Workshop Notes

Perth Region Plant Biodiversity Project Jarrah Forest Reference Sites of the Perth Metropolitan Area: The Southern Transect

Shaun Molloy February 2008

Lithic complex (reference point MN2) Photograph by Shaun Molloy

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Introduction

Bush Forever is a 10 year strategic plan instigated by the Western Australian Government in conjunction with the general community and appropriate Local Government organisations to protect some 51,200 hectares of regionally significant bushland in 287 Bush Forever Sites, representing, where achievable, a target of at least 10 percent of each of the original 26 vegetation complexes of the Swan Coastal Plain portion of the Perth Metropolitan Region.

Subsequent to Bush Forever, the Perth Biodiversity Project identified the need to catalogue and describe a series reference sites to facilitate consistency in the assessment of local natural areas and to further enhance the capacity of relevant people to undertake site recording tasks. To this end 40 reference sites were established based on Bush Forever on the Swan Coastal Plain part of the Perth Metropolitan Region (PMR) as part of the Perth Region Plant Biodiversity Project (PRPBP), a collaborative project between the WA Local Government Association’s Perth Biodiversity Project and the Department of Environment and Conservation.

The PRPBP recognises a need to provide a fuller appreciation of the diversity of native vegetation found within the PMR. To that end, it was decided to establish reference sites within, or in close proximity to, Darling Plateau part of the PMR. It is proposed that these reference sites are established so as to represent major variations found in the plant communities found within this area thereby complementing reference sites already set up on the Swan Coastal Plain as part of the Perth Biodiversity Project.

The purpose of this document is to provide information applicable to the management of Bushland within the PMR part of the Jarrah Forest, and to describe the reasoning for selecting the sites used in the PRPBP Jarrah Forest Reference Sites.

Jarrah Forest

The Jarrah Forest Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) region covers an area of approximately 5.4 million hectares stretching from the Shire of Chittering in the north to near Albany in the south (Commonwealth of Australia 2001), although smaller outlying populations of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) occur outside of the Jarrah Forest Region extending into the Wheatbelt and Swan IBRA regions. Jarrah forest itself, generally occurs on the duricrusted plateau of the Yilgarn Craton and is characterised by Jarrah- Marri (Corymbia calophylla) woodlands on laterite gravels, bordered by Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo)- Marri woodlands on clayey soils to the east, Darling Scarp shrublands to the west and Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) forests to the south. Within this region are areas of eluvial (wind deposited) minerals and alluvial (water deposited) landforms support diverse shrublands. In areas of Mesozoic (248-65 mya) sediments (common in broad valleys throughout the region), Jarrah forests occur in a mosaic with a variety of species- rich shrublands.

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The climate of the Jarrah Forest region is described as warm and Mediterranean. Rainfall varies from 1,200 mm in Serpentine and the lower south west to 500 mm in the east most of which falls between June and September (May and McKenzie 2003).

Unlike most of the world’s hardwood forest trees, Jarrah occurs as an almost pure stand within the Jarrah Forest region (although outlying populations are usually far less homogenous in structure). Few other trees grow in association with Jarrah, and those that do have specialized requirements and/or prefer soils other than pure laterite. Marri, Wandoo and Powderbark Wandoo (Eucalyptus accedens) prefer clayey soils, Bullich (Eucalyptus megacarpa) preferring wetter sandy duplex soils on valley floors, Flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis), Blackbutt (Eucalyptus patens), and Melaleuca rhaphiophylla are generally associated with water courses, Melaleuca preissii and Swamp Banksia (Banksia littoralis) being associated with swamps, and Rock Sheoak (Allocasuarina huegeliana) being mainly associated with granite outcrops (Erickson et al 1973).

Most other trees that grow in association with Jarrah usually form a second story or are found in small isolated stands. Foremost amongst these are Allocasuarina fraseriana and proteaceous species such as; Banksia grandis, Persoonia longifolia, Persoonia elliptica, Dryandra sessilis and in some areas Banksia menziesii, Banksia attenuata and Banksia prionotes. Beneath the relatively homogenous canopy of the Jarrah Forest there is often found deceptively diverse shrub and herbaceous understorey layers (Erickson et al 1973). These layers can vary from near monocultures in composition to highly diverse understorey mosaics. This diversity of structural units is, in many cases, as much due to disturbance history as it is to variations in climate and geology. There are 3850 current, native flora taxa listed on Florabase (WA Herbarium 1998-) within the Jarrah Forest IBRA region.

The Darling Scarp forms the western edge of the Darling Range. This is the surface expression of an extensive geological structure known as the Darling fault. The scarp rises steeply to more than 200 meters above sea level, where it flattens out to form the Darling Plateau (Copp 2001). Patterns in the vegetation structure and floristic associations have long been attributed to the influences of the environment, which is evident at the environmental extremes presented by the Darling Scarp. The vegetation of the Scarp forms a variety of structural units varying from open woodlands of Jarrah, Marri, Wandoo, Darling Range Ghost Gum (Eucalyptus laeliae) and Rock Sheoak (Allocasuarina huegeliana), through to herbaceous lithic complexes and extensive shrublands, which, in the northern part of the Scarp, (including the section of the Darling Scarp included in the Perth Metropolitan Region) have been described by Markey (1997)as a series of 13 Floristic Community Types within 3 Super Groups. Six hundred and eighty nine taxa have been documented within the Northern Darling Scarp (Markey 1997).

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Southern PMR Jarrah Forest Reference Sites

Bungendore Park - PRPBP Jarrah Forest Reference Site 5 (JF5) Bungendore Park is approximately 38 km SE of Perth within the City Armadale. It is managed by the City of Armadale and a committee of Council, known as the Bungendore Park Management Committee. It includes a large section of the Darling Scarp and adjoining Jarrah Forest covering an area of 498 hectares within which the following vegetation complexes can be found; Dwellingup 2 (D2), Murray 1 (My1) and Darling scarp (DS), (see Bungendore Park Map 1 att.).

The reference point selected (BG1 see Bungendore Park Map 2 att.) is relatively central within the Park (BP1 reference site description att.). The park has been under a comparitively frequent burn regime of about a three year intervals in recent times (Lewis 2003) and has been extensively affected by Jarrah Dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi) which has been managed by phosphate application for about a decade now with varying degrees of success (Kim Sarti pers. com.). The area has significant social value as a popular recreational site and from an indigenous heritage perspective. (Stephens 1997).

Prior to European settlement area was populated by the Whadjuk, a local group of Noongar Aboriginal people who lived in the area south of the Canning River. Bungendore Park to the edge of the main walk route (linking Perth to Pinjarra) used by the many groups of Noongar people during their seasonal movements (Stephens 1997). The Bungendore Park area has therefore been historically exposed to a comparatively intensive fire regime.

Over 352 species have been recorded in the park, of which 33 are introduced. Significant flora such as Thelymitra stellata (DRF), Calothamnus rupestris (P4) have also been recorded (Lewis 1999).

A total of 82 bird species have been recorded from Bungendore Park (Johnstone 1996). Western Grey Kangaroos Macropus fuliginosis has been observed on site as have Echidnas Tachyglossus aculeatus, Mardo Antechinus flavipes, Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula, Brushtailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa and Quenda Isoodon obesulus. Chudich Dasyurus geoffroii has found in the vicinity (Stephens 1997). Numerous reptile, frog and invertebrate species have been observed in the reserve, but have not been listed (Stephens 1997).

Bungendore Park forms an ecological linkage to; road reserves, Neerigen Brook and Wungong Brook riparian reserves, remnants in surrounding private property, State Forest, water reserves and the Darling Range Regional Park.

The reference site selected (BP1, see Bungendore Park Map 1 att) is situated centrally within the park within an area of the Dwellingup 2 (D2) Vegetation Complex (Havel and Mattiske 2000). In general this site complies very well with the representational landscape provided by Havel and Mattiske (2000) in Appendix 257 (att.) and as such provides a convenient opportunity to introduce participants to the flora and geology of the Darling Plateau Jarrah forests and the Darling Scarp. It provides a good example of the Havel vegetation site type S1 (see appendix att.). It also provides an opportunity to discuss the impacts of a high frequency fire regime.

A site description summarising the known values of the site is attached.

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Jarrahdale State Forest - PRPBP Jarrah Forest Reference Site 6 (JF6) This is a 9,998 hectare timber production area (with inclusive informal reserves situated within the Armadale, Serpentine Jarrahdale, and Wandering local government areas. It is managed by, the Department of Environment and Conservation under the guidelines set out in the Regional Forest Agreement (Conservation Commission 2003) with the Forest Products Commission responsible for the management of the timber production areas. This site contains good representations of the landscape and flora of the Cooke (Ce), Dwellingup 1 (D1), Dwellingup 2 (D2), Dwellingup 3 (D3), Dwellingup 4(D4), Darling Scarp (DS), Goonapping (G), Murray 1 (My1), Pindalup (Pn), Swamp (S), Yarragil 1 (Yg1) and Yarragil 2 (Yg2) vegetation complexes (Havel and Mattiske 2000)(see Jarrahdale State Forest Map 1 att).

A reference point (JSF1 see Jarrahdale State Forest Map 2 att.) has been selected within the My 1 complex. Although a more characteristic representation of this vegetation complex has been provided in Jarrah Forest Reference Site JF7 (reference point MN1) this site has actually been selected as being more characteristic of the nearby Yg1 reference site as represented provided by Havel and Mattiske (2000) in Appendix D249 (att.). The reasons for selecting this site are: it provides an example of the limitations of applying the Havel and Mattiske (2000) methodology in the interpretation of Jarrah Forest landscapes, it provides an opportunity to discuss the management of informal reserves within a landscape managed for production, and it provides a very good example of Bullich woodland (Havel vegetation site type c) which is common to both the My1 and Yg1 Vegetation Complexes.

Vegetation ranges from Woodland of Eucalyptus megacarpa, Eucalyptus patens with Banksia littoralis and tall shrub and sedge storey of Taxandria linearifolia, Lepidosperma tetraquetrum, Astartea fascicularis, Mesomelaena tetragona and Ghania trifida on valley floor to Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata and Corymbia calophylla with a second storey of Banksia grandis, Persoonia longifolia and Allocasuarina fraseriana on slopes. Shrub and herb storey under the forest consists of Grevillea wilsonii, Styphelia tenuiflora, Adenanthos barbiger, Hakea ruscifolia, Lechenaultia biloba, Baeckea camphorosmae and Hakea lissocarpha.

JSF1 appears not to have been subjected to the forest production regime that has been applied the surrounding Jarrah/Marri woodland. General condition appears to be very good with minimal weed intrusion. The impacts of a comparatively hot burn during the summer of 2006/2007 are evident but recovery appears to be progressing well in all strata (Molloy 2007).

This landscape conforms well to that represented in Havel and Mattiske (2000) appendix D249 (att.). A description summarising the known values of this site is attached.

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Monadnocks Conservation Park - PRPBP Jarrah Forest Reference Site 7 (JF7) This is a 1,542 hectare conservation park situated wholly within the Jarrahdale State Forest situated within the Armadale and Wandering local government areas. It is managed by, the Department of Environment and Conservation as a conservation reserve since the 1970s -80s when different parts of the park had been removed from timber production at different times (Ward and van Didden 2003). This site contains very good representations of the landscape and flora of the; Cooke (Ce), Dwellingup 2 (D2), Dwellingup 4(D4), Murray 1 (My1), Pindalup (Pn), Swamp (S), Yarragil 1 (Yg1), and Yarragil 2 (Yg2) vegetation complexes (Havel and Mattiske 2000)(see Monadnocks Conservation Park Maps 1 and 3 att.). Three reference points have selected at this site (see Monadnocks Conservation Park Maps 2 and 4 att.).

The first reference point (MN1) has been selected within the My 1 vegetation complex as a characteristic representation of the landform and vegetation normally found within this complex (in contrast to the My1 reference point situated in Jarrah Forest Reference Site JF6 reference point JSF1). This site has been selected as it; is characteristic of the landscape represented by Havel and Mattiske (2000) in Appendix 246 (att.), provides an opportunity to discuss the management of reserves through a low frequency fire regime, it provides a very good example of jarrah forest creekline riparian vegetation (Havel vegetation site type Q), and it is in excellent condition (Molloy 2007).

The vegetation at reference point MN1 is typical of Ecological Vegetation System NM6 being a woodland of Eucalyptus patens / Eucalyptus rudis on a valley floor drainage line with an open forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata on higher ground. Shrub and herb storey of Grevillea diversifolia, Trymalium floribundum, Hypocalymma cordifolium, Lepidosperma tetraquetrum and Chorizema ilicifolium on valley floor to Bossiaea aquifolium subsp. aquifolium, Leucopogon verticillatus, Leucopogon capitellatus, Macrozamia riedlei, Acacia urophylla and Pteridium esculentum on slopes (Havel and Mattiske 2000).

MN1 displays minimal weeds and some other minor edge affects from Kinsella Rd. Shrub layer dense and well developed with up to 7 years without a burn (Molloy 2007). This lack of burning has been a management action to increase habitat for Quokkas Setonix brachyurus (Kevin Pollack pers. com.).

MN1 conforms well to that represented in Havel and Mattiske (2000) appendix D246 (att.). A description summarising the known values of this site is attached.

A second reference point (MN2) has been selected within the Ce vegetation complex as a characteristic representation of a lithic landform and vegetation commonly found within this complex. This site has been selected as it; is characteristic of the landscape represented by Havel and Mattiske (2000) in Appendix 262 (att.), provides an opportunity to discuss the management of lithic ecological assemblages within the Jarrah Forest, it provides a very good example of jarrah forest creekline riparian vegetation (Havel vegetation site type G), and it is in very good condition (Molloy 2007).

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The vegetation at reference point MN2 is typical of Ecological Vegetation System Rs3 being a Lithic Complex, Herbfield and Heath through Woodland of Allocasuarina heugeliana to Open Forest of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata, Corymbia calophylla on milder slopes with deep soils. Common shrub and herb species are Borya sphaerocephala, Grevillea bipinnatifida, Hakea undulata, Hakea lissocarpha, Trymalium ledifolium, Hakea trifurcata on shallow soils; Adenanthos barbiger, Grevillea wilsonii, Styphelia tenuiflora and Hovea chorizemifolia on deeper soils (Havel and Mattiske 2000).

MN2 shows Jarrah Dieback in surrounding woodland, exfoliated granite is mostly missing, some damage from foot traffic along Bibbulman Track (Molloy 2007).

MN2 conforms well to that represented in Havel and Mattiske (2000) appendix D262 (att.). A description summarising the known values of this site is attached.

The third reference point MN3 has been selected within the S vegetation complex as a characteristic representation of the landform and vegetation normally found within this complex. This site has been selected as it; is characteristic of the landscapes represented by Havel and Mattiske (2000) in Appendix 251 and 280 (att.), provides an opportunity to discuss management of wetlands within the Jarrah Forest, and it provides a good example of a Jarrah Forest Swamp (Havel vegetation site type A) (Molloy 2007).

Dominant vegetation is Sedgeland of Baumea articulata, Meeboldina cana, Meeboldina scariosa, Shrubland of Melaleuca lateritia, Hakea marginata, Hakea varies, Hakea ceratophylla with emergents of Actinostrobus pyramidalis, Melaleuca preissiana and Banksia littoralis. (Havel and Mattiske 2000).

There are minimal weeds at this site. The last major fire appears to have occurred during summer 2006/2007 and all strata of vegetation is intact. Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and feral Pigs Sus scrofa have caused some damage (Molloy 2007).

MN3 conforms to the landscapes represented in Havel and Mattiske (2000) appendix D251 and 280 (att.). A description summarising the known values of this site is attached.

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References

Commonwealth of Australia, 2001. Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001. National Land and water Resources Audit, Canberra Australia http://www.nlwra.gov.au

Conservation Commission 2003. Forest Management Plan 2004-2013, Conservation Commission of Western Australia, Perth

Copp, I., 2001. Geology and Landforms of the South-West. Department of Conservation and Land Management. Perth WA

Erickson, R., George, A.S., Marchant, N.G. and Morcombe, M.K., 1973. Flowers and Plants of Western Australia. Reed Books Pty Ltd. Sydney NSW.

Havel, J.J., 1989. Conservation in the Northern Jarrah Forest. The Jarrah Forest: a complex Mediterranean Ecosystem, eds. Dell, B., Havel, J.J., and Malajczuk, N. Klewer Pulishers, Dordrecht.

Havel, J.J. and Mattiske, E.M. 2000. Vegetation mapping of South West Forest Regions of Western Australia, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

Johnstone, R. E., 1996. Birds of Bungendore Park: Bedfordale, Western Australia. Bungendore Park Management Committee, Armadale WA

Lewis, J., 2003. Plant Regeneration Following Fire in Bungendore Park, Bedfordale, Western Australia. The Western Australian Naturalist, Vol. 24/1, pp37-72

Lewis, J., 1999. Flora of Bungendore Park: Reserve A4561 Bedfordale, Western Australia. Bungendore Park Management Committee, Armadale WA.

May, J. E., and McKenzie, N. L., 2003. Jarrah Forest, Bioregional Summary of the 2002 Biodiversity Audit for Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth WA.

Molloy, S., 2007. Jarrah forest reference site field notes: Southern Transect. Unpublished.

Stephens, L., 1997. A Walk With Time, The Bungendore Park Story. Bungendore Park Management Committee, Armadale WA

Ward, D., van Didden, G., 2003. A brief fire history of Monadnocks Conservation Park, Western Australia: based on grasstree stem data: a report to the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 18 p.

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