Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion Draft Strategy
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SAVING OUR SPECIES Help save Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion Saving our Species aims to secure as many threatened species and ecological communities as possible. This conservation strategy aims to secure the ecological community in the long term. The strategy was developed by experts who identified the priority management sites and conservation actions required to manage critical threats to conserve the ecological community. Six priority management sites were identified in NSW (ordered north to south and including local government area (LGA)). They are: Hornsby Diatreme in Hornsby LGA Conservation status Burns Rd Sites in Ku-Ring-Gai LGA in NSW: Dalrymple / Browns Forest in Ku-Ring-Gai LGA Critically Endangered Sheldon Forest and Warrawee Public School in Ku-Ring-Gai Ecological Community LGA Cumberland State Forest and Reserve in Hornsby, The Hills Commonwealth Shire LGA status: Paramatta / Ryde Council Reserves in City Of Parramatta, Critically Endangered Ryde LGA Saving our Species More information about each site is provided on the following pages. management stream: Saving our Species is based on a cost-effective approach that Ecological community (range- maximises the number of threatened species and ecological restricted) communities conserved through on-ground management action. If you want to contact us please email Community profile: [email protected] http://www.environment.nsw.g ov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/p Map of Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin rofile.aspx?id=10094 Bioregion occurrence and priority management Saving our Species delivers site(s) on the NSW Government's legislative requirements under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Photo: Jessica Leck *Distribution is mapped as sub- regions where the ecological community is known to occur (BioNet). Distribution(*) Priority management site Site 1: Hornsby Diatreme Total site area (ha): Hornsby Diatreme- Westleigh, Berowra Creek and Waitara Creek 129.14 drainage, West Hornsby Treatment plant and quarry surrounds. Management site map Local government area: Hornsby National Parks and Wildlife Service reserve: Berowra Valley National Park Occurs on private land: No Priority management site Management activities to protect Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion at the site Threat Objective Action Mixed Weeds ± Reduce and maintain Provide residents within and including (but not weed densities at low surrounding the TEC with limited to) tree levels information on what native species species (such as to plant, how to appropriately Monitoring actions privet and ochna), control weeds and the issues shrubs (such as surrounding green waste dumping. Lantana), vines (such Regular monitoring of the as blackberry, corky ecological community's extent passionfruit and bridal and condition on the site will be creeper) as well conducted to determine trends herbaceous species (such as asparagus, through time. crofton weed and panic veldtgrass). The extent and severity of Mixed Weeds ± Reduce and maintain Monitor for weed presence and threats will also be monitored to including (but not weed densities at low measure densities of each weed assess the effectiveness or limited to) tree levels type in designated plot over time. management actions. species (such as Method must be repeatable, privet and ochna), monthly or bi-monthly for the first shrubs (such as few years than quarterly from year Management actions will be Lantana), vines (such 2 or 3. If weed densities are down adapted, added or removed over as blackberry, corky to less than 10% at the end of year time in response to monitoring passionfruit and bridal 1, than quarterly visits can be results, based on maximising creeper) as well started in year 2 if not continue herbaceous species initial monitoring procedure. After their effectiveness. (such as asparagus, ecological burns are conducted, crofton weed and follow up weed monitoring surveys Monitoring, Evaluation and panic veldtgrass). should be undertaken bi-monthly Reporting Guidelines for and then quarterly. Conservation Projects. Inappropriate fire Maintain appropriate Liaise with the Rural Fire Service management regime fire regime for the and other land managers about (lack of fire ±related species/community minimising clearing in the TEC by to the ±small, isolated using existing tracks/fire trials as nature of bushland fire breaks or preventing clearing areas) which have for additional fire breaks. altered the appropriate floristic and structural diversity. Threat Objective Action Inappropriate fire Maintain appropriate Plan ecological burns based on management regime fire regime for the outcomes of fire-based research (lack of fire ±related species/community action for TEC community forms. If to the ±small, isolated wildfires occur, plan consecutive nature of bushland fires based on regime areas) which have requirements and date of wildfire. altered the Relay information from research appropriate floristic outcomes to the Rural Fire and structural Service, National Parks and other diversity. land managers and update all fire management documentation relating to the TEC. Clearing and loss of Minimise impacts of Consult with landholders about vegetation (canopy, development participating in conservation mid and ground agreements (preferably long-term cover) for in perpetuity) to protect the TEC. development and Engage with land holders through bushfire protection pamphlet drops, information nights and individual contact. Human disturbance Minimise impacts of Engage with the mountain biking including dumping recreational activities community to reduce disturbance waste and and encourage involvement in inappropriate bush regeneration and recreation activities rehabilitation of disturbed areas. e.g.Walkers not keeping to formal tracks, horses, trail bikes and other vehicles. Human disturbance Minimise impacts of Close illegal tracks using natural including dumping recreational activities barriers such as logs, plantings, waste and rocks etc. inappropriate recreation activities e.g.Walkers not keeping to formal tracks, horses, trail bikes and other vehicles. Pathogens and the Minimise spread of Develop brochures for land spread or pathogens disease within the site managers/asset (utility) owners such as myrtle rust, that promote hygiene protocols exotic rust, and (e.g. pythophora) for bush Phytophthora. regeneration and land and asset owners. Make sure asset owners are following most-up to date hygiene protocols. Upstream land use Minimise impacts of Liaise with developers to minimise impacts from the commercial activities impacts relating to stormwater quarry infill project at flows, erosion, foreign soils, Hornsby which may nutrient/ pollution runoff and other impact the local soil upstream impacts that may result (foreign materials), from the quarry development weed invasion and positioned above the Blue Gum water quality issues High Forest diatreme remnant. and more. Encourage appropriate reforming/ restoration of land areas above the proposed site with local indigenous species associated with the landscape position, geology and soils. Inappropriate fire Maintain appropriate Conduct research into appropriate management regime fire regime for the fire regimes to account for (lack of fire ±related species/community variability in Blue Gum High Forest to the ±small, isolated community forms (dry, diatreme, nature of bushland sandstone-gully, typical forms). To areas) which have identify fire regimes, ecological altered the burning should be done at differing appropriate floristic intensities and multiple sites. A and structural combination of species diversity, diversity. condition, recruitment post fire should be used as indicators of condition response to differing fire regimes. Pre and post fire weeding and fencing is critical. Site 2: Burns Rd Sites Total site area (ha): Clive Evatt Reserve and Wahroonga Public school and surrounds 22.34 Management site map Local government area: Ku-Ring-Gai National Parks and Wildlife Service reserve: N/A Occurs on private land: Priority management site No Management activities to protect Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion at the site Threat Objective Action Mixed Weeds ± Reduce and maintain Provide residents within and including (but not weed densities at low surrounding the TEC with limited to) tree levels information on what native species species (such as to plant, how to appropriately privet and ochna), control weeds and the issues Monitoring actions shrubs (such as surrounding green waste dumping. Lantana), vines (such as blackberry, corky Regular monitoring of the passionfruit and bridal ecological community's extent creeper) as well and condition on the site will be herbaceous species (such as asparagus, conducted to determine trends crofton weed and through time. panic veldtgrass). Mixed Weeds ± Reduce and maintain Conduct bush regeneration The extent and severity of including (but not weed densities at low informed from detailed site threats will also be monitored to limited to) tree levels assessments including vegetation assess the effectiveness or species (such as community and weed mapping to management actions. privet and ochna), identify priority areas. Actions shrubs (such as within these zones would range Lantana), vines (such from intensive weed removal to Management actions will be as blackberry, corky maintenance weeding and spot adapted, added or removed over passionfruit and bridal weed control. time in response to monitoring