Mistletoes increasing in eucalypt forest near Eden, New South Wales

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Turner ◽  
Peter Smith
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
New South ◽  
Natural Cycle ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Boom And Bust

Mistletoe proliferation has contributed to eucalypt decline in rural lands in south-eastern Australia, but has seldom been recorded within forests. We report here on mistletoes increasing deep inside extensive eucalypt forest near Eden. Mistletoes (chiefly Amyema pendula (Sieber ex Spreng.) Tiegh., some Muellerina eucalyptoides (DC.) Barlow) were counted in 180 plots in various logging and burning treatments within a long-term experimental area. In 141.4 ha, there were 516 mistletoes in 1990–1991, and 1478 mistletoes in 2004–2006. The number of trees with mistletoes increased (doubling in logged coupes and almost tripling in unlogged coupes), and the number of mistletoes per tree increased (by ~30%). However, mistletoe prevalence remained low in 2004–2006 (2.7% of trees in logged coupes and 3.7% in unlogged coupes). Intensive logging limited the increase in mistletoe-bearing trees, probably because there were fewer trees available in logged coupes, but had no significant effect on the increase in mistletoes per tree. Low-intensity prescribed burns had no significant effect on mistletoe numbers, even with a high frequency of burning, probably because of their low scorch heights. We suggest that the observed increase in mistletoes in this forest, rather than indicating an ecological imbalance, is part of a natural cycle of boom and bust, with populations crashing in severe wildfires.

Collapse rates of hollow-bearing trees following low intensity prescription burns in the Pilliga forests, New South Wales

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Parnaby ◽  
Daniel Lunney ◽  
Ian Shannon ◽  
Mike Fleming
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Entry Point ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Burnt Areas ◽  
The Impact

Hollows in trees are recognized as a critical and threatened resource for a wide range of fauna in Australian forests and woodlands, yet little data are available on the impact of fire on hollow-bearing trees. We report an opportunistic, post-fire assessment of the proportion of burnt, hollow-bearing trees that collapsed in stands near roads following low intensity prescription burns in three areas of mixed eucalypt forest in the Pilliga forests. Mean collapse rates on 29 plots (40 by 50m), separated by burn Area, ranged from 14?26% for a total of 329 burnt hollow-bearing trees. Collapse rates on individual plots ranged from 0?50%. Collapsed, hollow-bearing trees were predominantly older, with 40% of senescent trees and 44% of live stags collapsing. The best predictor in models of tree collapse was the presence of a basal fire entry point. We cannot determine the extent to which collapse rates on our plots are representative of burnt areas away from containment roads due to sampling limitations, but they appear to be higher than those reported from wildfire and more intense prescription burns in southern Australia. Our results point to an urgent need for comprehensively designed studies to address the impacts of prescribed burns on hollow-bearing trees.

Movements of Fruit-bats in eastern Australia, determined by using radio-tracking

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 463 ◽  
Author(s):  
HJ Spencer ◽  
C Palmer ◽  
K Parry-Jones
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Fruit Bats ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Pteropus Poliocephalus ◽  
Radio Transmitters

Results from a long-term radio-tracking study of pteropodid fruit-bats are reported. Grey-headed fruit bats (Pteropus poliocephalus) captured from seven colonies in eastern New South Wales, Australia, were fitted with collar-mounted radio transmitters to permit their movements to be monitored over the following year. The sheepskin-lined leather collars were well tolerated by the bats over periods of 6-18 months. Bats moved between major colony sites for distances of up to 750 km, with movements occurring in both northerly and southerly directions. One bat from Lismore had a feeding range of 25 km, whereas in Sydney bats flew up to 17 km each night to feeding sites. There was considerable interchange between bats in adjacent colonies.

scholarly journals Persistence of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) in fox baits and implications for fox management in south-eastern Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Gentle ◽  
G. R. Saunders ◽  
C. R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Pesticide Resistance ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Shelf Stability ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Working Dogs ◽  
Lethal Doses

The persistence of 1080 in two commonly used fox baits, Foxoff® and chicken wingettes, was assessed under different climatic and rainfall conditions in central-western New South Wales. The rate of 1080 degradation did not change significantly between the Central Tablelands and the relatively hotter and drier environment of the Western Slopes. Loss of 1080 from wingettes was independent of the rainfall and climate conditions, with wingettes remaining lethal to foxes for, on average, 0.9 weeks. Foxoff® baits remained lethal for longer than wingettes under all tested conditions, although their rate of degradation increased generally with increasing rainfall. As a result, areas baited with Foxoff® will require longer withholding periods for working dogs than those baited with wingettes, especially during dry periods. Wingettes may have advantages for use in sensitive areas where long-term hazards from toxic baits are undesirable. We found significant variations in 1080 concentration in freshly prepared baits that may result in efficacy, non-target and regulatory concerns for baiting campaigns. As a result, the superior quality control and shelf-stability of manufactured Foxoff® may be important criteria for favouring its use over freshly prepared bait types. However, use strategies for any bait type must ensure that foxes consume lethal doses of 1080 to avoid potential problems such as the development of learned aversion to baits or pesticide resistance.

The Subgeneric Composition of Eucalypt Forest Stands in a Region of South-Eastern Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
MP Austin ◽  
RB Cunningham ◽  
JT Wood
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecology ◽  
New South ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Reverse Situation ◽  
Using Data

Pryor's rule that mixed stands of eucalypt forest consist of species from different subgeneric groups was tested statistically using data from a vegetation survey of part of the South Coast of New South Wales. The plot data were stratified by environmental regions, and expressed in terms of the subgeneric combinations of the two most abundant tree species. The categories recognized were the eucalypt subgenera Monocalyptus, Symphyomyrtus and Corymbia, plus Angophora and others. The results suggest that: (a) subgenera are characteristic of certain environmental regions; (b) combinations of subgenera are not random; (c) a modification of Pryor's rule is applicable to three of the four regions studied; and (d) in addition, certain combinations of subgenera occur more frequently than expected by chance, e.g. Monocalyptus occurs as the most abundant species, with Symphomyrtus as subordinate, more frequently than the reverse situation. The results accord with recent reviews of eucalypt forest ecology but there are many plots with a composition of three species from the same subgenus. Biological explanations for Pryor's rule must also take account of these exceptions and the tendency for Symphyomyrtus species to be subdominant to Monocalyptus in the coastal region.

Long-term change in the economic productivity of four major pasture categories on the south-eastern Tablelands of New South Wales

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
D. T. Vere ◽  
R. E. Jones ◽  
M. H. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Economic Productivity ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Productivity Decline ◽  
Temperate Pastures ◽  
Native Pastures

The perception of change or decline in the productivity of temperate pastures in south-eastern Australia is an important concern to livestock producers and pasture scientists. Much of this concern relates to reductions in the proportions of desirable species in the composition of pasture systems as a result of increased soil and weed problems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate trends in the long-term economic productivity of four categories of temperate pastures (all introduced pastures, introduced perennial grasses, introduced legumes and all native pastures) on the central and southern tablelands of New South Wales. The results provide evidence of economic productivity decline in the all introduced pastures category in relation to sheep production, but this has been due to productivity decline in the dominant legume component of the introduced pastures. In contrast, there has been strong growth in the economic productivity of the introduced perennial grass pastures. Abnormally high beef cattle numbers in the mid-1970s appear to have created an illusion of high productivity and subsequent decline in all introduced pastures. In contrast, the economic productivity of the native pastures which are the bulk of the region's grazing areas, has fallen substantially.

A financial analysis of lime application in a long-term agronomic experiment on the south-western slopes of New South Wales

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangdi D. Li ◽  
Rajinder P. Singh ◽  
John P. Brennan ◽  
Keith R. Helyar
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Financial Analysis ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
The South ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia

Management of Acid Soils Through Efficient Rotations (MASTER) is a long-term agronomic experiment commenced in 1992. There were 3 fundamental treatment contrasts in this experiment: (a) annual systems v. perennial systems; (b) limed v. unlimed treatments; and (c) permanent pastures v. pasture–crop rotations. The soil was acidic to depth with pH (in CaCl2) below 4.5 and exchangeable Al above 40% at 0.10–0.20 m when the experiment started. Lime was applied every 6 years to maintain soil pHCa at 5.5 in the 0–0.10 m soil depth. A financial analysis was undertaken to estimate potential benefits and costs involved in liming acid soils on the south-western slopes of New South Wales, based on data from the MASTER experiment. The most important finding from the current study is that liming pastures on soils that have a subsurface acidity problem is profitable over the long-term for productive livestock enterprises. The pay-back period for liming pastures, grazed by Merino wethers, was 14 years for both annual and perennial pastures. More profitable livestock enterprises, such as prime lambs or growing-out steers, were estimated to reduce the pay-back period. This gives farmers confidence to invest in a long-term liming program to manage highly acid soils in the traditional permanent pasture region of the high-rainfall zone (550–800 mm) of south-eastern Australia. Results from the current study also confirmed that the total financial return from liming is greater if the land is suitable for operation of a pasture–crop rotation system. The positive cash flows generated from cropping in a relatively short time can significantly shorten the pay-back period for the investment in lime. But cropping without liming on soils with subsurface acidity was worse than grazing animals. Crop choice is crucial for the perennial pasture–crop rotation. Inclusion of high-value cash crops, such as canola or a wheat variety with high protein, would lead to a rise in the aggregate benefits over time as the soil fertility improved and soil acidity was gradually ameliorated.

Long-term changes in the numbers of Helicoverpa punctigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in a cotton production landscape in northern New South Wales, Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.H. Baker ◽  
C.R. Tann
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bt Cotton ◽  
Cotton Production ◽  
Bt Resistance ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Long Term Changes

AbstractTwo noctuid moths, Helicoverpa punctigera and Helicoverpa armigera, are pests of several agricultural crops in Australia, most notably cotton. Cotton is a summer crop, grown predominantly in eastern Australia. The use of transgenic (Bt) cotton has reduced the damage caused by Helicoverpa spp., but the development of Bt resistance in these insects remains a threat. In the past, large populations of H. punctigera have built up in inland Australia, following autumn-winter rains. Moths have then migrated to the cropping regions in spring, when their inland host plants dried off. To determine if there have been any long-term changes in this pattern, pheromone traps were set for H. punctigera throughout a cropping landscape in northern New South Wales from 1992 to 2015. At least three generations of moths were caught from spring to autumn. The 1st generation (mostly spring migrants) was the most numerous. Trap captures varied between sites and decreased in time, especially for moths in the 1st generation. Nearby habitat type influenced the size of catch and there was some evidence that local weather also influenced the numbers of moths caught. There was no correlation between trap catches in the cropping region and rainfall in the inland. In addition, there was little evidence that Bt cotton has reduced the abundance of H. punctigera at landscape scale. The apparent decline in the number of presumably Bt susceptible moths arriving each spring in the cropping regions from inland habitats is of concern in relation to the management of Bt resistance.

Goat and Sheep Grazing in Shrub-Infested Semi-arid Woodlands of New South Wales.

1986 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
BH Downing
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
New South ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Dietary Preferences ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Local Observation ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Western Division

Examination of data on dietary preferences of sheep, goats and cattle suggests that different grazing systems are desirable for each of the three major woodland types (belah-rosewood, mulga, poplar box) examined. Competition for herbs, frequently palatable to all animal species, indicates that goats and sheep are unsuitable for joint use either in heavily wooded country or where annual herbaceous production is less than 200 kg-ha. Supplementary feeding, fire and judicious stocking are proposed as a strategy for inducing goats to eat a proportion of unpalatable shrubs. The literature provides little helpful information on how rangelands in the Western Division should be managed. No reports are given on comparisons of grazing systems, such as rotational grazing, rotational resting, and continuous grazing. No guidance is given on grazing after burning of the rangeland. Recommendations are generally against the use of goats for control of woody plants, whereas local observation shows this to be an apparently effective practice. The recommendations are mostly based on experimental procedures which, although suitable for detecting animal dietary preferences in the short term, are less appropriate for investigation of the effects of grazing on range condition in the long term. Some suggestions are made towards a different approach for: investigating the effects of grazing by sheep and goats on rangeland condition, and the economic implications of this in terms of animal production.

Evidence of High Sea Level during Isotope Stage 5c in Queensland, Australia

1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Pickett ◽  
C. H. Thompson ◽  
R. A. Kelley ◽  
D. Roman
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
New South ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Intertidal Sediments ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Maximum Period ◽  
High Dune

Thirty-nine species of scleractinian corals have been recovered from under a high dune on the western (mainland) side of North Stradbroke Island, eastern Australia. The corals are associated with thin intertidal sediments and their good condition implies burial in situ and preservation in a saturated zone. Most likely this occurred as the coast prograded and a large dune advanced into the littoral zone, burying intertidal sediments and coral. The species assemblage indicates a sheltered environment but one open to the ocean without wide fluctuations in salinity. Three species yielded a mean 230Th/234U age of 105,000 yr B.P. which is significantly younger than the nearest Pleistocene corals at Evans Head, New South Wales. The corals provide evidence of a sea stand near present sea level during isotope Stage 5c, which is considerably higher than previously suggested for this period. Their good condition implies that the overlying parabolic dune is of comparable age and formed during that high stand of sea level. Also, the isotope age provides a maximum period for the development of giant podzols in the podzol chronosequences on coastal dunes in southern Queensland.

Sydney rock oyster farming in Australia.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Nell
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
First Year ◽  
Water Sampling ◽  
Time To Market ◽  
Profit Margins ◽  
Rock Oyster ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sampling Programme

Abstract The 120-year-old Sydney rock oyster industry in New South Wales (NSW) and southern Queensland is one of the oldest aquaculture industries in Australia. The industry has been forced to adapt to competition from other species, tighter harvesting and oyster storage and handling requirements as well as eroding profit margins. Recent changes in farming practices include the move away from stick culture to single seed culture, as the half-shell market demands a more uniformly shaped oyster. When selective breeding demonstrated that it could reduce time to market (50 g whole weight) by nearly a year out of an industry average of 3.5 years, the industry wanted to try hatchery technology. Although the industry had never used hatchery technology before, it purchased 10 million spat or 8% of its annual spat requirement from hatcheries in 2003-2004, the first year that they were made available to farmers. The industry also embraced the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program, which requires that shellfish harvest areas be classified on the basis of a sanitary survey and the results of an ongoing strategic water-sampling programme. This programme ensures product safety for the consumers and helps to provide the industry with a long-term future.

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