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Revegetation
Succesful revegetation, whether it is part of bushland restoration or regeneration of cleared land will depend on a number of conditions being met and them coming together in the right combination.To encourage regeneration in bushland the most cost effective action you can take is to fence off the area from grazing stock and control the weeds. When controlling weeds work from the good areas first into the more weeda affected areas. Understand the weeds you are dealing with so you can use appropriate control methods. Perrenials, annuals and bulbous weeds have different methods of control which work best and their may be biological or cultural methods of control that you can use.
If the soil has a reasonable seed bank, then techniques such as patch burning or using smoke water may be useful. If the soil seed bank is depleted then direct seeding of native seed into the area may be low cost alternative to planting tubestock.
For more information on how to carry out succesful revegetation refer to the document below.
Fencing and revegetation of our waterways and drainage lines
Fencing and revegetation is essential in maintaining water quality, preventing soil erosion and providing habitat and wildlife corridors. Wildlife corridors are important for the movement and retention of habitat for native birds and small mammals.Often a community regards corridors of native vegetation as a fire hazard. Therefore logically the alternative is that we allow continual access by stock or use fire continually to control fuel loads along our water ways. This process is a vicious cycle which degrades our riparian vegetation and promotes the growth and spread of many of the weeds which present a much more severe fire hazard .The fact is that weed grasses such as wild oats pose more of a risk, than does a robust stand of native vegetation. However to ensure we end up with native vegetation which fulfils the requirements for native animals and reduces the fire risk. We have to plan ahead.
In planning to revegetate waterways weed control needs to be done at least two years ahead. Initially if fuel loads are high a control burn may be appropriate in autumn. Stands of native vegetation within these areas need to be protected by installing breaks around them. Burning actively stimulates many weed grasses to germinate, however if they are controlled for even one season they are almost eliminated. Other weeds are more resilient. Burning is followed up by at least two chemical sprays as winter rains progresses. The aim is to allow plants to grow sufficiently so that when the die they leave an organic residue on top of the soil to protect it over the winter from wind and water erosion but not to allow any weeds to seed. Make sure you address which weeds you have in your area. Glyphosate does not kill everything, especially bulbous weeds and oxalis species.
The following summer should see ripping operations completed and seedlings ordered for the project. Then wait again for the break of season and the next crop of weeds to germinate and spray prior to planting. Planting should be done in June on well drained sites or on moisture gaining sites it can be left to early August which may allow another opportunity for more weed control. This program will allow the rapid establishment of native vegetation. Once native vegetation establishes it quickly out shades most weed species. An exemption to this is Oxalis pes caprae or soursob which revels in damp shady areas. Any weed control should ensure this weed and any other bulbous weeds are tackled pre planting. Fire breaks and appropriate fencing should be incorporated into your planting design to incorporate stock crossing or watering points and access tracks where appropriate.
It is easier to manage weeds before revegetation begins. Recent use of weed control techniques at LLoyd Reserve has shown that two seasons of weed control give sufficient control to allow the rapid establishment of native vegetation whether from seed or replanting with maximum weed control and there fore reduced fire hazard.
DOCUMENTS
Planting in low rainfall areas
Sandalwood establishment guide(2000)
Links
Avongro Avongro website
Australian Sandalwood Network (ASN) ASN Website
Forest Products Commission Forest Products Commision
