Suburbia
Sometimes it feels like suburbia has been around forever. The houses, with their tired awnings and deep cracks, feel like they have always been there. But do you ever stop and think about what was there before the houses were built?
The land south of the Adelaide CBD has been cleared for many years. Some of my elderly friends remember farmland and orchards, but for the vast majority of people, this is nothing more than a story or a photo in a local history centre. Closer to the city centre, the land has been cleared for over 100 years, so there is very little original bushland left except for a few parks and reserves. Most people living in these areas have no idea what kind of ecosystem was there before European colonisers - they probably can spot a large gum tree but many have never heard of most of the plants that were once native and thriving in their area.
What is a Grey Box Grassy Woodland?
Like the name suggests, Grey Box Grassy Woodlands are an ecosystem dominated by Grey Box gum trees (Eucalyptus microcarpa) as the canopy and many different grasses and shrubs in the understory. Other species native to this ecosystem include Buloke (Allocasuarina leuhmannii), Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. pruinosa) and Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens). In the understory, there are various grasses, shurbs and smaller plants, some of which feature in my newest collection of cards! This ecosystem is native to several areas in the South East of Australia. In Adelaide, Grey Box Grassy Woodlands would have stretched from the CBD towards to hills in the South East. This particular area of Grey Box Grassy Woodland is known as the Black Forest by some people. These areas tend to have fertile clay soils that expand and contract (have you ever noticed lots of cracks in houses in these areas?).
Grey box trees are beautiful. They are generally smaller than river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), growing to about 25m tall. Like the name suggests, Grey Box trees have grey, flaky bark along the trunk, that has a characteristic 'box' pattern. They can grow in very heavy clay soils. Their flowers look the same as the kind of flower people associate with other gum trees, but they are white and fairly small. I've seen hundreds of bees buzzing around a grey box when it was in full bloom and birds nesting in tree hollows - these trees can become hubs of life.
According to the Department for Environment and Heritage, Grey Box Grassy Woodlands are endangered, as only 3% of the original woodland is left in South Australia. There are multiple, ongoing threats to the remaining bushland. The destruction of Grey Box Grassy Woodlands due to land clearing has lead to fragmented and small remnant areas, which are under attack from weeds and introduced animals. These remnant areas are under attack from multiple fronts because of the encroaching people.
How can you support Grey Box Grassy Woodlands?
The very first step is to learn about Grey Box Grassy Woodlands. Go to local parks and pay close attention to the trees and understory. What kinds of plants do you see there? What kinds of insects? What weeds can you spot? Imagine what the area would have looked like when Karuna people were the only people living on that land. With a quick search, you can find some articles and information online about this ecosystem, and many more, but the best resource I have found is local people who really love the bush. Once you meet a few people who are knowledgeable, it unlocks a whole new community full of passion and kindness. There is so much to learn, and it is easier to care about something that you are knowledgeable about. You don't need to know every single fact about Eucalyptus microcarpa or kangaroo grass, but you might be able to encourage a friend to avoid planting a olive tree near a national park. Those small actions matter.
We need to preserve the woodlands that are still original. One of the main things I learnt from a wonderful workshop from Trees for Life is that we need to start with caring and preserving the remnant bushland as a part of the minimal disturbance bush regeneration method. Once bush is destroyed, it will never be the same again. Take care when bushwalking to follow park directions, so that you don't trample a rare orchid or accidentally bring Phytophora in on your shoes. Donate to places like Trees for Life or your local 'Friends of' group, who understand that looking after nature is more than planting a few trees. Learn about weeds in your local area and avoid planting them in your backyard.
You can plant things that are native to the Grey Box Grassy Woodland in your yard. Even if you don't have the space for a full grown Eucalyptus microcarpa, there are many beautiful and hardy plants that work really well in a small garden or verge. Not all Australian native plants are native to the Grey Box Grassy Woodland, so it can take some research to find what is appropriate for your area. The people from Black Forest Conservancy only sell plants native to the local area, and are very knowledgeable on the subject in general, so I recommend finding their stall at various local markets. The State Flora nursery is another amazing place for all things native plants. My neighbours have also given me native plants, so get to know the other plant lovers in your area!
If you are really keen to help save this beautiful ecosystem, consider joining your local 'Friends of' group or Bush for Life (a part of Trees for Life). I spend a few hours a month weeding with the Friends of Shepard's Hill Recreation Park, and it is a really wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning. I feel proud knowing I have done my part in helping care for such a special area. Many of the members of the group are extremely knowledgeable about the area - they are always teaching me. We spend most of the morning chatting as we pull lavender (yes, it can become a weed) or tiny olive trees. I have seen so many special animals and plants as I sit amongst the trees weeding - yellow tailed black cockatoos have soared above as I've worked.
Most importantly, take steps in your life to reduce your environmental impact. There are probably thousands of things we could be doing to be better for the environment, but it gets overwhelming to think about things in that way. Focus on changing one small thing - put your food scraps in the green bin, avoiding clothing shopping for a month, join your local buy nothing group. Even though it very often doesn't feel like it, every little bit counts.
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