4 Lt : "/ -J 7 ASSOCIATION OF I SOCIET~ESFOR GROWINGAUSTRALIAN PLANTSInc. WiMeand Native ~hnts study group Wwshtter

ISSN: 1038 789

AUTUMN EDITION 2002 No.37 members can maintain and strengt WELCOME again to new and renewed members interest in our native flora and fauna despite to another edition of WILDLIFE & NATIVE such tragic losses We may never be able to . make things the way they once were, but we have to try! My apologies also for the delay in sending out 'We can no longer be complacent when our the Christrnas/Summeredition of the newsletter. natural environment is destroye4 hmagd, Unfortunately ill healthtook its toll once again , with another spell in hospital, but I'm on the eroded or polluted ' From COTAI%w#, Jm1999 mend now. So a bumper read is planned in this mailout with both Summer and Autumn 2002 editions coming together.

The end of 2001 and the start of 2002 has been long and stressfir1 for many families, but our hearts go out to those who have battled valiantly through tragedy, devastation and loss, and to ASGAP Biennial Conference those who have been touched in anyway with the Mitchell's Hopping Mouse by Ham Beste. fires in NSW. The fires have meant great change courtesy WildlifeAustralia- Summer 2001. Archive to the Australian flora and fauna scene and to the 1971 thinking of many. Comment: Who is the real 'nature' by Carol Booth courlesy WiMli/eAus@alia-Summer 2001 To use Eleanor Hannah's words (APS NSW): Bracken Fernby Anna Watson 'Being a society interested in Australian plants, Bracken - a much maligned but most usefUl [hefires aka mean great chge, in some caws fern by StephenPlat!, Lmd for WiIdI1feNews Vol2. demtc~ion,in others renewal. For myit will No.I by Nik Linda be a11 opportunity to redo a garden, one rhai has Breeder's Rights Hu&e and come without choice or chance to save or collect Gowing,courlesy APS SARepion the Threatened Species>om Life Lines Vo1.7,N0.3 material, though also withoul wee&.' Spring 2001 Major Revamp of Tasmanian Threatened To alsoquote Jeff Reid (APS SA)on 2001 : Sp~iesSchedules by Perer McGtone, Tasmunran 'It has been a violent year. For many the horror 'ISh, cwrlq Lifefines vat, 7,hro.3,spring 2001 that was graphically dispbd in our NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act newspapers and on our TV screens will be 1995 update of changes- -ew by Elemor iqdefo fwgel. Our hems go out to Hmd~cour~eq APS NSIY.pmhe plm& JM&2001. my* Mected by these terrible events. And Our environment- a Bird's eye view here in Australia, with the massive bushfires just Incubation - by Leaves and Sand (The experienced in New South Wales, one wonders at malleefowl) . the rearoning (iithai is the right word) of the people who cause such maFs destrucrion Not only are people decled for the rest of their lives, WELCOME but the damage ro native flora and fmna is To the foHowing newlrenewed members immense, with some never to return. ' welcome : Gwen Kelly (Vic), Kris. Schaffer (Tas), Blue Mountains SGAP (NSW), ANPS To further compound the situation in NSW the Canberra Region (ACT), Phil & Anna Watson area has again been hit by floods and violent (Tas.), Aub Podlich (Qld), and Margaret Moir storms. One wonders just how much else can (WA). A steady stream of enquiries has also happen in NSW . . . . Let's hope that our Society been received via email and the internet. ASGAP CONFERENCE Opinion is being canvassed on whether there The ASGAP Conference was held in Canberra should be an audit of Study Group fbnds, during late September, 2001. At the Study Group and what amount constitutes asmall account Leaders meeting on the Saturday prior to the balance for smaller groups. Conference a number of issues were raised and The ASGAP Working Party is a discussed, including the current subscription subcommittee (established at the Brisbane rates for Study Groups. It would seem that our Conference in 1999) and is made up of one rate of $5 p.a. is at the lower end of the scale for delegate fiom each member Society. subscription rates, and that in the near fbture we Currently it is chaired by former ASGAP may need to address this matter. However, for President Lorna Murray from QLD. the current period it will remain as is. As at November 2001 there were 29 Another issue raised was 'membership criteria' ASGAP Study Groupsreflecting the diverse with membership of a Study Group only for plant interests of members. those who are members of ASGAP societies. In line with my other South Australian colleague, ConferencePapers Colin Jennings from the Eremophila Study One of the guest speakers at the conference was Group, a decision to have a new category was Nik Hulse who spoke on Plant Breeders' Rights. made. This category will be known as A precise of PBR is provided in this newsletter. 'subscribers', for those who wish to subscribe to the Newsletter and keep in touch but who are not ????.... involved currently with ASGAP societies. Such Dm YOU KNOW? persons have contributed or been involved with If you do your grocery shopping in a Coles the Study Group for a number of years, and have Supermarket,you may have noticed a new range made a very valued contribution in the past, but of "gourmet" bush foods. Not only does this for one reason or another, have decided not to make bush food ingredients more accessible to continue their membership with an ASGAP the general public, but each sale also results in Society. Unfortunately under the terms of the finds (2% per item fiom Cole and 12c per item Society it will mean that such category of fiom Robins Australian Foods) beingcontributed persons will not be covered by ASGAP for to an Indigenous Food Fund. Moneys raised are insuranceand the like. disbursed to support Aboriginal owned or -run, projects and enterprises. (From Gumnuts 41,December 2001 and heAPSSA Journal Vol.I7.No. I. Feb.2002)

ROGER ELLIOT at Newcastle APS meeting maintain a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable An email from Glen Yakimoff fiom Newcastle APS informs members that Roger Eliot will be talking on attractin wildlife to the garden to P Items from the ASGAP Conference their group on the 5 June. If you are nearby and The motion submitted by the SA Region: interested in attending please contact Glen by That the Bylaws of the Association be email ([email protected]),phone (02 amemled by adding to Bylaw I(l)j "A 4956 7890) or check out the Newcastle APS leaderfor each Study Group be appointed at website each Biennial Cor$erenceH, was defeated. http://w\~~~~.users.bigpond.com/glenyakimoff/aps However, the matter has been passed to the -newcastle html Working Party for urgent consideration. The position of ASGAP Webmaster has now been officially recognised as an ASGAP OTFIER NEWS appointment. Our webmaster is Brian Andrew Silcocks from Birds Australia has Walters. informed me that the Bird atlassing project has The issue of auditing the funds of Study been so successful that despite its contract Groups was raised, as all Study Group assets expiring in March 2002 with Environment belong to ASGAP. The issue relates to Australia, they will attempt to seek additional Study Group fbnds, and the ASGAP knding. Andrew says "We are getting some wonderfir1 financial audit under the terms of the data from the project which, among ofher things, we are using lo assess the changes in bird populations across Incorporations Act, and this matter has also bioregions. By keeping the project rolling we will be able to been referred to the Working Group. inwsligate long knn species chmges. " - - From the WILDLIFE Austral~aarchive

MITCHELL'S HOPPING MOUSE is considered a rare animal in its range, which previously used to take in parts of south-western New South Wales, north-westernVictoria andthe adjacent areas of South Australia. However, the animal is rarely reported these days and at some stage was thought to be extinct. A few records in the last few years from isolated areas, mainly in Victoria, have however strengthened the belief that the animal may still survive in greater numbers than could at first be hoped for, Nevertheless, the species is still in possible danger of extinction and especially soas more of its habitat is cleared. Themallee areas, where it is found have experienced particularlygood seasons in the View from side last few years and this has probably contributed to a build up of numbers of the species to the degree where a few animals are IlView from I above No: sighted by naturalists. But it is also known that a couple of dry years may well reduce a speciesto the level where a subsequent comeback is unlikely.

Reports from a farmer in the Rainbow district in Victoria in September 1969 that he had found two freshly killed animalsin a rabbit trap, prompted the writerand C. Crouch, a fellow naturalist of Nhill, to visit the area and look for possible burrows.

Three burrows were located during the next two days and one which was excavated, contained five animals, four adult males and one juvenile mate. The burrow, which had three 'popholes' (oneno longer connected to the nesting chamber),was in sandy mallee country in an area known as the Big Desert. The predominant Nesting Burrow: Notornys Mitchellirnot to scale, vegetation is no higher than ten feet and desert , tea tree, and yellow mallee predominate. Measurements of the burrows were taken as digging progressed and the dimensions were as IKey Words: given in the accompanying drawing. The nest chamber, which was, rather large, was lined with coarse brown bark matting. The Mitchell's Hopping-mouse Notomysmitchelli species of tree from which this came couldnot be identified, but Desert Banksia Banksia ornata the individual strips were long and less than one eighth inchin Tea tree Leptospermumlaevigatum width. No sand was thrown up near the entrance holes or within a Yellow Mallee Eucalyptus incrassata radius of more than ten feet of the burrow. This is in direct contrast Grey Mouse Pseudomysalbocinereus to another species of rodent,the mouse, which is also found in the area and heaps up sizable amounts of yellow sand around its Editor's note: In Victoria today, the Mitchell's Hopping-mouse is burrows, a sure 'give away' to its presence in an area. m considered 'low risk - near threatened'

8 summer 2001 WILDLIFE AUSTRALIA MAGAZINE comment by Carol Booth

Mother Nature has been violatad. The violence was shocking. Nature doesn't care - there was no mercyout there. Assembled by nature and honed by evolution, the convoluted3-lb organ positionedbetween our ears represents a triumph of bioengineering. ModernAmericans see nature as well under control and react with indignation when it is unchained. Mankindis a monstrous curse laid upon nature.

extract from Time Magazine

IMAGINEAN EXTRATERRESTRIALlearner of English who has not yet learnt the word 'nature' trying to work out its meaning from such sentences,What is this 'nature': a violated mother, a violent and merciless force, an assembler of brains, a chainedwild beast, a cursed victim? It won't help the extraterrestrialmuch to consult a dictionary. To really understand 'nature' sheneeds studywestern culture and the history - --. of ideas which have impregnated'nature' with this array of meanings.

'Nature' is probablythe most complex word in the English language. The emphasis on discoverable laws led to a common identlf~catlon Its history is a history of much of human thought. One of the of Nature with Reason. This provided the basis for a transformation reasons for its complexityis its accretion of a Vast range of different, in thought, which contrasted the state of societywith the primeval often conflicting, meanings. Here, let ne briefly introduce you to state of nature. Two movements arose out of the dispute about some of the manifold personas of 'nat~re'.' whether the pre-social state of naturewas c,ne of original sln or of 'Nature' was invented by pre-Socratic Greek philosophers, more original innocence: enlightenmentand romarlticism, respectively than 2500 years ago. In impounding the multitude of forces and From the late 18th century, the Ideas of evolution radically reshaped phenomena of the world under a single name, they committed conceptlons of nature. Nature became the selective breeder and a truly audacious act, Conceiving 'nature' as a singular entity Nature's laws became laws ofsurvival and extinction. But, Darwln's allowed for ~tspersonification, its abstraction from an all- theory of evolution was warped to portrav nature as cruel and encompassing category to much less, and its placement in savage, making of life a perpetualstruggle. The survival of the fittest relationships with other entities. was selectively interpretedas the survival cf the strongest or the Nature was personified initially as gocdess, sometimes literally a most ruthless, Such conceptions of naturevyere used to justify a goddess and other times an amorphous, all-powerful,creative force, range of social and political transformations,such as the rise of the a divine Mother. market as the natural regulator.

Then, 'Nature' had to make way for belief in another singular, The effects of massive interference in naturehave resulted in abstracted and personified being: the monotheistic God. Thus, in further conceptions of nature. Where once the mark of a civilisation medieval European thought, God was primary and Nature became was its abllity to escape naure's power, there is increasingly the God's deputy. She had her particular placein the grand scheme of sense that humankind has almost masterec nature. Nature is the things, below the moon, and was requ red to perform certain vice- tamed beast. And so thoroughhas thls 'taming' been, that we fear regent duties. that nature has been devastated and its survival 1s threatened Because of the often destructive, manifestation ofnature's power, Nature has now become the vlctim. God's deputy was often recast as En absolute monarch, who From goddessto victlm, all these personas of nature live on In our capriciously exercised power over human lives. Depending on language, shaping the way we see and treat rature. -Carol Booth whether times weregood or difficult, 'nature' oscillatedbetween this capricious and merciless monarch andthe goddess or mother administration for Queensland environmen: groups. who sustained and nurtured. From the 17th to 19th centuries, the ir#creasingscientific focus on 7. The followir~gderives largely from Williams, R. 1976, Keywords A discovering natural laws and parallel political changes underlay the vocabulav of cl~ltureand soc~ety,London. Fontara Press. and Lewis, C S recasting of nature as a constitutional monarchor constitutional 7967. The Discarded Image Pn introduction to Medleval and Renassance lawyer. Nature was seen not as spirit, but as mach~ne,and not so L'terature, Cambridge Cambudge Univers'ty Press much an inherent and shaping force as an accumulation of cases, 2 Thomas Hobbes describedt+e pre-socialstate caf nature as 'solitary,poor. nasty, brurrsh and short', whrle John Locke descrrted ~tas a state of 'peace. which could be Investigated to discover new laws. goodwill, mutualassfstance and good will'

summer 2001 WILDLIFE AUSTRALIA MAGMINE 9 m.- VO1-2y Bracken - a much maligned but most useful fern. @-- There has been so much negative public- the ashes of terrestrial vegetables, and tions has been suggested and can confer ity concerning bracken Pferidium evaporating the solution in. large iron pans significant benefits by increasing young esculentum that some of its qualities, or pots - whence the name (Rymer, 1976). lamb survival. Reduced erosion as a result particularly as wildlife habitat, have Bracken was used for potash production. of breaking rainfall impact may be an- escaped notice. This article attempts to The use of bracken as a fuel for brickmaking other. look at the positive aspects of bracken - may go back at least as far as the Black Wildlife values a plant that will have drawn many a Death (1348AD) at which time no buyers Bracken is an important struchmI compo- frustrated sigh from landholders who could be found for the fern and the nent in many forest andwoodland ecosys- are wearied by the battle to control it on brickmaking industry cameto ahalt. Lastly, tems in Victoria providing cover and for- their land. But this was not always so. bracken has a place in superstition. In agingopportuaities to anidsthat inhabit Bracken has enjoyedconsiderablestatus1636, the Earl of Pembroke wrote on near-ground vegetation. These include in the past. The contrast in views is well behalf of the king to the Sheriff of Stafford birds,suchas Eastern YelIow Robin,East- expressed in this quote (about English asking him to suspend the burning of em Whipbird, Superb Lyrebird, Brown bracken) by Celia Fiennes from 1695, bracken, which was believed to 'bring Thornbill, GoldenWhistler, White-browed down rain' so that the king could enjoy Scrubwren, White's Thrush and Chestnut- 'In Kank wood .:.is also many great pleasant weather whilst passing through rumped Hylacola. Small mammals prob- quanrerys offerne, which rho'itoverurlr the district. their ground and spoiles the gram where its much, yet the usefulness of it renders it necessaryto be preserv'd". A highly successful plant Bracken is ahighly competitive and adapt- ablenative fernwith awidespreaddistribu- tion invictoriasouth of the 500mmisohyet (approx. line between Wodonga and Stawell, and north Edenhope). Bracken species occur throughout the world. Its competitiveadvantage is in partassisted by allelopathic chemicals produced from dead standing fronds. Bracken is a relatively efficient user of water (it reduces soil moisture values) and can be prolific in welldrained light-textured soils. It is highly resistant to diseases, such as fungal attack. Physical attributes, such as heavily lignified tissues, as well as chemical de- fences are probably involved. (Bottom left) Bracken has been retained in habitat areas on this Landfor Wildlfe ~ro~ertvnear Euma as wildlife habitat. Photo: S. Platt. Eastern Yellow Robins Uses s&ch for food amongst bracken near ground level. Photo: Peter Menkhorst. Bracken has been used as food, in glass manufacture, for soap and bleaching, as Koorie use ably also benefit by the cover provided by fuel, thatching (it was reported to last Victorias aborigines used bracken as a. bracken. about 20-30 years), bedding (for livestock source of food, particularly when altema- and humans), compost, fertilizer and in tives were scarce. The underground creep- The rate of litter decomposition of bracken medicine (Rymer, 1976). In Japan, bracken ing rhizomes were either roasted and is very slow and so bracken fronds contrib- fronds, often served with s6y sauce, are chewed or roasted and pounded (to extract ute to a structural layer at groundlevel, and used as an appetizer in bars. Over 300 the starchy meal inside) to produce a flour slow nutrient release, which will provide OOOkg of young fronds are imported from which was eaten with water as a dough or habitat and food for small organisms and Siberia for consumption in Tokyo alone made into 'bracken cakes' (see Veitch in these in turn for larger organisms (e.g. (Rymer, 1976, refer health risks). Other Thompson & Smith, 1989). Bracken has bandicoots). uses have included protecting plants from been described as a staple food of Tasma- Bracken has a remarkable post-fire re- frost, as packaging for fruit, for dyeing nian aborigines and New Zealand Maoris sponse. The established underground rhi- wool yellow, to repel midges and kill but on the mainland was a fallback in tough zomes and root system survive fire as do aphids on roses. times. Bracken rhizomes 'contain ere dormant frond buds. Following adequate protein per unit weight than carrots aid In 1776, rents on Argyllshire land pur- rain, rapidpost-fireregrowthoccurs, ahead pumpkin, and more carbohydrate, kilo-' of potential competitors. The fast emer- chased by Sir Archibald Campbell were carrots, partly paid in kind by "sixteen cart loads of calories and fat than potato, pump-. gence and expansion of fronds allows pulled. fern". The ancient privilege of kin and spinach" (Veitch in Thompson & brach to quickly shadeits potential com- 'Fern bounds' governed the areasand dates - Smith, 1989, note health risk). Young petitorsand, combined with Iheal'telopathic bracken stems were rubbed on insect bites on which bracken could be harvested. In effectsof chemicals leached fromits fronds, some cases the allotments were carefully for medicinal purposes (Gott, 1993). allows it to dominate the understorey after set out and practices, set down as rules, Agricultural values fire. Bracken thrives in the increased light were designed to encourage bracken. Pot- There are few references to benefits that inzeasivandvnll density as the ash, an alkaline substance used in glass might be offered by bracken but shelter for foMtclno~~ rrdevclo~sandcmtes shade. manufacture, was obtained fiornlixivi? ting livestock during adverse weather condi- continued on page 9 Land for \VildIge News Page 5 ~or~~it~uedji-ompage 5 of tight texture and it can be x~&end by POSSUMDETERRENT For the animals that have survived the fue, repeated cultingor burning. Under natural You mayhave experienced problerns I and those that recolonise, bracken is likely conditions, bracken is prolific after fire but with Common Brushtail ~ossurns=kt- 1 to play an important rolz in escaping pre- m dzcreases dznsity the canopy creates ing you favourite plants. Various reci- 1dation. shade. Chemicals developed In recent times offer considerable scope for control pes for controlling this behaviourhave At1 accourrr of rhe real nrrd alleged offences of bracken. They include asulam, been proposed. Thefollowing one is comnrilted by Ptendium. glyphosate and mztasulphuron methyl suggested by Marilyn Wood. * Competitionwithpasturefor tight, mois- (BRUSH OFFN)* which is used with a "Boil up 2 litres of water. Add 4 ture and nutrients. surfactant. Biological control trials are heaped -tablespoons of Lapsang * harbour for vermin being conducted overseas. Souchong Allow to cool. Strain * a fire risk as it is a light and quick- Tea. off the leaves and pour into a plastic burning fuel So, why all this ~nformationabout a plant Healrh risk that is common and not directly related to spray bottle. Liberally spray the ef- * Most of the evidence relates to the the survival of a threatened species? Even fected plant or vine. Reapply at last northern hemisphere species P. common native plants can have there own every 2 weeks and always after rain. aquilinum. Poisoning has been re- intrinsic values if viewed in the right con- Make a fresh brew every time." "The ported for sheep, goats and horses. text. Bracken is not all bad nor all good. appear to hate its creosote Cattle are most likely to be affected, If it naturally occurs in areas managed as smell." Stephen 'Platt sheep occasionally. Thiaminedeficiency wildlife habitat on a property then it will Source: 'A row&concern' Spring 1996. (horses and pigs), haemonhaging, blind- add value to that area for wildlife and Candlebark Community Newsletter.. ness, urinary problems including can- encourage a range of animals that may not cer haveken sociated with prolonged otherwise be prexnt if the only other exposure. The carcinogen in bracken habitat is cleared pasture. stephzn Platt I occurs in milk whzn cows feed in References: bracken-infested pastures and may oc- Gott, B. (1993) Use of Victorian Plants by cur inmeatbut Smith (1989 inThompson Koories in Foreman, D.B. & Walsh, N.G. , & Smith) suggests that the dilution be- Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens, tween plant and animal must be consid- blelboume. Thomson, J.A. and Smith, R.T. (ed) (1989) I erable. There is variation between ar- eas. Rock fern Cheilnnrhes seiberi also Bracken biology and management. The Australian Institute of Agricultural Science. has high concentrations of the bracken 1 Pening, F.H. and Gardiner. B.G. (cd.) (1976) 1 cancer-causing chemical. The cancer- Biology ofbracken. BohnicalJournaloflhc I causing chemical .can k destroyed by Linnean Society. Vol. 73. Nos 1,7- & 3. , cooking and wood ash (Gott 1993). Academic Pms. Rymer. L. (1976)The history and ethnobotany Marlagenlerrr ar~dcotlrrol Noisy Miner. Photo: of bracken in Perring and Gardiner. Peter Menkhorst Bracken can be eliminated by ploughing, * Refer to label information to checkusage and I domesticated pigs can eradicate it on soils health and safdy. Landfor \ViLdlifeNews Page 9

Stone:Walls. - habitat :as side,&I provide vdpble basking sit& for . A stone wclll in good Gildlifesuch as lizards.' birds such is Griy condition.showing the well.-. as historical . values Shrike-Thrushes and pardalotes can use-the may cracks and walls as nesting sites and bats use them crannies wed byfauna. stony rises and othir stbny areas are can as roosting sites. . photo: NPS dihihshing-habitats due to the przictise of - As well as having historical values, cleaning paddocks for grazing 'imd cropping stone walls have huge and then.either selling the roc& to land- conshation values scapers, piling them or creating stone walls , . and cai~last for many or dykes. &nturies, surviving' - ~o$,ever,the old ?one walls found in manykar~i;&fb.~ cotintry have i16w . , &ider. including be~oin,

Land for WildlifeNews, NRE, Vol. 4, No. 7, NovlDec 2000 15 Bracken Fern It is not so limited food alternatives, such as when - seafood was scarce, these roots became bad after all! @A- watson the main food for short periods. Bracken Fern (Pterzdium esculentum) Another important usage were there is a hardy native fern, consisting of a medicinal properties. The juice from tough stem, green fronds and fleshy the young fronds was used to stop itch underground stems or rhizomes. and sting of ticks and other insects. It Besides Australia, it is found on a was broken and the juice rubbed on, number of continents including Europe after the tick was removed. and America. The American Indians consumed the As the plant grows, a succession of fiddle hooks for removing intestinal young, succulent crosiers (fiddle worms and crushed them to relieve the hooks) uncurl slowly from the pain from burns and scalds. rhizomes, to form the mature fronds. Large expanses of these green fronds Gardening Uses can commonly be seen in degraded Large amounts of shredded bracken heathy woodlands and forests thnving ferns collected in late spring and mixed in poor sandy soils. These sites have with manures, are a valuable addition often been subjected to a frequent to the compost. They provide an firing or clearing activities in response excellent organic source of potash, to "improving" the land for farming. In which has been concentrated from the moist forests they often appear after a sandy, potash deficient soils in which large tree has fallen, allowing the light they normally grow. Ferns collected to penetrate sufficiently to stimulate a later in the growing season are lower in rapid flush of bracken ferns. potash and much slower to decompose In these situations, bracken fern into humus. When shredded they are assumes the role of a pioneer plant, useful for poultry deep litter prior to protecting and binding the exposed soil going into the compost. A great with their rhizome roots, just like a supply of mulch can be obtained from scab acts to protect grazed slun. piles of slashed bracken fern, that has However, in lower light environments, been compacted and allowed to such as when the forest canopy closes partially breakdown over a six month over the bracken gradually dies out as period. its role is no longer required. The tough stems of older ferns make ideal throw away, pea supports. The Aboriginal Uses whole fern provide an ideal shade The foraging Australian Aboriginal umbrella over tender seedlings women sort out the taller and more (cauliflowvers, broccoli, cabbage, succulent bracken ferns, which were lettuces and silver beet etc) planted out generally located in the moister wet during the hot sunny days of summer. sclerophyll forests. The moisture To control bracken infestations allows the growth of a thick, starchy repeated removal of the young fronds rhlzome. will gradually weaken the plants by These rhizomes were treated as a deleting the food stored in their staple food, but required substantial rhizomes. Spjeading concentrated preparation before eating. Their poultry manure will soon cause the preparation for eating involved decline of a patch of bracken fern. washing, beating into a paste, Once the ferns has stopped growing moulding into cakes and finally use the ground to grow a healthy crop roasting in hot ashes. During times of of organic potatoes. PLANT BREEDERS RIGHTS - An When can I use a PER variety? Australian Native Plant Perspective If you purchase a plant with a PBR label you An interesting paper was presented by Nik own that plant, and while you can sell the plant Hulse, Deputy Registrar of the Plant Breeders at a later date, you cannot propagate and sell it Rights Office, at the 21a ASGAP Conference in without permission fiomthe breeder. Canberra. The following article and information courtesyAPS SA Journal Vol.I7 No. I February 2002 PBR Costs To establish a PBR the costs are $2000 plus, What is PBR? comprising $300 application lodgement fee, Plant Breeder's Rights is a system that provides $1400 examinationby the PBR Office,$300 for commercial rights to the breeders of new plant the issuing of a certificate, plus additionalcosts varieties. These rights are effective for 20-25 to conduct a trial and the certification of that years, and provides protection against trial. An annual fee of $300 applies. unauthorised propagation, sale, import, export and stocking and may even extend to end Need More information? products such as cut flowers and plant oils. PBR Contact the PBR website: w\vw affa.~ov.au/~~~ is a form of intellectual property, and can be or contact the Plant Breeder's RightsOfice at applied to all plant species including fungi, algae Agriculture,Fisheries and Forestry, Australia and transgenic varieties. The schemeis overseen GPO Box 858, Canberra. ACT. 2601 the Commonwealth Government. Ph0262724228Fax0262723650

To attain PBR is a complex process and includes breeder testing and the conduct of trials to prove BACK FROM EXTINCTION? Asterolasia distinctiveness, uniformity and stability of the buxifolia - From an article in the SvJney Morning variety. The average time to complete the Herald 18/12/2001by ICrysipa Pollard, and reprinted in application fiom start to finish is approximately APS NSW Native Plants. V~1.37No. I.Januory 2002. 2.5 years dependent on the species. Asterolasia buxifolia has been thought to be extinct for over 160 years but was recently PBR and Australian plants rediscovered in the Blue Mountains, by Sydney There have been more than 400 applications for botanist, Bob Makinson (Co-ordinator of the indigenous plant varieties since 1988 involving Centre for Plant Conservation at Sydney's around 80 genera. About 12% of all applications Royal Botanic Gardens). A cluster of about 50 have been for indigenous plant varieties, with plants was found in the Hartley area, and around one-third being varieties of samples were sent for DNA analysis and Anigozanthos, Brachyscome, Bracteantha, confirmation. Chamelauciumand . A.buxifolia was originally collected by Allan Cunningham in the 1830s but then was lost On the world scene, Australia has lodged completely, considered extinct. Its original applications only for the following species: location was given as Bells Line, Blue Acmena, Actinotus, Agonis, Allocasuarina,, Mountains. The new plants were found in a Angophora,, Anopterus, Apium,, Asplenium,, valley several kilometres away fiom the current Astrebla, Austromyrtus, Backhousia,, Caustis, Bells Line of Road, however it is possible that Ceratopetalum, Corymbia, Cyathea,, Cynodon, the area was part of the original Bells Line. Danthonia,, Dodonae, Duranta, Epacris, A.buxifolia is a two metre high shrub with Eragrostis, Eremocitrus, Glycine, golden star like flowers. The plants were found Hymenosporum, Isotoma, Kunzea,Lechenaultia, in a well fenced almost pristine naturalremnant . Lomandra,, Lophostemon, Melaleuca, Melia, Another survey will be undertaken in Spring to Mentha, Microcitrus, Microlaena,, Murraya, seek out more plants, and a common name may Olearia, Paspalum, Philotheca, Pimelea,, also be given. Lithgow City Council, NPWS and Pittosporum,, Poa, Ptilotus, Regelia, Santalum, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney are Scholtzia,, Sporobolus, Stenanthemum, working together toprotect the species. , Themeda, Thryptomene, Verticordia, Wahlenbergiaand Xanthostemon. ??? Wihthe Bushfirk has it once again become extinct I wonder???? Threatened Species

TABLE1: Summary of Endangered, Vulnerable and Presumed Extinct Species I Populations as Listed by the NSW Scientific Committee (13107101) under the TSC Act.

ENDANGERED ENDANGERED SPECIESPRESUMED VULNERABLE SPECIES POPULATION EXTINCT SPECIES AMPHIBIANS 9 1 0 14

REPTILES 6 0 1 25

INVERTEBRATES 10

PLANTS 282

TOTAL 347

TABLE2: Summary of Recoverynhreat Abatement Planning in NSW (31 March 2001)

Category Total Approved Recovery and Threat Abatement Plans 11 Publicly Exhibited Recovery Plans 22 Drafted Recovery Plans (Not Yet Exhibited) 19 Recovery Plans in Preparation 126 Threatened Species, Endangered Populations, Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) and Key Threatening Processes (KTPs) Covered by Plans under Development Threatened Species, Endangered Populations, EECs and KTPs Listed on the TSC Act Percentage of Threatened Species, Endangered Populations, EECs and KTPs Covered by Approved State or National Plan Percentage of Threatened Species, Endangered Populations, EECs and KTPs for which Planning is Underway

The Truth about Bats - A New Action Plan To Boost Their Conservation

A new Action Plan that unveils the often feared, but fascinating world of bats and provides a framework for their conservation worldwide has been published by IUCN's Species Survival Commission (SSC) to coincide with "International Year of the Bat (2001)";

This Year of the Bat marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (EWROBATS).Microchiropferan Bats: GIobat Sfa~Suwq and Cume~~criienAdion Plan, compiled by theSSC Chiroptera Specialist Group, uses informationgathered from about 150 bat specialists around the horld. Illustrated with maps and photographs, the Plan provides the first detailed review of threats facing bats, conservation activities underway, and those needed to stop the decline in populations.

For the full story see: httl>:/lwww.iucn.ordthemes/ssdpressrel~se~a~lan~h~l -- - - Major Revamp of Tasmanian Threatened Species Schedules Peter McGlone, Tasmanian Coordinator, Threatened Species Network

On 27 June 2001 the Threatened Species ProtectionOrder additions and changesbetoreen schedules. Out of 53 species 2001 was gazetted therebybringing about a mynad of deleted 27 are orchids, out of 68 species added 33 are amendments to the schedules of the Tasmanian Threatened orchids and out of 58 changes between schedules 18 were Species Protection Act 1995 (TSPA). This order completes orchids. the Threatened Species Scientific Advisory Committee's five yearly review of the threatened species skheddes that Since 1995 there has only been a small increase in the total is required under Section 13(6) of the TSPA. Also : number of threatened species - an increase of just 15 incorporated into the Order are all changes madeprior to species. However, there has been a significant increase in the five yearly review (mainlythrough public nominations), the number of species listed as endangered - up from 54 to a considerable number of new listings dealt with at the 135. This is mainly due to 25 flora species being upgraded same time as the five yearly review and all species which in status (20 from rare and 5 from vulnerable) and 32 flora remained unchanged from the original 1995 schedules. species being newly listed.

As well as additions, deletions and changes between Fauna - Notable changes schedules, numerous changes havebeen made to correct * 3 species have been re-discovered - the Lake Fenton scientific, common and family names. Trap Door Spider, the Tunbridge Looper Moth and Skemps Snail. Table 1: Numbers of Flora and Fauna Species 3 species changed from rare to endangered: New Listed on Schedules of the Tasmanian Threatened Holland Mouse, Grey Goshawk, Arthurs Paragalaxias, Species in 1995 and 2001 10 species changed from vulnerableto endangered - Swift Parrot, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Grey-headed 1995 2001 Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Light-mantled Flora Fauna Total Flora Fauna Total Albatross, Blue Petrel,Fairy Pnon (southern sub- End. 35 19 54 94 41 135 species), Pedra Branka Skink, Scottsdale Burrowing Extinct 29 12 41 24 9 33 Crayfish, Stanley Snail. Vul. 59 37 96 62 30 92 22 species added including - Chappell Island Tiger Rare 342 86 428 280 94 374 Snake, Great White Shark, Spotted-Handfish,6 Total 465 154 619 460 174 634 galaxias and paragalaxias species, Sub-antarctic Fur Seal, Southern Giant Petrel, Northern Giant Petrel, Table 1 shows that the totalnumber of species listed on the Southern Elephant Seal,Sooty Albatross, three seastar schedules of the TSPA has increased from 619 in 1995 to species, three snail species and two stag beetle species. 634 in July 2001. Since 1995 a total of 53 species (51 flora 2 species deleted: Northeast Forest Snail and Pencil and 2 fauna) have been deleted and a total of 68 species Pine Moth. added (46 flora and 22 fauna) to the schedules of the TSPA. Flora - Notable changes Table 2: Changes Between Schedules of the . 4 species re-discbvered - all have been listed as Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act endangered. between1995and2001 Out of a total of 51 species deleted since 1995: - 5 were found to be exotic species; 2001 schedule - 25 were found to have improved in conservation 1995 schedule End. Ext. Vul. Rare Total status eg. through discovery of new populations; End. 1 1 2 - 21 were subject to taxonomic changes including 5 Ext. 6 1 7 species that were found not to exist in Tasmania. Vul. 15 - 4 19 Out of a total of 46 species listed since 1995: Rare 23 - 7 30 - 33 were orchids; Total 44 - 8 6 58 - 7 were lichens (the first lower plants listed in Tas-a); Table 2 shows that since 1995 a total of 58 species changed - 1 algae (the first marine plants listed in asm mania); schedules on.the TSPA (39 flora and 19 fauna). A total of - 2 Euphrasias; 45 species moved up in status (3 1 flora and 14 fauna) ind - 3 others. 13 species moved down in status (8 flora and 5 fauna species).

A major review of the status and of orchids in Tasmania accounts for the majority of the deletions, NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Howell Shrublands Archidendron hendersonii McKies StringybarkIBlackbutt Juncaginaceae Update of changes to Flora ... Open Forest Maundia triglochinoides South East Corner Bioregion The following is a list of altera- Poaceae Myrtaceae Bega Dry Grass Forest Eucalyptus dissita tions to Flora in Schedules 1 & Distichlis distichophylla Brogo Wet Vine Forest 2 of the Act from 17 June 2000 Candelo Dry Grass Forest Orchidaceae to 16 June 2001 Grevillea divarica ta Dry Rainforest of the South Chiloglottis platyptera

Persoonia~ ~ baraoensis East Forests Proteaceae hinki *Persoonia bargoensis SCHEDULE 1 Sydney Basin Bioregion (removed) Part 1 Endangered species Rhamnaceae Agnus Banks Woodland *Discaria nitida (removed) Blue Mountains Shale Cap Rhamnaceae. Aponogetonaceae Pomaderris adnata Forest Discaria. nitida Aponogeton queenslandicus Kurri Sand Swamp Woodland Rutaceae Sapindaceae Brassicaceae Mount Gibraltar Forest Boronia boliviensis Lepiderama pulchella Lepidium peregrinum Robertson Basalt Tall Open- Sapindaceae Scrophulaceae Convolvulaceae Forest Dodonaea stenozyga Robertson Rainforest Dementia blakelyi Wilsonia rotundifolia Southern Highlands Shale Woodlands chrysotricha Part 2 Endangered popula- Sydney Coastal Estuary SCHEDULE 3 Cassia brewsteri var. marksiana tions Swamp Forest Key threatening processes Sophora tomentosa Fabaceae Sydney Freshwater Wetlands Key threatening processes are those which adversely affect two Flacourtiaceae Glycine clandestina (broad leaf Acacia loderi Shrublands Xylosma terrae-reginae form) in the Nambucca Local or more threatened species and Government Area Artesian Springs Ecological could cause species that are not Myrtaceae Lespedeza juncea subsp. Community threatened to become threat- Babingtonia prominens " sericea in the Wollongong Local ened. Other factors such as life Babingtonia silvestris Government Area cycle disruption (eg prevention Baekea kandos SCHEDULE 2 of breeding or seeding) and loss Eucalyptus magnificata Sterculiaceae Vulnerable species of vegetation structure are also Karaudrenia corrolata var. den- considered. Orchidaceae ticulata in the Hawkesbury Local Brassicaceae Chiloglottis anaticeps Government Area * Lepidium peregrinum Anthropogenic Climate Change Dendrobium melaleucaphilum (removed) Diuris sp. (Oaklands, D.L. Jones Convolvulaceae Compiled from the Parliamen- 5380) Part 3 Endangered ecological Wilsonia backhousei Diuris sp. aff. chrysantha (Byron communities tary Counsel's Ofice web site Bay) Fabaceae (www.pco.nsw.gov. au) by Elea- Sarcochilus dilatatus Northern Tablelands and Acacia bakeri nor Hannah .> Nandewar Bioregions

' Page 31 Native Plants - July 2001 Page 30 Native Plants - July 2001 gn (tq7P) ~u+a/in~pj XG ~IL~ :J& Kr//. - P:M>/ur~p p-f. Our environment -a bird's eye view

Incubation- by Leaves and Sand While most Australians are concerned about the Perhaps the Murray's most distinctive bird is the enviroment, in1999 only 9 per cent of adult lowan. or malie-fowl IKeipoe ocellatal, whose only habitat is mallee scrubland. Because of its AustraIians ranked environmental problems as dependence on an incubationmethod that makes use theirmost impqriant social issue. . < of rotting vegetation compounded with sand, the Iowan has become scarcer since the clearing of This ison= dth&an; &dia& in Australia's scrubland for farming. environmeng ksemblkdin the fktditioi;' ofa The incubation mound, usually eight metres or new AustriZiai~'Biiieiuof statistics publica:tion, more in diameter. is constructed by the male. A hole isfirst scratched in the sandysoil about 30 cm. deep; Australia'sEnviionment: Issuks and ~iends is released recently. ': after it filled with leaves, further leaves and twigs . . '- and sand are added. In the first year the mound is : ...-. . . usualIy about three metres across; it isbuilt up in On the positiv~~~de:: each successive yearand may grow over the years to A ran@a'f legislative mechagsms are in be over four metres across and nearly two metres high. Sometime two or three hens will lay in the place to help Australia nianage its same mound. environment. Government and business Thebirds must judge how muchvegetztion to add are spendmg millions of dollars to protect in order that the cornb~nedheat of decomposition and and manage the environment - for sun will incubate the eggsdeep within rhe mound. example,Nab1 Heritage Trust fimding When all is in readiness the birds scoop out the centre of the nest and make a niche on one side. ?.., will amountto around $1.5 billion When the first thin-shelled egg is laid the birds gently between 1996-97 and 2001-02; move it into an upright position (smaller end , Plantations are providing more timber downward) by pressing mound material around it than native forests; with bill or feet. The mound is immediately closed More than 22 per ce~tof tall eucalypt, again. mangrove and rainforests are in An additional egg isadded every three days until the clutch of about a dozen is laid. Sevm or eighteggs conservation reserves and some 774,000 are set in a ring or irregular circle; when the firs1 ring hectares of land are protected by is complete another is begun above it but the birds agreements between landowners and take care not to place any egg directly above one in government; the lower level. Naturalist Albert Le Souef, describing the egg , A total of 85 1 wetlahdswere recognised mound and the egg-laying in an article in the 1880s, as nationally impoimpo&tin latest editionof noted that both birds assisted in opening out and the Directory of Important Wetlands 6lfing in the nest. "Generally,"he wrote, "they ure (Environment Australia 2001); their wingsto heap the loosesand up." In 1998-99, local government in Australia Thebirds stay close to the mound throughout thc three-rnonth incubation process. scratching it open to spent $2.8 billion on environment related admit sunshine or moisture and adding mare cover activities during unfavorable weather, so that the temperature There has been a cap on diversions in the ismaintained at just below blood-heat. Mky-Darling Basin, and fish "When the young is ready to hatch," Le Souef .restocIdng;L wrote, '"he parent birds scrape the sand away to allowthe youngbird to escapeout of the egg,filling it in immediately afterwards. This isalways done very But Australians consume more energy, products *earlyin the morning. untilall young ate hatched." .and services per person than ever before, with our Most observers say that the chick can make its own rate of consumption rising. way to the surface, and frequently does so. By the Lime it emerges. the young bird has its main wing Australla is also facing serious land degradation feathers, and very soon it is able to fly. issues, such as weed invasion and dry land salinity, while the conskuction of large dams, introduction of exotic species, such as carp, land clearing, and exlraction of water, have left many, of our inland rivers inpbor condition In addition, at least 250 lcnown species have been introduced into Australia's marine environment. . . . This report is available from the ~ustralianBureau of Sfitistics (ABS Cat. No. 4613.0) for $38.00 Tel: 1300135070