Vegetation of Culgoa National Park, central northern New South Wales

Abstract

The vegetation of Culgoa National Park (22986 ha in area; 20°15' S, 147°15' E) in the central north of New South Wales, approximately 40 km west of Goodooga and adjoining the NSW/Queensland border, is described. Six vegetation communities are delineated based on UPGMA analysis of cover-abundance scores of all vascular plant taxa. These communities are mapped based on ground truthing and air photo interpretation. All communities are simple in structure being primarily woodlands, shrublands and grasslands. Communities described are: 1) 'Eucalyptus coolabah' Woodlands, 2) 'Muehlenbeckia florulenta' Shrubby Thickets, 3) 'Eucalyptus coolabah' - 'Acacia pundula' Woodlands & Grasslands, 4) 'Eucalyptus largiflorens' - 'Eucalyptus coolabah' Woodlands, 5) 'Eucalyptus largiflorens' - 'Alectryon oleifolius' Woodlands, 6) 'Callitris glaucophylla' - 'Eucalyptus populnea' Woodlands and Shrublands. A total of 240 vascular plant taxa were found of which 8% were exotic in origin. Conservation issues are discussed.