In June 2021, a severe windstorm in the Dandenong Ranges caused thousands of trees to fall over (also known as ‘windthrow’), with significant impacts on homes and the forest.
ARI has set up monitoring plots to measure the regeneration of forest canopy trees and understorey plants over time. This will provide a baseline to assess the effects of future disturbance and guide management activities. Surveys were undertaken in Autumn 2022 in two windthrow areas, and data collected on eucalypt seedlings, shrubs, ground covers, weeds, and fallen logs and branches. These areas will be surveyed again in Spring 2024 and compared with areas not affected by windthrow.
There has been very little research into the recovery of forests affected by severe windthrow in Victoria. Disturbances from windstorms are likely to become more common due to climate change, and this project will provide insights into how to manage forests after similar events in the future. ARI is working closely with DEECA’s Port Phillip Region and Parks Victoria to deliver this project.
ARI has also been collaborating with Yarra Ranges Council and Mt Dandenong Primary School to help the local community connect with the recovery of the natural environment after the storm. Students at Mt Dandenong Primary School have been learning about the life-cycle of Mountain Ash and forest regeneration by collecting samples of local native plants and recording their locations on the iNaturalist database. Yarra Ranges Council have installed nest boxes for birds and possums at the school, and the students have been involved in checking these with wildlife cameras. Connecting people with nature after disasters has been shown to help community recovery.
For more information on this work, contact annette.muir@deeca.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 09/09/24