Sydney Turpentine – Ironbark Forest is an ecological community

Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest is not simply a group of unique and striking trees. It is an ecological community, with a unique and diverse combination of many different plants and other living things. From below the ground to the tops of the tallest trees, everything living in or visiting an ecological community contributes to its health.

A healthy ecological community is vital for the survival of every living thing that depends on it. Ecological communities nourish our soils, shelter and sustain wildlife, protect our waterways and absorb carbon dioxide while emitting oxygen. Ecological communities are created by nature over thousands of years, so once an ecological community is gone, it cannot be replaced.