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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Management Statement
Land Stewardship & Biodiversity
Department of Sustainability and Environment
December 2005
This Management Statement has been written by Hugh Robertson and James
Fitzsimons for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
This Statement fulfils obligations by the State of Victoria to the Commonwealth of
Australia, which provided financial assistance for the purchase of this reserve under
the National Reserve System program of the Natural Heritage Trust.
©The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2005
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in
accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
ISBN 1 74152 294 3
Disclaimer:
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its
employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is
wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability
for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any
information in this publication.
Cover:
Montane grassland occurring on basalt caps, Green Hills Nature Conservation
Reserve (Photo: James Fitzsimons).
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Objectives
This Management Statement for the Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
outlines the reserve’s natural and cultural values, visitor services and the directions
for its management in the short to long term.
The overall operational management objective is:
Maintain, and enhance where appropriate, the condition of the reserve while
allowing natural processes of regeneration, disturbance and succession to occur and
actively initiating these processes where required.
Background and Context
Reason for purchase
Since the implementation of the National Reserve System Program (NRS) in 1992, all
Australian states and territories have been working toward the development of a
comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) system of protected areas.
In a systematic process to increase the reservation levels of Victoria’s most
threatened ecosystems, particularly native grasslands and grassy woodlands, the
Department of Sustainability and Environment’s conservation land purchase
program aims to acquire areas of private land containing high quality samples of
such ecosystems for addition to the reserve system. Among a number of sites
identified as suitable for voluntary purchase and addition to the protected area
estate, the Green Hills montane grasslands and associated montane grassy woodland
and forest were purchased due to their size, good condition and location in an area of
contiguous native forest.
The purchase was assisted with funding from the National Reserve System Program
of the Commonwealth Government’s Natural Heritage Trust (Project No. N420 and
N441).
Location
The Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve (Green Hills NCR) of 522.1 ha is
located off Glenmore Road, approximately 5 km north of Gillingal, East Gippsland
(Figure 1). It consists of: Crown Allotments (CA) 2001 and 2002 Parish of Murrindal
West, CA 4A and 3A, Section A, Parish of Murrindal West, and CA 2001, Parish of
Nappa.
The Green Hills property falls within the South East Corner IBRA 5.1 bioregion
(Environment Australia 2000), and across two subregions - the East Gippsland
Uplands and Highlands–Southern Fall. It also falls within two Local Landscape
Zones - the East Gippsland Uplands and Stirling.
Reservation and Management Intent
The land within the Green Hills NCR was purchased in two separate instalments.
The purchase of CA 4A and 3A, Section A (comprising 96.75 ha) was completed on
18 August 2000 and the land was transferred to the Crown on 5 September 2000. This
section of Green Hills NCR was assigned to Parks Victoria for management on 3
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
September 2001. The purchase of CA 2001 and 2002, Parish of Murrindal West and
CA 2001, Parish of Nappa was completed on 3 May 2002 and the land was
transferred to the Crown on 8 May 2002. This section of Green Hills NCR was
assigned to Parks Victoria for management on 20 October 2002 (Park Reserve ID
4158).
Two different purposes for reservation apply to the Green Hills NCR under the
Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. Crown Allotments (CA) 4A and 3A, Section A are
temporarily reserved for the “conservation of an area of natural interest”, CA 2001
and 2002 Parish of Murrindal West and CA 2001, Parish of Nappa are temporarily
reserved for the “preservation of an area of ecological significance”. Despite the
slightly different purposes for reservation, all allotments are managed as a single
Nature Conservation Reserve.
The generic management objectives for Nature Conservation Reserves as defined by Parks
Victoria (2003) are:
Nature conservation reserves a) conserve and protect species, communities and
habitats of indigenous plants, animals and other organisms; b) provide for research
and study of the natural environment of the reserve where this is consistent with a)
and there is minimal impact on the reserve; c) provide opportunities for appropriate
enjoyment and recreation and education by the public where this does not conflict
with a); d) protect Aboriginal cultural sites and places; and e) protect historic features
in specific reserves where noted.
Nature conservation reserves are consistent with IUCN Protected Area Category Ia:
Strict Nature Reserve (NRE 1996).
As the purchased land was originally freehold, no Land Conservation Council
(LCC), Environment Conservation Council (ECC) or Victorian Environmental
Assessment Council (VEAC) recommendations apply.
The Crown Land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004 regulate
activities in this reserve.
Natural Values and Condition
Refer to Figure 2 for the location of threatened species recorded in the Atlas of
Victorian Wildlife and Flora Information System1.
Vegetation Types
Green Hills NCR contains a number of different vegetation types. Ecological
Vegetation Classes (EVC) that occur in the reserve include Montane Grassland,
Note this does not necessarily represent records for all threatened species on the reserve. Only those
recorded in the DSE flora and fauna databases are displayed.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Montane Grassy Woodland, Damp Forest, Shrubby Dry Forest and Valley Grassy
Forest (Figure 2)2.
The Montane Grassland EVC occurs on the basalt caps, which occur along the main
ridgelines and on some slopes and gullies in the reserve. At present Montane
Grassland is not a recognised EVC in East Gippsland, and therefore depletion and
conservation status figures are not available. The grasslands are significant for the
high diversity of native grasses and herbs including threatened species, and patches
of the size and quality present in Green Hills NCR are of high priority for
conservation (Prober & Thiele 1998). Historically, the grassland has been utilised for
grazing, although has not been cultivated or fertilised. Cattle currently graze the
property, typically over summer and early autumn, through an agreement with
Parks Victoria and with advice from the Department of Sustainability and
Environment. The grassland areas were also regularly burnt (annually or every few
years, mostly in winter) to encourage plant growth for grazing, although this has not
occurred since 1990 (Prober & Thiele 1998).
The Montane Grassy Woodland EVC also occurs on the basalt caps in the reserve.
Montane Grassy Woodland is considered vulnerable in the East Gippsland Uplands
bioregion. Only approximately 33% (958 ha) of the original extent of the vegetation
community remains, with approximately 230 ha mapped as occurring within
protected areas (DSE 2004). The montane grassland and grassy woodland vegetation
types occur on black clay soils and associated outwashed clays developed from the
basalt cap. The Damp Forest, Shrubby Dry Forest and Valley Grassy Forest EVCs
occur on the non-basalt (granite) areas of Green Hills NCR (LCC 1977), and are not
considered threatened in the East Gippsland Uplands and are well represented in
protected areas (Figure 2).
Ecological management of montane grasslands and grassy woodlands
Ecological management of grasslands and grassy woodlands is often required to
maintain the structure and composition of the vegetation. This may include
management activities to control biomass accumulation of understorey grasses and
herbs, and activities to maintain or enhance habitat for native flora and fauna,
including threatened species. For example, control of biomass accumulation of
plants, particularly of exotic pasture grass species, may be considered desirable for
flora and fauna species requiring inter-tussock spaces for habitat. These objectives
may be achieved via a number of management options, including the use of grazing
and ecological burning (Barlow 1998, Eddy 2002).
The ecological management options described for Green Hills NCR primarily relate
to management of the montane grassland, although montane grassy woodland is
also discussed. Active management intervention for the other vegetation
Note EVC mapping and descriptions do not follow EVC mapping within the EVC_CMP100 geospatial
layer as at July 2005. Vegetation classification and delineation was based on field observations of DSE
Flora and Fauna Officers and Prober & Thiele (1998).
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
communities in Green Hills NCR is not considered a high priority relative to the
maintenance and enhancement of the montane grassland and grassy woodland.
Notably, Prober and Thiele (1998, 2005), in partnership with the Department of
Sustainability and Environment, have undertaken research into the effects of grazing
and fire on the conservation of the nationally vulnerable Austral Toad-flax Thesium
australe in the grassland regions of Green Hills NCR. Four experimental plots have
been established in the reserve (Figure 1). The management recommendations
described for Austral Toad-flax provide important information for the maintenance
and enhancement of the species in the reserve (see Appendix 4).
Overall, disturbance of the vegetation by grazing and/or burning was identified as
important for maintaining the structure of the vegetation and the conservation of
Austral Toad-flax (Prober & Thiele 2005). Notably, grazing, burning, or a
combination of grazing and burning were considered to be equally effective for
enhancing the abundance of Austral Toad-flax. The impact of grazing versus burning
on other elements of the grassland vegetation was not assessed. Autumn to winter
burning regimes of approximately 2-4 year intervals, or light intermittent grazing at
similar or more frequent intervals were recommended on a preliminary basis for
managing Austral Toad-flax in Green Hills NCR (Prober & Thiele 2005).
If grazing is utilised, stocking rates will need to be adjusted depending on the cover
abundance of vegetation and with seasonal conditions such as rainfall. Grazing over
autumn and winter is preferred to allow native grassland plants to set seed and
regenerate during spring and summer (Barlow 1998). The availability of water for
stock is a key consideration for implementing grazing programs. Boundary and
internal fences may also be required to control the movement of stock, and exclude
grazing from specific areas of the reserve. Grazing may also be used as a
management tool in areas of montane grassy woodland that are adjacent to
grassland.
If ecological burning is used to manage the grassland, a ‘mosaic’ burning regime is
recommended since fires of too great intensity may inhibit regeneration of some
plant species. A mosaic approach involves burning only part of the vegetation at any
one time. Burning may also be used in the montane grassy woodland areas of Green
Hills NCR, although the frequency and timing of the burning regime needs to be
investigated.
Grazing and burning exclusion plots may also be used to monitor the impacts of
alternative management regimes on the grassland and threatened species. A
monitoring program utilising the existing experimental plots in the reserve (Figure 1)
and a similar study design is recommended to ensure the data collected is consistent
with previous research.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Management objectives and targets (short-long term)
- Actively manage the vegetation in Green Hills NCR using some of the
management options described above to maintain species diversity, richness and
structural heterogeneity of the vegetation.
- Monitor and research outcomes of management actions and adapt management
regimes as the need arises.
- Encourage ongoing research by universities and other scientific institutions into
optimal management techniques for maintaining and enhancing grassland and
grassy woodland biodiversity.
Flora
Green Hills NCR supports high quality montane grassland and grassy woodland
and other vegetation types that are structurally and floristically dominated by native
species3.
The montane grassland vegetation community in the reserve is dominated by
Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra and Fine-leaf Tussock Grass Poa meionectes, and a
high diversity of other native herbs and grasses. The montane grassy woodland
vegetation community is dominated in parts by Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora and
in other areas by Snow Gum E. pauciflora, Black Sallee E. stellulata, Mountain Swampgum E. camphora subsp. humeana, Candlebark E. rubida and Eurabbie E. globulus
subsp. bicostata. There are few midstorey trees or shrubs in the grassy woodland
although scattered Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon and Cherry Ballart Exocarpos
cuppressiformis occur. The understorey of the grassy woodland is dominated by
Tussock Grass Poa spp. and Kangaroo Grass.
The Damp Forest, Shrubby Dry Forest and Valley Grassy Forest EVCs are dominated
by a mixture of tree species including Gippsland Peppermint Eucalyptus
croajingolensis, Messmate Stringybark E. obliqua, White Stringybark E. globoidea,
Mountain Grey-gum E. cypellocarpa and Broad-leaved Peppermint E. dives, Eurabbie
and Snow Gum.
Green Hills NCR supports a number of significant plant species4. Notably, the
reserve contains the largest known population of the nationally vulnerable Austral
Toad-flax Thesium australe in Australia (Prober & Thiele 1998). Green Hills NCR also
contains a number of populations of the nationally endangered Maroon Leek-orchid
Prasophyllum frenchii. Other significant flora recorded in the reserve include Dwarf
Milkwort Polygala japonica, Austral Moonwort Botrychium australe, Spreading Knawel
Scleranthus fasciculatus, Forest Geebung Persoonia silvatica, Slender Tick-trefoil
Desmodium varians and Blue-leaf Tussock-grass Poa sieberiana var. cyanophylla.
Refer to Appendix 1 for flora records from Green Hills NCR.
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The description of the flora in Green Hills NCR is largely drawn from Prober & Thiele (1998, 2005).
Threat status for flora and fauna follows DSE (2003, 2005).
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)
- Actively monitor and manage the vegetation structure to provide suitable habitat
for threatened flora, particularly Austral Toad-flax and other significant species,
using techniques previously outlined for the management of montane grassland
and grassy woodland.
- Record flora in the Parks Victoria Environmental Information System and DSE
Flora Information System (FIS), and encourage seasonal surveys.
Fauna
Green Hills NCR contains extensive areas of native vegetation that provide diverse
habitat for a range of fauna. The reserve is also likely to support a number of
threatened species, although no comprehensive survey of the fauna has been
undertaken.
Refer to Appendix 2 for fauna records from Green Hills NCR.
Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)
- Record fauna in the Parks Victoria Environmental Information System and Atlas
of Victorian Wildlife, and encourage seasonal surveys.
Biosites5
One Biosite is located within Green Hills NCR:
- Site # 6995 ‘Green Hills’
Another 3 Biosites have been recorded in close proximity to Green Hills NCR:
- Site # 6632 ‘SPZ 814/07 East Gippsland Forest Management Area’ (Located
approximately 800 m west of Green Hills NCR)
- Site # 6603 ‘SPZ 811/01 East Gippsland Forest Management Area’ (Located
approximately 900 m northwest of Green Hills NCR)
- Site # 6624 ‘SPZ 814/03 East Gippsland Forest Management Area’ (Located
approximately 2 km west of Green Hills NCR)
Refer to Appendix 3 for further details.
Landscape context
Green Hills NCR represents a high quality reserve containing montane grassland
and montane grassy woodland in the East Gippsland Uplands. Green Hills NCR is
surrounded by a large contiguous area of native vegetation within State Forest
(Figure 4).
Other nearby conservation reserves include the Plum Gully Flora Reserve, Murrindal
Flora Reserve, Alpine National Park, Snowy River National Park, Mount Stewart
Natural Features and Scenic Reserve and Nunnett Plain Natural Features and Scenic
Reserve (Figure 3).
‘Biosites’ are sites of biological conservation significance and their location and details are maintained
on a register by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Threatening Processes
Pest Plants
Pest plants are one of the main threats to the conservation values of Green Hills
NCR. Pest plants have the ability to alter the structure of the understorey vegetation
and pose a threat to species reliant on the ecosystem. Weed cover is generally low in
the grassland regions of the reserve, and variable in the forest and woodland
vegetation communities. However, in some areas Blackberry Rubus fruticosus and
Sweet Briar Rosa rubiginosa occur. Chemical spraying of Blackberry and Sweet Briar
has been undertaken in the reserve in the past, and ongoing management is required
to limit further invasion using spraying or other appropriate management
techniques. Other common pest plant species include thistles (e.g. Spear Thistle
Cirsium vulgare), introduced pasture grasses (e.g. Vulpia spp., Bromus spp., Holcus
lanatus), and other small annual herbs (e.g. Clover Trifolium spp.).
Management objectives and targets (short-long term)
- Regularly observe and control the establishment and spread of pest plants on the
montane grassland and grassy woodland sections of Green Hills NCR,
particularly introduced pasture grasses, through grazing or burning and
encourage the establishment of native grasses in their place (see ‘Ecological
management of montane grasslands and grassy woodlands’). Note, spraying of
pest plants may also be required for some areas (e.g. areas subject to past
disturbance) to control species that do not respond to other management
techniques.
- Monitor and control the establishment and spread of Blackberry and Sweet Briar
and encourage the establishment of native plant species in their place.
Pest animals
Foxes are present throughout the district, but the impact of predation on native fauna
in the reserve is unknown. However, they may pose a significant threat to ground
nesting or feeding birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Rabbits have also been
observed in the local area but their impact on the grassland is undetermined.
Management objectives and targets (short-long term)
- Control foxes to maintain habitat values of the reserve for birds, small mammals
and other ground-dwelling fauna.
- Maintain rabbit numbers at less than 5 per spotlight km.
Other threats
Illegal grazing of stock (i.e. cattle) is also a potential threat to the conservation values
of Green Hills NCR. Grazing licences are held within sections of the State Forest that
adjoins the reserve. Green Hills NCR currently lacks boundary fencing to restrict the
entry of stock from adjacent areas. Although the risk of cattle illegally entering the
reserve is undetermined, it may be considered low given the terrain and dense
vegetation in the reserve.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Management objectives and targets (short-long term)
- Investigate the need for the establishment of boundary fences around the
perimeter of the reserve to limit the entry of stock which may enter from
adjoining State Forest.
Physical Assets and Boundaries
Green Hills NCR contains one dam filled by local runoff and accessible to stock. A
shed in moderate condition also occurs on the reserve (Figure 1). Experimental plots
(including fenced and unfenced plots) have been established in four areas of Green
Hills NCR to monitor the effects of grazing and burning on populations of Austral
Toad-flax (Figure 1). A number of internal fences also occur in the reserve (i.e. in
grassland regions). However, the capacity of these fences to control stock is
undetermined. There is no boundary fencing around the reserve at present and legal
boundaries for the NCR are not clear on the ground due to vegetation in the reserve
being contiguous with vegetation in the surrounding State Forest.
Crown land in the adjoining State Forest to the east of Green Hills NCR contains a
small area of montane grassland (Figures 1, 4). Protection of this grassland within a
SPZ and complementary management with the Green Hills NCR may be
appropriate.
A number of road reserves which occur within and adjacent to Green Hills NCR and
contain contiguous native vegetation will be added to the reserve and assigned to
Parks Victoria for management (Figure 1).
Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)
- Maintain dam if required for stock water.
- Establish the location of boundaries of Green Hills NCR, as a basis for
enforcement of Regulations, and the control of grazing in the reserve.
- Investigate the need for additional internal fences to control the movement of
stock grazing within the grassland areas of the reserve.
Heritage Values, Condition and Risk
There are no recorded places of heritage value and there is no evidence of places
with heritage value in Green Hills NCR.
Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)
- If sites of heritage value are identified, assess their condition and establish
management objectives.
Indigenous Values, Condition and Risk
There are no recorded archaeological sites and no identified sites or features in Green
Hills NCR, and potential for sites of indigenous value is considered to be low.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Management objectives and targets (short-long term)
- Reflect the Traditional Owners’ cultural lore, and interests and aspirations in the
area in managing the reserve, and work with them and the scheduled local
Aboriginal community in accordance with relevant legislation and Parks
Victoria’s operational policies.
- Work with the Traditional Owners and consult the scheduled local Aboriginal
community in survey of the reserve to identify the location of significant
indigenous sites, places and objects.
- If sites, places and objectives are identified, seek guidance from the Traditional
Owners on their future management and assessing their condition.
Visitor Services, Condition and Risk
There is currently no level of visitor services for Green Hills NCR (classified as ‘Very
Basic’). The provisional future level of service will be ‘Very Basic’ (no facilities).
Access is restricted to Green Hill Track (Figure 1). While there is no data available,
visitor numbers to the Green Hills NCR are likely to be low (0-5000 p.a.), because the
reserve has been purchased only recently.
Management objectives and targets (short-long term)
- Retain ‘Very Basic’ level of service; i.e. do not provide built facilities or access
roads accessible by the general public.
- Maintain existing internal Management Vehicle Only (MVO) tracks where
required. These MVO tracks will not be accessible for public vehicular access.
Signage: Provide locality signage for the reserve within two years and maintain it.
Consultation
This Management Statement has been prepared in consultation with Matt Holland
(Parks Victoria), Mick Bramwell and Emma Roe (DSE), and Kevin Thiele and
Suzanne Prober (Ecological Interactions).
References and Further Reading
Barlow, T. (1998) Grassy Guidelines: How to manage native grasslands and grassy
woodlands on your property. Trust for Nature, Melbourne.
DSE (2003) Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2003. Department
of Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne.
DSE (2004) Victorian Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs Area Statement.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (Revised 28 September 2004).
DSE (2005) Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria - 2005. Department of
Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.
Eddy, D.A. (2002) Managing native grassland: a guide to management for conservation,
production and landscape protection. World Wide Fund for Nature, Sydney.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Environment Australia (2000) Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation
for Australia (IBRA) and Development of Version 5.1 Summary Report.
Environment Australia, Canberra.
http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/nrs/ibra/version5-1/summary-report/index.html
Fitzsimons J.A & Ashe, C. (2003) Some recent strategic additions to Victoria’s
protected area system 1997-2002. Victorian Naturalist 120, 98-108.
LCC (1977) Report on the Alpine Study Area. Land Conservation Council, Victoria,
Melbourne.
NRE (1996) IUCN Categories and Other Key Data for Parks and Conservation Reserves in
Victoria. National Parks and Reserves Branch, National Parks Service,
Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Melbourne.
Parks Victoria (2003) Conservation Reserves Management Strategy. Parks Victoria,
Melbourne.
Prober, S.M. & Thiele, K.R. (1998) Ecology and Management of the Austral Toad-flax
(Thesium australe) at ‘Open Grounds’. Gillingal Station, East Gippsland. Report
prepared for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Ecological
Interactions, Victoria.
Prober, S.M. & Thiele, K.R. (2005) Management of the Austral Toad-flax (Thesium
australe) at ‘Open Grounds’. Gillingal Station, East Gippsland. Preliminary report
on experimental trials 1998-2005, prepared for the Department of Sustainability
& Environment. Ecological Interactions, Victoria.
Scarlett, N., Bramwell, M. & Earl, G. (1994) Austral Toad Flax Thesium australe. Flora
and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement No. 56. Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Victoria.
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Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Source
1
Indigenous species
Acacia dealbata
Acacia melanoxylon
Acacia verniciflua
Acaena agnipila
Acaena echinata
Acaena novae-zelandiae
Acrotriche serrulata
Ajuga australis
Arthropodium milleflorum
Asperula conferta
Asperula scoparia
Asplenium flabellifolium
Astroloma humifusum
Austrodanthonia laevis
Austrodanthonia penicillata
Austrodanthonia pilosa
Austrofestuca hookeriana
Billardiera scandens
Bossiaea prostrata
Botrychium australe
Brachyloma daphnoides
Brachyscome aculeata
Brachyscome scapigera
Bursaria spinosa
Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa
Carex breviculmis
Carex incomitata
Carex inversa
Carex iynx
Cassinia aculeata
Cassinia longifolia
Comesperma volubile
Coprosma quadrifida
Crassula sieberiana
Cymbonotus preissianus
Cynoglossum suaveolens
Daviesia latifolia
Desmodium varians
Deyeuxia quadriseta
Dianella tasmanica
Dichelachne inaequiglumis
Dichelachne micrantha
Silver Wattle
Blackwood
Varnish Wattle
Hairy Sheep's Burr
Sheep's Burr
Bidgee-widgee
Honey-pots
Austral Bugle
Pale Vanilla-lily
Common Woodruff
Prickly Woodruff
Necklace fern
Cranberry Heath
Smooth Wallaby-grass
Slender Wallaby-grass
Velvet Wallaby-grass
Hooker fescue
Common Apple-berry
Creeping Bossiaea
Austral Moonwort
Daphne Heath
Branching Daisy
Tufted Daisy
Sweet Bursaria
Sweet Bursaria
Common Grass-sedge
Hillside Sedge
Knob Sedge
Tussock Sedge
Common Cassinia
Shiny Cassinia
Love Creeper
Prickly Currant-bush
Sieber Crassula
Austral Bear's-ear
Sweet Hound's-tongue
Hop Bitter-pea
Slender Tick-trefoil
Reed Bent-grass
Tasman Flax-lily
Loose Plume-grass
Small-seed Plume-grass
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EPBC
Common Name
FFG
Taxon
Vic Status
Appendix 1. Provisional list of vascular flora recorded at Green Hills Nature
Conservation Reserve.
Source
1
Dichelachne rara
Dichondra repens
Dipodium punctatum
Echinopogon ovatus
Elymus scaber var. scaber
Epacris gunnii
Epacris impressa
Epilobium billardierianum subsp.
cinereum
Eucalyptus camphora subsp.
humeana
Eucalyptus croajingolensis
Eucalyptus cypellocarpa
Eucalyptus dives
Eucalyptus globoidea
Eucalyptus globulus subsp. bicostata
Eucalyptus globulus subsp.
pseudoglobulus
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha
Eucalyptus mannifera subsp.
mannifera
Eucalyptus melliodora
Eucalyptus pauciflora
Eucalyptus rubida
Eucalyptus sieberi
Euchiton involucratus s.s.
Exocarpos cupressiformis
Festuca asperula
Galium ciliare
Galium propinquum
Geranium potentilloides
Geranium solanderi
Geranium spp.
Glycine clandestina
Gonocarpus tetragynus
Haloragis aspera
Haloragis heterophylla
Hardenbergia violacea
Helichrysum scorpioides
Hibbertia obtusifolia
Hovea heterophylla
Hydrocotyle hirta
Hydrocotyle laxiflora
Hypericum gramineum
Hypericum japonicum
Hypoxis hygrometrica var.
Common Plume-grass
Kidney-weed
Hyacinth Orchid
Common Hedgehog-grass
Common Wheat-grass
Ace of Spades
Common Heath
Grey Willow-herb
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Mountain Swamp-gum
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Gippsland Peppermint
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Mountain Grey-gum
Broad-leaved Peppermint
White Stringybark
Eurabbie
Gippsland Blue-gum
Red Stringybark
Brittle Gum
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Yellow Box
Snow Gum
Candlebark
Silvertop Ash
Star Cudweed
Cherry Ballart
Graceful Fescue
Hairy Bedstraw
Maori Bedstraw
Cinquefoil Cranesbill
Austral Cranesbill
Crane's Bill
Twining Glycine
Common Raspwort
Rough Raspwort
Varied Raspwort
Purple Coral-pea
Button Everlasting
Grey Guinea-flower
Common Hovea
Hairy Pennywort
Stinking Pennywort
Small St John's Wort
Matted St John's Wort
Golden Weather-glass
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+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
EPBC
Common Name
FFG
Taxon
Vic Status
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Source
1
hygrometrica
Indigofera australis
Joycea pallida
Kunzea ericoides spp. agg.
Lachnagrostis aemula s.l.
Lachnagrostis filiformis
Lepidosperma laterale
Leptorhynchos squamatus
Leptostigma reptans
Linum marginale
Lomandra filiformis
Lomandra longifolia
Luzula meridionalis var. flaccida
Luzula spp.
Mentha diemenica
Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides
Microseris scapigera spp. agg.
Microtis parviflora
Oreomyrrhis eriopoda
Oxalis perennans
Pentapogon quadrifidus var.
quadrifidus
Persoonia silvatica
Pimelea curviflora
Plantago antarctica
Plantago spp.
Plantago varia
Poa australis spp. agg.
Poa labillardieri
Poa meionectes
Poa sieberiana var. cyanophylla
Poa spp.
Poa tenera
Polygala japonica
Poranthera microphylla
Prasophyllum frenchii
Pultenaea juniperina s.l.
Ranunculus lappaceus
Ranunculus spp.
Rumex brownii
Schoenus apogon
Scleranthus biflorus s.l.
Scleranthus fasciculatus
Senecio linearifolius
Senecio quadridentatus
Austral Indigo
Silvertop Wallaby-grass
Burgan
Leafy Blown-grass
Common Blown-grass
Variable Sword-sedge
Scaly Buttons
Dwarf Nertera
Native Flax
Wattle Mat-rush
Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Common Woodrush
Woodrush
Slender Mint
Weeping Grass
Yam Daisy
Slender Onion-orchid
Australian Caraway
Grassland Wood-sorrel
Five-awned Spear-grass
+
Forest Geebung
Curved Rice-flower
Mountain Plantain
Plantain
Variable Plantain
Tussock Grass
Common Tussock-grass
Fine-leaf Tussock-grass
Blue-leaf Tussock-grass
Tussock Grass
Slender Tussock-grass
Dwarf Milkwort
Small Poranthera
Maroon Leek-orchid
Prickly Bush-pea
Australian Buttercup
Buttercup
Slender Dock
Common Bog-sedge
Twin-flower Knawel
Spreading Knawel
Fireweed Groundsel
Cotton Fireweed
+
+
+
13
2
3
4
5
6
7
EPBC
Common Name
FFG
Taxon
Vic Status
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
L
E
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
r
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
k
+
+
+
+
+
v
+
e
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
r
+
Source
1
Senecio sp. E (sensu NSW Flora)
Solenogyne gunnii
Stellaria pungens
Stylidium graminifolium
Tetratheca bauerifolia
Themeda triandra
Thesium australe
Tricoryne elatior
Veronica calycina
Veronica gracilis
Viola betonicifolia
Wahlenbergia multicaulis s.l.
Wahlenbergia stricta subsp. stricta
Wurmbea dioica
Introduced species
Acetosella vulgaris
Aira elegantissima
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Arenaria serpyllifolia subsp.
serpyllifolia
Briza minor
Bromus hordeaceus subsp.
hordeaceus
Centaurium erythraea
Centaurium tenuiflorum
Cerastium glomeratum
Cirsium vulgare
Holcus lanatus
Hypochoeris radicata
Lotus corniculatus
Medicago lupulina
Oxalis corniculata s.s.
Petrorhagia nanteulii
Plantago lanceolata
Prunella vulgaris
Rosa rubiginosa
Rubus fruticosus spp. agg.
Sisyrinchium sp. A
Sonchus asper s.l.
Trifolium arvense var. arvense
Trifolium glomeratum
Trifolium repens var. repens
Trifolium striatum
Veronica persica
Hairy Solenogyne
Prickly Starwort
Grass Triggerplant
Heath Pink-bells
Kangaroo Grass
Austral Toad-flax
Yellow Rush-lily
Hairy Speedwell
Slender Speedwell
Showy Violet
Branching Bluebell
Tall Bluebell
Common Early Nancy
3
4
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Sheep Sorrel
Delicate Hair-grass
Sweet Vernal-grass
Thyme-leaved Sandwort
+
+
+
Lesser Quaking-grass
Soft Brome
+
+
Common Centaury
+
Slender Centaury
Common Mouse-ear Chickweed
Spear Thistle
Yorkshire Fog
Cat's Ear
Bird's-foot Trefoil
Black Medic
Creeping Wood-sorrel
Childling Pink
Ribwort
Self-heal
Sweet Briar
Blackberry
Scour-weed
Rough Sow-thistle
Hare's-foot Clover
Cluster Clover
White Clover
Knotted Clover
Persian Speedwell
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
14
2
5
6
7
v
L
V
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
EPBC
Common Name
FFG
Taxon
Vic Status
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
+
+
+
+
Source
1
Vulpia bromoides
Vulpia myuros
Squirrel-tail Fescue
Rat's-tail Fescue
2
3
4
5
6
7
+
+
Key: v (vulnerable in Victoria), r (rare in Victoria), e (endangered in Victoria), k (poorly known in Victoria),
L (listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988), V (nationally vulnerable), V (nationally
endangered). Threat status follows DSE (2005).
Source:
1 - Site observations and vegetation survey, Green Hills NCR (Prober & Thiele 1998)
2 - Site observations, Green Hills NCR between 1995-2005 (E. Roe pers. comm. 2005)
3 - Victorian Flora Site Database (FIS) Ref: P00374, Date: 12 March 1980, Collector: N.H. Scarlett
4 - Victorian Flora Site Database Ref: P02625, Date: 26 February 1997, Collector: M. Bramwell
5 - Victorian Flora Site Database Ref: W07735, Date: 14 December 1997, Collector: K.R. Thiele
6 - Victorian Flora Site Database Ref: X31606, Date: 14 December 1997, Collector: K.R. Thiele
7 - Victorian Flora Site Database Ref: C18018, Date: 1 February 1980, Collectors: SJF, NGW, PKG, HVR
All FIS sites are located in Green Hills NCR, except FIS site C18018, which is located approximately 75 m
north of the reserve. Refer to Figure 2 for location of threatened flora observations.
15
EPBC
Common Name
FFG
Taxon
Vic Status
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Appendix 2. Provisional list of fauna recorded at Green Hills Nature Conservation
Reserve.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Source
Indigenous Species
Black Wallaby
Common Wombat
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Tussock Skink
Australian Magpie
Australian Raven
Brown Thornbill
Crimson Rosella
Eastern Whipbird
Eastern Yellow Robin
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Golden Whistler
Grey Fantail
Grey Shrike-thrush
Laughing Kookaburra
Red Wattlebird
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Thornbill
Superb Fairy-wren
Superb Lyrebird
Welcome Swallow
White-browed Scrubwren
White-throated Treecreeper
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Wallabia bicolor
Vombatus ursinus
Macropus giganteus
Pseudemoia pagenstecheri
Gymnorhina tibicen
Corvus coronoides
Acanthiza pusilla
Platycercus elegans
Psophodes olivaceus
Eopsaltria australis
Callocephalon fimbriatum
Pachycephala pectoralis
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Colluricincla harmonica
Dacelo novaeguineae
Anthochaera carunculata
Pardalotus punctatus
Acanthiza lineata
Malurus cyaneus
Menura novaehollandiae
Hirundo neoxena
Sericornis frontalis
Cormobates leucophaeus
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Calyptorhynchus funereus
1
1
1
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Canis familiaris
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Introduced Species
European Rabbit
Feral Dog
Threat status follows DSE (2003).
Source:
1 - Green Hills NCR site inspection 1 June 2005. Observer: J. Fitzsimons, DSE
2 - Green Hills NCR site inspection 1 June 2005. Observer: E. Roe, DSE
3 – Mick Bramwell, DSE, 1990s-2000s.
16
Vict. FFG EPBC
Status
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Appendix 3. Biosites identified on or near the Green Hills Nature Conservation
Reserve. (Database accessed 6 May 2005)
Site # 6995 Green Hills (site located on NCR)
 Significance Level: Yet to be determined
 Bioregion: East Gippsland Uplands
 Boundary Derivation: Site boundary not mapped on DSE GIS
 Longitude: 37° 16' 24", Latitude: 148° 08' 13"
 Species assets: Austral Toad-flax Thesium australe
Site # 6632 SPZ 814/07 East Gippsland Forest Management Area (Located
approximately 800 m west of Green Hills NCR)
 Significance Level: Regional
 Bioregion: Highlands - Southern Fall
 Habitat: Special Protection Zone- Nowa Nowa Forest District
 Boundary Derivation: Existing GIS point, line and polygon data plotted at 1:100,000
 Area (Ha): 46
 Longitude: 37° 16' 38", Latitude: 148° 06' 07"
 Forest Management Area: East Gippsland; Block: 814
 Floristic Community: Wet Forest
 EVC Description: Wet Forest
Site # 6603 SPZ 811/01 East Gippsland Forest Management Area (Located
approximately 900 m northwest of Green Hills NCR)
 Significance Level: Local
 Bioregion: Highlands - Northern Fall
 Habitat: Special Protection Zone- Nowa Nowa Forest District
 Boundary Derivation: Existing GIS point, line and polygon data plotted at 1:100,000
 Area (Ha): 69
 Longitude: 37° 15' 29", Latitude: 148° 06' 29"
 Forest Management Area: East Gippsland; Block: 811
 Other Asset: Wildlife corridor
Site # 6624 SPZ 814/03 East Gippsland Forest Management Area (Located
approximately 2 km west of Green Hills NCR)
 Significance Level: Local
 Bioregion: Highlands - Northern Fall
 Habitat: Special Protection Zone- Nowa Nowa Forest District
 Boundary Derivation: Existing GIS point, line and polygon data plotted at 1:100,000
 Area (Ha): 86
 Longitude: 37° 16' 54", Latitude: 148° 05' 15"
 Forest Management Area: East Gippsland; Block: 814
 Other Asset: Wildlife corridor
17
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Appendix 4. Report by Prober & Thiele (2005) on the Management of Austral
Toad-flax (Thesium australe) at Green Hills NCR.
Management of the Austral Toad-flax (Thesium australe)
at Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve, East
Gippsland
Preliminary report on experimental trials 1998-2005,
prepared for the Department of Sustainability and Environment
June 2005
S.M.Prober & K.R.Thiele
ecological
interactions
18
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Summary
Thesium australe is a rare, semi-parasitic herb, once widespread in grassy vegetation of
south-eastern Australia. The species has become rare since European settlement, and is
listed as Endangered in Victoria, where it is currently known only from a few montane
sites between Benambra and Wulgulmerang. The largest known population in Victoria
is in Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve, formerly the ‘Open Grounds’ portion
of Gillingal Station north of Buchan. This site has recently been acquired by the
Department of Sustainability and Environment as a means of conserving the species,
and will be managed by Parks Victoria.
Managing sites supporting Thesium is difficult due to a lack of information on the
effects of common management practices, particularly burning and grazing, on
Thesium populations. Consequently, a replicated trial using grazing/no grazing and
burning/no burning treatments was established at Green Hills NCR in 1998 to help
determine optimal management regimes for this species. This report describes
preliminary outcomes of the management trial from 1998 to 2005.
Results confirm that Thesium numbers fluctuate widely between years, and that
regular disturbance is important for maintaining Thesium populations. Thesium
numbers were very high in 2002 and 2005, and very low in 2000-1 and 2003-4. In the
high-population years, numbers on undisturbed (fenced, unburnt) plots remained
relatively low, while they increased dramatically on recently disturbed plots.
Burning and/or grazing were equally effective for enhancing Thesium numbers where
disturbance was recent (within 1 year). However, no response of Thesium to burning
was detected in 2002, 3 years after the last fire. These results imply that disturbances >2
years ago may no longer be effective for enhancing Thesium numbers. Conversely, a
fire interval of 5 years still successfully enhanced Thesium populations in the year
following the fire, suggesting that seed bank longevity is sufficient to span this period.
Autumn to winter burning regimes of approximately 2-4 year intervals, or light,
intermittent grazing at similar or more frequent intervals, are thus recommended on a
preliminary basis for managing Thesium populations at Green Hills NCR.
It is important to note that these results apply to Thesium numbers only. The native
grasslands at Green Hills NCR have other important conservation values that may be
affected by burning and grazing treatments, and these effects should be assessed as a
matter of priority before a final management plan is determined.
19
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Introduction
Thesium australe is a rare, semi-parasitic herb or subshrub found in grasslands, grassy
woodlands and grassy heathlands in south-eastern Australia. Before European
settlement it was widespread, though perhaps never common, extending from southeast Queensland through eastern New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania. The
species has declined markedly both in abundance and distribution since settlement,
probably as a result of the widespread clearing or degradation of native grassy
understoreys through agricultural activities. It is listed as Endangered in Victoria,
Vulnerable in New South Wales and Queensland and possibly extinct in Tasmania
(Leigh et al. 1984, Griffith 1991, Scarlett et al. 1994).
In Victoria Thesium is currently known from only a few montane sites between
Benambra and Wulgulmerang, although historical records indicate a prior range
extending from Casterton in the far west to Bendoc in the far east and from the
lowlands to the subalps. The most important extant site is at Green Hills NCR,
previously part of Gillingal Station north of Buchan. This site has been acquired by the
Department of Sustainability and Environment for conservation purposes.
Little is known of the biology or management requirements of Thesium australe.
Published observations suggest that it is sensitive to regular grazing by livestock and
other herbivores. Conversely, intermittent burning or grazing of grasslands may be
critical for promoting recruitment and establishment (Archer 1984, 1987). However,
few detailed studies are available to guide management of Thesium sites. This report
describes preliminary findings from an experimental trial conducted at Green Hills
NCR during summer 1998-2005, comparing a range of management treatments on
Thesium numbers. The reader is referred to our earlier report (Prober & Thiele 1998) for
more detailed background information on Thesium populations at Green Hills NCR
and the establishment of the trial.
Methods
Experimental design
A 4 treatment x 4 replicate trial was established in December 1997, using a randomized
complete block design. Treatments included combinations of burning and grazing, i.e.
unburnt + ungrazed; unburnt + grazed; burnt + ungrazed; burnt + grazed. Four blocks
(replicates) were sited on different parts of Green Hills NCR in moderate to dense
patches of Thesium in Themeda grassland (see Map 1). Within each block, four 5x5 m
plots were marked, with treatments allocated randomly to plots within a block.
Allocations were checked for any initial biases in Thesium numbers by ensuring that
there were no chance significant pre-treatment effects on initial counts.
Two plots in each block were fenced with barbed and plain wire to about 1.4m before
cattle grazing began in early February 1998. The fences allowed free entry of rabbits
but prevented grazing by cattle and probably also kangaroos. The historical grazing
regime, characterised by spell-grazing mainly in summer, has allowed Thesium to
survive and flourish at the site in the past, so this grazing regime was repeated where
20
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
possible throughout the trial. In practice, grazing was variable, with no grazing in
1999, 120 head of cattle during summer in 2001 and 2002, and similar but unrecorded
regimes in other years.
One fenced and one unfenced plot within each block was burnt during August 1999
and May 2004. The burns were light and patchy, with incomplete consumption of the
Themeda litter.
Monitoring methodology and data analysis
The number of Thesium individuals in each plot was estimated by dividing the plot
into four 1.25m wide strips and carefully counting the number of plants in each strip.
Thesium counts were repeated annually, in March or April.
Data for each year were log transformed (ln (x+1)) and analysed using analysis of
variance of the randomized complete block design, using Genstat (Genstat 2003). To
account for differences in initial numbers of Thesium individuals between plots within
blocks, we assessed the use of initial counts of Thesium as covariates in these analyses.
Covariates were generally not significant and thus were excluded from final analyses.
Fischer’s protected least significant differences were used to compare among treatment
means.
As well as the number of Thesium individuals, the average height of the grass layer
was recorded as an estimate of above-ground biomass. Projected covers (BraunBlanquet) for all higher plant species present in each plot were recorded in 1998 to
allow assessment of overall floristic changes. Floristic monitoring has not yet been
repeated; floristic results will be reported at a later date.
Rainfall data
Monthly rainfall totals for two recording stations (84005 Buchan Post Office and 84142
Gelantipy) for the years 1995-2005 were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Buchan Post Office is c. 10.5 km S of Green Hills NCR and 500 m lower; Gelantipy is c.
5.5 km NE of Green Hills NCR and 30 m higher. Monthly and yearly totals for the two
sites were generally similar (Buchan mean annual rainfall over the period = 752 mm;
Gelantipy = 697 mm). To help smooth local variation, the monthly means were
averaged between the two sites, Seasonal (summer = December-February; autumn=
March-May; winter = June-August; spring = September-November) and annual totals
for each year were calculated for comparison with the Thesium counts.
Results
Counts for all plots, and untransformed treatment means, are given in Table 1.
Summary rainfall data are given in Table 2.
21
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Table 1. Counts of Thesium plants for experimental plots, 1998 – 2005. Burns were
conducted in August 1999 and May 2004.
Plot
1A
1B
1C
1D
2A
2B
2C
2D
3A
3B
3C
3D
4A
4B
4C
4D
Sums
Treatment
Burnt
Unburnt
Burnt
Unburnt
Burnt
Burnt
Unburnt
Unburnt
Burnt
Burnt
Unburnt
Unburnt
Unburnt
Burnt
Burnt
Unburnt
1998
261
584
448
168
384
825
480
423
1053
883
1488
663
67
93
106
67
1999
395
1044
803
236
604
1313
831
413
3796
3051
2026
2173
358
915
438
161
Year of Monitorin g
2000
2001
2002
2003
0
11
135
1
0
0
141
0
6
1
1
0
11
0
0
0
439
8
7
0
378
88
715
0
101
0
0
0
31
10
59
0
13
130
8
0
10
52
481
0
3
0
0
0
2
89
908
8
330
662
9
0
206
107
18
0
278
282
23
0
292
131
262
1
All treatments
Fenced
Burnt
Fenced
Unburnt
Unfenced
Burnt
Unfenced
Unburnt
7993
1991
2203
2062
1737
18557
5641
3451
5674
3791
2100
736
445
594
325
Unfenced
Unfenced
Fenced
Fenced
Fenced
Unfenced
Fenced
Unfenced
Fenced
Unfenced
Fenced
Unfenced
Fenced
Unfenced
Fenced
Unfenced
1571
421
662
258
230
2767
39
9
1349
1370
10
0
0
1
9
2004
35
22
13
77
3
10
17
35
0
16
14
73
0
7
4
8
2005
270
204
102
119
2041
455
64
275
1010
1009
88
2023
27
648
457
524
334
20
108
68
138
9316
3610
298
2382
3026
Table 2. Summary rainfall data, means of values for Buchan Post Office and Gelantipy
Summer
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
249.6
140.2
114.3
188.7
182.2
204.9
282.7
100.2
153.8
275.85
Autumn
129.4
209.3
148.7
59.9
169.1
236
183.3
223.6
159
170.1
98.1
Winter
138.1
151.8
86
332
112.9
169.7
242.9
120.8
108.95
130.5
Spring
293
229.8
165.1
229.5
155.5
274.8
264.2
154.1
211.2
211.7
Annual
820.7
824.2
510.2
751.5
648.9
826
916
773
596.75
685.25
Rainfall effects
Thesium numbers varied dramatically from year to year, consistent with earlier
observations (Fig. 1). Most correlations of total Thesium numbers with rainfall data
(totals for the previous 12 months, previous summer, spring, and winter) were not
significant (Table 3). There was a high and significant negative correlation with rainfall
in the autumn 12 months prior to measurement (R=-0.85, P=0.008).
22
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Table 3. Pearson’s correlations (R) between Thesium numbers and rainfall totals in the
12 months prior to the April measurements. Figures in bold text are significant at
P<0.05.
Mean for Period
R
P
12 months
0.15
0.727
0.17
0.682
summer
spring
0.11
0.800
winter
0.62
0.100
autumn
-0.85
0.008
Management effects
Management treatments significantly influenced Thesium numbers in years where high
overall numbers of individuals were detected (2002 and 2005). In other post-treatment
years (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004), Thesium numbers were generally too low to detect any
treatment effects (Fig. 1).
Grazed treatments (unburnt and burnt) significantly and considerably enhanced
Thesium numbers in both 2002 and 2005. Effects of burning varied according to time
since the last fire. In 2002, 3 years since the last fire, no effects of burning on Thesium
numbers were detectable. In 2005, a year after the 2004 fire, burning significantly
enhanced Thesium numbers. At this date, all disturbance treatments (burning and
grazing combinations) led to similar (approximately 700%) increases in Thesium
numbers compared with undisturbed plots.
Analysis of variance indicated significant treatment effects on grass height in 2001 to
2003 (no data were available for 1998, 2000 or 2005). Mean grass height was
significantly lower on grazed (unburnt and burnt) plots than on ungrazed (unburnt
and burnt) plots in these years, consistent with expected treatment outcomes (in the
absence of recent burning, Fig. 2). There was no significant effect in 1999 or 2004,
suggesting that grazing levels may have been low in these years. Thesium numbers
correlated significantly with estimates of (ln) grass height in 2001 (R=0.64, P=0.007) and
2002 (R=0.76, P<0.001), but there was no overall correlation (across years) between
grass height and Thesium numbers (R=-0.007).
23
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
1200
Thesium individuals/plot (backtransformed means)
p=0.001
p=0.013
1000
800
600
a
a
a
400
Fire
a
Fire
200
a
b
b
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Year
ungrazed unburnt
ungrazed burnt
grazed unburnt
grazed burnt
Figure 1. Mean Thesium numbers per 5x5 m plot for each of the management treatments.
Significance levels (p; not shown – not significant) refer to comparisons within measurement
dates; different letters indicate significant differences between plot treatment means within
measurement dates (P<0.05). Note that data were log-transformed (ln x+1) for analysis, and
backtransformed means are presented.
24
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
50
p=0.002
p=0.001
p=0.003
45
40
35
Grass height (cm)
a
a
30
a
a
a
25
a
20
b
15
b
b
b
Fire
10
Fire
b
b
5
0
1998
1999
2000
ungrazed unburnt
2001
ungrazed burnt
2002
2003
grazed unburnt
2004
2005
grazed burnt
Figure 2. Estimated grass height for each 5x5 m plot for each of the management treatments.
Significance levels (p; not shown – not significant) refer to comparisons within measurement
dates; different letters indicate significant differences between plot treatment means within
measurement dates (P<0.05).
Discussion
Annual fluctuations in Thesium populations
As expected from earlier observations (Archer 1984, 1987, Leigh & Briggs 1989,
Prober & Thiele 1998), Thesium numbers fluctuated dramatically from year to
year. Low correlations with grass height suggested that annual fluctuations were not
related to vegetation biomass alone.
The significant negative correlation with rainfall in the autumn prior to measurement
may result from poor Themeda growth in a drought season being associated with high
recruitment of Thesium in the following season. However, the grass height data did not
indicate reduced Themeda vigour in the high-Thesium years, and the result may simply
be a chance correlation. Longer term data are needed, and causes of annual
fluctuations in Thesium numbers remain unclear.
25
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
Only in two years of the six year study were Thesium numbers high enough to
determine whether treatments were influencing Thesium populations. The infrequency
and variability of population flushes in this species increases the difficulty of detecting
long term trends in Thesium populations; thus results to date must still be considered
preliminary, and the experimental treatments and monitoring should be continued if
possible.
Importance of disturbance for maintaining Thesium populations
This trial provides direct evidence for the importance of occasional grassland
disturbance for maintaining Thesium populations, supporting earlier observations by
Archer (1984, 1987), but contrasting with observations of J. Briggs (pers. comm.), who
found little effect of prescribed burns on a Thesium population near Canberra.
Effects of disturbance may also depend on season. Scarlett and Parsons (1993) noted
the absence of Thesium from annually burnt railway reserves on the lowland basalt
plains of Victoria, and suggested that spring-summer burning regimes may have
eliminated the species from these sites. This contrasts with the positive response to
cool-season burning recorded in the present study.
Experimental results also provide a preliminary indication of appropriate disturbance
frequencies for maintaining Thesium populations. Data for 2002 suggest that the
influence of burning on Thesium establishment at Green Hills NCR lasts only 1-2 years
post-fire; thus to maintain high numbers of individuals in all favourable years,
burning intervals would need to be relatively short. Conversely, the 2004 fire
promoted high numbers in 2005, despite the five year interval between fires.
Assuming that most Thesium individuals established from seed banks within the plots
(rather than from seeds broadcast from outside the plots), this result suggests that soil
seed banks can persist for at least five years, and that 2005 Thesium numbers were not
negatively influenced by 5 years of very low population numbers.
Appropriate fire intervals for maintaining Thesium populations will depend on the
balance between seed bank longevity and the frequency of seasons favourable for
Thesium. It is not essential that Thesium numbers remain high in every season, but
because not all years are suitable for successful Thesium establishment, a closer rather
than wider fire interval would be the more conservative approach. A preliminary
recommendation might thus be to maintain fire intervals of around 2-4 years, or
perhaps greater during drought periods. This is consistent with historical burning
regimes at Green Hills NCR, where records suggest regular winter burning (Prober &
Thiele 1998). Further information on the longevity of seed banks and the factors
leading to favourable Thesium years would be valuable for refining this strategy.
Grazing vs burning
Where burning was recent (2005), disturbance treatments (combinations of grazing
and burning) were all equally effective for promoting Thesium. In other years, grazing
was more effective than burning, but only because the grazing treatment was more
recent. While the data do not directly indicate appropriate intervals between grazing
26
Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
events, it would be reasonable to assume that grazing intervals similar to (or less than)
those indicated for burning would be necessary for maintaining Thesium populations.
Comparisons of the effects of burning versus grazing on other floristic values at Green
Hills NCR are still needed before the relative values of these management options can
be fully assessed. For example, Thesium is a parasitic species dependent on hosts such
as the dominant native grass Themeda triandra. Themeda is likely to be promoted by fire,
but may suffer under some grazing regimes, potentially influencing Thesium in the
longer term.
Further, it is important to note that these results apply to Thesium numbers only. The
native grasslands at Green Hills NCR have other important conservation values. They
support populations of the rare orchid Prasophyllum frenchii and the rare herb Polygala
japonica, are an excellent example of mid-elevation basalt grasslands and are rich in
other native grassland plants. Burning and grazing treatments may affect these values
in different ways, and these effects should be assessed as a matter of priority before a
final management plan is determined.
References
Archer, W. R. (1984) Austral Toad-flax R. Brown (Santalaceae) – field notes and
observations. Victorian Naturalist 101, 81-85.
Archer, W. R. (1987) Additional field notes and observations of Austral Toad-flax R.
Brown (Santalaceae). Victorian Naturalist 104, 46-49.
GenStat (2003) GenStat Release 7.1 Guide to GenStat Part 2: Statistics. VSN International
Limited, Oxford, UK.
Griffith, S. J. (1991) The Biology and Management of Austral Toadflax (Thesium
australe) in New South Wales. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Leigh, J. & Briggs, J. D. (1989) Research relating to the conservation of rare or
threatened plant species and their habitats in eastern Australia. In M. Hicks and P.
Eiser (eds.) The Conservation of Threatened Species and their Habitats. Australian
Committee for IUCN, Canberra.
Leigh, J., Boden, R. & Briggs, J. (1984) Extinct and Endangered Plants of Australia.
MacMillan, Melbourne.
Prober, S. & Thiele, K. (1998) Ecology and management of the Austral Toad-flax
(Thesium australe) at ‘Open Grounds’, Gillingal Station, East Gippsland. Report to
Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.
Scarlett, N., Bramwell, M. & Earl, G. (1994) Action Statement No. 56. Austral Toad Flax
Thesium australe. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria.
Scarlett, N. H. & Parsons, R. F. (1993) Rare or threatened plants in Victoria. In D. B.
Foreman and N. G. Walsh (eds.), Flora of Victoria, Volume I. Inkata Press,
Melbourne.
Acknowledgements
Work for this project was funded by the Dept. Sustainability and Environment,
Victoria and the Department of Environment and Heritage. Mick Bramwell, Emma
Roe, members of the Bairnsdale Field Naturalists, Green Corp members and other
volunteers conducted annual counts of Thesium.
27
Figure 1. Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve - Boundaries, Hydrology and Physical Assets
Green Hills NCR
Government road reserves
●
State Forest Zones
General Management Zone
Dam
Special Protection Zone
#
■
#
Shed
Hydrology (1:100,000)
#
#
Perennial stream
Intermittent stream
Roads (1:100,000)
Major road unsealed
Vehicular track
Minor road unsealed
●
Experimental plots
LOCALITY
#
June 2005
Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library
© Department of Sustainability and Environment
The State of Victoria, 2005.
Disclaimer:
This map is made using the best available information.
The creators of this map do not warrant that it is free
of error and do not accept liability for loss arising
from use of this product beyond its original purpose.
N
1.2
0
0.2
0.4
Kilometres
Figure 2. Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve
- Threatened Species, Biosites and Ecological Vegetation Classes
%
# 6603
Green Hills NCR
●
Threatened species
■
Biosites
Hydrology (1:100,000)
Austral Toad-flax
#
Ecological Vegetation Classes
Austral Toad-flax
Dwarf Brooklime
Slender Tick-trefoil
#
#
Austral Toad-flax
#
Perennial stream
Intermittent stream
Austral Toad-flax
Blue-leaf Tussock-grass #
Austral Toad-flax
Dwarf Brooklime #
(29) Damp Forest
(702) Montane Grassland
(37) Montane Grassy Woodland
(21) Shrubby Dry Forest
(47) Valley Grassy Forest
#
# 6995
#
(30) Wet Forest
■ #
(22) Grassy Dry Forest
(33) Cool/Temperate Rainforest Overlap
(36) Montane Dry Woodland
Austral Toad-flax
%
#
# 6632
Note: EVC mapping within Green Hills NCR based
on that by Mick Bramwell 2005. Mapping outside of
Green Hills NCR current in the EVC_CMP layer in
the GCDL July 2005
#
LOCALITY
●
#
Austral Toad-flax
Austral Toad-flax
#
April 2005
Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library
© Department of Sustainability and Environment
The State of Victoria, 2005.
Disclaimer:
This map is made using the best available information.
The creators of this map do not warrant that it is free
of error and do not accept liability for loss arising
from use of this product beyond its original purpose.
1.5
0
0.5 Kilometres
N
Figure 3. Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve - Landscape Context
Alpine
National Park
Nunnalong Plain
Natural Features
and Scenic Reserve
Nunnett Plain
Natural Features
and Scenic Reserve
Parks, Reserves & Other Public Land
National Parks
Nature Conservation Reserve
● GELANTIPY
Mount Stewart
Natural Features
and Scenic Reserve
Natural Features Reserve
Other Public Land
State Forest Zones
General Management Zone
● BUTCHERS RIDGE
Special Management Zone
Special Protection Zone
Roads (1:100,000)
Green Hills Nature
Conservation Reserve
Major road sealed
Major road unsealed
GILLINGAL
#
● W TREE
Snowy River National Park
Plum Gully
Flora Reserve
LOCALITY
Murrindal
Flora Reserve
#
June 2005
Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library
© Department of Sustainability and Environment
The State of Victoria, 2005.
Disclaimer:
This map is made using the best available information.
The creators of this map do not warrant that it is free
of error and do not accept liability for loss arising
from use of this product beyond its original purpose.
N
3
0
3 Kilometres
Figure 4. Aerial photograph of Green Hills Nature Conservation Reserve. Note: the red line indicates the approximate
boundary of the reserve.