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

Contents > Previous > Next

Appendix 3

Prasophyllum sp. (Nagambie) Swamp Leek-orchid

Conservation status:
EPBC Act 1999: Not listed
IUCN (2000): CR
NRE (2000): Not listed
Distribution:
Endemic to Victoria - Victorian Riverina Bioregion (Nagambie and possibly Murchison areas), and Victorian Goldfields (Bendigo area). Prasophyllum sp. (Nagambie) is currently known only from three populations, however, populations were likely to have been more widespread prior to habitat loss.
Specific details of population localities (including GPS data) are held on DSE internal files.
Present range
Abundance:
Probably between 1,500-3,000 plants distributed within a number of sub-populations at Reedy Lake near Nagambie; fewer than 30 plants in one population near Bendigo; unconfirmed population thought to occur at Murchison. Former abundance is unknown, but likely to have been more widespread throughout River Red Gum - Yellow Box forest and Grey Box grassy woodlands throughout central Victoria, but confined to poorly drained clay soils.
Habitat:
Eucalyptus camaldulensis - E. microcarpa grassy woodland on seasonally inundated brown clay gilgai soils. Critical habitat has not been determined, but appears be confined to raised areas with ample soil moisture during its emergent period.
Reservation status:
Reserved at Reedy Lake Wildlife Reserve.
Management:
Parks Victoria Central Region (Shepparton).
Current and potential threats and their risk:
Current threats Perceived risk
Weed invasion Low - Reedy Lake
Moderate - private property at Bendigo.
Unknown - Murchison.
Grazing Moderate - Reedy Lake - kangaroos are common.
Unknown - Bendigo and Murchison.
Inappropriate fire regimes Likely to be low - sites are long unburnt, fire risk is low.
Site disturbance High at all sites - Reedy Lake plants are vulnerable to damage from off road vehicles; Bendigo plants are vulnerable to habitat clearing and damage from farm machinery; Murchison plants may be vulnerable to golf course maintenance activities.
Reservation status Inadequately reserved
Potential threats Perceived risk
Illegal collection Low - no evidence of collection in the past.

Recovery objectives:

Clarify taxonomy; maintain existing population size; protect and manage habitat.

Recovery actions undertaken:

Issues specific to recovery:

Overall recovery strategy:

Taxonomy will be clarified and habitat will be managed at the known population at Reedy Lake to prevent accidental damage by vehicles and to protect plants from kangaroo grazing. Searches will be undertaken at Bendigo and Murchison and appropriate protective measures implemented if required in consultation with landowners. Recovery will be jointly managed by DSE-BNR, PV and private landowners. Community involvement will be sought.

Consultation:

Parks Victoria (Central Victoria Region: Wodonga, Shepparton); DSE NW (Tatura).

Actions:
Action Reedy Lake (H) Bendigo (M) Murchison (M)
1. Determine current conservation status      
1.1 Clarify taxonomy L L L
1.2 Acquire baseline population data M H H
Responsibility Centre for Plant Conservation Biology, DSE-BNR Centre for Plant Conservation Biology, DSE-BNR Centre for Plant Conservation Biology, DSE-BNR
2. Investigate population biology      
2.1 Describe life history M M M
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 DSE-BNR DSE-BNR
3. Determine habitat requirements of key populations      
3.1 Identify key populations N/A H H
3.2 Conduct surveys L H H
3.3 Identify ecological correlates of populations L H H
3.4 Prepare habitat descriptions L M M
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 M M M
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 H H
Responsibility PV (Shepparton) DSE-BNR DSE-BNR
5. Promote in-situ recruitment      
5.1 Prepare habitat for seedling recruitment N/A N/A N/A
5.2 Re-stock populations with seed N/A N/A N/A
Responsibility DSE-BNR DSE-BNR DSE-BNR
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 (Shepparton), DSE-BNR DSE-BNR DSE-BNR
7. Increase populations ex-situ      
7.1 Hand pollinate plants N/A N/A N/A
7.2 Establish a threatened orchid seed bank and determine seed viability M N/A N/A
7.3 Establish a mycorrhizal fungi bank M N/A N/A
7.4 Establish and maintain cultivated populations M N/A N/A
7.5 Maintain a database of threatened orchid taxa in cultivation L N/A N/A
Responsibility DSE-BNR, RBG DSE-BNR 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 DSE-BNR DSE-BNR
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
Contents > Previous > Next

Before you download

Some documents are available as PDF files. You will need a PDF reader to view PDF files.
List of PDF readers 

If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.

Key

   Links to another web site
   Opens a pop-up window