Biogeographic influences on the native plants of the New South Wales South Coast

Abstract

Plant diversity on the New South Wales South Coast is shaped by a complex interaction of climatic gradients and its diverse geology, topography and landform. There is a rich mosaic of ecosystems, including rainforests, heathlands, and expansive eucalypt forests, supporting many rare or threatened plant species. This region is an ecological crossroads, where northern and southern climatic zones converge, creating range limits for many plant species. Plant diversity is also at a critical tipping point, increasingly affected by fire, land clearing, forestry, and urban expansion.
This paper examines the major biogeographic factors shaping plant diversity on the South Coast, highlighting key examples of rare plant communities, and assessing the impacts of the 2019–20 bushfires on regional vegetation.
The region was arguably hit hardest by the Black Summer bushfires, and its extensive eucalypt forests and rugged terrain make it particularly vulnerable to future fire events. Escalating development pressures and its transitional location, situated between northern and southern floral assemblages, as well as between tableland and coastal floras, could significantly increase its vulnerability to the ongoing effects of climate change. The environmental complexity and mounting pressures in this region underscore the urgent need for integrated, proactive efforts to preserve its distinctive botanical heritage.