Revegetation Trials at Sisters Hills

Revegetation trials, funded through the Rehabilitation Trust Fund, commenced in June 2021 at the Sisters Hills abandoned gravel pits on Whites Road, Sisters Hills, Tasmania, now part of the Dip Range Regional Reserve. This marks the completion of the 4^th year of a 5-year weed management and revegetation plan developed by Natural State Environmental Services in 2018.

Three different revegetation techniques were trialed with the aim to determine the most effective revegetation strategy at Sisters Hills.

1. Hand seeding

Approximately 45 seeding areas were created by scraping the available topsoil, directly applying native seed over the disturbed area, and covering the seed lightly with soil.

^{Hand Seeding (Photo provided by Matt Rose, Natural State).}

2. Translocation of Poa Grass

Approximately 100 clumps of Poa labillardierei (Silver Tussock Grass) were planted in available topsoil, spread on site. The planted grasses were pruned back to prevent moisture loss and transplant shock.

^{Translocation of Poa Grass (Photo provided by Matt Rose, Natural State).}

3. Brush Matting

Branches heavily laden with seed capsules were cut from nearby vegetation along Whites Road and placed onto the site to dry out and release seed over time. The branches are expected protect the seedlings throughout the germination and establishment phases.

^{Brush Matting (Photo provided by Matt Rose, Natural State).}

Following revegetation works, a drone flight was conducted in order to provide a comparison to the previous landscape and assess revegetation outcomes.