Conservation and Environment

Forest and Woodland Ecosystems

Victoria has many diverse types of forests and woodlands, with characteristic combinations of dominant tree, understorey and ground cover species particular to different parts of the state. They provide a range of foraging, breeding and sheltering sites, and support many bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species that often have specialised habitat requirements. Fauna that require tree hollows for shelter and/or breeding such as some species of diurnal bird, owl, possum, glider and reptile often rely on forested areas for their survival. These areas, both public and private, may have a long history of use for both commercial and non-commercial activities such as timber harvesting, firewood collection, floodplain water management, pest and weed control, recreation and nature enjoyment. To manage our forests and woodlands effectively for all these activities while maintaining biodiversity is essential. In order to do this, research is required into the interaction of these different aspects of forest and woodland use.

Key projects (with details below)

River Red Gum and Black Box Woodland - Macredie Island Floodplain Fauna Box-Ironbark Ecological Thinning Trial

Key projects (in other themes)

Research in Coastal Moonah Woodland (Threatened Species and Communities) Development of a Method for Monitoring Deer in Forests (Mapping and Measuring Biodiversity) Ecological Fire Regimes for Box-Ironbark Forest Remnants (Bushfire Recovery)

River Red Gum Forest and Black Box Woodland - Macredie Island Floodplain Fauna

As part of the development of water management options for the Murray River floodplains in north-western Victoria by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, ARI was commissioned to collect information on the vertebrate fauna of Macredie Island, north of Swan Hill. Flooding regimes in this area have been highly modified with some areas of the floodplain not receiving water for many years. Macredie Island is characterised by continuous forest in the north (Burra Forest), while the southern part of the island is mainly private land and has been extensively cleared. The area is dominated by River Red Gum forests and Black Box woodlands. A range of animal survey techniques were employed to survey the main Ecological Vegetation Classes, including infrared cameras to detect nocturnal and diurnal animals; harp traps and ultrasonic bat detectors to sample the bat fauna; spotlight surveys and owl call-playback to record arboreal mammals and nocturnal birds; and pitfall traps for small mammals and reptiles. A total of 148 species was recorded (of which 109 were new for the area) and this included 25 mammal species, 102 bird species, 15 reptile species and six frog species. Local residents provided anecdotal information on an additional six species. A number of threatened species were observed including the Regent Parrot, Gull-billed Tern, Grey-crowned Babbler and Lace Monitor. In addition, this survey provided an extension to the known geographic range of several mammal species; including the Sugar Glider (a 70km extension) and the Large Forest Bat (150km). The most serious management issue for the island is the lack of water, due to the current drought conditions and altered flooding regimes. On the floodplain and along some sections of Burra Creek, much of the vegetation is dying or severely stressed. In contrast other sections of the creek are permanently inundated, whereas under natural conditions, they would be filled at irregular intervals by flooding, then dry out before the next inundation. Many flora and fauna, including frogs, fish, waterbirds, River Red Gum, Black Box and aquatic plants that are found in or surrounding wetland areas have adapted to this irregular cycle of wet and dry, and depend on it for breeding and survival. Restoration of natural flooding regimes would greatly benefit biodiversity on the island. For further information contact Lindy.Lumsden@dse.vic.gov.au Page Top

Box-Ironbark Ecological Thinning Trial ARI is currently working in partnership with Parks Victoria on a unique long-term project that could change the way Box-Ironbark forests are managed in Victoria. Large areas of regrowth Box-Ironbark forest have a high density of trees that are very small in diameter. Thinning is the process of removing some smaller trees with the aim of allowing remaining dominant trees to grow faster and ultimately larger. Reduced tree competition and open canopy may also increase flora diversity in the forest understorey. Several innovative thinning methods have been implemented in the Bendigo region of central Victoria, and the project will assess whether they can be used to accelerate the development of habitat features such as hollows and cavities in a number of ironbark and box eucalypt species. The project will also investigate whether leaving a diversity of coarse woody material (e.g. logs and branches) on the forest floor increases habitat for ground-dwelling fauna such as reptiles and invertebrates. A variety of sampling techniques are being used to collect information on the flora and vertebrate fauna at trial sites before and after thinning has occurred. Invertebrates, habitat values and forest structure are also being monitored by other research partners: Centre for Environmental Management – University of Ballarat, Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic) – Knoxfield, and Department of Botany – University of Melbourne. For further information contact Geoff.Brown@dse.vic.gov.au Page Top