Belair National Park
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| Belair National Park | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Nearest town/city: | Adelaide |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 8.4 km² |
| Managing authorities: | Department for Environment and Heritage |
| Official site: | Belair National Park |
Belair National Park (formally known as Belair Recreation Park) is a national park in South Australia (Australia), 13 km south of Adelaide. It covers an 835ha area, and was the first National Park in South Australia. The park lies within the Adelaide Hills and Mitcham council area, and forms part of a chain of national park reserves located along the Adelaide Hills Face Zone. The Belair National Park is administrated by the Department for Environment and Heritage.
The Belair National Park has excellent recreation and social facilities within on outdoor environment. There are many areas of interest within the park, including Old Government House, the park Nursery, Playford Lake and the Adventure Playground. It has numerous tennis courts and ovals, and has walking, bike and horse-riding trails. The park has an outstanding presentation of the State’s native fauna, attracting visitors, showcasing the State’s park system and contributing to the community awareness of the natural environment.
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[edit] Weed invasion
The first European people traversed the Belair area in 1837. In 1840, Governor Gawler raised a government farm on which sick horses and bullocks from government departments could be agisted. In 1881, a proposal was put forward for small agricultural holdings and also, the park was dedicated, making it the first National Park in South Australia. Many exotic and non-indigenous plants were introduced and are now found in the park as weeds. Numerous native plants, such as Cootamundra wattle, have become environmental weeds after being introduced into areas outside their natural range.
The Belair National Park has suffered major disturbance to its natural ecosystems and natural vegetation communities through the accidental invasion of non-indigenous plants as well as the deliberate introduction of exotic and non-indigenous plants to certain zones within the park.
[edit] Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera)
The most commonly found weed in the park is the Boneseed. Boneseed is a South African plant that was first introduced in the Adelaide gardens in 1850s. The Boneseed is regarded as one of the worst weeds in the park because they are an aggressive invader of native bushland. In an event of a fire, boneseeds will be killed, but it will then trigger mass germination of boneseeds.
The Boneseed shrub can grow up to 3 metres high and reproduces by seeds. The shrub has a shallow root system in which it can absorb moisture. The yellow flowers have 5-8 petals and are 30mm in diameter.
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[edit] External links
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