Boorganna Nature Reserve

Boorganna Nature Reserve New South Wales
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
File:Hypsilurus spinipes - Southern Angle Headed Dragon - Boorganna Nature Reserve.jpg Southern angle headed dragon in the reserve
Boorganna Nature Reserve
Nearest town or city	Comboyne
Coordinates
Established	12 March 1904 (1904-03-12)
Area	4 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Managing authorities	NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Website	Boorganna Nature Reserve
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

The Boorganna Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve located northwest of Taree on the Comboyne Plateau in New South Wales, Australia. The 396-hectare (980-acre) reserve, managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, was gazetted in 1904 and is the second oldest nature reserve in the state. The reserve features various forest types, including stands of sub tropical rainforest of which the large rosewood, yellow carabeen and small leaf fig are particularly noteworthy. The reserve is a remnant of the former extensive rainforest on the Comboyne Plateau. The plateau was cleared between 1900 and 1925. Australian red cedar was logged in the area in the nineteenth century. The exploration, knowledge, uses and history of this area by Indigenous Australians is not well known in the present day.

Location and features

A picnic area next to the forest provides chairs and tables for visitors. Walking trails, a lookout to Rawson Falls and an information board is also provided. Picnics provide a pleasant view of the nearby area. A variety of small birds appear from the edge of the forest. The reserve is situated 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Taree, with access via Wingham. Form the southwest, the reserve is situated 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Wauchope; and is approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the town of Comboyne. The reserve lies to the south of the Oxley Highway, enabling access via Port Macquarie and Tamworth.

Geology and climate

The reserve receives an average annual rainfall of 1,930 millimetres (76 in). The climate is sub tropical, though at an elevation ranging from 360 to 732 metres (1,181 to 2,402 ft), it is much cooler than at the coast nearby. Soils are derived from tertiary basalt, which provide a deep red loam. Below the basalt are less fertile sedimentary rocks. The western area of the reserve where it adjoins the Great Dividing Range has partly eroded, forming areas of cliffs, rocks and shallow soils. Deep gullies, isolated hills and sharp edged rocky ridges occur here. Rocks include pebbly mudstone, conglomerate siltstone and shale. Serpentinite outcrops can also be seen.

Fauna

Animals are seldom seen in the rainforest, being nocturnal. However, many species live in the reserve. Such as a bats, wallabies, possums, gliders, spotted quoll, platypus, bandicoots, pademelons, bush rats, snakes, lizards and antechinus.

Bird life is varied and extensive with around a hundred species recorded. Many rainforest pigeons frequent the reserve such as the rose crowned fruit dove and wompoo fruit dove. As well as other seldom seen species such as the noisy pitta, green catbird, and figbird.

Invertebrate biology is not so well understood. However, a vast number of insects, arachnids, molluscs, worms and other small creatures live in the rainforest. Leeches are often noticed by bushwalkers after rain. Red triangle slugs and blue planarian live on the forest floor. Tree dwelling snails may be found here.

Flora

Sub tropical rainforest

File:Rawson Falls.jpg

Rawson Falls

The jungle or sub tropical rainforest features a dark forest with many large trees. Several species grow to great height and a broad trunk diameter, such as yellow carabeen, small leaf fig, Moreton Bay fig, rosewood, black booyong, giant stinging tree, pigeonberry ash, brush box and silver quandong. Other smaller plants of interest include the walking stick palm and the Macleay laurel.

Boorganna Nature Reserve features several plants at or near their most southern limit of natural distribution. Such as the sour cherry, purple cherry, white apple, turnipwood and the red carabeen.

The Antarctic beech was recorded in the Comboyne area but is now considered locally extinct. However, some of its associated species still persist at Boorganna.

Warm temperate rainforest

Below the more fertile basalt is a poorer soil type. Warm temperate species are more frequently seen here, such as the coachwood, watergum and sassafras.

Gully rainforest

Gully rainforest occurs south of Mumford's Creek, in steep sided narrow gullies. Plant species from the sub-tropical and warm temperate rainforest occur here. They include whalebone tree, walking stick palms and the Bangalow palm.

Dry rainforest

Where the soil is shallow, and conditions are exposed to winds and fire is infrequent, dry rainforest occurs. Rainforest tree species in this area include the grey myrtle and shatterwood.

Eucalyptus forest

Eucalyptus forest occurs in areas where fires often occur. In the wetter areas are Sydney blue gum, brush box, tallowwood, and New England blackbutt. Some of the tallowwoods are particularly tall and impressive in this area. The drier eucalyptus areas feature much smaller trees. Suited to high winds, frequent fires and shallow infertile soils.

Fungi

At Boorganna Nature Reserve fungi is noticeable and often colourful and spectacular, particularly in the wetter times of the year. The bracket rainbow fungus often appears on fallen logs.

Photos from Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Boorganna Nature Reserve - picnic area.jpg

  Picnic area by the carpark at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Rawson Falls - Boorganna Nature Reserve.jpg

  Rawson Falls

• Boorganna Nature Reserve - base of Rawsons Falls Jan05-2001.jpg

  base of Rawson Falls

• Syzygium corynanthum - Boorganna Nature Reserve.jpg

  Sour cherry at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Ficus obliqua Boorganna Nature Reserve-Jan2000.jpg

  Small leaf fig at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Ficus obliqua bark Boorganna Nature Reserve-Oct2002.jpg

  Small leaf fig bark at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Dysoxylum fraserianum - Comboyne.jpg

  Rosewood at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Cryptocarya erythroxylon Comboyne.jpg

  Pigeonberry ash at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Gmelina - Comboyne NSW.jpg

  White beech at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Boorganna Nature Reserve - forest floor Jan05-2004.jpg

  Rainbow bracket fungi at Boorganna Nature Reserve

• Boorganna Nature Reserve - forest floor 2007-03-21.jpg

  Fungi at Boorganna Nature Reserve

See also

• Protected areas of New South Wales