Restoration

Site assessment
Native bushland is the natural habitat of our native fauna. Plants and animals have evolved together over the centuries. The larger the range of plants and the greater the structural diversity in the area of bushland, the wider the range of birds, animals, insects and microfauna and therefore, the more sustainable the ecosystem (biodiversity).

Fauna plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of stable ecosystems by contributing to the germination and dispersal of seed, litter decomposition, nutrient recycling, and the regulation of pest outbreaks. Insects form an important part of the diets of many creatures (90% of birds eat insects) and the greater the variety of different plants and the larger the amount of decaying plant matter the more insects there will be.

Even very small patches or strips of bush provide birds, animals and insects with food, shelter and nesting places. Habitat corridors, along which native fauna and flora can move and disperse, and which connect isolated remnants are very important for the long-term sustainability of a site.

Assessing the habitat value of your bushcare site

Aim: to conserve and encourage the return of natural fauna populations.

• look to see which parts of your site are likely to be used at present by native fauna and take care not to do anything that will disadvantage that species;
• clear weeds in stages and avoid removing all of a particular type of vegetation in one go. Effective bush restoration needs to span many years. Not realising the damaging effects they can have, an enthusiastic team can remove a clump of Lantana (Lantana camara) in an afternoon and leave Blue Tongue Lizards at the mercy of the local dogs and cats;
• be aware that displaced animals and birds cannot just go elsewhere. Every available niche is already taken. Displaced fauna dies. Consider the impact you will have on any creatures that are dependent on the area you are working in;
• be especially careful not to clear nesting sites during the breeding season of native birds and be prepared to leave weeds standing rather than disturb or expose nests.

Maintain the topsoil as it contains important soil flora and possibly seed

• add mulches to encourage litter fauna and accelerate the recycling process. Mulches also provide important cover from predators for insects and reptiles; prevent erosion and baking of the soil; maintain a more constant temperature; make weed removal easier and assist water absorption and retention;
• facilitate the rapid return of cover with native vegetation particularly pioneer species and ground covers;
• avoid moving logs and rocks;
• leave dead trees.

Leave as much dead weed on-site as possible using the following guidelines:

• leave weed where it stands after killing it, if removal would disturb native species;
• scatter weeds in areas already weeded, but bag and remove any seed heads or parts likely to re-sprout;
• break up woody weeds into smaller sticks that, when spread around as mulch, will be in contact with the soil and decompose quickly. Remove only weed seed and those weeds that are likely to re-sprout;
• leaving piles of weed is not recommended as they may:
  • prevent germination of native seed in that spot; 
  • provide a framework for weeds to grow through which are then difficult to remove;
  • present a fire hazard;
  • they will probably have to be dealt with at a later stage.;
  • avoid the creation of tracks and roads, which will divide the site into islands and hinder the migration and re-colonisation by native species.
• restore or preserve the full range of vegetation layers to provide many heights and densities for colonisation;
• restore as wide a range of bark types, flowers and seed to provide food for a variety of animals;
• restore a range of densities within the plantings as well as in the form of the plants chosen;
• preserve structures like fallen trees, large hollow trees, rocks, hollows and crevices;
• resist tidying the land. Immaculate, ordered parkland appeals to our sense of order but provides very limited habitat value. Revegetation projects are sometimes carried out with aesthetics in mind, with habitat value as merely an added bonus. Bush restoration is concerned with the restoration of ecological processes for the benefit of all native species.