BANKSIA BYLINES - July 2016

The project newsletter to keep you up to date on all things happening with Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata).

We encourage you to forward this newsletter to all who may be interested.

Hi all Banksia enthusiasts out there,
We thank you for all your recent expressions of interest in Banksia marginata conservation or restoration, or for providing some distribution data for the ‘Bring Back the Banksias’ project funded by the Wettenhall Foundation and any other Banksia projects operating out there. This is a quick update on how this and other projects, under the umbrella project, is progressing and to get any new information on what you may have to share.

A database of known Banksia marginata populations has been assembled from your feedback and expressions of interest. This important data will help provide the basis from which sampling strategies for genetic studies will be taken when funding is available. The proposed genetic studies and associated taxonomic review will improve our understanding of how closely related the sampled populations are.

It will also be important to clarify whether the current classification of Banksia marginata across its entire range is appropriate as a single species or reclassification is warranted into subspecies or even new species. Ultimately, this information will provide the guidance into what seed sources are declining populations.

Banksia Database
A database of known Banksia marginata populations has been assembled from your feedback and expressions of interest. This important data will help provide the basis from which sampling strategies for genetic studies will be taken when funding is available. The proposed genetic studies and associated taxonomic review will improve our understanding of how closely related the sampled populations are.

It will also be important to clarify whether the current classification of Banksia marginata across its entire range is appropriate as a single species or reclassification is warranted into subspecies or even new species. Ultimately, this information will provide the guidance into what seed sources are best to bring together into Seed Production Areas (SPAs) to protect the genetics of our declining populations.

Genetic Research Funding
The research network partners, lead by CSIRO, interested in undertaking this genetic analysis has not yet been successful in securing funding for this research over the whole target area of western Victoria / south western NSW. A research factsheet flyer has been prepared to promote the research background needs and support funding and sponsorship applications.
A copy is attached for your information and distribution to your group, network or interested and prospective funding organisations (JL - can't attach documents, let's put this on the website and then we can provide a link). New funding applications are being developed and submitted as they become available.

Other related taxonomic research is also being undertaken to determine the current classification of Banksia marginata across its range. However, on a positive note, Glenelg Hopkins CMA has been successful in initial funding to address these genetic questions for the Victorian Volcanic Plains and some of its immediate adjacent areas. Approaches to other adjoining CMAs are also progressing to provide efficiencies and extend the area of coverage of this work. Aggie Stevenson sets the scene in her following contribution.

Friends of the Forgotten Woodlands
Aggie Stevenson, Glenelg Hopkins CMA

How far have we come in our endeavour to establish viable populations of trees and shrubs native to the Victorian Volcanic Plains? In recent years we have paid considerable attention to the conservation and restoration of grassland habitats on the Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP). However, the tree and shrub species that provide critical ecosystem services across the region have been almost totally neglected. A number of these species have drifted into a perilous state and very few viable populations remain.

To date, this project has focussed on mapping known populations of three key species: Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata), Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa). These species have a wide distribution and are technically not endangered. However, there is evidence that the VVP forms are genetically different, adapted to the region, and close to extinction. It is a matter of great urgency to immediately locate and propagate from survivors from scattered remnants, and establish seed orchards that will act as security populations through the preservation of local genetic diversity. These orchards will provide the seed for future revegetation activities aimed at establishing long-term viable populations.

However, to be able to do this effectively, we need to understand the genetics of the remaining VVP populations and individuals so that we propagate from the most suitable sources. There is evidence that population decline and fragmentation has resulted in significant reductions in genetic diversity and reproductive fitness. It may even prove necessary to bring in genetics from other genetically superior populations to preserve our remnant VVP populations. That is why it is so vital to understand the genetics of our VVP populations – to allow us to rebuild sufficient genetic diversity so that the species can survive and adapt in a changed and changing environment.

Funding has been provided through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, to undertake a genetic study of Banksia marginata in the VVP bioregion. Genetic comparisons will be made between the VVP form and Banksia marginata from other bioregions. This knowledge will also tell us how to arrange planting most effectively. When coupled with understanding of critical biological and ecological factors underpinning population viability we can build an effective strategy for rebuilding the populations and restoring this important part of the original ecology of the VVP.

This is a project with a long-term vision. The Friends of the Forgotten Woodlands are in the process of becoming incorporated, which will allow flexibility and a strong community driven approach to the project. The project has already attracted great support from community, science, conservation and land management agencies. It will rely on a multidisciplinary team, and high levels of community engagement and land-user involvement. This project partners with a much broader project called ‘Bringing back the Banksias’ which is investigating the genetic security of Banksia marginata throughout all of south-east Australia.

Isolated Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia) south of Nerrin, on the side of Mt Hamilton. Suspected only remnant Silver Banksia for approximately 3000km2
                

Ecological and Restoration Research
There are also a number of projects being undertaken to get a better understanding of the ecological and regeneration responses of Banksia marginata. One example is an investigation into recruitment limitation in western Victoria. The Masters research studies of Simon Heyes from La Trobe University is outlined by Simon below.

"In 2015 I started my research at La Trobe University under the supervision of Drs John Morgan, Susan Hoebee and in collaboration with Dr Steve Sinclair from the Arthur Rylah Institute. I am investigating the causes of recruitment limitation/failure in Banksia marginata in western Victoria. One aspect involves a demographic study to identify if there are recruitment bottlenecks. So far the data indicates that recruitment success is mixed, with some sites recruiting well, while others do not.

Fig 1: Histograms showing numbers of trees within each size class measured at Diameter at Breast Height.

Over the next few months I will be setting up experiments near Illabarook to see if recruitment is also limited by native or exotic herbivores, as well as what role competition and disturbance has on the germination of Banksia seeds. Lastly, while in the field, I have seen evidence of a lot of pre-dispersal granivory at many sites and I am hoping to explicitly examine this next summer and autumn. For further details you can contact me on this email.

Field volunteers are always welcome!

Fire Impacted Banksias
We are also aware that it has been a long, hot, dry and fire-prone summer and that a number of Banksia marginata populations may have been impacted by fire. If you are aware of any of your known Banksia sites that may have been burnt this summer it would be good to get that information and any idea of their current response to fire and subsequent seasonal conditions. This information may be helpful to set up regeneration monitoring or exclosure sites.

If you have any other information or observations of your Banksia sites that you would like to share, just get back to me and we will try and keep you updated on research progress and funding.

Martin Driver
ANPC Project Manager
Ph.
Email