This presentation by Andrew Sheath of the Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources - South Australia discusses how burning is an important weed management tool in degraded sites on the urban fringe.
3. Our goal (DEWNR) is to ensure that the
vegetation condition does not deteriorate
and fuels don’t increase due to woody
weeds.
But we are also achieving restoration
gains.
4.
5. Distribution and cover of
gorse (Ulex europaeus) in
2011 – Pre burn
Distribution and cover of
gorse 2015 – 4 years post
burn
Key learning –
Important to be able to
track the progress of
individual burns over
time.
6. Key learning – pre burn control
increases efficiency and improves
restoration outcomes.
Brush cut and burnt English broom
(Cytisus scoparius)
Cut and swabbed Rhamnus alaternus
7. Erica arborea (tree heath) control
Pre burn control;
•Ensures biomass burns – by increasing
available fuel
•Promotes Erica germination pre burn – then
burn kills juveniles
•Ensures adults don’t flower and seed on burnt
ground (also creates uniform age class for follow
up)
•Promotes native germination
•Makes follow up work easier
Pre control Post control – pre burn
Post burn
8. Callystachys lanceolata (wonnich) in perched swamp
Identified as a restoration burn for
threatened plants being out competed by
Callystachys.
Surrounding vegetation burnt under mild
conditions during spring. Swamp burnt the
following Autumn at higher intensity to
consume Callystachys and stimulate
germination.
Followed up before seed set.
