Mcleods Creek Nature Reserve. Woodland Restoration Program

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1 Mcleods Creek Nature Reserve Woodland Restoration Program 1

2 Background Gazetted in August 2010 to conserve significant vegetation in poorly conserved region. 221 ha. Yass Valley LGA 2

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4 Values White Box- Yellow Box- Blakelys Red Gum Woodland EEC Natural Temperate Grassland EEC Contains flora sp that is declining or intrinsically rare 4

5 Values Threatened species Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail, Scarlet Robin, Speckled Warbler, Superb Parrot and Gang Gang Cockatoo Golden Sun Moth is present at several sites within the reserve. 5

6 Restoration Program June 2011 Commenced planning - Developed guidelines to direct restoration in collaboration with ANBG, CSIRO, Greening Australia, Friends of Grasslands and local residents 6

7 Objectives Restore the woodland vegetation of Mcleods Creek NR to: maximise the native biodiversity values of the reserve retain areas of natural temperate grassland enhance connectivity within the reserve, particularly for small passerines engage with the community in the Gundaroo district 7

8 Vegetation Zones The zones were defined largely by the following attributes: 1) topographical location; 2) groundlayer condition; 3) groundlayer species present; 4) tree species present. 8

9 Planting densities Zone Canopy 20m 20m NA 40m Mid layer tree 30x30m patch every 100m containing 5 trees 30x30m patch every 75m containing 5 trees 30x30m patch every 75m containing 5 trees 10x10m patch every 200m containing 3 trees Shrub 10x10m patch every 100m containing 10 trees 10x10m patch every 500m containing 10 trees 10x10m patch every 50m containing 10 trees 10x10m patch every 300m containing 5 trees + 25% contingency 9

10 Species composition Zone 4 E.melliodora Overstorey 70% E.mannifera Overstorey 15% E.bridgesiana Overstorey 15% A.dealbata Mid layer tree 50% A.rubida Mid layer tree 50% Bursaria spinosa Shrub 100% 10

11 Exclusion Zones 1)Areas of grassland 2)Areas of natural recruitment 3)25m buffer for drainage lines, due to shading of groundlayer. 4)5m buffer roads, fences 11

12 Method Planting into hand-dug or machineaugered holes. Protect with tree guard and watering. Direct seeding Laying seed bearing branches at sowing sites 12

13 Planting program Cooperative program with Greening Australia National Tree Day 2014, over 100 participants and trees and shrubs planted. ANBG seed collection and propagation 13

14 Planting program Program continued in Autumn 2015 with Greening Australia regular volunteer teams. Planting completed across entire reserve, approximately 2800 plants. 14

15 Planting program - monitoring Zone 1 96% Zone % Zone 4 94% 15

16 Direct Seeding 28 of 59 (47%) plots germinated. Zone 3-60% Zone 2 26% 16

17 Forb Reintroduction Phase 1 Establish additional population Lepidium hyssopifolium. 350 plants in May Senecio macrocarpus planted in June Seed broadcast of common forb species Aceana ovina, Linum marginale, Eryngium ovinum, Plantago varia, Xerochrysum viscosum Critically analyse program. 17

18 Forb Reintroduction Phase 2 Additional 40 Senecio macrocarpus planted in Nov SOS project for Lepidium hyssopifolium Forbs naturally germinating within exclosures austral sunray, scaly buttons. 18

19 Management Issues - Erosion Gullies Exposed B horizons are highly dispersive from both overland and within profile flow, resulting in undercutting, caving and slumping. 19

20 Erosion Stabilisation Excavation to reshape slope Cover B horizon with topsoil, straw, jute netting, thatch, and logs. Swales and drainage to divert water and provide soil collection points 20

21 Weeds Tussock, Wort, Bathurst Burr treated. Blackberry, Briar, Hawthorn now treated. Previously retained as provided resources to threatened birds prior to native shrub layer establishing. Phalaris to be treated. Thistles, annual pasture weeds not treated 21

22 Cassinia arcuata treatment 22

23 Whats next? Continue direct seeding program for another year. Implement SOS funded Lepidium planting, and maintenance of Senecio plantings. Remove tree guards. Continue erosion stabilisation at priority sites, if funding permits. Continue Cassinia removal at priority sites and map spread to south of reserve. Ongoing weed control 23