Main Content
Heathland
Australian heaths are among the richest plant communities in the world and can be classified as a community dominated by shrubs less than two metres tall.
There are many different types of heath but in general when having a foliage cover of 30 to 70% it can be classified as ‘open heath’ or alternatively a foliage cover of 70 to 100% will be called ‘closed heath.’
Heathland soils are either sandstone rock or sterile sand or gravel but are nonetheless characterised by an immense variety of beautiful hard-leaved plants whose size and toughness seem to be a direct relation to the harsh soils.
Coastal heath was the main vegetation on headlands extending from Palm Beach to the royal National Park.
The Pittwater Council area is the home to several even more specific types of heath, these include:
- Cliff-face Open-heath
- Coastal Closed-Heath
- Coastal Clay Heath (divided into Open-heath; Allocasuarina distyla and Grassland; Themeda australis – both found on shale derived soils)
- Ingleside heath
- Sandstone Heath
- Sandstone Rocky Heath
- Sandstone Wet Heath/ Hanging Swamp
- Wet-heath
Heathlands flower throughout the year and are the home to some spectacular wildflower displays (particularly in August). Many specialised animals also live in these communities including:
- Brown Antechinus
- Brush Bronzewings
- Eastern Pygmy Possums
- Eastern Spinebills
- Glossy-black Cockatoos
- Heath Monitors
- New Holland Honeyeaters
- Red-browed Finches
- Red-crowned Toadlets
- Ringtail Possums
- Squirrel Gliders
Updated: 22 Dec 2011