SMILAX/BRIDAL CREEPER

From Nepean Conservation News September 2006

Allan Main reports that the Keith Turnbull Research Institute at Frankston has been conducting trials for the biological control of Bridal Creeper - Asparagus asparagoides. (Smilax) with some success. The leaf hopper, Zygina sp. has been released at selected areas since 1999, the rust fungus, Puccinia myrsiphilli since 2000, and the leaf beetle, Crioceris sp., since 2002. The rust has really taken hold. The hoppers (bred and released by local primary school children) have had more restricted success, evidently where local conditions suit it. It is still too early to judge the success of the beetles for control.

Allan adds “members may not realize that this is a widespread problem from Victoria to Western Australia. For instance it is particularly bad on Kangaroo Island, and is a menace to citrus orchards in the Murray irrigation area. That is why the work is being funded by the CSIRO, Weeds CRC, the Natural Heritage Trust, and the Environment Conservation Council. The best method for homeowners to use is the repeated spraying with herbicide for years. A great deal of information is available on the web site”. http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/bridalcreeper

Members are warned to be cautious using glyphosate i.e Roundup-type herbicides, use according to directions, cover yourself up well, and apply carefully as spray drift can kill adjacent vegetation. Glyphosate should not be used near waterways, and possibly does not break down properly in our sandy soils. Organic Interceptor, a herbicide based on pine oil, works on young smilax at 20:80 dilution Visit website : www.organicinterceptor.com.au

Parks Victoria Environment Ranger, Sue Mahoney confirms that rust has taken off since it release at Koonya Beach and Ivanhoe Street, Sorrento, and commented, “.. wind-dispersed (and possibly carried by foxes), it damages Bridal Creeper by reducing the photosynthetic surface of the leaf and by tricking the plant into diverting energy from tuber reserves for the Rust’s use, instead of being used for growth and flowering purposes. Biological controls do not eradicate weeds. They will reduce it but they will never eliminate them”.

PORTSEA LAGOON MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW

From Nepean Conservation News June 2006

A Public Meeting was called on April 28th to discuss the Management Plan for this important Ramsar-listed bird habitat - up until 1995, 75 species were identified. Cr Tim Rodgers, Simon Thorning, MPSC Natural Systems Team Leader, Matt Stahmer, Conservation Officer, Mark Upton, Team Leader Environmental Health and Glen McAliece, Drainage Engineer attended. Members of the public and residents living around the lagoon were invited to review the Plan and the Council’s performance in maintaining the lagoon and its amenity. Those present were facilitated by a professional consultant, and discussed various issues such as water quality and quantity, weed growth and silting up.

The key issues identified by the participants were:

1. The current Management Plan is not achieving the desired outcome and further needs to be critically reviewed.

2. Urgent need for greater input from both residents and environmental groups into the operation and long term needs of the lagoon.

3. Lagoon water quality and quantity, especially having regard to the impact of storm water drainage on the lagoon, use of bore water and depth of water in the lagoon.

4. Impact of abutting residential development on the lagoon.

5. Commitment from the Shire to resource the project to achieve desired outcomes. Weed and silt control is critical, and works need to be undertaken in a timely, efficient and effective manner.

It was decided a special interest group of 8, consisting of residents and community representatives, would assist Council and provide an essential communication link between the residents and other groups. Ian Haskins will represent our Group. It was recommended that a convenor/facilitator be appointed in the initial stages of the review process to assist in focusing on the key issues and developing an agreed action plan. Part of the process would also be to establish Terms of Reference for the Portsea Lagoon Interest Group including frequency of meeting etc.

Further studies were recommended including:

· scientific testing of water quality (salinity, nutrients etc)

· regular fauna studies to more accurately determine trends

· water depth and impact on islands to “house” birds

· the need for bore water and especially its appropriate use (water levels need to be “managed” in accordance with agreed principles)

· regular water quality testing and recording to determine changes and impacts (salinity, silt, nutrients)

· impact of storm water run-off and opportunity to divert Martin Road drain

· level of silt in the lagoon and the long term impacts on the quality of the lagoon.

It was further recommended that the impact of the current septic tank system be investigate, and, if required, a sewerage system implemented. Phragmites were also considered a major issue , and that over time these became worse and were having greater impact on local residents.

Workshop participants were unanimous on the urgent need for greater input and involvement in the development of the revised Management Plan and especially in the on-going operating and future of the lagoon.

INDIGENOUS ORCHIDS

From Nepean Conservation News September 2006

We understand from Allan Main that the Shire has been asked by the Federal Government to find out about the distribution of the Leafy Greenhood Orchid. Pterostylis cuculluta (formerly Pedunculata cucullata). A survey of likely properties found that this orchid has a very limited distribution, being found only in restricted areas on the Mornington Peninsula. The stem is only about 3-8 cm high with a large green flower. (See Cover/illustration from Flora of Melbourne).

Stuart Sherren has Leafy Greenhoods in his Blairgowrie garden. Ian Bell lists other orchids found locally as: Maroonhoods- Pterostylis pedunculata, Pink Fairies- Caladenia latifolia, and rarely Gnat Orchids-Acianthus pusillus, Striped Greenhood Pterostylis alata, and Slaties or helmet orchids - Corybas sp. in the area.

For coloured photographs and information about orchids see www.banjorah.com

Perhaps you have some of these tiny flowers hiding away unseen on your block beneath the tea tree and Coastal Beard Heath - look for a flat rosette of leaves and flower spike during September/October! Look carefully at ground level, against the light. Terrestrial orchids require this particular undisturbed habitat with the presence of mycorrhizal soil fungus in order to germinate the seeds and gather the nutrients necessary for plant growth. They can lie dormant in the soil for years before flowering, and sometimes appear to come and go from year to year. They are pollinated by a fungus gnat and possibly mosquitoes. (See back cover for illustrations)

The vulnerability of these tiny orchids is yet another compelling reason why we should retain and conserve as much of the original indigenous vegetation as possible. Once our local orchid communities vanish from their habitat, the gene bank of the species is diminished, and the survival of the species and biodiversity are threatened.

Pink fairies can sometimes been seen alongside walking tracks in the Mornington Peninsula National Park this time of year, also purple Swainson’s Pea -Swainsona lessertifolia and red Running Postman , Kennedia prostrate. Look out for them.