Embedded Files
Description
Description
Field of Mars Reserve is a bushland reserve managed by Ryde City Council. It exists for the purposes of the biological conservation of its ecosystems as well as public nature appreciation, well-being, enjoyment, and as a site for valuable scientific research.
Like much of Sydney’s bushland, Field of Mars is threatened by weeds and is under constant pressure from feral animals and stormwater runoff with elevated nutrient loads. These pressures are compounded by the influence of the changing climate - warmer average conditions and more extreme weather events.
Reducing the impacts of weeds and preventing new weeds are essential to increasing the resilience of ecosystems and giving native species the best chance to deal with the adverse impacts of climate change and other pressures.
The Biosecurity Act (2015) provides powers to land managers such as Ryde City Council for the management of noxious weeds. Weeds are assessed for their invasiveness, potential impacts, control costs and persistence before they are categorised.
Location
Location
Weather forecast
Weather forecast
Bureau of Meteorology weather forecast for East Ryde, NSW
Climate
Climate
Bureau of Meteorology and other climate information sources:
Recent photographs
Recent photographs
Field of Mars Reserve is surrounded by roads, parks, suburban areas and a cemetery.
Stormwater drains channel runoff into the two creeks that flow through the reserve. Stormwater often contains physical, chemical and biological pollution. Heavy rain events create high energy flows.
The reserve contains two valleys. The larger is the site of an old rubbish tip, now a park.
Next to Buffalo Creek are weedy thickets, sandstone outcrops and a boardwalk.
The weed-infested thickets contain many species of introduced plants. In this image is broad-leaf privet, cassia, morning glory, trad and more.
Other areas of native vegetation nearby are under threat from weed encroachment.
Higher up the sides of the valleys weeds cannot survive in the the dry, sandy, low nutrient soils. Here the native vegetation can thrive.
During extreme rain events, poorly aligned tracks with compacted surfaces can channel runoff which can lead to severe erosion. In this image the topsoil has been stripped away and deposited elsewhere (perhaps smothering vegetation).
The valley sides feature many erosion-resistant rock outcrops of hard-wearing Hawkesbury sandstone.
Introduced animals such as the red fox use the walking tracks. Rangers take advantage of this by positioning poison bait stations close to the tracks.
Vertical aerial view of Field of Mars Reserve and surrounding areas on 7 April 2018 showing maturing forests, mangroves and access tracks. NSW Department of Lands
Past photographs
Past photographs
Vertical aerial view of Field of Mars Reserve and surrounding areas in 1943 showing low regrowth vegetation, saltmarsh and access tracks. NSW Department of Lands
Pittwater Road, East Ryde, c.1888. Once a common, land sales in the area commenced in 1885. State Library of NSW | Copyright
View from the property, Millsbury, East Ryde, c.1892. The water main pipes lie on the ground ready for installation. State Library of NSW | Copyright
Rubbish tip, Ryde, 1965. Increased housing required nearby rubbish disposal sites such as the area around Buffalo Creek. State Library of NSW | Copyright free
Page updated
Report abuse