Pre-European Distribution of Pink Gum woodlands

The distribution of both woodlands before European settlement in the graphics below (marked in green) shows the extent of each woodland. The location of the woodlands correspond in general to Permian sand deposits left behind millions of years ago.  

Finding the woodlands in your area of the Fleurieu

DEW had developed NatureMaps, an online mapping tool for identifying the Pre-European vegetation plant communities throughout South Australia. Each of the woodlands were defined by NatureMap vegetation codes. In the case of the Pink Gum woodlands, there was a key: ML2403PE . This factsheet remains available online at the Green Adelaide web site.

In 2025, the Landscape Board, Hills and Fleurieu, published a factsheet for the Pink Gum vegetation profile with a reference to the vegetation code:

• Vegetation Community Profile, Pink gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) Low Woodland over shrubby understorey(ML2403PE)

Each factsheet distinguishes clearly the plants in these distinct communities. They are a great deal more detailed; each providing information about:

• Community distribution in the Fleurieu in map format (See maps)
• Soil type, rainfall, and notes on revegetation
• A plant list separated into plant type: trees, shrubs, mat plants, sedges and tussocks, twiner/scramblers, and herbs
• Details for each plant including: whether plants can be purchased in a plant nursery, propagation methods, seed treatment, and seed propagation treatments, and level of difficulty for seed propagation, and how the plants are pollinated.

Pre-European Plant communities in Mount compass area

There are a number of Pink Gum woodland communities in the Mount Compass area. They are often associated with good quality soils, making good farmland.

European Settlement

Much of the Pink Gum woodlands yielded to dairy and meat production. The application of fertiliser and irrigation maintained production throughout the year. Pine plantations replaced woodlands as a source of timber and wind breaks. Pine trees do well in well-drained soils. 

Distribution today

The PInk Gum woodland (ML2403PE) is a fraction of its original pre-European distribution, approximately 13.8% remaining.

Of the approximately 26,000 hectares (ha) mapped as being present prior to European settlement, approximately 3,600 ha have been mapped in the Department of Environment and Water’s extant mapping layer (Data SA 2025).

Croft, S, Croft, T 2026, Vegetation Community Profile, Pink gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) Low Woodland over shrubby understorey(ML2403PE).

To preserve these woodland ecosystems, the Department of Environment and Water has set aside conservation parks. According to NatureMaps, Pink Gum woodland occupies some of Mount Billy conservation park.

The graphic below shows the area within Mount Billy conservation park occupied by Pink Gum woodland.

Threat of habitat loss

The Landscape Board, Hills and Fleurieu (Landscape HF) is actively pursuing revegetation of areas to support the wildlife unique to Stringybark woodlands. Many of understorey plants can be grown from seed or seedlings or purchased from a Native nursery for private and public spaces. LIfestyle blocks and farms can plant canopy trees and understorey to support birds, bees and other native wildlife associated with Brown Stringybark woodlands.