Protecting Mulligans Flat woodlands

The final gate that will secure the predator proof fence at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve has been locked into place.

The 11 kilometre fence will keep feral animals like foxes, cats, rabbits and hares out of the native box-gum grassy woodland. It has been constructed to create the Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary, a project which emerged out of a joint research initiative between ANU and the ACT Government.

Since European settlement in Australia, over 90 per cent of the country’s native box-gum grassy woodland has been lost according to Dr Adrian Manning, a Research Fellow at the Fenner School of Environment and Society and research manager on the project.

Out of what’s left, less than five per cent is regarded as good.

“Our research began with an ARC Linkage project with the ACT Government looking at ways to manage and conserve endangered temperate woodlands in Canberra. Experimental treatments include adding dead wood, using controlled burning and excluding kangaroos that are currently highly abundant at the site and are having a significant impact on the ecosystem,” Dr Manning said.

“The idea of fencing Mulligans Flat developed out of our research partnership with the ACT Government. With the exclusion of feral pests that threatened native fauna we will be able to reintroduce locally extinct species. Many these, such as bettongs and bandicoots, had a key role in the healthy functioning of box-gum woodlands. Over the coming years we plan to undertake research with the ACT Government to understand the role these animals can play in restoring woodland ecosystems”.

Mr Stanhope said that the closing of the fence signalled the start of the protection and preservation of a key woodland area in Canberra.

“By closing the gate on the secure predator proof fence, we are taking the first steps in preserving our most precious woodland area and signalling the beginning of the rehabilitation of an ecosystem,” Mr Stanhope said.

“I think Mulligan’s will be a wonderful resource for Canberra into the future and a fantastic site for research across a whole range of organisations. I think it’ll be a great educational resource.

“I have high hopes that what we can learn here can be applied across other similar woodland areas in Canberra and the knowledge will help us in the planning of future suburbs in Canberra.”

For more information:
http://people.anu.edu.au/adrian.manning/Mulligans_Flat_Goorooyarroo.html

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/play/parks_forests_and_reserves/recreation_in_acts_parks_forests_and_bushlands/mulligans_flat