GLENRAC Inc

Management of Soil Seed Bank at Glen Elgin

Management of the soil seed bank at the Glen Elgin Endangered Ecological Community.

Taking Action - XXXX

The issue

 

Ribbon Gum-Mountain Gum-Snow Gum Grassy Forest/Woodland of the New England Tableland Bioregion community is listed as an Endangered
Ecological Community, and is at risk of extinction unless threats affecting these areas are managed and reduced. Threats include Weeds of National
Significance (WONS), such as Blackberry, Serrated Tussock and Chilean Needle Grass.

 

The solution

The 11 members of GEEC Landcare group and a local weed spraying contractor controlled invasive grasses and plants on our properties and each side of Morven and Yahna Roads during the summers of 2015-16 and 2016-17.  The chemical spraying project was enhanced by individual group members walking the granite ridges and valleys with backpacks to reach small infestations that were not able to be managed using the 100 litre spray unit the group owns and shares

The impact

The project has helped GEEC members to be able to financially manage invasive plant species on our properties, and to reduce the new infestations that come from the Council management of the roads where grading of the dirt roads introduces seed from other localities across the Local Government Area.  This is a constant and ongoing task.

 

Continued annual reduction of the soil seed bank has been very successful.  Each year, members are finding much lower germination rates of invasive plants.  The project has also provided members the opportunity to work together towards a common aim of protecting our EEC country from invasive species, and hopefully prolonging the life of the EEC.  This community partnership allows information sharing on many topics while members are working on weed control.

Author: alyssa

Key facts

  • 27.6km of roadside weeds sprayed
  • Extended community knowledge of the impacts of invasive grasses
  • Reduced the soil seed bank in the landscape

Project Partners