THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 The Minister’s delegate approved this conservation advice on 01/10/2015 Conservation Advice Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong Tuggeranong lignum Conservation Status Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong (Tuggeranong lignum) is listed as Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act). The species is eligible for listing as Endangered as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as Endangered under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth). The main factors that are the cause of the species being eligible for listing in the Endangered category are its small population size with a very low total number of mature individuals, and restricted area of occupancy. Description The Tuggeranong lignum is a sprawling, scarcely woody shrub with branches growing to approximately 80 cm long. It can develop into a loose tangled mound of wiry stems, growing to 1 metre high and 1-2 metres across (Makinson and Mallison, 1997; Mallinson et al., 1998). Distribution The Tuggeranong lignum is known from the flood terraces on the eastern bank of the Murrumbidgee River south of Canberra (Makinson and Mallinson 1997). The site is near Pine Island, which occurs in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor (Mallinson et al., 1998). When described in 1997, only one female plant and six male plants were known in Pine Island Reserve. In 1999, a seventh male plant was discovered nearby at Red Rocks Gorge (SPRAT, 2015; ESDD, 2013). Propagated plants have been planted in five suitable areas along the eastern river bank within Pine Island Reserve (ESDD, 2013). Threats The main threat to survival of this species is likely to be deliberate or unintended actions associated with visitor and/or land management activities in the local area (Environment ACT, 2004). All sites were severely burned during bushfire in 2003 and only five plants at Pine Island recovered (ESDD, 2013). No germination of these five plants was reported (SPRAT, 2015). In October 2010, 93 clonally propagated plants were planted in five suitable areas along the eastern river bank within the Pine Island Reserve. The site was flooded in 2011-12 and up to 60 of the translocated plants had washed away. Monitoring in May 2012 found 19 live plants and 13 dead plants (ESDD, 2013). Large floods during the spring and summer of 2011-12 caused a great deal of disturbance in the Murrumbidgee River corridor. Many of the sites where populations had been planted were subject to extensive scouring and deposition of large volumes of flood debris (ESDD, 2013). In Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong (Tuggeranong lignum) conservation advice Page 1 of 3 addition, growth of the invasive African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) was encouraged by this warm season rainfall (ESDD, 2013). It is not clear whether grazing animals such as kangaroos may also pose a threat to survival of remaining plants, or whether such grazing may benefit the species by keeping competing grass tussocks and other plant growth short and open (Environment ACT, 2004). Conservation Actions Conservation and Management Actions Habitat loss, disturbance and modifications • Discourage visitor access to the areas where the species occurs in order to prevent habitat disturbance by: o ensuring that walking tracks and other facilities will not be developed near known Tuggeranong lignum sites (Environment ACT, 2004). o maintaining a ‘low profile’ for the sites where the species is located, with no signs or fencing being erected (Environment ACT, 2004). Invasive species (including threats from grazing, trampling, predation) • Undertake site visits on a two-monthly basis to check for invasive weed species (including African lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula], blackberry [Rubus discolour], and soapwort [Saponaria officinalis]) (ESDD, 2013) and remove weeds as necessary, using methods that are non-detrimental to M. tuggeranong. Other Management and Recovery Actions • Undertake controlled pollination among all possible combinations of male and female plants to increase population size (Environment ACT, 2004) and likelihood of genetic variation (ACT Government, 2007). • Maintain ex situ collections and continue to undertake further propagation of the species for ex-situ conservation and reintroduction, in order to lessen the risk of genetic loss due to accidental site disturbance (ACT Government, 2007). • Undertake further reintroductions of propagated individuals where appropriate. • Include statements of conservation objectives and intended management actions for the species in relevant management plans and strategies (ACT Government, 2007). Stakeholder Management • Ensure that field workers, interested naturalists and conservation groups are aware of the presence of the species to increase the potential for any other existing populations to be identified (ACT Government, 2007). • Liaise with the relevant NSW state government agency to encourage surveys of potential habitat outside the ACT (ACT Government, 2007). Survey and Monitoring priorities • Mark all wild plants with unique numbered aluminium tags to assist in locating plants (ESDD, 2013) and record GPS locations. • Monitor the progress of both wild and planted populations annually (Environment ACT, 2004) and after flood events to determine the success of management and recovery actions, and adapt actions as necessary. Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong (Tuggeranong lignum) conservation advice Page 2 of 3 Information and Research priorities • Report on genetic testing and use results to address future management of the species (ESDD, 2013). This would include monitoring the wild female plant and cuttings for production of ovaries and seed, and test any seed produced for viability. If no seed is produced over time, the species would have to be considered sterile and the only way of conserving the species would be to maintain a population of clones produced from cuttings (ACT Government, 2007). • Assess the benefit of exclosures to protect some of the planted specimens from grazing by rabbits and macropods (ESDD, 2013). References cited in the advice ACT Government 2007. Ribbons of Life: ACT Aquatic Species and Riparian Zone Conservation Strategy. Action Plan No. 29. Department of Territory and Municipal Services, Canberra. Department of the Environment (2015). Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Accessed Tue, 2 Jun 2015. Environment ACT (2004). Recovery Plan for Tuggeranong Lignum (Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong). Environment ACT, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/mtuggeranong /index.html. Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate (ESDD) (2013). Conservation Planning and Research, Program report 2011-2013. ACT Government, Canberra. Makinson RO and Mallinson DJ (1997). Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong (Polygonaceae): A new species from the Canberra district. Telopea. 7(3):215-219. Mallinson D, Armstrong B, Baker K, Bogie L, Docherty L, Gilmore S, Hopkins E, Indhamusika S, Jewell M, Kishvar V, Mant J, Mills H, Neal J, Paul J, Macnamara J, Stadler F and Wilkinson M (1998). Ecology and conservation status of Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong (Polygonaceae) near Canberra. Cunninghamia. 5(3):773-778. Sydney, National Herbarium of New South Wales. Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong (Tuggeranong lignum) conservation advice Page 3 of 3 .