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Appendix 2: Summary of recovery actions for twelve threatened Caladenia taxa of Victoria and South Australia

 

Charming Spider-orchid Caladenia amoena

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Plenty, Wattle Glen - north east of Melbourne - Victorian Midlands Bioregion

Current abundance: Approximately 45 plants in the wild

Habitat: Box-Ironbark Forest; Grassy Dry Forest (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved

Management: Parks Victoria, private landowner

Recovery objectives: Protection and fine-scale management of populations and ex situ cultivation/re-introduction of plants

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Control of annual and perennial exotic grasses at Plenty
• Fencing of populations at Plenty to control grazing
• Caging of plants at Wattle Glen to control pests and predators
• Control of visitor access to Plenty site
• Hand pollination of plants at both sites
• Collection and storage of capsules (seed) at KPBG, Perth, WA
• Fine-scale habitat management at both sites - leaf litter scattering etc.
• Population monitoring
• Production of information brochure

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat in the Plenty Valley for other populations
• Reserve populations on public land at Plenty under appropriate state legislation
• Protect populations on private land at Wattle Glen through appropriate land management agreements
• Control high-priority weed species at known sites (eg. Perennial Veldt-grass, annual grasses)
• Control animal pests and predators through fencing and/or caging of populations or habitat
• Hand pollinate plants annually
• Harvest and store seed annually
• Manage micro-habitat using litter scattering and seed-bed preparation techniques
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels of both populations
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of cultivated plants
• Select introduction sites in the Plenty Valley
• Prepare an introduction plan and introduce plants to at least one reserved site in the Plenty Valley
• Support and maintain Charming Spider-orchid Recovery Team made up of NRE - PFF, NRE - PP, PV, private landholders and one expert botanist
• Prepare and review the Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. amoena

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, PP; Parks Victoria

Bibliography:

Backhouse, G.N., Beardsell, C., Tonkinson, D. and French, G. (1999). Draft Recovery Plan for the Charming Spider-orchid Caladenia amoena (Orchidaceae: Caladeniinae) 1998-2002. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

 

Audas' Spider-orchid Caladenia audasii

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Bendigo, Deep Lead & Kingower - Victorian Midlands Bioregion

Current abundance: Five plants in the wild

Habitat: Box-Ironbark Forest; Grassy Dry Forest (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Reserved at Bendigo (One Tree Hill Regional Park)

Management: Parks Victoria, Kingower Cemetery Committee of Management, NRE - Forests

Recovery objectives: Protection and fine-scale management of populations and ex situ cultivation/re-introduction of plants

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Caging of plants at Bendigo and Kingower
• Weed control at Bendigo and Kingower
• Hand pollination of plants at all sites
• Collection and storage of capsules (seed) at KPBG, Perth, WA
• Fine-scale habitat management at all sites - leaf litter scattering, summer watering etc.
• Population monitoring
• Survey of likely habitat in all areas
• Establishment of regional recovery team

Recovery actions required:

• Further identify and survey potential habitat in the Victorian Midlands Bioregion for other populations
• Reserve populations on public land at Kingower (PAMA) and Stawell (Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978
• Control high-priority weed species at all sites (eg. annual grasses, Freesia sp.)
• Control animal pests and predators at Bendigo through re-designed caging of populations
• Hand pollinate plants annually
• Harvest seed from cross-pollinated plants and store seed annually
• Manage micro-habitat using litter scattering and seed-bed preparation techniques
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator (low probability - see Implementation Schedule)
• Determine genetic relationship of three populations
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of cultivated plants
• Select introduction sites dependent on findings from 6.2 above.
• Prepare an introduction plan and introduce plants to at least one reserved site in the Victorian Midlands
• Prepare education material and undertake community extension
• Maintain and support the Audas' Spider-orchid Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - NW, NRE - SW, PV
• Review the Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. audasii

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, NW, Forests; Parks Victoria; C. audasii Recovery Team; Bendigo Field Naturalists Club; Stawell Field Naturalists Club

Bibliography:

Berwick, S., Moorrees, A. and Backhouse, G. (1999). Draft Recovery Plan for Audas' Spider-orchid Caladenia audasii (Orchidaceae: Caladeniinae) 1998-2002. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Venn, D.R. (1992). Action Statement No. 24 - Audas' Spider-orchid Caladenia audasii. Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.

 

Elegant Spider-orchid Caladenia formosa

Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: SW Victoria/SE South Australia - Naracoorte Plain Bioregion

Current abundance: 1000's of plants in Victoria; <100 plants in South Australia

Habitat: Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland; Shallow Sand Woodland, Plains Sedgy Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved in Victoria (proposed for protection within Special Protection Zones under the West Victorian RFA - Commonwealth of Australia 2000); Reserved in South Australia at Mt Monster and Mt Scott CP's

Management: NRE - Forests (Meereek, Beear State Forests), EH

Recovery objectives: Reservation, protection and broad-scale habitat management

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population monitoring
• Preliminary surveys of potential habitat in Victoria

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat in the Naracoorte Plain Bioregion for new populations and accurately determine plant numbers within known populations
• Identify key populations in Victoria and South Australia
• Protect populations on public land in south west Victoria through appropriate legislation or planning mechanismsProtect identified populations on private land in Victoria and South Australia through appropriate land management agreements
• Identify high-priority weed species for control at all sites and control through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species
• Control animal pests and predators at all sites and investigate grazing impacts by macropods and rabbits at sites south of Edenhope
• Collect Vital Attribute Data following planned fires to determine appropriate fire regimes for C. formosa habitat and prepare a fire management plan for key populations
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Determine genetic relationship of Victorian and South Australian populations
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Prepare education material and undertake community extension
• Establish a regional C. formosa recovery team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - SW, NRE - Forests, EH, Hamilton & Casterton Field Naturalists Clubs
• Prepare Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. formosa

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, NW, SW, Forests; Parks Victoria; Department of Environment and Heritage, South Australia

Bibliography:

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Eastern Spider-orchid Caladenia fragrantissima ssp. orientalis

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Wonthaggi (SE Victoria) - South East Coastal Plain Bioregion

Current abundance: <100 plants in the wild

Habitat: Coastal Heathland; Heathy Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved (occurs on unreserved crown land at Wonthaggi)

Management: Parks Victoria, Shire of South Gippsland, private land holders

Recovery objectives:

• Reservation, protection, broad-scale habitat management and fine-scale habitat management if required

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population identification
• Recovery actions required:
• Identify and survey potential habitat in the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion for new populations and accurately determine plant numbers within known populations
• Identify key populations Reserve populations on public land at Wonthaggi (under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 ) and Walkerville (PAMA under Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988)
• Protect populations on private land at Cape Paterson under appropriate land management agreements
• Control high-priority weed species at all sites through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. Coast Tea-tree, Coast Wattle, Maritime Pine)
• Control animal pests and predators at all sites and investigate grazing impacts by macropods and rabbits at Wonthaggi after fire
• Collect Vital Attribute Data following planned fires to determine appropriate fire regimes for C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis habitat and prepare a fire management plan for key populations
• Monitor sites for the presence of Cinnamon Fungus
• Hand-pollinate plants where necessary
• Harvest and store seeds
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation
• Maintain a database on cultivated plants
• Assess potential habitat and select introduction sites Prepare an introduction plan and establish C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis in at least one reserve Establish a regional C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - PP, PV, FOWH Prepare Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. fragrantissima ssp. orientalis

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, PP; Parks Victoria; Friends of Wonthaggi Heathlands

Bibliography:

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Mellblom's Spider-orchid Caladenia hastata

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: SW Victoria, near Portland - Naracoorte Plain Bioregion

Current abundance: 20 plants in the wild

Habitat: Heathy Woodland; Damp Heathy Woodland; Damp Heathland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Reserved (Point Danger Coastal Reserve; Discovery Bay Coastal Reserve)

Management: Parks Victoria, Point Danger Coastal Reserve Committee of Management

Recovery objectives: Site and plant protection, broad-scale and fine-scale habitat management

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population monitoring at both sites
• Habitat monitoring at Point Danger
• Caging of plants at both sites
• Biomass removal/weed control using mechanical techniques and fire
• Hand-pollination of plants
• Conduction of seed establishment trials at both sites
• Description of habitat (in part)
• Searching of potential habitat for new populations
• Ecological burning of suitable habitat to promote flowering of C. hastata
• Search of burn sites for plants
• Identification of the mycorrhizal fungal associate
• Establishment of a regional recovery team

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and further survey potential habitat in the Naracoorte Plain Bioregion for other populations
• Control high-priority weed species at all sites through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. Boneseed, Coast Wattle)
• Control animal pests and predators at all sites using cages
• Collect Vital Attribute Data following planned fires to determine appropriate fire regimes for C.hastata habitat and prepare a fire management plan for Point Danger
• Monitor sites for the presence of Cinnamon Fungus
• Hand-pollinate plants
• Harvest and store seeds
• Implement fine-scale microhabitat management such as scattering leaf litter, seed-bed preparation, maintenance of open space around plants, watering during dry spring periods and scattering of seeds near parent plants in late summer
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Establish seedlings in cultivation
• Maintain a database on cultivated plants
• Assess habitat and select introduction sites
• Prepare an introduction plan and establish at least one population of C. hastata in the wild
• Prepare educational material and undertake community extension
• Maintain and support the Mellblom's Spider-orchid Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - SW, PV, PA and one expert botanist
• Review Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. hastata

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, SW; Portland Aluminium; Parks Victoria; Point Danger Coastal Reserve Committee of Management; C. hastata Recovery Team

Bibliography:

Hill, J., Carr, G., Pritchard, A., Govanstone, A. and Backhouse, G. (1999). Draft Recovery Plan for Mellblom's Spider-orchid Caladenia hastata (Orchidaceae: Caladeniinae) 1998-2002. Portland Aluminium and Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Carr, G.W. (1980). Alcoa Portland Aluminium Smelter Environmental Design Report No. 4: Mellblom's Spider-orchid Conservation. Part A: Status and conservation. Kinhill Planners, Melbourne.

Carr, G.W. (1988). Portland Aluminium Smelter Environmental Design Report No. 4: Mellblom's Spider-orchid Conservation. Parts B and C: Programme 1980 - mid 1988. Kinhill Planners, Melbourne.

 

Wimmera Spider-orchid Caladenia lowanensis

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Kiata & Glenlee, Western Victoria - Murray Darling Depression Bioregion

Current abundance: 240 plants at three sites

Habitat: Cypress-pine/Box Woodland

Reservation status: Reserved at Kiata Flora Reserve and Glenlee Flora and Fauna Reserve

Management: Parks Victoria, private land holder

Recovery objectives: Protection of plants and broad-scale habitat management (fine-scale management where necessary)

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population monitoring
• Hand pollination
• Capsule (seed) collection
• Preliminary surveys of potential habitat
• Rabbit control
• Woody weed control

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat in the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion for new populations and accurately determine plant numbers within known populations
• Identify key populations in Victoria and South Australia (if present)
• Protect identified populations on private land through appropriate land management agreements
• Control high-priority weed species at all sites through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. Perennial Veldt Grass, annual grasses)
• Control animal pests and predators at Kiata Flora Reserve and Glenlee Flora and Fauna Reserve through rabbit-proof fencing and the use of targeted control of pest species (eg. rabbits)
• Collect Vital Attribute Data following planned fires to determine appropriate fire regimes for C. lowanensis habitat and prepare a fire management plan for key populations
• Prevent disturbance and damage to populations by controlling access to and within Kiata Flora Reserve and Glenlee Flora and Fauna Reserve by appropriate fencing and track closures
• Hand pollinate plants where populations reach critically low numbers
• Harvest and store seed
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the associated mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation
• Maintain a database of C. lowanensis plants in cultivation
• Assess habitat preferences and select introduction sites
• Prepare an introduction plan and establish one additional reserved population of C. lowanensis in the wild
• Prepare education material and undertake community extension
• Establish a regional C. lowanensis Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - SW, PV, Friends of Kiata Flora Reserve, University of Melbourne
• Prepare Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. lowanensis

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, NW; Parks Victoria; Gerang Landcare Group (Friends of Kiata Flora Reserve)

Bibliography:

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Frankston Spider-orchid Caladenia robinsonii

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Rosebud, south east of Melbourne - South East Coastal Plain Bioregion

Current abundance: Approximately 20 plants in the wild

Habitat: Heathy Woodland, Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland, Heathy Herb-rich Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved (occurs on land owned and managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council)

Management: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Recovery objectives: Protection and fine-scale management of populations and ex situ cultivation/re-introduction of plants

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Establishment of permanent orchid-monitoring plot
• Fencing of reserve and construction of pedestrian walking paths
• Construction of a visitor foot bath and scrub to help reduce the risk of Cinnamon Fungus introduction
• Burning of the eastern half of the reserve
• Woody and herbaceous weed control
• Hand pollination of plants
• Collection and storage of capsules (seed) at KPBG, Perth, WA
• Population monitoring
• Production of a draft Public Authority Management Agreement
• Identification and searching of potential habitat both near the current population and known former habitat near Frankston
• Establishment of the C. robinsonii Recovery Team

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and further survey potential C. robinsonii habitat on the Mornington Peninsula
• Reserve populations on public land at Rosebud through a Public Authority Management Agreement (under Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988)
• Control high-priority weed species through broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. Coast Tea-tree, Coast Wattle, Mirror Bush, Perennial Veldt Grass)
• Control animal pests and predators through caging of plants and targeted pest animal control
• Collect Vital Attribute Data to help determine appropriate burning regimes for Betty Clift Reserve and prepare a fire management plan for the area
• Monitor the reserve for the presence of Cinnamon Fungus and implement a quarantine strategy if necessary
• Hand pollinate plants annually
• Harvest and store seed annually
• Manage micro-habitat using litter scattering and seed-bed establishment techniques
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of cultivated plants
• Assess habitat and select introduction sites
• Prepare an introduction plan and establish a new population in at least one reserved site on the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay
• Maintain and support the Frankston Spider-orchid Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - PP, MPSC, SPIFFA, FOBCCR
• Prepare and review the Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. robinsonii

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, PP; Parks Victoria; Mornington Peninsula Shire Council; Southern Peninsula Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association; Friends of Betty Clift Conservation Reserve

Bibliography:

Backhouse, G.N., Bramwells, H., Musker, R., Walker, G. and Lester, K. (1999). Draft Recovery Plan for the Frankston Spider-orchid Caladenia robinsonii (Orchidaceae: Caladeniinae) 1999-2003. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Rosella Spider-orchid Caladenia rosella

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Cottles Bridge, Research and Christmas Hills, north east of Melbourne and Deep Lead near Stawell (unconfirmed for several years) - Victorian Midlands Bioregion

Current abundance: Approximately 130 plants in the wild in four populations

Habitat: Box-Ironbark Forest; Grassy Dry Forest (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Reserved (One Tree Hill BR, covenanted properties)

Recovery objectives: Protection and fine-scale management of populations and ex situ cultivation/re-introduction of plants

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Control of annual and perennial introduced herbs
• Caging of plants at Cottlesbridge to control pests and predators
• Hand pollination of plants
• Collection and storage of capsules (seed) at KPBG, Perth, WA
• Fine-scale habitat management - leaf litter scattering etc.
• Population monitoring

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat for other populations (eg. Deep Lead)
• Control high-priority weed species
• Control animal pests and predators through caging of populations or habitat
• Hand pollinate plants annually
• Harvest and store seed annually
• Manage micro-habitat using litter scattering techniques
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Determine genetic relationship between Cottlesbridge and Deep Lead populations (if latter able to be located)
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of cultivated plants
• Select introduction sites
• Prepare an introduction plan and introduce plants to at least one reserved site in northeast Melbourne
• Establish a regional guardian group made up of NRE - PFF, NRE - PP, TFN, private landholders and one expert botanist
• Prepare and review the Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. rosella

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, PP; Parks Victoria; Trust for Nature (Victoria); The Dunmoochin Foundation

Bibliography:

Beardsell, C.M. and Muir, A.M. (1992). A recovery plan for Rosella Spider-orchid (Caladenia rosella). Unpublished report to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Rigid Spider-orchid Caladenia tensa

Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: SW Victoria/SE South Australia - Murray Darling Depression Bioregion

Current abundance: 1000's of plants in Victoria; 1000's of plants in South Australia

Habitat: Pine/Box Woodland; Sand Mallee; Heathy Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Reserved in Victoria (Lt Desert NP, Kiata FR, West Wail FR); Reserved in South Australia (Cape Gantheaume CP, Billiat CP, Mt Boothby CP)

Management: Parks Victoria, EH

Recovery objectives: Taxon distribution/abundance estimates and broad-scale habitat management

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population monitoring
• Preliminary surveys of potential habitat in Victoria
• Hand pollinating of plants at West Wail in 1994

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat in the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion for new populations and accurately determine plant numbers within known populations
• Identify key populations in Victoria and South Australia
• Control high-priority weed species at key population sites through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. Perennial Veldt Grass)
• Control animal pests and predators at key populations sites using suitably designed fences or targeted pest animal control techniques
• Collect Vital Attribute Data following planned fires to determine appropriate fire regimes for C. tensa habitat and prepare a fire management plan for key populations. Ensure that protection of key populations forms an integral part of park management plans
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Determine genetic relationship of Victorian and South Australian populations
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Prepare education material and undertake community extension
• Establish a regional Caladenia tensa Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - SW, PV, EH, Friends of Kiata Flora Reserve
• Prepare Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. tensa

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, NW; Parks Victoria; Department of Environment and Heritage, South Australia

Bibliography:

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Fringed Spider-orchid Caladenia thysanochila

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Mount Eliza, south east of Melbourne - South East Coastal Plain Bioregion

Current abundance: No plants observed in wild since 1996

Habitat: Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved (occurs on land owned and managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council)

Management: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Recovery objectives: Protection and fine-scale management of population and ex situ cultivation/re-introduction of plants

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Fencing of site (botanical reference area)
• Burning of the botanical reference area
• Woody and herbaceous weed control
• Hand pollination of plants
• Population monitoring

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and further survey potential Caladenia thysanochila habitat on the Mornington Peninsula
• Reserve populations on public land at Mount Eliza through a Public Authority Management Agreement (under Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988)
• Control high-priority weed species through broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. Sweet Vernal Grass, Yorkshire Fog Grass, Brown-top Bent, Flatweed)
• Control animal pests and predators through caging of plants and targeted pest animal control
• Collect Vital Attribute Data to help determine appropriate burning regimes for Botanical Reference Area within Mount Eliza Regional Park and prepare a fire management plan for the site
• Hand pollinate plants (if they appear)
• Harvest and store seed
• Manage micro-habitat using litter scattering and seed-bed establishment techniques and orchid-sensitive herbaceous weed control techniques
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of cultivated plants
• Assess habitat and select introduction sites
• Prepare an introduction plan and introduce plants to at least one reserved site on the Mornington Peninsula
• Establish a Caladenia thysanochila Recovery Team (if plants are located) consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - PP, MPSC, FOMERP and one expert botanist
• Prepare and review the Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. thysanochila

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, PP; Mornington Peninsula Shire Council; Friends of Mount Eliza Regional Park

Bibliography:

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Candy Spider-orchid Caladenia versicolor

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: SW Victoria near Stawell/SE South Australia - Naracoorte Plain and Victorian Midlands Bioregions

Current abundance: Several hundred of plants in Victoria; Status of taxon in South Australia is unknown

Habitat: Plains Sedgy Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved in Victoria (proposed for protection within Special Protection Zones under the West Victorian RFA - Commonwealth of Australia 2000)

Management: NRE - Forests, Wimmera Mallee Water

Recovery objectives: Reservation, protection and broad-scale habitat management

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population monitoring
• Preliminary surveys of potential habitat in Victoria

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat in the Victorian Midlands and Naracoorte Plain Bioregions for new populations and accurately determine plant numbers within known populations
• Identify key populations in Victoria and South Australia
• Reserve populations on public land at Lake Fyans (under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978) pending the current Native Title Claim over the area.
• Assess and control high-priority weed species at all sites through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control
• Control animal pests and predators at all sites and investigate grazing impacts by macropods and rabbits at Lake Fyans using suitably designed animal exclosures
• Prevent disturbance and damage to populations by controlling access to public land sites and rationalising vehicle tracks at Lake Fyans Reserve
• Harvest and store seed
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Determine genetic relationship of Victorian and South Australian populations (if located)
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of C. versicolor plants in cultivation
• Assess habitat preferences and select one introduction site
• Prepare an introduction plan and establish at least one additional reserved population in the wild
• Prepare education material and undertake community extension
• Establish a regional Caladenia versicolor Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - SW, NRE - Forests, Wimmera Mallee Water, Stawell Field Naturalists Club
• Prepare Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. formosa

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, NW, Forests; Wimmera Mallee Water; Parks Victoria; Department of Environment and Heritage, South Australia; Stawell Field Naturalists Club

Bibliography:

Carr, G.W. (1991). New taxa in Caladenia R. Br., Chiloglottis R. Br. and Gastrodia R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. Miscellaneous Paper No. 1. Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association.

 

Yellow-lip Spider-orchid Caladenia xanthochila

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Current distribution: Western Victoria near Murtoa and central Victoria near Kingower/SE South Australia - Murray Darling Depression Bioregion

Current abundance: 120 plants in Victoria; Status of taxon in South Australia is unknown

Habitat: Shallow Sand Woodland, Alluvial Terraces Herb-rich Woodland (sensu NRE, in prep.)

Reservation status: Unreserved in Victoria

Management: Murtoa Golf Club Committee of Management, NRE - Forests

Recovery objectives: Reservation, protection and broad and fine-scale habitat management

Recovery actions undertaken:

• Population monitoring
• Preliminary surveys of potential habitat in Victoria
• 2 x collars collected in 1994 for fungal isolation

Recovery actions required:

• Identify and survey potential habitat in the Murray Darling Depression Bioregion for new populations and accurately determine plant numbers within known populations
• Identify key populations in Victoria and South Australia
• Reserve populations on public land in southeast Victoria under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978
• Adequately protect populations on private land through appropriate land management agreements
• Control high-priority weed species at all sites through use of broad-scale habitat management techniques and targeted control of high-risk species (eg. annual grasses, indigenous shrubs)
• Control animal pests and predators at all sites using suitably designed animal exclosures and targeted pest animal control techniques
• Collect Vital Attribute Data from habitat containing C. xanthochila populations to determine appropriate fire regimes and from this develop a fire management strategy for key populations
• Hand pollinate plants when necessary
• Harvest and store seed
• Conduct annual censusing of populations
• Identify pollinator and determine natural pollination levels
• Determine genetic relationship of Victorian and South Australian populations (if latter is able to be located)
• Investigate seed viability, germination and seedling establishment
• Isolate and culture the mycorrhizal fungus
• Establish seedlings in cultivation and maintain a number of plants ex situ
• Maintain a database of C. xanthochila plants in cultivation
• Assess habitat preferences and select one introduction site
• Prepare an introduction plan and establish one additional reserved population in the wild
• Prepare education material and undertake community extension
• Establish a regional C. xanthochila Recovery Team consisting of NRE - PFF, NRE - SW, NRE - Forests, Murtoa Golf Club COM, Bendigo Field Naturalists Club
• Prepare Victorian FFG Action Statement for C. xanthochila

Responsible agencies/organisations:

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria - PFF, NW, Forests; Department of Environment and Heritage, South Australia; Murtoa Golf Club Committee of Management; Bendigo Field Naturalists Club

Bibliography:

Beardsell, D. and Beardsell, C. (1992). A rare new Caladenia species from central Victoria, and its relationship with other recently described taxa in south eastern Australia. Australian Systematic Botany, 5: 513-519.