Conservation and Environment

Rural and Urban Landscapes

Rural and urban landscapes are, by their very nature, highly modified environments and consequently may struggle to maintain populations of native fauna and flora. Agricultural practices such as land clearing, stock grazing and fertiliser use have had a large impact on the health of rivers and streams, the persistence of native grasses and the distribution of many fauna species. Remnant vegetation including roadside strips, riparian vegetation, and various-sized patches and single trees within farmland are important refuges for flora and fauna and should be managed properly. Using native grasses as pasture, protecting and connecting existing remnant vegetation, establishing buffers, and replanting can all contribute to the enhancement and restoration of biodiversity in these landscapes.

Key projects

Landscape Logic CERF: Native Vegetation Condition Change in Victoria Ecosystem Function in the Wimmera-Mallee Long Term Ecological Grazing Biodiversity in Native Pastures Regeneration of Eucalypts in Agricultural Landscapes Landscape Linkages in the Mallee - Annuello Corridor Ecology and the Conservation of Insectivorous Bats Increasing Biodiversity in Eucalypt Plantations

Details of these projects are given below.

For information on previous projects such as rivers and shelterbelts within agricultural landscapes see our Rural and Urban Landscapes - past projects page.

Landscape Logic CERF: Native Vegetation Condition Change in Victoria Landscape Logic is a research hub under the Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities (CERF) scheme, managed by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. It is a partnership between several natural resource management (NRM) agencies and research institutions in Tasmania and Victoria. As part of Landscape Logic, ARI is investigating questions about how historical and recent land management has led to change in native vegetation extent and quality on private land in northern Victoria: What has been the magnitude of change in wooded native vegetation extent over the past 60 years and what were the drivers of this change? How much of the observed change is due to activities using public funds compared with those using private contributions? How do specific management activities contribute to change in native vegetation composition and structure? The management of native vegetation on private land in Victoria is undertaken with support from NRM organisations (such as Trust for Nature), and regional and state agencies. Although funding has been allocated for many decades to support on-ground activities including revegetation and remnant protection, there is considerable uncertainty about the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of these works. This study will contribute new datasets and cause-and-effect models to improve decision making processes for native vegetation management. Our approach involves aerial photograph interpretation and mapping, vegetation surveys, and collaboration with scientists specialising in social research and integrated modelling from Charles Sturt University and the Australian National University respectively. Changes in native vegetation extent is being quantified and explained at the landscape and property scale using historical photographs accompanied by workshops, interviews and GIS analysis. We are also doing field surveys to inform models that describe how the quality of native vegetation has changed within selected remnants over the last 5–10 years. For further information contact David.Duncan@dse.vic.gov.au The following articles, book chapters and newsletters are available: Merritt, W.S., Duncan, D., Kyle, G. and Race, D. (2009) Using local knowledge to identify drivers of historic native vegetation change. Pp. 2392-2398 In:R. S. Anderssen, R. D. Braddock and L. T. H. Newham (Eds), 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand and International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, Cairns, Australia Duncan D.H. & Wintle B.A. (2008) Towards adaptive management of native vegetation in regional landscapes. In: C. Pettit, W. Cartwright, I. Bishop, K. Lowell, D. Pullar and D. Duncan (Eds), Landscape Analysis and Visualisation. Spatial Models for Natural Resource Management and Planning. Springer - Verlag GmbH, Berlin Landscape history and vegetation change in the Chiltern-Springhurst region of Victoria Landscape Logic Brochure June 2009 Landscape history and vegetation change in the Muckleford region of Victoria Landscape Logic Brochure June 2009 Landscape history and vegetation change in the Violet Town-Longford region of Victoria Landscape Logic Brochure June 2009 Project 3: Victorian retrospective – vegetation condition. Landscape Logic Newsletter August 2008: 4-5 Vegetation change workshops in Victoria. Landscape Logic Newsletter December 2008: 4 Page Top
Understanding and Improving Ecosystem Function in the Murray Mallee and Wimmera Bioregions How does existing vegetation contribute to critical ecosystem processes? Much of the Murray Mallee and Wimmera Bioregions of Victoria consist of agricultural landscapes that have been extensively cleared with little original vegetation remaining. Most remnants are small and isolated, surrounded by land used for grazing and cropping. Many remnants also have a long history of intensive grazing. There is concern that such a substantially altered ecosystem may cease to provide even basic ecological functions such as soil formation and stability, nutrient cycling, water holding, and self-perpetuation through perennial plant regeneration. A recent partnership with the Birchip Cropping Group and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems attempted to address these issues. Between 2004-2007 the project team carried out a comprehensive program of field surveys, interviews, desktop studies and field demonstrations to first understand, then characterise and finally communicate the status and values of remnant vegetation across the area. A great strength of the project was the degree of involvement from landholders. Well over 100 landholders and community members attended field events and workshops, and provided access to their properties for site assessments. Our research showed that existing remnant native vegetation is highly valued by landholders and other stakeholders, but under serious threat of disappearing due to factors such as isolation, stock grazing, nutrient enrichment (from fertilizers and stock management) and weeds. Without appropriate protection, from grazing in particular, many remnants will be lost as the current generation of canopy trees die out. We thank the project sponsors, the North Central and Mallee Catchment Management Authorities through the National Heritage Trust, and the National Action Plant for Salinity and Water Quality; and the Victorian Government’s Our Rural Landscapes initiative. For further information and access to project factsheets and documents, please see the Birchip Cropping Group website or contact David.Duncan@dse.vic.gov.au The following articles are available: Duncan, D. H., Dorrough, J., White, M. and Moxham, C. (2008) Blowing in the wind? Nutrient enrichment of remnant woodlands in an agricultural landscape. Landscape Ecology 23(1): 107-119 Read C. F., Duncan D. H., Vesk P. A. & Elith J. (2008) Biological soil crust distribution is related to patterns of fragmentation and landuse in a dryland agricultural landscape of southern Australia. Landscape Ecology 23:1093–1105 Duncan D. H. & Dorrough J. (2009) Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Landscape and Urban Planning Page Top
Long Term Ecological Grazing Across the rich and productive basalt plains of south-western Victoria, a staggering 95% of the native vegetation has been cleared and sown to exotic pastures or crops. Not surprisingly native grasslands are considered an endangered ecological community. Small remnants remain along roadsides and rail lines. However more extensive remnants occur mainly on privately owned farming properties. Since 2001 ARI has been working with landholders to investigate the best way to graze these native grasslands on farms to improve their quality, particularly the diversity of native forbs or wildflowers. Forbs are the non-grass components of native grasslands. Although they make up the bulk of the plant species in these systems their cover is typically much less than the grasses. In continuously grazed grasslands (i.e pastures) forb richness is often much reduced. This is because livestock love forbs. The impact of different periods and season of grazing-rest on pasture attributes is being studied within the Victorian Volcanic Plains. An open communal design has been used with the following treatments: always grazed, never grazed, three month rest from grazing (spring, summer or winter) and six month rest from grazing (spring and summer). Since 2003 quadrat data have being collected on species richness and cover, and transect data on sward height and variability as well as functional group composition (e.g. native perennial grasses, exotic perennial grasses, bare ground, litter etc). Key results to date include: Complete rest from grazing leads to a more structurally complex grassland but with fewer native plant species overall Grazing-sensitive forbs do best when grazing is excluded for at least six months of the year Resting pastures from grazing in spring resulted in a greater abundance of native forbs At sites that were left ungrazed for at least six months of the year, tunnel systems through the long grass were present. Local knowledge suggests that these were made by the native Swamp Rat Rattus lutreolus. Surveys using trapping and hair collection techiques did not find any evidence of this species, and further searching is needed for confirmation of its presence Data on the responses of native forb richness and abundance to the treatments are currently being analysed further. This project was formally known as the 'Eco-rich grazing' project and was funded by DSE and the Department of Primary Industries under the Ecological Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (ESAI). Funding for the continuation of the project has been provided by DSE, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and the federal Grain & Graze program. For further information contact Heidi.Zimmer@dse.vic.gov.au The following journal article is available: Dorrough, J., Yen, A.L., Turner, V., Clark, S., Crosthwaite, J., & Hirth, J.R. (2004) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55: 279-295 Page Top
Biodiversity in Native Pastures In southern Australia native pastures are estimated to cover at least 3 million hectares of the mid and upper catchments of the Murray Darling Basin. Although often disturbed and lacking many habitat elements, native pastures are likely to play an important role in the persistence of many native fauna and flora. Incentives schemes and extension increasingly target native pastures for delivery a range of ecosystem services. Some recommended strategies have been proposed for improving water use, but will these strategies also benefit native biodiversity? Recent research in central Victoria has suggested that both the frequency and intensity of grazing are important for determining how many and the types of native plants found in pastures. The history of fertiliser use is also an important determinant. But how do other taxa such as birds and reptiles respond? And what is the relative importance of grazing compared to other factors operating at broader landscapes scales such as the configuration and extent of remnant woodland and intensive agriculture? ARI in collaboration with CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, is investigating some of these issues across 24 grazing properties in the south west and central west slopes of NSW and slopes and uplands of eastern Victoria. Half of the properties are managed using a rotational grazing system, where paddocks are rested and grazed on a regular cycle, the others are grazed continuously throughout the year. Properties also vary in their use of fertilisers and the amount of remnant vegetation. The project is funded by the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity and Meat and Livestock Australia. For further information contact Josh.Dorrough@csiro.au, (Phone: 02 6242 1786) currently Visiting Research Scientist at CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. The following publication detailing results of this project is now available: Dorrough, J., Stol, J. and McIntyre, S. (2008) Biodiversity in the Paddock: a Land Managers Guide. Future Farm Industries CRC For information on a related project see the Farm Business and Biodiversity pages on the DSE website and the Land, Water and Wool website Page Top
Regeneration of Eucalypts in Agricultural Landscapes Isolated paddock trees play important roles in the ecological function as well as having significant cultural value. At present it is estimated that isolated tree loss, due to old age, dieback and clearing, is occurring at a rate of around 1.25% per year and total loss is likely in as little as 80 years. How can we replace these trees before they are gone? Research has indicated that in grazed landscapes, with isolated and scattered tree cover, there is much potential for natural recruitment of trees. However gradual loss of isolated trees will massively reduce this potential in as little as 30 years. The capital costs of replanting trees with direct seeding or tubestock are high in contrast to natural regeneration. Why don’t we invest more in encouraging this form of landscape revegetation? Collaborative research between the University of Melbourne and ARI supports the anecdotal evidence that even when seed supply and seed bed conditions are optimal, climate variability can make regeneration uncertain, particularly in the short term. This ecological uncertainty can result in considerable economic risk to landholders. Current research is attempting to better quantify how to improve the success of regeneration and to better guide managers in identifying optimal times and places to invest in natural regeneration. For further information contact Josh.Dorrough@csiro.au, (Phone: 02 6242 1786) currently Visiting Research Scientist at CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. This research has provided guidance for incentive schemes designed to encourage the regeneration process on farms - see Bush Returns. The following journal articles are available: Dorrough, J. and Moxham, C. (2005) Eucalypt establishment in agricultural landscapes and implications for landscape-scale restoration. Biological Conservation 123: 55-66 Dorrough, J., Moxham, C., Turner, V. and Sutter, G. (2006) Soil phosphorus and tree cover modify the effects of livestock grazing on plant species richness in Australian grassy woodland. Biological Conservation 130: 394-405 Vesk, P. A. and Dorrough, J. (2006) Getting trees on farms the easy way? Lessons from a model on eucalypt regeneration in pastures. Australian Journal of Botany 54: 509-519 Page Top
Landscape Linkages in the Mallee - Annuello Corridor Landscape connectivity for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes has moved beyond the conceptual stage to practical implementation. One such landscape linkage in north-western Victoria is the Annuello Corridor. Established in 1985 and comprising natural mallee vegetation with varying management history, it provides a continuous habitat link between the then Annuello Block (now Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve) and the Murray-Sunset National Park — it is one of the most substantial planned corridors in Australia. Funding from the Mallee Catchment Management Authority enabled fauna and flora surveys in 2005-06 at study sites previously established in the Annuello Corridor, to assess the status of plant and animal (vertebrate) diversity in the area. Before its establishment, much of the corridor was alienated, mostly for cropping, so the area provided a unique opportunity to monitor changes in faunal composition and abundance as the vegetation changed over time. There has been little change in floristic composition since 1991, the time of the last flora survey, but profound changes at most sites in structure, due primarily to ‘recovery’ from early land use or recent fires. The fauna surveys yielded over 100 vertebrate species, including sixteen that are officially threatened in either Victoria (e.g. Mallee Ningaui, Western Blue-toungued Lizard) or nationally (Regent Parrot, Malleefowl). When compared with early data-sets (from 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993), the number of fauna species has increased or stabilised. The Annuello Corridor appears to be functioning as habitat for a natural assemblage of semi-arid fauna as well as providing an important biolink between two large established reserves. For further information contact Geoff.Brown@dse.vic.gov.au Page Top
Ecology and Conservation of Insectivorous Bats in Rural Environments of Northern Victoria Many fauna species have declined or become regionally extinct due to extensive clearing and fragmentation of the natural environment. In contrast, bats are widespread and still relatively common in rural areas of south-eastern Australia, where they often represent the most diverse component of the mammalian fauna. The ecology and conservation of insectivorous bats in the rural landscape, with particular focus on foraging and roosting requirements, has been the subject of a study in northern Victoria. This will provide detailed information which can be incorporated into management practices on both private and public land. Bats can eat up to half their body weight in insects in a night. As a result they may play an important role in controlling insect numbers. However, these valuable mammals often go unnoticed because they are small, largely silent, hidden during the day in roosts and only emerge at night when they are often mistaken for a moth or late-flying bird. Land-holders and land managers are frequently unaware of the diversity of bats on their properties, their beneficial nature or the habitat requirements for their continued survival. Thirteen species of insectivorous bats were recorded across the region by sampling at 184 sites, ranging from large blocks (> 200 ha) to small isolated remnants (< 5 ha) and scattered trees in cleared farm paddocks. All native vegetation has value to bats, even the smallest remnant, roadside and single paddock tree. Open paddocks devoid of trees had lower levels of bat activity and a different species composition, highlighting the importance of trees in the rural landscape as foraging habitat for bats. Roost sites are a key habitat requirement for bats and may be a limiting resource in highly modified environments. Roosting ecology was examined for the Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi and Gould's Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii using radio-tracking technology. A total of 376 roosts were located in two study areas with contrasting tree cover. The first study area incorporated remnant vegetation in farmland and adjacent extensive floodplain forest (Barmah Forest); while the second study area consisted only of small remnants within farmland. Both species were highly selective in the location of their roosts in the landscape, in roost-site selection and in roosting behaviour, and responded differently to differing levels of roost availability. Gould's Wattled Bats mainly used dead spouts in large, live trees for roosting while lesser long-eared bats used a broader range of roost sites such as under bark and in fissures, with males in particular also using anthropogenic structures. An information sheet on bats and paddock trees and a number of journal articles are available: Bats and Paddocks fact sheet (PDF - 744 Kb) Lumsden, L.F., Bennett, A.F. and Silins, J.E. (2002) Location of roosts of the lesser long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi and Gould's wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii in a fragmented landscape in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 106(2): 237-249 Lumsden, L.F., Bennett, A.F. and Silins, J.E. (2002) Selection of roost sites by the lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) in south-eastern Australia. Journal of Zoology, London 257: 207-218 Lumsden, L.F. and Bennett, A.F. (2005) Scattered trees in rural landscapes: foraging habitat for insectivorous bats in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 122(2): 205-222 Page Top
Increasing Biodiversity in Eucalypt Plantations This 5-year project commenced in 2003 and is funded by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation in partnership with DSE and the Department of Primary Industries. It addresses questions about the extent to which eucalypt plantations can rectify previous loss of habitat and contribute to biodiversity conservation in the rurual landscape. Plantations established at least five years ago have been surveyed for diurnal birds, owls (call play-back), arboreal mammals (spotlighting), bats (ultrasonic detection), small mammals (hair-tubing) and habitat variables. Altogether 58 sites have been studied in north-east Victoria and 30 sites in central-western Victoria and include sites in remnant forest and cleared pasture. Experimental trials are also underway looking at ways to improve the value of new plantations for wildlife while meeting commercial objectives. These involve planting different configurations of understorey shrubs among the eucalypts. These have been surveyed for diurnal birds and bats. Results in established plantations show that forest birds were almost as abundant in plantations as they were in forest while open country birds favoured the pasture sites but sometimes roosted in plantations. Bark foragers such as treecreepers and shrike-tits strongly favoured forest sites where the older trees provide loose bark. Canopy insectivore numbers were similar in plantations to numbers in forest. High numbers of nectarivores were counted in a plantation where trees were flowering but were generally less abundant in plantations than in forest. Open ground insectivores such as flame robins favoured pasture but were occasionally observed roosting in plantations. Interestingly, higher numbers of shrub-foraging insectivores including brown thornbills and white-browed scrubwrens were observed in plantations than in forest, often foraging amongst leafy prunings. Introduced birds were significantly less abundant in plantations than in forest or pasture. The study area has expanded with new sites in the Wimmera and Werrribee Plains regions of Victoria and south-western Victoria/south-eastern South Australia ('Green Triangle' area). Overall the major eucalypt species present in the plantations studied include Shinning Gum Eucalyptus nitens, Blue Gum E. globulus and Sugar Gum E. cladocalyx. The following journal article is available: Loyn, R.H., McNabb, E.G., Macak, P. and Noble, P. (2007) Eucalypt plantations as habitat for birds on previously cleared farmland in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 137(4): 533-548 Page Top