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
Appendix 3
Pterostylis sp. aff. boormani (Beechworth)
Beechworth Rustyhood
- Conservation status:
- EPBC Act 1999: Not listed
- IUCN (2000): CR
- NRE (2000): Not listed
- Distribution:
- Endemic to Victoria - Victorian Northern Inland Slopes Bioregion (Beechworth).
- Specific details of population localities (including GPS data) are held on DSE internal files.
- Abundance:
- < 50 plants in the wild, in 3 known populations.
- Habitat:
- Occurs in Eucalyptus goniocalyx - E. macrorhyncha - Callitris endlicheri open forest or woodland with a sparse shrubby understorey and grassy ground layer, on well drained dark brown granitic loam.
- Critical habitat has not been determined.
- Reservation status:
- Reserved at Beechworth Historic Park and Mt Pilot Multipurpose Park.
- Management:
- Parks Victoria (Central Victoria Region, Beechworth).
| Current threats | Perceived risk |
|---|---|
| Ecology/biology | High - limited or absent natural pollination; conditions for maintenance of fungal activity unknown |
| Weed invasion | Low at present - exotic annual grasses a potential threat in Vic. |
| Grazing/pest animals | Moderate - rabbit and kangaroo grazing. |
| Inappropriate fire regimes | Unknown |
| Site disturbance | High - off road vehicles, close proximity to tracks, seasonal disturbance by orchid enthusiasts. |
| Potential threats | Perceived risk |
| Reservation status | Reserved, but with inadequate protection - Mt Pilot NP; Beechworth Historic Park. |
| Illegal collection | Low - no evidence of collection in the past; sites are not well known. |
- Recovery objectives:
- Maintain and/or increase existing populations; protect and manage habitat.
Recovery actions undertaken:
- Searches in the Beechworth area 2001.
- Monitoring of 2 populations commenced in 2001.
- Liaison with Parks Victoria and FOC.
- All known sites were visited during preparation of the recovery plan.
Issues specific to recovery:
- P. sp. aff. boormanii is highly vulnerable to accidental damage especially from orchid enthusiasts and photographers, so that site confidentiality is vital. Involvement from non government organisations and individuals will be limited to a small number of individuals with a proven track record in its conservation (FOC).
- Taxonomic definition of the taxon is currently unclear especially in relation to P. boormanii from New South Wales. Populations in need determination and the distribution of true P. boormanii clarified.
- The response of P. sp. aff. boormanii to fire is not known, fire management should be undertaken with caution.
- Although its reservation status will improve if Mt Pilot is upgraded to national park status, multiple use of the park is likely to continue and the threat of accidental damage may be ongoing.
- Searches in 2001 failed to re-locate the Chiltern Road population.
Overall recovery strategy:
Known and potential populations will be surveyed to determine population sizes and habitat requirements and to provide ecological knowledge necessary for management. Broadscale risk management will include track closure and/or realignment and maintenance of site confidentiality. Recruitment has been observed at one population (Fiddes Track). The Mt Pilot site 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. Friends of Chiltern will maintain their involvement.
Consultation:
Parks Victoria (Central Victoria Region, Beechworth); DSE NE (BNR Wodonga); Friends of Chiltern.
| Action | Mt Pilot (H) | Fiddes Track (H) | Chiltern Road (M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Determine current conservation status | |||
| 1.1 Clarify taxonomy | L | L | L |
| 1.2 Acquire baseline population data | H | H | H |
| Responsibility | Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, DSE-BNR, FOC, PV | Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, DSE-BNR, FOC, PV | Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, DSE-BNR, PV |
| 2. Investigate population biology | |||
| 2.1 Describe life history | H | H | H |
| 2.2 Evaluate natural pollination levels and/or causes of pollinator limitation | M | M | M |
| 2.3 Determine the effects of artificial pollination on growth survival and reproduction | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2.4 Determine spatial distribution of mycorrhizal fungi | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2.5 Determine optimal conditions for growth of mycorrhizal fungi in-situ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Responsibility | DSE-BNR, FOC | DSE-BNR, FOC | DSE-BNR, FOC |
| 3. Determine habitat requirements of key populations | |||
| 3.1 Identify key populations | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 3.2 Conduct surveys | H | H | H |
| 3.3 Identify ecological correlates of populations | H | H | H |
| 3.4 Prepare habitat descriptions | L | L | L |
| Responsibility | DSE-BNR | DSE-BNR | DSE-BNR |
| 4. Manage risks to populations | |||
| 4.1 Identify and implement strategies to control threats | H | H | H |
| 4.2 Identify disturbance regimes to promote regeneration and recruitment | H | H | H |
| 4.3 Protect key public land populations and habitat | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 4.4 Protect key private land populations and habitat | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Responsibility | PV, DSE-BNR | PV, DSE-BNR | PV, DSE-BNR |
| 5. Promote in-situ recruitment | |||
| 5.1 Prepare habitat for seedling recruitment | M | M | M |
| 5.2 Re-stock populations with seed | M | M | M |
| Responsibility | DSE-BNR, FOC, PV | DSE-BNR, FOC, PV | DSE-BNR, FOC, PV |
| 6. Measure population trends and responses against recovery actions | |||
| 6.1 Conduct annual censusing of populations | M | M | M |
| 6.2 Collate, analyse and report on census data | M | M | M |
| 6.3 Re-prioritise and adjust recovery actions and/or threat management | H | H | H |
| Responsibility | PV, FOC, DSE-BNR | PV, FOC, DSE-BNR | PV, FOC, DSE-BNR |
| 7. Increase populations ex-situ | |||
| 7.1 Hand pollinate plants | H | H | H |
| 7.2 Establish a threatened orchid seed bank and determine seed viability | N/A | M | N/A |
| 7.3 Establish a mycorrhizal fungi bank | N/A | M | N/A |
| 7.4 Establish and maintain cultivated populations | N/A | M | N/A |
| 7.5 Maintain a database of threatened orchid taxa in cultivation | N/A | L | N/A |
| Responsibility | FOC, DSE-BNR | FOC, RBG, DSE-BNR, NOGN | FOC, DSE-BNR |
| 8. Translocate cultivated plants | |||
| 8.1 Determine criteria for re-stocking/re-introduction | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 8.2 Evaluate site suitability | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 8.3 Determine long term cost-benefits and feasibility of translocating plants | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 8.4 Prepare and implement translocation plans | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 8.5 Maintain translocated populations | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Responsibility | DSE-BNR | DSE-BNR | DSE-BNR |
| 9. Implement an education and communication strategy | |||
| 9.1 Prepare technical educational material on in-situ recovery techniques | L | L | L |
| 9.2 Undertake community extension | L | L | L |
| 9.3 Conduct workshops and symposia on in-situ recovery techniques | L | L | L |
| 9.4 Encourage and support research by Higher Education Institutions and existing research partners | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Responsibility | DSE-BNR, TSN | DSE-BNR, TSN | DSE-BNR, TSN |
| 10. Consolidate recovery and extend networks | |||
| 10.1 Maintain the Threatened Orchid Recovery Team | L | L | L |
| 10.2 Establish and facilitate regional Recovery Teams | L | L | L |
| 10.3 Co-ordinate recovery and exchange knowledge with interstate agencies | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Responsibility | DSE-BNR | DSE-BNR | DSE-BNR |
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