Download Queensland`s Threatened Plants - WWF

QUEENSLAND’S
THREATENED PLANTS
SPOTLIGHT ON CYCADS
Keryn Hyslop and Caroline Haskard
WWF-Australia. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 1 875941 92 4
WWF-Australia
Head Office
Level 13, 235 Jones St
Ultimo NSW 2007
Tel: +612 9281 5515
Fax: +612 9281 1060
www.wwf.org.au
Published 2005 by WWF-Australia. Any reproduction in full or in part of this
publication must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the
copyright owner.
First published 2005.
For bibliographic purposes, this booklet should be cited as:
Hyslop, K. & Haskard, C. “Queensland’s Threatened Plants: Spotlight on Cycads”
Sydney WWF-Australia
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the views of WWF.
Designer : Design Farm.
Printed by : Foremost Printing Pty Ltd - Sunshine Coast
Cover images: Top photo - Acronychia littoralis credit H. Knowles,
Middle photo - Cycas ophiolitica credit G. W. Wilson,
Bottom photo - Floydia praealta credit H. Knowles.
For copies of this report, please contact WWF-Australia at [email protected]
or call 1800 032 551.
World Wide Fund For Nature ABN: 57 001 594 074
CONTENTS
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Aim of this booklet
Queensland’s rich plant life
Decline of Queensland plants
Threatening processes and suggested actions
From common to threatened - the downward trend
Reasons for decline; why so many threatened plants?
Major threatening processes
Vegetation Clearing
Declining Vegetation Quality
Invasive Plants
Invasive Animals
Inappropriate Fire Regimes
Inappropriate Grazing Regimes
Other threats
Conservation and protection
Legislation
Recovery Plans
Threatened Plant Case Study
What the community can do to help threatened plants - generally
Species in the spotlight: cycads
Cycads, an introduction
Common threats
Species profiles
Cycas megacarpa
Cycas ophiolitica
Cycas cairnsiana
Cycas couttsiana
Macrozamia lomandroides
Macrozamia platyrachis
Macrozamia pauli-guilielmi
Macrozamia cranei
Cycad recovery and benefits for other threatened plants
Bibliography
Further information
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QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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FOREWORD
Our biodiversity, the diversity of life, is our greatest treasure. We depend upon it to
sustain and enrich our lives. On the one hand it sustains the functioning of ecosystems
- our life support systems - while on the other it creates the unique Australian
landscapes that enrich us culturally and spiritually.
Our flora has been of tremendous economic value in the development of Queensland
through traditional pastoral, tourism and timber industries. This will also be evident
in the future as we continue to seek out those unique genetic properties that are of
benefit to us.
Queensland’s flora, as well as other components of our biodiversity is particularly rich
and unique, and is recognised nationally and internationally.
Unfortunately, much of our biodiversity is threatened and we are only starting to
appreciate the ‘extinction debt’ we have created for the future. This means that we
have set in train processes where the decline evident today will continue because
of the accumulated impacts of past and present development. In parts of Southern
Australia, this is startling with first the loss of remnant vegetation from the landscape
and now the death of the remaining paddock trees where no recruitment takes place ‘the living dead’. But in Queensland we have a choice. Our history of development is
younger than other parts of Australia and significant remnant vegetation and re-growth
potential exists in key areas.
This booklet is a practical work on how we might use this choice to recover a unique
component of our biodiversity and to manage on-going threatening processes.
It proposes practical measures that can be taken to recover threatened species and
in particular our threatened cycads.
The cycads give us a glimpse of what a unique biodiversity we have, from the lovely
Byfield fern to bizarre looking zamia palms.
Paul Sattler
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
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QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This booklet was produced by the Threatened Species Network (TSN),
a community-based program of the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust
and WWF-Australia.
TSN would like to thank the Environmental Protection Agency and Queensland
Herbarium for the significant support provided through information regarding
species, supply of maps and technical information regarding Queensland flora and
for photographs, with particular thanks to Paul Forster for his cycad expertise.
We are also grateful to the Protected Plant Management Advisory Committee and
the peer group advisory panel for providing guidance for this booklet.
For photographs made available to illustrate this booklet, appreciation is extended
to Mary White and Jim Frazier from ‘The Greening of Gondwana’, Glenn Leiper,
Anne Windsor, Alison Goodland, Heather Knowles, Logan City Council and
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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AIM OF THIS BOOKLET
The first part of this booklet focuses on threatened plants - generally. It aims to raise
awareness of Queensland’s rich plant life and the need to conserve it, to provide
information about the causes of biodiversity decline and to generate enthusiasm and
interest in the conservation of Queensland’s rich flora.
The second part of the booklet entitled ‘Species in the spotlight’ provides a
closer look at the ancient group of threatened Queensland plants – the cycads.
Through discovering the secret world of cycads, the threats and problems facing
these and other threatened plants are revealed. The recovery actions needed to
bring about their improved conservation are outlined and these are representative
of the actions that may also be applied more broadly to help conserve other
threatened plants. A Recovery Plan is currently being prepared for cycads by the
Environmental Protection Agency and will be a formal guide to assist community to
start recovery projects for cycads. This booklet aims to support this plan and catalyse
community action to help with their conservation.
The final section of the booklet entitled ‘Further Information’ provides details
on where and how to find additional information about threatened plants and
their conservation.
Importantly, to arrest the decline of Queensland’s rich flora effectively, we must
address both the causes and symptoms of this decline. The task is beyond that of just
one organisation or department and requires the efforts of the whole community.
While the focus of this booklet is on plants and cycads in particular, there is an
inextricable link between plants and animals. Many have developed mutually
beneficial relationships and often rely on each other for their survival. Prior to
undertaking any type of plant management program, assessment of the potential
impacts on animal species needs to be made, to ensure an appropriate plan is set
in place for species that share the habitat or rely on a specific plant species for
reproduction and survival.
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QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
QUEENSLAND’S RICH PLANT LIFE
Queensland is a state rich in biodiversity. It contains 66% of Australia’s birds,
mammals, frogs and reptiles, and 47% of the country’s plants. Of Australia’s 23,000
species of plants, Queensland has 8,328 species. Many of these are endemic;
they occur nowhere else in the world. Several of Australia’s important centres of
endemism, including World Heritage sites and biodiversity hotspots are also found
in Queensland.
The importance of plants cannot be overstated. They are the primary producers on
which people and animals rely for oxygen, shelter and food. They provide a multitude
of services, including filtering pollution and the provision of erosion control along
waterways. They provide medicines for a range of diseases and illnesses, and the
ecosystems they occur in are places of relaxation and inspiration. They also provide
the basis for a growing ecotourism industry, which contributes to the economy and
livelihoods of many people.
Queensland’s diversity of plants is as extensive and varied as the state itself.
Iconic vegetation communities include resilient spinifex grasses and saltbushes of arid
and semi-arid lands to the west, extensive grasslands such as the Mitchell Grasslands
(from which the Mitchell Grass Downs gains its name and on which a significant
portion of Queensland’s pastoral industry has been founded), extensive wattle and
eucalypt communities of the brigalow belt and inland woodlands, paperbark trees of
wetlands, eastern rainforest systems including tall canopy trees such as silky oak and
booyong, the characteristic black bean and water gums that grace the banks of south
eastern waterways, coastal and montane heathlands, and pigfaces and beach spinifex
plants of the coastal dune systems that help bind sands together against the onslaught
of coastal winds and seas.
Each of these vegetation communities are made up of many hundreds of plant species.
Many varied forms have evolved to take advantage of the multitude of specialised
habitats; including understorey, vines, canopy trees, epiphytes, shrubs, grasses,
sedges and herbs. Together they constitute Queensland’s rich flora.
Long since the first botanists made forays into the new and unexplored plant life of
Queensland, dozens of new species are still being discovered each year. The world
of marine and aquatic plants has barely been touched and many species are yet
to be named. These new discoveries continue to broaden our understanding of
Queensland’s rich plant life.
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Australia has more than 18,000 endemic plant species and is ranked fifth in the
world for its number of endemic plants. Australia’s unique species are a result of
its relatively long period of geological isolation - at least 35 million years - from
other continents and its relatively stable geology, which have contributed to the
development of its many diverse habitats.
While the steady evolutionary development of the country’s unique flowering flora
occurred mostly during this time, moulded by climate change, Australia is home
to even older species such as cycads and conifers. These species evolved from a
time when Australia was part of the giant super-continent ‘Pangea’ over 200 million
years ago.
Queensland is a key centre for global biodiversity, and has a significant international
role to play in the conservation of species and ecosystems.
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DECLINE OF QUEENSLAND PLANTS
Although Queensland is a state rich in biodiversity, many of its natural assets have
declined to the point that they are now threatened with extinction. Of the more than
8,300 plant species in Queensland, 428 are listed as threatened under state legislation,
with more than 250 of those species also being listed under commonwealth legislation.
This is a matter of national significance for Australia. There is also a recent trend
of entire vegetation communities declining to the point of becoming threatened,
which paints a grave picture for the future of Australia’s plant and animal species.
Threatened plants are those at risk of extinction and are classed as either endangered
(those at most risk) or vulnerable (those at lesser risk but which may be heading
toward endangered). Assessment of a plant as threatened is judged against a
range of criteria and undertaken by a specialist panel.
Plants have declined due to a range of threats. The main drivers are the direct
and related impacts of vegetation clearing, invasive species (weeds are the second
biggest threat to plants after vegetation clearing), and land management practices
such as inappropriate grazing and burning regimes. The results of land clearing
and the fragmentation and isolation of plant communities have
long-lasting implications.
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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THREATENING PROCESSES AND
SUGGESTED ACTIONS
FROM COMMON TO THREATENED - THE DOWNWARD TREND
The decline of plant biodiversity in Queensland has resulted in many plants, once
regarded as common or widespread, becoming so limited in their numbers, and/or
extent, that they have become at risk of extinction. They have unfortunately earned
the title of threatened.
Australia-wide more than 1600 species are nationally threatened and a large number of
plants are starting to become ‘poorly known’ for the first time. Since 1989 the number
of listed threatened species in Queensland has increased by over 50%.
Under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act, 1992 (NCA) of the 428 plants listed
as threatened, 149 are ‘endangered’ and 279 are ‘vulnerable’. In addition, 27 plant
species are listed as ‘presumed extinct’, that is they haven’t been seen in the wild for
many years. These figures do not include the dozens of vegetation communities listed
as threatened under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act, 1999 (VMA) as this
booklet focuses on plant species.
Whilst some people may be familiar with popularised and charismatic international
threatened species such as whales, pandas and tigers and some may even know of
the significant discovery of the threatened plant in New South Wales, the Wollemi
pine, most would be unable to name any of Queensland’s hundreds of threatened
species. Plants tend to be even more poorly known by the broader community
than animals, and given the trend of increasing numbers of plants becoming
threatened, Queensland’s plants deserve greater community attention and awareness.
The ‘Species in the spotlight’ section helps to address this identity problem for at least
one group of plants.
REASONS FOR DECLINE; WHY SO MANY
THREATENED PLANTS?
Whilst there are a myriad of causes for the loss and decline of plants from
‘least concern’ to threatened (‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’) or ‘presumed extinct’,
four main drivers may be identified; vegetation removal or land clearing, invasive
species (plant weeds and animals), inappropriate fire regimes, and inappropriate
grazing regimes. These main threats affect not only plants but also animals and
often even entire vegetation communities (described in the following section).
Another threat which is often overlooked is the close proximity of bushland to urban
areas which brings with it pressures from human traffic, litter, domestic pets,
poaching and vandalism.
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QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
A further significant and relatively recent threat, and yet one that is expected to have
profound and far-reaching implications for plants, animals and ecosystems alike,
is climate change. The effects of this phenomenon are not yet fully known.
Settlement and the development of land resources resulted in unprecedented broadscale changes for the Queensland landscape. These changes included the introduction
of invasive species such as foxes, feral cats and dogs, cane toads, and plants that have
become major weeds including buffel grass, cat’s claw creeper, Chinese elm and
rubber vine; disruption to historical fire regimes that were once practiced that native
vegetation may have evolved with; and the introduction of new types of farm animals
that grazed the landscape and competed with native marsupial grazers. These changes
had major consequences for native plants, their distribution and numbers, and in some
situations resulted in irrevocable losses.
The pressures that came with this new style of land management have left in its wake
a high rate of plant species loss, with 27 recorded extinctions. Many of these past
pressures continue to have a serious impact upon Queensland’s plants and may put
plants considered to be ‘of least concern’ (those that are not at risk of extinction)
at risk of becoming threatened.
Action is being taken to curtail these threats and some of these pressures are formally
listed under the commonwealth government’s Environmental Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC) as ‘threatening processes’, for example
fox predation, and have ‘threat abatement plans’ prepared to help reduce impacts upon
Australia’s biodiversity, plants, animals and ecosystems alike.
However, prevention is better than a cure. Recovery and restoration programs for
threatened species are often resource intensive and costly. As a result, fewer recovery
programs are implemented than there are threatened species. For those species
without recovery programs the future is uncertain. However not all threatened plants
require highly resource intensive recovery programs and recovery of some species
may be more readily achievable than others.
Addressing the causes threatening plants will help not only ensure their long-term
viability, but also that of the economy, the environment and society to which the plant
world makes a significant contribution.
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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MAJOR THREATENING PROCESSES
VEGETATION CLEARING
Since European settlement, Queensland has lost 34% (2001 statistics) of its preclearing vegetation. This has resulted in many species becoming threatened with
extinction. Despite laws that have halted most land clearing activities, this pressure
continues to put plants at risk.
Broad-scale vegetation clearing in rural areas for agricultural, pastoral, forestry and
mining industries and major infrastructure development including dams, roads and
powerlines has immediate consequences for plants. However, smaller scale,
incremental urban clearing for housing also has a
major impact. The high population growth occurring
in south-east Queensland has driven high rates of
vegetation clearing for housing. This has exacerbated
the vulnerability of threatened plants; often rare
and or limited in numbers or distribution in their
natural state, through habitat loss, habitat degradation
and fragmentation.
In addition to the direct impacts from clearing, the
cumulative, flow-on effects such as habitat fragmentation
and isolation, edge effects, erosion and salinity may
continue to cause the demise of plants that survived
the initial clearing event.
Much vegetation remains only as a fragmented mosaic
of island habitats within a surrounding ocean competing
against various land-use activities. These remnants often
provide crucial habitat for threatened plants. Remnant vegetation in urban areas is
exempt from clearing restrictions under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 and is
often the last refuge of some of Queensland’s 22 endangered regional ecosystems.
These areas need to be protected by other means, such as conservation agreements or
by establishment as reserves.
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Queensland’s threatened plants : spotlight on cycads
K.L. Hyslop
Consequences
• Reduces area of critical habitat for survival of
threatened plants
• Puts plants at risk of becoming threatened
• Puts threatened plants at risk from salinity, erosion,
weed and pest invasion, inappropriate fire and
grazing regimes
• Effects plant and animal interactions such as
pollination and seed dispersal
• Increases distances between vegetation patches,
which makes it difficult for plants to exchange
genes, therefore making them less able to resist
disturbances, and leading to long-term decline from
in-breeding
Suggested Actions
Qld Remnant Vegetation 2001:
Green illustrates pre-clearing vegetation,
white shows areas of substantial vegetation loss
• Protect and restore remaining vegetation,
reconnect remnant vegetation patches
• Undertake a whole of property approach to property management
• Leave isolated trees standing as they are important habitat for a myriad of species
and are important as stepping stones for wildlife to cross cleared landscapes
• When conducting maintenance work or building infrastructure, ensure all layers
of vegetation are retained in remaining bushland
• Resist the impulse to ‘clean-up’ small acreages, as understorey and fallen logs
provide valuable habitat
• Ensure retention of remnant vegetation in land development activities
Queensland Herbarium
Potential Benefits
•
•
•
•
Increased habitat for threatened plants and other plants and animals
Reduced greenhouse effects
Reduced salinity, water-logging, wind and water erosion
Climatic extremes buffered (less frost, cooler in summer,
warmer in winter, reduced winds)
• Reduced aridity
• Benefits from ecosystem services such as clean water and air,
source for medicines, and healthy soils
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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DECLINING VEGETATION QUALITY
Declining vegetation is closely linked to vegetation clearing and is often a flow-on
effect of clearing. Declining vegetation may be evident through a less dense canopy
of trees than usual, less diversity of plants and animals than would normally be
present, loss of grasses or other ground cover, with erosion or bare soil obvious and
invasive weed and or animals present. Vegetation decline may also be caused or
exacerbated by competition from invasive plants and animals; inappropriate grazing
by stock and pest species; inappropriate fire regimes, where fire may be too frequent
or not frequent enough, unsuitable fire temperature and effects from salinisation and
erosion. Decline may render the vegetation unsuitable for the needs of threatened
plants, causing their reduction or complete loss from the local area.
Consequences
• Reduces quality of habitat required by threatened plants
• Limits regeneration of threatened plants and plants that
share the habitat
• May render the remnant prone to fire and invasive weed
and animal invasion
• Loss of plant species and diversity of vegetation
structure
Suggested Actions
• Protect remaining vegetation
• Develop and implement a remnant vegetation
restoration program
• Allow native ground cover and understorey to
regenerate to re-establish vegetation structure and
diversity
• Control invasive plants
• Fence remnants to prevent over-grazing
• Put in place suitable fire regimes
Potential Benefits
•
•
•
•
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Increased habitat for threatened plants
Re-establishment of vegetation structure providing improved habitat
Increased nutrient cycling back into the soil
Reduced water run-off and increased moisture penetration
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
K.L. Hyslop
INVASIVE PLANTS
After vegetation clearing, invasive plants, or weeds, are the
biggest threat to native plants whose survival may already be
threatened. This pressure is closely linked to declining vegetation
quality. The major sources of invasive plants are from nursery
or ornamental garden plants and agricultural plants. Many of
these plants have escaped from their original situation and have
established themselves as major environmental weeds. The total
expenditure by authorities and producers in Queensland to control
weeds exceeds several hundred million dollars every year.
Consequences
• Invasive vines directly compete with threatened plants and may
smother trees and entire canopies, reducing the area of habitat
available for threatened plants
• Invasive plants inhibit natural regeneration and seedling growth
• Many invasive plants are toxic to native insect pollinators
• Invasive plants may increase natural levels of fire fuel loads
• Increasing costs of weed control (manually, mechanically and chemically)
• Increasing health incidents and costs of treating allergies, asthma and hay fever
relating to some invasive plants
Anne Windsor
Suggested Actions
•
•
•
•
•
•
Check published weed lists prior to purchasing or planting plants
Consider using local native plants, particularly when planting near bushland
Do not dump garden waste in bushland
Conduct routine property inspections and control weed outbreaks
Alert authorities about any new declared weed invasions
Remove weeds from new areas before heavily infected areas to contain them and
slow their spread
• Check vehicles, machinery and clothing for weed seeds and wash down in control
areas to contain them and slow their spread
Potential Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
Improved habitat for threatened plants, and other native plants and animals
Reduced competition for threatened plants
Reduced fuel loads and therefore fire risk levels
Decreased expenditure of public funds on the war against weeds
Reduced health costs
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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INVASIVE ANIMALS
Invasive animals, also known as feral animals may directly put pressure on threatened
plants through feeding upon their foliage, flowers, fruit and seeds, which could
in turn interfere with the plant’s ability to reproduce
successfully. They may also hunt the animals that
plants rely upon for pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient
cycling and germination, such as flying foxes, birds
and insects. Changes to soil structure and nutrient
levels that threatened plants grow in, may become
unsuitable as a result of droppings and compaction from
invasive animals.
Consequences
• Reduction in quality of habitat for threatened plants
• Interruption of plant and animal interactions important
for pollination, seed dispersal and germination
• Decline or eventual loss of threatened plant populations
• Places non-threatened plants at risk due to reduced
numbers and area available for suitable habitat
• Reduces plant health as a result of soil disturbance,
compaction and changes to nutrient levels
Suggested Actions
•
•
•
•
Implement integrated and strategic invasive animal control programs
Fence out invasive animals where damage to vegetation is occurring
Do not release domestic animals into the wild which may then become feral
Report new outbreaks of declared invasive animals to the authorities
Potential Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
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Reduced costs of control and eradication of invasive species
Maintenance of threatened plant populations and ecosystems
Re-establishment of vegetation structure
Maintenance of soils and nutrient levels
Increase in populations of native plants and animals
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
QPWS
INAPPROPRIATE FIRE REGIMES
While fire is an integral part of the Australian landscape, characterising and
influencing most major types of vegetation, the right fire regime and intensity is
required. Burning too frequently or too infrequently can cause threatened plants
to be lost from ecosystems. Burning at the wrong time of year may destroy
flowers, seeds and seedlings, or may be too cool to stimulate germination of woody
seeds. Fire may also encroach on non fire adapted vegetation, such as rainforest,
causing irreparable damage or loss of threatened plants.
Consequences
•
•
•
•
Direct decline or loss of threatened plants through unsuitable fire regimes
Dominance of frequent fire adapted species and weed invasion
Soil surface crusting, increased run-off and loss of nutrients
Loss of hollow-bearing trees for animals that threatened plants may rely upon
for pollination or seed dispersal
• Loss of ground litter and debris that may be important for germination
• Increased carbon dioxide emissions
Suggested Actions
• Prepare property fire management plans
• Implement a fire regime suitable for the threatened plant and
the vegetation it occurs within, by adjusting the frequency and
season to control the fire intensity
• Burn-off to maintain a range of vegetation age structures and
green mosaics within burnt areas (for fire adapted plants)
• Prevent fire from encroaching upon fire sensitive threatened
plants
• Control unnaturally high fuel loads around fire sensitive
vegetation by grazing or slashing
Potential Benefits
Neil Gourley
• Maintenance of threatened plant habitat and reduced risk of
threatened plants being lost
• Protection of infrastructure, lives and remnant bushland
• Reduced opportunity for invasive plants to enter threatened plant habitat
• Maintenance of the carbon and water cycles, aiding the health of the habitat in
which the threatened plant occurs
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
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INAPPROPRIATE GRAZING REGIMES
Grazing may put pressure on threatened plants through direct browsing upon their
foliage or the foliage of vegetation they occur with, through compaction of soil and
changes in nutrient levels as a result of droppings or manure. Whole plants may
be trampled or uprooted through the actions of grazing. There may also be a link
between inappropriate grazing regimes and invasive species invasion. Tracks opened
up by grazers may allow entry of invasive weeds and animals. Current land
management systems promoted to graziers have a biodiversity component, as high
biodiversity levels are known to assist ecosystems to recover more quickly after
grazing and extended drought periods. This helps to bring about sustainability of
production and maintenance of habitat for threatened species.
Consequences
•
•
•
•
Loss or decline of threatened plants and their habitat
Interruption of plants reproduction cycles
Erosion, loss of nutrients and compaction of soils
Declining water quality from increased sediment and nutrient loads as a result
of erosion from trampling and compaction
• Increased spread of invasive plants and diseases
Suggested Actions
• Put in place appropriate grazing regimes for threatened
plants and their habitat (refer to useful contacts in back
of booklet)
• Fence waterways and remnant vegetation, particularly
where habitat for threatened plants occurs
• Put in place integrated programs to control the impacts
of inappropriate grazing regimes such as weed control,
fencing to reduce trampling, and regeneration of
understorey plants
• Protect threatened plants and their habitat through
conservation agreements and conserving their habitat
(see contacts in the back of this booklet)
Potential Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
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Improved habitat for threatened plants
Reduced browsing impacts upon threatened plants
Reduced erosion and run-off
Reduced soil compaction
Improved water quality
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Alison Goodland
OTHER THREATS
There are a myriad of threats contributing to the decline of threatened plants and
vegetation in general. The following provides an overview of some of these:
Illegal Collecting
Many native plants are collected illegally in the wild for their foliage, flowers, fruits
and other plant parts, and at times whole plants may be taken. Often the plants most
under attack are those already threatened in the wild, as their rarity makes them more
attractive for private collections. Illegal collection it is not subject to any controls and
puts threatened plants at risk of entire population loss and even extinction.
Inadequate Legislation To Ensure Sustainability Of Legally
Harvested Plants
Plants may be collected or harvested legally from the wild and such collection is
subject to the Protected Plant Management System (PPMS). The PPMS is linked
to the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This system incorporates legislation, policy,
management prescriptions, a licensing system and compliance tools that are meant
to ensure that harvesting is sustainable. The system incorporates permit systems for
the taking and use of protected plants under certain conditions. Whilst the program
provides a good framework to ensure sustainable use of plants, further resources are
required to implement effective monitoring systems to ensure compliance is adhered
to by permit holders, and to ensure the rate of use of plants in their wild habitat is
actually sustainable. In addition, resources are required to enhance the enforcement
program for offenders not complying, and for those found to be illegally collecting.
Climate Change
Some plants of ancient lineage, such as cycads, are indicators of climate change.
The effects on these climate sensitive species to increasing temperatures, changes in
rainfall, and increasing carbon dioxide emissions are likely to include interruption to
reproductive cycles and death of populations unable to adapt to such rapid changes.
Other processes associated with climate change impacting on threatened plants are the
spread of pests and diseases to new regions, changes to canopy cover of their habitat
and the increasing severity of weather events and shifting rainfall patterns.
Herbicides, Pesticides And Other Chemicals
Use of chemicals needs to be managed carefully and within strict guidelines of
their recommended use and dosages. Secondary effects from chemicals may
include detrimental impacts on adjoining or nearby threatened plants and vegetation
from spray drift and soil leachates. Results of secondary effects may include leaf
drop, interruption to plant reproduction, loss of pollinators, loss of important soil
fungi, die-back and even plant death. Damage to vegetation may allow invasive
species to enter an area and out-compete threatened plants for nutrients and space.
The implementation of an integrated pest management system may help to restore
a natural balance between pest and predator species.
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
17
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
LEGISLATION
In Queensland, threatened plants are the responsibility of the lead agency for the
protection of biodiversity, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are
protected through two main laws: at the state level through the Queensland Nature
Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) and associated regulations, managed by the EPA;
and nationally through the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (EPBC) under the responsibility of the Australian Government’s Department
of Environment and Heritage. (Lists of threatened species under these two laws are
available through the websites listed at the back of this booklet).
As well as the commonwealth and state governments sharing responsibility for
threatened plants, so too does local government. Councils have a range of options
in place to help them do this. These may include vegetation management strategies,
plans and local guidelines, bushland acquisition programs, vegetation protection
ordinances and conservation agreements with landholders. Local government and
community get involved together through hands-on ‘Bushcare’ programs.
18
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
RECOVERY PLANS
The main management tool used by government to conserve threatened plants is
a Recovery Plan. This plan describes the threatened species, the threats and what
needs to be done to halt the further decline of the species. The EPA has a program
of plan preparation and implementation and the DEH has a legal responsibility,
under the EPBC, to develop a recovery plan for threatened species. The state and
commonwealth work together to develop recovery plans and implementation of
these plans is paramount to achieve the species conservation.
A recovery team usually prepares a recovery plan and comprises specialists and key
stakeholders with community involvement an essential ingredient. Successful formal
recovery programs may include:
• A current Recovery Plan
• An active Recovery Team to oversee the production, implementation and
revision of the plan
• A Recovery Coordinator to coordinate the plan’s activities on behalf of the team
• Active involvement of all key stakeholders; landholders/landmanagers,
industry, government agencies, traditional owners and indigenous communities,
researchers and educators
• Funds and resources to carry out of the plan’s activities
Additional features may include a communications plan and an implementation plan,
which identifies marketing and fundraising tactics. Ideally threatened plant programs
have an effective monitoring and evaluation program to allow review and improved
management as new information becomes available.
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
19
THREATENED PLANT CASE STUDY
Most threatened plants in Queensland do not have recovery plans or actively
implemented recovery programs, and cycads are amongst these. The following
case study looks at one of a handful of plants that have a recovery plan and
a successful, actively implemented recovery program. This case study may
serve to help inform community wishing to start other plant recovery projects
and may even be applied and adapted for the recovery of cycads.
Angle Stemmed Myrtle
Gossia gonoclada syn. Austromyrtus gonoclada
Key stakeholders and other interested parties joined
together to form a recovery team to develop the
recovery plan for this endangered plant, occurring
only in south east Queensland. Since 1996
recovery actions of the plan have been by carried
out in partnership by local government, state
agencies, and community groups.
Recovery actions have included propagating and
planting seedlings to expand the small number of
existing plants, research into the genetics of the
plant species and establishing a seed orchard
to produce plant stocks with broader genetic
variation to assist longer term viability. With the
exception of one small population, now fenced
and well maintained, all known plants occur within
local government protected reserves.
Logan City Council
Difficulties faced by the recovery team have
included lack of knowledge about the plant itself and its specific needs
for survival, absence of seed production during recent years, and
identifying the precise environmental conditions within the landscape
preferred by the plant.
While results of the plant’s population expansion are good, the lack of
seed is a concern for further natural increases in plant numbers in the wild.
Further research and continued maintenance is required, and
good rainfall is necessary to stimulate fruit production and natural
regeneration. The recovery plan is currently under periodical review
and funding for on-going works is being sought to continue with
this successful recovery program. Contact Logan City Council for
further information.
20
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN DO TO HELP
THREATENED PLANTS - GENERALLY
Whilst formal recovery plans and programs are one way to conserve threatened
plants, community involvement is essential to halt the further decline of Queensland’s
threatened plant species. The community is an integral part of threatened plant
recovery, and may assist through:
• Participating in recovery processes - be aware of threatened plant recovery teams
and programs in your area or region
• Helping to carry out surveys for threatened plants and learning more about the
threatened plants in your local area or region
• Membership of your regional natural resource management planning committee
• Working with all tiers of government and advocating to local politicians to gain an
increase in resources to protect and conserve threatened plants
• Supporting local groups and actions to protect at-risk native plants before their
populations are reduced to a threatened status
• Helping to maintain remnant vegetation, using sustainable land management
practices, and placing voluntary conservation agreements upon remnant vegetation
• Planting local native plants and avoiding planting invasive plants that may escape
into bushland, and limiting pet access to bushland
• Joining local community organisations such as local Bushcare or Landcare groups
to help conserve threatened plants and their habitats
• Not buying threatened plants without a licensed tag number, and
reporting illegal collection or sales
Threatened plants need people to get their hands dirty and to
become involved. Use the Further Information section at the back
of this booklet to learn where to look for more information to help
conserve threatened plants.
Caroline Haskard
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
21
SPECIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CYCADS
CYCADS, AN INTRODUCTION
Cycads are used as an iconic group to illustrate some of the common problems facing
threatened plants generally. The information outlined in the first part of the booklet
may be practically applied to cycad recovery.
Today’s cycads are direct descendants of prehistoric plants from over 200 million
years ago. They have earned the name ‘dinosaurs of the plant world’ as they have
changed very little since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Cycads are a palm-like group of plants comprising four genera, Lepidozamia,
Bowenia (non-threatened), Cycas and Macrozamia (threatened). Most cycads do
not have common names with Cycas species simply known as cycads and most
Macrozamia species referred to as zamia palms. Some information is available from
research and study, however, as with many threatened plants there is still much that
remains unknown.
Cycads may reach 14 metres or more in height. Many have sharply pointed leaves,
strong spines, and clusters of upward projecting roots held just below the soil surface.
Cycads are known to live for 150 years and often take as long as10-20 years to
reach reproductive maturity. The chances of them being
female are approximately 1:10. Both sexes produce
cones; the males loaded with pollen and the females, once
pollinated develop large, brightly coloured seeds.
Ancient Cycad; 255 million year
old fossil found in NSW
The Greening of Gondwana
Mary E. White 1998
Jim Frazier
22
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Cycads have a relationship with fungi that helps them gain nutrients and minerals
from the soil. Beetles and thrips are known to pollinate cycads and in return these
insects rely on cycads to complete their own reproduction cycles. Disruption to this
delicate relationship may have dire consequences for the insects and the cycads.
Collectively 47.5% of Queensland cycads are threatened, slightly less than the
world cycad average of 52% (IUCN statistics from Forster, 2004). Nineteen species
of cycad are listed on the state threatened species schedules, twelve of which
are also listed on the national schedules. Differences in the species on state and
commonwealth lists does not always reflect the plants status, it may mean some state
listed species have not yet been nominated to join the national lists.
Nature
Conservation Act
Vulnerable
Lepidozamia spp.
Bowenia spp.
Cycas spp.
Macrozamia spp.
0
0
6
5
Endangered
0
0
2
6
Environmental Protection
and
Biodiversity Conservation
Act
Vulnerable
Endangered
0
0
0
0
0
3
5
4
Whilst the cycads Bowenia and Lepidozamia are well protected in national parks and
state forests and not considered to be under threat, several Cycas and Macrozamia
species are not yet represented within the protected area estate. Protection of
cycads and their habitat is important to ensure their longer term conservation and
protection against unforeseen future events. As many cycads and other threatened
plants only survive on freehold lands, landholders are integral to their conservation.
Landholders may help by placing covenants and conservation agreements on cycad
habitats to help protect them. Assistance is often available for landholders wishing
to protect threatened plants. (See the Further Information section in the back of
this booklet)
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
23
COMMON THREATS
Some of the primary causes of cycad decline, which are also applicable to many other
threatened plants include:
• Occurrence in fragmented or isolated populations, with little chance of transfer
of genetic diversity
• Low rates of regeneration, due to loss of seed and seedlings from predation
• Effects of climate change
• Effects of land clearing
• Inappropriate fire and grazing regimes and
• Weed invasion
Whilst threatened cycads are protected by law from harvesting, illegal collecting still
occurs due to their value as collector’s items on the world market. The chemical
make-up of cycads renders them toxic to stock which has often resulted in their
eradication. Some known populations have been completely lost through this type of
land management action in the past century. Cycads also have limited seed dispersal,
slow growth rates and specialised pollination, which make them more susceptible to
the above threats. In addition they may not reproduce regularly, further exacerbating
their susceptibility.
It is important that members of the community be able to identify cycads in the field,
in case new populations are located, and to help protect existing populations from
illegal collectors.
The following cycad profiles provide a more detailed look at the secret world of
cycads. Specific threats and recovery actions required to bring about their improved
conservation are outlined. Whilst some details are specific to cycads, many are
common to other threatened plants and may be used as a guide to the sort of actions
that may be required by other plant recovery programs.
24
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
SPECIES PROFILES
Legend for Natural Resource Management regions
on cycad distribution maps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Torres Strait
Cape York
Southern Gulf Catchments Inc
Nthern Gulf Regional Mgmt Group
Cape York/Nthern Gulf Regional Mgmt Group
Wet Tropics NRM Board
Burdekin Dry Tropics Board
Desert Channels Qld Inc
Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group
Fitzroy Basin Association
Burnett Mary Reg Group NRM Inc
South West NRM Inc
Qld Murray Darling Committee Inc
South East Qld NRM
Condamine Alliance
SEQ Western Catchments Group Inc
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
25
Cycas megacarpa
Cycadaceae
Conservation Status
The name mega means large, and karpos refers to the
seeds. This cycad has a slender trunk to about 5 m tall.
The foliage is mid-green growing to 1.1 m long and spiny
with numerous, moderately glossy leaflets to 20 cm long.
Male cones are oval in shape, to 7 cm and yellow to orange-brown. Female cones are
larger to 18 cm, with oval-shaped seeds that become yellowish, pinkish or purplish
with maturity. It may be distinguished from the other local species C. ophiolitica
by the green new growth and larger seeds. It is the subject of a recovery plan being
prepared for 6 endangered Queensland cycad species.
Threats
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Not all populations are conserved within the reserve estate
Sensitivity to climate change
Harvesting pressures
Habitat destruction and fragmentation
Loss of genetic variation
Changes to soil nutrient levels
Loss of pollinator species
Inappropriate fire regimes
Recovery Actions
Queensland Herbarium
• Purchase land to protect populations and enter conservation
agreements with landholders
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate further populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population
dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and means of pollination
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing populations and establish new populations
26
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Paul Forster
Endangered (NCA); Endangered (EPBC); IUCN listed
Cycas ophiolitica
Cycadaceae
Conservation Status
Endangered (NCA), Endangered (EPBC), IUCN listed
G.W. Wilson
The name refers to ophis, or ophios, serpent or snake, and lithos,
stone or rock – for serpentinite, the type of rock predominant in
the soils where it occurs. It is a short cycad growing to 2 m, rarely
taller. Mature foliage mostly grey-green to dark green, blue-green
when young, borne on spiny stalks to 1.4 m with multiple moderately glossy leaflets
to 24 cm long. Male cones are yellow to orange-brown and slender to 7 cm; female
cones are oval to 17 cm, with oval, green seeds that become yellowish with maturity.
This species is distinguished from the other local species, C. megacarpa by its bluegreen new growth and smaller seeds. It is the subject of a recovery plan, which is
being prepared along with 5 other endangered Queensland cycad species.
Threats
Queensland Herbarium
• Many smaller populations are poorly conserved, including the
northern ‘bluish’ forms which are under significant risk from
illegal collecting
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation
• Sensitivity to climate change
• Changes to soil nutrient levels
• Loss of genetic variation
• Loss of pollinator species
• Inappropriate fire regimes
Recovery Actions
• Purchase land to protect populations within reserve areas
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational program on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Establish new populations
• Maintain habitat quality
• Implement appropriate fire regimes
• Conduct research into the biology and ecology of the species
• Encourage the establishment of commercial seed orchards
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
27
Cycas cairnsiana
Cycadaceae
Conservation Status
This species was named in honour of Sir William
Wellington Cairns, Governor of Qld from 1875-1877.
This cycad can reach 5 m with a stout trunk. It is
distinguished from other similar cycads by its dull blue
leaf colour and orange hairs on new growth. The foliage reaches 1.4 m long, with
numerous leaflets to 22 cm which are paler below. The male cones are yellow to
orange-brown, growing to 20 cm long; female cones are brown and hairy, to 21 cm
long with oval flattened orange-brown seeds. This is a very attractive species and
popular with collectors.
Threats
• Populations of this species are not protected within the
reserve estate
• Due to its striking blue leaves, it is popular with collectors
and consequently under considerable pressure from
illegal collection
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation
• Sensitivity to climate change
• Disruptions to reproductive cycles from inappropriate
fire regimes
• Population decline and loss of genetic variability
• Loss of pollinators
• Changes to soil nutrient levels
Queensland Herbarium
Recovery Actions
• Purchase land to protect populations or enter conservation
agreements with landholders
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate further populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and pollination processes
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing population numbers and establish
new populations
• Monitor existing populations to learn more about their
reproductive cycle
28
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Paul Forster
Vulnerable (NCA), Vulnerable (EPBC), IUCN listed
Cycas couttsiana
Cycadaceae
Conservation Status
Paul Forster
Rare (NCA), not listed (EPBC), IUCN listed. This species is at
considerable risk of becoming threatened.
Named in honour of Pat and David Coutts, who brought the
species to attention through trying to protect it in its natural habitat.
This cycad may reach 7 m tall and is distinguished from other
cycads by the white hairs on its foliage and the very greyish-green seeds.
The foliage is dull blue to 1.3 m long, consisting of many leaflets which are paler
below. The male cones are orange and oval in shape to 20 cm; the female cones are
grey and hairy, to 26 cm, bearing flattened, oval seeds.
Threats
• This species is not well represented in the reserve estate
• Because of its notable leaf colour this cycad is under
considerable pressure from illegal collection
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation
• Sensitivity to climate change
• Disruptions to reproductive cycles from inappropriate
fire regimes
• Population decline and loss of genetic variability
• Loss of pollinator species
• Changes to soil nutrient levels
Queensland Herbarium
Recovery Actions
• Purchase land to protect populations or enter conservation
agreements with landholders
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate further populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population
dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and mutualism with pollinators
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing population numbers and establish new
populations
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
29
Macrozamia lomandroides
Zamiaceae
Conservation Status
Macrozamia lomandroides refers to the genus Lomandra
– oides means resembling; indicating the similarity of this
plant to a clump of Lomandra. This is a small species
with an underground trunk and narrow, erect, spirally
twisted foliage stems. The foliage is light green to 0.8 m, consisting of many leaflets
to 30 cm, sharply toothed near the tip and paler below. The male cones are green and
cylindrical to 15 cm; female cones are oval and hairy at the base, to 18 cm. The seeds
are numerous and mature orange–red. This species is distinguished from all other
Queensland species by the small, sharp teeth at the apex of the leaflets. It is the
subject of a recovery plan being prepared for 6 endangered Queensland cycad species.
Threats
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Habitat loss from land clearing
Inappropriate fire regimes
Sensitivity to climate change
Soil disturbance and competition from invasive species
Loss of pollinators
Chemical pollutants
Lack of species knowledge
Declining genetic diversity
Recovery Actions
Queensland Herbarium
• Enter into conservation agreements with landholders to
protect populations on freehold lands
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs
on cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate further populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population
dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and mutualism with pollinators
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing population numbers and establish
new populations
30
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Glenn Leiper
Endangered (NCA), Endangered (EPBC), IUCN listed
Macrozamia platyrachis
Zamiaceae
Conservation Status
Endangered (NCA), Endangered (EPBC), IUCN listed
Paul Forster
The name is from the Greek platy, broad, and rachis, the part of the
leaf-stalk bearing the leaflets – referring to the strongly flattened
central leaf stem. This is a small cycad with an underground
trunk and strongly arched leaves that are soft and woolly at the
base. Leaves are bright green and moderate to highly glossy to
0.8 m long, with leaflets (palm-like foliage) growing up to 40 cm and paler below.
Male cones are pale green with slightly flattened sides, or oval, to 23 cm long; female
cones are ovoid to 17 cm. The seeds mature to a bright, shining red colour, and are
quite eye-catching. Macrozamia platyrachis can be distinguished from other cycads
by its broader leaflets and shorter leaf stalks. It is the subject of a recovery plan being
prepared for 6 endangered Queensland cycad species.
Threats
Queensland Herbarium
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Habitat loss from land clearing
Inappropriate fire regimes
Sensitivity to climate change
Changes to soil nutrient levels
Loss of pollinator species
Chemical pollutants
Lack of species knowledge
Declining genetic diversity
Human population and development pressures
Recovery Actions
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate other populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population
dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and mutualism with pollinators
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing population numbers and establish
new populations
• Monitor populations and learn more about the species
reproductive cycles
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
31
Macrozamia pauli-guilielmi
Zamiaceae
Endangered (NCA), Endangered (EPBC), IUCN listed
This species was named for Paul William and Latinised
to pauli-guilielmi, Prince of Wurtemberg, a nineteenth
century patron of German science and an occasional
botanical collector. It is a small cycad with an
underground trunk and strongly spirally twisted leaf stems that are covered with
soft woolly hairs at the base. The mature foliage is a dull mid-green to 0.9 m long.
The numerous leaflets growing up to 40 cm are shiny when young and paler below.
The cones of both sexes are oval; the males to 20 cm, the females smaller, bearing
seeds which mature to a bright red. It may be distinguished from other cycad species
by its tidy appearance and narrow leaflets. This very attractive species is the subject
of a recovery plan being prepared for 6 endangered Queensland cycad species.
Threats
Queensland Herbarium
• Reasonably well protected but restricted to a small
geographic region
• Sensitivity to climate change
• Harvesting pressures
• Habitat destruction and fragmentation
• Loss of genetic variation
• Changes to soil nutrient levels
• Loss of pollinators
• Inappropriate fire regimes
Recovery Actions
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate other populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population
dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and pollination methods
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing population numbers and establish
new populations
32
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Queensland Herbarium
Conservation Status
Macrozamia cranei
Zamiaceae
Conservation Status
Queensland Herbarium
Endangered (NCA), Endangered (EPBC), IUCN listed
This cycad was named for Ralph Crane, an orchid enthusiast who
discovered this species in the early 1990s. It is a small cycad with
an underground trunk and spirally twisted leaf stems that are softly
hairy at the base. The foliage is grey-green, maturing to a shiny
dark green, to 0.9 m consisting of numerous, narrow leaflets with drooping tips up to
30 cm, which are paler below. The male cones are brown and cylindrical to 22 cm;
the female cones are green, to 13 cm. When mature the seeds are an orange-red. It
has narrower, glossier leaves than M. occidua which occurs nearby. It is the subject of
a recovery plan being prepared for 6 endangered Queensland cycad species.
Threats
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Not conserved within the reserve estate
Effects of land clearing and development
Sensitivity to climate change
Harvesting pressures
Loss of genetic variation
Changes to soil nutrient levels
Loss of pollinators
Inappropriate fire regimes
Queensland Herbarium
Recovery Actions
• Enter into conservation agreements with landholders to
protect populations on freehold lands
• Conduct public and nursery industry educational programs on
cycads and recovery plan processes
• Conduct field surveys to locate other populations
• Establish a monitoring program to record population
dynamics
• Collect samples for genetic and molecular studies
• Study dispersal mechanisms and pollination methods
• Propagate plants to enhance wild populations
• Stabilise existing population numbers and establish
new populations
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
33
CYCAD
RECOVERY AND BENEFITS
FOR OTHER THREATENED PLANTS
Whole-of-community action, partnerships, awareness raising and implementation of
recovery actions are required to improve the conservation of these ancient plants and
prevent their advance towards extinction. While there may be questions yet to be
answered about how best to achieve cycad conservation, there are also many actions
that can be taken right now while we wait for science to provide the answers to the
more specific problems.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Form a recovery team to help conserve cycads in your area or region
• Work together with key stakeholders in your area or region to prepare management
plans or local management guidelines to address the core causes of cycad decline
• Carry out strategic on-ground activities to reduce threats, such as fencing areas
containing threatened cycads to prevent damage by stock, implementing cycadcompatible fire and grazing regimes, and weed control
• Conserve remnant vegetation not only where the cycad occurs but also in areas of
nearby vegetation to allow seed dispersal into new areas, and to aid pollination and
genetic transfer between different populations
• Tell people about the issues for cycads and other threatened plants, and get to know
about the threatened plants in your local area or region
• Ensure forest timber harvesting operations (such as tracks, erosion control, fire,
thinning) conserve and do not impact upon cycads and other threatened plants
• Industry, government and community may work together to establish cycad
plantations for access by the commercial harvesting industry
• Work with government and industry to purchase land to protect unprotected cycad
populations
• Private landholders can help protect threatened cycads on their properties by
establishing conservation agreements or covenants for cycad habitats
34
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Benefits For Other Threatened Plants
As well as treating the symptoms of cycad decline, the core threats as outlined in the
threatening processes section of this booklet must also be addressed to bring about
long term conservation. Addressing these core threats will also help conserve other
threatened plants and the flora and fauna that share their habitat.
K.L. Hyslop
Australia already has the dubious distinction of being the nation with the highest loss
of biodiversity in the western world – in a little over 200 years. Lets work together to
turn this around.
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
35
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Australia’s National Report: to the fourth conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity, 1998, Environment Australia, Commonwealth of
Australia, Canberra.
Australian Biosecurity Group. 2005, Invasive weeds, Pests and Diseases: Solutions
to Secure Australia. CRC for Pest Animal Control, CRC for Australian Weed
Management and WWF-Australia, Canberra.
Cogger, H.G., Ford, H.A., Johnson, C.N., Holman, J. and Butler, D. 2003. Impacts of
Land Clearing on Australia Wildlife in Queensland. WWF–Australia, Brisbane.
Environmental Protection Agency 2001, Conservation and management of protected
plants in Queensland 2001-2005, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Forster, P.I. 2004, ‘Diversity of Cycads together with an assessment of their
conservation status’, The Biology, Structure, and Systematics of the Cycadales,
Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Cycad Biology, Nong Nooch,
Thailand, pp. 60-72.
Forster, P.I. 2004, ‘The Cycads of Queensland – Diversity and Conservation’,
Magazine of the Palms & Cycad Societies of Australia Ltd., issue 82, pp. 4-28.
Hill, K. and Osborne, R. 2001, Cycads of Australia, Kangaroo Press, East Roseville.
Department of Environment and Heritage, Australian Government 2005, EPBC Act
List of Threatened Flora (WWW-Australia), URL: http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/
sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=flora:
United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre,
2005, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (WWW document), URL: http://www.cites.org/index.html
Queensland Government, Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994, reprint
March 2004, Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Council, Brisbane.
Queensland Herbarium, 2002, Names and Distribution of Queensland Plants, Algae
and Lichens, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Queensland Herbarium, 2005, Recovery Plan for Cycas megacarpa, Cycas ophiolitica,
Macrozamia cranei, Macrozamia lomandroides, Macrozamia pauli-guilielmi,
Macrozamia platyrhachis 2005 - 2010, Report to Department of Environment and
Heritage, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. in prep.
White, M. E. 1998, The Greening of Gondwana: The 400 Million Year Story of
Australian Plants, 3rd edn, Kangaroo Press, East Roseville.
36
QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
FURTHER INFORMATION
Topics Covered Throughout This Publication
Appropriate fire regimes for threatened plants and biodiversity - SEQ Fire and
Biodiversity Consortium, some local Rural Fire Brigades, Department of Natural
Resources & Mines, some local Governments
Conservation Tax Incentives for private landholders - DEH
Declared (invasive) Plant and Animal information and control and reports of new
outbreaks - Department of Natural Resources and Mines (NR&M)
Funding for threatened plant recovery - NHT, TSN, EnviroFund, some local
governments also have community environment grants
Illegal Collection of Plants, reporting - EPA, QPWS
Property management plans - Greening Australia, Landcare, NRM bodies, NR&M
Purchase of threatened plant habitat - EPA, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
(QPWS)
Purchasing local plants - Greening Australia, local native nursery, Society for Growing
Australian Plants (SGAP)
Purchasing protected plants, licensing - EPA, QPWS
Recovery Plans, Threat Abatement Plans - DEH, EPA for state listed plans
Starting a Recovery Team or Preparing a Recovery Plan or Management Guidelines
for threatened plants - DEH, EPA TSEU, local QPWS officer, TSN
Sustainable grazing regimes - Landcare
Threatened plant laws and collecting - EPA, QPWS
Threatened plant species information - Queensland Herbarium, WWF-Australia
Threatened Species Network, Australian Network for Plant Conservation, EPA
Threatened Species and Ecosystems Unit, your local government conservation or
environment branch, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland (WPSQ)
Threatened Species Lists - state EPA, national DEH
Voluntary Conservation Agreements - DEH, local government conservation agreement
officers, Land for Wildlife, QPWS Nature Refuge Officer
Weed control, re-vegetation and sustainable land management options - Landcare,
Greening Australia, NRM regional groups, local environment groups, NR&M
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Websites Of Interest
Australian Network for Plant Conservation, www.anbg.gov.au/anpc
Department of Environment and Heritage, www.deh.gov.au
Department of Natural Resources & Mines, www.nrm.qld.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Safe, Sustainable Systems,
www.dpi.qld.gov.au/home/17089.html
Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.qld.gov.au
Grains Research Development Council, Sustainable Farming Systems,
www.grdc.com.au/home.cfm
Greening Australia Qld Inc., www.greeningaustralia.org.au/GA/QLD/
Landcare Australia, www.landcareaustralia.com.au
Landcare Farming, Securing the Future for Australian Agriculture, www.clw.csiro.au/
new/landcare-report.pdf
Local Government Association of Queensland, www.lgaq.asn.au/portal/dt
Natural Resource Management, www.nrm.gov.au/index.html
Queensland Herbarium, www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/plants/queensland_
herbarium/
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, www.epa.qld.gov.au
Society for Growing Australian Plants Qld Region Inc., www.sgapqld.org.au/
The Association of the Societies for Growing Australian Plants,
http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/index.html
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, www.wildlife.org.au
WWF-Australia, Threatened Species Network, Queensland, www.wwf.org.au/tsn
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QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads
Booklets and On-Line Articles
Australian Biosecurity Group.2005. Invasive weeds, Pests and Diseases: Solutions
to Secure Australia. CRC for Pest Animal Control, CRC for Australian Weed
Management and WWF-Australia, Canberra.
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. 1995, Rare or Threatened Australian Plants,
Revised Edition, CSIRO Publishing, Australia.
Butler, G. 1993, The Cultivation of Australia’s Threatened Flora, Association of
Societies for Growing Australian Plants, 17th Biennial Seminar, Robert Menzies
College, Sydney, September/October 1993.
Cogger, H.G., Ford, H.A., Johnson, C.N. Holman, J. and Butler, D. 2003. Impacts of
Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland. WWF-Australia: Brisbane.
Department of Environment and Heritage Threat Abatement Plans, www.deh.gov.au/
biodiversity/threatened/tap
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act information and list
of threatened species, www.deh.gov.au/epbc
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List
of threatened species, www.redlist.org
Legislation online, www.legislation.qld.gov.au/OQPChome.html
Leigh, J and Briggs, J. 1991, Conservation of Vascular Plants in Australia, in Native
Plants for New South Wales (newsletter of the NSW Region of the Society for
Growing Australian Plants), Vol.26, No.2, June 1991.
Leigh, J, Boden, R and Briggs, J. 1984, Extinct and Endangered Plants of Australia,
MacMillan Australia.
Leigh, J, Briggs, J and Hartley, W. 1981, Rare or Threatened Australian Plants,
Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Special Publication 7.
Miller, K. (ed), 2003, Australia’s Threatened Species, Their Future in Our Hands,
WWF-Australia: Sydney.
Native Vegetation Clearance, Habitat Loss and Biodiversity Decline: an Overview of
Recent Native Vegetation Clearance in Australia and its Implications for Biodiversity,
www.deh.gov.au
Playford, J., and Murray, R. (eds), 2000, Threatened Plants Active Bushcare,
The Centre for Conservation Biology, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Protecting Threatened Plants, Jeanette Mill and Fiona Hall, http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/
ASGAP/APOL31/sep03-4.html
Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1999, list of threatened species, www.legislation
.qld.gov.au/OQPChome.html
Threatened Species Recovery Plans, www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/
recovery/index.html
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Useful Contacts
Australian Government Queensland NRM Facilitator Biodiversity (Bushcare)
– (07) 3214 2650
Australian Network for Plant Conservation – (02) 6250 9509
Department of Environment and Heritage – (02) 6272 4936
Environmental Protection Agency – (07) 3227 7111
Grains Research and Development Council – (02) 6272 5525
Greening Australia Queensland (Inc.) – (07) 3902 4444
Queensland Landcare Foundation - (07) 3211 4413
Natural Resource Management Project Coordinator – (07) 3000 2202
Natural Resource Management SEQ (SEQ Regional body),
Biodiversity and Projects Manager – (07) 3211 4404
Queensland Herbarium – (07) 3896 9326
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services – (07) 3227 7111
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries – 13 25 23
Society for Growing Australia Plants (Qld Region Inc) President – (07) 5546 3322
WWF-Australia, Threatened Species Network – 1800 032 551
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QUEENSLAND’S THREATENED PLANTS : spotlight on cycads