Susan Island Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
Susan Island Nature Reserve is a rare example of sub tropical lowland rainforest
. Situated on the Clarence River
, New South Wales
, it comprises 18 hectares, 16.5 hectares of which is rainforest.
Much of Australia's lowland sub tropical rainforest was cleared for housing and agriculture, leaving only small patches remaining, such as at Susan Island. The soils are alluvial, derived from the Clarence River. The average annual rainfall is a modest 1065 mm, which is marginal for this type of vegetation community.
es appears to be increasing in recent years. Noteworthy birds occurring here are the Osprey
and the Noisy Pitta
.
, Moreton Bay Fig
, White Walnut
, Shiny-leaved Stinging Tree, Tulipwood
and Lacebark Tree. The largest known Yellow Kamala grows here at 30 metres tall with a trunk diameter of 80 cm. And the widespread tropical Asian species White Bean grows on the island at its southern most limit of natural distribution. Australian Red Cedar was logged from the island, and there is no regeneration. Rainforest regeneration programs have been put in place to encourage local rainforest species and suppress the problem of invasive weeds.
regularly visited the rainforest on the island for varying purposes. Such as the collection of food, medicinal purposes, and the collection of fibres for making bags and nets. The island has spiritual significance to local Indigenous Australians.
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
. Situated on the Clarence River
Clarence River (New South Wales)
The Clarence River is situated in northeastern New South Wales, Australia. The river originates on the watershed that marks the Queensland border. After flowing south and northeast for 394 km it then empties into the Pacific Ocean at Iluka/Yamba. On its journey it passes through the towns of...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, it comprises 18 hectares, 16.5 hectares of which is rainforest.
Much of Australia's lowland sub tropical rainforest was cleared for housing and agriculture, leaving only small patches remaining, such as at Susan Island. The soils are alluvial, derived from the Clarence River. The average annual rainfall is a modest 1065 mm, which is marginal for this type of vegetation community.
Fauna
Currently there are eleven reptile species and fifteen mammal species on the island. However, this is far less than older reports from colonial times. At certain times, the numbers of the three species of Flying Foxes are in excess of 100,000. The numbers of the Grey-headed Flying FoxGrey-headed Flying Fox
The Grey-headed Flying-Fox, Pteropus poliocephalus, is a megabat native to Australia.Members of the genus Pteropus include the largest bats in the world. The Pteropus genus has currently about 57 recognised species....
es appears to be increasing in recent years. Noteworthy birds occurring here are the Osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
and the Noisy Pitta
Noisy Pitta
The Noisy Pitta, Pitta versicolor, is a species of bird in the Pittidae family. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.It eats earthworms, insects and snails....
.
Flora
57 species of rainforest tree are known to grow on the island. Significant tree species include Stinging TreeDendrocnide excelsa
Dendrocnide excelsa, the giant stinging tree is a rainforest tree of eastern Australia. It occurs from Tathra, New South Wales to Imbil in south eastern Queensland, and is very common at Dorrigo National Park and other rainforest walks in eastern Australia...
, Moreton Bay Fig
Moreton Bay Fig
Ficus macrophylla, commonly known as the Moreton Bay Fig, is a large evergreen banyan tree of the Moraceae family that is a native of most of the eastern coast of Australia, from the Atherton Tableland in the north to the Illawarra in New South Wales, and Lord Howe Island. Its common name is...
, White Walnut
Cryptocarya obovata
Cryptocarya obovata is a large laurel growing on basaltic and fertile alluvial soils in eastern Australian rainforests. It is found from Wyong in New South Wales to Gympie in the state of Queensland. Extinct in the Illawarra region , seen in the Illawarra in 1818 by Allan Cunningham...
, Shiny-leaved Stinging Tree, Tulipwood
Harpullia pendula
Harpullia pendula, known as the tulipwood or tulip lancewood is a small to medium sized rainforest tree from Australia. The tree's small size, pleasant form and attractive fruit ensures the popularity of this ornamental tree. The range of natural distribution is from the Bellinger River in northern...
and Lacebark Tree. The largest known Yellow Kamala grows here at 30 metres tall with a trunk diameter of 80 cm. And the widespread tropical Asian species White Bean grows on the island at its southern most limit of natural distribution. Australian Red Cedar was logged from the island, and there is no regeneration. Rainforest regeneration programs have been put in place to encourage local rainforest species and suppress the problem of invasive weeds.
Indigenous Australians
It is likely that Indigenous AustraliansIndigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
regularly visited the rainforest on the island for varying purposes. Such as the collection of food, medicinal purposes, and the collection of fibres for making bags and nets. The island has spiritual significance to local Indigenous Australians.