An assessment of riparian restoration outcomes in two rural catchments in south-western Victoria: Focusing on tree and shrub species richness, structure and recruitment characteristics

摘要: Summary Riparian ecosystems are among the most degraded systems in landscape, and there has been substantial investment their restoration. Consequently, monitoring restoration interventions offers opportunities to further develop science of riparian restoration, particularly how move from small-scale implementation a broader landscape scale. Here, we report on broad range revegetation projects two regions south-western Victoria, Corangamite Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Areas. The objectives these have stated quite broadly, for example, reinstate terrestrial habitat biodiversity, control erosion improve water quality. This study reports tree shrub composition, structure recruitment after works compared with remnant vegetation found regionally. Within each catchment, total 57 sites six subcatchments were identified, representing three age-classes: 8–12 years treatment, as well untreated (control) sites. Treatments comprised fencing exclude stock, spraying or slashing reduce weed cover, followed by planting tube stock. Across subcatchments, 12 reference (remnant) used provide benchmark species richness, structural characteristics aid interpretation effects intervention. Vegetation was developed treated 4–8 years treatment. However, complexity higher at than due richness small shrubs. Tree occurred all 64% >4 years ago. Most seedling treatment Acacia spp. assessment provides data following interventions. Data this will contribute longitudinal studies processes landscapes Victoria.