BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJ ECT · ya 2013 rr bio aw dive ey rse mon ah carb ito f on ring al proj rep ls ect ort

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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.



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.



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.

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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.



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.



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.



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.



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.

Documents

BIODIVERSE CARBON PROJ ECT · ya 2013 rr bio aw dive ey rse mon ah carb ito f on ring al proj rep ls ect ort