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A greener future for Eyre Peninsula's grass communities
The Sheoak Grassy Woodlands that once covered a large part of the Eyre Peninsula had almost completely disappeared. But an ambitious project is seeing these communities slowly regain hold of their territory.
"The Sheoak Grassy Woodlands used to be one of the most widespread plant communities on the Peninsula," Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board NRM Officer Sophie Keen said. "They were home to many animals that are now rare or extinct in the region, including Bilbies, Bettongs, and Glossy Black-Cockatoos.
"But because of increased grazing pressures from sheep, rabbits and kangaroos, as well as ongoing pressure from weeds, only one per cent of the original communities remain and it's now a threatened plant community in South Australia."
Funding
Since 2002 the Australian Government has provided the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board with more than $217,000 to help save the Peninsula's Sheoak Grassy Woodland communities. The South Australian Government has also provided support.
Activities
Sophie said the project had three parts which, aimed to protect the plant communities from further damage, restore Sheoak Grassy Woodlands and identify the best grazing methods.
"We have conducted sustainable grazing rotational trials to find the best ways of reducing the impact of grazing and weeds on native grasses, while maintaining production with participating landholders," she said.
"In another aspect of the project, the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage is working on the protection and restoration of existing sites, especially at Coffin Bay National Park. This has included activities like replanting, fencing to exclude cattle and horses, and rabbit and kangaroo control.
"With Greening Australia, we have established five seed production sites across the region in areas covering about one hectare, where the Sheoak Grassy Woodlands used to grow."
Achievements
Sophie said the project had already been successful in helping native grasses recover, and had attracted Eyre Peninsula community support and involvement.
"About 4,000 hectares of Sheoak Grassy Woodlands have already been protected and restored through fencing, pest control and replanting," she said. "The seed production sites are helping to extend the communities' territory.
"The research for the sustainable grazing trials has shown that native grasses are returning as a result, and has provided us with a better understanding of what needs to be done."
Field days and demonstration sites have led to increased community awareness of the many pressures on native vegetation and ways this can be reduced.
More information
- Sophie Keen, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board NRM Officer: (08) 8687 9330 or cep@epnrm.com
- Jeanie Quilliam, Eyre Peninsula Regional Natural Resources Management Liaison Officer: (08) 8688 3413 or quilliam.jeanie@saugov.sa.gov.au
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