Occurrence of the Plant Pathogen Phytophthora Cinnamomi at Dharawal National Park

Occurrence of the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi at Dharawal National Park

Phil Craven1 and Keith McDougall2 May, 2015

1 Office of Environment and Heritage, P.O. Box 707 Nowra NSW 2541

2 Office of Environment and Heritage, P.O. Box 733 Queanbeyan 2620

Executive Summary Soil samples were collected systematically at 110 sites in Dharawal National Park during March, April, May and September, 2014 to test for the presence or absence of Phytophthora cinnamomi, an exotic microscopic water mould inhabiting the soil/water environment. Phytophthora infects plant roots and has the effect of slowly killing susceptible plants and degrading habitat for fauna. Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi is a listed key threatening process under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995. A Statement of Intent has been prepared in NSW as a response to the key threatening process listing. Dieback caused by the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi is a listed key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). A Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi has been prepared by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment.

Sampling sites were located in each of the 12 vegetation communities modelled to occur in the reserve. Vegetation communities occupying larger areas were sampled more frequently. For example Coastal Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland occupying nearly 50% of the reserve was sampled at 36 sites whilst Lower Blue Mountains Wet Forest and Coastal Rock Plate Heath occupying a few hectares had one sample each. Samples were collected according to Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) guidelines for collecting root disease soil samples and forwarded to the RBG Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Sydney for analysis of Phytophthora presence/absence.

55 soil samples returned a Phytophthora-positive result and 55 soil samples returned a Phytophthora- negative result. Several observations regarding patterns of distribution of Phytophthora are made in the report. Not all infected sites showed dieback symptoms associated with Phytophthora.

The spatial patterns of risks to vegetation posed by P. cinnamomi have been developed by combining a habitat suitability model for the pathogen with a vegetation community susceptibility model. Risk is defined as a function of the susceptibility of vegetation to and the likelihood of infection with Phytophthora. The models depict valley bottoms and riparian areas in Dharawal NP providing the most suitable habitat for P. cinnamomi, although ridges and upper slopes also have high suitability. Lower slopes have the lowest suitability for P. cinnamomi.

Park management recommendations are made to manage the threat of Phytophthora to biodiversity values in the Park and minimise risk of export of the pathogen from the Park. Further work is required to refine the risk models and to sample for the presence or absence of Phytophthora in Dharawal Nature Reserve, Dharawal SCA and crown lands that may be added to the Dharawal reserves.

Cover Photo Dieback in a Xanthorrhoea sp. plant located near Minerva Rd - 10T Fire Trail park entrance gate (site DL86A). Phytophthora cinnamomi was present in the soil sample and root material taken from the base of this plant.

Table of Contents

Contents Executive Summary ...... 2

Table of Contents ...... 3

Table of Figures ...... 4

Tables ...... 4

1 Introduction ...... 5

2 Project Objectives ...... 7

2.1 Study Area ...... 7

3 Methods ...... 8

3.1 Project Design ...... 8

3.2 Field Sampling Equipment ...... 9

3.3 Field Sampling Procedure ...... 9

3.4 Field data sheet – site data collected ...... 10

3.5 Sample & Data checking and compilation...... 10

4 Results ...... 11

4.1 Observations arising from Results ...... 13

5 Discussion ...... 15

6 Interim Park Management Recommendations ...... 17

7 Risk Spatial Model Development ...... 20

7.1 Methods ...... 20

7.1.1 Model of habitat suitability ...... 20

7.1.2 Ranking species and mapping susceptibility of vegetation ...... 20

7.1.3 Risk mapping ...... 21

7.2 Results ...... 21

7.2.1 Habitat suitability ...... 21

7.2.2 Susceptibility of vegetation ...... 23

7.2.3 Spatial patterns of risk ...... 26

7.2.4 Fire frequency ...... 26

8. Acknowledgements ...... 29

9. References ...... 30

APPENDIX 1 Presence or Absence of Phytophthora species in soil samples from Dharawal National Park, 2014 ...... 31

APPENDIX 2 Example of a Field Data sheet for Soil sample collection ...... 47

APPENDIX 3 Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit Soil Test results ...... 48

IMAGES ...... 51

Table of Figures Figure 1 Dharawal National Park Phytophthora study area ...... 7 Figure 2 Phytophthora cinnamomi presence/absence by observed Vegetation Community 11 Figure 3 Phytophthora occurrence at sampled sites in vegetation communities at Dharawal National Park ...... 12 Figure 4 Frequency chart of Species Infected with Phytophthora spp. at Dharawal NP ...... 14 Figure 5 Habitat suitability model produced using MaxEnt ...... 22 Figure 6 Susceptibility of vegetation communities based on species of moderate to high susceptibility ...... 24 Figure 7 Susceptibility of vegetation communities based on all species susceptibilities ...... 25 Figure 8 Risk combining layers of habitat suitability and susceptibility based on scores of moderately to high susceptibility species...... 27 Figure 9 Risk combining layers of habitat suitability and susceptibility based on scores of all species ...... 28

Tables Table 1 Extant Native Vegetation communities and soil sampling density Dharawal NP ...... 8 Table 2 Overall Visual Site health and Phytophthora occurrence ...... 14 Table 3 MaxEnt output of the importance of predictor variables ...... 21 Table 4 Susceptibility scores in each community present in Dharawal NP for 1) all taxa, 2) taxa of moderate to high susceptibility ...... 23

1 Introduction Phytophthora cinnamomi is an exotic microscopic water mould inhabiting the soil/water environment. It infects plant roots and stem bases and has the effect of slowly killing susceptible plants and degrading habitat for fauna. This phenomenon is known as Phytophthora dieback, in Western Australia it is colloquially called the biological bulldozer3. The effects can be quite devastating to native and horticultural plant communities for example in the forests and heaths of Western Australia. The threat to natural communities is such that in Australia and NSW the disease is listed as a key threatening process under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act: Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi. A Statement of (Management) Intent has been drafted by OEH to counter the threats to biodiversity that this pathogen presents.

The following information has been sourced from notes taken at an OEH Phytophthora Forum at Leura NSW on 20 June 2012:- Understanding and responding to the threat of Phytophthora in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Phytophthora cinnamomi has been present in Australia for about 1 century and is now known in all states and territories. There are over 130 described species of Phytophthora world-wide with at least 130 species yet to be described and numerous hybrids. Phytophthora cinnamomi is categorised by Professor Giles Hardy, a WA research scientist, as being ‘plastic’. It has different effects in different environments. For example, the widespread and obvious tree deaths in Western Australia are often visually disparate to the patchy and not so obvious observable plant dieback and death impacts on the east coast of Australia. As such and with other species of Phytophthora potentially invading in the future, hygiene management and risk management controls are important. In this report, “Phytophthora” refers only to P. cinnamomi unless otherwise stated. It is likely that other Phytophthora species are present in Dharawal NP but these were not tested for and their association with plant health would be uncertain even if they were found.

The presence of Phytophthora and plant dieback is not always correlated. Dieback is not always associated with Phytophthora and dieback symptoms may not be visible where Phytophthora occurs due to levels of plant tolerance to the pathogen. From the Scientific Committee determination of Phytophthora as a key threatening process in NSW4: -“The spread of Phytophthora occurs through movement of spores which may swim to new hosts or be dispersed over large distances in flowing water, such as storm runoff. Some spread within a site may be by mycelial growth from infected roots to roots of healthy plants. Propagules of Phytophthora may also be dispersed by vehicles (e.g. cars and earth moving equipment) used in a range of activities (e.g. transport, road making and maintenance), animals (e.g. feral pigs - Shearer & Tippett 1989), walkers and movement of soil used in the horticultural industry. In all these cases, movement of P. cinnamomi involves infected soil and/or root material.”

3 http://www.dwg.org.au/ Western Australia Dieback Working Group 4 Environment & Heritage | Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi - key threatening process listing

It is best to assume that Phytophthora is absent until proven present and effect normal hygiene protocols that involve removal of mud from boots and machinery eg. vehicle tyres and wheel guards. In sampling soil, a negative result for Phytophthora whilst favourable, does not conclude an absence of Phytophthora at the site. Many soil samples may need to be taken at a site to detect the presence of Phytophthora.

Eradication of Phytophthora has been trialled with some success in WA and Tasmania using Metham Sodium, which kills all plants and soil organisms including Phytophthora spp. However there are no situations in NSW where metham sodium could be used; eradication is also prohibitively expensive (in the order of $1 million / ha in favourable sandy sites). Control may however be possible using an inexpensive and relatively safe chemical called phosphite. Phosphite spray or injection bolsters plant resistance to Phytophthora once it has invaded a root system. Phosphite does not kill Phytophthora. Neither metham sodium or phosphite is currently licenced for use in native vegetation in NSW, although our general permit for chemicals allows the use of phosphite in very small areas or with small numbers of plants. Selection for disease resistant plants has occurred in WA with a Dieback- resistant Jarrah seed orchard, however resistance in wild plant populations has not been investigated in NSW.

Where does Phytophthora cinnamomi occur in the NPWS South Coast Region? Phytophthora is known (positively isolated) from soils in sites of several conservation reserves in the NPWS South Coast Region. These include Dharawal National Park, Murramarang NP and recently Morton NP (southern Budawang Wilderness Area, Korra Hill, Corang Peak) and Bimberamala NP. The effect of Phytophthora cinnamomi is observable at the above locations affecting plant species such as Macrozamia communis, Banksia ericifolia, Hakea teretifolia, Corymbia maculata, Xanthorrhoea australis and threatened species such as the Budawang Bush Pea Pultenaea baeuerlenii.

Other NSW conservation reserves where Phytophthora spp. are present and dieback effects are known are Mt Imlay NP, South East Forests NP, Blue Mountains NP, Wollemi NP, Royal NP, Werrikimbe NP, and Barrington Tops NP and Kosciuszko NP. Phytophthora, while sampled for, has currently not been isolated from Nattai NP (Suddaby and Liew, 2008).

This study of Phytophthora infection in Dharawal National Park extends work carried out in Royal NP (Keith et. al., 2012). Dharawal National Park has experienced several historical land uses and much ground disturbance by machinery including road and trail construction, mining exploration, catchment protection and more recently conservation. This study also begins the process at Dharawal National Park of addressing key challenges stated in the NSW DECC (2008) Statement of Intent 1: Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi, notably Challenge 1 – Understanding the threat.

2 Project Objectives The objectives of the project are:-  to gather site evidence as to the presence and absence of Phytophthora in Dharawal National Park and use this information in development of a habitat suitability model for Phytophthora;  to provide interim recommendations for management control of Phytophthora infected areas in Dharawal National Park;  to produce of a spatial vegetation risk of Phytophthora map of Dharawal National Park.

2.1 Study Area Dharawal National Park protects the upper catchment of the Georges River and lies south-east from the southern outskirts of Wedderburn and 25km NNW from Wollongong, NSW. The study area is the area gazetted on 26 March, 2012 as Dharawal National Park of 5, 595 ha (Figure 1). Dharawal State Conservation Area (SCA) declared on 4 April 1996 originally included what is now Dharawal National Park. However a residual area of Dharawal SCA (74 ha) adjoins the western boundary of the National Park. Notionally Dharawal SCA may be subject to underground coal mining activities otherwise prohibited beneath the declared National Park. Dharawal Nature Reserve (375 ha) adjoins Dharawal National Park (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Dharawal National Park Phytophthora study area

3 Methods

3.1 Project Design Funds were provided by the NPWS South Coast Region to enable laboratory baiting and testing of about 100 soil samples for the presence or absence of Phytophthora at about $30 per sample. Dharawal National Park was modelled by Tozer et. al. (2010)5 who identified 12 vegetation communities there. Sites were selected on a broad proportional basis across the 12 modelled vegetation communities, that is communities with more area had a greater number of sample sites allocated to them, Table 1. Woody plant tissue was taken at two sites to test for canker pathogens.

Table 1 Extant Native Vegetation communities and soil sampling density Dharawal NP

Dharawal NP SCIVI Vegetation communities, Tozer et. al (2010) VID MapUnit Modelled % Area Allocated Actual Threatened Area ha of # Soil # Soil Ecological Reserve Samples Samples Community DSF131 Coastal Sandstone 3199.01 48 20 36 Ridgetop Woodland DSF140 Coastal Sandstone 1116.62 17 15 10 Southern Sydney Gully Forest Sheltered Forest on transitional sandstone soils DSF142 Hinterland Sandstone 1077.32 16 15 18 Gully Forest FRW129 Coastal Upland 619.64 9 10 19 Coastal Upland Swamp Swamp DSF143 Sydney Shale- 197.49 3 10 8 O'Hares Creek Ironstone Cap Forest Shale Forest FOW58 Sandstone Riparian 172.64 3 10 10 Scrub Cleared 128.82 2 3 06 DSF146 Sydney Hinterland 83.73 1 5 5 Transition Woodland HL126 Coastal Rock Plate 8.52 0 3 1 Heath WSF99 Illawarra Gully Wet 1.73 0 3 0 Forest7 WSF102 Lower Blue Mountains 0.72 0 3 1 Wet Forest GW2 Cumberland Shale 0.44 0 3 0 Shale/Sandstone Sandstone Transition Transition Forest Forest8 HL117 Coastal Sandstone Not mapped 3 2 Plateau Heath Indeterminate 2 Total GIS Area (ha) 6606.68 100 103 110

5 Tozer et al (2010) regional vegetation mapping is also known as ‘SCIVI’. 6 The allocated sites for ‘Cleared’ were sampled in a regenerating DSF131 community 7 Ground inspection at sites DL94 and DL96 where WSF99 was predicted to occur was closer to DSF 131 8 Ground inspection found that community GW2 was not present where predicted. Soils were not shale/sandstone origin, rather shallow sandy soils on sandstone rock plate close to surface or partially exposed rock plate

Site selection was carried out as a desktop exercise using ESRI ArcMap10.1. Sites within a given vegetation community were selected randomly across that community’s range within the study area. Selection was based on having practical access such as a trafficable trail, being away from the main track disturbances and regularly spaced as far as possible across the geographical range of the community within the study area.

3.2 Field Sampling Equipment  Hygiene kit consisting of scrubbing brush, two five litre bottles of methylated spirit, squirt bottles for 70% alcohol mix and fresh water;  Garden trowel for brushing away the leaf litter humic layer and digging into soil surface and extracting soil sample;  100 Hercules brand clip lock bags for storing soil samples;  Waterproof pen markers for recording site details on plastic clip lock bags;  Field data sheets;  Garmin GPS Receiver, spare AA batteries;  Compass;  Field note book for incidental observations;  Strong cardboard fruit box for stowage and transport of samples;  Hand lens;  Flora field guides.

3.3 Field Sampling Procedure A standard ‘Working Safely in Bushland’ Job Safety Analysis was applied and briefing process was followed daily to maintain worker safety and successful completion of the day’s tasks. Three NPWS staff were involved in collecting the soil samples; the author from NPWS South Coast Region, Nowra and two Rangers from NPWS Illawarra Area, Wollongong.

The recommendations of the Royal Botanic Gardens Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit9 were followed in regard to procedural protocol for collecting soil samples for root disease diagnostics and packaging of samples for dispatch to the lab for analysis. To prevent cross-contamination between sites and samples a hygiene protocol was rigorously implemented whereby all tools were decontaminated by spraying 70% methylated spirit solution after collecting a sample or, if necessary to remove mud/dirt washed down with water first and then sprayed with 70% methylated solution. Boots and hands were decontaminated between sites also.

9 “Root diseases: collect samples of soil and diseased roots from several places around and beneath plants. Dig four holes at each cardinal point, away from the trunk or main stem, roughly below the canopy dripline. Scrape away leaf litter or mulch and dig down about 15 cm. Bulk samples together to make approximately two coffee mugfuls. Where possible, part or whole root system should be included. If sending more than one sample, disinfect tools with 70% methylated spirits to avoid cross contamination.” Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens Plant Diagnostic Unit advice.

All site co-ordinates were downloaded to a Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, model Garmin GPSmap 62s. Some sites were selected more than 500m from the nearest vehicle access point. Since sites were located randomly within a vegetation community, it was sometimes necessary to select final site placement at a suitable site within that community closer to the vehicle in order to save time navigating to sites. Sites that were near the allocated site location were tagged with the suffix A, for example DL62A. Where diseased or unhealthy plants were observed that were known to be susceptible to Phytophthora infection, sampling was often preferentially located there, especially if historical ground disturbance was obvious. If disease was present at a selected site we selected the sampling site to have every chance where possible for detecting the presence of Phytophthora, being located near a susceptible species, beneath a suspect plant, in a visually diseased area.

3.4 Field data sheet – site data collected A modified Module 2 Full-floristics of the VIS standard vegetation field survey form (v.16) was used. A site example is shown in Appendix 2. Data collected included:-  Site No. eg. DL1 and GPS co-ordinates of site;  Date of collection;  Mapped SCIVI Vegetation community;  Field-observed SCIVI Vegetation community;  Species name and condition of plant(s) beneath whose canopy soil samples were taken;  List of surrounding dominant flora species;  General description of apparent plant community health;  Other site field notes.

Soil sampling field work was conducted over 9 full working days between 24 March, 2014 and 18 September, 2014. In total this equated with 17.5 person standard field work days. Depending on geographic spread of sites, between 6 and 16 sites were sampled in a days work.

3.5 Sample & Data checking and compilation All samples were checked as being sealed and cross-checked to a site spreadsheet before packaging and sending for analysis. The sample data were cross-checked against the field data sheets and GPS mapping co-ordinates. Where field determination of the community was not recorded, the mapped community was assumed to be the field community for the purposes of this report.

On the advice of Royal Botanic Gardens staff (M. Laurence, pers. comm.) samples were stored at room temperature, in a darkened box. Within a few days or at most one week of collection, soil samples were forwarded by courier to the Royal Botanic Gardens Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Sydney for analysis.

4 Results 110 soil samples were collected and analysed during this project. 51 soil samples returned a Phytophthora cinnamomi-positive result10. 4 soil samples returned a Phytophthora sp.-positive result. 55 soil samples returned a Phytophthora cinnamomi-negative result. The complete table of results of laboratory soil sample tests for Phytophthora presence and other site characteristics is shown in Appendix 1. The two woody tissue specimens collected for canker pathogen testing DLR-4 and DLR-5 returned a negative result, Appendix 3.

Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora sp. presence/absence by field-observed vegetation community results are shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 Phytophthora cinnamomi presence/absence by observed Vegetation Community

30 Pc negative

25 Phytophthora sp positive Number Pc positive of Soil 20 Samples (n=110) 15

Observed Vegetation Community

The spatial distribution of Phytophthora presence/absence across sample sites in the vegetation communities of Dharawal National Park is shown in Figure 3. Phytophthora-positive records arising from this project have been placed in the BioNet Atlas of NSW Wildlife.

10 Two samples in this group returned a Phytophthora cinnamomi –positive and Phytophthora sp.–positive result

Figure 3 Phytophthora occurrence at sampled sites in vegetation communities at Dharawal National Park

4.1 Observations arising from Results Patterns of distribution of Phytophthora-positive observations and Phytophthora-negative observations are not immediately clear, and may be interpreted from the risk modelling process. However, the following observations are made:-  Phytophthora presence and infection is widespread across the study area. Phytophthora occurs in all catchments of the study area including Illuka Creek, Dahlia Creek, Cobbong Creek, O’Hares Creek, Four Mile Creek and Stokes Creek (Figure 3).  Of the Phytophthora-positive results (n=55), 51 samples detected Phytophthora cinnamomi and 6 samples contained other unidentified Phytophthora sp. Two samples contained both Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora sp. The unidentified Phytophthora sp. were detected in 3 vegetation communities, FRW 129 Coastal Upland Swamp, DSF146 Sydney Hinterland Sandstone Transition Woodland and FOW 58 Sandstone Riparian Scrub.  Communities where sampling results showed a higher incidence of Phytophthora cinnamomi presence relative to absence (Figure 2) were: DSF 142 Hinterland Sandstone Gully Forest (n=18) DSF 140 Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest (n=10) FOW 58 Sandstone Riparian Scrub (n=10) HL126 Coastal Rock Plate Heath (n=1).  All sites sampled in DSF 146 Sydney Hinterland Sandstone Transition Woodland returned a Phytophthora-positive result (Appendix 1).  Sites sampled within DSF 143 Sydney Shale-Ironstone Cap Forest (n=8) returned a predominantly Phytophthora-negative result (Figure 2).  Of 14 sites located adjacent to streams or drainage lines, 12 returned a Phytophthora-positive result (Figure 3).  15 sites were visually assessed as being within different vegetation communities to that predicted by the regional SCIVI vegetation model (Appendix 1).  The research site (evaporation pan) south from Fire Trail 10K where we were asked to sample (D. Keith, pers.comm.) produced a Phytophthora-negative result (n=3) in spite of visual dieback symptoms observed in the vicinity in a range of species in the family Proteaceae. However, further sampling in this location at a new site (DLR3) in September, 2014 detected Phytophthora cinnamomi. A Phytophthora-positive result was also detected adjacent to the creek 200 metres south of and below the research site. Despite the presence of P. cinnamomi it may not be the cause of symptoms. Stem lesions consistent with canker fungi were found in dying Banksia ericifolia and an Isopogon species. Specimen DLR-4 (stem tissue from a Banksia ericifolia shrub) taken near the evaporation pan was tested but no fungal sporulation was detected, Appendix 3. Further sampling for canker fungi is recommended if symptomatic vegetation such as this becomes more widespread.  A transverse section of one canker specimen DLR-5 taken on Victoria Road near the O’Hares lookout walking track intersection revealed borer attack but did not reveal symptoms typical of fungal infection so was not tested further for fungal sporulation, Appendix 3.

 Comparison of visual site community health to Phytophthora presence or absence is shown in Table 2. Of note is the large number of sites assessed as visually healthy that were Phytophthora-positive. Table 2 demonstrates that visual cues of a healthy community for presumption of Phytophthora absence are not reliable.  Figure 4 shows species infection rates to all Phytophthora species as sampled in this project. Note that the roots of more than one species may have been within the soil sample collection hence a larger number of plant frequencies than soil samples and infection identified where it is not usual for a species. Table 2 Overall Visual Site health and Phytophthora occurrence

OVERALL VISUAL SITE HEALTH “Healthy” “Unhealthy” Sites Sites

present 32 19 Phytophthora Phytophthora

36 17

SAMPLE SAMPLE RESULT

negative Phytophthora Phytophthora n=104

Figure 4 Frequency chart of Species Infected with Phytophthora spp. at Dharawal NP

12 Phytophthora- Positive 10

8 Phytophthora- negative 6

Hakea sp. Hakea

Dianella sp Dianella

Melaleuca sp Melaleuca

Petrophile sp. Petrophile sp. Pultenaea sp Tetratheca

Phebalium sp. Phebalium

Hakea gibbosa Hakea

Callistemon sp. Callistemon

Podolobium sp. Podolobium

Banksia serrata Banksia

Hakea teretifolia Hakea

Caustis flexuosa Caustis

Banksia ericifolia Banksia

Acacia terminalis Acacia

Xanthorrhoea sp. Xanthorrhoea

Woollsia pungens Woollsia paludosa Banksia

Lepidosperma sp. Lepidosperma

Petrophile sessilis Petrophile

Banksia spinulosa Banksia aristata Pultenaea

Hakea dactyloides Hakea pinifolia Persoonia

Leptospermum sp. Leptospermum

Banksia marginata Banksia

Lambertia formosa Lambertia

Eucalyptus piperita Eucalyptus

Lomatia myricoides Lomatia

Bossiaea obcordata Bossiaea

Tristaniopsis laurina Tristaniopsis

Banksia oblongifolia Banksia

Sprengelia incarnata Sprengelia

Isopogon anethifolius Isopogon

Grevillea mucronulata Grevillea

Leucopogon exolasius Leucopogon daphnoides Pultenaea

Telopea speciosissima Telopea

Isopogon anemonifolius Isopogon

Leptospermum trinervium Leptospermum Casuarina cunninghamiana Casuarina Species occurring where soils were sampled for Phytophthora gummiferum Ceratopetalum

Phytophthora presence data have been uploaded to OEH Bionet Atlas database. A Compact Disk of all documents, spreadsheets and GIS files is available with this report.

5 Discussion Occurrence and Distribution Phytophthora cinnamomi has been known at Dharawal NP since 2008, Suddaby and Liew (2008). They identified at least 5 sites as Phytophthora-positive and at least 6 sites as Phytophthora-negative within the area now known as Dharawal National Park. Craven and Erskine identified Phytophthora presence at 2 sampling sites near Maddens Falls (OEH FIL12/7080 and Atlas Bionet database) in 2012. This study confirms the widespread distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Dharawal National Park. Other unidentified species of Phytophthora also occur.

The pattern of distribution of Phytophthora within the Park is consistent with observations in other areas for some communities. For example, Keith et. al (2012) found sites with clay loam soils derived from the Narrabeen Group shales had a lower probability of P. cinnamomi presence than other soil types. DSF143 Sydney Shale-Ironstone Cap Forest (mostly identified as a threatened ecological community with clay loam soils derived from Narrabeen Group shales) exhibited negative results where shale was clearly predominant. Where the cap was predominantly ironstone a positive result was returned (for example site DL103 off Fire Trail 10R).

Sites located near watercourses had a high incidence of infection consistent with dispersal of spores through the soil water and streams. Plant disease was not usually visible in riparian areas since Phytophthora-susceptible species were less likely to occur there.

Phytophthora is widespread in Dharawal NP and, broadly, the vegetation seems fairly robust to its presence. It would be easy then to conclude that all is well and that there is no management required. However, some species in Dharawal NP are known to be highly susceptible to infection and these may include threatened species. Keith et. al. (2012) concluded that “the best model of P. cinnamomi distribution included three important predictor variables, soil landscape (explained 71% of variation), slope (explained 20% of variation) and topographic position (explained 9% of the variation). Presence was also less likely on steep slopes than flat slopes and less likely in deep gullies than shallow gullies, slopes and ridges.” These aspects were not able to be tested in this study.

Protection of iconic species, threatened species or threatened ecological communities Long-term impacts of Phytophthora infection to Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) such as Coastal Upland Swamp (FRW129 Coastal Upland Swamp), O’Hare Creek Shale Forest (DSF143 Sydney Shale-Ironstone Cap Forest) and Southern Sydney Sheltered Forest on transitional sandstone soils (DSF140 Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest) is of concern. Fortunately the O’Hares Creek Shale Forest does not appear to be especially sensitive, possibly due to the lack of Phytophthora-susceptible species and /or soil landscape characteristics, however Coastal Upland Swamp and Southern Sydney Sheltered Forest communities are within landscapes where Phytophthora tends to be present and contain species susceptible to the disease.

Threatened flora known from Dharawal National Park include Callitris endlicheri, Leucopogon exolasius, Pultenaea aristata, Acacia baueri subsp. aspera, Melaleuca deanei, Grevillea parviflora susbp. parviflora and Persoonia hirsuta. Soil samples taken from around the roots of Leucopogon exolasius and Pultenaea aristata returned Phytophthora-positive results in this study.

Soil in the vicinity of the NSW floral emblem and iconic Waratah Telopea speciosissima was sampled once in this study (site DL110A) and unfortunately returned a Phytophthora cinnamomi-positive result. While the subject plant appeared healthy, its long term sustainability prognosis or ability to reproduce successfully over a normal life-span should be investigated. The loss of rare species such as these could easily happen un-noticed through a gradual decline. Continued monitoring of threatened species populations is warranted.

In developing recommendations for the management of Phytophthora in Dharawal NP it is important to be aware that climate may have a profound influence on disease expression. So, although many sites containing Phytophthora had no symptomatic vegetation, this may not always be the case. Phytophthora often works in tandem with environmental stress. When conditions are favourable to plant growth, plants may appear healthy regardless of Phytophthora infection. With more frequent drought or inundation, perhaps associated with changing climate, species that now appear resilient to Phytophthora may begin dying. It will be important to remain vigilant of changing plant health in Dharawal NP.

Limitations of project design and method  A limitation of number of soil plots able to be sampled due to cost of collection and analysis was apparent.  A limitation of access or long lead time to access some areas to obtain samples meant those areas were not sampled.  At sites where sampling returned a negative result a ‘false negative’ is a possibility in terms that further ‘site’ sampling may reveal the presence of Phytophthora.  Detailed site descriptions of soil characteristics and landform elements were not made.  Limitation of sampling to Dharawal National Park. Dharawal Nature Reserve and Dharawal State Conservation Area were not included in the study area  Covariates were not systematically captured due to focus on collecting the most possible soil samples within the project fieldwork timeframe for presence/absence analysis of Phytophthora.

6 Interim Park Management Recommendations Managing a disease already widespread in the Park has difficulties, especially an invisible’ and water- mobile threat such as Phytophthora infection. Keith et. al (2012) state that “Prevention is therefore the most important form of management for sites suspected to be free of the (Phytophthora) pathogen”.

A Dharawal National Park Phytophthora management strategy should be developed around objectives that :-  minimise the risk of export of Phytophthora to other areas from Dharawal by application of personal and equipment hygiene actions,  prevent ingress of Phytophthora to sites considered to be or apparently free of the disease,  limit risk of damage to and protect high conservation value communities such as threatened species, threatened ecological communities and areas with high numbers of healthy individuals of species susceptible to Phytophthora,  protect iconic species or threatened species populations including the habitat of threatened fauna,  understand patterns of Phytophthora occurrence and risk.

The objectives may be achieved as follows:-

Staff management access arrangements As a routine procedure staff entering and leaving Dharawal NP should decontaminate their footwear on entry and departure from work sites. Work vehicles should contain a bristle brush for removing mud from footwear and spray bottle with 70% methylated spirit. Work vehicles should remove mud in a wash-down bay at the depot that is allowed to evaporate dry.

Fire management activities should reflect the Phytophthora presence and interim risk management recommendations for its control. Ultimately the Dhawaral National Park Fire Management Strategy should incorporate recommendations of this report.

On-Park works scheduling should be undertaken where possible in dry trail conditions. Remote trails should not be accessed by vehicles until road conditions are dry.

Trail and track and plant community management strategies Trails known to contain Phytophthora and that are no longer required should be quarantined and ‘moth-balled’ (consciously allowed to naturally shrub up and become inaccessible over time). If access is required it is important to limit spread of soil-borne pathogens from these areas. Dry weather, dry ground surface access only combined with vehicle decontamination and removal of mud is preferable.

 For major trails 10B and 10H ensure vehicles and road maintenance machinery is cleaned prior to departure from reserve;  Ensure major trails are well maintained and have as few ‘boggy’ or water ponding surfaces as possible;  Ensure no vehicles use Trail 10K;  Avoid machines on and along all old mineral exploration ‘seismic’ lines, for example in vicinity of Trail 10J and Trail 10L;  Informal cross-reserve walking tracks (such as the Seven Creek Way track) are likely to contain Phytophthora and should be further investigated for Phytophthora occurrence or avoidance of boggy sections.

Maintain areas ostensibly free of Phytophthora  Maintain no access on closed trail east and north of the 10J – 10L intersection,  Consider closure of Stuckey Trail to vehicles,  Consider closure of northern half of Trail 10F,  Maintain closure of western section of Trail 10H west of Trail 10C intersection,  Any walking track proposals should sample for Phytophthora presence and take results into account as part of the planning process (as the Maddens Falls waling track upgrade has done),  Avoid access and developing walking tracks in Coastal Upland Swamp and Sydney Hinterland Sandstone Transition Woodland,  Persist with prevention and prosecution of illegal vehicular entry to the Park.

Alien use access conditions Access for alien uses such as electricity powerlines maintenance, mining infrastructure such as checking of bore holes, water utility access to check water races and gauges, hydrological monitoring sites should require special permission. Access may be permitted to such localities under dry weather and dry trail surface and hygiene protocols must be applied. Foot access with hygiene protocol to some sites may now only be permitted, eg 10K and informal trails east of the Wedderburn Airfield and east of the West Cliff colliery and Park land around its in-holding (Trail 10C).

Research access conditions All field research licences should carry a condition of access regarding a footwear hygiene protocol and limitations of vehicle usage and prevention of soil movement from vehicles.

Protection of threatened and iconic biodiversity entities Sites where other susceptible threatened species occur should also be sampled and tested for Phytophthora, for example Persoonia hirsuta, Grevillea parviflora subsp. parviflora and Melaleuca deanei. Mapping areas for protection based on healthy indicator species such as Xanthorrhoea Grass Trees and Telopea Waratah should be considered.

Review vehicular access arrangements within Coastal Upland Swamp (FRW129 Coastal Upland Swamp), Southern Sydney Sheltered Forest on transitional sandstone soils (DSF140 Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest) and O’Hare Creek Shale Forest (DSF143 Sydney Shale-Ironstone Cap Forest).

All vehicle and unwarranted access to DSF 146 Sydney Hinterland Sandstone Transition Woodland in the western part of Dharawal NP should be avoided due to a high incidence of Phytophthora at sampled sites. The informal trails in this area should be mothballed and allowed to grow over.

Representative populations of charismatic and emblematic plants such as the Waratah Telopea speciosissima should be surveyed and monitored. This could be done by establishing several full- floristic quadrats around waratahs and doing replicate sampling over time as well as testing for Phytophthora presence.

General recommendations

 Prepare a brochure or small interpretative sign on Phytophthora in Dharawal National Park and ways visitors can help to minimise transfer of Phytophthora-infected soil material,  Consider placement of a foot-brush mud-remover at Maddens Falls walking track and Victoria Rd entrance to Park,  Conduct or encourage further research into occurrence of canker pathogens and dieback of individual shrubs along Victoria Road and other research topics around the threat of Phytophthora to the ecosystems of Dharawal National Park.  When funds are available conduct representative vegetation community soil- sampling in Dharawal Nature Reserve and Dharawal SCA and present results as an addendum to this report.

7 Risk Spatial Model Development Keith et. al. (2012) state that “an understanding of the spatial pattern of risks posed to biodiversity by P. cinnamomi will help direct threat abatement actions to areas where they address the greatest risks.” Preparation of such a model is useful for Dharawal reserves’ conservation management where Phytophthora widely occurs.

Risk is defined as a function of the susceptibility of vegetation and the likelihood of infection. A risk spatial model has been developed at Royal National Park and a similar process is applied here to developing the same for the Dharawal reserves. The resultant risk map combines (overlays) the likelihood of occurrence of Phytophthora with the likelihood of the pathogen causing ecosystem damage.

7.1 Methods Steps in developing the Dharawal Phytophthora risk model are similar to that prepared for Royal National Park (Keith et. al, 2012).

7.1.1 Model of habitat suitability To model habitat suitability for P. cinnamomi, we used the same spatial data of seven variables that Keith et al. (2012) hypothesised to influence the distribution of P. cinnamomi. The seven predictor variables were: soil landscapes (Hazelton & Tille 1990) – coded as soil in the model; slope - slope, aspect (sine-transformed) - half; wetness index (number of grid cells in the catchment above the focal cell) - wetness; local topographic position (proportional distance between local ridge and local gully) - skidmore; topographic position (difference between elevation of focal cell and mean of neighbouring cells within a 250 m radius) - topo; topographic roughness (sum of absolute differences in elevation between the focal cell and neighbouring cells within a 250 m radius) - rough. All layers were projected onto a standard 25 m grid and clipped to a study area containing Dharawal National Park and a small buffer around its perimeter. P. cinnamomi presence and absence records from this project and environmental spatial data were used to construct a Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt; Phillips et al. 2006) of habitat suitability for P. cinnamomi (described in Keith et al. 2012). A map of habitat suitability for P. cinnamomi was produced by projecting the final model onto the study area using the spatial data layers.

7.1.2 Ranking species and mapping susceptibility of vegetation Keith et al. (2012) used extensive floristic plot data within Royal NP to generate susceptibility scores for the plant communities present there. There were insufficient plots in Dharawal NP to do this so a list of species characteristic of the plant communities present was obtained from the plant classification of Tozer et al. (2010) and their susceptibilities to infection by P. cinnamomi were scored using the list of susceptibility developed by Keith et al. (2012). An index of disease susceptibility was calculated for each vegetation type by summing the frequencies of all susceptible plant taxa and dividing by the sum frequencies of all recorded taxa. A second index was calculated from the summed frequencies of only the moderately and highly susceptible taxa. The indices were added as fields to

20 the GIS attribute table for vegetation types. It is important to note that the susceptibility scores for plant communities in Dharawal NP are much higher than for comparable communities in Royal NP because only character species (typically the more common) were used to calculate scores in Dharawal NP. There does however appear to be good correlation between the most susceptible types of community in each park.

7.1.3 Risk mapping Risks to biodiversity from P. cinnamomi at any given site were assumed to be a function of the likelihood of infection by the disease and the susceptibility of vegetation. We therefore produced a map of risk by adding spatial data layers for habitat suitability and the relative susceptibility indices. The values of habitat suitability were weighted so that they had equal influence with relative susceptibility values and then scaled so that the range of values for the maps using moderate to high susceptibility and all susceptibilities were the same.

7.2 Results

7.2.1 Habitat suitability Of the seven predictor variables used, topographic roughness (rough), soil landscape (soil) and topographic position (topo) were the most important predictors, explaining 78% of variation (Table 3). Soil and topographic position were the most important variables to the stability of the model, resulting in a reduction in model performance of 42 and 31.7% respectively. The contribution to the model of local topographic position, aspect and slope was negligible.

Table 3 MaxEnt output of the importance of predictor variables

Variable Percent contribution Permutation importance rough 28.6 16 soil 27.9 42 topo 21.9 31.7 wetness 10.9 0 skidmore 6.7 5.5 half 2.5 0.3 slope 1.5 4.6

The Habitat Suitability Model is shown in Figure 5, a model of likelihood of getting a positive sample of Phytophthora. Increasing habitat suitability is depicted by increasing warmness of colour. Valley bottoms and drainages in Dharawal NP provide the most suitable habitat for P. cinnamomi (shown red in Figure 5), although ridges and upper slopes also have high suitability. Lower slopes have the lowest suitability for P. cinnamomi (shown green), Figure 5.

Figure 5 Habitat suitability model produced using MaxEnt

7.2.2 Susceptibility of vegetation A total of 639 plant species were characteristic of the plant communities found in Dharawal NP; 57.6% were regarded as possibly being susceptible while 18.5% were regarded as likely to be moderately to highly susceptible. Vegetation types containing a high number of susceptible species tend to be found on ridges and slopes with shallow soil and impeded drainage (Table 4). Those with few susceptible species or species of low susceptibility tend to occur on well-drained sites of lower slopes, which have deeper soils with higher nutrient levels; an exception is Cumberland Shale Sandstone Transition Forest (p2), which has very few susceptible species.

Table 4 Susceptibility scores in each community present in Dharawal NP for 1) all taxa, 2) taxa of moderate to high susceptibility

Community Community name Score (all Score (moderate Identifier taxa) to high) p126 Coastal Rock Plate Heath 66 32 p140 Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest 74 35 p117 Coastal Sandstone Plateau Heath 73 35 p131 Coastal Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland 78 40 p129 Coastal Upland Swamp 54 22 p2 Cumberland Shale Sandstone Transition Forest 35 6 p142 Hinterland Sandstone Gully Forest 63 26 p99 Illawarra Gully Wet Forest 28 7 p102 Lower Blue Mountains Wet Forest 35 9 p58 Sandstone Riparian Scrub 43 11 p146 Sydney Hinterland Transition Woodland 59 20 p143 Sydney Shale-Ironstone Cap Forest 67 25

Susceptible plant taxa were most abundant on sandstone plateaux of the study area (‘warm’ colours) and least abundant in gullies and riparian areas of the reserves’ main drainages (Figure 6 and Figure 7). Coastal Upland Swamp patches contained an intermediate abundance of susceptible species. Comparable spatial patterns were apparent for all susceptible species compared with those that were moderately to highly susceptible (Figure 7 and Figure 6). The models do not discern susceptibility around the previously cleared areas along Victoria Road in the north of Dharawal NP (shown white in figure 6 and Figure 7) since the vegetation community mapping at the time characterised these areas as ‘cleared’.

Figure 6 Susceptibility of vegetation communities based on species of moderate to high susceptibility

Figure 7 Susceptibility of vegetation communities based on all species susceptibilities

7.2.3 Spatial patterns of risk Risks were greatest on the sandstone plateaus and lowest in the shale gullies with intermediate levels of risk on shale ridges, reflecting patterns in habitat suitability for the pathogen and distribution of susceptible flora, described above. Overall risk patterns combining layers of habitat suitability and susceptibility based on scores of all species is shown in Figure 9. A focus on the most susceptible flora (Figure 8) showed relatively higher risks on sandstone ridges separating the main drainages of Stokes Creek and O’Hares Creek.

Land along Victoria Road and mapped as ‘cleared’ in the SCIVI vegetation model (Tozer et. al., 2010) shows the lowest risk to Phytophthora. However this risk may be more elevated than the model shows as the cleared community may constitute regenerating DSF p131Coastal Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland that contains the highest susceptibility of taxa to Phytophthora. The distinctly low risk area around Victoria Road is a modelling anomaly because highly modified areas such as this were excluded from the habitat suitability model. It is perhaps better interpreted as being of indeterminate risk.

7.2.4 Fire frequency The number of fires recorded at each data point (presence or absence of P. cinnamomi) was extracted in GIS and the significance of difference (the difference in mean between presence and absence) evaluated using a t-test. The mean fire frequency for sites where P. cinnamomi was detected (4.8 ± 0.2 years) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the mean fire frequency for sites where P. cinnamomi was not detected (4.6 ± 0.3 years).

Figure 8 Risk combining layers of habitat suitability and susceptibility based on scores of moderately to high susceptibility species.

Figure 9 Risk combining layers of habitat suitability and susceptibility based on scores of all species

8. Acknowledgements Dharawal National Park is a central area of the Tharawal Aboriginal community’s country occupied for 15,000 years (NPWS, 2007). This project acknowledges the past and present Tharawal people on this country.

Keith McDougall advised the project conceptual framework and encouragement for the work, assistance and advice with field sampling and developed the risk models. Phil Craven designed and undertook the soil sampling work. NPWS Illawarra Area Manager Tony Horwood supported the project and provided Area resources for it. Initial soil sampling for Phytophthora for this study was carried out in the Maddens Falls area with Jamie Erskine, (Ranger NPWS Illawarra Area). The unflinching support of Andrew Lawless and Rowena Morris (Rangers NPWS Illawarra Area) in accessing sites for soil sampling and carrying out the digging and rigorous hygiene protocol was much appreciated. Your good humour in the face of spikey shrubs amongst the coastal upland swamps extended our daily endurance. Matthew Laurence and Ed Liew at the Plant Disease Diagnostic laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust received and co-ordinated the soil sample analysis for Phytophthora. Kerry Hyland (NPWS Illawarra Area), and Rochelle Poidevin and Laura Fox (NPWS South Coast Region) organised courier of soils samples to the laboratory. The NPWS South Coast Regional Management Team endorsed and approved funding to carry out the work. The support of the NPWS Monitoring and Improvement, Biodiversity and Wildlife Team is acknowledged. Several colleagues commented on a draft of the report. We are grateful to Chris Simpson who provided data layers for the models and to Lyn Finch who helped with preparing the layers for analysis. We thank everyone who contributed to this project.

9. References

Keith, D.A., McDougall, K.L., Simpson, C.C. and Walsh, J.L. (2012). Spatial analysis of risks posed by root rot pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi: implications for disease management. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 134, B147-B179.

Office of Environment & Heritage. Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi - key threatening process listing.

OEH Phytophthora Forum (Leura NSW) 20 June 2012:- Understanding and responding to the threat of Phytophthora in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Notes taken from expert speakers.

NPWS (2007) Dharawal State Conservation Area and Nature Reserve visitors brochure.

NPWS (2012) Draft interim strategy for managing Phytophthora in the NPWS South Coast Region: Start Clean – Stay Clean. Internal report NPWS South Coast Region, 31/7/2012.

NSW DECC (2008) Statement of Intent 1: Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/08119soipc.pdf

Suddaby, T and Liew, E (2008) Best Practice Management Guidelines for Phytophthora cinnamomi within the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority Area. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney for Sydney Metropolitan CMA.

M.G. Tozer, K. Turner, D.A. Keith, D. Tindall, C. Pennay, C.Simpson, B. MacKenzie, P. Beukers and S. Cox (2010) Native vegetation of southeast NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. Cunninghamia 11(3): 359–406.

APPENDIX 1 Presence or Absence of Phytophthora species in soil samples from Dharawal National Park, 2014

RBG Soil Corrected Sample Species SAMPLE Sample Modelled SCIVI Field-observed Veg Additional visual health Label Sample Sample RESULTS for Collection Veg Community community notes. Visual assessment Reference Reference Phytophthora Date health matches No. No. assessment results

E14043- DL104 DL104A Pultenaea ?daphnoides Negative 24 March DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- yellowish no 10 2014 Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest appearance Cap Forest E14043- DL110B DL110 Banksia serrata Negative 24 March DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- no data 11 2014 Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest Cap Forest

E14043-1 DL17A DL17A Isopogon anemonifolius / Negative 24 March DSF131 Coastal HL 117 Coastal Isopogon was yes Pultenaea aristata 2014 Sandstone Sandstone Plateau yellowish, Ridgetop Woodland Heath Pultenaea healthy, generally healthy appearance community E14043-2 DL33A DL33A Ceratopetalum gummiferum Negative 24 March DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal yellowish no 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest Ceratopetalum Forest E14043-3 DL53 DL53 Banksia ericifolia Negative 24 March FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Banksia yes 2014 Upland Swamp Upland Swamp specimen plant healthy, E14043-4 DL54 DL54 Xanthorrhoea resinifera P. cinnamomi 24 March FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Xanthorrhoea no 2014 Upland Swamp Upland Swamp healthy, generally helathy community apart from yellowing Hakea sericea E14043-5 75 Banksia DL75 Banksia ericifolia Negative 24 March DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal no data 2014 Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop Cap Forest Woodland?? E14043-6 DL82 DL82 Petrophile sp. Negative 24 March DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- healthy yes 2014 Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest appearance of Cap Forest plant above sample E14043-7 DL83 DL83 Banksia spinulosa Negative 24 March DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- healthy yes 2014 Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest appearance of Cap Forest plant above sample

E14043-8 DL94 DL94 Banksia serrata / Isopogon Negative 24 March WSF99 Illawarra DSF131 Coastal dieback symptom no anemonifolius 2014 Gully Wet Forest Sandstone Ridgetop on Banksia Woodland serrata above sample. Xanthorrhoea has brown tip dieback E14043-9 DL96 DL96 Lambertia formosa P. cinnamomi 24 March WSF99 Illawarra DSF131 Coastal Lamertia plant yes 2014 Gully Wet Forest Sandstone Ridgetop above sample Woodland was yellowish. Community around site appeared reasonably healthy E14043- DL105 DL105 Banksia spinulosa Negative 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- Healthy looking yes 46 Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest plant above Cap Forest sample. E14043- DL106 DL106 Banksia spinulosa / Dianella Negative 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- Healthy looking yes 42 sp. / Eucalyptus piperita Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest plants above Cap Forest sample.

E14043- DL19A DL19A Petrophile sp. Negative 1 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal brownish yes 34 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Petrophile, Ridgetop Woodland Woodland generally healthy appearance community E14043- DL19B DL19B Xanthorrhoea sp. / P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal sample from yes 30 Petrophile sp. Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop dead patch, signs Ridgetop Woodland Woodland of dieback around E14043- DL20A DL20A Hakea teretifolia / Hakea Negative 1 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal yellowish no 39 ?gibbosa Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Hakeas. Ridgetop Woodland Woodland E14043- DL22A DL22A Hakea dactyloides P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal Hakea not yes 33 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest healthy Forest appearance.

E14043- DL23A DL23A Leptospermum trinervium / P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal Generally healthy yes 43 Banksia ericifolia / Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest appearance Tetratheca sp. Forest community although Banksia spinulosa was unhealthy

E14043- DL57A DL57A Pultenaea aristata / Banksia P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal P.arisata yes 41 ericifolia Upland Swamp Upland Swamp appeared healthy. B. ericifolia appeared yellowish E14043- DL58A DL58A Banksia ericifolia Negative 1 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal occasional plant no 36 Upland Swamp Upland Swamp dead' around site. Phytophthora suspected E14043- DL59A DL59A Hakea teretifolia Negative 1 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal mostly healthy yes 28 Upland Swamp Upland Swamp community appearance, occasional dead Banksia ericifolia E14043- DL60A DL60A Banksia oblongifolia / P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal B oblongifolia no 38 Banksia ericifolia / Upland Swamp Upland Swamp appeared to be Xanthorrhoea sp. fungal attack. Generally very healthy community E14043- DL173A DL73A Isopogon anethifolius / P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal plants above yes 35 Petrophile sp. Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop sample appeared Cap Forest Woodland scrappy but mostly healthy E14043- DL76 DL76 Isopogon anemonifolius Negative 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal plant above no 44 Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop sample was Cap Forest Woodland?? yellowish E14043- DL77A DL77A Petrophile sp. / Patersonia Negative 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal plant above yes 45 glabrata Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop sample was Cap Forest Woodland unhealthy. Generally healthy community appearance E14043- DL79A DL79A Petrophile sp. / P. cinnamomi 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal Petrophile above yes 47 Leptospermum sp. Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop sample was Cap Forest Woodland unhealthy. Signs of yellowing dieback around tabkle drain leading to site. Hakea sp. Unhealthy. E14043- DL80A DL80A Xanthorrhoea sp. Negative 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal healthy yes 40 Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop appearance of Cap Forest Woodland Xanthorrhoea above sample. Reasonably

healthy community appearance E14043- DL81 DL81 Isopogon anemonifolius Negative 1 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- healthy yes 37 Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest appearance of Cap Forest Isopogon above sample E14043- DL103 DL103 Persoonia pinifolia / P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF143 Sydney Shale- Healthy looking no 57 Pultenaea daphnoides Shale-Ironstone Ironstone Cap Forest plants above Cap Forest sample. Healthy shale cap forest appearance E14043- DL16A DL16A Banksia ericifolia / Isopogon P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal HL 117 Coastal healthy no 29 anemonifolius Sandstone Sandstone Plateau community Ridgetop Woodland Heath appearance

E14043- DL18A DL18A Banksia marginata / P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal 131 Generally no 27 Bossiaea obcordata / Sandstone community Banksia ericifolia Ridgetop Woodland appears healthy,

E14043- DL1A DL1A Hakea ?gibbosa / Banksia P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal plants were yes 52 ericifolia / Banksia Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop yellowish, historic marginata Ridgetop Woodland Woodland seismic mine line, signs of occasional dead shrubs around site E14043- DL24 DL24 Banksia ericifolia P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal 3m healthy no 25 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest Banksia within Forest healthy appearance community. Sandy soil E14043- DL25A DL25A Hakea ?gibbosa / Banksia P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal healthy plants no 50 spinulosa / Fabaceae sp. Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest above soil Forest sample. Soil derived from sandstone E14043- DL26 DL26 Banksia ericifolia / Hakea P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal B ericifolia yes 49 ?gibbosa Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest appeared Forest healthy, Hakea not so healthy. Generally healthy community in site vicinity

E14043- DL2A DL2A Hakea ?gibbosa P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal senescent plant, yes 26 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Isopogon Ridgetop Woodland Woodland anemonifolius and Banksia paludosa looked yellowish. Woodland looks healthy E14043- DL31A DL31A Persoonia pinifolia / Negative 2 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal healthy forest yes 51 Fabaceaea pea Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest appearance Forest E14043- DL32A DL32A Banksia serrata P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal healthy 4m no 53 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest Banksia shrub Forest E14043- DL35A DL35A Banksia ericifolia P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal sample plant no 54 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest appeared Forest healthy. Sample next to old pit pipeline track end of 10U E14043- DL3A DL3A Petrophile sp. Negative 2 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal yellowish shrub no 31 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop 1.5 m. End of Ridgetop Woodland Woodland mitre drain some yellowing of plants along edges of drain E14043- DL61A DL61A Hakea teretifolia Phytophthora 2 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Healthy no 58 sp. Upland Swamp Upland Swamp community appearance E14043- DL62A DL62A Pultenaea aristata / Hakea Phytophthora 2 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Plants above no 56 teretifolia / Petrophile sp. sp. Upland Swamp Upland Swamp sample appeared healthy

E14043- DL72A DL72A Lomatia myricoides / P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone no additional no data 48 Leptospermum sp. Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub notes

E14043- DL78A DL78A Banksia ericifolia / P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal community has no 32 Xanthorrhoea sp. / Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop mostly healthy Petrophile sp. Cap Forest Woodland appearance

E14043- DL93A DL93A Banksia ericifolia P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 HL126 Coastal HL126 Coastal Rock sample taken on no 55 Rock Plate Heath Plate Heath seepage fall side of rock plate, Broad-headed snake fake rock site, community

looks healthy

E14043- DLRIP1 DLRIP1 Tristaniopsis laurina / P. cinnamomi 2 April 2014 FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone no data 24 Casuarina cunninghamiana Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub / Lomatia myricoides

E14043- DL100 DL100 Hakea gibbosa Negative 3 April 2014 Cleared historically DSF131 Coastal healthy yes 15 Sandstone Ridgetop community Woodland appearance E14043- DL10A DL10A Xanthorrhoea ?resinifera / Negative 3 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Xanthorrhoea yes 13 Caustis flexuosa Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop and Caustis Ridgetop Woodland Woodland specimens both appear healthy. E14043- DL11A DL11A Petrophile sessilis / Caustis P. cinnamomi 3 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Petrophile yes 17 flexuosa Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop appeared Ridgetop Woodland Woodland unhealthy yellowish, Caustis appeared healthy, Community generally appeared healthy, site located along old mining 'seismic' exploration trail E14043- DL37 DL37 Banksia spinulosa / Dianella P. cinnamomi 3 April 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland healthy plants no 23 caerulea Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest above soil Forest sample.

E14043- DL43 DL43 Isopogon anemonifolius / Negative 3 April 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland generally healthy yes 14 Caustis flexuosa Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest plants above Forest sample. Healthy community appearance E14043- DL64A DL64A Tristaniopsis laurina Negative 3 April 2014 FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone no data 22 Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub

E14043- DL65A DL65A Tristaniopsis laurina P. cinnamomi 3 April 2014 FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone healthy no 12 Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub community appearance

E14043- DL84 DL84 Hakea ?gibbosa / Phytophthora 3 April 2014 DSF146 Sydney DSF146 Sydney flat terrain no data 19 Petrophile sessilis sp. Hinterland Hinterland Transition Transition Woodland Woodland E14043- DL85A DL85A Isopogon anemonifolius P. cinnamomi 3 April 2014 DSF146 Sydney DSF146 Sydney Isopogon yes 20 & Hinterland Hinterland Transition unhealthy, Phytophthora Transition Woodland occasional signs sp. Woodland of dieback, signs of past logging and old track erosion. Sandy loam soil E14043- DL86 DL86 Petrophile sessilis Phytophthora 3 April 2014 DSF146 Sydney DSF146 Sydney plant above yes 16 sp. Hinterland Hinterland Transition sample was Transition Woodland (disturbed) yellowish. Woodland Persoonia pinifolia yellowish and dying. Site with history of previous mechanical disturbance tracks and clearing. Much yellowing in susceptible species. An unhealthy site. E14043- DL86A DL86A Xanthorrhoea sp. P. cinnamomi 3 April 2014 DSF146 Sydney DSF146 Sydney Xanthorrhoea yes 21 Hinterland Hinterland Transition plant above Transition Woodland (disturbed) sample clearly Woodland diseased/dying back. Site with history of previous mechanical disturbance tracks and clearing. E14043- DL87 DL87 Xanthorrhoea ?resinifera Negative 3 April 2014 DSF146 Sydney DSF146 Sydney Xanthorrhoea yes 18 Hinterland Hinterland Transition plant above Transition Woodland (disturbed) sample was Woodland healthy. site near old track. Community had healthy appearance

E14043- DL12 DL12 Isopogon anethifolius P. cinnamomi 8 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Isopogon yes 67 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop unhealthy and Ridgetop Woodland Woodland yellowish, generally healthy community appearance, occasional dead/yellowing plant, sick Persoonia levis plant, site on bench at base of rock ledge, sandy soil E14043- DL13A DL13A Petrophile sessilis / Negative 8 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Petrophile and yes 60 Woollsia pungens Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Woollsia healthy Ridgetop Woodland Woodland appearance, Healthy community appearance but dead Isopogon and dead Woollsia in area. South-east aspect E14043- DL14 DL14 Banksia spinulosa Negative 8 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Banksia was no 59 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop yellowish. A flat, Ridgetop Woodland Woodland rocky site with sandy soil west aspect E14043- DL15A DL15A Banksia ericifolia Negative 8 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal healthy old yes 71 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Banksia shrub to Ridgetop Woodland Woodland 4 m. Generally healthy community appearance, sandy soil. Sample site 70m east of borecap at end of track. E14043- DL21A DL21A Isopogon anethifolius / P. cinnamomi 8 April 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal yellowish plants, yes 64 Petrophile sessilis Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop generally healthy Ridgetop Woodland Woodland appearance community, some yellowing in vicinity and some dead Petrophile sessilis

E14043- DL27 DL27 Hakea sericea / Persoonia Negative 8 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Healthy yes 68 pinifolia / Patersonia Sandstone Gully Sandstone Ridgetop community glabrata Forest Woodland appearance

E14043- DL28 DL28 Banksia serrata Negative 8 April 2014 DSF140 Coastal DSF140 Coastal yellow spots on yes 61 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest Banksia leaves. Forest Sandy soil, generally healthy appearance community except Banksia serrata E14043- DL38A DL38A Petrophile sp. Negative 8 April 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland healthy sample yes 70 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest plant, healthy Forest community appearance, one unhealthy Xanthorrhoea, rocky north- facing upper slope E14043- DL39A DL39A Banksia spinulosa P. cinnamomi 8 April 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland healthy sample no 69 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest plant, black Forest sandy soil west aspect upper slope dry gully E14043- DL40A DL40A Xanthorrhoea sp. / Banksia Negative 8 April 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland Xanth OK, yes 65 serrata / Ceratopetalum Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest yellowish on gummiferum Forest Banksia and Ceratopetalum. Below escarpment edge on bench. Generally healthy community appearance except Ceratopetalum (yellowish) E14043- DL44 DL44 Banksia ericifolia P. cinnamomi 8 April 2014 DSF142 Ecotone DSF131 / 142 / senescent, yes 66 Hinterland FRW 129 Coastal yellowish sample Sandstone Gully Upland Swamp plant, wet but Forest generally healthy community appearance E14043- DL55 DL55 Banksia ericifolia Negative 8 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal healthy Banksia yes 62 Upland Swamp Upland Swamp plant, healthy

community E14043- DL56A DL56A Sprengelia incarnata / Negative 8 April 2014 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal some dieback of no 63 Banksia ericifolia Upland Swamp Upland Swamp Sprengelia stems. Generally healthy community appearance E14043- DL38 DL38 Grevillea mucronulata / P. cinnamomi 14 April DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland healthy sample yes 73 Acacia terminalis / unknown 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest plants, clayey shrub Forest sand, mid slope western aspect. Occasional dead Banksia marginata and yellowing Petrophile sessilis and Isopogon anemonifolius E14043- DL41 DL41 Banksia spinulosa / Negative 14 April DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland generally healthy yes 74 Pultenaea sp. 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest community Forest appearance. Lateritic sandy soil, north facing steep slope E14043- DL42A DL42A Pultenaea ?aristata / P. cinnamomi 14 April DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland Healthy no 80 Leucopogon ?exolasius / 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest community hakea dactyloides / Forest appearance , Woollsia pungens steep lower slope east aspect.

E14043- DL4A DL4A Isopogon anemonifolius / P. cinnamomi 14 April DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Healthy looking no 76 Hakea dactyloides / 2014 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop plants, west Pultenaea sp. Ridgetop Woodland Woodland aspect upper slope, community has generally healthy appearance E14043- DL5A DL5A Banksia ericifolia / Negative 14 April DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal very sandy soil, yes 79 Petrophile sessilis / 2014 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop NW aspect, 1% Pultenaea sp. Ridgetop Woodland Woodland slope, Generally healthy community

E14043- DL69A DL69A Tristaniopsis laurina / P. cinnamomi 14 April FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone below Cobbong no 82 Leucopogon ?exolasius 2014 Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub Falls, healthy community appearance

E14043- DL6A DL6A Isopogon anemonifolius / P. cinnamomi 14 April DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal healthy no 77 Leptospermum sp. 2014 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop appearance of Ridgetop Woodland Woodland sample plants / Community has generally healthy appearance, one Banksia spinulosa appears unhealthy, sandy soil slight west aspect E14043- DL7 DL7 Banksia ericifolia Negative 14 April DSF131 Coastal Ecotone FRW 129 plant was dead. no 81 2014 Sandstone Coastal Upland Swamp Light sandy clay Ridgetop Woodland soil E14043- DL70A DL70A Hakea dactyloides P. cinnamomi 14 April FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone Coobong Creek no 72 2014 Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub above falls, healthy plant above sample. Sandy soil, E14043- DL7R1 DL7R1 Banksia ericifolia / Negative 14 April DSF131 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal sample plants no 83 Petrophile sessilis 2014 Sandstone Upland Swamp appeared to be Ridgetop Woodland dying. 30m NE of research met station. Dead plants scattered around depression E14043- DL7R2 DL7R2 Banksia ericifolia / Negative 14 April DSF131 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Banksia plant no 75 ?Micromyrtis sp. 2014 Sandstone Upland Swamp nearly dead, Ridgetop Woodland Micromyrtus healthy. Scattered plants around site sick or dying E14043- DLSITE C DLSITE C Banksia marginata P. cinnamomi 14 April DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland near creek in no 78 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest DSF, lower slope Forest sandy soil, healthy plant above sample, generally healthy community appearance.

Research site not found here

E14062- DL101A DL101A Hakea sericea / Petrophile Negative 16 April Cleared historically DSF131 Coastal 5 m from edge of no 99 sessilis 2014 Sandstone Ridgetop victoria Road. Woodland plants above sample dead or dying. Banksia marginata plant in vicinity dead, Banksia ericifolia in vicinity both dead and healthy E14062- DL46A DL46A Fabaceae pea sp. Negative 16 April DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland healthy plant yes 86 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest specimen, Forest generally healthy community appearance, sandy soil, north- west aspect, rocky surface rock, 10m above creek edge, 15% slope E14062- DL48A DL48A Banksia spinulosa Negative 16 April DSF142 Hinterland WSF 102 Lower Blue Banksia spin yes 88 2014 Sandstone Gully Mountains Wet Forest? healthy, healthy Forest community appearance E14062- DL52 DL52 Banksia serrata / Banksia Negative 30 April DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland healthy sample yes 92 spinulosa 2014 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest plants, Healthy Forest forest some natural bracken fern dieback from water stress probably, sandy soil, rocky, south east aspect E14062- DL68 DL68A Phebalium sp. / P. cinnamomi 30 April FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone site between no 95 Lepidosperma sp. 2014 Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub road and creek. healthy plants above sample. Healthy community appearance, east aspect, sandy soil, slight slope

E14062- DL88 DL88 Xanthorrhoea ?resinifera P. cinnamomi 30 April DSF146 Sydney DSF142 Hinterland Xanthorrhoea no 96 2014 Hinterland Sandstone Gully Forest? plant above Transition sample was Woodland healthy as were other Xanths in area. Ceratopetalum gummiferum was yellowish as were many. West aspect mid slope. 5%, soil loamy sand. Community healthy apperance E14062- DL98 DL98 Petrophile sp. / Banksia Negative 30 April GW2 Cumberland DSF131 Coastal rock shelf and no 97 marginata 2014 Shale Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop skeletal soil. Transition Forest Woodland plants above sample appeared unhealthy. Generally healthy community appearance but some indications of sporadic dieback. A possible Phytophthora infection site. E14062- DL99A DL99A Grevillea mucronulata Negative 30 April GW2 Cumberland Ecotone DSF131 some branch yes 98 2014 Shale Sandstone Coastal Sandstone dieback but Transition Forest Ridgetop Woodland / foliage healthy on DSF142 Hinterland plant above Sandstone Gully sample. East Forest aspect, upper rocky slope 5%, soil sandy. Generally healthy community appearance E14062- DL102A DL102A Banksia marginata Negative 1 May 2014 Cleared historically DSF131 Coastal O'Hares Ck yes 100 Sandstone Ridgetop Lookout track, flat Woodland and sandy, generally healthy community appearance

E14062- DL47 DL47 Xanthorrhoea sp. P. cinnamomi 1 May 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland Xanth appears no 87 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest healthy, Forest community appearance healthy, noprth east aspect, rocky sandy soil midslope E14062- DL49A DL49A Banksia marginata Negative 1 May 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland B marginata yes 89 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest healthy, generally Forest healthy community no sign of dieback, east aspect, steeper slope, soil sandy and rocky E14062- DL50A DL50A Lambertia formosa P. cinnamomi 1 May 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland Lambertia plant no 90 Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest healthy, healthy Forest community appearance, north west aspect, soil sandy E14062- DL51 DL51 Banksia spinulosa / P. cinnamomi 1 May 2014 DSF142 Hinterland DSF142 Hinterland sample species no 91 Podolobium sp. Sandstone Gully Sandstone Gully Forest appear healthy, Forest Lycopodium deuterodensum appeared unhealthy, community otherwise healthy appearance, ssw aspect,footslope, soil rocky and sandy E14062- DL66A DL66A Tristaniopsis laurina Negative 1 May 2014 FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone healthy yes 93 Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub community appearance

E14062- DL67A DL67A Melaleuca sp. / Callistemon P. cinnamomi 1 May 2014 FOW58 Sandstone FOW58 Sandstone healthy riparian no 94 sp. Riparian Scrub Riparian Scrub community appearance, sandy loam soil, sand isthmus next to creek

E14062- DL8A DL8A Banksia marginata Negative 1 May 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal Healthy B yes 84 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop marginata shrub Ridgetop Woodland Woodland to 3m. Sandy soil, flat, slight west aspect, community had healthy appearance, on way into site we cross an old track with occasional signs of plant dieback E14062- DL9A DL9A Petrophile sessilis Negative 1 May 2014 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal healthy yes 85 Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Petrophile within Ridgetop Woodland Woodland generally healthy community, no signs of dieback. Fine sandy dry soil, flat slope E14062- DLRIP2 DLRIP2 Leptospermum sp. P. cinnamomi 1 May 2014 DSF142 Hinterland FOW58 Sandstone upstream of v no 101 & Sandstone Gully Riparian Scrub notch weir, Phytophthora Forest Ohares Creek. sp. Healthy plant above sample. healthy appearance of community E14151-1 DL107A DL107A Banksia ericifolia Negative 17 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Healthy some yes September Upland Swamp Upland Swamp dieback in 2014 Baeckea lin E14151-2 DL108 DL108 Xanthorrhoea resinifera Negative 17 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal unhealthy looking no September Upland Swamp Upland Swamp Xanthorrhoea 2014 E14151-3 DL110A DL110A Telopea speciosissima P. cinnamomi 17 DSF143 Sydney DSF131 Coastal Waratah looked no September Shale-Ironstone Sandstone Ridgetop healthy 2014 Cap Forest Woodland E14151-4 DL111A DL111A Xanthorrhoea / Banksia P. cinnamomi 17 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal Healthy no paludosa September Upland Swamp Upland Swamp appearance 2014 E14151-5 DL112A DL112A Xanthorrhoea resinifera Negative 17 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal unhealthy looking no September Upland Swamp Upland Swamp Xanthorrhoea 2014 E14151-6 DL114A DL114A Xanthorrhoea/Sprengelia P. cinnamomi 17 FRW 129 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal healthy no September Upland Swamp Upland Swamp appearance 2014 E14151-9 DLCAT-1 DLCAT-1 Isopogon anemonifolius Negative 17 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal unhealthy no September Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop Isopogon, other 2014 Ridgetop Woodland Woodland species look

healthy

E14151-8 DLCAT-2 DLCAT-2 Xanthorrhoea sp. P. cinnamomi 17 DSF131 Coastal DSF131 Coastal swampy DSF yes September Sandstone Sandstone Ridgetop 131, yellowish 2014 Ridgetop Woodland Woodland dead tips on Xanthorrhoea E14151-7 DLR-3 DLR-3 Hakea sp. P. cinnamomi 18 DSF131 Coastal FRW 129 Coastal small heath patch yes September Sandstone Upland Swamp containing 2014 Ridgetop Woodland evaporation pan research field equipment, unhealthy plant

APPENDIX 2 Example of a Field Data sheet for Soil sample collection

APPENDIX 3 Plant Disease Diagnostic Unit Soil Test results

E14043 Sample Our labels Ref. Results 75 E14043-5 Banksia Negative E14043-15 DL100 Negative E14062-99 DL101A Negative E14062- 100 DL102A Negative E14043-57 DL103 P. cinnamomi E14043-10 DL104 Negative E14043-46 DL105 Negative E14043-42 DL106 Negative E14043-13 DL10A Negative E14043-11 DL110B Negative E14043-17 DL11A P. cinnamomi E14043-67 DL12 P. cinnamomi E14043-60 DL13A Negative E14043-59 DL14 Negative E14043-71 DL15A Negative E14043-29 DL16A P. cinnamomi E14043-35 DL173A P. cinnamomi E14043-1 DL17A Negative E14043-27 DL18A P. cinnamomi E14043-34 DL19A Negative E14043-30 DL19B P. cinnamomi E14043-52 DL1A P. cinnamomi E14043-39 DL20A Negative E14043-64 DL21A P. cinnamomi E14043-33 DL22A P. cinnamomi E14043-43 DL23A P. cinnamomi E14043-25 DL24 P. cinnamomi E14043-50 DL25A P. cinnamomi E14043-49 DL26 P. cinnamomi E14043-68 DL27 Negative E14043-61 DL28 Negative E14043-26 DL2A P. cinnamomi E14043-51 DL31A Negative E14043-53 DL32A P. cinnamomi E14043-2 DL33A Negative E14043-54 DL35A P. cinnamomi E14043-23 DL37 P. cinnamomi E14043-73 DL38 P. cinnamomi E14043-70 DL38A Negative E14043-69 DL39A P. cinnamomi E14043-31 DL3A Negative E14043-65 DL40A Negative E14043-74 DL41 Negative E14043-80 DL42A P. cinnamomi E14043-14 DL43 Negative E14043-66 DL44 P. cinnamomi E14062-86 DL46A Negative E14062-87 DL47 P. cinnamomi E14062-88 DL48A Negative E14062-89 DL49A Negative E14043-76 DL4A P. cinnamomi E14062-90 DL50A P. cinnamomi

E14062-91 DL51 P. cinnamomi E14062-92 DL52 Negative E14043-3 DL53 Negative E14043-4 DL54 P. cinnamomi E14043-62 DL55 Negative E14043-63 DL56A Negative E14043-41 DL57A P. cinnamomi E14043-36 DL58A Negative E14043-28 DL59A Negative E14043-79 DL5A Negative E14043-38 DL60A P. cinnamomi E14043-58 DL61A Phytophthora sp. E14043-56 DL62A Phytophthora sp. E14043-22 DL64A Negative E14043-12 DL65A P. cinnamomi E14062-93 DL66A Negative E14062-94 DL67A P. cinnamomi E14062-95 DL68 P. cinnamomi E14043-82 DL69A P. cinnamomi E14043-77 DL6A P. cinnamomi E14043-81 DL7 Negative E14043-72 DL70A P. cinnamomi E14043-48 DL72A P. cinnamomi E14043-44 DL76 Negative E14043-45 DL77A Negative E14043-32 DL78A P. cinnamomi E14043-47 DL79A P. cinnamomi E14043-83 DL7R1 Negative E14043-75 DL7R2 Negative E14043-40 DL80A Negative E14043-37 DL81 Negative E14043-6 DL82 Negative E14043-7 DL83 Negative E14043-19 DL84 Phytophthora sp. E14043-20 DL85A P. cinnamomi & Phytophthora sp. E14043-16 DL86 Phytophthora sp. E14043-21 DL86A P. cinnamomi E14043-18 DL87 Negative E14062-96 DL88 P. cinnamomi E14062-84 DL8A Negative E14043-55 DL93A P. cinnamomi E14043-8 DL94 Negative E14043-9 DL96 P. cinnamomi E14062-97 DL98 Negative E14062-98 DL99A Negative E14062-85 DL9A Negative E14043-24 DLRIP1 P. cinnamomi E14062- 101 DLRIP2 P. cinnamomi & Phytophthora sp. DLSITE E14043-78 C P. cinnamomi

EF/151

IMAGES

Site DL7R1 near evapotranspiration pan research station – Phytophthora was not detected here nor at two sites near here (DL7 and DL7R2) despite visual cues to its presence. After a fourth sample near the research infrastructure Phytophthora cinnamomi was detected at site DLR-3. Phytophthora was detected 200m further south at site DL7siteC adjacent to a creek. Canker pathogen may be the cause of dieback symptoms also.

Site DL104A in DSF143 Sydney Shale-Ironstone Cap Forest (on shale) near the Darkes Forest Rural Fire Station. Phytophthora was not detected here

Site DL67A Sandstone Riparian Scrub community on Stokes Creek, tested positive for Phytophthora cinnamomi as did most sites samples in this topographical position although plants within the community appeared healthy.

Broad-leaved Drumsticks Isopogon anemonifolius at site DL85A tested positive for Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora sp.