CALMScience Division OPERATIONS PLAN PROJECT TEAM PLANS 1999-2002 Department of Conservation and Land Management CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 3 PROJECT TEAM PLANS Biological Information Group .................................................................................... 4 Biodiversity Conservation Group ............................................................................ 59 Forests and Tree Crops Group ............................................................................. 154 Astronomical Services .......................................................................................... 207 APPENDIX 1 - List of active Science Project Plans ......................................................... 221 2 INTRODUCTION The purpose of the CALMScience Division. as defined by our mission statement, is; "To provide up-to-date and scientificafly sound information to uphold effective conser1ation and la.'7d management in Western /\ustraiia". A three-tiered planning process is in place to ensure that the Division achieves its mission. ::s miss:'. brJa~ obj2ct1ves and strategies. it also ciesc':ces tne a ..-' :; ::--:e fo:Jr Key Science s!:-a!sgies ar:d :nc!icaturs :,f s~ccess cf the p;-cjects that support these themes. In addition to preparing a five year Strategic Plan, the Division is committed to a formal trienniai evaiuation of its performance and to a review of CALM's research priorities. As part of this triennial evaluation and planning process, the Division will report on its activities and outcomes over the last three years and, in consultation with CALM's primary program managers, regional and district staff, revise its operations to reflect changing priorities. Such a review was last undertaken in 1998 and gave nse to the 1998-2001 Operations Plan. Thi~ nni=or,::itil"'ln~ Pl~n nrr-.11irlo~ fr rrthor ~obi I ,;:,h/'"11 It tho f"lhiot"ti110-:: c:::i,..,..,jfif"'::>,..,f"O ho~ofi+-:: - .. -- _, ~ - - ," - -..-- -- ---- --- - . - --~--- -·, .... ~-· --· .._ .. , ~ .. ·.·- --1 methods, milestones, outputs and outcomes of the Project Teams which have been assembled to support the Key Science Themes. The Operations Plan also describes the Division's operational structure and identifies specific science projects and staff that support the Project Teams. Further detail about science projects is contained in the Science Project Plans (SPPs) which car. be accessed via the CALMScience Division web site or by contactirg the Director A summary of SPPs active in the various CALM Regions is contained in Appendix 1. 3 < •''"4"~"''-'·'"c•t"c<•, '/''.'~~·-.~;·,~ '• _,,..,, - «.·· " ', 4 CALMScience Division PROJECT TEAM PLAN GROUP: Biological Information PROJECT TITLE: Collections Management Chang Sha Fang, Herbanum CORE FUNCTIONS: Maintain and extend the State's scientific collection of specimens the Western Australian Herbarium (PERTH) to adequately represent taxon distribution and variation, and. 1\la1ntain currency of nai~CS 1n tne corporate names aataoase \VVACc1\JSUSJ, tne State Collection and the specimen database (WAHERB). STAFF: Staff Location FTE S Carroll Herbarium 0.5 I K Knight Herbarium 0.7 ' J Eygenraam Herbarium 0.5 : M Falconer Herbarium 1.0 /CS Fang Herbarium 0.5 , C Parker Herbarium 0.5 P Spencer Herbarium 1.0 K Ver1ard Herbarium i .0 Vacant TO 1 0 :; ... 3 =: ' ~ .-.•2<?~; ___: -· Total 6.7 5 OBJECTIVES: • Ensure safe ar;d adequate storage of the State Col!ection fer perpetuity. • Collect and p~ocess voucher specimens of plants, aigae, fungi, bryophytes and lichens and incorporate them into the State Collection. 1 " AcqlJire arrr22riate .1::::.•cher scc;cimens for a '. ::::'a'lt :e:ated stucfo2s :ri CA~\~ ar:d col!aoorati;-:~ 2\\e:-na; ;)'ganisations • Ensure that all voucher specimens are accurately named prior to incorooration. according to cc.rrent taxonomic information. • Maintain the names database WACENSUS. • Maintain the specimen database WAHERB. • rviaintain the L;brary holdings database WAUB. • Facilitate access to and the loan of specimens for taxonomic studies. • Collaborate with kindred organisations to increase taxonomic research capacity on WA F:cia. t _; .. -., ........... ,,.-. .. : ...... .:.:_ - .................. , I 1VV1 'f"'~1·._,, I. • Improve the quality of materia: received for iilcorpora;:ion. • Photograph/acquire prints of all WA type specimens not represented in PERTH by a specimen. • Expand and maintain ancillary collections (Spirit, carpo!ogical, wood & plant fossils). SlGNIFICANCE & BcNEFITS: The acquisition and databasing of annotated, accurately identified and we!l-curated specimens from the State will enable the State Collection to underpin conservation of Western Australia's unique and diverse flora. METHODOLOGY: Protocols as set out in ma:-:ual of herba~ium techniques (copy avai'able in the H::rbarium library). SCHEDULE OF TASKS: 1998 • Incorporate 3 mounted specimens and returns of loans. • Interact with o ant sur·1ey research programs (local). • Interact with .:::iant survey research programs (interstate and international). 6 • Ensure that ail specimens are accurately named and curated and the data captured on \IVAHERB crier to incorooration. ,, Validate label data. • Validate geocodes. • Facilitate inter·-herbarium Joan of specimens for taxonomic stuaies. • Exoar.d Reie1 ence He1·bariurn Collectior1 to refl::;ct 90% of the c:.Jr1ently accepted WA. 1999 • As for ~ 998. • Reduce specimen backlogs to 30%. • Reduce VVA Type specimen photograph backlog to 50 %. • Formalise program to recover specimens from all flora licences issued. • Expand R6fCi a nee Hcibaliuit1 Cu:!ect~cn tv re~act 1~C~~ cf the c~r,ar:t!y accepted 'v'VA species. 2000 • As for 1998. • To attain a total holding of 0.5 million specimens (approximately 40 specimens per taxon). • Ensure safe and adequate storage of the State Collection for perpetuity. • incorporate ar! backlog of appropriate specimens. ' Photograph a!! backlog of Type Specimens. • Commence data capt:.Jre of ancillary collection to link to WAHERB. • Add specimens to the Reference Herbarium Collection to reflected variation of species. MILESTONES: • Annual increment of 5 000 named and well annotated specimens to the collection per year. Adequate representa~ive collection of voucher scec1mens fro~ CALM plant-based projects. OUTPUTS: • Tra:r;:::g 1n s;:;ecimen :ollection and processing • Improved field collection manuals. • Development of collaborative arrangements which add to flora knowledge of the state collection. 7 OUTCOMES: • International recognition as a State Collection which is relevant to conservation and land management. • Ready access by managers to accurate available information on WA flora and fungi. " D:r2,:::t ad1,:ce :::r~ ta:<Ct'C1T·'.I a~1d distr:but:cfl of ccris2:--vai•.:; ~ :axa • Authenticated i1sts of conservation taxa. • Inventory of species records on conservation estate. ADOPTlON STRATEGY Ongoing maintenance and extension of the State Coiiection through utilisation of databases to accomplish an adequate representation of the State flora. 8 CALMScience Division PROJECT TEAM PLAN GROUP: ,..-•·-.~-- ~- ............ ;1 i ....J, ~ •.•../!I PROJECT TITLE: Reg!ona! Information Netwcrk PROJECT LEADER: Chang Sha Fang. Herbarium CORE FUNCTIONS: Developing and operating a Regional Information Network to empower Landcare and kindred Groups to access information on native and alien WA flora. substantial cc11tr1out1ons to CALM corporate know1eage of native fiora and weed species of the State. STAFF: Staff Location FTE S Carroll Herbarium 0.5 /CS Fang Herbarium 0.5 . J Gathe* Herbarium 04 i M Hislop* Herbarium 1.0 j M Lewington* Herbarium 0.5 ' B Mahon Herbarium 02 I ' P Pigott Herbarium 0.3 1 J Wheeler Albany 0. i ' ·=ex:erca ',1 ;unded ~3 ,:_..~~~-=~s 2;'.:."-= Total 4.0 9 OBJECTIVES: • Create a nec\,vork of ~eg1onal ·para taxonom1srs whose act1vit1es are focused on local herbaria. • Increase specimen based knowledge of the native and alien WA flora. " Develop a seif-sustai" ng. comprehensive plant information system v Em~Gv.;er ic·:~ grcl.:3 :f par;-ta\.J~01-:Jists ~c :.:2 -=~js~ocJfa 1 1s c~ k;-1c 1/'l·le(~~e tJf t[leir 2 1.Nn regional plants tnrougn skiils training and education. SIGNIFICANCE & BENEFITS: • Acquisition by the CA:..1v1 Herbarium of well collected specimens and habitat information. • Greater awareness and appreciation of the WA fiora oy the community. • Improved local knowledge of flora conservation by regional groups. • Documentation of the distribution, and biology of WA weeds. • Increased avaiiabiiity of tourism information to locai Groups. • CALM access to enthusiastic and trained regional "para-taxonomists". • Direct links and benefits to salinity action and other conservation programs, including Landcare Groups. DESCRIPTION: • Utilization of external funds to establish and maintain three coordinating staff based at the CALM Herbarium • Development of efficient support systems to coordinate and extend the Network. • Establish g :':am '2' .1,e!J trained '10:unteers ::: 'iaise wi:"i a~:J trai,-, rsgicnal "para- taxoro;-::is-.s a1c 2 3: to s~pp1e.~2:'""'~ 2~ :::~·: s.""': ;ae::tJ'.ca::c:1 ser-,/ice for piarit specimens. • Actively forge links with salinity, Landcare, weed study and infotourism groups in WA regions. • Communicate with ccr:;munity groups by newsletter, direct contact and training sessions to increase the number of participating Groups. METHODOLOGY: • Communicate regularly with groups