Reliance Creek Palm Vine Forest Rehabilitation 2013-2016

PCL has reached the end of a three year $92,600 project funded by the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Futures Biodiversity Fund. Over those three years the project priority has been treatment of Cats Claw Creeper (Macfedyena unguis‐cati), a Weed of National Significance (WONS), across approximately 30 Ha. PCL enlisted the help of CVA and Ray Greaves. CVA has worked on both private property and in the Reliance Creek National Park treating Cats Claw Creeper. Pest contractor Ray Greaves has worked on private property upstream undertaking initial treatment of this weed, as well as some follow up of regrowth that has occurred from tubers and seed bank. Throughout the project treatment has also been conducted for Hymenachne amplexicaulus, another WONS that occurs on site. Engagement has occurred with adjoining landholders to identify infestations of these species on their properties. Cats Claw Creeper is not only invading creek bank forest, but has spread to the nearby hillsides. The best way to manage weeds in this ecosystem is to ensure dense canopy cover. Cutting and poisoning the creeper at the base of the trees has been performed, causing the growth in the canopy to die and hopefully preventing regrowth from the ground. Fifteen hundred tubestock were planted in the gaps in the forest just upstream of the National Park. A biological control was released into the project area several years ago, with current evidence showing it has made impact.

PCL volunteers have been hand weeding to ensure that these plants and the natural regeneration are not overwhelmed by a wide range of invasive species that occur when the ground is disturbed and there is plenty of sun and water. An important commitment to the Australian Government is that PCL will look after this site for ten years. To that end PCL has received funding for three years to find the best way manage the other major weed on site: creeper Ruellia simplex. Reef Catchments provided funding in 2015 to continue maintenance of the revegetation and treatment of regrowth of the creeper, as well as extend the treatment of Cats Claw into adjoining areas. Recent works include site maintenance by the PCL volunteer team. Hand weeding of Ruellia simplex has been the focus of working bees. Areas that were hand weeded by nursery volunteers ensured that natives – both planted species as well as volunteer regrowth – were cleared of Ruellia simplex so these plants can continue to grow unobstructed.