Regional Response to Climate Change -
Revegetation
Action Plan
Table of contents
Table of contents
1
List of acronyms
2
1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2
Climate change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3
Role of native vegetation as a carbon sink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
4
Achieving multiple outcomes through integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
5
Building community capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
6
Capitalising on existing relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
7
Investment framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
8
Monitoring action management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
9
Partnerships and alliances - case study details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
References
30
1
List of acronyms
2
AGO
Australian Greenhouse Office
APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
CRC
Co-operative Research Centre
CSIRO
Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation
CVGA
Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance
DPI
Department of Primary Industries
DSE
Department of Sustainability and Environment
FMA
Forest Management Area
FSC
Forest Science Centre, Creswick
GIS
Geographic Information System
IPCC
International Panel on Climate Change
JVAP
Joint Venture Agroforestry Project
MCC
Melbourne City Council
MDBC
Murray Darling Basin Commission
NAP
National Action Plan for Dryland Salinity
NCAS
National Carbon Accounting System
NCCMA
North Central Catchment Management Authority
NHT2
National Heritage Trust Mark 2
RCS
Regional Catchment Strategy
WRFA SFP
West Regional Forest Agreement Sawlog Farming Project
Introduction
1
The purpose of this plan is to initiate a regional response to climate change by sequestering
carbon through revegetation and changing land use.
Climate change is a reality. The Third Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC 2001) confirms that the earth is warming in response to the release of greenhouse gases, such as
carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere.
Recognising the reality of global warming, 73 countries have now signed the Kyoto Protocol (1997) on
greenhouse gas reductions, and with Japan signing on 5 June 2002; the protocol could soon come into force.
The arrangements described in the Kyoto Protocol are in response to climate change. Reducing the net
emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere is an important first step. This can be done by reducing
our consumption of energy from fossil fuels, and methane emissions from farm animals, stopping land
clearing and by storing carbon in actively growing trees.
Under the Kyoto Protocol strong consideration has been given to carbon sinks. Only land cleared prior to
1990 and subsequently revegetated is eligible for consideration as a carbon sink. This action plan provides
guidance on how to establish vegetation that is likely to be eligible as a 'Kyoto-compliant' carbon sink.
1.1
Regional Linkages
The NCCMA, DPI and DSE consider the
West RFA Sawlog Farming Project (DPI/DSE, 2001)
establishment of native vegetation on private land
is promoting the growing of native hardwoods for
in North Central Victoria to be a high priority. Many
sawlogs on cleared agricultural land.
existing plans and projects already deal with the
Biodiversity Action Plan for the Goldfields
issue. Establishing the links within the regional
Bioregion Victoria (NCCMA, 2002) aims to map
planning framework is an important role of this
biodiversity conservation priorities using GIS
action plan. Key reports and projects include:
mapping and locate plantings that provide
North Central Region Native Vegetation Plan
(NCCMA, March 2003) sets a target to increase
multiple environmental benefits.
MDBC Basin Salinity Management Strategy
native vegetation cover from the current level
(MDBC, 2002) and the National Action Plan for
of 12.7 per cent to 20 per cent by 2020.
Salinity and Water quality (Commonwealth
Farm Forestry Action Plan (NCCMA, 2000)
Government, 2001) will ensure that targeted
identifies six key strategies to support
revegetation produces significant salinity and
landholder adoption of farm forestry.
water quality outcomes.
3
1.2
Attracting investment
Attracting additional investment to fund land use
Scope
1.3
The action plan considers climate change as it
change and revegetation is essential to meeting
applies to establishing carbon sinks in North Central
regional targets for landscape change. The full
Victoria. The target audiences for this action plan
range of revegetation options available in North
include potential investors, landholders, policy
Central Victoria can act as carbon sinks to provide
makers and NCCMA, DPI and DSE staff involved in
carbon credits for potential investors.
implementing regional native vegetation programs.
Current investment in carbon is generally as an
offset for an existing carbon emitter and offers a
speculative return that would be realised only if a
Alignment with Regional
Catchment Strategy outcomes
1.4
market for carbon is established. Payments for
carbon sequestered by a 'low-rainfall' sawlog
The North Central Regional Catchment Strategy
plantation are attractive because they offer
(RCS) aims to integrate land and water management
payments after a few years, whereas the sawlogs
at a catchment scale and engage the community in
may take 35 to 50 years to mature.
decision making about natural resource management.
Supporting landholders in their revegetation
efforts will be a key focus in the next decade and
beyond. Growing and tending trees is very different
Implementation of this Action Plan will
contribute to the realisation of the RCS vision of:
"A well informed, resourced and actively
to cropping and grazing. The practices are different,
committed community protecting and improving the
the returns and expenses are different and the risks
natural resources for the environmental, social and
and rewards are different. Also most current
economic benefit of our region."
landholders in North Central Victoria have only
limited experience with establishing, growing and
Outline of the actions planned
1.5
managing trees for commercial purposes.
For this plan to work it must:
This plan identifies actions to:
Attract new investors to establish carbon sinks
Create awareness of global warming and the
in the region.
Support landholders by identifying and
meeting their requirements.
Be integrated into natural resource management
programs in North Central Victoria.
role of carbon sinks.
Estimate, measure, pool and sell carbon.
Integrate carbon sinks into existing native
vegetation establishment programs.
Ensure the community are supported to adopt
and manage carbon sinks.
Develop partnerships with organisations that
support establishing carbon sinks.
Attract investment to carbon sinks in North
Central Victoria.
Support an ongoing response to climate
change.
4
International Panel
on Climate Change
United Nations Framework
on Climate Change, Kyoto
1997, Marrakesh 2001
Natural Heritage Trust (NHT)
National Framework for the
Management and Monitoring
of Australia’s Native Vegetation
Plantations for Australia:
the 2020 Vision
National Greenhouse
Strategy
Victorian Greenhouse
Strategy
Growing Victoria’s Greenhouse
Sinks Promoting private
investment in carbon sinks
Carbon and Greenhouse
accounting
CVGA Communications
Strategy
North Central Victoria
Regional Catchment Strategy
West RFA Sawlog Farming
Project
North Central Native
Vegetation Plan
Action Plan to respond to
Climate Change.
DPI, DSE and NCCMA’s
Revegetation and Land Use
Change Programs in North
Central Victoria.
North Central Farm Forestry
Action Plan
Regional Catchment
Investment Plan
Various other North
Central Victorian
Plans
Biodiversity AP
Dryland Salinity AP
River Health Strategy
Land and Water AP
Annual Work Plans
On-ground Actions
Natural Resource
Management Outcomes
Figure 1: The relationship between North Central regional plans and a global response to climate change.
5
Climate change
2.1
Objective
2
This is against a background level of stable
temperature since the year 1000. The IPCC 2001
To raise awareness and understanding of the
report reveals that the projected rate of warming is
implications of climate change and the
without precedent in the last 10,000 years. While
opportunities that native vegetation provides
average global temperature will be higher, most
for a regional response to the issue.
land areas will be warmer than the average with
some regions up to 40 per cent warmer (up to 8.1
2.2
Causes and impacts
of climate change
degrees).
Global precipitation will be higher; with larger
annual variations. Some land areas will have higher
The level of greenhouse gases in the
rainfall and many will have lower rainfall. Extreme
atmosphere affects the earth’s warmth and
temperature and storm events are likely to be more
consequently its climate. Greenhouse gases include
frequent and severe El Nino events are more likely
carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Small
to be associated with more extreme drying and
quantities of these gases regulate the earth’s
increased risk of drought. Snow cover, sea ice,
temperature by allowing incoming sunlight to pass
glaciers and icecaps are projected to decrease in
through whilst retaining some of the heat that
extent. The global sea level is expected to rise
would otherwise radiate back into space. As a
between 0.09 to 0.88 meters by 2100. If emissions
result of this natural greenhouse effect, average
were stabilised, and subsequently reduced to zero,
temperatures on earth are around 33˚C warmer than
it will take a further 300 years for the atmosphere
they would otherwise be. (Victorian Greenhouse
to return to pre-industrial levels of greenhouse
Strategy, 2002).
gases.
This plan responds to the concern over climate
change brought about by the rapid build up of
greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Over
the past 100 years, human activities – particularly
the burning of fossil fuels and land clearing – have
resulted in a steady rise in the level of greenhouse
gas emissions. This has significantly increased the
atmospheric concentration of these gases, resulting
in an ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’. More of the
sun’s heat is now trapped; this warms the earth and
changes global climate systems.
In January 2001, the International Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) member governments
approved a ‘peer reviewed’ report that confirms
current measurable global warming impacts. This
report projects an increase in average global
temperature of between 1.4 to 5.8 degrees by 2100.
6
By 2100 the changes predicted for Victoria are:
Temperature to be 0.7˚C to 5.0˚C warmer than
it was in 1990.
In the North Central region of Victoria, wetter
conditions are predicted in summer and drier
conditions in winter and spring. Temperatures are
More frequent extreme maximum
likely to be from 0.5 to 2.2 degrees warmer by 2050
temperatures, with up to 3.5 times more hot
with extreme daily temperature and rainfall events
days in some areas.
increasing in intensity and frequency. These changes
Less frequent frosts, with much of the State to
will impact on water supplies, agriculture and
become frost-free at the higher levels of
biodiversity. The timing, scale and implications of
projected temperature increases.
these impacts are uncertain.
Less rainfall – in most regions, changes in
Carbon sinks reduce the amount of carbon
annual rainfall ranging from -25% to +9% are
dioxide in the atmosphere and are a practical and
projected.
meaningful response to climate change. However
Less Spring rainfall through most of the State,
with more dry Springs.
solving global warming requires actions to reduce the
amount of greenhouse gases being emitted.
More intense and more frequent extreme daily
rainfall events.
In North Central Victoria, DPI, DSE and the
NCCMA are developing in partnership a regional
Increased moisture stress due to reduced
response to climate change through land use change
rainfall and warmer conditions increasing
and revegetation. Both organisations are members of
evaporation.
the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, which
(Victorian Greenhouse Strategy, 2002).
2.3
aims to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions.
Actions
Action
Table 1
Responsibility
Timeframe
Priority
Promote an understanding of climate
change and the role that native
vegetation can play as carbon sinks at
a regional scale through an extensive
community education and awareness
program. Target groups to include
NCCMA, DPI/DSE, CVGA, Mayors and
CEO’s forum, Local Government,
NCCMA Implementation Committee’s
and Landcare Groups.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
Conduct a program to reduce and
monitor greenhouse gas emissions at
the NCCMA and DPI/DSE Bendigo
and report the results to the Central
Victorian Greenhouse Alliance.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
Conduct an audit of DPI/DSE and
NCCMA policies, plans and practices
to gauge their contribution to emitting
or sinking greenhouse gases and
highlight this for consideration when
they are reviewed.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003
Low
Provide information to the regional
catchment community through North
Central CMA carbon sinks web site
with links to key web sites,
information and contacts.
NCCMA
2002-2003
Medium
Ongoing
2002-2003
Medium
Low
7
Role of native vegetation
as a carbon sink
3.1
Objective
3
that is converted from atmospheric CO2 by
photosynthesis.
To ensure that the knowledge and practices
necessary to establish and manage a native
vegetation carbon sink are available for North
International Framework
for carbon sinks
3.3
Central Victoria.
The Kyoto Protocol recognises that carbon sinks
3.2
Native vegetation
as a carbon sink
and the reduction of emissions from land clearing
are legitimate means for a country to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. The rules for
Vegetation absorbs CO2 during photosynthesis,
resulting in its removal from the atmosphere.
clear. Vegetation to be eligible as a carbon sink
Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide, water and
needs to have:
sunlight to create complex carbohydrates like
Height greater than two metres
cellulose, which is stored in:
Crown Cover greater than 20 per cent
the above ground vegetation
Grow in patches greater than one hectare
the roots
Been established after 1 January 1990
the soil.
Been established on land clear of trees prior to
Growing plants therefore provide what is
referred to as a ’carbon sink’. All plants sink
carbon dioxide during the day, they also emit a
small amount of carbon dioxide overnight. The net
31 December 1989
Been established by human induced means
such as planting or seeding.
Most farm forestry plantations, environmental
effect is an accumulation of carbon in the plant’s
plantings, windbreaks and shelter belts established
biomass. When a plant dies, or is harvested, some
since 1990 on cleared land will meet these criteria.
or all of the carbon is released back to the
atmosphere.
Soils also contain significant amounts of stored
The carbon pool for an area of land includes the
above ground biomass, litter and woody debris,
below ground biomass, soil carbon and harvested
carbon, and have the potential to act as carbon
materials. Once an area of land has been
sinks - particularly where their capacity to store
revegetated, full carbon accounting of relevant
carbon can be increased by modified management
carbon pools and measurement of changes of non-
practices. On a global scale, soils and vegetation
CO2 greenhouse gases (methane and nitrous oxide)
absorb about 40 per cent of CO2 emissions.
on that land, is eligible to be reported as a carbon
The amount of carbon sequestered by standing
sink. However at this stage the capacity to
vegetation (e.g. plantations, regenerating forests and
efficiently measure carbon only exists for above
revegetated stands of native bush) changes over
ground biomass. Changes in these greenhouse gas
their lifecycle - increasing slowly early in life,
emissions or claimed carbon sinks due to fires,
accelerating as trees increase in size, and ultimately
pests, thinning, harvesting, replanting, CO2
reaching an equilibrium. Approximately 50 per cent
fertilisation or any other cause, need to be reported.
of the dry weight of a forest's biomass is carbon
8
establishing Kyoto compliant carbon sinks are now
3.4
Carbon sequestration
of the carbon sink is the sequestration rate
multiplied by the number of years the vegetation
Vegetation is likely to sequester between one
grows. This vegetation will include sawlog
and ten tonnes of carbon per hectare per year over
plantations with 30 to 50 year rotations and
a 30-year period. The figure may be higher in areas
conservation plantings that grow vigorously for 100
of very high growth, such as irrigated plantations,
to 200 years.
and is most likely to be in the range of two to three
tonnes of carbon per hectare per year for non-
Carbon accounting
3.5
irrigated plantations in the North Central Victoria.
Carbon sequestration rates depend on climate, soil,
Through the National Carbon Accounting System
individual species characteristics and management
(NCAS), Australia is developing carbon accounting
regime. Most trees grow slowly, and the greatest
tools for measuring and predicting carbon in forest
carbon sequestration rates are attained when they
ecosystems. The Cooperative Research Centre for
are between about 5 and 15 years of age. If trees
Carbon Accounting is coordinating considerable
are not harvested, they will continue to sequester
research into carbon uptake and storage in a range
carbon at a slower rate until around 100 to 200
of ecosystems, including those in mid to low-rainfall
years of age, when growth is balanced by decay.
areas. This data will be used to estimate the current
With a plan to revegetate more than 200,000
hectares of land in North Central Victoria, the size
quantity of carbon held on a site and predict the
growth of carbon stocks into the future.
9
3.6
By being part of a carbon pool a vegetation
Operating a regional
carbon pool
stand owner can expect a return on its carbon sink
equal to the average amount of carbon sequestered
North Central Victoria is well positioned to
over the rotation age.
operate a carbon pool because of plans to establish
Eligible vegetation has been established since
200,000 ha of native vegetation, which represents a
1990. Future vegetation establishment on cleared
large carbon sink. A carbon pool is the summation
land is eligible as a carbon sink.
of all the stands of eligible vegetation. Its size will
Plantation owners, such as Hancock Plantations,
vary as stands are harvested and replanted. At any
operate current carbon pools. Establishing a carbon
point in time it represents the carbon sink of all the
pool in North Central Victoria would require a
stands in the pool.
broader range of vegetation options to be included
The notion of a pool is important because the
and firm agreements with vegetation owners
size of the carbon sink varies as new areas are
regarding the time they plan to harvest trees.
planted and existing stands are harvested. The pool
Funding to establish a carbon pool will enable
needs to be managed so that at no time is more
North Central Victoria to measure the size of its
carbon traded than any future minimum level of
carbon sink and consider the viability of carbon
carbon sink within all eligible stands. This minimum
trading within the region.
level is based on dates of harvesting stands and
insurance for loss from causes such as fire.
Action
10
3.7
Actions
Table 2
Responsibility
Timeframe
Priority
Seek funding to establish a carbon
pool for North Central Victoria.
NCCMA
2002-2003
High
Develop the capability and knowledge
to estimate carbon sequestration rates
for vegetation systems within North
Central Victoria and apply to new and
all eligible revegatation projects since
1990.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2002-2003
High
Trial carbon measurement techniques
for a range of sites and vegetation
systems in North Central Victoria.
DPI/DSE
2003-2004
High
Update carbon estimation and
measurement capability by
maintaining effective alliances with the
carbon accounting CRC (includes FSC)
and AGO land management group.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2002-2003
Medium
Achieving multiple outcomes
through integration
4
The response to climate change embraced by this action plan is to sequester carbon in native vegetation
established on cleared land. However such native vegetation will provide multiple benefits such as those
described in Table 3. As a core benefit for a range of vegetation systems, carbon sinks can play a central role
in achieving multiple outcomes through integration.
4.1
Objective
To use carbon sequestration as a means of
4.2
Multiple Benefits
Native vegetation provides a range of benefits.
integrating the outcomes and resources of native
Table 3 [based on Trees, Water and Salt (2000)]
vegetation programs.
provides a summary of the benefits and the role of
carbon sinks.
Table 3
Vegetation
Benefit
Role of Vegetation
Role of Carbon Sequestration
Water
quality/Salinity
control
Salinity is caused by rising water
tables releasing salt from the soil.
Salt occurs in soil when rainfall <
900mm. Native vegetation controls
salinity by lowering the water table.
When deep-rooted vegetation
replaces annual grasses stream flow
is reduced by 50 per cent (actual
reduction depends on many factors).
Leakage to the water table may be
zero. Deep roots from native
vegetation may reach the water table
and directly lower water levels.
Rainfall < 900mm, vegetation supports water quality and
carbon sinks. Conflict may arise as water yield reduces more
quickly than water tables, such that the remaining salt in
streams is more concentrated.
Water Quality
Vegetation filters water before it
enters the stream. Trees shade the
stream.
Streamside vegetation is usually less water-limited than
surrounding areas and sequesters carbon more rapidly.
Biodiversity
Reversing land clearing by
establishing trees has the potential
to reverse declining populations of
native flora and fauna.
Biodiversity and carbon sinks are strongly aligned as they both
seek long-term revegetation of any cleared site. The optimal
design of the vegetation systems for carbon sinks differs from
that for biodiversity. Carbon sinks want long-lived plants with a
continuous high growth rate that is easily measured.
Biodiversity vegetation systems consider understorey and
grasses and the original ecological vegetation class that support
important flora and fauna. Remnant vegetation provides
biodiversity benefits. Carbon sinks that stop a rising water table
from killing the flora provide a benefit.
Rainfall > 900mm, native vegetation is unlikely to improve
salinity, but will reduce water yield. Carbon sequestration is
rapid.
11
Table 4
Vegetation
Benefit
Role of Vegetation
How the benefit interacts with
sequestration
Shade
Shelter and
Soil Health
Native trees intercept the sun and
wind to protect surrounding plants
and animals. Roots growing deep
into the soils add to soil carbon over
a long period of time.
Individual trees and rows of trees provide optimal shade,
shelter and soil health. Rows of trees are easy to access to
measure carbon. Growth rates may vary more than block
plantings. If being used for wood products, larger branches
may be a concern. Individual trees spaced to provide 20%
crown cover, sequester less carbon per hectare than
plantations.
Landscape
Amenity
Native vegetation improves the
appearance of the landscape. Many
studies show that many people
prefer wide spaced ‘park like’ trees.
Broad acre single species plantations sequester carbon but are
visually less appealing to many people. Carbon sinks offer the
potential to match vegetation system design to community
preference for landscape amenity.
Tree trunk and
branch
products
Native trees yield sawlogs, posts,
poles, woodchips, seed and
firewood.
Tree products and carbon sinks both benefit from fast growth.
Tree products provide best return when grown to product
specification in the least time. Carbon provides best return
when grown for as long as possible. Where land is used to
grow trees and carbon in perpetuity, the impact of carbon will
be to increase the rotation length for tree grown for tree
products
4.3
Co-ordination of effort –
Program integration links
with existing projects
associated with establishing a large area of sawlogs
on cleared land. The 30,000-hectare target
represents a sizable carbon sink. Some of the
information learned will apply to establishing
4.3.1
West Victoria Regional Forest
Agreement Sawlog Farming
Project (WRFA SFP)
The long-term aim of the WRFA SFP is to
non-sawlog vegetation within North Central
Victoria. The carbon sink from this project may play
a foundation role for a regional carbon pool.
Farming Mallee Eucalypts
4.3.2
facilitate the development of a high-grade private
eucalypt sawlog resource of approximately 30,000
12
This project plans to establish 10,000 hectares of
hectares. The activity in this $2.2 million project
mallee eucalypts (see case study, Page Z). The
includes developing an investment framework,
above ground vegetation is to be harvested on a
industry and community needs, land based priority
two-year rotation and represents a minor carbon
mapping, management prescriptions and attracting
sink. However the lignotuber (mallee root) of this
investment. The WRFA SFP is exploring the issues
long-lived species does accumulate carbon. Shea et
al (1998) determined that mallee roots initially grow
carbon pool, representing a future source of income
at one tonne per hectare per year but growth rate
if measured and sold. Carbon sequestration
decelerates to a plateau over a period of 100 years.
agreements could be negotiated to ensure that the
This may therefore be an important carbon sink if
vegetation is managed in addition to salinity control
efficient techniques can be developed to measure
as a carbon sink within a regional carbon pool.
the carbon.
Bushcare
4.3.3
National Action Plan for
Salinity and Water Quality
4.3.4
The primary objective of Bushcare is to reverse
the decline in the extent and the quality of native
The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water
vegetation cover by:
Quality (NAP) indicates that accredited
Conserving remnant vegetation.
catchment/regional plans are likely to include,
Conserving biological diversity.
among other things, action to establish multiple-
Restoring by means of revegetation, the
purpose perennial vegetation (focused on
environmental values and productive capacity
agriculture, forests, and biodiversity and carbon
of degraded land and water.
sequestration) in targeted areas.
The Plan also foreshadows the development of
Where revegetation occurs on cleared land, it
could also be managed as a carbon sink.
market-based systems. These include a ‘trust’ to act
as the market intermediary between private and
Landcare
4.3.5
public investors with interests in improved
environmental management outcomes (salinity
The Second-Generation Landcare Program (2002)
control, carbon sequestration, improved biodiversity
makes available State Government funding for
etc), and landholders, who would provide these
community projects by groups, and, in some cases,
outcomes through tree planting or habitat
individuals. The Program aims to:
protection.
Victoria’s Salinity Management Framework:
Restoring our Catchments (August 2000), notes the
Help community groups to operate at their
optimum level.
Provide support to community groups to
opportunity for synergy between farm forestry,
participate in natural resource management
salinity management and greenhouse carbon sinks.
projects.
It incorporates commitments to develop a land
Recognise regional diversity.
management agreement system for protecting
Provide a catalyst for changing land management
remnant vegetation and revegetation in priority
practices.
areas for salinity control, and to develop and
Promote and protect biodiversity values.
promote innovative market-based dryland farming
Landcare groups can become involved in carbon
systems and vegetation management strategies.
Current NAP support for revegetation is $500 per
sinks in a range of ways. This includes supporting
multiple benefit native vegetation establishment on
hectare for establishment. This vegetation becomes
cleared land, estimating and measuring carbon sinks
a carbon sink and could be part of the regional
and creating awareness of carbon sinks and climate
change.
13
4.3.6
BushTender
Carbon sinks offer a potential additional source
of revenue for growers of farm trees. Community
BushTender is a new mechanism, based on a
support for farm forestry, and the rate of adoption
competitive auction process, for establishing
of farm forestry, is complementary to carbon sinks
management agreements with landholders.
establishment.
Landholders establish their own price for the
management services they are prepared to offer to
improve the biodiversity offered by
native vegetation. This price forms the
basis for 'their bid', which is compared
with the bids from all other landholders
who participate. The first BushTender
trial ran in the North Central region in
2002.
BushTender offers a model for
setting a price for carbon sequestered
that would be adequate for a
landholder to undertake a revegetation
project. A carbon sink tender could ask
landholders to identify multiple benefit
revegetation projects and then set a price that they
would require for carbon sequestered. Landholders
would be paid for actual carbon sequestered at age
Co-ordination with water
quality and yield
4.3.8
5, 10 and 15 years.
Concern over water supply is a major and
4.3.7
Farm Forestry
growing issue. Where rainfall is less than 900 mm,
clearing has in many locations lead to the
Victoria’s Private Forestry strategy focussing on
2002 – 2005 identifies the following goals in its
land and creates saline streams. Revegetation may
Environmental Health strategic element:
reverse this process over time but the short-term
Improved water quality and sustainable water
yields.
An increasing and substantial contribution from
Private Forestry to the amelioration of land
degradation and salinity.
impacts are uncertain. It could be that stream flow
reduces in these areas and water becomes highly
saline. (Also see Table 5).
Revegetation works must aim to minimise the
impacts on water catchment yield, and at the same
Improvement of biodiversity values across the
time maximise amelioration of salinity and nutrient
landscape through Private Forestry (including
discharge through strategic interception with deep-
protecting and enhancing existing remnants).
rooted vegetation.
A significant contribution to carbon sequestration.
14
mobilisation of salt, which impacts on low-lying
In the foothills of Mount Macedon, and
Agriculture
4.3.10
surrounding storages like Cairn Curran, water yield
(quantity and timing) is likely to be an issue. The
Methane emissions from sheep and cattle and
general method for predicting a catchment’s
nitrous oxide emissions from fertilised and irrigated
response to tree planting is to consider:
areas are significant sources of greenhouse gases.
Discharge capacity of the aquifer.
Opportunities to reduce these emissions through
The spatial distribution of ground water
improved efficiency of water use; fertiliser
recharge.
application and carbon storage in soils should also
Scale of the ground water system (local,
intermediate or regional scale catchments).
Salinity of the groundwater.
be developed. While they are important for multiple
environmental benefits, these issues are outside the
scope of this plan.
The periodicity of the recharge process.
[Source: Trees, Water and Salt (2002)]
Community concern for water supply and
revegetation in North Central Victoria requires a
considered response by the authorities. These
authorities include Goulburn Murray Water, Coliban
Water, DPI/DSE and NCCMA.
4.3.9
How carbon sinks integrate
native vegetation programs
All vegetation established on cleared land after
1990 is eligible to become a 'Kyoto-compliant'
carbon sink. Carbon sinks create an additional
value for vegetation established for any other
purpose. To capture the value of the carbon sink
the vegetation needs to be measured for carbon at
the time of sale. By introducing carbon
sequestration agreements into the projects and
programs for native vegetation establishment in
North Central Victoria, not only is there a common
integrating value for the vegetation, but additional
resources can be applied to these important
programs.
15
4.4
Actions
Table 5
Action
16
Responsibility
Timeframe
Priority
Insert carbon sequestration
agreements for revegetation projects.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2003-2004
High
Explore links with NAP as a key
funding mechanism, to ensure that
revegetation efforts are strategically
aligned with greenhouse carbon sinks
requirements.
NCCMA
2003-2004
High
Accurately describe multiple natural
resource management benefits by
modelling (at a range of scales)
various vegetation systems.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2004-2006
High
Provide landholders and other
stakeholders with design and
implementation specifications for
vegetation carbon sinks that provide
multiple benefits.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2003-2006
Medium
Use current NAP, NHT and WRFA SFP
programs to demonstrate the benefits
of investing in revegetation to
potential investors.
DPI/DSE
2003-2004
High
Prepare an annual auditable statement
of the benefits received from multiple
benefit projects and communicate
these to investors.
DPI/DSE
2003-2004
Low
Convene a forum with catchment
hydrologists and relevant other
researchers, G-MW, Coliban Water and
DPI/DSE and NCCMA to scope the
water yield and quality issue to decide
how to respond.
NCCMA
2003-2004
High
Explore using the CMA as a packager
of carbon sink projects. (Given the
current reliance on WRFA SFP, NAP
and NHT2 projects the CMA is close
to most of the projects and provides a
link between landholders and
potential carbon investors).
NCCMA
2003-2004
Medium
Conduct a carbon tender process.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2004
High
Building community capability
5
In the context of revegetation as a response to climate change, ‘community capacity’ to adopt ‘carbon
sinks’ refers to revegetating cleared agricultural land, establishing and tending that vegetation and measuring
the carbon sequestered.
5.1
Objective
to create market-based mechanisms to reward
landholders to change land-use where the benefits
To support landholders to adopt and manage
native revegetation projects that sink carbon.
flow to the wider community. Creating markets for
carbon, biodiversity and water quality that send
clear price signals to landholders that it pays to
5.2
Alternative land use
revegetate cleared land, is part of developing
community capacity.
The cleared agricultural land being considered
However even with the current knowledge of
for revegetation is in private ownership. To change
carbon credits and other markets for native
an area of land from agriculture to native vegetation
vegetation, some landholders have already invested
a landholder must be convinced it is in his/her best
in establishing native vegetation on their farms.
interest. The question to be answered is "will the
combination of native vegetation products and
Local Government
5.3
agricultural products from the farm be a better
result than current uses?"
Past markets for wool, meat and crops can be
Local Government has an important role to play
in regional development and changes to private
analysed to predict future returns. The market for
land use. Yet many of the region’s councils have
native vegetation products is more complex.
limited experience and capability in native
Returns from sawlogs and firewood follow many
vegetation establishment and use. Local government
years after the expense of establishment. Apart from
is a referral body for Plantation Development
cashflow management, agricultural landholders in
Notices and administers the Code of Forest Practice
North Central Victoria have little exposure to
on private land. This requires a full appreciation of
commercial logging. Returns from shade and shelter
native vegetation management. Developing this role
may be difficult to attribute to yields, stock and
is an important part of community capacity
erosion prevention. Returns from carbon sinks, will
building.
rely upon establishing a carbon pool. Current
returns from carbon sinks have been achieved by
large plantation owners who have the capacity to
Capacity to tend and grow native
vegetation as a carbon sink
5.4
arrange their own carbon pool. Returns from
biodiversity, water quality and reduced salinity
The Plantations for Greenhouse project
apply to the whole community. For any landholder
established a number of plantations in North
there must be a clear 'individual benefit' arising
Central Victoria, including 60 hectares on Bendigo
from the conversion of cleared land to 'native
Council land at Huntly. While this project was
vegetation community benefits'.
directly based on carbon sinks, the region, through
This situation raises market failure and the need
other projects, has been developing its capability
17
and establishment of native vegetation. It has regional tree growing groups like Box Ironbark Farm Forestry
Network (BIFFIN), Northern United Forestry Group (NUFG) and Buloke Timbers. Farm forestry establishment
figures can be found in Table 6.
Table 6
Purpose
Farm Forestry
Total area established
to 31st March 1997
Total area established
to 31st March 1997
448ha
1225ha
590ha
14200ha
2300ha
8754ha
Bush care/
Landcare/Salinity
and other NRM
programs
Established in
01/02
These figures indicate a level of landowner willingness to allocate land to native vegetation, and a
capacity of local nurseries to grow seedlings, and local contractors to establish seedlings.
Working with native vegetation systems requires skill and largely involves growing the seedlings and
establishing the trees. Managing a carbon sink requires maintaining firebreaks, measuring the trees, and
measuring carbon. Trees may live for 200-500 years, so the main work involves measuring and re-establishing
new trees after any tree deaths due to disease, fire or storms. The nature of the native vegetation work
pattern has implications for farmers working life and cash flow.
5.5
Landholder Response to
Incentives
The West Regional Forest Agreement (RFA)
Sawlog Farming Project received 174 expressions of
interest from landholders keen to plant trees in the
spring of 2002 and 2003 for sawlog production. The
total establishment area for all expressions of
interest covers 2000 hectares over the two years,
with 480 hectares to be established in 2002. These
figures indicate that landholders are prepared to
adopt native vegetation with some support at
establishment.
18
5.6
Actions
Table 7
Action
Responsibility
Timeframe
Priority
Prepare a local scale map of land
cleared before 1 January 1990 and
suited as a carbon sink.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2003-2004
High
Develop a database on cleared land
and owners interest in carbon sinks.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2003-2005
Medium
Develop revegetation projects for
landholders whose land lies in priority
NAP and biodiversity locations and
secure landholders to commit the land
to the project.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2004-2005
High
Prepare extension materials on
integrated greenhouse carbon sinks
management to meet the skills needs
of landholders.
DPI/DSE
2004-2006
Low
Develop a kit on carbon sink
investments as part of a follow up
program for local government on
private forestry.
DPI/DSE
2003-2004
Low
In conjunction with the Australian
Greenhouse Office (AGO), frame a
regionally-based project to
operationalise the practices involved
in measuring and trading carbon
absorbed by native vegetation.
NCCMA
2003-2004
Medium
Run Capacity Building
Training/information sessions for
landholders on carbon sinks.
NCCMA
2003-2004
High
19
Capitalising on existing
relationships
6
DPI, DSE and the NCCMA have developed important relationships in developing this action plan.
Opportunities exist to develop partnerships on joint projects.
6.1
Objective
6.4
Murray Darling Basin Commission
– Vegetation Bank Project
To develop existing relationships explored
during the Action planning process to increase our
carbon sinks capacity.
An MDBC spokesperson presented a paper to
the Response to Climate Change workshop,
Creswick, March 2002. The paper outlines the
6.2
Central Victorian Greenhouse
Alliance (CVGA)
concept of a ‘Vegetation Bank’, which uses salinity
credits as a mechanism to foster commercial
forestry outside its normal economic range. The
This group is coordinating a broad community
Vegetation Bank is developing technical knowledge,
response to climate change including energy
investment market expertise and resources to
conservation, renewable power generation, clean
prepare for revegetation projects.
fuels, modified farming practices and revegetation.
DPI/DSE and NCCMA in the response to climate
CVGA is a regional body comprising ten local
change are seeking to revegetate in the same
councils, Latrobe University, DPI/DSE, NCCMA,
manner while focusing on carbon credits. A
Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria and Bendigo
partnership with MDBC could focus on
Bank. The CVGA has asked that DPI/DSE and
operationalising the Vegetation Bank concept to
NCCMA report to the alliance on their organisation's
help develop the knowledge and expertise and
efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The
secure the resources needed for revegetation. A
CVGA provides an effective mechanism to
pilot project is being developed focusing on the
communicate with the local community, especially
Ben More Range in the upper Bet Bet catchment.
local government, about progress in establishing
Forest Science Centre, Creswick
carbon sinks.
6.3
Australian Greenhouse Office –
Land Management Section (AGO)
6.5
The Director of the Forest Science Centre
(Creswick 2002) argues "we need to begin
undertaking fundamental research if we are to
The AGO continues to support DPI/DSE and
move away from the ‘trial and error' approach to
NCCMA in North Central Victoria to plan for the
revegetation. We must also answer questions about
establishment of carbon sinks. The AGO provides
the ‘sustainability’ of vegetation - e.g. can we
advice and a comprehensive range of publications.
maintain or improve growth, biodiversity and soil
and water quality?"
While there is some knowledge of the growth
and suitability of vegetation for industrial
plantations such as for Blue Gum and Radiata Pine,
20
gaps exist in our knowledge of the effects of
Melbourne City Council
6.7
differing availability of water and nutrients on
growth and survival of most other species used for
Melbourne City Council (MCC) is Australia’s
revegetation. Researching these gaps will improve
representative on APEC’s sustainable energy
the efficiency of revegetation programs.
committee and has communicated to APEC that it will
As part of the carbon sinks revegetation work in
have zero net greenhouse emissions by 2020. MCC is
North Central Victoria, there is a need to carry out
also seeking to promote 'or brand' Melbourne as an
appropriate research. The requirements for this
environmentally friendly city. It wants to establish
should be developed in conjunction with the
vegetation that provides a fair economic return with a
appropriate research providers such as the Forest
triple bottom line rating. Carbon credits are only part
Science Centre, Creswick.
of the return it seeks. Discussions with consultants for
MCC have confirmed the possibility of working jointly
6.6
CSIRO – Ecosystems Services
Project
CSIRO – Ecosystems Services can support the
on designing a suitable native vegetation plantation in
North Central Victoria.
Local Government
6.8
development of market-based mechanisms. This
group has completed an inventory of the goods and
Staff from Bendigo and Campaspe Councils have
services in the Goulburn-Broken Catchment and
suggested that cleared road reserves may be suitable
maintains links with international work done in this
for establishing carbon sinks. Bendigo Council is
field. These services include carbon sequestration and
considering supporting landholders to grow native
water quality.
vegetation on the land adjacent to road reserves.
CSIRO have funded a ‘Markets project’. This
project aims to operationalise research done into
Returns from carbon sinks may finance such a
project.
market-based mechanisms to sustain ecosystems
services. As part of the Markets project CSIRO is
Goulburn Murray Water
6.9
looking to establish five sites in regional Australia to
study. An opportunity exists for the North Central
GMW has about 500 hectares of land surrounding
region to be selected as one of these sites. The
water storages where they are considering
NCCMA or DPI/DSE would be expected to contribute
revegetating to generate multiple benefits, including
approximately $30,000 per annum over three years to
carbon sequestration.
join the project with a similar contribution in-kind.
21
6.10
Actions
Table 8
Action
22
Responsibility
Timeframe
Priority
Explore the MDBC vegetation bank to
determine the benefits of such a
concept operating in the North Central
region.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2003-2004
High
Identify regional research needs
through stakeholder consultations.
NCCMA
2003-2006
Medium
Allocate a percentage of all carbon
sink projects funding to allow for
basic research in native species. Seek
matching research specific funding.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2004-2005
High
Identify research linkages with
regional vegetation programs.
NCCMA
2003-2006
Low
Develop market-based mechanisms for
environmental services with CSIRO
using North Central as an example.
NCCMA/DPI/DSE
2003-2006
Medium
Propose a joint project to establish
native vegetation with Melbourne City
Council and other potential 3rd party
investors
DPI/DSE
2003-2004
High
DPI/DSE and NCCMA to maintain a
representation at CVGA meetings and
report on greenhouse gas emissions
and progress with creating native
vegetation carbon sinks.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2006
Medium
Approach GMW to establish carbon
sinks on the 500ha surrounding water
storages.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2004
High
Develop a proposal to target Bendigo
council’s road reserves revegetation
initiative to provide linkages and
demonstration sites for broad scale
revegetation; this would include
possible partners to resource the
project
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2006
High
Local Government
Local Government
Investment framework
7
An investment framework for carbon sinks 'values' the role of carbon sequestration in native vegetation
establishment and management. Consequently it is intimately integrated with all values related to native
vegetation establishment. The relative value of carbon will vary with the other values such as biodiversity,
salinity control, sawlogs and firewood attributed to the vegetation.
When the total value of an investment in vegetation is high enough for investors, then more vegetation
investments will occur. Carbon sinks are an important additional value attributed to vegetation in North Central
Victoria.
The West RFA Sawlog Farming Project is developing an investment framework for sawlog production.
This work will value all benefits attributable to sawlog establishment, including for carbon sequestration.
As this action plan considers all native vegetation to be established on cleared land, an additional investment
framework may be necessary to deal with non-sawlog plantings such as for conservation, salinity and
biodiversity. The value of carbon sinks from revegetation projects not being harvested is significantly higher
than, for say, for sawlog revegetation. This is an important value for biodiversity and conservation plantings.
7.1
Objective
growth is eligible as a carbon sink. Consequently
longer rotation lengths, including not harvesting,
To facilitate investment in carbon sinks
revegetation projects to achieve multiple natural
resource management outcomes in line with the
goals of the Regional Catchment Strategy.
may be attractive to investors with increasing values
for carbon sequestration.
This means that the most compatible multiple
uses for carbon sinks comprising native trees are
those that do not require the harvesting of the
7.2
The Investment
trees. Where it is planned to harvest trees, only the
average amount of carbon sequestered, additional
The investment is the carbon sequestered in
native vegetation and removed from the
to the cleared land, can be claimed as a once only
carbon credit.
atmosphere to reduce global warming. The
vegetation traits that best fit this purpose are:
Long-lived
Rapid continuous growth to maximise carbon
stored
Robust
Easy to measure the carbon sequestered
Low establishment cost
Low maintenance cost.
Long-lived native trees meet this range of traits.
Where trees are harvested, a carbon pool needs to
be established (see Chapter 3) and only the average
amount of carbon sequestered over the period of
23
For example if a one-hectare firewood plot
Many different issues will motivate investors in
produces 30 tonnes of firewood when completely
carbon sinks, including concern for climate change.
cleared every 10 years, this represents only an
The lack of an operating market for carbon credits
average increase of carbon on that hectare as a
means that the investment is speculative. The
percentage of the 15 tonnes of firewood.
reasons for this are:
This percentage of the 15 tonnes is the size of
The value of carbon in the future depends on
the one-off claimable carbon sink. To be claimable
technology development in reducing carbon
the plot owner would need to be part of a larger
emissions and government regulation of
carbon pool. Payment for the carbon component of
carbon emissions and carbon sinks.
the 15 tonnes of firewood may be made as early as
five years of age.
Impacts from climate change that affects the
global community enough for governments to
The carbon payment may provide early
react and then regulate carbon are difficult to
cashflow. The amount of the carbon credit is
foresee.
approximately half the average size of the carbon
There is no company track record to follow in
carbon sinks investments.
sink at the time of harvesting multiplied by the
Companies that provide carbon sink
price paid for carbon. When native vegetation
claimed as a carbon sink is not to be harvested the
investments may be associated by investors
entire carbon sink at the time of measurement is
with some poor agribusiness investments.
eligible for any carbon credit.
7.3
Figure 3 describes three options for investors in
carbon sink projects. One option is to buy cleared
Attracting Investors
land and establish vegetation. Another is to buy the
carbon rights from a commercial plantation
Investors have different requirements. Figure 2
shows some potential investors in carbon sinks and
their approach to climate change and return on
resources invested.
manager who is establishing trees on cleared land.
A further option is to buy the carbon rights from an
agent like the CMA who would co-ordinate the
carbon investor, other benefit (like biodiversity and
water quality) investors, landholders, the carbon
Type of Investor
Increasing interest
in Climate Change
Carbon emitters – users
of fossil fuels
Government – AGO,
VGO, NAP, NHT2, RFD’s
Local Councils – ccp
(VGO)
Ethical investments –
Superfunds
Tax driven investments –
for sawlogs with
speculation on the
carbon market
Figure 2: Potential 'carbon' investors
24
pooling, carbon sinks buyer and manage the risks.
Increasing interest
in Financial return
on investment
Own project, investor
controls vegetation and
land. (If harvesting the
investor needs to be part
of a carbon pool)
Contracts to buy carbon
rights from multiple
benefits outcome projects.
Contracts to buy carbon
from commercial
plantations
Direct Investment
Direct Investment
Institutional Investors
NAP, NHT2 projects eg.
Bushcare West Victoria
RFA Sawlog Farming
Project.
Landholders
Vegetation care
Carbon rights
CMA
Co-ordination
Carbon pooling
Carbon accounting
Register
Measurements
Risk Management
Insurance
Unallocated carbon
Investor eg. Council
Tones of carbon required
$ Per tones of carbon
Vegetation, location preferences
Payment schedule
At establishment, every 5 years
as carbon is sunk.
Design vegetation system
to provide mix of benefits
Figure 3: Investor options for carbon sinks.
7.4
Triple bottom line
affinity for conservation, beauty and natural
resource protection or identity such as
Many corporate investors are currently looking
association with local landscapes that
for triple bottom line investments. The issue then
reintroduce threatened fauna and flora.);
becomes "can carbon sink investment meet these
*however new employment opportunities are
requirements?"
most likely to be the main priority.
The triple bottom line benefits are determined to be:
Economic benefits for the community/society
(not necessarily directly for the investor,
perhaps except to the extent that the carbon
credits develop an economic value).
Social benefits for the community/society
(Beyond employment* this could mean,
Environmental benefits (carbon sequestration,
improved water quality, salinity control and
enhanced biodiversity).
Carbon sink projects need to demonstrate
benefits in all three areas. A process and a set of
criteria for attracting a triple bottom line rating for a
carbon sink investment is required.
education such as developing a community
25
7.5
Attracting corporate investors
owning or renting the land, only recognition
of the contribution).
Defined multiple environmental benefits for
Some corporate investors are looking for:
Triple bottom line benefits and an association
Community acceptance and support for the
with projects known to be good for the
project.
economy, society and the environment.
Sites that show a transformation into a more
Zero net carbon emissions.
beautiful landscape after revegetation.
Other environmental benefits.
Corporate investors like the City of Melbourne
Credible partners (Assuming that the
would not want to be involved with projects that
landowner grows crops or grazes animals
are associated with community concerns or possible
these activities need to be done within an
environmental negatives.
Environmental Management System. Other
The following project traits are also important to
Confidence that the project manager can
deliver the agreed vegetation system in an
a co-investor with a city council, but MDBC or
NHT would be appropriate).
Fair and agreed shares in, and responsibility
effective and efficient way.
for, the vegetation system.
Big enough to meet investor carbon
Effective carbon pooling arrangements.
requirements.
A discrete land base to confer ownership of
Confidence that carbon sinks are effectively
marketed to investors.
the benefit derived (this does not mean
7.6
partners would need to be matched. For
example, a woodchip company is not ideal as
corporate investors:
Actions
Action
26
water quality, salinity and biodiversity.
Table 9
Responsibility
Timeframe
Priority
Provide investors with a suite of
revegetation options that provide a range
of triple bottom line benefits (Figure 2)
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2006
High
Continue to work with the MCC to
develop a template for future projects.
DPI/DSE
2003-2006
High
Recruit investors besides local councils
and businesses who seek to offset
their carbon emissions.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2006
Medium
Investigate the potential & needs of
investors eg: superannuation funds,
power companies etc.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2006
High
Facilitate linkages between investors
and tree growers.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2006
Medium
Ensure that the cost-sharing model
developed by the West RFA Sawlog
Farming sawlog eucalypts project is
developed for non sawlog carbon sink
investments.
DPI/DSE
2003-2005
High
Provide a framework with criteria that
projects can be measured against that
demonstrates a triple bottom line return.
DPI/DSE
2003-2004
Low
Develop a land-base register of
available land and landholders for
carbon sinks projects.
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2004
High
Develop & maintain an inventory
database of sites in the regional
carbon pool. (Maybe adapt farm
forestry database).
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
2003-2004
Medium
8
Monitoring action management
8.1
effective carbon pool be established. The
Objective
establishment of a carbon pool (See Chapter 3)
To support the ongoing response to climate
for vegetation in North Central Victoria is a
priority.
change.
To establish a carbon pool, the carbon
8.2
sequestration potential of existing and planned
Sustaining a Response
native vegetation for the region needs to be
There is a need to develop within the ‘carbon
calculated. Arrangements between native
sinks and native vegetation’ arena, a strong business
vegetation owners and carbon sink buyers need
management culture, emphasising supportive
to be negotiated and formalised. All future
alliances and partnerships and effective
DPI/DSE and NCCMA vegetation projects should
communication. To sustain the thinking and co-
include carbon sink agreements to enable the
ordinate the response a 'Carbon Sinks Action Plan
carbon sequestered to be included in the carbon
Committee' should be established across the CMA
pool. (See Chapter 4)
and DPI/DSE to monitor progress and provide
A process such as 'BushTender' should be
implemented for carbon sinks. This would
direction for new action.
stimulate the establishment of new vegetation
8.3
for the carbon pool and to develop an
Next Steps
understanding of investor response to returns
This plan identifies actions under seven chapter
from carbon sinks, (See Chapter 4) For a carbon
headings. The underlying theme of establishing
sink, the investors would tender for an
carbon sinks is that carbon sequestration offers
underwritten price for carbon sequestered at
the opportunity for native vegetation
ages 5, 10 and 15 years. Accepted tenders
establishment for all purposes to be co-ordinated
would have the choice of accepting the
and managed as a business.
tendered price or the market price at that time.
Central to this business is the identification and
sale of permanently sequestered carbon. This
has already occurred in plantations managed by
Proposal selection would be based upon best
multiple outcome benefits.
Creating awareness of climate change and
Hancock Plantations and State Forests of New
carbon sinks and supporting community
South Wales. To achieve a large enough carbon
capability requires a sustained program that is
sink and to provide for harvesting and loss from
thoroughly planned and implemented.
fire and other causes it is essential that an
(Chapters 2 and 5).
8.4
Actions
Table 10
Action
Establish a 'Carbon Sinks Committee'
to monitor the implementation of
actions identified in the plan.
Responsibility
DPI/DSE/NCCMA
Timeframe
2003-2004
Priority
High
27
Partnerships and alliances
- case studies
9.1
West RFA Sawlog
Farming Project
9
demographically selected people from across the
region. Recommendations from this process were
considered by the Steering Committee and used to
Although the West RFA Sawlog Farming Project
involves several DPI/DSE Regions and staff, the
the approach to private forestry development across
North Central farm forestry project team has played
the project region.
a lead role in progressing the project by providing
A general production-mapping model has been
support to the project Steering Committee and
developed for the project area. This information is
overseeing many of the project-related activities.
now being used to identify beneficiaries of
This project is working to accelerate investment
plantation establishment along with appropriate
in integrated hardwood timber plantations on
sites for integration of commercial farm forestry to
previously cleared land in central and western
capture both economic and environmental benefits.
Victoria. The primary purpose for stimulating this
CSIRO has investigated sawn timber information
development is to develop a hardwood sawlog
in relation the processing of selected tree species to
resource to complement that currently being
produce high value products. The Forest Science
sourced from public forest.
Centre has also developed value-adding silviculture
The project has a strong focus on facilitating
links with the timber industry and potential
investors, development of comprehensive marketing
and technical information, and enlisting strong
community support through active consultation and
participation.
As a secondary aim, deliberate efforts have been
undertaken in designing the project to encourage
the establishment of plantations strategically within
the landscape to deliver a range of environmental
services, such as salinity mitigation, priority weed
control and biodiversity enhancement. Essentially
the project uses a market-based approach to
achieving sustainable land-use change, by
incorporating commercial opportunities with careful
design and integration of trees into the landscape.
The community and industry expectations and
perceptions towards farm forestry expansion within
the project region have been ascertained and
resulted in the development of a Project
Communication Action Plan. Three methods were
used in this process including in-depth interviews, a
telepoll survey and a community forum of
28
design a communication action plan that will direct
treatments for sawlog production from Eucalypt
plantations, along with conducting species and site
comparisons of hardwoods in the study area. To
complement the silvicultural and product
information, a facilitated industry workshop was
held. A key workshop outcome is a greater
understanding of product characteristics and market
drivers.
The cost-sharing component of the project
involved the development of a report by DPI/DSE’s
electricity (5 MW) from large-scale plantation-grown
Resource Economics Branch that attempts to explain
mallee eucalypts.
‘Economic Principles for Allocating Public Resources’
The project is predicted to create upwards of 40
to farm forestry and determine its potential in
direct jobs with capital investment of around $25-30
addressing land and water degradation.
million. It is proposed that 10,000 hectares of Mallee
A computer model has been developed to assist
plantations will be established in an 'alley farm'
farmers in calculating annuity payments for sawlog
configuration to allow existing farm enterprises to be
rotations integrated into a range of farming
maintained and enhanced. This approach will
enterprise types. Alternatively investors can use the
capture economic and environment benefits such as,
model to help determine what annuities they can
salinity mitigation, erosion control, carbon
afford to pay tree growers.
sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.
The recruiting investment part of the project is
In February 2002 a well-attended workshop
investigating appropriate 'investment recruitment
raised awareness amongst key stakeholders and
options' and privately grown hardwood resource
landholders about this exciting proposal.
development considerations.
In 2002/03 496 hectares of native hardwood
The workshop included presentations by key
industry representatives from Catchment and Land
plantations were established on a cost-sharing basis
Management (Western Australia), the Oil Mallee
on previously cleared private land within the project
Company (Western Australia), Western Power
area. A recently completed 'Expression of Interest'
Corporation, Enecon Pty Ltd and Sustainable Energy
process suggests there is interest in establishing a
Authority Victoria. Participants were also involved in
further 2200 hectares next year. Currently a cost-
the development of the terms of reference for a
sharing arrangement is being developed for the
feasibility study regarding the supply of biomass to
management of existing plantations for sawlog
the ITPP.
production.
The study, which was completed in March 2003,
provides guidelines for the future development of
9.2
Farming Mallee Eucalypts
- for people, profit and the
environment"
the concept and clearly outlines the economic,
environmental and social benefits to the region
developing an industry based on the supply of
biomass to an Integrated Tree Processing Plant.
This project is investigating the establishment of
The project represents a multiple benefit outcome
an Integrated Tree Processing Plant (ITPP) in North-
that addresses social, economic and natural resource
Central Victoria. The process will involve the
management issues.
production of activated carbon, eucalyptus oil and
29
9.3
Bet Bet sub-catchment
Decision rules for protection, enhancement and
restoration
The Bet Bet sub-catchment near Lexton has been
identified as a priority under the National Action
Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP). The sub-
By status of remnant native vegetation
Endangered conservation status
By habitat threshold/connectivity criteria, e.g.,
atchment is one of the largest exporters of salt into
area > 50ha OR
the Loddon system. Past clearing has contributed to
50ha> area >20ha AND <250m distant from
high recharge and run-off into the Bet Bet creek.
Associated issues including biodiversity loss and pest
plant and animal proliferation have caused an
ongoing decline in catchment health.
other native vegetation OR
20ha> area >10ha AND adjacent to other native
vegetation OR
10ha> area >1ha AND <50m distant from any of
the above selected areas
By other criteria, e.g.,
known populations of threatened species
high recharge control potential
Biodiversity and salinity control actions
Protection of selected areas
Management agreements
The Lexton Landcare group has been very active
over the past 15 years with ongoing revegetation,
erosion control and pasture improvement programs.
Current tree cover in the catchment is primarily
Heathy Dry Forest and Herb-rich Foothill Forest on
the upper slopes with areas of Grassy Woodland and
Drainage line woodlands (including Low Rises
Grassy Woodland and Creekline Grassy Woodland)
in areas of low relief. A number of threatened fauna
including Brush-tailed phascogale and Swift Parrot
have been recorded.
The Bet Bet sub-catchment
covers 8,812 ha. Prior to clearing
there were 3,233 ha of
endangered vegetation
communities. This has since been
reduced to 676 ha (21%).
30
Fencing
50m revegetation buffer
Enhancement of condition of selected areas
Enrichment planting˜species and structure
Selective pest control, eg, weeds
Increasing connectivity between selected areas
Wildlife corridor revegetation
Increasing connectivity with corridor vegetation
Yields an additional 321 ha
The overall outcome for the Bet Bet sub-catchment
is a total native vegetation cover of 2100ha ( 23.8%)
hills on Devonian granite, with yellow or brown
duplex soils typically with a bleached A2 horizon.
In recent times the owners have moved to a cell
grazing system based on 'Holistic Resource
Management.' The property is a mix of improved
and native pasture, managed with the aim of
maximising profits by reducing expensive inputs, of
chemicals, etc and maintaining or improving
production from 5.3 to 6.5 DSE over the next 5-10
years.
Currently, remnant tree cover on the property is
Greenhouse impact
about 5 per cent, with significant areas of Grassy
assume medium annual rainfall of 600-900 mm
Woodland and Herb-rich Woodland, some in good
trees established in 2003
condition. Much of the property is characterised by
accounting period is between 2008 & 2012, ie,
low densities of large paddock trees (principally
between ages 5 and 9
from AGO data, this equates to 49 tonnes CO2
fixed per ha
For 1,168 ha of revegetation this makes 57,232
tonnes CO2 equivalent
Grey Box, Yellow Box and Red Stringybark). Many
of these trees are suffering from dieback and
repeated defoliation by insects is a major problem.
The owners commenced a major revegetation
effort in recent years with a range of activities
including farm forestry, riparian fencing and planting
9.4
Hamilton property, Bradford Hills
and the establishment of trees and shrubs on granite
outcrops. A major effort has been made to establish
The Hamilton family produces fine wool on this
perimeter corridors to provide wildlife habitat and
4000 ha property at Bradford Hills, near Maldon in
protect the property from livestock disease infection.
North Central Victoria. The area is part of the Mid
Significant areas of remnant Grassy Woodland have
Loddon sub-catchment.
been protected from grazing to encourage
Natural resource issues include tree decline,
dryland salinity, poor water quality and spread of
regeneration.
The overall goal is to increase native vegetation
weeds from neighbouring properties. The property
cover from 5 % to15 % over the next 10 years. This
extends south to hilly metamorphosed Ordovician
will provide a range of benefits including salinity
sediments, but is mostly gently undulating to low
control, water quality improvements and enhanced
31
ecosystem health across the property. Since 1999,
around 54 km of fencing will have been erected,
27.5 kg of native vegetation seed direct sown over
70 km and 47,000 seedlings planted with funding
from the Bushcare and Greening VictoriaGreenhouse Sinks Programs. Agroforestry plantations
have also been established.
Remnant protection and revegetation of Granite
outcrops
Key species: Long-leaf Box, Red Stringybark, Black
Wattle, Lightwood
Established by direct seeding and tubestock
1.2 km fencing, 15 ha, 7000 plants established
Summary of current works
Protection of four remnant vegetation sites totalling
around 150ha under the Bush Tender program. Sites
encompass Grassy Woodlands, Herb-rich Woodlands
and Box-Ironbark Forest vegetation types. Grazing
will be excluded for a minimum of 3 years and
understorey re-established. Key species: Yellow Box,
Riparian fencing and revegetation to Creekline
Grey Box, White Box and understorey
Grassy Woodland EVC
Key species: River Red Gum, Silver Wattle, Black
Agroforestry plantations - established from 1998
Wattle, Yellow Box
onward. Key species include: Lightwood, Yellow
Established by direct seeding and tubestock
Gum, Black Wattle, Ironbark, River She-oak, Swamp
4.2 km fencing, 25 ha, 8000 plants established
She-oak and Sugar Gum . Around 10,000 plants
established by seedling planting over 10ha.
32
Benefits and outcomes
Salinity and water quality
has enhanced the land manager‚s understanding of
biodiversity issues, resulting in improved biodiversity
In this area, both granite and metamorphosed
and native vegetation management outcomes across
sediment country are significant recharge areas. Over
the property.
50 years, the 400 ha revegetated should have
accessions to groundwater reduced by around 50 per
Farm production
cent or 10 mm per year and this would halve the
As plantings grow, the beneficial effects of trees on
area‚s salt export to waterways in the Loddon
microclimate, will be realised in improved
catchment from around 20 kg/ha/year. (ie, would
production. Experience shows that strategic increase
prevent four tonnes a year of salt export). In
in tree cover to around 20% can be achieved with
addition, Holistic Resource Management (HRM)
no loss in production. Nutrient cycling, and other
grazing should mean more retention of native grass-
improved ecosystem services like pest control from
based perennial pastures. This will maintain a higher
increased numbers of insectivorous birds will also
water use (compared to annual volunteer pastures)
have some impact.
at a much lower cost than exotic pasture
Retention and improved management of
establishment. Maintenance of perennial ground
perennial native pastures will reduce feed supply
cover will help prevent deterioration in water
costs and improve profits. Revegetation of buffers
quality, recharge and salt export.
around the property boundary reduces the
likelihood of livestock disease infection through
Biodiversity
contact with neighbouring propertys‚ animals.
- Protection of a unique endemic form of
endangered remnant grassy woodland through fence
Carbon
control of livestock and HRM grazing patterns. This
By 2025, the planted trees will be removing around
will retain a floristically rich example of a type of
3-7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere
vegetation no longer existing anywhere else with
every year from every hectare. Over the 400ha of
this quality.
revegetation this would total 1200-2100 tonnes a
- Four hundred hectares of new revegetation that
year.
includes lower storey species will re-introduce
habitat structure to an area severely lacking
understorey and mid storey shrubs. This will
improve the outlook for invertebrates, birds,
mammals and reptiles in the area.
- Retention and improved management of native
grass pastures will also retain more floristic diversity
and maintain a higher landscape capacity for
regeneration.
- Reduced contribution to salt loads and water tables
will help protect high priority wetlands downstream
in the Loddon catchment.
- Engagement with the NCCMA Biodiversity Program
33
References
AGO (2001a) The Kyoto Protocol and greenhouse gas sinks, Greenhouse notes Information
the Australian Greenhouse Office, 2pp.
AGO (2001b) Growing Trees as Greenhouse Sinks – An Overview for Local Government.
Australian Greenhouse Office, ISBN 1 876536 57 8. 12pp.
AGO (1998) National Greenhouse Strategy, 110pp.
BFG (2002) Bush for Greenhouse Report No 2 version 1, Field Measurement Procedures for
Carbon Accounting, ISBN 1 876536 62 4. 143pp.
IPCC (2000) Land use, Land use change and Forestry, Summary for Policymakers, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ISBN 92 9169 114 3, 24pp.
Myriad Consultants (2001) Victorian Sawlog Farming Project Module 1 Community
Consultation and Communication, 92pp.
NCCMA (2003) North Central Vegetation Plan, North Central Catchment Management
Authority, 117pp.
NCCMA (2003) Regional Catchment Strategy, North Central Catchment Management Authority,
105pp
NCCMA (2002) Outcomes of Workshop – North Central Victoria’s responses to climate change
– broadscale revegetation held 6 March 2002 Forest Science Centre, Creswick 17pp.
North Central Victoria Farm Forestry Action Plan (2000) Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, 26pp.
NGS (2000) National Greenhouse Strategy 2000 Progress Report Commonwealth of Australia
ISBN 1 876536 92 6 87pp.
Scarlet Consulting Australasia (2001) North Central Landholder Survey: Final Report to North
Central Catchment Management Authority, May 2001, 9pp.
Shea, S., Butcher, G., Ritson, P., Bartle, J. and Biggs, P. (1998) The Potential for Tree Crops
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Carbon Sequestration Conference, Melbourne, October 1998 21pp.
34
Trees Water and Salt (2002) Trees Water and Salt: An Australian guide to using trees for healthy
catchments and productive farms, JVAP, RIRDC Publication No 00/170 ISBN 0 642 58201 7 22pp.
URS Sustainable Development (2003). Farming Mallee Eucalypts Opportunity Study, Final Report.
VCG (1999) Farm Forestry Feasibility Study for North Central and Wimmera Catchment Authority Area and
Buloke Shire, prepared by Virtual Consulting Group, ISBN 0 7311 5256 5. 52pp.
VGS (2001) Understanding Climate Change The State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, ISBN 1 7311 4832 0, 14 pp.
VGS (2002) Victorian Greenhouse Strategy, The State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, ISBN 1 7410 6062 1, 110 pp.
VGS (2002) Victorian Greenhouse Strategy, The State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, ISBN 1 7410 6062 1, 110 pp.
Williams J (2001) The Contribution of Mid to Low Rainfall Forestry and Agro forestry to Greenhouse and
Natural Resource Management Outcomes – Overview of Analysis and Opportunities, prepared by the
Australian Greenhouse Office on behalf of a consortium. ISBN 1 876536 51 9, 72pp.
Williams J (2001) The Contribution of Mid to Low Rainfall Forestry and Agro forestry to Greenhouse and
Natural Resource Management Outcomes – Overview of Analysis and Opportunities, prepared by the
Australian Greenhouse Office on behalf of a consortium. ISBN 1 876536 51 9, 72pp.
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