Lowland Woodlands in ACT Nature Reserves

In the ACT several different types of lowland woodland remain.

Examples include:

• Snow Gum Grassy Woodland which can be seen at the Aranda Snow Gums Heritage Site.
• Yellow Box–Red Gum Grassy Woodland which occur at nature reserves at Mt Ainslie– Mt Majura, Red Hill, Mulligans Flat and Gooroo.
• Dry Shrubby Box Woodlands (which contain Eucalypts such as Mealy Bundy, Broad-leaved Peppermint and Red Box) which can be seen at Wanniassa Hills, Tuggeranong Hill and McQuoids Hill Nature Reserves.

Actions to Protect Lowland Woodlands

The ACT has lost over two thirds of its Yellow Box – Red Gum Grassy Woodland and in NSW a significantly greater amount is gone. ‘Woodlands for Wildlife – ACT Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy (Action Plan 27)’ sets out ways in which landholders, government and the community can help conserve lowland woodland and the threatened species that depend upon its habitats.

As part of the implementation of the Action Plan, management actions such as feral animal and weed control, strategic grazing, controlled burning and slashing are used to encourage regeneration and maintain the integrity and diversity of lowland woodlands. Revegetation work will be undertaken where this will assist conservation of woodland communities. Guided walks are regularly held to support local residents learn more about woodlands. The ACT Parks and Conservation Service is working with the community to conserve and restore lowland woodlands. These measures will help to ensure woodlands of all types continue to survive well into the future.

While Visiting Woodlands:

• Bring your binoculars.
• Leave your pets at home as they disturb native animals.
• Leave animals, plants, fallen timber and rocks where you find them.

What is Woodland?

Woodlands were once a common vegetation type in the ACT and region, covering most lower hill slopes. Since European settlement, they have been altered in various ways, making some types of woodland threatened with extinction.

Woodland trees are of medium height (10-30m) with wide, spreading canopies which are clearly separated from one another. In south-east Australia woodland trees are usually eucalypts with an understorey of shrubs, herbs and grasses. Upslope, woodlands merge into forests which have closely spaced trees. Lowland woodlands occur below 1000 m and grade into native grasslands in valleys below 650 m.

More Than Just Trees

Most of the plant diversity in lowland woodlands is found in the understorey. Woodlands on deep, fertile soils tend to have grassy understoreys, whereas those on less fertile soils are more shrubby. A variety of native tussock grasses such as Kangaroo, Wallaby and Spear Grasses and the soft-spreading, bright green Weeping Grass can be found.

Shrubs may include the sticky-leaved Cassinia, Silver Wattle, Hop-bush, Bitter Cryptandra and the spikey Australian Blackthorn.

In spring and summer, wildflowers such as Early Nancys, Billy Buttons, Bulbine Lilies, orchids and bluebells add splashes of colour to the woodland floor.

Animals Abound

A woodland is a rich environment for a wide variety of animals which use the different layers of trees, shrubs, herbs, native grasses and fallen timber. Mulligans Flat Nature
Reserve which contains Yellow Box–Red Gum Grassy Woodlands, is recognised as one of the best birdwatching sites in the ACT. While many animals can be difficult to see, they often leave clues to their presence. For example, echidna scratchings can be found at ant and termite nests, kangaroo and wallaby tracks can often be seen in damp or sandy areas and frogs and birds can be heard calling.

A Home to Threatened Species

Some lowland woodlands provide habitat for threatened plants and animals. These include the Button Wrinklewort and Hoary Sunray daisies and the Small Purple Pea.

Birds such as the Brown Treecreeper depend on fallen timber in woodlands for feeding sites. The Hooded Robin feeds on insects in the open woodland glades within lowland woodlands.

A Long History of Disturbance

Kangaroos and other native animals have been grazing woodlands for thousands of years. With European settlement came additional grazing by livestock. Some woodlands were cleared for settlements and eventually suburbs. Firewood collection, rock removal and weed invasion continue to destroy animal and plant habitats and so threaten our remaining woodlands.

Lowland Woodlands of the ACT brochure ( PDF 337 Kb )