Threatened species & ecological communities

National recovery plan for Twenty-five threatened orchid taxa of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales 2003 - 2007

Coates, F., Jeanes, J. and Pritchard, A.
Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, 2002

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Appendix 3

Arachnorchis pilotensis (D.L. Jones) D.L. Jones & M.A. Clem. (Mt Pilot Spider-orchid)

Conservation status:
EPBC Act 1999: Not listed
IUCN (2000): CR
NRE (2000): Not listed
Distribution:
Endemic to Victoria - Victorian Northern Inland Slopes Bioregion (Mt Pilot). Specific details of population localities (including GPS data) are held on DSE internal files.
Present range
Abundance:
<5 plants in the wild, in 2 populations. Unconfirmed reports exist of one additional, larger population.
Habitat:
Occurs in Eucalyptus polyanthemos - E. goniocalyx - Callitris endlicheri grassy open forest on well drained dark grey-brown granitic loam. Critical habitat has not been determined, but is likely to consist of long unburnt woodland dominated by the above species on granite slopes.
Reservation status:
Reserved at Mt Pilot Multipurpose Park.
Management:
Parks Victoria, Central Victoria Region (Central Region, Beechworth).
Current and potential threats:
Current threats Perceived risk
Ecology/biology Limited or absent natural pollination; response to fire unknown; conditions for seed germination and maintenance of fungal activity unknown.
Weed invasion Low at present - exotic annual grasses a potential threat.
Grazing/pest animals High- rabbit and kangaroo grazing.
Reservation status Inadequately reserved-potential for more effective reservation at Mt Pilot Regional Park subject to implementation of ECC recommendations, but multiple use of park likely to remain.
Potential threats Perceived risk
Illegal collection High- probably highly sought after by collectors.
Inappropriate fire regimes Moderate- site is long unburnt, but unplanned fires are possible.
Accidental damage High - potential for trampling from recreational users including rock climbers and walkers.
Recovery objectives:
Maintain and/or increase existing populations; protect and manage habitat.

Recovery actions undertaken:

Issues specific to recovery:

Overall recovery strategy:

Broadscale risk management will include fire planning, protection of populations from grazing and accidental damage, and maintenance of site confidentiality. Searches of similar habitat in the immediate vicinity of Mt Pilot may uncover additional populations. The population will be managed to promote seedling recruitment, using fine-scale habitat management techniques. Populations will be re-stocked using seed from cultivated plants. Recovery will be jointly managed by DSE and PV. Involvement from the Friends of Chiltern will continue.

Consultation:

Parks Victoria (Central Victoria Region); DSE NE (BNR Wodonga); Friends of Chiltern.

Actions:
Action Mt Pilot (H) Additional site (M)
1. Determine current conservation status    
1.1 Clarify taxonomy N/A N/A
1.2 Acquire baseline population data H H
Responsibility DSE-BNR, FOC DSE-BNR, FOC
2. Investigate population biology    
2.1 Describe life history H H
2.2 Evaluate natural pollination levels and/or causes of pollinator limitation M M
2.3 Determine the effects of artificial pollination on growth survival and reproduction N/A N/A
2.4 Determine spatial distribution of mycorrhizal fungi N/A N/A
2.5 Determine optimal conditions for growth of mycorrhizal fungi in-situ N/A N/A
Responsibility DSE-BNR, FOC DSE-BNR, FOC
3. Determine habitat requirements of key populations    
3.1 Identify key populations N/A N/A
3.2 Conduct surveys H H
3.3 Identify ecological correlates of populations H H
3.4 Prepare habitat descriptions H H
Responsibility DSE-BNR, FOC DSE-BNR, FOC
4. Manage risks to populations    
4.1 Identify and implement strategies to control threats H H
4.2 Identify disturbance regimes to promote regeneration and recruitment H H
4.3 Protect key public land populations and habitat H H
4.4 Protect key private land populations and habitat N/A H
Responsibility PV (Beechworth), DSE-BNR PV (Beechworth), DSE-BNR
5. Promote in-situ recruitment    
5.1 Prepare habitat for seedling recruitment H H
5.2 Re-stock populations with seed H H
Responsibility DSE-BNR, FOC DSE-BNR, FOC
6. Measure population trends and responses against recovery actions    
6.1 Conduct annual censusing of populations M M
6.2 Collate, analyse and report on census data M M
6.3 Re-prioritise and adjust recovery actions and/or threat management H H
Responsibility PV (Beechworth), DSE-BNR, FOC PV (Beechworth), DSE-BNR, FOC
7. Increase populations ex-situ    
7.1 Hand pollinate plants N/A N/A
7.2 Establish a threatened orchid seed bank and determine seed viability H H
7.3 Establish a mycorrhizal fungi bank H H
7.4 Establish and maintain cultivated populations H H
7.5 Maintain a database of threatened orchid taxa in cultivation F L
Responsibility LOC, RBG, DSE-BNR, NOGN FOC, RBG, DSE-BNR,
8. Translocate cultivated plants    
8.1 Determine criteria for re-stocking/re-introduction N/A N/A
8.2 Evaluate site suitability N/A N/A
8.3 Determine long term cost-benefits and feasibility of translocating plants N/A N/A
8.4 Prepare and implement translocation plans N/A N/A
8.5 Maintain translocated populations N/A N/A
Responsibility N/A DSE-BNR
9. Implement an education and communication strategy    
9.1 Prepare technical educational material on in-situ recovery techniques DSE-BNR L
9.2 Undertake community extension L L
9.3 Conduct workshops and symposia on in-situ recovery techniques L L
9.4 Encourage and support research by Higher Education Institutions and existing research partners L N/A
Responsibility DSE-BNR, TSN DSE-BNR, TSN
10. Consolidate recovery and extend networks    
10.1 Maintain the Threatened Orchid Recovery Team L L
10.2 Establish and facilitate regional Recovery Teams L L
10.3 Co-ordinate recovery and exchange knowledge with interstate agencies N/A N/A
Responsibility DSE-BNR DSE-BNR
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