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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = protected | name = Brisbane Water National Park | state = nsw | iucn_category = II | image = File:Waterfall in Brisbane Water National Park 02.jpg | caption = Waterfall in the deeper areas of the Brisbane Water National Park. | image2 = {{maplink |frame =yes |frame-width = 300 |frame-height = 360 |frame-align = center |text = Brisbane Water National Park |zoom = 10 |type = shape |stroke-colour = #C60C30 |stroke-width = 3 |title = Brisbane Water National Park }} | nearest_town_or_city = [[Gosford]] | area = 115.06<!-- If the area is larger than 100ha (1km2) a conversion template is not required. --> | area_footnotes = <ref name="ParkAreas">{{cite journal|title=Annual Report 2009-10|journal=Annual Report|publisher=Department of Environment Climate Change and Water|date=November 2010|issn=1838-5958|pages=274β275|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/deccwar10.htm}}</ref> | established = {{start date|1959|09||df=y}} | established_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkManagement.aspx?id=N0006|title=Brisbane Water National Park: Park management|work=[[Office of Environment & Heritage]]|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_footnotes = | managing_authorities = [[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]] | url = http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Brisbane-Water-National-Park }} '''Brisbane Water National Park''' is a [[national park]] on the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] of [[New South Wales]], Australia. The national park is situated {{convert|70|km}} north of [[Sydney]] and {{convert|12|km}} southwest of [[Gosford]]. It consists the [[Brisbane Water]] and [[Mooney Mooney Creek]] waterways. The National Park includes the [[Lion Island (New South Wales)|Lion Island]] and the [[Spectacle Island (Hawkesbury River)|Spectagle Island]] near the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Brisbane Water National Park features fertile valleys which runs along the northern side of the [[Hawkesbury River]] towards [[Brisbane Water]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The national park has an area of {{convert|11506|ha|adj=on}} and is inhabited by the [[Darkinjung]] people.<ref name=oeh>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0006|title=Brisbane Water National Park|work=[[Office of Environment & Heritage]]|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> ==Features== The park has many pleasant and interesting walks that can vary from mild to rugged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/brisbane-water-national-park/|title=Brisbane Water National Park|work=Wild Walks|access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> One walk that can be easily accessed via public transport, is the walk to [[Pindar Cave]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://downloads.wildwalks.com/Pindar%20Cave%20%28nsw-bwnp-pc%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820111002/http://downloads.wildwalks.com/Pindar%20Cave%20(nsw-bwnp-pc).pdf |archive-date=2013-08-20 |url-status=live|type=PDF|title=Pindar Cave|work=Wild Walks|date=17 January 2014|access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> on the escarpment above the [[Wondabyne railway station]], which is a request-stop on the [[Newcastle and Central Coast railway line|Central Coast railway line]]. The [[Great North Walk]], that leads from Sydney to [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], passes through the park. The national park is bounded to the south by the [[Hawkesbury River]]; to the west by part of the [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]], part of the [[Pacific Motorway (Sydney-Newcastle)|M1 Pacific Motorway]], and the Peats Ridge Road; with the latter also forming the northern boundary; and to the east by the [[Brisbane Water]], the Central Coast railway line, and urban areas. The [[Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge]], part of the [[Central Coast Highway]], part of the Pacific Highway and part of the M1 Motorway bisect various sections of the national park.<ref name=oeh/> ==Region Description== [[File:Natural swimming hole, Brisbane Water National Park.jpg|thumb|Natural Swimming hole in Brisbane Water National Park]] Brisbane Water National Park is described as a βliving spaceβ for plant and animal communities in the National Parks Plan of Management.<ref name="Plan of Management">{{cite book|publisher=NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service|title=Brisbane Water National Park Plan of Management|date=1992|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/pomfinalbrisbane.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806004431/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/pomfinalbrisbane.pdf |archive-date=2008-08-06 |url-status=live|access-date=13 May 2016}}</ref> The park is a sanctuary for plant and animal [[Plant community|communities]] to adapt and [[Animal migration|migrate]] in the face of [[climate change]]. The size and shape of the park should allow adjustment in the Northwest and South for biological adjustment. The park is a system of reserves protecting the states significant waterways of the lower [[Hawkesbury River]], Broken Bay and [[Brisbane Water]].<ref name="Plan of Management" /> The park also protects a range of [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] sites and extends the representation of rock art from the Sydney Basin in the National Park systems. The [[geology]] is mainly in the Hawksbury series of cross bedded quarts sandstone, conglomerates, and grey and red shales.<ref name="Soils">{{cite book|last1=Hawkins|first1=Cedric. A|last2=Haddad|first2=Nawash. I|title=Soils of the Plateau of the Central Coast, NSW|date=2011|url=http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/427204/Soils-of-the-plateau-of-the-central-coast-NSW.pdf|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330191340/http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/427204/Soils-of-the-plateau-of-the-central-coast-NSW.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Biology and Ecology== The park covers enough area to provide critical nesting and breeding sites for several species whose territories range over surrounding rural and urban areas. For many of these species the park provides the only secure available land for them to find seclusion from human impacts. For many of these plant and animal species the park is the only available [[habitat]] which provides the necessary resources for their survival such as tree hollows.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> The main vegetation communities found in the park are low-open forests, low-open woodland, and open woodland accompanied by either a dry or moist [[understorey]]. Rainforest communities occur in sheltered sections of valleys and along streams.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> 20 vegetation communities are represented in the park, all of which are considered endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. 5 are listed as critically endangered under the [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]] (EPBC).<ref name="BioNet">{{cite web|last1=Office of Environment & Heritage|title=Atlas of NSW Wildlife|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/atlaspublicapp/UI_Modules/ATLAS_/atlasreport.aspx|website=BioNet|access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> The critically endangered communities listed in the EPBC act in the park are: [[Blue Gum High Forest]] in the [[Sydney Basin]] [[Bioregion]], Littoral Rainforest in the New South Wales North Coast, Lowland Rainforest in the NSW North Coast and Sydney Basin Bioregions, Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, and Western Sydney Dry Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion.<ref name="BioNet" /> The [[Blue Gum High Forest]] is a tall open forest community where the [[Eucalyptus saligna|Sydney blue gum]] (''Eucalyptus saligna'') dominates the [[Canopy (biology)|canopy layer]]. Other tree species that occur in this community are: [[Eucalyptus pilularis|blackbutt]] (''E. pilularis''), [[Allocasuarina torulosa|forest oak]] (''Allocasuarina torulosa''), and Sydney red gum (''[[Angophora costata]]''). Species occurring in the shrub layer are ones adapted to moist habitats.<ref name="Lewis">{{cite journal|last1=Lewis|first1=J.A.|title=Regeneration of remnant Blue Gum High Forest vegetation following the cessation of mowing|journal=Cunninghamia|date=2001|volume=7|issue=2|pages=173β182|url=https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/RoyalBotanicGarden/media/RBG/Science/Cunninghamia/Volume%207%20-%202001/Volume-7%282%29-2001-Cun7Lew173-182.pdf|access-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313135314/https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/RoyalBotanicGarden/media/RBG/Science/Cunninghamia/Volume%207%20-%202001/Volume-7(2)-2001-Cun7Lew173-182.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Only around 4.5% of the Blue Gum High Forest remains, now occurring in small remnants. It only occurs in areas where rainfall is high and soil fertility is good. For this reason it can only occur in small sections which are suitable for growth. Understorey species rely on bird and mammal species to distribute seeds and this community does not cope well in fire events.<ref name="McDonald Blue Gum">{{cite journal|last1=McDonald|first1=Tein|last2=Wale|first2=Kevin|last3=Bear|first3=Virginia|title=Restoring Blue Gum High Forest: lessons from Sheldon Forest|journal=Ecological Management & Restoration|date=2002|volume=3|issue=1|pages=15β27|doi=10.1046/j.1442-8903.2002.00093.x}}</ref> The Blue Gum High Forest is known to occur in Brisbane Water National Park and is now reliant on national park status as protection from habitat degradation, as well as good park management with regards to invasive species control and fire regimes. ==Flora== A number of areas in Brisbane Water National Park contain rare and endangered plants. It is likely that these remnant populations demonstrate the ways that environmental conditions have changed in the past few thousand years. In some cases these rare species are remnants of populations that would have been extensive before widespread clearing took place for urban and agricultural use.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> The park encompasses a wide variety of [[flora]] with 814 species recorded.<ref name="BioNet" /> The diversity of plant species and plant communities is reflective of variations in geology, soils, [[hydrology]], aspect, and fire history.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> Ten of the recorded plant species are considered to be rare and several others are uncommon or restricted in their distribution.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> The park hosts a number of vulnerable and threatened species as listed under the EPBC act. Vulnerable species include: thick-leaf star-hair (''[[Astrotricha crassifolia]]''), Camfield's stringybark (''[[Eucalyptus camfieldii]]''), Deane's paperbark (''[[Melaleuca deanei]]''), and ''[[Grevillea shiressii]]''. The endangered Somersby mintbush (''[[Prostanthera junonis]]'') is also present in the park.<ref name="BioNet" /> [[File:Somersby mintbush.jpg|thumb|Somersby mintbush]] The donkey orchid (''[[Diuris bracteata]]'') has been recorded in the area in recent times after having been listed as extinct under the commonwealth status. The donkey orchid resides in dry [[sclerophyll]] [[woodland]] and [[forest]] with a predominantly grassy understorey. Recordings in the [[Gosford]] and [[Wyong]] areas are the only existing species known to survive.<ref name="Donkey Orchid">{{cite web|last1=Office of Environment & Heritage|title=Diuris bracteata - profile|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=20036|website=Threatened Species|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> The vulnerable Camfield stringybarks (''Eucalyptus camfieldii'') range in NSW has contracted and is now only found in small numbers isolated mainly to nationals parks surrounding Sydney.<ref name="Leigh">{{cite book|last1=Edinburgh|first1=J. Leigh, R. Boden, J. Briggs|title=Extinct and endangered plants of Australia|date=1984|publisher=Macmillan Co. of Australia|location=South Melbourne|isbn=978-0333356807}}</ref> The species is either a [[mallee (habit)|mallee]]-like shrub or a tree up to 9 metres bearing heart shaped leaves as a juvenile. Too frequent or not frequent enough [[wildfire]] activity is a threat to its survival, where frequent fires impact its ability to grow [[Capsule (botany)|seed capsules]] and infrequent fires result in competition from taller vegetation.<ref name="Leigh" /> The main threats to this species are: Competition from [[Invasive species|invasive]] non-native species and [[Environmental degradation|degradation]] of habitat from [[weed]]s, inappropriate or changed fire regimes including frequency, intensity, and timing, [[habitat loss]] and [[Habitat fragmentation|fragmentation]] from development, and low [[genetic diversity]] as a result of contracted population numbers.<ref name="Camfields stringybark">{{cite web|last1=Department of the Environment|title=Eucalyptus camfieldii β Camfield's Stringybark|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=15460|website=Threatened Species and Ecological Communities|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> The endangered Somersby mintbush (''[[Prostanthera junonis]]'') is only known to occur in the [[Somersby, New South Wales|Somersby]] [[Plateau]] area in 9 locations after having been previously present in a broader range.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Quinn|first1=F.|last2=Williams|first2=J.B.|last3=Gross|first3=C.L.|last4=Bruhl|first4=J.|title=Report on rare and threatened plants of north-eastern New South Wales|date=1995|publisher=University of New England|location=Armidale}}</ref> The bush grows low with most of the branches growing along the ground to a maximum height of around 30 cm. Its flowers are pale mauve to almost white.<ref name="Somersby Mintbush">{{cite web|website=NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service|title=Somersby Mintbush Prostanthera junonis Recovery Plan - 2000-2005|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/cc4f227d-8006-47c3-8759-f5ab09cd6964/files/prostanthera-junonis.pdf|department=Department of the Environment|access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref> Most of the remaining population are present in Brisbane Water National Park and face similar threats to Camfield's Stringybark which are: habitat degradation, invasive weed competition, and inappropriate fire regimes.<ref name="Somersby Mintbush" /> ==Fauna== The allocation of land in the National Park has provided and conserved valuable habitat to a range of vulnerable and endangered species as listed under the [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999|EPBC]] act. In total 261 species of fauna have been recorded in the park.<ref name="BioNet" /> all of which are listed as protected by the [[National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974]] (except invasive species). 26 native mammal species are known to occur in the park and 30 species of frog which represent 9 of the continent's 27 [[Genus|genera]] have been recorded. 50 species of [[reptiles]] representing one-third of the continent's reptile genera are also found in the park.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> [[File:Lathamus discolor -Antwerp Zoo-8-3c.jpg|thumb|Swift Parrot (''Lathamus discolor'')]] Over 150 species of birds have been recorded. Habitat destruction and fragmentation has impacted many of the species, this is an example of the significance of preserved habitat which the park provides. A number of birds found in the park are considered rare in the Sydney [[bioregion]] due to lost habitat, these include: [[Collared sparrowhawk]] (''Accipiter cirrhocephalus''), [[Pacific baza]] (''Aviceda subcristata''), [[Lewin's rail]] (''Rallus pectoralis''), [[Buff-banded rail]] (''Rallus philippensis''), [[Yellow-tailed black cockatoo]] (''Calyptorhynchus funereus''), [[Glossy black cockatoo]] (''Calyptorhynchus lathami''), [[Gang-gang cockatoo]] (''Callocephalon fimbriatum''), [[Powerful owl]] (''Ninox strenua''), [[Australian masked owl]] (''Tyto novaehollandiae''), and the [[Red-browed treecreeper]] (''Climacteris erythrops'').<ref name="Plan of Management" /> The endangered [[swift parrot]] (''Lathamus discolour'') has been recorded in the park during their migration from Tasmania between March and October. This species returns to foraging sites depending on food availability and available habitat in tree hollows.<ref name="Swift Parrot">{{cite book|last1=Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment|title=Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) Recovery Plan 2001-2005|date=2001|isbn=0-7246-6283-9|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/node/16019|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> The critically endangered [[regent honeyeater]] (''Anthochaera Phrygia'') has been sighted in the park. Regent honeyeater range has contracted significantly in recent times and they face a significantly high risk of [[extinction]] in the near future <ref>{{cite journal|last1=Liu|first1=S.C.|last2=Gillespie|first2=J.|last3=Atchison|first3=N.|last4=Andrew|first4=P.|title=The recovery programme for the Regent honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia: an example of conservation collaboration in Australia|journal=International Zoo Yearbook|date=2014|volume=48|issue=1|pages=83β91|doi=10.1111/izy.12040}}</ref> The regent honeyeater is a flagship species whose conservation benefits a wide variety of other threatened and vulnerable woodland fauna. Foraging non breeding flocks are recorded on the Central Coast every few years and rely on healthy woodland which is species rich for their survival.<ref name="Honeyeater Environment.com">{{cite web|last1=Department of the Environment|title=Anthochaera phrygia β Regent Honeyeater|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=82338|website=Threatened Species and Ecological Communities|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> Other migratory bird species known to visit the park are the [[white-throated needletail]] (''Hirundapus caudacutus''), The [[Caspian tern]] (''Hydroprogne caspia''), and the [[white-bellied sea-eagle]] (Haliaeetus leucogaster).<ref name="BioNet" /> These seasonal bird species are protected under several migratory bird agreements with China, Korea, and Japan. Other than birds, the following EPBC endangered species are known to occur in the park: [[giant burrowing frog]] (''Heleioporus australiacus''), [[green sea turtle]] (''Chelonia mydas''), The [[koala]] (''Phascolarctos cinereus''), which is now restricted in distribution on the Central Coast,<ref name="Plan of Management" /> [[Tiger quoll|spotted-tailed quoll]] (''Dasyurus maculatus''), [[lLong-nosed potoroo]] (''Potorous tridactylus''), [[grey-headed flying fox]] (''Pteropus poliocephalus''), [[large-eared pied bat]] (''Chalinolobus dwyeri''), and the [[New Holland mouse]] (''Pseudomys novaehollandiae'').<ref name="BioNet" /> [[Rosenberg's monitor|Rosenberg's goanna]] (''Varanus rosenbergi''), [[eastern pygmy possum]] (''Cercartetus nanus''), and the [[squirrel glider]] (''Petaurus norfolcensis'') are species listed as vulnerable which inhabit the park.<ref name="BioNet" /> [[File:Tiger quoll Featherdale.jpg|thumb|Spotted-tail quoll (''Dasyurus maculatus'')]] All of these species are listed as endangered and vulnerable on the EPBC threatened species list mainly due to habitat loss, fragmentation of suitable habitat, degradation of habitat such as removal of dead trees and logs, introduction of feral species, inappropriate fire regimes, and climate change.<ref name="Resetting the Compass">{{cite journal|last1=Yencken|first1=D.|last2=Wilkinson|first2=D.|title=Resetting the Compass: Australia's Journey Towards Sustainability|date=2000|volume=28|issue=3|pages=13β26}}</ref><ref name="Curtis">{{cite book|last1=Curtis|first1=L.K.|last2=Dennis|first2=A.J.|last3=McDonald|first3=K.R.|title=Queensland's Threatened Animals|date=2012|publisher=CSIRO|isbn=9780643096141|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gsaXOp6qKawC}}</ref> The spotted tail quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is in serious decline due to habitat loss, competition from predators, and poisoning from humans.<ref name="Dasyuridae 1999">{{cite journal|last1=Firestone|first1=K. B.|last2=Elphinstone|first2=M. S.|last3=Sherwin|first3=W. B.|last4=Houlden|first4=B. A.|title=Phylogeographical population structure of tiger quolls Dasyurus maculatus (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia), an endangered carnivorous marsupial|journal=Molecular Ecology|date=October 1999|volume=8|issue=10|pages=1613β1625|doi=10.1046/j.1365-294x.1999.00745.x|pmid=10583825|s2cid=38277758}}</ref> The quoll occupies a large home range meaning they require a lot of space for foraging, and is therefore mainly restricted to large reserves and national parks. The species require suitable den sites which can be tree and log hollows, rock outcrops, and caves.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Edgar|first1=R.|last2=Belchar|first2=C.|title=Spotted tailed quoll, in: The Mammals of Australia|date=1995|publisher=Reed|location=Chatswood|page=67}}</ref> Habitat fragmentation and degradation are severe impacts for this species as smaller parcels of fragmented land do not provide the necessary habitat, rainfall, nesting sites, and prey, which the spotted tail quoll relies on for survival.<ref name="Dasyuridae 1999"/> The [[koala]] (''Phascolarctos cinereus'') and the [[squirrel glider]] (''Petaurus norfolcensis''), are [[arboreal]] [[marsupials]] broadly distributed in Eastern Australian forests and woodlands. Arboreal marsupials rely on habitat which is influenced by the size and species of trees present, the soil nutrients, amount of rainfall, and climate.<ref name="Wintle">{{cite journal|last1=Wintle|first1=Brendan A.|last2=Elith|first2=Jane|last3=Potts|first3=Joanne M.|title=Fauna habitat modelling and mapping: A review and case study in the Lower Hunter Central Coast region of NSW|journal=Austral Ecology|date=November 2005|volume=30|issue=7|pages=719β738|doi=10.1111/j.1442-9993.2005.01514.x}}</ref> The squirrel glider and other glider species found in the park specifically rely on the shelter of tree hollows and on flowering Acacia and Banksia genus shrubs for food.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Russel|first1=R|title=Yellow-bellied glider. In: The Mammals of Australia|date=1995|publisher=Reed Books|location=Chatswood|page=226}}</ref> Urban development, agriculture, and infrastructure is increasingly fragmenting the required habitat for these species <ref name="Wintle" /> and they are therefore more reliant on protected areas. Even species such as the [[Powerful Owl]] (''Ninox strenua'') that can tolerate some [[habitat fragmentation]] still rely on available tree hollows for nesting and the availability of [[prey]]. Forest dependent species such as the marsupial gliders and ground dwelling mammals are relied on for food by owl species, therefore reduction in the abundance of prey due to habitat fragmentation is an indirect impact on owls.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Newton|first1=Ian|title=Ecology and conservation of owls|date=2002|publisher=CSIRO|location=Collingwood|isbn=9780643067943}}</ref> ==Environmental Threats== [[File:Keulemans common fox.png|thumb|Common Fox, ''Vulpes vulpes'']] Brisbane Water National Park is vulnerable to various environmental threats. Introduced invasive [[feral]] animals are of particular concern, this includes [[foxes]] (''Vulpes vulpes''), wild dogs (''Canis familiaris''), and [[Feral cat|cats]] (''Felis catus''). Wild dogs and cats are of particular concern due to the proximity of the park to areas of highly urbanised land use. This makes the wild dog and cat issue particularly prevalent. Cats and wild dogs are significant predators because they interact with fauna in a number of ways, for instance predation, outcompeting natives for resources, and transmitting [[disease]]. This impacts the native fauna as wild dogs generally prey on large and medium species such as wallabies and possums, and cats prey on medium and small prey including reptiles and small [[mammals]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=May|first1=S.A.|last2=Norton|first2=T.W.|title=Influence of Fragmentation and Disturbance on the Potential Impact of Feral Predators on Native Fauna in Australian Forest Ecosystems.|journal=Wildlife Research|date=1996|volume=23|issue=4|pages=387|doi=10.1071/WR9960387|doi-access=free}}</ref> These pests can cause local extinctions and are a real threat to species which are already vulnerable or endangered.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> Invasive weeds are a threat to the natural processes within the park. The low [[Soil fertility|fertility]] of the soil does not readily facilitate weed growth <ref name="Plan of Management" /> ), however once they become established they can quickly out compete [[native species]] and are a real threat to the vulnerable and endangered species and communities.<ref name="Randall">{{cite journal|last1=Randall|first1=John M.|title=Weed Control for the Preservation of Biological Diversity|journal=Weed Technology|date=1996|volume=10|issue=2|pages=370β383|jstor=3988073|doi=10.1017/S0890037X00040124}}</ref> Eroding soils from degradation and increased transport of sediment from nearby runoff can transport [[sediments]] and nutrients which encourages weed growth. An example of the significance of weed invasion is the previously mentioned [[Blue Gum High Forest]] and Somersby mintbush (''Prostanthera junonis'') which are susceptible to weed invasion. Pest species displace natives and alter the [[ecosystem]] functions which creates ongoing implications such as altered fire patterns and changed [[nutrient cycling]]. The proximity of urban dwellings to the national park allows weed seeds to be easily introduced on a regular basis, which means regular maintenance and monitoring is required to ensure invasive species are kept in control. The biggest threat from invasive weeds is the [[Environmental degradation|degradation]] of [[biological diversity]]<ref name="Randall" /> and is therefore a major environmental threat within the park. Further environmental threats are present in that the park is boarded by intensive urban, industrial, and agricultural development. The larger streams which form part of the park have their headwaters and [[catchment]] areas outside the park boundary giving rise to major management issues. These management issues are largely due to altered natural processes such as sedimentation and nutrient alterations.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> ==Park Management== The management of Brisbane Water National Park is by the [[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]] (NPWS), under the [[Office of Environment & Heritage]]. Park management is vital in conserving [[biodiversity]] by offering physical protection to vulnerable and endangered [[wildlife]]. This refuge for Australian native plants, animals, and ecosystems allows research programs and conservation initiatives to be undertaken such as weeding and [[pest control]] programs to restore native habitats. Fire management strategies are developed in the balance of protecting life, Aboriginal sites, historical sites, and natural processes.<ref name="NPWS biodiversity">{{cite web |title=Protecting Biodiversity|url=http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/conservation-and-heritage/protecting-biodiversity|website=NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service|publisher=Office of Environment & Heritage|access-date=10 May 2016}}</ref> The areas surrounding the national park on plateaus was easily settled, therefore the remaining area originally reserved for parkland was limited to remnant areas on the plateau and areas of the catchments in Mooney Mooney, Patonga, and Mullet Creeks, because these areas remained inaccessible for settlement, they are generally harder for access. The locations of settlements mean the national park is hemmed in on two sides by development. The threats to the park caused by intensive agricultural, urban, and industrial development on the boundaries and headwaters make the management of the park difficult, and are increasing over time with continual development proposals such as those on the Kariong and Somersby plateaus which are in various catchment areas of the park.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> The following are some of the other management issues in the park. Woy Woy refuse tip is an inholding within the park which is a particular management issue as it is within the Patonga Creek Catchment. Agricultural, industrial, and domestic runoff from surrounding developments have long term harmful impacts on aquatic plant communities. Weeds also spread down creek lines from runoff. Fire suppression and management trails need to be planned so potential impacts and erosion which leads to sedimentation of creeks is minimised. Dirt bikes and four wheel drive access to the park is not permitted. Physical damage to plants and soils occurs and erosion has further impacts. Their access is hard to manage as many possible entry points are available.<ref name="Plan of Management" /> ==See also== {{stack|{{portal|New South Wales|Environment}}}} * [[Protected areas of New South Wales]] {{-}} == References == {{reflist}} == External links == *{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Brisbane-Water-National-Park|title=Brisbane Water National Park|work=[[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]]|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013232616/http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Brisbane-Water-National-Park#|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} *{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/pomFinalBrisbane.pdf|title=Brisbane Water National Park: Plan of management|work=[[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]]|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|date=October 1992|type=PDF|oclc=221466855}} *{{cite map|url=http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/brisbane-water-national-park/map|title=Brisbane Water National Park|publisher=[[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]], [[Government of New South Wales]]|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013232607/http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/brisbane-water-national-park/map#|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} *{{cite map|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/cycleMaps/BrisbaneWaters_NP_Mountain_Bike_Routes.pdf|title=Brisbane Water National Park: Mountain bike routes|work=[[NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]]|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|date=2010|format=PDF map}} *{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id=N0006|title=Brisbane Water National Park|work=Office of Environment & Heritage|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]}} {{National Parks of New South Wales |state=autocollapse}} {{The Hawkesbury River |state=autocollapse}} {{authority control}} [[Category:National parks of New South Wales]] [[Category:Central Coast (New South Wales)]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1959]] [[Category:Hawkesbury River]] [[Category:1959 establishments in Australia]]
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