Ashmiha is a 12-hectare property that has been largely cleared. Historically, it has been subject to grazing and slashing.

Work on this property has focussed on control of aristea, control of exotic grass species, monitoring natural regeneration and growth measurements on regenerating native plants.

Monitoring

For the purpose of monitoring, the property has been divided into a 150-metre grid, further divided into 16.67 m x 16.67 m cells.

Natural regeneration

Since the property was acquired by the Queensland Government in 2008, there has been significant regeneration of native species especially along the northern and southern boundaries. The main species are Leptospermum spp., Lomatia arborescens, Acacia melanoxylon, A. orites, A. ulicifolia, Persoonia media, Eucalyptus oreades and E. campanulata. A total of 33 species has been recorded including three rare species.

The location of all of the regenerating plants in six cells in the northeast corner has been systematically marked with a pink plant marker. In addition, regenerating plants have been marked incidentally across the property.

Growth measurements

Six cells have been selected for growth measurements in the northern corner of the property. Measurements are made at the beginning of each season, recording height, breadth, general health (including mortality), leaf area index and herbivory. More than 1000 plants are being recorded

Aristea
The property has scattered occurrences of a weed new to Queensland, Aristea ecklonii (Blue Stars). Aristea is a member of the Iris family and has rhizomes from which it can re-shoot after damage such as from frost. It can grow in the shade and produces a dense mat covering the ground. It has the potential to invade native forest and prevent regeneration of canopy and understorey species.

As a holding measure, teams of volunteers have removed flowers and fruits of aristea as well as digging up whole plants. Follow-up after digging is essential to detect rhizomes that were not completely removed.

A separate page on this web site provides more information on aristea.

Exotic grasses
Some of the property is infested with the grass, Setaria sphacelata var. sericea. This grass grows to 2 m high and in dense clumps. It essentially smothers regeneration. To date, control has been by mowing and brushcutting.

A major proportion of the property is covered by dense kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum). This has been controlled by mowing.

Fireweed

Fireweed, Senecio madagascariensis, appears across the property annually. Whereas it is not considered to be a significant threat or barrier to regeneration, it is a Class 2 declared weed under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, and is required to be controlled by landholders.

Teams of volunteers have repeatedly removed fireweed by hand-pulling. Because of propagule pressure from its wind-dispersed seeds, it will not be eradicated until a canopy provides shading.