Major Programmes
Protecting Karst Forest at Mole Creek
In October 2006, we were very pleased to be appointed by the Department of Environment and Heritage to deliver an exciting new project at Mole Creek, in the central north of Tasmania. The Mole Creek Karst Forest Programme is part of the Forest Conservation Fund, an Australian Government initiative, and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy was invited to run the programme because of our experience in negotiating land purchases and conservation covenants.
The Mole Creek area is highly significant for conservation. It is located on the slopes of the Great Western Tiers in northern Tasmania and is an internationally significant karst (cave-forming limestone) system. It contains over 300 known caves and sinkholes, as well as gorges and large underground streams and springs. The karst landscape has evolved through erosion of limestone rock by acidic water which has created numerous ecological niches.
The area contains important forest communities such as Eucalyptus viminalis wet sclerophyll forest and E. ovata shrubby forest. It also houses a number of threatened flora and fauna species, including the endemic Cockerills cave beetle, the cave harvestman and the extremely rare cave false scorpion.
A feature of karst areas is the close relationship between the above-ground and below-ground environments. This means that above-ground land use can severely impact on the cave environment, so careful management is required if the sensitive karst systems are to be protected and maintained.
The programme is voluntary and private landowners can opt to sell or covenant their land. Funds are available to pay landowners for either option. Land purchased will be added to the Mole Creek National Park or be revolved through TLC’s revolving fund process, while covenanted land will remain with the existing owners. Covenants will protect the cave systems by ensuring the forest on the surface is managed for conservation.
Work on the Mole Creek Programme commenced late 2006. Fur further information please contact Ruth Osborne at the TLC or visit the website.