Vegetation Management Plan East Ulverstone Coastal Reserve July 2010

4.7 Vegetation removal and pruning Mowing and spraying of native vegetation along with weeds is apparent in the Caravan Park and near Oz Rock Inn. Along the back dunes of Buttons Beach, beside the road, areas have been mown to create picnic areas, beach access and car parks. This has resulted in the native vegetation being reduced and greater fragmentation and edge effects occurring. Over zealous use of sprayed herbicides along the edges of native vegetation and weedy areas in the Caravan Park results in loss of native vegetation. •

Revegetate back dune areas along roadside (in conjunction with closing informal access) to widen coastal vegetation.

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Reduce mowing at picnic area opposite Oz Rock Inn, and revegetate some patches while retaining amenity (see plan, Appendix 10).

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Greater care should be taken to spray only the weeds, and not to spray natives in the coastal reserve while maintaining grassed camping areas.

4.8 Fire Any bushland has the potential to burn. Coastal vegetation is especially vulnerable to bushfire due to the dryness of the environment, volatility of some coastal plants, and often windy conditions. The Tasmanian Bushcare Toolkit (Kirkpatrick & Gilfedder 1999) states that fire is not necessary to maintain dry coastal vegetation, and excluding fire or reducing its frequency is recommended to improve vegetation condition. Random access and proximity of the bush to urban areas increases the risk of accidental fire, arson, and intentional burning off. There is evidence of random burning at Dial Street, Fish Pond and along Buttons Beach which presents a threat to the vegetation and habitat. •

Every effort should be made to avoid fires in coastal vegetation by raising community awareness of the threats from fire and irresponsible behaviour.

4.9 Climate change and sea level rise This area is likely to be affected by sea level rise and climate change in ways that we cannot yet be certain. The vulnerability to climate change of the North West Tasmanian coastline and infrastructure has been assessed (Sharples 2006) and flooding and erosion due to sea level rise and storm tides are identified threats. Buttons Beach is classified as “open sandy shores backed by soft sediment plains – potential erosion and shoreline recession vulnerability” (Sharples 2006). There is little that can be done under this management plan to address climate change, but awareness of the potential issues may influence prioritisation of other actions. For example, identifying higher sites for long term habitat provision and protection of the dune vegetation are even more important given vulnerability to erosion. •

The beach can be monitored, using the Tasmanian Shoreline Monitoring Project (TASMARC). Contact Nick Bowden (Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, ph: 62267694) for assistance.

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