Revegetation

The mass clearance of native vegetation by european agriculture has degraded the natural balance that once existed.

The protection and utilisation of our unique ecosystems is vital. Revegetation with local plant species is the most effective way to restore natural systems and to improve water quality and soil health. These factors directly influence commercial productivity.

Where remnant bush or isolated trees still exist, natural regeneration should be encouraged. Areas of bush or lone trees can be fenced-off to allow young seedlings to establish.

How does it affect you and your catchment?

Shelterbelts, riparian reserves and remnant bush have been shown to benefit adjacent crop and pasture production and will strengthen biodiversity.

Planting deep-rooted salt-tolerant plants on saline ground, along with other perennials on the margins of affected areas, will help to lower the watertable, thereby removing saline water from the root zone of pastures and crops. Over time, revegetation can increase the potential of formerly unproductive parts of the farm.

Both Australian and introduced salt-tolerant species are used to revegetate saline areas. Once these species establish, the salinisation of soils can be halted and reversed.

Strategically located native flora will enhance the quality of the water flowing into and down a watercourse.

Management Options

• Use the easiest option – the exclusion of livestock from an area may promote natural regeneration, provided a seed source is still present and weed species and rabbits are controlled.
    
• Use local provenance, as these species are naturally adapted to local conditions, and this will enhance your success.
    
• Aim to create or link habitat for native wildlife.
    
• Use native vegetation for windbreaks, land class management and commercial wood production.
    
• Consider the complete picture – planting trees and a few shrubs is just part of the picture. Include native groundcover species (including grasses) in your revegetation program to create a more diverse and balanced reserve.Seek advice from local people involved in revegetation.

Read more about

• Planting natives as part of your watercourse rehabilitation
    
• Collecting seeds in the Onkaparinga Catchment
    
• Increasing the success of your tube-stock planting
    
• Caring for your local native seedlings
    
• Tips on watering your revegetation
    
• Wattles as a revegation tool

Download the following:

• Land and Water Australia Factsheet No 5 - Riparian Habitat for Wildlife (PDF 553 kb)
    
• Watercourse revegetation zones - Datasheet from the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group (PDF 86kb)
    
• Watercourse vegetation - understorey and canopy - Datasheet from the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group (PDF 229kb)
    
• Watercourse revegetation - native sedges, rushes, reeds and grasses - Datasheet from the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group (PDF 91kb)
    
• Direct seeing of native vegetation - Datasheet from the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group (PDF 419)

Go to:

	Revegetation	Soils and Pastures	Weeds	Feral Animals
	Erosion	Bank Stabilising	Stock Management	Farm Dams

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group for their assistance in preparing this material.