Hello Jan

I am also a "LfW" person. Does the land you are on show rainforest species ? If so, I would not mow the area in your 'large gaps" and just see what comes up. You will find a lot of weeds will grow but just remove them the best you can.

Avail yourself of a species list and learn about the rainforest species around you.

I grow my own plants from seed that I have collected from nearby bushland. I have some rainforest species growing and that has been the best way for me to learn about the plants growing around me.

I only use local provenance plants in my revegetated areas.

Its an interesting process, good luck to you.

Popi

When my parents went through the Land for Wildlife process, they were visited by a knowledgable person who decided that their property was worthy, and he subsequently presented them with a lot of information including lists of the native species growing on the land, should they wish to replant some of the cleared areas.

I actually read something to the effect that climatologists are (supposedly) concerned by the *increase* in the rainforest on the Oz East Coast. It looked like a beatup to me, but the claim was that 'rainforest' (they didnt say temperate rainforest, but we have to assume this is what they were talking about) is now appearing in parts of Victoria where none previously existed, and the blame was laid at the foot of recreational gardeners and climate change. The claim was also made that a rainforest generates its own climate - a warmer climate - and that this adds to the heating effect of global warming.

I know that local provenance maintains 'dont plant anything which doesnt belong here', but I'd prefer to see rainforest over any type of cleared land. Just my two cents worth.

That is a load of crap- rainforest vegetation has the highest albedo of all vegetation and actually deflects light from the surface and reduces temperatures.
Paranoid/misquoted scientists are the last thing we need!
Kris

Artie, 'rainforests' are just another vegetation type- they can be detrimental to other vegetation types.
"Rainforests" however you would like to define them are simply expanding due to a lack of fire in the moister gullies along the east coast- very little if any as a result of 'global warming'.
Moisture and/or freedom from fire is what rainforests' require.
I cant see that the rainfall has increased along the east coast!

Hello, I feel that whilst paranoid and misquoted scientists can hinder relevant discussion, so to can emotive responses from people without any knowledge at all. Rainfall has not increased or decreased along the East Coast, whereas human activity has! Also, landscapes are cultural before they are natural! Homogenous landscapes can't be avoided, especially where people are involved and the linear relationship between deep green conservation and the horticultural industry is slight.

Jan, what is important for land management, is identifying objectives and what resources are available. If you were to leave your paddock be, it might take 1000 years for a climax forest community to result? Also, you have to determine if your area was 'originally' rainforest or scrub and if so, to what extent? Did Aborigines live there and what was the fire regime and history? What I would like to impress upon you is however, it might be feasible to put a D3 through your paddock and deep-rip with follow up herbicide spraying (pasture grass is terrible for tree establishment!). Then plant (pioneers) up to 4000 stems/ha and wait for canopy closure...

Cheers and Good Luck!