Cummings, Jason; Reid, Nicholas

Author(s)

Cummings, Jason

Reid, Nicholas

Publication Date

2008

Abstract

As conservation reserves expand, the likelihood that they will capture areas degraded by previous land use increases. Ecological restoration of such areas will therefore play an increasing role in biodiversity conservation. On the New South Wales North Coast, recent expansion in the conservation estate has captured over 300 softwood and hardwood plantations, many with understoreys dominated by exotic weeds. Here we present an overview of the practices we have adopted in managing flooded gum ('Eucalyptus grandis') plantations infested with lantana ('Lantana camara') to enhance their biodiversity value. Experiments designed to overcome barriers limiting regeneration of native forest in conjunction with measurement of soil and plant responses yielded insights into the management of former timber plantations for biodiversity. Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that the level of canopy retention (or logging intensity) within sites consistently explained the greatest amount of variation in plant community composition (32–38% post-treatment). Thinning and burning stimulated regeneration of native species. Retained canopy cover was proportional to the richness or abundance of native woody shrubs, understorey trees and native perennial herbs, indicating that management intensity can be varied to promote a range of conservation values. A state-and-transition model summarising purported management actions and likely outcomes for these plantations is presented. This is the first time plantations have been managed solely for biodiversity. Logging income means that plantation restoration can be cost-neutral, and the positive influence of a cover crop of trees means that plantation management may generally be manipulated to promote biodiversity conservation.

Citation

Biodiversity and Conservation, 17(5), p. 1187-1211

ISSN

1572-9710

0960-3115

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/5871

Publisher

Springer Netherlands

Title

Stand-level management of plantations to improve biodiversity values

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Cummings, Jason Reid, Nicholas
Publication Date	2008
Abstract	As conservation reserves expand, the likelihood that they will capture areas degraded by previous land use increases. Ecological restoration of such areas will therefore play an increasing role in biodiversity conservation. On the New South Wales North Coast, recent expansion in the conservation estate has captured over 300 softwood and hardwood plantations, many with understoreys dominated by exotic weeds. Here we present an overview of the practices we have adopted in managing flooded gum ('Eucalyptus grandis') plantations infested with lantana ('Lantana camara') to enhance their biodiversity value. Experiments designed to overcome barriers limiting regeneration of native forest in conjunction with measurement of soil and plant responses yielded insights into the management of former timber plantations for biodiversity. Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that the level of canopy retention (or logging intensity) within sites consistently explained the greatest amount of variation in plant community composition (32–38% post-treatment). Thinning and burning stimulated regeneration of native species. Retained canopy cover was proportional to the richness or abundance of native woody shrubs, understorey trees and native perennial herbs, indicating that management intensity can be varied to promote a range of conservation values. A state-and-transition model summarising purported management actions and likely outcomes for these plantations is presented. This is the first time plantations have been managed solely for biodiversity. Logging income means that plantation restoration can be cost-neutral, and the positive influence of a cover crop of trees means that plantation management may generally be manipulated to promote biodiversity conservation.
Citation	Biodiversity and Conservation, 17(5), p. 1187-1211
ISSN	1572-9710 0960-3115
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/5871
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Title	Stand-level management of plantations to improve biodiversity values
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Stand-level management of plantations to improve biodiversity values

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