Revegetation
Introduction
Revegetation can play a number of roles on a property. Landholders are revegetating areas to fix the problems of the past and to ensure sustainability into the future.Revegetation is being used to control cane rats on sugarcane farms.
It is also being used for improving water quality and combating weeds along creeks (riparian vegetation) and in swamps and dams to create wetlands.
Strips of revegetation are being grown for shade and shelter for stock and for crops.
Revegetation can also utilise plant species that may be commercially harvestible, to provide a diversified farm income, such as timber, flowers and bush tucker.
Revegetation can improve soil fertility and reduce the effects of wind and water erosion.
Revegetation can also build on existing vegetation to create further wildlife habitat, or be located to create corridors between vegetation to allow wildlife to move across one or more properties.
Cotton farm
Currimundi Farming Company is a 4000 acre farm near Emerald, producing cotton, irrigated soybean and wheat and dryland wheat.The owners Charlie and Kaye Wilson have retained about 300 acres of uncleared bushland and plan to establish wildlife corridors (the property has a koala colony) with the vegetation along the adjoining Comet River, create a wetlands area and regenerate 200 acres of grazing land back to wildlife habitat.
The nearby Comet State School has been involved in tree planting on the property.
Wildlife corridors were mainly retained for recreational and aesthetic benefits. Small areas between corridors which could have been cleared for production were retained as part of the farm plan for retaining vegetation and wildlife.Agronomist Jo Reeves believes retention of native vegetation on properties will become increasingly important in the future and that "its important to keep your productive areas productive, but you have got to start putting other areas back to native vegetation as part of your farm plan".Cotton Australiahas instigated a Best Practice Management project for Cotton Growers, which includes information on the benefits of native vegetation as part of chemical spray management.
Dairy farm
Ross Chapman manages Merragallen Park dairy farm in North Queensland. He has been revegetating riparian vegetation for several kilometres along the Johnstone river whichflows through the middle of his property.
The trees are planted to a strict regime through the Eacham Shire Wet Tropics tree planting scheme which plants trees that will help colonise mature forest similar to what was originally there.
Trees are planted that colonise areas and create conditions for other species to germinate and grow. Some species chosen act as attractors for birds, bats and other animals who come to eat the fruit or flowers of the attractor and bring with them the seeds of other plants which are deposited in their droppings.
The trees planted on the Chapmans property are selected through the Eacham Shire Wet Tropics tree planting scheme which plants trees that will help recreate mature forest similar to the one that was originally there.
Mabi forest
The Nasser family own one of last blocks of the rainforest type 5b, locally known as Mabi forest. Before European settlement Mabi forest was inhabited by peoples of the Ngadjonji and Yidindji tribes and held deep spiritual significance for them.The Nassers and QPWS have created a nature refuge over this important remnant of 33ha and are working to ensure its protection. Financial assistance has been provided to fence the remnant, exclude cattle and reduce stock impacts. Community volunteers and the QPWS Centre for Tropical Rehabilitation have planted 2,500 trees to rehabilitate a degraded section of the forest.
A nature-based tourism concept plan and feasibility study is being prepared to assist the Nassers in managing the natural values of the area, while creating opportunities for generating income through ecotourism.
Mabi forest draws its name from the local aboriginal name for Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo (mabi or mapi), one of the most common large mammals in this forest type.
Greening Australia
Greening Australia is a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with government, private enterprise and the community to achieve sustainable land and water resources by strategically managing native vegetation.Greening Australia can assist landholders or groups with vegetation management and revegetation projects. They can provide training and advice on plant identification, species selection, seed collection, plant propagation, site preparation and planting.
Greening Australia Queensland currently manages several devolved grant projects that provide resources to over 300 landholders to protect valuable remnants on their property. A major component of this work is assessing what vegetation should be retained.
Last updated: 28 November 2003
