Threatened Plant Translocations Project Summary Project 4.3
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Threatened plant translocations Project Summary Project 4.3 Grevillea batrachioides Lesueur grevillea. Photo: Andrew Crawford B. brownii. Photo: D. Coates Lambertia orbifolia. Photo: Anne Cochrane Research in Brief Why is the There has been insufficient synthesis of information about translocation Translocations are being research needed? generally, and evaluating and increasingly used in threatened Translocations of threatened plants synthesising the current knowledge plant recovery programs. The have been carried out over the past will provide a critical resource for outcomes of past translocation three decades across southern improving the success and status programs have often been poorly Australia. This has included at least trajectory of threatened plant documented or unpublished. This 1000 separate translocations, translocation. In particular, guidance makes it hard to learn from the involving around 380 plant species. criteria for establishment, resilience past experiences, to adapt and and persistence are needed. improve techniques in response However, despite the increasing to outcomes or to determine if focus on translocation, there has Further, developing criteria for investments have been worthwhile. been little monitoring or assessment translocation success that are of whether these projects are adequate and measurable will allow As the number of plant achieving long-term success in change in a species’ conservation translocation projects increases, it terms of population persistence. status to be assessed and provide is becoming increasingly important a more rigorous foundation for to evaluate the success of these At the same time threats to plants recommending the down-listing or translocations with meaningful and plant communities are becoming de-listing of a species. and measurable criteria. more severe and difficult to manage. They include habitat fragmentation, The project will develop criteria rapid environmental change, for measuring the success of plant diseases, and invasive species. translocation projects. It will also They present significant challenges review the outcomes of past plant to establishing viable new translocations and synthesise populations in threat-free habitats. past research in order to develop best practice guidelines for plant translocation in Australia. Rebecca Dillon and Sarah Barrett at a Banksia brownii translocation. Photo: Leonie Monks. Leonie Monks, Rebecca Dillon and Sarah Barrett collecting seed from a Lambertia orbifolia translocation. Photo: Dave Coates How will the survival, vegetative growth, and templates for translocations. reproductive output and recruitment. The project will update the research help? guidelines and publish them online. What research activities This project will provide on-ground 5. Developing working examples practical guidance for how best are being undertaken? of best practice translocation for to implement translocations of The project has six main parts: threatened plants. These will be threatened plant species to maximise included in the Guidelines. their recovery and improve their 1. An evaluation and synthesis of conservation status. This guidance will current knowledge. A database 6. Scoping the benefits of gene be backed by rigorous evidence on of Australian plant translocations pool mixing for threatened plant the operational, ecological, genetic has been assembled through translocations. The research will and environmental factors influencing extensive expert consultation and consider the benefits of mixing success or failure in translocation literature review. A meta-analysis gene pools to increase success projects. It will also increase our will examine the characteristics through increasing genetic diversity. capacity to monitor and measure and distribution of translocations the success of translocations of and examine factors influencing Who is involved? threatened plant species. their success. The project is being led by the University of Queensland in close The project will synthesise and 2. Field trials, to further understand collaboration with Western Australia’s analyse knowledge about past plant and develop criteria to measure Department of Biodiversity, translocations, developing a national success. The refined success Conservation and Attractions, the framework that builds on data held criteria can be used to confidently Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne by state agencies, NGO groups, reassess the conservation status and South Australia’s Department community groups and researchers. of species for consideration in for the Environment and Water. It will also co-ordinate a review and downgrading or de-listing. updating of the current Guidelines for 3. Evaluation of alternative measures Where is the Translocation of Threatened Plants of translocation success and in Australia, based on expert input key factors for success involving research happening? from plant translocation practitioners biotic interactions. The project The research will include a across Australia. will explore molecular genetic nationwide review of threatened plant and translocation techniques The research will deliver improved translocations. Targeted field work to compare genetic variation conservation status for 17 EPBC-listed will also occur in Western Australia, between reintroduced and threatened plant species through South Australia and Victoria. source populations, analyse experimental translocations. Criteria mating system parameters for success will be developed based When is the to determine inbreeding and on these case studies. The criteria research happening? infer pollinator behaviour, and will increase our ability to assess investigate the importance of The project will run for four years population viability and will provide mycorrhizal associations in from 2016 to 2019. a more rigorous foundation for translocation success of recommending the down-listing or orchids and other species. de-listing of threatened species when translocation has been successful. It 4. Revision of the Guidelines for will also explore other approaches to Translocation of Threatened Further Information assess persistence and success based Plants in Australia. The Australian For more information please on molecular genetic and genomic Network for Plant Conservation contact: techniques. These techniques published the Guidelines in 2004, can complement more traditional and it remains the only Australian David Coates measures such as establishment, synthesis of the best techniques [email protected] This project is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Programme..