Wongawilli - Environment

Climate

Due to its coastal location, Wongawilli experiences good falls of rain through the year. Its wettest period is during January, February and March. The mean annual precipitation for the area is 1194 mm. Rainfall characteristics for the Wongawilli area are difficult to determine precisely because of the nature of the escarpment topography.

Landforms/Hydrology

The Wongawilli area is drained by two drainage networks that are tributary arms of Robins Creek. Each creek drains a catchment area which extends to the crest of the escarpment.

Vegetation

The upper portions of the escarpment at Wongawilli are covered by dense stands of mostly natural vegetation. Robins Creek and its tributaries contain remnants of this natural vegetation and the remainder of the area has been cleared for grazing. The following are the vegetation communities present in Wongawilli:

Open Forest. This community is dominated by Eucalyptus tereticornis (Red Forest Gum) and to a lesser extent Eucalyptus eugenioides (Thin Leaved Stringybark). They generally occur on ridgelines and on the broader valley slopes with a northerly aspect. Other tree species in this community are: Melaleuca styphelioides (Prickly Leaved Tea-tree), Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle), Acacia melanoxylon, Backhousia myrtifolia (Myrtle) Glochidion ferdinandii (Cheese tree), Notolaea longifolia (Mock Olive), Guioa semiglauca, Pittosporum revolutum and Callistemon salignus (Willow bottlebrush)

Closed Forest. Dry Subtropical Rainforest. This community has a layered structure with Red Cedar Toona australis, White Cedar Melia azedarach, Cabbage Tree Palms Livistona australis and Stinging Tree Dendrocnide excelsa co-dominating the upper canopy.The middle canopy is dominated by Ficus coronata the Sandpaper Fig, Backhousia myrtifolia the Grey Myrtle, Acacia mearnsii and Acacia melanoxylon. Podocarpus elatus is also found in this layer.The understorey is sparse. Very low ground covers and ferns such as Adiantum hispidium, Blechnum cartilagineum and Doodia aspera dominate this layer.

Closed Scrub. Only one small example of this community was identified by the Longworth & McKenzie study. This community has only one layer, Pittosporum revolutum, P. undulatum, Acmena smithii, Backhousia myrtifolia and Glochidion ferdinandii combine to form a canopy cover. There are virtually no groundcovers as the soil is very moist.

Lantana - Dominated Remnant Forest. Lantana camara is widespread throughout the area studied, it has invaded many forest areas to such an extent it is the dominant species.

(Longworth & McKenzie, 1983)

Fauna

Mammals.  A total of 12 mammals were recorded by Longworth & McKenzie in the general area of Wongawilli. Six of these were native mammals. None of the native mammals were rare or endangered, though the density of small mammals along the creek lines was high. They were found within or near the remaining vegetation along Robins Creek and the northern creekline. The native mammals found were: Antechinus stuartii (Brown Antechinus), Petaurus breviceps (Sugar glider), Trichosurus vulpecular (Brush-tailed Possum), Wallabia bicolour (Swamp Wallaby), Dasyurus maculatus (Tiger Cat), Rattus fuscipes (Southern Bush Rat).

Birds.  Kookaburras, Galahs, Cattle Egret, White Ibis, Straw - Necked Ibis and Topknot Pigeon were mentioned in the study.

(Longworth & McKenzie, 1983)