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Newsletter April 2016
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 2
REVEGETATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA INC.
All correspondence should be sent to the Administration Officer,
Delia Baldock
RIAWA
PO Box 1333, Midland DC, WA 6936
Ph: 0418 935 040
Management Committee
Chairperson Dr Markus Mikli (Ecoscape)
Vice Chairperson Katina De Sousa (Astron)
Secretary Ben Croxford (Nuts About Natives)
Treasurer Alex Growden (Workpower)
Committee Dr Peter Golos (BGPA)
Committee Damian Grose (Tranen)
Committee David Hancock (Natural Area)
Committee Dallas Lynch (Greening Australia WA)
Newsletter Markus Mikli (Ecoscape)
Webmaster Delia Baldock
Do you want to contribute an article or photos to our newsletter?
If so, please contact us on [email protected]
All articles and contributions of interest are welcomed and should be
submitted in electronic format as a Word document or in Rich Text to
the Administration Officer at [email protected]
Advertisements are available to members at $250 for a half page or
$125 for a quarter page. Details for our ad specifications are located
on page 14 of this newsletter.
Front cover: Darwinia sp - Markus Mikli
MEMBER BENEFITS
IN THIS ISSUE
• Representation of industry issues with government agencies
and NGO’s
• Professional recognition of adherence to highest industry
standards and quality
• Networking with fellow industry professionals
• Opportunity for input into industry submissions, papers, guidelines
and committees
• Information seminars
• Latest industry news for new techniques, methodologies and
legislative changes
• Access to free advice through the committee and members
• Web site listing
• Free newsletter
• Use of Association logo on your own marketing material
• Positive contribution towards sustainable conservation outcomes
by improvement to the standards of native plant revegetation
Editorial .................................................................................................3
News and Events ...................................................................................4
Dieback Hygiene ...................................................................................5
Bushfire Planning ..................................................................................6
Gateway WA ..........................................................................................7
Cutting Edge Technology ......................................................................9
Parthenium Weed ................................................................................11
Restoration Standards.........................................................................13
Kimberley Seed Bank ..........................................................................13
Advertising Specifications ...................................................................14
Membership Application ..............................................................15
Balaustion pulcherrimum - Markus Mikli
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 3
Committee Awards to Geoff Cockerton, David Venning and Luke Sweedman
Revegetating the Future and the next Seminar
There have been some big changes in the Management
committee. Perennial committee members Geoff Cockerton
(Former Chairperson), David Venning (Former Chairperson ) and
Luke Sweedman (Former Vice Chairperson) all stepped down
after each serving diligently for over 10 years. We all thank them
for their passion and dedication toward the state’s revegetation
industry.
The new Management Committee has a challenging year ahead! Firstly
is the formal launch of the Native Seed Accreditation system. The aim
of the System is to ensure buyers that the supply of an accredited
seed batch is of a certain standard as regards the quality, harvesting
techniques, processing, storage, provenance and purity of the seed
lot. The committee is busy liaising with major seed buyers in the
benefits in adopting the system and requesting for accredited seed in
future works. Accredited seed collectors and suppliers can promote
their endorsement to seed buyers using the Accredited Seed
Collector/ Supplier logo (right) in their marketing and the Accredited
Seed Logo (right) on their seed batches. More information on
accreditation can be found on our webpage.
Secondly, we plan to hold another two day seminar around mid-
September this year. Our previous seminars have been extremely
popular and we have received much constructive feedback to help
ensure this seminar is even more beneficial our broad audience of
members. The program theme is “Setting the Standards” and session
themes are being finalised. We hope to put out the call for suitable
presenters very soon.
Stay tuned for further details on these events and other related
information with our emails, Facebook page and webpage. And
please contact us if you have an interesting article you would like us to
include in our next newsletter.
Until then, I look forward to seeing you in September!
Dr Markus Mikli
Chairperson RIAWA
April 2016
EDITORIAL
ACCREDITED SEED COLLECTOR /SUPPLIER
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 4
Grevillea paradoxa - Markus Mikli
The 202020 Vision: 20% more urban green space by 2020
The 202020 Vision is a not-for-profit, collaborative initiative that is
working with private sector, all-levels of government, academia and
expert individuals to see an increase in urban green spaces in our
cities, which are currently in decline. The 202020 mission is to create
20% more green space in Australia’s urban areas by 2020. Such an
increase can greatly improve the social, economic and environmental
values within the cities. This will require mass planting of and retaining
trees and vegetation in as many urban niches as possible, including
street verges, parks, reserves and in private and commercial
properties.
More information on 202020 can be found on the following website:
http://www.202020vision.com.au/
Markus Mikli
National Seed Science Forum
The National Seed Science Forum was recently held in March 2016 at
Mt Annan Botanic Gardens. Committee member David Hancock was
one of 140 seed specialists from around the country joined with a
number of overseas presenters and attendees to exchange the latest
information in seed science, storage, germination and related issues.
Of particular interest were the presentations addressing viability of long
term low temperature storage and the recent breakthroughs in
germination processes for Persoonia and other difficult species.
The SERA Standards for Restoration in Australia was launched by
Threatened Species Commissioner Gregory Andrews and the Board of
SERA lead by Professor Kingsley Dixon. A comprehensive report on
the Forum will be prepared for a future RIAWA newsletter.
Markus Mikli
Green Growth Plan
The Perth and Peel regions are projected to grow to 3.5 million people
by 2050 – an increase of almost 70 per cent on our current population.
Supporting this growth and delivering an efficient and livable city while
protecting our unique natural environment is a significant challenge.
The State Government has prepared the draft Perth and Peel Green
Growth Plan for 3.5 million (Green Growth Plan) to meet this challenge.
The Green Growth Plan aims to deliver a comprehensive environmental
program for the protection of both Commonwealth matters of national
environmental significance and State environmental values.
In this context the draft Green Growth Plan aims to deliver two critical
outcomes:
• Cutting red tape by securing upfront Commonwealth
environmental approvals and streamlining State environmental
approvals for the development required to support growth to 3.5
million people
• Unprecedented protection of our bushland, rivers, wildlife and
wetlands through implementation of a comprehensive plan to
protect our environment.
Part of the Green Growth Strategy involves on-ground activities such
as:
• revegetation and rehabilitation, focusing on improving habitat
quality for multiple species and restoring and improving habitat
connectivity across the landscape.
• management actions to address threats such as weeds, disease,
uncontrolled access, fire and feral animals for the purpose of
improving habitat condition and quality.
More information on the Green Growth Plan can be found in the
following websites:
http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/publications/8220.asp
https://www.dpc.wa.gov.au/Consultation/StrategicAssessment/Pages/
Default.aspx
Markus Mikli
NEWS AND EVENTS OF INTEREST
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 5
Simon Robinson
It is vital for any revegetation practitioner working in the southwest
to be aware of the threat of dieback and how it may be spread.
The fundamental aim of Dieback hygiene is to prevent the introduction
and/or spread of Phytophthora Dieback in protectable uninfested
vegetation. The human-related spread of Phytophthora Dieback
generally occurs through clumps of soil being picked up on vehicles/
machinery/boots in infested areas, and then deposited while traversing
uninfested areas. The risk of collecting infected soil and transmitting
the pathogen is greatly increased during wet/damp conditions, and the
simplest way to minimise the risk of disease spread is to work in dry
soil conditions whenever possible.
There are four high risk vectors that lead to the introduction and/or
spread of Phytophthora Dieback:
1. Contaminated vehicles or machinery
2. Contaminated materials
3. Uncontrolled access
4. Poor hygiene procedures
To manage the risk associated with these vectors, a Hygiene
Management Plan (HMP) is required. A HMP identifies areas and
activities in which there is a risk of disease spread/introduction
occurring and outlines the strategies to be employed to eliminate/
mitigate these risks. For a HMP to be developed, Phytophthora
Dieback occurrence mapping must first be undertaken. This mapping
will identify any infested areas, and the lines delineated in the field will
create boundaries between infested areas and other categories,
allowing for clean down points to be implemented.
Cleandown/inspection points
The basic principles for cleandown are:
• Clean on entry for Dieback free
• Clean on exit for Dieback infested
The two main types of inspection/cleandown point are vehicle/
machinery washdown pads and boot cleaning stations. Vehicle
washdown areas typically comprise a well drained pad that can be
PHYTOPHTHORA DIEBACK HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING IN NATIVE VEGETATION
Deceased Banksia and Xanthorrhoea specimens in an infested section of Swan Coastal Plain Banksia Woodland. - Simon Robinson
cleaned, an effluent collection point and high pressure water system,
fire unit or pressurized wash down spray unit.
Boot cleaning stations typically contain brushes, scrapers and/or foot
baths. Footbaths may use a disinfecting agent such as:
• 1-0.5 % Bleach
• 70 % Methylated Spirits
• Phytoclean®
Where an inspection identifies that a vehicle, machine, footwear etc.
requires cleandown, it is important that the appropriate cleandown
method is employed. In dry soil conditions, where relatively small
amounts of soil/plant material that can be easily removed are present,
a dry brushdown is the preferred method of cleandown. Eliminating
the use of water during cleandown means that additional moisture is
not being introduced to the area, which would make conditions more
favourable for the pathogen. Washdown may still be required in dry
soil conditions, as it may not be possible to remove all material with a
brush.
In damp/ wet conditions or where material cannot be effectively
removed with a brush, a washdown will be required. If adequate
cleandown cannot be achieved at the cleandown point, then the
vehicle, machinery or person should not proceed past the cleandown
point. Instead, the vehicle, machinery or footwear must be taken to a
location where it can be effectively cleaned, before returning and
entering the protectable area.
Note: Thin layers of dust & grime adhering to the sides of the vehicles
need not be removed.
Legislation and Guidelines
Legislation relevant to Phytophthora Dieback is contained in the
following State and National Acts and International Agreements.
WA Government Legislation
Wildlife Conservation Act, 1950
Conservation and Land Management Act, 1984 (amended 2012)
• Declaration and classification of Land (Disease Risk Areas – DRA)
Conservation and Land Management Regulations 2002
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 6
Forest Management Regulations 2002
• Application of conditions to enter DRA
• Environmental Protection Act 1986
• Applies regarding the general provisions for causing ‘pollution’ or ‘environmental harm’
Commonwealth Legislation
Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999
International Agreements
IUCN International Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992
The organisation responsible for the development of policies and the enforcement of regulations is the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Specific details of the policies, regulations, roles, responsibilities, penalties etc. can be found on pages 27 - 40 of the 2003 Department of Parks and Wildlife publication called Phytophthora cinnamomi and Disease Caused by it Volume I – Management Guidelines (link below).
Management Guidelines
It should be noted that all the current DPaW documents (Best Practice and the Management Guidelines Vol. 1) are currently under review and should, by the end of 2016, be replaced by a new Guidelines document and a Management Manual. Some of what is in the existing Management Guidelines Vol. 1 will still be relevant i.e. the Commonwealth EPBC Act; the role of the CALM Act 1984 and regulations, the Wildlife Conservation ACT 1950 and the forest regulations.
However, it is not yet known exactly what impact the new BAM Act and the new Biodiversity Act will have on management – that will be in the new documents. One very important recent change is the new departmental Policy Statement 3 (see attachment) which places much greater emphasis on risk based management and hygiene management planning for planed disturbance activities. The policy is guiding all current review and revision work.
There are also various best practice documents and management guidelines for specific industries and groups. These documents can be found in the link. https://www.dwg.org.au/publications
PHYTOPHTHORA DIEBACK HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING IN NATIVE VEGETATION cont’d
BUSHFIRE PLANNING FRAMEWORK
The State Government has announced a package of reforms to help protect lives and property against the threat of bushfires throughout Western Australia. These reforms introduce new requirements for people intending to develop and/or build in bushfire prone areas, including the need to assess a property’s bushfire risk and take additional construction measures to limit the impact of bushfires.
These changes have important implications for those involved in designing revegetation and soft landscaping near important assets such as homes and buildings. A significant increase in the amount of vegetation may increase the fuel loads and which in turn could result in increasing the asset’s building code standards. To understand more about how this may affect your design, visit the following website:
http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/7958.asp
Markus Mikli
PLANNING INBUSHFIRE PRONE AREASBUSHFIRE POLICY FRAMEWORK
Pictured left: A significant number of recently deceased indicator species in an infested section of Jarrah forest.
Pictured right: An obvious Phytophthora Dieback disease front in Swan Coastal Plain Banksia Woodland. - Simon Robinson
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 7
The Gateway WA Project linking Perth Airport to adjacent major
arterial roads is the largest infrastructure venture undertaken by
Main Roads WA. The one billion dollar project is funded from
contributions from both Federal and State governments.
This involves major upgrades to the road network surrounding Perth
Airport as well as the freight and industrial hubs of Forrestfield and
Kewdale. The project is driven by an expected doubling of passenger
air travel and road freight over the next ten years. Air passenger
numbers are currently sitting at 10 million. Over the last 3 years
passenger numbers have increased at a rate equivalent to 15 years of
previously anticipated growth. Expectations now add up to an
increase to 20 to 25 million by 2031.
With a footprint of 175 hectares this transport interchange, involving
air, road and rail services, will facilitate movement of people and goods
essential to the economy of WA. Respect for the environment in the
project area has many facets including managing flora and fauna
impacts, noise mitigation, aboriginal heritage, visual amenity
landscaping and revegetation.
Two fit for purpose soil carbon products are being supplied locally for
the project. One is a revegetation mulch for large areas, particularly at
the southern end of the project centred around the Roe Highway -
Tonkin Highway interchange. The other is a high humus mature
composted product and this is being used for mature tree planting
works in the landscape.
With such a large footprint what are the ways of reducing impact on
the environment? Established trees have been marked and retained
where possible and there is some salvaging of plant material for
revegetation by means of direct transplanting or the gathering of
cuttings and seed. Trapping and re-locating of fauna found in the
project area has been undertaken as has the installation of fences to
protect fauna such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot from predation.
Revegetation of the site will be accomplished using local native
species of plants. Rare and endangered plants will be transplanted
into the adjacent Dundas Reserve in Forrestfield.
Within the project area are four endangered species of national
significance, two plants and two birds. On the plant side of things
GATEWAY WA PROJECT
Tonkin Highway Roe Highway interchange June 2015
Planting being undertaken at Redcliffe Park Basin
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 8
GATEWAY WA PROJECT cont’d
Tonkin Highway Leach Highway interchange June 2015
Planting being undertaken at Redcliffe Park Basin
there is the Wavy Leaf Smokebush (Conospermum undulatum) a long
- lived shrub present around both the Roe and Tonkin highways. This is
listed as vulnerable and the concerns about this plant centre on
dieback disease, weed infestation as well as altered fire regimes as
this is a fire dependent variety. The other threatened flora is the rare
Macathuria keigheryi, which is generally only found if a fire has
occurred in the previous few years.
Canaby’s Black Cockatoo is classed as “Endangered”. The region
also provides habitat for the Forest Red Tail cockatoo which is classed
as “Vulnerable”.
Soils in the project area are mostly classified as Bassendean sands,
some of the least fertile natural soils on Earth. Most replanting in
disturbed sites such as this occurs in imported sub soil and as a result
there is very little organic matter to kick start new plants. The
incorporation of composted and recycled organic materials helps new
plants by bringing soil biology to the impoverished sand.
Dieback disease and weeds are already present in the project area so
it is essential that any soil improvers or mulch materials introduced to
the site be composted to ensure freedom from weed and disease
organisms. Also mature soil carbon products are actually antagonistic
to pathogens such as dieback disease.
There is a doubling of the environmental benefits here as soil
improvers used in the project are all waste materials, rescued from
going to landfill and converted into soil carbon by a sophisticated,
controlled composting system.
Around 30,000 cubic metres will be delivered to the construction site
over 5 months. A specific ‘fit for purpose’ blend has been prepared for
the Gateway project for local area native plants that have a lesser
demand for nutrients. This uses as its main input, verge collected
greenwaste from several city councils.
Neville Passmore
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 9
By Glen Steven, Barry Heydenrych and Geoff Woodall
For the first time at a large scale, cuttings of key ecological species are
being used in southwest Australia’s biodiversity hotspot. While seed
can be easily collected from most native species, collecting seed from
some key functional species is difficult and is often not cost effective.
An example is Adenanthos cuneatus, an ecologically very important
species which has not been used in large scale revegetation to date.
A.cuneatus, also known as coastal jug flower, is a spreading shrub in
the protea family, and is a key functional species as the flowers, which
are borne over a long period of the year, provides nectar over an
extended period. It is an important food source for a number of fauna
species, including honey possums, silver eyes, honey eaters and
particularly the western spinebill. Sandplain (Kwongan) ecosystems
can have a high vegetation cover of Adenanthos (0-2m height class)
and this species forms a key structural element in these ecosystems.
Spreading and dense Adenanthos bushes are long lived and provide
habitat for many native animals. These characteristics also play a key
role in preventing the establishment and proliferation of perennial grass
weeds such as veldt grass and love grass.
The absence of this species in revegetation projects in the Porongurup
to Stirlings linkage area and the Stirlings to Fitzgerald linkage area was
noted in 2012. During that year another attempt was made in an area
where previous revegetation attempts had failed. It was clear during a
site assessment/review that direct sowing natives with improved
approaches would not alone deliver the result that the conservation
group were after – Adenanthos cuneatus was absent from the
proposed seed and seedling lists! Adenanthos cuneatus was a major
player at this site (up to 50% veg cover) but there was no cost effective
method to collect seed from it.
Cutting material was harvested from 10 wild plants growing in the
South Stirlings and cuttings were struck at the Dept of Agriculture’s
propagation facilities in Albany. Cuttings from 8 of the 10 mother plants
struck, though the strike rate was better from some individual than
others. This trial showed that the production of rooted cuttings, with a
broad genetic base, could be produced for potential use in restoration.
Although this species has not been used in broad scale revegetation
projects in the Gondwana Link area, the species is commonly used in
amenity horticulture industry.
CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY USING ADENANTHOS FOR LANDSCAPE RESTORATION
Figure 1. Cultivated Adenanthos cuneatus thriving in its new habitat in
an area where a previous revegetation attempt had failed (photo
courtesy of Barry Heydenrych)
Verticordia roei - Markus Mikli
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 10
Most of the material sold in the market is clonal material, often
selected for particular desirable attributes (identical or from a narrow
genetic base), and thus not desirable for broad-scale restoration
projects. Selected cutting material (from stock mother plants) often
delivers better strike rates than cutting taken from wild material. In
2012 we were able to strike cuttings collected from numerous plants
(to ensure genetic diversity) in the south Stirlings to Gnowellan areas,
confirming that a commonly used amenity horticultural approach could
have merit for local restoration efforts.
In the summer of 2014, hundreds of A. cuneatus cuttings were
collected at sunrise from healthy populations and placed in cool eskys
for the 400km journey to a nursery in Perth WA. While it can be difficult
to get good strike rates from A. cuneatus, the strike rate of these
cuttings were very successful. These cuttings, which were originally
about 5 cm had grown into approximately 30cm plants by the time
they were planted at Yarrabee in winter 2014. Planted cuttings were
not irrigated and were essentially treated the same as any other
nursery raised seedling. They were then planted in the mentioned
failed rehabilitation area.
Following good rains during spring 2014, the Adenanthos cuneatus
had established themselves, and by the mid-summer of early 2015, the
plants were thriving in their new habitat (very few deaths). This initial
success has many people excited and this technique is currently being
upscaled to thousands of plants in current and future restoration
works.
The above process was duplicated in the Ranges Link area
(Porongurup- Stirlings) with similar encouraging results. Bare-rooted
cuttings were also planted at one Ranges Link site and high survival
has been achieved.
CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY USING ADENANTHOS FOR LANDSCAPE RESTORATION cont’d
Figure 2. Glen Steven and Geoff Woodall with Adenanthos cuneatus in
its natural environment near the Stirling Range National Park in Western
Australia (photo courtesy of Barry Heydenrych)
Grevillea eriostachya - Markus Mikli
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 11
Juvenile Parthenium weed
ERADICATION OF PARTHENIUM WEED
Parthenium weed releases chemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of pasture grasses and other plants. It threatens the biodiversity in the Einasleigh Uplands bioregion and native grasslands in the central highlands of Queensland.
Description
Size
Parthenium weed is fast-maturing annual herb with a deep tap root and an erect stem that becomes woody with age. It usually grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 metres, but can reach a height of up to 2 metres.
Leaves
Its leaves are pale green, deeply lobed and covered with soft fine hairs.
Flowers
Parthenium weed has small creamy white flowers (four millimetres across) with five distinct corners. Flowers grow on the tips of the numerous stems.
Lifecycle
Parthenium weed can germinate, mature and set seed (up to 100,000 seeds per plant) in four weeks (DoE 2015). It generally germinates in spring and early summer, produces flowers and seed throughout its short life and dies in autumn (DoE 2015). However, with the right conditions parthenium weed can grow and produce flowers at any time of the year. Buried seeds can still germinate after eight to ten years (DoE 2015).
By Katina De Sousa
The declared pest parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) has been successfully eradicated from its only known presence in Western Australia following a four-year eradication program. The weed was originally detected at a road side near Karratha as part of a routine weed monitoring and control program. The eradication program incorporating quarterly inspections and application of pre-emergent herbicide resulted in the eradication of parthenium from this location, which has prevented significant ecological damage.
The Problem
Parthenium weed is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) and a declared plant under Western Australian legislation, requiring active management to prevent environmental, social or economic impacts. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia due to its invasiveness, potential for spread and potential economic and environmental impacts (DoE 2015). Parthenium weed is an aggressive invader of disturbed land, perennial pastures and roadsides (DAFWA 2015a). It is very prevalent in drier parts of Queensland and New South Wales but absent in Western Australia apart from the one location in the Pilbara. It has a serious impact on the pastoral industry in Queensland, costing farmers and graziers over $22 million a year in reduced production and increased management costs (DoE 2015).
Parthenium weed can also cause some people to suffer severe allergic reactions. It can cause dermatitis, hay fever and asthma. It is also toxic to cattle and meat from livestock that eat the weed can be tainted (DoE 2015).
Growth Calendar for Parthenium Weed (from DoE 2015)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecFloweringSeed formationSeed dropPlant deathGermination
General growth patternGrowth pattern under suitable conditions
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 12
Parthenium weed flowers
Similar Species
Prior to late-flowering it can be mistaken for bishop’s weed (Ammi
majus) and hemlock (Conium maculatum) (NSW DPI 2015). After it has
set seed and becomes woody it can then be mistaken for fleabane
(Conyza spp.).
Habitat Distribution
Parthenium weed is capable of growing in most soil types but
becomes most dominant in alkaline, clay loam soils (DEEDI 2011). It is
best suited to areas with an annual summer rainfall greater than 500
millimetres. Based on climate suitability, it could potentially grow in all
mainland states and territories (DoE 2015).
Its large and persistent soil seedbank, fast germination rate and ability
to undergo dormancy make it well adapted to semi-arid environments.
Control
Preventing the spread of parthenium weed by utilising good hygiene
practices is the most cost-effective management strategy. The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia recommends
the following herbicides for control of parthenium weed depending on
the life stage and location (DAFWA 2015b):
• Young, actively growing:
- Agricultural – 2,4-D; Picloram + 2,4-D amine; Glyphosate +
metsulfuron
- Roadsides and non-agricultural – Paraquat + diquat
• Seedlings and mature plants:
- Agricultural – Dicamba.
Timing of chemical control is critical. Parthenium weed should be
treated when plants are small and have not produced seed and when
grasses are actively growing to recolonise the infested area.
Plants should not be pulled up by hand, particularly if they have
already set seed as there is a danger that mature seeds will drop off
the plant and increase the area of infestation (DoE 2015). Parthenium
weed should not be touched with bare hands and a dust mask should
be worn if working near the weed for extended periods as it can cause
severe dermatitis and respiratory problems (NSW DPI 2015).
References:
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA)
2015a, Parthenium weed: declared pest, www.agric.wa.gov.au/
declared-plants/parthenium-weed-declared-pest
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA)
2015b, Parthenium weed control, www.agric.wa.gov.au/herbicides/
parthenium-weed-control
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
(DEEDI) 2011, Fact Sheet Declared Class 2 Pest Plant Parthenium
weed Parthenium hysterophorus.
Department of Environment (DoE) 2015, Weeds of National
Significance Weed Management Guide Parthemium weed –
Parthenium hysterophorus.
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) 2015,
Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus).
Flowering Parthenium weed
All photo credits – Astron Environmental Services
RIAWA Newsletter April 2016 Page 13
The Board of Society for Ecologocal Restoration Australasia (image courtesy of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership)
RESTORATION STANDARDS PROJECT LAUNCH
Upon completion of the Standards and Florabank review, it is intended
that work will turn to restoration plant stock quality /hygiene and
documenting best practice on ground works processes according to
particular habitat areas around the Nation.
RIAWA believes it important for members to be conversant with the
Standards and the associated issues going forward and to actively
participate in these processes and RIAWA is looking to upscale its
interaction with SERA accordingly and a launch event is being
planned.
Members should review the SERA Standards website and RIAWA will
keep you informed.
by David Hancock
National Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration in
Australia.
The Board of The Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia Inc.
(SERA) led by Professor Kingsley Dixon has achieved significant
progress with this groundbreaking project.
The Board has approved for release the National Restoration
Standards Draft for open review and comment.
http://www.seraustralasia.com/standards/contents.html
SERA and its community partners have worked to develop the
standards over the last 18 months for the purpose of:
• defining Restoration and other forms of environmental repair.
• documenting the principles that underpin Restoration.
• scheduling the planning and implementation issues necessary to
manage Restoration projects.
The document acknowledges the aspirational aspect of Ecological
Restoration but the SERA Board is also of the clear view that more
high level Restoration work will be essential in the future and that clear
direction on the subject, to guide practitioners and regulators is
appropriate and overdue. The Board sees the connectivity of science
to consultation to practice as a core issue that requires the attention of
all committed to improving the outcomes in both Restoration and
environmental repair generally.
Important also is the clear additional intention of this body of work to
drive higher standards in environmental repair more generally known
as revegetation / rehabilitation that may not qualify as Restoration
projects per se.
It should be noted that this project has already initiated a review of the
Florabank website now underway for best practice collection,
processing and storage of native seed for Restoration and that in the
future, the SERA Restoration standards will increasingly be referenced
within project specifications.
KIMBERLEY SEED BANK
A seed bank project in remote northern Australia is training Aboriginal
women in horticulture to help protect plant biodiversity of the region.
The importance of collecting seeds has become more urgent as
biodiversity in the Kimberley Biodiversity in region is under threat from
fires, feral animals and development. Nyul Nyul, Karajarri and Bardi
Jawi Oorany women ranger groups are being taught to collect, store,
and propagate culturally significant seeds and endangered plants.
Rangers will also learn to propagate plants at two on-country plant
nurseries and use them to regenerate the land.
More information about the Seedbank is available in the website
below.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-27/kimberley-seedbank-project-
to-protect-biodiversity/7275344
Markus Mikli
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