Balmattum Nature Conservation Reserve Interim Management Statement

VMZ3

This Zone is based on areas where the understorey is overwhelmingly dominated by introduced species including those parts that have been ploughed. These areas have a high cover of grasses especially

introduced species, high cover of weeds and limited flora and fauna habitat values. Few native forbs are present. The shrub layer has been completely removed. There is no tree regeneration in these areas.

Areas

Northeastern drainage line (5ha), east of and including shearing shed surrounds (15ha). (20ha total)

Management Objectives

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  Control weeds and the potential for weed invasion into other parts of the reserve.
  
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  Improve fauna habitat by restoring overstorey and structural diversity.
  
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  Restore habitat connections.
  

• 
  Areas given are approximate, actual areas to be determined on-site.
  

Proposed Management

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  Fence areas.
  
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  ‘Crash’ graze with cattle in late summer to reduce biomass.
  
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  Control priority weeds.
  
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  Graze with sheep to maintain low open, ground cover prior to revegetation programs.
  
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  Instigate revegetation programs with tree and shrub species.
  

INTERIM MANAGEMENT DIRECTION – VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ZONES

Manage vegetation in accordance with the three vegetation management zones identified.

STOCK GRAZING
The density of standing grass vegetation must be controlled in some areas of the Reserve in order to maintain and enhance habitat for a range of flora and fauna species and to allow for revegetation programs. As the Reserve has a long history of grazing by domestic stock it is proposed that this should be used as the primary means of achieving this aim. It is emphasised that in this context stock grazing is employed as a tool for achieving specific management outcomes rather than a commercial use.
Stock grazing on the Reserve should be conducted under an agreement with a local landholder. The terms of the agreement should include clauses relating to stocking rates, timing and areas of grazing, feeding, watering points, stock exclusion (including total removal of stock under drought conditions) and pest plant and animal control (see Appendix 5). All stock numbers, type and movements must be recorded.
Initial ‘crash’ grazing to reduce biomass within VMZ2 & VMZ3 should be conducted with cattle in late summer. Subsequent grazing should be with wethers and should be conducted in late summer and autumn. It is preferable that grazing take place early in this period rather than late. Sheep should not be grazed in the Reserve from August to December (inclusive) except in VMZ3 areas prior to revegetation programs. General stocking rates should be of the order of 3-5 dry sheep equivalent/ha although if sheep are to be in the reserve for a short time only then higher stocking rates may be used.
The aim of grazing is to achieve a relatively open, short grass cover. Vegetation should be monitored and grazing removed once this desired structure has been achieved.
Stock grazing should take place across all VMZ2 (and VMZ3 areas prior to revegetation). It is possible that this total area could be divided into two or three areas with each part grazed more intensively on an annual rotation. There is probably sufficient water in the 3 dams to allow for this approach.
Stock grazing may be required for short periods within VMZ1 areas to reduce ground cover to satisfactory levels. There is a potential conflict, however, between establishing shrub layers and having these areas grazed. In general, protection and establishment of shrubs should be given priority in such circumstances with grazing excluded until shrubs are sufficiently advanced to withstand short-term grazing by stock. Grey Kangaroos will maintain some continuous grazing pressure although they are likely to avoid areas of rank grass.
INTERIM MANAGEMENT DIRECTIONS – STOCK GRAZING

In general, exclude stock grazing from relatively intact areas. Maintain stock grazing as a primary tool for controlling biomass in the Reserve where this is required in the short term.

VEGETATION RESTORATION
Management of grazing across VMZ1 and VMZ2 will allow further tree regeneration and enhance the quality of the understorey as well as contributing to habitat requirements of fauna. However, shrub and tree cover restoration will require active revegetation programs in some areas.
The objectives of this program are to:

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  enhance floristic and habitat diversity in a mosaic across the Reserve;
  

• 
  restore shrub species to woodland communities;
  
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  link areas of existing habitat; and
  
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  assist in controlling weed invasion in degraded areas through replacing existing weed cover with native vegetation.
  

Restoration programs should be conducted in VMZ1 areas with the central area being the first priority. Individual Buloke, not included within VMZ1 areas, may also benefit from small stock-exclosures to

prevent mechanical damage, soil compaction and nutrient enrichment around their bases. Fencing

would also protect seedlings.
Establishment of all plants should be by niche seeding to reduce soil disturbance but maximise cost- effectiveness or by seedlings where this is not feasible. Provenance of all species should be from within the Goulburn Broken Catchment Riverina Bioregion and from similar soil types.
Revegetation programs are required along the two drainage lines and in highly disturbed areas along the southern boundary. Although this revegetation is not an immediate priority it will improve habitat connectivity with the surrounding landscape, reduce weed invasion and increase habitat diversity. Plantings along drainage lines should be at least 50 metres in width.
A small area of White Box occurs in the vicinity of the shearing shed. Within this woodland, the understorey is seriously degraded and is dominated by introduced annual grasses and Cape Weed. Increasing the number and area of White Box and other tree species within the Reserve will improve habitat for a number of fauna species and accordingly White Box, White Cypress Pine and Yellow Box seedlings should be planted on this area of freer draining soil. As stock grazing should continue in this area as a means of controlling weed growth, individual guarding of seedlings may be necessary.
INTERIM MANAGEMENT DIRECTIONS – VEGETATION RESTORATION

Implement revegetation programs to restore shrub and tree cover within specific areas of the Reserve and enhance floristic and habitat diversity across the Reserve.

Table 1: Woodland species suitable for establishment in the Reserve

SPECIES	COMMON NAME	USE
Acacia acinacea	Gold-dust wattle	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Acacia pycnantha	Golden wattle	In degraded areas and enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Acacia verniciflua	Varnish wattle	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Allocasuarina luehmannii	Buloke	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Bursaria spinosa	Sweet Bursaria	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Callitris glaucophylla	White Cypress-pine	South west corner; on lighter soils
Eucalyptus albens	White Box	South west corner; on lighter soils
Eucalyptus camaldulensis	River Red Gum	In degraded areas and on heavy soils
Eucalyptus melliodora	Yellow Box	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland on lighter soils
Eucalyptus microcarpa	Grey Box	In degraded areas and enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Eutaxia microphylla	Common Eutaxia	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Pittosporum phylliraeoides	Weeping Pittosporum	South west corner, on lighter soils
Pultenaea laxiflora	Loose-flower Bushpea	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland
Templetonia stenophylla	Leafy Templetonia	Enrichment planting in Plains Grassy Woodland

TREE DIEBACK
Tree Dieback is occurring sporadically across the Reserve and, although it is not severe at present, it requires monitoring and investigation. The cause of this dieback is not clear. Factors that may be contributing are exposure, lack of insectivorous birds due to absence of suitable habitat or Noisy Miner attack, insect attack, nutrient enrichment, senescence and drought (Reid & Landsberg 1999). The proposed interim management for the Reserve will address some of these possible causes, however specific programs may need to be developed to alleviate stress on effected trees.

RESEARCH AND MONITORING
A comprehensive monitoring program is required to assess the efficacy of the interim management in meeting the vegetation management objectives and assess the outcomes of different management regimes.