Serpentine National Park - Department of Environment and ...

Management for Conservation
The Darling Scarp Complex is restricted to a linear,
north-south strip less than 2 km wide on the western
edge of the Darling Plateau and is itself a unique
geological feature. The Complex includes a diversity
of vegetation communities and flora, ranging from
wandoo woodlands with mixes of marri through open
forests of sheoak, heath, herb fields and lichens on
granite rocks. Although well represented in
conservation reserves, the area of Darling Scarp
complex within the Park is, therefore, of regional
importance.
The Forrestfield Complex is dominated by open
forest of marri-wandoo-jarrah on the heavier soils
and marri-jarrah-sheoak on sandier soils. It is
estimated that only 3% of this complex remains
uncleared and little is protected within conservation
reserves. The block of this complex, which is located
south of the Falls, therefore, has very high
conservation value.
Granite outcrops have a high conservation value,
because of the diverse and unique fauna and flora
communities associated with them. The granite
communities are the last refuge of fire sensitive
plants, some of which are quite rare/restricted
(Hopper, pers. comm.). They are under some
recreational pressure.
Flora
Two localised surveys of the Park's flora have been
completed. The WA Wildflower Society, in
conjunction with CALM, established five flora plots
in the Ridge Hill Shelf communities on the western
edge of the Park in Spring 1994. CALM established
several monitoring plots in the Park in locations that
are representative of major vegetation communities.
Recordings within these plots of species present,
flowering and vertebrate fauna, were made during
spring and autumn, 1990. Data from these plots show
that some parts of the Park are floristically very rich,
particularly in jarrah-sheoak forest. The two surveys
will provide useful benchmarks for future research,
however, further work is required.
A new declared rare flora species, Lasiopetalum
pterocarpum and two priority listed flora species:
Pimelea rara (this species is now priority listed) and
Acacia horridula (Priority 3), have been found within
the Park. In addition, two geographically restricted
eucalypt species occur within the Park. Darling
Range ghost gum (Eucalyptus laeliae) occurs on the
sides of granite hills and is a feature on the hillsides
above Serpentine Falls. salmon white gum
(Eucalyptus lane-poolei) favours clayey soils on the
scarp.
The Wildlife Conservation Act (1950) protects all
native flora and the declared rare flora is given
special protection.
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STRATEGIES
1. Survey the Park's vegetation and prepare
detailed vegetation maps. (H)
2. Systematically, over a period of five years,
record the distribution, abundance and other
details of the Park's flora including threatened
species. (M)
3. Minimise the introduction, spread and impact
of plant disease on native flora by
implementing strategies in Sections Disease
and Access. (H)
4. Rehabilitate degraded vegetation communities
in the Park (see Rehabilitation). (H)
5. Use the established monitoring plots as long
term reference areas. (M)
6. Minimise damage and restrict access to herb
fields on granite outcrops. (H)
7. Expand and maintain the Park's herbarium.
(L)