THREATENED AND IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

PRIORITY BC4

King Island native vegetation

King Island has been heavily impacted by agriculture since European settlement. This has resulted in extensive clearing of native vegetation for conversion to pasture. Recent habitat mapping for threatened King Island birds has contributed to knowledge about the vegetation communities, but there is a general lack of understanding of their importance to native species, their key threats and the best practices for management. King Island vegetation communities include three unique communities, Scrub Complex on King Island (recently proposed for listing as a TEC), Eucalyptus globulus King Island Forest (a Tasmanian listed Threatened Vegetation Community), and King Island Eucalypt Woodland. There are also remnant patches of other priority vegetation communities listed in the CCA Strategy

outcome

By 2030, all significant native vegetation communities of King Island have been identified and mapped, with priority areas managed to control stock access, land clearing and fire frequency.

threats

Local threats that can be addressed by NRM actions:

  • Land use pressures including development, intensification of agriculture and other industries
  • Inappropriate land management practices including vegetation clearing
  • Weeds and feral animals
  • Increasing fire risk due to climate change
  • Lack of knowledge and understanding in the community about remnant vegetation

Actions

BC4.a

Establish KI flora and fauna monitoring program to identify significant areas of threatened and vulnerable vegetation and habitat to determine critical species dependencies and priority threat mitigation actions.

Implement a community biodiversity education program.

Protect King Island native vegetation and the fauna that relies on it, through a program to support priority area landholders to undertake appropriate management actions.

implementation

Investment Opportunity

  • Australian Government
  • Tasmanian Government
  • Regional or Local
  • Private or philanthropic

  • Information gathering activities including assessment and mapping of King Island vegetation communities.
  • Policy and planning activities such as prioritisation of appropriate management actions and locations for investment, and engagement in council land-use planning processes.
  • On-ground work including weed and feral animal management, and land management agreements focused on protection and rehabilitation of remnant vegetation communities.
  • Behaviour-change and capacity-building activities – education, awareness and skill-building focused on biodiversity values and best management practice.

King Island Council; Government agencies (e.g., NRET, FPA and PWS); Landcare groups (e.g., Landcare Tas and community groups); Industry groups (e.g., Dairy Tas, beef groups); Farmers and land managers – land management agreements for on-ground works.

Field days, workshops and educational activities; extension, capacity building and land management agreement opportunities for landholders; volunteer and citizen science opportunities