Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
this topic is also quite different, focusing on the features and management
activities that make a good remnant, a good planting, a good paddock, a good
rocky outcrop and a good waterway.
The structure of this topic
We have written this topic as a series of stand-alone chapters, each of which focuses
on a different kind of key environmental asset that occurs on a farm. We have done
this because we recognise that some people will wish to read only one or two
chapters that are directly relevant to them. For example, some land managers will
have no rocky areas or perhaps no remnant native vegetation on their farm and
their interest may be primarily on how best to establish plantings on their property.
In other cases, there will be readers for which all chapters might be useful and who
might want to read the chapters in sequence. We do note that some of the key
themes in this topic are relevant to many chapters and this has resulted in some
unavoidable repetition.
The content of the following chapters
Chapter 2 focuses on remnant native vegetation, and particularly temperate
woodland. We examine the different attributes of woodland remnants and which
ones are important for particular kinds of native animals and plants.
The title of Chapter 3 is 'What makes a good replanting?' That chapter
discusses where and what to replant to restore areas so they are effective for
biodiversity. Chapter 3 is important because considerable effort over the past 20
years has been targeted at replanting native vegetation.
Chapter 4 is about paddocks. It examines the characteristics that can be
maintained or created to make paddocks valuable for biodiversity. The material we
cover in Chapter 4 includes a discussion of native pastures, paddock trees, and
fallen timber.
Chapter 5 is a discussion of the conservation and management of rocky
outcrops. Rocky outcrops can be one of the most species-rich environments on a
farm, even though their important roles in conserving biodiversity are often either
overlooked or unrecognised. Reptiles are a particular focus of that chapter because
rocky outcrops are an especially important environment for them.
Chapter 6 focuses on waterways. High levels of species richness of many groups
of plants and animals are often associated with streams, wetlands, farm dams and
irrigation channels. These are therefore critical parts of farms. We readily admit
that we have completed less direct research work on these parts of a farm than,
for example, plantings, remnant native woodland, rocky outcrops and paddocks
(but see
20-22
).
Chapter 7 highlights how each of the broad kinds of environmental assets on a
farm can collectively contribute to overall farm-level biodiversity. It also discusses
