Site 42 Durham Ox South Depression

Description
Durham Ox South Depression is freehold agricultural land.

Vegetation Description and Composition
The timbered areas are described as Open Woodland dominated by Eucalyptus largiflorens (Black Box) which are surrounded by cropping land. The understorey consists predominantly of introduced grass, Lolium spp. (Rye-grass - currently no longer recorded) and Critesion marinum (Sea Barley Grass). Members of the Chenopodiaceae Family present include Sclerolaena muricata (Five-spined Bassia) and Maireana enchylaenoides (Wingless Bluebush). Weed species from the Asteraceae Family were abundant in past surveys, but continue to be limited by the continued dry seasonal conditions. The "Victorian Rare or Threatened Species" Ranunculus undosus (Swamp Buttercup) is considered vulnerable in Victoria, and was found in the one quadrat in 1997 and 1998, but not during subsequent surveys. Greater than 40% of species in previous surveys were introduced species, but this has reduced to 20% and their abundance has also reduced, due to continued dry seasonal conditions. There are two salt indicator species present. Tree health is in slight decline and the general appearance of the trees is one of being under continued stress. Tree regeneration is low due to loss of seedlings through grazing by cattle, rabbits and hares. There is considerable change in vegetation survey results when compared with previous vegetation data; total number of species present has also halved due to the continued dry seasonal conditions. The adjacent land uses include cropping and cattle grazing.

Durham Ox South Depression

Threats to the site continue to be:

rising groundwater and salinity levels.
weed invasion, particularly introduced pasture species
grazing of regeneration by cattle, rabbits and hares.

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

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