THREATENED AND IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

PRIORITY BC3

Threatened Eucalypt Forests and Woodlands

The Black Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) – Brookers Gum (E. brookeriana) forest/woodland TEC is associated with lowland landscapes, often with poorly draining soils and sites that are wet or seasonally waterlogged such as the margins of swampy flats, but also in welldrained gullies. Most known remnants of the E. ovata dominated component occur east of Burnie, with minor occurrences scattered along the north-west coast, west coast including the TWWHA and King Island. The E. brookeriana component is most prevalent in the far north-west and King Island.

The Tasmanian White Gum (E. viminalis) wet forest occurs mainly on fertile, well-drained sites in lowland areas in the central to eastern part of the region that receive high average annual rainfall (in excess of 1000 mm). Some of the largest stands occur on the flats and lower slopes of the major river valleys.

Both threatened eucalypt forest ecological communities have been heavily cleared historically and are now fragmented and many remnants are small, isolated, and in a modified condition.

outcome

By 2030, all patches of Black Gum or Brookers Gum Forest and Woodland communities, and all patches of Tasmanian White Gum Wet Forest have been identified and assessed, and priority patches have increased protection from invasive species and agricultural threats including land clearing.

threats

Local threats that can be addressed by NRM actions:

  • Land use pressures including development, intensification of agriculture and 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

BC3.a

Identify vulnerable remnant patches of Black or Brookers Gum Forests and Woodlands, and White Gum Wet Forest Threatened Ecological Communities, then work with landholders, community groups and government on designing and implementing appropriate management actions.

implementation

Investment Opportunity

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

  • Information gathering activities including assessment and mapping of the threatened vegetation community.
  • 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 threatened eucalypt communities.
  • Behaviour-change and capacity-building activities – education, awareness and skill-building focused on biodiversity values and best management practice.

Local Councils; 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.