Site 24 Doherty Pines Flora Reserve

Description
Doherty Pines Flora Reserve is an Open Woodland dominated by Grey Box and White Cypress-pine.

Vegetation Description and Composition
Doherty Pines Flora Reserve is an Open Woodland dominated by Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey Box) and Callitris glaucophylla (White Cypress-pine). The understorey consists predominantly of introduced grasses, Avena spp. (Oats), Bromus diandrus (Great Brome) and Lolium spp. (Rye-grass) and members of the Chenopodiaceae Family Atriplex semibaccata (Berry Saltbush) and Maireana enchylaenoides (Wingless Bluebush). The "Victorian Rare or Threatened Species" Callitris glaucophylla (White Cypress-pine) is considered depleted in Victoria. The level of abundance of the introduced grasses, Avena spp, and Bromus diandrus has greatly reduced, whereas members of the Chenopodiaceae Family, such as Atriplex semibaccata (Berry Saltbush), have increased. This is likely due to the continued dry seasonal conditions favouring the more drought tolerant natives. Now only 50% of species present are introduced species and their abundance has decreased over the past two years. There are still three salt indicator species present, whereas none were recorded in 1998. Tree health has declined slightly and the general appearance of the trees is one of being under stress. Tree regeneration is minimal due to loss of seedlings through continued grazing by rabbits and hares. There has been minimal change in vegetation survey results other than abundance, when compared with previous vegetation data.

The adjacent land use is irrigated dairy farming.

Doherty Pines Flora Reserve

Threats to the site continue to be

rising groundwater and salinity levels.
weed invasion, particularly introduced pasture species such as Schinus molle (Pepper-tree).
grazing of regeneration by rabbits and hares.

Monitoring Survey Dates
October 1997, October 1998, December 1999, February 2001, January 2002, January 2003.

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