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Ellerslie Nature Reserve Plan of Management

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Page 1: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Ellerslie Nature ReservePlan of Management

Page 2: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue
Page 3: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

ELLERSLIE NATURE RESERVE

PLAN OF MANAGEMENT

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Part of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water May 2010

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This plan of management was adopted by the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment on 18

th May 2010.

Acknowledgments The NPWS acknowledges that this reserve is in the traditional country of the Wiradjuri people. This plan of management is based on a draft plan prepared by the staff of the South West Slopes Region of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. Cover photograph by Jo Caldwell, NPWS. For additional information or any inquiries about this reserve or this plan of management, contact the NPWS Murrumbidgee Area Office, 7a Adelong Road Tumut, NSW, 2720 or by telephone on 6947 7000.

© Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (NSW) 2010: Use permitted with appropriate acknowledgment.

ISBN 978 1 74232 805 8

DECCW 2010/498

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FOREWORD Ellerslie Nature Reserve is located 17 kilometres northwest of Adelong on the South West Slopes of NSW and covers an area of 1877 hectares. Ellerslie Nature Reserve forms part of a fragmented network of conservation reserves in the South West Slopes bioregion. Six distinct forest ecosystems are found within the reserve and a diverse range of native animals including 5 amphibian species, 10 reptile species, 15 mammal species and 85 bird species.

The reserve also contains a number of Aboriginal sites, the remains of a possible property boundary tree, and an inscribed plaque which commemorates the grazing history of the area. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a plan of management be prepared for each nature reserve. A plan of management is a legal document that outlines how an area will be managed in the years ahead. A draft plan of management for Ellerslie Nature Reserve was placed on public exhibition from 17

th October 2008 until 16

th February 2009. The submissions

received were carefully considered before adopting this plan. This plan contains a number of actions to achieve the State Plan priority to “Protect our native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways”, including flora and fauna surveys and control of introduced plant and animal species which are impacting upon habitat values. This plan of management establishes the scheme of operations for Ellerslie Nature Reserve. In accordance with Section 73B of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, this plan of management is hereby adopted.

Frank Sartor MP Minister for Climate Change and the Environment

FOREWORD Ellerslie Nature Reserve is located 17 kilometres northwest of Adelong on the South West Slopes of NSW and covers an area of 1877 hectares. Ellerslie Nature Reserve forms part of a fragmented network of conservation reserves in the South West Slopes bioregion. Six distinct forest ecosystems are found within the reserve and a diverse range of native animals including 5 amphibian species, 10 reptile species, 15 mammal species and 85 bird species.

The reserve also contains a number of Aboriginal sites, the remains of a possible property boundary tree, and an inscribed plaque which commemorates the grazing history of the area. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a plan of management be prepared for each nature reserve. A plan of management is a legal document that outlines how an area will be managed in the years ahead. A draft plan of management for Ellerslie Nature Reserve was placed on public exhibition from 17

th October 2008 until 16

th February 2009. The submissions

received were carefully considered before adopting this plan. This plan contains a number of actions to achieve the State Plan priority to “Protect our native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways”, including flora and fauna surveys and control of introduced plant and animal species which are impacting upon habitat values. This plan of management establishes the scheme of operations for Ellerslie Nature Reserve. In accordance with Section 73B of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, this plan of management is hereby adopted.

Frank Sartor MP Minister for Climate Change and the Environment

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. MANAGEMENT CONTEXT 1

1.1 Legislative and Policy Framework 1

1.2 Management Purposes and Principles 1

1.3 Regional Forest Agreements 2

RESERVE MAP 3

2. ELLERSLIE NATURE RESERVE 4

2.1 Location, Gazettal and Regional setting 4

2.2 Management Directions 4

3. NATURAL AND CULTURAL VALUES 5

3.1 Landform, Geology and Soils 5

3.2 Native Plants 5

3.3 Native Animals 7

3.4 Cultural Heritage 8

3.5 Education and Use 9

3.6 Research 9

4. THREATS TO RESERVE VALUES 10

4.1 Introduced plants 10

4.2 Introduced Animals 10

4.3 Fire Management 11

4.4 Climate Change 12

5. MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS 13

6. REFERENCES 19

APPENDIX 1 – Fauna species lists 20

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1. MANAGEMENT CONTEXT

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK

The management of nature reserves in NSW is in the context of a legislative and policy framework, primarily the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act), the NPW Regulation, the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) and the policies of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The policies are based on the legislative background and internationally accepted principles of park management. They relate to nature conservation, Aboriginal and historic heritage conservation, recreation, commercial use, research and communication. Other legislation, international agreements and charters may also apply to management of the area. In particular, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) may require the assessment and mitigation of the environmental impacts of works proposed in this plan. A plan of management is a statutory document under the NPW Act. Once the Minister has adopted a plan, no operations may be undertaken within Ellerslie Nature Reserve except in accordance with this plan. This plan will also apply to any future additions to Ellerslie Nature Reserve. Should management strategies or works be proposed for the nature reserve or any additions that are not consistent with this plan, an amendment to the plan will be required. 1.2 MANAGEMENT PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES

Nature reserves are reserved under the NPW Act to protect and conserve areas containing outstanding, unique or representative ecosystems, species, communities or natural phenomena. Under the Act, nature reserves are managed to:

• conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem functions, and protect geological and geomorphological features and natural phenomena;

• conserve places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value;

• promote public appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of the reserve’s natural and cultural values; and

• Provide for appropriate research and monitoring. Nature reserves differ from national parks in that they do not have as a management principle to provide for visitor use.

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1.3 REGIONAL FOREST AGREEMENTS

Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) are one of the principle means of implementing the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992. Under this Statement Commonwealth, State and Territory governments agree to work towards a shared vision for Australia’s forests. This process aims to maintain native forest estate, manage it in an ecologically sustainable manner and develop sustainable forest-based industries. The Statement provided for joint comprehensive assessments of the natural, cultural, economic and social values of forests. These assessments formed the basis for negotiation of Regional Forest Agreements that provide, amongst other things, for Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management. The Southern Regional Forest Agreement covers the planning area. The process leading up to the RFA provided for major additions to the reserve system, including the establishment of Ellerslie Nature Reserve.

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RESERVE MAP

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2. ELLERSLIE NATURE RESERVE 2.1 LOCATION, GAZETTAL AND REGIONAL SETTING Ellerslie Nature Reserve (referred to as "the reserve" in this plan) is located 17 kilometres northwest of Adelong in the South West Slopes of NSW. The reserve covers an area of 1877 hectares on the western side of the Snowy Mountains Highway and encompasses part of the Ellerslie Range. The reserve was established on 1

st January 2001 as part of the Southern Regional

Forest Agreement, with an initial size of 1278 hectares. Prior to this gazettal most of the reserve was managed as Ellerslie State Forest, by the then State Forests of NSW (now Forests NSW). Since the original gazettal several additions have been made through purchase of private lands. The reserve forms part of a fragmented network of conservation reserves in the South West Slopes bioregion. There are also areas of remnant native vegetation on private property to the east, west and south of the reserve. The lands surrounding the reserve are predominantly used for private pine plantations and mixed dryland farming, and there has been a long history of clearing in the region to make way for agriculture. The reserve is within the geographical area of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority, Hume Livestock Heath and Pest Authority, Gundagai and Tumut Shire Councils, and the Brungle-Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council. Several roads though Ellerslie Nature Reserve are used to access private property. These roads that are currently vested in the Minister on behalf of the Crown for the purposes of Part 11 of the NPW Act. These roads do not currently form part of the gazetted area of Ellerslie. They were created by the National Parks Estate (Southern Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue. The NPE Act provides that, following assessment, these roads must be either added to or excluded from the reserve. 2.2 MANAGEMENT DIRECTIONS Ellerslie Nature Reserve will be managed to protect the plant and animal communities that it samples and to provide opportunities for research and educational use. Major efforts will be directed towards:

• protection of threatened species;

• control of introduced plant and animal species;

• continued research to expand knowledge of ecological processes and management prescriptions that maintain or enhance species diversity;

• the reduction as far as possible of unplanned fire in the reserve;

• liaison with neighbours for cooperative implementation of pest control and broader management programs to promote reserve values.

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3. NATURAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

3.1 LANDFORM, GEOLOGY AND SOILS Ellerslie Nature Reserve is situated on the lower ranges west of the Australian alpine region. The reserve is orientated in a north/south direction and has an altitudinal range between 270 metres and 550 metres. A ridgeline bisects the reserve from north to south and falls to undulating country to the east and west. A number of streams originate in or pass through the reserve, eventually draining into Yaven Yaven Creek to the east. Yaven Yaven Creek passes through the eastern portion of the reserve and is the only permanent source of running water. The majority of the reserve is underlain by upper Ordovician sediments dominated by quartzite, slate, phillite and greywacke. The northern section is underlain by upper Silurian conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones and minor volcanics. The soils of the reserve are red and yellow podzolic duplex soils (Stelling 1998). 3.2 NATIVE PLANTS

A combination of environmental factors such as climate, geology, topography and land use has resulted in a variety of vegetation communities and some significant plant associations within the reserve. In 2004 EcoGIS (2004) undertook a comprehensive vegetation survey and mapping project for selected reserves in the South West Slopes region, including this reserve. This project provided the NPWS with species and distribution data and a high level of knowledge of the vegetation types in the reserve. Six distinct forest ecosystems were identified within the reserve and these can be summarised as: 1. Apple box moist sedge-grass-herb forest – containing a canopy of apple box

Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Blakely’s red gum E. blakelyi, red box E. polyanthemos, and yellow box E. melliodora. The mid-storey consists of silver wattle Acacia dealbata and tea tree Leptospermum continentale. The ground layer is dominated by forbs such as sheep’s burr Acaena ovina, kidneyweed Dichondra repens, tall sundew Drosera auriculata, and western bear’s ear Cymbonotus preissianus. This forest type commonly occurs in the riparian zones of the major creek lines within the reserve. This community has importance because in most places it has been significantly cleared and altered in the past due to the grazing value of the riparian zone.

2. Norton’s-rough barked red box valley floor moist forest – containing a canopy of

Norton’s box Eucalyptus nortonii, red box E. polyanthemos ssp vestita, red stringybark E. macrorhyncha, and apple box E. bridgesiana. The mid-storey consists of hoary guinea flower Hibbertia obtusifolia, silver wattle Acacia dealbata and a bush pea Pultenaea cunninghamii. The ground layer consists of small St John’s wort Hypericum gramineum, native carrot Daucus glochidiatus, stinking pennywort Hydrocotyle laxiflora, twyning glycine Glycine clandestina, Poranthera microphylla and wattle mat rush Lomandra filiformis ssp coriacea, as well as velvet wallaby grass Danthonia pilosa var pilosa, common wheat grass Elymus scaber var scaber and long-hair plume-grass Dichelachne sieberiana. This forest type is usually

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associated with lower southern aspects and only populates a small area in the southwest corner of the reserve.

3. White box-Blakely’s red gum herb-grass woodland – containing a canopy of

Blakely’s red gum Eucalyptus blakelyi, white box E. albens, red stringybark E. macrorhyncha and red ironbark E. sideroxylon. The mid-storey consists of the bush peas Goodia medicaginea and Pultenaea subspicata, and grass tree Xanthorrhoea glauca ssp augustifolia. The ground layer consists of nodding blue lily Stypandra glauca, tall sundew Drosera auriculata, wattle mat rush Lomandra filiformis ssp filiformis, rock fern Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia, ivy goodenia Goodenia hederacea ssp hederacea, and daphne heath Brachyloma daphnoides. This vegetation group is found on the exposed lower slopes of the reserve where the gradients are gentler. It is extensive across the central and northern parts of the reserve.

4. Red box-scribbly gum-dry grass-forb forest – containing a canopy of Blakely’s

red gum Eucalyptus blakelyi, red ironbark E. sideroxylon, Norton’s box E. nortonii, scribbly gum E. rossii and white box E. albens. The mid-storey consists of a bush pea Pultenaea altissima, grass tree Xanthorrhoea glauca ssp angustifolia and prickly moses Acacia ulicifolia. The ground layer consists of mulga fern Cheilanthes sieberi ssp sieberi, native carrot Daucus glochidiatus, ivy goodenia Goodenia hederacea ssp hederacea, nodding blue lily Stypandra glauca, Senecio species E, native flax Linum marginale, wattle mat rush Lomandra filiformis and grey tussock grass Poa sieberiana var sieberiana. This community type occurs on the ridges and exposed aspects and is most common in the southern part of the reserve. It is very similar to the white box-Blakely’s red gum woodland of the lower slopes, however this ridge community tends to have a more dominant cover of scribbly gum and red ironbark.

5. Long-leaved box-silver wattle moist grass-herb forest – containing a canopy of

red stringybark Eucaluptus macrorhyncha and long-leaved box E. goniocalyx. The mid-storey consists of silver wattle Acacia dealbata, and hoary guinea flower Hibbertia obtusifolia. The ground layer consists of stinking pennywort Hydrocotyle laxiflora, daphne heath Brachyloma daphnoides, wattle mat rush Lomandra filiformis ssp coriacea, dwarf blue trumpet Brunoniella pumilio, Danthonia pilosa var pilosa, Gonocarpus tetragynus, Senecio tenuiflorus and plumegrass Dichelachne hirtella. This community is found on the sheltered southerly and easterly aspects of the reserve, mostly in the northeastern section. The group is characterised by a dense carpet of grasses and forbs, in contrast with the more sporadic, open understorey found in the more exposed parts of the reserve.

6. Red stringybark-scribbly gum-rough barked red box dry forb-tussock grass

open forest – containing a canopy of red box Eucalyptus polyanthemos ssp vestita, scribbly gum E. rossii and red stringybark E. macrorhyncha. The mid-storey consists of common raspwort Gonocarpus tetragynus, urn heath Melichrus urceolatus, prickly hibbertia Hibbertia acicularis, a bush pea Pultenaea foliolosa and rosemary grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia. The ground layer consists of common native violet Goodenia hederacea ssp hederacea, wattle mat-rush Lomandra filiformis ssp coriacea, grey tussock grass Poa sieberiana var sieberiana, daphne heath Brachyloma daphnoides, blunt greenhood Pterostylis curta, tall greenhood Pterostylis longifolia and small ruddy-hood Pterostylis pusilla. This forest type only populates a small area on the central eastern side of the reserve.

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Occurrences of white box, red box and Blakely’s red gum in the reserve are regarded as a component of the White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland association that is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community under the TSC Act. No other threatened flora species have been recorded in the reserve to date. A Priorities Action Statement has been prepared that identifies strategies and actions to promote the recovery of threatened plant species, populations and ecological communities and manage key threatening processes, including the White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Endangered Ecological Community. In addition, more detailed recovery plans may be prepared for threatened species or communities.

The lands surrounding Ellerslie Nature Reserve has been somewhat cleared for agricultural or forestry activities. The conservation of areas for native vegetation in the vicinity of the reserve is important because it protects a greater range of habitats for threatened species in the region that are impacted by loss of habitat. 3.3 NATIVE ANIMALS The reserve contains a diverse range of native animals including 5 amphibian species, 10 reptile species, 15 mammal species and 85 bird species. A comprehensive list of native fauna recorded in the reserve is included in Appendix 1 of this document. Given the high diversity of fauna species identified, the habitat value of the reserve is considered high. The reserve forms part of a broader habitat for these species and others are likely to exist around the reserve. Surveys undertaken in 2004 and the Atlas of NSW Wildlife records reveal a number of threatened species occurring in the reserve that are listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Threatened species recorded in the reserve include: Table 1: Threatened fauna species recorded in Ellerslie Nature Reserve.

Species Name Common Name

Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo

Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper

Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail

Melithreptus gularis gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies)

Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot

Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider

Petauris australis Yellow-bellied Glider

Miniopteris schreibersii oceanensis Eastern Bentwing-Bat

The Priorities Action Statement also identifies strategies and actions to promote the recovery of threatened animal species and populations.

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3.4 CULTURAL HERITAGE 3.4.1 Aboriginal Heritage

Aboriginal communities have an association and connection to the land. The land and water within a landscape are central to Aboriginal spirituality and contribute to Aboriginal identity. Aboriginal communities associate natural resources with the use and enjoyment of foods and medicines, caring for the land, passing on cultural knowledge, kinship systems and strengthening social bonds. Aboriginal heritage and connection to nature are inseparable from each other and need to be managed in an integrated manner across the landscape. Aboriginal artefacts have been located across a broad range of landscapes within the South West Slopes Region. A preliminary survey undertaken by Dearling (2003) revealed a number of Aboriginal sites within the reserve. These included 9 open artefact scatters, 1 scarred tree and 2 isolated finds. The steep and hilly nature of the reserve means that Aboriginal people were more likely to have made use of the flatter country outside of the reserve area (Dearling 2003). The reserve lies within Wiradjuri country and falls within the area of the Tumut Brungle Local Aboriginal Lands Council. 3.4.2 Historic Heritage The first Europeans to have entered the area around reserve were the explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovel, who passed through the region in 1824 and 1825 (Smith 2003). Historic maps of the area show that much of the land within the present boundaries of Ellerslie Nature Reserve was held as either conditional purchases or conditional lease prior to 1954. On 24

th December 1954 parts of the existing reserve were appropriated

and resumed as a Bird and Animal Sanctuary, and on the 19th

August 1955 the majority of the reserve area was declared as Ellerslie State Forest (No 945) (Smith 2003). The remains of a possible boundary tree with an inscribed plaque is situated in the central eastern section of the reserve. The plaque was originally placed to commemorate 100 years of occupation of ‘Yabtree’ station by the Horsley family. The tree containing the plaque was burnt down in 1959 and the plaque was subsequently cemented into the stump (Smith 2003). The marking of the Yabtree property boundary was described by Commissioner Binningham in a NSW Government Gazette of 30 September 1848 where it states that a tree on Yaven Yaven Creek marks one of the corners of this property (the homestead for the property is located at Nangus, some 21 kilometres north of the reserve). It is unknown whether the tree mentioned by Commissioner Binningham in his 1848 description of Yabtree and the remains of the tree in which the cement plaque has been placed are one and the same. However it is conceivable that they are, and as such they represent a historic event that occurred over 150 years ago in the area (Smith 2003).

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3.5 EDUCATION AND USE Public walking access to the reserve is available from the Snowy Mountains Highway, 17 kilometres west of Adelong. There is parking space for a limited number of vehicles near the gated entrance and access from there is on foot. Reserve identification signs are located at the main entrance points. There are no public facilities in the reserve. All trails within the reserve are management trails and are not for public vehicular use, with the exception of the Part 11 roads referred to in section 2.1 and shown on the map. The primary purposes of nature reserves are conservation of wildlife and natural environments and provision of opportunities for education and scientific research into these resources. The reserve currently receives low levels of use for activities such as nature study, walking and bird watching. Camping is not allowed in the reserve. Organised group actives such as school visits and bird watching groups will be permitted in the reserve subject to consent from NPWS to carry out these activities. This consent process will assist NPWS in minimising impacts and managing users’ conflict and safety. 3.6 RESEARCH Research into the natural and cultural features of the reserve and their maintenance requirements is important for the on-going development of appropriate management techniques. Research undertaken to date includes flora surveys, fauna surveys and fuel sampling. This research provides a fundamental framework for making informed management decisions. Additional research would assist with further refinement of management principles and practices in the future. The NPWS may carry out ongoing monitoring and research programs as time and resources permit. Encouragement of research by other organisations and individuals may provide valuable information for management.

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4. THREATS TO RESERVE VALUES

4.1 INTRODUCED PLANTS An introduced plant species is defined in this plan as any plant species not native to the reserve. Introduced species within the reserve and on adjoining land are of concern because they have the potential to have detrimental effects on ecological values and can spread to and from neighbouring land. The Noxious Weeds Act 1993 places an obligation upon public authorities to control noxious weeds on land that they occupy to the extent necessary to prevent such weeds spreading to adjoining lands. NPWS also has a priority to control environmental weeds (not necessarily declared noxious) which threaten natural habitats. The NPWS South West Slopes Region Pest Management Strategy (2003 & 2007) identifies priority pest species and programs for action through set criteria. By following a similar process the prioritisation of reserve pest species programs may be established and directly linked into the regional strategies (refer to the South West Slopes Region Pest Management Strategy). This risk analysis has considered such issues as (yet not limited by) the control of weeds in endangered ecological communities, significant remnant vegetation associations, threatened/endangered species habitat and areas of community/neighbour concern. The risk of new weed incursions will also be considered. Introduced plant species recorded in the reserve include blackberry Rubus fruticosus, tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima, Paterson’s curse Echium plantagineum, St. Johns wort Hypericumperforatum, sweet briar Rosa rubiginosa, saffron thistle Carthamus lanatus and a range of pasture grasses. Since gazettal, weed control programs have focussed on reducing the extent and distribution of these species, particularly tree of heaven and blackberry. 4.2 INTRODUCED ANIMALS An introduced animal is any animal species not native to the reserve. Introduced animals may impact upon native fauna populations through predation or competition for food or shelter. The Regional Pest Management Strategy (2003 & 2007) identifies the pest animal species known to occur within the region, including the reserve, and ranks them in terms of their potential to damage land, alter natural processes and/or disturb native animal populations and habitats. Management strategies for each species are outlined in this document as well as preferred methods of control. Introduced animals in the reserve include foxes, cats, rabbits, domestic stock and goats. Foxes exist within the reserve and on adjoining lands, and their presence is likely to impact on a range of fauna such as small lizards, frogs and small mammals. Predation by foxes on native animals has been identified as a key threatening process under the TSC Act and a Threat Abatement Plan has been formulated. This plan proposes actions to reduce the impacts of fox predation on threatened species and to help conserve biodiversity.

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Rabbits occur in the cleared valleys of the reserve and at this stage no control programs have been undertaken. Rabbit populations will be monitored and control programs undertaken as required ensuring that populations do not impact upon the reserve. Competition and grazing by the European rabbit has been declared a key threatening process under the TSC Act and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Domestic stock straying from neighbouring properties continue to enter and graze parts of the reserve. Grazing leads to a marked decrease in diversity of plant species, and nitrification of soils occurs where stock congregate overnight. The NPWS has undertaken an annual program of aerial shooting of feral goats for the last five years, and so far a total of 370 goats have been destroyed. This program will continue while this method of control is cost effective and achieves the desired result, however, once numbers become low other control options may be considered. The NPWS would be willing to participate in a broader co-operative program of goat control along the Ellerslie range, as it is an ongoing issue for this reserve. Competition and habitat degradation by feral goats has been declared a key threatening process under the TSC Act and EPBC Act. Feral goats present a threat to plant communities given the large number of plant species that are palatable to them. Feral goats can cause significant habitat degradation, decrease soil stability, alter habitat of native flora/fauna and contribute to erosion. 4.3 FIRE MANAGEMENT Fire is a natural feature of many Australian vegetation communities and environments. It may be essential to the survival of some plant communities and benefit some fauna species. Inappropriate fire regimes, however, can lead to the loss of many other plant and animal species and communities. Fire can also damage cultural heritage features and management facilities within the reserve and can threaten visitors and neighbouring assets. Recorded wildfire data is limited prior to 2000, however, fire scars indicate that wildfires have occurred within the reserve in the last 20-30 years. In December 1998 a wildfire on private property burnt a small portion in the north of the reserve, this also occurred in 2001. Only one ignition has been recorded in the reserve since its gazettal in 2001. This fire was started by lightning and burnt 1 hectare. During the same period two other fires were started by lightning on private property adjoining the reserve. There are a number of assets within 1 kilometre of the reserve boundary, mostly associated with agriculture (homesteads, sheds, pastures) and a pine plantation. These assets were considered when NPWS developed the fire management strategy for this reserve (NPWS 2006). This map-based strategy outlines life, property and natural and cultural resource protection strategies specific to the reserve. NPWS maintains cooperative arrangements with surrounding landowners and Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades and is actively involved in the Riverina Highlands Zone Bush Fire Management Committee. Cooperative arrangements include approaches to trail maintenance, asset protection, fuel management, support for neighbour fire management efforts and information sharing.

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4.4 CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change has been listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act. Projections of future changes in climate for NSW include higher temperatures, increasing sea levels and water temperatures, elevated CO2, more intense but possibly reduced annual average rainfall, increased temperature extremes and higher evaporative demand (Department of Environment and Conservation 2007). These changes are likely to lead to greater intensity and frequency of fires, more severe droughts, reduced river runoff and water availability, regional flooding, increased erosion and ocean acidification. Climate change may significantly affect biodiversity by changing population size and distribution of species, modifying species composition, and altering the geographical extent of habitats and ecosystems. The potential impact of climate change is difficult to assess since it depends on the compounding effects of other pressures, particularly those with small population sizes or with slow growth rates. Adjusting our management of the environment through programs to reduce the pressures arising from other threats such as habitat fragmentation, invasive species, bushfires, pollution and urban expansion will help reduce the severity of the effects of climate change.

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ate

gie

s /

Ac

tio

ns

P

rio

rity

So

il a

nd

wa

ter

co

ns

erv

ati

on

T

he

re a

re n

o m

ajo

r so

il e

rosio

n o

r w

ate

r qu

alit

y

issu

es

with

in

the

re

se

rve

e

ve

n

tho

ugh

th

e

terr

ain

is

ve

ry

ste

ep

. T

he

re

se

rve

is

ge

ne

rally

d

ry,

exce

pt

for

Ya

ve

n

Ya

ve

n C

ree

k w

hic

h r

un

s a

ll ye

ar.

� S

oil

ero

sio

n

is

min

imis

ed

.

� U

nd

ert

ake

all

tra

il w

ork

s in

a m

an

ne

r th

at

min

imis

es

ero

sio

n a

nd

wa

ter

po

llutio

n.

Hig

h

Na

tive

pla

nts

T

he

re

se

rve

p

osse

sse

s a

h

igh

d

ive

rsity o

f n

ative

flo

ra

inclu

din

g

gra

ssy

wh

ite

b

ox

wo

od

lan

d r

em

na

nts

wh

ich

are

lis

ted

as a

n

en

da

nge

red

e

co

logic

al

co

mm

un

ity

un

de

r th

e T

SC

Act.

S

om

e

are

as

of

the

re

se

rve

h

ave

b

ee

n

dis

turb

ed

b

y p

ast

use

a

nd

a

re cle

are

d o

f a

ny n

ative

tre

es.

Th

e r

ese

rve

bo

un

da

ry i

s f

en

ce

d t

o v

ary

ing

sta

nd

ard

s.

Evid

en

ce

o

f gra

zin

g

fro

m

do

me

stic s

tock e

xis

ts in

th

e r

ese

rve

.

� N

ative

p

lan

t a

nd

a

nim

al

sp

ecie

s

an

d

co

mm

un

itie

s

are

co

nse

rve

d.

� D

om

estic sto

ck d

oe

s

no

t e

nte

r th

e r

ese

rve

. �

Str

uctu

ral

div

ers

ity

an

d

ha

bita

t va

lue

s

are

re

sto

red

in

are

as

su

bje

ct

to

pa

st

dis

turb

an

ce

. �

Ne

igh

bo

urs

su

pp

ort

th

e

co

nse

rva

tio

n

of

rem

ain

ing

are

as

of

priva

tely

o

wn

ed

n

ative

ve

ge

tatio

n

ne

ar

the

re

se

rve

.

� E

nco

ura

ge

ve

ge

tatio

n

su

rve

ys

for

pre

dic

ted

th

rea

ten

ed

pla

nt

sp

ecie

s.

Ma

na

ge

th

e w

hite

bo

x w

oo

dla

nd

re

mn

an

ts a

nd

an

y

oth

er

TS

C

liste

d

sp

ecie

s

fou

nd

in

th

e re

se

rve

in

a

cco

rda

nce

with

th

e P

rio

rity

Actio

n S

tate

me

nt.

En

ter

into

fe

ncin

g

agre

em

en

ts

with

re

leva

nt

ne

igh

bo

urs

in

acco

rda

nce

with

th

e N

PW

S B

ou

nd

ary

F

en

cin

g P

olic

y,

to e

nsu

re d

om

estic s

tock a

re k

ep

t o

ut

of

the

re

se

rve

. �

Im

ple

me

nt

a p

rogra

m t

o r

esto

re n

ative

ve

ge

tatio

n in

th

e c

lea

red

are

as o

f th

e r

ese

rve

. �

Lia

ise

w

ith

n

eig

hb

ou

rs,

La

nd

ca

re

gro

up

s,

Ca

tch

me

nt

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Au

tho

ritie

s

an

d

oth

er

age

ncie

s

to

en

co

ura

ge

re

ten

tio

n

an

d

if

po

ssib

le

exp

an

sio

n o

f n

ative

ve

ge

tatio

n c

lose

to

th

e r

ese

rve

.

Me

diu

m

Hig

h

Hig

h

Me

diu

m

Me

diu

m

Page 21: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Elle

rslie

Natu

re R

eserv

e: P

lan o

f M

anagem

ent

14

Cu

rre

nt

Sit

ua

tio

n

De

sir

ed

Ou

tco

me

s

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Str

ate

gie

s /

Ac

tio

ns

P

rio

rity

Na

tive

An

ima

ls

Th

e re

se

rve

p

osse

sse

s a

h

igh

d

ive

rsity o

f n

ative

fa

un

a.

A n

um

be

r o

f th

rea

ten

ed

sp

ecie

s e

xis

t w

ith

in

the

re

se

rve

. T

he

se

in

clu

de

a

rbo

rea

l m

am

ma

ls

an

d

bird

s.

Th

rea

ts

to

the

se

sp

ecie

s a

re w

ell

do

cu

me

nte

d.

Th

e e

ffe

ct

of

fire

on

th

ese

sp

ecie

s is u

ncle

ar.

Th

e

rese

rve

is

ge

ne

rally

lin

ke

d

to

oth

er

tra

cts

o

f n

ative

ve

ge

tatio

n,

allo

win

g

mo

ve

me

nt

of

na

tive

a

nim

als

b

etw

ee

n

po

ten

tia

l h

ab

ita

ts.

� N

ative

a

nim

al

sp

ecie

s

are

co

nse

rve

d.

Th

ere

is

gre

ate

r u

nd

ers

tan

din

g

of

sp

ecie

s

div

ers

ity,

dis

trib

utio

n

an

d

eco

logic

al

requ

ire

me

nts

.

� S

tru

ctu

ral

div

ers

ity

an

d

ha

bita

t va

lue

s

are

re

sto

red

in

are

as

su

bje

ct

to

pa

st

dis

turb

an

ce

.

� I

mp

lem

en

t m

ea

su

res i

n r

eco

ve

ry p

lan

s a

nd

Prio

rity

A

ctio

n S

tate

me

nts

fo

r th

rea

ten

ed

sp

ecie

s.

� E

nco

ura

ge

su

rve

ys f

or

pre

dic

ted

th

rea

ten

ed

an

ima

l sp

ecie

s a

nd

re

se

arc

h in

to f

ire

eff

ects

.

� W

ork

with

ne

igh

bo

urs

an

d c

atc

hm

en

ts m

an

age

me

nt

co

mm

itte

es to

e

nco

ura

ge

co

nse

rva

tio

n o

f re

mn

an

t n

ative

ve

ge

tatio

n

in

the

vic

inity

of

the

re

se

rve

, p

art

icu

larly t

he

co

nse

rva

tio

n o

f th

e g

rassy w

hite

bo

x

wo

od

lan

d r

em

na

nts

.

Hig

h

Me

diu

m

Lo

w

Cu

ltu

ral

He

rita

ge

S

eve

ral

Ab

origin

al

site

s

ha

ve

b

ee

n

reco

rde

d in

th

e r

ese

rve

.

On

e

his

toric

he

rita

ge

site

(a

p

laqu

e)

ha

s

be

en

re

co

rde

d in

th

e re

se

rve

. T

his

site

is

a

sso

cia

ted

with

th

e lo

ca

l H

ors

ley f

am

ily.

Ab

origin

al

an

d

his

toric f

ea

ture

s a

nd

va

lue

s a

re id

en

tifie

d

an

d p

rote

cte

d.

Un

de

rsta

nd

ing o

f th

e

cu

ltu

ral

va

lue

s o

f th

e

rese

rve

is im

pro

ve

d.

� R

eco

rd,

co

nse

rve

an

d p

rote

ct

Ab

origin

al site

s f

ou

nd

w

ith

in

the

re

se

rve

in

co

nsu

lta

tio

n w

ith

th

e T

um

ut

Bru

ngle

Lo

ca

l A

bo

rigin

al L

an

ds C

ou

ncil.

R

eta

in th

e p

laqu

e a

nd

th

e stu

mp

o

n w

hic

h it is

lo

ca

ted

. �

E

nco

ura

ge

fu

rth

er

su

rve

ys a

nd

re

se

arc

h in

to th

e

cu

ltu

ral h

erita

ge

of

the

re

se

rve

.

Hig

h

Hig

h

Lo

w

Page 22: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Elle

rslie

Natu

re R

eserv

e: P

lan o

f M

anagem

ent

15

Cu

rre

nt

Sit

ua

tio

n

De

sir

ed

Ou

tco

me

s

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Str

ate

gie

s /

Ac

tio

ns

P

rio

rity

Intr

od

uc

ed

Pla

nts

an

d A

nim

als

T

he

re

se

rve

co

nta

ins

a

nu

mb

er

of

we

ed

sp

ecie

s in

clu

din

g b

lackb

err

y,

St

Jo

hn

s w

ort

, sw

ee

t b

ria

r,

sa

ffro

n

this

tle

a

nd

tr

ee

o

f h

ea

ve

n.

Co

ntr

ol

pro

gra

ms

ha

ve

co

mm

en

ce

d

for

the

se

sp

ecie

s

in

acco

rda

nce

with

re

gio

na

l p

rio

ritie

s.

Th

e

rese

rve

co

nta

ins

a

nu

mb

er

of

intr

od

uce

d a

nim

al

sp

ecie

s in

clu

din

g r

ab

bits,

red

fo

xe

s,

go

ats

an

d f

era

l ca

ts.

Str

ayin

g c

att

le a

nd

sh

ee

p e

nte

r th

e r

ese

rve

a

nd

gra

ze

fo

r va

ryin

g

pe

rio

ds

of

tim

e.

Gra

zin

g

lea

ds

to

a

ma

rke

d

de

cre

ase

in

d

ive

rsity

of

pla

nt

sp

ecie

s

an

d

nitrifica

tio

n

o

f so

ils o

ccu

rs w

he

re s

tock c

on

gre

ga

te.

So

me

a

rea

s

of

the

re

se

rve

h

ave

b

ee

n

dis

turb

ed

fro

m p

ast

use

an

d a

re c

lea

red

of

an

y n

ative

tre

es.

To

min

imis

e a

dve

rse

im

pa

cts

o

f p

ests

o

n

bio

div

ers

ity

an

d

oth

er

pa

rk

va

lue

s

wh

ile c

om

ply

ing w

ith

le

gis

lative

re

sp

on

sib

ilitie

s.

Th

e

imp

acts

o

f in

tro

du

ce

d

sp

ecie

s

on

n

ative

sp

ecie

s

pa

rtic

ula

rly

thre

ate

ne

d

sp

ecie

s

an

d

ne

igh

bo

urin

g

lan

ds is m

inim

ise

d.

Intr

od

uce

d

pla

nts

a

nd

a

nim

als

a

re

co

ntr

olle

d

an

d

wh

ere

p

ossib

le

elim

ina

ted

.

Co

ntr

ol

intr

od

uce

d

pla

nt

an

d

an

ima

l sp

ecie

s

in

acco

rda

nce

with

th

e S

ou

th W

est

Slo

pe

s R

egio

na

l P

est

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Str

ate

gy.

Prio

rity

will

be

giv

en

to

re

du

ctio

n o

f b

lackb

err

y,

tre

e o

f h

ea

ve

n,

St

Jo

hn

s

wo

rt a

nd

co

ntr

ol o

f go

ats

, fo

xe

s a

nd

ra

bb

its.

Se

ek

the

co

op

era

tio

n

of

oth

er

au

tho

ritie

s

an

d

ne

igh

bo

urs

in

im

ple

me

ntin

g w

ee

d a

nd

pe

st

an

ima

l p

rogra

ms.

Mo

nito

r th

e

rese

rve

fo

r n

oxio

us

an

d

sig

nific

an

t e

nviro

nm

en

tal

we

ed

s.

Tre

at

an

y

ne

w

ou

tbre

aks

wh

ere

po

ssib

le.

En

ter

into

b

ou

nd

ary

fe

ncin

g

agre

em

en

ts

in

acco

rda

nce

w

ith

N

PW

S

bo

un

da

ry

fen

cin

g

po

licy

an

d im

ple

me

nt

str

ate

gie

s t

o e

xclu

de

sto

ck.

Imp

lem

en

t a

n

ative

re

sto

ratio

n

pro

gra

m

in

the

cle

are

d

are

as

of

the

n

atu

re

rese

rve

to

im

pro

ve

h

ab

ita

t fo

r n

ative

an

ima

ls a

nd

assis

t in

co

ntr

olli

ng

we

ed

sp

ecie

s.

Hig

h

Me

diu

m

Me

diu

m

Hig

h

Me

diu

m

Page 23: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Elle

rslie

Natu

re R

eserv

e: P

lan o

f M

anagem

ent

16

Cu

rre

nt

Sit

ua

tio

n

De

sir

ed

Ou

tco

me

s

Ma

na

ge

me

nt

Str

ate

gie

s /

Ac

tio

ns

P

rio

rity

Fir

e M

an

ag

em

en

t

Re

se

arc

h s

ugge

sts

fre

qu

en

t o

r re

gu

lar

fire

ca

n le

ad

to

th

e lo

ss o

f a

pa

rtic

ula

r p

lan

t a

nd

a

nim

al sp

ecie

s a

nd

co

mm

un

itie

s.

Re

co

rde

d w

ildfire

d

ata

is

lim

ite

d,

ho

we

ve

r fire

sca

rs in

dic

ate

fe

w f

ire

s h

ave

occu

rre

d

with

in t

he

re

se

rve

in

th

e la

st

20

-30

ye

ars

.

Th

e

rese

rve

is

clo

se

to

a

p

riva

te

pin

e

pla

nta

tio

n

an

d

oth

er

asse

ts.

A

fire

m

an

age

me

nt

str

ate

gy

ha

s

be

en

p

rep

are

d

for

the

re

se

rve

.

Th

ere

are

a n

um

be

r o

f d

am

s in

th

e r

ese

rve

.

Life

, p

rop

ert

y

an

d

na

tura

l a

nd

cu

ltu

ral

va

lue

s a

re p

rote

cte

d

fro

m f

ire

.

Na

tura

l a

nd

cu

ltu

ral

va

lue

s

with

in

the

re

se

rve

a

re

pro

tecte

d f

rom

fire

.

Fire

re

gim

es

are

a

pp

rop

ria

te

for

co

nse

rva

tio

n

of

na

tive

p

lan

t a

nd

a

nim

al co

mm

un

itie

s.

Imp

lem

en

t th

e

fire

m

an

age

me

nt

str

ate

gy

for

the

re

se

rve

. �

C

on

tin

ue

to

p

art

icip

ate

in

th

e R

ive

rin

a H

igh

lan

ds

Bu

sh

F

ire

M

an

age

me

nt

Co

mm

itte

e.

Ma

inta

in

co

ord

ina

tio

n

an

d

co

op

era

tio

n w

ith

th

e R

ura

l F

ire

S

erv

ice

b

riga

de

s,

fire

co

ntr

ol

off

ice

rs

an

d

ne

igh

bo

urs

with

re

ga

rds t

o f

ire

ma

na

ge

me

nt.

En

co

ura

ge

fu

rth

er

rese

arc

h

into

th

e

eco

logic

al

eff

ects

of

fire

in

th

e r

ese

rve

.

� M

ain

tain

th

e m

an

age

me

nt

tra

ils s

ho

wn

on

th

e m

ap

(r

efe

r p

age

3).

Ma

na

ge

th

e n

atu

re r

ese

rve

to

pro

tect

bio

div

ers

ity i

n

acco

rda

nce

with

th

e id

en

tifie

d f

ire

in

terv

al gu

ide

line

s

stip

ula

ted

in

th

e f

ire

ma

na

ge

me

nt

str

ate

gy.

Re

tain

th

e d

am

s f

or

fire

fig

htin

g p

urp

ose

s.

Hig

h

Hig

h

Lo

w

Hig

h

Hig

h

Hig

h

Cli

ma

te C

ha

ng

e

Clim

ate

ch

an

ge

h

as b

ee

n lis

ted

a

s a

ke

y

thre

ate

nin

g p

roce

ss u

nd

er

the

TS

C.

� T

he

im

plic

atio

ns

of

clim

ate

ch

an

ge

o

n

na

tura

l syste

ms

are

re

du

ce

d.

� T

he

eff

ects

of

clim

ate

ch

an

ge

a

re

be

tte

r u

nd

ers

too

d.

� C

on

tin

ue

to

im

ple

me

nt

fire

, p

est

an

d

we

ed

m

an

age

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nt

pro

gra

ms

to

incre

ase

th

e

rese

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ab

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w

ith

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ture

d

istu

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.

Me

diu

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diu

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Page 24: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Elle

rslie

Natu

re R

eserv

e: P

lan o

f M

anagem

ent

17

Cu

rre

nt

Sit

ua

tio

n

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me

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na

ge

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nt

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en

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re

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atin

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ctivitie

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itte

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n t

he

re

se

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re a

re n

o v

isito

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cili

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with

in

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re

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se

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ite

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. �

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ity

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are

o

f th

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nific

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inta

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id

en

tifica

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at

the

re

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ou

nd

arie

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vid

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n

on

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org

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Page 25: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Elle

rslie

Natu

re R

eserv

e: P

lan o

f M

anagem

ent

18

Cu

rre

nt

Sit

ua

tio

n

De

sir

ed

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tco

me

s

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na

ge

me

nt

Str

ate

gie

s /

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tio

ns

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rity

Ma

na

ge

me

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era

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r U

se

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Th

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om

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ey m

ust

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le.

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Ellerslie Nature Reserve: Plan of Management

19

6.0 REFERENCES Bradstock, R., Kenny, B. & Tasker, E. (2003) Guidelines for Ecological Sustainable Management. Final Report for NSW Biodiversity Strategy. Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville. Briggs, J.D. & Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised edition. CSIRO, Melbourne. Department of Environment and Conservation NSW (2007) Adaptation Strategy for Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity in NSW (February 2007 draft). Dearling, C. (2003) Preliminary European Cultural Heritage (Desktop) study of selected reserves, unpublished report to NSW NPWS. EcoGIS (2004) Mapping of Vegetation Ecosystems in New and Existing Conservation Reserves, NPWS, SWS Region. Unpublished Report to NPWS. NPWS (2005) Fire Management Manual. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville. NPWS (2006) Ellerslie Nature Reserve Fire Management Strategy, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, South West Slopes Region, Tumut. NPWS (2003) South West Slopes Region Pest Management Strategy, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service , South West Slopes Region, Tumut. NPWS (2007) South West Slopes Draft Pest Management Strategy 2008-2011, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, South West Slopes Region, Tumut., Unpublished draft report for SWS Region. Smith, L.M. (2003) Preliminary (Desktop) European Cultural Heritage Study of Identified NPWS Parks and Reserves, NSW South West Slopes Region, Unpublished report. For SWS Region. Stelling, F. (1998) South West Slopes Revegetation Guide, Murray Catchments Committee & Department of Lands & Water Conservation, Albury.

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Ellerslie Nature Reserve: Plan of Management

20

Appendix 1 – Fauna Species Lists

Amphibian species recorded in the reserve include:

Scientific Name Common Name Litoria peronii Peron's Tree Frog Crinia parinsignifera Eastern Sign-bearing Froglet

Crinia signifera Common Eastern Froglet

Limnodynastes dumerilii Bullfrog

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Spotted Marsh Frog

Reptile Species recorded in the reserve include:

Scientific Name Common Name Chelodina longicollis Eastern Snake-necked Turtle Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake

Christinus marmoratus Marbled Southern Gecko

Carlia tetradactyla Southern Rainbow-skink

Ctenotus robustus Robust Ctenotus

Egernia striolata Tree-crevice Skink

Hemiergis decresiensis Three-toed Earless Skink

Lampropholis guichenoti Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink

Morethia boulengeri South-eastern Morethia Skink

Varanus varius Lace Monitor

Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake

Demansia psammophis Yellow-Faced Whipsnake

Native mammals recorded in the reserve include:

Scientific Name Common Name Acrobates pygmaeus Feathertail Glider Antechinus flavipes Yellow-footed Antechinus

Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Wallabia bicolour Swamp Wallaby

Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat

Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider

Trichosurus vulpecular Common Brushtail Possum

Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum

Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna

Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat

Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat

Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat

Nyctophilus gouldi Gould's Long-eared Bat

Vespadelus vulturnus Little Forest Bat

Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat

Page 28: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Ellerslie Nature Reserve: Plan of Management

21

Birds recorded in the reserve include:

Scientific Name Common Name Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill

Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill

Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped Thornbill

Gerygone fusca Western Gerygone

Gerygone olivacea White-throated Gerygone

Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren

Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill

Accipiter cirrocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk

Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle

Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail

Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron

Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow

Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie

Strepera graculina Pied Currawong

Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo

Eolophus roseicapillus Galah

Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike

Lalage tricolor White-winged Triller

Eurostopodus mystacalis White-throated Nightjar

Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper

Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Treecreeper

Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing Corcorax melanorhamphos White-winged Chough

Corvus coronoides Australian Raven

Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo

Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo

Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark

Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher

Myiagra rubecula Leaden Flycatcher

Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail

Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail

Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch

Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail

Falco berigora Brown Falcon

Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel

Page 29: Ellerslie Nature Reserve · Region Reservations) Act 2000 (NPE Act) to ensure that essential access arrangements which existed immediately before the reserve was gazetted could continue

Ellerslie Nature Reserve: Plan of Management

22

Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra

Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill

Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird

Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Lichenostomus fuscus Fuscous Honeyeater

Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater

Lichenostomus melanops Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

Lichenostomus penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater

Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater

Melithreptus gularis gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies)

Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater

Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater

Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella

Oriolus sagittatus Olive-backed Oriole

Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush

Falcunculus frontatus Eastern Shrike-tit

Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote

Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin

Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter

Petroica boodang Scarlet Robin

Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin

Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe

Alisterus scapularis Australian King-Parrot

Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet

Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot

Platycercus adscitus eximius Eastern Rosella

Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella

Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot

Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen

Ninox boobook Southern Boobook

Cincloramphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark

Zosterops lateralis Silvereye