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Ecology of Cumberland Plain Woodland

Cumberland Plain Woodland is the original native vegetation community of much of Western Sydney.

Clearing for farming and urban development have reduced its original extent to small remnants, many of which are under threat. Cumberland Plain Woodland is now listed as a Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. 

The Australian Botanic Garden includes natural remnants of Cumberland Plain Woodland vegetation. These are being managed for their long-term protection, and as sites for scientific research, particularly on the biodiversity and ecology of Cumberland Plain Woodland.

Western Sydney woodland

Cumberland Plain Woodland once covered much of western Sydney. Clearing has reduced its original extent to small remnants and it is now listed as an Endangered Ecological Community.

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Woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden

From grazing in the early 1800s to the site of the Australian Botanic Garden today, our woodland has a fascinating history and ecology.

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Woodland ecology

How do woodlands function? Results of ecological monitoring over 16 years give an insight into the complex relationships within our woodland. 

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Plant species in the woodland

At the Australian Botanic Garden, woodland remnants contain about 150 native plant species and about 40 naturalised exotic weed species, as well as those overlooked little things: mosses, lichens and fungi.

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Wildlife in the woodland

Our natural and semi-natural lands are managed as conservation areas for the local flora and dependent fauna, and provide the background setting for the thematic horticultural plantings and amenity areas.

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Research ideas and references

Ideas for future research, as well as references and further reading.

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The Ecology of Cumberland Plain Woodland web pages have been compiled by
Doug Benson and Lotte von Richter.

Additional information has been provided by Jocelyn Howell, Debra Little and Sarah Dempster (bushland management), Stephen Skinner (algae), Elizabeth Brown (mosses and lichens), Bob Coveny (mosses, lichens and fungi), Boris Lomov (butterflies and ants), Alan Leishman (birds), Stephanie Clarke (snails) and Martyn Robinson and David Britton of the Australian Museum (insects). Thanks to Catherine Wardrop and Lesley Elkan for the seed illustrations, Nancy Rollason for the diary illustrations and Amelia Martyn Yenson for editing.

We would appreciate feedback that will help us to improve these pages.
Comments can be sent to lotte.von-richter@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au