Conservation in action: Recovery of threatened flora in South West Western Australia
South West Western Australia has a rich endemic flora that is highly threatened by habitat fragmentation, salinity and waterlogging, invasion by exotic pests and diseases, and climate change. The threats facing this floral diversity are increasing in type, severity and scale, demonstrated by the rising numbers of species threatened with extinction. In particular, the root-rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is a biological disaster that threatens the survival of many of the region’s most unique plants.
Dramatic declines in plant numbers for some species in recent years have necessitated the introduction of material to new disease-free sites. Although in situ conservation of wild plants is considered the most essential component of a biodiversity conservation program, the ability to adequately conserve natural populations jeopardised by high impact threats such as Phytophthora dieback, is sometimes unachievable in the short term. Many populations of threatened plant species require urgent management intervention to prevent extinction. In this case study we will present data on the status and management of in situ populations of the critically endangered Dryandra montana A.S.George (Proteaceae), Persoonia micranthera P.H.Wilson (Proteaceae) and Leucopogon gnaphalioides Stschegl. (Epacridaceae), and describe their introduction into a managed disease-free site. These montane species have faced declines in population size and health in recent years due to a combination of frequent fire, grazing of seedlings and P. cinnamomi infestation. Introductions such as these enable monitoring of biological attributes, research into reproductive biology and collection of genetic material for ex situ conservation, and provide the source of material for potential restocking of natural populations in the future. Through this case study we will demonstrate how the establishment of a conservation introduction is reducing extinction prospects for these highly threatened endemic plant species from South West Western Australia.