Swamp Tea-tree (forest)

Description:

The Swamp Tea-tree forest is listed as a "Critically Endangered" ecological community - http://www.environment.gov.au/system/fil... and the species itself "Endangered". Melaleuca irbyana, also commonly known as "weeping paperbark", "bushhouse paperbark" and "swamp paperbark", is a plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It is a shrub or small tree, often growing in pure stands in poorly drained areas. (Wiki). A variety of plants and animals make their homes in the swamp tea-tree forest, including the nationally threatened slender milkvine (Marsdenia coronata). The swamp tea-trees provide shelter and nesting sites for a range of bird species. On the ground, numerous fallen logs provide shelter for reptiles and other animals while temporary ponds provide breeding habitat for frogs and other pond life. Koalas, echidnas and wallabies also occur in the swamp tea-tree forest. (EPBC Act 1999) The greatest dangers to this ecosystem come from a number of sources including: land clearing for agriculture and development, fire too-frequently, livestock grazing, weed invasion (particularly introduced grasses), road-works, loss of genetic diversity, and not forgetting the current drought.

Habitat:

Spotted at Purga Nature Reserve, Ipswich SEQ. Surrounding area cleared farmland, and this region is completely dry due to the prevailing drought. This is usually a wetland area that is periodically waterlogged during wet periods. https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/as... According to Ipswich Council, this small reserve constitutes "the largest protected area of endangered Swamp Tea-tree forest in the world."

Notes:

Its distribution is limited and the species has been classified as Endangered under legislation in both states, and the forest as Critically Endangered under Australian government legislation. (2005 - Australian Government) http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sp... (1999 - NSW Government) https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Topic... (2015 - NSW Government) https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threa... (2017 - QLD Government Case Study 7 - page 44 of this PDF document) https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildl... One only needs to look over the fence of this small nature reserve to see what the impacts of land clearing are, and it's root cause reaches far beyond the next paddock fence and all the way to the state capitals and Canberra!