Bush regeneration
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Bush regeneration is an ecological technique practiced in Australia to restore remnant bushland ecological communities that have been invaded by weeds. This process is geared towards protecting and enhancing the rich biodiversity of plants and animals that exist in Australia.
One approach to bushland restoration was detailed by the Bradley Sisters in the early 1980s in Sydney. This approach was to determine the good-quality bushland, secure that area, then work outward from there to the degraded areas, thereby strengthening the ecological community and forcing out weeds, which are often more aggressive in growth and thus shade out the native species.
A group that restores bushland on private land is referred to as a Landcare Group. There are many Landcare Groups working on land restoration projects throughout Australia.
There are numerous Bushcare Groups in Australia working as volunteers to restore remnant patches of native bushland on public lands as well. For example, in the Blue Mountains just outside Sydney, there are now 50 such Bush Regeneration Groups working to restore bushland. These groups are supported by the local Blue Mountains City Council.
External links
- Blue Mountains City Council website (http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au)
- Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland site (http://www.weedsbluemountains.org.au/)
- Blue Mountains National Park website (http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0004?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0004&Type=Xm)
- Blue Mountains seminar lecture series (http://www.zipworld.com.au/~aabr/info/seminars/seminar01.html)