DRYANDRA WOODLAND PROTECTION

Project Title:	Protecting Dryandra Woodland and Linking Priority Public and Private Remnant Vegetation			Project Code:	BR-03a
Funding Source:	South West Catchments Council Regional NRM Investment Plan 2005-06 with funding provided by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.
Start:	July 2005	End:	June 2008	Project Officer:	Marie Short

Dryanda Woodland is one of the largest and most diverse bush land areas in the wheatbelt area of the Peel-Harvey Catchment and lies on the boundary between the Jarrah and Avon Wheatbelt IBRA (Interim Biogrographic Regionalisation for Australia) Bioregions.  It is of major importance in maintaining ecological processes, being one of the few pockets of uncleared land that is large and varied enough to to continue to provide habitat for wheatbelt flora and fauna species.  Dryandra provides habitat and plays an important role in the maintenance of populations of rare and endangered species including: Bilbies, Burrowing Bettongs, Wurrup or Rufous Hare Wallabies, Wambenger or Red Tailed Phascogale, Numbats, Tammar Wallaby and Chuditch or Western Quoll.

Dryandra has an area of 28,000 Hectares, comprise 17 discrete blocks scattered over approximately 50km² of fragmented areas of agricultural land.  Linkages and clusters very in size, shape and condition and on-going pressure from land clearing, grazing, weeds, disease and salinity threaten their long term viability.

Management of the remnants outside of Dryandra varies depending on the landholders, knowledge, desire and capacity to protect and manage remnant vegetation on their property.

Protecting remaining areas of remnant vegetation and the linking priority public and private remnants with corridors and clusters of biologically diverse revegetation is needed to conserve the diversity of fauna and flora that currently exist in this landscape.  Linkages and corridors provide significant benefits to isolated fragments of remnant vegetation by facilitating fauna movement and increasing habitat.

This project was initiated to improve the management of the Dryandra Woodland through the identification of important  areas of remnant vegetation (based on a ranking model and priority clusters) and increasing landholder participation in conversation activities and improved management practices by providing educational workshops and economic incentives for feral animal control, fencing and revegetation for these identified areas.

For more information please contact Marie Short, hosted at the Narrogin District Office of the Dept of Environment and Conservation, phone: (08) 9881 9238 or via email at marie.short@dec.wa.gov.au