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| When planting indigenous species in reserves or gardens, knowing what species are indigenous to the actual site is critically important. Not every species occurs in every habitat. If every local species were planted, the result would be a porridge of species instead of a natural vegetation community. Many plantings would also die due to unsuitable conditions. This is why you lose so many plants purchased from local nurseries when you are told only that they are ‘native’. | Mornington
Peninsula Shire Council has prepared an accurate planting guide for the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington
Peninsula Shire
The species composition of the 31 ecological vegetation classes (EVCs) that occur on the Peninsula has been determined. When combined with recent mapping of EVCs undertaken by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, it is possible to obtain a detailed planting guide for any site. According to the NRE mapping, Mount Eliza has eleven ecological vegetation classes, each with its own species composition. An amazing diversity: |
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| No. | Ecological Vegetation Class | Natural Distribution in Mount Eliza |
| 009 | Coastal Salt Marsh | Restricted, 'Salt Marsh Point' on Earimil foreshore |
| 010 | Estuarine Wetland | Restricted, mouths of all four creeks |
| 002 | Coast Banksia Woodland | Restricted, flats in front of coastal bluffs |
| 161 | Coastal Headland Scrub | Widespread, all along the coastal bluffs |
| 175 | Grassy Woodland | Widespread, the major ecosystem of Mount Eliza |
| 164 | Creekline Herb-rich Woodland | Restricted, drainage lines on the Moorooduc Plain |
| 902 | Gully Woodland | Widespread, gullies along creeks |
| 083 | Swampy Riparian Woodland | Restricted, edges of Balcombe Creek floodplain |
| 053 | Swamp Scrub | Restricted, flats on Balcombe Creek floodplain |
| 651 | Plains Swampy Woodland | Restricted, edges of Balcombe Creek floodplain |
| 023 | Herb-rich Foothill Forest | Restricted, cool aspects of Mountt Eliza escarpment |
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is still scope to customise planting lists for each site. For example
Snow Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora does not occur throughout the range of Grassy
Woodland in Mount Eliza and should only be planted within its natural range
in revegetation projects. Planting of Snow Gum outside its range
is appropriate for horticulture but not revegetation. MEAFEC
has a map of the natural distribution of Snow Gum west of the Highway.
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Most
MEAFEC members live in what is or was Grassy Woodland. This is considered
by experts to be the most species-rich ecosystem in temperate Australia
and among the most species-rich vegetation communities in the world, being
particularly rich in native grasses, orchids and lilies.
For further information contact MEAFEC at secretary@meafec.asn.au or Simon Thorning, Conversation Officer, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on 5986 0326 |
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