"Western Sydney Dry Rainforest".pdf

Western Sydney Dry Rainforest is an endangered ecological community listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, characterized by a dry vine scrub community with canopy trees like prickly paperbark and native quince, and a shrub layer with species like large mock olive and yellow pittosporum. It occurs on the Cumberland Plain, particularly in the southern section, and is now reduced to 338 ha, which is 26.4% of its original distribution. The community is fire-sensitive and dependent on sheltered aspects, with high conservation value due to the presence of rainforest species in a relatively dry part of Sydney. Threats include clearing, frequent fires, and weeds, and recovery efforts are being addressed through the Cumberland Plain Endangered Ecological Communities Recovery Plan, which aims to protect remnants through reservation, environmental protection zoning, and development control processes.