The Catchments
Catchments I to IX were the first catchments to be set up for streamflow monitoring at Cathedral Peak in 1938. Later from the 1980’s catchments XI to XV were added and the full treatment regime ranged broadly from afforestation, grasslands burnt frequently and infrequently and fire suppression. The effects of these on streamflow were intensively monitored.
The catchment monitoring efforts ceased in the early 1990. SAEON was given the opportunity to reinstate monitoring focused on selecting most pristine and logistically feasible catchments for long term monitoring and climate change detection. Monitoring at catchments three to seven and nine has been reinstated. Three and nine have had past treatments which “degraded” them. Three was afforested with pine trees and in catchment nine fire has been suppressed and as a consequence has had a large increase in shrubs and trees.
|
Catchment |
Treatment proposed in 1945 |
Treatment post 1972 - 2000 |
Current & future treatment |
|
I |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) and grazed conservatively until 1957. In 1959 to be planted in 1 yr to P. patula. To be planted and managed according to current practice. |
Catchment was not planted. Light summer grazing and biennial spring burns continued post-1972. Summer grazing suspended in 1981. |
Discontinued. Part of normal management burning. |
|
II |
Catchment to be planted to P. patula. To be managed according to current practice. |
Planted in 1951 and maintained as P. patula until 1981 when clear felling and planting of E. curvula began. |
Fire protected. |
|
III |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1957. In 1959 to be planted in 1 yr with P. patula and managed the same as Catch II. |
Planted in 1959 and maintained as P. patula until 1981 when a wild fire burnt out catchment. Following fire, catchment planted to E. curvula. |
Fire protected. |
|
IV |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1989. In 1991 to be planted in 1 yr to P. patula and managed according to current practice. This catchment is regarded as the main control. |
Catchment remained as a grassland catchment receiving biennial spring burns. |
Biennial spring burn. |
|
V |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1973. In 1975 to be planted in 1 yr to P. patula and managed according to current practice. |
Catchment remained as a grassland catchment receiving biennial spring burns. |
Biennial spring burn. |
|
VI |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1981. In 1983 to be planted in 1 yr to P. patula and managed the same as the other catchments. |
Catchment remained as a grassland catchment receiving biennial spring burns. |
Biennial spring burn. |
|
VII |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1965. In 1967 to be planted in 1 yr to P. patula and managed the same as the other catchments. |
Catchment planted to P. patula in Dec 1966. Catchment burnt accidentally during 1972, planted to grassland and protected until accidental fire in 1981. Following fire, catchment received biennial spring burns. |
Biennial spring burn. |
|
VIII |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1957. In 1959 to be planted in 1 yr to a Eucalypt species. Species to be determined when material in arboretum indicates best species. Management determined according to species. |
Catchment was not planted. Catchment remained as a grassland catchment receiving biennial spring burns. |
Discontinued. Form part of firebreak and/or part of normal scheduled burning program. |
|
IX |
This catchment is to be protected from all agencies for an indefinite period to determine the succession and its effects on water supplies. |
Catchment protected from all agencies except for accidental fires in July 1954, September 1956, August 1964, and June 1965. |
Fire protected. |
|
X |
Biennial spring burn (uneven years) until 1957. In 1959 to be planted in 1 yr with an alternative pine (possibly P. pseudrostrolus or P. hartweggi). To be managed according to the regime in practice at the time. |
Catchment was not planted. Catchment remained as a grassland catchment receiving biennial spring burns. |
Fire protected 8-year rotation. |
|
XI |
NA |
Grassland catchment with a biennial spring burn while calibrating (1974 - 1981). From 1981, an annual winter burn. A large portion of this catchment is burnt as a firebreak. |
Discontinued. Burn as part of firebreak. |
|
XII |
NA |
Grassland catchment with a long-term early spring burning regime, 8 yr cycles. |
Discontinued. Burnt as one block with Catchments XIII & XIV. |
|
XIII |
NA |
Grassland catchment with a long-term early autumn burning regime, 8 yr cycles. Protected between cycles. |
Discontinued. Burnt as one block with Catchments XII & XIV. |
|
XIV |
NA |
Grassland catchment with a biennial spring burn following a period of protection. |
Discontinued. Burnt as one block with Catchments XII & XIII. |
|
XV |
NA |
Protected from fires. |
Discontinued. Burnt as normal management block but on an 8-year rotation. |
|
Table describing the experimental treatments in the Cathedral Peak research catchments. The main treatments included fire (frequency, season and exclusion) and afforestation. |
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