Part of the rehabilitation work with the Clontarf eco-path site is to reinvigorate or enhance the quality of the remaining Eucalypt forest associated with the Hays Inlet wetland system. We know that mature forests support many bird species, koalas, gliders and flying foxes along with a myriad of insect species. Part of the rehabilitation work involves the planting of propagules including but not limited to Eucalypt. In particular, the site has also been monitoring the Mount Beerwah Mallee a test tree for koalas (refer to the REF blog article in September 2016).

The trees, so far are growing well and after one of our monitoring sessions we were amazed at the number of inhabitants using the small trees as either shelter or a source of food. Insect larvae including caterpillar and grubs were located on the growing tips of the trees. One tree in particular had shown heavy signs of leaf loss and an inspection revealed that a caterpillar which had recently pupated by using green silk web to pull some of the leaves together to form a cocoon.

 Apart from the presence of insect larvae and other bugs we also noticed a number of galls formed on the underside of the leaves.  Galls are quite common on Eucalypt and indeed many other trees including Acacia and Melaleuca and so it may not be a surprise to see them formed on the young plants. Galls are usually seen in the form of bumps or nodules on the underside of a leaf. They are caused by abnormal plant growth by the host plant in response to the invasion of its tissue by a number of insects including psyllids, wasps, flies, beetles, moths and aphids.

 When an egg is laid onto the leaf it triggers a chemical response which induces the host plant to form a growth around the egg. The egg hatches and the insect larvae finds itself located in a shelter with food. Some larvae, hatch first and can actually bite the leaf and cause a gall to form (a bit like scar tissue). A number of other psyllids form a covering of sugary or waxy substance on the leaf to create a shelter (lerp) so they can feed on the leaf’s sap and reduce their chance of predation. A heavy infestation can cause quite an issue for the host tree, but this condition is generally unusual. Some of the specialist birds in the area, including the honeyeaters will often work a tree over including the foliage in search for some extra protein provided by the unlucky insects.

 In the case of the recently planted koala propagules many of these insects have moved on or been predated and so the trees continue to develop at a healthy rate. No doubt other factors including hydrology and the soil may yet have an impact on them. Time will tell, but at least we know they may be small but they are growing rapidly and already support some interesting forms of life.

Over the past few years we at REF, along with our partners, have focused on rehabilitating some of the wetland areas of Hays Inlet especially saltmarsh and mangroves habitats. These wetlands play an important role in stabilising the coast, improving water quality in Hays Inlet and providing habitat for our local wildlife. Another important and productive habitat is seagrass. There is little remaining seagrass around the peninsula, although you can still see remnants of what were once extensive pastures around Scarborough, Newport and Deception Bay.
 
Moreton Bay still has extensive areas of seagrass associated with the cleaner waters of the western region of the bay where they provide food and habitat for dugongs and sea turtles as well as provide nursery areas for many species of fish and invertebrates.
 
Like mangroves, seagrasses are a group of plant species related by their function and location rather than taxonomy. Located in shallow and sheltered coastal waters they are excellent at stabilising sediments, recycling nutrients, storing carbon and providing habitats for many of our commercial fishery species. Seagrass, like saltmarsh and mangroves are very efficient at capturing carbon. In fact these wetland habitats can sequester and bury carbon up to 66 times the rate of land-based ecosystems.
 
Seagrass requires clear water in order to thrive so they are impacted by any terrestrial activities that impact on water quality. Human activities have had the greatest impact on these meadows through excessive nutrients and pollutants entering via stormwater and upstream farming practices as well as coastal development, dredging and shipping. Managing run off through the maintenance of wetland filtering systems such as our wetland areas is one key to improving water quality entering our estuaries.
 
The work being carried out by REF and other community organisations is an attempt to manage water quality through rehabilitating our remaining coastal wetland areas. Wouldn’t it be good if we could see the pastures of seagrass return to Hays Inlet and Deception Bay? It would mean that the coastal system of Melaleuca wetlands, saltmarsh, mangroves and seagrass are at their productive best, providing habitats for some of our most iconic wildlife as well as underpinning the fisheries associated with Moreton Bay.
 
Further Reading: McKenzie, L. (2014) Australian pastures of the sea. Wildlife Magazine 51 (1) 18-21    
 
Seagrass Watch is a long term monitoring program. You can learn more at http://wildlife.org.au/seagrasswatch/

The third Green Army team project is well under way with training for weeding (identification and use of chemicals) and the use of small machinery (slashers, post hole diggers) nearing completion. These skills are necessary so team members can carry out the major objective of the project, which is habitat restoration.

There are other objectives for the project as well including the provision of other learning opportunities for team members. One key area for environmental restoration revolves around monitoring local flora and fauna as well as physical parameters including water quality. Recently we conducted a training session on measuring water quality in the Clontarf Eco-Path site. This is the third team to be trained and they can now collect stats on our six water sites, which can be added to almost 18 months’ worth of data on water turbidity (clarity), temperature, salinity and level of acidity.

This information can then be used to get a greater understanding of the impact of the project work, weather and tides and any other activities around the site on the environmental conditions at the sample sites. An example is the impact of tidal flow on salinity and the riparian vegetation and any fauna (e.g. fish and crustaceans). There is a flow valve on the channel adjacent to the rugby union field designed to prevent the incursion of tidal water into the channel system. The monitoring program has revealed that during the king tides the salinity can get very high in the channel which will then impact on the distribution of any associated flora and fauna. For example, we know that the Pacific Blue-eye can tolerate higher levels of salinity than other competitive fish such as the guppy, platy and swordtail so they can still thrive in saline waters where the exotic fish can't survive.

The levels of salinity, water temperature, salinity and turbidity effects the wildlife and vegetation along these channels. At the completion of this project we will have enough data to draw some conclusions on differences between the sites and which factors vary the most. A general perusal of the data tells us that the main variations between the 6 sites are based on salinity and turbidity (water clarity) which impacts on the types of vegetation and fauna we find living in the channels.
 
So it’s a win-win for the project as we learn about the physical conditions impacting on the aquatic fauna and flora and members of our Green Army team get an appreciation and gain experience in the value of monitoring water quality.

The first weekend in October brought footy finals, weeding and some entertainment by the local birdlife for members of the Hays Inlet Bush Care group. Led by Alix Volling, the team tackled some of the weeds which are again taking over the banks of the channel at the opening of the site. Phragmites reed is proving difficult to control, especially since the warmer weather has seen increased plant growth.
 
      The work and planting around the area has also been affected by a number of weed species which take advantage of the open and disturbed soil. However, there is also good news in areas where the planted trees have developed some height they have effectively shaded out the majority of noxious weeds. Members of the group were also pleased to see the health of the large replanting area, with a significant number of plants thriving in the area. This is why the work of both the bushcare group and the Green Army team is so important for the long term health of the area. Controlling weeds is a tough assignment, but given enough time and help, endemic plants can stabilise and provide habitat for local wildlife.

     The morning also provided some entertainment for the team with first a pair of Dollarbirds putting on a flying display in one of the tall eucalypts. Once the weeding got started a pair of Pheasant Coucals put on a vocal show from the Melaleuca close to the entrance to the site. These large birds stay mainly hidden in the thick foliage, flapping and gliding from tree to tree and calling out to each other in a loud and unmistakable “ooping” song. With over a 100 species of birds identified the work of the green army team and the bushcare group is really important for maintaining the biodiversity within the Hays Inlet surrounds.

     The Hays Inlet Bush Care sessions run for two hours but as we have seen, each session can make a big difference to the area. If you want to take part just go the REF website and find out when the next session is due. You will enjoy making a difference to our environment and if you look around you will be entertained by some of the outstanding wildlife.

For more information on the Hays Inlet Bush Care group go to:

http://www.redenviroforum.org/bushcare.html