Biodiversity and Banksia Scrub

Claire Farrell and John Rayner have joined University of Sydney urban ecology specialists Professor Dieter Hochuli and Dr Caragh Threlfall to explore the biodiversity benefits of Woody Meadows in the Sydney region. The proposed project will investigate if woody species from endangered ecological communities, such as Sydney’s critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS), can be used in Woody Meadows to enhance biodiversity and create habitat stepping stones between fragmented communities.

The research team kicked off with a preliminary stakeholder workshop in Sydney in November, generously supported by the Bonnie Doon Golf Club who are active in ESBS conservation. Participants included water utilities, local governments, golf clubs and other land managers, and bush regeneration groups.

The research team inspected remnant ESBS patches and potential Woody Meadow sites around the Bonnie Doon Golf Club and visited one of the largest remaining ESBS communities in the North Head Sanctuary.

We are currently involved in further discussions with interested stakeholders with a view to developing a multi-year collaborative research project. If you’d like to know more or get involved, please contact Dr Caragh Threlfall caragh.threlfall@sydney.edu.au or Dr Claire Farrell c.farrell@unimelb.edu.au. This project is being led by University of Sydney.

Read more: Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub in the Sydney Basin Bioregion - NSW Gov