Wingham Brush Nature Reserve

The Wingham Brush Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 8-hectare (20-acre) reserve is a rare[2] example of sub tropical lowland rainforest and is situated on the Manning River.

Wingham Brush Nature Reserve
New South Wales
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Moreton Bay fig, located in the reserve
Wingham Brush Nature Reserve
Nearest town or cityWingham
Coordinates31°52.2′S 152°22.8′E
EstablishedJuly 2000 (2000-07)[1]
Area0.08 km2 (0.0 sq mi)[1]
Managing authoritiesNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
WebsiteWingham Brush Nature Reserve
See alsoProtected areas of
New South Wales

Features

Much of Australia's lowland sub tropical rainforest was cleared for housing and agriculture, leaving only small patches remaining, such as at Wingham Brush The soils are derived from the Manning River. These alluvial soils are enriched from basaltic deposits upstream at Barrington Tops and the Comboyne and Bulga Plateaux. The average annual rainfall is 1,100 millimetres (43 in) at Wingham.[3]

Fauna

The most obvious mammal species in the rainforest is the grey-headed flying fox. Many other species of bats occur here too. Noteworthy birds occurring here include the osprey, green catbird, wompoo fruit-dove and brush turkey. Nocturnal gliders and possums occur in the rainforest, as do many species of reptiles, such as the land mullet.[4]

Flora

The reserve contains 76 species of trees. Most evident in Wingham Brush are the large Moreton Bay figs. Another very common plant is the giant stinging tree. The largest known blush walnut was measured at 37 metres tall, with a base of over a metre wide. Other significant tree species include white cedar, black apple, white walnut, shiny-leaved stinging tree, native elm, hairy rosewood and black booyong.

Rainforest regeneration

Rainforest regeneration programmes have been put in place to encourage local rainforest species and suppress the problem of invasive weeds.[5] The forest was badly infested with weeds until local residents decided to act in 1980. The vines Madeira vine and cats claw creeper were particularly damaging. After the cleanup, the previously degraded area was transformed back into pristine rainforest. The "Wingham Brush method" is an internationally recognised technique for rainforest regeneration.

Indigenous Australians

Wingan in the local indigenous Biripi language means "where bats come to drink".[4] Indigenous Australians regularly visited the rainforest for the collection of food, medicinal purposes, the collection of fibres for making bags and nets and social gatherings. The rainforest has spiritual significance to local indigenous people.

  • Giant stinging trees at Wingham Brush
  • Native elm at Wingham Brush
  • Black apple beside the boardwalk at Wingham Brush
  • Red kamala at Wingham Brush
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See also

References
  1. "Wingham Brush Nature Reserve: Park management". Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  2. "Lowland rainforest on floodplain in the NSW North Coast Bioregion - endangered ecological community listing". Government of New South Wales.
  3. Stockard, J. D. (1996). Rainforest Regeneration at Wingham Brush 1980-1996 (PDF). Eleventh Australian Weeds Conference Proceedings (PDF).
  4. "Wingham Brush Nature Reserve: Pamphlet". NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (PDF). Government of New South Wales. August 2011.
  5. Floyd, A. G. (1990). Australian Rainforests of New South Wales. 2. ISBN 0-949324-32-9.
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