Global Litter Invertebrate
Decomposition Experiment
Macquarie
University Ecology Reserve, Australia
Site Manager
Tracey
Adams
Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources
Macquarie University
North Ryde 2109
Australia
Telephone: (+61) 02 9850 7248
Fax: (+61) 02 9850 9237
Site Description
Macquarie University Ecology Reserve (MUER) covers approximately
4 ha of dry sclerophyll woodland adjacent to the Macquarie
University campus. The mainly open woodland, with Eucalyptus
piperita and Angophora costata dominant, is developed
on Hawkesbury sandstone with occasional shale bands and generally
sandy soils. The reserve forms part of a sinuous, fire prone
urban woodland area, much of which consitutes Lane Cove National
Park, and was purposely burned in December 1994. In 1996
more than a third of the original reserve was flattened as
part of the M2 motorway development. Just recently the Christmas
bushfires (2002) swept through the reserve, burning the entire
area.
Site Location
The ecology reserve is located between Macquarie University
campus and the Lane Cove River in North Ryde, Metropolitan
Sydney, Australia. Latitude: 33.7 degrees South; Longitude:
151.1 degrees East.
Site
Area
The underlying geology of the reserve is dominated by
a sedimentary unit known as the Hawkesbury Sandstone. Some
outcrops of bands of shale are also present. Site area
is 4 ha.
Site
Elevation
Annual Rainfall
Total annual rainfall is approximately 700mm.
Annual Temperature
The climate is temperate with mild winters.
Soil
Soils are generally sandy, with more clay elements closer
to the river.
Native
Forest/Vegetation Types
The vegetation structure of the reserve is primarily open
woodland with tree species including Smooth-barked Apple
(Angophora costata), Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus
haemastoma) and Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus piperata).
Principal
Biome/Ecoregion Photo Gallery
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