The rise of revegetation and reforestation in Australia: Preparing now for the next decade
Speaking to those who work in ecological restoration it’s hard not to pick up an air of disillusionment at the continuing damage to natural ecosystems in the pursuit of profit. While it’s important to remain aware and vigilant about the destruction of life’s support systems, there is also plenty of cause for positivity around great strides being made to protect them. Private, public and community-led revegetation projects in Australia have been increasing in recent years in an attempt to curb devastating species loss and curtail climate change.
The United Nations declared 2021–2030 the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, aiming to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation worldwide. Many of the world’s largest and high-emission businesses have made (non-binding) pledges about reaching net-zero. And while emissions reductions and CO2 sequestration fill an important role in addressing the impacts of climate change, revegetation projects have the added benefit of improving soil health and protecting water resources.
You only have to look at the Plantrite native plant nursery in the growing season to see how much demand there is for local vegetation that protects, enhances and restores the balance of nature. A large amount of that work is due to mandated restoration after civil works, mine site restoration and a huge uptick in carbon sequestration programs.
A problem and visable from space
So what are some local Western Australian revegetation projects that are making a big difference? While not quite making it into the UN’s Top Ten projects for 2023, Gondwana Link is a large-scale conservation initiative in Western Australia aimed at reconnecting fragmented ecosystems and restoring biodiversity in critical hotspots. The program covers a staggering 15,500 ha, and is focused on bridging the gap between existing conservation areas in the South West, from the wet forests to the dry inland woodlands and mallee.
The initiative has been hailed as one of the most ambitious conservation and restoration projects in Australia. A key focus for contributors is restoring habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as the iconic Carnaby’s Cockatoo. The program also aims to restore critical vegetation communities, including wetlands, grasslands, and mallee, which provide important habitat for a range of species.
Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Ngoolark) loves to feed on native trees such as Banksia, Hakea and Grevillea. On the east coast, the similar-looking and similarly endangered glossy black-cockatoo feeds exclusively on Allocasuarina diminuta (she-oaks).
Begun in 2002, Gondwana Link is a collaborative effort involving many different organisations, landholders, and local communities, but also relies on the involvement and support of a range of stakeholders to achieve its goals. The program has been successful in building partnerships with farmers and pastoralists, who have played a crucial role in implementing restoration activities on their land.
The right type of native vegetation for each community is vital, including a mix of tree, shrub, and groundcover species in helping to rebuild the ecological function and resilience of the landscape, supporting the recovery of biodiversity in the region.
Gondwana Link has been recognised internationally as a model for large-scale conservation efforts and provides a blueprint for future conservation initiatives in Australia and beyond.
From a small farm to projects on a massive scale, the success beyond funding and support depends on several practical factors.
Accurate data from the beginning
Species documentation, approved seed collection, Aboriginal consultation, and land surveying provides information on the topography, soil types, and vegetation communities of a site, which helps in identifying appropriate planting locations and species.
During the planting phase, accurate documentation of what has been planted where is necessary to track the progress of restoration efforts and monitor the success of the project. This information can also help in identifying areas where additional planting may be required.
After planting, recording the ecological recovery of the site provides important insights into the success of the restoration efforts and can inform future management strategies. This involves ongoing monitoring of plant growth, soil health, and the presence of native fauna.
Analysis will help in identifying areas where additional restoration efforts may be required and provide important feedback on the suitability of chosen plant species.
Selection of appropriate plant species:
Lead times refer to the complexity in seed collection and propagating each species. Some seeds need an ‘after ripening’ period to maximise germination and overcome dormancy challenges, other seeds need to be sown fresh after collection to achieve a good germination. Plants are slower to germinate and grow may require as long as 18 months in production before a saleable seedling (tubestock) can be supplied.
Appropriate growing lead times:
Lead times refer to the complexity in seed collection and propagating each species. Some seeds need an ‘after ripening’ period to maximise germination and overcome dormancy challenges, other seeds need to be sown fresh after collection to achieve a good germination. Plants are slower to germinate and grow may require as long as 18 months in production before a saleable seedling (tubestock) can be supplied.
Ongoing maintenance and management:
While resilient in their natural habitat, all plants will require some monitoring of the survival success of seedlings. Restoration planting should have allowed for ‘in-fill’ planting over multiple years to ensure species complexity is achieved over the site. Site management companies need to account for ongoing weed control suppress invasive species and monitoring for diseases that could impact the health of surrounding vegetation. In Western Australia, ongoing maintenance may include controlled burns or firestick management.
Conclusion
Overall, ecosystem restoration is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires careful planning and monitoring to ensure positive outcomes. But with about half of global gross domestic product (GDP) dependent upon nature, biodiversity loss poses a material risk to the world economy.
Furthermore, the need for fire and flood resilience has become undeniably necessary for communities across the world. What’s needed is a better understanding of environmental management, and the impacts our actions have on the systems have led to successful restoration and ecological management programs.
Talk with Plantrite about planning your biodiverse restoration project.
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