Phytophthora cinnamomi (Cinnamon Fungus) and Bush Dieback
Maps & Photos : Yaugher-Forrest Mountain-bike track network & phytophthora outbreaks
UPDATE: Due to other commitments there will be a pause in the mapping for a while.
This map shows the Yaugher block of bush several kilometres north of Forrest.
The red markers indicate observeddieback. The green lines are the location of particularly bad damage and introduction of threat to outstanding examples of habitat. The red lines are track sections where significant earthworks have been implemented to create jumps, burns etc.
The mapping is not complete. See the
text below the map for more details. Image galleries have been added for
some tracks which are not yet marked with dieback symbols.
Key map
Mapping methodology
The mapping and photographing are an ongoing task, and will not be complete for some time. The amount of dieback, length of tracks and number of earthworks has turned out to be far greater than originally anticipated. Therefore, it is being found necessary to upgrade the procedures for data collection, photograph collation and processing. Options are also being investigated to automate publishing the images to these web pages (there are hundreds of images). So my apologies for not being more prompt with publishing the maps and photographs. On the positive side - once it's all in place we'll have a system that allows very rapid impact assement and publishing to be done, which will be useful in many other situations.
Mapping dieback
Phytophthora dieback (as indicated by the yellowing and death of grass-trees) is present in much of the area and in places appears to be associated with the new tracks. Dieback locations are currently being assessed and will be progressively added to the maps. In addition, all track-side dieback is being photographed and these are being presented on pages that are linked to the markers on the maps.
Vegetation damage
Examples of particularly bad and unnecessary vegetation damage and threat introduction are being photographed and mapped.
Earthworks
In some areas extensive earthworks have been put into place, both using shovels and with some kind of earthmover (probably a machine like a bobcat with a backhoe). Photographs of the more confronting features will be presented.
Improving the methodology
The mapping methodology is being advanced as the scale of the task, the quantity of dieback and earthworks and the intricacy and length of the track network becomes more apparent.
Marking the observations on maps and photographing features as the tracks are walked has turned out to difficult. Therefore a hand-held computer with attached GPS unit has been purchased, and an observations database is being developed. This allows geo-referenced observations to be recorded in the field. The observations will be date stamped to enable quick cross-matching with digital photographs.
A more rigorous set of field observation sheets is also being implemented.
Transects
The dieback of grass-trees is obvious throughout much (but not all) of the Yaugher bush. Many of the outbreaks appear to be associated with tracks, both older tracks and the new mountain-bike tracks. However, it is possible (but unlikely) that the apparent association is not real. To investigate this, it is planned that transects across tracks and through surrounding bush will be established and sampled. A statistical analysis of the spatial distribution of dead and dieing grass-trees will be undertaken with the gathered data to prove (or disprove) the association. The results - including easy to interpret graphical presentations will be presented.