Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 6.1.
Restoration programs in riparian areas - use natives not
exotics
Many restoration programs target gullies and riparian areas. These revegetation
works can help tackle problems with soil erosion and salinity. They also can be
important for native wildlife - more species of birds are likely to occur in riparian
areas that have been replanted than plantings established elsewhere on a farm.
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Some of the unusual birds that can occur in plantings in riparian areas include the
Dollarbird and the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. Creating suitable habitat for these
native birds and many other native animals requires that native plants are used in
revegetation programs. Conversely, exotic plant species are another factor which
can degrade the integrity of waterways on farms. For example, willows can change
streambank conditions in ways that make them unsuitable for bank-nesting species
like the Platypus. Where willows infest creek banks they crowd out native reeds,
rushes and shrubs and become unsuitable habitat for frogs, native insects and small
fish. Exotics trees such as the willow should never be established on any part of a
farm, including around waterways. Indeed, active and well-targeted willow removal
programs have commenced in many areas. To maintain stable bank conditions, it is
important to replace these exotic trees with native vegetation cover, as well as retain
the stump and root ball of cut trees.
Figure 6.6:
Planted native vegetation in a riparian area. (Photo by David Lindenmayer)
