Strategic management of Aleppo Pines on Lower Eyre

More documents

Recommendations

Info

protein molecule, therefore if it is limited, an animal cannot synthesise proteins. Animal protein, such as insect material in the form <strong>of</strong> Meyriccia latro moth larvae would boost the level <strong>of</strong> methionine in the EPYTBC diet and would be particularly important if the birds are feeding mostly on hakea species. • All three seed types have relatively good amino acid levels (T Gliester [Vetafarm], pers. comm.). • Generally, healthy calcium to phosphorus ratios are recognised as 1:1 or 2:1. <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine seeds have a calcium to phosphorus ratio <strong>of</strong> 1:5. The ratios <strong>of</strong> the hakea seeds are better balanced, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio <strong>of</strong> 1:1 for Wrinkled Hakea and 1:2 for Elmseed Hakea. The correct balance <strong>of</strong> calcium and phosphorus is vital for many bodily functions and the excessive intake <strong>of</strong> one mineral (e.g. phosphorous in the <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine) may cause a deficiency in calcium, depending on the ratio intake <strong>of</strong> the different seeds. • In addition to the high calcium to phosphorus ratio, the low level <strong>of</strong> calcium in all three seeds, but particularly in the <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine (1560 mg/kg) is <strong>of</strong> potential concern. Growing chicks require about 1% calcium in their diet (T Gliester [Vetafarm], pers. comm.). Coupled with a high fat content, which can reduce available calcium through sequestration (or “soaping”) in the gut, a diet high in <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine seeds may lead to calcium deficiency. 4.2 Quantitative analysis: Estimating cone abundance and number <strong>of</strong> seeds The quantitative analysis presented in this report is intended as a preliminary investigation. The data should be interpreted as a guide to the differences between hakea and <strong>Aleppo</strong> <strong>Pines</strong> in abundance <strong>of</strong> seeds per plant. The method (outlined below) used to estimate <strong>Aleppo</strong> cone abundance is one <strong>of</strong> many approaches that may have been applied. Assumptions and qualifiers relating to the data and data collection are outlined where required. 4.2.1 Methods <strong>Aleppo</strong> <strong>Pines</strong> Three <strong>Aleppo</strong> <strong>Pines</strong> were chosen from three sites on Lower EP (n = 9). Three height categories were represented across the three sites, one pine sampled from each category: 6-8 m, 8-10 m and 10- 12 m. The sites were chosen to represent different soil types and are listed below: • SA Water, Uley Wanilla Basin, Big Swamp Road (Calcrete) • the <strong>Pines</strong> Picnic Area, Flinders Highway (Ironstone) • Port Lincoln Golf Course, Flinders Highway (Granitic). All cones on one major branch approximately half way up the tree were counted with the aid <strong>of</strong> binoculars (Bushnell 8x40) and a manual telecounter. The number <strong>of</strong> primary branches was also counted. Based on field observations, it was assumed that the majority <strong>of</strong> new cone production primarily occurs in the upper two thirds <strong>of</strong> the tree. To account for this and estimate the total number <strong>of</strong> cones for the tree, the number <strong>of</strong> cones counted from the selected branch was multiplied by two thirds <strong>of</strong> the total number <strong>of</strong> branches. The morphology <strong>of</strong> pine cones is such that two seeds are produced for each individual scale. The number <strong>of</strong> scales from five <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine cones (n = 5) collected from the <strong>Pines</strong> Picnic Area was counted to estimate the mean number <strong>of</strong> seeds per cone. Calculations were made as followed: Mean number <strong>of</strong> seeds per cone = 2 x (Number <strong>of</strong> scales per cone) Mean number <strong>of</strong> seeds per tree = Mean number cones per tree x Mean number seeds per cone Wrinkled Hakea It was possible to obtain total cone counts from hakea plants. Three plants from two size classes (n=6) were investigated at two sites: • roadside vegetation remnant, Flinders Highway • revegetation, Charlton Gully Road. 12 <strong>Strategic</strong> <strong>management</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> <strong>Pines</strong> on Lower Eyre Peninsula to maximise biodiversity conservation outcomes
The hakeas sampled at the revegetation site were in the small size class (15 cm basal stem diameter). The total number <strong>of</strong> cones was counted for each hakea sampled. Hakeas produce two seeds per cone, therefore the total number <strong>of</strong> seeds per hakea bush was calculated as follows: Number <strong>of</strong> seeds per hakea bush = 2 X (Number <strong>of</strong> cones) 4.2.2 Results <strong>Aleppo</strong> <strong>Pines</strong> The average number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine seeds per cone is 234.8 (Table 4). The mean number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> cones and seeds per tree in each height category is shown in Table 5 and Figures 7 and 8. Raw data <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine cone counts per tree are shown in Table A2.1 in Appendix 2. Table 4 The mean number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> seeds per cone Cone No. scales No. seeds 1 106 212 2 105 210 3 107 214 4 147 292 5 123 246 AVERAGE 117.6 234.8 Table 5 Mean number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> Pine cones and seeds per tree Height category (m) Mean no. cones/tree Mean no. seeds/tree 6-8 2,985.8 701,060.6 8-10 4,150.4 974,524.4 10-12 6,936.7 1,628,729.3 Wrinkled Hakeas The mean number <strong>of</strong> hakea cones and seeds per plant in each height category is shown in Table 6 and Figures 9 and 10. Raw data <strong>of</strong> hakea cone counts are shown in Table A2.2 in Appendix 2. Table 6 Mean number <strong>of</strong> Hakea cones and seeds per plant Height category (m) Mean no. cones/plant Mean no. seeds/plant 1 359.3 718.6 <strong>Strategic</strong> <strong>management</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aleppo</strong> <strong>Pines</strong> on Lower Eyre Peninsula to maximise biodiversity conservation outcomes 13
Page 1 and 2: Department for Environment and Heri
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........
Page 5 and 6: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction This
Page 7 and 8: Guidelines for management</
Page 9 and 10: 1 INTRODUCTION This report provides
Page 11 and 12: 2.3 Implications for biodiversity c
Page 13 and 14: Strategic
Page 15 and 16: 3.2 The EPYTBC Habitat Recovery Pro
Page 17 and 18: 3.4.5 Aleppo <stro
Page 19: • Metabolisable Energy (ME) (MJ/k
Page 23 and 24: 5 CONE ABUNDANCE AND IMPLICATIONS F
Page 25 and 26: 6 ALEPPO PINE MANAGEMENT ON LOWER E
Page 27 and 28: 7 ALEPPO PINE SURVEY, 2005 7.1 Meth
Page 29 and 30: 7.3 Discussion 7.3.1 Protecting lar
Page 31 and 32: 8.3 Guidelines for stakeholders GUI
Page 33 and 34: 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to Lo
Page 35 and 36: APPENDIX 1: NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS DA
Page 37 and 38: Nutritional analysis data continued
Page 39 and 40: APPENDIX 2: RAW DATA - TOTAL CONES
Page 41 and 42: APPENDIX 3: ALEPPO PINE SITES - RAW
Page 43 and 44: REF PRIORITY PHOTO ID DATE No. PINE
Page 49 and 50: APPENDIX 4: MAPS Map 1 Alep

Strategic management of Aleppo Pines on Lower Eyre

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?