The RunningPostman Newsletter of the Private Land Conservation Program
December 2010 Building partnerships with landowners for the sustainable management Issue 9 and conservation of natural values across the landscape. ISSN 1835-6141
Department of The Running Postman • December 2010 Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 1 Manager’s Message
The place of the Tasmanian private 28,000 ha of land formerly owned looking after their native bush, in reserve system in the global by the largest landowner, and that entering conservation covenants context has been brought home this land will eventually add to the and in supporting conservation repeatedly in the last month. 75,000 ha of private land that is initiatives through donations make a already protected by conservation real contribution. A month in which tangible covenants in Tasmania. international agreement was But if these local actions are reached (in Nagoya) to slow the And a month in which separate mirrored at the global level, decline and improve the protection recent discoveries in covenanted their impact may be amplified of the planet’s biodiversity through areas of two plant species dramatically. ambitious new reservation targets previously unknown to Tasmania Japan’s recently announced $2billion for both terrestrial and marine were noted by naturalists around biodiversity conservation fund ecosystems. Targets of 17% of the state. associated with those reservation land area and 10% of seas under All excellent news that makes the targets gives cause for hope that reservation by 2020, to be specific. connection between the local and something big is happening. Fingers A month in which it was the global very clear. crossed that the other major announced that the Tasmanian players get on board. We must protect habitats to slow Land Conservancy has become the decline of biodiversity. The John Harkin the second largest landowner in actions of ordinary people in Tasmania through the purchase of
In this Issue
Manager’s Message 2
Driest continent on Earth a bit wet behind the ears 3
Out of the furnace – monitoring bush at “Fairfield” after fire 4
Some fires are better than others 5
Rubicon Sanctuary – turning up the heat on orchid conservation 6
Flicker fest – filming fire at Rubicon Sanctuary . . . 7
Implications of the 2009 Victorian bushfires for Tasmania 8
Home among the gum trees 9
Are those brown patches of bush the effect of burning or is something else happening in the bush? 10
Fire, smoke and seeds 11
Selling Property? 12
The Running Postman is printed on Monza Satin On the cover: The beginnings of recovery after fire on the hill at Kellevie. recycled paper, derived from sustainable forests, elemental Photo by Owen Smith. chlorine free pulp and certified environmental systems. Design and layout: ILS Design Unit, DPIPWE.
2 The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman Driest continent on Earth a bit wet behind the ears
Once upon a time I thought it was We can of course We must also be pretty cool to be labelled “The driest continent on Earth”. It sort expect that such ready to adapt to new of had this wild and inhospitable conditions will have a conditions. element that appealed to me. That concept is now lost in a more pronounced impact on The PLCP reviews reserve Nature gripping reality. A 2009 report reserve management Conservation Plans at least every commissioned by The Climate five to ten years to ensure that the Institute and jointly authored by and vegetation conditions on ground correspond the CRC for Bushfires, CSIRO and management in with management needs, and the Bureau of Meteorology raised we perform regular Vegetation some frightening scenarios in its general. Condition Assessments that factor examination of climate change in elements of fire management. impacts on the intensity of bushfires Changes in the range and But with the changing climate, the in south east Australia. distribution of vegetation as well as the structure and composition will look, feel and composition of our For example, in releasing this potentially alter the actual types of future forests and woodlands are report, Climate Change Institute communities we have within our still quite unknown. Here on the CEO John Connor warned us reserve boundaries. driest continent we still have much that with a 3 degrees increase, by to learn. 2050 catastrophic fire conditions We are learning that mitigating fire which haven’t been experienced in in forested lands is a complex and risky undertaking. Bendigo might occur there every Stu King 8 years. Mildura, which experiences these conditions once every 8 years now, could get them every year.
Clockwise from top left - photos by Louise Osborne, The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman 3 Dean Vincent, Louise Gilfedder, Dean Vincent. Out of the furnace – monitoring bush at “Fairfield” after fire
On a blistering January afternoon Louise has continued to monitor With this information, we have been in 2009, a young farm dog still in the sites, taking photographs in able to see significant changes in training, herded 750 rams worth different seasons thereby capturing the bush. This includes identification $100 000, to safety in a small corral some interesting and beautiful of species that can rapidly take under the Midlands Highway, as changes. advantage of a fire event, and flames the height of trees whipped changes in species composition and The Epping Forest fire occurred across the drought stricken paddock. vegetation structure. The photos in a period of long drought, Two weeks before the Victorian have also revealed some of the seeds which meant the recovery of the bushfires, a fierce fire fuelled by and tubers that have been lying bush was initially slow. However, 150 km winds, swept across dormant, waiting for the opportunity welcome rains over the winter of properties in the northern Midlands to emerge. These include threatened 2009, brought a burst of life to the area of Epping Forest. Local farmers species, whose populations can bush, including a mass of purple and volunteers fought to protect expand greatly after disturbance, as flowers - threatened chocolate lilies property, stock and crops. was seen with the chocolate lily. (Arthropodium strictum), so named for One of the properties heavily their chocolate smell. So, while at first glance all is stark impacted by the fire was “Fairfield”, and devastated, the bush is resilient a 2,800 ha farm enterprise, owned A range of other and adapted to burning, and the by Philip and Louise Osborne. beautiful native plants reserves on Fairfield continue to be Fairfield also has some 300 ha under highly valuable. conservation covenant, protecting also appeared, taking By taking a few photos, you too can some of the last remaining advantage of the observe the changes that are taking large stands of threatened black place in your patch of bush (with peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina) ground space created or without major disturbance), and forest in the region. The Osbornes gain a better understanding of its value the bush on their property, by the fire, ecology and complexity. and often enjoy an evening walk. including the red-flowered running And from the Osbornes a few fire While the fire significantly damaged postman (Kennedia prostrata), the tips for those of you in the farming their farming enterprise, the namesake of our newsletter. landscape: local volunteers and local Osbornes also know that fire plays Even in the absence of rain, Louise’s knowledge are absolutely critical; an important ecological role. They photos show that small shoots of insure your fences (with annual saw the event as an opportunity to green and red soon started to break assessments); controlled grazing in study the post-fire recovery of their through the rough scorched bark winter months can help reduce fuel bush. At their instigation, the PLCP of the black peppermints. While loads; and always have a good farm monitoring and stewardship crew providing some great shots, these dog by your side. set up photo-points to monitor the photos have also created a valuable response to the event. Louise Mendel record of post-fire recovery. Photos (L to R): Trees burnt in the 2009 fire at “Fairfield”. Mass of chocolate lilies following fire and rain at “Fairfield”. Photos by Louise Osborne. 4 The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman Some fires are better than others
Previous editions of The Running The researchers’ initial It may be that the heat from the Postman (and plenty of other burning coarse debris is providing publications) have mentioned the observations were better conditions for germination, decline of forests and woodlands that under natural with the logs then acting as through parts of Tasmania, and have protection from unfavourable highlighted the fact that in many of conditions, eucalypt conditions once the seed these areas, poor germination rates seedlings had higher germinates. of eucalypts is part of the problem. The fire may also be affecting the This is particularly so in the longer rates of survival when surrounding soil’s water holding term, as trees die but are not being they were in ash beds, capacity by breaking down water replaced at the same rate. and when they were repellence, making the surface The Forestry CRC layers hydrophilic and thereby close to large woody making it more suitable for seedling and UTAS have germination. debris (logs etc). been researching the Charcoal, ash and litter contribute Although it has not yet been mulch, and any remaining woody relationship between concluded, preliminary results debris provides shelter and a fires and eucalypt of field trials suggest that under soil moisture reservoir for the experimental treatments that establishing seedling. regeneration in a involved burning large logs, The work is the subject of a PhD number of field trials germination and survival rates of by Tanya Bailey who is examining eucalypts are higher than would be in the Midlands of a collection of related issues and expected with standard burning further, more detailed results will be Tasmania over the past techniques that did not involve big available in 2011. logs, and also higher than other few years. disturbance methods. We are hopeful that these will provide us with some useful advice The work may provide some that can assist land managers to solutions to the problem of low implement ecological burning in the regeneration that is common most effective way possible. in the Midlands, including some land protected by conservation John Harkin covenants.
Photos (L to R): Coarse woody debris in dry forest. Tanya Bailey at one of her study sites. The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman 5 Tanya Bailey at work. Photos by Neil Davidson. Rubicon Sanctuary – turning up the heat on orchid conservation
It’s pretty unusual (but not unheard Of the 45-50 orchid species listed year have completely different of) for a private conservation for the property, Phil and Robin effects, owing to plant life cycles and reserve to be owned by a published have seen about 40 species and as seasonal conditions that affect fire botanist of some renown. Phil some orchids are tricky to identify behaviour. Thus there is only a fairly Collier (author of many titles in there remains some uncertainty narrow window of opportunity the Tasmanian Identikit series and as to how many species there each year for burning safely in an most recently of Common Orchids actually are. In time, Phil’s persistent area such as this, particularly as the of Tasmania (2010)) and Robin sleuthing will no doubt resolve the neighbours are not too far away.... Garnett own and manage a small various identities of these cryptic With all this in mind, Phil and Robin reserve named ‘Rubicon Sanctuary’ individuals. have gained the support of the near Port Sorell in the north of local fire brigade and some expert Tasmania. It really is a perfect A central part of Robin advice, and about three years ago match, as the 20 ha block has some and Phil’s stewardship commenced a burn cycle that aims 45–50 known orchid species, giving to recreate ideal fire conditions for its new owners plenty to keep of the reserve is fire optimal ecological outcomes. themselves entertained in their new management, as this careers. “We aim to burn is their key tool to The reserve consists of open patches of vegetation black-peppermint and black gum maintain the diversity woodland with several treeless each year so that we of species on the basins that become shallow maintain mixed age wetlands in early spring. Apart from property. the orchids, there is a multitude classes of plants and of other unusual and threatened Too frequent fires can have a sustain a wide range of plant species scattered about the detrimental effect on eucalypt place. One of these is the wrinkled trees, while a lack of fire can have different plant species, dollybush, Cassinia rugata, that Phil a negative effect on the orchids, recently discovered on the property especially in the wetland habitats particularly threatened in healthy numbers (first time as they become crowded out species”, said Robin. recorded in Tasmania) and which is by vigorous grasses and sedges. threatened nationally, with very few Adding to this is the complication Following extensive preparation, plants remaining on the mainland. that fires at different times of the the local fireys burnt about 2 ha of
6 The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman As the film demonstrates, even with the best of advice and a lot of hard work, ecological burning is a really complex area. White-bellied sea eagle – a majestic bird
the wetlands in April 2007. After Flicker fest their practical experience with similarly exhaustive preparation, the controlled burns on their property. following year’s planned burn nearly – filming fire The film features interviews with didn’t go ahead, owing to unsuitable Dr Jon Marsden-Smedley (UTAS) weather on two Saturdays in April. at Rubicon and Mark Chladil (Tasmania On the third they got lucky and Sanctuary... Fire Service), who give practical managed a healthy conflagration that and straightforward guidance to stayed within the containment area. Owing to the proliferation of fire those thinking about using fire for dependent orchids at Rubicon ecological purposes on their land. As can be imagined, this all involved Sanctuary, the management plan a lot of thinking, planning and hard As the film demonstrates, even with states that fire should be the main work – and worrying that it might the best of advice and a lot of hard tool used to protect and maintain not be the best thing to do. But work, ecological burning is a really biological diversity. Of course, seven months after the big day, complex area. So anyone planning this is more easily said than done, Robin and Phil were rewarded with fires needs to be clear about what particularly in a relatively small the sight of emerging orchids, like they are trying to achieve, and 20 ha area, and already Robin a phoenix from the flames (well needs to seek expert opinion well and Phil have been confronted perhaps not quite but you get the in advance of the fire season. with some of the difficulties of idea). In the spring after the 2009 environmental management using Phil and Robin received funding fire, the marsh leek orchid also fire. for the film from the Threatened emerged; the first time it had been Species Network through the seen in ten years. It requires knowledge organisation Threatened Plants Phil and Robin are tracking the Tasmania, and are producing DVD breeding success of over 500 and a fine balancing copies for free distribution to orchid plants in relation to their act to have an even anyone interested in the subject. fire regimes, which in-part will Email [email protected] inform decisions about future fire chance of getting it if you would like a copy. frequency. Their burning enthusiasm right. for the Rubicon Sanctuary is palpable, and together with their Recognising that there is not much John Harkin tireless research efforts will leave a easily accessible advice available on mark on the Tasmanian landscape the subject, Phil and Robin have for generations. created a short film that captures
Photos: Patch burn in “Rubicon Sanctuary”. The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman 7 Photos by Phil Collier. ImplicationsCreating bandicoot of the habitat – conser2009 vation Victorian in bushfires for Tasmania captivity
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal The Victorian report’s sixty seven planning controls to the Planning Commission has handed down its recommendations cover a range of Commission in the near future. final four-volume report following areas. Most relevant for the PLCP Probably the most immediately an 18-month inquiry into the causes are those concerning land and fuel relevant message from Victoria has and circumstances of the fires management, planning and building. been the need for landowners to that devastated parts of Victoria in In Victoria it is recommended that be well prepared in advance of the February 2009, killing 173 people. the State funds and commits to fire season and to have fire plans There are implications for Tasmania implementing a long-term program that include the vital decision on as we are a very bushfire-prone of prescribed burning based on when to stay or whether to leave. state, and in recent years have an annual rolling target of 5% Fire agencies will now be placing experienced unprecedented minimum of public land (translated an increased emphasis on advising weather conditions. to Tasmania this would mean about people to leave early as the 25,000 ha of public forested land). Management for bushfires and safest option. In Victoria it was their impact on natural values and There will probably be increased confirmed that in extreme events protected areas is an increasingly demands for fuel reduction burning. breakdown in communications is complex issue. The projected If this is to occur, there is a need almost inevitable. increased frequency of adverse to ensure that the areas are Landowners, both urban and rural, fire events under predicted climate strategically selected and there is are urged to think seriously and change scenarios for Tasmania is minimal environmental impact, whilst plan for the fire season ahead a key risk with implications for acknowledging the protection of life to protect themselves and their protection of life and property. and property is foremost. Increased valuable natural assets. burning may actually provide Improved risk modelling, planning and ecological benefit in some areas, as You need to understand the risks mitigation is a priority for vegetation long as it is at the right frequency. and make good plans that include conservation. There are some preventative measures and the apparent changes in the past 20 years In Victoria it has been management of a fire event if in both weather and fire activity that recommended that bushfire risk is necessary. Landowners need to may be indicative of longer term considered at the planning stage accept the reality that there may trends. For example, Hobart weather for new urban developments, and not be a big red fire truck at the data indicate that the number of days there should be restrictions on new bottom of their drive when needed. in spring with Forest Fire Danger developments and subdivisions in Self sufficiency and good planning Index values of >40 has increased those areas of highest risk. The are fundamental. 400% in the decade to 2006 Tasmanian government will be compared to 1987-1996. putting a proposal for stronger Louise Gilfedder
Photos: 2007 fire on King Island. Photos by Louise Gilfedder. 8 The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman Home among the gum trees
All Conservation Covenants and Living in the bush is a – see their website their Nature Conservation Plans (www.fire.tas.gov.au). If your plan allow for clearance of vegetation lifestyle choice, one that is to stay and fight the fire you need around houses, outbuildings and many people who own to make sure you have prepared the along roadways for fire safety. The a private reserve have area around your house and have PLCP strongly encourages owners planned to fight the fire. Local radio of private reserves or Land for adopted. and the Tasmania Fire Service website Wildlife properties to ensure that will also advise whether certain local I personally live on the edge of vegetation around houses and areas should be evacuated, well Wellington Park, in tall stringy-bark other infrastructure is maintained ahead of the fire front. I know I will forest. While I do keep the fire in a safe manner, by slashing, hazard be listening in for these warnings. hazard down around my house, reduction burning, or by removal, I have decided not to stay and The PLCP cannot give you advice in line with Tasmanian Fire Service defend for several reasons. We about fighting fires but we will work recommendations. have heard the messages from the with you to make sure that you It’s about this time of year when Tasmania Fire Service – which really have adopted the hazard reduction people naturally consider how are sobering after the Victorian fires. provisions within the terms and their house may be defended conditions of your covenant. By over the coming bushfire months. The Tasmania Fire working with both the monitoring Unfortunately, the time for hazard Service have some and stewardship team and the reduction burns is probably past Tasmania Fire Service we can now, as fires at this time of year great information help you to make sure you are as may get away despite the best about the ‘stay and prepared and as safe as possible. planning and management. If a For further information: in the hazard reduction burn is on your fight, or leave early south phone Lyn Pullen on mind then you will most likely need approaches,’ and how 6233 3117; and in the north phone to speak with our monitoring and to prepare for and fight Stu King on 6336 5427. stewardship team. fires Dean Vincent
Photos: Before and after landscaping around house to The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman 9 reduce the fuel load. Photos by Dean Vincent. Are those brown patches of bush the effect of burning or is something else happening in the bush?
Over recent months a significant plants. The caterpillars differ in Fortunately the trees browning off or discoloration of colour, pattern and size but they large areas of eucalyptus trees all have the characteristic slug- are expected to make in areas near Hobart has been like appearance with clusters of a full recovery. observed and reported. Iona spines on their bodies. The spines Mitchell and I recently undertook can inflict a sharp and painful Insects can play minor or major a broad scale survey of these sting, rather like a nettle and the roles in making vegetation change forested areas to find out what caterpillars are often known as in the forests. The Hobart area has been causing the damage or ‘stingers’. The stings may cause gets regular severe defoliation discolouration to the eucalyptus local inflammation if they touch every few years caused by the trees; from a distance they appear bare skin. geometrid moth Paralaea beggaria. to have been burnt by fire. Disease At Government Hills up to 800 ha Large numbers of adult cup moths was excluded as playing any part in are totally defoliated each decade were found in light traps in April/ the damage. demonstrating their great capacity May last year by Dr Geoff Allen for nutrient cycling. This dramatic browning has caused (UTAS) and Dr Cathy Young quite a flurry of activity from a (TMAG), whilst undertaking range of people interested in activities with students. Dr Allen finding out what has been causing also reported that all caterpillars Lyn Pullen the leaf damage. Staff from collected at that time died from Those interested in finding out more DPIPWE, UTAS, Forestry Tasmania, pathogens. Elliott and de Little about this interesting insect can find Tasmania Museum & Art Gallery (1984) states that cup moth additional information in the following (TMAG), Kingborough Council are very prone to disease and texts and website: plus local naturalist groups have all outbreaks are usually controlled this Insect Pests of Trees and Timber in contributed to the discussion and way. Tasmania – H J Elliott and D W de information gathering. This year, the level of damage is Little, Forestry Commission, Tasmania, We now know that the caterpillar unusually high and is the result of 1984 of the commonly occurring an unusually large population of Australian Trees – their care & repair, P painted cup moth Doratifera sp. caterpillars. Such are their numbers Hadlington and J Johnston, 2nd edition (identification to be confirmed that caterpillars have moved from 1996 by TMAG) is responsible for the E. pulchella (preferred host plant) damage to the foliage. onto adjacent E. obliqua and www.ten.org.au (Taroona Environment E. viminalis trees. Similar smaller Network) Cup moths belong to a small events have occurred from time group of moths that have unusual to time in the past. The large slug-like caterpillars which are population of caterpillars this often beautifully marked and year may be due to depressed coloured. They derive their name populations of their usual enemies from the cup shaped cocoons due to climatic factors, such as made by the caterpillars when they drought. pupate. There are several different species of cup moth which feed on eucalypts and other native
Photo by Catherine Young, TMAG. 10 The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman Fire, smoke and seeds
Bushfires can create a barren traditional word for smoke ‘karrik’ best applied when germination is landscape of ash covered soils, in the language of the Aboriginal most likely to occur in nature, so blackened remains of trees and tall Noongar people, endemic to autumn to early winter is a good shrubs and large limbs or trunks on Western Australia. Confirmation time. Follow up rain or watering, the ground. The effect of this on of this compound was made will release the chemical from the many landowners can be one of from comparison of the synthetic soil or ash and trigger germination. great despondency that their bush form of the chemical and plant- However, excessive water can leach will never recover. derived ‘smoke water’. It was also the active ingredient (which is water demonstrated that this compound soluble) before it has the chance to But the resilience of native plants is very potent (and more effective) break seed dormancy. to germinate from dormant seeds at extremely low concentrations in the ground creates new life after Commercial products are (<1 part per billion (ppb) – the fire has passed. Indeed, fire available through suppliers such now that is an extremely low can invigorate the landscape with as Nindethana Seeds (visit www. concentration!). flushes of plant species not seen nindethana.net.au/Growing-Tips/ for some time, such as orchids or Smoke treatment for germination Treatments.aspx). chocolate lilies. has permitted the germination So if you are into native plant of species previously found to be The benefit of fire in promoting propagation, you might want to extremely difficult to germinate, germination is often thought to be set yourself a new challenge and achieved more uniform and earlier caused by the heat and ash from incorporate smoke treatment into germination, and often produces a fire, but research has shown that your secret weaponry for those more robust seedlings. The this is not the case; it is the smoke tricky-to-raise species. Let us know use of smoke treatment is now from fire which promotes the if you have any luck with this (or widely used in nurseries, bushland germination of many native plants. other) special techniques and we’ll restoration/revegetation, and there What is more, further detailed make sure we share the knowledge. is also potential within domestic research using spectroscopic gardens and agricultural industries. analysis has actually identified the It has been found to promote the component of plant derived smoke Iona Mitchell germination of weeds – so may which breaks seed dormancy and have application to treat soil to promotes germination. sprout weeds and then kill them It is a chemical compound known before sowing crops. This has as the butenolide 3-methyl-2H- great potential as it can promote a furo [2,3-c]pyran-2-one, referred significant percentage of weed seeds to thereafter in the scientific to germinate at the same time. papers on the topic as butenolide Smoke treatment (smoke, smoke 1 (much easier to write!), also water, or commercial starter kits known as karrikinolide. The word which contain karrikinolide) is karrikinolide is derived from the
The Running Postman • December 2010 December 2010 • The Running Postman 11 Photo by Dean Vincent. Selling Property?
If you have a conservation covenant over your property and are thinking of selling, you should keep in mind that anyone involved in the sale process (e.g. agents, lawyers) need to be informed of the covenant and its implications.
Prospective buyers and new owners The Running Postman must also be informed of the covenant on the property title so that they can factor this into their decisions.
The Running Postman is the we are committed to building a A covenant may appeal to particular newsletter of the Tasmanian world-class reserve system on purchasers and should be promoted Government’s Private Land private land, providing excellent as a valuable aspect of the property. Conservation Program (PLCP). support and assistance, and to The PLCP Stewardship Officers are working in partnership with other happy to talk to prospective buyers Published thrice yearly, The Running organisations that support the great regarding the natural values and how Postman is circulated to all those work of these landowners. to manage them in accordance with landowners with conservation your agreement. covenants, Land for Wildlife More information regarding the properties and other formal PLCP (and an electronic version of We often find that buyers of Land conservation agreements, as well The Running Postman) is on the for Wildlife (LFW) properties are as a growing number of interested Department of Primary Industries, keen to enter the program so that groups and individuals around Parks, Water and Environment they can get involved in more active Australia. website: conservation management. www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/plcp With over 1,200 active participants We therefore also ask LFW owners in our programs who are who are selling to notify us so that managing some of Tasmania’s Photo: The Running Postman (Kennedia we can make contact with the new most valuable conservation assets, prostrata). Photo by Dr Greg Jordan, UTAS. owners and see if they would like to keep the property in the program.
PLCP Contacts Private Land Conservation Program participants as at November 1 2010 Stewardship North: Stu King 6336 5427 Number of covenants 600 South: Lyn Pullen 6233 3117 - hectares 75,634 General Land for Wildlife members 762 Annika Everaardt 6233 3654 - hectares 53,930 Gardens for Wildlife members 360 Land For Wildlife - hectares 1,240 Iona Mitchell 6233 6427 Please note that some landowners are registered with more than one program and there is some overlap in the figures presented. 10488BL
Resource Management and Conservation Private Land Conservation Program 134 Macquarie Street Hobart GPO Box 44 Hobart TAS 7001 www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/plcp