Plants
Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park contains a diverse range of plant communities from sedgelands and closed heaths to pink gum woodlands and mallee box. These plants, adapted to the sandy soils, help stabilise the sand dunes and help prevent sand blows.
Low woodlands and heath communities cover most of Aldinga Scrub. In the north-east and far eastern sections of the scrub, a low woodland of mallee box trees grows on brown sandy loam soils. Sedgelands grow in areas where the water table is close to the surface and the soil is semi-permanently waterlogged. Tall shrublands of drooping sheoak give way to low-growing coastal dune vegetation on the western side of the scrub.
Several rare species of plants are found in the park. They include lacy coral lichen, nardoo, hairy sedge and several species of orchids.
Animals
More than 166 different bird species can be seen and heard within Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park. Some are migratory and visit the area for only a few months each year. If you watch quietly you may spot mistletoe birds, rainbow bee-eaters, brown goshawks and golden whistlers.
The park’s vegetation provides a variety of host plants for 18 species of butterflies and 540 species of other insects. Brushtail possums, short-beaked echidnas, bats, geckoes and skinks live in the park. Aldinga Scrub also provides a home for brown snakes and red-bellied black snakes.
Flora and fauna species lists
To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the 'Create Simple Species List' tab under 'Flora Tools' or 'Fauna Tools' in NatureMaps.