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Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment Lowan Mallee bioregion EVC 48: Heathy Woodland Description: Spans a variety of geologies but is generally associated with nutrient-poor soils including deep uniform sands (aeolian or outwash) and Tertiary sand/clay which has been altered to form quartzite gravel. Eucalypt-dominated low woodland to 10 m tall lacking a secondary tree layer and generally supporting a diverse array of narrow or ericoid-leaved shrubs except where frequent fire has reduced this to a dense cover of bracken. Geophytes and annuals can be quite common but the ground cover is normally fairly sparse. Large trees: Species DBH(cm) #/ha Eucalyptus (non-mallee) spp. 50 cm 15 / ha Eucalyptus (mallee) spp. 30 cm Tree Canopy Cover: %cover Character Species Common Name 20% Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum Eucalyptus arenacea Desert Stringybark Eucalyptus incrassata Yellow Mallee Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee Understorey: Life form #Spp %Cover LF code Immature Canopy Tree 5% IT Medium Shrub 13 40% MS Small Shrub 14 30% SS Medium Herb 2 1% MH Hummock Grass 1 5% HG Large Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTG Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 10% MTG Medium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNG Scrambler or Climber 1 1% SC Bryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL Soil Crust na 10% S/C Total understorey projective foliage cover 80% LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common Name MS Hakea mitchellii Desert Hakea MS Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress-pine MS Leptospermum coriaceum Mallee Tea-tree MS Allocasuarina pusilla s.l. Dwarf Sheoak SS Baeckea crassifolia Desert Baeckea SS Leucopogon rufus Ruddy Beard-heath SS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flower SS Brachyloma ericoides ssp. ericoides Brush Heath PS Astroloma humifusum Cranberry Heath MH Goodenia geniculata Bent Goodenia MH Glischrocaryon behrii Golden Pennants HG Triodia scariosa Porcupine Grass LTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grass MTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedge MTG Lomandra juncea Desert Mat-rush MTG Lepidosperma carphoides Black Rapier-sedge MTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lily MNG Lepidobolus drapetocoleus Scale Shedder MNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rush TTG Schoenus breviculmis Matted Bog-sedge SC Billardiera cymosa s.l. Sweet Apple-berry

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Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 48: Heathy Woodland

Description:Spans a variety of geologies but is generally associated with nutrient-poor soils including deep uniform sands (aeolian oroutwash) and Tertiary sand/clay which has been altered to form quartzite gravel. Eucalypt-dominated low woodland to 10 mtall lacking a secondary tree layer and generally supporting a diverse array of narrow or ericoid-leaved shrubs except wherefrequent fire has reduced this to a dense cover of bracken. Geophytes and annuals can be quite common but the ground coveris normally fairly sparse.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus (non-mallee) spp. 50 cm 15 / haEucalyptus (mallee) spp. 30 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum

Eucalyptus arenacea Desert Stringybark Eucalyptus incrassata Yellow Mallee Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 13 40% MS Small Shrub 14 30% SS Medium Herb 2 1% MH Hummock Grass 1 5% HGLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 10% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNGScrambler or Climber 1 1% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 80%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Hakea mitchellii Desert HakeaMS Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress-pineMS Leptospermum coriaceum Mallee Tea-treeMS Allocasuarina pusilla s.l. Dwarf SheoakSS Baeckea crassifolia Desert BaeckeaSS Leucopogon rufus Ruddy Beard-heathSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Brachyloma ericoides ssp. ericoides Brush HeathPS Astroloma humifusum Cranberry HeathMH Goodenia geniculata Bent GoodeniaMH Glischrocaryon behrii Golden PennantsHG Triodia scariosa Porcupine GrassLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Lomandra juncea Desert Mat-rushMTG Lepidosperma carphoides Black Rapier-sedgeMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMNG Lepidobolus drapetocoleus Scale ShedderMNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rushTTG Schoenus breviculmis Matted Bog-sedgeSC Billardiera cymosa s.l. Sweet Apple-berry

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2006

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 48: Heathy Woodland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Organic Litter:40 % cover

Logs:15 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMTG Pentaschistis airoides ssp. airoides False Hair-grass high low

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 66: Low Rises Woodland

Description:Eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall on elevated plains and low rises with a diverse shrub understorey and grassy field layer. Occursin a range of environmental settings that have resulted in well-drained surface soils mantling clay sub-soils.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 60 cm 20/haAllocasuarina spp. 40 cmCallitris spp. 40 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum Callitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis Slender Cypress-pine

Allocasuarina luehmannii BulokeEucalyptus porosa Black Mallee-boxEucalyptus silvestris Woodland BoxEucalyptus microcarpa Grey Box

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 2 5% TMedium Shrub 5 15% MSSmall Shrub 3 5% SSLarge Herb 1 1% LHMedium Herb 3 5% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 2 1% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 7 25% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 70%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Pittosporum angustifolium Weeping PittosporumT Myoporum platycarpum SugarwoodMS Acacia pycnantha Golden WattleMS Hakea tephrosperma NeedlewoodMS Bursaria spinosa Sweet BursariaMS Acacia oswaldii Umbrella WattleSS Eutaxia microphylla Common EutaxiaSS Olearia pimeleoides Pimelea Daisy-bushMH Vittadinia cuneata Fuzzy New Holland DaisySH Maireana enchylaenoides Wingless BluebushSH Goodenia pinnatifida Cut-leaf GoodeniaSH Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrelSH Sida corrugata Variable SidaMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Elymus scaber var. scaber Common Wheat-grassMTG Enteropogon acicularis Windmill GrassMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMNG Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grassSC Clematis microphylla Small-leaved Clematis

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 66: Low Rises Woodland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:15% cover

Logs:20m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea Olive high highMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn high highLH Centaurium tenuiflorum Slender Centaury high lowLH Gazania linearis Gazania high highLH Opuntia robusta Wheel Cactus high highMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Trifolium campestre var. campestre Hop Clover high lowMH Trifolium angustifolium var. angustifolium Narrow-leaf Clover high lowMH Trifolium arvense var. arvense Hare's-foot Clover high lowMH Petrorhagia velutina Velvety Pink high lowMH Oxalis pes-caprae Soursob high highMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high highMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high highMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high lowMNG Aira elegantissima Delicate Hair-grass high lowMNG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high highMNG Vulpia myuros f. myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high highMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high lowMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highTTG Poa bulbosa Bulbous Meadow-grass high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 86: Woorinen Sands Mallee

Description:Mallee shrubland to 7 m tall, typically supporting a hummock grass (Triodia spp.) dominated understorey. This EVC could beconsidered intermediate between the heavier soil mallee woodlands and the lighter sandy soil mallee vegetation predominanton Lowan (siliceous) sand.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 15 cm 30/ha

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name25% Eucalyptus dumosa Dumosa Mallee

Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf MalleeEucalyptus socialis Grey Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 4 5% MSSmall Shrub 2 10% SSProstrate Shrub 1 5% PSMedium Herb 6 5% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 6 5% SHHummock Grass 1 15% HGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 5% MTGMedium to Tiny Non–tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

* Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 65%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. lanceolata MoonahMS Myoporum platycarpum SugarwoodMS Dodonaea bursariifolia Small Hop-bushMS Acacia wilhelmiana Dwarf NealieSS Sclerolaena parviflora Mallee CopperburrSS Halgania cyanea Rough HalganiaSS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey CopperburrSS Westringia rigida Stiff WestringiaLH Helichrysum leucopsideum Satin EverlastingLH Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Orange ImmortelleMH Podolepis capillaris Invisible DaisyMH Goodenia willisiana Sandhill GoodeniaMH Vittadinia dissecta Dissected New Holland DaisyMH Podotheca angustifolia Sticky Long-headsSH Actinobole uliginosum Flannel CudweedSH Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-daisySH Crassula sieberiana Australian StonecropSH Ptilotus seminudis Rabbit-tailsHG Triodia scariosa Porcupine GrassMTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lomandra effusa Scented Mat-rushMTG Lomandra leucocephala ssp. robusta Woolly Mat-rushMTG Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grass

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 86: Woorinen Sands Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:15% cover

Logs:10m/0.1 ha. (note: large log class does not apply)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea Olive high highLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highLH Opuntia spp. Prickly Pear high highMH Gazania linearis Gazania high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 87: Lowan Sands Mallee

Description:Low woodland to mallee shrubland to 7 m tall, commonly dominated by Eucalyptus arenacea with a heathy understorey. Foundon deep to moderately deep siliceous sands of aeolian origin.

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name25% Eucalyptus arenacea Desert Stringybark

Eucalyptus incrassata Yellow Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 5 35% MSSmall Shrub 7 30% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSMedium Herb 4 10% MHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5 5% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 10% MNGTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Leptospermum myrsinoides Heath Tea-treeMS Banksia marginata Silver BanksiaMS Callitris rhomboidea Oyster Bay Cypress-pineMS Allocasuarina pusilla s.l. Dwarf SheoakSS Hibbertia sericea s.l. Silky Guinea-flowerSS Isopogon ceratophyllus Horny Cone-bushSS Hibbertia virgata Twiggy Guinea-flowerSS Phyllota pleurandroides Heathy PhyllotaMH Goodenia geniculata Bent GoodeniaMH Argentipallium obtusifolium Blunt EverlastingMH Gonocarpus tetragynus Common RaspwortMH Wahlenbergia gracilenta s.l. Annual BluebellLTG Xanthorrhoea australis Austral Grass-treeLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Lepidosperma carphoides Black Rapier-sedgeMTG Neurachne alopecuroidea Fox-tail Mulga-grassMTG Lomandra juncea Desert Mat-rushMNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rushMNG Lepidobolus drapetocoleus Scale ShedderTTG Centrolepis strigosa ssp. strigosa Hairy CentrolepisTTG Schoenus breviculmis Matted Bog-sedgeSC Cassytha glabella Slender Dodder-laurelSC Cassytha pubescens s.s. Downy Dodder-laurel

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 87: Lowan Sands Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Organic Litter:5% cover

Logs:5 m/0.1 ha. (note: large log class is not applicable)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMNG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 88: Heathy Mallee

Description:Low mallee shrubland to low open mallee shrubland to 4 m with a dense to moderately dense understorey of heathy shrubs.Occurs on infertile siliceous Lowan Sand on dunefields and sandplains. This is a prominent EVC in the central Big Desert.

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name25% Eucalyptus incrassata Yellow Mallee Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee

Eucalyptus arenacea Desert Stringybark

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 6 30% MSSmall Shrub 7 20% SSLarge Herb 2 1% LHMedium Herb 3 5% MHHummock Grass 1 5% HGLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 5% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNGSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 55%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Calytrix tetragona Common Fringe-myrtleMS Hakea mitchellii Desert HakeaMS Leptospermum coriaceum Mallee Tea-treeMS Babingtonia behrii Broom BaeckeaSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Baeckea crassifolia Desert BaeckeaSS Stenanthemum leucophractum White CryptandraSS Cryptandra tomentosa Prickly CryptandraLH Helichrysum leucopsideum Satin EverlastingMH Goodenia geniculata Bent GoodeniaMH Goodenia robusta Woolly GoodeniaHG Triodia scariosa Porcupine GrassLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Lepidosperma carphoides Black Rapier-sedgeMTG Lomandra juncea Desert Mat-rushMTG Lomandra collina Pale Mat-rushMNG Lepidobolus drapetocoleus Scale ShedderMNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rushTTG Schoenus breviculmis Matted Bog-sedgeSC Cassytha glabella Slender Dodder-laurelSC Billardiera cymosa s.l. Sweet Apple-berry

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 88: Heathy Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Organic Litter:10% cover

Logs:5m/0.1 ha. (note: large log class does not apply)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMTG Vulpia myuros Rat’s-tail Fescue high highMTG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 89: Dunefield Heathland

Description:Treeless heathland or low shrubland to 2 m tall. Very scattered small mallee form trees may be present. In recently burntstands (less than 20 years since fire) an open sub-shrub and ground stratum is also common. Occurs on deep siliceous sand onminor dunes and undulating sandplains where siliceous Lowan Sand of coastal origins has accumulated to some depth.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 6 50% MSSmall Shrub 6 20% SSMedium Herb 4 5% MHHummock Grass 1 1% HGLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 5% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNGSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Leptospermum myrsinoides Heath Tea-treeMS Banksia marginata Silver BanksiaMS Callitris verrucosa Scrub PineMS Hakea mitchellii Desert HakeaSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Hibbertia virgata Twiggy Guniea-flowerSS Spyridium subochreatum var. subochreatum Velvet SpyridiumSS Leucopogon woodsii Nodding Beard-heathMH Goodenia geniculata Bent GoodeniaMH Podotheca angustifolia Sticky HeadsMH Comesperma calymega Blue-spike MilkwortMH Argentipallium obtusifolium Blunt EverlastingHG Triodia scariosa Porcupine GrassLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Lepidosperma carphoides Black Rapier-sedgeMTG Lomandra juncea Desert Mat-rushMTG Lomandra leucocephala ssp. robusta Wooly Mat-rushMNG Lepidobolus drapetocoleus Scale ShedderMNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rushTTG Schoenus breviculmis Matted Bog-sedgeSC Cassytha glabella Slender Dodder-laurel

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Organic Litter:5% cover

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMTG Vulpia myuros Rat’s-tail Fescue high highMTG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high high

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 89: Dunefield Heathland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 90: Tea-tree Scrub

Description:A dense scrub 2 to 3 m tall of Mallee Tea-tree Leptospermum coriaceum associated with the Outlet Creek system. Tea-treescrub may represent the colonization of Lowan sand deposits that have either been derived from the riverine system or beenrecently blown across it. The natural firebreak that the riverine system provides may also be an important determinant of itscomposition. This vegetation community could also possibly exist as a result of an extremely long period without fire in the EVCSandplain Heathland.

Lifeforms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 5 55% MS Small Shrub 5 15% SS Medium Herb 4 5% MH Large Tufted Graminoid 2 5% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5 10% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGScrambler/Climber 1 1% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Leptospermum coriaceum Mallee Tea-treeMS Aotus subspinescens Mallee AotusMS Calytrix tetragona Common Fringe-myrtleMS Banksia ornata Desert BanksiaSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Hibbertia virgata Twiggy Guinea-flowerSS Micromyrtus ciliata Heath-myrtleSS Phyllota pleurandroides Heathy PhyllotaMH Poranthera microphylla Small PorantheraMH Podotheca angustifolia Sticky Long-headsMH Wahlenbergia gracilenta s.l. Annual BluebellLTG Triodia scariosa Porcupine GrassLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Neurachne alopecuroidea Fox-tail Mulga-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Lomandra leucocephala ssp. robusta Woolly Mat-rushMTG Lepidosperma carphoides Black Rapier-sedgeTTG Centrolepis cephaloformis ssp. cephaloformis Cushion CentrolepisMNG Lepidobolus drapetocoleus Scale ShedderSC Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lily

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment December 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 90: Tea-tree Scrub – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous.

Organic Litter:20% cover

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Silene apetala var. apetala Mallee Catchfly high lowMH Silene gallica French Catchfly high lowMH Reichardia tingitana False Sow-thistle high lowMTG Pentaschistis airoides ssp. airoides False Hair-grass high lowMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high lowMNG Vulpia myuros Rat’s-tail Fescue high low

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 91: Loamy Sands Mallee

Description:Semi-arid low mallee shrubland to 5 m tall, typically supporting scattered shrubs above a hummock grass field layer. Typicallyoccurs on deep drifts of Lowan sands in the lee of ridge systems or occupying dune crests and swales in the parabolic andirregularly arranged dune in the Central Mallee and Sunset Country.

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name25% Eucalyptus incrassata Yellow Mallee

Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee Eucalyptus socialis Grey Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 5 20% MSSmall Shrub 5 10% SSLarge Herb 2 1% LHMedium Herb 6 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 2 1% SHHummock Grass 1 5% HGLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 5% MTGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress-pineMS Leptospermum coriaceum Mallee Tea-treeMS Acacia ligulata Sandhill WattleMS Bertya mitchellii Mitchell BertyaSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Hibbertia virgata Twiggy Guinea-flowerSS Halgania cyanea Rough HalganiaSS Brachyloma ericoides ssp. ericoides Brush HeathLH Helichrysum leucopsideum Satin EverlastingMH Podotheca angustifolia Sticky Long-headsMH Millotia tenuifolia var. tenuifolia Soft MillotiaMH Glischrocaryon behrii Golden PennantsMH Podolepis capillaris Invisible PlantSH Actinobole uliginosum Flannel CudweedSH Millotia muelleri Common Bow-flowerSH Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-daisyHG Triodia scariosa Porcupine GrassLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lomandra leucocephala ssp. robusta Woolly Mat-rushMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Lomandra collina Pale Mat-rushSC Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lily

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 91: Loamy Sands Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Organic Litter:15% cover

Logs:5m/0.1 ha. (note: large log class does not apply)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMNG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat’s-tail Fescue high lowSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 93: Sandstone Ridge Shrubland (syn. Broombush Mallee)

Description:Low open mallee to 3 m tall typically with a tall shrubby understorey, or shrubland with scattered emergent mallees. A goodfield character for this EVC is the dominance or co-dominance of the tall shrub Melaleuca uncinata in shrubland or as anunderstorey shrub in Mallee vegetation. Confined to the crests of outcropping Parilla sandstone ridges and also where theseridges are at least partially obscured by a shallow mantle of Lowan sand.

+ mallee only component (ignore when assessing shrubland areas and standardise final score as appropriate)

Tree Canopy Cover+:%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus incrassata Yellow Mallee Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 4 40% MSSmall Shrub 4 5% SSMedium Herb 2 5% MHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 5% MTGTiny Tufted Graminoid 1 1% TTGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 15% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Melaleuca uncinata BroombushMS Babingtonia behrii Broom BaeckeaMS Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress-pineMS Hakea mitchellii Desert HakeaSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Eutaxia microphylla Common EutaxiaSS Hibbertia virgata Twiggy Guniea-flowerSS Micromyrtus ciliata Heath-myrtleMH Helichrysum leucopsideum Satin EverlastingMH Glischrocaryon behrii Golden PennantsMH Podotheca angustifolia Sticky Long-headsLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Neurachne alopecuroidea Fox-tail Mulga-grassMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassSC Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lilySC Billardiera cymosa s.l. Sweet Apple-berry

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 93: Sandstone Ridge Shrubland (syn. Broombush Mallee) -Lowan Mallee Bioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Organic Litter:10% cover

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMTG Pentaschistis airoides subsp. airoides False Hair-grass high highMTG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

EVC 93_61: Treed Sandstone Ridge Shrubland

Lowan Mallee Bioregion

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Tree Canopy Cover:

%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus costata subsp. murrayana Yellow Mallee

Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee

Understorey:#Spp %Cover LF CodeLifeform

Medium Shrub 40% MS4

Small Shrub 5% SS4

Medium Herb 5% MH2

Large Tufted Graminoid 1% LTG1

Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5% MTG3

Tiny Tufted Graminoid 1% TTG1

Bryophytes/Lichens 10% BL

Soil Crust 15% S/C

Description:Low open mallee to 3 m tall typically with a tall shrubby understorey, or shrubland with scattered emergent mallees. A good fieldcharacter for this EVC is the dominance or co-dominance of the tall shrub Melaleuca uncinata in shrubland or as an understorey shrubin Mallee vegetation. Confined to the crests of outcropping Parilla sandstone ridges and also where these ridges are at least partiallyobscured by a shallow mantle of Lowan sand.

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Babingtonia behrii Broom Baeckea

MS Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress-pine

MS Hakea mitchellii Desert Hakea

MS Melaleuca uncinata Broombush

SS Eutaxia microphylla Common Eutaxia

SS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flower

SS Hibbertia virgata Twiggy Guinea-flower

SS Micromyrtus ciliata Heath-myrtle

MH Glischrocaryon behrii Golden Pennants

MH Helichrysum leucopsideum Satin Everlasting

MH Podotheca angustifolia Sticky Long-heads

LTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grass

MTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grass

MTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lily

MTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedge

MTG Neurachne alopecuroidea Fox-tail Mulga-grass

TTG Various spp.

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 20 years.

Ecological Vegetation Class Bioregion Benchmark

EVC 93_61: Treed Sandstone Ridge Shrubland

Organic Litter:10 % cover

Logs:5 m/0.1ha. (note: large log class does not apply).

Weediness:

LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactFalse Hair-grassPentaschistis airoides subsp. airoidesMTG high highBridal CreeperAsparagus asparagoidesSC high highPerennial Veldt-grassEhrharta calycinaMTG high highSmooth Cat's-earHypochoeris glabraMH high low

www.dse.vic.gov.au

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment© The State of Victoria Government Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-comercial is authorised, on condition that: • the copyright owner is acknowledged; • no official connection is claimed; • the material is made available without charge or cost; and • the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should be directed to the NominatedOfficer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposesand therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss, of other consequences which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 95: Red Swale Mallee

Description:Dense to sometimes whipstick form of mallee shrubland to 6 m tall with a typically sparse understorey. This EVC does notnecessarily occur in dune swales, however it is often found on low points in the jumbled or parabolic dunefields of the Lowanwhere the underlying Parilla ridges may be “exposed” and are mantled by a thin layer of aeolian material.

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name30% Eucalyptus dumosa Dumosa Mallee

Eucalyptus calycogona Red Mallee Eucalyptus leptophylla Slender-leaf Mallee Eucalyptus socialis Grey Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 4 10% MSSmall Shrub 3 5% SSLarge Herb 1 1% LHMedium Herb 7 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 2 1% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 5% MTGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 20% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 55%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Dodonaea bursariifolia Small Hop-bushMS Beyeria opaca Dark Turpentine BushMS Melaleuca uncinata BroombushSS Westringia rigida Stiff WestringiaMH Chenopodium desertorum Frosted GoosefootMH Stenopetalum lineare Narrow Thread-petalMH Crassula colorata Dense CrassulaLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMTG Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedgeMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grass

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 30 years.

Organic Litter:15% cover

Logs:5m/0.1 ha. (note: large log class does not apply)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea Olive high highLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highLH Opuntia spp. Cactus high highMH Gazania linearis Gazania high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 95: Red Swale Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 96: Ridged Plains Mallee

Description:Open, quite grassy mallee woodland to 10 m tall, typical of the gently undulating “plains” of the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.Soils are somewhat variable but are typically duplex with grey or brown sandy clay loam or clay loam topsoils of aeolian origin.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 30 cm 15/haAllocasuarina luehmannii 40 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name10% Eucalyptus dumosa Dumosa Mallee Eucalyptus behriana Bull Mallee

Eucalyptus porosa Black Mallee-boxAllocasuarina luehmannii Buloke

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 3 5% MSSmall Shrub 3 10% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSLarge Herb 2 5% LHMedium Herb* 5 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 5 15% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 5% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 20% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 20% S/C

* Largely seasonal lifeform

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Acacia melvillei MyallMS Acacia oswaldii Umbrella WattleMS Eremophila longifolia BerriganSS Maireana brevifolia Short-leaf BluebushSS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey CopperburrSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushSS Rhagodia spinescens Hedge SaltbushPS Atriplex semibaccata Berry SaltbushMH Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Nodding SaltbushMH Maireana enchylaenoides Wingless BluebushMH Maireana excavata Bottle BluebushMH Maireana enchylaenoides Wingless BluebushSH Chenopodium desertorum Frosted GoosefootSH Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrelSH Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head DaisySH Hyalosperma spp. SunrayLTG Austrostipa aristiglumis Plains GrassMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMTG Austrostipa scabra Rough Spear-grassLNG Austrostipa platychaeta Flat-awned Spear-grassMNG Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grass

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 96: Ridged Plains Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:5% cover

Logs:5m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMTG Critesion murinum Barley-grass high lowMTG Bromus diandrus Great Brome high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMH Marrubium vulgare Horehound high highMNG Vulpia spp. Fescue high lowMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn low high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 97: Semi-arid Woodland

Description:Non-eucalypt woodland or open forest to 12 m tall, of low rainfall areas. Occurs in a range of somewhat elevated positions notsubject to flooding or inundation. The surface soils are typically light textured loamy sands or sandy loams.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haCasuarina spp. 40 cm 20/haAllocasuarina spp. 40 cmCallitris spp. 40 cmMyoporum platycarpum 35 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name20% Casuarina pauper Belah

Allocasuarina luehmannii BulokeCallitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis Slender Cypress-pineMyoporum platycarpum Sugarwood

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 5 15% MSSmall Shrub 5 20% SSLarge Herb* 2 5% LHMedium Herb* 7 5% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 2 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 2 10% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 20% S/C

* Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 75%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Alectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens Cattle BushMS Acacia oswaldii Umbrella WattleMS Hakea tephrosperma Hooked NeedlewoodMS Hakea leucoptera ssp. leucoptera Silver NeedlewoodSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushSS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey CopperburrSS Olearia pimeleoides Pimelea Daisy-bushSS Rhagodia spinescens Hedge SaltbushMH Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Nodding SaltbushMH Vittadinia dissecta s.l. Dissected New Holland DaisyMH Calandrinia eremaea Small PurslaneMH Crassula colorata Dense CrassulaSH Actinobole uliginosum Flannel CudweedMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMTG Austrostipa spp. Spear-grassMNG Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grass

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 97: Semi-arid Woodland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:20% cover

Logs:20m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highLH Reichardia tingitana Reichardia high lowMH Silene spp. Catchfly high highSH Medicago minima Little Medic high highMTG Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass high highMTG Pentaschistis airoides ssp. airoides False Hair-grass high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high highMNG Critesion murinum subsp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 98: Semi-arid Chenopod Woodland

Description:Sparse, low non-eucalypt woodland to 12 m tall of the arid zone with a tall open chenopod shrub-dominated understorey to atreeless, tall chenopod shrubland to 3 m tall. This EVC may occur as either a woodland (typically with a very open structure buttree cover >10%) or a shrubland (tree cover <10%) with trees as an occasional emergent.

+ woodland only components (ignore when assessing shrubland areas and standardise final score as appropriate)

Large trees+:Species DBH(cm) #/haCasuarina pauper 40 cm 15/haAllocasuarina luehmannii 40 cmCallitris gracilis 40 cmMyoporum platycarpum 35 cm

Tree Canopy Cover+:% cover Character Species Common Name15% Casuarina pauper Belah

Allocasuarina luehmannii BulokeMyoporum platycarpum SugarwoodCallitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis Slender Native Pine

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree+ 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub+ 3 10% TMedium Shrub 2 40% MSSmall Shrub 4 15% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSLarge Herb* 2 5% LHMedium Herb* 6 15% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 8 15% SHLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 2 5% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 30% S/C

* Largely seasonal life form

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 98: Semi-arid Chenopod Woodland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT+ Alectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens CattlebushT+ Acacia melvillei MyallT+ Hakea leucoptera ssp. leucoptera Silver NeedlewoodMS Maireana pyramidata Shrubby BluebushMS Maireana sedifolia Pearl BluebushMS Atriplex nummularia Old Man SaltbushMS Nitraria billardierei Nitre-bushSS Sclerolaena obliquicuspis Limestone CopperburrSS Sclerolaena tricuspis Three-spined BassiaSS Sclerolaena divaricata Tangled BassiaSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushPS Sclerochlamys brachyptera Short-wing SaltbushLH Polycalymma stuartii Poached-egg DaisyMH Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head DaisyMH Osteocarpum acropterum var. deminutum BabbagiaMH Zygophyllum crenatum Hard-head DaisyMH Zygophyllum ammophilum Sand Twin-leafSH Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-daisySH Plagiobothrys elachanthus Hairy Forget-me-notSH Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass CushionSH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flower

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:5% in shrubland15% in woodland.

Logs+:5m/0.1ha

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highLH Salvia verbenaca Wild Sage high highLH Sisymbrium erysimoides Smooth Mustard high highMH Reichardia tingitana False Sow-thistle low lowMH Limonium spp. Sea-lavender high highMH Silene apetala var. apetala Sand Catchfly high highMH Erodium cicutarium Common Heron's-bill high lowMH Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed high highSH Medicago minima Little Medic high highMTG Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass high highMTG Critesion murinum ssp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMNG Vulpia spp. high high

EVC 98_61: Non-treed Semi-arid Chenopod Woodland

Lowan Mallee Bioregion

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Understorey:#Spp %Cover LF CodeLifeform

Medium Shrub 40% MS2

Small Shrub 15% SS4

Prostrate Shrub 1% PS1

Large Herb* 5% LH2

Medium Herb* 15% MH6

Small or Prostrate Herb* 15% SH8

Large Non-Tufted Graminoid 5% LNG1

Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5% MTG2

Medium to Tiny Non-Tufted Graminoid 1% MNG1

Bryophytes/Lichens 10% BL

Soil Crust 30% S/C

*Largely seasonal lifeform

Description:Sparse, low non-eucalypt woodland to 12 m tall of the arid zone with a tall open chenopod shrub-dominated understorey to a treeless,tall chenopod shrubland to 3 m tall. This EVC may occur as either a woodland (typically with a very open structure but tree cover >10%)or a shrubland (tree cover <10%) with trees as an occasional emergent.

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Atriplex nummularia Old-man Saltbush

MS Maireana pyramidata Sago Bush

MS Maireana sedifolia Pearl Bluebushr

MS Nitraria billardierei Nitre-bush

SS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby Saltbush

SS Sclerolaena divaricata Tangled Copperburrk

SS Sclerolaena obliquicuspis Limestone Copperburr

SS Sclerolaena tricuspis Streaked Copperburr

PS Sclerochlamys brachyptera Short-wing Saltbush

LH Polycalymma stuartii Poached-eggs Daisy

MH Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head Daisy

MH Osteocarpum acropterum var. deminutum Babbagia

MH Zygophyllum ammophilum Sand Twin-leaf

MH Zygophyllum crenatum Notched Twin-leaf

SH Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-daisy

SH Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass Cushion

SH Plagiobothrys elachanthus Hairy Forget-me-not

SH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flower

LNG Various spp.

MTG Various spp.

MNG Various spp.

Ecological Vegetation Class Bioregion Benchmark

EVC 98_61: Non-treed Semi-arid Chenopod Woodland

Recruitment:Continuous.

Organic Litter:5 % cover

Weediness:

LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLittle MedicMedicago minimaSH high highSea LavenderLimonium spp.MH high highRed BromeBromus rubensMNG high highMediterranean TurnipBrassica tournefortiiLH high highWard's WeedCarrichtera annuaMH high highSmooth MustardSisymbrium erysimoidesLH high highFescueVulpia spp.MNG high highWild SageSalvia verbenacaLH high highArabian GrassSchismus barbatusMTG high highCommon Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceusLH high lowCommon Heron's-billErodium cicutariumMH high lowFalse Sow-thistleReichardia tingitanaMH low lowNorthern Barley-grassHordeum glaucumMTG high highMallee CatchflySilene apetala var. apetalaMH high high

www.dse.vic.gov.au

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment© The State of Victoria Government Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-comercial is authorised, on condition that: • the copyright owner is acknowledged; • no official connection is claimed; • the material is made available without charge or cost; and • the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should be directed to the NominatedOfficer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposesand therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss, of other consequences which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 101: Samphire Shrubland

Description:Low open shrub layer to 0.5 m of succulent chenopods on saline clay pans. Found in association with the various halite salinasthat have developed within evaporative basins or ‘boinkas’.

Life forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeSmall Shrub 4 20% SSMedium Herb 7 5% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 2 1% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 1% MNGSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 30%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameSS Halosarcia pruinosa Bluish GlasswortSS Halosarcia halocnemoides ssp. halocnemoides Grey GlasswortSS Halosarcia pergranulata Blackseed GlasswortSS r Frankenia sessilis Small-leaf Sea-heathMH Senecio glossanthus Slender GroundselMH Hymenolobus procumbens Oval PurseMH Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head DaisyMH r Brachyscome exilis Finger-leaved DaisySH Disphyma crassifolium ssp. clavellatum Rounded Noon-flowerSH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flowerSH Crassula sieberiana Sieber CrassulaSH Millotia muelleri Common Bow-flowerMTG Triglochin calcitrapum s.l. Spurred ArrowgrassMNG Triglochin nanum Dwarf Arrowgrass

Recruitment:Continuous

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highMH Reichardia tingitana Reichardia high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed high highMH Spergularia diandra Lesser Sand-spurrey high lowSH Medicago minima Little Medic high highSH Spergularia rubra s.l. Red Sand-spurrey high lowMTG Critesion murinum subsp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMNG Vulpia bromoides Rat’s-tail Fescue high highSNG Schismus barbata Arabian Grass high lowSNG Lamarckia aurea Golden-top high lowSNG Parapholis incurva Coast Barb-grass high highSNG Critesion murinum subsp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high high

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 101: Samphire Shrubland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 103: Riverine Chenopod Woodland (syn. Black Box Chenopod Woodland)

Description:Eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall with a diverse shrubby and grassy understorey occurring on most elevated riverine terraces.Confined to heavy clay soils on higher level terraces within or on the margins of riverine floodplains (or former floodplains),naturally subject to only extremely infrequent incidental shallow flooding from major events if at all flooded.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus largiflorens 40 cm 5/ha

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name10% Eucalyptus largiflorens Black Box

Acacia stenophylla River Coobah

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 3 30% MSSmall Shrub 5 25% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSMedium Herb 5 5% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 5 10% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 2 5% MTG

* Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 55%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Atriplex nummularia Old-man SaltbushMS Chenopodium nitrariaceum Nitre GoosefootMS Eremophila divaricata ssp. divaricata Spreading Emu-bushSS Sclerolaena tricuspis Streaked CopperburrSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushSS Atriplex lindleyi Flat-top SaltbushSS Rhagodia spinescens Hedge SaltbushPS Sclerochlamys brachyptera Short-wing SaltbushMH Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Nodding SaltbushMH Calocephalus sonderi Pale Beauty-headsMH Senecio glossanthus Slender GroundselMH Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head DaisySH Disphyma crassifolium ssp. clavellatum Rounded Noon-flowerSH Maireana pentagona Hairy Bluebush

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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EVC 103: Riverine Chenopod Woodland (syn. Black Box ChenopodWoodland) - Lowan Mallee Bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:5% cover

Logs:5m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea subsp. europaea Olive low highMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn low highLH Sisymbrium erysimoides Smooth Mustard high highLH Critesion spp. Barley-grass high lowLH Gazania linearis Gazania high highLH Opuntia spp. Prickly Pear low highLH Sisymbrium irio London Mustard high highLH Psilocaulon granulicaule Noon-flower high highMH Limonium sinuatum Notch-leaf Sea-lavender high highMH Limonium lobatum Winged Sea-lavender high highMH Trifolium arvense var. arvense Hare's-foot Clover high lowMH Mesembryanthemum nodiflora Ice-plant high highMH Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed high highMH Marrubium vulgare Horehound high highMH Carpobrotus aequilaterus Angled Pigface low highMH Silene apetala var. apetala Sand Catchfly high lowMH Medicago spp. Medic high lowMH Oxalis pes-caprae Soursob high highMH Silene gallica French Catchfly high lowMH Silene nocturna Mediterranean Catchfly high lowSH Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Common Ice-plant high highMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high highMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high lowMTG Asphodelus fistulosus Onion Weed high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high lowMNG Bromus spp. Brome high highMNG Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass high lowSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 107: Lake Bed Herbland

Description:Herbland or shrubland to 0.5 m tall dominated by species adapted to drying mud within lake beds. Some evade periods ofprolonged inundation as seed, others as dormant tuber-like rootstocks. Occupies drying deep-cracking mud of lakes onfloodplains. Floods are intermittent but water may be retained for several seasons leading to active growth at the ‘drying mudstage’.

Life forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 2 5% MSSmall Shrub 2 5% SSMedium Herb* 3 25% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 3 20% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 2 5% MTG

* Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Malva australiana s.l. Southern HollyhockMS Solanum simile OondorooSS Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa Southern LiquoriceSS Muehlenbeckia horrida ssp. horrida Spiny LignumMH Chenopodium pumilio Clammy GoosefootMH Chenopodium glaucum Glaucous GoosefootSH Glossostigma elatinoides Small Mud-matSH Glinus lotoides Hairy Carpet-weedSH Mukia micrantha Mallee Cucumber

Recruitment:Episodic/Flood. Desirable period between disturbances is 10 years.

Organic Litter:5% cover

Weediness:There are no consistent weeds in this EVC.

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 107: Lake Bed Herbland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 132: Plains Grassland

Description:A grassland occurring in slight (and more fertile) depressions of the open, sandy plains south-east of the Danyo fault in theMurray Sunset National Park. The grasslands were subject to past heavy grazing by sheep and were the preferred locations forstock tanks that further exacerbated pressure placed on them by stock, goats, rabbits and hares. Many of the original chenopodshrubs were eaten out and replaced by introduced grasses and herbs. It is possible that the EVC was originally Semi-aridChenopod Woodland (shrubland version).

Lifeforms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeSmall Shrub 5 10% SS Medium Herb* 12 15% MH Small or Prostrate Herb * 4 10% SH Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 25% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 20% S/C

*Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameSS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey CopperburrMH r Podolepis canescens Grey PodolepisMH Senecio pinnatifolius Variable GroundselMH Goodenia pusilliflora Small-flower GoodeniaMH Rhodanthe stuartiana Clay SunraySH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flowerSH Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass CushionSH Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-daisySH Maireana lobiflora Lobed BluebushLTG Austrostipa nodosa Knotty Spear-grassMTG Austrostipa eremophila Desert Spear-grassMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMTG Aristida contorta Sand Wire-grass

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:5% cover

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment December 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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EVC 132: Plains Grassland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Salvia verbenaca Wild Sage high highMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Silene apetala var. apetala Mallee Catchfly high highMH Erodium cicutarium Common Heron's-bill high lowMH Leontodon taraxacoides ssp. taraxacoides Hairy Hawkbit high lowMH Amsinckia calycina Hairy Fiddle-neck high highMH Amsinckia lycopsoides Bugloss Fiddle-neck high highMH Buglossoides arvensis Corn Gromwell high highSH Medicago minima Little Medic high highSH Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Common Ice-plant high highMTG Moraea setifolia Thread Iris high lowMTG Critesion murinum ssp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 195: Seasonally Inundated Shrubby Woodland

Description:Shrub-dominated eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall with an understorey visually dominated by medium shrubs and including arange of sedges and grasses and herbs including a number of annuals. Occurs on moderately fertile, poorly-drained, shallowsand or silty topsoils over heavier clay subsoils that naturally impede drainage. Often associated with recent Quaternary swampdeposits and broad, seasonal drainage lines and outwash flats between sand dunes. Soils are generally inundated orwaterlogged in winter and baked hard in summer, which promotes sedges and annual species.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 70 cm 15 / ha

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 7 35% MSSmall Shrub 4 5% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSLarge Herb 3 5% LHMedium Herb 4 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 6 20% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 4 5% MNGTiny Tufted Graminoid 3 1% TTGEpiphyte 1 1% EPBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment September 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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EVC 195: Seasonally Inundated Shrubby Woodland -Lowan Mallee bioregion

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Melaleuca gibbosa Slender Honey-myrtleMS Calytrix tetragona Common Fringe-myrtleMS Hakea rugosa Dwarf HakeaMS Grevillea ilicifolia Holly GrevilleaSS Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flowerSS Eutaxia microphylla var. microphylla Common EutaxiaSS Hibbertia sericea s.l. Silky Guinea-flowerSS Astroloma conostephioides Flame HeathPS Astroloma humifusum Cranberry HeathLH Arthropodium strictum s.s. Chocolate LilyLH Arthropodium spp. (s.s.) Vanilla LilyLH Senecio tenuiflorus Slender FireweedMH Wahlenbergia gracilenta s.s. Hairy Annual-bluebellMH Chamaescilla corymbosa var. corymbosa Blue StarsMH Microseris scapigera spp. agg. Yam DaisySH Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking PennywortSH Myriocephalus rhizocephalus Woolly-headsSH Drosera glanduligera Scarlet SundewSH r Gnephosis drummondii Slender Cup-flowerLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Schoenus apogon Common Bog-sedgeMTG Dianella revoluta s.s. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Austrodanthonia setacea var. setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Lomandra juncea Desert Mat-rushMNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rushTTG Centrolepis strigosa ssp. strigosa Hairy CentrolepisTTG Centrolepis aristata Pointed CentrolepisTTG Isolepis marginata Little Club-sedgeEP Cassytha glabella Slender Dodder-laurelEP Amyema pendula Drooping MistletoeSC Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lily

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:20 % cover

Logs:15 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle high lowLH Centaurium tenuiflorum Slender Centaury high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMNG Aira elegantissima Delicate Hair-grass high lowMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high lowMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high lowTTG Cyperus tenellus Tiny Flat-sedge high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 291: Cane Grass Wetland

Description:Open-grassland, typically very species-poor except on outer verges, often with monospecific (or virtually so) cane-grassdominated centres. Occur on alluvial plains in shallow (~1 m deep) depressions, on very heavy grey clay soils, prone toturbidity when inundated (4-6 months) and extreme cracking when dry.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeSmall or Prostrate Herb 2 10% SHMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 50% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLTotal understorey projective foliage cover 70%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameSH Lemna disperma Common DuckweedSH Azolla filiculoides Pacific AzollaMNG Eragrostis infecunda Southern Cane-grassMNG Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedge

Recruitment:Episodic/Flood. Desirable period between disturbances is 5 years.

Organic Litter:10% cover

Weediness:There are no consistent weeds in this EVC.

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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EVC 291: Cane Grass Wetland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 292: Red Gum Swamp

Description:Occurs on alluvial plains in the seasonally wet depressions of shallow drainage lines or prior stream meanders, typicallyassociated with heavy paludal soils, sometimes with gilgai development. The annual rainfall across its distribution is generallybelow 700 mm, and the period of inundation may range from 2 to 6 months. River Red Gum woodland to 15 m tall with sedgyor grassy-herbaceous ground-layer, comprising various balances of true aquatics and species tolerant of intermittent toseasonal inundation.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 80 cm 10 / ha

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name10% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 10% T Medium Shrub 1 1% MS Large Herb 3 10% LH Medium Herb 10 25% MH Small or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SH Large Tufted Graminoid 2 5% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 8 20% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 15% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Allocasuarina luehmannii BulokeLH Villarsia reniformis Running Marsh-flowerLH Eryngium ovinum Blue DevilLH Brachyscome cardiocarpa Swamp DaisyMH Potamogeton tricarinatus s.l. Floating PondweedMH Haloragis aspera Rough RaspwortMH Drosera peltata ssp. peltata Pale SundewMH Stylidium despectum Small Trigger-plantSH Lobelia pratioides Poison LobeliaSH Solenogyne dominii Smooth SolenogyneSH Neopaxia australasica White PurslaneLTG Amphibromus nervosus Common Swamp Wallaby-grassLTG Juncus flavidus Gold RushLTG Carex tereticaulis Hollow SedgeMTG Juncus holoschoenus Joint-leaf RushMTG Schoenus tesquorum Soft Bog-sedgeMTG Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grassMTG Lachnagrostis filiformis Common Blown-grassMNG Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedgeMNG Chorizandra enodis Black Bristle-sedge

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment October 2005

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 292: Red Gum Swamp – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Episodic/Flood. Desirable period between disturbances is 5 years.

Organic Litter:20 % cover

Logs:15 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Cicendia filiformis Slender Cicendia high lowMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high low

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 295: Riverine Grassy Woodland

Description:Occurs on the floodplain of major rivers, in a slightly elevated position where floods are rare, on deposited silts and sands,forming fertile alluvial soils. River Red Gum woodland to 20 m tall with a groundlayer dominated by graminoids and sometimeslightly shrubby or with chenopod shrubs.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 80 cm 15 / ha

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum

Eucalyptus largiflorens Black Box

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITSmall Shrub 4 10% SS Large Herb 4 10 LHMedium Herb 2 10% MH Small or Prostrate Herb 5 10% SH Large Tufted Graminoid 1 1% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5 20% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLTotal understorey projective foliage cover 75%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameSS Sclerolaena muricata var. villosa Grey Roly-polySS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushSS Maireana decalvans Black Cotton-bushSS Chenopodium curvispicatum Cottony SaltbushLH Wahlenbergia fuminalis River BluebellLH Rumex brownii Slender DockLH Senecio quadridentatus Cotton FireweedMH Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Nodding SaltbushMH Atriplex semibaccata Berry SaltbushMH Atriplex eardleyae Small SaltbushMH Sida corrugata Variable SidaMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Austrostipa scabra Rough Spear-grassMTG Carex inversa Knob SedgeMTG Juncus subsecundus Finger Rush

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:10 % cover

Logs:20 m/0.1 ha.

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment December 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 295: Riverine Grassy Woodland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMTG Bromus hordaceus ssp. hordaceus Soft Brome high highMTG Critesion murinum ssp. leporinum Wall Barley-grass high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 641: Riparian Woodland

Description:Occurs beside permanent streams, typically on narrow alluvial deposits. Woodland to 15 m tall generally dominated byEucalyptus camaldulensis over a tussock grass-dominated understorey. Tall shrubs may be present and amphibious herbs mayoccur in occasional ponds and beside creeks. While flooding may be common, sites are rarely inundated for lengthy periods.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 80 cm 15 / ha

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name10% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 2 10% TMedium Shrub 2 10% MSSmall Shrub 1 1% SSLarge Herb 4 10% LHMedium Herb 5 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 1 5% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 3 10% LTGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 30% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 5% MNGScrambler or Climber 1 5% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BL

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Viminaria juncea Golden SprayMS Melaleuca decussata Totem-polesSS Rubus parvifolius Small-leaf BrambleLH Wahlenbergia gracilis s.s. Sprawling BluebellLH Myriophyllum crispatum Upright Water-milfoilMH Rumex brownii Slender DockMH Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrelMH Mentha australis River MintMH Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgeeLTG Cyperus gunnii ssp. gunnii Flecked Flat-sedgeLTG Carex appressa Tall SedgeMTG Lachnagrostis filiformis var. filiformis Common Blown-grassMTG Juncus amabilis Hollow RushMNG Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedgeMNG Cynodon dactylon CouchSC Calystegia sepium Large Bindweed

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:30% cover

Logs:20m / 0.1 ha

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 641: Riparian Woodland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMS Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar high highLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle high highLH Plantago lanceolata Ribwort high lowLH Helminthotheca echioides Ox-tongue high lowLH Rumex crispus Curled Dock high lowLH Aster subulatus Aster-weed high lowLH Rorippa palustris Marsh Yellow-cress high highMH Leontodon taraxacoides ssp. taraxacoides Hairy Hawkbit high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowLTG Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass high highLNG Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog high highMTG Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus Soft Brome high lowMTG Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal-grass high highMNG Paspalum distichum Water Couch high highSC Galium aparine Cleavers high low

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 676: Salt Paperbark Woodland

Description:Low non-eucalypt woodland to 8 m tall with herbaceous ground-layer dominated by halophytic chenopods and other succulentherbs with a range of annual grasses and herbs. Occurs on heavy soils with large salt concentrations (sometimes with ashallow sand overlay on lake verges) in areas with seasonally waterlogged heavy clay soils on saline flats and lake verges.

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name20% Melaleuca halmaturorum ssp. halmaturorum Salt Paperbark

Life forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeProstrate Shrub 1 10% PSMedium Herb 3 15% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 10% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 1 1% MTGSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 45%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NamePS Wilsonia rotundifolia Round-leaf WilsoniaMH Sarcocornia quinqueflora Beaded GlasswortMH Samolus repens Creeping BrookweedMH Spergularia sp. 3 Salt Sea-spurreySH Selliera radicans Shiny Swamp-matSH Angianthus pressianus Salt AngianthusSH Apium prostratum Annual CeleryMTG Puccinellia stricta var. perlaxa Plains Saltmarsh-grass

Recruitment:Continuous

Logs:10 m/0.1 ha (note: large log class does not apply)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highMH Reichardia tingitana Reichardia high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed high highMH Spergularia diandra Lesser Sand-spurrey high lowSH Medicago minima Little Medic high highSH Spergularia rubra s.l. Red Sand-spurrey high lowMTG Critesion murinum subsp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high highMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highMNG Vulpia bromoides Rat’s-tail Fescue high highSNG Schismus barbata Arabian Grass high lowSNG Lamarckia aurea Golden-top high lowSNG Parapholis incurva Coast Barb-grass high highSNG Critesion murinum subsp. glaucum Blue Barley-grass high high

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 676: Salt Paperbark Woodland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 710: Damp Heathland

Description:Developed on sites of intermittent waterlogging, typically wet in winter and dry in summer, with low nutrient availability.Closed tall heathland, or scrub if long unburnt. There is a dense ground layer of rushes and sedges, and sometimes emergenteucalypts.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 6 30% MSSmall Shrub 5 20% SSProstrate Shrub 2 5% PSMedium Herb 6 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 2 1% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 5% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 4 10% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 3 15% MNGScrambler or Climber 2 5% SCBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Leptospermum continentale Prickly Tea-treeMS Epacris impressa Common HeathMS Banksia marginata Silver BanksiaMS Leptospermum myrsinoides Heath Tea-treeSS Pultenaea stricta Rigid Bush-peaSS Hibbertia fasciculata var. prostrata Bundled Guinea-flowerSS Dillwynia glaberrima Smooth Parrot-peaSS Leucopogon glacialis Twisted Beard-heathPS Xanthosia dissecta s.l. Cut-leaf XanthosiaMH Gonocarpus tetragynus Common RaspwortMH Argentipallium obtusifolium Blunt EverlastingMH Drosera peltata ssp. auriculata Tall SundewSH Drosera pygmaea Tiny SundewMTG Patersonia fragilis Short Purple-flagMTG Schoenus apogon Common Bog-sedgeMNG Hypolaena fastigiata Tassel Rope-rushMNG Leptocarpus tenax Slender Twine-rushMNG Baumea juncea Bare Twig-sedgeSC Cassytha pubescens s.s. Downy Dodder-laurelSC Cassytha glabella Slender Dodder-laurel

Recruitment:Episodic/Fire. Desirable period between disturbances is 30 years.

Organic Litter:20% cover

Weediness:There are no consistent weeds in this EVC.

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 710: Damp Heathland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 803: Plains Woodland

Description:Grassy or sedgy woodland to 15 m tall with large inter-tussock spaces potentially supporting a range of annual or geophyticherbs adapted to low summer rainfall, with low overall biomass. Mostly occurs on terrain of low relief in areas receiving<600 mm rainfall per annum. Fertile, sometimes seasonally waterlogged, mostly silty, loamy or clay topsoils, with heavysubsoils, derived largely from former Quaternary swamp deposits.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 70 cm 15 / haAllocasuarina luehmannii 40 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name15% Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum

Allocasuarina luehmannii Buloke Eucalyptus microcarpa Grey Box Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 2 5% MSSmall Shrub 2 5% SSProstrate Shrub 1 1% PSLarge Herb 1 1% LHMedium Herb 20 25% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 4 10% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 5% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 1% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 16 30% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 3 5% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:10 % cover

Logs:10 m/0.1 ha.

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 803: Plains Woodland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Acacia pycnantha Golden WattleMS Acacia acinacea s.l. Gold-dust WattleSS Eutaxia microphylla var. microphylla Common EutaxiaPS Astroloma humifusum Cranberry HeathLH Senecio quadridentatus Cotton FireweedMH Acaena echinata Sheep's BurrMH Plantago gaudichaudii Narrow PlantainMH Maireana enchylaenoides Wingless BluebushMH Calocephalus citreus Lemon Beauty-headsSH Solenogyne dominii Smooth SolenogyneSH Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrelSH Daucus glochidiatus Austral CarrotSH Goodenia pinnatifida Cut-leaf GoodeniaLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Austrostipa scabra Rough Spear-grassMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Dianella revoluta s.s. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMNG Wurmbea dioica Common Early NancyTTG Centrolepis strigosa ssp. strigosa Hairy CentrolepisTTG Centrolepis aristata Pointed CentrolepisEP Amyema miquelii Box MistletoeSC Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lilySC Convolvulus erubescens spp. agg. Pink Bindweed

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Trifolium angustifolium var. angustifolium Narrow-leaf Clover high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed high lowMH Petrorhagia velutina Velvety Pink high lowMH Trifolium dubium Suckling Clover high lowMH Anagallis arvensis Pimpernel high lowSH Trifolium glomeratum Cluster Clover high lowLNG Avena fatua Wild Oat high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high lowMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high lowMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high lowMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high lowMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high low

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 813: Intermittent Swampy Woodland

Description:Eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall with a variously shrubby and rhizomatous sedgy - turf grass understorey, at best developmentdominated by flood stimulated species in association with flora tolerant of inundation. Flooding is unreliable but extensive whenit happens. Occupies low elevation areas on river terraces (mostly at the rear of point-bar deposits or adjacent to majorfloodways) and lacustrine verges (where sometimes localised to narrow transitional bands). Soils often have a shallow sandlayer over heavy and frequently slightly brackish soils.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus camaldulensis 70 cm 15 / haEucalyptus largiflorens 50 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:%cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red-gum

Eucalyptus largiflorens Black Box

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 5% TMedium Shrub 1 5% MSSmall Shrub 1 5% SSLarge Herb 2 5% LHMedium Herb 5 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 1 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 30% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 2 10% MNGTotal understorey projective foliage cover 70%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Acacia stenophylla River CoobahMS Muehlenbeckia florulenta Tangled LignumSS Cressa cretica RosinweedLH Stemodia florulenta Blue RodLH Wahlenbergia fluminalis River BluebellMH Haloragis aspera Rough RaspwortMH Centipeda cunninghamii Common SneezeweedMH Calocephalus sonderi Pale Beauty-headsSH Epaltes australis Spreading Nut-headsMTG Sporobolus mitchellii Rat-tail CouchMTG Cyperus gymnocaulos Spring Flat-sedgeMTG Lachnagrostis filiformis Common Blown-grassMNG Cynodon dactylon var. pulchellus Native Couch

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:20 % cover

Logs:20 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:There are no consistent weeds in this EVC.

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 813: Intermittent Swampy Woodland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 823: Lignum Swampy Woodland

Description:Understorey dominated by Lignum, typically of robust character and relatively dense (at least in patches), in association with alow Eucalypt and/or Acacia woodland to 15 m tall. The ground layer includes a component of obligate wetland flora that is ableto persist even if dormant over dry periods.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus largiflorens 50 cm 15/haEucalyptus camaldulensis 70 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus largiflorens Black Box

Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red GumAcacia stenophylla River Coobah

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 2 30% MSSmall Shrub 1 5% SSLarge Herb 2 1% LHMedium Herb* 8 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 4 10% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid* 2 5% MTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% LNGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 3 15% MNGSoil Crust na 10% S/C

* Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 70%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Muehlenbeckia florulenta Tangled LignumMS Chenopodium nitrariaceum Nitre GoosefootSS Atriplex lindleyi Flat-top SaltbushSS Sclerolaena muricata Five-spined BassiaLH Rumex spp. DockMH Marsilea drummondii Common NardooMH Brachyscome ciliaris Variable DaisyMH Euchiton sphaericus Annual CudweedMH Ranunculus spp. ButtercupMTG Setaria jubiflora Warrego Summer-grassMTG Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grassMTG Sporobolus mitchellii Short Rat-tail GrassMTG Eragrostis setifolia Bristly Love-grassLNG Eragrostis australasica Cane GrassMNG Eragrostis infecunda Barren Cane grassMNG Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedgeMNG Eleocharis pusilla Small Spike-sedgeSC Asperula gemella Twin-leaf Bedstraw

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 823: Lignum Swampy Woodland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:10 % cover

Logs:10m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactSH Phyla canescens Lippia high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 824: Woorinen Mallee

Description:Widespread mallee woodland to 12 m tall, associated with the east-west orientated calcareous dunefields of the WoorinenFormation with a low, open chenopod dominated shrub understorey. A diverse array of sub-shrubs, herbs and grasses are alsopresent. Typically occurs on fine textured red-brown sandy loam and clay loam soils.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 15 cm 30/ha

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name25% Eucalyptus oleosa ssp. oleosa Oil Mallee

Eucalyptus dumosa Dumosa MalleeEucalyptus gracilis YorrellEucalyptus calycogona Red MalleeEucalyptus socialis Grey MalleeEucalyptus cyanophylla Blue-leaved Mallee

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 6 10% MSSmall Shrub 6 20% SSMedium Herb* 6 10% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 7 10% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 1 1% MTGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 15% S/C

* Largely seasonal life formTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Santalum acuminatum Sweet QuandongMS Exocarpos aphyllus Leafless BallartMS Acacia oswaldii Umbrella WattleMS Eremophila glabra Common Emu-bushSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushSS Chenopodium curvispicatum Cottony GoosefootSS Olearia muelleri Mueller Daisy-bushSS Maireana pentatropis Erect BluebushMH Zygophyllum apiculatum Pointed Twin-leafMH Stenopetalum lineare Narrow Thread-petalMH Eriochiton sclerolaenoides Wooly-fruit BluebushMH Brachyscome ciliaris Variable DaisySH Calandrinia eremaea Small PurslaneSH Ptilotus seminudus Rabbit TailsSH Rhodanthe pygmaea Pygmy SunraySH Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass CushionMTG Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grass

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 824: Woorinen Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous (excluding overstorey)

Organic Litter:20% cover

Logs:20m/0.1 ha. (note: large log class does not apply)

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea subsp. europaea Olive high highMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn high highLH Opuntia spp. Prickly Pear high highLH Critesion spp. Barley-grass high lowLH Gazania linearis Gazania high highLH Psilocaulon granulicaule Noon-flower high highLH Sisymbrium erysimoides Smooth Mustard high highLH Sisymbrium irio London Mustard high highMH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highMH Carpobrotus aequilaterus Angled Pigface high highMH Medicago spp. Medic high lowMH Marrubium vulgare Horehound high highMH Oxalis pes-caprae Soursob high highMH Trifolium arvense var. arvense Hare's-foot Clover high lowMH Mesembryanthemum nodiflora Ice-plant high highMH Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed high highMH Silene apetala var. apetala Sand Catchfly high lowMH Silene gallica French Catchfly high lowMH Silene nocturna Mediterranean Catchfly high lowMH Limonium sinuatum Notch-leaf Sea-lavender high highMH Limonium lobatum Winged Sea-lavender high highSH Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Common Ice-plant high highMNG Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass high lowMTG Asphodelus fistulosus Onion Weed high highMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high lowMNG Bromus spp. Brome high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high lowSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 826: Plains Savannah

Description:A structurally diverse vegetation unit which includes ‘grassy openings’ of a few to many hundreds of hectares, with a variabletree density ranging from a very sparse savannah to woodland. The relative absence of eucalypts is particularly characteristic,with Allocasuarina luehmannii and perhaps Callitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis to 10 m tall being the dominant trees. Widespreadon the northern plains.+ woodland only components (ignore when assessing grassland areas and standardise final score as appropriate)

Large trees+:Species DBH(cm) #/haAllocasuarina luehmannii 40 cm 5/haCallitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis 40 cm

Tree Canopy Cover+:% cover Character Species Common Name10% Allocasuarina luehmannii Buloke

Callitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis Slender Cypress-pine

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree+ 5% ITSmall Shrub 2 5% SSLarge Herb 3 5% LHMedium Herb* 6 20% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb* 3 10% SHLarge Tufted Graminoid 1 5% LTGLarge Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% LNGMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 5 35% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid* 2 5% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 25% S/C

* Largely seasonal life form

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Acacia oswaldii Umbrella WattleSS Sclerolaena napiformis Turnip CopperburrSS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey CopperburrSS Maireana decalvans Black Cotton-bushSS Pimelea curviflora s.s. Curved Rice-flowerLH Ptilotus exaltatus Mulla MullaLH Eryngium ovinum Blue DevilLH Calocephalus citreus Lemon Beauty-headsLH Arthropodium fimbriatum Nodding Chocolate-lilyMH Calotis scabiosifolia Rough Burr-daisyMH Goodenia pinnatifida Cut-leaf GoodeniaMH Sida corrugata Variable SidaMH Ptilotus macrocephalus Feather HeadsSH Maireana pentagona Hairy BluebushSH Chamaesyce drummondii Flat SpurgeSH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flowerSH Convolvulus erubescens spp. agg. Pink BindweedLTG Austrostipa blackii Crested Spear-grassLTG Austrostipa gibbosa Spurred Spear-grassLTG Austrostipa aristiglumis Plump Spear-grassMTG Austrostipa scabra Rough Spear-grassMTG Austrostipa nodosa Knotty Spear-grassMTG Whalleya proluta Rigid PanicMTG Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grass

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 826: Plains Savannah - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:5% cover

Logs+:5 m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn high highLH Helminthotheca echioides Ox-tongue high lowLH Lepidium africanum Common Peppercress high lowLH Salvia verbenaca Wild Sage high highLH Echium plantagineum Patterson’s curse high highLH Sisymbrium irio London Rocket high highLH Marrubium vulgare Horehound high highLNG Avena fatua Wild Oat high highMH Limonium sinuatum Notch-leaf Sea-lavender high highMH Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed high highMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Oxalis pes-caprae Soursob high highMH Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain high highMH Spergularia rubra s.l. Red Sand-spurrey high lowMH Trifolium angustifolium var. angustifolium Narrow-leaf Clover high highMH Trifolium arvense var. arvense Hare's-foot Clover high highMH Trifolium campestre var. campestre Hop Clover high highMH Trifolium striatum Knotted Clover high lowMH Trifolium subterraneum Subterranean Clover high lowMH Hedypnois cretica Cretan Hedypnois high highMNG Aira cupaniana Quicksilver Grass high lowMNG Avena barbata Bearded Oat high highMNG Brachypodium distachyon False Brome high highMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high highMNG Vulpia muralis Wall Fescue high highMNG Vulpia myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high highMTG Bromus diandrus Great Brome high highMTG Critesion hystrix Mediterranean Barley-grass high highMTG Critesion murinum Barley-grass high highMTG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high highMTG Pentaschistis airoides ssp. airoides False Hair-grass high lowMTG Poa bulbosa Bulbous Meadow-grass high highMTG Romulea minutiflora Small-flower Onion-grass high highMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high highMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high highSH Medicago minima Little Medic high highSH Medicago polymorpha Burr Medic high highSH Trifolium glomeratum Cluster Clover high low

EVC 826_61: Treed Plains Savannah

Lowan Mallee Bioregion

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Large Trees:Species DBH(cm) #/ha

40 cmAllocasuarina luehmannii 5 / ha

40 cmCallitris gracilis subsp. murrayensis

Tree Canopy Cover:

%cover Character Species Common Name10% Allocasuarina luehmannii Buloke

Callitris gracilis subsp. murrayensis Slender Cypress-pine

Understorey:#Spp %Cover LF CodeLifeform

Immature Canopy Tree 5% IT

Small Shrub 5% SS2

Large Herb 5% LH3

Medium Herb* 20% MH6

Small or Prostrate Herb* 10% SH3

Large Tufted Graminoid 5% LTG1

Large Non-Tufted Graminoid 5% LNG1

Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid 35% MTG5

Medium to Tiny Non-Tufted Graminoid 5% MNG2

Bryophytes/Lichens 10% BL

Soil Crust 25% S/C

*Largely seasonal lifeform

Description:A structurally diverse vegetation unit which includes 'grassy openings' of a few to many hundreds of hectares, with a variable treedensity ranging from a very sparse savannah to woodland. The relative absence of eucalypts is particularly characteristic, withAllocasuarina luehmannii and perhaps Callitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis to 10 m tall being the dominant trees. Widespread on thenorthern plains.

Ecological Vegetation Class Bioregion Benchmark

EVC 826_61: Treed Plains Savannah

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameSS Maireana decalvans Black Cotton-bush

SS Pimelea curviflora s.s. Curved Rice-flower

SS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copperburr

SS Sclerolaena napiformis Turnip CopperburrE e

LH Arthropodium fimbriatum Nodding Chocolate-lily

LH Calocephalus citreus Lemon Beauty-heads

LH Eryngium ovinum Blue Devil

LH Ptilotus exaltatus Mulla Mulla

MH Calotis scabiosifolia Rough Burr-daisy

MH Goodenia pinnatifida Cut-leaf Goodenia

MH Ptilotus macrocephalus Feather Heads

MH Sida corrugata Variable Sida

SH Chamaesyce drummondii Flat Spurge

SH Convolvulus erubescens spp. agg. Pink Bindweed

SH Maireana pentagona Hairy Bluebush

SH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flower

LTG Austrostipa aristiglumis Plump Spear-grass

LTG Austrostipa blackii Crested Spear-grass

LTG Austrostipa gibbosa Spurred Spear-grass

LNG Various spp.

MTG Austrodanthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grass

MTG Austrostipa nodosa Knotty Spear-grass

MTG Austrostipa scabra Rough Spear-grass

MTG Whalleya proluta Rigid Panic

MNG Various spp.

Recruitment:Continuous.

Organic Litter:5 % cover

Logs:5 m/0.1ha.

Weediness:

LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLittle MedicMedicago minimaSH high highLondon RocketSisymbrium irioLH high highWild SageSalvia verbenacaLH high highAfrican Box-thornLycium ferocissimumMS high highCapitate RushJuncus capitatusMNG high highWall FescueVulpia muralisMNG high highRat's-tail FescueVulpia myurosMNG high highGreat BromeBromus diandrusMTG high highMediterranean Barley-grassHordeum hystrixMTG high highHorehoundMarrubium vulgareLH high highSoursobOxalis pes-capraeMH high highHare's-foot CloverTrifolium arvense var. arvenseMH high highHop CloverTrifolium campestre var. campestreMH high highCretan HedypnoisHedypnois creticaMH high highBearded OatAvena barbataMNG high highFalse BromeBrachypodium distachyonMNG high highOnion GrassRomulea roseaMTG high highSquirrel-tail FescueVulpia bromoidesMTG high highWild OatAvena fatuaLNG high highCape WeedArctotheca calendulaMH high high

Ecological Vegetation Class Bioregion Benchmark

EVC 826_61: Treed Plains Savannah

Weediness:

LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactNotch-leaf Sea-lavenderLimonium sinuatumMH high highBuck's-horn PlantainPlantago coronopusMH high highNarrow-leaf CloverTrifolium angustifolium var.

angustifoliumMH high high

Small-flower Onion-grassRomulea minutifloraMTG high highBulbous Meadow-grassPoa bulbosaMTG high highWimmera Rye-grassLolium rigidumMTG high highBarley-grassHordeum murinum s.l.MTG high highBurr MedicMedicago polymorphaSH high highPaterson's CurseEchium plantagineumLH high highRed Sand-spurreySpergularia rubra s.l.MH high lowCommon PeppercressLepidium africanumLH high lowSmooth Cat's-earHypochoeris glabraMH high lowCat's EarHypochoeris radicataMH high lowOx-tongueHelminthotheca echioidesLH high lowCluster CloverTrifolium glomeratumSH high lowFalse Hair-grassPentaschistis airoides subsp. airoidesMTG high lowQuicksilver GrassAira cupanianaMNG high lowKnotted CloverTrifolium striatumMH high lowSubterranean CloverTrifolium subterraneumMH high low

www.dse.vic.gov.au

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment© The State of Victoria Government Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-comercial is authorised, on condition that: • the copyright owner is acknowledged; • no official connection is claimed; • the material is made available without charge or cost; and • the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should be directed to the NominatedOfficer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposesand therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss, of other consequences which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 829: Chenopod Grassland

Description:Open to sparse shrubland with a more or less continuous tussock grass sward found on heavy somewhat sodic clay plainsfringing the active floodplains of major watercourses such as the Loddon and Avoca Rivers.

Life Forms:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeMedium Shrub 1 10% MSSmall Shrub 6 30% SSLarge Herb 1 1% LHMedium Herbs* 5 15% MHSmall or Prostrate Herbs* 4 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 3 20% MTGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 20% S/C

* Largely seasonal life form

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Lycium australe Australian Box-thornMS Nitraria billardierei Nitre-bushSS Sclerolaena diacantha Grey CopperburrSS Maireana aphylla Leafless BluebushSS Minuria cunninghamii Bush MinuriaSS Lawrencia squamata Thorny LawrenciaPS Sclerochlamys brachyptera Short-wing SaltbushPS Atriplex semibaccata Berry SaltbushLH Podolepis canescens Grey PodolepisMH Rhodanthe stuartiana Clay SunrayMH Teucrium racemosum s.s. Grey GermanderMH Maireana excavata Bottle BluebushMH Sida corrugata Variable SidaSH Hyalosperma glutinosum ssp. glutinosum Golden SunraySH Hyalosperma semisterile Orange SunraySH Rhodanthe pygmaea Pygmy SunraySH Pogonolepis muelleriana Stiff Cup-flowerLTG Austrostipa aristiglumis Plump Spear-grassMTG Austrostipa spp. Spear-grassMTG Whalleya proluta Rigid PanicMTG Enteropogon acicularis Spider GrassMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grass

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 829: Chenopod Grassland – Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:5% cover

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactLH Carthamus lanatus Saffron Thistle high highMH Limonium lobatum Winged Sea-lavender high highMH Hedypnois cretica Cretan Hedypnois high highMH Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed high highMH Romulea rosea Onion Grass high lowSH Moraea setifolia Thread Iris high highSH Medicago spp. Medic high highMTG Critesion murinum subsp. leporinum Wall Barley-grass high highMNG Bromus madritensis Madrid Brome high highMNG Lolium rigidum Wimmera Rye-grass high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 882: Shallow Sands Woodland

Description:Woodland or open-forest to 15 m tall, with a sparse shrub layer of heathy, ericoid shrubs and a species-rich ground coverdominated by grasses and annual herbs. Typically it occurs between the heavier soils of the plains and the deep-sand aeoliandunefields which overlay these plains, but also occurs on broader areas of plains covered by shallow fluvial, outwash or aeoliansands overlaying drainage-impeding clays.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 60 cm 15/haAllocasuarina spp. 40 cmCallitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis 40 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name20% Eucalyptus leucoxylon Yellow Gum

Allocasuarina luehmannii BulokeCallitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis Slender Cypress-pine

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITUnderstorey Tree or Large Shrub 1 5% TMedium Shrub 3 10% MSSmall Shrub 4 20% SSProstrate Shrub 2 5% PSLarge Herb 1 1% LHMedium Herb 7 15% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 3 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 8 25% MTGTiny Tufted Graminoid* 2 1% TTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 3 1% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/C

* Largely seasonal life form

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameT Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping SheokeMS Calytrix tetragona Common Fringe-myrtleMS Acacia pycnantha Golden WattleSS Hibbertia stricta s.l. Upright Guinea-flowerSS Eutaxia microphylla Common EutaxiaSS Pultenaea hispidula Rusty Bush-peaPS Astroloma humifusum Cranberry HeathMH Microseris scapigera spp. agg. Yam DaisyMH Acaena echinata Sheep's BurrMH Wurmbea dioica Common Early NancySH Daucus glochidiatus Australian CarrotSH Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking PennywortSH Drosera whittakeri ssp. aberrans Scented SundewLTG Austrostipa mollis Supple Spear-grassMTG Schoenus apogon Common Bog-sedgeMTG Neurachne alopecuroidea Fox-tail Mulga-grassMTG Lomandra nana Dwarf Mat-rushMTG Arthropodium strictum s.l. Chocolate LilyTTG Centrolepis strigosa ssp. strigosa Hairy CentrolepisTTG Centrolepis aristata Pointed CentrolepisTTG Aphelia pumilio Dwarf ApheliaSC Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lily

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment May 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 882: Shallow Sands Woodland - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous

Organic Litter:20% cover

Logs:20m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea Olive high highMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn high highLH Centaurium tenuiflorum Slender Centaury high lowMH Hypochoeris radicata Cat's Ear high lowMH Hypochoeris glabra Smooth Cat's-ear high lowMH Trifolium campestre var. campestre Hop Clover high lowMH Trifolium angustifolium var. angustifolium Narrow-leaf Clover high lowMH Trifolium arvense var. arvense Hare's-foot Clover high lowMH Petrorhagia velutina Velvety Pink high lowMTG Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass high lowMTG Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass high lowMTG Romulea rosea Onion Grass high highMTG Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue high highMNG Aira elegantissima Delicate Hair-grass high lowMNG Ehrharta calycina Perennial Veldt Grass high highMNG Vulpia myuros f. myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high highMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high lowMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high

Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark

EVC/Bioregion Benchmark for Vegetation Quality Assessment

Lowan Mallee bioregionEVC 981: Parilla Mallee

Description:Open mallee to 10 m tall supported by shallow accumulations of aeolian material that have been deposited on the slopes ofprominent Parilla Sandstone ridges. The understorey is highly variable comprising numerous floristic variants many of whichappear to be strongly influenced by land use and fire regime. A well-developed woody shrub layer is typical in relativelyundisturbed remnants.

Large trees:Species DBH(cm) #/haEucalyptus spp. 20 cm 25/haCallitris spp. 35 cm

Tree Canopy Cover:% cover Character Species Common Name25% Eucalyptus oleosa ssp. oleosa Oil Mallee

Eucalyptus socialis Grey MalleeEucalyptus dumosa Dumosa MalleeCallitris gracilis ssp. murrayensis Slender Cypress-pine

Understorey:Life form #Spp %Cover LF codeImmature Canopy Tree 5% ITMedium Shrub 4 10% MSSmall Shrub 3 10% SSLarge Herb 1 1% LHMedium Herb 3 5% MHSmall or Prostrate Herb 5 5% SHMedium to Small Tufted Graminoid 6 15% MTGMedium to Tiny Non-tufted Graminoid 1 5% MNGBryophytes/Lichens na 10% BLSoil Crust na 10% S/CTotal understorey projective foliage cover 60%

LF Code Species typical of at least part of EVC range Common NameMS Pittosporum angustifolium Weeping PittosporumMS Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. lanceolata MoonahMS Acacia pycnantha Golden WattleMS Acacia brachybotrya Grey MulgaSS Olearia lanuginosa Wooly Daisy-bushSS Westringia rigida Stiff WestringiaSS Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby SaltbushSS Maireana brevifolia Short-leaf BluebushMH Helichrysum leucopsideum Satin EverlastingSH Daucus glochidiatus Austral CarrotSH Calandrinia calyptrata Pink PurslaneMTG Austrostipa spp. Spear-grassMTG Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lilyMTG Austrodanthonia setacea Bristly Wallaby-grassMTG Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby-grassMNG Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grassMNG Austrostipa platychaeta Flat-awned Spear-grassMNG Austrostipa eremophila Desert Spear-grassSC Clematis microphylla Small-leaved Clematis

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment April 2004

© The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004

This publication is copyright. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house or non-commercial purposes is authorised, on condition that:• the copyright owner is acknowledged;• no official connection is claimed;• the material is made available without charge or at cost; and• the material is not subject to inaccurate, misleading or derogatory treatment.

Requests for permission to reproduce or communicate this material in any way not permitted by this licence (or by the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act 1968) should bedirected to the Nominated Officer, Copyright, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

For more information contact: Customer Service Centre, 136 186

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriatefor your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

www.dse.vic.gov.au

EVC 981: Parilla Mallee - Lowan Mallee bioregion

Recruitment:Continuous (excluding eucalypt overstorey)

Organic Litter:20% cover

Logs:15m/0.1 ha.

Weediness:LF Code Typical Weed Species Common Name Invasive ImpactT Olea europaea Olive high highMS Lycium ferocissimum Boxthorn high highLH Brassica tournefortii Mediterranean Turnip high highLH Centaurium tenuiflorum Slender Centaury high lowLH Gazania linearis Gazania high highLH Sysimbrium spp. Mustard high highLH Opuntia robusta Wheel Cactus high highMH Mesembryanthemum nodiflora Ice-plant high highMH Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed high highMH Silene apetala var. apetala Sand Catchfly high lowSH Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Common Ice-plant high highMNG Bromus spp. Brome high highMNG Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass high lowMNG Vulpia myuros f. myuros Rat's-tail Fescue high highMNG Juncus capitatus Capitate Rush high lowMNG Bromus rubens Red Brome high highSC Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper high high