Arthur Rylah Institute Technical Paper Series Report No. 151
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
Technical Series Report No. 151
Recovery of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland after the 2003 bushfires in north-east Victoria.
Judy Downe and Fiona Coates
December 2004 Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment
Melbourne, December 2004
© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004
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Citation
Downe, J. & Coates, F. (2004) Recovery of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland after the 2003 bushfires in north-east Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report No. 151. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, Melbourne.
Front cover: Burnt slopes at Marble Gully and post-fire regeneration of key species.
III Contents
Contents ...... 4 List of Figures and Tables ...... 5 Executive Summary...... 6 Introduction...... 7 Methods...... 10 Results ...... 14 Threats to post-fire recovery...... 25 Discussion...... 27 Recommendations...... 31 Acknowledgments...... 32 References...... 33 Appendix 1 ...... 35 Appendix 2 ...... 36 Appendix 3 ...... 46
4 List of Figures and Tables
Figures
Species ...... 8 Figure 1. Aerial view of Marble Gully showing location of the Transect Lines, Hills (1, 2 and 3) and Old Hut Creek Track...... 13 Figure 2. Regenerating Olearia astroloba at Marble Gully 2004...... 20 Figure 3. Regenerating Ozothamnus adnatus at Marble Gully 2004...... 21 Figure 4. Pimelea flava var. dichotoma seedlings at Marble Gully 2004...... 22 Figure 5. Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola resprouting at Marble Gully, 2004...... 23
Tables Table 1. Significant species recorded at Marble Gully in Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland vegetation...... 8 Table 2. Vital attributes and their codes (Noble & Slatyer 1980)...... 12 Table 3. Allocasuarina verticillata - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts, and mean seedling and resprout height, for key common species...... 16 Table 4. Banksia marginata - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts for key common species...... 17 Table 6. Teucrium corymbosum - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts, and mean seedling and resprout height, for key common species...... 18 Table 7. Frequency of occurrence of minor species by life form in cover/abundance classes...... 19 Table 8. Olearia astroloba - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height. 20 Table 9. Ozothamnus adnatus - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height...... 21 Table 10. Pimelea flava var. dichotoma - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height...... 22 Table 11. Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height...... 23 Table 12. Pultenaea densifolia - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height...... 24 Table 13. Arthropodium sp. 1 - Frequency of occurrence in cover/abundance classes..... 24 Table 14. Introduced Species recorded at Marble Gully...... 26
5 Executive Summary
The status and post-fire recovery of the nationally threatened community Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland was assessed after the 2003 bushfires under the Victorian Bushfire Recovery Program. Prior to 2003 there had been no records of fire at Marble Gully for at least one hundred years. The community is restricted to limestone geology, occurring only at Marble Gully near Omeo in East Gippsland.
Species fire response characteristics, threats to recovery and management requirements for the vegetation community were identified. Permanent transects were established to monitor post-fire recovery of key common species, minor species and five rare or threatened species.
The influence of fire on species composition was determined by comparing the species list from pre-fire studies with a list compiled from this study. Community structure was severely affected with the canopy virtually totally destroyed. All lifeforms were regenerating but it will take many years, with the absence of fire, to determine if the community will return to its original structure. 213 vascular species, including 38 weeds, were recorded pre- and post-fire. 85 of these were recorded in 2003 plus 34 species that were previously unknown. Response to fire and/or vital attribute data were collected for 115 indigenous species.
Nine rare or threatened species were re-located during the 2004 survey: Olearia astroloba (Vv), Ozothamnus adnatus (v), Arthropodium sp.1 (r), Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma (r), P. pauciflora (r), Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola (r), Pultenaea densifolia (r), Vittadinia tenuissima (r) and Senna aciphylla (r). Two rare species previously recorded were not found - Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens (r) and Desmodium varians (k). Two of three additional species known to be significant at Marble Gully due to their disjunct geographical distribution, were also found (Austostipa scabra subsp. falcata and Ptilotus spathulatus). One other disjunct species previously recorded at the site, Isoetopsis graminifolia, was not re- located.
The study showed that most rare or threatened species regenerated by a combined mechanism of sexual and vegetative means. Seedlings were more numerous and generally smaller than the resprouting individuals. One species, Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma was an obligate seed recruiter and one species, Arthropodium sp.1, was an obligate (?) resprouter.
Fire suppression activities did not impact directly on the community. It is recommended that the community be protected from fire until a fire management plan is prepared. There is a low level threat from weeds and grazing by livestock, which may impact on post-fire recovery. Ongoing monitoring is proposed for at least five years.
6 Introduction
Background
Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland is one of six listed threatened communities burnt as a consequence of the 2003 fires in north-eastern Victoria and identified as having priority for risk management (Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment 2003). The community contains a high number of rare or threatened plant species, is restricted to a single site and had not been burnt for at least 100 years. Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland is listed as nationally threatened under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and threatened in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
This study was initiated to assess post-fire changes in the structure and composition of vegetation and to identify plant responses to fire, threats and urgent management actions. The specific objectives of the project were to:
• determine the post-fire status of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland;
• determine the fire response characteristics for vascular flora;
• identify threats to post-fire recovery;
• identify management requirements;
• provide a baseline against which post fire recovery of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland can be evaluated, and
• develop a protocol for ongoing monitoring of key species.
Distribution and environment
The only known occurrence of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland is at Marble Gully in the Tambo Valley near Omeo, East Gippsland, where it is restricted to Silurian limestone geology. It occurs mainly on steep north-east to north-west facing slopes on three hills occupying an area of 39 hectares. Sampling was conducted on highly mobile moderate to steep, north-east to north-west facing scree slopes and altitude of 650m to 780m. Rocky limestone outcrops of various sizes are common. Slopes are very exposed and the vegetation open.
7 Vegetation
Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland consists of a mosaic of four structural components - grassland, open and closed shrubland and woodland.Peel (1993) identified two sub- communities:
“Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (LPS) 1.1” occurs as a grassland or shrubland and is dominated by Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola (r), Banksia marginata and Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla. It contains the rare or threatened species Ozothamnus adnatus (v), Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma (r), Arthropodium sp. 1 (r) and Senna aciphylla (r).
“Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (LPS) 2.2” occurs as woodland, grassland or open shrubland. It contains the nationally threatened species Olearia astroloba (Vv), and the Victorian rare or threatened species Ozothamnus adnatus (v), Pultenaea densifolia (r), Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola (r) and Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma (r). The character species of the woodland form of this sub-community include Eucalyptus nortonii and Allocasuarina verticillata.
Threatened flora
Fourteen rare or threatened vascular species and species with disjunct geographical distributions were recorded prior to the fire (Peel 1993) (Table 1).
Species Conservation status
Olearia astroloba Vv Ozothamnus adnatus v Vittadenia tenuissima r Pultenaea densifolia r Desmodium varians r Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola r Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens r Arthropodium sp. 1 r Senna aciphylla r Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma r Pimelea pauciflora r Austostipa scabra subsp. falcata Disjunct Isoetopsis graminifolia Disjunct Ptilotus spathulatus Disjunct Table 1. Significant species recorded at Marble Gully in Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland vegetation. Conservation status follows IUCN (2001).
8 Fire history
There are no records of fire occurring at Marble Gully during the last one hundred years (Action Statement No. 93). However due to the location of the community partly on exposed north and north-west facing slopes the potential risk from bush fires has always been considered high. Fire has the potential to cause a range of impacts on Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland including loss of mature plants, structural changes and weed invasion. The effect of fire on the regenerative capacity of the vegetation is unknown.
In 2003, fire intensity varied from extreme on the north and north-west facing slopes to moderate in patches on the north-easterly slopes. The more protected gullies and lower slopes between the hills experienced a moderately patchy burn.
Threats
Peel (1993) noted that some environmental weeds were present at Marble Gully, in particular Marrubium vulgare (Horehound) and Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. (Blackberry). Horehound occurred mainly on the lower slopes of the north-western part of the community and on top of Hill 1 (Figure 1). It is an aggressive weed that chemically inhibits the growth of nearby plants and is thought to be spread by rabbits. Blackberry was restricted predominantly to Old Hut Creek Track (Figure 1) with occasional plants occurring on slopes within Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (Action Statement 93).
9 Methods
Post-fire status of the vegetationA species list was compiled for Marble Gully from quadrat data stored in the Flora Information System, and supplemented with incidental records from Peel (1993). The area of occupancy of the community was inspected and a species list compiled by recording all regenerating vascular species. Particular attention was given to relocating rare or threatened species and species characteristic of the sub-communities. Evaluation of the post-fire status of the Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland community was made by comparing the two species lists.
Additional information recorded were threats or potential threats to post-fire recovery of vegetation including impacts of fire suppression activities and management requirements.
Fire response characteristics
Functional groups
Indigenous species were allocated to one of four basic fire response groups based on resprouting ability and propagule persistence from field observations (Bond & van Wilgen 1996; Pausas et al. 2004). This system is a simple and clear method by which the basic response of species after a single fire could be recorded and applied in a general sense across each species’ range and is intended to indicate patterns of persistence and recruitment. Other traits such as plant response to fire severity, fire season and fire frequency, or the length of time between fires were not considered but are certain to influence regeneration, particularly in relation to obligate seed recruiters which frequently require relatively high intensity fires to sufficiently heat soil before seed dormancy is broken (Auld & O’Connell 1991; Bond & van Wilgen 1996).
Resprouters were defined as those individuals capable of vegetative regeneration after 100% scorch by fire (Gill 1981). Propagule persisters were defined as species with propagules that survive for long periods as soil or canopy stored seed or species with pyrogenic flowering that survive 100% scorch by fire (Pausas et al. 2004). Propagules are available in the post-fire environment, including after the death of mature adults.
Species could thus be assigned to one of four fire response groups (Bond & van Wilgen 1996; Pausas et al. 2004):
R+P+ Resprouter with persistent propagules (facultative resprouters and seed recruiters)
R+P- Resprouter with non-persistent propagules (obligate resprouters)
10 R-P+ Non-resprouter with persistent propagules (obligate seed recruiter)
R-P- Non-persistent species (unable to survive fires but modified here to include annuals with short-lived seed banks still available post-fire)
Vital attributes
Each indigenous taxon was assigned a set of “vital attributes” (Noble & Slatyer 1980) required for fire management databases currently being compiled by DSE and Parks Victoria (Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004). This information is intended to assist with fire management of specific sites by predicting post-fire vegetation succession based on three attributes: method of persistence, conditions for establishment and longevity (Table 2).
Method of Persistence Seedling establishment D seed: dispersed long distances S seed: stored, maintains viability for long period, partial germination per disturbance G seed: stored, maintains viability for long period, single germination per disturbance C seed: short-lived, exhausted after single germination Vegetative mechanisms V sprouters: all ages survive, all become juvenile U sprouters: mature remain mature, juveniles remain juvenile W sprouters: mature remain mature, juveniles die Dual mechanisms ∆ dispersed seed + mature remain mature + juvenile may or may not resprout (D+ U or W) Σ seed store + mature remain mature + juvenile may or may not resprout (S+U or W) Γ seed store with one germination + mature remain mature + juveniles die (G+W)
11 Conditions for Establishment T tolerant, will establish in presence of adult competition (multi-aged population) I intolerant, needs disturbed site with competition removed (single aged population) R requires some precondition to be met before establishment, delayed establishment Longevity Juv Number of years plant remains reproductively immature Mat Number of years plant remains mature and alive Ext Number of years any source of regenerative material (seeds, rhizomes etc.) remains on site Table 2. Vital attributes and their codes (Noble & Slatyer 1980). A taxon was considered mature if more than 50% of the population was fertile in the season during which the survey was conducted.
Post-fire recovery monitoring
Post-fire vegetation structure and composition were assessed using quadrat data. Transects consisting of one metre square quadrats (104 in total) placed one metre apart were established at five sites (Figure 1). Transects were orientated perpendicular to the slope but were positioned to include one or more key common or threatened species. These were Allocasuarina verticillata, Banksia marginata, Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla, Teucrium corymbosum, Olearia astroloba (Vv), Ozothamnus adnatus (v), Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola (r), Pultenaea densifolia (r) and Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma (r). Each species occurred in two or more transects.
All vascular species present in each quadrat were recorded. Post-fire recovery of rare or threatened species and key common species was estimated by counting the number and height of individual plants (seedlings and resprouting plants) in each quadrat. Post-fire mortality was estimated by counting the number of dead plants in each quadrat. A key common species was defined as having been frequent or dominant in the pre-fire overstorey, or abundant in the post-fire vegetation.
Exceptions were creepers and graminoids, individuals of which were difficult to define due to their growth habits (creeping or sward forming). These were assigned a Braun-Blanquet cover/abundance value (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974), as were minor (infrequent) species. These were:
+ cover = <1%; 1 cover = 1-5%; 2 cover = 5-25%; 3 cover = 25-50%;
4 cover = 50-75%; 5 cover = 75-100%.
12 The rare lily, Arthropodium sp. 1, was assessed by estimating percent cover. Height was not measured as growth of graminoids is achieved by increase in girth or size of clumps, or by the formation of rhizomes. Height of the flowering stem is also impracticable for comparing the size of graminoids as this is variable and depends on the maturity of the individuals. Numbers only were recorded for this species.
Transects were permanently marked to allow for ongoing monitoring with metal posts and their locations recorded using GPS.
Figure 1. Aerial view of Marble Gully showing location of the Transect Lines, Hills (1, 2 and 3) and Old Hut Creek Track.
13 Results
General recovery
The structure of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland was seriously affected by the 2003 fire. On north to north-west facing slopes where fire intensity was severe, the crown was totally scorched, the lower vegetation strata destroyed and in places, the ground was severely scorched. In moderately burnt patches (north-east to east facing slopes), some small trees (Banksia marginata and Allocasuarina verticillata) survived the fire, several were unscathed and others were lightly scorched. The lower vegetation stratum had been completely burnt. In the more protected gullies between the hills, the crowns of a few eucalypts had not been burnt (N.Walsh, RBG, pers. comm.).
On exposed slopes the overstorey tree species, Eucalyptus nortonii, was re-sprouting from lignotubers and the shoots were approximately 30 cm in length. The small tree layer, represented by Allocasuarina verticillata, Banksia marginata and Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla, was regenerating from both seedlings and resprouts.
The most frequent understorey species were Cassinia aculeata, Correa reflexa, Vittadinia cuneata and Podolobium alpestre. However, at this early post-fire stage, the herbs and sub- shrubs Teucrium corymbosum, Senecio quadridentatus, Senecio hispidulus and Sigesbeckia orientalis were taller than most shrub species.
The ground layer was dominated by grasses (Themeda triandra and Austrostipa spp.) and herbaceous dicots (Dichondra repens, Sigesbeckia orientalis subsp.orientalis, Clematis microphylla and Convolvulus angustissima subsp. angustissima). Many of these had reached reproductive maturity at the time of the survey.
Post-fire status
There have been 213 vascular plant species recorded during pre- and post- fire surveys of the site (Peel 1993 and data from this study) (Appendix 2). 85 species (including 14 weeds) were present pre- and post-fire; 94 species (including 15 weeds) were present before the 2003 fire but not recorded post-fire; 34 species (including 9 weeds) were recorded post-fire only, although many of these are a result of taxonomic changes.
Prior to the fire fourteen rare, threatened or disjunct species had been recorded (Peel 1993). Nine of these were found during the post-fire assessment: Olearia astroloba, Ozothamnus adnatus, Pimelea flava subsp.dichotoma, P. pauciflora, Pomaderris oraria subsp.calcicola, Pultenaea densifolia, Vittadinia tenuissima and Arthropodium sp. 1. and Senna aciphylla.
14 Prior to the fire, Senna aciphylla was recorded as a character species of “Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (LPS) 1.1” sub-community. The largest pre-fire population of Vittadinia tenuissima was previously known from Hill 3 (Peel 1993) which was only briefly visited during this study.
Two rare species recorded in 1993 were not recorded in 2004 (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens and Desmodium varians). Notably, the rare species Irenepharsus magicus was recorded for the first time at this site.
Two of the three disjunct species, Austostipa scabra subsp. falcata and Ptilotus spathulata were recorded. The other significant disjunct species, Isoetopsis graminifolia, was not recorded in this survey.
Fire response characteristics
Functional groups
Functional traits characterising disturbance response were assessed for 115 species (Appendix 2). Determination of responses at times proved difficult, and consequently some species were allocated to groups based on assumptions regarding seed bank persistence which may require revision in the future.
Vital attributes
Methods of persistence and conditions for establishment were recorded for 86 species. It was not possible to determine longevity attributes as insufficient time had elapsed since the fire. As these are species attributes not local population attributes could they not be determined from elsewhere? If not state this.
It was difficult to assign the “S” and “G” categories (stored seed with partial or total germination respectively per disturbance) as it was often not known. Species were assigned to the “G” category (taking a precautionary risk approach) when the germination response was unknown, but there was a persistant soil-borne seed bank.
There were also difficulties in assigning the vegetative component for persistence. Due to the extreme intensity of the fire in some areas of Marble Gully all the above-ground vegetation was incinerated and juveniles of all species were killed. This outcome, where mature individuals become juvenile (vegetative) and pre-fire juveniles die, is not explicitly covered in the scheme developed by Noble and Slatyer (1980). In this study the resprouting species were assigned the “V” category.
15 Taxa with combined seed and vegetative mechanisms were assigned with the “Γ” response, as it was difficult to identify the different combined response attributes in the field. This resolution is in accord with Carter and Cheal (2004).
The conditions for establishment were assigned by general observation.
The third category, ‘time to critical life stage’ comprises three components. It was not possible to estimate the number of years a plant remains mature and alive or the number of years any source of regenerative material (seeds, rhizomes etc.) remains on site, since only 12 months had elapsed post-fire. Length of the juvenile stage was recorded only when reproductively mature plants were seen.
Post-fire recovery monitoring
Recovery of key common species
Allocasuarina verticillata
Allocasuarina verticillata was recorded as a character species in “Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (LPS) 1.2” (Peel 1993) and was regenerating by seedlings and resprouts. Seedlings were more abundant and were generally shorter than vegetative shoots (Table 3).
Species No. No. dead No. No. dead Mean no. Mean no. Mean Mean (n/t) seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts seedlings resprouts seedling Resprout (m-2) (m-2) height height (cm) (cm) Allocasuarina 68 0 30 0 1.9±0.3 0.7±0.14 23.9±2.5 32.6±4.8 verticillata (26/44) Table 3. Allocasuarina verticillata - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts, and mean seedling and resprout height, for key common species; n/t = number of quadrats recorded/total number of quadrats.
Banksia marginata Banksia marginata is a character species in “Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (LPS) 1.1” (Peel, 1993). In this survey, Banksia marginata was regenerating in very low numbers. Very few seedlings or repsrouts were recorded (Table 4).
16 Species No. No. dead No. No. dead Mean no. Mean no. seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts seedlings (m-2) resprouts (m-2) (n/t) Banksia 6 0 2 0 0.1±0.07 0.04±0.04 marginata (7/48) Table 4. Banksia marginata - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts for key common species; n/t = number of quadrats recorded/total number of quadrats.
Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla was recorded as a character species in “Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland sub-communities 1.1 and 1.2” (Peel 1993). The number of regenerating individuals was very low, with regeneration mainly by resprouting. Resprouts were taller in height than the seedlings (Table 5).
Species No. No. dead No. No dead Mean no. Mean no. seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts seedlings (m-2) resprouts (m-2) (n/t) Bursaria spinosa 5 0 2 0 0.06±0.03 0.02±0.02 subsp. lasiophylla (7/89) Table 5. Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts for key common species; n/t = number of quadrats recorded/total number of quadrats.
17 Teucrium corymbosum
Although Teucrium corymbosum was the most widespread species, its abundance varied greatly between sites. Regeneration was by both seed and resprouts. More seedlings were recorded than resprouts, and resprouts were taller in height (Table 6).
Species No. No. dead No. No dead Mean no. Mean no. Mean Mean seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts seedlings resprouts seedling Resprout (n/t) (m-2) (m-2) height (cm) height (cm) Teucrium 222 0 20 0 3.7±0.6 0.4±0.1 28.8±1.7 36.6±3.8 corymbosum (37/56) Table 6. Teucrium corymbosum - Total and mean number of seedlings and resprouts, and mean seedling and resprout height, for key common species; n/t = number of quadrats recorded/total number of quadrats.
Recovery of minor species
Trees and shrubs
Cover of woody species (including sub-shrubs) was sparse (+ or 1)(Table 7), and consisted mainly of the post-fire colonisers Senecio hispidulus and S. quadridentatus. Other regenerating trees and shrubs were sparse (+ to 1) and included Eucalyptus nortonii, Podolobium alpestre, Cassinia longifolia and Coprosma quadrifida.
Herbaceous dicots
Cover of herbaceous dicotyledonous species was generally sparse (+ or 1) (Table 7). The most frequent species were Convolvulus angustissimus subsp. angustissimus, Vittadinia cuneata, Dichondra repens, Euchiton spp., Sigesbeckia orientalis and Oxalis perennans.
Monocots
Highest cover was recorded for grasses although this varied between transects (Table 7). The dominant species recorded were Themeda triandra and Austrostipa spp., with Austrodanthonia spp. and Poa sieberiana var. hirtella less common. Dichelachne spp. and Agrostis spp. agg. aff. hiemalis were infrequent.
18 Cover/Abundance class
Life form category + 1 23
Trees/shrubs 16 10 0 0
Herbceous dicots 45 23 1 0
Monocots 36 30 11 1
Table 7. Frequency of occurrence of minor species by life form in cover/abundance classes.
Weeds
Two weed species were recorded (Marrubium vulgare and Rubus fruticosus spp. agg.). Both were recorded only twice with a cover/abundance of “+”.
Recovery of rare or threatened species
Olearia astroloba
Olearia astroloba (Figure 2) was recorded from 14 out of 30 quadrats (2 transects) and was regenerating from both seed and vegetative buds (R+P+). Seed regeneration was more common (Table 8). Mortality was low in both seedlings and resprouting plants. Seedling height was reasonably uniform overall and was less than half that of resprout height.
19 Figure 2. Regenerating Olearia astroloba at Marble Gully 2004.
No. No. dead No. No. dead Seedling Resprout Mean seedling Mean Resprout seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts density density height (cm) ± height (cm) ± SE (m-2) (m-2) SE 59 3 6 1 1.9±0.6 0.2±0.1 11.8±1.2 28.7±2.7 Table 8. Olearia astroloba - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height.
Ozothamnus adnatus
Ozothamnus adnatus (Figure 3) was recorded from 30 out of 78 quadrats (4 transects) and was regenerating from seed and vegetative buds (R+P+). Seedlings were more common than resprouting plants. The survival rate of seedlings was high, with only one dead seedling out of 38 recorded. Mortality in resprouting plants was slightly higher than the number of living individuals. This may have been due to drought. The height of the resprouters was approximately double that of the seedlings (Table 9).
20 Figure 3. Regenerating Ozothamnus adnatus at Marble Gully 2004.
No. No. dead No. No. dead Seedling Resprout Mean Mean seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts density density (m-2) seedling resprout (m-2) height (cm) height (cm) ± ± SE SE 38 1 4 6 0.5±0.1 0.09±0.03 9.8±0.9 22±2.0 Table 9. Ozothamnus adnatus - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height.
Pimelea flava var. dichotoma
Pimelea flava var. dichotoma is an obligate seed regenerator (R-P+) and no mature plants survived the fire (Figure 4). Seedlings were recorded in 80 out of 104 quadrats (5 transects). Overall seedling density was relatively high at 10.6 m-2. Dead seedlings were rare (Table 10).
21 Figure 4. Pimelea flava var. dichotoma seedlings at Marble Gully 2004.
No. seedlings No. dead seedlings Seedling density (m-2) Mean seedling height (cm) ± SE 1,101 45 10.6±1.4 14.4±0.5 Table 10. Pimelea flava var. dichotoma - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height.
Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola
Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola is a facultative resprouter (R+P+). Seedlings and resprouting plants were recorded from 68 out of 78 quadrats (4 transects). It was the only target species with significant numbers of plants regenerating from resprouts (Figure 5). However there were still three times more seedlings recorded than individuals producing shoots (Table 11. The height of the resprouting individuals was three times greater than the height of the seedlings (Table 11).
22 Figure 5. Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola resprouting at Marble Gully, 2004.
No. No. dead No. No. dead Seedling Resprout Mean Mean seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts density (m-2) density (m-2) seedling Resprout height (cm) height (cm) ± SE ± SE 470 37 163 1 6.1±1.0 2.1 ±0.3 7.8±0.6 24.6±1.6 Table 11. Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height.
Pultenaea densifolia
Pultenaea densifolia is a faculative resprouter (R+P+). It was recorded in 21 out of 30 quadrats (2 transects) on Hill 2. Seedling recruitment was higher than vegetative regeneration. Seedling and resprouting mortality rate was low. The height of resprouters and seedlings was similar (Table 12).
23 No. No. dead No. No. dead Seedling Resprout Mean Mean seedlings seedlings resprouts resprouts density (m-2) density seedling resprout (m-2) height height (cm) ± (cm) ± SE SE 106 9 7 0 3.5±0.6 0.23±0.2 9.2±0.9 10.0±1.3 Table 12. Pultenaea densifolia - Number of seedlings (alive and dead) and resprouts (alive and dead), mean seedling and resprout density and mean seedling and resprout height.
Arthropodium sp. 1
Arthropodium sp. 1 was recorded in 15 quadrats. Cover/abundance ranged from “+” to “4” but the most vigorous regeneration was confined to one transect (Table 13). This species is an obligate resprouter and is unlikely to have been seriously affected by the fire.
Cover/abundance+1234 Arthropodium sp. 1 45501 Table 13. Arthropodium sp. 1 - Frequency of occurrence in cover/abundance classes.
24 Threats to post-fire recovery
Fire suppression
Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland had not been disturbed by any fire suppression activities (e.g. fire breaks, vehicular access etc.).
Weeds
Forty-three weed species have been recored at Marble Gully including 25 species seen during this study (Table 14). 14 of these were recorded both before and after the fire, 18 were recorded pre-fire only and 11 were recorded only in the post-fire survey. The most frequently recorded species were Marrubium vulgare and Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. Each of these species had cover/abundance of less than 1% in transects but were more prolific on lower slopes near watercourses and in disturbed areas, particularly where grazed by livestock in the past.
Scientific Name Common Name Anagallis arvensis # } Pimpernel Aphanes arvensis # Parsley Piert Arenaria serpyllifolia } Thyme-leaved Sandwort Bromus hordeaceus subsp. hordeaceus} Soft Brome Cardamine hirsuta # Common Bitter-cress Carduus tenuiflorus } Winged Thistle Carthamus lanatus } Saffron Thistle Catapodium rigidum # Fern Grass Centaurea melitensis # } Malta Thistle Centaurium erythraea # Common Centaury Centaurium tenuiflorum # Slender Centaury Cerastium glomeratum s.l. # Mouse-ear Chickweed Cirsium vulgare # } Spear Thistle Conyza albida # } Tall Fleabane Crepis sp. } Hawksbeard Daucus carota # Carrot Erodium cicutarium # Common Herons-bill
25 Galium murale # Small Goosegrass Scientific Name Common Name Gastridium phleoides } Nut-grass Hypochoeris radicata # } Cat's Ear Leontodon taraxacoides subsp. taraxacoides # Hairy Hawkbit Marrubium vulgare # } Horehound Minuartia mediterranea } Fine-leaved Sandwort Petrorhagia velutina # } Velvety Pink Polygonum arenastrum } Wireweed Polygonum aviculare } Prostrate Knotweed Rosa rubiginosa # } Sweet Briar Rostraria cristata # } Annual Cat's-tail Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. # } Blackberry Sherardia arvensis # Field Madder Silene nocturna # Mediterranean Catchfly Silybum marianum # } Variegated Thistle Sonchus asper } Rough Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus # } Common Sow-thistle Stellaria media # Chickweed Taraxacum officinale spp. agg. # } Garden Dandelion Tragopogon porrifolius } Salsify Trifolium dubium # Suckling Clover Trifolium glomeratum # Cluster Clover Verbascum thapsus subsp. thapsus # Great Mullein Verbascum virgatum # } Twiggy Mullein Veronica persica # Persian Speedwell Table 14. Introduced Species recorded at Marble Gully, # denotes those species recorded pre-fire; } denotes those species recorded post-fire.
Grazing
Since the 2003 fires which destroyed fences on adjacent private property, cattle have had access to the lower slopes of Marble Gully. However, the steep and unstable slopes prevent them from moving much beyond the area around the track and lower gullies and consequently they have had little impact on regenerating vegetation. However, cattle pose a potential longer-term threat to the site by acting as weed dispersal vectors. Soil disturbance from cattle trampling around creek lines is also likely to facilitate weed establishment.
26 Discussion
When comparing the data sets for Marble Gully, caution must be used as they have been collected using different methods and for different purposes. An accurate comparison would only be possible if the same methodology had been used at the same location within the community. Only general trends regarding the effect of the fire on species composition of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland can be described.
Secondly, it is important to note that some taxonomic changes since the pre-fire studies make the comparison of pre and post-fire species lists difficult, e.g. Convolvulus erubescens spp. agg. has been split into two species of which both were recorded at Marble Gully - Convolvulus angustissima subsp. angustissima and Convolvulus remotus (Johnson 2001). This problem was compounded in some cases where species could only be identified to genus level when sampling occurred too early or late in the season for species to be fertile.
Community post-fire status
This study has found that nearly half of the species recorded prior to the fire have regenerated. Importantly, it was noted that four species listed as character species in sub- communities “LPS 1.1” and “LPS 1.2” of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland (Peel 1993), were not recorded in the post-fire survey. Two of these taxa were minor weed species which are likely to re-establish back into the community at a later (Centaurium erythraea, Silene nocturna). The two native character species not recorded after the fire were the grass Austrodanthonia caespitosa and the herb Galium migrans.
Significant species
It was not previously known how the nationally Vulnerable Olearia astroloba or the other rare, endemic or disjunct species would respond to a major disturbance such as fire at Marble Gully (Action Statement 93, Peel 1993). This study has shown that most, and possibly all, rare or threatened and disjunct species have survived and regenerated after the 2003 bushfires. Only two of the 14 significant species recorded at Marble Gully prior to the fire, Desmodium varians and Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens were not recorded in this study. Desmodium varians was previously recorded exclusively on Hill 3 but was not seen at that site in January 2004. Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens, which grows in rocky crevices at Marble Gully, was also not sighted. Further surveys may re-locate D. varians which regenerates from soil stored seed. However, Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens is a fire-sensitive species that is potentially locally extinct.
27 Four rare or threatened species had re-established from both vegetative buds and seed. These species were Olearia astroloba, Ozothamnus adnatus, Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola and Pultenaea densifolia. Their ability to recover by a dual mechanism increases the chance of long-term survival of the taxa after repeated disturbance events such as fire, when compared with species that have only one method of recovery (Pausas et al. 2004). The rare species Arthropodium sp. 1, Vittadinia tenuissima and Senna aciphylla had regenerated vegetatively by resprouting, but these species are all capable of post-fire recruitment from seed. Arthropodium sp. 1 occurred throughout the community, whereas in this study, Vittadinia tenuissima and Senna aciphylla were recorded only once each. Peel (1993) recorded the largest populations of Vittadinia tenuissima from the lower slopes of Hill 3 which was not surveyed in this study. Senna aciphylla was recorded only on Hill 1 during this survey. Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma had regenerated exclusively from seed and may be described as an obligate seed regenerator. Pimelea seedlings were the most numerous and widespread throughout the community.
Fire response characteristics
Most of the shrubs and tall herbs were regenerating from seed. Some species had also produced shoots such as Correa reflexa, Teucrium corymbosum and Podolobium alpestre and four of the rare or threatened shrub species (Table 1). Most resprouting plants were taller than seedlings. Senna aciphylla and Vittadinia tenuissima had regenerated only from resprouts.
Regeneration from seed produces many more individuals than regeneration of individual plants from vegetative buds (resprouts). However, it is worth noting that those species with dual regeneration mechanisms did not produce as many seedlings as obligate seed regenerators in this study. This study has clearly shown that with only one post-fire recruitment strategy available, the obligate seed regenerator ensures success through sheer numbers.
Post-fire recovery monitoring
Pausas et al. (2004) observe that seedlings of resprouter species grow more slowly than seedlings of obligate seed species, because the resprouter seedlings allocate resources to storage tissues. This study found that seedlings of the woody resprouters (Olearia astroloba, Ozothamnus adnatus and Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola) were shorter than seedlings of the woody obligate seeder, Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma. Unfortunately, the number of individuals recorded was too low for statistical analysis. Juveniles of some shrub
28 species were affected by drought stress. Mortality was generally higher for seedlings than resprouts.
Yates et al. (2003) followed post-fire regeneration in Western Australia for 12 years and found that seedlings of resprouters grew more slowly than seedlings of non-resprouters, and resprouts grew faster than any seedling. Seedling heights recorded during this study were genearlly shorter for most species, suggesting that regeneration at Marble Gully may follow a similar pattern, with the exception of Pultenaea densifolia which had resprouts that were of similar height to the seedlings. The ratio of seedling height to resprout height was at least double for all the woody species measured except for Allocasuarina verticillata. Some resprouting individuals of Olearia astroloba had already produced flowers and seed within a year of the fire. No other rare or threatened species with the dual mechanism had produced flowers.
Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland is unique in that approximately half of the woody species in the community are rare or threatened shrubs. It is important to continue monitoring the recovery of Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland to ensure that juveniles continue to mature and to assess any potential threatening processes. Some species such as Banksia marginata, are now represented by very few plants.
Threats to post-fire recovery
Fire
Marble Gully would not support another wildfire in the short term, as there is insufficient fuel available. However, if burnt again before sufficient time has elapsed for the community to accumaulate sufficient regenerative stores, obligate seeders such as Pimelea flava subsp. dichotoma and Convolvulus augustissima subsp. angustissima are at risk of local extinction. These species do, in general, grow fast and mature rapidly but need time to accumulate seed banks capable of replenishing populations after adults are killed. The community appears to be recovering well from the 2003 fire but a fire management plan is urgently required before more specific fire management prescriptions can be developed. Prior to 2003, Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland had persisted for an extremely long period without fire. Further work is needed to determine minimum fire-free intervals.
29 Other impacts
It is highly probable that some of the introduced species which were recorded pre-fire, but not recorded since the fire, are still present at Marble Gully. It is likely that further survey work would locate them. Many of these species are ubiquitous in nearby areas of forest and pasture and are likely to be dispersed into the community by common vectors such as wind, birds and fauna.
The potential threats to post-fire recovery are the introduction and spread of weed species and grazing by livestock. The fire has created much more open space and it is possible that exotic species could invade, especially when drought conditions end. Of concern is the fact that the proclaimed noxious weed Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is already present at Marble Gully and that the seed is readily transported in fur by livestock, rabbits, foxes and native fauna (Action Statement 93, 1998). Horehound is known to inhibit the growth of plants growing in close proximity (Action Statement 93, 1998). Another potentially serious weed currently sparsely distributed in the community is Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus spp. agg.).
Impacts from cattle grazing are likely to be most severe on lower slopes, particularly near watercourses, where weed invasion is most likely to be exacerbated by soil disturbance. However, the site is steep, and movement of livestock upslope into the community is unlikely.
30 Recommendations
Monitoring
• Monitor transects annually in November-December
• Establish two additional permanent transect lines on Hill 3 using the same methodology described in this document
• Conduct additional surveys to establish the location of rare or threatened plant populations not located during this survey. Individuals should be permanently marked and assessed regularly
• Conduct additional surveys to locate species previously recorded and compile fire responses
• Assess the ongoing condition of the community..
Management
• Ensure permanent exclusion of cattle from Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland
• Control Horehound and Blackberry, particularly along Old Hut Creek Track and the lower slopes of Hills 1 and 2. If the weed infestations are increasing then the herbicide program may need to extend up the hills. Spraying with herbicide would be more appropriate that spraying, for the steep, rugged terrain. This method would also eliminate the risk of spray drift affecting indigenous species. Herbicide application must be carried out prior to seed production, to avoid the need for removing plants from the site. An alternative to herbicide treatment would be hand pulling which is effective for Horehound and young individuals of Blackberry. Timing for this method is also critical
• Control other weeds as necessary
• Survey Hill 3 to determine if weeds are present in the community and therefore a potential threat. If weeds are present, a weed control program should be implemented.
• Control rabbits if they start to affect species recovery or spread weed species.
31 Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the following people for their contributions to this project:
Additional data were collected by Neville Walsh (Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne), Bill Peel (East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority), Mick Bramwell (DSE Bairnsdale) and Adrian Moorrees (DSE East Melbourne). Glenn Digby and Peter Campbell (Forest Management, DSE Swifts Creek) assisted in the field. Shirley Diez and Dale Tonkinson (DSE Box Hill) proof read and edited the report.
The project was funded under the Victorian Bushfire Recovery Program (DSE and Parks Victoria).
32 References
Action Statement 93 (1998) Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland and Marble Daisy-bush Olearia astroloba, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.
Auld, T. D. and O’Connel, M. A. (1991) Predicting patterns of post-fire germination in 35 eastern Australian Fabaceae. Australian Journal of Ecology 16, 53-70.
Bond, W. J. & van Wilgen, B. W. (1996) Fire and Plants. Chapman and Hall, London, UK.
Carter, O. & Cheal, C. (2004) Recovery of Rare and Threatened Flora after the 2002 Wildfire, and Vital Attributes to Assist Ecological Fire Management in the Big Desert, Western Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute Technical Paper Series: No. 150, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.
Gill, A. M. (1981) Adaptive responses of Australian vascular plant species to fires. In: Fire and the Australian Biota (eds A. M. Gill, R. H. Groves and I. R. Noble). Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, pp. 243-72.
IUCN (2001) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Johnson, R. W. (2001) A taxonomic revision of Convolvulus L. (Convolvulaceae) in Australia, Austrobaileya, 6, 1-39.
Mueller-Dombois, D. and Ellenberg, H. (1974) Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Noble, I. R. & Slatyer, R. O. (1980) The use of vital attributes to predict successional changes in plant communities subject to recurrent disturbances, Vegetatio, 43, 5-21.
Pausas, J. G., Bradstock, R. A., Keith, D. A., Keeley, J. E., and the GCTE (Global Change of Terrestrial Ecosystems) Fire Network (2004) Plant Functional Traits in Relation to Fire in Crown-Fire Ecosystems, Ecology 85, 1085-1100.
Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment (2003) Statewide Public Land Ecological and Cultural Fire Recovery Plan. Parks Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
33 Peel, W. D. (1993) Limestone Pomaderris Shrublands: distribution and significance, Flora Section, DCNR, Victoria, (unpubl.)
Ross, J. H. & Walsh, N. G. (2003) A Census of the Vascular Plants of Victoria. 7th Edition. Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.
Yates, C. J., Hopper, S. D., Brown, A. and van Leeuwen, S. (2003) Impact of two wildfires on endemic granite outcrop vegetation in Western Austrlia. Journal of Vegetation Science 14, 185-194.
34 Appendix 1
Physical attributes of transect sites surveyed at Marble Gully, 2004.
Transect No. Lat /long Lat /long last Aspect Slope Altitude Date quadrats first quadrat quadrat
Transect 26 370 05' 14'' 370 05' 15'' 2700 (W) 250-300 653m 2/03/2004 1
1470 50' 37'' 1470 50' 40''
Transect 26 370 05' 12'' 370 05' 12'' 200 (N) 250-300 738m 3/03/2004 2
1470 50' 58'' 1470 50' 56''
Transect 22 370 05' 10'' 370 05' 11'' 3200 350 . 727m 3/03/2004 3 (NW)
1470 51' 04'' 1470 51' 04''
Transect 15 370 05' 09'' 370 05' 09'' 50 (N) 400 .727m21/04/200 4 4
1470 51' 20'' 1470 51' 21''
Transect 15 370 05' 09'' 370 05' 10'' 300 (NNE) 350-400 776m 21/04/200 5 4
1470 51' 23'' 1470 51' 22''
35 Appendix 2
Indigenous species recorded at Marble Gully pre and post-fire, 2004
Data from Peel (1993), Flora Information System and this study.
*= Introduced species.
Species threat status: V = nationally vulnerable, e= endangered in Victoria, v = vulnerable in Victoria, r = rare in Victoria, k = poorly known in Victoria.
Presence: pre-2003 fire = #, post-2003 fire = }
ND = No data collected.
See methods for a description of vital attribute codes.
Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
Acacia falciformis #
Acacia implexa #
Acacia mearnsii } SI R-P+
Acacia melanoxylon } SI R-P+
Acacia terminalis #
Acaena novae-zelandiae #
Acaena ovina # } ∑ TR+P-
Acrotriche serrulata #
Agrostis spp. agg. aff. } ∆? ND R+P+ hiemalis
Ajuga australis # } ST R-P+
Allocasuarina verticillata # } Γ TR+P+
Amyema miquelii #
*Anagallis arvensis # } CT R-P+
*Aphanes arvensis #
36 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
*Arenaria serpyllifolia } R-P+
Arthropodium milleflorum } VT R+P- s.s
Arthropodium sp. 1 (r) # } VT R+P-
Asperula conferta # } ST R-P+
Asplenium flabellifolium #
Astroloma humifusum #
Austrodanthonia # caespitosa
Austrodanthonia laevis } VT R+P-
Austrodanthonia # penicillata
Austrodanthonia pilosa #
Austrodanthonia racemosa } VT R+P- var. racemosa
Austrostipa blackii # } VT R+P+
Austrostipa scabra subsp. falcata
Austrostipa nodosa # } VT R+P-
Banksia marginata # } Γ TR+P+
Brachyloma daphnoides #
*Bromus hordeaceus } R-P+ subsp. hordeaceus
Bulbine bulbosa #
Bulbine glauca } UT R+P-
Bursaria spinosa subsp. # } VT R+P+ lasiophylla
Bursaria spinosa subsp. # } VT R+P- spinosa
Calonema filamentosa s.s. #
*Cardamine hirsuta s.l. #
37 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
*Carduus tenuiflorus } R-P+
*Carthamus lanatus } R-P+
Carex breviculmis # } ST R+P-
Carex inversa #
Cassinia aculeata } CT R-P+
Cassinia longifolia # } DT R-P+
Cassytha melantha #
*Catapodium rigidum #
* Centaurea melitensis # } DT R-P+
*Centaurium erythraea #
*Centaurium tenuiflorum #
*Cerastium glomeratum s.l. #
Chamaesyce drummondii # } ND ND R-P+
Cheilanthes # } VT R+P- austrotenuifolia
Cheilanthes distans #
Chenopodium rigidum } ND I? R-P+
Chrysocephalum # apiculatum
Chrysocephalum # semipapposum
*Cirsium vulgare # } R-P+
Clematis glycinoides var. # glycinoides
Clematis microphylla var. # } VT R+P+ leptophylla
Comesperma volubile #
Convolvulus angustissimus # } ST R-P+ subsp. angustissimus
38 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
Convolvulus erubescens # spp. agg.
*Conyza albida # } R-P+
Coprosma quadrifida # } VT R+P+
Correa reflexa # } Γ TR-P+
Craspedia spp. #
Crassula sieberiana subsp. # sieberiana
Crassula sieberiana subsp. # tetramera
*Crepis spp. } R-P+
Cymbonotus preissianus # } ND ND R-P+
Cymbopogon refractus # } ND ND R+P-
Cynoglossum australe #
Cynoglossum suaveolens #
*Daucus carota #
Daucus glochidiatus # } ?C T R-P+
Daviesia mimosoides s.l. #
Daviesia mimosoides s.s. #
Derwentia perfoliata #
Desmodium varians #
Deyeuxia spp. #
Dianella revoluta s.l. # } VT R+P-
Dichelachne crinita #
Dichelachne sciurea spp. # agg.
Dichelachne spp. # } VT R+P-
Dichondra repens # } VT R-P+
39 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
Dipodium punctatum #
Dodonaea viscosa subsp. # } Γ TR+P+ viscosa
Dodonaea viscosa subsp. # angustissima
Dodonaea viscosa subsp. # cuneata
Echinopogon ovatus } ND ND R-P+
Einadia hastata #D T
Einadia trigonos subsp. } R-P+ trigonos
Euchiton collinus s.s. #
Euchiton involucratus s.l. #
Elymus scaber var. scaber # } VT R+P-
Enneapogon nigricans } ND ND R+P-
*Erodium cicutarium #
Eucalyptus globulus subsp. # } Σ TR+P+ pseudoglobulus
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha #
Eucalyptus nortonii # } Σ TR+P+
Eucalyptus polyanthemos # subsp. vestita
Euchiton sphaericus } DT R-P+
Exocarpos cupressiformis # } Γ TR+P-
Exocarpos strictus # } Γ TR+P+
Galium compactum #
Galium gaudichaudii # } VT R-P+
Galium migrams #
*Galium murale #
Galium propinquum #
40 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
*Gastridium phleoides } R-P+
Geranium retrorsum s.l. #
Geranium solanderi s.l. # } VT R+P+
Glycine clandestina } ST R-P+
Glycine microphylla #
Gonocarpus tetragynus # } VT R+P+
Hardenbergia violacea #
Helichrysum spp. #
Hibbertia obtusifolia # } VT R+P+
Hydrocotyle hirta #
Hydrocotyle laxiflora # } VT R+P-
Hypericum gramineum #
*Hypochoeris radicata # } R-P+
Imperata cylindrica # } VT R+P-
Indigofera australis #
Irenepharsus magicus (Rr) } GI R-P+
Isoetopsis graminifolia #
Joycea pallida # } VT R+P-
Lagenophora stipitata #
*Leontodon taraxacoides subsp. taraxacoides
Lepidosperma laterale #
Leptostigma reptans #
Linum marginale #
Lomandra confertifolia # subsp. leptostachya
Lomandra filiformis # } VT R+P-
Lomandra longifolia # } VT R+P+
41 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
*Marrubium vulgare # } R-P+
Mentha diemenica } VT R+P+
Microlaena stipoides var. # } VT R+P- stipoides
Microseris sp. 2 #
*Minuartia mediterranea } R-P+
Notodanthonia longifolia # } VT R+P+
Olearia astroloba (Vv) # } VT R+P+
Olearia iodochroa #
Oxalis perennans # } VT R+P-
Ozothamnus adnatus (v) # } VT R+P+
Pandorea pandorana #
*Petrorhagia velutina # } TR-P+
Pimelea axiflora # } ND ND ND
Pimelea curviflora s.l. # } Σ? TR+P+
Pimelea flava subsp. flava # } S? T R-P+
Pimelea flava subsp. # } ST R-P+ dichotoma (r)
Pimelea glauca #
Plantago gaudichaudii #
Plantago hispida } VT R+P+
Plantago varia #
Platysace lanceolata #
Pleurosorus rutifolius s.l. #
Podolobium alpestre } Σ TR-P+
*Polygonum arenastrum } R-P+
*Polygonum aviculare } R-P+
Poa labillardieri #
42 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
Poa sieberiana # } VT R+P-
Poa sieberiana var. } VT R+P- cyanophylla
Poa sieberiana var. hirtella # } VT R+P-
Poa sieberiana var. # } VT R+P- sieberiana
Poa tenera #
Pomaderris oraria subsp. # } VT R+P+ calcicola (r)
Pteridium esculentum # } VT R+P+
Pterostylis spp. #
Ptilotus spathulatus # } VT R+P-
Pultenaea densifolia (r) # } GT R-P+
Ranunculus plebeius s.l. #
Rhytidosporum # procumbens
*Rosa rubiginosa # } R+P-
*Rostraria cristata # } R-P+
*Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. # } R+P-
Rumex brownii } VT R+P-
Schoenus apogon #
Scutellaria humilis # } VT R+P-
Sebaea ovata #
Senecio hispidulus var. # } WT R-P+ dissectus
Senecio hispidulus var. # } WT R-P+ hispidulus
Senecio quadridentatus # } DT R-P+
Senna aciphylla (r) # } ND ND ND
43 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
*Sherardia arvensis #
Sigesbeckia orientalis # } DT R-P+ subsp. orientalis
*Silene nocturna #
*Silybum marianum # }
Solanum opacum } DT R-P+
*Sonchus asper } R-P+
*Sonchus oleraceus # } TR-P+
Stackhousia monogyna # } VT R+P+
*Stellaria media #
Stellaria pungens # } VT R+P-
*Taraxacum officinale spp. # } R+P- agg.
Tetratheca bauerifolia } VT R-P+
Teucrium corymbosum # } GT R+S+?
Themeda triandra # } VT R+P+
Thysanotus patersonii #
Thysanotus tuberosus #
*Tragopogon porrifolius } R+P-
*Trifolium dubium #
*Trifolium glomeratum #
*Verbascum thapsus # subsp. thapsus
*Verbascum virgatum # } R-P+
*Veronica persica #
Vittadinia cuneata var. # } VT R+P- cuneata
Vittadinia muelleri # } VT R+P-
Vittadinia tenuissima (r) # } VT R+P-
44 Scientific Name Presence Vital Attributes Mode of regeneration # = pre -fire
} = post-fire
Persistence Conditions for Establishment
Wahlenbergia communis # } ND ND R+P+
Wahlenbergia gracilis s.l. #
Wahlenbergia multicaulis # } ND ND R+P+
Wahlenbergia stricta #
45 Cover / Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 0 2 20 0.08 0.08 0 7 na 2523 445 245 17.1 9.4 3.2 2.5 2 0 0.45 0.08 0.08 13.5 0.9 5.6 0.7 No. of quadrats seedlings Total - 26 - Total containing . calcicola subsp dichotoma var. sp. 1 0
46 Appendix 3 TRANSECT DATA Seedlings. A. Table 1 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium 1 1 + 1,1 2,1 2,1,1,1 Cover / Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 11 1 2 1 4 2 0 21 178 7.74 0 18.5 No. of quadrats seedlings Total - 26 - Total containing subsp.
47 lasiophylla Common species corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Bursaria spinosa Eucalyptus globulus Galium gaudichaudii vulgare *Marrubium alpestre Podolobium Senecio hispidulus 2 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba +'+ +,'+,'+ +,'+,'+ Cover / + x9, 1,1 + x9, Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 0 0 33 22 3 1610 18 38 0.7 1.5 0.15 0.6 013 0 22 111 7.7 0 12.8 0.9 1.4 34.77 No. of quadrats seedlings containing . calcicola subsp dichotoma subsp. var. sp. 1 2 0
48 lasiophylla Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Common species Senecio quadridentatus Minor Species Banksia marginata Bursaria spinosa Dichondra repens Euchiton sphaericus 1 +,'+ Cover / Abundance +,'+,'+,'+,'+, Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 2 12 1 3 0.050 0.12 na 0.1 0 0 10 9 na 1 1516 83 56 3.8 2.5 1.2 0.813 0 0 23 2.55 0 15.1 7.2 1.1 0.9 14.8 No. of quadrats seedlings Total - 22 - Total containing . calcicola subsp dichotoma var. sp. 1 11 0 sp. 6 49 Oxalis Senecio hispidulus 3 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Common species Allocasuarina verticillata +'+'+ Cover / 1,1,1,'+ Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 92 30 2 1.433 0.094 0 083 20 3 1.3 10.6 0.2 20 0.6 0.1 2 0 10 0.13 na 10.4 1.7 not meas 1514 325 62 21.7 4.1 5.6 0.9 6 17 1.81 21.5 0.4 1.1 0.24 12.9 0.9 1.1 7 0.6 No. of quadrats seedlings Total - 15 - Total containing . calcicola var. subsp dichotoma var.
50 Correa reflexa corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Banksia marginata Clematis microphylla leptophylla 4 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria + + x3 Cover / 1 x8, 2, '+ Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 7 13 0.871 05 38 2.5 1.1 15.4 1 2.6 0.07 na 14 1.6 13 76 5.112 0.9 27 7 1.8 8.4311 0.5 0.3 0 6.2 0.8 24 No. of quadrats seedlings Total - 15 - Total containing subsp. sp .1 0 sp. 1 51 Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Common species Allocasuarina verticillata corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Convolvulus angustissimus angustissimus Dichondra repens Oxalis 5 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba + +,'+ Cover / 1,1, '+'+'+ Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 6 129 0.7 0 0.3 30 1 29181.2 8.3 0.658 0.07 2 33 29 na 6.2522 1.93 14.8 0.131 0.9 na5 0 11 1.3 28.75 1514 210 107 14 7.1 2.4 2 36 20 14.63 15.75 1.3 0.9 17.5 12.8 1.2 1.3 No. of quadrats seedlings containing . calcicola subsp dichotoma subsp. var. sp. 1 2 0 C. breviculmis sp. = 52 lasiophylla Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Common species Allocasuarina verticillata corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Bursaria spinosa Carex Cassinia aculeata 1 + + x3 ++++ + x5,1 Cover / 1 x4, '+x3 2, 1 x2, '+ 1 x2, '+ x5 Abundance Error - ht. Ave. ht Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 m dead per % dead Ave No. dead Total No. 2 m Error per Standard 2 m Ave No. per per transect Total No. 4 1 6 6 1 7 No. of quadrats seedlings containing subsp. spp. 1 sp. 7 53 Convolvulus angustissimus angustissimus Dichelachne Dichondra repens Euchiton sphaericus Oxalis Senecio hispidulus Senecio quadridentatus Sigesbeckia orientalis Table B. Resprouts.
No. of Total No. Average Standard Total No. % dead per Average Standard Average ht. Standard Cover / quadrats per No. per m2 Error No. dead per transect No. dead Error dead Error - ht. Abundance containing transect per m2 transect per m2 per m2 species
TRANSECT 1 Total - 26
Rare or threatened species
Olearia astroloba 00
Ozothamnus adnatus 00
Pimelea flava var. dichotoma 00
Pomaderris oraria subsp. calcicola 11 22 0.9 0.3 0 27.9 4.1
Pultenaea densifolia 00
Arthropodium sp. 1 0 0
Common species
Teucrium corymbosum 8 11 0.48 0 26.4
Minor species
*Marrubium vulgare 1 1 Cover / Abundance Error - ht. Average ht. Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 per m Average No. dead transect % dead per transect dead per Total No. 2 per m Standard Error No. 2 Average No. per m per transect Total No. 00 00 00 1610 4 0 0.2 0.16 6 60 0.2 na 22 1 No. of species quadrats Total - 26 - Total Incidental Incidental containing . calcicola subsp dichotoma var. sp. 1 2 2 0.9 0.6 na +'+
55 TRANSECT 2 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Senna aciphylla Common species 1 + 1,1,1 heaps Cover / +,'+,'+,'+,'+ Abundance +,'+,'+,'+,'+,1 Error - ht. Average ht. Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 per m Average No. dead transect % dead per transect dead per Total No. 2 per m Standard Error No. 2 Average No. per m per transect Total No. 5 12 3 10 20 13 0 23 No. of species quadrats Total - 22 - Total containing hirtella spp. 1 var. sp. 6 56 Senecio quadridentatus Minor species Austrodanthonia Banksia marginata Oxalis Poa sieberiana Themeda triandra Vittadinia cuneata 3 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus + +'+ 1,1 1,1 1 00 92 6 1 0.3 0.04522 0 02 15.5 38 1516 0 61 2.8 0.7 0 15.9 0.7 13 10 0.7 0 15.6 . hiemalis subsp dichotoma subsp. spp. 2 var. sp. 1 11 na 6% 2.7 na heaps spp. agg. aff.
57 calcicola lasiophylla Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Common species Allocasuarina verticillata Correa reflexa corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Agrostis Austrodanthonia Bursaria spinosa Dianella revoluta 3 +,'+ +,'+ 1,1,1,1 Cover / Abundance Error - ht. Average ht. Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 per m Average No. dead transect % dead per transect dead per Total No. 2 per m Standard Error No. 2 Average No. per m per transect Total No. 2 4 1 830 6 0.4 0.273 0 28.7 2.73 1514 0 54 3.6 0.75 0 22.8 2.1 13 7 0.5 0.3 0 8.7 0.6 No. of species quadrats Total - 15 - Total containing . hirtella subsp spp. agg. 2 dichotoma var. var. sp. 1 0 0
58 calcicola Eucalyptus nortonii Lomandra longifolia Poa sieberiana *Rubus fruticosus 4 TRANSECT OR THREATENED RARE species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium + + + +'+ heaps Cover / Abundance Error - ht. Average ht. Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 per m Average No. dead transect % dead per transect dead per Total No. 2 per m Standard Error No. 2 Average No. per m per transect Total No. 7 3 0.21 1 0 36.3 12 11 0.7 0 50.1 No. of species quadrats Incidental Incidental containing spp. 2 spp. 10 sp. 1 59 Vittadinia tenuissima Common species Allocasuarina verticillata corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Austrodanthonia Austrostipa Coprosma quadrifida Dichondra repens Oxalis + +'+ Cover / Abundance Error - ht. Average ht. Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 per m Average No. dead transect % dead per transect dead per Total No. 2 per m Standard Error No. 2 Average No. per m per transect Total No. 1 50 60 90 9 9 0.6 0 32.2 1514 0 26 1.7 0.45 0 33.5 3.1 No. of species quadrats Total - 15 - Total containing . subsp dichotoma var. sp. 1 2 2
60 calcicola Themeda triandra 5 TRANSECT Rare or threatened species Olearia astroloba Ozothamnus adnatus Pimelea flava Pomaderris oraria Pultenaea densifolia Arthropodium Common species Allocasuarina verticillata +'+ heaps Cover / 1, '+, '+ '+, 1, 1 x3,'+ x5 Abundance Error - ht. Average ht. Standard 2 per m Standard Error dead 2 per m Average No. dead transect % dead per transect dead per Total No. 2 per m Standard Error No. 2 Average No. per m per transect Total No. 8 5 0.33 08 3 45.5 No. of species quadrats containing spp. 5 spp. 12
61 Teucrium corymbosum Teucrium Minor Species Austrodanthonia Austrostipa Themeda triandra Vittadinia cuneata 62