Australia 2023 - Ecological Restoration in SW West Australia

PROJECT REPORT

AUSTRALIA 2023ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION IN SOUTH

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dear friend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 651,200 trees were planted to restore 296 hectares of land in Australia.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Australia. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.

OVERVIEW

The objective of this project was to kickstart ecological restoration at two cleared sites in the south-west region of Western Australia. Local species were matched to their preferred soil types, resulting in a planting configuration that reflects the natural mosaic observed in local intact native ecosystems. By revegetating areas along the Gordon River, this project will contribute to improved riparian health, as well as conservation and re-establishment of suitable wildlife habitat that is resilient to natural disturbances over time.

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

Ninety-two native species were planted for this project. Of the 651,200 trees planted, approximately 500,000 were understory species and 151,200 were overstory species. The incorporation of overstory and understory plant species supports the project’s goal of ecological restoration, with the outcome of a diverse, sustainable habitat established through these works.

The first step in this restoration approach was the identification of land that could provide the greatest ecological return once restored. Using GIS mapping, the team mapped and calculated the areas of each soil-landform area and assigned target species lists for each ecosystem they aimed to restore. Final species selections were made by pairing them to their preferred soil types, which in turn allowed for the creation of a planting configuration that reflects conditions observed in other local intact native ecosystems.

Though a combination of hand-planting and mechanical direct seeding, the team has sought to create a mixture of open and densely established vegetation, including many species that have diverse structural form and grow to a range of heights. What’s more, the utilization of direct seeding techniques enables an increase in soil stability and water infiltration, and reduces erosion.

Cultural values as well as ecological values were integral to this project. Two indigenous groups, the Tambellup Noongar community and the Binalup Aboriginal Corporation, were engaged in restoring 296 hectares of degraded, cleared land next to the river. The restoration of this area will reconnect large sections of intact native ecosystems that have become fragmented due to land clearing, bringing together wildlife colonies and boosting local biodiversity.

SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT

SaltwaterPaperbark (Melaleuca cuticularis)-55,000

Jam (Acacia acuminata)-50,000

CoastalUmbrellaBush (Acacia cupularis)-45,000

Unknown (Melaleuca hamulosa)-40,000

CranbrookMallee (Eucalyptus vergrandis ssp. Recondita)-30,000

RockSheoak (Allocasuarina heugeliana)-30,000

TREE SPECIES COMPLETE LIST

Jam (Acacia acuminata)

Unknown (Acacia browniana var intermedia)

Rigid Wattle (Acacia cochlearis)

Coastal Umbrella Bush (Acacia cupularis)

Coastal Wattle (Acacia cyclops)

Panjang; Glow Wattle (Acacia lasiocarpa var sedifolia)

Autumn Flowering Wattle (Acacia luteola)

Mana Wattle (Acacia microbotrya)

Cranbrook Wattle (Acacia microneura)

Red Stemmed Wattle (Acacia myrtifolia)

Prickly Moss (Acacia pulchella)

Golden Wreath Wattle (Acacia saligna)

Unknown (Acacia sphacelata)

Narrow-Winged Wattle (Acacia stenoptera)

Unknown (Acacia subcaerulea)

Spur-Wing Wattle (Acacia triptycha)

Grass Wattle (Acacia willdenowiana)

Summer Snowflakes (Agonis theiformis)

Unknown (Allocasuarina acuaria)

Rock Sheoak (Allocasuarina heugeliana)

Dwarf Sheoak (Allocasuarina humilis)

Dune Sheoak (Allocasuarina lehmanniana)

Horned Sheoak (Allocasuarina thuyoides)

Candlestick Banksia (Banksia attenuata)

Woolly Banksia (Banksia bauerii)

Southern Plains Banksia (Banksia media)

Nodding Banksia (Banksia nutans)

Creeping Banksia (Banksia repens)

Round-fruit Banksia (Banksia sphaerocarpa)

Scarlet Bottlebrush (Calistemon phoeniceus)

Swamp Cypress (Callitris pyramidalis)

Roe’s Cypress-Pine (Callitris roei)

Slender Net Brush (Calothamnus gracilis)

One-sided Bottlebrush (Calothamnus quadrifidus)

Silky-leaved Blood Flower (Calothamnus sanguineus)

Swamp She-oak (Casuarina obesa)

Pom-pom Darwinia (Darwinia vestita)

Round-leaved Pigface (Disphyma crassifolium)

Parrot Bush (Dryandra sessilis)

Orange-flowered Eremaea (Eremaea pauciflora)

Brown Mallet (Eucalyptus astringens)

Redheart Most (Eucalyptus decipiens)

Coastal Silver Mallee (Eucalyptus ecostata)

Middle Mallee (Eucalyptus hebetifolia)

Ridge-fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus incrassata)

Yate (Eucalyptus occidentalis)

Fringe Mallee (Eucalyptus orthostemon)

Common Southern Mallee (Eucalyptus phaenophylla)

Moore (Eucalyptus platypus)

Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis)

Brown Mallee (Eucalyptus thamnoides)

Hook-leaved Mallee (Eucalyptus uncinata)

Cranbrook Mallee (Eucalyptus vergrandis ssp. Recondita)

Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo)

Yellow-Flowered Mallee (Eucalyptus xanthonema)

Yellow Pea Flower (Gastrolobium sericeum)

Cailuflower Hakea (Hakea corymbosa)

Pinchusion Hakea (Hakea laurina)

Honey Bush (Hakea lissocarpha)

Shining Hikea (Hakea nitida)

Dog’s Balls Hakea (Hakea pandanicarpa)

Harsh Hakea (Hakea prostrata)

Two-leaved Hakea (Hakea trifurcata)

Koodgeed (Hypocalymma angustifolium)

Grey Stinkwood (Jacksonia furcellata)

Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata)

Unknown (Kunzea recurva)

Unknown (Kunzea recurva sp. affin micrantha)

Roadside Tea Tree (Leptospermum erubescens)

Mallee Honeymyrtle (Melaleuca acuminata)

Short-leaf Honeymyrtle (Melaleuca brevifolia)

Unknown (Melaleuca brophyi)

Unknown (Melaleuca carrii)

Saltwater Paperbark (Melaleuca cuticularis)

Unknown (Melaleuca densa)

Salt Paper-bark (Melaleuca halmaturorum)

Broombush (Melaleuca hamata)

Unknown (Melaleuca hamulosa)

Gorada (Melaleuca lateriflora)

Unknown (Melaleuca ordinifolia)

Unknown (Melaleuca pritzelii)

Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca rhaphiophylla)

Unknown (Melaleuca spathulata)

Salt Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca striata)

Unknown (Melaleuca strobophylla)

Sand Wattle Myrtle (Melaleuca thymoides)

Salt Lake Honey-Myrtle (Melaleuca thyoides)

Unknown (Melaleuca tuberculata)

Mohan (Melaleuca viminea)

Unknown (Regelia inops)

Unknown (Regelia cymbifolia)

Native Broom (Viminaria juncea)

TREE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION & USE

Melaleuca cuticularis, also known as Saltwater Paperbark, is a shrub/small tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. This species is native to the south-west of Western Australia, and comes from a large, diverse plant family with approximately 100 genera and 3,000 species worldwide.

Saltwater paperbark is an evergreen that grows from 2.5-4m tall, is fairly dense and has a stem and trunk coated with papery bark. This tree’s branches are rigid, with leaves linear to oblong in shape and dark green in color. Saltwater paperbark pairs well with sandy clay, loamy clay and clay soils, and is most commonly used for soil stabilization and revegetation. It is also shade and drought tolerant, and can be used in hedges or windbreaks. Due to the contrast of its attractive bark and colorful foliage, it is also occasionally used as specimen plant.

There are over 1,000 species of acacia worldwide, with most of them native to Australia. The Jam tree, also known as acacia acuminata, is native to West Australia, and is commonly found in the southwest and through the Wheatbelt. The Jam is a small, upright evergreen tree, and can grow up to 5-10 meters tall. Also known as the raspberry jam wattle, its wood boasts a strong aroma resembling raspberry jam.

Jam trees flower heavily in springtime, providing an aromatic display of fuzzy golden rods that bring in bees, native birds and other wildlife. Like many acacia species, acacia acuminata is a nitrogen fixer, effectively ‘sucking’ nitrogen from the air and installing it in the soil around its roots. This provides food for surrounding plants, making it an excellent companion for host species. Jam trees produce orange-colored gum (resin), which is edible and can be used for anything from making teas to treating sore throats, coughs, and gastro-intestinal conditions like stomach aches and bloating.

THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS PROJECT BRINGS, FOR THE NOONGAR COMMUNITY TO BE WORKING ON ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION TREE PLANTING PROJECTS, IS PERFECTLY MATCHED TO THE VALUES AND GOALS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THESE WORKS AND THE EXPERIENCE GAINED IS PAVING THE WAY FOR OUR YOUNGER GENERATION TO GET FURTHER INVOLVED, GIVING YOUNGER FELLAS PROFESSIONAL ROLE MODELS TO LEARN FROM, AND PROVIDING AN EMPLOYMENT PATHWAY IN THE LAND MANAGEMENT SECTOR MOVING FORWARD. IT'S CROSS GENERATIONAL WORK, WITH EVERYONE FROM ELDERS TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE COMING OUT TO WORK ON COUNTRY TOGETHER IN A POSITIVE WAY.

YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP

The South West region of Western Australia is a globally recognised Biodiversity Hotspot. Plant species richness in this region is extraordinarily high, with greater than 50% endemism – meaning they’re found nowhere else on earth! Over-clearing for large-scale agriculture has significantly impacted the region, with habitat fragmentation and dryland salinity now posing threats to these unique landscapes.

The two sites being restored for this project are located along the Gordon River. The Tambellup project is situated on indigenous-owned land, and the tree planting was undertaken in a way that to maximised knowledge transfer and empowerment for Traditional Owners to build capacity and ongoing self-employment.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

ON BEHALF OF ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN THIS YEARS RESTORATION WORKS, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ONE TREE PLANTED, THEIR WHOLE TEAM, DONORS AND SPONSORS, FOR SUPPORTING US TO GET THE JOB DONE ON THE GROUND. WE COULDN'T ACHIEVE THE POSITIVE BENEFITS TO NATURE, BIODIVERSITY AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ONE TREE PLANTED. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT SUPPORT, AND THANK YOU ALL.

BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth at all levels, from genes to ecosystems, and all the processes that sustain life. With 92 locally native species planted for this project, the habitat established is expected to be incredibly biodiverse. 105 wildlife species, two of which are threatened/endangered, are expected to benefit as a result of this project.

Five different vegetation communities were planted at each site: Boorokup and Tambellup. Boorokup, a 358 hectare property with nearly 3 miles of river frontage to the Gordon River, is located at the foot of an ancient drainage system that is now a series of saline lakes. By establishing woody plants in these areas, we anticipate that the water table will be lowered over time, which will directly support the recovery of salt-affected lands and watercourses in the local area.

Species Benefited:

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)

Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)

Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)

Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus)

Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans)

Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Gould's Monitor Lizard (Varanus gouldii)

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)

Shining Bronze Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus)

Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

This project provided an opportunity for many individuals to work on the land and restore the environment through planting trees; the effects of which are farreaching. Indigenous families involved in the project benefited financially, but also felt the benefits of self-belief and pride for working on their Country, building greater self-esteem and mental well-being. In addition to the personal and financial benefits to the Noongar community, opportunities to gain more exposure to the unique species found in this Global Biodiversity Hotspot built a greater sense of connection to the natural world for all community members involved.

Another key aspect of this project is that it was registered with the Australian government’s Emissions Reduction Fund, so that certified carbon credits can be generated from the planted areas, providing a long term income opportunity for the local community. It is estimated that both projects will sequester at least 70,000 tonnes of CO2 over the next 25 years. What’s more, at Boorokup, a Natural Capital Laboratory (NCL) research site was established, which will provide connections between the research community and the private sector. This will result in improvements in the development of new methods to value nature, natural capital, and ecosystem services. The Boorokup project will be scientifically mapped, measured and documented in detail in an effort to track how natural assets on the site change over time.

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.

“Thank you for supporting ecological restoration in the unique and fragile south-west region of Australia. Your support has not only resulted in planting trees – it has enabled meaningful collaboration and partnership between ecological science and indigenous custodianship, something that will benefit the whole community for many years to come.”