VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN for Bidjigal Reserve - Land

Vegetation Management Plan - Bidjigal Reservecosts. Weeds in each Section, Management Zone and Management Unit of the Reserve have beenpresented in Section 5 of the VMP.The bush regeneration contractor appointed to carry out on-ground works generally prepares theAction Plan in consultation with the Project Manager and the client. This will include a basicmonitoring program. In the meantime, the following ‘PIs’ have been developed to serve as a generalguide to monitoring the progress of the bushland rehabilitation program.The following PIs have been developed to serve as a generic guide to the monitoring the progress ofworks.Note that the PIs listed below are not inclusive, as there may be other PIs more suitable to individualareas or special work sites.A) Bushland Regeneration/Restoration: In order to assess changes in plant community structure,floristics and species diversity, a series of transects with nested quadrats should be established.Measurements may include:• An increase in the % cover of indigenous plant species (measured by quadrat assessment);• An increase in diversity of indigenous plant species (measured by quadrat assessment);• A reduction in the % cover of keystone (target) weeds (measured by quadrat assessment);and• 90%+ eradication of all mature (seed-bearing) noxious weeds and 70% control of keystoneenvironmental weeds by the end of a specified time period (to be determined via follow-upweed mapping) (%s chosen are indicative only, and are open to consideration)B) Fauna Habitat: In order to monitor restoration of fauna habitat(s), follow-up fauna surveys at theend of Years 2 and 5 (of a typical 5-year program) are strongly recommended. Measurements andassessments may include:• Maintenance or increase in number of native fauna species present utilising the Reservebushland;• An increase in the area (extent) of significant fauna habitats available throughout theReserve; and• An increase in connectivity (i.e. corridors or linkages) to other bushland areas, with emphasison the reinstatement of mid-storey and understorey vegetation to provide protective coverand habitat for native fauna.C) Riparian Zones: In order to monitor restoration and functionality of the restored riparianvegetation along watercourses/drainage lines, commission a specialist monitoring program, withperiodic review of bank stability, siltation of watercourses, and water quality improvements.• Bank slumping and undercutting of trees in the riparian zone arrested or under control;• Reduction in siltation of watercourses and formation of ‘silt slugs’ and sand bars; and• Improvement in water quality in watercourses/drainage lines (as determined by baselineand thereafter, periodic water quality testing).UBM Ecological Consultants Pty Ltd 153