Phytophthora Dieback The biological bulldozer Adapted from presentations by Dr Chris Dunne, Science...
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Transcript of Phytophthora Dieback The biological bulldozer Adapted from presentations by Dr Chris Dunne, Science...
Phytophthora Dieback
The biological bulldozer
Adapted from presentations by Dr Chris Dunne, Science Division, DEC
Drought/climate change
Salinity, water table change
Phytophthora dieback
Mining activities
Land clearing
Invasive weedsConsequences of construction developmentsi.e. road works, recreation
Small/declining populationsDemographic/genetic effects
Grazing by feral/introduced animals
Threats to rare flora of the south-west of WA
What is Phytophthora dieback?
Caused by a water mould called Phytophthora cinnamomi Phytophthora is Greek for ‘plant
destroyer’ organism was first identified on the
roots of a cinnamon tree
P. cinnamomi feeds off plant roots
Causes root rot which stops plant taking up nutrients and water
A brief history
Early Europeansettlers arrive
1829 1920
First recorded unexplainedtree deaths (Karragullen)
1948 1964
1973
1989
1996
Pc identifiedas causal agent
Introduction of European plant species
Infested gravel used for roadmaking
Quarantine
Use of phosphite
Research station est. Dwellingup
Lifecycle of P. cinnamomi
Ideal environment
>800mm 20oC-30oC
pH 5-6
Therefore: Forested areas with higher rainfall Grows and spreads best in autumn and spring
Where is dieback found?bushland
nurseries
horticulturalplantations
gardens
Impact on native flora
Of 5710 recorded species of plant: 2300 (40%) susceptible to Phytophthora dieback 800 (14%) highly susceptible to Phytophthora
dieback
Jarrah forest –Dwellingup
Banksia woodland
Stirling RangeNational Park
South Coast
Impact
Impact on animals?
Loss of: food habitat shelter
Distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi
P. cinnamomi in Western Australia
Perth Scarp
How is it spread?
4WD
Trail/mountain bikes
Hiking boots
Animals
Road making
Irrigation Infected plant material
Management of Phytophthora dieback
Interpretation and mapping Is Phytophthora dieback known or likely to be in an
area, or at your site? Do you need more information? Identify priority areas, species or communities
for protection Declared rare flora Endangered fauna Is the area protectable
Prevent accidental introduction Minimise spread Reduce impact
Dieback Interpretation & Mapping
Dead “indicator plants” Structural change Chronology of deaths
Soil/tissue sampling
Indicator species
Banksia grandis (Bull Banksia) Patersonia spp. (Flag Flower)
Xanthorrhoea preissii (Balga)
Field Detection
Depauperate sedgeland
Rich proteaceous shrubland Disease
Front
Direction of travel
Identify protectable areas
Focus resources on areas of highest biodiversity value Declared rare fauna Endangered fauna Threatened ecological communities
Focus resources on areas which can be protected Uphill from known infections Large enough to protect (>2ha) Able to be effectively quarantined (limited public access,
sources of infection can be mitigated or removed) Focus resources on areas where the benefits of hygiene
will last more than a few decades
Prevent accidental introduction Readily introduced in infested material (e.g. soil on
footwear or vehicles, infected plant material, gravel for road construction, nursery stock)
Impossible to eradicate
Prevent introduction by Use of certified dieback
free materials Remove and control access Hygiene – footbaths and
vehicle washdown
Remove and control access
X
X
X
X
CLEAN ON ENTRY POINT
Remove access
Control access
Hygiene
Vehicles
Footwear & equipment
Minimise spread
Reduce water flow
Barriers to infection
Reduce impact - conservation
Translocation
Seedbank
Revegetation
Phosphite Highly effective – gives short
term resistance to some plants
Low toxicity Environmentally friendly Can be sprayed or injected
What can you do?