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Biodiversity Hotspots Part 4

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Aboriginal NRM

Protecting bushland is often basic common sense. It is easy to see what is threatening and or degrading a patch of bush. We are all familiar with the effect grazing stock has on bushland such as soil erosion, seedlings not getting a chance to grow, introduced weeds, ring barking, annual weeds taking over, excluding natives and increasing fire risk. All these problems can be solved by simply fencing the patch of bush to exclude stock. Within a short time natural regeneration of native species will take place and can always be helped along with revegetation. Feral pests such as cats, foxes and rabbits love to hide out in patches of bush where they then wreak nocturnal havoc across the landscape. Controlling pests along the boundaries of the remnants by baiting, shooting and trapping will give our native species a fighting chance. Another threat to remnant bushland is the exposure of the edges to wind, desiccation and spray drift. This has the effect of degrading the perimeter of the patch thus continuously reducing the area of healthy bush. Our Wheatbelt was once vast, unbroken woodland which attracted rainfall, created micro climates, protected understory and reduced wind velocity.

The ground surface was covered by vegetation and thick layers of decomposed litter that protected soil structure and biology. A small remnant of bush is too vulnerable to perform this function. However, by creating a buffer zone of just 50 metre width around a patch will dramatically decrease these threats. The traditional method of clearing the Wheatbelt has created a landscape of native vegetation “islands” in a sea of open cropping and pasture land. Most native animals of the Wheatbelt do not travel far. A Trapdoor Spider might spend its entire life within a few square metres of its burrow. Without the protection of vegetation most species, especially small birds face a long, hazardous journey from one patch of bush to the next. By planting trees to form vegetated links between patches of bush we can eventually create corridors allowing the movement of wildlife. The ecological in-balance we have created has seen increases of native species numbers to the detriment of others. The occupation of available nesting hollows by Galahs is an example. Feral honey bees will even drive out nesting birds from hollows to establish their hives. Installing nest boxes designed for desirable species such as Black Cockatoos and Owls can make the difference to a species staying or being forced to leave a remnant. A simple, practical approach to protecting and preserving a patch of bush can be achieved. Our native bush is precious, scarce and under threat, let’s value it and preserve it for our children.