Hydrological response to bauxite mining and rehabilitation in the jarrah forest in south west Australia

Alcoa is undertaking rehabilitation in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata D.Don ex Sm.) forest of Western Australia, following bauxite mining. One of the methods used in the rehabilitation program is broadcasting seeds; however, about two-thirds of species require seed-dormancy-breaking treatments. Smoke overcomes dormancy and enhances the germination of many jarrah forest species. Smoke-application methods were investigated to find the best seed treatment for 64 jarrah forest species. The optimum duration of seed imbibition in aqueous smoke and dilution of the aqueous smoke product were also investigated. The method of smoke application was important. Smoke water enhanced the germination of 12% of species, whereas aerosol smoke enhanced the germination of 6% of species. Both Grevillea pilulifera (Lindl.) Druce and Velleia trinervis Labill. had germination enhanced by both smoke-application methods. Aerosol smoke inhibited the germination of Clematis pubescens Endl. and Hypocalymma angustifolium (Endl.) Schauer. A total of 78% of species did not exhibit significantly enhanced germination when smoke treated, including the two species inhibited by smoke treatment. Germination was equivalent following 1- and 12-h imbibition in the aqueous smoke extract. Dilutions of the aqueous extract Regen 2000 Smokemaster from 1 to 3% were optimal for the germination of Marianthus bicolor (Putt.) F.Muell and Stylidium amoenum R.Br., even after subsequent washing with water, demonstrating the irreversible nature of smoke treatments. For species that did not exhibit smoke-enhanced germination, other dormancy-breaking treatments may be required before a response to smoke is elicited. These results have application to a wide variety of natural managed lands, disturbed and designed landscapes.

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Restoring a Jarrah Forest Understorey Vegetation after Bauxite Mining in Western Australia

Restoration Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1526-100x.2007.00290.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. S26-S39 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

John M. Koch

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Jarrah Forest ◽

Understorey Vegetation ◽

Bauxite Mining ◽

Forest Understorey

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Jarrah Forest Birds

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc980281 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 281

Author(s):

John N. Hutchinson

Keyword(s):

Forest Birds ◽

Jarrah Forest ◽

South West

In 1974 I began a project lasting seven years in which I recorded wildlife sounds in Western Australia's south-west forests. Twelve years later, in 1993, I began a second project with new equipment for the purpose of upgrading the sounds of my first project.

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Effect of the fungicide phosphite on pollen fertility of perennial species of the Eucalyptus marginata forest and northern sandplains of Western Australia.

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt01094 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 50 (6) ◽

pp. 769 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Pollen Fertility ◽

Perennial Species ◽

The South ◽

Jarrah Forest ◽

Eucalyptus Marginata ◽

South West ◽

Run Off

The fungicide phosphite was shown to affect pollen fertility in a range of perennial species from the south-west of Western Australia. Phosphite was applied to perennial species of the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest by spraying to run-off with 2.5, 5 and 10 g L–1 phosphite in either autumn or spring. Pollen fertility of Dryandra sessilis was reduced by phosphite for up to 35 and 60 weeks after spraying in spring or autumn, respectively. Trymalium ledifolium pollen fertility was reduced by phosphite 38 and 61 weeks after spraying in spring or autumn, respectively. Lasiopetalum floribundum was less affected with a reduction in pollen fertility being observed for up to 3 weeks after spraying in spring. Other perennial understorey species of the jarrah forest, Adenanthos barbiger, Boronia cymosa, Hovea elliptica and Phyllanthus calycinus were also shown to have reduced pollen fertility after treatment in autumn or spring, as did Comesperma calymega, Eremaea astrocarpa and Hibbertia hypericoides, species of the northern sandplains when sprayed in summer.

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Ecology of the western bearded dragon (Pogona minor) in unmined forest and forest restored after bauxite mining in south-west Western Australia

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo07002 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 107 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michael D. Craig ◽

Mark J. Garkaklis ◽

Giles E. St J. Hardy ◽

Andrew H. Grigg ◽

Carl D. Grant ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Prescribed Burning ◽

Plant Succession ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Bauxite Mining ◽

South West ◽

Forest Sites ◽

Successional Species ◽

Original Vegetation

Forest areas restored after mining typically take decades, or longer, before they resemble the original vegetation community. Understanding how fauna succession varies with plant succession requires detailed knowledge of an animal’s ecology. Knowledge of an animal’s ecology can also be used to predict faunal responses to management manipulations and enable techniques to be developed that accelerate the return of fauna to restored sites. We radio-tracked western bearded dragons (Pogona minor) in a mix of unmined forest sites and sites restored after bauxite mining, in the jarrah forest of south-west Western Australia, to determine critical resources and important microhabitats for dragons. Dragons were generalists – utilising a range of microhabitats – and adaptable, adjusting their microhabitat use depending on availability. Individuals also differed significantly in their microhabitat use and did not appear to have a defined home range. We concluded that the species would rapidly recolonise restored sites and that no modifications to current restoration practices were required to accelerate their return. Prescribed burning of restored areas could negatively affect this species but the effect would be short-term (<2 years). The approach used in this study could be used to develop management prescriptions that accelerate the return of late-successional species to restored sites.

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