Modified Sclerophyll Forest Key – Northern Rivers

The NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) engaged Wildsite to prepare a key to improve the classification of sclerophyll forests modified by fire exclusion and logging in the Nightcap National Park and Whian Whain State Conservation Area. The modified key enables the classification of historical (pre-degradation) open forest classes (dry sclerophyll, wet sclerophyll) using field indicators and is based on the NSW vegetation formation key of Keith (2004). The key underpinned the revised vegetation classification and mapping to guide the reserve’s fire management strategy, improve ecological fire management, and protect fire-sensitive rainforest values.

The associated report outlines the rationale for using the key, including an outline of the processes and ecological consequences of structural change.