Open Access

Stephen A. J. Bell

• Werakata National Park (32° 50 S, 151° 25 E), near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, conserves 2145 ha of mostly open forest vegetation, which was formerly widespread in the lower Hunter Valley. Six vegetation communities are delineated; Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest occupies most of the Park. All communities present are considered to be poorly conserved in the region and Werakata plays a critical role in the protection of these vegetation types. Two vegetation communities, Kurri Sand Swamp Woodland and Hunter Lowlands Redgum Forest, are listed as Endangered Ecological Communities under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, while others may warrant future listing. Considerable variation in the floristic composition of the Kurri Sand Swamp Woodland is apparent in the area and the implications are discussed. Populations of four vulnerable plant taxa — Callistemon linearifolius, Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. decadens, Eucalyptus glaucina, Grevillea parviflora subsp. parviflora, and two rare plant taxa — Grevillea montana, Macrozamia flexuosa, together with several other regionally significant species occur within Werakata. Recommendations are made on the conservation of plant taxa and vegetation communities in the Cessnock area, and on general reserve management. It is suggested that further areas be added to the reserve to consolidate and expand upon that which is already contained, particularly in regard to threatened species, and endangered and poorly conserved ecological communities.