Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346:reg:400:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 400 (pt 5/12)
Character Range: 332525–343273

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * Improving the protection of sites is an ongoing priority action to be developed in collaboration between Trust for Nature (TfN), the Department of Primary Industries and the National Reserve System.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     * Further systematic searches, especially on potentially suitable private land throughout the species range is also worth consideration. It is possible that such targeted search effort could stretch the known natural range of this Victorian endemic, but geographic gap-filling (especially across central, western Victoria) is more likely to yield results (Foreman 2012).
4.1         Identify disturbance regimes to maintain habitat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    * Preparation of management prescriptions for ecological burning at Laverton RAAF Grassland Reserve, Wingeel Rail Siding, Mitiamo Rail Siding and Mt Mercer – Shelford Road sites.                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Reynolds (2013) investigated the reproductive biology and disturbance ecology of Spiny Rice-flower. The studies found that:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * Further investigation is warranted over a wider biogeographic range, in marginal habitats such as grassy woodlands, or where changes in disturbance appear necessary for long term conservation (e.g. introducing burning to sites previously grazed or unburnt).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 * Preparation of management prescriptions for ecological slashing or burning at Durham Ox – Rayburn Road, 8 km northwest of Tandarra and Chatsworth Road, Derinallum sites.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    * The best performing populations occur in higher quality remnant vegetation containing high native species richness, low cover of exotics and subject to 'natural' disturbance regimes such as frequent fire in the absence of disturbances.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * Monitoring across different habitats, geographic ranges and management regimes will help us to better understand the mechanisms at play and how best to respond with management.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 * Preparation of management prescriptions for ecological grazing at the farm south of Echuca and farm in Patho, adjoining Murray Valley Highway.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               * Flowering and seed production is obviously positively influenced by biomass reduction events especially burns.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Although managing biomass is of the highest importance for Spiny Rice-flower, a range of measures tailored to each site is needed. It is critical that at least the most important sites are actively managed under an appropriate disturbance regime and threat mitigation strategies via a suitable property, reserve or site prescription or management plan.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * Bare soil percentage that also reflects burn frequency was the best indicator for plant health and seedling survival.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   * Grassland managers should schedule burns at least biannually and incorporate a spring burn in at least one in every 3 years to promote seed production and seedling survival in their Spiny Rice-flower population.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * Germinant (seedling) survival was greatest when a biomass reduction event had occurred recently, which means there is a greater percentage of bare soil, less leaf litter and weeds. The ploughed forb field at Quandong had the most optimal conditions for seedlings establishment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   * Further