Long-term studies of ecological restoration, within a designed randomized experimental framework, are uncommon; however, such projects provide hitherto under-utilized opportunities to inform both evidence-based management planning and action, and ecological theory. Baseline data collected prior to the application of treatments allows accurate estimation of changes taking place on the experimental units, and random allocation of treatments ensures that relations between causes and effects can be established. This is critical to effective active adaptive management. In this paper, we outline the establishment phase of a new long-term ecological restoration experiment in south-eastern Australia, that will test ways of improving critically endangered box gum grassy woodlands for biodiversity.In the experimental design, treatments include the addition of 2000 tonnes of coarse woody debris, exclusion of kangaroos and fire. Random variation in biophysical variables occurs at several levels. To facilitate accurate estimation of key main effects, selected high order interactions are partially confounded with 'random' block terms. Response variables include: plants, birds, small mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Analysis of baseline data across selected response variables confirmed no pre-treatment effects.The experiment provides a strong inferential framework for tracking the effects of restoration treatments on woodland biodiversity over coming years. It also provides a model for other similar experiments that integrate restoration and research. A newly constructed feral animal-proof fence, that will allow reintroduction of locally extinct species, including ecosystem engineers, will provide additional opportunities to research the woodland restoration process. This experiment will become a long-term ecological research site, and an 'outdoor laboratory' for ecological restoration research, and community and student learning. need for conservation decisions to be evidence-based (Sutherland et al. 2004). Evidence-based management is also recognized as a desirable objective by government land management agencies; however, there is often a lack of resources and expertise to undertake the underpinning research. There is a critical need for longterm experiments in ecological restoration to inform conservation decision-making, particularly in highly modified or endangered ecosystem types.An example of a highly modified endangered ecosystem in Australia is temperate woodland, which is one of the vegetation types most profoundly affected by European settlement (Yates and Hobbs 1997; Hobbs and Yates 2000). A range of human-induced disturbances have led to a drastic reduction in the extent and condition of temperate woodland ecosystems. These threatening processes include: direct vegetation clearing, vegetation modification and fragmentation, altered grazing regimes, removal of fallen timber and dead trees (often for firewood), inappropriate re-vegetation activities, physical disturbance (e.g. 'tidying up', cultivation...
What happens when park managers and ecological researchers join forces to build an evidence‐based approach to restoring a nature reserve? This project shows how a spirit of cooperation and inventiveness overcome a range of challenges at one of the National Capital region’s most valuable examples of critically endangered box‐gum grassy woodland.
Summary We undertook a literature review of the impacts of horse riding in conservation areas, and used it to guide management of horse riding in Canberra Nature Park (CNP), a large, fragmented semi‐natural park in and around the city of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. The literature review established that, because of their relatively large weight and small area in contact with the ground, horses have a relatively high potential for doing environmental damage. Impacts tend to be generally lowest for hikers, followed by motorcycles, horses and four‐wheeled vehicles. One study showed horse traffic caused more damage on established trails than motorcycles, off‐road bicycles or hikers. Most published studies of horse‐riding impacts in Australia have been conducted in alpine and subalpine environments, and in temperate woodlands and forests on sandstone near Sydney. They have shown that impacts are generally highest in previously untracked areas. Impacts on established trails are generally most marked on sections of trail that are wet, boggy or steep, and on unplanned and unmaintained trails. Impacts are lowest on constructed and maintained trails. Trail proliferation, associated with avoidance of untrafficable sections and short‐cutting, can be a major problem. Horses also have potential to spread weeds, because pastures and dried stock feeds contain large numbers of weed seeds that retain high levels of viability in horse manure. The risk of weed establishment is highest when manure is deposited in disturbed, damp sites, particularly when riding off‐track. Much less weed establishment is apparent when horse riders remain on‐track. Horse riding is a popular activity, but one that is relatively expensive to provide for, and one that may reduce opportunities for lower‐impact recreational park users. For all these reasons it appears socially equitable that provision is made for lower numbers of horse riders compared to numbers of park users involved in lower impact, more passive, recreational activities. We conclude by describing how this information was used to develop principles to guide management of horse riding and assess risk at individual sites in Canberra Nature Park.
Summary Global population growth and associated urban development are having profound effects on biodiversity. Two major outcomes of expanding development that affect wildlife are light and noise pollution. In this paper, we review literature reporting the effects of light and noise on biodiversity, and assess implications for conservation planning in Australia. Our results clearly indicate that light and noise pollution have the potential to affect the physiology, behaviour and reproduction of a range of animal taxa. Types of effects include changes in foraging and reproductive behaviours, reduction in animal fitness, increased risk of predation and reduced reproductive success. These could have flow‐on consequences at the population and ecosystem levels. We found a significant gap in knowledge of the impact of these pollutants on Australian fauna. To reduce the effect of light and noise pollution, there needs to be careful planning of urban areas in relation to protected areas, and for biodiversity more generally. Potential measures include strategically planning the types of development and associated human activities adjacent to protected areas, and the use of shields and barriers, such as covers for lights or the use of dense native vegetation screens, while still allowing movement of animals. Changes in government standards and regulations could also help to reduce the impacts of light and noise pollution.
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