The Merri Catchment covers some 39,040 hectares, but it retains only around 3,112 hectares of currently identified native vegetation[1]. This makes up approximately 8% of the catchment. Most of this vegetation is Plains Grassland or Plains Grassy Woodland Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC's)
All of the EVC’s [2] listed for the Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion within the Merri Catchment meet the criteria set down in the Native Vegetation Plan for the highest priority protection (see table below).
|
EVC
|
No
|
Priority for vegetation protection
|
|
Plains Grassland
|
132
|
Highest
|
|
Plains Grassy Woodland
|
55
|
Highest
|
|
Grassy Woodland
|
175
|
Highest
|
|
Plains Grassy wetland
|
125
|
Highest
|
|
Creekline Grassy Woodland
|
68
|
Highest
|
|
Swampy riparian complex
|
126
|
Highest
|
|
Escarpment Shrubland
|
895
|
Highest
|
|
Streambank Shrubland
|
Highest*
|
|
|
Herb-rich foothill Forest
|
23
|
Highest*
|
|
Valley Grassy Forest
|
47
|
Highest*
|
|
Floodplain Riparian Woodland
|
56
|
Highest
|
|
Grassy Dry Forest
|
22
|
Highest*
|
|
Scoria Cone woodland
|
984
|
Highest
|
|
Grey Clay Drainage-line Herbland-Sedgeland Aggregate
|
124
|
Highest
|
|
Swampy Woodland
|
937
|
Highest*
|
|
Riparian Scrub complex
|
17
|
Highest
|
|
Aquatic Herbfield
|
653
|
Highest
|
|
Riparian Forest
|
18
|
Highest*
|
|
Creekline Tussock Grassland
|
654
|
Highest
|
|
Valley Heathy Forest
|
127
|
Highest
|
|
Stony Knoll Shrubland
|
649
|
Highest
|
Table 4 - Status of EVCs in Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion in the Merri Catchment for reservation and management agreements (based on criteria in the Native Vegetation Plan, p 19). * indicates EVCs having a lower priority in one or both of the other Bioregions
[1] DSE’s website defines Ecological Vegetation Class as meaning a vegetation classification unit defined by a combination of floristics, lifeform, position in the landscape, and an inferred fidelity to particular environments. Each EVC includes a collection of floristic communities (i.e. groups based on co-occurring plant species) that occur across a biogeographic range, and although differing in species, have similar habitat and ecological processes operating. Approximately 300 EVCs have been described for Victoria.
[2] Based on DSE data (DSE 2005), but with some additional areas identified by MCMC staff. It is known that more areas remain to be mapped..
Merri Creek Management Committee. 2 Lee St, East Brunswick, Victoria, Australia 3057 