Threats and Management Issues
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Mining, timber extraction and clearing for agriculture and urbanisation have drastically altered the vegetation of Victoria. Only a very small percentage of native grasslands survive due to development for agriculture, while elsewhere the structure and species composition of many areas has been altered by past mining and timber harvesting practices.
Much of the present vegetation of the State is under threat from a variety of sources, including weed invasions, changed fire regimes, grazing, timber utilisation and recreation (the former DNRE, 1997a). In western Victoria at least 70% of the private land area is cleared and habitat loss is the single most important factor affecting biodiversity.
Several relatively common EVCs are subject to a variety of threatening processes but are not currently judged to be impacted to a sufficiently significant degree (i.e.: in extent and/or severity) to be considered endangered, vulnerable or rare in accordance with the JANIS criteria. For example, EVCs with heathy understoreys (Heathy Dry Forest, Heathy Woodland and Granitic Hills Woodland) are particularly sensitive to altered fire regimes and the resultant reduced diversity is commonly identified.
The understorey composition of mountain forest EVCs (Damp Forest, Wet Forest, Montane Wet Forest, Shrubby Damp Forest, Shrubby Wet Forest), particularly old individuals of some prominent understorey species (e.g. tree ferns), is significantly impacted by mechanical disturbance associated with timber harvesting.
Open fertile EVCs (e.g. Montane Grassy Woodland and Sub-alpine Grassland) are favoured for grazing and are relatively more prone to weed invasion. The conservation status of these EVCs is analogous to the “near threatened” category that is applied to some species. Stabilising the status of these EVCs relies on a range of management strategies aimed at minimising any long-term impacts (C of A and State of Victoria, 1999).
There are a number of lower profile threats that are considered equally serious. Examples include the invasion and spread of environmental weeds and feral animals, the decline of freshwater ecosystems (including restricted and/or inappropriate flooding regimes) and global warming due to the greenhouse effect.
Strategies to address the threats to native vegetation in Victoria will need to involve a range of protection mechanisms and management tools including policy development, management plans and cooperation between the public and private sectors, community groups and individual landholders (NCCMA, 2000).
Vegetation Clearance
Native vegetation on private land in Victoria is protected under statewide planning controls. Native Vegetation Retention Controls are part of a coordinated vegetation retention and revegetation program. The program includes financial assistance, information and education, and voluntary covenants.
In addition, all native plants and animals are protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. This Act, provides the main legal framework for the protection of Victoria's biodiversity, the native plants and animals and ecological communities on land and in water.
Invasive Plants and Management
The State Government’s goal for weed management programs is to minimise the economic, environmental and social impacts of declared and potential pests for community benefit (the fromer DNRE, 2000). It is the responsibility of all Victorian Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) to draft and implement Regional Weed Action Plans while DSE will continue to be responsible for eradicating State Prohibited Weeds.
Weed control targets are now required for State Prohibited Weeds, Regional Priority Weeds and New and Emerging Weeds (the former DNRE, 2000).
Management of pest plants in the region is also addressed by CMAs Catchment Management Strategies, which often include biodiversity programs and pest plants and animals programs.
Threatened Plants
Threatened plants in Victoria may be variously protected under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Listed species are managed according to guidelines in approved Action Statements or National Recovery Plans.
List of threatened flora species under:
- Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (external link)
Management responses
- Management responses to these threats may require measures such as conservation covenants and land purchase in areas of poorly represented remnants.
- Raising community awareness of the nature and significance of these communities will prevent inappropriate tree planting.
- Management of fragmented landscapes, where most land is in private ownership, will require an emphasis on co-operation with local communities to identify and protect remnant vegetation and to restore degraded areas (the former DNRE, 1997a). The active involvement of the CMAs will assist this process significantly.
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2008.
This document was last reviewed on 22/09/2008