Woodland rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation in an agricultural landscape in south Eastern Australia

Southern Australia has a tree crisis. The iconic and ecologically essential eucalypt trees are dying out across vast swathes of farmland that were once grassy woodlands. A century of clearing and agricultural intensification, plus the failure of these trees to self-regenerate, has led to a massive loss of wildlife habitat, particularly tree hollows that only form in large and old Eucalyptus trees. Just as importantly, this decline in trees has exposed farmers to losses of agricultural productivity. There is now a lack of shelter for livestock. Rising salty ground water is degrading pastures as this ground water is no longer being controlled by the deep roots and respiration of eucalypts. We describe the research that shows how an innovative partnership between farmers, a non-government environmental organisation, and government funding is rehabilitating entire fields to a productive and wildlife-rich woodland full of thriving eucalypts.This study would not have been possible without a generous scholarship from the Capital Region Landkeepers Trust. The Trust is committed to enhancing innovative landscape action, scholarship, and education in the Capital Region. This research was also supported by funding from the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University