Newsletter December 2016

RIAWA Newsletter December 2016

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

[email protected]

Management Committee

Chairperson Dr Markus Mikli (Tranen)

Vice Chairperson Damian Grose (Tranen)

Secretary Ben Croxford (Nuts About Natives)

Treasurer Alex Growden (Workpower)

Committee Brook Devine (Cape Life)

Committee Dr Peter Golos (BGPA)

Committee Dallas Lynch (Greening Australia WA)

Committee Matthew Oswald (Oswald Environmental

Services)

Newsletter Markus Mikli (Tranen)

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 now available to members at $150 for a half page

or $75 for a quarter page. Details for our ad specifications are located

on page 10 of this newsletter.

Front cover: Verticordia nitens - Morrison Featherflower (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

2016 Seminar Series .............................................................................4

Transition: Blackberries to Native Bush ................................................5

Carnaby’s Cockatoo’s food habitat creation in Banjup .........................6

Propagation using cuttings: The Central Wheatbelt Experience ...........7

Book Review – Perth Plants Second Edition.........................................8

Book Review – Pilbara Seed Atlas ........................................................9

Advertising Specifications ...................................................................10

Membership Application ..............................................................11

Grevillea candelabroides – Candlestick Grevillea (Markus Mikli)


Nuytsia floribunda - WA Christmas Tree (Fiona Duffey)

Another year is almost over! It has certainly been a challenging

year for the state’s revegetation industry, as the economic

downturn has resulted in a severe reduction in cash flow. Many

companies have had to resort to extreme cost cuttings and

redundancies. Some have even been desperate enough to “buy

work” in the hope to survive.

If these actions continue to happen, there may be a real danger that

quality revegetation outcomes may be compromised and completion

criteria may not be met. This may result in cost prohibitive

maintenance works and failed outcomes. As members of RIAWA we

should be mindful that whatever the economic climate we must not

compromise the quality of revegetation outcomes. We should always

innovate to acquire better methods, but not at the expense of high

quality standards.

There has been change in faces in the committee. Two committee

members stepped down at the AGM. We thank both David Hancock

and Katina Strelein for their hard work and contributions to the

association. We also welcomed two new committee members, Matt

Oswald and Brooke Devine.

The committee was kept busy all year in its two greatest contributions

to the industry – the native seed accreditation system and the seminar

series. To date we have five seed supplier companies accredited and

the committee is planning a road show to promote the benefits of the

system to buyers and sellers. The latest seminar series was well

received and will be covered in an article in this newsletter. The

committee has also been trying to embrace some IT support to

become more efficient and effective in our work for the industry.

I thank all those who contributed articles to this newsletter. We are

always seeking articles so please contact us if you have anything

interesting and informative to share.

I hope you all enjoy the festive holidays and may the new year be

more rewarding and fruitful.

Dr Markus Mikli

Chairperson RIAWA

December 2016

EDITORIAL


Markus Mikli

RIAWA held its latest seminar series, on 20th to 21st September

2016 at the HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont. Titled “Setting the

Standards”, this seminar promoted quality outcomes and standards

in revegetation work. A total of 22 speakers gave a wide range of

presentations.

The first day focused on standards and criteria themes, and with Dr

Tien McDonald of the Society of Ecological Restoration Australasia

(SERA) as keynote speaker, formerly launching the SERA National

Standards of Practice within the state. It ended with an open

discussion on the Seed Accreditation System, followed by informal

drinks at the nearby Clancy’s Fish Pub.

The second day focused on projects and case studies. Dr Linda

Broadhurst of CSIRO, was the keynote speaker, discussing

2016 SEMINAR SERIES

Keynote Speaker, Dr Tein McDonald of the Society of Ecological Restoration Australiasia (SERA).

Some of the Speakers at the 2016 RIAWA Seminar

Top L-R: Dr Linda Broadhurst, Dr Mark Brundrett and Kerryn Chia • Bottom L-R: Dr Todd Erickson, Wayne van Lieven and Bonny Dunlop

revegetation challenges from climate change. Another open discussion ended the seminar, further discussing the challenges and changes of climate change.

The turnout was much lower than in previous years. Feedback suggests that this was not due to any loss of interest by the industry, rather the downturn in the economy made it difficult to for people to afford to attend. Much effort was made to keep the admission prices as inexpensive as possible, without compromising the quality of the event. But despite the lower numbers, there was still much interest and passion from the attendees. The committee also received many compliments and some constructive feedback.

We thank all the speakers for their presentations, in particular our keynote speakers who travelled over from the eastern states. The committee still plans to hold the seminar every two years, so the next seminar should be held in late 2018.


TRANSITION: BLACKBERRIES TO NATIVE BUSH

Eucalyptus rudis Agonis flexuosa Poa porphyroclados and Microlaena stipoides 18 months post planting

Warren Catchments Council

Common Blackberry (*Rubus anglocandicans) is a widespread declared and Weed of National Significance species occurring in the wetter areas of the South West of WA; it has dominated large areas along waterways for decades and may have arrived in the area as early as 1893.

In 2004 CSIRO released eight European strains of the leaf-rust fungus

Phragmidium violaceum as a biological control agent and it was during

the impact assessments that patches of “blackberry decline”1 were

discovered. Large areas along the Warren River, and lesser extent the

Donnelly River where blackberries once occurred, were now almost

bare and prone to erosion and weed infestation.

Through a Federal Funded grant (Restoring natural riparian vegetation

systems along the Warren and Donnelly Rivers) the Warren

Catchments Council was awarded a five year project to plant 600,000

seedlings along these rivers. The project has also allowed for a

scientific approach to revegetation and includes a partnership with

CSIRO, DPaW and a UWA PhD candidate. CSIRO are researching

blackberry seed bank resilience and shade required to suppress

blackberry seedlings recruitment/design planting densities, DPaW are

researching climate adaptability of three riparian plant species and the

PhD candidate is assessing what the original vegetation of the river

foreshore would have comprised of in order to design suitable riparian

revegetation programs.

During a prior research project1 a new phytophthora species (*P

bilorbang) was found to be a common factor in the dead and dying

blackberry crowns. It’s thought that a whole range of other factors

were also likely to have contributed to the “decline”. These include

insect and animal grazing, other stem and leaf fungi and bacteria,

climate, flooding, red berry mite to name a few.

Provenance seed for revegetation was collected at each site and issued

to nurseries to grow, seedlings were then planted into their original area.

Conditions along the riparian zones vary from extreme dry years to

flooded plains for several months at a time and provenance ensured that

the seedlings were already adapted to the sites.

The choice of using several Nurseries came down to the best practices

they used, especially hygiene and the use of steam for sterilising trays

and growing medium. The project was designed to spread the load to

guard against unforeseen losses which could have left us short on seedlings. And due to our sites being surrounded by mostly pristine environment, extra precaution was taken and had growing medium from each Nursery tested for Phytophthoras through the Vegetation Health Services. This was done three times - prior to sowing, during the growing period and prior to despatch; the results proved to be invaluable as one small Nursery had a positive result, therefore that stock couldn’t be used that year.

There were some challenges to overcome with getting seedlings to some sites due to the remoteness and rugged terrain and the use of a flying fox and a canoe towing another canoe with seedlings helped solve the problem.

Twenty two riparian species have been planted which far exceeds the 1 overstorey, 2 mid storey and 4 understorey species first nominated in our grant application and seedling survival appears to be very high. The use of sit the assessments, transects and photo points has monitored the progress and will show the results at the end of the project.

This project was funded by the Australian Government National Landcare Programme.

1 Blackberry decline: a major disease of Rubus anglocandicans in south-west Australia

Carex appressa 12 months post

planting.

Juncus pallidus post planting


The main challenges were grazing animals and the lack of water. Fencing is an expensive option and water often needs to be sourced from a long distance. Accessibility to the seedlings with the water also difficult through bushland and sandy soil.

In Banjup, many of the private properties already have fenced five-acre areas with access to water and a caretaker/landowner.

In the last two years, the Carnaby’s Cockatoo revegetation project in Banjup has planted 2500 seedlings on five properties. While the food habitat creation on these properties has its unique challenges, there have been many direct and indirect benefits from the revegetation, such as aiding other species to find a haven in this area including the Brushtail Possum, Southern Brown Bandicoot and many rare bird species.

To futureproof the investment of volunteers and other stakeholders alike, the revegetation team is now collaborating with the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre. The Centre will visit local schools and resident groups to educate and further encourage involvement with the endangered species and hopefully discourage littering and arson.

For wildlife species to coexist with the ever-increasing human population in the Metropolitan Area, more voluntary schemes and grants are needed to promote and assist private landholders to provide habitats for wildlife on their properties. Investigating more incentives and options for the government to educate and encourage people with all sizes of properties should be a priority, so that we never have to say goodbye to such lovable characters as the Carnaby’s Cockatoo.

CARNABY’S COCKATOO’S FOOD HABITAT CREATION IN BANJUP

Banjup revegetation

Erika Antal

Volunteering has many benefits, such as improved physical and mental health, networking opportunities, and a sense of achievement and fulfillment. In Banjup by volunteering, residents also receive assistance to revegetate their properties thereby contributing to the survival of an iconic endangered species, the Carnaby’s Cockatoo.

Carnaby’s Cockatoos rely on Banksia woodland for much of their food supply. A significant amount of Banksia woodland has been cleared in the Jandakot Airport located adjacent to Banjup, to make way for industrial development. This clearing has further reduced the already-declining Banksia forest in the Perth Metropolitan Area. Even though funds provided by Jandakot Airport Holdings to offset their native vegetation clearing, revegetation of the Banksia woodland takes time and remains challenging. One of the challenges is to find an alternative location to revegetate close enough, so that the returning birds can find food. On the adjacent private properties in Banjup the presence of Carnaby’s Cockatoos is already evident, where remnants of Banksia woodland and introduced Pine species attract Carnaby’s Cockatoos year after year for feeding and roosting. Banjup is registered by Birdlife Australia and several of its sites are included in the yearly Cocky Count in April.

A fire in early 2013 created an opportunity to replace the burnt and non-regenerating species with plant species preferred by Carnaby’s Cockatoos. Residents were interested in revegetating their properties and help was offered through the Banjup Residents Group. A Committee member and local resident volunteered to source the right seeds and raise seedlings for the residents to plant on their properties.

The Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) manages the Banksia Woodland Restoration project, which is funded by the offset of Jandakot Airport Holdings. One of their objectives is to support community groups, which help to manage the Banksia woodlands and they kindly provided the seeds to the Banjup Residents Group.

As part of the already successful Landowner Biodiversity Conservation Grant Program developed by Cockburn Council to assist rural private properties, funds were received to raise the seedlings for revegetation.

Volunteering with DPaW highlighted difficulties that the revegetation team faces, not just with seed germination, but also ensuring their growth and survival in the first two most vulnerable years.

Aimee and Jessica Lee, local Harmony Primary School students at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre


Anne Smith & David Collins, Photos by David Collins

In 2011 Greening Australia’s Avon Wheatbelt team commenced

work trials to demonstrate the use of native plant in mixed species

fodder plantings. With Australian Government funding over 3 years

the team was able to refine the use of direct seeding in large scale

revegetation project. In the process we discovered some

important target species that could not be incorporated into the

works using direct seeding either due to a lack of viable seed or

seed that would not germination using direct seeding.

This led project technical officer, David Collins, to suggest the use of

cutting to propagate these species in nursery condition to then be

hand planted into the sites. In 2011 the team set up a trial at a local

farm tree nursery and this first year results showed that all Rhagodia

and Atriplex species have a high strike rate over 90% whereas

Maireana and Enchylaena a low strike rate below 20%. All plants

established were then planted out into field conditions during the 2012

planting season resulting in extremely high survival rates.

Since this initial trial we expanded our cutting program and between

2012 and 2014 have produced more than 7000 plants each season

enabling us to reintroduce many local species back into the landscape

restoration program that previously we were unable to include.

This success is closely associated with the establishment over the

past few seasons of a seed production area alongside our Northam

office allowing fresh cutting material to be taken and established

locally.

In preparation for our 2015 season we have included Eremophila and

Dampiera species into our cutting program for the first time and they

appear to be performing very well so far and we expect we will have

good stocks available for planting out this coming season.

The successful introduction of direct seeding into Greening Australia’s

Wheatbelt restoration program has resulted in a significant change in

the range of species we now order as tubestock through local

nurseries. Our nursery orders now target those species that do not

successfully propagate from direct seeding or those where seed in not

readily available. By working closely with these nurseries we have been

able to assist them in modifying the range of species they offer and

PROPAGATION USING CUTTINGS: THE CENTRAL WHEATBELT EXPERIENCE

Cuttings at a local Wheatbelt tree farm nursery (above and below).

following our demonstration of the use of cuttings a number of

nurseries are using the same techniques to also expand the species

they can offer for us in broad scale restoration across the region.

As an important future component of our cutting program we are

developing a partnership between GA, the WA Department of Parks

and Wildlife and Kings Park Botanical Gardens which will target the

establishment of new populations of Acacia leptoneura. This is a

critically endangered Wheatbelt species that currently has only 2

known plants in the wild and was believed to have been extinct until

recently rediscovered (not seen for 160 years). Once fully operational

this partnership may be expanded to target other critically endangered

plant species in our region in a program to build up plant numbers and

eventually establish then into.


BOOK REVIEW - PERTH PLANTS SECOND EDITION

Dampiera linearis - Common Dampiera (Markus Mikli)

Damian Grose

The initial publication of this book by Russell Barrett and Eng Pin Tay was the successor to the highly valued but out of print “The Bushland Plants of Kings Park” by Eleanor Bennett and Pat Dundas. Where the latter was illustrated, Perth Plants changed to photographs to showcase our diverse and unique flora.

Perth Flora is a field guide to the bushland and coastal flora of Kings

Park and Bold Park. It is aimed at botanists, land managers,

practitioners, as well as general plant enthusiasts keen on learning

more about our local flora. Given the wide audience, the terminology is

kept as simple as possible allowing lay people, as well as those who

don’t have an exhaustive botanical glossary imprinted in their memory

banks, to make good use of the book. The lack of technical jargon

makes this book a valuable tool for people of all levels of botanical

knowledge.

The book is well laid out with a brief but not too brief introduction to

give a greater context than just telling us what each plant is. The

history, traditional uses, and influences (fire, introduced species, soils,

urban pressures, etc.) are all mentioned to add perspective. Being a

numbers person I also appreciated the statistics relating to our flora

such as there being 2,135 native species in the Greater Perth Floristic

District alone (probably more now at the rate new species are being

discovered!). Photos and diagrams have also been added to the

introduction to provide greater illustration of the main themes raised.

For easy reference the page margins are colour coded by plant groups

(i.e. non-flowering plants, dicotyledons, monocotyledons), with native

and naturalised species within the different plant groups given different

colour sections.

Detail is also provided on naming conventions and the reasoning behind

them, to introduce the reasons for changes to plant names since the first

edition. In the second edition there are 44 name changes, 10 intra-

species changes, three new species introduced, six newly described

species, and some family changes, mostly of the monocotyledons. I did

happen across one of the name changes before undertaking this review,

which I thought worth sharing. I received a flora survey a few months

ago listing a species called Machaerina juncea. As I didn’t recognise it

and Florabase didn’t either I conducted an internet search which

directed me to Perth Flora. According to Perth Flora this is the new

name for Baumea juncea. I contacted our botanist who followed up with the WA Herbarium, and according to them Baumea juncea is the currently recognised name here. It appears there is a bit of politics when it comes to getting the credits for naming plants, so to avoid it all I recommend sticking with the Florabase names as they are regularly updated with names officially adopted locally.

The other main addition to the second edition is a new section on traditional plant usage, contributed by Nyoongar elder Alton Walley. This section introduces the six seasons recognised by the Nyoongar people, and the influences they have on our flora, particularly with respect to flowering cycles. The uses of the more common species such as for food, shelter, medicine, and tools are detailed too, with 14 species profiled and many others listed.

To sum up I think this is a great book for all levels of flora enthusiast, professional to amateur. The clear examples of key plant characteristics in the photos, and the structure of layout should allow most to identify the species they encounter around Perth. If it isn’t in your library, it should be. If you have the first edition, there may not be too much new material to warrant upgrading, unless you want to stay current with the species names and find out more about the Nyoongar uses for our unique flora.


Lechenaultia biloba - Blue Lechenaultia (Markus Mikli)

BOOK REVIEW – PILBARA SEED ATLAS

Title – Pilbara Seed Atlas and Field Guide.

Plant Restoration in Australia’s Arid Northwest.

CSIRO Publishing

$60 / $80

Principal Authors – Todd E. Erickson, Russell L. Barrett, David J.

Merritt and Kingsley W. Dixon.

Contributing Authors – Steven J. Dillon, Peter J. Golos, Stephen D.

Hopper, Gavin Price, David R. Symons & Shane R. Turner.

Sponsors. BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority

and University of Western Australia.

David Hancock

This work adds substantially to the botanical literature and

practice of ecological restoration of North West Western Australia.

There is no doubt that the consolidation of information from

various Departmental sources added to the practical expertise,

scientific and botanical knowledge of the authors has culminated

in an exceptionally valuable reference.

Beyond the useful regional and contextual background; insightful

references to seed collection / cleaning / storage / seed dormancy and

germination for the species of the region provide practitioners with

excellent base line information to take into the field.

The plant and seed atlas is presented in a most practical and user

friendly format with descriptions supported by key features for

identification, close or confusing species detail is helpful, as is habitat,

flowering and fruiting season detail. The addition of seed purity and

viability, seed per gram and germination requirements and pre-

treatments combine to make this publication a must have for those

involved in restoration research, propagation of the species and field

work of the region.

This publication will prove to be of immense benefit to consultants,

seed collectors, restoration practitioners & companies involved in

restoration.

The extent of impact on the ecosystems of North west Western

Australia from pastoral and mining activities are such that restoration is

becoming an essential pursuit and this new reference goes a long way

to inform those involved in this critical work.

One can hope that similar texts will emerge for other regions of the

State, as there is no doubting the need and the benefit.

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