GUIDE FOR PRECONFERENCE TOUR

PERTH - GERALDTON

28 AUGUST 1988

@ ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

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AUSTRALIAN ECOSYSTEMS:

200 YEARS OF UTILISATION, DEGRADATION AND RECONSTRUCTION

BIENNIAL SYMPOSIUM - GERALDTON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

28 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER 1988

PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP

Angas Hopkins, Ted Griffin, David Bell & John Dell

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

INTRODUCTION • ....•.........•••.•••••••.•.•••••••••...•.•.•..••..... 2

CL IMA TE . ••••.•.•...•.•••..••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••..••.•••••.• 2

GEOLOGY • •••••.•••••••••..•••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••..•••••••. 2

BIOGEOGRAPHY AND VEGETATION ..•.•.•...•••••..••...•.•....•......••.. 5

BOTANICAL HISTORY . ...........••••••••••••••.•...•...•••.••..•..•... 7

HUMA.N OCCUPATION .••....•.....•••••••••••••••••..•..••.•••••.•.•••.. 8

TUART WOODLANDS - YANCHEP NATIONAL PARK •••••..•....••.•••..•••.•.. 10

BANKSIA WOODLANDS - MOORE RIVER NATIONAL PARK •..••.•••••••.••.•••. 11

GINGIN SHIRE- CEt1ETERY . ..•.•..•••••••••••••••.•.•••••••••.......•.. 12

BANKSIA WOODLAND FAUNA •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 12

STREAMSIDE WOODLAND - REGAN'S FORD •••••••••.••••••••••.•.•••...•.. 13

BADGINGARRA NATIONAL PARK ••..••••••••.•••••••...••.••••••••..•.•.• 14

WOODLAND AND SHRUBLANDS - COOMALOO CREEK •••••••••••••••••••••.•••. 14

WOODLAND FAUNA . ••.•.•••.•.•••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••.•••••.•• • 16

ENEABBA KWONGAN - SAND MINING OPERATIONS ••••••••••••••••.•••.•••.. 16

GREENOUGH HISTORICAL VILLAGE •••••••••••..•••.•••••••••••.•••••••.. 18

REFERENCES • •••••..•.••••.••.•.•••••.•••..•••.••..••••••....••••••. 19

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INTRODUCTION

This transition

· dominated management Gerald ton decline in sites to be gradient as

CLIMATE

Pre-Conference tour has been designed to highlight the from the woodlands of the Perth region to the shrub­

vegetaton further north and to look at some of the land issues along the way (Fig. 1). The traverse from Perth to covers a general south-to-north climatic gradient with a

precifpitation and an increase in temperature. Three visited illustrate the response of the vegetation to this well as to variations in substrate.

The Western Australian region of wet winter and dry summer climate has been subdivided by some workers (eg. K8ppen 1983, Trewartha 1968) into mesothermal CSa and CSb sections based on whether the average temperature of the warmest month is over or under 22 degrees C. The present tour is restricted to the CSa region. The remainder of the Australia mediterranean climate areas, those along the southern coast of Western Australia and those in South Australia are categorized as CSb climates due to their lower summer temperatures. The western coastal region of southwestern Western Australia shows a considerable equatorial extension compared with the latitudinal ranges of the mediterranean climate regions of the rest of the world. This is undoubtedly due to the lack of an off~shore cold ocean current.

In addition to the south to north gradient reflecting a decrease in rainfall and increases in temperature referred to earlier, as one proceeds inland there is also a gradient of decreasing rainfall and increase in temperature from the coast to the interior. These trends are illustrated in Table 1 which provids climatic data for Perth, Eneabba and Carnamah to the east of Eneabba.

GEOLOGY

Western Australian geology is dominated by an Archaean Shield which is among the oldest and most stable land masses in the world. The shield is bordered by sedimentary basins which are also very old. This tour will be over the northern portion of the Perth Sedimentary Basin, which is a narrow strip on the Western margin of the Shield (Fig. 2).

The most prominent geological feature of the southwestern corner of Western Australia is the Darling fault. This north-south trending fault which is over 1,000 km long separates the Perth basin from the Archaean granitic rocks of the shield. Near Perth, the Darling fault is evidenced by the prominent Darling scarp but its presence becomes obscured towards its northern limit as we approach Gingin.

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GREENOUGH

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Nature Reserves

National Parks

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NEW ORCIA

Fig. 1. Western Australian region of the Pre-Conference Field Trip. Stops have been indicated.

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Table 1. Climatic data for representative stations for regions of the northern sand plain.

------------Rainfall Perth

Mean annual(mm) 883

Mean no. rain days/yr 119

Wettest month (mm) June(187)

Driest month (mm) Jan.(8)

Temperature 0

Annual mean max( C) 0

Annual mean min( C) 0

Hottest month ( C) 0

Coldest month ( C)

Relative Humidity

Mean annual(% 3 pm)

23.5

13.5

Jan.(30.3)

Aug.(9.1)

50

Eneabba

590

99

June(l68)

Dec.(5)

26.6

11.6

Feb.(35.7)

Aug.(6.8)

39

Carnamah

398

78

June(83)

Dec.(9)

26.7

12.1

Feb.(35.3)

July(7.0)

36

The rocks of the Perth basin are mainly Mesozoic sandstones with minor amounts of siltstones and shales. Zones of faulting are evident in the Perth basin but relative stability has existed for over 60 million years. Geological modifications in that time have been minor, with subsequent deposits being shallow and poorly consolidated. Quaternary sands are thickest in the coastal zone. With its great age and geological stability, Western Australia's landscape shows little relief. Very ancient soils including laterites have developed on deeply weathered rocks.

A low plateau reaching heights of 200 to 300 m above sea level occupies the eastern portion of the Perth basin. A coastal belt of 10 to 20 km wide and reaching 100 m above sea level flanks the plateau. A marine escarpment, which formed during a period when the relative sea level were higher, separates the coastal zone from the plateau.

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Fig. 2. Physiographic regions, (From Playford et al. 1976).

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DARLING

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Rivers which drained the Archaean shield during periods when rainfall was much greater than at present have strongly dissected the western portion of the plateau. This erosion provides the most striking landscape features to be seen in this area - small mesas and steep-sided valleys. Erosion by the present-day streams is minor and flow in most streams is low and occurs only after heavy, winter rainfall. Few streams flow directly into the Indian Ocean because of the limestone deposits on the coastal belt. Alluvial deposits developed east of the limestone where these streams were blocked. Many shallow, ephemeral lakes occur in these areas.

Drainage from the Archaean shield is low and ineffective at present. This has produced shallow unconsolidated deposits on the eastern portion of the Perth basin. These deposits are mainly quartz sand. Saline lakes are a feature of the shield.

The Perth Basin contains deposits of economic importance. Natural gas, coal and water occur in the Mesozoic sediments. Heavy mineral sands and diatomaceous earth deposits occur in the shallow Quaternary sands. Mineral sands are mined at Eneabba along the margin between the ancient laterite uplands and the coastal basin deposits.

BIOGEOGRAPHY AND VEGETATION

The southwest of Western Australia has one of the richest angiosperm floras in the world. About 3,600 named species were known from the region by the mid 1960s, with 68 per cent of these being endemics. Recent taxonomic research indicates that many endemic taxa (from 10 to 30 per cent of the total) remain undescribed, so that the actual number of species present in the south-west is probably in the region of 4,500. There are in the order of ~,000 species in the area seen on this tour.

J.D. Hooker, in 1860, was the first biogeographer to note the apparent enigma in the southwest of a rich flora in terrain of relatively low relief and subdued topography. The region certainly has no mountains comparable to those which harbour the rich flora of say South Africa. However, it is now apparent that areas of the southwest that are particularly rich in species occur where Tertiary plateau surfaces have been greatly dissected to form complex soil mosaics. Ample evidence of this dissection will be seen on the present tour, especially between Badgingarra and Eneabba.

The traverse begins at Perth in the Darling Botanical District of the South-West Botanical Provence. This District take in the major forest types of the South-West including the karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor), jarrah (~ marginata) and tuart (~ gomphocephala), all of which are best developed in the higher rainfall areas south of Perth. Both tuart and jarrah, together with marri (~ calophylla)

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occur relatively sparcely from Perth northwards. The major vegetation type, however, is Banksia woodland. This woodland is dominated by Banksia attenuata and B. menziesii and has a rich understorey of shrubs, which is closelyrelated floristically to the shrublands further north.

Eneabba is within the Irwin Botanical District, more commonly known as the Northern Sandplain. The major vegetation of the region is known as kwongan, the indigenous name given to the extensive sclerophyllous shrublands, equivalent to the fynbos of South Africa or the chaparral of California. The boundary between the Darling and Irwiri Districts is about at Coomalloo Creek, the site of the second stop for this tour. However, it is not an obvious boundary, particularly along the tour route; rather the climatic gradient is manifested in gradual decline in the height and density of the Banksias. At Eneabba, for example, both Banksia attenuata and B. menziesii occur in the kwongan, but as multi-branched shrubs up to lm in height.

Kwongan is the most important vegetation type in Australia from a nature conservation point of view. Over 60% of the plant species found in the South-West Botanical Province have been recorded from kwongan; included are many local endemics. Kwongan is species rich with up to 80 vascular plant species in 10 X 10 m plots and often with more than 100 species in 0.1 ha quadrats. As well there is a high turnover of species from site to site (beta diversity). Kwongan accurs on a broad range of soil types throughout the Province from laterite to deep grey and yellow sands, and including duplex soils and calcareous sands. There are two major kwongan areas, one in the north in the Irwin Botanical District and one in the south in the Eyre District. Between these two districts are the Roe and Avon Districts, which comprise much of the wheatbelt. kwongan is also important in these Districts, but occurs as patches within the woodlands and mallee communities.

Families that are well represented in Proteaceae, Myrtaceae, Papilionaceae and Restionaceae, Epacridaceae, Haemodoraceae, Stylidiaceae and Dilleniaceae. The first may contain up to 60 per cent of the species

BOTANICAL HISTORY

the area include the Mimosaceae, Cyperaceae, Goodeniaceae, Liliaceae, three of these families in any one site.

This area was one of the first parts of Australia to be discovered by Europeans. In 1619, Frederick Houtman of the Dutch East India Company sighted the islands of the Houtman Abrolhos group, 80 · km off the mainland west of Geraldton. The Frenchman, Captain Hamelin, in 1801 was the first to carefully examine the coast between latitudes 30 and 31 degrees S. During this expedition a number of coastal features were named - Ronsard Bay, Jurien Bay - as well as Mts. Lesueur and Peron which were sighted from the ship but not visited. These peaks were named after two naturalists in the party.

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It was not until 7 years after the foundation of the Swan River Colony (in 1829) that the area was first entered by Europeans. John Septimus Roe, the Surveyor General, led a party from York in 1836 and eventually reached the site of New Norcia in the south east of the region. In 1839 the coastal tract was traversed by Captain George Grey's exploring party who had lost their boats at the mouth of the Murchison River (130 km north of Geraldton) and were forced to make a long and arduous overland march to get back to Perth.

Botanical exploration in the area commenced with the work of the great collector, James Drummond had been Curator of the Botanical Gardens at Cork in Ireland before emmigrating to Western Australia in 1829 where he was appointed honarary Government Naturalist. Drummond supplemented his meagre farming income by the sale of botanical specimens to patrons in Europe. His specimens are the type collections of numerous Western Australian plant species. In 1841 Drummond examined the country in the vicinity of New Norcia and in 1842 a second expedition took him to the site of the present day town of Moora. In 1850 Drummond drove stock overland from the Swan River (Perth) to Champion Bay (Geraldton). The party travelled via Dandaragan where Drummond's son James had already established the station "Yere Yere" and Drummond senior spent several days collecting in the area. They subsequently travelled east of Mt. Lesueur to the Arrowsmith River and so to the Irwin River.

No further significant botanical collections were made in the area until early in the present century when the two German botanists, Ludwig Diels and Ernst Pritzel, passed through Moora on their way to Geraldton in January 1901. In December of the same year they visited Dandaragan. Not only did these workers make extensive plant collections they also published a detailed account of the vegetation of Western Australia. In 1931 the then Government Botanist, Charles Gardner, first visited the Cockleshall Gully - Mt. Lesueur area; subsequent visits were made in 1935, 1941 and 1946. In more recent times the area has come under intensive botanical study by scientists from the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management, the Department of Botany of The University of Western Australia and the School of Biology at Curtin University of Technology.

HUMAN OCCUPATION

At the time of European settlement, the northern sandplains had already been occupied by Aborigines for at least several thousand years. One of the oldest aboriginal archaeological deposits in Australia, dated at nearly 40,000 years was found on the banks of the Swan River, just north of Perth. However, historical records of aboriginal utilization of the area are extremely fragmentary. It is only very recently that anthropologists and archaeologists have begun to discover the nature and extent of Aboriginal usage of the Australian continent.

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In the area we will see on the tour, the Aborigines would have used the area for sources of food - fish and shellfish on the coast, kangaroos, smaller mammals, lizards, birds, insects and plants further inland. It is very likely that fires, deliberately or accidentally lit would have burned the vegetation from time to time.

The first areas to be settled by Europeans were in the east near Moora and New Norcia, and in the north from Dongara to Geraldton. Both areas were settled during the mid 19th century. Cereal grow:i,ng and grazing livestock were the primary farming activities. Horse breeding, for both local use and for export to India and Mauritius, was a profitable business near Greenough during the 1860 to 1880 period. Drought, floods, infertile soils, and plant diseases such as "rust" made life especially difficult in the early European settlements. Plants poisonous to livestock were common but were not identified until 1890. Species of Gastrolobium and Oxylobium (Papilionaceae) contained the poison monofluoroacetate which killed sheep and cattle but left native animals such as kangaroos unaffected.

The western parts, and some eastern areas were not found suitable for agricultural clearing until the mid 20th century. It was then discovered that the light sandy land could be made agriculturally productive if zinc, copper, and to some extent sulphur were added to the soil. This was in addition to large quantities of phosphorus and nitrogen that were also required.

Crops grown now include cereals, subterranean clover. Both beef cattle pastures improved by selected planting of fodder and aid in soil improvement. largely from bores (50 to 150 m deep).

lupins, oilseeds, and and sheep are raised on species that provide good

Water for livestock comes

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TUART WOODLAND - YANCHEP NATIONAL PARK

The yellow sand portion of the central region of the Swan Coastal Plain harbours woodlands and open forests dominated by Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala). Common associated species include Allocasuarina fraseriana, Banksia grandis and the large root parasite, Nuytsia floribunda. Blackboys (Xanthorrhoea preissii) are common in most areas. The understorey is often fairly open which has lead to invasion by numerous introduced ephemerals. The best remaining Tuart woodlands occur in the Yanchep National Park. Situated only 50 km north of Perth, the park has a number of captive Australian birds and mammals on display in the gardens. The park also contains good examples of Banksia woodlands on deep sands.

Acacia saligna Allocasuarina fraseriana Anagallis arvensis (I) Arctotheca calendula ill Banksia attenuata ~ grandis B. menziesii Clematis microphylla Conospermum triplinerivum Conostylis candicans C. teretifolia Daviesia juncea Dianella revoluta Diuris longifolia Drosera macrantha Dryandra sessilis Eucalyptus calophylla .!h_ gomphocephala .!h_ marginata Ehrharta longiflora ill Grevillea thelemanniana G. vestita Hakea lissocarpha .!h_ prostrata Hardenbergia comptoniana Hibbertia hypericoides Homeria collina ill Hypochoeris glabra ill Jacksonia furcellata ~ stern·bergiana Kennedya coccinea h prostrata Macrozamia reidlei Mesomalaena stygia Nuytsia floribunda Oxalis pes-caprae ill

Petrophile linearis Phyllanthus calycinus Solanum nigrum ill Xanthorrhoea preisii

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BANKSIA WOODLAND - NORTHERN PART OF MOORE RIVER NATION PARK

The Bassendean sands lie at the foot of the Pleistocene age marine scarp (Gingin Scarp). These grey, acid, well-drained sands are dominated in this area by Banksia woodlands, principally B attenualta. Other tree species include B. menziesii, B ilicifolia and Eucalyptus todtiana. Dominant shrubs include Adenanthos cygnorum, Eremaea pauciflora and Hibbertia hypericoides.

Adenanthos cygnorum Alexgorgia nitens Andersonia heterophylla Astroloma xerophylla Banksia attenuata B. ilicifolia B:- menziesii filancoa canescens Calytrix? fraseri Conospermum incurrm Conostephium pendulum Conostylis aurea Daviesia divericata Drosera erythrorhiza Eremaea pauciflora Eucalyptus todiana Hibbertia hypericoides !h_ subvaginata Hovea stricta Hypocalymma xanthopetalum Jacksonia floribunda Leucopogon conostephioides Lyginea barbata Patersonia occidentalis Petrophile linearis Pithocarpa pulchella Stirlingia latifolia

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GINGIN SHIRE CEMETERY

Situated on the edge of the Dandaragan Plateau overlooking the Swan Coastal Plain, the cemetery contains a large hybrid population of kangaroo paws (Anagozanthos manglesii) and catspaw (A. humilis) that has become a tourist attraction because of the spectacular display of colours. Anagozanthos manglesii occupies the lower well­watered slopes of the cemetery grounds, while A. humilis occurs on the drier central rise. Easily recognisable hybrids are confined to the ecotonal midslopes, primarily due to stringent spatial limitations on interspecific pollen flow imposed by bird pollinators.

BANKSIA WOODLAND FAUNA

Northern Banksia woodlands show a major seasonal variation in bird assemblages. Many insectivorous migratory species take advantage of the spring and early summer peak in invertebrate abundance to breed, while nectarivores make use of the bimodal flowering pattern of the two main Banksia species. Reptiles are diverse with over 40 species being recorded in Banksia woodlands. Reptile activity is focussed around the spring-early summer breeding season with a second activity peak in early autumn with the hatching of young. The Turtle Frog (Myobatrachus gouldii) is the only amphibian that lives and breeds exclusively in Banksia woodlands.

The mammal assemblage varies considerably within and between Banksia woodlands depending largely on the fire history regime. The influence of introduced predators and land clearance and alteration have had a longer term effect on the mammals of these unique woodlands.

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EUCALYPTUS RUDIS STREAMSIDE WOODLAND.=_ REGAN'S FORD L MOORE RIVER

The river margins in southwestern Western Australia are generally , the habitat dominated by Eucalyptus rudis. Much of this habitat in the rest of inland Australia is dominated by E. camaldulensis and a zone of integration between these two species occurs between the Moore River and the Greenough River to the north. The area is exceptionally good for orchids and we should be able to find a number. Western Australia, of course, is known for its extremes of pollinator-specific species.

Banksia prionotes Burchardia multiflora Boronia racemosa Bromus rubens (I) Caladenia flava C. patersonii Calothamnus quadrifidus Caustis dioica Corynotheca micrantha Daviesia pectinata Dianella revoluta Dryandra nivea Eucalyptus calophylla 1k._ marginata E. rudis Gyrostemmon ramulosa Hibbertia hypericoides H.huegelii Hakea trifurcata Hypocalymma angustifolia Jacksonia sternbergiana J. ulicina Kennedya prostrata Loxocarya flexuosa Lupinus consentinii ill Macrozamia riedlei Melaleuca rhapiophylla Patersonia occidentalis Phyllanthus calycinus Pimelea suaveolens Romulea rosea ill. Sowerbaea laxiflora Stypandra imbricata Verrauxia reinwerdtii

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BADGINGARRA NATIONAL PARK

A good selection of the disected lateritic country of the Northern Sandplains is included in this park. The vegetation is typically dense low shrubs less than 1.5 m tall. Badgingarra mallee (Eucalyptus pendens) is a rare species of weeping habit that occurs in very small geographically isolated populations in the area.

WOODLAND AND SHRUBLANDS - COOMALOO CREEK

The creekside region is dominated by Eucalyptus accedens. Of major interest is the population of very large Macrozamia reidlei, ages of which have been dated at over 500 years. The heath vegetation of the acid sand slope was burned in 1979. Common species of the lower slopes are Hakea obliqua, Jacksonia floribunda and Hibbertia aurea. Areas of shallow lateritic gravel soil higher up the ridge commonly support Xanthorrhoea drummondii, Hakea auriculata and Gastrolobium spinescens.

Acacia lasiocarpa h stenoptera Actinostrobus acuminata Adenanthos cygriorum Alexgeorgia arenicola Allocasuarina humilis h microstachya Andersonia heterophylla A. lehmanniana Astroloma pallidum A. stromarrhena Baeckea camphorosma ~ grandiflora Banksia attenuata B. candolleana Beaufortia elegans Billardiera erubescens Blancoa canescens Calectasia cyanea Calothamnus sanguineus C. torulosa Caustis dioica Conospermum amoenum ~ triplinervium C. incurvum Conostephium pendulum Conostylis crassivervia Conothamnus trinervis Dasypogon bromeliifolius Daviesia divaricata ~ epiphylla

D. horrida Dryandra armata D. brevifolia D. carlinoides D. media D. nivea D. tridentata D. shuttleworthiana Eucalyptus accedens Gastrolobium bilobum ~ spinescens Gompholobium knightianum Grevillea integrifolia ~ pilulifera ~ synaphea Haemodorum paniculata Hakea auriculata .!h_ corymbosa H. incrassata H. obliqua .!h_ stenocarpa H. trifurcata Hovea stricta Hibbertia hypericoides H. aurea Hypocalymma xanthopetalum Jacksonia floribunda J. ulcina Lambertia multiflora Lasiopetalum drummondii Laxmannia sessiliflora Leptospermum spinescens Leucopogon conostephioides L. striatus Macrozamia riedlei Melaleuca raphiophylla Petrophile media P. linearis P. macrostachya Pimelea suaveolens Pithocarpa corymbulosa Pityrodia verbascina Scaevola canescens ~ paludosa Schoenus capitatus Scholtzia parviflora Stirlingia latifolia Synaphea petiolaris ~ polymorpha Tersonia brevipes Verreauxia reinwardtii Xanthorrhoea drummondii

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WOODLAND FAUNA

Eucalypt woodlands along Coomaloo Creek form islands of woodlands surounded by kwongan. They provide nesting sites for hollows nesters such as White-tailed Black Cockatoos, Galahs and Corellas that use the surrounding kwongan for feeding. The kwongan associations and the eucalypt woodland understorey thickets have a rich and diverse bird assemblage with about 10 honeyeater species and many small insectivores including 4 species of fairy-wren. This area is important zoogeographically. Three south-western Bassian species - Scarlet Robin, Western Thornhill and Western Spinebill - have their approximate northern limit of distribution here.

The herpetofauna of these associations has not been investigated, but is probably comparable to that of the Gairdner Plateau further west where about 20 species occur. Gravels, clays and heavy colluviums are relatively depauperate compared to sandplains in this region, which have over 30 species - geckos (7 species), legless lizards (5 species) and skinks (16 species) - are the richest groups.

At least half of the 18 mammal species present in this region prior to European settlement have disappeared. Grey Kangaroos and Honey Possums are common in the kwongan, while bats use the hollows in eucalypts for roosts.

ENEABBA KWONGAN

The Eneabba mineral sands deposit lies at the foot of the Gingin Scarp, a somewhat impressive landscape feature in this area, representing an ancient (Tertiary or Pleistocene) coastline between 91-105 m higher than the present sealevel. Trial mining commenced in the early 19970s but full scale operations did not begin until 1976. Initially there were three companies involved but the operations were rationalised recently and are now solely run by Associated Minerals Consolidated Ltd.

The present mining operation is in natural vegetation in vacant Crown land and the South Eneabba Nature Reserve. To date the mining has used a dry method involving scrapers, dump trucks and conveyors. About 70 ha is mined each year. However in December 1988, a floating dredge will begin operating to the west of the existing pits. The minesity experiences a mediterranean climate with annual rainfall of about 530 mm per annum. Daytime temperatures in summer often exceed 40 C. and a diurnal sea breeze-land breeze can be especially strong in summer.

The vegetation of the region is species-rich kwongan and has been the subject of considerable research relating to flora and fauna surveys, rehabilitation studies, nutrient cycling and investigation of mycorrhizae. AMC's rehabilitation objective is to return the

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vegetation to a self-sustaining ecosystem with similar species richness and plant densities to that of the pre-mining vegetation. Rehabilitation begins with contouring of tailings to create landform. Topsoil previously stripped from the minepath is spread to a depth of about 25 cm; this provides organic matter and nutrients, soil biota and soil stored seed. Brush material (mulch) cut from the minepath and firebreaks is then spread on the topsoil to provide additional seed (on-plant stored seed) and to help stabilize soils. A seed mix of selected native plant species is then sown and a cover crop is added where necessary. This cover crop is to provide additional protection for soils and developing seedlings in the first year of rehabilitation.

These techniques combine to provide what is termed primary rehabilitation. The timing of primary rehabilitation is a most important factor in achieving good results. Rehabilitation work completed in May give best germination and establishment. There is a comprehensive rehabilitation inventory program throughout the rehabilitation areas. Parameters measured are species richness, density of plants (native and alien) and plant cover. The results of the monitoring program are used to plan further rehabilitation treatments, which may include supplementary seeding with native plant seed, planting nursery stock and weed control.

Actinostrobus acuminatus Allocasuarina humilis Baeckea grandiflora Banksia attenuata B. candolleana i:- hookerana B. menziesii Beaufortia elegans Calothamnus sanguineus Conostylis aurea C. crassinervia C. teretifolia Dampiera spicigera Darwinia neildiana .!h_ speciosa Dryandra nivea Eremaea violacea Hypocalymma xanthopetalum Isopogon trilobus Jacksonia floribunda Leucopogon striatus Lysinema ciliatum Mesomalaena stygia Monotaxis grandiflora Pileanthus filifolius Stylidium crossocephalum Verticordia grandiflora Xylomelum angustifolium

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GREENOUGH HISTORICAL VILLAGE

Situated on a narrow coastal plain that has River Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) with trunks bent at right angles by the strong salt-laden prevailing winds, Greenough is a hamlet that serviced one of the earliest farming settlements north of Perth. Buildings have been extensively restored by the National Trust.

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REFERENCES

BEARD, J.S. 1976. The Vegetation of the Dongara Area, Western Australia. Map and Explanatory Memoir, 1:250,000 Series. Vegmap Publications, Perth, W.A.

BEARD, J.S. 1979. The Vegetation of Moora and Hill River Areas, Western Series.

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