Our Linkage project focuses on the wetland forests of the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve, Victoria, Australia. These forests are critical habitat for the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum (pictured below).
The death and decline of Yellingbo’s wetland forests is the result of modified flooding patterns, low native tree and shrub recruitment and increased competition from invasive plants. By exploring means to reinstate a more natural flood regime, introduce native plant species and reduce competition from weeds, this project aims to use surveys and field experiments to determine the efficacy of different approaches for restoring wetland forests at the landscape scale. Grounded in community ecology theory, the project aims to test and advance ecological theory, guide wetland restoration and inform management plans for saving Victoria’s iconic faunal emblems.
As part of our Linkage Project, we are assessing the response of declining wetland forests to hydrology works aimed at naturalising water regimes and restoring wetland forests within the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve – the last home of the Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum.
Here is a promo video on the works currently happening at Yellingbo:
For further information on the project, please contact Dr Joe Greet – greetj@unimelb.edu.au.
Wetland forest restoration 