Biodiversity and Conservation Science Annual Research Report 2018-2019 Acknowledgements This report was prepared by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). For more information contact: Executive Director, Biodiversity and Conservation Science Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions 17 Dick Perry Avenue Kensington Western Australia 6151 Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre Western Australia 6983 Telephone (08) 9219 9943 dbca.wa.gov.au The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 2019, Biodiversity and Conservation Science Annual Research Report 2018-19, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Perth. Images Front cover main photo: Kalbarri National Park. Photo – Judy Dunlop/DBCA Front cover top photos left to right: Matuwa (Lorna Glen). Photo – Judy Dunlop/DBCA Albino quoll. Photo – Judy Dunlop/DBCA Caulerpa flexilis. Photo – John Huisman/DBCA Rangers at Eighty Mile Beach. Photo – Sabrina Fossette-Halot Back cover top photos left to right: Eil Eil Springs. Photo – Adrienne Markey/DBCA Matuwa (Lorna Glen). Photo – Paul Rampant/DBCA Badjaling Nature Reserve. Photo – Jill Pryde/DBCA Rufous hare-wallaby. Photo – Saul Cowen/DBCA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Biodiversity and Conservation Science Annual Research Report 2018–2019 Director’s Message I am pleased to present our research report for 2018-19 as we continue to deliver on the government’s commitment to building and sharing biodiversity knowledge for Western Australia. The Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken, launched our Science Strategic Plan 2018-21 for the department in August 2018 and since then we have developed science plans for each of our 10 programs. These plans articulate how the work of each program contributes to delivery of the themes identified in the strategic plan. The science undertaken through the programs delivers against the biodiversity science priorities for the State and is essential to ensure we conserve and appreciate the unique biodiversity we have around us. In conjunction with our strategic planning we are continuing the renewal of our capability to provide innovative science that informs current and future conservation initiatives. The strength of Biodiversity and Conservation Science resides in our people, and in the past year we welcomed new staff with expertise in forest science, structured decision-making, plant ecology and ecoinformatics. We have continued to deliver effective science to support the department’s functions. Highlights of our scientific research for this year include confirmation of eradication of feral cats from Dirk Hartog Island, development of a conceptual model of the hydrology of freshwater springs at Walyarta (80 Mile Beach Ramsar site), production of 900 seedlings of the spider orchid Caladenia busselliana for a translocation of this rare species, monitored the outbreak of the harmful algae Alexandrium spp. and determined toxin uptake in fish, crabs and mussels, development of spinifex cover measures from satellite imagery to inform prescribed burning activities, and analysis of data from a 30 year experimental study to understand how understorey plants in the jarrah forest respond to different combinations of fire interval and season. We have published the final report of the WAMSI Kimberley Marine Research Program, and published a book describing the red algae of Western Australia’s tropical coast. We also celebrated 50 years of forest research at the Manjimup Research Centre. Our staff in Species and Communities Program made important contributions to the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations gazetted in January 2019 to give effect to the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. We are working with regional staff and members of the community to implement new provisions supporting conservation of our plants, animals and ecosystems. As we consolidate after the major change of the past year, I am confident we will continue to deliver excellent science and remain active in pursuing opportunities and seeking innovative ways to underpin effective biodiversity conservation in Western Australia. We have continued to communicate our scientific outputs and outcomes to a diverse range of audiences through a variety of avenues, including scientific papers, technical and popular articles, social media, conference talks, seminars and other presentations. Much of our work is undertaken in partnership with conservation staff in the Parks and Wildlife Service, and at Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth Zoo and the Rottnest Island Authority. We also engage with a wide range of external partners at universities, CSIRO, NGOs, WABSI, WAMSI and the NESP Threatened Species Recovery and Northern Australia Environmental Resources hubs. We have a large number of active science partnerships and our scientists are involved in co-supervision of many Honours, Masters and PhD students. I look forward to continuing to work effectively with all our partners to deliver excellent science that informs conservation and management of our diverse and inspiring plants, animals and ecosystems, and supports effective management of our parks and reserves, delivery of our fire program and engagement of visitors with our natural attractions. Dr Margaret Byrne Executive Director Biodiversity and Conservation Science November 2019 Contents Service Delivery Structure . 1 Animal Science . 3 Conservation of the night parrot . 3 Understanding and reducing python predation of the endangered Gilbert’s potoroo . 4 South West Threatened Fauna Recovery Project: Southern Jarrah Forest . 5 Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project – fauna reconstruction . 6 Improved fauna recovery in the Pilbara – benefitting the endangered northern quoll through broad-scale feral cat baiting. 8 Cat eradication on Dirk Hartog Island . 9 Monitoring of threatened birds on Dirk Hartog Island . 10 Improving the use of remote cameras as a survey and monitoring tool . 11 Decision support system for prioritising and implementing biosecurity on Western Australia’s islands . 13 Conservation and management of the bilby in the Pilbara . 14 Genetic assessment for conservation of rare and threatened fauna . 15 Genetic approaches for evaluating the contribution of the reserve system to fauna conservation 17 Barrow Island threatened and priority fauna species translocation program . 18 Rangelands restoration: reintroduction of native mammals to Matuwa (Lorna Glen) . 19 Feral cat control and numbat recovery in Dryandra Woodland and other sites . 21 Conservation of south coast threatened birds . 21 Ecology and management of the northern quoll in the Pilbara . 23 Conservation of the graceful sun-moth . 24 Impact of cane toads on biodiversity in the Kimberley . 25 Development of effective broad-scale aerial baiting strategies for the control of feral cats . 26 Gilbert’s potoroo recovery plan . 27 Plant Science and Herbarium . 29 Molecular characterisation of stinking passionflower (Passiflora foetida) . 29 Is restoration working? An ecological genetic assessment . 30 Interactive key and taxonomic studies of Myrtaceae tribe Chamelaucieae . 31 Strategic taxonomic studies in families including Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae (Ptilotus, Gom- phrena, Swainsona) and other plant groups . 32 The Western Australian Plant Census and Australian Plant Census . 33 The Western Australian Herbarium’s specimen database . 34 Herbarium collections management . 35 Biodiversity informatics at the Western Australian Herbarium . 36 Taxonomy of undescribed taxa in the Ericaceae subfamily Styphelioideae, with an emphasis on those of conservation concern . 38 Resolving the systematics and taxonomy of Tephrosia in Western Australia . 39 Taxonomy of selected families including legumes, grasses and lilies . 40 Systematics of the triggerplant genus Stylidium ........................... 41 Taxonomic review and floristic studies of the benthic marine algae of north-western Australian and floristic surveys of Western Australian marine benthic algae . 42 The Western Australian marine benthic algae online and an interactive key to the genera of Australian marine benthic algae . 43 Taxonomic resolution and description of new plant species, particularly priority flora from those areas subject to mining in Western Australia . 44 Genetic and ecological viability of plant populations in remnant vegetation . 45 iii Translocation of critically endangered plants . 46 Mating system variation, genetic diversity and viability of small fragmented populations of threat- ened flora, and other key plants of conservation importance . 47 The population ecology of critically endangered flora . 48 Seed biology, seedbank dynamics and collection and storage of seed of rare and threatened Western Australian taxa . 49 Genetics and biosystematics for the conservation, circumscription and management of the West- ern Australian flora . 50 Ecosystem Science . 53 Investigating the causes of change in forest condition . 53 Do hotter and drier regions harbour adaptive variation for climate change? . 54 Hydrological function of critical ecosystems . 56 Responses of aquatic invertebrate communities to changing hydrology and water quality in streams and significant wetlands of the south-west forests of Western Australia . 57 South-west wetlands monitoring program . 58 Advancing the hydrological understanding of key Wheatbelt catchments and wetlands to inform adaptive management . 59 Taxonomy, zoogeography and conservation