Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

April 2008 Vol. 12, Number 2

NEWSLETTER OF THE LAND FOR WILDLIFE SCHEME

Registered by Post Print Post: 606811/00007 Western Australian orchids - the masters of deceit (Part 2) Andrew Brown The attraction of male insects to under sexually such as the spider orchids (Caladenia). The biggest and false pretences, often termed pseudocopulation, is used most conspicuous part of a hammer orchid is its by several south-western orchid groups in which the lip, which resembles to a remarkable degree a female flowers share certain characteristics with the female flower wasp. Pollination is achieved by sexual deception insect. Their colours, for instance, are usually dull shades of the male wasp, which is flung over and upside down of green, yellow and maroon and they are usually, but against the when it attempts to fly off with the not always, odourless to humans. However, all produce female decoy. Each of Drakaea is thought to be powerful chemical lures that are irresistible to male pollinated by a different species of wasp and illustrates one pollinating insects. These 'sex pheromones' appear to of the most specialised relationships between pollinator be especially active on still, warm days, particularly and known to occur in Australia, and indeed the from mid morning to early-afternoon. The dragon orchid world. (Caladenia barbarossa) is a superb example with its Yet another group insectiform lip closely matching the size, shape and of orchids that use texture of a female flower wasp. sexual deception are species of duck orchid ( Paracaleana) . These have a sensitive lip that is similar to that of triggerplants (Stylidium) in being capable of movement on mechanical contact. The female decoy is formed by the lip and is attached to the inverted winged column by The hammer orchid Drakea livida is pollinated by flower wasps an elongated springy The flying duck orchid Paracaleana claw. On contact gracilicordata Like Caladenia barbarossa, hammer orchid with the female (Drakaea) species are masters of sexual deception. Their decoy, both the male wasp and lip are swung down inconspicuous odourless flowers are living examples into the pouch formed by the column wings. It takes of extreme specialisation. These flowers are invariably considerable exertion by the wasp to back-peddle out of solitary on top of a thin wiry stem and are reduced to mere the trap and in doing so it removes or deposits pollinia. remnants of their colourful counterparts seen in genera The flower resets itself to the firing position over a period of several minutes.

continued on page 4 1 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

EDITORIAL landcare officer. Contacts for Sheila and Phil are operator to the east of Bridgetown given below. If you are in one of Greetings all! and is very knowledgeable about these areas, why not ring up and whole of landscape planning. say hello, or call in at the office for It is a pleasure to announce two The Great Southern position a chat? Remember, if it has been a new LFW Officers, Sheila Howat has also moved, from Katanning to while since a LFWO visited you, and and Philip Worts, who will each be Kojonup, to make it easier for Philip you would like someone to come out working for two days a week. Worts, who has taken over from again to see how well everything is Sheila has taken over the Middle going, or perhaps to seek advice on Blackwood position, previously a new problem that has arisen, then held by Julia Boniface. This ring up to arrange a ‘revisit’. services the Shires of Boyup You may also like to welcome Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, back Sylvia Leighton, returning to Donnybrook-Balingup, Manjimup the office after a year of maternity and Nannup. To make it more leave. I am hopeful that both Sylvia convenient for her, the office and Dorothy will continue to work location has moved from Nannup with us in the Albany area. back to Bridgetown, where she will be sharing an office with other Kathleen O’Brien. This position WA’s weather continues to landcare and environmental groups. services the Shires of Lake Grace, be capricious, although it is Sheila is a landholder and ecotourism Dumbleyung, Kent, Woodanilling, encouraging that the northern areas Katanning, Broomehill, Tambellup, have had some good summer falls Cranbrook and Kojonup. Phil, a of rain that will have built up some geologist and mining engineer in subsoil moisture prior to the start a previous life, now farms west of of cropping. Ray Froend’s article Kojonup. He is very knowledgeable on the water relations of banksias about remnant management and shows just how important this soil revegetation integrated with water is to the survival of natural sustainable agriculture. The Shire ecosystems. of Kojonup has made an office Best wishes for the coming year, available in the Memorial Hall, everyone. which will be shared with the Penny Hussey INDEX Contact details for Land for Wildlife Officers Black- cockatoo genetics research _____12 Bush Detective ______13 Name location Phone Email Coming events ______16 Heather Adamson mandurah (08) 9582 9333 [email protected] Editorial ______2 Impact of groundwater and decreased Avril Baxter narrogin (08) 9881 9218 [email protected] rainfall on banksia ______6 Fiona Falconer Coorow (08) 9952 1074 [email protected] In brief ______15 Wayne Gill esperance (08) 9083 2100 [email protected] Is continual economic growth the ideal to aim for? ______11 Claire Hall Perth (08) 9334 0427 [email protected] LFW sites on electronic maps ______3 Mal Harper merredin (08) 9041 2488 [email protected] Members page ______14 On the lookout for lorikeets ______8 Sheila Howat Bridgetown (08) 9761 2405 [email protected] Roos disperse canola seeds ______11 Penny Hussey Perth (08) 9334 0530 [email protected] Say no to gamba grass ______10 Space invaders ______9 Cherie Kemp Busselton (08) 9752 5533 [email protected] Western Australian Orchids ______1 Zara Kivell mundaring (08) 9295 9112 [email protected]

Sylvia Leighton Albany (08) 9842 4500 [email protected]

Use of articles from Western Wildlife Dorothy Redreau Albany (08) 9842 4500 [email protected] Material may be reproduced without permission as long as Philip Worts Kojonup (08) 9831 0832 [email protected] the source is acknowledged and the article is reproduced in its entirety without any alterations. If you wish to use only Irene Vo Perth (08) 9334 0404 [email protected] part of an article, please liaise with the Editor.

2 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

YOUR LFW site on electronic maps for nrm planning

All planning and prioritising natural resource management recorded on a GIS mapping system for land management is now (NRM). Unless the sites are on a GIS for Natural Resource Management being done electronically via database accessible by the planner, planning?” Most people are happy Geographic Information Systems they will not be taken into account. for their site to be recorded, but (GIS). Whether it be for and landholders could find that their 0.04% stated they did not want their mining, agricultural production, precious bushland is earmarked for site location to be made available to revegetation, subdivision, drainage a communications tower or a gravel planners on GIS, and this preference or other on-ground works, planners pit – or that they are missing out on is scrupulously observed. and project managers are using the opportunity to benefit from a new In WW 8/1 Jan 2004, we computerised maps to outline their funding source. asked you to contact your LFWO ‘areas of interest’ and determine Thus it is important that LFW if you were concerned about this what features within those areas are provides the location of LFW sites process or wanted more information relevant to their project. to planners, on a project by project – especially if you do not want your It is important that these persons basis. No detail – not even your site recorded. Only two people know where the LFW sites are, name – just where there is a LFW followed this up, so we concluded because: site. If the planners want more detail, that all the rest had no objections. • they contain valuable native they would contact the LFWO who Requests for data are being vegetation; would ask for your permission to received at an increasing rate. All • the landholder is managing them provide it. the projects we are consulted about for biodiversity conservation; When LFW first started, GIS are aimed at building up a long-term and technology was in its infancy, so it picture of sustainability. If you do • most LFW landholders want to was not discussed during the LFW not want your LFW site/s to be recorded know and to be consulted about visit. But if you have joined us on these GIS databases, it is vital to let planning that may affect their since 2003, you will see at the end us know. land. of the report that we ask a standard Please contact Avril Baxter on Therefore these sites and their question: “Has the landholder any 9881 9240 or Penny Hussey on 9334 managers are a vital part of local concerns about the ‘LFW site’ being 0530 for more information.

if you do not want your LFW sites to be recorded on these GIS databases, it is vital to let us know!

THE WAY WE WERE - Swans on the Swan

An early quote from Charles will not be a Swan to be seen, when Fraser, Colonial Botanist, a no doubt the original discoverers member of Captain James Stirling’s will be laughed at for so apparently expedition to explore the Swan preposterous a name.” River on 8th – 16th March 1827, to It seems Fraser was right! determine if it would be a suitable Although there have been, over the site for a settlement: years, many schemes proposed ‘to “The river abounds in fish and bring the swans back to the Swan’, Black Swans, Ducks, teal, pelicans none has been very successful. It and Shags are seen in myriads – so from the shyness of those birds, I doubt not that at no distant period is not easy to reverse a change in much so that our party while on the ecology. river lived on roast Swans – but should the country be settled, there

3 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2 continued from page 1 FLORA WA orchids

A male flower wasp is attracted to the insect-like lip of an elbow orchid, Spiculaea ciliata, then, as it tries to fly away, it is swung up against the pollen

The tiny elbow orchid (Spiculaea ciliata) is bizarre pollination by sexual deceit of male flying ants is unique even by orchid standards. Although emerging in autumn to the hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata) The orchid is it does not begin to flower until the moss swards, where unusual in that it flowers in autumn. However, this makes it grows, dry out prior to the long hot summer. Under sense when you consider that it is this time of year when these rather harsh conditions the orchid dies at its base most flying ants swarm. These primitive ants (Myrmecia but is able to support the flowers and developing seed urens) are in search of a queen with which to mate and pods with water and nutrients stored in its thickened start a new colony. On nearing the flower of a hare orchid fleshy stem. Each plant has up to seven flowers with they act in a similar way to male flower wasps on other a hinged insect-like lip and curiously shaped column species of orchid by being initially attracted by a chemical wings. When small male flower wasps, attracted to lure (sex pheromone). However, unlike the male flower the female decoy, attempt to fly away with it they wasps, they first land on the plant’s stem rather than the are momentarily trapped by the column wings, thus flower, then climb upwards, align themselves sideways depositing or removing pollen. across the lip for a few minutes, and squirm their way Pollination by ants is an extremely rare occurrence out, picking up pollinia as they do. anywhere in the world. A few species of mignonette The large, colourful scoliid wasps (Campsomeris) orchid () are known to be pollinated by ants, but appear to be attracted to the wonderfully ornamented lip of

Mignonette orchid, subsp. Beard orchid, Calochilus stamenicola A greenhood, hamiltonii media

4 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme continued from page 4 FLORA WA orchids beard orchid (Calochilus) species. It is believed that they The greenhoods (Pterostylis) are a large of are lured by pheromones emitted by the flower and in Australian orchids. All species have their and their attempt to mate, inadvertently pollinate the orchid. fused into a hood which encloses the column. Interestingly, these orchids are also capable of self- As with species of duck orchid (Paracaleana), the pollination should the insects not be active. often protruding lip found in most greenhood species is sensitive to the touch, springing upwards to trap inside the flower any insect which alights on it. The most common visitors to the flowers are tiny midges or mosquitoes that, for reasons currently unknown, are attracted to the flower. They can escape only by crawling upwards, first past the stigma on which they deposit any pollen that has already adhered to them, then past the anther from which they remove a new load of pollen. They finally emerge from the flower by passing out though the cavity at the top of the bloom or when the lip resets. Some Western Australian orchids have foregone the use of insects to transfer pollen and instead achieve self-pollination (autogamy) by a process involving the anther collapsing onto the stigma. Some self pollinating The slipper orchid, ovata orchids such as common sun orchid (Thelymitra vulgaris) rarely open. However, most species that self-pollinate But perhaps the most well documented case of an are also visited by insects and only resort to self- orchid using pseudocopulation as a method of achieving pollination when insects are not active. Self-pollination pollination is in species of slipper orchid (Cryptostylis). is especially common in beard orchids (Calochilus) and So convincing is their attraction to male ichneumon wasps sun orchids (Thelymitra), but also occurs in many other (Lissopimpla excelsa) that copulation is attempted and orchid genera. sperm packets are ejaculated into the orchid. The lip of As you can see our Western Australian orchids use a the orchid is highly modified and held upside down so remarkable number of contrivances to attract pollinators, that male wasps alight upside down and in their attempt some simple and some intricate. However, I think you to copulate pollinia are picked up or deposited. would agree all are interesting and make a fascinating subject of study.

Andrew Brown is Coordinator, Threatened Flora, at Watch out for the new book DEC Kensington. He can be contacted by email “Orchids of ” by : [email protected] Andrew Brown, Pat Dundas, Kingsley Dixon and Steve Hopper to be published soon by UWA Press. It will Did you know … ? contain text and illustrations of all the that plant transpiration cools the air? A well- grown broadleaved tree in a house garden can known orchid species in WA. This produce a cooling effect equivalent to that of 10 book should be superb - if you have air conditioners running 20 hours a day. seen Pat's beautiful paintings in "The The conundrum in WA’s climate is that Bushland of Kings Park" you growing the plants requires additional summer application of scarce water, while generating know to expect a high standard. electricity to power the air conditioners adds CO2 to the atmosphere and so increases the Greenhouse warming effect ......

5 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

FLORA

impact of groundwater use and decreased rainfall on banksia Ray Froend

Throughout Australia when these plants are most the future of groundwater susceptible to groundwater resources is being assessed drawdown (lowering of the due to increasing pressure from watertable). consumptive uses (pumping) Through assessment of the for agriculture, mining and natural abundance of the stable urban developments as isotope of hydrogen within well as climate change. The the available water sources role groundwater plays in and trees, recent research at influencing the health of major Edith Cowan University has ecosystems across Australia identified seasonal variability is also being increasingly in the relative importance recognised. Groundwater- of groundwater as a water dependent ecosystems can source to banksia species. be defined as a complex During winter and spring community of organisms where (wetting phase of the year; groundwater is a key resource see diagram), unsaturated soil required for consumptive use, horizons contain sufficient biophysical processes or as a moisture to provide up to habitat. To ensure the continued 80% of the total water use health of groundwater- of a banksia tree. Only 20% dependent ecosystems, their of the water used by the tree water requirements need to is derived from the capillary be identified and formally fringe (groundwater rising 50 recognised by environmental cm above the watertable due management agencies so that to capillary action). During sufficient water can be allocated A recently-dead banksia on the Swan the drying phase of the year to meet those requirements. However, Coastal Plain, all leaves brown (summer and early autumn), when the groundwater requirements of Photo: R. Froend rainfall recharge of the unsaturated different ecosystems are poorly growth and seedling establishment zone ceases and soil moisture is understood. If environmental policy, depleted through evaporation and planning and management agencies and therefore can be classified as phreatophytic (meaning transpiration, the relative importance are to consider the groundwater of groundwater as a water source needs of ecosystems, sufficient groundwater-using vegetation). The water requirements and in particular increases significantly to 70%. quantitative information is required This highlights the vulnerability of to determine how much water can be the groundwater requirements of phreatophytic banksia species has banksia to groundwater drawdown taken from the environment before during the summer and early significant impacts occur. received considerable research interest over recent years. Of autumn months. Lowering of the One example of a groundwater- particular importance is whether watertable beyond the reach of the dependent ecosystem is the banksia there is a seasonal difference in sinker roots removes the primary woodland of the Swan Coastal banksia dependence on groundwater. summer source of water to the trees. Plain. This ecosystem consists of Seasons of high groundwater use Moisture reserves remaining in the communities that have constant, by banksia, such as during the dry unsaturated zone then become the seasonal or episodic dependence on summer months, when shallow sole water source during summer groundwater to sustain transpiration, soil moisture is depleted, are times but may be insufficient to meet tree

continued on page 7 6 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

continued from page 6 Banksias and water FLORA

Banksia water use in winter vs summer

water requirements for a long period of time (1-2 months). of the poor 2006 rainfall (and cumulative influence of However, by this time, autumn rainfall usually recharges groundwater abstraction) did not become evident until the unsaturated zone and by late winter, groundwater is the summer of 2007/08. also recharged and the watertable rises again, resetting By identifying the seasonal variability in water source the plant water sources for another seasonal cycle. If use by banksia, groundwater users are able to plan for insufficient recharge occurs due to reduced rainfall, or abstraction to occur during times of the year when threats groundwater abstraction increases, watertables may not to the groundwater-dependent vegetation are minimal, rise again, leaving the unsaturated zone as the only water and maintain abstraction rates at a level which ensures source. In this case, the banksia trees will experience groundwater access by banksias during spring and early significant drought stress by the end of the following summer. However, even with improved groundwater use summer and may die as a result. management, rainfall reduction due to climate change will Recent increases in banksia death throughout the Swan continue to have a profound influence on the vegetation Coastal Plain is predominately a reflection of record of the southwest, and in particular, the phreatophytic minimum winter (2006) rainfall recharge of soil moisture banksia of the . and groundwater levels. The most severe cases of banksia mortality have occurred where summer groundwater abstraction or land use changes have exacerbated poor winter recharge. Evidence of tree decline is typically Associate Professor Ray Froend is from the Centre for seen in the first summer after a poor rainfall season. Ecosystem Management at Edith Cowan University. Further mortality is sometimes seen even during the He is particularly interested in the interactions between second summer after a poor recharge year, therefore water, landform and vegetation and can be contacted by email: [email protected] the full extend of banksia decline as a consequence

7 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

Rainbow lorikeets have been FERALS group that has been formed by the established in the Perth metropolitan Table Grape Growers Association, area since the 1960s and it is the Swan Valley Winemakers and estimated that more than 15,000 the City of Swan with matching birds currently live in the area. On the look- funds coming from the Agriculture In late 2001, rainbow lorikeets out for Protection Board. The group has were declared pests in Western been assisting valley grape growers Australia in all areas south of the lorikeets in planning bird management Kimberley excluding the Perth activities after severe damage was Marion Massam and Lisa Wright metropolitan area, under legislation reported last year. At least 1,500 administered by the Department of lorikeets have been removed so Agriculture and Food (DAFWA). far this grape season. In addition, Due in part to reports of significant damage estimates are being made damage to table grapes in the Swan along with counts of birds, to Valley in the summer of 2006/2007, gauge the effect of control so the the declaration was changed in 2006 information can be used to support to include the Perth metropolitan a case for further funding. area. Reports from the Perth Hills The declaration means that area indicate that perhaps more than private, municipal and State 2,000 birds have been destroyed Government landholders are over the past two to three months The working group has prepared responsible for the control of by horticulture growers. a Rainbow Lorikeet Management lorikeets on their land. It is extremely To manage the spread of Strategy, which details the long- important that when birds are found lorikeets outside the Perth area, term aims of the group, short-term and identified outside the main an incident management plan targets and progress over the past infested area in Perth, they are has been developed. During the few years. The strategy indicates removed immediately so further coming months, the plan is to that if 4,000 to 5,000 lorikeets were populations of this bird pest do not remove rainbow lorikeets roosting removed from the Perth population establish in other areas. in the towns of Northam, Toodyay each year for the next five to seven and York (if they are shown to be Lorikeets are considered serious years, with follow-up maintenance present in all three towns). The local agricultural and horticultural pests. of 500 - 1,000 birds per annum after communities have been kept fully They cause severe damage to fruit this period, the population could informed of the actions that will be crops, foul vehicles and outdoor be kept at a low level of less than undertaken by the department and living areas, are extremely noisy, 1,000 birds. and compete with other species their help has been enlisted to look The Agriculture Protection for food. Rainbow lorikeets can be out for lorikeets and inform them of Board has recently approved this identified by their noisy, continuous the methods used to remove them. strategy and it will shortly be screeching when flying and at a food Further information is available available on DAFWA's website. source. They have a swift direct from DAFWA's website (search for Additional funding sources have flight with rapid whirring wing Management of Rainbow Lorikeets been identified and representations beats, and display flashes of dark page): www.agric.wa.gov.au are being made. green and bright red. Any sightings of rainbow In addition to supporting the lorikeets should be reported to What has been happening with efforts of landholders (see below), the DAFWA's Pest and Disease rainbow lorikeets recently? DAFWA and DEC are working Information Service on freecall to reduce bird numbers in parts In February 2004, the Rainbow 1800 084 881 or by completing the of the Perth area where private Lorikeet Working Group WA was on-line reporting form. landholders cannot. This work established in response to concern includes conducting regular night from community conservation shoots at one of the big lorikeet Marion Massam is a Development groups and the general public. roosts in the city, Perth Domestic Officer and Lisa Wright the The working group consists of Airport. Communications Officer for the representatives from a range of Invasive Species Program with The Swan Valley Declared government and non-government DAFWA. organisations. Species Group (DSG) is an action

8 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

IN BRIEF Space invaders! Claire Hall It all happened so quickly! They flew in out of the blue taking up residence at DEC Kensington and the speed at which they worked was quite astounding. The invaders were feral European honey bees. They almost filled our compost bin with honeycomb in a few short days. Where did they come from and what could we do about it? The story starts in 1846 when the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) was introduced into Western Australia from England to pollinate food crops. Unfortunately, swarming bees escaped from managed hives and spread into native bushland. The availability of suitable habitat and plenty of food (both native and Feral bees have little value for commercial honey production or exotic) enabled feral honey bee numbers to for pollination of crops and pose a disease risk to the commercial increase significantly. apiary industry. DEC is working together with the Water Corporation Feral honey bees are very aggressive and to develop a Feral Bee Control Strategy which could be utilised tend to swarm. They have many negative to control feral bees in Western Australia without affecting the impacts including competition with native beekeeping industry. birds, mammals and invertebrates for nectar, Feral bees are a major problem in urban bushland. A feral bee pollen and nest hollows. They are recognised control program which began in the Canning River Regional Park as being a factor influencing the distribution in 2006 identified and controlled 323 feral bee colonies. and abundance of the forest red-tailed black Back to our bees in the bin, we needed to control them not only cockatoo, Carnaby’s cockatoo and Baudin’s because of the risk of people being stung, but to prevent the bees cockatoo. Feral honey bees cause physical spreading to other areas. A pest controller was called in to remove damage to flowers, adversely affecting the bees. pollination and seed setting of native species, and they aid the spread of weeds. Water If you have a problem with feral bees there is a list of apiarists sources can become polluted when bees prepared to remove feral swarms on www.naturebase.net/content/ drown in tanks and troughs. view/910/913/1/2 or contact a licensed pest controller.

Got writer's block? - let a sheoak whisper to you!

Have you ever been asked to The Noongyar people believe write an article or give a talk and that sitting underneath a sheoak you can’t seem to work out how you is the place for contemplation and want to get your message across? Go serious thought. Try it! Even if you and sit quietly under a sheoak, clear haven’t got any problems to nut out, your mind of all but the talk, and you will still find the sheoak’s gentle just listen. The sheoak will murmur murmurs very relaxing. and whisper to you, and gradually Trevor Walley everything will clarify. Illustration by Margaret Pieroni from "Leaf and Branch".

9 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

WEEDS SAY no to gamba grass! Penny Hussey

Kimberley residents and everyone concerned about the ecology of the northern part of Australia will be pleased to hear that In January 2008, gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) was added to the declared plant list in WA. It can no longer be brought into the State and all known plants must be eradicated. At last! The scientific evidence is definitely in*, this grass is having a major detrimental impact on the ecology of northern savanna woodlands. Since Europeans colonised Australia, there has been a deliberate government policy to introduce plants in order to transform the Australian landscape to increase land productivity and therefore the density of human settlement, including in the tropical and arid zones. This supported the ‘populate or perish’ philosophy of governments. In Gamba grass in the dry season. Note height. northern Australia, it often meant introducing forage change the fire regime plants into rangeland grazing systems to increase stock Gamba grass forms annual fuel loads of 11-15 tonnes/ carrying capacity, and over 2,200 grass and 2,200 legume ha (may be as high as 30 tonnes/ha) compared with native species have been brought into Australia for trial. Some grass fuel loads of two to four tonnes/ha. This means the – a few – have become useful, but many have invaded grass will support early dry season fires that are about away from the point of introduction, altering landscape eight times more intense than natural ones. Later in the processes, threatening biodiversity and reducing both the dry season, when the grass has fully cured, fire intensities productivity and amenity values of landscapes. Such a are almost 25 times as high as those recorded in adjacent one is gamba grass. native grass savannas. reduce tree cover This change in fire intensity has led to a 50% reduction There was a gamba grass story on the ABC in tree canopy around Darwin over the last 12 years. The TV programme ‘Catalyst’ a year or so ago. treed savanna is being converted to (exotic) grassland. It is a powerful depiction of the problems caused by this plant and is available on alter hydrology DVD. Gamba grass uses more water, over a longer period into the dry season, and from a deeper soil horizon than native grasses. This is putting greater stress on the woody components of the savanna. Gamba grass is a tall (to four metres) perennial African grass brought to Australia in 1931 as a pasture plant. It alter nitrogen cycling is now well established in the and Gamba grass prefers ammonium as its nitrogen , and was established (partly by seeding source, and in its native Africa it is known to inhibit the from aircraft) on a few stations in the Kimberley in process of nitrification in the soil, and so give itself a 1991. For the last ten years, the plant has been studied competitive advantage over other grasses. It seems it by researchers from the Cooperative Research Centre is also doing that here, increasing soil ammonium and for Tropical Savanna Management (CRC-TSM), who decreasing soil nitrate, each by a factor of three. The have found that it has significant environmental impacts. nitrogen actually stored in the grass is seven times higher Briefly, what it does is: than in native grasses. This stored nitrogen, of course,

continued on page 11 10 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

IN BRIEF

Roos disperse canola seeds Is continual economic growth the ideal to aim for? When walking in the It is often argued that conservation and sustainability magnificent Wandoo of resources are impediments to economic development. woodland in Mokine But it is worth remembering that some of the pioneers Nature Reserve, York, of the theory of economic growth to which most current last August, I spotted national governments subscibe, contemplated its ultimate a single small plant of stabilisation. Below is a quote from John Stuart Mill, a canola in full flower. radical thinker and very influential in the development It was well into the of modern economic and social theory, writing in his reserve, at least 400 book Principles of Political Economy in 1848 (Book 4 metres from any edge. Chapter 6). Naturally, I pulled it up, to be disposed of “I confess I am not charmed with the ideal of life before it seeded. To held out by those who think that the normal state of my surprise, it came human beings is that of struggling to get on; that the up attached to a lump trampling, crushing, elbowing and treading on each – it was growing from within a pellet of grey kangaroo other’s heels, which form the existing type of social life, dung. are the most desirable lot of human kind, or anything but the disagreeable symptoms of one of the phases of That raised several questions – for a start, I had not industrial progress ...... realised that roos grazed mature canola. Secondly, it has been stated, sometimes during the ‘Genetically Modified “If the earth must lose that great portion of its Crops debate’, that canola will not become a weed, as it pleasantness which it owes to things that the unlimited is not dispersed far from the source paddock. Well, here increase of wealth and population would extirpate from is proof that kangaroos can spread it at least 400 metres it, for the mere purpose of enabling it to support a larger, and that it will grow in undisturbed bushland, but will it but not a better or a happier population, I sincerely persist? This plant was removed from the site, so for the hope, for the sake of posterity, that they will be content moment that question remains unanswered. Has anyone to be stationary, long before necessity compels them to any more observations on this potential problem? it ...... Penny Hussey “It is scarcely necessary to remark that a stationary condition of capital and population implies no stationary state of human improvement. There would be as much continued from page 11 scope as ever for all kinds of mental culture, and moral Gamba grass and social progress, as much room for improving the Art of Living and much more likelihood of its being goes up in smoke during a fire, which will eventually improved, when minds cease to be engrossed by the Art reduce the levels of soil nitrogen. of Getting On." can establish in intact ecosystems Gamba grass spreads rapidly along disturbed areas such as roadsides, but it has been shown that it can keep an eye out for this grass and call DAFWA’s Pest and establish under trees and in undisturbed soil. All in all, Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881 gamba grass is changing the northern savanna ecosystem, for more information or to report any suspect finds. especially by causing the loss of trees, meaning that the fauna that depend on the woody vegetation will also be * There are numerous papers relating to this. If you lost from large areas. Another stress the environment would like a list, please contact the Editor. This article doesn’t need! is adapted from one in Savanna Links, the magazine of Landholders are now responsible for eradicating the CRC-TSM. gamba grass from their properties. The Dept. of Agriculture and Food has carried out preliminary surveys Photo: courtesy Charles Darwin University, of infestations in the Kimberley and some control work Darwin. is already under way. Residents and visitors, please

11 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

RESEARCH

Black cockatoo research at the wildlife genetics lab Nicole White

An endangered species that needs your help management strategies for their recovery. All this can White-tailed black-cockatoos are unique to the south- be summed up as looking at the ‘genetic health’ of a west of Western Australia - not being found anywhere population. else in the world. There are two different species of Conservation genetics of the white-tailed black- white-tails, the Carnaby’s (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) cockatoos and the Baudin’s (C. baudinii) black-cockatoo. Current research at Murdoch University’s Wildlife Both species are threatened and are ‘rare or likely Genetics Lab is focusing on key areas central to the to become extinct’. Like so many of the world’s parrot conservation, management, and protection of white- and cockatoo species, they are threatened due to a range tailed black-cockatoos in WA. Firstly, the conservation of reasons but the overall population has suffered an genetics of this threatened species is being elucidated, estimated 50% reduction in abundance as a result of as this will provide wildlife managers with the species’ loss and modification of habitat, nest competition with level of genetic health. other birds and feral bees, poaching, and shooting by The project focuses on the use of ‘microsatellites’, orchardists. Given such a dramatic population decline, which are the same pieces of DNA used in human urgent action is required for the conservation, management forensics and paternity testing. They are highly variable and protection of these charismatic WA birds. and can be used to identify individuals with a high degree Why knowledge of genetics is important to of confidence - less than one in one million birds will conservation have exactly the same DNA profile. Microsatellites Conservation genetics is a mixture of scientific are studied with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) disciplines including molecular ecology, population which requires minute amounts of DNA for analysis. genetics, mathematical modelling and evolutionary The sensitivity and power of PCR means that the cells relationships. The application of conservation genetics at the end of a plucked feather contain sufficient DNA for species conservation uses molecular tools to examine to generate a DNA fingerprint for an individual bird! the relationships within and between populations of species, and also their mating systems, and attempts to establish the genetic diversity of different groups of animals by comparing their genetic profiles (DNA fingerprints) - exactly the same technology that is used in human forensics. Conservation genetics is used in the management of small or declining populations by defining management units within a species and acquiring a genetic perspective of a species’ ecology. Genetic diversity is seen as important for species to evolve and adapt to new and changing environments. When small populations become smaller they lose much their genetic information because there are not enough individuals to keep all the genetic differences. This leads to an increased risk of extinction because, with fewer individuals around, mating among relatives (inbreeding) may become inevitable. With the aid of molecular tools, genetic markers can Consequently, a microsatellite DNA-marker profiling identify populations where genetic issues are likely to system for cockatoos is a powerful tool to investigate affect the prospects of long-term survival. For example, population differences, movement patterns, evolutionary populations of species in different geographical locations potential, and genetic breeding systems. may be genetically differentiated and require specific

continued on page 13 12 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

continued from page 12 Black cockies FAUNA

White-tailed black-cockatoo feathers – how you they are also a valuable resource for this project. Place can help the feather(s) in an envelope addressed to me with the To determine whether populations of birds which following details: (1) location; (2) date collected; and nest in specific geographical areas are genetically (3) species identification (if possible). Alternatively, I differentiated (i.e. do Moora cockatoos have the same will post prepared bird feather envelopes to you upon genetic profile as Albany cockatoos?) and to assess which request. nesting areas are critical to the survival of the species, feathers are being collected and analysed. A critical aspect of this project requires feathers from young birds before Nicole White - Black-Cockatoo Project they fledge the nest with their parents, as the establishment Murdoch University, Wildlife Genetics Lab of a DNA profile database from the entire nesting area Lab: (08) 9360-2787 Office: (08) 9360-2312 (Geraldton to Esperance) is essential. If cockatoos nest on your property and you would like to become involved Dee Stojanovic – Birds Australia in this study please contact me for further details. (If you are unsure if these cockatoos nest on your property and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Project Officer would like to have a property assessment, please contact Phone: (08) 9387-8412 Mobile: 0428 762 292 Birds Australia’s Project Officer, Dee Stojanovic.) White-tailed black-cockatoos have numerous feeding and roost sites throughout their yearly migration. If these Nicole White is studying for a PhD at Murdoch birds visit your property and happen to shed feathers, University.

Bush detective As you can see from the anthill behind, the nesting colonies can become very large and may form satellite Who made this trail? colonies nearby. Meat ants (Iridiomyrex purpurea) are predators and Smooth clear scavengers that scour a wide area around their nest. They trails such as this sense movement from vibrations in the ground and will are often visible in sally forth to catch prey or attack an enemy. There can bushland, running be few people in southern Australia who have never, at for 100m or more, some time, poked a stick in a meat ant’s nest, just to watch like this one in them boil out of the nest entrances and race ferociously everlastings. Who around. But don’t get in the way! They bite rather than made it? sting, but half a dozen or so running up your leg under your jeans, biting as they go, can be the cause of quite A close spectacular bush dances! (I once saw a large number inspection reveals run up a horse’s leg – for several minutes he imitated a the answer – they buck-jumping champion!) are meat ant Meat ants are native, but they have increased highways, leading enormously in numbers, as hard ground (such as gateways from the nest site and tracks) are ideal for their nests. When they are in to foraging areas. very large numbers (as they often are around the edges These neat and of remnant patches in farming areas) they can adversely tidy roadways are affect the ecology of the bushland by removing a very formed by tens of thousands of ants going out to work high proportion of the litter fauna essential to proper each day. They even have inward and outward lanes cycling of plant and animal debris. marked, but by scent instead of white lines. Penny Hussey

13 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

MEMBERS' PAGE

A white New Holland Honeyeater

Occasionally people notice white colour forms of in by Helen James and David Poynton of Honeymoon various animals, but we have not heard of a white New Hill Estate, Margaret River. Helen says it is an amazingly Holland honeyeater before. It is not completely white, beautiful bird which is part of the general flock of small having pale blue eyes and grey around the head, as birds that frequent the property. There is abundant well as the normal yellow wing patch, so it is showing shrub cover in which to hide from predators. It would leucism and is not an albino (see an explanation in WW be interesting to know if it will breed in the coming 10/4 p 9). season, and perhaps produce more individuals with this striking colour form. These photos of a white and a normal bird were sent Photos: Helen James

probably the most common SWWA species, the greater black velvet ant, E. formicaria. What is this …? Velvet ants are parasitic on burrowing wasps and bees. When Bev saw this one scurrying around, Bev Lockley observed the ant was probably searching for this black and white insect underground nests containing bee or on her property near wasp larvae. When she finds one she Katanning last December. will enter the burrow and lay an egg It was running around on the larva. It is not known how she among the leaf litter, locates the nests – maybe by scent? stopping every so often to As she is bobbing her abdomen up wave its abdomen up and and down, she could be emitting a down in the air. It looked pheromone to attract a male who like a large ant, but was perhaps may swoop down and carry solitary, and did not appear her off to mate. flower wasp group. The males are to be eating anything. (Read the orchid story for a photo winged and clearly look like wasps, of a male flower wasp and more on It is commonly called a ‘velvet the females are not winged and look their fascinating life stories. Isn’t ant’, but isn’t an ant at all, it is a like hairy ants. There are about it a wonderful world we live in? female wasp! Velvet ants are in 500 Australian species, mostly in - Ed. ) the family Multillidae, one of the the genus Ephutomorpha. This is Photo: Bev Lockley

14 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme

Boodies – ecosystem Gnammas contain amazing engineers in the arid IN BRIEF diversity of freshwater fauna shrublands In the wheatbelt, the only pools Why are many remnant Boodies (Bettongia lesueur) also that are probably unthreatened by trees in decline? called burrowing bettongs, were salinity are the rain filled gnammas once widespread in Australia. Jim Everyone will be aware that many on rock outcrops. Their invertebrate Noble of CSIRO described their of the trees in remnant vegetation are fauna is amazingly diverse and, extent and the distinctive warren in decline. These are the widespread, moreover, varies substantially shape in WW5/1 (Jan 2001) – we common trees that give character between different types of gnammas also reproduced a great historical and sense of place to so much of our (see WW 3/3) and between outcrops. photo from the WA Museum. In landscape. For example, Western A recent study* of outcrops near his article Jim postulated that a Wildlife has, over the years, featured Hyden found 66 invertebrate taxa. combination of boodies and periodic problems affecting wandoo, tuart, On Wave Rock, even after sampling fire was responsible for maintaining marri, jarrah, yate, salmon gum 57 pools, new species were still being the open grassy shrublands seen and flooded gum. Leaving aside added to the list! by early settlers in the semi-arid threats such as climate change and The fauna studied are small, shrublands of southern Australia. altered hydrology leading to salinity, often needing a microscope to see, After a few years of stock and rabbits, what factors might be causing and include insects, crustaceans, combined with fewer fires and the this decline? Some researchers mites, worms and snails, however extinction of boodies and other in Tasmania* looked at whether they are an essential part of the food small marsupials, these southern past land management might be a chain, especially for frogs. Many rangelands became dominated by a contributory factor. of the species are endemic and they dense growth of native shrubs and In 49 remnants they took detailed often have poor means of dispersal the grass component essential for measurements of the current between pools – let alone between stock was much reduced. condition of the site, especially of rock outcrops. Most survive the dry Jim and his colleagues have now soil, understorey composition and summer as eggs in the debris at the written another paper elaborating on tree health. Then they asked each bottom of the pool. this theme*. It uses mathematical landholder specific questions about This work reinforces the theory modeling to investigate different management history, and sometimes that every rock outcrop in the scenarios involving boodies, shrubs records were found to stretch back wheatbelt could have a unique and fire. They conclude that a high 80 years. The mass of data was assemblage of invertebrate fauna. density of boodies (as shown by subjected to mathematical analysis Conserving this diversity means relict warrens), together with an and they found that 60% of the conserving the gnammas themselves. average of five fires every hundred variation in overstorey tree health If stock (or feral goats) are allowed years, would maintain the grassy was associated with the cover of access, they will trample and powder shrubland so prized by the early native shrubs, litter, moss and lichen the basal debris, destroying the pastoralists. The challenge now is in healthy sites, and with cover of over-summering organisms and the how to manage with stock instead exotic pasture grasses in declining nutrient substrate on which they of boodies. sites. Soil attributes explained depend. In addition, stock faeces Although much of this paper is 72% of the variation in tree health, will build up in the gnammas and mathematical, there are interesting with healthy sites having lower soil cause eutrophication. So fencing snippets about marsupial digestive nitrogen and pH, and higher soil out hoofed stock is essential. processes and fire behaviour. If organic carbon. This winter, have a look at you manage land in the southern So, get your remnants – even a gnamma near you to see what rangelands or the northern and small ones – fenced off and give invertebrates you can see. [For a list eastern edges of the wheatbelt, you those beneficial natural soil-based of publications with illustrations to will find its conclusions thought- ecosystem processes a chance to get help ID contact the Editor.] provoking. going again! *Jocque, M., Timms, B.V. and L. * Noble J.C., Hik, D.S. & A.R.E. *Davidson, NJ, et al: 2007. Brendonck. 2007. A contribution Sinclair. 2007. Landscape ecology Eucalypt health and agricultural on the biodiversity and conservation of the burrowing bettong: fire and land management within bushland of the freshwater fauna of rocky marsupial biocontrol of shrubs in remnants in the Midlands of outcrops in the central wheatbelt semi-arid Australia. The Rangeland Tasmania, Australia. Biological of WA. J. Royal Society of WA, Journal. 29: 107-119. Conservation 139: 439-446. 90: 137-142.

15 Western Wildlife Vol 12 No. 2

COMING EVENTS IN BRIEF

Balga flowering Malleefowl Bush Camp Outs In last years’ Western Wildlife there were several articles about the growth rate of balga and at what age 4-9th May - Lake Muir (west of Mt Barker) it first flowers. Below is an early record. 1-7th June - Mt Jackson (100 kms north of Bullfinch) In 1924 The Australian Forestry Journal Vol 7, p 25 published a brief note about Xanthorrhoea preissii, in As with previous surveys, volunteers will need a good particular about a balga growing in a garden in Cottesloe. degree of fitness and self-sufficiency in camping. Further information will be provided upon application. Planted 22 years previously, its trunk had reached a height If you would like a registration form and haven’t already of 79 cm and a diameter of 35 cm. This plant was not advised me, please RSVP by 30th March email: artificially watered ‘for the first few years of its life’. [email protected] fax (08) 9828 2383 or phone Later on, when the house was connected to the water (08) 9828 2083. service, it received water with the rest of the garden. Teams of 10-15 persons are required for each survey and The author also several times burnt the dry leaves, acceptance will be on a ‘first in, best dressed’ basis. the last time being ‘last season’. In 1923 the plant first Susanne Dennings flowered, producing a flower stalk 3.7m long. The article has a photograph of this balga, with a man standing nearby An international snippet … Ian Abbott Tiritiri Matangi - a success story

You don’t need to be a beaky close. Native pigeons, tuis, fantails, bird watcher with a silly hat to enjoy baby blue penguins and bellbirds as this bird sanctuary with its friendly well as rarer native birds – kokake, endangered species, beautiful takahe, saddleback, stitchbird, red beaches and cool native forest. crowned parakeets, North Island Tiritiri Matangi Island, 22 ha in robin and the little spotted kiwi can character as well as size, may try size and only 30 km from central all be seen on the island. to climb up your body and perch on Auckland, is an open bird sanctuary your head - not to be encouraged, as and a real conservation success he supports his weight by digging thanks to thousands of volunteers six claws into your flesh! Greg is a planting around 300,000 native trees member of an endangered species, during the last 21 years, allowing being one of only 17 birds on the reintroduction of 11 endangered the island and about 230 in New bird species as well as tuatara, . This species was thought Zealand’s living dinosaur. to be extinct until rediscovered in The island is unique because of 1948. the large number of bird species I am proud to have been involved to be seen in a very short time and in the revegetation of Tititiri Matangi with such ease. Viewing and getting Island as part of an early community around is easy from well-constructed involvement program while a boardwalks suitable for all fitness member of the Auckland Technical levels. Many of the birds are relaxed You will also meet Greg, the Institute Tramping Club in1984. around people and you can get quite island takahe. Greg, a bird of Zara Kivell

This newsletter is a compendium of articles written by many different people. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily those of the Department of Environment and Conservation. Published by the Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth. All correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor ‘Western Wildlife’, Department of Environment and Conservation, Species and Communities Branch, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983.

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