investigation of fuel and bushfire risk management in ... · web viewexamples of typical grazed...

Investigation of Fuel and Bushfire Risk Management in Victoria's High Country using Strategic Cattle Grazing - Field Survey and Assessment Year One of the Research Trial 2010/11

Alpine Grazing Survey


7 Site D


7 Site D

1 Site D

The following Chapter provides a summary and overview of information gained from Cattlemen and Park Rangers, field observations made by URS personnel during Site D survey, and a discussion and comparison of these results.

Consolidated findings and conclusions are reported in Chapter 10 for all sites.

All field notes for this site have been digitally transcribed, peer reviewed and stored as Appendix D. A separate Excel database summarising these field notes, and all referenced photographs have been provided separately. Only a selection of photographs has been included in this report.

7.1 Site Characteristics, Access and Use

Site D is located approximately 70 km by road east from Bright and 14 km (as the crow flies) south of Mt Hotham Alpine Resort. The eastern boundary of the site (with the exception of the Lagoon Plateau Reference Area) is fully flanked by the Dargo River. The remainder of the site (with the exception of the southern boundary, which is an arbitrary poly line), is bounded by natural barriers such as steep slopes or creek lines. The southern portion of the site contains the Shepherds Creek Reference Area. The site is large, roughly 15 km long and 4km wide, covering 6,940 ha. The site has an altitude range of approximately 700 mAHD to 1400 mAHD.

Historically, the site has been utilised by cattlemen during the late summer/early autumn months to graze cattle. The relative flat nature of ridges line within the site provides ample suitable grazing areas, coupled with numerous water points. Deer hunters, campers, bushwalkers, horse riders and 4WD enthusiasts also frequent this area regularly during the warmer months.

The site is readily accessible from the Dargo High Plains Road.

Vehicle access to Site D is only possible via the King Spur Track which runs in an easterly direction in the far northern section of the site, and, the Long Spur Track which diverts south, off the King Spur Track near the site entrance. Long Spur Track runs to the far southern interior stopping just short of the Shepherds Creek Reference Area. These two tracks are considered to range from poor to fair in condition. At the time of the field work, the beginning of Long Spur Track was almost impassable due to the boggy nature. Other indiscriminate vehicular tracks were also noted, such as those historically forged by loggers, cattlemen and deer hunters, however, access via these track in vehicles was not possible due to their state of disrepair and fallen trees.

Foot access was the only viable means of traversing much of this large site. It is noted that cattlemen utilise horses to cross the terrain and this would certainly allow for better coverage of the site within a given time.

Vegetation is characterised by a high diversity of EVCs (21 documented).

Two historical MNES records (the Alpine Tree Frog Litoria verreauxii alpine and Dwarf Sedge Carex paupera) have been identified at this site.

7.1.1 Herd characteristics and stocking rate in 2011

Herd characteristics and stocking rate were sourced from Cattlemen.

A total of 100 adult equivalent (mainly Herefords but also Angus and some Angus cross Herefords) cows and calves occupied the trial area. Cattle occupied the trial area between mid-January and mid-March. The age range of the herd was from 4 months to 10 years.

7.2 Sampling Effort & Coverage

Given the size and complexity of this site, it was necessary to target field observations in areas where cattle impact was evident then move out wider as per the Sampling Principles. Discussions with the Cattlemen and Rangers, both prior to and during the fieldwork assisted targeting of impact locations.

Sampling efforts were focused on Long Spur Track, King Spur Track, Pikes Creek and Shepherds Plain. A sound assessment of all locations in between was also achieved where possible. It is considered that, given the size of the site and the time constraints, the site was covered very well.

The western portion of the site tends to be relatively flat, which allowed the field teams to fully examine a wide range of EVCs and specific habitats. However, most of the eastern side of the site has terrain that is almost entirely impassable for both cattle and people, due to the very steep terrain and dense bush. A number of these areas were visited to confirm relief, EVC type, and the presence or absence of cattle. Based on the observations it is considered reasonable to assume that there had been no cattle access to these areas.

7.3 Cattle Range and Use of the Site

7.3.1 Cattlemen’s observations

The key findings from the questionnaire and telephone discussions with Cattlemen are as follows:

· A fence has been re-instated along the west side of the trial area.

· Cattle tend to split into small mobs and spread out, with 3-5 taking a drink at a time then moving on. You may see 30-40% of the stock on a 1 day visit.

· Cattle generally come to salt. They are trained in the lower country and given salt 3-4 times seasonally.

· Cattle were observed once to twice a week on horseback during the trial period.

· Cattle have access to Pike Creek which is the main creek between Long Spur and King Spur. Cattle have generally stayed near the boundary fence this year, with a few small groups going up to King Spur and then coming back to the boundary fence.

· Natural boundary to the north (cliff face) down to the Dargo River.

· South side of Little Dargo – cattle generally stay top, graze on top and around the springs.

7.3.2 Park Ranger observations

The key findings from the questionnaire and telephone discussions with Parks Victoria are as follows:

· Cattle were observed a couple of times during the trial period. The majority of cattle were concentrated on the plains and up to the north. They mainly graze down Long Spur Track.

· Cattle have access to Shepherds Creek, mossy areas and the valley in the Long Spur.

· There is a fence line to the north which is a containment fence. This fence is in pretty good condition.

· Dargo River on the east side of the site is a natural barrier.

7.3.3 Field observations

Identification and observation of all potential grazing areas along King Spur Track was attempted. Location D06 is considered to represent the primary grazing area for cattle along this track (see Plate 7-1). This location is approximately 3 hectares in size and surrounded by semi-closed forest. Deer grazing was also evident at this location. Numerous small grazing areas less than 0.5 ha were also observed along King Spur Track (e.g. locations D05, D07 and D08).

The field team travelled east along the King Spur Track, past the former Mayford Track intersection to where the terrain started to descend steeply to the Dargo River. Further investigation along this route was ceased as the EVCs and relief were not suitable for cattle grazing and there were no observations of cattle passage, grazing, or other impacts.

The team traversed Long Spur Track as far as reasonably practicable and attempted to identify and target observations at all potential grazing areas and changes in EVC. Numerous small (<0.5 ha) grazing areas were identified and assessed along Long Spur Track enroute to Shepherds Plain. The relative grazing impact at each location was reasonably homogeneous and minor (see Plate 7-2).

The field team continued south along Long Spur Track, past Shepherds Plain, in search of cattle grazing areas. It was suggested that a number of sphagnum bogs exist in the lower parts of the site. However, attempts to locate these bogs were unsuccessful. The area south of Shepherds Plain tended not to be suitable for cattle grazing. As track condition was poor and light was failing, further investigation in this area was ceased. Based on the relief and EVC mapping it appears unlikely that cattle would graze in this area.

Shepherds Plain is the main grazing area within Site D and a concentrated sampling effort was mounted there. The entrance to the plain from the North along Long Spur Track is clearly defined by a good quality fence running east-west and a gate. This area (523449E, 5886277N) appears to be a mustering point as it had been heavily grazed and was compacted (Plate 7-3). Nearby at location D013 a stock watering dam was found with clear evidence of cattle and deer access (Plate 7-4).

Shepherds Plain is a vast expanse of open forest interspersed with large clearings. Shepherds Creek is a minor permanent spring fed stream that flows through Shepherds Plain then east to the Dargo River. Shepherd’s Plain is partially fenced to contain cattle. The “gate” to the south of the plain is effectively a gap in a fenceline.

Shepherds Plain is widely grazed and it is difficult to identify any one grazing location within the plain. Most major grazing areas are often connected by strips of dense open forest. Examples of typical grazed areas within Shepherds Plain are presented in Plate 7-5, Plate 7-6 and Plate 7-7.

Cattle had severely disturbed the ground around a large spring observed adjacent to the grazed area recorded at Location D014 (Plate 7-8).

Cattle have unrestricted access to Shepherds Creek. The field team traversed some of its length to assess if cattle had caused damage. Cattle damage to the littoral zone was documented at Location D016 and also further upstream at Location D019. This location appeared to contain some very sensitive flora, such as pockets of Sphagnum Moss (Plate 7-9). Deer had also impacted heavily at this location.

Four to five wallows were identified with cattle, domestic horse and deer impacts. Location D019 is a typical example of what was found (Plate 7-10).

Plate 7-1Main cattle grazing area along King Spur Track, Location D06 (518731E, 5892500N)

Plate 7-2Small grazed area, north of Shepherds Plain, Location D010 (520281E 5890189N)

Plate 7-3Grazing impact entrance to Shepherds Plain on Long Spur Track (523449E, 5886277N)

Plate 7-4Dam near the entrance to Shepherds Plain, Location D013 (522146E, 5888110N)

Plate 7-5Preferred grazing areas within Shepherds Plain (a)

Plate 7-6Preferred grazing areas within Shepherds Plain (b)

Plate 7-7Preferred grazing areas within Shepherds Plain (c)

Plate 7-8Cattle impacts to the a spring in Shepherds Plain, Location, D015 (523115E, 5887121N)

Plate 7-9Sphagnum moss at Shepherds Creek, Location D019 (522546E, 5887117N)

Plate 7-10Wallow in Shepherds Plain, Location D019 (522708E, 5886968N)

Plate 7-11Cattle impacts at spring near Pikes Creek, Location D022 (518018E, 5892367N)

Plate 7-12Cattle impacts at Pikes Creek, Location D023 (518018E, 5892367N)

Pikes Creek, close to the eastern entrance of the site, was also identified by cattlemen as a likely cattle drinking location. The field team walked from King Spur Track to the upper reaches of Pikes Creek. On the way, evidence of grazing was observed at Location D022. Severe cattle impacts on a natural spring were observed at Location D021 (Plate 7-11).

At Pikes Creek, evidence was observed that indicated cattle drink from the stream and possibly feed on creek side vegetation. Moderate damage had been caused to Pike Creek and surrounding riparian vegetation at Location D023 (Plate 7-12). Note: cattle can exit Site D at this location across the creek, though nearby steep country provides a natural barrier to further movement.

Figure 7-1 provides a summary of observations made at Site D. Note: the size of larger circles represents the approximate hectares observed.

7.4 Cattle Grazing – Types of Vegetation and Impacts



· Cattle mainly graze on clover but will eat all sorts of grasses.

7.4.2 Ranger’s observations


· No detail provided.


A flora species list for this site was collected by the team and is presented in Appendix D.

Vegetation types varied between grazing locations:

· In locations where grazing was undertaken in forested areas such as at Locations D05, D07 and D010, vegetation tended to be mainly exotics dominated by white clover with relatively minor native cover.

· In the open clearings of Shepherds Plain, grazed vegetation tended to be a mixture of native and exotic grasses.

Qualitative observations of impact were undertaken at four locations as shown below in Table 7-1.

Table 7-1Qualitative Impact Assessment Site D

Location

Qualitative Extent of Impact (%)

Treading

Compaction

Pats

Vegetation

D01

0-10%

0-10%

11-25%

11-25%

D02

0-10%

0-10%

0-10%

11-25%

D06

0-10%

11-25%

11-25%

26-50%

D019

26-50%

11-25%

11-25%

26-50%

Figure 7-1Field Observations Site D

7.5 Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES)

Cattlemen noted that cattle have access to Alpine Tree Frog habitat and this was confirmed by Park Rangers for the Shepherds Plain area.

A concerted effort was made by the field team to assess whether the locations of previously recorded Alpine Tree Frog and Dwarf Sedge were accessible by cattle.

The Dwarf Sedge record lies close to the entrance of the site on King Spur Track and is located in an area that may have been grazed historically (Location D07 and D08, see Plate 7-13). No Dwarf Sedges were observed in this area. The main fence line for the site is not far from the location of the historical MNES record, and given cattle’s tendency to follow fence lines, grazing in this area is a likely. However, no evidence was observed to suggest that cattle grazed the area during this season.

Cattlemen noted that cattle have access to Alpine Tree Frog habitat and this was confirmed by Park Rangers for the Shepherds Plain area. The field team visited Shepherds Creek, where the Alpine Tree Frog has been identified. This location (D018) is on the southern side of the Shepherds Plain southern fence line. There is no gate on this fence where Long Spur Track travels through it to the south. No specimens were observed. No evidence of cattle activity was found in this area, and the team consider it highly unlikely that cattle would traverse the creek line to access the habitat.

7.6 Cattle, Deer and Horse Movement



· There are no brumbies in the area.

· Deer population has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Can tell if Deer have been in the area from tracks and faeces and they leave wallows everywhere.

· Cattle tend to move prolifically throughout the site via tracks within the forest rather than vehicular tracks.

7.6.2 Ranger observations


· No horses other than those going through on trial rides.

· Can tell difference between Deer and Cattle from foot structure and prints in mud.

Plate 7-13Recorded location of Dwarf Sedge, Location D07 (517815E 5892904N)

Plate 7-14Alpine Tree Frog habitat showing no evidence of cattle activity, Location D018 (523401E 5886206N)


The field team found very little evidence of cattle movement along the vehicular tracks, which supports the cattlemen’s observations. However, very little evidence of cattle tracks away from these vehicular tracks also noted. In cattle grazing areas, very little evidence was observed to suggest that cattle were actively moving between grazing locations. The cattlemen suggest that cattle tend to traverse along fence lines.

Numerous fences were observed through out the site. The main fence that defines the boundary of the site in the north-west, begins at the entrance to the site on King Spur Track, and travels in a southerly direction. It has recently been repaired. The same fence line then intersects the Long Spur Track entrance to the site. The fence then travels further to the south, distance and condition unknown. Another fence surrounds the Shepherd Plain ‘paddock’. D013 marks the location of northern entrance to Shepherds Plain, with the southern end of the paddock fenced as well. Fencing to the east and west was not observed although a fence was identified in the vicinity of Location D015, however, it could not be determined where this fence had come from, or was going to.

No evidence was recorded to suggest that horses are causing impact in the site. It is known that horses are used by cattlemen. However, there are no records of wild horses at this site.

Substantial evidence of scats and tracks indicates that deer are prolific throughout the site. In some locations (D02 and D019) wallows were observed, see Plate 7-15 and Plate 7-16. Deer impacts were often observed in similar locations to those used for grazing by cattle.

Cattle appear to have eaten a diversity of grasses (exotic and native) and ferns. Preference seems to be given to eating exotic grasses.

Plate 7-15Severe damage caused by deer (wallow) (a), Location D02 (520430E 5890027N)

Plate 7-16Severe damage caused by deer (wallow) (b), Location D019 (522708E 5886968N)

7.7 Discussion

Field observations indicate that cattle grazing has been concentrated this season in two main areas of Site D:

· King Spur Track; where moderate grazing was recorded in a large clearing close to the track in the northern portion of the site, with a number of minor grazing areas close by.

· Shepherds Plain; where the most intensely grazed areas were located in the central part of the site.

It is likely that cattle would historically transit and graze between these two areas. However, this season grazing and transit between the two areas appears to have been minor, probably as a result of the low cattle numbers, and abundance of feed.

It is difficult to provide a single overview of the observed impacts at Site D as there is such a diversity in vegetation communities and habitat. In general, it is considered that impacts to vegetation during the season has been relatively minor in the open clearings, as there were little to no bare patches caused by recent cattle activity. Additionally, grazing on native species appeared to be less preferred than exotics. The only areas where vegetation had been grazed to ground level were where exotics are dominant.

Substantial impacts were observed around springs and creeks as cattle (and other animals) accessed water. These impacts include heavily disturbed ground and vegetation, and are evident at many locations at Site D. Some of the creek lines in the site (e.g. Shepherds Creek) have relatively low grade headwaters providing easy access for cattle.

There are numerous areas around the site that are not likely to be accessed by cattle due to the presence of natural barriers (Figure 7-2). Cattle cannot readily access the north-eastern, central eastern and south-eastern portions of the site due to steep terrain. Steep terrain along the western and eastern site boundaries is also likely to prevent movement out of the site from the east and west. I In some cases there are opportunities for cattle to move through these areas via tracks. In these areas access may be able to be controlled by fencing or gates.

Figure 7-2Approximate Areas of Restricted Cattle Access at Site D

43271226/43271226/237

4443271226/43271226/2

43271226/43271226/245

investigation of fuel and bushfire risk management in ... · web viewexamples of typical grazed...

Documents