REPORT ON WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST BREACH MARTINS CREEK

Transcription

1 REPORT ON WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST BREACH MARTINS CREEK WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST EVC#32 Abstract: This vegetation community is listed as Rare in Victoria and is subject to certain legislative provisions that are designed to protect this community and ensure it is safeguarded from threatening processes such as the exclusion of clear fell logging and through the requirement of providing ecological rainforest buffers to ensure against edge effects and alterations of the micro climatic conditions necessary for the flourishing and persistence of rainforest communities. 1. It is the conviction of the author of this report, drawing from the evidence detailed in Warm Temperate Rainforest Study #1 within, that Warm Temperate Rainforest has been logged and that insufficient buffers, and at times no buffers, have been left for the protection of this ecological community. 2. Following these studies and preliminary records of specific rainforest breaches in the Martins Creek catchment, further evidence is provided on the mapping and treatment of rainforest in the general Martins Creek forest block. These issues are arranged in a sequence within the Warm Temperate Rainforest Study #2 and demonstrate that the true extent of rainforest has been mapped insufficiently and that this is (and may be in further cases) leading to the logging and non provision of ecological rainforest buffers. 3. The Jensen Creek catchment, the specific subject of this report, is known to contain records of Thismia rodwayi (Fairy Lanterns). These records contribute to only a handful of known locations of this species within East Gippsland, and are of possibly less then ten records in Victoria. This species is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and is listed by the DSE as vulnerable. Author: Andrew Lincoln Date of Report: 18/08/2010 (Amended 25/02/11)

2 WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST STUDY #1 GUIDE USED: EAST GIPPSLAND WARM TEMPERATE FOREST FLORISTIC FIELD IDENTIFICATION KEY DIFFERENTIAL SPECIES COMPARISON BETWEEN WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST AND WARM TEMPERATE SCLEROPHYLL FOREST 1 Date of Study: 24/07/10 Site #3 25/07/10 Site #1 and Site #2 Surveyor: Andrew Lincoln Aim of Study: To determine whether Warm Temperate Rainforest has been adequately protected from logging activities and given mandatory ecological buffers within a VicForests active logging coupe. Location: At three sites in gully within coupe Site 1 - Site 2 - Site 3-55H // H // H // (GDA94, UTM/UPS) (GDA94, UTM/UPS) (GDA94, UTM/UPS) Method of Study: Following the directions set out in A Field Guide to Rainforest Identification in Victoria: Differential species keys for the delineation of rainforest boundaries 2, in particular the section dealing with East Gippsland Warm Temperate Forest Floristic Field Identification Key, and at the locations given above and below, species listed as either Differential Species for East Gippsland Warm Temperate Rainforest or species listed as Differential Species for East Gippsland Warm Temperate Sclerophyll Forest 3 were searched for on the topographical contour of this location. As each species was searched for it was noted as present if it was present and not noted if it was not discovered. SITE 1 was undertaken within five metres of recent logging activities. The starting point for this key exercise experienced no recent disturbance, however, as I searched along the contour (to a maximum extent of 25 metres along the contour in total) the easterly section of the search terminated with recent logging activities. * See Map #1 and #2 for further details. * See Appendix A, Photo s 3-5 SITE 2 was undertaken on the north western side of the gully, within the same gully as above. The search along the contour at this location also terminated in logging activities to the east at 25m. * See Map #2 for further details. * See Appendix A, Photo s 6-7 SITE 3 was undertaken approximately 5-10m above (higher/up slope) then the logging breach into the gully (snig track) as shown in Map s #1 and #2. This key comparison spanned from one side of the gully to the other, following the contour line that traverses the gully in such a direction. (As if this was the termination point of the gully itself). The intention of this site key exercise was to ascertain whether Warm Temperate Rainforest Differential Species still predominated further up stream even then the breach of the snig track. * See Map #2 for further details. * See Appendix A, Photo 9 1 Cameron, David, A Field Guide to Rainforest Identification in Victoria: Differential species keys for the delineation of rainforest boundaries, Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, Cameron, D., ibid 3 Cameron, p. 27

3 Results for Site 1: Species Discovered that is a; Differential Species for EG Warm Temperate Rainforest Species Discovered that is a; Differential Species for EG Warm Temperate Sclerophyll Forest Botanical Name Common Name Asplenium bulbiferum Mother Spleenwort YES Cissus hypoglauca Jungle Grape YES Dicksonia antarctica Soft Tree Fern YES Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Mountain Grey Gum YES Fieldia australis Austral Fieldia YES Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod YES Syzygium smithii Lilly Pilly YES Tetrarrhena juncea Forest Wire grass YES TOTAL: Results for Site 2: Species Discovered that is a; Differential Species for EG Warm Temperate Rainforest Species Discovered that is a; Differential Species for EG Warm Temperate Sclerophyll Forest Botanical Name Common Name Blechnum wattsii Hard Water Fern YES Cissus hypoglauca Jungle Grape YES Dicksonia antarctica Soft Tree Fern YES Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Mountain Grey Gum YES Eucalyptus obliqua Messmate YES Fieldia australis Austral Fieldia YES Notelea venosa Large Mock Olive YES Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod YES Syzygium smithii Lilly Pilly YES Tetrarrhena juncea Forest Wire grass YES TOTAL: Results for Site 3: Species Discovered that is a; Differential Species for EG Warm Temperate Rainforest Species Discovered that is a; Differential Species for EG Warm Temperate Sclerophyll Forest Botanical Name Common Name Blechnum wattsii Hard Water Fern YES Dicksonia antarctica Soft Tree Fern YES Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Mountain Grey Gum YES Eucalyptus obliqua Messmate YES Fieldia australis Austral Fieldia YES Notelea venosa Large Mock Olive YES Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod YES Rubus molucanus Queensland Bramble YES Tetrarrhena juncea Forest Wire grass YES TOTAL: Summary of Results for Sites1, 2 and 3: SITE 1 SITE 2 SITE 3 Total differential species for Warm Temperate Rainforest discovered Total differential species for Warm Temperate Sclerophyll Forest discovered Warm Temperate Forest community for each site suggested by Differential Species Comparison Floristic Signal Strength RAINFOREST RAINFOREST RAINFOREST

4 GUIDE TO MAPS (Including Map #1 and Map #2) 4 NOTE: The following two maps display activity location information relevant to Warm Temperate Rainforest Study #1 detailed above. The division between the two maps is characterised by a need to display firstly (Map #1); a summary of logging activities recorded by the author on a preliminary investigation of the site with reference to minimum rainforest buffer requirements if only conservative assumptions were to be made regarding rainforest presence. Secondly (Map #2); to display location data relevant to the results section of this report in conjunction with minimal representation of logging activities displayed by way of Log Landing Extent. Logging activities data recorded and displayed on Map#1 apply also for Map#2. These locations are summarised in the table below and are presented on the following two maps. Locations of Recorded Activities: Description of Activity Coordinates Plotted as Map # Key Identification Location Site // Green dot w Key Identification Location Site // Green dot w Key Identification Location Site // Green dot w Preliminary Key Identification Location // Large green dot 1 Logging - Trash pushed into gully // Large red dot 1 Logging - Breach into Gully // Large red dot 1 Log landing // Red dot w. L 2 Log landing // Red dot w. L 2 Log landing // Red dot w. L 2 Logging - Bulldozer push into gully // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 Logging - Snig track // Small red dot 1 4 Excerpts from: Department of Sustainability and Environment, Forest Explorer Online 4.1,

5 MAP # 1 DSE online map saved and edited displaying additional information as detailed in the following key: = Logging activities within gully = Logging activities = Link between recorded logging activities (usually following a snig track) = Log Landing (approximate extent) = Site of differential species key identification indicating rainforest = Minimum rainforest extent in gully = Expected minimum extent of rainforest = Line at 40m from centre of gully indicating minimum extent of 40m rainforest buffer if rainforest was confined only to the centre of gully. = Reference line indicating m line radiating from centre of gully at 20m intervals.

6 MAP # 2 DSE online map saved and edited displaying additional information as detailed in the following key: L = Log Landing = Log Landing (approximate extent) 1 = Sites of differential species key identification = Line at approximately 40m from Site 1, 2 and 3 (including extending down stream towards SPZ) indicating minimum extent of 40m rainforest buffer if rainforest was confined only to the topographical contour at which rainforest was discovered through this report s Key Guide investigations. = Reference line indicating m line radiating from centre of Site# 1 at 20m intervals. 3 L L 1 2 L

7 WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST STUDY #2 INVESTIGATION AND COMPARISION BETWEEN DSE ONLINE MAPS, VICFORESTS MAPS AND SITE INVESTIGATIONS OF THIS REPORT CONCERNING THE MAPPING AND PROTECTION OF WARM TEMPERATE RAINFOREST IN THE MARTINS CREEK AREA Method of Study: This exercise follows a sequence of maps published by either VicForests or the Department of Sustainability and Environment tracking the mapping of the extent of Warm Temperate Rainforest in the Martins Creek area. Each map will be examined, compared against one another and assessed as to their ability to determine the extent of Warm Temperate Rainforest in conjunction with the findings of Study #1 above and the author s knowledge of the presence of Warm Temperate Rainforest in the Martins Creek area. MAP #3: Indication of scheduled logging extent for Martins Creek forest block. Detail from East Gippsland FMA - Orbost District, Approved Timber Release Plan with amendments applied - Harvest Years VicForests, 16/07/09 (Datum: GDA 94) NB: Coupes known to be logged: , , , , (in part), , (in part)

8 MAP #4: Excerpt from: Department of Sustainability and Environment, Biodiversity Interactive Map 3.0, 17/08/10 Map Layers Displayed: Forest Management Zones, Park Reserves, Topography, Hydrology, Roads. (Scale: 1: )

9 MAP #5: Excerpt from: Department of Sustainability and Environment, Biodiversity Interactive Map 3.0, 17/08/10 Map Layers Displayed: 2005 EVC s, Hydrology, Roads. (Scale: 1: )

10 MAP #6: Excerpt from: Department of Sustainability and Environment, Biodiversity Interactive Map 3.0, httphttp://mapshare2.dse.vic.gov.au/mapshare2ext/imf.jsp?session=57754, 17/08/10 Map Layers Displayed: Bioregional Conservation Status, Topography, Hydrology, Roads. (Scale: 1: )

11 MAP #7: VicForests map produced in response to enquiries from a member of the public.

12 MAP #8: VicForests map produced in response to enquiries from a member of the public.

13 Summary of Studies #1 and #2: 1. Maps #5 (shaded circled blue ) and #6 (shaded purple) show the extent of rainforest in these areas as mapped by DSE online maps. 2. Map #4 (shaded tan-brown ) indicates Code of (Forest) Practice exclusion areas. It is apparent that this tan-brown shaded area covers those areas indicated as rainforest in maps #5 and #6. 3. These same Code of (Forest) Practice exclusion areas seem to be identically represented in the VicForests maps shown as Maps #7 and #8. 4. Where there are not large areas of Code of (Forest) Practice exclusions, and where this exclusion zone follows streams not mapped by the DSE online maps as rainforest, the width of this exclusion area is regularly 20m either side from the centre of the stream, indicating that the purpose of the Code of (Forest) Practice exclusion areas here relate to the protection of hydrological values. 5. Maps #1and #2 from Warm Temperate Rainforest study #1 above show that the gully concerned in that study is also mapped not as rainforest by the DSE online maps from which they are excerpts, but indicate that the concerned gully is instead more likely marked with a Code of (Forest) Practice exclusion area for the purpose of protecting hydrological values. 6. The results of Warm Temperate Rainforest study #1 above demonstrate the presence of rainforest in this gully at least at the points for which the Differential Species Key Guide Investigation were undertaken. 7. It is known to the author, through onsite experience, that the kind of vegetation recorded as rainforest at the specific sites of the Key Guide Investigations persists (at minimum) down stream in the same gully, and predominates as most of the gully vegetation in this catchment. 8. If point 7. above is true, and rainforest was mapped accordingly by the DSE and VicForests maps, the 20m Code of (Forest) Practice exclusion areas following the hydrology of this area would often have (wherever rainforest existed), a 40m Code of (Forest) Practice exclusion area, and that this would exist on both sides of the stream (if rainforest occupied only the very centre line of the stream). 9. However, these observations are not reflected in either the DSE online maps, or the VicForests maps, indicating that rainforest is insufficiently mapped in this Jensen Creek catchment and that on site detection and buffering would be required to ensure logging activities remained consistent with the Code of (Forest) Practice requirements not to log rainforest or the ecological buffers required for its protection and persistence. 10. If VicForests are not equipped with more accurate maps, then it seems the last hope for identifying and appropriately buffering rainforest in this area lies with VicForests coupe demarcation staff and the Logging Contractors during operations. 11. The results of Warm Temperate Rainforest study #1 demonstrate that even this last line of defence for rainforest is not been carried out even in a gully whose potential to contain Warm Temperate Rainforest is easily visible from the passing road (as demonstrated in attached Photo #1). 12. Maps #5 and #6 show that Warm temperate Rainforest exists also in the adjoining sub-catchment to the South (Riddle Creek Catchment), and that Warm Temperate Rainforest exists to a significant degree in the general Martins Creek area. The author s personal observations of gullies within these adjoining water catchments record the predominance of rainforest in many stream, gully, drainage line and sheltered slope situations. Conclusions: 1. Warm Temperate Rainforest study #1 demonstrates a specific rainforest breach in the Jensen Creek catchment (Coupe ). 2. Warm Temperate Rainforest study #1 and Warm Temperate Rainforest study #2 combined demonstrate the insufficiency of current mapping and operational precautions concerning the detection and protection of Warm Temperate Rainforest in the Martins Creek area.