MWRPP Report 15.5: An assessment of revegetation trials at the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.

The Yellingbo Conservation Nature Reserve (YNCR) within the Yarra Valley provides habitat for the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum. Habitat values of the reserve are currently in decline due to the dieback of mature vegetation and a lack of natural regeneration. Much revegetation has been done previously, and much revegetation is planned within the reserve and its surrounds, to improve areas of declining habitat and provide new habitat. This report provides an assessment of three experimental trial plantings to inform future revegetation efforts at Yellingbo. The specific aims of these three trials were to: a) Experiment 1: Assess the importance of elevation/water regime gradients for the establishment on Eucalyptus camphora and E. ovata seedlings. b) Experiment 2: Assess the effect of slashing of Phragmites prior to planting to promote the establishment and growth of important midstorey shrub species. c) Experiment 3: Assess the effectiveness of various weed control techniques (gunnel matting, jute matting, and woodchips) and plant protection (fencing, plant guards, none) in two areas, one dominated by Phalaris arundinacea and the other by Phragmites australis. The key findings were: a) The trials provided further evidence that both inappropriate water regimes and browsing pressure are preventing E. camphora recruitment at Yellingbo. b) Slashing of Phragmites culms prior to planting has no beneficial effect on shrub seedling establishment or growth. c) Gunnel matting is the best available method for reducing Phalaris regrowth and promoting the growth of understorey plantings. d) In areas dominated by Phragmites, gunnel (or any type of) matting is probably less suitable, and possibly direct planting (along with the use of tubex plant guards) into Phragmites is the best approach. e) Fenced plots and tubex guards are largely successful in protecting plants from browsers. It is hoped that knowledge learned from this research will help guide future revegetation at the site and management of this critical reserve.