White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland
Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered Ecological Community
Credits awarded for conservation and regeneration of this Threatened Ecological Community are currently in high demand by large development projects in NSW. See below on how to identify this Ecological Community on your property and actions required to generate credits.
Identification
To identify Box-Gum Woodlands, there are certain characteristics you can look for:
Tree Species: Look for the presence of White Box (Eucalyptus albens), Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora), and Blakely's Red Gum (Eucalyptus blakelyi) as the main tree species. These trees may occur individually or in mixtures with other trees, including wattles.
Open Woodland Structure: Box-Gum Woodlands are typically characterized by an open woodland structure, although they may sometimes resemble a forest. The canopy is not too dense, allowing sunlight to reach the ground.
Grass and Herb Understorey: The understorey of Box-Gum Woodlands consists of a grassy ground layer with native grasses and a high diversity of herbs. Look for species such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis), Poa Tussock (Poa sieberiana), wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp.), spear-grasses (Austrostipa spp.), and other herbaceous plants.
Limited Shrub Presence: Shrubs are generally sparse or absent in Box-Gum Woodlands, although they may occur locally. However, the focus is primarily on the dominant tree species and the grassy understorey.
Biodiversity: Intact Box-Gum Woodlands are known for their high diversity of plant species. Look for a variety of tree species, shrubs, climbers, grasses, and herbs within the community.
Wildlife Habitat: Box-Gum Woodlands support a range of fauna species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, and invertebrates. Look for signs of wildlife activity such as animal tracks, nests, and burrows.
Location
White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland is found in various regions in New South Wales, including the North Coast, New England Tableland, Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South, Sydney Basin, South Eastern Highlands, South Western Slopes, South East Corner, and Riverina.
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Credit Generation
To generate credits, landholders need to implement specific management actions. These actions aim to conserve and restore the ecological community on their property. Here are the key management actions you would need to take:
Vegetation conservation: Protect existing remnant vegetation of Box-Gum Woodland on your property from clearing or degradation. This includes preventing further loss of trees and ensuring the integrity of the vegetation structure.
Invasive species control: Implement measures to control and manage invasive plant species within the Box-Gum Woodland. This involves identifying and targeting invasive plants that threaten the native flora and actively removing or controlling them.
Grazing management: Optimize grazing practices to reduce the negative impacts on the Box-Gum Woodland. Adjust stocking rates, implement rotational grazing systems, and avoid overgrazing that can lead to soil erosion and loss of native plant diversity.
Weed control: Undertake weed control activities specifically targeted at invasive plant species that compete with native vegetation within the Box-Gum Woodland. Use appropriate methods such as selective herbicide application or manual removal to minimize damage to native plants.
Regeneration and restoration: Where Box-Gum Woodland remnants have been degraded or lost, actively restore and regenerate the native vegetation. This may involve planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses, and ensuring their ongoing care and maintenance.
Habitat protection: Pay attention to the conservation of habitat features crucial for supporting wildlife within the Box-Gum Woodland. This includes preserving fallen timber, providing habitat for nesting or roosting birds, and maintaining diverse vegetation layers.
Monitoring and reporting: Regularly monitor the condition of the Box-Gum Woodland on your property and document the outcomes of your management actions. This monitoring helps track the progress of conservation efforts and ensures compliance with the requirements of the Biodiversity Offset Scheme.
By implementing these management actions, you will contribute to the conservation and restoration of the Native Grassland. These actions will help generate biodiversity credits, which can be traded to offset biodiversity impacts from developments and provide financial incentives to support the ongoing management of the ecological community on your farm.