Vegetation of the Hunter Valley
Author: Terry Tame
Date: 1995, last revised January 2003
Introduction
The Hunter Valley has a diverse range of rock and soil types, with wide altitudional and rainfall variations. These physical factors, combined with recent climatic fluctuations have produced a range of plant responses and vegetation types. This classification and descripton of the vegetation formations of the Hunter Valley has as its basis the account by R. Story in the Land Systems of the Hunter Valley, C.S.I.R.O, 1963. It is a broad view of the vegetation on a moderate scale at the regional level. Within any formation a number of sub-formations, alliances and communities ('units') may be identified when working at larger scales, the larger the scale the greater the number of 'units' that may be recognised. In all vegetation description and mapping a decision has always to be made on the scale and the number of workable 'units' that can be describled and mapped.
The Major Vegetation Formations
Map of Major Vegetation Formations in the Hunter Valley
The vegetation map shows the extent of the major formations, as recognised in this account, before clearing. Some formations, in particular the 4C, 4D, 4A and 4E woodlands have been extensively cleared.