Vegetation types

Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) are the official way that vegetation types are classified in Victoria. EVCs are described based on the types of plants, their lifeforms, and ecological characteristics, as well as their connection to specific environmental features. EVCs may differ slightly in plant species across the broader landscape but will occur in similar environments and have a very similar structure. EVC maps provide guidance for revegetation projects throughout Victoria.

Ecological Vegetation Classes in Maroondah pre-1750

Download Ecological Vegetation Classes in Maroondah pre-1750(PDF, 1MB)

Ecological Vegetation Classes in Maroondah 2005

Download Ecological Vegetation Classes in Maroondah 2005(PDF, 1MB)

• Creekline Herb-rich Woodland
  Creekline Herb-rich Woodland (EVC 164) is found along the narrow gully lines along the tributaries and upper reaches of Brushy Creek, Jumping Creek and Andersons Creek that flow north to the Yarra River. The dominant tree species are Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and sometimes Candlebark (Eucalyptus rubida).

• Grassy Dry Forest
  Grassy Dry Forest (EVC 22) occurs in Maroondah’s north and northwest, on the tops of ridges and hills with shallow, stony soil. It extends for typically 10–30m from crests down slopes with northerly or westerly aspects but scarcely at all in opposite directions. The canopy is dominated by Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha) and Bundy (Eucalyptus goniocalyx) and often Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos).

• Grassy Forest
  Grassy Forest (EVC 128) occurs at a few highpoints along the Wicklow Hills Ridgeline. The canopy features a mix of Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha), Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua), Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata) and Bundy (Eucalyptus goniocalyx).

• Herb-rich Foothill Forest
  Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23) occurs in Maroondah’s north and northwest but is confined to lower slopes with southerly to easterly aspects. The canopy is dominated by Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) and to a lesser degree Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata).

• Lowland Forest
  Lowland Forest (EVC 16) occurs in the lower lying parts of the south-east of Maroondah with Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) the dominant species in the canopy, followed by Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata). The modelled Pre-1750 EVC mapping does not show this EVC as occurring in Maroondah, however it is recognised as occurring within Maroondah in Biodiversity in Maroondah Volume 1 (2020).

• Riparian Forest
  Riparian Forest (EVC 18) is found along the banks of Maroondah’s larger, perennial streams where the valleys have broad floodplains (eg the lower reaches of Mullum Mullum and Jumping Creek within Maroondah) with the canopy dominated by Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subspecies viminalis).

• Swampy Riparian Woodland
  Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83) is found along the banks of Maroondah’s larger, perennial streams where the valleys have narrow floodplains (eg. Dandenong Creek, Bungalook Creek, Brushy Creek and the lower reaches of Tarralla Creek), with the canopy dominated by Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata).

• Swampy Woodland
  Swampy Woodland (EVC 937) occurs on poorly drained soil that is sodden in winter and dry in summer, not exposed to fast-moving floodwater and once covered most of the floodplains in the south-east quarter of Maroondah, as well as along the Dandenong Creek and Brushy Creek. The canopy is typically dominated by Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and the presence of Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) is also very typical.

• Valley Grassy Forest
  Valley Grassy Forest (EVC 47) is found near the crests and on the slopes above Creekline Herb-rich Woodland along the tributaries and upper reaches of Brushy Creek, Jumping Creek and Andersons Creek. Like Creekline Herb-rich Woodland, Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha) and Bundy (Eucalyptus goniocalyx) and sometimes Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) are often found in the canopy, but other species can also be present, particularly Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora), Candlebark (Eucalyptus rubida) and Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata).

• Valley Heathy Forest
  Valley Heathy Forest (EVC 127) is the dominant EVC of native vegetation on the gently undulating terrain that occupies most of the Gippsland Plain in Maroondah. It occurs from hilltops to the edges of floodplains, despite the term ‘Valley’ in its name. Silver-leafed Stringybark (Eucalyptus cephalocarpa) is typically present in the canopy with Bundy (Eucalyptus goniocalyx), Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua), Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha) and/or Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata) also often present.

• Wetland Formation
  Wetland Formation (EVC 74) was once represented in Maroondah as numerous wetlands on Maroondah’s floodplains; however all the original wetlands appear to have since been drained and filled. This EVC is represented in the present as a variety of artificial wetlands, lakes and ponds.

Further information

For more information see Biodiversity in Maroondah or email nature@maroondah.vic.gov.au.