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Contents

Cover Photograph: Epacris in flower, by Dr D.A. Keith

• Summary
• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Description and classification of species
  • 1.2 Conservation status
  • 1.3 Distribution and abundance
  • 1.4 Life history and ecology
  • 1.5 Reasons for listing
  • 1.6 Existing conservation measures
  • 1.7 Strategy for conservation
  • 1.8 Biodiversity benefits
• 2. Objective and criteria for recovery
  • 2.1 Specific objectives
  • 2.2 Criteria
• 3. Recovery actions
• Implementation schedule
• Estimated costs of recovery
  • Action 1.1 Fire management planning
  • Action 1.2 Disease hygiene protocols for fire operations
  • Action 1.3 Logging protocols in production forest
  • Action 1.4 Impact mitigation process for mineral exploration and development
  • Action 2.1 Management guidelines
  • Action 3.1 Population survey
  • Action 4.1 Review and modify tracks
  • Action 4.2 Experimental management of diseased populations
  • Action 4.3 Treatment and quarantine of infected areas
  • Action 5.1.1 Negotiate Conservation Covenants
  • Action 5.1.2 Develop and implement management plans
  • Action 5.2 Co-ordinate community groups and provide extension advice
  • Action 6.1 Population monitoring
  • Action 7.1 Establish ex situ collection
• Acknowledgements
• References

Maps

• Figure 1. Distribution of Epacris acuminata
• Figure 2. Confirmed populations of Epacris apsleyensis
• Figure 3. Confirmed populations of Epacris barbata
• Figure 4. Confirmed populations of Epacris exserta s.str.
• Figure 5. Confirmed populations of Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron)
• Figure 6. Confirmed populations of Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge)
• Figure 7. Confirmed populations of Epacris glabella
• Figure 8. Confirmed populations of Epacris grandis
• Figure 9. Confirmed populations of Epacris limbata
• Figure 10. Confirmed populations of Epacris virgata s.str.
• Figure 11. Confirmed populations of Epacris virgata (Kettering)
• Figure 12. Confirmed populations of Epacris virgata 'var. autumnalis'

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Summary

CURRENT SPECIES STATUS:

Six of the 12 Epacris taxa addressed in this plan are currently listed as Vulnerable under Commonwealth endangered species legislation. Subsequent revisions of the Schedule will take account of new information summarised in this Plan. Differences between the Commonwealth Schedule and other listings reflect progressive incorporation of the new information. The list of threatened species maintained by the Endangered Flora Network of ANZECC includes one Endangered taxon (E. barbata) and a further six taxa listed as Vulnerable, while the Tasmanian legislative Schedule includes one further taxon listed as Vulnerable. All four remaining taxa meet revised IUCN criteria for possible inclusion on Commonwealth and State legislative Schedules.

HABITAT REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITING FACTORS:

Habitats of the 12 Epacris taxa span dry forests, gallery forests and riparian scrub, heathland, rocky outcrops and swamps from sea level to over 1,000 m elevation. They occur variously on dolerite, granite, serpentinite and sedimentary parent materials. Major threats are: disease epidemic caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi; fire regimes involving high frequency fires and/or fires followed by drought; land clearing and habitat degradation.

BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS:

Implementation of this plan will have additional biodiversity benefits including the conservation of significant habitats (heath, swamp, rock outcrops, serpentine vegetation, riparian zones and remnant vegetation), the control of plant disease and conservation of numerous co-occurring rare and threatened species.

RECOVERY OBJECTIVES:

To ensure habitat protection throughout the distribution of all taxa and secure all key populations under effective management regimes within the next five years. Downlisting of some taxa would be warranted if risk management strategies successfully mitigate high rates of decline or increase levels of habitat protection where these are currently inadequate. Specific objectives are: to establish co-ordinated systems, mechanisms and processes within and between government agencies and private industries for protection of Epacris habitat; to develop and promote management guidelines for the conservation of Epacris populations; to locate key populations and determine suitable management areas for protection; to minimise infections and impacts of the disease Phytophthora cinnamomi in threatened Epacris populations; to foster the protection and management of key threatened Epacris populations on private land; to know the current status of key populations of threatened Epacris and understand critical life history parameters; and to establish an ex situ collection of threatened Epacris taxa that are rapidly declining in the wild.

RECOVERY CRITERIA:

• 1.1 Fire regimes likely to cause population declines are excluded from extant populations.
• 1.2 Hygiene protocols for fire operations are implemented in the vicinity of populations.
• 1.3 Logging protocols are implemented for all populations outside reserves to ensure protection of standing plants, avoidance of high frequency disturbance and minimise risk of disease spread.
• 1.4 Proposals for mineral exploration and development are assessed and modified, where necessary, to avoid direct disturbance of, and spread of disease to populations of threatened Epacris taxa.
• 2.1 Management guidelines for the conservation of threatened Epacris populations are widely promoted among community groups, private landholders and land management agencies.
• 3.1 Key populations for conservation of each taxon are located, and appropriate management areas are defined for their protection.
• 4.1 Tracks are relocated to minimise the chance of disease infection in threatened Epacris populations.
• 4.2 The effectiveness of alternative disease treatment methods is understood.
• 4.3 Disease symptoms in threatened Epacris populations are mitigated by effective treatments.
• 5.1 Commitments to implement habitat management plans are secured to conserve key populations of threatened Epacris taxa occurring on private land.
• 5.2 Threatened plant community groups are established to provide a conduit for extension services, exchange of management information and volunteer resources.
• 6.1 Key life history parameters are understood and incorporated into management strategies.
• 7.1 Living collections of E. barbata and E. limbata is established.

RECOVERY ACTIONS:

• 1.1 Fire management planning
• 1.2 Disease hygiene protocols for fire operations
• 1.3 Logging protocols in production forest
• 1.4 Impact mitigation process for mineral exploration and development
• 2.1 Management guidelines
• 3.1 Population survey
• 4.1 Review and modify tracks
• 4.2 Experimental management of diseased populations
• 4.3 Treatment and quarantine of infected areas
• 5.1.1 Negotiate Conservation Covenants
• 5.1.2 Develop and implement management plans
• 5.2 Co-ordinate community groups and provide extension advice
• 6.1 Population monitoring
• 7.1 Establish ex situ collection

ESTIMATED COST OF RECOVERY: Costs are in 1997 dollars.
Year:		1999/2000		2000/2001		2001/2002		2002/2003		2003/2004		Total
Action	Priority	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP
1.1	1	4038	8436	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4038	8436
1.2	2	3714	4486	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3714	4486
1.3	3	2678	2134	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2678	2134
1.4	3	3714	4486	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3714	4486
2.1	1	5012	12704	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5012	12704
3.1	2	1444	4468	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1444	4468
4.1	2	2674	4468	5220	12550	-	-	-	-	-	-	7894	17018
4.2	1	2528	8736	1674	2184	1674	2184	-	-	-	-	5876	13104
4.3	1	-	-	-	-	3688	1300	3688	1300	3688	1300	11064	3900
5.1.1	1	4820	10420	4820	10420	-	-	-	-	-	-	9640	20840
5.1.2	1	-	-	3070	11820	3730	17880	1264	6968	1264	6968	9328	43636
5.2	3	2336	6452	1264	4168	1264	4168	1264	4168	1264	4168	7392	23124
6.1	1	3068	8930	1444	4368	1444	4368	1444	4368	1444	4368	8844	26402
7.1	3	-	-	2690	5108	-	-	-	-	-	-	2690	5108
Total		36026	75720	20182	50618	11800	29900	7660	16804	7660	16804	83627	189846

1. INTRODUCTION

This plan addresses the conservation of twelve threatened plant taxa in the genus Epacris. All taxa are endemic to Tasmania including eight species listed on the Schedules of Commonwealth and State threatened species legislation. Four additional taxa are yet to be formally described and meet criteria for possible inclusion on Commonwealth and State threatened species Schedules. The twelve taxa were selected for detailed analysis in the Tasmanian Comprehensive Assessment because: all are subject to identified threatening processes and/or occupy restricted habitats or ranges; all occur in forested landscapes or at least forest ecotones and are therefore subject to forest management practices; and because their shared several ecological attributes suggest that efficiencies may be achieved in survey and research techniques and the development of management strategies. This plan describes the morphology, distribution, habitat and life history of the twelve taxa, identifies major threatening processes and proposes strategies and actions for their conservation.

1.1 Description and Classification of Species

• 1.1.1 Epacris apsleyensis
• 1.1.2 Epacris barbata
• 1.1.3 Epacris exserta s.str
• 1.1.4 Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron)
• 1.1.5 Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge)
• 1.1.6 Epacris glabella
• 1 1.7 Epacris virgata s.str.
• 1.1.8 Epacris virgata (Kettering)
• 1.1.9 Epacris virgata 'var. autumnalis
• 1.1.10 Epacris acuminata
• 1.1.11 Epacris grandis
• 1.1.12 Epacris limbata

Epacris is a genus of about 40 species endemic to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. Epacris belongs the family Epacridaceae which has a Gwondwanan distribution including Australia, south-east Pacific Islands, South America, Malesia and Indo-China. The Epacridaceae includes a group of genera (tribe Epacrideae), including Epacris, Sprengelia, Richea, Andersonia and Dracophyllum, distinguished by their dry dehiscent fruits that bear multitudinous tiny seeds. The other tribe within the family (Styphelieae) includes genera such as Leucopogon, Styphelia, Trochocarpa, Acrotriche and Cyathodes, characterised by indehiscent fleshy fruits bearing few seeds. The Epacridaceae is placed in the Order Ericales, along with one other family, Ericaceae, which is distributed principally in forests and heathlands of the northern hemisphere.

No formal subgeneric classification exists for Epacris. However, a number of informal subgeneric groups have been recognised. Nine of the twelve taxa addressed in this plan belong to the 'Epacris tasmanica complex' (Crowden and Menadue 1990), as well as E. stuartii, an endangered species addressed in a separate recovery plan (Keith 1996a). The 'Epacris tasmanica complex' is distinguished by convex lanceolate to ovate leaves, long glabrous styles bulbous below the middle, corolla tubes that scarcely exceed the sepals and relatively open racemose inflorescences. Formally described taxa dealt with in this plan include E. apsleyensis, E. barbata, E. exserta s.str., E. glabella and E. virgata s.str. The complex includes a further four taxa to which the following informal names are applied in this plan: Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron); E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge); E. virgata (Kettering); and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis'. Crowden and Menadue (1990) distinguished the first two of these taxa from E. exserta s.str., but deferred formal description until further analyses were completed. The taxon referred to here as E. virgata (Kettering) was segregated as type 'A' from E. tasmanica s.str. (type 'B') by Crowden and Menadue (1990) and lumped within a broad taxonomic concept of E. virgata. In this plan E. virgata (Kettering) is maintained as separate from E. virgata s.str. (comprising only populations from the Beaconsfield area) pending further systematic analyses of additional characters. The fourth informal taxon, E. virgata 'var. autumnalis', is a variant of E. virgata (Kettering) yet to be described (R. Crowden, pers. comm.).

The three remaining taxa addressed in this plan, E. acuminata, E. grandis and E. limbata, are thought to be related to E. marginata. This group is distinguished by densely clustered concave lanceolate-cordate leaves, usually short styles, hairy sepals and densely clustered racemose inflorescences.

1.1.1 Epacris apsleyensis

Epacris apsleyensis is an erect multi-stemmed shrub growing up to 1.5 m tall. Its branches are slender, bearing thin convex lanceolate leaves, 5-9 mm long and 2-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), a pungent apex and a conspicuous midvein on the lower surface. Flowering commences in January, peaks in autumn and continues sporadically until late spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and mostly clustered at the ends of branches but occasionally spreading down longer lengths of new season's growth. The style (1.0-1.5 mm long) and anthers are enclosed within the throat the corolla tube which is 2-3 mm long and has five lobes 3-4 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits. The species is distinguished by its enclosed stamens and style and loose racemose inflorescences (Crowden 1986).

1.1.2 Epacris barbata

Epacris barbata is an erect multi-stemmed shrub growing up to 1.6 m tall. Its branches are robust, bearing thick convex lanceolate leaves, 7-9.5 mm long and 3-5 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), a pungent apex and a conspicuous midvein on the lower surface. Flowering commences in early spring and is complete by late spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and clustered at the ends of branches. The style (5-6.5 mm long) and anthers are exserted from the corolla tube which is 4-5.5 mm long and has five lobes 5-6.5 mm long. The sepals are densely pubescent. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Crowden and Menadue 1990). The species is distinguished by its pubescent sepals and large floral parts.

1.1.3 Epacris exserta sensu stricto

Epacris exserta s.str. is an erect single-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base and growing up to 1.5 m tall. Its branches are minutely hairy, slender, bearing thick ovate-lanceolate convex-flat leaves, 3-7 mm long and 2-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an obtuse apex and inconspicuous venation. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and scattered along the upper parts of branches. The style (4-5 mm long) and anthers are prominently exserted from the corolla tube which is 3-4 mm long and has five lobes 4.0-4.5 long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Crowden and Menadue 1990). The species is distinguished by its non-pungent leaves, minutely hairy branches and prominently exserted floral parts.

1.1.4 Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron)

Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron) is an erect or semi-prostrate multi-stemmed shrub, growing up to 1.5 m tall. Its branches are divaricate and minutely hairy, bearing thick ovate-lanceolate convex leaves, 3-4.5 mm long and 2.5-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an acute apex and a conspicuous midvein on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and clustered at the ends of branches. The style (3.5-5 mm long) and anthers are exserted from the corolla tube which is 3-4 mm long and has five lobes 3.5-4.0 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Crowden and Menadue 1990). The species is distinguished by its small broad leaves and divaricate branching.

1.1.5 Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge)

Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge) is a dense erect multi-stemmed shrub, growing up to 2 m tall. Its branches are minutely hairy, slender, bearing thin oblong-lanceolate convex-flat leaves, 7-9 mm long and 2-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an obtuse apex and inconspicuous venation. Flowering occurs in spring and is completed by early summer. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and clustered in short racemes at the ends of branches. The style (5-5.5 mm long) and anthers are slightly exserted from the corolla tube which is 4.5-5.5 mm long and has five lobes 3-4 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Crowden and Menadue 1990). The species is distinguished by its soft, long narrow non-pungent leaves and its long corolla tube.

1.1.6 Epacris glabella

Epacris glabella. is an erect single-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base and growing up to 2 m tall. Its branches are glabrous, slender, bearing thick ovate-elliptical flat leaves, 3.5-7 mm long and 2-3.5 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an obtuse apex and inconspicuous venation. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and scattered along the upper parts of branches. The style (2.5-4.5 mm long) and anthers are prominently exserted from the corolla tube which is campanulate, 2.5-3.5 mm long and has five lobes 3-5 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Jarman and Mihaich 1991). The species is distinguished by its flat, rounded, non-pungent leaves, glabrous branches and campanulate corolla tube.

1.1.7 Epacris virgata sensu stricto

Epacris virgata s.str. is an erect single-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base and growing up to 2.5 m tall. Its branches are slender, bearing thick ovate convex-flat leaves, 4-6 mm long and 2-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an obtuse-acute apex and semi-conspicuous midvein on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and scattered sparsely along long new branches. The style (4.0-4.5 mm long) and anthers are prominently exserted from the corolla tube which is 2.5-3 mm long and has five lobes 3.5-4.2 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Crowden and Menadue 1990). The species is distinguished by its long virgate ultimate branches, non-pungent leaves and prominently exserted floral parts.

1.1.8 Epacris virgata (Kettering)

Epacris virgata (Kettering) is an erect multi-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base and growing up to 2 m tall. Its branches are slender, bearing thick lanceolate-ovate convex leaves, 4-6 mm long and 2-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an acute, usually pungent-pointed apex and conspicuous midvein on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and scattered along the upper branches. The style (4.0-5.5 mm long) and anthers are prominently exserted from the corolla tube which is 3-4 mm long and has five lobes 3.8-4.7 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits (Crowden and Menadue 1990). The species is distinguished by its slender branches, lanceolate usually pungent-pointed leaves and small flowers with prominently exserted floral parts. The taxon was segregated from E. tasmanica s.str. and subsequently lumped with E. virgata s.str. by Crowden and Menadue (1990). However, in this study it has been treated as a separate taxon, pending further study of morphological variation.

1.1.9 Epacris virgata 'var. autumnalis'

Epacris virgata 'var. autumnalis' is an erect multi-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base and growing up to 2 m tall. Its branches are slender, bearing thick lanceolate-ovate convex leaves, 4-6 mm long and 2-3 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an acute, usually pungent-pointed apex and conspicuous midvein on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in autumn. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, subsessile and scattered along the upper branches. The style (4.0-5.5 mm long) and anthers are prominently exserted from the corolla tube which is 3-4 mm long and has five lobes 3.8-4.7 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits. The species is very similar to E. virgata (Kettering), but distinguished by its different flowering season (Crowden, pers. comm.).

1.1.10 Epacris acuminata

Epacris acuminata is an erect single-stemmed shrub, usually branching near the base and growing up to 1.5 m tall. Its branches are slender, bearing thin ovate-cordate concave stem-clasping leaves, 4-9 mm long and 3-5 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an acuminate pungent-pointed apex and 5-7 veins conspicuous on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, petiolate and densely clustered along the terminal branches. The style (5-8 mm long) and anthers are exserted from the corolla tube which is 4-6 mm long and has five lobes 4-6 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits. The species is distinguished by its prominently concave leaves without hyaline margins and prominently exserted styles (Curtis 1963).

1.1.11 Epacris grandis

Epacris grandis is an erect single-stemmed shrub, rarely branching near the base and growing up to 3 m tall. Its branches are robust, bearing thin lanceolate slightly concave leaves, 10-15 mm long and 3-4 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), an aristate, usually pungent-pointed, sometimes inflexed apex and 5 veins conspicuous on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in late spring. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, petiolate, enclosed in hirsute bracts and sepals and densely clustered along the terminal branches. The style (ca. 2 mm long) is enclosed within and anthers are exserted from the corolla tube which is 4-5 mm long and has five lobes 5-6 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits. The species is distinguished by its tall robust growth form, long leaves, hairy bracts and sepals and short styles (Crowden 1986).

1.1.12 Epacris limbata

Epacris limbata is an erect single-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base and growing up to 2 m tall. Its branches are long slender and ascending, bearing thin ovate-cordate concave stem-clasping leaves, 4-8 mm long and 3-5.5 mm wide with short stalks (<1 mm long), hyaline margins, an acuminate pungent-pointed apex and 5-7 veins conspicuous on the lower surface. Flowering occurs in late spring to summer. Flowers are white, solitary in the leaf axils, petiolate, enclosed in ciliate bracts and sepals and densely clustered along the terminal branches. The style (1.0-1.5 mm long) is enclosed within and anthers are exserted from the corolla tube which is 2-3.5 mm long and has five lobes 3-6 mm long. Fruits are capsules up to 2 mm long and enclosed until dehiscence within imbricate whorls of sepals and bracts. The seeds are tiny and numerous within the fruits. The species is distinguished by its slender ascending branches, prominently concave leaves with hyaline margins, ciliate bracts and sepals and short styles (Williams and Duncan 1991).

1.2 Conservation Status

Table 1 summarises the current conservation status of the 12 Epacris taxa. Entries under the Commonwealth Endangered Species Act (1991) and Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act (1995), and the ANZECC Endangered Flora Network (EFN) list are as listed at May 1996. Entries under ROTAP are as reported by Briggs and Leigh (1996). Assessments using the RARE scheme (Keith and Burgman in press) were carried out in 1997 after announcement of new conservation reserves under the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement but prior to resolution of areas to be assessed by the Public Land Use Commission.

Table 1: Conservation status of 12 Epacris taxa according to various lists. Status categories: CR- Critically Endangered; EN & E- Endangered; VU & V- Vulnerable.

Taxon	C'wth Legislation	ANZECC EFN list	Tasmanian Legislation	ROTAP list	RARE assessment
E. acuminata	-	V	V	V	VU
E. apsleyensis	V	V	V	V	EN
E. barbata	V	E	E	E	CR
E. exserta s.str.	-	-	V	V	EN
E. sp. (Mt Cameron)	-	-	-	-	EN
E. sp. (Union Bridge)	-	-	-	-	EN
E. glabella	V	V	V	V	EN
E. grandis	V	V	V	V	VU
E. limbata	V	V	V	V	EN
E. virgata s.str.	V	V	V	-	EN
E. sp. (Kettering)	-	-	-	-	EN
E. virgata 'autumnalis'	-	-	-	-	CR

1.3 Distribution and Abundance

• 1.3.1 Distribution and Habitat
• 1.3.2 Population size and structure

1.3.1 Distribution and Habitat

Figures 1-12 show the known distributions of the 12 Epacris taxa. All populations have been confirmed in the field within the last five years. All taxa are endemic to Tasmania and have distributional ranges of various sizes in the south-east, east, north and west of the island. Linear geographic ranges vary from 5 km (E. limbata) to 140 km (E. acuminata). Epacris barbata, E. grandis and E. limbata have restricted mutually exclusive distributions on the central east coast. Epacris glabella is restricted to two areas on the west coast. Epacris exserta s.str., E. sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron), E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge) and E. virgata occur in the north and north-east, while E. virgata (Kettering) and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis' occur in the Channel and Peninsula districts of the south-east. Epacris acuminata has the most widespread distribution, occurring from the Channel district in the south east to the eastern edge of the Central Plateau.

Because of of the size of the maps, Figures 1 to 12 have been moved to another document.

The 12 Epacris taxa span a range of habitats from sea level to over 1,000 m elevation in dry forests, gallery forests and riparian scrub, heathland, rocky outcrops and swamps. They occur variously on dolerite, granite, serpentinite and sedimentary parent materials. Table 2 summarises the habitat details for each taxon.

Table 2: Physical habitat of 12 Epacris taxa.

Taxon	Geology	Elevation	Landform	Vegetation
E. acuminata	dolerite	30-1100m	river banks and mountain tops	dry sclerophyll forest, dry scrub and subalpine forest
E. apsleyensis	dolerite	20-250m	sheltered mid slopes	dry sclerophyll forest
E. barbata	granite	30-500m	ridges and midslopes some rocky outcrops	heath, scrub and ecotonal dry forest
E. exserta s.str.	dolerite and alluvium	10-600m	swamp margins and river banks	riparian scrub, shrub-swamp and ecotonal dry forest
E. sp. Mt Cameron	granite	90-750m	rocky outcrops on exposed summits and midslopes	heath, scrub and ecotonal dry forest
E. sp. Union Bridge	alluvium	150-400m	river banks	wet gallery forest, riparian scrub
E. glabella	serpentinite	300-500m	ridges and midslopes	heath, dry sclerophyll forest
E. grandis	dolerite	30-400m	sheltered upper and mid slopes, river banks	dry sclerophyll forest
E. limbata	dolerite	200-350m	flats on edge of swamps	dry sclerophyll forest, wet heath
E. virgata s.str.	serpentinite	40-100m	undulating terrain	dry sclerophyll forest
E. sp. Kettering	dolerite, mudstone	10-300m	upper and midslopes	dry sclerophyll forest
E. virgata autumnalis	dolerite	50-420m	ridges, dry slopes	dry sclerophyll forest

Epacris acuminata occurs in an area between the Channel district in south-east Tasmania, the Midlands district and the eastern edge of the Central Plateau. It is found on Jurassic dolerite, either in subalpine heathy woodland on mountain summits at 600-1100 m elevation or in riparian dry sclerophyll forest at 30-590 m elevation. Exceptions include populations found at Goat Hills, Knights Creek and Serat on hill slopes and plateaus.

Epacris apsleyensis is restricted to the middle reaches of the Apsley River catchment, west of Bicheno on the east coast. It occurs in dry sclerophyll forest on moderately sheltered flats, lower slopes and midslopes on Jurassic dolerite at 20 to 250 m elevation.

Epacris barbata is restricted to the Freycinet Peninsula and Schouten Island on the east coast. It occurs exclusively on Devonian adamellite-granite in open heathland, heath-woodland and heath-forest in hilly and low-lying terrain from 30 to 500 m elevation. A form apparently intermediate with E. tasmanica occurs further north near Moulting Lagoon on alluvial flats derived from dolerite.

Epacris exserta s.str. is associated with the headwaters and lower reaches of streams in northern and eastern Tasmania from Mole Creek to the St Pauls area. Some populations of Epacris exserta s.str. were found in the north on alluvium associated with river banks at 10-300 m elevation. Alluvial soils in these riparian sites usually contained transported dolerite material. Other populations in the east and north-east occurred on Jurassic dolerite around the margins of headwater swamps at 400-600 m elevation.

Epacris sp. aff. exserta 'Mt Cameron' occurs among hills on the Mt Cameron range, Mt Stronach and south of Rossarden in north-eastern Tasmania. It is locally restricted to skeletal soils on rocky outcrops of Devonian granitics, usually on summits, in heath and dry scrub-forest at 90-720 m elevation.

Epacris sp. aff. exserta 'Union Bridge' occurs along the middle reaches of the Mersey and Meander Rivers in the mid-northern Tasmanian lowlands. The species is found exclusively on alluvium derived from quartzwacke sometimes with dolerite or limestone debris along the banks of major streams in wet gallery forest or scrub at 150-400 m elevation.

Epacris glabella is restricted to Cambrian serpentinite in two areas of north-west Tasmania: one south of Rosebury; and another east of Savage River mine. It occurs on hilly terrain in heath, woodland and dry sclerophyll forest at 300-470 m elevation.

Epacris grandis is restricted to a small area in foothills on Tasmania's east coast near Bicheno. It occurs in dry sclerophyll forest on sheltered slopes above the Apsley and Douglas Rivers and along the banks of the Douglas River on Jurassic dolerite at 30 to 530 m elevation.

Epacris limbata occurs within a small range in the foothills of the Eastern Tiers of south-west of Bicheno. The species is restricted to damp soils on Jurassic dolerite in heathy forest on flats associated with headwater swamps and drainage lines at 200-320 m elevation.

Epacris virgata s.str. is restricted to a small area in the foothills of the Dazzler range near Beaconsfield on Tasmania's north coast. The species is restricted to dry sclerophyll forest on serpentinite in undulating terrain at 40-80 m elevation.

Epacris virgata 'Kettering' occurs among foothills around D'Entrecasteaux Channel and on Tasman Peninsula in south-eastern Tasmania. The species occurs in dry sclerophyll forest on hilly terrain at 10-300 m elevation mainly on Jurassic dolerite, though sometimes close to the geological boundary of dolerite and Permian mudstone (Deep Bay Formation).

Epacris virgata 'var. autumnalis' is restricted to a small range on Tasmania's east coast south of Orford. The species occurs on foothills and flats on Jurassic dolerite in dry sclerophyll forest at 50-400 m elevation.

1.3.2 Population Size and Structure

A comprehensive survey of all 12 taxa was carried out in 1996. Table 2 summarises information on physical habitat. Data on number and sizes of populations are shown in Table 3. The number of confirmed locations varied from 2 for E. virgata s.str. to 27 for E. acuminata, though most taxa had 10 or less locations. The data show that population sizes are highly skewed. Conservation at the species level must therefore address protection and management of key large populations. The size of populations varied enormously both within and between taxa. Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge), E. grandis and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis' had the smallest total populations (ca. 1000 mature plants), while E. virgata s.str. and E. virgata (Kettering) had the largest total populations (>100,000 mature plants). With the exception of E. limbata, the largest population accounted for a high proportion (>50%) of the total population and most of the remaining populations were comparatively small. In most taxa, the smallest populations contained less than 10 mature plants. Mature plants generally accounted for a high proportion of populations in all taxa, except those occupying frequently disturbed habitats (e.g. riparian populations of E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge) and E. grandis, or roadside populations of E. virgata 'var. autumnalis') and E. barbata whose populations are moribund due to infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi.

Table 3: Number and size of populations of 12 threatened Epacris taxa. Estimates of population sizes are lower 90% confidence limits for the number of mature individuals.

Taxon	number of populations	% mature plants in population	total population size	largest population	smallest population
E. acuminata	27	91	16136	8590	1
E. apsleyensis	5	90	50126	47632	37
E. barbata	10	68	44014	38088	5
E. exserta s.str.	10	86	4878	3836	1
E. sp. Mt Cameron	6	70	3061	2475	17
E. sp. Union Bridge	10	52	1215	567	5
E. glabella	4	92	30915	22481	9
E. grandis	5	78	943	657	5
E. limbata	5	94	18081	8805	80
E. virgata s.str.	2	99	108009	67427	40582
E. sp. Kettering	18	95	136817	100441	1
E. virgata autumnalis	3	66	938	725	6

1.4 Life History and Ecology

• 1.4.1 Survival and growth of establsihed plants
• 1.4.2 Flowering phenology, pollination and the breeding system
• 1.4.3 Fruit production
• 1.4.4 Seed dispersal
• 1.4.5 Seed dormancy and dynamics of the seed bank
• 1.4.6 Seedling recruitment and establishment
• 1.4.7 Maturation and development
• 1.4.8 Propagation

1.4.1 Survival and Growth of Established Plants

Established plants of Epacris have a low background rateof mortality (<1% per annum) and are therefore likely to be long-lived (Keith 1995 & unpubl. data). Populations of E. glabella and E. sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron) that have apparently remained unburnt for 25-30 years have mortality rates of 10-23% per year (Keith, unpubl. data). The maximum life span of individual shrubs is therefore probably in the order of 30-40 years.

Episodic mortality of established plants in excess of the background rates occurs in response to fire and disease infection. Some of the taxa have been demonstrated to be susceptible to the fungal root rot disease, Phytophthora cinnamomi (Barker and Wardlaw 1996), while others may be presumed to be susceptible to varying degrees. Infection leads to population decline at rates of 5-25% per year. Populations of E. barbata have declined to 10% of their original size 4 years after infection by the disease (Keith, unpubl. data), while infected populations of E. limbata are declining at a slower rate. Mortality due to fire varies between taxa and probably depends on fire intensity. Some taxa (e.g. E. limbata) are known to be obligate seeders (i.e. all plants subject to 100% leaf scorch are killed), while others (e.g. E. apsleyensis) are facultative resprouters (i.e. some proportion of plants survive 100% leaf scorch). Post-fire survival data are available for selected taxa (Table 4). Inferences from growth form suggest that most of the remaining taxa are obligate seeders.

Table 4: Rates of post-fire survival among established plants of four Epacris taxa. All fires were low intensity resulting in 100% leaf scorch. (Data for E. stuartii from Keith 1995).

Taxon	Site	Survival	mean(se)%	n
E. virgata 'autumnalis'	The Thumbs	98(1)	68
E.apsleyensis	Blindburn	48(7)	50
		Ferndale	73(7)	40
E.stuartii	Southport soil	94(4)	33
		Southport rock	2(2)	68
E. limbata	Stringybark Ck 5c	0(0)	21
		Stringybark Ck 5d	0(0)	97
	Stringybark Ck 5e	0(0)	198

Data on seedling mortality rates are scarce, but rates are markedly higher than those for established plants. Mortality rates for E. stuartii in the first two years since emergence were 45% per year in soil substrates and more than 75% on skeletal lithosols, while a cohort of E. limbata suffered 63% mortality in the first year since emergence. Rates of mortality are likely to decline over 3-5 years as seedlings become established.

1.4.2 Flowering Phenology, Pollination and the Breeding System

All taxa except E. apsleyensis, E. limbata and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis' have their peak flowering in spring and release their seeds in late summer. Floral initiation is in mid-late summer. In taxa that span large altitudinal ranges (e.g. E. acuminata), populations at low elevation flower before those at high elevations. Epacris limbata reaches peak flowering in early summer and releases seeds in autumn. Epacris apsleyensis and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis' reach peak flowering in late summer - early autumn and may continue flowering through winter until late spring. Their seeds are released continuously from late autumn through to summer.

The known pollinators of the Epacris taxa considered here include a variety of large adult carrion flies (families Tabanidae, Muscidae and Calliphoridae). Species of flies directly observed pollinating Epacris taxa include: Dasybasis spp., Halina sp. Calliphora sp. ('metallic green abdomen' group) and Calliphora hilli (Dr P. B. McQuillan, pers. comm). It seems likely that other species of large flies would also function as pollinators.

There are no data available on the breeding system for any of the taxa in this plan. However, experimental investigations on E. stuartii ('E. tasmanica group') have failed to detect any limitation in seed set due to self pollination or due to limited availability of pollinators. Application of self or cross pollen and exclusion of pollinators had no significant effect on the proportion of fruit set (Keith 1996). Even though these results suggest that E. stuartii has a self-compatible breeding system, a slightly higher fruit set on cross-pollinated plants relative to self-pollinated plants suggests that the species may be preferentially outcrossing.

1.4.3 Fruit Production

Fruit production varies between taxa and depends on plant size, fire history and shading by the canopies of neighbouring plants. Although less than half the flowers produced will develop into seed-bearing fruits, large individuals that are not shaded by neighbouring plants and have not been burnt in recent years have a high likelihood of producing several thousand seeds each year. In resprouting taxa, fruit production may be reduced for several years after fire. Fruit production is substantially reduced in shaded plants even though flowering is not necessarily curtailed. In such cases there are high rates of abortion among developing fruits. Others fruit losses may result from predation, browsing herbivores and mechanical damage.

1.4.4 Seed Dispersal

The timing of seed release varies between taxa. In most taxa seed release peaks in late summer and is complete by early autumn. In E. limbata seed release occurs in mid-late autumn, while in E. apsleyensis and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis' seed release peaks in late autumn - early winter and may continue through until late spring. Seeds are dispersed passively and lack structures that may assist dispersal by wind or animals. Quantitative data on seed dispersal are lacking. However, in non-riparian habitats very few seeds are likely to be dispersed more than a few metres from their parent plant. The clustering of seedlings in recently burnt sites within a metre of adult plants supports the inference that seed dispersal is very localised. Seeds of taxa occurring in riparian habitats (E. acuminata, E. exserta s.str., E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge) and E. grandis) are potentially dispersed several kilometres downstream.

1.4.5 Seed Dormancy and Dynamics of the Seed Bank

Epacris taxa produce a fraction of dormant and non-dormant seeds each year and therefore accumulate a persistent seed bank. The size of the dormant fraction may vary between taxa, between populations and between seed crops of different years (Keith, unpubl. data). Experimental investigation of the seed dormancy mechanism suggests that darkness, heat shock and smoke derivatives may each have a role in breaking seed dormancy (Keith in press), although the relative importance of these cues may also vary between taxa, between populations and between seed crops of different years (Keith, unpubl. data). A germination response to heat shock and smoke derivatives results in seedling emergence being cued to the occurrence of fire. Fires may vary in the extent to which they meet germination requirements. A germination response to darkness suggests that seeds buried in the soil are more likely to germinate than those lying on or near the soil surface. Germination is therefore likely to be curtailed until seed burial occurs and this is likely to influence the fate of emerging seedlings. Seedlings emerging from sites relatively deep in the soil profile are more likely to survive dry weather conditions during their establishment phase than seedlings emerging from seeds on or near the soil surface (Bell et al. 1995).

The longevity of seeds is unknown. However, inferences drawn from patterns of seedling emergence suggest that appreciable numbers of seeds survive for two years after release into the soil seed bank.

1.4.6 Seedling Recruitment and Establishment

In non-riparian habitats seedling recruitment is cued to the passage of fire. Seedlings rarely emerge in sites where the most recent fire was more than 2 years ago. Seedling recruitment apparently occurs more continuously in riparian populations and may be linked to the occurrence of floods. In selected non-riparian populations that have been burnt recently, seedling recruitment levels were low relative to the annual seed output and, in some cases, were inadequate to compensate mortality among established plants (Keith, unpubl. data).

1.4.7. Maturation and Development

The primary juvenile periods of the 12 Epacris taxa are not known. Seedlings of E. limbata (an obligate seeder) emerging after a fire in November 1994 had not produced any fruit by March 1997 (Keith, unpubl. data). Although their first seed crop is likely to be produced in the fourth fruiting season after fire, it may be 6-8 years before a seed bank of sufficient size has accumulated to ensure sufficient seedling recruitment after a subsequent fire. Continued monitoring is necessary to validate these estimates. Resprouting taxa are likely to require longer fire-free intervals for maturation (Keith 1996b). The time required for seedlings of resprouters to develop fire resistance is not known, but other woody species require 5-15 years between fires (Keith 1996b).

1.4.8. Propagation

Propagation of several Epacris taxa has been carried out successfully from cuttings by horticultural staff of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (M. Fountain, pers. comm.). The most successful techniques involve basal dipping of cuttings in undiluted ESI ROOT (ER) or in professional strength Clonex. Epacris taxa have also been successfully propagated from seed.

1.5 Reasons for Listing

The 12 Epacris taxa are listed or proposed to be listed as threatened for varied reasons. Most of the taxa have small distributions, restricted habitats and a large proportion of their total population occurs at one or a few locations. A few taxa (Epacris sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge), E. grandis and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis') also have small total populations.

All taxa are potentially threatened by high frequency fires that interrupt the maturation (for obligate seeders) or the development of fire-resistant basal stems (for resprouters) in juvenile plants. Some populations of taxa may also be threatened by long fire-free intervals, particularly those occurring on rocky outcrops (E. barbata, E. sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron)) or in fragmented remnant vegetation (E. acuminata, E. exserta s.str., E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge), E. virgata (Kettering) and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis'). The effects of adverse fire regimes may be compounded by failure of seedling recruitment, as has been observed in some populations after recent fires.

All taxa are likely to be susceptible to the fungal root rot disease, Phytophthora cinnamomi. Epacris barbata, E. limbata and E. apsleyensis are most threatened by the disease because their populations are already infected and declining. The disease is spread by running water and mud transported on footwear, vehicles and animal fur. Chemical treatments to mitigate disease symptoms have so far proven to be ineffective.

Several taxa distributed primarily on private land are threatened by continuing land clearance, habitat degradation, weed invasion (by gorse, blackberry, exotic grasses and Erica spp.) and trampling and grazing by stock. These include lowland populations of E. acuminata, riparian populations of E. exserta s.str., E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge), E. virgata (Kettering) and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis'.

1.6 Existing Conservation Measures

Representation of the 12 Epacris taxa in conservation reserves varies from E. grandis and E. barbata, which are entirely represented within nationals parks, to E. virgata 'var. autumnalis', E. virgata (Kettering) and E. exserta s.str. in which a small proportion of populations and/or individuals are represented in less secure reserve tenures (Table 5). Under the Regional Forest Agreement, the reservation of certain populations has been formalised by upgrading various forms of temporary protection, although the main changes in reserve boundaries affect taxa already relatively well reserved (notably E. barbata). Several significant locations for E. glabella, E. sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron) and E. acuminata remain to be resolved by the Tasmanian Public Land Use Commission. It should be noted that most of the numerous Tasmanian reserve tenures do not preclude mineral exploration and extraction which is an important threatening process for spread of disease and localised habitat destruction.

Fire management plans for Freycinet and Douglas Apsley National Parks prescribe measures to minimise the incidence of adverse fire regimes at locations known to support populations of E. barbata, E. grandis and E. limbata. A number of Epacris populations occurring on State Forest fall within special management zones from which logging is excluded. Other known populations are protected by prescriptions detailed in harvesting plans that are negotiated with the Department of Environment and Land Management. Protocols also exist on State Forest to provide for protection of currently unknown populations of threatened plants. However, rare plant populations on State Forest and numerous categories of reserve may not be protected from localised earthworks and disease infection associated with access construction, mineral exploration and development.

Table 5. Representation of 12 threatened Epacris taxa in conservation reserves. Data are number of populations with estimated minimum number of individuals in parentheses. Areas proposed under the Regional Forest Agreement are assumed to be dedicated. Secure reserves are legislated National Parks, State Reserves and Flora Reserves. Other reserves include Protected Areas, Conservation Areas, Coastal Reserves, River Reserves. * includes partially reserved population.

Taxon	Total	Secure Reserves	Other Reserves
E. acuminata	27 (16136)	1 (22)	8 (12353)
E. apsleyensis	5 (50126)	1 (2205)	0 (0)
E. barbata	11 (44014)	11 (44014)	0 (0)
E. exserta s.str.	10 (4878)	2 (502)	2 (16)
E. sp. Mt Cameron	6 (3061)	2 (450)	0 (0)
E. sp. Union Bridge	10 (1215)	2 (50)	1 (25)
E. glabella	4 (30915)	0 (0)	0 (0)
E. grandis	5 (943)	5 (943)	0 (0)
E. limbata	5 (18081)	1 (80)	0 (0)
E. virgata s.str.	2 (108009)	1.8 (98251)*	0 (0)
E. sp. Kettering	18 (136817)	0 (0)	0.03 (94)*
E. virgata autumnalis	3 (938)	0 (0)	0 (0)

Conservation measures on private land are generally limited. Land clearance is not regulated in Tasmania as it is in some other states. Conservation Covenants may bind present and future landholders to retain native vegetation on their properties, however these have not yet been implemented to protect the habitat of any threatened Epacris taxa. The Threatened Species Protection Act (1995) provides for Interim Protection Orders where a population of a listed species is known to be under imminent threat of destruction. However, these orders apply for a maximum duration of 30 days and their effectiveness is further constrained by procedural caveats as well as limited resources. The legislation also provides some resources for government co-ordination of community involvement in threatened species conservation programs.

Individual landholders may voluntarily manage their land for conservation of Epacris populations. For example, one landholder in Kettering is fostering regeneration of partially cleared forest supporting E. virgata (Kettering) by excluding stock and implementing bush regeneration techniques. These measures rely on the resources and goodwill of landowners and are subject to changes in ownership.

Ex situ collections of Epacris are held at the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens in Hobart (Table 6). These collections are for display purposes and represent a small sample of wild populations. They may therefore be of limited value as a gene bank. In most cases only one replicate is maintained per genet, although several collections have 2-7 replicates and one has 17 replicates.

Table 6: Collections of 12 Epacris taxa held in cultivation at the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens as at 15th January 1998.

Taxon	No. populations represented	No. genets	No. replicates per genet
E. acuminata	2	2
E. apsleyensis	1	5	1-4
E. barbata	2	3	2-5
E. exserta s.str.	3	3	1-2
E. sp. Mt Cameron	2	3	1-17
E. sp. Union Bridge	1	3	1-2
E. glabella	1	1	4
E. grandis	2	2	1-3
E. limbata	3	4	1
E. virgata s.str.	1	1	3
E. sp. Kettering	2	2	1-2
E. virgata autumnalis	0	0

1.7 Strategy for Conservation

This Recovery Plan will run for a term of 5 years from 1999 to 2004. The strategy for conservation of Epacris taxa will include two strands: specific management actions for key populations that are critical to the survival of each taxon; and broad protection measures for all populations. Key populations are identified in Table 7. Their selection is based on population size, habitat condition, representation of biological and environmental variation within the taxon and practicality of management. It may be necessary to revise the list of key populations as new data become available, as the status of threatening processes changes and as negotiations with landholders progress.

Management of key populations will aim to mitigate threatening processes relevant to each site and thereby secure the populations from extinction. The major threats requiring attention include disease infection, vegetation clearance, habitat degradation, weed invasion and adverse fire regimes. A range of measures will be necessary to mitigate these threats including access controls and management, disease hygiene facilities, active fire management, Conservation Covenants and management plans, research on key aspects of disease and fire ecology. Monitoring of selected sites will be necessary to gather life history information and to evaluate the success of particular management actions. Ex situ conservation measures, although not currently required, may become necessary if key populations are under threat of extinction in the next few years.

Broader protection measures applicable to all populations include habitat retention, management of fire regimes and flood regimes, state-wide disease mitigation strategies and extension programs for private land holders. Additional protective measures should be implemented for non-key populations whenever opportunities arise, except where this precludes similar actions being implemented for key populations listed for priority action in Table 7.

Table 7: Key populations for the conservation of threatened Epacris taxa. Population codes are those used in the Epacris population survey (PWS data base). Tenure: fh- freehold; PA- Protected Area; SF- State Forest; NP- National Park; FR- Flora Reserve; RAP- Recommended Area for Protection; SR- State Reserve; CR- Coastal Reserve.

Taxon	Population	Tenure	Geology	Landform	Vegetation
E. acuminata	EAC4, Northwest Bay R.	fh	dolerite	river bank	dry sclerophyll forest
E. acuminata	EAC5, Cathedral Rock	PA	dolerite	mtn summit	subalpine forest
E. acuminata	EAC16, Platform Peak	SF	dolerite	mtn summit	subalpine forest
E. acuminata	EAC30, Duckhole Point	fh	dolerite	river bank	dry sclerophyll forest
E. apsleyensis	EAP2, Blindburn Ck	NP	dolerite	saddle	dry sclerophyll forest
E. apsleyensis	EAP3, Rosedale Rd	SF,fh	dolerite	lower slopes	dry sclerophyll forest
E. apsleyensis	EAP6, Lilla Villa Bridge	fh	dolerite	river flat	dry sclerophyll forest
E. barbata	EB2, Middleton Ck	NP	granite	midslope	heath/woodland
E. barbata	EB5, Mt Amos	NP	granite	midslope	heath/woodland
E. barbata	EB11, Bare Hill	NP	granite	midslope	heath/woodland
E. exserta s.str.	EE1, Dogs Head Hill	FR	alluvium	river bank	riparian scrub/dry forest
E. exserta s.str.	EE5, Lilyburn Bridge	fh	alluvium	river bank	riparian scrub/dry forest
E. exserta s.str.	EE7, Horseshoe Marsh	SF	dolerite	swamp edge	wet heath/dry forest
E. exserta s.str.	EE10, Pipers River	FR	dolerite	swamp edge	wet heath /dry forest
E. sp. Mt Cameron	EMC1, Blue Lake	RAP	granite	rock outcrop	scrub forest
E. sp. Mt Cameron	EMC4, Mt Cameron	NP	granite	rock outcrop	heath
E. sp. Mt Cameron	EMC5, Mt Stronach	FR	granite	rock outcrop	heath scrub
E. sp. Mt Cameron	EMC6, Dalrymple Hill	SF	granite	rock outcrop	heath
E. sp. Union Bridge	EUB2 Alum Cliffs	SR	alluvium	river bank	riparian scrub
E. sp. Union Bridge	EUB5 Archers Sugarloaf	SF	alluvium	river bank	riparian scrub
E. sp. Union Bridge	EUB7 Meander	fh	alluvium	river bank	riparian scrub
E. sp. Union Bridge	EUB9 Long Ridge	SF	alluvium	river bank	gallery forest
E. glabella	EGL1, Serpentine Hill	??	serpentinite	hilly terrain	heath/dry forest
E. glabella	EGL2, Brassey Hill	??	serpentinite	hilly terrain	heath/dry forest
E. glabella	EGL3, Gabbro Hill	??	serpentinite	hilly terrain	heath/dry forest
E. grandis	EGD1, Blindburn Ck	NP	dolerite	midslope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. grandis	EGD2, lower Douglas R.	NP	dolerite	river bank	riparian scrub/dry forest
E. grandis	EGD3, Nicholls Cap	NP	dolerite	midslope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. limbata	EL2, ESE Hardings Falls	SF	dolerite	swamp edge	wet heath/dry forest
E. limbata	EL3, WSW Mt Andrew	NP	dolerite	flats	dry sclerophyll forest
E. limbata	EL4, Apsley Gate	SF	dolerite	swamp edge	wet heath/dry forest
E. limbata	EL5, Stringybark Swamp	SF	dolerite	swamp edge	wet heath/dry forest
E. virgata s.str.	EVN1, Mt Vulcan	FR	serpentinite	gentle terrain	dry sclerophyll forest
E. virgata s.str.	EVN2, Hinds Rd	SF,fh	serpentinite	gentle terrain	dry sclerophyll forest
E. sp. Kettering	EVS2, Birches Bay	fh	dolerite	upper slope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. sp. Kettering	EVS4, Trial Bay	CR,fh	dolerite	upper slope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. sp. Kettering	EVS8, Snug Falls Rd	fh	dolerite	upper slope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. sp. Kettering	EVS16, Murdunna	fh	dolerite	upper slope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. sp. Kettering	EVS18, Ephraim Ridge	fh	dolerite	upper slope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. var. autumnalis	EVA1, Sandspit	fh	dolerite	flats	dry sclerophyll forest
E. var. autumnalis	EVA2, 17 Acre Creek	fh	dolerite	lower slope	dry sclerophyll forest
E. var. autumnalis	EVA3, The Thumbs	SF	dolerite	ridge	dry sclerophyll forest

1.8 BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS

Conservation of Epacris taxa will have numerous benefits for other biodiversity. A principal benefit will be the protection of a variety of significant habitats including a range of dry eucalypt forests, heathlands which are considered threatened in Tasmania, serpentine vegetation, swamps, riparian vegetation and remnant vegetation in agricultural landscapes. A further benefit will be the implementation of disease control measures at locations which may not otherwise receive attention to mitigate loss of diversity due to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Finally, a number of Epacris taxa co-occur with other threatened species. Pultenaea selaginoides occurs with Epacris grandis at Hardings Falls and with E. apsleyensis at Blindburn Creek and Lilyburn Bridge. These two latter localities also support populations of Spyridium microphyllum and Callitris sp. aff. oblonga, respectively. Micrantheum serpentinum occurs with E. glabella at all of its known locations. Conservation measures proposed to protect Epacris taxa will also benefit these species.

2. Objectives and Criteria for recovery

The overall objective of this Recovery Plan is to minimise probability of extinction of Epacris populations in the wild by ensuring habitat protection throughout the distribution of all taxa and by securing all key populations under effective management regimes within the next five years. Downlisting of some taxa would be warranted if risk management strategies successfully mitigate high rates of decline or increase levels of habitat protection where these are currently inadequate.

2.1 Specific Objectives

• 1. To establish co-ordinated systems, mechanisms and processes within and between government agencies and private industries for protection of Epacris habitat.
• 2. To develop and promote management guidelines for the conservation of Epacris populations.
• 3. To locate key populations and determine suitable management areas for protection.
• 4. To minimise infections and impacts of the disease Phytophthora cinnamomi in threatened Epacris populations.
• 5. To foster the protection and management of key threatened Epacris populations on private land.
• 6. To know the current status of key populations of threatened Epacris and understand critical life history parameters.
• 7. To establish an ex situ collection of threatened Epacris taxa that are rapidly declining in the wild.

2.2 Criteria

• 1.1 Fire regimes likely to cause population declines are excluded from management areas containing extant populations of threatened Epacris taxa.
• 1.2 Hygiene protocols for hazard reduction and fire-fighting are implemented during all fire operations carried out in the vicinity of populations of threatened Epacris taxa.
• 1.3 Logging protocols are implemented for all populations outside reserves to ensure protection of standing plants, to avoid high frequency disturbance and to minimise risk of disease spread.
• 1.4 Proposals for mineral exploration and development are assessed and modified, where necessary, to avoid direct disturbance of, and spread of disease to populations of threatened Epacris taxa.
• 2.1 Management guidelines for the conservation of threatened Epacris populations are widely promoted among community groups, private landholders and land management agencies.
• 3.1 Key populations for conservation of each taxon are located and appropriate management areas are defined for their protection.
• 4.1 Tracks are relocated to minimise the chance of disease infection in threatened Epacris populations.
• 4.2 The effectiveness of alternative disease treatment methods is understood.
• 4.3 Disease symptoms in threatened Epacris populations are mitigated through the implementation of effective treatments.
• 5.1 Commitments to implement habitat management plans are secured to conserve key privately owned populations of threatened Epacris taxa.
• 5.2 Threatened plant community groups are established to provide a conduit for extension services, exchange of management information and volunteer resources.
• 6.1 Key life-history parameters are understood and incorporated into management strategies.
• 7.1 A living collection of E. barbata and E. limbata is established.

3. RECOVERY ACTIONS

Implementation of the Recovery program will be overseen by the Recovery Team consisting of a botanist from Parks and Wildlife Service, relevant land managers from Parks and Wildlife Service and Forestry Tasmania, an officer from the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, an officer from Environment Australia (Threatened Species and Communities Section, Biodiversity Group), a representative of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust and representatives of private landholders, local government, business and/or community interests as appropriate. The text below describes the recovery actions, justifies their need and provides estimated costs in 1997 dollars. It is envisaged that a project officer will be given continuity of employment to carry out sequential actions.

Implementation Schedule

Implementation Schedule
Action	Priority	Feasibility	Responsibility
1.1 Fire management planning	1	1	PWS,FT,TFS
1.2 Disease hygiene protocols for fire operations	2	1	PWS,FT,TFS
1.3 Logging protocols in production forest	3	1	PWS,FT
1.4 Impact mitigation process for mineral exploration and development	3	2	PWS,MD
2.1 Management guidelines	1	1	PWS
3.1 Population survey	2	1	PWS
4.1 Review and modify tracks	2	2	PWS,FT
4.2 Experimental management of diseased populations	1	2	PWS
4.3 Treatment and quarantine of infected areas	1	2	PWS,FT
5.1.1 Negotiate Conservation Covenants	1	2	PWS
5.1.2 Develop and implement management plans	1	2	PWS,landholders
5.2 Co-ordinate community groups and provide extension advice	3	1	PWS
6.1 Population monitoring	1	1	PWS
7.1 Establish ex situ collection	3	2	PWS,RTBG

PWS- Parks and Wildlife Service, FT- Forestry Tasmania, RTBG- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, TFS- Tasmania Fire Service, MD- Mines Department.

Estimated costs of recovery: Costs are in 1997 dollars.

Year:		1999/2000		2000/2001		2001/2002		2002/2003		2003/2004		Total
Action	Priority	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP	PWS	ESP
1.1	1	4038	8436	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4038	8436
1.2	2	3714	4486	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3714	4486
1.3	3	2678	2134	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2678	2134
1.4	3	3714	4486	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3714	4486
2.1	1	5012	12704	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5012	12704
3.1	2	1444	4468	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1444	4468
4.1	2	2674	4468	5220	12550	-	-	-	-	-	-	7894	17018
4.2	1	2528	8736	1674	2184	1674	2184	-	-	-	-	5876	13104
4.3	1	-	-	-	-	3688	1300	3688	1300	3688	1300	11064	3900
5.1.1	1	4820	10420	4820	10420	-	-	-	-	-	-	9640	20840
5.1.2	1	-	-	3070	11820	3730	17880	1264	6968	1264	6968	9328	43636
5.2	3	2336	6452	1264	4168	1264	4168	1264	4168	1264	4168	7392	23134
6.1	1	3068	8930	1444	4368	1444	4368	1444	4368	1444	4368	8844	26402
7.1	3	-	-	2690	5108	-	-	-	-	-	-	2690	5108
Total		36026	75720	20182	50618	11800	29900	7660	16804	7660	16804	83627	189846

ACTION 1.1 Fire Management Planning

Current knowledge of the fire ecology of threatened Epacris taxa suggests the following management guidelines are required to minimise the chance of fire-driven population declines:

• i) Allow the length of fire intervals to vary within the thresholds of 8-25 years;
• ii) Minimise the occurrence of fires when droughts are predicted in the spring-summer period of the following two years;
• iii) Exclude fire from management areas containing populations infected by Phytophthora cinnamomi for at least 6-10 years after initial infection; and
• iv) Avoid the occurrence of three or more low intensity fires (consuming <0.6 kg.m^-2 ground fuel) in succession.

Environment Australia (EA) funds are sought to employ a project officer (2 months) who will liaise with fire management planning staff in the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), Forestry Tasmania and other relevant land management agencies and local governments. He/she will ensure that these guidelines are incorporated into relevant fire management plans, implemented and reviewed as necessary. The project officer will ensure that procedures are established to incorporate the location and extent of Epacris populations into relevant management systems in each land management agency (e.g. GIS). This action applied to all populations.

	1999/2000
PWS
Supervision (4 days@$350)	1400
Vehicle (1wk@$180)	180
Office equipt (8wk@$96)	768
Follow up (5 days@$350)	1750
Subtot.	4038
EA
Salary (8wks @ $775)	6200
On costs (28%)	1736
Materials and Travel	500
Subtot.	8436
Total	12474

ACTION 1.2 Disease Hygiene Protocols for Fire Operations

The Parks and Wildlife Service has developed hygiene protocols to minimise the spread of soil-borne disease during fire operations. It is proposed to promote the implementation of these in habitats of threatened Epacris taxa by co-ordinating education and training among all relevant land management agencies and fire-fighting authorities. It is proposed to employ a project officer to liaise with relevant authorities, organise meetings and prepare and disseminate educational material. This action applied to all populations.

	1999/2000
PWS
Supervision (4 days@$350)	1400
Vehicle (1wk@$180)	180
Office equipt (4wk@$96)	384
Follow up (5 days@$350)*	1750
Subtot.	3714
EA
Salary (4wks @ $775)*	3100
On costs (28%)	868
Materials and Travel	500
Subtot.	4468
Total	7482

ACTION 1.3 Logging Protocols in Production Forest

A number of populations of threatened Epacris taxa occur outside the reserve system within production forest, usually in restricted sites with limited wood values. Logging protocols are required to ensure protection of standing plants, avoid high frequency disturbance regimes and minimise the risk of disease spread. It is proposed to employ a project officer to liaise with Forestry Tasmania (Forest Practices Unit) to develop appropriate protocols and ensure these are applied in forest practice codes and harvesting plans for private and public land. This action applied to all populations on land available for logging.

	1999/2000
PWS/FT
Supervision (2 days@$350)	700
Vehicle (1day@$36)	36
Office equipt (2wk@$96)	192
Follow up (5 days@$350)	1750
Subtot.	2678
EA
Salary (2wks @ $775)	1550
On costs (28%)	434
Materials and Travel	150
Subtot.	2134
Total	4812

ACTION 1.4 Impact Mitigation Process for Mineral Exploration and Development

A number of populations of threatened Epacris taxa occur in areas of mineral prospectivity, particularly E. glabella, E. virgata s.str and E. sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron). Some populations are represented in categories of reserve that explicitly allow mineral exploration and development. These activities may destroy plants and their habitat directly through earthworks or indirectly by infection of soil-borne disease. Modification of mineral development proposals at the planning stage may mitigate some of these impacts. It is proposed to employ a project officer to develop guidelines in consultation with the Mines Department to alert mining companies and contractors to rare plant conservation issues. The guidelines will identify habitats and locations likely to support rare plant populations and define issues such as habitat protection and disease mitigation where the advice of Parks and Wildlife staff should be sought during the planning of mineral exploration and development proposals. Environmental officers of key mining companies will be contacted to ensure they are informed of known locations and conservation issues. This action applies to all populations on land available for mineral exploitation.

	1999/2000
PWS/FT
Supervision (4 days@$350)	1400
Vehicle (1wk@$180)	180
Office equipt (4wk@$96)	384
Follow up (5 days@$350)	1750
Subtot.	3714
EA
Salary (4wks @ $775)	3100
On costs (28%)	868
Materials and Travel	500
Subtot.	4468
Total	7482

ACTION 2.1 Management Guidelines

Some of the threatened Epacris taxa have a high proportion of their populations on private land and public land managed by local government, particularly E. acuminata, E. exserta s.str., E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge), E. virgata (Kettering) and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis'. A number of landholders have expressed willingness to manage their land sympathetically, but lack information on which to base their management decisions. It is proposed to employ a project officer to develop management guidelines by reviewing and compiling available knowledge on management requirements of Epacris populations. The guidelines will be prepared in consultation with key landholders and will be co-ordinated with Actions 1.1-1.4. The information will be presented as a pamphlet or booklet in a form suitable for landholders. The project officer will be responsible for promotion of the guidelines through the media, local government and landcare and other community groups. This action applies to all populations.

	1999/2000
PWS/FT
Supervision (5 days@$350)	1750
Vehicle (2weeks@$180)	360
Office equipt (12wk@$96)	1152
Follow up (5 days@$350)	1750
Subtot.	5012
EA
Salary (12wks @ $775)	9300
On costs (28%)	2604
Materials and Travel	800
Subtot.	12704
Total	17716

ACTION 3.1 Population Survey

A survey of over one hundred populations of threatened Epacris taxa was carried out in 1996 as part of the Tasmanian Comprehensive Regional Assessment (Keith, unpubl.). Further survey is required to resolve selected unsurveyed locations that may provide important opportunities for conservation. Locations requiring further survey include: Elizabeth River and private land near Mt Falkner (L. Gilfedder, pers. comm.) for E. acuminata; southern Freycinet Peninsula and granite heathlands of Maria Island for E. barbata; Meander River between Archers Sugarloaf and Jackeys Creek and Mersey River near Magog for E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge). It is proposed to employ a project officer to carry out the survey. Methods of survey will be the same as those used in previous work (Keith, in prep). The project officer will also be responsible for defining and mapping management areas for key populations of each taxon listed in Table 7. These areas will be identified in geographic information systems and may require some field checking.

	1999/2000
PWS/FT
Supervision (2 days@$350)	700
Vehicle (2weeks@$180)	360
Office equipt (4wk@$96)	384
Subtot.	1444
EA
Salary (4wks @ $775)	3100
On costs (28%)	868
Materials and Travel	500
Subtot.	4468
Total	5912

ACTION 4.1 Review and Modify Tracks

Management of access is an important strategy for the control of the disease Phytophthora cinnamomi which is spread on footwear and vehicle tyres. It is proposed to employ a project officer to review the location of tracks in relation to the location of threatened Epacris populations and infected areas. Locations requiring most attention include Freycinet National Park (E. barbata), Douglas Apsley National Park (E. aspleyensis and E. grandis), the proposed Mt Cameron National Park and surrounding reserve (E. sp. aff. exserta (Mt Cameron)) and the Burgess Hill area (E. glabella) and a recreation site at Long Ridge Point (E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge)). These areas include some informal tracks that are currently unmapped but used by appreciable numbers of walkers. Where appropriate, plans for track relocation and development will be prepared. Funds are sought to construct signage and washdown stations at strategic locations. Disease hygiene protocols for access to critical sites by management staff, researchers and tourist groups will be implemented. This action applies to selected key populations.

	1999/2000	2000/2001
PWS/FT
Supervision (5days@$350)	1750
Vehicle (3,4weeks@$180)	540	720
Office equipt (4wks@$96)	384
Planning and co-ord. (10days@$350)	3500
Tools		1000
Subtot.	2674	5220
EA
Salary (4,2wks@$775)	3100	1550
On costs (28%)	868
Trackcutting (5km@$1200)		6000
Washdown stations (3@$1000)		3000
Materials and Travel	500	2000
Subtot.	4468	12550
Total	7142	17770

ACTION 4.2 Experimental Management of Diseased Populations

A program of experimental management was established in 1995 to examine the effectiveness of phosphonate spray in mitigating the effect of Phytophthora cinnamomi on populations of Epacris barbata and E. limbata (Barker 1996). The spray is applied to plant foliage and acts systemically to increase plant resistance to infection. It does not act directly on the pathogen. The spray must be applied during dry weather in a period of growth. Phosphonate has apparently been used effectively in Western Australia, but preliminary results from trials on Tasmanian Epacris species are so far inconclusive. It is proposed to employ a project officer to extend these trials to test the effects of different phosphite chemicals in different concentrations, application frequencies and seasons of application of phosphonate over a three-year period. It will be necessary to monitor foliage of treated and control plants to provide base data if phosphonate toxicity is caused by any of the treatments. This action applies to selected key populations..

	1999/2000	2000/2001	2001/2002
PWS/FT
Supervision (4,1,1days@$350)	1400	350	1400
Vehicle (2,1,1weeks@$180)	360	180	180
Office equipt (8,2,2wks@$96)	768	192	192
Subtot.	2528	1672	1672
EA
Salary (8,2,2wks @ $775)	6200	1550	1550
On costs (28%)	1736	434	434
Materials and Travel	800	200	100
Subtot.	8736	2184	2184
Total	11264	3856	3856

ACTION 4.3 Treatment and quarantine of infected areas

Infected sites will be quarantined, where ever possible, at times considered appropriate by local management staff. Quarantine restrictions may be required when infections are evident in the vicinity of Epacris populations and when weather conditions pose a high risk of spread. Infected sites will be chemically treated according to the best available knowledge and most recent results from the ongoing experimental management trials (Action 4.1). Details of each treatment will be recorded and the response of the target population will be monitored. Populations that may require treatment include several of E. barbata at Middleton Creek, Freycinet Peninsula and Schouten Island, E. apsleyensis at Blindburn Creek, several of E. limbata south of Apsley River and E. virgata s.str. near Beaconsfield.

	2001/2002	2002/2003	2003/2004
PWS
Labour (8 days@$350)	2800	2800	2800
Equipment and chemicals	600	600	600
Vehicle (8 days@$36)	288	288	288
Subtotal	3688	3688	3688
EA
Monitoring (2days/year)	700	700	700
Foliage tests	600	600	600
Subtotal	1300	1300	1300
Total	4988	4988	4988

ACTION 5.1.1 Negotiate Conservation Covenants

Several taxa distributed primarily on private land are threatened by continuing land clearance and habitat degradation. Key populations of E. acuminata (lowland habitats), E. exserta s.str. (riparian habitats), E. sp. aff. exserta (Union Bridge), E. virgata (Kettering) and E. virgata 'var. autumnalis' are on private land and require long-term habitat protection. In the absence of land clearing controls, Conservation Covenants provide the principal mechanism for habitat protection on private land. These are voluntary agreements to protect native vegetation between the a landholder and the Tasmanian Government which, once signed, are legally binding and transfer in perpetuity with the title of the land. Initial contact with landholders during the Epacris population survey indicated that several landholders might be willing to enter into such agreements. It is proposed to employ a project officer to negotiate Conservation Covenants with landholders who have threatened Epacris taxa occurring on their land. Land parcels supporting key populations listed in Table 7 will be given priority, but opportunities to negotiate covenants over other populations should be pursued where resources and circumstances permit. This will be integrated with the Regional Forest Agreement program to protect Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative conservation values on private land. The project officer will carry out negotiations on a part-time basis over two years to allow flexibility in reaching agreement, as required case be case.

	1998/99	1999/2000
PWS/FT
Supervision (10,10days@$350)	3500	3500
Vehicle (2,2weeks@$180)	360	180
Office equipt (10,10wks@$96)	960	960
Subtot.	4820	4820
EA
Salary (10,10wks @ $775)	7750	7750
On costs (28%)	2170	2170
Materials and Travel	500	500
Subtot.	10420	10420
Total	15240	15240

ACTION 5.1.2 Develop and Implement Management Plans

In most cases conservation of threatened Epacris populations on private land requires active management of habitat degradation, fire, weeds and stock. Conservation Covenants, which may be sufficient to prevent habitat destruction, therefore need to be supplemented by a management program which implements and expands upon the principles developed in Actions 2.1. It is proposed to employ a project officer to provide extension services and assist landholders to develop an agreed plan of management to accommodate conservation of the species with other uses of their land. Funds are sought to provide financial assistance to landholders for the implementation of management plans (e.g. for the purchase of fencing materials). Priority will be given to those populations for which Conservation Covenants can be negotiated (Action 5.1.1). However, where Conservation Covenants cannot be negotiated, the co-operative development and implementation of management plans for key populations should still be explored with respective landholders. This action will commence in the second year of the Recovery Plan to allow for development of management guidelines (Action 2.1), initiation of negotiations on Conservation Covenants and to spread the cost of recovery.

	2000/01	2001/02	2002/03	2003/04
PWS/FT
Supervision (5,5,2,2days@$350)	1750	1750	700	700
Vehicle (2,3,1,1weeks@$180)	360	540	180	180
Office equipt (10,15,4,4wks@$96)	960	1440	384	384
Subtot.	3070	3730	1264	1264
EA
Salary (10,15,4,4wks @ $775)	7750	11625	3100	3100
On costs (28%)	2170	3255	868	868
Materials and Travel	2000	3000	3000	3000
Subtot.	11820	17880	6968	6968
Total	14890	21510	8232	8232

ACTION 5.2 Co-ordinate Community Groups and Provide Extension Advice

It is anticipated that knowledge of the taxonomy, ecology, threats and management techniques relevant to threatened Epacris taxa will develop progressively during the next few years. Community groups provide a means of extending this information to landholders and other local interests, as well as a mechanism for maintaining interest and involvement in threatened species conservation. The primary purposes of these groups in this Recovery Plan are to maintain goodwill in the community and to generate volunteer resources for the implementation of management plans. It is proposed to employ a project officer to co-ordinate local community groups, for example by utilising existing structures such as landcare and the Society for Growing Australian Plants. The project officer's role is to suggest projects to the group, such as bush regeneration or fencing to implement management plans for Epacris populations, and to provide extension services and training in techniques necessary to carry out the work. These groups will interact with the Recovery Team and it is anticipated that some individuals will be members of both. This action is applicable to all populations.

	1999/00	2000/01	2000/02	2002/03	2003/04
PWS/FT
Supervision (4,2,2,2,2days@$350) 1400	700	700	700	700
Vehicle (2,1,1,1,1weeks@$180)	360	180	180	180	180
Office equipt (6,4,4,4,4wks@$96)	576	384	384	384	384
Subtot.	2336	1264	1264	1264	1264
EA
Salary (6,4,4,4,4wks @ $775)	4650	3100	3100	3100	3100
On costs (28%)	1302	868	868	868	868
Materials and Travel	500	200	200	200	200
Subtot.	6452	4168	4168	4168	4168
Total	8788	5432	5432	5432	5432

ACTION 6.1 Population Monitoring

Even though the ecology of Epacris taxa is comparatively well understood, knowledge is lacking on critical life-history attributes which are essential for successful management of their populations. Current management recommendations based on inference and expert knowledge require verification. The main unresolved questions include: how quickly do seedlings produce a seed bank and, for resprouters, how quickly to they become fire-resistant (relevant to minimum fire frequency threshold); at what post-fire age does senescence become appreciable (relevant to maximum fire frequency threshold); how is seedling recruitment related to flooding (relevant to riparian populations); and how quickly does the soil seed bank decay (relevant to post-infection fire management and flooding frequency). Some monitoring programs have been established to answer some of these questions in populations of E. barbata, E. apsleyensis and E. limbata. It is proposed to employ a project officer to continue monitoring these sites on an annual basis and to establish new sites targeted to fill knowledge gaps. It will be necessary to establish new sites in recently burnt, long unburnt and riparian populations to determine rates of establishment, maturation and senescence. It will be necessary to establish a seed burial experiment to determine rates of seed bank decay. Monitoring programs will cease when life-history parameters are known with sufficient certainty (expected 3-5 years). This action is applicable to selected key populations.

	1999/00	2000/01	2000/02	2002/03	2003/04
PWS/FT
Supervision (4,2,2,2,2days@$350) 1400	700	700	700	700
Vehicle (5,2,2,2,2weeks@$180)	900	360	360	360	360
Office equipt (8,4,4,4,4wks@$96)	768	384	384	384	384
Subtot.	3068	1444	1444	1444	1444
EA
Salary (8,4,4,4,4wks @ $775)	6200	3100	3100	3100	3100
On costs (28%)	1736	868	868	868	868
Materials and Travel	1000	400	400	400	400
Subtot.	8936	4368	4368	4368	4368
Total	12004	5812	5812	5812	5812

ACTION 7.1 Establish ex situ collection

Census data for Epacris barbata and E. limbata indicate that their populations infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi are declining at rates of up to 20% per year. It is proposed to establish small representative ex situ living collections as a safety net against continuing decline in the wild. Cuttings of each will be collected from selected wild populations and propagated at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (RTBG). Suitable sites remote from the wild populations will be identified for planting. Funds are sought to meet the cost of travel, materials and assistance with the maintenance of tubestock.

Acknowledgements

Mick Ilowski, Belinda Pellow and Craig Gilmour assisted with fieldwork. Jasmyn Lynch, Phil Barker and Stephen Harris assisted with project design. Phil Barker, Ron Crowden, Fred Duncan and Kristen Williams generously provided locality records. Colin Reed patiently assisted with map production. Staff of the Tasmanian Herbarium allowed access to their collections. Prof. Jamie Kirkpatrick made available laboratory space and equipment while I was a Research Associate of Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (University of Tasmania). This project was funded by the Australian Government under the Tasmanian Comprehensive Regional Assessment.

References

Barker, P. J. C. (1996). Surveys of selected Tasmanian threatened plants. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

Barker, P. J. C. and Wardlaw, T. J. (1995). Susceptibility of selected Tasmanian rare plants to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australian Journal of Botany 43, 379-386.

Bell, D. T., Rokich, D. P., McChesney, C. J. and Plummer, J. A. (1995). Effects of temperature, light and gibberellic acid on the germination of seeds of 43 species native to Western Australia. Journal of Vegetation Science 6, 797-807.

Briggs, J. D. and Leigh, J. H. (1996). 'Rare or threatened Australian plants.' CSIRO, Melbourne.

Crowden, R. K. (1986). Two new species of the genus Epacris (Epacridaceae) from Tasmania. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 120, 17-19.

Crowden, R. K. and Menadue, Y. (1990). Morphometric analysis of variation in the 'Epacris tasmanica complex' (Epacridaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 3, 253-264.

Curtis, W. M. (1963). 'Flora of Tasmania. Part 2.' Tasmanian Government Printer.

Jarman, S. J. and Mihaich, C. M. (1991). Additions to the Epacridaceae in Tasmania. In M. R. Banks, S. J. Smith, A. E. Orchard and G. Kantvilas (eds.) 'Aspects of Tasmanian Botany' pp99-103. Royal Society of Tasmania, Hobart.

Keith, D. A. (1995). Surviving fire and fungal pathogens: are there life-history solutions for threatened species of Epacris? In 'Bushfire '95: Proceedings of the fifth Australian Bushfire Conference' (Eds. T. Blanks, M. Chladil, R. Chuter and K. Green). (Forestry Tasmania, Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania Fire Service: Hobart)

Keith, D. A. (1996a). Recovery plan for Epacris stuartii Stapf. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.

Keith, D. A. (1996b). Fire-driven extinction of plant populations: a review of theory and evidence from Australian vegetation. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 115, in press.

Keith, D. A. (in press). Combined effects of heat shock, smoke derivatives and darkness on seed germination in Epacris stuartii Stapf., an endangered Australian shrub. Oecologia.

Keith, D. A. and Burgman, M. A. (in press).An evaluation and modification of IUCN Red List criteria for classification of extinction risk in vascular plants. Conservation Biology.

Williams, K. and Duncan, F. (1991). Epacris limbata sp. nov., a localised heath from eastern Tasmania. In M. R. Banks, S. J. Smith, A. E. Orchard and G. Kantvilas (eds.) 'Aspects of Tasmanian Botany' pp95-97. Royal Society of Tasmania, Hobart.

Personal Communications:

R. Crowden, Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Tasmania.

M. Fountain, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

L. Gilfedder, Nature Conservation Branch, Parks and Wildlife Service.

P. McQuillan, Dept. of Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania.