Editing Biriwal Bulga National Park

{{More citations needed|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                   = protected
| name                   = Biriwal Bulga National Park
| state                  = nsw
| iucn_category          = II
| image                  = Ellenborough Falls, Biriwal Bulga National Park, NSW.jpg
| caption                = Ellenborough Falls, Biriwal Bulga National Park
| image_alt              = 
| coordinates            = {{coord|31|30|26|S|152|18|23|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief                 = yes
| map_alt                = 
| nearest_town_or_city   = 
| area                   = 65.28
| area_footnotes         = <ref name="ParkAreas">{{cite journal|title=Department of Environment Climate Change and Water Annual Report 2009-10|journal=Annual Report|publisher=Department of Environment Climate Change and Water|date=November 2010|issn=1838-5958|pages=274–275|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/deccwar10.htm}}</ref>
| established            = 1999
| established_footnotes  = 
| visitation_num         = 
| visitation_year        = 
| visitation_footnotes   = 
| managing_authorities   = [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales)|NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service]]
| url                    = 
}}
'''Biriwal Bulga National Park''' is an [[National parks of Austria|Australian national park]] in New South Wales.  It is approximately 45&nbsp;km north west of [[Taree]] and 60&nbsp;km west of [[Port Macquarie]] on the Bulga Plateau.<ref name=":0" /> 

The national park contains [[biodiversity|biodiverse]] ecosystems as well as culturally significant [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous Australian]] sites. The residents of the park range from animals to trees and bushes. The animals reside in an [[escarpment]] terrain. The park's soil varies in depth depending on the slope. There is a higher than average amount of annual rainfall which attributes to the types of native plants found.<ref name=":0" /> 

There are different [[Conservationism|conservation]] and management plans in place to maintain the natural and cultural heritage of the park whilst also providing research opportunities for visitors. The plans are set out and authorised by [[NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service|NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services]]. Some plans include conservation regions for [[Koala|koalas]] and plants, limiting the spread and influence of pests and prevention of potential [[Bushfires in Australia|bushfires]].

== Etymology and indigenous heritage ==
The name Biriwal Bulga originates from the Indigenous [[Birpai]] or Biripi people who have resided in the area for over 15,000 years.<ref name=":1">Blacklock F. (2008). ''Beyond Fabrication of Australia’s History: A Documentation and Multi-Method: Critical Analysis of Ngarabal and Biripi Elders’ Perspectives and Experiences of Australian History.'' Australian Association for Research in Education, Brisbane.</ref> The [[Indigenous Australians]] in the local neighbourhood speak the [[Birpai language]].<ref name=":1" /> The language spoken by the tribes surrounding the Birpai people is [[Worimi language|Gadjang]].<ref name=":1" />

Campsites and [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]] found within the park indicate the habitation of Indigenous Australians within the area. Truyard Pty. Ltd estimated that originally anywhere from 800 to 1000 Indigenous Australians inhabited in the national park and surrounding regions.<ref name=":2">Truyard Pty. Ltd & Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1992). ''Wingham management area proposed forest management: environmental impact statement''. Truyard, Crows Nest, N.S.W</ref> The people were dispersed throughout the land in smaller clan groups, with the most prominent being the Winmurra people.<ref name=":0" />

== History ==
Exploration occurred initially in the surrounding areas of Biriwal Bulga in the 1800s after European settlement.<ref name=":0" /> It wasn't until 1982 when settlers began making discoveries within the park. The date of the first discoveries, mark Biriwal Bulga National Park as one of the latest National Parks to be discovered in the Port Macquarie region.<ref name=":0" /> Originally the park was a part of the 

In the early 1900s, Bulga State Forest Area was predominantly utilised for [[timber harvesting]] and logging operations.<ref name=":2" /> This resulted in the implementation of a [[pine plantation]] within the National Park.<ref name=":2" /> In 1990, the State government placed a moratorium on further harvesting to ensure survival of the [[ecosystem]]. This resulted in the area shifting from Bulga State Forest Area to a conservation national park known today as Biriwal Bulga.<ref name=":2" />

== Region description ==
Biriwal Bulga is a 5813-hectare national park  on the northern edge of the Bulga plateau.<ref name=":0" /> It ranges in elevation from 130m to 670m.<ref name=":3" /> The  landform is predominantly [[Dissected plateau|dissected]] [[foothills]], which contribute to its elevation.<ref name=":2" /> The most common rocks  are [[mudstone]] and [[shale]].<ref name=":2" /> Its average rainfall during the year ranges from 1300-1600mm.<ref name=":0" /> If there is [[vegetation cover]] over the land, the rainfall can potentially cause erosion of soil.<ref name=":2" />

The park has few visitors due to its remote location and lack of accessibility for two-wheel drive cars and bike tracks. There are no facilities or walking trails within the national park.<ref name=":0" /> The nearest recreational facilities are at [[Tapin Tops National Park]] and [[Ellenborough Falls]] at [[Elands, New South Wales|Elands]].<ref name=":0" />

=== Weelah Nature Reserve ===
Weelah Nature Reserve is situated in the south-east of Biriwal Bulga National Park, covering an area of 37 ha.<ref name=":3">NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW). (2005). ''Mid North Coast Region Locality Biriwal Bulga National Park & Weelah Nature Reserve Fire Management Strategy (Type 2) 2005 Sheet 1 of 1.'' Retrieved from https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/Fire-management-strategies/biriwal-bulga-national-park-weelah-nature-reserve-fire-management-strategy-050294.pdf. Retrieved on: 15/05/2020</ref> It contains one of the few [[rainforest]] remnants on the Bulga Plateau.<ref name=":3" />

== Biology and ecology ==

=== Fauna ===
[[File:Koala.jpg|thumb|The koala, a native to Biriwal Bulga National Park]]
Seventy-four fauna species have been recorded in the area.<ref name=":0" /> Amongst these seventy-four species; according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service,<blockquote>“the following are recorded as vulnerable and at risk of becoming endangered: [[powerful owl]], glossy black cockatoo, [[fruit dove]]s, spotted-tailed [[quoll]], brush-tailed phascogale, [[yellow-bellied glider]], koala, long-nosed potoroo, [[common bent-wing bat|large bent-wing bat]]”.<ref name=":0" /> </blockquote>The most common are koalas. There different sub-species of koalas which interact with the natural flora forming the ecosystem within the park.<ref name=":4" /> These sub-species often roam and move from neighbouring regions into the park.<ref name=":4" /> An estimated 500-1000 individual koalas are recorded throughout the Biriwal Bulga region.<ref name=":4" />

=== Flora ===
Sixteen types of plants have been recorded within Biriwal Bulga National Park.<ref name=":0" /> The predominant plants are dry [[sclerophyll]] forests. During its early discovery, the park was subject to selective logging for businesses due to its dense forests.<ref name=":2" /> The logging caused forest destruction and disturb the natural ecosystem of the park.

The 1950s brought an end to all logging in the parkand since, the majority of forest has been restored.<ref name=":2" /> The [[Gondwana Rainforests|Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia]] (CERRA) World Heritage Area has identified the park as a potential addition to its list as a development listing due to its undisturbed and intact rainforest.<ref name=":6">Briggs, J.D and Leigh, J.D. (1996) rev.ed. Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. CSIRO, Canberra.</ref> As of 2004, there were no recorded threatened plant species.<ref name=":6" /> ''[[Plectranthus| Plectranthus suaveolens]]'' is listed as the only rare plant found. The plants listed as endangered by the NSW Wildlife Services are vine ''([[Cynanchum elegans]])'' and ground orchid '' ([[Diuris flavescens]])''<ref name=":0" />''.''

=== Catchment ===
Biriwal Bulga National Park drains the majority of its rainfall into surrounding creeks which eventually lead to the [[Hastings River]].<ref name=":3" /> The main nearby body of water is the [[Doyles River (New South Wales)|Doyles River]], which is approximately 6&nbsp;km in length.<ref name=":3" /> This is found on the south-eastern border of the park. Inside the park are two catchments of water, Green Gully Creek and Big Creek.<ref name=":3" /> The water that leaves the park supplies stock on some downstream farms and partially supplies Port Macquarie.<ref name=":0" />

== Environmental threats ==

=== Pests ===
Biriwal Bulga national park contains different animals, some of which are considered pests and disturb the natural ecosystem of the park. The pests sighted within the area are [[Free-ranging dog|wild dogs]], foxes, pigs and cats.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=BIRIWAL BULGA NATIONAL PARK AND WEELAH NATURE RESERVE PLAN OF MANAGEMENT|url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/Parks-plans-of-management/biriwal-bulga-national-park-weelah-reserve-plan-of-management-040129.pdf|last=NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Conservation|date=2004|website=NSW government|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> The most prevalent danger are wild dogs, in particular, [[Dingo|dingoes]].<ref name=":4" /> Dingoes pose threats to the native koala population within the national park. Their speed allows them to track and hunt koalas that have left their trees.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Love|first1=Ashley|last2=Sweeney|first2=Oisin F.|date=2015|title=A Blueprint for a comprehensive reserve system for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) on the North Coast of New South Wales|journal=National Parks Association of New South Wales, Sydney|pages=40–42}}</ref> Foxes and pigs are also a concern for the park's natural catchment.<ref name=":0" /> The pests’ movement throughout the park can cause damage to the soil. This can lead to increase in [[erosion]] which cause dirt to be run-off along with the water to the park's neighbouring [[Drainage basin|catchments]].<ref name=":2" />

In addition to animal pests, there are also plants and weeds which threaten to damage the habitat.<ref name=":0" /> In 1968–1969, a pine plantation plot was established as a trial for future pine plantation programs on the plateau.<ref name=":0" /> These pine trees have started to disperse to the surrounding areas outside their original allocation.<ref name=":3" /> This can cause problems if left uncontrolled as it damages the natural ecosystem of the park.<ref name=":6" /> There are also a number of pest plants which have invaded into the park from the neighbouring Yarras Mountain Trail. The most common of which is known as the [[lantana]].<ref name=":0" />

=== Fires ===
Due to the areas densely covered forest, the park is susceptible to fires. These fire pose as a threat to the wet sclerophyll communities which are abundant in the park. The fires have the capability to burn the rainforest and threaten the biodiversity within the park if they occur regularly.<ref name=":7">Auld, T.D., Keith, D.A. & Bradstock, R.A. 1995, “Fire and Conservation: Imperatives and constraints on managing for Biodiversity, in Bradstock, R.A. et al (1995) Conserving Biodiversity: threats and solutions. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.</ref> The main type fire  is vegetation fire, most commonly known as bushfire.<ref name=":8">Bryant, C. (2008). Deliberately lit vegetation fires in Australia. ''Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice'', (350), 1–6. Retrieved from https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi350. Retrieved on 15/05/2020</ref>

Biriwal Bulga National Park was one of the areas affected by the 2019-2020 bushfire season in Australia. The fire burned during the periods of mid-December to mid-January. The torrential rain and large thunderstorms helped firefighters to contain the spread throughout the park.<ref>Nobel, F. (2020, Jan 26). Weather: States smash last month's rainfall in 24 hours. ''9 NEWS''. Retrieved from: https://www.9news.com.au/national/aus-weather-severe-rain-event-wont-be-enough-to-break-drought-melbourne-vic-nsw-qld/b44c63b1-b764-4290-a15b-2075b76acf6c. Retrieved on: 15/05/2020</ref>

=== Bacteria ===
Within the National Park, there are some bacteria  that pose potential problems to the wildlife which inhabit it. A  [[Bacteria|bacterium]] pathogen dangerous to the wildlife, in particular koalas is: [[Chlamydia pecorum]].<ref name=":5">Waugh, C., Hanger, J., Timms, P., & Polkinghorne, A. (2016). ''Koala translocations and Chlamydia: Managing risk in the effort to conserve native species''. (Report). Biological Conservation, 197, 247–253.</ref> This pathogen is an [[Infectious Disease|infectious disease]] which harms koalas and potentially could cause fatality.<ref name=":5" /> It is dangerous due to the ease of which it spreads from animals to animals. As koalas, move regularly from neighbouring regions into the national park, the spread of this disease is apparent in the park.<ref name=":5" /> There are management plans in place to restrict the influence of bacteria on the koala population within the park.<ref name=":4" />

== Management ==
Biriwal Bulga National Park is recognised as a significantly cultural land to Indigenous Australians.<ref name=":0" /> Any discussion in plans of conservation must be directly consulted with a member of the [[Birpai|Biripi]] people The Biripi people must be involved in negotiations of plans in order to maintain the Aboriginal heritage within the park.<ref>Weir, J. (2000). ''Aboriginal land ownership and joint management of national parks in NSW''. Indigenous Law Bulletin, 5(3), 20–22.</ref> Currently there are nine recognised sites in Biriwal Bulga that are significant to the local Indigenous population. A further two potential significant sites are being investigated with the help of the Indigenous community around Biriwal Bulga.<ref name=":0" />

The issues of pests within the park has been identified by the NPWS Mid-North Coast regional [[pest management]].<ref name=":0" /> They have included strategies such as preparing a mapping of areas within the park that display high activities of pest animals and plants. This allows for wildlife services to control the growth of pests, ensuring that they are kept only within those area. The maps allow for services to plan for conservation sites and ensure that native species have minimal interactions with pests.<ref name=":0" /> There is a focus on park services to help control the pines surrounding the plantation area. This is to ensure the prevention of weed spreading into the natural habitat.<ref name=":0" />

Biriwal Bulga is recognised{{who|date=May 2021}} as a conservation site for [[koala]]s.<ref name=":4" /> The terrain and environment surrounding the park provide stability for steady growth of the koala population. The national park's lack of human visitors allows for the koalas to live peacefully and undisturbed.<ref name=":4" /> Research and surveys are suggested to be conducted to ensure that the growth of koalas is being monitored. This is to ensure that koalas are not at risk of the potential bacteria that could cause a decrease in population.<ref name=":4" />

Biriwal Bulga's dense forest are a concern for the bushfire seasons which occur in Australia.<ref name=":8" /> To preserve the national park's habitat, [[Controlled burn|back-burning]] is a method that prevents fires from destroying the ecosystem.<ref name=":7" /> The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services attempts to establish strong communication with the local Rural Fire Services to ensure a fire free interval of land is maintained every 10 to 15 years.<ref name=":0" />

To implement all the management plans mentioned above, easier access into the national park is required. The NSW wildlife service's plan to negotiate with relevant neighbours of the park for the development of safety tracks to ensure for easier access into the park.<ref name=":0" /> If this occurs, the park wishes to establish guidelines to ensure that visitors will not disturb the local ecosystem.<ref name=":0" />

NSW wildlife service's plans to promote Biriwal Bulga as a remote location that offers visitors the experience to be self-reliant in nature.<ref name=":0" /> Facilities will not be developed and instead visitors will be encouraged to use the facilities offered by surrounding areas.<ref name=":0" /> This encouragement can be done through signs within the park or uploading information onto the  park's website. Services plan to monitor activities of visitors to ensure that they are following guidelines set up to ensure for safety of both visitors and the park.<ref name=":0" /> Suggestions for monitoring activities include surveys of how many utilise the park as well as observing whether occupants have left belongings behind such as valuables or rubbish.

==See also==
* [[Protected areas of New South Wales]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:National parks of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1999]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Australia]]