Scientists and friends in Paganoni Swamp

The Friends of Paganoni Swamp together with Murdoch University researchers and Department of Environment and Conservation staff are investigating whether creating hotspots in controlled burn-offs in tuart forests will stimulate better regeneration of the trees.

Murdoch scientist Katinka Ruthrof, DEC ecologist Kate Brown and Friends of Paganoni Swamp member Norm Hodgekinson have helped pile up coarse woody debris in natural clearings in tuart woodlands at Paganoni Swamp.

Picture by Anita McInnes

Dr Ruthrof said this had ensured there were hotter areas, or hotspots, during burn-offs, which the department had carried out in May in the hopes that the resulting 18 ash beds would provide a better environment for tuart seedlings to grow.

She said in half of the sites, older tuarts would be allowed to drop their seeds onto the 25sqmash beds while in the other half she would spread collected seed.

‘‘This is because some trees may not have enough seed for regeneration,’’ she said.

Dr Ruthrof said although the seed could travel about 90m depending on its size and wind speed, the trees only produced seeds intermittently.

‘‘If our trials are successful, we hope this could be a cost-effective way to get these young eucalypts off to a good start in life.’’

While a good seed store was recorded this year, the researcher, who has been involved with tuart ecology formore than 10 years, worries the tuarts, which are native only to the South West, might not be around in 100 years if their regeneration is not improved.

‘‘This winter may be another dry one so we are cautiously optimistic that the ash bed sites will get enough rain for the young tuarts to get the start they need,’’ she said.

If the trials are successful, the DEC will adopt the method for treating other tuart woodlands in the State.