Simpsons Point: Environmental Restoration

December 5, 2017

Simpsons Point: Environmental Restoration

Weed invasion is one of the largest threats against ecosystems all around the world; and unfortunately, BrunyIsland.au is not immune to this threat.

We are not talking about garden plants that have gone out of fashion. We are talking about species that have a severe impact on our natural ecosystem which are recognised by conservationists and government agencies alike, as priorities for eradication.

Simpsons Point: Environmental Restoration

Simpsons Point: Environmental Restoration

Such weeds can impact entire ecosystems in a variety of ways—sometimes their effects are obvious and direct—other times, they're dangerously subtle and easily missed. For instance, everyone has walked through a Pine Tree forest and noticed that not even grass grows underneath. The Pine Trees soak up all the water with their shallow root systems, while their foliage soaks up all the sunlight; essentially creating a monoculture devoid of biodiversity. While not as well-known, is that the invasive shrub Spanish Heath (a species being managed at BrunyIsland.au) outcompetes native bushland in the same way. The seedlings of native plants such as White Gums will fail to germinate, and over time, as the White Gum forest declines, vital habitat for the endangered Forty-spotted pardalote and Swift parrot is also lost.

 

Simpsons Point: Environmental Restoration
Simpsons Point: Environmental Restoration

 

As intimated, sometimes the damage is harder to see; at least at first, anyway. Take Spear Thistle and Ragwort for example. Windblown seeds land in between the long-lived plants and take up any available space. They then compete with adjacent plants for water and nutrients, and over time, they push the vulnerable indigenous species out. But what is not so obvious, is that those spaces between the established plants are where the annual lilies, herbs and orchids grew. These less robust plants are quickly overrun, and entire populations crash at a rapid rate—and as the floral diversity decreases—so too does the variety and availability of food for wildlife. Unless you are an ecologist, you still may not notice anything too different—but you will surely notice when species you grew up with are no longer around!

That is why BrunyIsland.au is dedicated to preserving all of its native flora and fauna by doing everything we can to eliminate weeds from the otherwise pristine bushland and coastal environments we manage—and with the help of local contractors and the assistance of professional ecologists, such as Daniel Brindley—we surely will!

Environmental Restorations
(Wetland & Wildlife Creations)
http://www.awwc.com.au

Related Journals

Pine tree eradication at Bruny Island Lodge

August 10, 2017

Pine Control Project

In late 2013, BrunyIsland.au undertook a massive and rather unique weed eradication project. Our aim was to control the radiata pine infestation which was threatening to overrun the native bushland at our 900 acre 'Bruny Island Lodge' property on South Bruny.

More Bruny Island Journal

Historical photo of Alf Holding and Roy Taylor at Cloudy Bay entrance with their caravan

August 10, 2017

Cloudy Bay, South Bruny: where Nature's heart beats strong amid the hills

Cloudy Bay was initially named l’baie Mauvaise by French explorer Bruni D'Entrecasteaux in 1792, after 1822 it was marked on the maps of the time as Bad Bay, and after 1859 became known as Bad or Cloudy Bay.

Bruny Island Lodge corporate retreat soccer match

March 14, 2017

Bruny Island Lodge hosts a corporate retreat

A Melbourne based company sends their employees on a corporate retreat to Bruny Island Lodge, where they engaged in team building activities as well as having some time to appreciate the natural environment of Bruny Island.

Bruny Island IGS Art drawing

November 13, 2017

IGS art camp at Bruny Island Lodge

Students and teachers from International Grammar School Sydney stayed Bruny Island Lodge for an art camp. Using inspiration from the natural surroundings, they worked together to create works of art.

Te Rapunga in Auckland at the start of the Trans Tasman Race, 1934

July 13, 2018

Wanderlust, George Dibbern and the Voyage of Te Rapunga

In 1930 a small wooden boat set sail for unknown adventures. This might not in itself be remarkable; however, this was a journey that was eventually to lead from Kiel in Germany to Bruny Island, Tasmania.