Articles
Blooming Algae
Many Australian waterways are in crisis.
Phosphates and other nutrients are the main causes of algal blooms in our waterways. Major sources of phosphate are laundry and car washing detergents and run-off that contains garden fertilisers.
It is well worth our effort to reduce phosphate in our waterways, as blue-green algae blooms can be more poisonous than cobra venom! Humans can be affected by skin contact with the algae, which can result in skin and eye irritations, swelling, itchiness, sore throat, hay fever symptoms and asthma. Humans who drink water contaminated with toxic forms of blue-green algae may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, liver complications, muscle weakness and paralysis. Animals can die from drinking water affected by blue-green algae.
A few simple actions in the house and garden to reduce the sources of phosphates can have a major beneficial impact on our waterways.
HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Choose laundry detergents with an NP symbol (means no phosphate)
- Use the correct amount of detergent and only wash when necessary.
- Use fertiliser wisely, dig it in, and make sure it doesn't end up down the drain after rain.
- Wash the car on the lawn so the phosphate in detergent doesn't go down the stormwater and the water benefits the lawn.
- Compost your garden waste and recycle it in your garden as mulch.
Source: Landcare Line - Gardening Australia, March 2001.
Creating A Frog Pond
Ideally a frog pond should be established in early spring as aquatic vegetation will establish well at this time, providing necessary habitat for frogs and other aquatic creatures.
The first step is to establish a pond is to hold the water. Options for a water proof liner include pre-cast fibreglass, concrete, butyl rubber, clay and an old bath. With all liners, except concrete, water and water plants can be introduced straight away. Concrete needs the ph to stabilise, which usually takes about a week after filling. Water plants with foliage under the water level, oxygenate the water, essential for pond life. Plants can be introduced in pots or planted direct onto the liner. Plant roots will spread out into the detritus {broken down vegetation), which will provide nutrients for water plants however too much causes algal blooms and a lack of oxygen in the water. Therefore periodic removal of detritus and excess vegetation is essential, to maintain health of the pond. Do not allow the vegetation to completely choke the pond as algal blooms will occur during warm weather. Always keep some open areas of water, for bathing birds, etc.
The pond must be established for a minimum period of one week, prior to the introduction of tadpoles as chlorine in tap water is toxic to tadpoles and the chlorine will evaporate during this period. When introducing the tadpoles and other invertebrates, sit the bag (or container) on top of the water for 30 minutes, to enable the water temperature to equalise. The aquatic vegetation will provide food and shelter for the tadpoles. If ducks or herons frequent the pond, it will be necessary to provide safe areas, for the tadpoles to hide in and these can be provided by placing a few small branches in the water and allowing the aquatic vegetation to grow through the branches.
Many people introduce fish (usually goldfish), to control mosquito larvae. In a healthy balanced pond, mosquito's are rarely a problem. Visit a healthy wetland and close inspection will reveal a whole host of invertebrates, which keep the system in balance. Water boatmen, dragonfly larvae (mudeyes), damselfly larvae, water beetles, water scorpions are all predators of mosquito larvae (among other things) and keep numbers under control. Aquatic invertebrates are most active and prolific in the warmer months and populations will establish during this period.
The pond will be a magnet for all sorts of wildlife from birds drinking and bathing, small reptiles hunting or dragonflies, patrolling the surrounding area. Brightly coloured male damselflies can be entertaining, protecting their section of the pond from other males and courting the duller females. Frogs call year round, with the Banjo (pobblebonk) and Spotted marsh frogs preferring the warmer months and Common Froglet, Brown tree frog and Whistling tree frog calling right through the cooler months, although exceptions to the rule are normal. Following an extended hot, dry period, brown tree frogs will announce the approach of the cool change. A frog pond can provide a sense of nature, often missing in the suburban jungle, with frog calls often drowning out the background grind of the city.
Management of Pest Birds
People interested in preservation of native birds accept that many species are under increasing pressure from a range of issues including loss of habitat, encroaching suburbs, climate change induced drought, introduced predators and competition from introduced species. Many urban conservationists, frustrated by apathy and inaction by governments are increasingly accepting that their actions can make a difference locally and are planting indigenous plants to encourage local wildlife. Significant assistance can also be provided to native birds by management of pest species, particularly at the local level. Introduced species including Starlings and Indian Mynas compete aggressively for nesting sites, with Indian Myna's known to fight the locals for nest sites and to build nests on top of an existing rosella nest (complete with eggs) within a tree hollow or nest box. I have also observed starlings nesting in tree hollows in intact bush land, approximately one kilometre from the nearest "edge" and blackbirds in my own garden have been observed actively chasing grey shrike thrushes, wattlebirds and butcherbirds from an area where their nest or chicks were situated. Grey shrike thrushes who had been resident for several years were ultimately evicted from the garden by the blackbirds.
It is generally accepted that pest mammal numbers should be managed and programs exist to control foxes, rabbits, rats and mice. Feral birds have so far largely escaped sustained control measures, however land managers and city councils are starting to consider control options available. Internet research confirms that pest species are actively trapped overseas using ingenious designs to reduce numbers. These programs generally appear to have widespread community support. Since in most cases humans have introduced problem species, we have a moral obligation to control numbers and try to tip the balance back in favour of native species.
Chris Owens (KES)
Indigenous Plants
Why Indigenous Plants?
Select plants that grow well in your area. Exotic plants and non-local native species may grow well in your area, but can become weedy and often do not support the indigenous wildlife. In fact weeds are a major problem in Australia. They are clogging our waterways, poisoning stock, invading and spoiling many areas of environmental significance and causing population explosions of wildlife. For example, the explosion of bat numbers in the Botanic Gardens has been linked to the local planting and maturing of gum trees from Queensland and New South Wales on which the bats feed. Indigenous plants of the correct local provenance are no threat to the local ecology.
Indigenous plants provide food and shelter for our native fauna from butterflies to birds and mammals. For example, some butterflies will only feed and lay eggs on one local plant species. Indigenous plants support indigenous wildlife.
Pests and Disease
Nature's pest and disease control is an ecosystem in balance. When we achieve this, there is no need to spray with expensive and dangerous chemicals. The best way to combat plant diseases and pests is to have a wide variety of healthy, vigorous plants, a full spectrum of insect life and various plant and insect eaters. If your garden contains healthy plants it will also contain insects, butterflies (including caterpillars), lizards, frogs, spiders, bees, predatory insects, birds and small mammals. A few examples - birds, insects and lizards will feed on insects that eat our plants and birds will feed on damaging scale on our gum trees. However if we spray pesticides around they won't discriminate, but kill the predatory insects, lizards and frogs, as well as the pests. Indigenous plants have adapted to the local soils and climate over time, are less likely to be attacked by pests and diseases and don't need cosseting with extra water and fertilisers.
Sitting plants correctly is also very important for optimum health and growth. Too often we buy a plant and then try to fit it in somewhere. A shade loving plant will not grow strong in sunshine, nor will a sun loving plant flourish in the shade, so we can end up with weakened plants that are a target for insects and diseases. Indigenous plants exist for all sites and conditions.
Water
Save time and money by reducing the amount of water on your garden. Reducing the amount of water on our plants will also reduce their need for more fertilisers and chemicals and minimise the risk of water running off into the stormwater systems. Water run-off, carrying leached fertilisers and chemicals into the stormwater systems, has been blamed for increasing blooming algae in our waterways.
Don't water on a timer, but water as necessary - put your finger in the soil - if it's moist, don't water. Plants that are over watered become soft and fleshy and are ripe to invasion by fungal diseases. Water in the coolest part of the day, preferably the morning, as watering in the evening can encourage humidity around the plants, which can also lead to fungal diseases. Indigenous plants once established can withstand long periods of dryness.
Mulching
Mulching your garden retains moisture in the soil longer so you will not need to water as often. A mulch at least 50-75mm thick will reduce evaporation from the soil surface by as much as 70%, discourage weed growth, prevent erosion and even out soil temperature variations. As mulch breaks down in to the soil it adds more moisture holding capacity to the soil. Mulch adds to the ecosystem in your garden by providing habitat and food for lizards and insects.
Habitat
Using indigenous plants in your garden will preserve the character of the local environment and increase the corridors between existing bushland.
Well-planted gardens will reduce temperature in our homes by 10 degrees. Large amounts of paving reflect light and heat onto our house. If we want to minimise this add a pergola with a climber planted up it for shade. Indigenous plants cover the full range; aquatics, groundcovers, grasses, sedges, orchids, shrubs, climbers and trees.
Water in the garden is essential once we have attracted wildlife. Ideally, several different water bowls at different heights from the ground up beside sheltering bushes will be attractive to a range of different species of birds, lizards and frogs. Change the water regularly even on the coolest day.
Indigenous plants will reward us with varied and uncommon flower and plants forms. By adding indigenous plants to your garden you will be gardening for profit, preservation and increased pleasure.
For further information visit:
Gardens for Wildlife
Bird Observation and Conservation Australia
South East Water
Dandenong Police Paddocks
The Dandenong Police Paddocks reserve is a large area of land on the southern edge of the City of Knox lying next to Churchill National Park. For many years this area has been regarded as wasteland but, in reality, the area is important in terms of its remnant native vegetation, animal life and its human history.
The Police Paddocks have been severely degraded by unthinking rubbish dumpers and off-road drivers, but still has a lot to offer the nature and history enthusiast. The main attraction of the Police Paddocks is the variation in vegetation type, and hence in the fauna present. Woodlands, native grassland and sedgeland areas are all present and good examples of each are easily found. Whilst some of these areas are mere shadows of their former glory, with proper management they can he improved and serve as reminders of a landscape that was once common throughout the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
The dominant tree species found in the Police Paddocks are Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata) and Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora). Yellow Box, in particular, is a very beautiful tree which can grow to a very large and impressive size. Well known for its use in honey production and for its very durable timber, some very good specimens can be seen around the car park in Churchill National Park.
Birds of all descriptions are found in the Police Paddocks including the colourful Mistletoe bird and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. One very important and rare bird that has been recorded in the region is the secretive and majestic Powerful Owl. This bird is the largest owl in Australia and is considered an endangered species. Its distinctive, spine-tingling hooting indicates its presence at night. This large owl (about 60 cm high) needs large areas of forest in which to live, and feeds mainly on possums and gliders. The owl needs to feed on a large possum every 2-3 days to survive.
The more inaccessible reaches of the Police Paddocks are a haven for other animals. Ringtail and brushtail possums are common and sugar gliders and echidnas are also present. I once saw a sugar glider glide 20 metres from a large Swamp Gum over my head to a stump behind me. To experience this in an urban region is a fantastic thrill. More animal species, such as water rats, are being discovered in the Police Paddocks quite often. Bandicoots were trapped in the 1970s and may still be around in the more protected parts of the Reserve. It is up to all of us to ensure that important urban conservations areas such as the Police Paddocks are protected so that our native fauna has a chance for survival. Never dump rubbish or animals in bushland. It is not only irresponsible, but it will be our taxes that are used to pay for weed, feral animal and rubbish removal from these areas.
The human history of the Police Paddocks is equally as impressive. Do you know where the name Police Paddocks comes from, or why Stud Road is named as such?
Greg Bain (KES)
