96 
Cimninghamia 
Vol. 1 (1): 1981 
A transition between this community and Community 8 is usually present. 
The boundary of this zone may vary depending on the successional stage after 
fire (sedges to shrubs) and any changes in soil moisture levels. 
DISCUSSION 
Species Richness 
Altogether 657 species have been recorded from the study area. This included 
49 Pteridophytes, 3 Gymnosperms and 605 Angiosperms (426 Dicotyledons and 179 
Monocotyledons). The high total number of species reflects the great variety of 
habitats in the region. The greatest species richness is in the shrub species (240 
species) and among the Monocotyledons (179 species). The large number of tree spe¬ 
cies (49 including 20 Eucalyptus species) also gives a good indication of the variety of 
the canopy composition though most of the non-eucalypt species are restricted 
to closed-forest. The total number of species listed is about 75% of that recorded 
for nearby Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (Riddell, 1969) which is very simil¬ 
ar geologically, topographically and floristically to Brisbane Water. Almost 
certainly the number of species known to occur in Brisbane Water National Park 
will be increased, when more intensive collecting is undertaken, and the exotic 
species are taken more fully into account. 
Rare and Restricted Species 
A number of rare and restricted species have been recorded within the area 
studied, some of which are considered “vulnerable” or “endangered”.* These may 
occur as small populations of sporadic localized occurrence distributed over a 
relatively wide geographical region, or as populations of very restricted distribution, 
in some cases being confined to the study area. 
Species of sporadic occurrence but found over a relatively wide geographical 
area are: 
Melaleuca cleanei (Myrtaccae), a shrub found in the understorey of low open- 
woodland (Community 6). Recorded only from the South Coast and Central 
Coast of New South Wales with its presently-known northern limit within the 
Brisbane Water National Park. 
Eucalyptus multicaulis (Myrtaceae), a malice occurring in open-woodland or 
low open-woodland on rocky sandstone slopes, in the study area E. multicaulis is 
found only on the slopes of Scopas Peak and Leochares Peak. Although the Type 
specimen was collected at nearby Mount Kariong Trig, it was not seen on Mount 
Kariong during this survey. Present also in the Blue Mountains and in a few other 
areas of the New South Wales Central Coast. 
Eucalyptus luehmatmiana (Myrtaceae), a rnallee occurring in low woodland to 
low open-woodland (Community 6) between rock outcrops on sandstone slopes. 
This species is restricted to the New South Wales Central Coast, from Helensburgh 
to Gosford. Within the Park it has been found on the southern side of Mount 
Kariong and near Green Point Creek in the Old Warrah Sanctuary. 
Leucopogon amplexicaulis (Epacridaceae), a straggling shrub found in sheltered, 
moist places near rock outcrops, usually in relatively undisturbed areas with low 
fire frequency. Recorded only from the South Coast and Central Coast of New 
South Wales. 
* As defined by Hartley & Leigh (1979) “ ‘endangered’ = species at serious risk of disappearing 
from the wild state within one to two decades if present land use and other casual factors con¬ 
tinue to operate; ‘vulnerable ’= species not presently endangered but at risk over a long period 
if land-use patterns are introduced which would be deleterious to the species.” 
