Dreeite NCR Management Statement (PDF File 2.2 ... - Parks Victoria

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Dreeite Nature Conservation ReserveThe generic management objectives for Nature Conservation Reserves as defined by ParksVictoria (2003) are:Nature conservation reserves a) conserve and protect species, communities andhabitats of indigenous plants, animals and other organisms; b) provide for researchand study of the natural environment of the reserve where this is consistent with a)and there is minimal impact on the reserve; c) provide opportunities for appropriateenjoyment and recreation and education by the public where this does not conflictwith a); d) protect Aboriginal cultural sites and places; and e) protect historic featuresin specific reserves where noted.Nature Conservation Reserves are consistent with IUCN Protected Area Category Ia:Strict Nature Reserve (NRE 1996).As the purchased land was originally freehold, no Land Conservation Council(LCC), Environment Conservation Council (ECC) or Victorian EnvironmentalAssessment Council (VEAC) recommendations apply.The Crown Land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004 will apply toactivities in this reserve when it is listed under the Schedule of the Regulations.Natural Values and ConditionRefer to Figure 2 for the location of threatened species recorded in the Atlas ofVictorian Wildlife and the Flora Information System 1 .Vegetation TypesAlthough the Dreeite NCR and surrounding region are mapped as containing StonyRises Woodland (Figure 2), ground-truthing has revealed that Stony Knoll ShrublandEcological Vegetation Class (EVC) dominates most of the reserve 2 (Ross 1999). StonyKnoll Shrubland is considered endangered in the Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion(Taylor et al. 2003), and patches of the size present in the Dreeite area are very rare(Ross 1999). Dreeite NCR also contains areas of wetland habitat supporting aquaticvegetation (Peterson pers. comm. 2003) 3 . Wetland habitat at sites close to DreeiteNCR is mapped as Plains Sedgy Wetland EVC and Plains Grassy Wetland EVC(Figure 2). The reserve also contains some small areas dominated by exotic pasturegrasses and herbs that are of low conservation value. The condition of the vegetationin the reserve was assessed in March 2003 using the DSE Habitat Hectares method,and is considered to be in medium-good condition (scored 59/100 4 ).1Note this does not necessarily represent records for all threatened species on the reserve. Only thoserecorded in the DSE flora and fauna databases are displayed.2Note that as of October 2004,
Dreeite Nature Conservation ReserveEcological Management of Stony Rises Woodland and WetlandsThe Stony Knoll Shrubland in Dreeite NCR is in good condition and does not requireactive management at present. Although the understorey vegetation supported anumber of exotic herbs and grasses they do not pose a significant risk to theconservation values of the shrubland.Wetland habitat in Dreeite NCR is susceptible to degradation from stock entering thewetlands and may require fencing. Altered water regimes and the establishment ofaquatic pest plants may also impact on the wetlands. There is evidence of past rockremoval from wetland and grassland areas, which may have altered the structure ofthe habitat and adversely affected native flora and fauna.Control of plant biomass, particularly of exotic pasture grass species, may beconsidered desirable to provide habitat for native flora and fauna. Ecological burningis often used as a management tool to control exotic pasture species and promote theregeneration of indigenous flora. However, due to the high fuel loads associatedwith the shrubs and trees in Dreeite NCR and on adjacent private property,ecological burning is not recommended.Dreeite NCR has been grazed by sheep historically, but more recently cattle haveutilised the property. Although grazing may have caused degradation to wetlandvegetation, strategic grazing may be required to remove the biomass of plants,particularly exotic plants, with stocking rates adjusted to suit climatic conditionsand/or pest plant abundance. Whilst the use of sheep for grazing is more desirabledue to their lesser impact on the ecosystem, cattle grazing is the main landuse in thearea and thus may be the only practical option.Management objectives and targets (short-long term)- Actively manage the Dreeite NCR using some of the management optionsdescribed above to maintain the condition, species diversity and structuralheterogeneity of the vegetation.- Limit stock access to wetland and saltmarsh areas of Dreeite NCR throughestablishment of internal fencing and liaison with adjoining landholders.- Monitor outcomes of management actions and adapt management regimes as theneed arises.- Encourage ongoing research by universities and other scientific institutions intooptimal management techniques for maintaining and enhancing Stony KnollShrubland biodiversity.FloraDreeite NCR supports the Stony Knoll Shrubland EVC dominated by Tree VioletHymenanthera dentata, with sparse Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon and Black WattleAcacia mearnsii, while the permanent and semi-permanent wetlands support sedge,and other aquatic vegetation communities (Peterson pers. comm. 2003).Refer to Appendix 1 for flora records from Dreeite NCR and adjoining areas.3
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Dreeite NCR Management Statement (PDF File 2.2 ... - Parks Victoria

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