fungus), that causes root rot of plants and may eventually lead to the death of the plant. It has now spread across much of Australia primarily in areas of rainfall above 600mm and south of latitude 30°.[44][45] On the EPBC Act the disease caused by this pathogen is listed as a key threatening process and has the potential to impact the Nightcap oak.[46]
Chytridiomycosis
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus, is the world's worst disease affecting vertebrates. In Australia it is thought that the disease led to the extinction of four frog species and is threatening the survival of at least ten more frog species.[47] Fifty species of frogs in Australia have been identified as being infected with the chytrid fungus.[48] The disease has been found throughout Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area of the Northern-Rivers NSW.[49] The disease has been found in individuals of the giant barred frog and is a key threatening process to the endangered frog. Other frogs at the park are also threatened by the disease including the Fleay's barred frog and Loveridge's frog.[50][51][52]
Management
The management plan for Nightcap NP is the Parks & Reserves of the Tweed Caldera Plan of Management created by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. The main objectives are as follows:
Maintain ecosystems or, if needed, rehabilitate areas in the park in accordance to the principles of the World Heritage convention and to assess the extension of Nightcap NP as potential addition to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area. Promote and provide information on World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, by signage and brochures.
Conserve the full range of native plants and animals including habitats at the park. Neighbouring land with habitat is managed via cooperative agreements. Support neighbouring landholders to protect and manage adjoining ecological corridors. Ensure that no swimming occurs downstream of Protesters Falls at the park, so that high water quality remains for the threatened Fleays barred frog.
Control and when possible eradicate weeds and replace with locally native species that would occur in the way of natural regeneration. In the park control the dispersal of the introduced Queensland maple (Flindersia brayleyana), a tree that is grown for its timber. Control pest species (wild dog, red fox, feral cat, black rat, cane toad and invertebrate pests) in line with the Pest Management Strategy for the Northern Rivers Region of NPWS.
Prevent fire from affecting rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest and manage the correct intensity, frequency and patchiness of fire in other vegetation communities, to ensure ecological succession occurs. Complete and implement the Fire Management Strategies for Nightcap NP.
Access
The park has three main sections. Access to the
See also
References
- ^ a b "Nightcap National Park". Office of the Environment & Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ^ "Nightcap National Park". Google Maps. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- ^ McIntyre, Iain (4 November 2020). "Environmental Blockading in Australia and Around the World - Timeline 1974-1997". The Commons Social Change Library. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Edwards, David (2004). Parks & Reserves of the Tweed Caldera Plan of Management. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- ^ a b c Visitor Guide: Nightcap National Park and Whian Whain State Conservation Area. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- ^ a b c "The Nightcap Range". rosebank.ws. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Nightcap National Park". www.australiannationalparks.com. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Nightcap National Park, NSW". Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ 3CR; McIntyre, Iain (2018). "Treesits, lock-ons and barricades: Environmental blockading in the 1980s". Commons Social Change Library.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Scopelianos, Sarah; Philips, Keri (4 August 2019). "From polite persuasion to radical activism — the birth of the modern environment movement". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Centre, UNESCO. "Gondwana Rainforests of Australia - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Gondwana Rainforests of Australia - Overview - World Heritage Places". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Birdlife Data Zone". www.birdlife.org. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Environment & Heritage | NSW BioNet". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Bushwalks". rosebank.ws. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- ^ "CSIRO Research Publications Repository - Forests of East Australia: The 35th Biodiversity Hotspot". publications.csiro.au. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ Vernes, Karl. "Forests of eastern Australia are the world's newest biodiversity hotspot". Retrieved 19 May 2015.
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- ^ Czechura, G. V.; et al. (2009). "Observations on the Biology of the Red Goshawk, Erythrotriorchis radiatus in Queensland". Australian Field Ornithology.
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- ^ Newman, M. (2014). "Rufous Scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens monitoring at the extremities of the species' range in New South Wales (2010–2012)". Australian Field Ornithology.
- ^ "White-eared Monarch - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- ^ "Marbled Frogmouth - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
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- ^ "Stephens' Banded Snake - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- ^ "Three-toed Snake-tooth Skink - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- ^ "Eidothea hardeniana – Nightcap Oak". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- ^ "Coast Euodia - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "Short-footed Screw Fern - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "Green-leaved Rose Walnut - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "Narrow-leaf Finger Fern - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ a b Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17: Northern Rivers Region: a new approach for reducing impacts on native species and park neighbours. Office of Environment and Heritage. 2012.
- ^ "Parkvis redirector". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Weeds of National Significance (WONS)". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Eidothea hardeniana – Nightcap Oak". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Nightcap Oak - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ Shoebridge, Joanne; Marciniak, Catherine (18 January 2020). "Gondwana-era nightcap oak devastated by unprecedented bushfire". ABC News. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Precious nightcap oak survives the carnage of bushfire with show of uplifting resilience". www.abc.net.au. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ "Scientists on a mission to discover if threatened wildlife can survive intense bushfires". www.abc.net.au. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Statement of Intent, 1: Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi. NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change. 2008.
- PMID 20565682.
- ^ "National recovery plan for the Nightcap Oak (Eidothea hardeniana) - 2. Legislative Context". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- hdl:10072/37569.
- ^ "Infection of frogs by amphibian chytrid causing the disease chytridiomycosis - profile | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ Speare, R.; et al. (2005). "A project that designs and trials a pilot survey to map the distribution of chyridomycosis (caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus) in Australian frogs". The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage.
- ^ "Mixophyes iteratus – Giant Barred Frog, Southern Barred Frog". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Mixophyes fleayi – Fleay's Frog". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Loveridge's frog - endangered species listing | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ISBN 1-875992-47-2.
External links
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water - Nightcap National Park