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YYA2013RR3 BIO
AWODIVEWEYERSE MON
YAHCARBNITO
H FBON RING
ALPROJ
G REP
LS JECT ORT
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 2
YARRAWEYAH FALLS 2013 BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT Establishment Monitoring Report
Prepared by Justin Jonson THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL
2014
A project commissioned by Carbon Neutral
USE OF THIS REPORT Information used in this report may be copied or reproduced for study, research or educational purposes, subject to inclusion of acknowledgement of the source. DISCLAIMER In undertaking this work, the author has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information reported. Any conclusion drawn or recommendations made in the report and maps are done in good faith and the author takes no responsibility for how this information is used subsequently by others and accepts no liability whatsoever for a third party’s use of, or reliance upon, this specific report and associated maps.
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In June 2013, Threshold Environmental implemented a Biodiverse Carbon planting project on behalf of Carbon Neutral at Bill and Jane Thompson’s Yarraweyah Falls property. Across the project area, direct seeding of native plant species was employed in an effort to re‐establish four main plant communities. In total, 99.3 hectares were direct seeded. Bill and Jane Thompson personally contributed to the project through some seed collection and seedling planting, as supported by a grant under the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund. To assess the initial recruitment of this effort, Threshold Environmental staff returned to the site in December 2013 – approximately 6 months after seeding – to undertake monitoring across the different systems. A total of nineteen 225m2 plots were measured across the site, positioned appropriately to capture a representative view of the germination and recruitment of native plants. The observed results indicate the project has successfully achieved the first stage of desired outcomes: 1) strong recruitment of carbon focused species from tall and long lived Eucalypt and Allocasuarina
trees have been established in appropriate densities across all systems of the site. 2) a diverse mix of native plant species have recruited across all systems, at various compositions
and densities, to provide a rich mosaic of native vegetation able to conserve local biodiversity. Based on the initial results provided in this report, Threshold Environmental is confident the project will succeed in providing strong outcomes for the region for both the conservation of biodiversity and the sequestration of atmospheric carbon. The project will well compliment other initiatives undertaken in the local landscape to support the broad objectives of the Gondwana Link initiative.
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 4
Image 1: Site map of 2013 Biodiverse Carbon project areas at Yarraweyah Falls. Image shows actual tractor passes (7 m wide) via GPS mapping for each of the vegetation systems sown. Also shown are the 19 post‐seeding Monitoring Plots (green stars), and 3 Permanent Photo Monitoring Points (red stars) established for this report.
YARRAW
THRESHO
MonitInitial re2013 Bio While mnumber an initiaturn prosystem. Consistehigher imeasurefound ator heavithe soil region.
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al representaovides a prox
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1. Monitorind at each m
S – BIODIVER
MENTAL 2014
ults of direct seebon Planting
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RSE CARBON
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PROJECT – E
tes successfuyah Falls.
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s effort, 19 msure ten seew seeding mnsistency ofots measuree plot dimenows the plotow, recruitsthe progresence of post s
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monitoring pleding rows, omachine, tof seed flow ed 15 metension of 225mt layout. Cras were recoss of seed gseeding recr
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ORING REPO
een achieved
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THRESHO
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Image 2(far left)
Chart 2Eucalypt
Recruitmhave bee
WEYAH FALLS
OLD ENVIRONM
ng results cleexcellent haation is also sial biodiverse
. Pictures of); Calothamn
. Graphic rets and Roc
ment for carboen established
S – BIODIVER
MENTAL 2014
arly indicate abitat conditioshown to be carbon sink o
f some directnus gibbosus
epresentatiock Sheoak ‐
on focused sped across the si
RSE CARBON
a diverse mix ons for localsufficiently hiover the next
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PROJECT – E
of different v fauna. Stocigh, and we e100 years.
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raweyah Falla (cntr rt); Eu
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ORT
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Chart 4
WEYAH FALLS
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4. Estimated
S – BIODIVER
MENTAL 2014
ODLAND SYST
for the UplaYAR304 and YAR306 shownce on obser
land Yate rev
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nd Yate SystYAR305 shows a proportved reductio
vegetation a Char
several diffonditions ande low vegetatWe estimate a
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ectare of car
PROJECT – E
Hectares)
tem show gow consistentional reducton of recruitm
area and loca
rt 3. Monitor
ferent generd flowering ttion cover toat least 21 sp
ypts and ShWhile plot YAR
rbon focused
ESTABLISHM
ood to stront recruitmention in each ment.
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ra of plant simes. The hio complimenpecies have r
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ORING REPO
ent was achirthern sectiora seeded, in
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achieved went of MelaleAcacias and this system.
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S – BIODIVER
MENTAL 2014
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es density anblished vegeult of high lem this plot lo
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RSE CARBON
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rk Gum andor this seed ent across all
oodland with Char
nd compositetation assocvels of availocation.
ent of carbothis area. Arectare of car
PROJECT – E
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h Hakea laur
rt 3. Monitor
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S – BIODIVER
MENTAL 2014
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PROJECT – E
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ORT
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Chart 4
WEYAH FALLS
OLD ENVIRONM
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S – BIODIVER
MENTAL 2014
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PROJECT – E
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ORING REPO
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YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 11
PHOTO MONITORING POINTS PMP: YAR301 STAKE TAG ID: 02751
Looking north‐west, north and north‐east from PMP301 the following photos were taken. A full description of the approach, along with the high resolution photographs, will be included in an addendum to this report.
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 12
PMP: YAR302 STAKE TAG ID: 02732
Looking north‐west, north and north‐east from PMP302 the following photos were taken. A full description of the approach, along with the high resolution photographs, will be included in an addendum to this report.
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 13
PMP: YAR303 STAKE TAG ID: 02744
Looking northeast, east and south PMP303 the following photos were taken. A full description of the approach, along with the high resolution photographs, will be included in an addendum to this report.
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 14
CARBON NEUTRAL REPORTING PROFORMA CHART RISK ASSESSMENT UNDERTAKEN Provide details of how the following criteria may have impacted recruitment and survival of the site, either over all or a PMP or at a patch.
Risk Details Recommended Actions
A. Weed management
The site had very good weed management in the lead up to works, with a canola crop in the previous season. Two ‘knock down’ weed management sprays were undertaken in the lead up to the project.
Keep an eye on thistle. Establish additional trees via seedlings in areas which did not establish via direct seeding.
B. Site selection
The site is very well suited for a Biodiverse Carbon planting. Granite outcrops throughout the areas, and a tendency for becoming too wet make it well suited for woody vegetation.
NA
C. Soil testing and hydrology
Precision agricultural mapping was undertaken in the lead up to define soil boundaries and identify any saline areas.
NA
D. Species selection
All species were locally sourced and matched to soil type.
Infill planting with plant species of interest for the conservation of biodiversity can be ongoing in the next 5 to 10 years. Where stocking of overstory species is low, consider matching plants to soil type.
E. Seedlings or Seeds Planted
Seedlings were generally of good condition. Some Yates were elongated, however this is unlikely to affect carbon sequestration capacity. Seeds were all harvested using best practice approaches in the lead up to the season.
Infill planting with seedlings can be initiated where suitable. Initial monitoring results suggest strong recruitment across the site, so targeting patchy areas where this was not the case (hard red clays) is recommended.
F. Site preparation and tree planting
Site preparation was consistent with previously successful practice. Special attention was paid to seeding directly on the contour, which is likely to lead to increased water harvesting capacity on the site in future years. Swales established on the contour were observed to be
Consider widening the drainage channel on the York/Laurina swale, to ensure drainage in a high rainfall event. Sand bagging overflow points previously observed for that swale will ensure catastrophic failure and subsequent erosion damage does not occur.
YARRAWEYAH FALLS – BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJECT – ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING REPORT
THRESHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL 2014 15
functioning well, aside from one located in the York/Laurina system. A drainage channel was established to ameliorate the potential for failure.
G. Local and Feral Predators: Stock Locusts Rabbits Kangaroos
Large numbers of agricultural insects were observed on site post seeding and during monitoring. Possibly Rutherglen bug. Landholder undertaking rabbit baiting. Landholder engaged Roo shooter for pest reduction.
Ongoing roo and rabbit pest management recommended.
H. Fencing
Fencing was established on the western border by a neighbouring farmer.
Northern fence was in decline and, as a property boundary, may allow sheep into site if not replaced or improved.
I. Absentee Landlords No. NA J. Lessons learn:
Avoid establishing water infiltration swales in heavy clay.