Diverse tree canopies help native herbs thrive in the Cumberland Plain Woodland

New research uncovers how canopy diversity supports woodland resilience

How can the mix and structure of trees shape life on the forest floor?

New research led by Dr Michael Franklin and colleagues from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment in collaboration with Greater Sydney Local Land Services has revealed that diverse, structurally varied tree canopies support more native herbs in grassy woodlands across Western Sydney.

Using data from the Cumberland Plain Research Program’s 93 long-term monitoring plots, the team found that tree species richness increased native herb diversity by around 28%, while tree size diversity boosted grass cover. The findings also show that targeted thinning of dense small trees can enhance understorey growth, offering a practical tool for woodland restoration.

Read the full paper in Biological Conservation.

Field site within the Cumberland Plain Woodland plot network. Photo: Dr Michael Franklin