NQ Dry Tropics Beach Scrub BioCondition Report (Site specific extract)
December 2016
Site – Cape Upstart (Northern)
Contents: Site Description
2
On-ground Works Prioritisation
5
Discussion
5
Recommendations
6
Weeds on Site
7
Site Specific Actions
8
Treatment Recommendations
9
S08 Cape Upstart North – BioCondition Assessment Results.
Biocondition Assessment S08 Cape Upstart North – Landscape view and aerial view.
S08 Cape Upstart North – view north, centre of plot.
S08 Cape Upstart North – view east, centre of plot.
S08 Cape Upstart North – view south, centre of plot. S08 Cape Upstart North – view west, centre of plot. Attributes Maximum Score Site Score Site-based condition Large Trees 15 15 attributes. Tree Canopy Height 5 4 Recruitment of Canopy Species 5 5 Tree Canopy Cover 5 4 Shrub Cover 5 3 Coarse Woody Debris 5 5 Native Plant Species Richness 20 10 Non-native Plant Cover 10 10 Native Perennial Grass Cover 5 0 Litter Cover 5 5 Landscape attributes Size of Patch 10 10 (fragmented) Context 5 4 Connection 5 4 Adjusted Total: 100 87.8 BioCondition Class: 1 Site Specific Notes: Site with high tree diversity and canopy of large trees including figs.
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S08 Cape Upstart North – Site Survey and Management Notes Attending
C. Kahler and J. Rains
Survey Date
11/10/2016
Tenure
Freehold
Site Location
0m E 588901
50m E 588900
Regional Ecosystem:
(GMA, GDA94)
0m N 7811106
50m N 7811131
11.2.3
General Description
Semi-evergreen vine thicket, 10m in height. Open understorey. On crests of low beach dunes, adjacent to shoreline with some shelter from tall mountains nearby; sandy soil with little cohesion.
Size of Polygon
74.9ha
Size of Patch
31,526ha
Connectivity
98.8% (Remnant)
Context
68.3% (Remnant)
Canopy Height
Canopy: 10m Sub-canopy: 3m
Canopy Species
EDL Species: Drypetes deplanchei, Ficus rubiginosa, Ganophyllum falcatum, Mimusops elengi, Polyalthia nitidissima. Sub-dominant: EDL species and includes: Aidia racemosa, Alectryon connatus, Canarium australianum var. australianum, Celtis paniculata, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Sersalisia sericea.
Shrub Species
Includes: Capparis sepiaria, Carissa ovata, Cyclophyllum coprosmoides, Eugenia reinwardtiana, Exocarpos latifolius, Glycosmis trifoliata, Gossia bidwillii, Tabernaemontana orientalis.
Vines
Cassytha sp., Deeringia amaranthoides, Jasminum simplicifolium subsp. australiense, Melodorum leichhardtii, Pachygone ovata, Pandorea pandorana, Trophis scandens.
Weeds
Lantana camara*
General condition notes
In good condition. Apparently more sheltered from cyclone damage than other sites surveyed in the vicinity.
Management Issues
As for sites S06 and S07, fire doesn’t seem to be an issue as the site is largely bordered by tidal flats, often with saltwater couch to the west and seashore on the east. Weeds: Rubbervine has been very dense in the past and this has been treated under previous investments and as part of National Parks routine maintenance. Outliers of dense rubbervine as well as scattered plants remain.
Suggested Actions
Weeds: as a matter of priority see that remaining rubbervine plants in areas surrounding the patch are destroyed while the overall density of the weed is low and eradication achievable.
Action Prioritisation Score
9/13
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Table 1 S08 Cape Upstart North Flora and Fauna Species Lists Family Scientific Name
Common Name
Life Form
Plant Species MIMOSACEAE
Acacia oraria
a wattle
T
RUBIACEAE
Aidia racemosa
Archer cherry
T
SAPINDACEAE
Alectryon connatus
grey bird's eye
T
RHAMNACEAE
Alphitonia excelsa
soap tree
T
BURSERACEAE
Canarium australianum var. australianum
mango bark
T
CAPPARACEAE
Capparis sepiaria
wild orange
S
APOCYNACEAE
Carissa ovata
currant bush
S
LAURACEAE
Cassytha sp.
a dodder
V
ULMACEAE
Celtis paniculata
native celtis
T
LAMIACEAE
Clerodendrum floribundum
lolly bush
S
LAURACEAE
Cryptocarya sp.
a laurel
T
SAPINDACEAE
Cupaniopsis anacardioides
tuckeroo
T
RUBIACEAE
Cyclophyllum coprosmoides
beach canthium
S
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus sp.
a sedge
F
AMARANTHACEAE
Deeringia amaranthoides
shrubby deeringia
V
SAPINDACEAE
Dodonaea lanceolata
hopbush
S
PUTRANJIVACEAE
Drypetes deplanchei
yellow boxwood
EDL
MYRTACEAE
Eugenia reinwardtiana
Cedar Bay cherry
S
SANTALACEAE
Exocarpos latifolius
beach cherry
S
MORACEAE
Ficus rubiginosa
rusty fig
EDL
MORACEAE
Ficus virens
white fig
T
SAPINDACEAE
Ganophyllum falcatum
scaly bark ash
RUTACEAE
Glycosmis trifoliata
pink-fruited glycosmis
S
MYRTACEAE
Gossia bidwillii
python tree
S
OLEACEAE
Jasminum simplicifolium subsp. australiense
native jasmine
V
VERBENACEAE
Lantana camara*
lantana
S
ANNONACEAE
Melodorum leichhardtii
zig-zag vine
V
RUTACEAE
Micromelum minutum
lime berry
T
SAPOTACEAE
Mimusops elengi
red condoo
EDL
MENISPERMACEAE
Pachygone ovata
pachygone
V
PANDANACEAE
Pandanus cookii
screw palm
S
BIGNONIACEAE
Pandorea pandorana
wonga vine
V
RUBIACEAE
Pavetta australiensis
pavetta
S
ANNONACEAE
Polyalthia nitidissima
canary beach
SAPOTACEAE
Sersalisia sericea
wild prune
T
APOCYNACEAE
Tabernaemontana orientalis
banana bush
S
FABACEAE
Tephrosia filipes RDB40 Action Plan Cape Upstart (Northern) December 2016
EDL
EDL
S 4
MORACEAE
Trophis scandens
Family
Scientific Name
burny vine Common Name
V Class
No Fauna Species Recorded Table Note: Life Form categories are as follows; E= epiphyte, F= forb, S- shrub, T= tree, V= vine, EDL= species forms part of the canopy or the Ecologically Dominant Layer, #= species in patch but outside plot, * = introduced/weed. Fauna observations were opportunistic only.
Recommended Prioritisation of Works Site prioritisation scores are given below in Table 2 (extracted) with sites ranked by site number. Table 3 (extracted) lists the sites by on-ground works prioritisation score and includes BioCondition scores and classes. Table 2: On-Ground Works Prioritisation Scores for each Site – Extract Site Attribute and score
S08 Cape Upstart N
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
2
1
0
3
0
0
1
1
1
9
Notes: As for S06, the landowner is willing to work with NQDT and National Parks, has granted access and has a record of success. Physical access is difficult and although BC score or patch size won’t increase, works will build on a number of previous investments and will certainly reduce a threatening process. Table Note: scores shown are from a maximum total of 13.
BioCondition scores were calculated from values collected onto field sheets during field survey and are given on individual site sheets in the previous section. The BioCondition scores along with each site’s works prioritisation score are given in the following tables. Table 3: Sites Ranked by On-Ground Prioritisation Score – Extract Site Works BioCondition Prioritisation Score Score S08 Cape Upstart North 9 87.8%
BioCondition Class 1
Previous BioCondition Score (Class) Reference site
Note: ‘Previous BioCondition Score’ derived from Woodcock (2008a).
Discussion Condition The beach scrubs surveyed are all in good condition. Those managed by public authorities appeared to be in the best condition. Although it is largely impossible to compare BioCondition scores between this survey event and previous ones, a few differences can be detected through checking text used in describing the sites during 2008 survey. The chief changes in condition relate to cyclone damage sustained in the intervening period. Cyclone Louis seems to have impacted the Cape Upstart Central and South sites. Otherwise, management issues for re-surveyed sites seem to have largely remained as they were during the first survey. It seems as though previous investment has been worthwhile with sites treated previously for weeds or other threats returning high BioCondition scores – the prior investment has paid off in terms of resilience and in terms of current landholders’ awareness of the value of these ecosystems.
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Threats Results of the on-ground BioCondition survey and scoring are given in a site-by-site report (following section) including the BioCondition score break-down, site photos, a small map showing the traversed area within patch, notes on condition and proposed actions as well as a plant species list and a list of any fauna incidentally sighted during the survey. Management issues and suggested actions are also given. A summary of threats to beach scrubs at each site is given in Table 4 (extracted).
Threat
S08 Cape Upstart N
Table 4: Summary of Threats by Site – Extract
Coastal development Tourism and vectors Agriculture Mining Climate change Weed invasion
x
Fire Feral animals Exotic pathogens Other natural disturbances
The strongest influences on BioCondition scores appear to be natural disturbances (salt water inundation, strong salt-laden winds, cyclones) although the pressure that represents single greatest potential threat, likely to cause catastrophic and irreversible change is the ever-present likelihood of coastal development. Invasion by transformer weeds and fire are the next most significant onsite threats overall (see Table 4). Weeds, along with inappropriate fire use could severely damage remaining areas. Beach scrub transformer weeds (weeds that can force a significant and perhaps irreversible change in structure and floristics) include rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora*), Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus*) (and other vigorous introduced grasses), lantana (Lantana camara*) and, if infestations are dense enough, corky passion vine (Passiflora suberosa*). Myrtle rust was seen at 2 sites and infected plants were notably lacking in vigour.
Recommendations or Summary Many of the sites surveyed are in good condition (BioCondition class of 1 or 2). Protect these healthier sites from threatening processes, most especially, clearing. The most catastrophic impact on these healthy sites will come from human interaction – clearing for coastal development. High public awareness of their values and TEC listing is most likely the best protection they can be given against this threat. In order to check that beach scrub communities of the NQ Dry Tropics NRM region are maintaining or improving condition it is recommended that this process be repeated in around five to ten years’ time. It should not be necessary to repeat BioCondition immediately following any on-ground works as a way of measuring their success, rather, specific monitoring methods should be devised or used to detect the success or otherwise of any remediation works planned. Wherever it is available, use more current information, particularly on community or landholder willingness to participate, so as to improve the chances of remediation work success. Where it is not at hand, actively seek information from the community to better inform planning and improve the results of on-ground works. Additionally, maintain some planning flexibility so as to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. RDB40 Action Plan Cape Upstart (Northern) December 2016
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Weeds identified adjacent to site include, but are not limited to: Table 5: Prioritised Weeds Priority Order
Scientific Name
Common Name
Life Form
Plant Species
1 (Very High)
Cryptostegia grandiflora*
rubber vine
V
1 (Very High)
Lantana camara*
lantana
S
3 (Moderate)
Solanum seaforthianum*
Brazillian nightshade
V
Table Note: Life Form categories are as follows: E= epiphyte, F= forb, S- shrub, T= tree, V= vine.
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Site Specific Actions S08 Cape Upstart (Northern)
Initial Works
Quarter 4 maintenance
Quarter 5 maintenance
Quarter 6 maintenance
Quarter 7 maintenance
Quarter 8 maintenance
Jan-Mar 2017
Apr – Jun 2017
Jul – Sep 2017
Oct – Dec 2017
Jan – Mar 2018
Apr – Jun 2018
Time required o 3 days (estimate) Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Weed works o Rubbervine, lantana o Grass control on perimeter (guinea
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
Time required o 1 day Rubbish clean up o Litter, bottles etc Check status of
previously treated
previously treated
previously treated
previously treated
previously treated
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
weeds, retreat if
needed
needed
needed
needed
needed
Weed works
Weed works
Weed works
Weed works
Weed works
and others)
o Rubbervine,
o Rubbervine,
o Rubbervine,
o Rubbervine,
o Rubbervine,
o Others as time
lantana
lantana
lantana
lantana
lantana
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Grasses
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Woody weeds
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
o Others as time
permits
permits
permits
permits
RDB40 Action Plan Cape Upstart (Northern) December 2016
permits
permits
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Treatment Recommendations All of this information is advisory in nature and not legally binding; the landholder should ensure they follow all governmental and safety regulations when using any weed control methods. Some of these plants are toxic to humans and all care should be taken during their control.
Rubber Vine Cut and painting or basal barking the stems will be effective on this Weed of National Significance. http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pestanimals-ants/weeds/a-z-listing-of-weeds/photo-guideto-weeds/rubber-vine http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pestanimals-ants/weeds/a-z-listing-of-weeds/photo-guideto-weeds/rubber-vine/?a=52544 http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/0303080 0-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Cryptostegia_grandiflora.ht m
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Lantana Lantana can be controlled in small outbreaks by digging or chipping out the plants. Alternatively, partially cutting the plant back and basal bark spraying it, according to the Fact Sheet is effective. https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/s pecies/invasive-plants/restricted/lantana http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/000 9/62010/IPA-Lantana-PP34.pdf http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/000 8/77669/IPA-Lantana-Herb-Bro.pdf http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Ht ml/lantana_camara.htm
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Brazilian Nightshade Handpulling this toxic environmental weed should be effective as the root system is shallow. Alternatively, treatment with a broadleaf selective herbicide should work. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800 -0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Solanum_seaforthianum.ht m
https://www.jcu.edu.au/discover-nature-atjcu/plants/nq-weeds-by-common-name/solanumseaforthianum
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