Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia, 2009-2014
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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS AND SPORT Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia, 2009–2014 Photograph: D. Liddle A Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia 2009-2014 Parks and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport PO Box 496 Palmerston, Northern Territory, 0831 © Northern Territory of Australia, 2009 This work is copyright. It may be reproduced for study, research or training purposes subject to an acknowledgment of the sources and no commercial use or sale. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Chief Executive, Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport, PO Box 496, Palmerston Northern Territory, 0831, Australia. Citation Liddle, D.T. (2009). Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia 2009-2014. Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport, Darwin. A management program prepared under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. Acknowledgments Numerous cycad enthusiasts, harvesters, land managers and other conservationists have contributed to the wealth of information and ideas that underpin this management program; their contribution is appreciated. Harvey Ottley compiled much of the background information for a previous version of this management program. ISBN 978-1-921519-27-7 Front cover: C armstrongii by D. Liddle Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia 2009–2014 ii Executive Summary The aim of this management program is to maintain viable wild populations of all cycad taxa and cycad habitats across their range in the Northern Territory. Objectives to achieve this aim are: 1. To promote the conservation of cycad populations through sustainable land management practices. 2. To develop and apply strategies for the ecologically sustainable use of cycads. 3. To provide for the wise use of cycads that will otherwise be destroyed through land use permitted under relevant legislation. 4. To facilitate essential research. 5. To promote public awareness and education. The invasion of exotic pasture grasses into cycad habitat is increasing fuel load, giving rise to substantial increases in fi re intensity. In the absence of sympathetic land management, high intensity fi res are expected to have a major deleterious impact on cycad populations in the savanna woodlands of the Northern Territory. Adult cycad stems capable of producing seeds are particularly at risk from high intensity fi re events. In addition, loss of habitat due to land clearing is having a negative impact on wild populations in some areas. Sustainable harvest of cycads provides an opportunity for landholders to maintain wild populations while providing a fi nancial incentive to maintain cycad habitats. Concern for the conservation of Northern Territory cycads, in combination with the requirement for a management program to allow export of wild harvested cycad products other than seed, has led to this program. All Northern Territory cycads are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In recognition of this listing, the export of cycad products such as whole plants or leaves requires an export permit issued by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In the Northern Territory, commercial harvest of cycads requires a permit issued under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. This program specifi es limits and conditions for the harvest of cycads. The program also provides for monitoring and assessment of harvest impacts. Provision exists for the salvage of cycads from areas where they will be destroyed in the pursuit of other legitimate purposes such as construction of roads or under a clearing permit. Research that supports the aim of this program will be encouraged. Extension activities will include the dissemination of research fi ndings and providing guidelines on harvesting cycads. The biology, ecological signifi cance and value of cycads will be promoted in a variety of media and landholder extension activities. The program encourages the conservation of cycads through sustainable land management practices. The management measures and performance indicators are aligned to the overall program objectives and the performance indicators summarised in a milestone matrix (Appendix 1). Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia 2009–2014 iii Contents Citation .........................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................ii Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................iii 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Species Subject to Management .................................................................................1 1.2 Legislation and International Obligations .....................................................................1 1.2.1 Northern Territory .............................................................................................1 1.2.2 Other States and Territories .............................................................................2 1.2.3 Australian .........................................................................................................2 1.2.4 International .....................................................................................................3 1.3 Cycad Conservation Status and Management Issues .................................................3 2. Aim and Objectives ...........................................................................................................4 3. Management Measures .....................................................................................................5 3.1 Land Management and Non-commercial Harvest .......................................................5 3.1.1 Agreements for Management of Populations .................................................. 5 3.1.2 Parks and Reserves ........................................................................................5 3.1.3 Land Clearing and Bioregional Planning ......................................................... 5 3.1.4 Permits for Land Clearing Purposes ............................................................... 5 3.1.5 Traditional Harvest ...........................................................................................6 3.2 Commercial Harvest ....................................................................................................7 3.2.1 Permits for Commercial Harvest ...................................................................... 7 3.2.2 Harvest Areas ..................................................................................................7 3.2.3 Seed Harvesting ..............................................................................................7 3.2.4 Leaf Harvesting................................................................................................8 3.2.5 Whole Plant Harvesting ................................................................................... 8 3.2.6 Wild Harvest Limit Determination .................................................................... 9 3.2.7 Fees and Royalties .......................................................................................... 9 3.2.8 Harvesting Returns ..........................................................................................9 3.2.9 Overseas Export of Plants and Leaves ......................................................... 10 3.2.10 Artifi cially Propagated Cycads .......................................................................10 3.3 Salvage Operations ................................................................................................... 11 3.4 Research .................................................................................................................... 11 3.5 Public Awareness and Education ..............................................................................12 4. Monitoring and Assessment ..........................................................................................13 4.1 Impact Monitoring ......................................................................................................13 Management Program for Cycads in the Northern Territory of Australia 2009–2014 iv 5. Management Strategies ..................................................................................................15 6. Reports .............................................................................................................................16 7. Compliance ......................................................................................................................17 8. Review of Program ..........................................................................................................17 9. Background Information .................................................................................................18 9.1 Biology of Cycads ......................................................................................................18