Slender Tree-Fern
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Report: Threatened Species Detection & Rainforest Investigation Within Vicforest Logging Coupes: 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006. FFGA Threatened Flora Species: Cyathea cunninghamii (Slender Tree-fern). Rare Ecological Vegetation Class: East Gippsland Foothills Warm Temperate Rainforest EVC 32. Rainforest Site Of Significance “Mt Buck-EG42” Mt Buck, Curlip Forest Block, East Gippsland. Abstract: Sections within and adjacent to Vicforests clear-fell logging coupes 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006 were investigated to identify the presence of rainforest & rare or threatened flora species and other biodiversity conservation values. Rare or threatened flora species presence was documented and species location details and photographic records were obtained. This investigation identified the presence of Cyathea cunninghamii (Slender Tree‐ fern) adjacent to Vicforest clear-fell logging coupes 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006. Analysis of this information and spacial data of other known records of Cyathea cunninghamii (Slender Tree‐ fern) from“VBA-25” & Forest Management Zoning, shows that to date planning & zoning processes required by Vicforest & the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) have not identified the location of rare plant species or provided appropriate management & protection zones for Cyathea cunninghamii (Slender Tree‐ fern) throughout this area, leaving this species vulnerable to the effects of Vicforests scheduled logging operations. Vicforests operations have not complied with their obligations to conserve significant ecological values, including through application of the precautionary principle and implementation of mandatory management actions relevant to the potential population extent of rare and threatened species identified in the areas detailed within this report. Recommendations are made to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to pursue the requirements of the precautionary principle and the need to apply appropriate management zones within the study location and ensure that rare and threatened species throughout State Forest areas are not affected by the impact of Vicforest logging operations. Relevant Legislation: “Management Standards and Procedures for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests, 2014” (MSP's) “Planning Standards for timber harvesting operations in Victoria’s State forests 2014” (Planing Standards) “Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014” (Code) “East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement” (RFA) “East Gippsland Forest Management Plan” (FMP) “Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988” (FFGA) Status of Site: Vicforest Logging Coupes 827-513-0017, 827-515-0006 are currently on approved Vicforest TRP Scheduled, 827-515-0006 is listed as harvest pending on Vicforest THSZ website. Investigatio n Report: Investigation: Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO). Surveyors: Tiff, Owen Hanson Assessment by: Owen Hanson Author: Owen Hanson G.E.C.O – Investigation Report – Rare and Threatened Species & Communities. VF Coupes- 827-513-0017, 827-515-0006 Date: 17/07/2016. O..H. Location Details: Area of concern is within and adjacent to Vicforest logging coupes 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006 (circle in red), north of Orbost on the Old Bonang Hwy at Mt Buck in the Orbost district, East Gippsland. Figure 1. Detail from: "Approved Timber Release Plan 2013 - 2016 Change Map; August 2015 (with all approved amendments applied) Orbost (West), Vicforest, 31 August 2015. Map 1. Cyathea cunninghamii Slender Tree-fern records within Rainforest Site Of Significance “Mt Buck-Eg42” G.E.C.O – Investigation Report – Rare and Threatened Species & Communities. VF Coupes- 827-513-0017, 827-515-0006 Date: 17/07/2016. O..H. Investigation Report & Threatened Species Detections Ai m: To Determine The Presence Of Rare / Threatened Species & Communities. The Purpose of this investigating was to determine the presence of rare or threatened flora species & Communities, including Warm Temperate Rainforest (EVC32), Cyathea marcescens Skirted Tree-fern and FFGA listed species Cyathea cunninghamii Slender Tree-fern, within and adjacent to Vicforest clear-fell logging coupes 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006. Both the hybrid Cyathea marcescens & the parent genus Cyathea cunninghamii were found in close proximity to planned Vicforest Logging operations, along with surrounding Warm Temperate Rainforest. Method: Date of investigation: 19/04/2016 – 13/07/2016 Site Assessments (walking throughout forested areas within and adjacent to coupes). Site visits were conducted into various areas likely to contain rainforest within and adjacent to Vicforest logging coupes 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006, exploring the rainforest & rainforest margins for rare and threatened flora. As Rare or threatened flora species presence was documented and species location details and photographic records were obtained. Assessment of rainforest elements such as composition, distribution and disturbance severity of 2014 bushfire, was conducted throughout the site and with GIS spacial data & aerial imagery. For servilely burnt rainforest areas the “differential species approach” (Differential Species Keys for the Delineation of Rainforest Boundaries July 2011 ) along with aerial imagery pre-2014 bushfire, was used to ascertain the extent and boundary. Results: 1. Threatened Species Detection Cyathea mar cescens & Cyathea cunninghamii Photographed Individuals & Identification Features, & Displayed Location. See: Map2. 2. Presence, Distribution & Composition of Warm Temperate Rainforest. Ground & Aerial Assessed 2014 fire & Non-fire Affected Rainforest. See: Map2. / Table 1. & 2. 3. Assessment of Identified Values & Actions Required for There Protection. See: Map3. 4. Conclusions & Recommendations See Page 10. Photo of Large Specimen Morinda jasminoides G.E.C.O – Investigation Report – Rare and Threatened Species & Communities. VF Coupes- 827-513-0017, 827-515-0006 Date: 17/07/2016. O..H. Results 1. Skirted Tree-fern Cyathea marcescens & Slender Tree-fern Cyathea cunninghamii. • Several individuals of Cyathea marcescens & Cyathea cunninghamii (identified in Map.2) were encountered within an area of rainforest along the tributary bordering the two Vicforest logging coupes. One of the individuals “shown below Cyathea cunninghamii” was not more than ten meters from the edge of the road where it crosses the main rainforest gully, and was readily identifiable in appearance, and identification feature’s such fronds & scales easily accessible. Scales of Cyathea cunnhamii Cyathea cunninghamii Scales of Cyathea cunninghamii Slender Tree-fern Location 55 H 0631423 5838287 Slender Tree-fern Trunk of Cyathea marcescens Cyathea marcescens Rainforest gully between logging coupes Skirted Tree-fern Location 55 H 0631372 5838354 down stream from Tree-fern detections Additional Species Locations of Cyathea Species : 55 H 0631375 5838313 55 H 0631348 5838392 55 H 0631362 5838391 55 H 0631364 5838423 G.E.C.O – Investigation Report – Rare and Threatened Species & Communities. VF Coupes- 827-513-0017, 827-515-0006 Date: 17/07/2016. O..H. Results 1. Map 2. Detection Sites of Rare Tree-ferns Results 2. Map 2. Presence and distribution of Warm Temperate Rainforest. Ground and Aerial assessed 2014 fire affected & non-fire affected Rainforest. G.E.C.O – Investigation Report – Rare and Threatened Species & Communities. VF Coupes- 827-513-0017, 827-515-0006 Date: 17/07/2016. O..H. Results 2. Presence and distribution of Warm Temperate Rainforest. Map2. Ground and aerial assessed 2014 fire affected & non-fire affected Rainforest. • Warm Temperate Rainforest was encountered throughout each of the three gully systems bordering the two Vicforest logging coupes 827-513-0017 & 827-515-0006. The ground assessment of rainforest was based on the floristic composition, structural integrity following multiple disturbance history (logging & fire), and the distribution of rainforest throughout the site. The rainforest assessed using aerial imagery shown in Map 2. tries to best represent the extent these values based on a comparison of the aerial imagery covering known rainforest areas discovered on site with similar areas of contiguous and nearby forest shown in the aerial imagery. See Map2. • The integrity of rainforest in areas post the 2014 bushfire was assessed and where severely damaged rainforest was identified as having severe canopy damage or canopy removed completely, in this circumstance the “differential species approach” (Differential Species Keys for the Delineation of Rainforest Boundaries July 2011 ) was used to ascertain the boundary. This occurred within logging coupe 827-513-0017 along a section of the northern boundary. The extent of severely burnt rainforest areas out side of the coupes are ascertained by aerial imagery pre 2014 bushfire. See: Table 1. & Map2. Results 2. Delineation of Rainforest Boundaries using the differential species approach. Table 1. Name: Owen Hanson Date: 19/04/2016 East Gippsland Foothills Warm Temperate Rainforest Name: Tiff Date: DATA SHEET: Rainforest delineation through Differential Species Name: Coupe: 827-513-0017 Loc. Mt Buck SOS (Photo of Diff SPCS: ( / )) Warm Temperate Rainforest / Foothill & Lowland Sclerophyll Forest Rainforest Differential Species. Distance between Way-Points (10-30) Meters Common Name: Species: Syzygium smithii Lilly Pilly / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Cissus hypoglauca Jungle Grape / / / / / / / / / / / / / Marsdenia rostrata Milk-vine / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Rubus moluccanus Queensland Bramble