Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve - Parks Victoriaparkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/312206/21_1455.pdf · Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve 2 The generic management objectives

Land Stewardship & BiodiversityDepartment of Sustainability and Environment

August 2005

Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve

Management Statement

This Management Statement has been written by Hugh Robertson and JamesFitzsimons for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

This Statement fulfils obligations by the State of Victoria to the Commonwealth ofAustralia, which provided financial assistance for the purchase of this reserve underthe National Reserve System program of the Natural Heritage Trust.

©The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2005

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except inaccordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

ISBN 1 74152 276 5

Disclaimer:This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and itsemployees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or iswholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liabilityfor any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on anyinformation in this publication.

Cover:Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis among tussocks of Wallaby GrassAustrodanthonia sp., Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve (Photo: Hugh Robertson).


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ObjectivesThis Management Statement for the Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve outlines thereserve’s natural values and the directions for its management in the short to longterm.

The overall operational management objective is:Maintain, and enhance where appropriate, the condition of the reserve whileallowing natural processes of regeneration, disturbance and succession to occur andactively initiating these processes where required.

Background and ContextReason for purchaseSince the implementation of the National Reserve System Program (NRS) in 1992, allAustralian states and territories have been working toward the development of acomprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) system of protected areas.

In a systematic process to increase the reservation levels of Victoria’s mostthreatened ecosystems, particularly native grasslands and grassy woodlands, theDepartment of Sustainability and Environment’s conservation land purchaseprogram aims to acquire areas of private land containing high quality samples ofsuch ecosystems for addition to the reserve system.

A strategic assessment of high quality sites containing grassy ecosystems on theVictorian Riverina bioregion was completed in 1999 (Todd 1999). Among a numberof sites identified as suitable for voluntary purchase and addition to the protectedarea estate, the Kotta grasslands were purchased due to their size and goodcondition.

The purchase was assisted with funding from the National Reserve System Programof the Commonwealth Government’s Natural Heritage Trust (Project No. N454).

LocationThe Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve (Kotta NCR) of 224.21 ha is located at thenortheast corner of Aird and Whitfield Roads, Kotta, approximately 20 km north eastof Mitiamo (Figure 1). It consists of: Crown Allotment 2003, Parish of Turrumberry.The purchase of the Kotta grasslands was completed on 14 April 2004.

The Kotta grasslands fall within the Riverina IBRA 5.1 bioregion, Victorian Riverinasubregion (Environment Australia 2000) and the Terrick Local Landscape Zone(Wierzbowski et al. 2002).

Reservation and ManagementKotta NCR was transferred to the Crown on 30 April 2004 and assigned to ParksVictoria for management on 8 July 2004 (Park Reserve ID 4260). The Kotta NCR istemporarily reserved for the “preservation of an area of ecological significance”under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and managed as a Nature ConservationReserve.


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The generic management objectives for Nature Conservation Reserves as defined by ParksVictoria (2003) are:Nature conservation reserves a) conserve and protect species, communities andhabitats of indigenous plants, animals and other organisms; b) provide for researchand study of the natural environment of the reserve where this is consistent with a)and there is minimal impact on the reserve; c) provide opportunities for appropriateenjoyment and recreation and education by the public where this does not conflictwith a); d) protect Aboriginal cultural sites and places; and e) protect historic featuresin specific reserves where noted.

Nature conservation reserves are consistent with IUCN Protected Area Category Ia:Strict Nature Reserve (NRE 1996).

As the purchased land was originally freehold, no Land Conservation Council(LCC), Environment Conservation Council (ECC) or Victorian EnvironmentalAssessment Council (VEAC) recommendations apply.

The Crown Land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004 regulateactivities in this reserve.

Natural Values and ConditionRefer to Figure 2 for the location of threatened species recorded in the Atlas ofVictorian Wildlife and Flora Information System1.

Vegetation TypesPlains Grassland is the main Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) represented in thereserve2. Plains Grassland is considered endangered in the Victorian Riverinabioregion and patches of the size present in Kotta NCR are of high priority forconservation (Todd 1999). Only around 6% (approximately 17,000 ha) of the originalextent of Plains Grassland remains in the Victorian Riverina, with 1,745 ha occurringin protected areas (DSE 2004). The Northern Plains Grassland Community is listed asa threatened ecological community in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna GuaranteeAct 1988. An Action Statement (#182) for the conservation of this community hasbeen prepared (Craigie & Moorrees 2003).

Kotta NCR also contains areas mapped as Lignum Wetland EVC. Lignum Wetland isconsidered vulnerable in the Victorian Riverina, with only around 18% (8,358 ha) ofthe original extent of the vegetation type remaining in the bioregion (801 ha inprotected areas) (DSE 2004).

1 Note this does not necessarily represent records for all threatened species on the reserve. Only thoserecorded in the DSE flora and fauna databases are displayed.2 Note that as of December 2004, approximately 30% of Kotta NCR had been mapped as PlainsGrassland EVC and 15% as Lignum Wetland EVC, within the EVC_CMP100 geospatial data layer (referFigure 2).


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A number of fine-scale vegetation units have been identified in the reserve - WesternNorthern Plains Grassland Complex, Plains Grassy Wetland and Gilgai PlainsComplex (Todd 1999).

The varied soil types in the Victorian Riverina influences the floristic and structuraldiversity of native grassland vegetation. The two soil types commonly observed atsites retaining native grasslands on the Northern Plains, including the Kotta NCR,are - ‘grey soils’ (grey and grey-brown calcareous sodic uniform clays) and ‘red soils’(red-brown sodic duplex soils) (LCC 1983). Grey soils are heavier clays (oftengilgaied) and typically form in areas more prone to waterlogging. The red soils,found at slightly higher elevations are more freely drained and support more openand sparse grassland vegetation (LCC 1983, M. Tscharke pers. comm. 2004).

The topography within the Kotta NCR is generally flat, although some minordepressions and the presence of gilgai soil formation support shallow, intermittentwetland areas. Western sections of the property were last cultivated in 1978. Thepresence of gilgais in the eastern section suggests that this area has not been croppedin the past (Marshall 2003).

Ecological Management of Northern Plains GrasslandsControl of biomass, particularly of exotic pasture grass species, may be considereddesirable for flora and fauna species requiring inter-tussock spaces for habitat (Diez& Foreman 1996). Management of vegetation to provide suitable habitat forthreatened species should also be considered, particularly the nationally significantPlains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus, which prefers sparse native grasslands(approximately 50% bare-ground) (Maher & Baker-Gabb 1993). This may be achievedvia a number of management options:- Grazing: Sheep grazing has been used as a management tool on a number of

reserves containing Plains Grasslands in the Victorian Riverina. Sheep havegrazed Kotta NCR in the past. Strategic grazing by sheep may be appropriate tomaintain the conservation values of the reserve. If grazing is utilised, stockingrates will need to be adjusted depending on the cover abundance of extantvegetation and seasonal conditions (i.e. rainfall). Grazing over autumn andwinter is preferred to allow native grassland plants to set seed and regenerateduring spring and summer (Diez & Foreman 1996). Vegetation growing on redsoils is often preferred by sheep for grazing (M. Tscharke pers. comm. 2004). Theavailability of water for sheep is a key consideration for implementing grazingprograms. A number of reserves including Kotta NCR are connected to the localDam Fill Scheme. Parks Victoria is developing specific guidelines for the site-scale management of Northern Plains Grasslands located in conservationreserves. These guidelines will provide information to aid in the assessment ofnative grassland structure and quality, including descriptions of habitat qualityfor ground-dwelling fauna, together with details of potential site-specificmanagement regimes (e.g. grazing management options). In addition, grazingexclusion areas may be used to monitor the impacts of grazing on the grasslandvegetation.


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- Ecological Burning: Fire may be used as a management tool both to control exoticpasture species and to promote the regeneration of indigenous flora speciesreliant on the creation of inter-tussock spaces and regular burning. However, thelong-term effects of burning on grassland vegetation of the Northern Plains arenot yet fully understood (Diez & Foreman 1996).

Management objectives and targets (short-long term)- Actively manage the grasslands, using some of the management options

described above, to maintain species diversity, richness and structuralheterogeneity of the vegetation - utilising the specific guidelines being developedby Parks Victoria for the management of Northern Plains Grasslands.

- Monitor and research outcomes of management actions and adapt managementregimes as the need arises.

- Encourage ongoing research by universities and other scientific institutions intooptimal management techniques for maintaining and enhancing grasslandbiodiversity.

FloraKotta NCR supports high quality grassland that is structurally and floristicallydominated by native species. Common Wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia caespitosa,Plump Spear-grass Austrostipa aristiglumis, Spider Grass Enteropogon acicularis andWindmill Grass Chloris truncata are the main species present (Marshall 2003). Thegrassland also supports a number of significant plant species3 including UmbrellaWattle Acacia oswaldii, Silky Swainson-pea Swainsona sericea, Woolly MantleEriochlamys behrii s.l. and Pale Spike-sedge Eleocharis pallens. A few River Red GumsEucalyptus camaldulensis are also scattered in parts of the reserve. Low-lying areas ofKotta NCR are likely to support wetland plant species during periods of highrainfall.

Notably, a number of the significant Swainsona species occur in Kotta NCR and onthe surrounding land. The Action Statement for Swainsona species (#126) identifiesopen vegetation structure and low competition from plants as important for theconservation of these species (Earl et al. 2003).

A number of significant plant species have also been recorded on adjoining landmanaged, or covenanted, by the Trust for Nature (refer to O’Brien 2004 and seeFigure 2). Refer to Appendix 1 for flora recorded in Kotta NCR and adjoining areas.

Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)- Record flora in the Parks Victoria Environmental Information System and DSE

Flora Information System (FIS), and encourage seasonal surveys.

FaunaKotta NCR contains extensive areas of native grassland that provide diverse habitatfor ground-dwelling fauna. Notably, Kotta NCR is an area of known habitat for the

3 Threat status for flora and fauna follows DSE (2003, 2005)


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critically endangered Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus, Brolga Grus rubicunda(vulnerable in Victoria), Fat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Eastern BeardedDragon Pogona barbata and Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastes fletcheri.

The Kotta grasslands were identified as an area of known habitat for Plains-wanderer in northern Victoria (Maher & Baker-Gabb 1993). An Action Statement forPlains-wanderer in Victoria has been prepared (#66, Baker-Gabb 1995), identifyingthe conservation of native grasslands which provide suitable habitat as a highpriority.

Scattered trees and fallen timber (e.g. River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis andBuloke Allocasuarina luehmannii) also provide habitat for fauna in the NorthernPlains. The enhancement of habitat for fauna by re-establishing ground refuges, suchas the artificial placement of logs, has proven successful at nearby grasslands(Michael et al. 2004). Establishment of ground habitat may also enhance theconservation value of Kotta NCR.

Refer to Appendix 2 for fauna records from Kotta NCR and adjoining areas.

Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)- Actively manage the vegetation structure to provide suitable habitat for

threatened fauna, particularly Plains-wanderer, using techniques previouslyoutlined for the management of Northern Plains Grasslands.

- Record fauna in the Parks Victoria Environmental Information System and Atlasof Victorian Wildlife, and encourage seasonal survey programs.

Biosites4

The following Biosites are recorded in close proximity to Kotta NCR:- Site # 7020 ‘Glassons West’ (Located in Trust for Nature managed Glassons

Grassland adjacent (west)of Kotta NCR)- Site # 5461 ‘Grassland/ Wetland Block’ (Located in the block southeast of Kotta

NCR that has a Trust for Nature conservation covenant attached to its title)- Site # 5460 ‘Canegrass Swamp #2’ (Located approximately 2 km northwest of

Kotta NCR).

Refer to Appendix 3 for further details.

Landscape contextKotta NCR represents one of the largest grassland reserves in the Victorian Riverina.The reserve also provides ecological linkages between other significant nativegrassland sites on public and private land in the district. Kotta NCR is bordered tothe west and north by private land used for grazing and cropping, and to the eastand south by Aird and Whitfield Roads. Glassons Grassland Reserve (169.9 ha), aPrivate Protected Area purchased by the Trust for Nature though the National

4 ‘Biosites’ are sites of biological conservation significance and their location and details are maintainedon a register by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.


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Reserve System Program adjoins Kotta NCR to the west of Aird Road. A large block(154 ha) containing native grassland and protected by a Trust for Natureconservation covenant adjoins Kotta NCR to the southeast. Together, these protectedgrasslands form a consolidated unit of some 548 ha.

Other nearby conservation reserves include Terrick Terrick National Park, fiveNature Conservation Reserves (NCR) also containing Plains Grassland and recentlypurchased through the National Reserve System Program (Wanurp, Roslynmead,Pine Grove, Tomara Gilgais and Terrick Terrick East NCRs) and The MeadowsWildlife Reserve (Figure 3).

Dryland grazing is the predominant land use in the area but more intensiveagriculture, such as cropping, is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Threatening ProcessesPest PlantsPest plants are one of the main threats to the conservation values of the Kotta NCR.Pest plants have the ability to alter the structure of the grasslands and pose a threatto species reliant on the ecosystem. Weed cover is generally low across the reserve(Marshall 2003). Some localised areas of the grassland are domianted by a highbiomass of pest plants, particularly introduced pasture grasses including Rye GrassLolium spp., Barley Grass Hordeum spp. and Fescue Vulpia spp. The abundance ofpest plants is often greater in areas of the grassland where grey soils occur (M.Tscharke pers. comm. 2004). Pine Pinus spp., Peppercorn Schinus molle and WillowSalix spp. have been removed from the reserve. Bathurst Burr Xanthium spinosum andother thistles (e.g. Cirsium vulgare), Horehound Marrubium vulgare and AfricanBoxthorn Lycium ferocissimum have been identified as other pest plants that mayrequire management (Marshall 2003).

Management objective targets (short-long term)- Monitor and control the establishment and spread of pest plants in Kotta NCR,

particularly introduced pasture grasses, through grazing or burning andencourage the establishment of native grasses in their place (see ‘EcologicalManagement of Northern Plains Grasslands’).

- Liaise with the Shire of Campaspe to ensure control of pest plants that occuralong roadsides adjoining Kotta NCR, to prevent their spread into the reserve.

Pest animalsFoxes are present throughout the district, but the impact of predation on nativefauna in the reserve is unknown. However, they may pose a significant threat toground nesting or feeding birds (including the Plains-wanderer), small mammals(including Fat-tailed Dunnart), and reptiles. Rabbits and hares have also beenobserved in the local area but their impact on the grassland is undetermined.


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Management objectives and targets (short-long term)- Control foxes to maintain habitat values of the reserve for birds (including Plains-

wanderer), small mammals and other ground-dwelling fauna.- Maintain rabbit and hare numbers at less than 5 per spotlight km.

Physical AssetsTwo dams occur on Kotta NCR, both of which are connected to the local Dam FillScheme via surface drainage lines (Figure 1). Boundary fencing at the reserve is inpoor condition, and requires replacement prior to grazing commencing. The twointernal fences separating are generally in good condition although require repair insome sections. A shearing shed and stockyards are present in the southwesterncorner of the reserve (Figure 1). The shearing shed has not power connected. An oldrailway carriage is also present in the reserve (refer to ‘Heritage Values’ sectionbelow).

Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)- Maintain dams and surface drainage channels (Dam Fill Scheme) required for

stock water.- Liaise with adjoining landowners to ensure boundary fences are maintained in a

stock-proof condition.

Heritage Values, Condition and RiskThere are no recorded places of heritage value in Kotta NCR. An old four-wheel ‘U’van railway carriage occurs to the southeast of the reserve (Figure 1). Although thecarriage has no particular historical significance to the reserve, the carriage is nowrare and may be of interest to a museum (e.g. Australian Railway Historical Society).

Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)- If sites are identified, assess their condition and establish management objectives.- Investigate options to remove the railway carriage from the reserve if required.

Indigenous Values, Condition and RiskThere are no recorded archaeological sites and no identified sites or features, andpotential for sites of indigenous value is considered to be low.

Management objectives and targets (short-long term)- Reflect the Traditional Owners’ cultural lore, and interests and aspirations in the

area in managing the reserve, and work with them and the scheduled localAboriginal community in accordance with relevant legislation and ParksVictoria’s operational policies.

- Work with the Traditional Owners and consult the scheduled local Aboriginalcommunity in survey of the reserve to identify the location of significantindigenous sites, places and objects.

- If sites, places and objectives are identified, seek guidance from the TraditionalOwners on their future management and assessing their condition.


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Visitor Services, Condition and RiskThere is currently no level of visitor services for Kotta NCR (classified as “VeryBasic”). The provisional future level of service will be “Very Basic” (no facilities).Access is restricted to pedestrian access off Aird and Whitfield Roads (Figure 1).While there is no data available, visitor numbers to the Kotta NCR are likely to below (0-5000 p.a.), because the reserve has been purchased only recently.

Management objectives and targets (short term and long term)- Retain ‘Very Basic’ level of service; i.e. do not provide built facilities or access

roads accessible by the general public. - Maintain existing internal Management Vehicle Only (MVO) tracks where

required. These MVO tracks will not be accessible for public vehicular access.

Signage: Provide locality signage for the reserve within two years and maintain it.

ConsultationThis Management Statement has been prepared in consultation with Mark Tscharkeand Simon Casanelia (Parks Victoria).

References and Further ReadingBaker-Gabb D., Benshemesh J.S. & Maher P.N. (1990) A revision of the distribution,

status and management of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus. Emu 90,161-168.

Baker-Gabb, D. (1995) Plains-wanderer Pedionomus toquatus. Flora and FaunaGuarantee Action Statement No. 66. Department of Natural Resources &Environment, East Melbourne.

Craigie, V. & Moorrees, A. (2003) Central Gippsland Plains Grassland, Forest RedGum Grassy Woodland, Northern Plains Grassland, South, Gippsland PlainsGrassland & Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland. Flora and Fauna GuaranteeAction Statement No. 182. Department of Sustainability & Environment, EastMelbourne.

DCE (1992) Draft Conservation Program for Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands inVictoria. Department of Conservation & Environment, East Melbourne.

Diez, S. & Foreman, P. (1996) Practical Guidelines for the Management of NativeGrasslands on the Riverine Plain of South-Eastern Australia. Draft Report,Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Bendigo.

DSE (2003) Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2003. Departmentof Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne.

DSE (2004) Victorian Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs Area Statement.Department of Sustainability and Environment (Revised 28 September 2004).


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DSE (2005) Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria - 2005. Department ofSustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.

Earl, G., Barlow, T. & Moorrees, A. (2003) Twelve threatened Swainson-peas andDarling-peas (Swainsona species). Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action StatementNo. 126. Department of Sustainability & Environment, East Melbourne.

Environment Australia (2000) Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisationfor Australia (IBRA) and Development of Version 5.1 Summary Report.Environment Australia, Canberra.http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/nrs/ibra/version5-1/summary-report/index.html

Fitzsimons, J.A., FitzSimons, P. & Ashe, C. (2004) Further strategic additions toVictoria’s public protected area system: 2002-2004. Victorian Naturalist 121, 214-225.

LCC (1983) Report on the Murray Valley Area. Land Conservation Council, Victoria,Melbourne.

Lunt, I.D. (1991) Management of remnant lowland grasslands and grassy woodlandsfor nature conservation: a review. Victorian Naturalist 108, 56-66.

Maher, P.N. & Baker-Gabb, D.J. (1993) Surveys and conservation of the Plains-wanderer in northern Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute for EnvironmentalResearch Technical Report Series No. 131, Department of Conservation &Natural Resources, East Melbourne.

Marshall, D. (2003) Assessment of Grassland Property on the Corner of Aird andWhitfield Road, Kotta. Unpublished Report, Department of Sustainability &Environment, Bendigo.

Michael D.R., Lunt I.D. & Robinson W.A. (2003) Terrestrial vertebrate fauna ofgrasslands and grassy woodlands in Terrick Terrick National Park, northernVictoria. Victorian Naturalist 120, 164-171.

Michael D.R., Lunt I.D. & Robinson W.A. (2004) Enhancing fauna habitat in grazednative grasslands and woodlands: use of artificially-placed log refuges by fauna.Wildlife Research 31, 65-71.

NRE (1996) IUCN Categories and Other Key Data for Parks and Conservation Reserves inVictoria. National Parks and Reserves Branch, National Parks Service,Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Melbourne.

O’Brien, E. (2004) Draft Glasson’s Grassland Management Plan. Trust for Nature,Melbourne.


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Parks Victoria (2003) Conservation Reserves Management Strategy. Parks Victoria,Melbourne.

Todd, J.A. (1999) Identification of Priority Areas for Protection and Establishment ofProtected Areas - Riverina Bioregion, Victoria. Report for Parks, Flora andFauna, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Melbourne.

Tscharke, M. (2001) Experiences managing Terrick Terrick National Park. OurValuable Native Grasslands, Better Pastures Naturally: Proceedings of the SecondNational Conference of the Native Grasses Association. 24-25 August 2001,Melbourne. Available: http://www.regional.org.au/au/stipa/papers/

Wierzbowski, P., Lowe, K.W., Handley, K., Berwick, S., Robinson, D. & Ahern L.D.(2002) Biodiversity Action Planning Strategic Overview for the VictorianRiverina Bioregion (Revised 22 November 2002). Department of NaturalResources & Environment, Victoria.


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Appendix 1. Provisional list of vascular flora recorded at Kotta NatureConservation Reserve and adjoining areas.

Taxon Common Name Source

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vic

Sta

tus

FFG

EPBC

Native speciesAcacia oswaldii Umbrella Wattle + + vAgrostis s.l. spp. Bent/Blown Grass + + +Allocasuarina luehmannii Buloke + LAlternanthera sp. 1 (Plains) Plains Joyweed + kAlternanthera spp. Joyweed +Amphibromus spp. Swamp Wallaby-grass + + +Aphanes australiana Australian Piert +Aphanes spp. Piert +Arthropodium fimbriatum Nodding Chocolate-lily + +Arthropodium minus Small Vanilla-lily +Arthropodium strictum Chocolate Lily +Asperula conferta Common Woodruff + +Asperula spp. Woodruff +Atriplex leptocarpa Slender-fruit Saltbush +Atriplex semibaccata Berry Saltbush + +Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grass + + + + + +Austrodanthonia carphoides Short Wallaby-grass +Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grass + + + +Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grass + + + + +Austrodanthonia spp. Wallaby Grass + + + + +Austrostipa aristiglumis Plump Spear-grass + + +Austrostipa gibbosa Spurred Spear-grass + +Austrostipa nodosa Knotty Spear-grass +Austrostipa scabra Rough Spear-grass + + + +Austrostipa spp. Spear Grass + + +Boerhavia dominii Tah-vine + +Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head Daisy +Bulbine bulbosa Bulbine Lily + + +Calocephalus citreus Lemon Beauty-heads +Calocephalus sonderi Pale Beauty-heads + + + +Calotis anthemoides Cut-Leaf Burr-Daisy + +Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-Daisy +Calotis scabiosifolia Rough Burr-Daisy + + + +Carex spp. Sedge +Centipeda spp. Sneezeweed +Chamaesyce drummondii Flat Spurge + + +Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Green Rock-fern + +Chenopodium desertorum Frosted Goosefoot +Chenopodium desertorumsubsp. virosum

Frosted Goosefoot + + k

Chenopodium pumilio Clammy Goosefoot +Chloris truncata Windmill Grass + +Chrysocephalum apiculatums.l.

Common Everlasting + + + +


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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vic

Sta

tus

FFG

EPBC

Convolvulus erubescens spp.agg.

Pink Bindweed + +

Convolvulus remotus Grassy Bindweed + +Convolvulus spp. Bindweed +Craspedia spp. Billy Buttons +Crassula colorata Dense Crassula + +Crassula decumbens var.decumbens

Spreading Crassula + + + +

Crassula helmsii Swamp Crassula +Crassula peduncularis Purple Crassula + +Crassula spp. Crassula + + +Cressa australis Rosinweed +Damasonium minus Star Fruit + + +Daucus glochidiatus Australian Carrot + + + +Eclipta platyglossa Yellow Twin-heads + + + +Einadia nutans subsp.nutans

Nodding Saltbush +

Eleocharis pallens Pale Spike-sedge + + kEleocharis pusilla Small Spike-sedge + + +Eleocharis spp. Spike Sedge + + + +Elymus scaber var. scaber Common Wheat Grass +Enchylaena tomentosa var.tomentosa

Ruby Saltbush +

Enteropogon acicularis Spider Grass + + + +Epilobium spp. Willow Herb + +Eragrostis infecunda Southern Cane-grass +Eriochlamys behrii s.l. Woolly Mantle + + + + + rErodium crinitum Blue Heron's Bill +Erodium spp. Heron's Bill + +Eryngium ovinum Blue Devil +Eryngium spp. Eryngium +Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum +Geranium spp. Cranes Bill +Glinus lotoides Hairy Carpet-weed +Glossostigma spp. Mud Mat +Goodenia heteromera Spreading Goodenia +Goodenia pinnatifida Cut-leaf Goodenia + + +Goodenia pusilliflora Small-flower Goodenia + + + + + +Goodenia spp. Goodenia + + + + +Haloragis glauca f. glauca Bluish Raspwort + kHaloragis spp. Raspwort +Heliotropium europaeum Common Heliotrope + +Heliotropium spp. Heliotrope +Hyalosperma glutinosumsubsp. glutinosum

Golden Sunray +

Hyalosperma praecox Mayweed Sunray +Hypoxis spp. Hypoxis +Isoetes spp. Quillwort + + +Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass Cushion + + + + +


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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vic

Sta

tus

FFG

EPBC

Juncus spp. Rush + + +Juncus subsecundus Finger Rush +Leiocarpa panaetioides Woolly Buttons + +Leiocarpa spp. Plover Daisy +Leptorhynchos orientalis Annual Buttons + e LLeptorhynchos spp. Buttons +Leptorhynchos squamatus Scaly Buttons + + + +Leptorynchos tetrachaetus Beauty Buttons +Linum marginale Native Flax +Lobelia concolor Poison Pratia + + +Lythrum hyssopifolia Small Loosestrife +Maireana cheelii Chariot Wheels + v VMaireana decalvans Black Cotton-bush + + +Maireana enchylaenoides Wingless Bluebush + + +Maireana excavata Bottle Bluebush + + +Maireana humillima Dwarf Bluebush + +Maireana pentagona Hairy Bluebush + + + + + +Maireana spp. Bluebush +Malva australiana Australian Hollyhock +Marsilea costulifera Narrow-leaf Nardoo + + +Marsilea drummondii Common Nardoo + + + +Microseris spp. Yam Daisy +Minuria cunninghamii Bush Minuria + rMuehlenbeckia florulenta Tangled Lignum + + + +Muehlenbeckia horridasubsp. horrida

Spiny Lignum + r

Myosurus minimus var.australis

Mousetail +

Myriocephalus rhizocephalus Woolly-heads +Myriophylum porcatum Ridge Water-milfoil + v L VMyriophylum spp. Water-milfoil +Ophioglossum lusitanicum Austral Adder's-tongue + + +Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrel + + + + +Panicum laevinode Pepper Grass + vPanicum spp. Panic +Persicaria spp. Knotweed +Plagiobothrys spp. Rochelia + +Plantago cunninghamii Clay Plantain +Plantago spp. Plantain +Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-Flower +Polygonum spp. Hogweed +Ptilotus erubescens Hairy Tails + + +Ptilotus exaltatus Mulla Mulla +Ptilotus macrocephalus Feather Heads +Pycnosorus globosus Drumsticks + + +Ranunculus spp. Buttercup + + +Rhodanthe corymbiflora Paper Sunray + + + + + +Rhodanthe pygmaea Pygmy Sunray +Rumex spp. Dock + +


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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vic

Sta

tus

FFG

EPBC

Salsola tragus Prickly Saltwort + +Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copper-burr +Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly + + +Senecio runcinifolius Tall Fireweed +Senecio spp. Groundsel +Sida corrugata Variable Sida + + + + +Sida trichopoda Narrow-leaf Sida +Solanum esuriale Quena + +Spergularia spp. Sand Spurrey + +Sporobolus caroli Yakka Grass + rSwainsona murrayana Slender Darling-pea + + + e L VSwainsona plagiotropis Red Swainson-pea + + + + + e L VSwainsona procumbens Broughton Pea + + +Swainsona sericea Silky Swainson-pea + + + + v LSwainsona swainsonoides Downy Swainson-pea + e LTeucrium racemosum s.l. Grey Germander + + + +Teucrium spp. Germander +Triglochin procera Water Ribbons +Tripogon loliiformis Rye Beetle-grass + + + rTriptilodiscus pygmaeus Common Sunray + + + + +Veronica spp. Speedwell +Vittadinia spp. New Holland Daisy + +Wahlenbergia spp. Bluebell + + + + +Whalleya proluta Rigid Panic + + +Wurmbea dioica Common Early Nancy + +Wurmbea spp. Early Nancy +

Introduced speciesAira spp. Hair Grass + + +Aphanes arvensis Parsley Piert +Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed + + +Avena fatua Wild Oat +Avena spp. Oat +Bromus spp. Brome + + + +Carthamus lanatus Saffron Thistle + + + +Centaurium tenuiflorum Slender Centaury +Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle + +Cotula bipinnata Ferny Cotula +Erodium botrys Big Heron's-bill + + + +Hedypnois cretica Cretan Hedypnois +Helminthotheca echioides Ox-tongue +Hordeum marinum Sea Barley-grass + + +Hordeum spp. Barley Grass +Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear +Hypochoeris spp. Cat's Ear + + +Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass +Lolium spp. Rye Grass + + + +Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn + + +Marrubium vulgare Horehound +


15


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vic

Sta

tus

FFG

EPBC

Medicago spp. Medic + + + +Medicago truncatula Barrel Medic +Panicum gilvum Panic +Romulea minutiflora Small-flower Onion-grass + + + +Scorzonera laciniata Scorzonera +Scorzonera spp. Scorzonera +Trifolium glomeratum Cluster Clover +Trifolium repens var. repens White Clover +Trifolium spp. Clover + + +Vulpia spp. Fescue + + + + +Xanthium spinosum Bathurst Burr + + +

Key: v (vulnerable in Victoria), r (rare in Victoria), e (endangered in Victoria), k (poorly known inVictoria), L (listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988), V (nationallyvulnerable). Threat status follows DSE (2005).

Source:1 - Kotta grassland site assessment. Observer: E. O’Brien, TFN (Marshall 2003)2* - Glassons Grassland flora list (O’Brien 2004)3# - Victorian Flora Site Database (FIS): S37714, Date: 5 October 1998, Collector: EOB4# - Victorian Flora Site Database: D37714, Date: 5 October 1998, Collector: EOB5# - Victorian Flora Site Database: D37715, Date: 5 October 1998, Collector: EOB6# - Victorian Flora Site Database: P01522, Date: 5 October 1999, Collector: T.J. Barlow7 - Victorian Flora Site Database: M05029, Date: 17 September 1992, Collector: P. Foreman8* - Victorian Flora Site Database: P01605/P01425/M14002, Date: 1 October 1997, Collector: EOB9* - Victorian Flora Site Database: P01606/P01633, Date: 1 October 1997, Collector: EOB

* FIS sites located on the Glassons Grassland adjacent to Kotta NCR, which is managed by the Trust forNature.# FIS sites located on covenanted grassland property adjacent (southeast) of Kotta NCR.

All FIS sites located on grassland sites within 1.5 km of Kotta NCR. Refer to Figure 2 for location ofthreatened flora observations.


16

Appendix 2. Provisional list of fauna recorded at Kotta Nature ConservationReserve and adjoining areas.Common Name Scientific Name Source Vict.

StatusFFG EPBC

Indigenous SpeciesFat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata 3,4,5 nBarking Marsh Frog Limnodynastes fletcheri 3 dCommon Froglet Crinia signifera 4Common Spadefoot Toad Neobatrachus sudelli 3Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis 3,4Plains Froglet Crinia parinsignifera 3Boulenger's Skink Morethia boulengeri 3Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata 3,4,6 dEastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis 2,4Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus 4Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen 2Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor 6Black Falcon Falco subniger 2 vBlack-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris 2Brolga Grus rubicunda 1 v LBrown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis 5,6Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 1Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides 1Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus 5,6 c L VRichard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae 1,2,5,6Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica 6Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis 5,6White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus 6Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa 6Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata 2,6

Introduced SpeciesBrown Hare Lepus capensis 3,4European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 4House Mouse Mus musculus 3,4House Sparrow Passer domesticus 2

Key: d (data deficient in Victoria), v (vulnerable in Victoria), n (near threatened in Victoria), c (criticallyendangered in Victoria), L (listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988), V(nationally vulnerable). Threat status follows DSE (2003).

Source:1 - Assessment of Kotta grassland. Observer: E. O’Brien, Trust for Nature (Marshall 2003)2 - Kotta NCR site inspection 5 November 2004. Observer: J. Fitzsimons, DSE3 - Victorian Fauna Site Database (VFD) Ref: A0031238, Date: 1 January 1995, Collector: 13394 - Victorian Fauna Site Database Ref: A0031239, Date: 1 January 1995, Collector: 13395 - Victorian Fauna Site Database Ref: A0107730, Date: 11 February 1992, Collector: 3856 - Victorian Fauna Site Database Ref: A0107731, Date: 11 February 1992, Collector: 385

All VFD sites located within or directly adjacent to Kotta NCR. Refer to Figure 2 for location ofthreatened fauna observations.


17

Appendix 3. Biosites listed near to the Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve(Database accessed 25 November 2004).

Site # 7020 Glassons West (Located in adjoining Glassons Grassland managed byTrust for Nature)• Significance Level: Yet to be determined• Bioregion: Victorian Riverina• Boundary Derivation: Site boundary not mapped on DSE GIS• Longitude: 36° 08' 55", Latitude: 144° 25' 37"• Species Assets: Slender Darling-pea Swainsona murrayana, Red Swainson-pea

Swainsona plagiotropis

Site # 5461 Grassland/ Wetland Block (Located in Trust for Nature covenantedproperty 1.1 km southeast of Kotta NCR)• Significance Level: Regional• Bioregion: Victorian Riverina• Boundary Derivation: Site boundary not mapped on DSE GIS• Area (Ha): 76• Map References: West of Dullard Road, Pine Grove, south of Whitfield Road.• Longitude: 36° 09' 40", Latitude: 144° 28' 27"• Species Assets: Frosted Goosefoot Chenopodium desertorum, Buloke Allocasuarina

luehmannii, Spurred Spear-grass Austrostipa gibbosa• Floristic Community: Grassland• EVC Description: Grassland

Site # 5460 Canegrass Swamp #2 (Located approximately 2 km northwest of KottaNCR)• Significance Level: Regional• Bioregion: Victorian Riverina• Habitat: Myriophyllum porcutum was recorded at this site, however this record

appears to be erroneous• Boundary Derivation: Site boundary not mapped on DSE GIS• Area (Ha): 17• Map References: South of Echuca/Serpentine Road, Pine Grove. Property on Cant

Road• Longitude: 36° 08' 05", Latitude: 144° 25' 10"• Species Assets: Spiny Lignum Muehlenbeckia horrida ssp. horrida, Bluish Raspwort

Haloragis glauca f. glauca• Floristic Community: Grassland• EVC Description: Grassland• Other Asset: Breeding site

#

#Dam

Dam

Dra

in

Shed and holding yard

Fenc

e

Railway Carriage

Gate

Gate

Fenc

e

Whitfield Road

Aird

Roa

d

Glassons GrasslandReserve (Trust for Nature)

Gate

Gate

Gate

Gate

Gate

Disclaimer:This map is made using the best available information. The creators of this map do not warrant that it is free of error and do not accept liability for loss arising from use of this product beyond its original purpose.

N

LOCALITY

Figure 1. Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve -Boundaries, Hydrology and Physical Assets

December 2004Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library© Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentThe State of Victoria, 2004.

#

0.2 0 0.2 Kilometres

Kotta NCR

Hydrology (1:25,000)

Roads

Major road sealed

Major road unsealed

Vehicular track

#####

#

######

#####

#####

###

#####

#

####

#

#

%

%

%

Eastern Bearded Dragon Plains-wanderer

Barking Marsh Frog Eastern Bearded Dragon Fat-tailed Dunnart

Brolga

Plains-wandererFat-tailed Dunnart

Biosite# 5461

Frosted GoosefootWoolly MantleRed Swainson-pea

Red Swainson-pea

Woolly MantleSilky Swainson-peaRye Beetle-grassHairy Tails

Eastern Bearded Dragon Fat-tailed Dunnart

Biosite# 7020 Red Swainson-pea

Slender Darling-pea

Silky Swainson-pea

Silky Swainson-peaRye Beetle-grassHairy Tails

Red Swainson-peaSlender Darling-pea

BulokeRed Swainson-peaWoolly MantleSilky Swainson-peaRye Beetle-grassHairy TailsFrosted Goosefoot

Kotta NCR

Threatened flora#

Threatened fauna#

Biosites%

Wetlands

Freshwater Meadow

Ecological Vegetation Classes

(104) Lignum Wetland

(132) Plains Grassland

(803) Plains Woodland

(990) Non Vegetation


N

LOCALITY

#

Figure 2. Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve -Theatened Species, Biosites, Wetlands

and Ecological Vegetation Classes

December 2004Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library© Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentThe State of Victoria, 2004.

0.3 0 0.3 Kilometres

EVC mapping based on the EVC_CMP100geospatial layer as of December 2004, and from on ground validation.

#

#

#

#

#

Terrick TerrickNational Park

Kotta NatureConservation Reserve

Roslynmead NCR

Pine GroveNCR

Wanurp NCR

Terrick TerrickEast NCR

Little Kotta NCR (proposed)

The Meadows WR

Murphy Swamp WR

MITIAMO

ROSLYNMEAD

KOTTA

TORRUMBARRY

BALD ROCK

Pipit NCR(proposed)

Cane Grass SwampNCR (proposed)

Glassons GrasslandReserve (Trust for Nature)

Tomara Gilgais NCR


N

LOCALITY

#

Figure 3. Kotta Nature ConservationReserve - Landscape context

1 0 1 2 3 KilometresDecember 2004Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library© Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentThe State of Victoria, 2004.

Note: The proposed Pipit, Cane Grass Swampand Little Kotta NCRs are currently categorsiedas Natural Features Reserve, UncategorisedCrown Land and Bushland Reserve, respectively.

Parks and Reserves

National Parks

Nature Conservation Reserves

Natural Features Reserves

Other Public Land

Roads (1:100,000)

Highway

Major road sealed

Major road unsealed

Vehicular track

Minor road sealed

Minor road unsealed

Towns#

Hydrology (1:100,000)

NCR Nature Conservation Reserve

WR Wildlife Reserve

Figure 4: Aerial photograph of Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve (1999).

Documents

Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve - Parks Victoriaparkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/312206/21_1455.pdf · Kotta Nature Conservation Reserve 2 The generic management objectives