Reproduction of any part of this article
must include an acknowledgement of the original publication as
follows:
'The Organ Pipes National Park - a guide for teachers and
visitors' The Department of Conservation & Environment (1992) ISBN 0
7306 2635 0
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
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2 |
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THE VALUE OF VISITING THE ORGAN PIPES |
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3 |
Arranging
an excursion
Facilities for
visitors
What to wear and
take
Important information
about public land in Victoria
AN INTRODUCTION TO ORGAN PIPES national
park 5
Original
plants and animals
Human
impact on the
environment
Social
history
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Revegetation |
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7 |
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Geology |
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8 |
Geological
history
Geological features
of Organ Pipes National
Park
Soils
Erosion
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Ecology |
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14 |
Grassland
habitats
Riparian
habitat
Valley walls
habitat
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Plants |
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17 |
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Animals |
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18 |
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
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Park Management Issues |
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20 |
Weed
control
Vermin
control
Rehabilitation of
degraded land
Maintenance and
improvement of visitor
facilities
The work of park
staff
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Some suggested Activities FOR SCHOOLS |
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25 |
Earth
Science
Ecology
Other
activities
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Further Reading |
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28 |
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Appendices |
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31 |
Bird
list
Mammal
list
Reptile and Amphibian
list
Plant
list
Climate
data
Visitor
data
IUCN definition of
National Park
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A Teachers' Guide to Organ
Pipes National Park was first produced in 1973.
It was revised in 1980 by
Michael Howes, Grant Watson and Manny Cassiotis, and reprinted several
times.
This completely revised and expanded edition was compiled by
Geraldine Richards, who worked at the park in 1990 and 1991.
The
assistance of the following is gratefully acknowledged.
THE
VALUE OF VISITING THE ORGAN PIPES
Organ Pipes National Park, covering
85 hectares, is close to the Calder Highway about 20 km north-west of Melbourne
(Melway map 3 D4). It is the closest national park to Melbourne.
The park
takes in part of the Keilor Plains, the third largest lava plain in the world,
and is an example of a rehabilitated basalt plains grassland
ecosystem.
School groups visiting the park
can:
* study the
spectacular basalt formations
*
study a variety of ecosystems
You can see seven types of wattle in bloom at
one time, other easy-to-identify indigenous plants, and an interesting variety
of bird life including water birds, birds of prey and brave bush birds in the
picnic ground.
School groups can observe and discuss the evidence of
human impact on the environment, and the effect of the revegetation project
which has been in progress for 20 years. To increase the value of excursions,
visit the park in different seasons and over a number of years to observe
changes.
Arranging an excursion to Organ Pipes National
Park
A pre-excursion visit is highly recommended to ensure that you
and your students make the most of the excursion.
The park uses a booking
system to avoid the congestion of several classes arriving at the same time.
Booking also helps the ranger know who is in the park, which is important for
monitoring public safety.
Your excursion must be booked through the Park
Office at least three weeks before the planned date if the group is larger than
six people.
The booking form in this guide (page 6 and 7) may be
photocopied . Booking forms may also be obtained by telephoning the park on (03)
390 1082, by writing to Organ Pipes National Park,
c/o Post Office, Diggers Rest, Victoria 3427, or
from the box outside the Information Centre
Large groups of students (90
-100) should be divided into smaller groups of 45 - 50, visiting at different
times.
Facilities for visitors
The park is open every
day from 8.00 am until 4.30 pm. The entrance gate is locked at other times to
prevent unsupervised access.
A permanent display in the Information
Centre is accessible to visitors at all times when the park is open. The display
explains the volcanic features of the park, Aboriginal life in the area, early
European settlement, the revegetation project and the role of national
parks.
The Information Centre also contains a theatrette and reference
material including books, specimens and models. Rangers may be available to
present slide talks covering a range of curriculum areas, including management
of the park, volcanic activity and flora and fauna of the area. They can also
suggest activities appropriate to the season, such as an insect census,
dip-netting or tree planting.
Toilets and picnic tables are provided but
there are no barbecue facilities. Gas barbecues are permitted. Rubbish bins are
provided but visitors are encouraged to take their rubbish home to reduce the
environmental cost of rubbish disposal.
What to wear and take
This is only a list of suggestions. What you need depends on the
activities you are planning. The following items are required by most
groups.
* Sturdy shoes. Some of the tracks are steep and rough
* Wet
weather clothing. It can be quite windy even if not raining
* First aid
kit
* Binoculars and camera
* Field guides (birds , plants, freshwater
invertebrates, butterflies, fungi)
* Rubbish bags
* Drinks and food. There
are no shops or kiosks in or near the park.
* U.V. cream
*
Hats
Important information about public land in
Victoria
In Victoria public land is divided into several
categories which are looked after differently. These include National Parks,
State Parks, Flora or Fauna Reserves and State forests.
National Parks
are usually extensive areas of public land of nation-wide significance because
of their outstanding natural features and diverse land types. They are generally
set aside primarily to provide public enjoyment, education and inspiration in
natural environments.
A State Park is an area of public land, generally
smaller than a national park, which has a similar level of protection to that of
a national park.
Flora and Fauna Reserves are significant both for the
value of their plant life and their wildlife populations and habitats. They are
set aside primarily to conserve species that may be rare or endangered, or plant
and animal communities of particular conservation significance.
State
forests are areas of forested public land used by the community for a variety of
purposes including timber harvesting and other resource uses.
The public
land system aims to protect representative examples. National parks in Victoria
are managed under the National Parks Act 1975. This Act is `restrictive' and
sets out clearly the permitted activities in a national park. Organ Pipes
National Park is listed under Schedule 2 of the Act. Copies of the National
Parks Act 1975 are available from the Victorian Government Printing Office
Bookshop, Information Victoria Centre, 318 Lt. Bourke Street, Melbourne, (PO Box
203 North Melbourne 3051), telephone (03) 651 4100.
Experience has shown
that giving students pre-visit information about the role of national parks and
the responsibilities of visitors helps them understand the importance of
national parks and encourages them to behave appropriately. A system of legally
enforceable penalties operates for serious breaches of the
regulations.
Parks are gazetted by the Victorian Government and are
funded and administered by the Department of Conservation and
Environment.
If you or your students are considering a research project
within the park you should first consult park staff, who can advise you where to
seek the appropriate permission. All animals, plants and rocks are protected in
national parks. For educational purposes on-site observation or photography is
preferable to the collection of specimens, which in any case may only legally be
done with written permission from the Director of National Parks.
In
general when visiting national parks no material may be removed, even if it is
only bark or rocks; these may provide habitat for invertebrates such as spiders,
crickets or slaters, and reptiles like small lizards. This is particularly
important at the Organ Pipes because of its small size.
Groups and
individuals must keep to tracks and paths, except with permission from the
senior ranger. This minimises the damage caused by erosion and trampling of
vegetation.
AN INTRODUCTION TO ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL
PARK
The plants and animals of the Keilor Plains today have been
largely determined by the impact of European settlement.
Unlike most
other national parks in Victoria, Organ Pipes National Park is not a "natural"
area with original native plants and animals. The land was farmed and grazed for
nearly 140 years before Organ Pipes National Park was established in 1972, and
only remnants of its indigenous flora and fauna survived. Since 1972, thousands
of indigenous trees and shrubs have been planted, native grasses have been
re-established, and some indigenous animals such as sugar gliders have been
re-introduced. Others are returning of their own accord: the number of different
bird species seen in the park has increased dramatically since
1972.
Records of rainfall have been kept at Organ Pipes since 1972. The
area is in a rainshadow receiving an average of 580mm of rain per year. Most
rain falls during winter and spring. Rainfall and temperature data from the
nearest meterological station (Melbourne Airport) are included in the
appendices.
Original plants and animals
The clay soils
and low rainfall (about 580mm per year) of the Keilor Plains favour grassland
vegetation rather than forest. Until the 1840s the area was a vast rolling plain
blanketed with native grasses, notably Kangaroo Grass (Themeda species)
and Spear Grass (Stipa spp) and with an extensive range of wildflowers
such as daisies, lilies and orchids. Eucalypts and wattles grew along water
courses, with she-oaks on the valley sides and scattered across the
plains.
Kangaroos roamed the plains, grazing on the grasses. Koalas,
gliders and possums frequented the eucalypts; smaller marsupials lived in hollow
branches or burrows and fed on insects or seeds. Platypuses thrived in the
creeks. Native cats (quolls) and dingoes were the main predators. Birds of the
plains included cockatoos, kookaburras, quails, finches and
hawks.
Human impact on the environment
Aboriginal people
lived on and hunted over the plains. They probably set fire to the grass from
time to time to encourage new growth and attract grazing animals to the area for
hunting, but otherwise had little impact on the landscape.
European
settlers arrived in the Keilor Plains in the 1830s. One of the first was George
Evans, who built Emu Bottom homestead (still standing near Sunbury) in 1836. The
open, rolling nature of the country made it ideal pasture land for sheep, and
squatters took up large tracts of land where the grass was good.
The
settlers hunted kangaroos because they were thought to be competing with the
sheep for grass. Other furred animals were killed for their valuable pelts, or
simply disappeared as their habitat was altered.
To the early settlers,
the Australian landscape was drab and monotonous and the animals bizarre. Oaks,
willows and pine trees were planted to "beautify" the landscape and make the
settlers feel more at home. Boxthorn hedges were established in place of fences;
rabbits and foxes were introduced for food and sport. Introduced animals
modified the environment by changing the distribution of plant species and
preying upon native animals, causing the decline or extinction of many native
plants and animals. Rabbits reached plague numbers resulting in severe
erosion.
During the 1850s and 1860s the large pastoral holdings were
subdivided and the soil broken to grow wheat, oats and barley. Fruit and
vegetables were grown in the valleys. The Keilor Plains remained an important
source of oats and hay for Melbourne until the 1940s.
The use of
superphosphate as a fertilizer adversely affected native plants. Australian
species are adapted to soils poor in phosphorus and do not tolerate high levels
of this element. This led to further decreases in the number and variety of
native plants surviving European settlement.
Various families farmed the
Organ Pipes area until it became a national park in 1972. Farming practices have
altered substantially in the time the area has been settled but neighbouring
landholders still face problems with noxious weeds and other 'modern' impacts
such as Melbourne Airport, the 'Thunderdome', suburban sprawl and roaming
domestic animals.
Social history
Upstream from the
Organ Pipes was the hamlet of Holden. There was a school in Holden; children
from surrounding farms used a suspension bridge across Jacksons Creek to reach
it.
Mr Jim Lyon came to the Holden area in 1896, when he was five years
old. In 1973 he wrote:
"We had a few cows, fowls and pigs to look
after but we always found time to explore the valley of the Jacksons Creek.
There are very many interesting spots along that area where my brothers and I
enjoyed many hours fossicking along the cliffs and gullies, not forgetting the
famous Organ Pipes and the swing bridge which crossed the creek just downstream
from the Organ Pipes to reach Hall's house and orchard. Those were the days of
our early life in the locality of Holden."
Records show that the Hall
family lived on a property called 'Millbrook' from the 1870s until 1920. The
plum trees they planted as part of their orchard are still standing downstream
from the Organ Pipes, but no longer produce fruit.
Between 1920 and 1922
the Hayes family lived in a bluestone house built by the Hall family near the
Organ Pipes. They kept dairy cows and horses and maintained the orchard of
almond, walnut, apricot and cherry plum trees. The ruins of the house and
stables, and also a Jackson Bay fig planted in front of the homestead, can be
seen from the Information Centre .
Other residents were the Bartlett
family, who lived there from 1934 to 1948.
"The land was never heavily
pastured in our time as the rabbits were always bad owing to the shelter they
had with boxthorn bushes and rocks," recalled Mr Arthur Bartlett. "There
was never a good rainfall in the area either. We also had noxious weeds such as
artichoke thistles, horehound and boxthorns. On the river flat opposite the
Organ Pipes we grew tomatoes for the Victorian market. We also milked about 80
cows.
"When we first bought the farm, trainloads of children used to go
to Sydenham Railway Station and walk the three miles to the Organ
Pipes".
The last owner of the land surrounding the Organ Pipes was Mr
E. A. Green. After his death the land was donated to the Crown by the trustees
of the E. A. Green Charitable Foundation, and it became the Organ Pipes National
Park in 1972.
Mr Jack Lyale was appointed the first Ranger in Charge in
1972, remaining in the position until 1989.
Since the park was opened to
the public in 1972 an average of ????? visitors use the park each year. Further
visitor numbers information is included in te
appendices.
REVEGETATION
When Organ Pipes National Park
was declared in 1972, it was a depressing sight. Head-high artichoke thistles
blanketed the creek flats and slopes, horehound had spread everywhere, boxthorn
bushes crowded the slopes and plains, and other weed species filled the gaps.
Erosion gullies scarred the steep slopes. Rubbish was piled here and
there.
The National Parks Service decided to aim at restoring the area's
vegetation as far as possible to its original condition. Considerable progress
has been made towards this goal, and many valuable lessons learnt which have
helped revegetation schemes elsewhere in Victoria.
Revegetation in the
sense used here is the process of changing a disturbed ecosystem to an
indigenous one. (Indigenous species are those native to a particular area). The
strategies used can be both direct and indirect. Direct strategies include
direct seeding and planting of indigenous species as seedlings; indirect
strategies may involve weed and vermin control, or the use of fire to stimulate
germination of preferred indigenous species and to suppress exotic
plants.
A successful revegetation plan relies on indigenous plant seed
being available. In 1972 there were few undisturbed remnant sites of indigenous
vegetation in the park. A group of interested people, the Friends of Organ Pipes
National Park, started a series of working days to clear rubbish and help
eradicate weeds. They also surveyed the remaining native vegetation, both in the
park and in similar areas nearby, collecting seed and striking cuttings to raise
young plants. The Friends group worked with the National Parks Service to
develop a revegetation plan, shown in figure 2, and continues to work
with the Department of Conservation and Environment.
Progress was slow but
continuous, and was recognised in 1978 with the presentation of the Bronze Medal
of the Robin Boyd Environmental Award, and in 1982 with the Premier's Award for
landscape restoration. There is Australia-wide and even world-wide interest in
the Organ Pipes project, and the work of volunteers has been vital to its
success.
The change from a degraded landscape to a more natural one has
been recorded on slides and photographs. The slides may be viewed during your
visit after consultation with park staff. The slide series develops the theme
that the story of Organ Pipes is essentially one of change.
Records have
also been kept of all planting and direct seeding trials. It is important to
monitor the progress of the revegetation program, as the rate of ecological
change is very slow.
The major task of re-establishing overstorey plants
has been highly successful. The second stage of the revegetation program
involves re-establishing the indigenous understorey species.
In 1990 a
seed bank and seed safe were established in the park to provide a seed source
for revegetation. The seed bank is a nursery operation where indigenous plants
cultivated under irrigation produce large amounts of seed. This helps reduce the
costs of seed collection. A seed safe is a catalogued storage area of viable,
cleaned seed, ready to plant out.
After planting out seedlings are
protected from rabbits by small-mesh wire netting.
Young plants also need
assistance to compete with other plants for resources such as light and water.
Some herbicides are used to suppress introduced plants. They do not affect
indigenous species as these metabolize sugars in a way that is not stopped by
the action of the herbicide.
GEOLOGY
Geological
History
see figure 3
1. Sedimentary Rocks
The
light coloured sedimentary rock downstream of the Organ Pipes was formed by the
accumulation of rock fragments, sand, clay and mud under the sea into successive
layers or sediments. These layers were eventually compressed into
rock.
Fossils of sea snails, sea worms and extinct floating animals
called graptolites found in the rock show that it was laid down some 400 million
years ago.
Tremendous subterranean forces over millions of years caused
gradual upheaval and sinking of the land. A fall in sea level then left the rock
almost 80 metres above present sea level.
2. Volcanic rocks
Most
rocks in the park are dark grey or brown. The Organ Pipes themselves are formed
of the hard, dark rock called basalt, a volcanic rock derived from lava. Much of
the basalt is pocketed with small air bubbles. The air holes are a result of
steam trapped in the lava; as the steam escaped the air pockets remained.
Bluestone is a dense basaltic rock often used in building and paving.
Scoria is a relatively light basalt with many air holes.
For about 20
million years volcanic activity was widespread in south western Victoria. The
lava covering the Organ Pipes area is a recent flow, only about a million years
old. The source of this lava was probably the group of low volcanic hills which
may be seen about 6 km to the north of the park. These volcanoes are now
extinct, or at least dormant.
Although each individual lava flow was
quite thin, the plain was built up by successive flows from many volcanoes over
a wide area. The lava plain extends from the foot of Mount Macedon to
Williamstown and Laverton and is part of the third largest lava plain in the
world, that of the western district of Victoria.
The flat basaltic plain
is interrupted by occasional narrow and deep river valleys.
The quartz
and quartzite gravel found half way down from the car park to the Organ Pipes is
part of a deep lead - an ancient stream bed buried by a lava flow, and
later revealed by the downcutting of Jacksons Creek. Deep leads were mined for
gold in Ballarat during the Gold Rushes.
Geological features
of Organ Pipes National Park
The Organ Pipes
The Organ
Pipes are a spectacular example of basaltic columns. Rising to 20 metres in
height, the Pipes are up to one metre across and are hexagonal in cross section.
Very few of the columns are straight or vertical; a number of the smaller
columns around the Pipes are very much tilted, some almost horizontal.
The Organ Pipes were so named because of their resemblance to a pipe
organ. This photograph is of the pipe organ at the Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston
Street, Melbourne.
The Origin of the Organ Pipes
1. Valley cut
into older rock.
2. Lava flow
fills valley, cracking vertically as it cools and
shrinks.
3. Further lava flows spread
over the plain.
4. Stream erosion
forms a new valley and exposes cross sections of the lava flows.
The
formation of the basalt columns
1. An ancient creek bed was filled with
lava from a nearby volcano to a depth of 70 metres and probably
more.
2. The lava cooled slowly, probably over a
period of several years. A crust formed on the surface, insulating the interior
molten lava and protecting it from disturbance. Only with a combination of
uniform lava composition, stability and slow heat loss can columns of basalt
develop.
3. As the lava cooled and solidified into
basalt, it contracted. This shrinkage caused tension in the rock mass. Vertical
(upward and downward) tension could be accommodated by the elastic molten rock
beneath but horizontal tension could not be relieved and so the basalt cracked.
The rock usually cracks in a hexagonal pattern (six sides), but columns with up
to eight sides are found. (Drying mud cracks in much the same
way.)
4. As the basalt continued to cool, the
cracks lengthened until the rock mass was divided up into columns. Columns
formed downwards from near the surface, and also upwards from the old creek
bed.
5. The rock was still hot (about
400oC) when the columns were formed. Further contraction took place
as the rock lost its remaining heat; this was relieved by horizontal cracking,
causing some columns to look like stacks of Dutch
cheese.
6. `Organ Pipe' structures probably exist in many
places under the basalt flows west of Melbourne, but they are not visible. The
Jacksons Creek Organ Pipes are unusual not because columnar structure itself is
rare, but because they happened to be in the right place to be revealed by the
downcutting action of the stream as it formed a post-volcanic
valley.
Scoria Cone
The carpark at Organ Pipes
National Park is on the remains of a very weathered scoria cone. At about the
same time as the larger volcanoes to the north were producing lava (800,000 to a
million years ago) this cone ejected molten rock in a series of explosions,
producing scoria. Scoria is brownish in colour and is filled with
air-pockets.
Rosette Rock
Five hundred metres upstream of the
Organ Pipes, overhanging the northern bank of the stream, is a large outcrop of
basalt with a radial array of columns resembling the spokes of a giant wheel. It
was formed by the radial cooling of a pocket of lava, probably in a spherical
cave formed from an earlier lava flow.
Tessellated Pavement
On the valley floor about 250 metres upstream of Rosette Rock is a
basalt outcrop which has a tiled or mosaic-like appearance. It is another area
of columnar basalt, but instead of the vertical faces being visible as at the
Organ Pipes, the horizontal faces are visible - you can walk and climb over
them. The columns tend to be hexagonal, but many have sides of unequal length
and there may be from four to eight sides on each
column.
Soils
(see figure 5)
Organ Pipes
National Park has the reddish volcanic soils generally found on the Keilor
Plains, and also others derived from rock types which underlie the basalt and
which are exposed only in valleys.
Complete soil profiles are confined to
flat or gently-sloping areas. Elsewhere, soil horizons are either unable to
develop, because of steepness, heat or dryness, or have been degraded. Much of
the surface area of the park therefore consists of poor shallow rocky soils
(lithosols), or of bare rock.
Soil Types
1. Zonal soils
(soils with distinct horizons based on texture, colour or structure)
a)
Red brown earths
These are the dominant zonal soils in the Park. They
have low permeablility and high capacity to hold water and as they occur mostly
in flat areas, such as on the basalt plains, they become waterlogged. In summer
they set hard and crack.
b) Grey duplex soils
These soils only
occur over Palaeozoic rocks, and so are not common in the park. Although they do
not waterlog or set hard or crack, plant growth is generally sparse, probably
because the topsoil has been eroded.
c) Uniform medium
loams
Occurring on steep south facing slopes over basalt, these soils are
well drained but shallow and prone to slumping, especially where rabbits have
been active.
2. Azonal soils (soils in which horizons cannot be
distinguished)
a) Alluvial soils
These vary from clay loams to
gravels and include the most fertile soils in the park. With their significant
sand content, they are not subject to water logging, but because they are
occasionally flooded by Jacksons Creek natural vegetation on them is restricted
to tolerant species such as River Red Gum and River Bottle-brush.
b)
Colluvial soils
These consist of coarse angular particles at the base of
steep slopes, are dark grey to dark brown in colour, and where they are stable
and sheltered can support a fairly wide variety of vegetation.
c)
Lithosols
Shallow and stony, these reddish brown soils occur over basalt
on steep slopes and frequently supported infestations of boxthorn, although
indigenous Lightwoods (Acacia implexa) now thrive on
them.
Other lithosols are found on prebasaltic sands and gravels near the
foot of Grey Box Gully and also on the lower slopes of the Jacksons Creek
valley.
Soil problems
Most of the Park's soils have been
altered and degraded by human activity over the past 150 years. Erosion, rabbits
and weeds have all taken their toll. In addition, the soils have natural
disadvantages such as their water holding properties, and present problems for
plant
growth.
Erosion
a) Sheetwash
This
is the most common form of erosion, affecting nearly all the slopes in the park.
Removal of the original vegetation is the prime cause, but weed species have a
bad effect also. Boxthorn, for instance, draws out moisture from the soil and
makes it still more prone to erosion.
The lithosols on basalt in the
park were probably once soils a metre or more deep.
Sheetwash is being
controlled by eliminating rabbits and weeds and by the revegetation of
slopes.
b) Gullying
Gullying occurs along most drainage lines down the slopes. Its causes
and control are the same as for
sheetwash.
c) Slumping
Slumping
is a problem on steep south-facing slopes in soils on basalt or Palaeozoic
rocks, and is caused by rabbit
burrowing.
d) Cracking
The
problem here is that cracks expose the roots of young plants directly to air and
the summer sun, resulting in death.
Before European settlement, the
soils had a higher humus content which would have reduced the incidence and
effects of cracking. In the replanting program, mulching with scoria, wood
shavings and other material helps overcome the problem, and also conserves
moisture and suppresses
weeds.
e) Waterlogging
Although
annual rainfall over the basalt plains is low, soils there have always been
subject to waterlogging, the result both of their structure and the low relief.
This helps to explain why in a natural state the plains supported mainly grasses
and herbs, with most trees confined to valleys and
slopes.
f) Alkalinity
Calcium
and magnesium carbonate beneath the red brown earths of the plains make these
soils highly alkaline, which can inhibit or prevent the growth of some plant
species.
The future
The degradation of the soils
in the park cannot be completely reversed, but with the removal of rabbits and
weeds and the re-establishment of native vegetation it has been slowed. This
allows the soils to regenerate under a vegetation cover very similar to the
original one.
ECOLOGY
Organ Pipes National Park is
not just an 'island'. The Upper Maribyrnong Valley is a wildlife corridor with a
continuous system of habitats. It provided for the movement of flora and fauna
and is particularly important to connect isolated pockets (fauna refuges) of
native bushland and grassland.
Jacksons Creek at Organ Pipes National
Park, provides some of the best riparian and instream fauna habitat in the
Greater Melbourne area.
There are three distinct habitat types
represented at Organ Pipes National Park: grassland habitat, riparian habitat
and valley wall habitat.
Grassland
habitat
Plants in grasslands are adapted to living in shallow
soils with low rainfall, and have to tolerate great variations in temperature
throughout the year. The plant species provide shelter and food for various
animals, which also display specialised adaptations to their
environments.
The amount of grassland remaining in Victoria has been
significantly reduced by European settlement. Only 0.1% of the origianl natural
grassland remains in the Melbourne area, and less than 150 ha has been reserved
for protection. No more than 5% of the State's native grassland communities
remain unmodified.
Australian native grasslands, where Themeda
(Kangaroo Grass) and Danthonia (Wallaby Grasses) are the dominant
species, are fragile ecosystems when confronted by the cloven-hoofed grazing
animals, which significantly compact the soil, and mowing, which slows the rate
of natural regeneration. The reduced incidence of fire, a `natural' occurrence
from lightning strikes and Aboriginal land management, has also affected
grassland ecosystems. Fire promotes regeneration of native grasses, as they are
well adapted to fire cycles, and at the same time inhibits introduced grass
species.
Grasslands provide a niche (ecological role) for particular
mammals which exploit the seasonal abundances of food during winter and spring.
These mammals have adaptations to reduce water loss, such as modified excretory
systems, and use the ample amount of dew formed most mornings. They seek nesting
sites in fallen grasses and under rocks to avoid predation.
Mammals
formerly found in the Organ Pipes area included Short-tailed Dunnarts, Eastern
Barred Bandicoots, antechinus ("native mice") and quolls (native tiger
cats).
Riparian habitat
The habitat zone surrounding
the creek is an oasis in a dry landscape. Water is a limiting factor in the
Australian environment; the creek zone is an important wildlife corridor as well
as a habitat in its own right. Mammals like kangaroos and wallabies, as well as
waterbirds and other aquatic species such as fish and platypuses, use this
habitat.
There is a higher diversity of species in this riparian zone
than elsewhere, as it is the junction between two distinct habitats (i.e. an
ecotone). Species found in both adjoining zones can be found in an
ecotone.
Many species of freshwater invertebrates are found in the creek.
Water plants are abundant and there is a variety of waterbirds.
In the
riparian zone, temperature extremes during the day and throughout the year are
modified by the presence of water. These easier living conditions also
contribute to an increase in the diversity of species found in this zone.
However, the zone is subjected to violent disruption during flooding of Jacksons
Creek, which may occur up to six times each year. The destructive effects of
flooding, such as loss of immature plants and loss of soil, are in some ways
offset by the dumping of fresh topsoil and the immigration of aquatic species
and new seed material from further upstream.
The riparian zone is
sensitive to any changes in land use practices upstream. Water quality is
affected by fertilisers, agricultural run-off and seepage of effluent. These
factors can have dramatic and immediate effects on plants and animals.
This illustrates the importance of seeing the park in a broader context.
It cannot be studied or managed in isolation, but must be considered in relation
to what is happening in the surrounding land and the catchment of Jacksons
Creek.
Valley wall habitat
The steep-sided valley walls
with their basalt caps and comparatively soft sedimentary rock sides a habitat
for other specialised plants and animals. The valley walls provide conditions
not found on the plain, such as suitable sheltered places for trees to grow.
Trees for nest sites are a rare commodity in a grassland community and birds
compete for them. Some species, such as falcons, use cliff faces for nesting
sites instead.
The area is sensitive to erosion as the valley sides are
steep and dry. If vegetation is removed, rain leads to severe landslips and
erosion. The harsh environment supports a reduced diversity of plants and
animals.
Exposed rock surfaces weather quickly, providing a source of new
soil for the riparian habitat.
PLANTS
The Organ
Pipes National Park is an example of a recreated basalt plain grassland. Some of
the significant species include:
Chloris truncata-Windmill Grass.
Widespread summer growing native species.
Bothriochloa
macra-Redleg Grass. Plants turn red or purplish making them conspicuous in
late summer.
Danthonia species-Wallaby grasses. Most important
native pasture grasses. Can resist frost, are drought tolerant and persist
despite heavy grazing. Grow well after summer rain.
Dicanthium
sericeum-Silky or Queensland Bluegrass. Valuable component of native
pasture.
Themeda triandra-Kangaroo Grass. High protein
grass, good for drought fodder for domestic stock too, as it grows through the
summer.
Rutidosis leptorrhynchiodes-Button Wrinklewort.
An endangered species Australia wide.
Callitris
glaucophylla-Murray Pine. This species has been significantly affected by
European settlement. Some trees in the park are thought to be over a hundred
years old, probably the closest natural stand of Callitris to Melbourne
and in the southernmost part of its range.
Native grass species are
specially adapted to the dry, windy conditions of the plains. Water is
transpired - lost through pores in the leaves of all plants. Grasses have leaves
shaped to reduce the loss of water by reducing the amount of available surface
area. This enables grass species to succeed in dry windy places.
The
fascinating seeds of these grasses are also specially adapted. They drop from
the plant in the dry time of the year. The awn or spindle-like tail attached to
each seed curves when exposed to moisture in the air, so that the head faces
downwards, and the tail twists, drilling the head about two centimetres into the
soil. When the soil is moist and warm the seeds germinate. Native grasses are
adapted to fire but not to persistent slashing or mowing. This is because cut
grass does not expose bare earth for the ripe seed to fall on and drill
into.
The indigenous trees of the basalt plains also have interesting
adaptations to their environment. She-oaks (Allocasuarina verticillata),
for instance, have leaves reduced to tiny scales to decrease transpiration.
Their branchlets have a waxy coating to protect them against frost, wind and
salt.
ANIMALS
Mammals
The
mammals population at Organ Pipes National Park include Brush-tailed and
Ring-tailed Possums, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Swamp Wallabies, Echidnas, Sugar
Gliders, Platypus, seven species of bats and Water Rats. Introduced animals
include rodents, rabbits, foxes, dogs and cats.
Sugar Gliders
(Petaurus breviceps) are small possums which eat nectar, sap and insects.
They live in family groups of six to twelve individuals sharing a territory and
a nest. They are nocturnal and aggressively defend a territory from gliders
belonging to other family groups and from bigger possums. Each territory may
have several nests. Groups are found during the day curled up in a nest of
leaves in a hollow tree.
Sugar Gliders carry their young (usually two) in
a pouch. They leave the pouch at two months but stay in the nest until they are
about four months old.
The most striking thing about Sugar Gliders is
their method of travelling from one tree to another. The gliders launch
themselves from a tree, extending their limbs and the membrane between the front
and rear limbs. The membrane acts as a parachute, billowing to slow the gliders'
fall. Once the animal lands on the next tree it may bound up the trunk or feed
on the branch it has landed on.
Sugar Gliders were found in the Organ
Pipes area until 1916. In 1989 a re-introduction program was started. This was a
joint project between the Friends of Organ Pipes National Park and park staff.
As the young trees in the area do not provide suitable hollows for nesting, nest
boxes were fixed to trees. A pioneer population of 13 individuals trapped at
Toolern Vale was then introduced.
Each year the population is monitored
by trapping gliders, checking their health and releasing them. The population is
increasing and the original pioneers have lived past their expected two years
life. The increase in population numbers and continued good health of gliders
indicates that conditions for their survival such as food sources and available
shelter are adequate.
Swamp Wallabies and Eastern Grey Kangaroos are
making their own way back to the park as the quality of the habitat improves.
Koalas are found at Diggers' Rest about 7km away, and given time they too will
return to the park. There are many reported sightings of
platypuses.
Birds
Grasslands provide habitat for a
range of birds. Flocks of finches feed on ripe grass seed, birds of prey patrol
the plains for small mammals, and quail abound.
The Plains Wanderer, a
small quail-like plover that probably occurred in the area is now rare over most
of the south-east part of its range because of the reduction in available
natural grasslands.
Some of the easiest birds to see in the park are the
birds of prey. Little Eagles, recognisable by the light 'W' pattern under the
wings, are often seen soaring above the creek valley, and Black-shouldered Kites
nest in trees on the valley wall.
Bush birds can be readily seen in the
picnic grounds. Superb Blue Wrens feed on small insects and seeds, the males
striking in their blue breeding plumage. Males generally moult into `eclipse'
plumage that resembles female plumage after breeding, but older males may remain
blue all year. The birds live in small groups of up to eight birds, breeding
co-operatively: that is, the offspring from the previous year stay with their
family, helping to raise the new brood. Wrens are quite brave and will come
close to you if you stay still.
Reptiles
Native
grasslands are good places for reptiles, "solar powered" animals that are well
suited to the open exposed plains environment. Rocky basalt outcrops and grass
tussocks are a perfect habitat for reptiles, providing places to hide with good
heat retaining features. Native reptile species are fairly numerous at Organ
Pipes National Park. Blue-tongued Lizards and skinks are common, and
Stumpytailed Lizards are also present.
Brown and Tiger Snakes may be
seen in the Park. Both are venomous, but snakes are shy creatures and will not
attack people unless provoked. (Remember that snakes, like all native animals,
are protected in national parks).
The park has been earmarked as a
possible release site for a population of the Legless Lizard (Delma
impar), an endangered species which is being bred at Royal Melbourne Zoo.
The lizard is still found in a few native grasslands near
Melbourne.
PARK MANAGEMENT ISSUES
In Victoria the
National Parks Act 1975 established statutory requirements for the
preparation of Plans of Management. The Act requires the Director of National
Parks to prepare a Plan of Management for each park under his control. Parks are
divided into a number of management zones - for instance, the conservation zones
at Organ Pipes which are temporarily closed to the public.
The main
purpose of park management planning is to define objectives and establish ways
of achieving them. Although there is currently no approved Management Plan for
Organ Pipes, working objectives have been agreed on and much has been achieved
since the park was proclaimed in 1972. The main strategy has been to protect the
few natural resources and to minimise negative affects on them. Management of a
disturbed environment requires a high level of active management.
The
replanting of locally indigenous species continues and has expanded as areas
have been added to the original park. The riparian vegetation is now `self
reproducing' but many of the replanted species require monitoring to determine
whether they can maintain themselves without ongoing care and management.
Most of the invasive noxious weeds have been brought under control, but
now other weeds, notably introduced grasses, present major management problems.
Tall, dried-off grasses are a fire hazard, which leads to extensive slashing and
mowing. This continual interference prevents re-establishment of the native
field layer.
A works program is developed every year, taking account of
the gradual change from a degraded ecosystem to a near natural
ecosystem.
Work to be done each year in the park includes:
1.
Weed control.
A variety of weed control methods is used at Organ
Pipes National Park, following assessment of the types and characteristics of
particular weeds, the effects of weed control and the funds and staff available.
Weed control strategies aim at minimising disturbance and preventing the
establishment of "new weeds" which might need more toxic herbicides to control
them. Control methods used in the park are :
* Chemical
methods such as spot spraying with herbicides.
* Some
use of fire.
Noxious weeds
Noxious weeds are plants
that are seen as a threat to agriculture or primary industry. An Act of
Parliament is needed to declare a weed noxious. Land managers are then
responsible for the removal of these species from their land. When the park was
first declared most of the vegetation was weed species, including many noxious
weeds. Noxious weeds still grow in the park and one of the management aims for
the area is to eliminate these species. Of course the park cannot work at this
in isolation; the co-operation of neighbouring landholders is needed to control
noxious weeds both in the park and on their own properties.
The main
species of noxious weeds at Organ Pipes are:
Serrated Tussock
(Nassella trichotoma). This grass is a threat to grazing animals as the
tussock is indigestible and forms a ball in the animal's stomach, preventing it
from being able to absorb nutrients and leading to eventual starvation. Serrated
Tussock was introduced to Australia from Uruguay and Argentina.
In the
park this plant is a problem because each mature tussock can produce 100,000
seeds per plant per year. This rate of reproduction creates considerable
competition for native grasses and herbs.
Artichoke Thistle
(Cynara cardunculus). A problem in the park because of the amount of
space each plant whorl occupies. The thistle is an aggressive competitor with
native species for nutrients, light and water. It is also very invasive, many
thousands of seeds being released from each plant. Many visitors to the park
remember the former sea of thistles at the Organ Pipes and are impressed by the
degree of control that has been achieved.
African Boxthorn
(Lycium ferocissimum). Boxthorn was introduced to Australia from Southern
Africa for hedgerows and windbreaks. Boxthorn provides excellent habitat for
rabbits to burrow under and it draws most of the moisture from the soil.
Boxthorn is thought to prevent other species from regenerating by an alleopathic
mechanism, `poisoning' the soil so that other species cannot
grow.
Environmental weeds
Environmental weeds are
species that are not declared under the Noxious Weed Act but that cause problems
to desirable plants because of their size, invasive nature or low food value.
Environmental weeds can be garden escapees or can be native to
Australia.
Bridal Veil Creeper or Asparagus Weed (Myrsiphyllum
asparagoides) is a potential threat at Organ Pipes because of its invasive
nature.
Toowoomba Pasture Grass (Phalaris tuberosa) was originally
introduced into the park to help control erosion. It is now considered an
environmental weed as it prevents the re-establishment of native ground covers
by out-competing native species for light and water.
2. Vermin
control
Feral animals, or vermin, are unwelcome in a national park
because of the disturbance they create in the park's ecosystems. At Organ Pipes
the main feral animals are rabbits, foxes, cats and dogs. Roaming domestic dogs
can also be a menace to native wildlife and can disturb visitors.
Rabbits
cause massive erosion problems and prevent the natural regeneration of plants.
Their feeding habits make it hard for plants to grow past a very young age and
this in turn leads to sheetwash erosion as there is no plant matter holding the
soil together.
The main methods of rabbit control are fumigation of
burrows, harbour destruction, use of rabbit exclusion fencing and selective
poisoning.
Foxes, cats and dogs cause problems by preying on smaller
native species. They are mostly controlled by trapping.
3.
Rehabilitation of degraded land
This part of the park management is
the easiest for most visitors to identify. Since 1972 a major revegetation
program has been in operation. The results of this program are clear: erosion
has been halted in most of the park, local indigenous plant species have been
reintroduced, and native animals have returned or are returning to the park.
The park's seed bank and nursery provide tube stock for planting out
seedlings and for direct seeding. Direct seeding is scattering a mix of seed
over a suitable area and limiting negative growth factors such as rabbits and
weeds. Direct seeding is cheaper than growing tube stock and planting it out.
It is particularly important to have a seed bank because many of the
remaining indigenous sites near the park are under threat from development. This
may lead to a reduction in the genetic diversity of rare grassland
species.
4. Maintenance and improvement of visitor facilities
(toilets, picnic grounds, walking tracks)
Part of the park's
operating budget is spent each year on the provision of visitor facilities.
Rubbish is collected, toilets cleaned and picnic grounds and walking tracks
maintained. Many schools visit the park during the week and often request the
assistance of staff.
The work of park staff
The Park has
three rangers and three Construction and Maintenance workers (C & Ms). Their
task is to maintain and improve the quality of the land held in trust for the
people of Victoria.
The main responsibilities of the rangers are to
manage the park by deciding the works priorities and supervising the C&Ms.
They also advise and assist visitors, and ensure that park regulations are
obeyed. Rangers often have other Crown land to manage; in the Organ Pipes area
this includes remnant native grasslands on the Keilor Plains at St Albans,
Laverton and Derrimut. Rangers are classified as Technical Officers. They
receive formal training and are expected to be competent in land
management.
The duties of a C & M are extremely varied but include
all the labouring work done in the park. The day to day duties depend on the
season and particular priorities.
A successful work experience program at
Organ Pipes National Park which introduces students to all types of park
work.
This extract from a ranger's diary illustrates the type of work
done in the park.
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* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
There isn't a typical day because rangers
here have a great variety of jobs to do which differ according to the season and
even according to the day of the week. No two days are the same. There are three
rangers here and the Park is staffed 365 days a year so we take turns at weekend
duty. The working day begins at about 7.50 am and continues until 4.30 or
5.00pm.
8.00 - 8.30 am
|
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|
Discussed with the other ranger on duty, the three maintenance staff and the two year 10 work experience students the tasks we needed to tackle during the day: |
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- |
clearing rubbish from the bins |
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- |
weed control work, spraying artichoke thistle in the south end of the park |
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- |
revegetation work, planting tube stock along the creek |
·
8.30-10.50 am
|
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Worked on the revegetation program, planting tube stock. Also checked an area where seed had been planted the year before and recorded details of the plants growth |
|
11.00 am |
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Gave a talk to a school group |
11.30 am
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Discussed with the maintenance staff the problem they had just encountered. They had begun weed control work on the other side of the creek. On their return they found that the creek level had risen and the landcruiser only just made the crossing. The afternoon's work in the area beyond the creek was not going to be possible. Jobs on this side of the creek would be done instead. |
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Lunch and took two school bookings by phone. |
12.45 pm
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Left park and drove to the divisional office for a meeting. At the meeting we discussed plans for fighting bushfires in national parks. All rangers and C & Ms are on standby to fight fires in national parks throughout the State during the summer. |
3.45. pm
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Returned to the park for a meeting with the Friends group to work out plans for including smaller herbaceous plants in the revegetation program. |
4.45 pm
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Checked the pamphlet box to see if it needed filling. Locked park gate and went home. |
SOME SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR
SCHOOLS
Earth
Science
Activities at Organ Pipes
Rocks as well as
plants and animals are protected in national parks and cannot be collected
without a written permit.
Remember that rocks and minerals similar to
those present within the park can be found almost anywhere on the huge lava
plain north-west of Melbourne.
Activities at
school
These could be tried either before or after the excursion.
* Rate
of cooling
|
|
. |
insulate one (the slowest cooling), |
|
|
. |
leave one to cool at room temperature (middle rate of cooling), |
|
|
. |
sit one in ice or cold water bath (the fastest rate of cooling). |
* Making
valleys and simulating
erosion
Make a landscape
in a box
|
|
- |
include rocks and sand |
|
|
- |
pour water on the landscape simulating a stream causing erosion. |
|
|
- |
watch development of landscape |
Plaster
could be used to represent lava flow
Ecology
There
are many areas suitable for surveying by transects.
Transects can
provide a variety of information about the area, but please remember that you
need the permission of the senior ranger to walk off the made tracks.
A
line transect can show the change between two vegetation zones and provide
quantitative data about the vegetation in an area. Relative density of a species
can be calculated, and frequency and abundance estimates made, although the
latter two are not as reliable as when calculated using quadrat
sampling.
Pondlife
Jacksons Creek
contains a diverse invertebrate fauna which can be sampled using dipnets.
Magnifying glasses and field guides will help with identification. Small
vertebrates are also found.
|
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r = wdal |
|
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|
t |
where
|
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t = the time in seconds required for the float to travel a measured section of the stream. |
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|
l = the length in metres of the section of the stream. |
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w = the average width of the stream (metres) |
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d = the average depth of the stream (metres) |
|
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|
a is a constant a = 0.8 if the stream bed is rubble or gravel and a = 0.9 if the stream bed is quite smooth. |
Other activities
Communicating in
prose
Use the outdoors to stimulate free expression and imagination. Here
are a few suggested topics.
Often poetry can describe far more adequately than
prose. One of the most beautiful ways of expressing a thought or feeling, or
describing an image, is Haiku, a Japanese form of poetry. It does not take a
poetic genius to write Haiku, but it does take sincerity. Here are a few
examples:
|
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Bitter morning: |
Sparrows
sitting
|
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Without necks. |
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Sometimes the oddest thing, |
Like
this orange pip,
|
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Begs not to be thrown away. |
|
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If ever we should try, |
Neither
you nor I
|
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Could make a flower. |
|
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This garter snake |
Goes
in and out of the grass
|
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At the same time! |
|
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Simply alive, |
Both
of us, I
|
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and the poppy. | |||
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(Baishitsu 1767-1852) |
A Haiku poem has three lines and only one
thought is expressed. The classical Haiku poem is based on 17 syllables, in the
pattern 5-7-5. This need not be strictly followed; none of the examples given
fits the 5-7-5 pattern. A Haiku poem can be accompanied by an
illustration.
Here is a local example:
|
|
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Soaring upwards |
Eternally
silent!
|
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The Organ Pipes. |
Gould League
activities
Gould League of
Victoria Inc., 67 High Street, Prahran (P O Box 446, Prahran, Victoria ) Tel.
(03) 510 1493 Fax (03) 521 1217.
Further Reading
General
Basalt plains of Western
Victoria, Symposium. September 12th, 1963. Proc. of Royal Society of
Victoria. 77(2) .
Dennis, C.(1990) Landscapes Recycled.
Melbourne's Living Museum of the West, Melbourne.
Edwards, G.(1974) Organ
Pipes National Park - a study in applied conservation. Victoria's
Resources. Vol 16(1): 21-25.
Garnet, J. R.(1961) The Sydenham
Organ Pipes. Victorian Naturalist. 77: 333-334.
Hall, T.
S.(1900) Excursion to Sydenham. Victorian Naturalist.
17:120-122.
Marsh, Don (1978) Restoration project : submission to
Architects Award, The restoration of the Organ Pipes. Parkwatch.
115:28-30.
Reichl, P.(1967) Volcanic Plains of Western
Victoria. Thomas Nelson.
, 1988. National Parks and Wildlife policy
and procedure manual. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands,
Melbourne.
, 1990 (it) Park Management quality management proceedings
from the Second Parks Operatons Conference 20-22 June 1989 (it). DCE
Melbourne.
Australian Conservation foundaton, 1980, The Value of
National Parks to the Community. Proceedings of the Second National
Wilderness Conference, Melbourne.
Bennett, R (1991) The Need for Urban
Bushland: Conservation Planning.
Australian Parks and Recreation.
Winter, 1991 27(2): 35-38
Calder J, 1990 Parks+ Victoria's National
and State Parks. VNPA and Canterbury Press, Melbourne.
Davis, B.W.
and Drake, G.A. 1983 Australia's Biosphere Reserves+ Conserving Ecological
Diversity. Australian Government Publishing Service,
Canberra.
Fairly, A. A Field Guide to the National Parks of
Victoria, Rigby.
Fraser, L., 1986, Park access; a guide for park
managers and disabled people's organisations about facilities for disabled
people in national parks. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service,
Canberra.
I.U.C.N. 1982, 1982 United Nations List of National
Parks and Protected Areas. I.U.C.N. Suisse.
Land Conservation Council
Reports for Victoria.
Lunney, D. and Recher, H., 1981. National Parks: A
Museum, a Garden and an Asylum. In Recher, H.F.; Lunney, L. and Dunn, I. A
Natural Legacy: Ecology in Australia. Permagon Press.
Messer, J. and
Mosley, J.G., 1980. The Value of National Parks to the Community. Australian
Conservation Foundation. Melbourne.
Mercer, D. (ed.) 1981. Outdoor
Recreation: Australian Perspectives. Sorrett Publishing,
Melbourne.
McDonald, G., 1984. The Economic Impact of Tourism and
Recreation in National Parks. Habitat 12(4): 14-17
N.S.W. National
Parks and Wildlife Service 1979. Australia's 100 years of National Parks. N.S.W.
Government, Sydney.
Parr-Smith, G. 1989. Park Management planning manual.
Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne.
Pearce, P. and Moscardo, G.,
1985. Conservation and the Tourism Justification. Habitat 13 (3):
34-35.
Polley, V. & G. Parr-Smith, 1989. Organisation Management and
Parks: proceedings from the First Parks Operations Conference. 12-13 May 1988.
Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne.
Proceedings of
the Ecological Society of Australia, 1975. Managing Terrestrial Ecosystems, Vol.
9.
Saunders, D. 1989. Organ Pipes National Park Parkwatchit 156:
16-17.
Wescott, G., 1986. What's so Special About National Parks?
Parkwatch 140: 8-9.
Wescott, G., 1985. A new park and
reserve calssification system for Victoria? Parkwatch 140:
2-4.
Wescott, G., 1982. What is a National Park? Environment
Victoria 42: 6-7.
Other source material:
"Parkwatch": the
journal of thre Victorian National Park Association.
"Australian Parks
and Recreation": the journal of the Royal Australia Institute of Parks and
Recreation.
"Habitat": the journal of the Australia Conservation
Foundation.
Flora
Adams, R.(1985) Distribution of
Callitris in Victoria and some relic populations close to Melbourne.
Victorian Naturalist. 102:48.
Costermans, L.(1975) Trees of
Victoria. Collins, Melbourne.
Department of Conservation and
Environment, (1990) Remnant Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of the
Melbourne Area. Victorian Government, Melbourne.
Lamp, C. and Collet,
R.(1976) A Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. Inkata Press,
Melbourne.
Lunt, I. D.(1988) Native Grasslands Parkwatch
154:13-15.
Lunt, I. D.(1990) The soil seed bank of a long-grazed
Themeda triandra grassland in Victoria. Proc. Royal
Society. 102:53-57.
Lunt, I. D.(1990) Impact of an autumn fire
on a long-grazed Themeda triandra (Kangaroo grass) grassland :
implications for management of invaded, remnant vegetations. Victorian
Naturalist. 107:45-51.
McDougall, K.(1989) The re
establishment of Themeda triandra : Implications for the restoration of
grassland. Arthur Rylah Institute Technical Report Series No. 89, Dept.
Conserv., For. and Lands, Victoria.
Nichols, W. H.(1942) The lone pines
of Jacksons Creek. Victorian Naturalist. 58:139.
Parsons,
W. T.(1973) Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Inkata Press,
Melbourne.
Rogers, R. J. C.(1978) A Field Guide to Victorian
Wattles. Brown Prior Anderson.
Rayner, C., Marsh, D. W. and Kemp,
B.(1984) Keilor plains flora - a battle against extinction. Parkwatch.
Summer:12-14.
SGAP Maroondah (1991) Flora of Melbourne. Research
Publications, Melbourne.
Stuwe, J. and Parsons, R.(1977) Themeda
australis grasslands and the basalt plains : floristic and management
effects. Aust. Journal of Ecology. 2:467-476.
Sutton, C.
S.(1916) Sketch of the Keilor Plains flora. Victorian Naturalist.
33:112-113 and 128-143.
Willis, J. H., Fuhrer, B. A. and
Rotherman, E. R.(1975) Field Guide to Flowers and Plants of Victoria. AH
& AW Reed, Sydney.
Fauna
Atlas of Victorian
Wildlife, Wildlife Branch DCE (tel (03) 450 8600)
Batey, I.(1907) The
animal life of the Sunbury district sixty years ago. Victorian
Naturalist. 24(4):69-74.
Brereton, R., and Schulz, M.(1988)
Amphibians and reptiles of the Organ Pipes National Park, Report, Arthur
Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Dept. Conserv., For. and Lands,
Victoria.
Cogger, H.(1986) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia
4th Edition Reed Books, New South Wales.
Coventry, A. J. and Robertson,
P.(1991) The Snakes of Victoria. Department of Conservation and
Environment and Museum of Victoria, Melbourne.
Hero, J. M., Littlejohn,
M. and Marantelli, G.(1991) Frogwatch Field Guide to Victorian Frogs.
Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.
Pizzey, G.(1987)
A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Collins. Sydney.
Schulz,
M., Brereton, R.(1986) Bats of the Organ Pipes National Park, Report
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Dept. Conserv., For. and
Lands, Victoria.
Simpson, K., Day, N.(1989) Field Guide to the Birds
of Australia. Viking O'Niel, Melbourne.
Slater. P., R., and P.(1986)
A Field Guide to Australian Birds. Weldon, Sydney.
Strahan, R.
(1988). Complete Book of Australian Mammals. Angus and Robertson,
Sydney.
Wilson, J. (ed) (1991). Victorian Urban Wildlife, Angus
and Robertson, Sydney
Geology
Clarke, I., Cook, B.
(eds) (1989) Victorian Geology Excursion Guide. Australian Academy of
Science, Canberra.
Gregory, J. W.(1912) The Geography of Victoria.
Whitcombe and Tombs.
Cochrane, G. W., Quick and Spencer-Jones (1991)
Introducing Victorian Geology. Geological Society of Australia, Victorian
Division, Melbourne.[available from G.S.A. Vic. Div. ph. (03) 412
7081]
Hills, E. S.(1975) Physiography of Victoria : an Introduction to
Geomorphology. Whitcombe and Tombs.
James, A.V.G.(1920) The
physiography and geology of the Bulla Sydenham area. Proc. Royal Society.
32(22): 323-349.
James, A.V.G.(1970) Factors producing columnar
structure in lava and its occurrence near Melbourne, Australia. Journal of
Geology. 28:458-469.
Rosengren, N.J.(1986) Sites of
Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western region of
Melbourne. Report prepared for ARI Ecological Inventory and Evaluation
Section, Dept. Conserv., For. and Lands, Victoria.
Thomas, D.E. Keble R.
A.(1937) Ordovician and Silurian Rocks. Proc. Royal Society of Victoria. 45:
58-60.
Thomas, D.E.(1911) Excursion to Sydenham, Bulla and Diggers' Rest.
Victorian Naturalist.
28:51.
Appendices
Bird list.
Non
Passerines
|
Australasian Grebe |
|
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae |
|
Little Pied Cormorant |
|
Phalacrocorax melanoleucos |
|
Great Cormorant |
|
Phalacrocorax carbo |
|
Australian Pelican |
|
Pelecanus conspicillatus |
|
Great Egret |
|
Egretta alba |
|
White-faced Heron |
|
Ardea novaehollandiae |
|
Pacific Heron |
|
Ardea pacifica |
|
Nankeen Night Heron |
|
Nycticorax caledonicus |
|
Australasian Bittern |
|
Botaurus poiciloptilus |
|
Yellow-billed Spoonbill |
|
Platalea flavipes |
|
Straw-necked Ibis |
|
Threskiornis spinicollis |
|
Australian Shelduck |
|
Tadorna tadornoides |
|
Pacific Black Duck |
|
Anas superciliosa |
|
Australian Grey Teal |
|
Anas gracilis |
|
Brown Goshawk |
|
Accipiter fasciatus |
|
Whistling Kite |
|
Haliastur sphenurus |
|
Little Eagle |
|
Hieraaetus morphnoides |
|
Wedge-tailed Eagle |
|
Aquila audax |
|
Black-Shouldered Kite |
|
Elanus notatus |
|
Brown Falcon |
|
Falco berigora |
|
Australian Kestrel |
|
Falco cenchroides |
|
Peregrine Falcon |
|
Falco peregrinus |
|
Stubble Quail |
|
Coturnix pectoralis |
|
Dusky Moorhen |
|
Gallinula tenebrosa |
|
Masked Lapwing |
|
Vanellus miles |
|
Silver Gull |
|
Larus novaehollandiae |
|
Common Bronzewing |
|
Phaps chalcoptera |
|
Feral Pigeon |
|
Columba livia |
|
Spotted Turtle-Dove |
|
Streptopelia chinensis |
|
Galah |
|
Cacatua roseicapilla |
|
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo |
|
Cacatua galerita |
|
Eastern Rosella |
|
Platycercus eximius |
|
Crimson Rosella |
|
Platycercus elegans |
|
Red rumped Parrot |
|
Psephotus haemotonotus |
|
Horsefield's Bronze-Cuckoo |
|
Chrysococcyx basalis |
|
Laughing Kookaburra |
|
Dacelo novaeguineae |
|
Sacred Kingfisher |
|
Halcyon sancta |
|
Rainbow Bee-eater |
|
Merops ornatus |
|
Barn Owl |
|
Tyto alba |
|
Southern Boobook |
|
Ninox novaeseelandiae |
|
White-throated Needletail |
|
Hirundapus caudacutus |
Passerines
|
Welcome Swallow |
|
Hirundo neoxena |
|
Skylark |
|
Anthus arvensis |
|
Richard's Pipit |
|
Anthus novaeseelandiae |
|
Brown Songlark |
|
Cinclorhamphus cruralis |
|
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike |
|
Coracina novaehollandiae |
|
Blackbird |
|
Turdus merula |
|
Flame Robin |
|
Petroica phoenica |
|
Scarlet Robin |
|
Petroica multicolor |
|
Golden Whistler |
|
Pachycephala pectoralis |
|
Rufous Whistler |
|
Pachycephala rufiventris |
|
Grey Fantail |
|
Rhipidura fuliginosa |
|
Rufous Fantail |
|
Rhipidura rufifrons |
|
Willy Wagtail |
|
Rhipidura leucophyrs |
|
Australian Reed Warbler |
|
Acrocephalus australis |
|
Golden-headed Cisticola |
|
Cisticola exilis |
|
Superb Blue Wren |
|
Malurus cyaneus |
|
White-browed Scrubwren |
|
Sericornis frontalis |
|
Striated Thornbill |
|
Acanthiza lineata |
|
Yellow Thornbill |
|
Acanthiza nana |
|
Yellow-rumped Thornbill |
|
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa |
|
Brown Thornbill |
|
Acanthiza pusilla |
|
Red Wattlebird |
|
Anthochaera carunculata |
|
White-naped Honeyeater |
|
Melithreptus lunatus |
|
Brown-headed Honeyeater |
|
Melithreptus brevirostris |
|
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater |
|
Lichenostomus melanops |
|
Yellow-faced Honeyeater |
|
Lichenostomus chrysops |
|
White-plumed Honeyeater |
|
Lichenostomus penicillatus |
|
Fuscous Honeyeater |
|
Lichenostomus fuscus |
|
New Holland Honeyeater |
|
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae |
|
Eastern Spinebill |
|
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris |
|
Silvereye |
|
Zosterops lateralis |
|
Mistletoebird |
|
Dicaeum hirundinaceum |
|
White-fronted Chat |
|
Ephthianura albifrons |
|
Spotted Pardelote |
|
Pardalotus punctatus |
|
Striated Pardelote |
|
Pardalotus striatus |
|
Red-browed Firetail |
|
Emblema temporalis |
|
Euopean Goldfinch |
|
Carduelis caruelis |
|
House Sparrow |
|
Passer domesticus |
|
Common Starling |
|
Sturnus vulgaris |
|
Common Mynah |
|
Acridotheres tristis |
|
Magpie-lark |
|
Grallina cyanoleuca |
|
Australian Magpie |
|
Gymnorhina tibicen |
|
Little Raven |
|
Corvus mellori |
|
Australian Raven |
|
Corvus coronoides |
MAMMAL LIST
Monotremes
|
|
Platypus |
|
|
|
Ornithoryhncus anatinus |
|
|
Short-beaked Echidna |
|
Tachyglossus aculeatus |
|
|
Marsupials
|
|
Common Ringtail Possum |
|
Pseudocheinus peregrinus | ||
|
|
Sugar Glider |
|
|
|
Petaurus breviceps |
|
|
Common Bushtail Possum |
|
Trichosurus vulpecula |
|
|
|
|
Eastern Grey Kangaroo |
|
Macropus giganteus |
|
|
|
|
Swamp Wallaby |
|
|
Wallabia bicolor |
|
Placental
Mammals
White-striped
Mastiff
|
|
Bat |
|
|
|
|
Tadarida australis |
|
|
Lesser Long-eared Bat |
|
Nyctophilus geoffroyi |
|
|
|
|
|
Gould's Wattled Bat |
|
|
Chalinolobus gouldii |
|
|
|
|
Chocolate Wattled Bat |
|
Eptesicus vullurnus |
|
|
|
|
|
Large Forest Bat |
|
|
Eptesicus darlingtoni |
|
|
|
|
King River Bat |
|
|
Eptesicus regulus |
|
|
|
|
Water Rat |
|
|
|
Hydromys chrysogaster |
|
Introduced Mammals
|
|
Black Rat |
|
|
|
Rattus rattus | |
|
|
Brown Rat |
|
|
|
Rattus norvegicus | |
|
|
House Mouse |
|
|
|
Mus musculus | |
|
|
Rabbit |
|
|
|
|
Oryctolagus cuniculus |
|
|
Fox |
|
|
|
|
Vulpes vulpes |
|
|
Feral Cat |
|
|
|
Felis catus |
|
|
|
Feral Pig |
|
|
|
Sus scrofa |
|
|
|
Feral Goat |
|
|
|
Capra hircus |
|
reptile and
amphibian list
Reptiles
Eastern Long-necked
Tortoise Chelodina
longicollis
|
Bearded Dragon |
|
|
Amphibolurus barbatus | |
|
Cunningham's Skink |
|
|
Egernia cunninghami | |
|
Grass Skink |
|
|
|
Lampropholis guichenoti |
|
Three-lined Skink |
|
|
Leiolopisma trilineata |
|
|
Bouganville's Skink |
|
|
Lerista bouganvilli |
|
|
Striped Skink |
|
|
|
Ctenotus robustus |
|
Common Water Skink |
|
Eulamprus tympanum |
|
|
Eastern Blue-Tongued
Lizard Tiliqua
scincoides
|
Stumpytail Lizard |
|
|
Trachydosaurus rugosus |
|
Eastern Tiger Snake |
|
|
Notechis scutatus |
|
Red-bellied Black Snake |
|
Pseudechis porphyriacus |
|
|
Eastern Brown Snake |
|
Pseudonaja textilis |
|
Amphibians
|
Common Froglet |
|
|
Ranidella signifera |
|
Growling Grass Frog |
|
Litoria raniformis |
|
Useful
references
Cogger, H.(1986) Reptiles and Amphibians of
Australia 4th Edition Reed Books, New South Wales.
Coventry, A.J. and
Robertson, P.(1991) The Snakes of Victoria Department of Conservation and
Environment and Museum of Victoria, Melbourne.
Hero, J.M., Littlejohn,
M., and Marantelli, G.(1991) Frogwatch Field Guide to Victorian Frogs
Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.
ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK
Plant Species
List - May 1991
Compiled from lists of Barry Kemp, Rosemary
Myers, L. Jolley and Keith McDougall; * indicates an exotic species. @ -
re-introduced and persisting. # - re-introduced but also occurring naturally in
the Park.
There are 164 native species and 113 exotic species recorded
for the Park. These numbers will continue to change as further re-introductions
of basalt plains flora are made and exotic species are
eradicated.
Ferns
Rock
Fern Cheilanthes
austrotenuifolia
Bristly
Cloak-fern Cheilanthes
distans
Sickle
Fern Pellaea
falcata
Necklace
Fern Asplenium
flabellifolium
Blanket
Fern Pleurosorus
rutifolius
Pacific
Azolla Azolla
filiculoides
Bracken Pteridium
esculentum
Gymnosperms
Murray Pine
@ Callitris
glaucophylla
Angiosperms - Monocotyledons
Water
Plantain Alisma
plantago-aquatica
Drain
Flat-sedge * Cyperus
eragrostis
Common
Spike-rush Eleocharis
acuta
Slender
Spike-rush Eleocharis
gracilis
Nodding
Club-rush Isolepis
cernua
Swamp
Club-rush Isolepis
inundata
River
Club-rush Schoenoplectus
validus
Common
Bog-rush Schoenus
apogon
Onion-grass *
Romulea rosea
Sharp
Rush * Juncus
acutus
Rush Juncus
amabilis
Toad
Rush Juncus
bufonius
Grassy
Rush Juncus
caespiticus
Pale
Rush Juncus
pallidus
Rush
Duckweed Juncus
sarophorus
Finger
Rush Juncus
subsecundus
Water-ribbons Triglochin
procera
Common
Duckweed * Lemna
minor
Tiny
Duckweed Wolffia
australiana
Bulbine Lily
@ Bulbine
bulbosa
Pale-anther Flax-lily
# Dianella longifolia var.
longifolia
Black-anther Flax-lily
# Dianella
revoluta
Perennial
Beard-grass * Agropogon
littoralis
Creeping
Bent * Agrostis
stolonifera
Silvery
Hair-grass * Aira
caryophyllea
Cane
Wire-grass Aristida
ramosa
Bearded Oat *
Avena barbata
Wild
Oat * Avena
fatua
Oat * Avena
sterilis ssp. ludoviciana
Redleg Grass
# Bothriochloa
macra
Large
Quaking-grass * Briza
maxima
Lesser
Quaking-grass * Briza
minor
Prairie grass *
Bromus catharticus
Great
Brome * Bromus
diandrus
Soft Brome *
Bromus hordeaceus
Compact
Brome * Bromus
madritensis
Windmill Grass
# Chloris
truncata
Barley-grass *
Critesion murinum ssp.
leporinum
Couch *
Cynodon dactylon
Rough
Dog's-tail * Cynosurus
echinatus
Cocksfoot *
Dactylis glomerata
Lobed
Wallaby-grass Danthonia
auriculata
Common
Wallaby-grass Danthonia
caespitosa
Brown-back Wallaby grass
# Danthonia
duttoniana
Kneed
Wallaby-grass Danthonia
geniculata
Velvet
Wallaby-grass Danthonia
pilosa
Wallaby-grass Danthonia
racemosa
Bristly
Wallaby-grass Danthonia
setacea
Fern Grass *
Desmazeria rigidum
Silky Blue-grass
# Dicanthium
sericeum
Salt
Grass Distichlis
distichophylla
Perennial Veldt
Grass * Ehrharta
calycina
Wheat
Grass Elymus
scabrus
Pappus
Grass Enneapogon
nigricans
Love
Grass Eragrostis
brownii
Fragile Oat *
Gaudinia fragilis
Yorkshire
Fog * Holcus
lanatus
Rigid Panic
# Homopholis
proluta
Perennial
Rye-grass * Lolium
perenne
Weeping
Grass Microlaena
stipoides
Fine Spear
Grass * Nassella
hyalina
Chilean
Needle-grass * Nassella
neesiana
Serrated
Tussock * Nassella
trichotoma
Australian Millet
@ Panicum
decompositum
Coast
Barb-grass * Parapholis
incurva
Paspalum *
Paspalum
dilatatum
Canary-grass *
Phalaris aquatica
Lesser
Canary-grass * Phalaris
minor
Common
Reed Phragmites
australis
Tussock Grass
# Poa
labillardieri
Annual
Beard-grass * Polypogon
monspeliensis
Tiny
Bristle-grass * Rostraria
pumila
Buffalo Grass *
Stenotaphrum secundatum
Spear Grass
@ Stipa gibbosa
Spear
Grass Stipa
nodosa
Spear
Grass Stipa
pubinodis
Kangaroo Grass
# Themeda triandra
Rye
Beetle-grass Tripogon
loliiformis
Wheat *
Triticum aestivum
Squirrel-tail
Fescue * Vulpia
bromoides
Bulrush Typha
domingensis
Spiny-headed
Mat-rush Lomandra
longifolia
Angiosperms - dicotyledons
Karkalla
# Carpobrotus
rossii
New Zealand Spinach
@ Tetragonia
tetragonioides
Lesser
Joyweed Alternantheradenticulata
White
Amaranth * Amaranthus
albus
Pussy-tails Ptilotus
spathulatus
Pepper-tree *
Schinus molle
Sea
Celery Apium
prostratum
Fennel *
Foeniculum vulgare
Blue
Periwinkle * Vinca
major
Cape
Weed * Arctotheca
calendula
Aster-weed *
Aster subulatus
Lemon Beauty-heads
@ Calocephalus
citreus
Tufted Burr-daisy
@ Calotis
scapigera
Slender
Thistle * Carduus
tenuiflorus
Saffron
Thistle * Carthamus
lanatus
Chinese Scrub
@ Cassinia
arcuata
Shiny Cassinia
@ Cassinia
longifolia
Spear
Thistle * Cirsium
vulgare
Tall Fleabane *
Conyza bonariensis
Common
Cotula Cotula
australis
Water-buttons *
Cotula coronopifolia
Golden Billy-buttons
@ Craspedia
chrysantha
Smooth
Hawksbeard * Crepis
capillaris
Spanish
Artichoke * Cynara
cardunculus
Stinkwort *
Dittrichia graveolons
Creeping
Cud-weed Gnaphalium
involucratum
Common Everlasting
@ Helichrysum
apiculatum
Everlasting
@ Helichrysum sp. aff.
rutidolepis
Clustered Everlasting
@ Helichrysum
semipapposum
Chamomile Sunray
# Helipterum
anthemoides
Cat's-ear *
Hypochoeris radicata
Heraldic
Thistle * Onopordum
acanthium
Ox-tongue *
Picris echioides
Jersey
Cud-weed Pseudognaphalium
luteoalbum
Groundsel Senecio
cunninghamii
Fireweed
@ Senecio
glomeratus
Groundsel
@ Senecio
macrocarpus
Cotton Fireweed
@ Senecio
quadridentatus
Variegated
Thistle * Silybum
marianum
Prickly Sow
Thistle * Sonchus
asper
Sow Thistle *
Sonchus
oleraceus
Salsify *
Tragopogon porrifolius
New Holland Daisy
@ Vittadinia
sp.
Paterson's
Curse * Echium
plantagineum
Hoary
Cress * Cardaria
draba
Cress * Lepidium
africanum
Field Cress *
Lepidium campestre
Wild
Radish * Raphanus
raphanistrum
Hedge
Mustard * Sisymbrium
officinale
Prickly-pear *
Opuntia sp.
Desert Cassia
@ Senna artemisioides ssp.
filifolia
Angled
Lobelia Lobelia
alata
Tufted Bluebell
# Wahlenbergia
communis
Tall
Bluebell Wahlenbergia
stricta
White
Elderberry Sambucus
gaudichaudiana
Hairy
Pink * Petrorhagia
velutina
Sea
Pearlwort * Sagina
maritima
Corn Spurrey *
Spergula arvensis
Drooping She-oak
@ Allocasuarina
verticillata
Berry Saltbush
# Atriplex
semibaccata
Wild Beet *
Beta vulgaris
Small-leaf
Goosefoot Chenopodium
desertorum ssp.
microphyllum
Sowbane *
Chenopodium murale
Clammy
Goosefoot Chenopodium
pumilio
Saloop
@ Einadia
hastata
Nodding Saltbush
# Einadia
nutans
Barrier Saltbush
# Enchylaena
tomentosa
Common Bluebush
@ Maireana
decalvens
Wingless
Bluebush Maireana
enchylaenoides
Fragrant Saltbush
@ Rhagodia
parabolica
Prickly
Saltwort Salsola
kali
Small St.John's
Wort Hypericum gramineum
Large
Bindweed Calystegia
sepium
Common
Bindweed * Convolvulus
arvensis
Blushing Bindweed
# Convolvulus
erubescens
Kidney-weed Dichondra
repens
Swamp
Crassula Crassula
helmsii
Sieber
Crassula Crassula
sieberana
Paddy
Melon * Cucumis
myriocarpus
Flat
Spurge Euphorbia
drummondii
Petty
Spurge *Euphorbia
peplus
|
Grey Parrot-pea @ |
Dillwynia sericea |
|
Speading Eutaxia @ |
Eutaxia microphylla var. diffusa |
|
Common Eutaxia |
Eutaxia microphylla var. microphylla |
|
Variable Glycine @ |
Glycine tabacina |
|
Golden-tips @ |
Goodia lotifolia |
|
Sarsparilla |
Hardenbergia violacea |
|
Austral Indigo @ |
Indigofera australis |
|
Running Postman @ |
Kennedia prostrata |
|
Burr Medic |
* Medicago polymorpha |
|
Sweet Melilot |
* Melilotus indica |
|
Leafy Templetonia @ |
Templetonia stenophylla |
|
Narrow-leaf Clover |
* Trifolium angustifolium |
|
Hop Clover |
* Trifolium campestre |
|
Strawberry Clover |
* Trifolium fragiferum |
|
Cluster Clover |
* Trifolium glomeratum |
|
Knotted Clover |
* Trifolium striatum |
|
Subterraneum Clover |
*Trifolium subterraneum |
|
Furze |
* Ulex europaeus |
|
Common Vetch |
* Vicia sativa |
|
Golden Spray |
Viminaria juncea |
Common
Fumitory * Fumaria
officinalis
|
Centaury |
* Centaurium tenuiflorum |
|
Big Heron's-bill |
* Erodium botrys |
|
Blue Heron's-bill |
Erodium crinitum |
|
Cut-leaf Crane's-bill |
* Geranium dissectum |
|
Crane's-bill # |
Geranium retrorsum |
|
Austral Stork's-bill |
Pelargonium australe |
|
Goodenia @ |
Goodenia gracilis |
|
Hop Goodenia @ |
Goodenia ovata |
|
Common Raspwort @ |
Gonocarpus tetragynus |
|
Water Milfoil |
Myriophyllum verrucosum |
|
Horehound |
* Marrubium vulgare |
|
River Mint |
Mentha australis |
|
Native Flax |
Linum marginale |
|
Small Loosestrife |
Lythrum hyssopifolia |
|
Austral Hollyhock |
Lavatera plebeia (last seen 1974) |
|
Mallow |
* Malva sp. |
|
Carolina mallow |
* Modiola caroliniana |
|
Gold-dust Wattle # |
Acacia acinacea |
|
Silver Wattle # |
Acacia dealbata |
|
Lightwood # |
Acacia implexa |
|
Black Wattle # |
Acacia mearnsii |
|
Blackwood # |
Acacia melanoxylon |
|
Hedge Wattle @ |
Acacia paradoxa |
|
Golden Wattle @ |
Acacia pycnantha |
|
Wirilda @ |
Acacia retinodes |
|
Prickly Moses # |
Acacia verticillata |
|
Turkey-bush @ |
Eremophila deserti |
|
Coast Boobialla @ |
Myoporum insulare |
|
Sticky Boobialla @ |
Myoporum viscosum |
|
River Bottlebrush # |
Callistemon sieberi |
|
Fringe-myrtle |
Calytrix tetragona |
|
River Redgum # |
Eucalyptus camaldulensis |
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Sugar Gum |
*Eucalyptus cladocalyx |
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Yellow Gum # |
Eucalyptus leucoxylon |
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Yellow Box # |
Eucalyptus melliodora |
|
Grey Box # |
Eucalyptus microcarpa |
|
Manna Gum @ |
Eucalyptus viminalis |
|
Woolly Tea-tree # |
Leptospermum lanigerum |
|
Variable Willow-herb |
Epilobium billardierianum ssp. cinereum |
|
Glandular Willow-herb |
*Epilobium ciliatum |
|
|
|
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Hairy Willow-herb |
Epilobium hirtigerum |
|
Wood-sorrel |
Oxalis perennans |
|
Sowsob |
* Oxalis pes-caprae |
|
Red-ink Weed |
* Phytolacca octandra |
|
Sweet Bursaria # |
Bursaria spinosa |
|
Buck's-horn Plantain |
* Plantago coronopus |
|
Ribwort |
* Plantago lanceolata |
|
Variable Plantain |
Plantago varia |
|
Three-cornered Jack |
* Emex australis |
|
Tangled Lignum @ |
Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii |
|
Persicaria |
* Persicaria maculosa |
|
Prostrate Knotweed |
* Polygonum aviculare |
|
Sheep Sorrel |
* Rumex acetosella spp. agg. |
|
Slender Dock |
Rumex brownii |
|
Curled Dock |
* Rumex crispus |
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Dock |
Rumex sp. |
|
Pimpernel |
* Anagallis arvensis |
Pimpernel |
|
Creeping Brookweed |
Samolus repens |
Creeping Brookweed |
|
Silver Banksia @ |
Banksia marginata |
|
Small-leaf Clematis # |
Clematis microphylla |
|
Weld |
* Reseda luteola |
|
Bidgee-widgee |
Acaena nove-zelandiae |
|
Sheep's-burr @ |
Acaena echinata |
|
Sweet Briar |
* Rosa rubiginosa |
|
Blackberry |
* Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. |
|
Small-leaf Bramble |
Rubus parvifolius |
|
Prickly Woodruff |
Asperula scoparia |
|
Cleavers |
* Galium aparine |
|
Rock Correa # |
Correa glabra |
|
Weeping Willow |
* Salix babylonica |
|
Wedge-leaf Hop-bush # |
Dodonea viscosa ssp. cuneata |
|
Creeping Monkey-flower |
Mimulus repens |
|
Twiggy Mullein |
* Verbascum virgatum |
|
Common Thorn-apple |
* Datura stramonium |
|
African Box-thorn |
* Lycium ferocissimum |
|
Austral Tobacco |
Nicotiana suaveolens |
|
Kangaroo Apple # |
Solanum laciniatum |
|
Apple of Sodom |
* Solanum linnaeanum |
|
Black Nightshade |
* Solanum nigrum |
|
Smooth Rice-flower |
Pimelea glauca |
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Slender Rice-flower |
Pimelea linifolia |
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Scrub Nettle |
Urtica incisa |
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Purple-top Verbena |
* Verbena bonariensis |
|
Tree Violet # |
Hymenanthera dentata |
|
Twin-leaf |
Zygophyllum glaucum |
Definition of National
Park
The 10th General Assembly of IUCN, held in New Delhi in November
1969 approved a definition of the term "national park" in accordance with the
following resolution:
Governments are accordingly requested not to
designate as "national park":
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|
1. |
A scientific reserve which can be entered only by special permission (strict nature reserve). |
|
|
2. |
A natural reserve managed by a private institution or a lower authority without some type of recognition and control by the highest competent authority of the country. |
Friends of Organ Pipes National Park
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