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Wellington Range Area
| Source: |
Go to the Register of the National Estate for more information. |
| Identifier: |
10949 |
| Location: |
Pinnacle Rd, Fern Tree |
Local
Government: |
Glenorchy City |
| State: |
TAS |
| Country: |
Australia |
Statement of
Significance: |
The Wellington Range provides an outstanding sequence of vegetation types from dry sclerophyll through wet sclerophyll, rainforest and sub-alpine to alpine communities in Tasmania. It supports important representations of a number of wet forest types and an outstanding diversity of dry sclerophyll communities in a relatively limited area. [Identified in earlier listing]
Biogeographic values present in Mount Wellington-Wellington Range are endemic and disjunct flora and primitive and endemic fauna. These are important indicators of past evolutionary and biogeographic processes (Criterion A.1).
Tasmania's extreme southerly position and the fact that it is an island means that virtually all Tasmanian species could be interpreted as having biogeographic values.
In the Tasmanian comprehensive regional assessment, thresholds were defined
rigorously, being based on the coincident occurrence of a number of species which are endemic, disjunct or at their range limits within the Tasmanian context, rather than species being interpreted as significant simply because of Tasmania's biogeographic position.
Disjunct flora
This place is important as an area which hosts flora populations which have become physically separated from other populations of the same species, resulting in minimal or no gene flow between them.
Endemic flora
This place is important as a centre for flora endemism, being an area in which a number of endemic flora taxa co-occur as a consequence of a variety of past biogeographic processes.
Species include; SENECIO BRUNONIS and ALLOCASUARINA DUNCANII.
Endemic and Primitive fauna
The area is also important as habitat for other invertebrates which are endemic to Tasmania, rare or have primitive characteristics. The moth family Geometridae is well represented on the Mt Wellington Range, with more than half of its Tasmanian species. The Range also provides habitat for members of the moth genus Chrysolarentia which is an outstanding example of adaptive radiation and local evolution. [Identified in earlier listing]
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for natural landscapes.
It is a large, relatively undisturbed area with topographic and catchment integrity where natural processes continue largely unmodified by human intervention (Criterion A.2).
This place is important for old-growth forests that contribute to the maintenance of existing natural processes (Criterion A.2).
Significant communities which contribute to this value include:
EUCALYPTUS AMYGDALINA forest on sandstone, EUCALYPTUS COCCIFERA dry forest, DRY EUCALYPTUS DELEGATENSIS forest, Tall EUCALYPTUS DELEGATENSIS forest, NOTELAEA LIGUSTRINA and - or POMADERRIS APETALA forest, Dry EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA forest, Tall EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA forest, EUCALYPTUS PULCHELLA - EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS - EUCALYPTUS VIMINALIS grassy shrubby dry sclerophyll forest, EUCALYPTUS REGNANS forest, and EUCALYPTUS SUBCRENULATA forest.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important as key fauna habitat which is necessary to sustain fauna populations and processes.
It contains core habitat areas that are critical to the continuing viability of the Tasmanian fauna as a whole (Criterion A.2). The Wellington Range is very significant as habitat for invertebrate fauna, being representative of the alpine habitat on dolerite mountain tops in south-eastern Tasmania. The invertebrate fauna is very diverse with a strong representation of flightless species, some of which have evolved in situ from winged ancestors. Rare species include the predatory bug NYMPHOCORIS HILLI, known only from the summit of Mt Wellington, and APTEROPANORPA TASMANICA, a flightless scorpion fly.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for flora species richness showing considerable diversity of plant species within a restricted area (Criterion A.3). The Range has outstanding floristic diversity, with 487 native vascular plant species and over 60% of the known Tasmanian bryophyte flora.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for plant community richness. It has unusually diverse conjunctions or rapid transitions of forest community types (Criterion A.3).
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for old-growth forest communities that are rare or uncommon nationally or within Tasmania or for common forest communities where the levels of disturbance are such that all remaining old-growth areas also have National Estate significance (Criterion B.1).
Significant communities which contribute to this value include:
EUCALYPTUS AMYGDALINA forest on sandstone, grassy EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS forest, NOTELAEA LIGUSTRINA and - or POMADERRIS APETALA forest, and Inland EUCALYPTUS TENUIRAMIS forest.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for rare flora communities.
These are either naturally rare or have been depleted by European land use and/or subject to continuing threatening processes (Criterion B.1).
Communities which contribute to this value include: Inland EUCALYPTUS AMYGDALINA forest, EUCALYPTUS AMYGDALINA forest on sandstone, grassy EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS forest, NOTELAEA LIGUSTRINA and - or POMADERRIS APETALA forest, EUCALYPTUS OVATA - EUCALYPTUS VIMINALIS forest, and Inland EUCALYPTUS TENUIRAMIS forest.
The major populations of the nationally rare plant BRACHYGLOTTIS BRUNONIS occur on the Wellington Range as well as the nationally rare FESTUCA PLEBEIA and a number of plants which are rare in Tasmania. The Range has the major occurrences of HELICHRYSUM LEDIFOLIUM dominated heathland and the uncommon EUCALYPTUS JOHNSTONII wet forest community which grows on sandstone (Criterion B.1). [Identified in earlier listing]
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for its value as a research, teaching or benchmark site. It is important as it provides information contributing to a wider understanding of natural history in the Tasmanian forest region (Criterion C.1). Mount Wellington has been a focus for biological research since the earliest days of European settlement in Tasmania, and was visited by Robert Brown, the Scottish botanist, and Charles Darwin, John Dalton Hooker, and Tasmania's most famous botanical collector Ronald Campbell Gunn. Rodway and Curtis also collected there.
Rodway did important early work on non-vascular flora in about 1900 from specimens collected around Mt Wellington, and Barber and Jackson did important autoecological studies.
The EUCALYPTUS URNIGERA cline on Mt Wellington was one of the first identified tree clines in the world (Reid, pers. comm).
It is an unusually clear example of tree cline. It is also a benchmark area for vegetation processes.
Martin (1940) conducted vegetation surveys that allowed later comparison with the recovery of vegetation after the devastating 1967 fires.The Range is the type locality for hundreds of Tasmanian plant and animal species in a wide variety of taxonomic groups. It has a long history of educational use because of its proximity to Hobart.
When considered with the Hobart Domain there is no other site in Australia with such a steep altitudinal gradient (from sea level to >1200 m if the foothills are included) and which encompasses a range of vegetation types including alpine, forests, grassland (Domain) and saltmarshes.
This gradient is extremely important for conservation in light of potential climate change (Duncan, pers. comm.).
Brown and Kirkpatrick (1990) found that the number of environmental domains is very high, and that the level of endemism in the area is very high.
Various researchers have long-term monitoring plots there; for example, Alistair Richardson has been monitoring invertebrates at Fern Glade Gully for about 25 years.
There is a long history of research at PhD level and above (from at least 1958) in this area due to the proximity to Hobart and the University.
It is also an important teaching site for university students and is used by many school groups and for conference field excursions.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important as it contains type localities for rare and threatened fauna species, encompassing mammals, birds and invertebrates, but excluding primitive and relictual species.
This is important for information contributing to a wider understanding of natural history in the Tasmanian forest region (Criterion C.1). Fauna type localities at this place include that for ANTIPODIA CHAOSTOLA.
This place is important for type localities for rare and threatened vascular plants, lichens and allied (usually lichenicolous) fungi, and/or bryophytes. This is important for information contributing to a wider understanding of natural history in the Tasmanian forest region (Criterion C.1).
Flora type localities at this place include those for:
CATILLARIA TASMANICA Rsnen 115, POHLIA WAHLENBERGII(Web. & 116 Andrews ex Grout), SCLEROPODIUM AUSTRALEHEDENS 117, COLLEMA QUADRILOCULARE VAR. 118 F. Wilson, EUPHRASIA GIBBSIAE SSP. 119 W.R. Barker, PYRENULA CHLOROPLACA Shirley 119, LECIDEA CERARUFA Shirley 120, AUSTROBLASTENIA PAUCISEPTATA (Shirley) 121, BRYUM OVICARPUMBROTH. 122, and PYRENULA GALACTINA (Shirley) 123.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for forest communities which are characteristic of their forest type, taking into account the abundance, distribution and variability of each community (Criterion D.1).
It includes characteristic examples of:
Inland EUCALYPTUS AMYGDALINA forest, EUCALYPTUS AMYGDALINA forest on sandstone, EUCALYPTUS COCCIFERA dry forest, DRY EUCALYPTUS DELEGATENSIS forest, Tall EUCALYPTUS DELEGATENSIS forest, grassy EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS forest, NOTELAEA LIGUSTRINA and - or POMADERRIS APETALA forest, Dry EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA forest, Tall EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA forest, EUCALYPTUS OVATA - EUCALYPTUS VIMINALIS forest, EUCALYPTUS PULCHELLA - EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS - EUCALYPTUS VIMINALIS grassy shrubby dry sclerophyll forest, EUCALYPTUS REGNANS forest, Silver Wattle (ACACIA DEALBATA) forest, EUCALYPTUS SUBCRENULATA forest, and Inland EUCALYPTUS TENUIRAMIS forest.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is significant as a forest place of aesthetic value, important to a community for aesthetic characteristics held in high esteem or otherwise valued by the community (Criterion E.1). The Wellington Range is valued for its dramatic cliffs which evoke a strong sense of awe. The Range, and Mount Wellington in particular, is a major part of the landscape and scenic character of Hobart and the Derwent estuary, acting as a counterpoint to the built environment.
This place is important as a forest place of social value, being highly valued by a community for reasons of religious, spiritual, cultural, educational, or social associations (Criterion G.1). Mount Wellington is valued by the whole Tasmanian community as a visual reference point for much of south east Tasmania and the signature landmark for the City of Hobart.
Mount Wellington-Wellington Range is important for its geoheritage values. That is, it contains features or processes which demonstrate the principal characteristics of the regional geodiversity (geology, landforms, soils), or which are unusual or outstanding aspects of it.
Geodiversity has intrinsic value within any systematic approach to heritage identification and conservation. It is also fundamental to the integrity of broader ecological processes, contributing to the richness and interest of our environment, and provides opportunities for scientific study of the earth's development. Geoheritage sites at Mount Wellington - Wellington Range include:
FOSSIL SITES
Rare fossil reptiles and amphibians have been found in the area, one of them being closely related to fossil reptiles from India, South Africa and China [Identified in earlier listing]
YELLOW CLIFFS
A well developed, spectacular Triassic sandstone cliff complex, one of the largest in the state (approximately 1 km long and 50 - 80 m high).
Honeycomb weathering and overhangs are common at this unusual site (Criterion: B.1).
COLLINS BONNET DOLERITE DYKE
Dolerite dyke intrudes dolerite sheet, now exposed as prominent ridge and extensive lineament, extending to Snug Tiers (Criterion: A.1).
LOST WORLD BOULDER CAVES
Boulder caves developed in a dolerite column topple have passages in excess of 300 m long and 40 m deep.
The site is the most extensive network of pseudokarst caves in Tasmania (Criteria: A.1, B.1, D.1).
DISAPPEARING TARN SOLIFLUCTION COLLUVIUM
Winnowed solifluction colluvium with pseudokarst sinkhole depressions and underground drainage (Criterion: A.1).
WELLINGTON RANGE PERIGLACIAL TERRAIN
The most extensive high altitude periglacial terrane that has not otherwise been affected by glaciation (i.e. periglacial landforms unmodified by glaciation). The "Ploughed Field" periglacial block streams and the landforms and deposits produced by cold climate freeze/thaw processes which are now largely inactive, have produced many of the more striking landforms on Mount Wellington. The summit viewpoint overlooks the Derwent estuary, Frederick Henry Bay, Bruny Island and other geomorphological features of Hobart area (Criteria: A.1, D.1).
NORTH-SOUTH TILT
The north-south zone on the lower eastern slopes of the mountain which demonstrates an unusual mode of tilting and tectonic disruption of Parmeener supergroup rocks (Criterion: D.1).
The natural and non-indigenous cultural values of Mount Wellington-Wellington Range were assessed as part of a comprehensive regional assessment of national estate values. This assessment was undertaken jointly by the Commonwealth and Tasmania as part of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement process, using the best information available at the time. Information from existing Register of the National Estate listings has also been included.
It is possible that Indigenous cultural values of national estate significance exist in this place. As yet the Australian Heritage Commission has not identified, documented or assessed these values.
This information has been generated by the Commonwealth from data produced during the CRA process in Tasmania.
It has not yet been verified by the State. |
| Description: |
Mount Wellington, a dominant and spectacular natural landscape feature, and its associated range provide a forested backdrop to Hobart and parts of the Huon and Derwent Valleys.
The Wellington Range, which is approximately 25km long, is relatively flat topped, but slopes gradually towards the west.
It is capped by a Jurassic dolerite sill approximately 500m in depth, overlying a band of triassic sandstones, averaging 275m in thickness.
The most striking geological feature of the area is the occurrence of dolerite boulder fields, talus slopes and rock columns, particularly toward the higher, eastern part of the Range.
In places the edges of the dolerite sill have weathered to form columns.
This columnar jointing is well illustrated by the "Organ Pipes" immediately below the summit of Mt Wellington.
Sandstone and mudstone outcrops are found primarily along the southern boundary of the Range, for example in the Mountain River catchment. Soils vary depending on the situation, but all are stony, particularly in the surface layers.
Above 1100m, high moor peats, usually between 15 and 35 cm deep, develop on gentle slopes where drainage is poor.
The vegetation of the Wellington Range is diverse, due largely to differences in altitude and rainfall.
There are two major vegetation formations on the Range: Eucalyptus forest, generally below 800m, but stunted above 800m, and an austral-montane formation on the summits of the range on well drained but shallow soils with swamps on poorly drained areas. Shrubby EUCALYPTUS COCCIFERA subalpine forest occurs at elevations of 1100-1220m on rocky, well-drained sites.
Between 760m and 1100m E. URNIGERA subalpine mixed forests occur.
Occasionally at higher altitudes E. COCCIFERA and E. URNIGERA are co-dominant, with the shrub layer in this community being rich and varied, including ORITES DIVERSIFOLIA, RICHEA DRACOPHYLLA, TELOPEA TRUNCATA, BAUERA RUBIOIDES, GAULTHERIA HISPIDA, PROSTANTHERA LASIANTHOS and OLEARIA VISCOSA.
In places where conditions are not suitable for E. URNIGERA, E. COCCIFERA continues down to the shrubby, wet E. DELEGATENSIS community.
At altitudes between 240m and 670m forests are dominated by E. OBLIQUA, with E. REGNANS, E. DELEGATENSIS and E. VIMINALIS occurring as co-dominants.
On mudstone substrates E. TENUIRAMIS replaces E. OBLIQUA and on sandstone substrates between 600m and 750m E. JOHNSTONII wet forests occur. E. OBLIQUA often forms pure stands in drier places, and is replaced by E. REGNANS in wetter, more sheltered areas. Where E. REGNANS is dominant a tall shrub layer with OLEARIA ARGOPHYLLA, POMADERRIS APETALA, BEDFORDIA SALICINA, ACACIA DEALBATA, ZIERIA ARBORESCENS, PROSTANTHERA LASIANTHOS and PITTOSPORUM BICOLOR occurs.
In denser areas there is a fern layer with POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM, BLECHNUM CAPENSE and HISTIOPTERIS INCISA, but no low shrubs or herbs. In more open areas shrubs such as GAULTHERIA HISPIDA, CORREA LAWRENCIANA, OLEARIA MYRSINOIDES and O. STELLULATA occur.
When E. OBLIQUA is dominant, it is underlain by a tall shrub layer comprising ACACIA VERNICIFLUA, PHEBALIUM SQUAMEUM, HELICHRYSUM ROSMARINIFOLIUM, PULTENAEA JUNIPERINA, P. DAPHNOIDES, MONOTOCA LINIFOLIA and OXYLOBIUM ELLIPTICUM.
Gully communities are dominated by BEDFORDIA SALICINA - OLEARIA ARGOPHYLLA closed scrub, and include POMADERRIS APETALA, DICKSONIA ANTARCTICA, POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM and BLECHNUM spp.
At higher altitudes, in fire protected sites, OLEARIA and POMADERRIS are replaced by NOTHOFAGUS CUNNINGHAMII - ATHEROSPERMA MOSCHATUM rainforest.
On wetter sites, wet forest communities dominated by E. GLOBULUS are found.
Dry sclerophyll forests occur on the lower slopes of the Range.
On the tops and on the north and west sides of ridges there is a stunted forest of grassy E. PULCHELLA, heathy E. AMYGDALINA, E. VIMINALIS and shrubby E. TENUIRAMIS, with occasional shrubby E. OBLIQUA and E. GLOBULUS in wetter areas.
Grasses, cyperaceous plants and hardy low shrubs such as ACACIA STRICTA, A. VERTICILLATA and Epacridaceous, Leguminous and Rutaceous plants comprise the understorey.
The southern and eastern sides of the ridges support E. OBLIQUA - E. GLOBULUS communities.
The austral-montane formation has three types of communities: shrubberies, swamps and grassland.
The shrubberies occupy the flatter tops of the Wellington Range where conditions preclude the development of other communities.
Species typically found in this community include ORITES ACICULARIS, O. REVOLUTA, RICHEA GUNNII, HELICHRYSUM LEDIFOLIUM, OLEARIA LEDIFOLIA, O. PINIFOLIA, COPROSMA NITIDA, and prostrate or creeping shrubs such as LEPTOSPERMUM HUMIFUSUM, BAUERA RUBIOIDES, EXOCARPOS HUMIFUSUS, PENTACHONDRA PUMILA, MONOTOCA EMPETRIFOLIA and CYATHODES DEALBATA. Sub-erect mats of BAECKEA GUNNIANA, CYATHODES STRAMINEA, C. PETIOLARIS, RICHEA ACEROSA and R. SPRENGELIOIDES up to 0.5m high and herbs such as ASTELIA ALPINA, GLEICHENIA CIRCINNATA, EMPODISMA MINUS, and LYCOPODIUM spp. also occur.
Only one species of cushion plant, ABROTANELLA FORSTEROIDES, occurs.
The poa grassland contains annuals such as EUPHRASIA COLLINA and GENTIANELLA DIEMENSIS and shrubs, including HELICHRYSUM spp., OLEARIA spp., MONOTOCA EMPETRIFOLIA and EPACRIS SERPYLLIFOLIA.
Most of the swamps are very dense and there is considerable variation in composition, however they consist largely of ASTELIA ALPINA, GLEICHENIA CIRCINNATA and RESTIO AUSTRALIS with BAECKEA GUNNIANA and EMPODISMA MINUS in slightly drier parts.
Two nationally uncommon plant species which are classified as extinct in Tasmania, THISMIA RODWAYI and BRACHYSCOME RADICATA, have been recorded on the Mt Wellington Range in the past, and may still exist.
On the plateau and higher peaks, the forest raven (CORVUS TASMANICUS), black currawong (STREPERA FULIGINOSA) and flame robin (PETROICA PHOENICEA) are common, and in the forests the more common species are the grey shrike-thrush (COLLURICINCLA HARMONICA), yellow-throated honeyeater (LICHENOSTOMUS FLAVICOLLIS), crescent honeyeater (PHYLIDONYRIS PYRRHOPTERA), scarlet robin (PETROICA MULTICOLOR), flame robin, black currawong, superb blue wren (MALURUS CYANEUS), spotted pardalote (PARDALOTUS PUNCTATUS) and brown thornbill (ACANTHIZA PUSILLA).
A population of ground parrots (PEZOPORUS WALLICUS) occurs in alpine habitats.
Other species which are found on the Range include the great pipistrelle (FALSISTRELLUS TASMANIENSIS), Bennetts wallaby (MACROPUS RUFOGRISEUS RUFOGRISEUS), Tasmanian pademelon (THYLOGALE BILLARDIERII), long-nosed potoroo (POTOROUS TRIDACTYLUS APICALIS), Tasmanian devil (SARCOPHILUS HARRISII), echidna (TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS SETOSUS), brush tail possum (TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA), common ringtail possum (PSEUDOCHEIRUS PEREGRINUS VIVERRINUS), little pygmy possum (CERCARTETUS LEPIDUS), eastern quoll (DASYURUS VIVERRINUS), southern brown bandicoot (ISOODON OBESULUS AFFINIS), wombat (VOMBATUS URSINUS TASMANIENSIS), swamp antechinus (ANTECHINUS MINIMUS MINIMUS), dusky antechinus (ANTECHINUS SWAINSONII SWAINSONII), long-tailed mouse (PSEUDOMYS HIGGINSI), and swamp rat (RATTUS LUTREOLUS).
The endemic alpine skink (LEIOLOPISMA MICROLEPIDOTUM), tiger snake (NOTECHIS ATER), and white-lipped snake (DRYSDALIA CORONOIDES) also occur, primarily at lower altitudes.
The endemic mountain shrimp, ANASPIDES TASMANIENSIS, is found in many of the creeks on the higher parts of the range.
Mount Wellington has been represented by artists consistently from the earliest days of European settlement, starting with convict artists, Joseph Lycett (1775-1828), Henry Gritten (1818-1873) and Knut Bull (1811-1889).
During the 1840s, the notable British painter and sketcher, John Skinner Prout (1805-1876), worked in many parts of the mountain, often in the company of his talented amateur colleagues: Francis Simpkinson De Wesselow (1818-1906) and George T W B Boyes (1785-1853).
Mary Morton Allport (1806-1895), Tasmania's first professional woman artist, and her contemporary, Louisa Anne Meredith (1812-1895) also painted and sketched Mount Wellington, as did other nineteenth century artists, both residents and visitors to the colony, including Thomas Chapman (1790-1864) and Charles Dicker (1855-1912).
The best known 20th century artist, Robert Campbell (1902-1972) is often described as an Australian impressionist. In recent years, Geoff Dyer, Joan Humble, Greg Hind and Jock Young (among others) have painted views of Mount Wellington.
Early photographers, the Anson brothers, J W Beattie, Stephen Spurling II and III and Francis Hurley, all published photographs of the mountain.
Hurley included his shot in Tasmanian Holiday (Hurley, 1951) and in his travelogue, Scenes that are Brightest. Mount Wellington has featured as key locations for two recent movies, Manganninie (1979) and Devil's Hill (1991).
Mount Wellington features in two novels: in C S Ross's Dick Arnold (1893), the mountain is climbed, and in A Difficult Young Man (MacMillan, 1965) by Martin Boyd (1893-1972).
Mount Wellington is celebrated in verse by the bush poet, M J O'Reilly, in The Pinnacle Road & Other Verses (1936), and by the contemporary poets, Pete Hay, in 'Nailing Poorenteree', Island 65 (1996), and Andrew Sant, in 'Mt Wellington sequence' and 'Currawongs, Mt Wellington', The Caught Sky (Angus & Robertson, 1982).
The range of mountains behind Mount Wellington has a visual integrity which has appealed to several artists: Isabel Dick's novel, Huon Belle (Stockwell, 1930), and in J W Beattie's photograph of the range, Huon Belle.
The mountains extending west from Mount Wellington feature in James Charlton's poem, 'High Country behind Hobart', Famous Reporter 13 (1996), and in a series of photographs by the respected photographer, Geoffrey Lea.
Richard Bacon (b1931), painted The Thumbs from Dru's Point, in 1976, and one of John Glover's most distinctive paintings is a sweeping forested view of the range's northern slopes focusing on the site of the orphan asylum.
This place has been identified and assessed in the context of the Tasmanian Comprehensive Regional Assessment/Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) process.
The national estate values identified in this RFA region are described in the Tasmanian national estate report (PLUC 1997) and its accompanying maps.
Information from existing Register of the National Estate listings has also been included.
This place has been defined by a 'best fit' boundary which has been drawn to include areas which have sufficient national estate significance to warrant listing, taking into account appropriate management considerations.
This information has been generated by the Commonwealth from data produced during the CRA process in Tasmania.
It has not yet been verified by the State. |
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