Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve

Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve New South Wales
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Example of swamp vegetation
Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve
Nearest town or city	Penrose
Coordinates	34°38′31.6″S 150°13′32.2″E / 34.642111°S 150.225611°E / -34.642111; 150.225611Coordinates: 34°38′31.6″S 150°13′32.2″E / 34.642111°S 150.225611°E / -34.642111; 150.225611
Area	34 km² (13.1 sq mi)
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve (SWFR) is located immediately north of Penrose township in the south-western region of Wingecarribee Shire. The reserve is primarily surrounded by the Penrose State Forest, which is a commercially active plantation forest administered by the Forest Corporation NSW. Pine species dominate the state forest with a mix of native vegetation types in isolated pockets and adjacent areas. Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve belongs to a larger wetland complex known as the Paddy’s River Wetland Complex (PRWC). These wetlands also form part of the Paddy’s River sub-catchment, which belong to the larger Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment. Historic use of this area has mainly been that of pine plantation, agriculture and mining activities. The forest is publicly accessible and therefore is a site of mixed recreational activities.

Geology, geomorphology & soils

The reserve is located within a landscape of rolling low-to-medium profile hills with minimal geologic outcropping. Predominant geologic units are Hawkesbury Sandstone, Berry Siltstone and shale units. Hawkesbury sandstone is the prominent geologic unit and can be seen at several outcroppings especially along watercourses.^[1] Nattai tableland and Penrose variants form the predominant soil landscape units within and adjacent to the study area. The soils types are mostly swamp and floodplain deposits that consist of clayey sand with heavy organic and poorly draining characteristics; quaternary alluvium overlies the majority of Hawkesbury sandstone. The geomorphic character of SWFR is identified as “Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone” and is classified as an ecological community.^[2] SWFR sits atop sandstone units in a natural depression that is bounded to the north by a significant hill with protrusions of sandstone units. Geomorphic characteristics as a swamp mark it is an important hydrologic and fluvial unit within the landscape. SWFR is situated within the upper reach of Paddys River, which forms part of the Wollondilly sub-catchment. The Wollondilly sub-catchment is a major component of the southern rivers sub-catchment; located within the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment.

Ecological Character

Stingray Swamp is composed of a rich array of flora and fauna, which is influenced to a large extent by the underlying biophysical and geomorphic character.^[3] The flora of the immediate region consists of dry sclerophyll forest, montane peat shrubs and Cumberland plain woodland species. Stingray swamp exhibits a distinctive and rich mixture of heath, shrub, grasses and fern species. The central areas within the swamp are dense with low canopies of around 1.5–2 meters in height. Leptospermum and coral fern species are dominant features within the floral makeup of the ecosystem. Vegetation grades to open woodland on the outer edges and away from swamp areas. These areas are dominated by eucalyptus species in the range of 5–15 meters tall. Animal species range from birds, reptiles, insects and mammals with current records indicating 15 species. Most notable is the variety of birdlife due to dense vegetation, which has drawn bird watching groups. SWFR is also host to several state and nationally protected and endangered species.^[4] Of note are the following species that area listed at State and National levels:

Flowers of the Broad-leaved sally (Eucalyptus aquatica)

Gang-Gang-cockatoo

Species	Status
Broad-leaved sally (Eucalyptus aquatica)	Protected; Vulnerable
Camden Woollybutt (Eucalyptus macarthurii)	Protected; Vulnerable
Dwarf Phyllota (Phyllota humifusa)	Protected; Vulnerable
Woolly Tea Tree (Leptospermum lanigerum)	Protected
Prostrate Cone bush (Isopogon prostratus)	Protected
Gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum)	Protected; Vulnerable; Sensitivity Class 3
Scarlet robin (Scarlet Robin)	Vulnerable; Protected
Giant Dragonfly (Petalura gigantea)	Endangered

Cultural & Indigenous Heritage

The cultural values of SWFR are not present in any structures or sites of historic importance. Historic ties to the area are bound up in the activities undertaken in the state forest. Plantation has occurred for at least 90 years in PSF and has been a regional commercial activity since the 1920s. A historic road, Old Argyle Road, skirts the south eastern boundary of SWFR and was once part of Old South Road, which assisted the early development of the region through providing a transport route throughout the centre of the shire. Aboriginal heritage within and surrounding the study area is largely unknown. The regional existence of Gandangara and Tharawal peoples are known to have passed through the area and should be a first point of contact. The Wingecarribee area and therefore the SWFR reside within the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council region and should be the first point of contact when seeking Aboriginal heritage information.^[5]

Environmental Threats & Hazards

Ongoing forestry activities pose threats to the integrity of the flora reserve through several processes. Of main concern is the invasion of Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) species that is utilised within the plantation. These species migrate into native forests and establish themselves in dense groups. Observed Radiata species has been noted and ongoing Landcare action in and around the flora reserve aims to remove these species. Lantana (Lantana camara) and English holly (Ilex aquifolium), whilst not currently found within SWFR, pose a direct threat to native species. Harvesting activities occur adjacent to and upslope from the SWFR and may alter hydraulic and geomorphic processes. Clear cutting of select areas upslope from SWFR may increase sediment loading within the waterways within the swamps.^[6]

(Left) Trash dumped in SWFR; (Right) Radiata pine removal in SWFR

Reserve Management

Currently there are no publicly available plans or documents outlining management activities within the flora reserve. However, its status as flora reserve gives some assurance for some level of protection for biodiversity.^[7] Secondly, the Regional Forestry Agreement specifies the requirement for management plans for land set aside as reserves per legislative requirements.^[8] Forests NSW sets a goal to create a management plan for the flora reserve within their Ecologically Sustainable Development Management Plan for the rlevant forestry region.^[9] As of yet there is no further information available to the public as to the details of the management plan. However, the past and present Landcare work may be a sign of active engagement with biodiversity management activities.

References

↑ Australian Government (2014) Temperate highland peat swamps on sandstone. Department of the Environment. Retrieved 3 June 2014 from http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=32
↑ Australian Government (2005) Temperate highland peat swamps on sandstone. Department of the Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 20 May 2014 from http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/4c456084-b8d1-4800-8e91- f98236613b1c/files/temperate-highland-peat-swamps.pdf.
↑ NSW Government (2008) Montane peatlands and swamps. Department of Environment and Climate Change.
↑ NSW BioNet (2014). "Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve - recorded entries". NSW Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 18 May 2014 from http://bionet.nsw.gov.au/.
↑ NSW Government (1999) Cecil hoskins nature reserve: plan of management. Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 3 June 2014 from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/pomFinalCecil.pdf
↑ Australian Government (2014) Temperate highland peat swamps on sandstone. Department of the Environment. Retrieved 3 June 2014 from http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=32
↑ NSW Government (2011) NSW - conservation mechanisms http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/bioregions/BioregionsNswoutlineConservation.htm
↑ EPA (2002) Southern Region Forest Agreement http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/resources/forestagreements/Sthrnfa.pdf
↑ Forests NSW (2008) Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management - Monaro Region NSW http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/438370/esfm-monaro.pdf

Southern Highlands region, New South Wales, Australia

Main towns	Bowral Bundanoon Mittagong Moss Vale Robertson

Villages, small towns and localities	Alpine Avoca Aylmerton Balaclava Balmoral Bangadilly Belanglo Berrima Bong Bong Braemar Bullio Burradoo Burrawang Calwalla Canyonleigh Colo Vale East Bowral Exeter Fitzroy Falls Glenquarry Hanging Rock High Range Hill Top Hoddles Cross Roads Joadja Kangaloon Lower Mittagong Manchester Square Mandemar Medway Meryla Myra Vale New Berrima Paddys River Penrose Sutton Forest Wattle Ridge Welby Werai Wildes Meadow Willow Vale Wingello Woodlands Yarrunga Yerrinbool

National parks and reserves	Bangadilly NP Budawang NP Budderoo NP Belanglo SF Cecil Hoskins NR Jellore SF Joadja NR Macquarie Pass NP Morton NP Nattai NP Penrose SF Stingray Swamp FR Tarlo River NP Wingello SF Wombeyan Caves

Rivers and reservoirs	Burke Lake Burragorang Little (Wingecarribee) Little (Wollondilly) Mulwaree Nattai Paddys Shoalhaven Scheme Tarlo Warragamba Dam Warragamba Wingecarribee Wollondilly Upper Nepean Scheme

Tourist attractions	Belmore Falls Carrington Falls Fitzroy Falls

Nature reserves of New South Wales, Australia

Central NSW	Abercrombie Caves Arakoola Avisford Barton Binnaway Boomi Boomi West Borenore Caves Boronga Brigalow Park Budelah Careunga Coolbaggie Copperhannia Dapper Donnybrook Dural Eugowra Freemantle Gamilaroi Girralang Jenolan Caves Kemps Creek Kirramingly Koorawatha Kuma Macquarie Marshes Midkin Munghorn Gap Narran Lake Pilliga Planchonella The Rock Tollingo Turallo Wambool Weetalibah Winburndale Woggoon Wongarbon Yaegl Yarringully

Hunter and Mid North Coast	Awabakal Baalijin Back River Bagul Waajaarr Bandicoot Island Bird Island Bollanolla Boonanghi Boondelbah Boorganna Bowraville Bretti Brimbin Bugan Burning Mountain Bushy Island Camels Hump Camerons Gorge Cedar Brush Coocumbac Island Coolongolook Cooperabung Creek Coramba Corrie Island Coxcomb Darawank Fifes Knob Fishermans Bend Gads Sugarloaf Ganay Garby Goonook Hexham Swamp Jaaningga Jagun Jasper John Gould Juugawaarri Karuah Kattang Khappinghat Khatambuhl Killabakh Killarney Kooragang Koorebang Kororo Lake Innes Limeburners Creek Little Broughton Island Macquarie Mernot Mills Island Moffats Swamp Monkerai Monkeycot Moon Island Moonee Beach Mount Seaview Muttonbird Island Ngambaa North Rock One Tree Island Pambalong Pee Dee Pulbah Island Queens Lake Rawdon Creek Regatta Island Running Creek Seaham Swamp Seal Rocks Skillion Snapper Island Stormpetrel Talawahl The Castles The Glen Tilligerry Tingira Heights Tomalla Towibakh Valla Wallabadah Wallamba Wallaroo Wallis Island Weelah Willi Willi Caves Wingen Maid Wingham Brush Worimi Yahoo Island Yarravel Yessabah

New England Tablelands	Aberbaldie Ashford Caves Bluff River Bolivia Hill Booroolong Burnt-Down Scrub Deer Vale Demon Duval Georges Creek Gibraltar Guy Fawkes River Imbota Ironbark Jobs Mountain Linton Little Llangothlin Mann River Melville Range Mother Of Ducks Lagoon Mount Hyland Mount Mackenzie Mount Yarrowyck Muldiva Ngulin Serpentine Severn River Stony Batter Creek The Basin Tuggolo Creek Watsons Creek Yina

Northern Rivers	Andrew Johnston Big Scrub Ballina Banyabba Billinudgel Boatharbour Booyong Broken Head Brunswick Heads Bungabbee Byrnes Scrub Captains Creek Chambigne Chapmans Peak Clarence Estuary Cook Island Couchy Creek Cudgen Cumbebin Swamp Davis Scrub Flaggy Creek Gumbaynggirr SCA Hattons Bluff Hayters Hill Hogarth Range Hortons Creek Iluka Inner Pocket Julian Rocks Koukandowie Limpinwood Little Pimlico Island Marshalls Creek Moore Park Mororo Creek Mount Neville Mount Nullum Muckleewee Mountain Munro Island North-West Solitary Island North Obelisk North Solitary Island Numinbah Richmond River Sherwood Snows Gully South West Solitary Island Split Solitary Island Stotts Island Susan Island Tabbimoble Swamp Tallawudjah Tuckean Tucki Tucki Tweed Estuary Tyagarah Ukerebagh Uralba Victoria Park Waragai Creek Wilson Wilsons Peak Woodford Island Wooyung

Outback NSW	Big Bush Boginderra Hills Buddigower Cocopara Goonawarra Gubbata Ingalba Jerilderie Kajuligah Kemendok Lake Urana Langtree Ledknapper Loughnan Morrisons Lake Mutawintji Narrandera Nearie Lake Nocoleche Nombinnie Pucawan Pulletop Quanda Round Hill Tarawi The Charcoal Tank Yanga Yathong

South Coast and Highlands	Araluen Badja Swamps Bamarang Barren Grounds Barrengarry Bees Nest Bell Bird Creek Belowla Island Bermaguee Bimberi Binjura Black Andrew Black Ash Bobundara Bogandyera Bondi Gulf Bournda Broulee Island Brundee Swamp Brush Island Burnt School Burra Creek Burrinjuck Cambewarra Range Cecil Hoskins Clarkes Hill Comerong Island Coolumbooka Coornartha Courabyra Cullendulla Creek Cuumbeun Dananbilla Dangelong Devils Glen Downfall Eagles Claw Egan Peaks Ellerslie Five Islands Flagstaff Memorial Good Good Goorooyarroo Gungewalla Hattons Corner Illawong Illunie Ironmungy Jerralong Jingellic Joadja Kangaroo River Kybeyan Meringo Merriangaah Montague Island Mount Clifford Mount Dowling Mudjarn Mullengandra Mundoonen Myalla Nadgee Nadgigomar Narrawallee Creek Nest Hill Ngadang Nimmo Numeralla Oak Creek Parma Creek Paupong Queanbeyan Quidong Razorback Robertson Rodway Saltwater Swamp Scabby Range Scott Stony Creek Strike-a-Light Tabletop Tapitallee Tinderry Tollgate Islands Triplarina Ulandra Undoo Wadjan Wanna Wanna Wee Jasper Wiesners Swamp Wogamia Wollondilly River Woollamia Worrigee Wullwye Yanununbeyan Yaouk Yatteyattah

Sydney and surrounds	Agnes Banks Berkeley Bird Island Castlereagh Central Gardens Cockle Bay Dalrymple-Hay Dharawal Evans Crown Gulguer Lion Island Long Island Manobalai Mulgoa Muogamarra Newington Pelican Island Pitt Town Rileys Island Spectacle Island Towra Point Wallumatta Wamberal Lagoon Wambina Windsor Downs

Protected areas of New South Wales

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