Threatened species & ecological communities

National recovery plan for the Bertya sp. (Cobar-coolabah)

Cunningham & Milthorpe s.n., 2/8/73
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service , July 2002
ISBN 0 7313 6517 8

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10. Recovery Actions

10.1 Action 1 - Protection of Coolabah Population

The Coolabah population is small, appears to be senescent and feral goats have been observed grazing on stems and lower branches. Grazing by goats may also be responsible for the lack of seedlings in the population.

NPWS will seek the cooperation of the landholder to allow access and permit a fence to be constructed around half the population to protect it from grazing pressure. Photopoints will be established and the abundance, health and recruitment of plants monitored annually for five years or until the impact of grazing is understood. If grazing is found to have an impact, it will be recommended that the entire (or as much as possible) population be fenced. NPWS will also liase with the landholder to achieve the long-term protection of the population through a Voluntary Conservation Agreement.

Outcome

Examination of the impact of grazing on Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah and protection from grazing pressure. Changes in population size and overall health will be monitored annually.

Agency responsible for implementation

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

10.2 Action 2 - Survey

Undertake a survey of potential habitat for Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah in the Cobar- Coolabah area and in coastal areas. The Coolabah population is the only known remaining population in this area as the other population further west has died out. It is not known, however, whether other populations occur in the area. The Coolabah population is currently the western extent of the species distribution within the state. Coastal areas require survey for Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah as there are potentially many locations where the species could occur. Both coastal locations were discovered during systematic broad scale vegetation sampling where there is a low probability of finding species rare in the landscape. There is a good chance that this species is under surveyed in coastal areas, perhaps due to a preference for inaccessible locations - ie. cliffs and rocky outcrops.

Outcome

Increased certainty of the distribution of Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah in the Cobar-Coolabah area and sub-coastal hinterland.

Agency responsible for implementation

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

10.3 Action 3 - Investigation of recruitment

At two of the four known sites the populations consist of mature and senescent individuals with very few/no seedlings. This may be due to lack of appropriate disturbance cues to trigger germination of seed. The biology of germination and subsequent survival of seedlings need to be studied so that appropriate management strategies can be implemented. Experiments that determine the nature of any dormancy mechanism, seed viability and other cues to germination such as heat will be conducted. The action will be informed by the exclosure proposed at the Coolabah site. If seedlings appear and survive, grazing will have been shown to be the primary cause of the senescent age structure.

Outcome

The biology of germination and seedling survival is understood.

Agency responsible for implementation

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

10.4 Action 4 - Management strategies for the Coolabah and Gibraltar Range Populations

Appropriate management strategies for senescent populations at Coolabah, the Gibraltar Range and potentially Kangaroo River State Forest are developed. Once the viability, seed dormancy, germination and grazing studies are complete it may be possible to manipulate management at these locations to stimulate recruitment. This may mean fencing populations, burning at appropriate times and intervals or other measures.

Outcome

Improved survival prospects for sensecent populations.

Agency responsible for implementation

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

10.5 Action 5 - Community Liaison and Awareness

Encourage landholders, community groups and the general public to become aware of and be involved in the recovery effort for Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah through the preparation and distribution of information sheets.

NPWS will liase with private landholders to emphasise the conservation significance of populations of Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah occurring on or adjacent to their properties. The NPWS will seek to secure sympathetic management of Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah habitat by private landholders. In order to achieve greater protection of populations on private land, the NPWS recognises that a variety of suitable measures may be implemented (e.g. property management plans and voluntary conservation agreements). The precise nature of management arrangements will depend largely on the circumstances and cooperation of private landholders. Liaison with private landholders will commence in the first year of the plan.

Outcome

Community appreciation and support for the conservation of Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah and threatened species in general. Sympathetic management in areas where Bertya sp. Cobar-Coolabah occurs.

Agency responsible for implementation

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

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