BASIC REVEGETATION ADVICE

Illustration by Anne Albert Dianella tasmanica

Revegetation with indigenous flora in the YYLN region is a great way forward

Benefits of Revegetation Using Indigenous Species.
The reasons for Revegetating your property and planting indigenous species to achieve this are many. The following outlines  some of these.
Why use Indigenous Plants

• Indigenous plants have adapted to the local conditions such as soil, weather and co-existence with other indigenous species. They are part of the established balanced ecosystem of which plants, insects, birds and animals play an important role. To maintain this balance the planting of indigenous species is essential.
• Non indigenous plants, which are not necessarily adapted to local conditions, may not grow to expectation or may dominate and eventually become weeds.
• Planting indigenous plants will ensure a higher success rate with your  revegetation project.

Improved Agricultural Productivity.
The planting of shelter belts on your property offers;

• protection for your stock against wind and driving rains resulting in healthier and more productive stock. It provides shade for them during the summer months. It also provides often needed shelter for new born stock resulting in decreased mortality of newborns.
• pastures and crops protection against wind which reduces the evaporation from both the plants and the ground resulting in healthier and more prolific growth.

Findings indicate that an increase in productivity of approximately 30% on dairy and sheep properties can be achieved with the use of shelter belts.
Natural Pest Control
The provision of trees and understory provides a natural habitat for birds, bats and other insect eating animals. These birds and animals will feed daily on adjacent pastures maintaining control of pasture destroying insects resulting in healthier and more prolific pastures and crops. They are natures natural pest controllers.
Fire Control
The rate of movement of fires across open paddocks is dependant upon wind speed. With the correct location  of shelter belts wind speeds can be reduced by up to 60% hence slowing the rate of progress of a grass fire allowing them to be controlled more easily and more quickly.
Erosion and Water Quality
Revegetation in gulleys and along the banks of waterways prevents erosion and loss of soils into the river systems. This in turn results in better water quality being available from creeks, rivers and dams.
Salinity
The planting of native plants can also lower the water table reducing the chance of salinity problems in the soil.
Firewood and Timber
Selective felling and removal of fallen trees from revegetated areas can provide suitable firewood and timber for fencing and building.
Aesthetic Appeal
The sight of a stand of trees populated with native birds and animals can be a much more interesting outlook than an empty paddock of grass.

Of the estimated 20,000 species of vascular plants found in Australia, 16,000 are found nowhere else in the world