The Brigalow Scrub revegetation project will increase the area of a nationally listed endangered ecological community currently threatened by fragmentation, fire, and weeds.
A planting and weed control project will enlarge, enhance and connect the remnant Brigalow scrub patches, providing essential habitat for 14 nationally-listed threatened species, and create a broad wildlife corridor along the Teviot Range and north to Blantyre.
Brigalow Scrub Revegetation bring many ecological benefits
The ecosystem services provided by an increase in forest cover are; sink carbon out of the atmosphere, reduce salinity to protect cropping flats and freshwater creeks, reduce erosion, and produce oxygen.
Conservation and production outcomes need to be balanced. Brigalow scrub patches contain some unique timber species which are highly valuable and versatile. Crow’s ash, Yellow wood, Silky oak, Red cedar, White cedar, Hoop pine, Brown salwood, and the Brigalow itself all grow very well in the salty clay soil of Brigalow scrub. She-oaks grow well along salty waterways and are suitable for bioenergy production. An increase in Brigalow scrub can both provide more habitat and produce sustainable timber and renewable energy.
Brigalow scrub (R E 12.9-10.6) is fragmented, and is threatened by clearing, exotic pests, fire, over-grazing and climate change. There is no Brigalow scrub in local public reserves. Less than 10% of the original Brigalow scrub is left. Only 116ha of remnant forest remains on private land and in linear strips along public roads.
Steps toward Brigalow Scrub Revegetation:
- Create a buffer zone around the perimeter and connecting corridors with high plant biodiversity.
- Manage the fire frequency and intensity to preserve the vegetation and large woody debris.
- Control invasive weeds, including high biomass exotic grasses.
- Control feral animals, particularly pigs.
- Balance primary production with conservation across the property and catchment. Include trees with fencing, furniture, construction, and bio energy properties.
- Increase the biodiversity of species by retaining dead and dying stags and large woody debris on the ground for nesting and large and small habitats for insects, birds, reptiles and animals.
- Implement water management, erosion control and salinity monitoring plans.
- Create and share information to increase the management knowledge and awareness of the Brigalow scrub.
