KILMORE EAST-MURRINDINDI COMPLEX SOUTH FIRE BURNED ...

KILMORE EAST-MURRINDINDI COMPLEX SOUTH
FIRE
BURNED – AREA CHARACTERIZATION
Description of Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC)
There are 31 broad vegetation types, communities, found within the Kilmore East-Murrindindi
Complex South Fire area; these are called Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs). For purposes of
describing the ecological importance, discerning EVCs for field assessment, and for displaying on the
map for this Fire Rehab Plan, some of the EVCs were lumped. The EVCs are components of 4
bioregions that are located within this area, the Highlands Southern Fall (HSF), Central Victorian
Uplands (CVU), Highlands Northern Fall (HNF), and Victoria Alps (VAlp). A description of the EVCs
by bioregion can be found on the DSE, State of Victoria, native vegetation website page
(http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/nrence.nsf).
Table 1. Hectares of major vegetation classes occurring within the burn perimeter of the Kilmore
East-Murrindindi Complex South Fire (Does not include the Silver Creek –Wallaby area)
DSE Other
Victorian
Ecological Vegetation Managed Public Parks
Plantations Grand
Classes Public Land Land Victoria Private Corporation Total
Alpine Grassy Heathland 0 0 2 0 0 2
Cool Temperate
Rainforest 1798 0 2994 0 0 4793
Creekline Herb-rich
Woodland 13 7 182 352 0 554
Damp Forest 8962 82 7343 760 0 17147
Damp Heathy Woodland 0 0 98 72 0 170
Floodplain Riparian
Woodland 0 60 17 220 0 297
Grassy Dry Forest 501 0 1496 1692 0 3689
Grassy Forest 2 0 0 77 0 79
Gully Woodland 0 16 212 69 0 297
Heathy Dry Forest 768 0 2878 371 0 4017
Herb-Rich Foothill/
Shrubby Dry Forest 7771 9 6672 2490 1 16943
Lowland Forest 737 7 12 1171 0 1927
Montane Damp Forest 1115 0 265 0 0 1380
Montane Dry Forest 162 0 0 0 0 162
Montane Riparian Thicket 375 0 170 0 0 545
Montane Wet Forest 6848 0 5256 0 0 12104
Plains Grassy Woodlands 0 0 0 56 0 56
Riparian Forest 1486 184 1227 362 0 3259
Riparian Scrub/ Swampy
Riparian Woodland
Complex 0 0 40 18 0 58

Shrubby Dry Forest 1573 0 474 0 0 2046
Shrubby Foothill Forest 1689 0 1716 410 0 3816
Sub-alpine Shrubland 0 0 3 0 0 3
Sub-alpine Treeless
Vegetation 14 0 6 0 0 20
Sub-alpine Wet Heathland 0 0 2 0 0 2
Sub-alpine Wet
Heathland/Alpine Valley
Peatland (Bog) Mosaic 0 0 10 0 0 10
Sub-alpine Woodland 58 0 1388 0 0 1446
Swampy Riparian
Complex 8 7 65 1415 0 1494
Swampy Riparian
Woodland 0 0 0 61 0 61
Valley Grassy Forest 7 23 1415 1770 0 3215
Valley Heathy Forest 0 0 0 14 0 14
Wet Forest 5719 29 14342 134 0 20225
Grand Total 39607 424 48281 11515 1 99831
A few communities have listing status under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act of 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act).
Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and associated fens are EPBC listed Endangered (Jan 2009), and White Box-
Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland is EPBC listed
Critically Endangered; the FGG lists Alpine bogs and Cool Temperate Rainforest as threatened. A
number of EVCs have Biodiversity Conservation Status (BCS) in Victoria. See Table 2 which displays
EVCs with Biological Conservation Status.
Table 2 – EVCs with Biological Conservation Status
Ecological Vegetation Classes having Biodiversity Conservation Status in Victoria, by Bioregion
EVC HNF HSF CVU VAlp FFG
Alpine Grassy Heathland-1004 R R - R -
Cool Temperate Rainforest-31 E E - E L
Floodplain-56 E E E E -
Low Altitude Grassy Dry Forest-
22,47,175
Herb-Rich Foothill/ Shrubby Dry
Forest-23/21
47-V
47-V
47-V
175-E
- -
Important due to presence of Proteaceae, Pomaderris
communities and the threat from frequent fires, limited area in
South fire area
Montane Riparian Thicket-41 R - - - -
Montane Wet Forest-39
Important due to increased fire frequency in mountain and alpine
ash forests
Plains Woodlands-55 - - E - -
Riparian (Higher Rainfall) V E V - -
Riparian Thicket-59 V V - - -

Sub-alpine Shrubland-42 - - - R -
Sub-alpine Treeless Vegetation-
44
R R - R -
Sub-alpine Wet Heathland-210 E E - E -
Sub-alpine Wet
Heathland/Alpine Valley
Peatland Mosaic-211
E - - E
Swampy Riparian Complex-126 V V E - -
Wet Forest-30
Important due to increased fire frequency in mountain and alpine
ash forests
HNF=Highlands Northern Fall; HSF= Highlands Southern fall; CVU=Central Victorian Uplands; VAlp=
Victorian Alps; FFG=Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act listing, L = listed as threatened; E=endangered;
V=vulnerable; R=rare
The grassy dry forest, grassy woodland, valley grassy forest and valley heathy forest were lumped as
the Low Altitude Grassy Dry Forest. The Heathy dry forest, herb-rich foothill forest, shrubby foothill
forest and dry shrubby forest were lumped as the Herb-rich/shrubby Dry Forest. A brief description of
selected EVCs follows.
Among the EVCs present on the fire ground--within the fire perimeter—some are fire sensitive, fire
dependent and others have limited information on fire effects. Some plant communities have a high
value biodiversity asset- high elevation riparian areas, subalpine systems, and dry heathy forest
communities. This assessment will try to address those issues as they pertain to specific EVCs and
the management implications in implementing recommendations in the Biodiversity – Flora
Assessment report.
Heathy Dry Forest (EVC 20)
Within the fire perimeter, Heathy Dry Forest tends to occur on shallow stony soils of low fertility, which
experience seasonal droughts. Generally, Heathy Dry Forest is dominated by a low canopy of Broadleaf
Peppermint (Eucalyptus dives) and stunted Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua). The understorey
features a number of species of the Australian heath family, the Epacridaceae including Rosy
Baeckea (Baeckea ramosissima), Austral Grass-tree (Xanthorrhoea australis), the rare Creeping
Grevillea (Grevillea repens), Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) and Bushy Hakea (Hakea sericea).
Silvertop Wallaby-grass (Chionochloa pallida) is a common, often dominant, member of the ground
layer. Its dominance at some sites may reflect that the site has remained unburnt for a long period. It
is clear that fire regimes are of great importance to the understorey species composition of this
community.
Cool Temperate Rainforest (EVC 31)
Non-eucalypt forest with a largely closed canopy dominated by Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus
cunninghamii) and Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum). Occurs in high rainfall areas
nested within more extensive stands of Wet Forest and Montane Wet Forest. Blackwood (Acacia
melanoxylon) may form part of the closed rainforest canopy in some stands. The understorey features
an array of ferns, including Soft Tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica), Hard Water-fern (Blechnum wattsii)
and Mother Shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum). Mosses and liverworts are abundant. Some areas
of Cool Temperate Rainforest are within broader sites of rainforest significance.
Damp Forest (EVC 29)
Damp Forest is a widespread ecological vegetation class occupying a range of sites on a variety of
soils and aspects between 200 to 1000 m in elevation. Messmate and Mountain Grey Gum
(Eucalyptus cypellocarpa) are the characteristic dominants in the overstorey which is often in excess
of 50 m in height. Mountain Ash may be a locally dominant canopy species. The species comprising
the shrub layer includes Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris aspera), Prickly Moses (Acacia verticillata)
and Snow Daisy-bush (Olearia lirata). The ground layer is a variable assemblage of forbs and ferns.

Grassy Dry Forest / Valley Grassy Forest (EVC’s 22 & 47)
These EVCs were mapped as the Low Altitude Grassy Dry Forest in this plan. This community occurs
on relatively exposed aspects, often on moderately fertile acidic duplex soils. It is dominated by Red
Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha), Long-leaf Box
(Eucalyptus goniocalyx) and Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora). The open grassy understorey
commonly includes Commonly present are Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Grey Tussock-grass
(Poa sieberiana), Stinking Pennywort (Hydrocotyle laxiflora), Blue Pincushion (Brunonia australis),
Green Rock-fern (Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia), Cotton Fireweed (Senecio quadridentatus) and
Common Raspwort (Gonocarpus tetragynus). These communities comprise the critically endangered
White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands.
Herb-rich Foothill Forest / Shrubby Dry Forest / Shrubby Foothill Forest
Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
Open forest usually 20 to 35 m in height made up of one or more of the following eucalypt species:
Narrow-leaf Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata), Messmate, Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and
Candlebark (Eucalyptus rubida). The sparse low shrub layer consists normally of two species:
Common Cassinia (Cassinia aculeata) and Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata). The ground layer is
typified by a seasonally high cover, and diverse forb component, including Kidney-weed (Dichondra
repens), Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides), Bidgee-widgee (Acaena novae-zelandiae), Cinquefoil
(Geranium potentilloides), Grey Tussock-grass, Soft Tussock-grass (Poa morrisii), and Prickly
Woodruff (Asperula scoparia). Austral Bracken (Pteridium esculentum) is usually present in the
Victoria Alps Bioregion, and may tend to dominate the ground layer if frequently disturbed by fire.
Shrubby Dry Forest (EVC 21)
Open forest up to 25 m in height. Shrubby Foothill Forest has a relatively dense and varied shrub
layer, but tends to lack a diverse ground layer. It is widespread on higher slopes, particularly between
400 and 900 m in elevation. The dominant trees are Messmate and Narrow-leaf Peppermint. A wide
variety of shrubs characterise this community across its range. Common among these are Narrowleaf
Wattle (Acacia mucronata), Dusty Miller (Spyridium parvifolium), Handsome Flatpea (Platylobium
formosum), Prickly Bush-pea (Pultenaea juniperina), Common Cassinia, and Pink-bells (Tetratheca
ciliata). The ground layer includes Common Raspwort and Grey Tussock-grass. Forest Wire-grass
(Tetrarrhena juncea) and Austral Bracken (Pteridium esculentum) are commonly present, and
sometimes dominant.
Shrubby Foothill Forest (EVC 45)
It is similar in structure to Herb-rich Foothill Forest, has a denser and varied shrub layer, but tends to
lack a diverse ground vegetation layer. It is widespread on higher slopes, particularly between 400m
and 900m elevation, both north and south of the Great Dividing Range. The dominant trees are
Messmate and narrow-leaf peppermint, also sliver-top, mountain grey gum, and scentbark may occur.
Grassy Dry Forest (EVC 22)
It occurs on relatively exposed aspects, often on moderately fertile acidic duplex soils. It is best
developed in the hills to the north-east of Melbourne and in the foothills of the Goulburn Valley. It is
dominated with the same eucalypts as Valley Grassy Forest (EVC 47), with which it is often
associated. The eucalypts include red box, red stringybark, long-leaved box, and yellow box.
Montane Damp Forest (EVC 38)
A tall forest up to 40m in height, dominated in its lower altitudinal range by Mountain Grey Gum
(Eucalyptus cypellocarpa), Messmate, Narrow-leaf Peppermint and occasionally Manna Gum. At
higher altitudes, Montane Damp Forest is often dominated by pure stands of Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus
delegatensis). Montane Damp Forest features an open to rather dense layer of tall shrubs, amongst
which Silver Wattle, Blackwood, and Mountain Hickory Wattle (Acacia obliquinervia), are prominent.
The ground layer is characterised by grasses and herbs. Mother Shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum)
is common in moister sites.
Lowland Forest (EVC 46)
Lowland Forest is closely related to the Herb-rich Foothill Forest and Shrubby Dry Forest usually
occurs at lower elevations, yellowish gradational soils and leached sands of low fertility. Its floristic
understorey is similar to heathy woodlands and heathlands. The canopy includes Silver-top,
Yertchuk, and Messmate. Occasionally, white stringybark and brown stringybark are present.

Montane Riparian Thicket (EVC 41)
Dense thickets of Mountain Tea-tree (Leptospermum grandifolium) occur along drainage lines in
montane and sub-alpine areas. Montane Riparian Thicket is associated with a number of other
ecological vegetation classes, often arising at the outlets of sub-alpine heathlands, and intergrading
with Cool Temperate Rainforest or Riparian Thicket at lower altitudes. The canopy of Montane
Riparian Thicket may vary in height up to approximately 15m depending on exposure and altitude.
Cool Temperate Rainforest dominants Myrtle Beech and Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) are
frequently sub-dominant in this community. Soils are often peaty. A thick substrate of Sphagnum can
be present. The ground layer flora includes Alpine Water-fern (Blechnum penna-marina), Forest
Sedge (Carex alsophila), and Hard Water-fern (Blechnum wattsii). The Baw Baw Berry (Wittsteinia
vacciniacea), although considered rare in Victoria (Gullan et al 1990), is frequently encountered as a
low shrub within this community. It is endemic in the Victorian Central Highlands.
Montane Wet Forest (EVC 39)
Montane Wet Forest occupies south-facing slopes, gullies and plateaus generally above 900 m. Soils
are deep, fertile and well-drained. The canopy may grow to more than 60 m, and consists of pure or
mixed stands of Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis), and Shining Gum (Eucalyptus nitens). Manna
Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) may be a co-dominant in the Blue and Royston Ranges. The tall second
storey includes Myrtle Beech and Forest Wattle (Acacia frigescens), which grow above a dense layer
of Soft Tree-ferns (Dicksonia antarctica). At ground level, Hard Water-fern (Blechnum wattsii),
Bat'swing Fern (Histiopteris incisa) and Mother Shield-fern are characteristic of this EVC. Although
closely related to Wet Forest EVC, the floristic distinction lies in the substitution of most of the
characteristic shrubs and trees.
Riparian (Higher Rainfall) (EVC 18, 641 and 40)
Riparian Forest (EVC 18)
Riparian Forest is a tall forest of river banks and alluvial terraces. It is characteristically dominated by
Manna Gum, with Silver Wattle, Blackwood, Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris aspera), Victorian
Christmas-bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) and Prickly Coprosma (Coprosma quadrifida) in the shrub
layer. The richness of the understorey of Riparian Forest is noteworthy, with a wide variety of
terrestrial species as well as a suite of semi-aquatic plants. Usually present are Fishbone Water-fern
(Blechnum nudum), Tall Sedge (Carex appressa), Mother Shield-fern, Swamp Club-sedge (Isolepis
inundata), Small-leaf Bramble (Rubus parvifolius) and Soft Tree-fern. Examples include the stand of
Buxton Gum (Eucalyptus crenulata) on river flats beside the Acheron River south of Buxton, where
the atypical understorey combines elements of Wet Heathland and Floodplain Wetland Complex, as
well as many of the usual species listed above.
Montane Riparian Woodland (EVC 40)
Open Forest or Woodland to 20 m in height restricted to peaty alluvial soils of perennial, meandering
stream terraces, insipient drainage lines and localised depressions at elevations above 600 m...
Eucalyptus camphora ssp. humeana (Mountain Swamp-gum) is the common overstorey species
across the fire ground. The understorey supports a wide range of shrub species adapted to sites with
poor drainage such as Baekea gunniana, Epacris microphyllum, Epacris breviflora grandifolium while
the field layer is dominated by a range of semi-aquatic sedges, rushes and ferns often forming dense
swards.
Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
This EVC occurs in association with broad drainage lines, river terraces and minor floodplains or
adjacent to streams. Soils are mostly of silt-rich river sands and gravels. The overstorey of this
vegetation type has a woodland structure which often forms mosaics with wetlands by sedges, rushes
and many other plants associated with riparian environments. Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and
Manna Gum are the dominant overstorey species. The understorey shrubs consist of Blackwood,
Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia), Hemp Bush (Gynatrix pulchella), Tree Violet (Hymenanthera
dentate) Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and Snowy Daisy Bush (Olearia lirata). The ground stratum
is the most characteristic feature of this EVC and is normally dense with graminoids including Leafy
Flat-sedge (Cyperus lucidus), Tall Sedge, Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Common
Tussock Grass (Poa labillardieri).

Sub-alpine Woodland (EVC 43)
Grows on a wide range of geologies and aspects, in the higher altitudinal levels above 1200 m.
Rainfall is relatively high and snow may persist for long periods over winter. Soils are generally
skeletal sandy clay loams with a rich humus topsoil layer. A low, open woodland to 10 m tall
dominated by Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora), The understorey may variously consist of a rich
suite of grasses and herbs, or a dense layer of woody shrubs such as Mueller's Bush-pea (Pultenaea
muelleri), Alpine Oxylobium (Oxylobium alpestre), Alpine Pepper (Tasmannia xerophila) and Alpine
Wattle (Acacia alpina).
Swampy Riparian Complex (EVC 126)
A combination of elements described in other EVCs including swampy riparian woodland and riparian
thicket, riparian forest. The potential component EVCs of this mapping unit includes Creekline Herbrich
Woodland, Gully Woodland, Shrubby Gully Forest, Fern Swamp, Swampy Riparian Woodland,
Swampy Woodland and Swamp Scrub. Structurally variable vegetation typical of swampy to
waterlogged, low gradient drainage-lines (or associated hillside soaks).
Wet Forest (EVC 30)
Wet Forest is usually dominated by Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), forming very tall forests
sometime above 80 m in height. Wet Forest occurs where there is the co-occurrence of deep well
drained soils in high rainfall areas and cloud cover at ground level is frequent. Wet Forest is largely
restricted to elevations above 700 m ASL (up to 1000 m) on southerly aspects, plateau and other
physiographic setting that have over millennia afforded some protection from frequent fire. The
second storey of trees includes Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) and Blackwood and may reach 35 m.
The shrub layer includes Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris aspera), Blanketleaf (Bedfordia
arborescens), Musk Daisy-bush (Olearia argophylla), and Banyalla (Pittosporum bicolor) which grow
to 20 m in height. A dense layer of Soft Tree-fern and Rough Tree-fern (Cyathea australis) to 5m is
characteristic. The moist, shaded ground layer supports Mother Shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum),
Hard Water-fern (Blechnum wattsii), Shade Nettle (Australina pusilla) and White Elderberry
(Sambucus gaudichaudii). In the wettest fern-gullies, Shiny Shield-fern (Lastreopsis acuminata) and
Mother Spleenwort (Asplenium bulbiferum) are common.
Cool Temperate Mixed Forest (EVC yet to formally described but is generally accepted and is
listed under the FFG Act)
Cool Temperate Mixed Forest is effectively Cool Temperate Rainforest with an emergent eucalypt
canopy of wet or montane forest eucalypt species. A formal definition of Cool Temperate Mixed Forest
has recently been proposed - a closed rainforest understorey comprising mostly rainforest tree taxa
with a collective projected foliage cover of at least 70% and an overstorey of eucalypts (Eucalyptus
nitens, E. regnans and E. delegatensis are typical) with at least 10% foliage cover or more. In the
absence of fire for long periods or where fire intervals are extended, secondary rainforest and mixed
forest stands may be extensive. Nematolepis wilsonii (Shiny Nematolepis), Vulnerable nationally
(EPBC), Listed as threatened in Victoria (FFG), and as vulnerable in Victoria (DSE) occurs in Cool
Temperate Mixed Forest with emergent old growth Mountain Ash, and is endemic to this fire area.
Rocky Outcrop Shrubland (EVC 28)
This is a catch all EVC type that is a convenient aggregate of a range of structurally and floristically
distinct entities. Variants are generally poorly described, mapped and sampled. Rocky outcrops are
frequently of botanical interest because they contain a range of unusual micro-habitats, from highly
exposed rock-faces, to damp, sheltered crevices. Rocky outcrop shrublands occur across the fire
ground on a range of geological substrates including (as examples):
Various EVCs, comprising Treeless Sub-alpine vegetation mapping unit
Sub-alpine Wet Sedgeland (EVC 917)
Treeless tussocky (grassy-sedgy) vegetation of wet plains on sub-alpine (apparently to alpine) creek
flats, with patchy inter-tussock matting of Sphagnum spp. (with few large Sphagnum hummocks, and
patchy Callistemon shrubland, both primarily on upper margins). Relatively species-poor where
tussocks or sward density is moderate to high.
Sub-alpine Wet Heathland (EVC 210) with Alpine Valley Peatland (Bog) Mosaic
Virtually treeless and characterised by a dense layer of low heathy shrubs, with a number of sedges
and rushes in the understorey. It occurs in soaks or along small streams in sub-alpine to alpine areas.

Rainfall is generally greater than 1000 mm per annum, and during winter, this EVC can tolerate long
periods of snow cover and low temperature. Deep, peaty, sodden soils are usually covered by a layer
of Peat Moss Sphagnum spp. EVC present but unmapped across the study area, Montane Bog (EVC
966) Low heathy, sedgy-mossy shrubland to herbland. Montane bog occurs in boggy valley habitats
associated with the heads of drainage-systems in montane areas subject to cold-air accumulation.
Across the central Highlands the following shrub species may be locally common and dominant
Baeckea utilis, Epacris brevifolia, Epacris paludosa, Sphagnum spp. and Empodisma minus.
Associated species include Richea victoriana, Oxalis magellanica, Wittsteinia vaccinacea and
Blechnum penna-marina. Larger trees and tall shrubs such as Nothofagus cunninghamii and/or
Leptospermum grandifolium can be present on the verges or scattered through the vegetation.
Sub-alpine Shrubland (EVC 42)
A generally dense shrubland of sub-alpine and alpine areas frequently found on sheltered sites
fringing Sub-alpine Woodland where snowfall persists as ground cover in winter months and where
rainfall is high. It occurs on a range of geologies on shallow soils.
Alpine Grassy Heathland (EVC 1004)
High altitude open heathland with inter-shrub spaces dominated by tussock grasses and a wide range
of forbs. It occupies a wide range of habitats generally on slopes above 1400m ASL where exposure
and frost are limiting to tree growth.
EVC’s of extremely minor occurrence within the fire ground
Granitic Hills Woodland (EVC 72)
Mainly restricted to granite rocky outcrops and structurally consists of a low open woodland. A range
of Eucalypts may be locally dominant including Eucalyptus goniocaylx, E. melliodora and E.
machrorhyncha. The shrub layer is typically sparse above a field layer of forbs, grasses and
bryophytes.
Plains Woodlands (EVC 803)
An open, eucalypt woodland occurring on a number of geologies and soil types. It occupies poorly
drained, fertile soils on flat or gently undulating plains at low elevations. The understorey consists of a
few sparse shrubs over a species-rich grassy and herbaceous ground layer.
Table 3 Important threatened flora species in the burn area of Kilmore East-Murrindindi Complex
South Fire, and their habitat Ecological Vegetation Classes
Ecological Vegetation Classes
Cool
Temperate
Rainforest
Grassy
Dry
Forest
Heathy
Dry
Forest
Herbrich
Foothill
Forest
Low-
land
Forest
Shrubby
Foothill
Forest
Valley
Grassy
Forest
Threatened
Damp
Grassy
Riparian
Wet Unknown Total
Species
Eucalyptus
Forest
Forest
Forest
Forest EVC Sites
fulgens
Grevillea
1 1 1 2 6 1 1 13
repens
Nematolepis
24 10 26 20 6 1 1 88
wilsonii
Pomaderris
1 12 13
vacciniifolia
Pultenaea
5 1 5 5 2 1 2 1 22
weindorferi
Thismia
14 1 1 13 29
rodwayi 4 4
Sites Total 1 30 10 1 42 28 17 3 2 13 19 3 169

Table 4. Hectares of vegetation top kill/mortality classes across EVC’s, within the burn perimeter of
the Kilmore East-Murrindindi Complex South Fire.
Ecological Vegetation Class
(EVC)
Alpine Grassy Heathland
Cool Temperate Rainforest
Creekline Herb-rich Woodland
Damp Forest
Damp Heathy Woodland
Floodplain Riparian Woodland
Grassy Dry Forest
Grassy Forest
Herb-rich Foothill
Shrubby Dry Forest
Lowland Forest
Montane Damp Forest
Montane Riparian Thicket
Montane Wet Forest
Plains Grassy Woodlands
Riparian Forest
Riparian Scrub/ Swampy
Riparian Woodland Complex
Shrubby Dry Forest
Shrubby Foothill Forest
Sub-alpine Shrubland
Sub-alpine Treeless
Vegetation
Sub-alpine Wet Heathland
Sub-alpine Wet
Heathland/Alpine Valley
Peatland Mosaic
Sub-alpine Woodland
Swampy Riparian Complex
Swampy Riparian Woodland
Valley Grassy Forest
Valley Heathy Forest
Wet Forest
Grand Total
75%
Vegetation
Removal
Insufficient
data
Grand
Total
Insufficient
data

This table is important in that it demonstrates the concern for decreased fire return intervals in
Victoria. The state has been experiencing fires about every 3 to 5 years, is in a serious drought and
has a serious problem with noxious weed infestations (pest plants). It is because of this we are not
only proposing immediate Emergency Stabilisation treatments but are proposing long-term
rehabilitation and research monitoring to study fire effects and seedling recruitment in populations that
have been subject to repeated high intensity wildfires. Frequent fires are a concern in the damp, wet
and montane wet forests for Mountain and Alpine ash regeneration, in the lowland, low altitude,
lowland dry forests to messmate eucalyptus forests.
CONSULTATIONS
Name, title, and agency Telephone/email
David Cheal, Principal Scientist, Community Ecology, Arthur
Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARIER)
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
David Cameron, Botanist - Ecologist, Arthur Rylah Institute for
Environmental Research (ARIER) Department of
Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
Karen Lester, Ecologist, DSE, Box Hill
Margaret Kitchin, Senior Forest Ecologist, Parks, Conservation
and Lands, Dept. Of Territory & Municipal Services,
Australia Capitol Territory
Merril Halley, Ecologist, DSE, Box Hill 03 9296 4617
61 3 9450 8731
david.cheal@dse.vic.gov.au
61 3 9450 8731
david.cameron@dse.vic.gov.au
03 9296 4637
0417 369 705
karen.lester@dse.vic.gov.au
02 6207 7623
margaret.kitchin@act.gov.au
0449 001 565
merril.halley@dse.vic.gov.au
Stephen Smith, Senior Biodiversity Officer, DSE Alexandra steven.smith@dse.vic.gov.au
Rob Dabal, Vegetation Specialist, Melbourne Water Corporation 0400 164 406
VI. REFERENCES
Rob.Dabal@melbournewater.com.au
Analysis of disturbance by Fire on Public Land in Victoria. 2002. The State of Victoria, Department of
Natural Resources and Environment.
Biodiversity Assessment. 1998. Component of: North East Comprehensive Regional Assessment
(CRA). Commonwealth and Victorian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) Steering Committee.
Biodiversity Values Risk Assessment Guideline V1. 2007. The State of Victoria, Department of
Sustainability and Environment.
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____________________________________________________________________________
Scott Lambert, BAER Botanist - Biologist, US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
Boise, Idaho. 208.373.3894. scott_lambert@blm.gov
David Cheal, Principal Scientist, Community Ecologist, Parks, DSE, ARIER. Heidelberg.
david.cheal@dse.vic.gov.au