Ecological restoration | South Lawson Park Bushcare

Ecological restoration plan

In 2020 the Bushcare Group adopted a specific Ecological Restoration Plan for the upper catchment of Lawson Creek, Lawson, Blue Mountains.

What is ecological restoration?

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that
has been degraded, damaged or destroyed (Society for Ecological Restoration 2004)

The goal of ecological restoration is full recovery, insofar as possible… in some cases, constraints may limit potential to less than full level of recovery. Such cases can still be referred to as ecological restoration projects as long as the aim is for substantial recovery relative to the appropriate local native reference ecosystem (Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia 2017).

The environmental condition of the upper catchment can significantly influence the ecological health of Lawson Creek. Fortunately, the upper catchment features some good sections of indigenous vegetation, and regular visitation by indigenous animals.

Unfortunately though, dense infestations of Privet, Japanese Honeysuckle, Juncus microcephalus and Blackberry are also present in the upper catchment. It is highly likely that the seed of these weeds is being transported down Lawson Creek, and settling and germinating along the banks of the creek. Also, birds distribute the seed.

Additionally, loose sediments (sand, gravel) in the upper catchment require stabilisation. Unless stabilised, these sediments can be transported down the creek, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. They have potential to silt up the creek and destroy macroinvertebrate habitat.

The Bushcare Group’s aspiration is to restore the upper catchment area to a condition that facilitates its ongoing ecological development and functioning as swamp, riparian and forest communities. Major goals are to progressively remove weed species, and stabilise sediments by revegetating with indigenous vegetation.

The Ecological Restoration Plan can be accessed here:

Ecological Restoration Plan 2.0 October 2020 Download

Ecological restoration area — measuring progress

The Bushcare Group records the implementation of the ecological restoration plan, and progress made on the upper catchment site. The group maintains three types of records:

notes on restoration activities conducted in the upper catchment, and site condition (see Home);

Recovery Wheels, which record baseline and ongoing site data (plants, animals, soil, water quality, ecological functioning etc.), enabling ongoing measurement of progress (see Plan);

photographs.

The photographic record is presented here.

Wall of weeds, Waratah St ecological restoration area, August 2016 Photo: P Ardill — Wall of weeds, Waratah St ecological restoration area #3, August 2016 Photo: P Ardill

Diversity and beauty, intact Waratah Street bushland, July 2016 — Wall of weeds, Waratah St ecological restoration area #3, August 2016 Photo: P Ardill

Click on an image to view features of the ecological restoration site.

Sampling soil profiles in the ecological restoration area #2 November 2020 Photo: K Hising BMCC

Acacia elata Cedar Wattle ecological restoration area #3 Photo: P Ardill

Swamp, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #2 Feb 2020 Photo: P Ardill

Welcome aquatic fauna ecological restoration area #3 2022 Photo: P Ardill

Snake Vine Stephania japonica #4 Photo: K Hising/BMCC 2022

Hakea salicifolia, Leptospermum juniperinum for planting in ecological restoration areas #1 & 2 Dec 2021 Photo: P Ardill

Sediment controls ecological restoration area #2 Photo: P Ardill 2022

Bushcare Group meeting with Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiaitve March 2023 Photo: P Ardill

Healthy canopy of indigenous vegetation following removal of Privet ecological restoration area #4 Photo: P Ardill

Ecological restoration area #2 swamp looking west sediment controls, recent planting of Leptospermum polygalifolium Photo: P Ardill October 2022

“Before” and “after” photographs help to record restoration progress.

Freshly recovered indigenous flora, Waratah Street ecological restoration area March 2016 Photo: P Ardill — Freshly recovered indigenous flora, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #1March 2016 Photo: P Ardill

Waratah Street regeneration area doing well! Feb 2020 Photo: P Ardill — Freshly recovered indigenous flora, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #1March 2016 Photo: P Ardill

Adjacent unformed Waratah Street. Native grasses regenerating in foreground and right, April 2018 (Photo: P Ardill) — Native grasses naturally regenerating in foreground, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #1 April 2018 Photo: P Ardill

Same area, Waratah St regeneration area, almost maintenance free! Feb 2021 Photo: P Ardill — Native grasses naturally regenerating in foreground, Waratah Street ecological restoration area #1 April 2018 Photo: P Ardill

Swamp ER area before Blackberry treated Dec 2018 Photo P Ardill — Ecological restoration area #2 swamp before blackberry treatment Dec 2018 Photo P Ardill

Swamp ER area after Blackberry treated Jan 2021 Photo P Ardill — Ecological restoration area #2 swamp before blackberry treatment Dec 2018 Photo P Ardill

Swamp ecological restoration area with major weed infestation at right Dec 2018 Photo: P Ardill — Before: Ecological restoration area #2 swamp with major weed infestation at centre-right Dec 2018; After: same area with weed infestation treated Dec 2021 Photos: P Ardill

Swamp ecological restoration area with major weed infestation treated Dec 2021 Photo: P Ardill — Before: Ecological restoration area #2 swamp with major weed infestation at centre-right Dec 2018; After: same area with weed infestation treated Dec 2021 Photos: P Ardill

Primary bush regeneration work on Privets Waratah St east July 2022 Photo: K Hising BMCC — Primary bush regeneration work on Privets Waratah St east ecological restoration area #3 July 2022 Photo: K Hising BMCC

Cyathea australis Rough Tree Fern recovered from Privet infestation Waratah St east ecological restoration site #3 July 2022 Photo: K Hising — Primary bush regeneration work on Privets Waratah St east ecological restoration area #3 July 2022 Photo: K Hising BMCC

Before: Lawson Creek tributary east Waratah Street ecological restoration area June 2022 Photo: P Ardill — Before: Lawson Creek tributary east Waratah Street ecological restoration area #3 June 2022 After: numerous Rough Tree Ferns recovered after Privet removed October 2022 Photos: P Ardill

After: Lawson Creek tributary east Waratah Street ecological restoration area October 2022 Photo: P Ardill — Before: Lawson Creek tributary east Waratah Street ecological restoration area #3 June 2022 After: numerous Rough Tree Ferns recovered after Privet removed October 2022 Photos: P Ardill

Recovering degraded area by planting Hakea salicifolia restoration area # 4 Lawson Creek tributary Photo: P Ardill 2023

Hakea salicifolia thriving restoration area #4 Lawson Creek tributary Jan 2024 Photo: P Ardill — Recovering degraded area by planting Hakea salicifolia restoration area # 4 Lawson Creek tributary Photo: P Ardill 2023

Herbicide treatment of weed Ginger Lily (Hedychium gardnerianum) ecological restoration area #4 Photo: P Ardill 2023

Planting of Hakea sp. and Leptospermum sp. in mini headcut ecological reastoration area #1 May 2023 Photo: P Ardill — Planting of Hakea sp. and Leptospermum sp. in mini headcut ecological restoration area #1 May 2023 Photo: P Ardill

Replacement of Privet by planting of indigenous plants ER area #1 west. Limited natural regeneration Photo: P Ardill July 2023

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(The South Lawson Park Bushcare Group website, including text and analysis, is managed by Peter Ardill. Australian Copyright Act 1968 applies. Text, media and all other contents of this site are subject to copyright. Many thanks to the members of South Lawson Park Bushcare Group, BMCC Bushcare Officer and Second Minutes Hours Productions for their contribution of images to this website)