Reducing Impacts on Native Biodiversity Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan Karina Mercer Catherine Miles Bill New Disclaimer Rural Solutions SA and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein as regards to its correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. Rural Solutions SA and its employees expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or advice. © Rural Solutions SA This work is copyright. Unless permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from Rural Solutions SA. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Business Manager, Business Development & Marketing, Rural Solutions SA, GPO Box 1671, Adelaide SA 5001. Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 ACRONYMS 5 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 6 1.1 Background – Environmental Management in Viticulture at Langhorne Creek 6 1.2 Purpose 6 1.3 Biodiversity Goal 7 1.4 Links to other plans and policies 7 1.5 How to Use the Plan 8 2 THE LANGHORNE CREEK DISTRICT 9 3 BIODIVERSITY OF THE PROJECT AREA 10 3.1 Significant Biodiversity Areas 10 3.2 Outside Influences 14 3.3 Priority Plant Associations 15 3.4 Flora of Conservation Significance 16 3.5 Fauna of Conservation Significance 19 3.6 SIGNIFICANT HABITATS 24 THREATS 25 4 PRIORITY ACTIONS 28 4.1 On-Ground Actions 28 4.2 work to date 31 4.3 knowledge gaps 31 4.4 revegetation design and principles 37 4.5 Monitoring 38 3 2006, COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE RURAL SOLUTIONS SA Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING 41 APPENDICES 45 Appendix 1. Plans and policies relevant to the project 46 Appendix 2. Remnant Roadside Vegetation 50 Appendix 3. Vegetation Associations of the District 51 Appendix 4. Flora of Conservation Significance of the District 55 Appendix 5. Fauna of Conservation Significance of the District - Birds 58 Appendix 6. Fauna of the District – Native Mammals 64 Appendix 7. Fauna of the District – Reptiles and Amphibians 65 Appendix 8. Fauna of Conservation Significance of the District - Freshwater Fish 66 Appendix 9. Fauna of Conservation Significance of the District – Butterflies 76 Appendix 10. Plant Community Conservation Priorities 89 Appendix 11. Enhancing Older Revegetation Sites 91 11.1 Supplementary Planting 91 11.2 Seed Production Areas 94 11.3 Thinning 95 11.4 Hollows 97 11.5 Burning 97 11.6 Controlling Perennial Grassy Weeds 98 4 2006, COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE RURAL SOLUTIONS SA Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Amelia Hurren - South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage Andrew Graham - South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage Ann Prescott - South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage Bianca Priest - WWF Australia Graham Carpenter - Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Jason Vanlaarhoven - Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Melissa White - Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Michael Hammer - University of Adelaide / Native Fish Association (SA) Nigel Willoughby - South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage Rick Trezona - Langhorne Creek EMS Roger Grund - Butterfly Conservation SA Scotte Wedderburn - University of Adelaide Tanya Milne - Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation ACRONYMS AMLR - Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges CAMBA - China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement CRC - Co-operative Research Centre DEH - Department for the Environment and Heritage DWLBC - Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation EMS - Environmental Management System EPBC - Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation GWLAP - Goolwa-Wellington Local Action Plan JAMBA - Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement LBCP - Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan LWD - Large woody debris NRM - Natural Resource Management SAMDB - South Australian Murray Darling Basin SANPWS - South Australian National Parks & Wildlife Service SPRAT - Species Profile and Threats database WAP - Water Allocation Plan 5 2006, COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE RURAL SOLUTIONS SA Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1 BACKGROUND – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN VITICULTURE AT LANGHORNE CREEK Over the last four years, 20 Langhorne Creek vineyards have participated in an Environmental Management System (EMS) trial initially funded by Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) following successful community action with the work of the Angas Bremer Water Management Committee. The objective of the trial was to develop and introduce environmental stewardship into irrigated viticulture operations. The Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture has provided subsequent funding to continue the exercise. The trial has involved the development of a regional framework for EMS linked to the achievement of catchment targets. The program includes a methodology for assessing the environmental risks of viticulture activities. Locally developed environmental standards in the form of Best Management Practices (BMPs) underpin the framework. These were developed with the support of local Natural Resource Management (NRM) officers, and were designed to achieve NRM/Catchment outcomes. Environmental issues identified by the growers under their EMS are addressed using these BMPs. However, biodiversity has become an issue for the project, with the Biodiversity BMP requiring reference to a local biodiversity plan, which had not been established. The group, with the support of the Langhorne Creek Wine Industry Council, decided to initiate a biodiversity plan for the Langhorne Creek region to provide information and guidance on biodiversity issues. This will allow grape growers and other community members to be able to identify the most significant biodiversity assets and coordinate work on their properties with the goals of the region. With the support of the Goolwa to Wellington LAP Group, DWLBC and AMLR NRM Board, the services of Rural Solutions were engaged to develop a suitable plan for the broad community of the region. The biodiversity assets of the region have been identified. Interested community members, including NRM workers, local government and Landcare were invited to contribute with the growers to identify the significant assets and develop the regional biodiversity goals. A Community Consultative Workshop was held in June 2006, and feedback during the workshop and on the draft plan has been incorporated into this final document. 1.2 PURPOSE The biodiversity plan and associated map(s) are intended to provide a means for landholders to identify easily the biodiversity resources in their area and from that identify the particular priority actions that may be appropriate for them to undertake. 6 2006, COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE RURAL SOLUTIONS SA Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan 1.3 BIODIVERSITY GOAL The State Govt recently released ‘No Species Loss’ a draft strategy for South Australia’s biodiversity. The vision for ‘No Species Loss’ is “ the people of south Australia supporting their native plants, animals and ecosystems to survive, evolve and adapt to environmental change” . This is a reflection of the value of the state’s biodiversity assets, and the need for all South Australians to play a role in the effective conservation of South Australia’s biodiversity. It aims to “ promote strategic thinking for achieving its recommendations and targets, while encouraging ownership, engagement, partnerships and innovative solutions ”. It recognises the provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting ecosystem services that are provided (DEH 2006). The Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan has been developed in recognition of the importance of the value of biodiversity, upon which much of the State’s economy is based, and the need to ensure that the natural systems which underpin business, community, and agriculture, are managed responsibly. It is intended that this Biodiversity Plan assist landholders to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity within the District. 1.4 LINKS TO OTHER PLANS AND POLICIES To be most effective across the region, key actions for the LCBP are consistent with other State and regional priorities, which include: • South Australia’s Strategic Plan • International Convention on Biological Diversity • State Natural Resource Management Plan • Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan for the South Australian Murray Darling Basin • Regional Biodiversity Plans (SA MDB. No completed plan yet available for MLR) • Water Allocation Plan for the Angas Bremer Prescribed Wells Area • Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar 1971) • Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA 1981) • China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA 1988) • Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn 1979) • Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Shorebirds in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy 2001-2005 Relevant aspects of the above documents are outlined in Appendix 1. Appendix C of the State NRM Plan provides an extensive list of all legislation, policies, strategies and plans that relate to NRM in South Australia (note: not all of those listed in the appendix of the Plan may be applicable to the LCBP). 7 2006, COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE RURAL SOLUTIONS SA Langhorne Creek Biodiversity Plan 1.5 HOW TO USE THE PLAN Step