THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Minister’s delegate approved this Conservation Advice on 16/12/2016 .

Conservation Advice Callistemon kenmorrisonii

Betka bottlebrush

Conservation Status Callistemon kenmorrisonii (Betka bottlebrush) is listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) effective from the 16 July 2000. The species was eligible for listing under the EPBC Act as on 16 July 2000 it was listed as Vulnerable under Schedule 1 of the preceding Act, the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth).

This species can also be listed as threatened under state and territory legislation. For information on the current listing status of this species under relevant state or territory legislation, see http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl

The main factors that are the cause of the species being eligible for listing in the Vulnerable category are that the species has a limited extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, and a very small population size.

Description The Betka bottlebrush is an erect to spreading to 3 m tall and 1 - 4 m wide with spongy, papery bark. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped, to 52 mm long by 6 mm wide, hairless, stiff and leathery. Bright red with purple anthers form dense bottlebrush-like spikes to 100 mm long by up to 60 mm wide in the upper parts of younger stems. Flowers appear between November and February. The fruiting capsules are woody and cup-shaped, to 9 mm wide and are clustered along older stems (Molyneux 1995 cited in Carter & Walsh 2006 ; Walsh & Entwisle 1996 cited in Carter & Walsh 2006).

The Betka bottlebrush resembles the closely related Callistemon subulatus (dwarf bottlebrush) and C. citrinus (crimson bottlebrush), which occur in the local region (Molyneux pers. comm. 2016). While the Betka bottlebrush and the crimson bottlebrush grow to the same size, the dwarf bottlebrush is more compact and tends to only grow to a height of about 1 m (Harden 2002). The leaves (30 - 70 mm long by 5 - 8 mm wide), spikes (60 - 100 mm long by 40 - 70 mm wide) and fruiting capsules (4 - 7 mm wide) of the crimson bottlebrush are generally larger than those of the Betka bottlebrush and dwarf bottlebrush (Harden 2002; Walsh & Entwisle 1996 cited in Carter & Walsh 2006).

Distribution The Betka bottlebrush is a naturally rare species that is endemic to a small area in the coastal lowlands of East , . The species is known to occur only at two sites on the Betka River near Mallacoota at elevations ranging between approximately 100 and 120 m above sea level. One site is located just downstream of Stony Peak Road and the other about 9 km downstream where Roger Track crosses the river (Molyneux 1997 cited in Carter & Walsh 2006; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016; Walsh unpubl. cited in Carter & Walsh 2006). Monitoring of these sites was last conducted in 2007, 38 were counted at the Stony Peak Road site and 25 plants (DSE 2007a) were counted at the Roger Track site (DSE 2007b).

While the Betka bottlebrush, crimson bottlebrush and dwarf bottlebrush occur in the same region, the three species occupy different habitats: the former grows in granite crevices in the

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Betka River, the second is found in moist soils or heathland (Molyneux 1995 cited in Carter & Walsh 2006), while the latter is known grow on the banks of watercourses (Harden 2002).

The two known populations of the Betka bottlebrush are considered to be ‘important populations’ that are necessary for the species’ survival and recovery (Carter & Walsh 2006).

Relevant Ecology Little is known about the biology/ecology of the Betka bottlebrush. In addition, given that the terrain and vegetation along the Betka River is difficult to access, no surveys have been conducted to locate other potential occurrences of the species in the region (Molyneux pers. comm., 2016). However, the species’ biology and its likely response to environmental disturbances or stimuli, such as fire, can be largely inferred from knowledge available on other Callistemon species, particularly those that have similar morphological characteristics, including the closely related dwarf bottlebrush and crimson bottlebrush (Molyneux pers. comm. 2016). The ecological requirements of the Betka bottlebrush can also be inferred from the distinct characteristics of the species’ riverine habitat (Carter & Walsh 2006; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016).

The two known Betka bottlebrush populations grow in crevices in undifferentiated Silurian- Devonian granite bars which laterally underlie the Betka River and form islands in the waterway (Molyneux 1995 cited in Carter & Walsh 2006; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016). The response of the Betka bottlebrush to major changes in the flow of water down the Betka River (i.e. short-term or reduced flooding) has not been studied but recorded locations of the species and the characteristics of its riparian habitat suggest the species would be tolerant of periodic flooding at least once every 1 - 2 years (DSE 2007a and 2007b; Carter & Walsh 2006).

The population located near the Stony Peak Road bridge over the Betka River occurs in riparian woodland comprised of Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia (sallow wattle), squarrosa (scented paperbark), teretifolia subsp. hirsuta (dagger hakea), Epacris impressa (common heath), Pimelea linifolia (slender rice-flower), Drosera peltata subsp. auriculata (tall sundew) and Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. tetraphyll (tassel cord-rush) (DSE 2007a).

The population located at the Roger Track crossing of the Betka River occurs in riparian woodland dominated by sallow wattle, scented paperbark, Allocasuarina littoralis (black she- oak), (bushy needlewood), myricoides (river lomatia), Kunzea ericoides spp. agg. (burgan) and Platylobium formosum (handsome flat-pea) (DSE 2007b).

Like other Callistemon species, the Betka bottlebrush is probably pollinated by nectarivorous birds (honeyeaters) (Carter & Walsh 2006). The species is serotinous. Individuals store their within their woody fruits for at least a year to several years until the capsule opens when it sufficiently dries out or fire triggers the capsules to open (ANBG 2016; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016). Given that the species grows in moist, occasionally inundated soils in granite crevices in the Betka River, favourable conditions for germination and the recruitment and growth of juveniles in a population are likely to persist after a wildfire has burned through the population (Molyneux pers. comm. 2016). The species is also a facultative resprouter. Kubiak (2009) observed that individuals of the closely related crimson bottlebrush resprouted after the 1994 wildfires in northern . In addition, individuals of another closely related species, the dwarf bottlebrush, have been known to resprout after the lower stem had been severely damaged or completely severed. This indicates that the Betka bottlebrush is likely able to survive by resprouting after similar damage through mechanical processes or being burned by fire (ANBG 2016; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016).

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Threats

There is no information on the past distribution and abundance of the Betka bottlebrush and no evidence of any declines in existing populations. Therefore, it is not possible to determine if the species has suffered any decline in its extent of occurrence or abundance (Carter & Walsh 2006).

Table 1 – Threats impacting the Betka bottlebrush in approximate order of severity of current risk, based on available evidence.

Threat Threat Evidence base factor type Damage to individuals of the species Vehicle known Recreational vehicles, such as four-wheeled drives and trail bikes, movement current are active in the area and individual Betka bottlebrushes that are located where Roger Track crosses the Betka River are at risk of being damaged by vehicles (DSE 2007b). While the species is hardy and is likely to resprout after being damaged and survive (Molyneux pers. comm. 2016), damaged plants are more vulnerable to disease.

Habitat loss or degradation Transport of potential The population at the Roger Track crossing of the Betka River is sediment, current threatened by the indirect effects of logging activities: the transport nutrients or of sediment, nutrients or pollutants in surface water runoff from pollutants in respective sites to sites inhabited by the Betka bottlebrush, which surface can affect the growth, recruitment and health (Carter & Walsh water runoff 2006; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016).

Similarly, bridge or road works that are not effectively managed to control sediment erosion and the transport of sediment, nutrients or pollutants in surface water runoff from respective sites are a potential threat to the Stony Peak Road population (Carter & Walsh 2006; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016).

Altered potential Logging of Eucalyptus species and the removal of associated hydrology current vegetation in the region may alter hydrological processes and reduce the flow of water in the Betka River (Carter & Walsh 2006; Molyneux pers. comm. 2016). A reduction in river flows may deplete the moisture content of soils in which individuals of the species are growing and increase the risk of mortality of those individuals. A reduction in soil moisture over longer periods may decrease the suitability of the soils within the granite crevices for seed germination, or the growth and survival of seedlings (Molyneux pers. comm. 2016).

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Land potential There was a licence sought for mineral exploration in the Roger clearing for Track area, but the status of the licence application is unknown resource (Carter & Walsh 2006). A successful application for a licence to exploration/ conduct mineral exploration activities in the area would override the mining existing state forestry tenure. Mineral exploration in the region would be likely to involve the clearing of vegetation, which may have a direct impact on known populations or indirect impacts, such as the sedimentation, nutrification or pollution of the species’ habitat.

Invasive species Effects of potential European honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) may out-compete native invasive fauna for floral resources by limiting their access to flowers of target European flora and disrupting natural pollination processes (DoE 2016). honey bees Some Callistemon species are pollinated by nectarivorous birds which can be displaced by introduced honeybees, Paton (2000) observed that feral and managed European honey bees colonies can remove up to 80% of the flower resource for plants pollinated by birds. In some Callistemon species this lead to a reduction in seed production. (Paton 2000).Whether any such impact is affecting the Betka bottlebrush is unknown (Carter & Walsh 2006).

Conservation Actions

Conservation and Management priorities Damage to individuals of the species o Prevent accidental damage to or destruction of the Betka bottlebrush population on the Roger Track crossing of the Betka River by: o installing and maintaining appropriate markers to delineate the track’s path across the river, and o installing and maintaining signage along Roger Track on the approaches to the Betka River indicating the presence of threatened flora in the area and the necessity to drive vehicles only along the crossing delineated by the abovementioned markers. Habitat loss or degradation o Identify and implement measures to avoid direct and potential indirect impacts on Betka bottlebrush populations and their habitats from forestry operations, road/bridge upgrades and maintenance works, and other land uses. o Take immediate steps to rehabilitate habitats where direct or indirect impacts on a known population or its habitat occur as a result of the abovementioned or other activities. Breeding, propagation and other ex situ recovery actions o Ex situ seed banks provide an important capacity for medium to long-term storage of diaspores (spores, seeds, dispersal units) of threatened species. Where storable Betka bottlebrush seeds are available, seed banking should be undertaken in consultation with relevant seed storage professionals as to appropriate conditions

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(collection and post-harvest treatment; pre-storage drying; storage temperature; curation and auditing) to ensure seed viability is retained. o Seed should be appropriately sourced and stored in existing seed bank facilities using best practice seed storage guidelines and procedures to maximise seed viability and germinability. o Maintain existing representative ex situ collections of propagated/cultivated individuals of the species for the potential restoration of existing populations and future translocations. o Continue to tag all individuals counted during monitoring of the Stony Peak Road and Roger Track sites with uniquely numbered tags (small numbered ring attached a small metal stake) and record their numbers and locations. o Consider implementing a programme to translocate cultivated individuals of the species to areas of suitable habitat along the Betka River in accordance with translocation protocols recommended in Vallee et al. (2004). Stakeholder Engagement

o Ensure that relevant forestry contractors are aware of the location of known Betka bottlebrush populations and the types of actions that can have direct or indirect adverse impacts on the species or its habitat, and are advised how to avoid or mitigate those impacts on the species. o Continue to update community information materials (e.g. electronic media, local media, and poster displays and printed information sheets distributed through local government libraries, letterbox drops, wildflower shows and other events) about the species (e.g. its visual appearance, habitat, threats to the species and recovery actions) and the importance of locating, monitoring and protecting populations over the long-term. o Identify opportunities for, and promote and support the involvement of community groups and volunteers in recovery activities for the species.

Survey and monitoring priorities • Continue to monitor known Betka bottlebrush populations and their habitats, preferably annually and during the optimal survey period for the species: November to February. • During monitoring of known populations, collect detailed information including: the area and extent of those populations; recruitment and mortality; the size and age structure of those populations; morphological data; and floristic and environmental information relevant to the condition of the ecological communities in which the species occurs. • Survey suitable habitat along the Betka River and surrounding vegetation communities to locate any new or unconfirmed populations of Betka bottlebrush. • Measure the effectiveness of management actions and assess the need to adapt them if necessary.

Information and research priorities • Analyse demographic data to infer or estimate population trends and responses against recovery actions. Collate and analyse census data, compare with management histories and conduct population viability analyses.

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• Research key biological functions of the species. Evaluate essential life-history stages and their timeframes, pollination biology, fecundity, mechanisms for seed dispersal recruitment and, including disturbance regimes, current reproductive/regenerative status, seed bank status and longevity. • Conduct laboratory and field trials to identify the key stimuli and requirements for successful seed germination and vegetative propagation and cultivation. • Conduct research to assess whether European honey bees are limiting the pollination of the Betka bottlebrush by natural pollinators. • Investigate options for linking, enhancing or establishing additional populations. This analysis requires information on the genetic structure/diversity in the known populations, and possibly the pollination biology of the species (McRae et al., 2008).

References cited in the advice

Carter, O., & Walsh, N. (2006). National Recovery Plan for the Betka Bottlebrush Callistemon kenmorrisonii . Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

DEH (Department of Environment and Heritage) (2000). Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of (IBRA) and the Development of Version 5.1. Summary Report. Environment Australia, Canberra.

DSE (Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment) (2007a). VROTPop (Victoria Rare or Threatened Population Database) monitoring information sheet: Quadrat number PO4521 – Stony Peak Road site (Flora Information System Quadrat W24294). Department of Sustainability and Environment, Orbost, Victoria.

DSE (Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment) (2007b). VROTPop (Victoria Rare or Threatened Population Database) monitoring information sheet: Quadrat number PO4446 – Roger Track site (Flora Information System Quadrat W24352). Department of Sustainability and Environment Orbost, Victoria.

DSE (Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment) (2009). Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement No. 208: Betka Bottlebrush Callistemon kenmorrisonii . Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria.

McRae, B.H., Dickson, B.G., Keitt, T.H., & Shah, V.B. (2008). Using circuit theory to model connectivity in ecology and conservation. Ecology 10, 2712 –2724.

Molyneux, W. M. (Research Fellow at the Department of Botany, La Trobe University) (2016). Personal communication.

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002). Flora of New South Wales , Volume Two (Revised edition). University of NSW Press Ltd., Sydney, p. 198.

Kubiak, P.J. (2009). Fire responses of bushland plants after the January 1994 wildfires in northern Sydney . Cunninghamia 11(1), 131–165.

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Paton, D. C., (2000) Disruption of bird-plant pollination systems in southern Australia. Conservation Biology . 14 (5), 1232 -1234.

Phillips, S.J., Anderson, R.P., & Schapire, R.E. (2006). Maximum entropy modeling of species geographic distributions. Ecological Modeling 190 (3 –4), 231 –259.

Vallee, L., Hogbin, T., Monks, L., Makinson, B., Matthes, M. & Rossetto, M. (2004). Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia (2nd Edition). Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc., Canberra.

Other sources cited in the advice

ANBG (Australian National Botanic Gardens) (2016). Information about Australia’s Flora: Bottlebrush – Callistemon . Available on the Internet at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/callistemon/ .

DoE (Department of the Environment) (2016). Invasive bees [European honey bee (Apis mellifera )] departmental webpage. Viewed: 24 June 2016. Available on the Internet at: https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive-species/insects-and-other- invertebrates/invasive-bees .

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