Goobang is a

national park A national park is a nature park, natural park in use for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state dec ...

located in

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

, northwest of

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

. It protects the largest remnant forest and

woodland A woodland () is, in the broad sense, land covered with trees, or in a narrow sense, synonymous with wood (or in the U.S., the ''plurale tantum'' woods), a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade (see ...

in the central west region of the state, where interior and coastal New South Wales flora and fauna species overlap. Originally named

Herveys Range The Herveys Range is a mountain range located in New South Wales, Australia. The Parkes Radio Telescope, formerly the largest dish in the Southern Hemisphere and featured in the popular Australian movie ''The Dish'', is located right in fr ...

by John Oxley in 1817, the area was reserved in 1897 as state forest because of its importance as a timber resource, and was designated a national park in 1995. The park contains a camping ground and a hiking trail, Burrabadine Peak Walking Track, a 3.6 km round trip moderate hike.

Climate

Goobang National Park is in a temperate to semi-arid zone experiencing hot summers and cool winters with temperatures ranging from in winter and in summer. The heaviest rain fall is in the summer and can range from on the east side of the ranges to west of the ranges.

Flora

There are 459 species recorded in the park, several that are threatened. ''Tylophora linearis'' is listed as vulnerable according to the TCS ACT 1995 and endangered according to the EPBC ACT 1999. ''Eriostemon ericifolius'' is vulnerable based on TCS ACT 1995 and ''Astrotricha linearis'' only known record west of the Great Dividing Range. ''Pomaderris queeslandica'' endangered TSC ACT 1995 and ''Philotheca ericifoia'' vulnerable EPBC ACT 1999. There are 135 ecological communities in the South West Slope bioregion, most are considered poorly protected.(4) There are 11 ecological communities in the park, five of which are only protected at Goobang. These include red stringybark (''Eucalyptus macrorhyncha'') woodland found on siliceous hillslopes of the Hervey Range. Red stringybark (''Eucalyptus macrorhyncha''), long leaved box (''Eucalyptus goniocalyx'') black cypress pine (''Callitris endicher''), hummock grass (''Triodia scariosa''), shrubby low woodland found on siliceous volcanic and sedimentary ranges. Red ironbark (''Eucalyptus fibrosa'') in association with black cypress (''Callitris endlicheri'') shrubby woodland found on shallow sandy soils derived from sandstone. Red ironbark (''Eucalyptus fibrosa''), red stringybark (''Eucalyptus macrorhyncha'') tumbledown gum (''Eucalyptus dealbata'') heathland found on siliceous ridges and scribbly gum (''Eucalyptus rosii'') dominated open forest in association with black cypress pine and red ironbark.Benson J.S. (2008) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 2 Plant communities of the NSW South-western Slopes Bioregion and update of NSW Western Plains plant communities, Version 2 of the NSWVCA database https://scholar.google.com.au/scholar_url?url=http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/files/29346/benson_2008_NSWVCA.pdf&hl=en&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm3K7I9q9ZaZSfcRUMhUL8ivHEXyaQ&nossl=1&oi=scholarr&ei=3sNiVfW2OYLbmAXOioGoAw&ved=0CBsQgAMoADAA accessed May 2015 A further four communities that are protected in Goobang are considered to be of significance. Mugga ironbark (''Eucalyptus sideroxylon''), black cypress, red stringybark, Blakely's red gum (''Eucalyptus blakelyi'') and red ironbark woodland which are found on hillslopes and in valleys on the ranges. Buloke (''Allocasuarina leuhnannii'') and white cypress pine (''Callitris glaucophylla'') woodlandis found on alkaline soils. Riparian Blakely's red gum, apple box (''Eucalyptus bridesana''), yellow box (''Eucalyptus melliodora'') and occasionally inland grey box (''Eucalyptus macrocarpa''), with shrub, sedge and grass tall open forest in valleys. White box (''Eucalyptus albens''), with black cypress and red gum (''Eucalyptus polyanthemos'') shrubby woodlands in the hills.

Fire

Fires are an intrinsic feature of the Australian bush, to ensure continual biodiversity prescribed burns are carried out at the appropriate times within the park. Wildfires at Goobang have occurred due to dry lightning strikes in the hot summer months. There have been 52 wildfires recorded since 1942.

Fauna

There are 31 species of reptiles, 14 species of frogs and 31 species of mammals recorded in the park including echidnas, wallaby, kangaroos, possums and bats as well as exotics such as rabbits, cats, foxes, goats, sheep and dogs. Threatened species include carpet python (''Morelia spilotes''), Sloane's froglet (''Crinia sloanei''), koala (''Phascolarctos cinereus''), brush tailed rock wallaby (''Petrogale pencicllata''), grey-headed flying-fox (''Pteropus poliocephalus''), yellow-bellied sheathtail bat (''Saccolaimus flaviventris''), Corben's long eared bat (''Nyetophilus corbeni'') and New Holland mouse (''Pseudomys novaehollandiae'').

Avifauna

It is becoming evident that due to clearing of eucalyptus forests that woodland birds are on the decline. Birds of significance that have been sighted at Goobang are

varied sittella The varied sittella (''Daphoenositta chrysoptera'') is a small, around 10–11 cm long, songbird native to Australia. It is also known as the Australian nuthatch, orange-winged sittella and the barkpecker. Taxonomy The varied sittella was fi ...

(''Daphoenositta chrysoptera'')

painted honeyeater The painted honeyeater (''Grantiella picta'') is a species of honeyeater in a monotypic genus. Taxonomy A member of the family Meliphagidae, ''Grantiella picta'' is the sole species under this genus. The painted honeyeater was first described ...

(''Grantiella picta''),

black-chinned honeyeater The black-chinned honeyeater (''Melithreptus gularis'') is a species of passerine bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Australia. Two subspecies are recognised. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical d ...

(''Melithreptus gularis''),

regent honeyeater The regent honeyeater (''Anthochaera phrygia'') is a critically endangered bird endemic to southeastern Australia. It is commonly considered a flagship species within its range, with the efforts going into its conservation having positive effe ...

(''Anthochaera phrygia''),

scarlet robin The scarlet robin (''Petroica boodang'') is a common red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus ''Petroica''. The species is found on continental Australia and its offshore islands, including Tasmania. The species was originall ...

(''Petroica boodang''),

flame robin The flame robin (''Petroica phoenicea'') is a small passerine bird native to Australia. It is a moderately common resident of the coolest parts of south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Like the other two red-breasted ''Petroica'' robins&md ...

(''Petrocia phoenice''),

hooded robin The hooded robin (''Melanodryas cucullata'') is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic; the male bears a distinctive black-and-white plumage, while the female i ...

(''Melanodryas cucullata''),

Gilbert's whistler The Gilbert's whistler (''Pachycephala inornata'') is a monotypic species of bird endemic to Australia, scattered in semi-arid zones of southern Australia. Taxonomy The family Pachycephalidae originated within the Australo-Papuan region. Toget ...

(''Pachycephala inornata''),

diamond firetail The diamond firetail (''Stagonopleura guttata'') is a species of estrildid finch that is endemic to Australia. It has a patchy distribution and generally occupies drier forests and grassy woodlands west of the Great Dividing Range from South Ea ...

(''Emblema guttata'')

grey-crowned babbler The grey-crowned babbler (''Pomatostomus temporalis'') is a species of bird in the family Pomatostomidae. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist lo ...

(''Pomatostomus temporalis''),

speckled warbler The speckled warbler (''Pyrrholaemus sagittatus'') is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is endemic to eastern Australia. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. Taxonomy The speckled warbler was first described by English physi ...

(''Chthonicola saggitatus''),

brown treecreeper The brown treecreeper (''Climacteris picumnus'') is the largest Australasian treecreeper. The bird, endemic to eastern Australia, has a broad distribution, occupying areas from Cape York, Queensland, throughout New South Wales and Victoria to Po ...

(''Climacteris picumnus''),

glossy black cockatoo The glossy black cockatoo (''Calyptorhynchus lathami''), is the smallest member of the subfamily Calyptorhynchinae found in eastern Australia. Adult glossy black cockatoos may reach in length. They are sexually dimorphic. Males are blackish bro ...

(''Calyptorhynchus lathami''),

superb parrot The superb parrot (''Polytelis swainsonii''), also known as Barraband's parrot, Barraband's parakeet, or green leek parrot, is a parrot native to south-eastern Australia. It is a dimorphic species and one of three species in the genus ''Polyte ...

(''Polytellis swainsonii''),

little lorikeet The little lorikeet (''Parvipsitta pusilla'') is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Australia. It is a small parrot, predominantly green in plumage with a red face. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical ...

(''Glossopsitta pusilla''),

turquoise parrot The turquoise parrot (''Neophema pulchella'') is a species of parrot in the genus ''Neophema'' native to Eastern Australia, from southeastern Queensland, through New South Wales and into North-Eastern Victoria. It was described by George Shaw ...

(''Neophema pulchella''),

spotted harrier The spotted harrier (''Circus assimilis'') also known as the smoke hawk, is a large Australasian bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. Taxonomy The spotted harrier belongs to the family Accipitridae. Accipitridae is the largest fami ...

(''Circus assimilis''),

barking owl The barking owl (''Ninox connivens''), also known as the winking owl, is a nocturnal bird species native to mainland Australia and parts of New Guinea and the Moluccas. They are a medium-sized brown owl and have a characteristic voice with cal ...

(''Ninox connivens''),

black falcon The black falcon (''Falco subniger'') is a medium-large falcon that is endemic to Australia. It can be found in all mainland states and territories and yet is regarded as Australia's most under-studied falcon.Debus, S.J.S. & Olsen, J. (2011). So ...

(''Falco subniger''), and

little eagle The little eagle (''Hieraaetus morphnoides'') is a very small eagle native to Australia, measuring 45–55 cm (17–21.5 inches) in length and weighing 815 g (1.8 lb), roughly the size of a peregrine falcon. It tends to inhabit open w ...

(''Heiraaetus morphnoides'').

Environmental threats

Feral animals

Feral animals pose a huge threat to native species due to predation, disease and competition. Feral cats for example have been responsible for reduced numbers and extinction of small mammals and birds.) Rabbits pose a threat to the survival of tree seedlings competition with native herbivores.

Environmental weeds

Weeds such as blackberry are significant as far as causing havoc within the natural environment forming large thickets blocking creeks suppressing native ground covers and providing a hiding spot for feral animals such as rabbits. Exotic grasses, pastures and weeds have replaced native undergrowth in most of the scattered white box communities.

Agriculture practices

Grazing in and around remnant woodlands. Clearing of native vegetation that might act as connective corridors between the park and any other patchy native landscapes.

Human – induced climate change

Species that require specialized niches and or cannot disperse and effectively colonize suitable habitat will be affected if this current trend of human induced climate change continues. It is estimated that 52% of the already declining population of frogs and 35% of birds will be affected. Koalas are listed by the IUCN as one of the top 10 species to become extinct. Koala populations are already at risk because of habitat modification and chlamydia. Increasing levels will affect the nutrient availability of eucalyptus leaves further weakening koala populations, increased frequency of droughts and bushfire will force koalas to seek new habitats, exposing them to the dangers of predation and injury from traffic.IUCN Species and climate change koala(2010)

References

Bibliography

* * New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage (2014)
GOOBANG Vegetation Survey, Data from the Atlas of NSW database: VIS flora survey module
Version 11 /2013. Persistent Hyperlink: Obtained via ÆKOS Data Portal (http://www.aekos.org.au/), made available by State of New South Wales (Office of Environment and Heritage http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Accessed 05/04/2015. * NSW BIONET 2015 Office of Environment and Heritage http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au/18/05/2015 * Benson J.S. (2008
New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 2 Plant communities of the NSW South-western Slopes Bioregion and update of NSW Western Plains plant communities, Version 2 of the NSWVCA database
accessed May 2015 * Goobang national park fire management strategy (2014) Office of Environment and Heritage http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/firemanagement/GoobangNPfms.htm Retrieved 30 April 2015 * * Reid, J.R.W. 1999
Threatened and declining birds in the New South Wales Sheep-Wheat Belt: I. Diagnosis, characteristics and management.
Consultancy report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology, Canberra. Retrieved 14 May 2015 * * *
The problem of feral cats is now so big that experts think that up to 100 species of native animals are on the verge of extinction.
nline Seven News (SEVEN NETWORK); Time: 18:00; Broadcast Date: Sunday, 26 April 2015; Duration: 1 min., 58 sec. Availability: ited 23 May 15 * * * * * IUCN Species and climate change koala(2010)https://web.archive.org/web/20150425210054/http://iucn.org/iyb/about/species_on_the_brink/species_climate/ May 2015 {{authority control National parks of New South Wales Central West (New South Wales) Protected areas established in 1995 1995 establishments in Australia