Box Ironbark Forests

Box Ironbark Forests have a restricted distribution in the region, being more common in other catchment management areas to the east. Presently, this vegetation type is known from near Stawell, in areas associated with sedimentary geology and receiving approximately 500 mm rainfall per annum. The clayey soils are usually low in organic matter, water resistant and of moderate to low fertility. Typically, these areas are dominated by trees such as Red-Ironbark Eucalyptus tricarpa, Yellow Gum E. leucoxylon and Grey Box E. microcarpa of moderate height and a shrubby understorey of Wattles Acacia spp. Guinea-flowers Hibbertia spp., Composites Cassinia spp. and Ozothamnus spp., Parrot Peas Dillwynia spp. and Bitter-peas Daviesia spp. The ground layer consists of a few grasses such as Wallaby Grasses Austrodanthonia spp., Chionochloa spp. and Tussock-grasses Poa spp. and a number of seasonal and annual herbs. The Box-Ironbark forests of the region have been disturbed by historic mining practices and mining exploration still continues in a number of areas. Substantial areas of Box-Ironbark Forest have been proposed for reservation in the Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve (ECC, 2000). EVCs: Box Ironbark Forest Heathy Woodland Back to Vegetation Resources

Yellow Gum Eucalyptus leucoxylon Photograph is the property of Viridans Biological Databases (external link) Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa Photograph is the property of Viridans Biological Databases (external link) Red-Ironbark Eucalyptus tricarpa Photograph is the property of Viridans Biological Databases (external link)

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