Recovery Action Plan for Grey Box community

1.3.Distribution of Grey Box Woodlands

Historically, Grey Box Grassy Woodlands covered the south eastern and southern Adelaide Plains, extending into the western foothills of the Mt lofty Ranges (Kraehenbuehl 1996). However, due to extensive clearance Grey Box woodland remains only as a highly fragmented and modified community in the AMLR with the majority occurring as small isolated patches. Existing remnants are currently known to extend from Morialta in the north to Sellicks Hill in the south (Brown 2006) and are mostly confined to the western foothills of the Mt Lofty Ranges, with only few isolated trees remaining on the Adelaide plains.

The majority of remnant Grey Box Grassy Woodland occurs within the City of Mitcham and the City of Onkaparinga local government areas, and it also occurs in reserves managed by the City of Burnside and the City of Marion (Bond 2011).

Grey Box Grassy Woodland occurs in the following reserves managed by the Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources: Aldinga CP, Belair NP, Brown Hill Creek RP, O’Halloran Hill RP, Onkaparinga River NP/RP, Shepherds Hill RP and Sturt Gorge RP (Bond 2011). The Watiparinga Reserve (National Trust SA) and Waite Conservation Reserve (Adelaide University) and Happy Valley Reservoir (SA Water) also protect significant areas of remnant Grey Box Grassy Woodland (Bond 2001). In terms of both size and connectivity with other remnants, some of the more significant remnants on public land include Sturt Gorge RP, Belair NP, Onkaparinga RP, Ashby reserve, Sleeps Hill Quarry Reserve, O’Deas reserve, Blackwood Hill Reserve, Colebrook Reserve, Randall Park, Watiparinga reserve, Waite reserve, and Tangari Regional Park.

There are also many Grey Box woodland sites on private property. In 2006, Brown surveyed thirteen Grey Box Grassy Woodland sites but it is likely there are many more sites that are yet to be assessed.

Across the region and particularly in the McLaren Vale and Willunga areas many of the roadsides contain Grey Box. Remnant vegetation in roadsides faces many management challenges as stated in the “Preparing Roadside Vegetation Management Plans” document produced by the Native Vegetation Council in 2012 (see Appendix E).

Figures 1.3a and 1.3 b show the distribution of Grey Box and Grey Box woodlands in the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges based upon the state databases. However, it is recognised that this mapping may not be extensive, and that there are other internal data management systems (eg Local Council databases, Trees for Life Bush for Life) that may house data that would supplement this data.

Figure 1.3a: Distribution of Grey Box (points) based on Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources vegetation mapping layers and Biological Database of South Australia data

Figure 1.3b: Distribution of Grey Box Woodlands (Polygons) based on Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources vegetation mapping layers and Biological Database of South Australia data

1.4.Threats to Grey Box Grassy Woodlands

This community is part of the 7% of grassy woodland remaining in the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges region which was disproportionately cleared for agriculture due to the relatively fertile soils on which these communities grew. With the expansion of the Adelaide metropolitan area more of the hills face native vegetation has been cleared for residential development. As a result Grey Box woodland remains only as a highly fragmented and modified community with the majority occurring as small isolated patches.
Despite this recognition of the state of the community it is still under pressure from incremental clearance, over grazing, weed invasion, recreational activities, inappropriate revegetation, indiscriminate weed control (particularly spraying), inappropriate slashing and mowing and inappropriate fire regimes.
The relatively high fertility of the soils make the community highly susceptible to invasion from a large number of woody, grassy and herbaceous weeds. Some of the more widespread and threatening weeds include Olive, Boneseed, Soursob, Pines, Sallow Wattle, Sparaxis/Freesia, Soursob, Watsonia, Three-cornered Garlic, Bridal Creeper, Bearded Oat, and Pentashistis. A list of species commonly found in Grey Box woodland in the Mount Lofty Ranges can be found in Appendix C
Connectivity between patches is severely compromised and due to the peri-urban nature of the area in which the community is found, the ability to restore that connectivity is very restricted. However remnant Grey Box trees still exist in many road verges and suburban yards especially in the Mitcham Hills, and do provide some habitat value for fauna especially large trees with hollows. The peri-urban nature also exposes the community to a number of anthropogenic threats, including trail-based recreation, track maintenance and upgrades, utilities and infrastructure development and maintenance, storm water run-off, rubbish dumping, weed invasion from gardens, inappropriate slashing and mowing, and fire risk management activities.

1.5.Current Management Activities being undertaken in Grey Box Woodlands

There is currently a broad range of activities being undertaken towards the conservation of the Grey Box community in the Mount Lofty Ranges. These are summarised below – whilst this is acknowledged that this is not a comprehensive list, it provides a good illustration of the level of commitment within Councils, community and non-government organisations to protect and restore Grey Box remnants. However, as most management actions and investment is driven by the variety of different landholders, current management can be ad hoc and lack strategic direction, prioritisation, and targeted action.

1.5.1.Targeted Caring for our Country Investment

CFOC investment targeted a variety of Grey Box grassy woodlands across the landscape commencing in June 2012. These consisted of a variety of activities across the landscape targeting Weeds of National Significance (WONS) and removing critical threats to biodiversity. Implementation of works was planned in consultation with land managers and Friends of Parks groups where relevant. This ensured that actions were conducted with the greatest possibility of positive outcomes in the short to medium term with more efficient long term management potential.

Ecosystem improvement over a total of 480 ha was achieved through the removal of woody weeds (improving habitat structure to benefit a range of woodland birds) and through control of emerging weeds and early infestations of highly invasive species (to assist in the prevention of further habitat degradation).

Activities were also consistent with the following potential management actions as described in the Grey Box Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-Eastern Australia Guide (Commonwealth of Australia 2012).

Impacts	Key potential management actions
Direct loss of native species and decline in biodiversity Loss of habitat for native plants and animals Greater susceptibility to further disturbances and threats Impeded migration of native species among remnants Weed invasion from poor management regimes	Identify the best quality remnants and key threats Monitor their condition and the effectiveness of management actions, and adapt them, if necessary Protect native vegetation remnants that buffer of link remnants of the ecological community Continue to raise awareness of the ecological community within the region Ensure that management regimes are appropriate for any threatened species present

Ashby Reserve

Ashby Reserve is one of the City of Mitcham’s largest undeveloped woodland reserves and is adjacent Watiparinga National Trust Reserve. It covers an area of 28.6 hectares and although it has a history of grazing until the 1950s it has regenerated to a good condition Grey Box Woodland with a diverse understorey.

Olive and Boneseed were treated over a total of 10.7 hectares at this reserve during Autumn 2013.

Belair National Park

Belair National Park contains one of the most significant conserved examples of Grey Box Woodland in the reserve system. Eucalyptus microcarpa occurs both with Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) and Eucalyptus fasciculosa (Pink Gum) and the vegetation association covers around 210 hectares.

There has been considerable investment in restoring Grey Box remnants in this reserve for decades, particularly by the Friends of Parks. A vegetation Management Plan has been prepared which all include specific management actions for Grey Box, however this is out-dated and in need of review.

Boneseed, Bridal Creeper, Olive, Rhamnus, field garlic and Montpellier Broom were treated over 43.1 hectares in 3 main sections within the Park during Autumn 2012, Spring 2012 and Autumn 2013.

Blackwood Hill Reserve

Blackwood Hill Reserve is a 58.5 hectare reserve managed by the City of Mitcham and located south of the railway line. It borders Craigburn Farm and is an important link with Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and this large complex of Grey Box Grassy Woodland.

Boneseed, Bridal Creeper, Olive, Italian Buckthorn were treated over a total of 21.7 hectares during Autumn and Spring 2012 and Autumn 2013.

Brown Hill Creek Recreation Park

Brown Hill Creek Recreation Park is a 51 hectare reserve with 3.2 hectares of Grey Box Grassy Woodland. As this vegetation association is poorly represented in this Park its conservation is particularly important.

There has been considerable investment in restoring Grey Box remnants in this reserve for decades, particularly by the Friends of Parks. A vegetation Management Plan has been prepared which all include specific management actions for Grey Box, however this is out-dated and in need of review.

Boneseed, Olive, Aleppo Pine, Golden Wreath Wattle, Italian Buckthorn, Hawthorn, Montpellier Broom were treated over a total of 1.4 hectares during Autumn 2013.

City of Onkaparinga Reserves

(Christie Creek Conservation Reserve, Glenloth Reserve, Minkarra Park, Panalatinga Environmental Reserve, Tangari Regional Park, Pimpala Conservation Reserve and York Drive).

A number of reserves containing remnant Grey Box Grassy Woodland are managed by the City of Onkaparinga are important links and stepping stones for local biodiversity.

This includes Tangari Regional Park that is 123 hectares containing rare representations of Grey Box Grassy Woodland on gently undulating cracking clay as opposed to steep skeletal soils. Managed by the City of Onkaparinga this Park provides habitat for a range of threatened local bird species such as Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and contains many native flora species with conservation significance.

Bridal Creeper, Bridal Creeper, Texas Needlegrass, Boneseed, Olive, African Lovegrass, Desert Ash, Sweet Briar, Willow were treated over 159 hectares across the above reserves during Autumn and Winter 2013.

(Minkarra 16ha, Christie Creek 24ha, Tangari 101ha, York 1.9ha, Woodland Ridge 2.7, Pimpala 5.5ha, Panalatinga 3.3ha, and Glenloth 4.8ha).

Colebrook Reserve

Colebrook Reserve is a 6.5 hectare reserve owned by the Aboriginal Lands Trust. As the site of a former 'United Aborigines' Mission it is now a Reconciliation Park utilised by local Indigenous groups and the general public. This site contains an interesting diversity of grassy woodland species on cracking black clay.

Olive and boneseed were treated over 6.5 hectares during Autumn 2013.

Craigburn Farm

Craigburn Farm is a 180 hectare reserve containing some of the best examples of old growth Grey Box in the Adelaide region. Weed control activities are highly complimentary to the many other ecosystem restoration activities being undertaken on the land. Combined with Sturt Gorge Recreation Park this constitutes one of the largest areas of Grey Box Grassy Woodland in the AMLR.

Bridal Creeper, Sweet Briar, Olive, Dog Rose, Blackberry, Boneseed were treated across 43.7 hectares at this reserve during Autumn 2012, Spring 2012 and Autumn and Winter 2013.

Magpie Gully Reserve

Magpie Gully Reserve is a 8.4 hectare area managed by the City of Mitcham. It part of the reserve system including Blackwood Hill Reserve and Karinya Reserve and contains a diverse array of native flora conserved due to the topography of the land.

Boneseed, Olive, Desert Ash were treated over 8.4 hectares during Autumn 2013.

O'Deas Quarry Reserve

O’Deas Quarry Reserve is another one of the City of Mitcham’s largest undeveloped woodland reserves and is adjacent Watiparinga National Trust Reserve. It covers an area of 18 hectares and although it has a history of grazing until the 1950s, like Ashby Reserve it has regenerated to a good condition Grey Box Woodland with a diverse understorey.

Boneseed and Bridal Creeper were treated across 18 hectares during Autumn and Winter 2012 and Spring 2012.

Onkaparinga River National Park
Onkaparinga River National Park is the largest National Park in the Adelaide region and contains a wide range of threatened native flora and fauna with 457 native plant species found within the Park. Several vegetation associations occur within the Park with significant areas of remnant Grey Box occupying the eastern areas.

Bridal Creeper, Blackberry, Boneseed, Sweet Briar, Olive, South African Weed Daisy were treated across 88.6 hectares during Spring 2012.

Randell Park

Randell Park is approximately 47 ha and is adjacent Brownhill Creek Recreation Park. It has varied history including being part of the Mitcham Quarrying Industry of the 1800s and 1900s but has now regenerated to a good condition Grey Box Woodland with a diverse understorey.

Olive, Boneseed were treated over 7.9 hectares throughout 2012/2013.

Shepherds Hill Recreation Park

Shepherds Hill Recreation Park is a large (77 hectare), variably degraded Park in the Urban Adelaide area. It contains 2 main rivers and joins Watiparinga National Trust Reserve. It conserves old growth Grey Box woodland and is home to exemplary examples of diverse understorey components.

Boneseed, Olive, Aleppo Pine were treated over 10 hectares throughout 2012/2013.

Sturt Gorge Recreation Park

Sturt Gorge Recreation Park contains vast areas of diverse Grey Box Grassy Woodlands which exist in a variety of structures with varying associated components. It adjoins Craigburn Farm and Mitcham Reserves creating a large conservation area of approximately 500 hectares. It is 244 hectares in size, contains a great variety of native flora and natural regeneration has been taking place since grazing was removed in 1966.

There has been considerable investment in restoring Grey Box remnants in this reserve for decades, particularly by the Friends of Parks. A vegetation Management Plan has been prepared which all include specific management actions for Grey Box, however this is out-dated and in need of review.

Boneseed, Bridal Creeper, sweet briar and blackberry were treated over 9.1 hectares throughout 2012/2013.

Waite Conservation Reserve

The Waite Conservation Reserve in the Adelaide Hills face area, was dedicated to conservation and the furtherance of scientific knowledge in 1992. Despite intermittent grazing over most of the 20th century the Reserve remains an important surviving example of Grey Box Grassy Woodland. The Reserve comprises 121 hectares, of which 110 hectares are under Heritage Agreement. Home to hundreds of species of native plants as well as kangaroos, koalas and echidnas, it is a valuable asset to the Adelaide region.

Boneseed, Montpellier Broom, Bridal Creeper and olives were treated over 25.6 hectares throughout 2012/2013.

Watiparinga National Trust Reserve

The 36 hectares of land was donated to the National Trust of South Australia in 1957 and is currently managed by the Watiparinga Management Committee with support from the Natural Heritage Manager. Over 170 indigenous plant species are now present within the reserve, 50 of which are of State or regional significance. There have also been 57 indigenous bird species sighted and 7 of these are rated as uncommon, rare or vulnerable within the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Boneseed, Bridal Creeper were treated over 21.8 hectares throughout 2012/2013.

Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve

Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve contains about 120 ha of remnant native vegetation, mostly Grey Box woodland, but with areas of Blue Gum and Drooping She-oak woodland and one small patch of Grey Box/Southern Cypress pine woodland and one of Silver Banksia woodland. This land is unique in several regards. Due to its history as a water reserve, it has not been as extensively logged as other areas, so many of the trees are very large and contain hollows suitable for a range of fauna for roosting and breeding. The lack of access for the general public also increases the conservation importance of the land, as it reduces the recreational pressures and reduces the spread of some weed species.

Bridal Creeper and Bridal Veil were treated over 3.4 hectares in Winter 2013.

Mt Bold Reservoir Reserve

Covering a combined area of 6344 Ha, Mt. Bold Reservoir Reserve and Scott Creek Conservation Park (SCCP) contain a total of 4616 Ha of remnant vegetation, most of which is highly diverse and in moderate to excellent condition. The area protects at least 22 known plant communities, more than 600 native plant species, 120 of which have a state conservation rating of which 11 of these are of National significance and 200 species have MLR conservation rating. A small portion of this complex contains Grey Box Grassy Woodland and was protected through patrolling and control of Bridal Creeper.

Bridal Creeper was treated over 0.5 hectares in Winter 2013.

City of Burnside Reserves

(Heatherbank Reserve, and Langman Reserve)

These reserves are two of the best small urban remnant Grey Box Woodland patches in the City of Burnside. Heatherbank Reserve is only 0.3 ha but contains the most native flora diversity of any location in Burnside. Primary clearance of woody weeds, Bridal Creeper and Perennial Veldt Grass was complete in 2006. The whole reserve is now patrolled for major weeds but the main push is for the elimination of many introduced herbaceous species that dominate the reserve. Langman Reserve contains an area of 0.7 ha of remnant Grey Box Woodland at its Southern end. The majority was cleared of woody weeds in 2001, with follow-up work occurring since then. Cfoc funding has enabled the primary clearance work to be completed over the most degraded area of the reserve, after which Council will follow-up weed regrowth, and establish native shrubs and grass as site quality allows.

Annual Veldt grass, Olive, Rhamnus, Bridle Creeper and Perennial Veldt Grass was treated over 0.4 ha in Winter 2013 (Heatherbank Reserve). Olive and Rhamnus were removed over 0.1 ha in Winter 2013 (Langman Reserve).

1.5.2.Local Councils

City of Mitcham

Grey Box is the dominant vegetation community in the City of Mitcham, with many of the suburbs still supporting a Grey Box canopy. The council owns several relatively large reserves which predominately contain Grey Box woodland, including some the best examples of this community. However many areas are degraded due to past management and ongoing threats. The prevalence of woody weeds in some of these reserves give the appearance of poor condition but there is often a good diversity of understorey species and can be very recoverable with management. This has been demonstrated in several sites in the City of Mitcham, where there has been an investment in weed control, assisted by Bush for Life.

City of Onkaparinga

The City of Onkaparinga manages over 600ha of native vegetation. A significant proportion of that contains the Grey box community, much of which has been degraded by past use. Council has invested significantly into removal of the woody weeds, olives and boneseed and has seen substantial change in condition as a result of these activities. Efforts are now shifting to the management of herbaceous and grassy weeds. Rust has been released for the management of bridal creeper. Many of the Grey Box sites are Bush for Life sites and these all have work plans. Council has also established Bushland Condition Monitoring sites (as per Pedler, Croft and Milne 2007) in many of its Grey Box remnants.

City of Burnside

The City of Burnside Council only manages relatively small patches of Grey Box woodland, and most of these are relictual and have been significantly degraded by past use. These areas include Beaumont Common, Langman Reserve, AE Cousins Reserve, Royal Avenue drainage reserve, Heatherbank Reserve, Danthonia Reserve, and Waterfall Gully roadside verge. All of these patches are the focus of restoration activities by the council (A. Crompton pers. comm.). Most sites have had woody weeds removed, and where appropriate, supplementary plantings have been undertaken.

1.5.3.Non-Government Organisations and Community

University of Adelaide

The Waite Reserve owned and managed by the University fo Adelaide is located at... has extensive areas of Grey Box woodland, interspersed with Red Gum and Blue Gum. One full-time and several part-time people are working on restoration in this area, with Olive removal a key priority. The Reserve comprises 147 hectares, of which 131 hectares are under Heritage Agreement.

Glenthorne is a 208ha property located at O’Halloran Hill about 17km south of the Adelaide CBD. Owned and operated by the University of Adelaide, Glenthorne falls within the City of Marion council area adjoining the City of Onkaparinga, and is surrounded by the suburbs of Seaview Downs, Trott Park, Reynella and Happy Valley. As part of the Woodland Recovery Initiative several hectares of Grey Box have been planted.
Trees for Life

Whilst the peri-urban nature of Grey Box woodlands in the Mount Lofty Ranges exposes it to a variety of anthropogenic threats, it also provides conservation opportunities due to the potential capacity to engage communities in conservation activities. There is no better example of this than the Trees for Life Bush for Life program. Through the Bush for Life program, Trees for Life provides training and support to volunteers to manage threats to native vegetation so as to improve condition. Trees for Life conducts works across 52 sites covering 206 ha within areas of Grey Box (Mark Ellis pers. comm. These sites vary in size from less than one hectare to several hectares. The majority of works have involved weed management.

National Trust of South Australia

Another noted community effort in management of Grey Box woodlands has occurred in Wataparinga Reserve. Watiparinga National Trust Reserve (Heritage Agreement listed) was grazed for over 100 years, and then left un-grazed for a few years, during which time woody weeds became well established. Conservation management for the past 40 years has largely restored the area. Only 25 native species were recorded in Watiparinga in 1960. Now there are 169 known native species which have regenerated naturally. Of these, forty-six of the plant species now found within the reserve have a conservation rating; that is, they are uncommon, rare or at risk of becoming extinct in the region or the state (Robertson, 1999, 2010). The process of recovery of this remnant guides many current restoration efforts in other Grey Box woodland remnants.

Friends of Parks

Friends of Parks Inc is the independent state body established to protect and represent the interests of the many individual Friends of Parks groups and affiliated groups in SA. Together these groups (over 130 in 2012) represent a membership of over 6000 volunteers whose common interest is the protection and enhancement of South Australia's natural and/or cultural heritage. Many volunteers commit time and effort to management activities in areas within National, Conservation and Recreation Parks containing Grey Box woodland.

1.5.4.Protected Areas on Public Land

Grey Box Grassy Woodland occurs in the following reserves managed by the Department for Environment and Natural Resources: Aldinga CP, Belair NP, Brown Hill Creek RP, O’Halloran Hill RP, Onkaparinga River NP/RP, Shepherds Hill RP and Sturt Gorge RP (Bond 2011). In some of the parks there are ongoing activities for restoration but there is scope for more restoration activities.

The Waite Reserve has extensive areas of Grey Box woodland, interspersed with Red Gum and Blue Gum. One full-time and several part-time people are working on restoration in this area, with Olive removal a key priority. The Reserve comprises 147 hectares, of which 131 hectares are under Heritage Agreement.

Areas within SA Water land in Happy Valley Reservoir are being managed by Penny Paton with other volunteers along with support from SA Water and Bush for Life.

Through the Million Trees Program, there are areas of Grey Box being restored and replanted at Craigburn Farm as part of the ongoing restoration of this site for inclusion into the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park (Craig Gillespie pers. comm.).

1.5.5.Urban Biodiversity Unit

The foothills suburbs of Blackwood, Belair, and Eden Hills contain scattered Grey Box through backyards, road verges, rail corridors and small reserves. While there is no opportunity for large scale restoration in these areas the value of these trees and other scattered components of the community should be recognised. While restricted, they still provide some habitat value for birds and insects as well as potential seed sources to expand genetic diversity in any local revegetation.

The Urban Biodiversity Unit has recognised this and supported the engagement of the community in the conservation of Grey Box through the Grey Box Community Group, Grey Box Day where packs containing understorey plants native to the community are made available for people to plant in their backyards and road verges. The success of these activities have been demonstrated with at least 10% of the households in several suburbs purchasing a Grey Box pack.