Phytophthora Management Areas Reassessment …dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Phytophthora Management...

Biodiversity Monitoring SectionBiodiversity Conservation BranchDepartment of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Phytophthora Management AreasReassessment Survey:Chuckle HeadWest Cloudy HeadChurch HillLabillardiere Peninsula & Partridge Island.

NATURE CONSERVATION REPORT 14/05

Phytophthora Management Areas Reassessment Survey: Chuckle Head, West Cloudy Head, Church Hill, Labillardiere Peninsula & Partridge Island

Nature Conservation Report 14/05

Biodiversity Monitoring SectionBiodiversity Conservation BranchDepartment of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Copyright 2013 Crown in right of State of Tasmania

Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permittedunder the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any means without permission from theDepartment of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.

Published by the Biodiversity Conservation Branch, Resource Management and ConservationDivision, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, PO Box 44, Hobart,Tasmanian 7001, Australia

Suggested citation: Rudman T. (2014) Phytophthora Management Areas Reassessment Survey: Chuckle Head, West Cloudy Head, Church Hill and Labillardiere Peninsula & Partridge Island. Resource Management and Conservation Division, DPIPWE, Hobart, Nature Conservation Report 14/05

ISSN: 1838-7403 (electronic)

Acknowledgements

Micah Visoiu and Nicole Gill contributed substantially to the survey of Partridge Island and Nicole Gill and Lorraine Perrins provided valuable assistance with field work in other areas. Bruce Michaels assisted with access to the Murrayfield property to allow survey of the Church Hill Phytophthora Management Area and Bernard Edwards provided helpful advice on access and management. Ziqing Yuan and Chang-you Pan undertook the isolation and identification of Phytophthora cinnamomi at the DPIPWE Plant Health Laboratories and Richard Schahinger provided useful comments on the report.

BACKGROUND

The Threat Abatement Plan for Dieback Caused by the Root-rot Fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi (Environment Australia 2002) co-ordinates national action to limit the impact of P. cinnamomi. This plan prioritises the management of threatened species and communities most at risk from P. cinnamomi at sites that have the best long term prospects for protection or limiting impacts for P. cinnamomi. A revised Threat Abatement Plan for Dieback Caused by the Root-rot Fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi is expected in late 2013.

In 2003 the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) identified the priority areas for protection of threatened species and plant communities that are at risk from P. cinnamomi in Tasmania in the report “Conservation of Tasmanian Plant Species & Communities threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomi: Strategic Regional Plan for Tasmania” (Schahinger et al. 2003). Subsequently the land management agencies, Forestry Tasmania (FT) and the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) undertook to manage the recommended areas for protection establishing 67 Phytophthora Management Areas across Tasmania. The Resource Management and Conservation Division (RMC) of DPIPWE assist the Parks and Wildlife Service with management, advice and disease monitoring. This survey reports on the first repeat monitoring of 4 Phytophthora Management Areas since their establishment.

AIM

To undertake a representative survey and map the distribution of P. cinnamomi including:1. sites at risk of incursion or spread e.g. walking tracks, creek lines and roads2. populations of target threatened species or threatened plant communities

Survey procedures follow the Phytophthora Management Area Monitoring Protocol (DPIPWE unpublished).The following management areas were surveyed (Figure 1):

Chuckle Head (Schahinger et al. 2003 Site Code SE1) West Cloudy Head (Schahinger et al. 2003 Site Code SR3) Church Hill (Schahinger et al. 2003 Site Code SE2) Labillardiere Peninsula (Schahinger et al. 2003 Site Code SR2)

MONITORING METHOD

A targeted survey of each management area was conducted to monitor the distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi including:

sites at risk of incursion or spread e.g. walking tracks, creek lines and roads populations of target threatened species or threatened plant communities

Vegetation is classification is in accordance with TASVEG 3.0 (DPIPWE 2013) and flora taxonomy in accordance with Baker, M.L. and de Salas, M.F. 2013.

Where symptoms of P. cinnamomi were observed these were noted and sampled if no pre-existing record occurred for the area. Sampling can confirm the presence of P. cinnamomi, however where

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disease symptoms are indicative of P. cinnamomi a negative result does not necessarily indicate it is absent. Sample quality, soil dryness, time since mortality etc. can all impact on the success of isolating P. cinnamomi from a site.

Strict hygiene precautions were taken to manage the risk of spreading P. cinnamomi while undertaking the surveys. Vehicles, footwear and equipment were cleaned prior to entering Phytophthora Management Areas in accordance with guidelines (Keeping it clean Field Manual 2010, Washdown Guidelines 2004). Within the management areas hygiene was applied when moving out of any localised P. cinnamomi infestation that was encountered. All soil sampling was undertaken with pre-sampling and post-sampling disinfection of equipment. Samples comprised where possible of 3 subsampled dieback-affected plants from known susceptible species which were bulked and sent to the DPIPWE Plant Health Laboratory for P. cinnamomi isolation.

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Figure 1 Phytophthora Management Areas on Bruny Island.

CHUCKLE HEAD

MANAGEMENT AREA SUMMARY

Land manager: PWSTenure: Conservation AreaManageability: ModerateTarget species: No susceptible threatened species in the areaPc status 2003: Disease free, no symptoms presentPc status 2013: Disease free, no symptoms present

DESCRIPTION

The Chuckle Head Phytophthora Management Area targets the protection of a representative area of Coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland (DAC) and a small area of coastal heathland (SCH). The Management Area is surrounded by sea or private property limiting public access. The main access track to Little Fancy Bay passes through the Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and may be accessed by local landholders. Few walkers are likely to access the area and it is possible more visitors arrive by water as Little Fancy Bay is a popular anchorage.

The Coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest occurs on sand sheets, primarily in the centre and east of the management area. It intergrades with small patches of coastal heathland that are not mapped in TASVEG 3.0 (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Eucalyptus amygdalina Coastal forest (DAC) with small heathland patches behind Little Fancy Bay.

Species that characterise the Coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest along side the vehicle track are; Leptospermum glaucescens, Banksia marginata, Calytrix tetragona, Pteridium esculentum, Leptospermum scoparium, Hypolaena fastigiatum, Lepidosperma concavum, Astroloma pinifolium, Boronia pilosa, Tetratheca pilosa, Dillwynia glaberrima and Cassytha pubescens on a lichen rich surface. Eucalyptus tenuiramis Forest and woodland on sediments (DTO) is mapped (TASVEG 3.0) as

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occurring on ridgelines and Dry Eucalyptus obliqua forest (DOB) was observed on steeper southerly slopes to the south of the Management Area (Figure 3). No threatened species at risk from P. cinnamomi are recorded from the area. However, the vulnerable species (TSPA 1995) Conospermum hookeri (Tasmanian smokebush) is recorded in the vicinity to the north of the Management Area.

Adjacent landowners have in place complementary phytophthora management to reduce the risk of disease in the general area. The Management Area and surrounding land includes vegetation types and soils highly conducive to disease should P. cinnamomi establish in the area.

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Figure 3: Chuckle Head Phytophthora Management Area.

SURVEY AREA

The Chuckle Head Conservation Area access tracks were surveyed on 6 November 2013. Access was on foot via the coastal reserve to the south of Chuckle Head. The survey covered the vehicle track from the Management Area boundary to Little Fancy Bay, lower end of the drainage line behind Little Fancy Bay and the hill in the South West corner of the Phytophthora Management Area. This

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covered the likely places for Phytophthora incursion and detection. No off track areas were surveyed.

A species list for the Phytophthora Management Area was compiled by downloading vascular plant records from the NVA and noting additional species encountered during the survey (Appendix 1). A comprehensive flora survey was not undertaken.

The distribution of vegetation communities in the management area (TASVEG 3.0) was checked in areas visited and revised based on field observations.

DIEBACK SYMPTOMS

No unambiguous symptoms of P. cinnamomi dieback were observed, however samples were taken where there was a possibility of P. cinnamomi (Table 1). Localised dieback in Banksia marginata was observed at 3 sites, two uphill from the track and one downhill, however these were not associated with any significant disease in other susceptible species present at the site.

Table 1 P. cinnamomi sample results

GDA Grid Ref Description Result

C1 528801 5214537

One dead Banksia marginata on trackside, no apparent mortality on other susceptible species

negative

C2 528758 5214541

One recently dead Banksia marginata, one dead Aotus ericoides and Tetratheca labillardierei 10m from track

negative

C3528758 5214652

Scattered yellowed and dead Banksia marginata downhill of rack over 300sqm, no apparent mortality on other susceptible species

negative

Figure 4 Dieback in Banksia marginata at sample site C1.

VECTORS FOR SPREAD

The principle pathway for introduction of P. cinnamomi into the Management Area is by introduction of infected soil with:

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vehicle access emergency fire responses with machinery vehicle movements on the adjacent property, particularly the tracks upslope of the

management area to the east (the access track) and ridgeline track.

It is possible that boat visitors could spread P. cinnamomi however casual visitors in clean boat footwear are not as large a risk as visitors using walking style boots with intensions to travel beyond the beach.

CONCLUSION

The Chuckle Head Management Area continues to provide a healthy example of P. cinnamomi susceptible vegetation types in a setting that has greater protection from accidental incursion than more accessible areas on Bruny Island. With appropriate management it is likely to remain free of disease for some time to come.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations for management will support maintenance of the populations of Phytophthora susceptible species targeted for management:

1. Maintain a cooperative approach with adjoining landholders to managing access and hygiene to minimise chance of P. cinnamomi introduction into the area.

2. Minimise vehicle movements into the area, particularly when wet and ensure vehicles are clean prior to entry.

3. Maintain track drainage to avoid ponding on tracks. 4. Maintain a fire regime in the heathland and heathy forest within an 8- 20 year frequency at

any one location and no more than twice in 25 years. 5. Do not use earth moving machinery for wildfire control within the management area.6. Maintain a cooperative fuel reduction burning regime in the general area to manage risks to

the nearby shacks and private property such that machinery use within the Phytophthora Management area can be avoided in a wildfire event.

7. Maintain the low key approach to public visitation and avoid developments in the area.

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WEST CLOUDY HEAD


Land manager: PWSTenure: National ParkManageability: ModerateTarget species: Epacris virgata Kettering (2013 addition)Pc status 2003: Disease free, no symptoms presentPc status 2013: Disease free, no symptoms present

DESCRIPTION

West Cloudy Head Management Area is located within South Bruny National Park approximately 3km east of Cape Bruny Lighthouse at the southern tip of Bruny Island. An intergrading mosaic of wetland, wet heathland and coastal heathland (figure 5), mapped in TASVEG 3.0 as coastal heathland (SCH) occurs in the centre of the management area. Elevated areas along the coast are covered in coastal scrub over shallow soils with outcropping dolerite rock pavements. Dry Eucalyptus obliqua forest occurs alongside Lighthouse Road In the north of the Management Area. This community occurs over dolerite-derived soil and is considered a relatively low impact environment for Phytophthora cinnamomi. A population of the vulnerable species Epacris virgata (TSPA, 1995), a known P. cinnamomi host, was observed in this community.

The wet heathland in the drainage lines is characterised by Melaleuca squamea, Melaleuca gibbosa, Banksia marginata, Dillwynia glaberrima, Hibbertia procumbens, Pteridium esculentum, Blandfordia punicea, Patersonia fragilis, Empodisma minus, Epacris lanuginosa and a high sedge component. Drier sites on slopes grade into Coastal heathland characterised by: Banksia marginata, Acacia myrtifolia, Allocasuarina monilifera, Leptospermum glaucescens, Leucopogon collinus, Amperea xiphoclada, Astroloma humifusum, Bossiaea prostrata, Boronia pilosa, Euryomyrtus ramosissima, Dillwynia glaberrima, Epacris myrtifolia, Blandfordia punicea, Gahnia trifida. On shallow rocky soils and around rockplate Westringia rigida, Leptospermum scoparium, Ozothamnus scutellifolius, Pultenaea stricta and Lomandra longifolia are more common. Coastal scrub fringes the seaward margins of the management area (figure 6). The vegetation of the management area is mapped in Figure 7.

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Figure 5 Wet heath - coastal heath mosaic Figure 6 West Cloudy Head

Figure 7 West Cloudy Head Phytophthora Management Area.

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Lighthouse road

Mabel Bay

West Cloudy Head

Lighthouse Bay

A species list for the Phytophthora Management Area was compiled by noting species encountered during the survey (Appendix 2). Two threatened species were identified in the area during the survey, Epacris virgata (vulnerable TSPA 1995 and Endangered EPBCA 1999) and Phyllangium divergens (rare, TSPA 1995) was recorded on rock pavements in the area during the survey. Epacris virgata is recognised as susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi under glasshouse conditions, however field susceptibility remains unconfirmed. This population is the only population of E. virgata (Kettering) that is present in a Phytophthora Management Area.

SURVEY AREA

The area was surveyed on foot from Lighthouse Rd in the north and Lighthouse Bay in the west on the 27th November 2013 and 6 December 2013 respectively. The survey concentrated on the drainage line in the west of the management area and lower slopes of West Cloudy Head in the centre and south of the Management Area where the organic and sandy soils more conducive to disease are present. The dolerite soils around West Cloudy Head were not surveyed.

DIEBACK SYMPTOMS

No clear unambiguous patches of Phytophthora cinnamomi symptoms were observed in the Management Area. A scattered dieback in the reliable P. cinnamomi indicator species, Sprengelia incarnata was observed, however this was not associated with dieback across a range of susceptible species in the majority of cases. Where localised dieback across a range of susceptible species was observed these were sampled (Table 2). Each of these sampled areas was very limited in extent and involved small numbers of diseased and dead plants.

Allocasuarina monilifera was observed to be affected by dieback throughout the management area and this was also observed elsewhere in the South of Bruny Island. The dieback which affected branches and whole plants appeared to be synchronous with an event during the previous year. A range of other species also displayed a widespread but lesser degree of dieback e.g. Acacia myrtifolia. It is likely the widespread dieback in Allocasuarina monilifera and Acacia myrtifolia was caused by moisture stress. In January 2013, Bruny Island experienced 2 days of hot dry air culminating in a maximum temperature over 37°c at Cape Bruny Lighthouse on January 4 th, the second hottest day on record for that meteorological station. Numerous observations of plant dieback were made across Tasmania following this event. This event was followed by well below average rainfall in January and February as recorded at Cape Bruny Lightstation.

VECTORS FOR SPREAD

Phytophthora cinnamomi infestations are present on Lighthouse Road to the south and to the north of the Phytophthora Management Area. Road maintenance and vehicle traffic on this gravel road will be an ongoing risk for pathogen spread along the Management Area boundary. However, the adjacent dry Eucalyptus obliqua forest on dolerite is low susceptibility environment providing a buffer to pathogen spread.

No formed or developing access routes into the Management Area were observed. However the area is periodically visited by walkers who may either enter the area via Lighthouse Bay beach, Lighthouse road or from Mabel Bay beach to the north to visit West Cloudy Head. The beaches and

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surrounding forest provide buffers to disease spread into the management area with walkers. The elevated south eastern section of the Management Area retains a moderate level of protection from disease incursion. Should P. cinnamomi establish in the management area the wetter heath mosaic on sandsheet in the central north of the Management Area will be impacted the most.


GDA Grid Ref Description Result

WC1 5137085186326

Dieback in Acacia myrtifolia and Lomatia tinctoria at a rocky site.

negative

WC2 5137235186304

Dieback in Sprengelia incarnata and Acacia myrtifolia. Dry site marginally suitable for Sprengelia incarnata.

negative

WC3 5139695186237

Small 3m long patch of mortality beside a stream, including Sprengelia incarnata, Aotus ericoides, Dillwynia glaberrima & Leptospermum glaucescens. Healthy Blandfordia punicea, Stylidium and Sprengelia incarnata in the creekline.

negative

WC4 5141075186304

Mostly leaf dieback in Gleichenia dicarpa, Melaleuca squamea, Blandfordia punicea, Dillwynia glaberrima & Sprengelia incarnata. Occasional dead plant.

negative

WC5 5143055186170

Scattered mortality Sprengelia incarnata, Allocasuarina monilifera and dieback in Acacia myrtifolia. Amperea xiphoclada. Other Phytophthora susceptible species present are healthy e.g. Leucopogon.

negative

EPACRIS VIRGATA (KETTERING)

The Epacris virgata (Kettering) (DPIPWE 2011) record is a new threatened species record for South Bruny National Park and is the first population of this taxa protected within a Phytophthora Management Area. Unusually for this species it is present at this site in Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest. Most importantly, E. virgata sensu lato is classified as highly susceptible to P. cinnamomi. E. virgata sensu lato incorporates the taxa E. virgata (Beaconsfield) and E. virgata (Kettering). These taxa are recognised as genetically distinct (DPIPWE 2011). P. cinnamomi testing was conducted only on E. virgata (Beaconsfield) (P. Barker pers. comm.). While the disease response of E. virgata (Kettering) remains uncertain it is appropriate to assume a similar P. cinnamomi susceptibility to that of E. virgata (Beaconsfield) until further evidence is available. The habitat of E. virgata (Kettering) is in a large part a moderate risk habitat for P. cinnamomi due to the clay rich more fertile dolerite derived soils and no records of its field susceptibility to disease have been collected.

CONCLUSION

The West Cloudy Head Phytophthora Management Area remains a viable area for managing a representative area of wet heathland, coastal heathland. This area includes the only population of Epacris virgata (Kettering) within a Phytophthora Management Area.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations for management will support maintenance of the populations of Phytophthora susceptible species targeted for management:

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1. Epacris virgata is noted as a new target species for management in the Phytophthora Management Area, a survey of the population should be undertaken in spring 2014.

2. Maintain Lighthouse Road with gravel sourced from low Phytophthora risk quarries.3. Ensure machinery used on Lighthouse Road maintenance is cleaned prior to operations and

schedule operations so that operations occur in known infested areas last. 4. Maintain a fire regime in the heathland within an 8- 20 year frequency at any one location and

no more than twice in 25 years. 5. Do not use machinery for wildfire control within the management area. 6. Maintain the low key approach to public visitation and avoid developments in the area.7. Passive management of Phytophthora risks are favoured over more active actions such as

Washdown stations which would formalise visitation to the area.

CHURCH HILL


Land manager: PWS/ PrivateTenure: Bruny Island Neck Game Reserve/ Private LandManageability: LowTarget species: none presentPc status 2003: Disease present on western boundaryPc status 2013: Disease present on western boundary

DESCRIPTION

The primary aim of the Church Hill Management Area Management is to protect a representative area of the highly Phytophthora cinnamomi susceptible communities, Coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest (DAC) and coastal heathland (SCH). The Area encompasses a small catchment bounded by the Church Hill fire trail in the west and the coast in the east. A small upper section of the catchment occurs on private land, the main part of the area lies within the Bruny Island Neck Game Reserve. A walking track runs around the coast from the road on Bruny Island Neck to Cape Queen Elizabeth and two vehicle tracks, Church Hill track and Rookery track, run along the western and eastern ridges respectively (Figure 8).

Coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina woodland (DAC) and coastal heathland (SCH) are primarily distributed over sands along the valley floor. Smaller areas of Melaleuca squarrosa scrub (SMR) with Melaleuca squamea co-dominant and Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest (DOB) also occur in the valley. The ridgelines to the west and east are mudstone and covered mostly by Eucalyptus tenuiramis forest on sediments (DTO) with some areas of Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest on deeper soils. These communities are less conducive to disease with their clay soils and sparser and less diverse shrub layers. Behind the beach coastal scrub (SSC) and Acacia longifolia scrub (SAC) intergrades with coastal heathland with increasing distance from the coast. These coastal communities generally are not impacted by P. cinnamomi.

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Figure 8 Church Hill Phytophthora Management Area with revised TASVEG mapping and P. cinnamomi isolation records.

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Towards Cape Queen Elizabeth the vegetation along the track is generally of low potential impact from P. cinnamomi, as it lies within a grassy facies of Eucalyptus tenuiramis on sediments, Rookery Halophytic herbland (SRH), rookery-related Pteridium esculentum fernland (FPF) and a small patch of grassy Eucalyptus globulus dry forest (DGL). The western section of headland comprises of a coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and coastal scrub with a generally low frequency of highly susceptible species present.

SURVEY AREA

The survey was undertaken on foot on the 28th February and 7 March 2014. It concentrated on the vehicle and walking track system and the heathy vegetation at the northern and southern end of the main valley. The area east of the Rookery track and the far end of the Rookery track on the Cape were not visited.

A revised species list for the Church Hill Phytophthora Management Area was compiled by downloading vascular plant records from the NVA and noting additional species encountered during the survey (Appendix 3) and vegetation type (TASVEG 3.0) mapping was revised.

DIEBACK SYMPTOMS

Phytophthora cinnamomi was recorded in the vicinity of a poorly drained section of the Church Hill track in Eucalyptus tenuiramis forest prior to the establishment of the management area. P. cinnamomi was also isolated from the walking track about 1km southwest of Phytophthora Management Area in 2000.

Widespread dieback symptoms were observed in two understory species in the management area, Allocasuarina monilifera and Pultenaea juniperina. A. monilifera dieback was frequently associated with healthy populations of other P. cinnamomi susceptible species and is not considered to be associated with P. cinnamomi. P. juniperina dieback symptoms included branch death and occasional plant mortality. This was associated with root and basal stem borers in some cases and a lack of other indicator species in the E. tenuiramis forest understory made symptom assessment difficult. However, as this symptom was widespread in the region it was considered a poor indicator for P. cinnamomi. Samples were taken at all sites with symptoms suggestive of P. cinnamomi and a selection of sites with the more widespread dieback symptoms (Figure 9 & 10, Table 3).

Figure 9 Coastal heathland sample site B2 Figure 10 E. tenuiramis forest sample site B4.

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Diebacks in a range of other species in patterns not likely to be caused by P. cinnamomi were present, including in Leptospermum scoparium and Calytrix tetragona. No new areas strongly symptomatic of P. cinnamomi were found. The interpretability of P. cinnamomi on the mudstone was poor due to the lack of a dense and varied susceptible flora in the understory at most sites. The known P. cinnamomi site was revisited and the symptoms of the infestation were hard to discern yet P. cinnamomi was recovered again from a sample taken at the site. Other sites on the mudstone ridges with the significant branch dieback in Pultenaea juniperina were also sampled, though none returned P. cinnamomi.

A notable dieback site was identified on the coast bypass section of the Cape Queen Elizabeth walking track in coastal scrub on a steep sand bank. The dieback symptoms appeared relatively recent and extended above and below the track over about 60m2. However, the resistant species Leptospermum scoparium was also affected and no P. cinnamomi was isolated from samples. Though it appeared the most substantial defined patch of dieback, the presence of good root material in the sample suggests there is reasonable confidence the absence of P. cinnamomi is correct.


GDA Grid Ref Description ResultB1 534100

52124122-3m diameter patch of dieback in coastal heath on margin of track. Dieback and mortality in Allocasuarina monilifera and Calytrix tetragona. Susceptible species in area, but site to small to interpret well.

Pythium sp.

B2 534146 5212434

3-4m diameter patch of dieback approximately 10m west of the track. Dieback in Leptospermum glaucescens, Allocasuarina monilifera and Calytrix tetragona. Susceptible species in area, but site to small to interpret well.

Negative

B3 534498 5212650 Dieback in an Aotus ericoides on the trackside

Negative

B4 534805 5214276

4 dead Pultenaea juniperina in a 2 m diameter patch on the edge of the track. Dieback occurs among other healthy plants.

Negative

B5 533101 5214434

Resample over about 100m2 at previously recorded P. cinnamomi site. Very weakly expressed P. cinnamomi symptoms, scattered branch dieback in Pultenaea juniperina and few dead Leptospermum scoparium. No clear disease boundary.

Positive P. cinnamomi

B6 533010 5212385

100m2 area of coastal heath on steep sand dune with dead Allocasuarina monilifera, Leptospermum scoparium and Leucopogon ericoides. Dieback in one Banksia marginata.

Negative

B7 532623 5212295

A row of dieback affected Banksia marginata alongside the walking track

Negative

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Erica lusitanica ( Spanish Heath) occurs in the Management Area and is under a control program. This invasive weed has the capacity to degrade the conservation value of the heathy communities this Phytophthora management area seeks to protect.

VECTORS FOR SPREAD

The principle pathway for introduction of P. cinnamomi into the Management Area is by introduction of soil with vehicle movements on the Church Hill and Rookery tracks and with people movements on the Cape Queen Elizabeth track originating from the car park on Bruny Neck. Dispersal in the local area can also be expected due to wildlife activity and natural water flow through soils and in creeks. It is anticipated the Church Hill infestation will remain limited in impact given it has been present for some 15 or so years and is not strongly evident on the site and the valley below did not show symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The Church Hill Phytophthora Management Area remains a viable area for managing a representative area of wet heathland, coastal heathland and coastal scrub.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Maintain the restricted access to the Church Hill track where the P. cinnamomi infestation occurs and avoid use in all but emergency situations.

Resurface the section of the Church Hill track where the infestation is to stop ponding at that point

Maintain the restricted access to the Rookery track and make access arrangements or access permits subject to vehicles being clean on entry.

Where possible avoid vehicle access when the tracks are wet. Commercial operators taking walks to Cape Queen Elizabeth should be aware of the

Phytophthora Management Area and ensure hygiene precautions are taken. Improve the drainage/ resurface the main access track from the Neck car park to manage

the existing infestation on that track. The valley system would be best next surveyed 4-8 years post fire when access is easier and

susceptible species may be expressing a disease post fire. Continue with the successful Spanish heath control program in the Church Hill Management

Area to maintain the heathland values.

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LABILLARDIERE PENINSULA & PARTRIDGE ISLAND


Land manager: PWSTenure: National ParkManageability: LowTarget species: Epacris virgata (Kettering) newly identifiedPc status 2003: No symptoms present. Pc status 2013: Disease present in the east.

DESCRIPTION

The primary aim of the Labillardiere Peninsula & Partridge Island Phytophthora Management Area (Figure 11) is to protect a representative area of the communities, Coastal Eucalyptus amygdalina forest (DAC), heathy dry Eucalyptus obliqua (DOB), Eucalyptus tenuiramis forest (DTO) and coastal heathland (SCH) which are. highly susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi. On Partridge Island the coastal heathland (SCH) is an unusual form which contains large amounts of Ozothamnus reticulatus.

The Peninsula area has a moderate visitation rate with vehicular access and camping occurring at the eastern edge where most management trails (firebreaks) are also present. A popular walking track, which can be accessed by management vehicles on the southern side when necessary, goes around the Peninsula. Partridge Island is regularly visited, however most visits would be to the northern end where the jetty is located. Most visits are unlikely walk to the areas of P. cinnamomi susceptible vegetation in the south of the island due to a severe blackberry infestation and scrub hindering movement. The area of coastal amygdalina forest and coastal heath on the island is relatively small. The areas most at risk from P. cinnamomi are the southern and eastern side of Labillardiere Peninsula and the southern end of Partridge Island.

SURVEY AREA

The survey on the Peninsula was undertaken on 20th March and 15th April December 2014 on foot and concentrated on the heathy vegetation along the vehicle and walking track system on the peninsula. Partridge Island was visited briefly on 28th November 2013 and again in mid July 2014. The coastal heaths at the southern end of Partridge Island include elements of wet heath in drainage lines and are overgrown which limited access and survey. The Coastal Heath (SCH) is an unusual form which contains large amounts of Ozothamnus reticulatus on the wind exposed west coast. Further in it is dominated by Leptospermum glaucescens, L. scoparium, and in wetter places Epacris lanuginosa and Sprengelia incarnata. The vegetation of Labillardiere Peninsula has been well surveyed, however vegetation records can be confidently attributed to Partridge Island are lacking and were compiled as part of this survey (Appendix 4).

A species list for the Phytophthora Management Area was compiled by downloading vascular plant records from the NVA and noting additional species encountered during the survey (Appendix 3). A comprehensive flora survey was not undertaken. The distribution of vegetation communities in the management area (TASVEG 3.0) was checked and revised based on field observations.

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Figure 11 Labillardiere Peninsula and Partridge Island Phytophthora Management Area.

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DIEBACK SYMPTOMS

Phytophthora cinnamomi was isolated from near the start of the Pineapple Rocks track in 2004. This survey obtained additional isolations from the eastern end of the Pineapple Rocks track and the adjacent fire break (Figure 12, Figure 13). No disease symptoms were present alongside the walking track at the western end of the peninsula or on the north side. There is an area of uncertainty between the location of the isolations and the western end of the peninsula where scattered dieback symptoms in Sprengelia incarnata and other species were present along the track which were periodically sampled but did not return any P. cinnamomi (Table 4).

On Partridge Island, there appeared to be a widespread and recent dieback event in Sprengelia incarnata (e.g. grid reference 508109 5194346 GDA94).The affected population is comprised of tall, old plants. This is indicative of an area which has not had a history of P. cinnamomi infestation. The dieback did not appear to display disease fronts or have limited spatial distribution as normally present in new infestations. These symptoms are not entirely consistent with progressive disease development in plant populations over time and indicate the potential for another, possibly climatic, cause or an episodic disease outbreak. Sampling for Phytophthora cinnamomi will be required to resolve this disease symptom. Sample results from this survey are presented in Table 4.

When considered in association with the results from the dieback observed at West Cloudy Head, it appears there is a dieback syndrome not related to P. cinnamomi that affects similar species, confounding symptom mapping of P. cinnamomi. Determination of the extent of P. cinnamomi in the east of Labillardiere Peninsula was also hindered by the young age of the vegetation (4 years post fire). More intensive sampling in a few years time as the vegetation recovers and the disease expression develops is required to better understand the P. cinnamomi distribution in the Management Area.

An isolate of P. cinnamomi is pictured in Figure 12 and the distribution of P. cinnamomi isolates is mapped in Figure 13.

VECTORS FOR SPREAD

On the Labillardiere Peninsular where P. cinnamomi is already present on the Pineapple Rocks track and associated firebreaks, further spread may be most strongly influenced by vehicle movements and to a lesser extent people and wildlife. Partridge Island, which is probably free of P. cinnamomi, is protected from natural spread incursions by its island nature. Though experience with P. cinnamomi infested islands suggest it is still vulnerable from human activities that could bring infested soil or infected plant material on to the island.

CONCLUSION

The Labillardiere Peninsula & Partridge Island Phytophthora Management Area has been compromised by the establishment of P. cinnamomi in the area. Though the disease has been known since 2004 no symptoms in the far west of the Labillardiere Peninsula have been observed. The status of Partridge Island is currently uncertain and requires sampling to resolve. The management area contains substantial areas of heath that are uphill and remote from the known infestations and continuing management to reduce the potential for spread of infestations is warranted.

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PLL Accession Waypoint GDA Grid Ref Description Result

34-14-01 LAB 1 511896 5187952 Soil baiting Positive P. cinnamomi

33-14-02 LAB 2511896 5187952 Soil baiting

Negative for PC or other fungi

33-14-03 LAB 3

511653 5188032Root isolation from Leptospermum glaucescens seedling

Positive P. cinnamomi

34-14-02 LAB 3A 511653 5188032 Soil baiting Positive P. cinnamomi

33-14-01 LAB 3B

511653 5188032 Soil baitingDeuteromyceteous fungus (like Geotrichum)

33-14-04 LAB 3C 511653 5188032 Soil baiting Positive P. cinnamomi

34-14-03 LAB 4 511322 5188173 Soil baiting Negative



44-14 LAB 3 d 511653 5188032 Soil baiting Mucor like48-14-1 LP1 511083 5188698

Allocasuarina moniliferaMucor-like and Fusarium sp.

48-14-2 LP2 510795 5189274 Gleichenia dicarpa with significant dieback

Mucor-like

48-14-3 LP3 510761 5189274 Sprengelia incarnata Fusarium sp.48-14-4 LP4 510689 5189285 Patersonia fragilis Fusarium sp.48-14-5A LP5a 510212 5189390 Soil baiting Fusarium sp.48-14-5B LP5b 510212 5189390 Soil baiting Mucor-like48-14-6 LP6 510034 5189578 Soil baiting Fusarium sp.48-14-7 LP7 509691 5189929 Sprengelia incarnata, only few dead,

weak symptomsMucor-like

48-14-8 LP8 510397 519672 Branch dieback and occasional mortality in small plants of Pultenaea juniperina.

Fusarium sp.

48-14-9 LP9 512428 5186241 Sprengelia incarnata mortality in roadside drainage line

Mucor-like

Table 5 Locations of unconfirmed disease symptoms in Sprengelia Incarnata

Easting Northing511137 5188712510950 5188643511274 5188992511155 5188958511079 5188970510856 5189193510728 5189278510690 5189283

Easting Northing510268 5189314510212 5189391509956 5189703508984 5190868508987 5190894508844 5191196512428 5186241

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#####

#

#

##

511000

511000

512000

5120005188000

5188000

5189000

5189000

°0 440220Metres

LegendRoads and tracks#P cinnamomi Isolation Record

JettyBeach

Figure 12 Sample LAB 3, P. cinnamomi growing Figure 13 P. cinnamomi distribution on from a seedling Leptospermum glaucescens root. Pineapple Rocks track

RECOMMENDATIONS

Phytophthora risk management should be a high priority for Partridge Island. Consider if Pineapple Rocks track be made one way for walkers from the north side to the

south side Continue to restrict vehicle movements on the Pineapple Rocks track to essential

movements only. Vehicle access to the Pineapple Rocks track should be subject to “clean on entry” and only

occur when the track surface is dry. If traveling beyond the infested area vehicles should be inspected and cleaned as required. Emergency response vehicles should meet the hygiene conditions whenever possible.

Further sampling and mapping of P. cinnamomi distribution should occur in the 2016-18 period as the vegetation recovers from the recent fire.

Further survey of the slashed breaks in the Tasman National Park be undertaken to determine if washdown and sequencing of slashing could be refined to reduce risk of P. cinnamomi spread.

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REFERENCESCommonwealth of Australia 2014 Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi.

Baker, M.L. and de Salas, M.F. 2013, A Census of the Vascular Plants of Tasmania and index to the Student’s Flora of Tasmania and the Flora of Tasmania online. Tasmanian Herbarium, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart.

DPIPWE 2012. Phytophthora cinnamomi Management Areas Monitoring Protocol: version 1. Unpublished report, Biodiversity Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. TASVEG 3.0, Released November 2013. Tasmanian Vegetation Monitoring and Mapping Program, Resource Management and Conservation Division.

Harris, S. and Kitchener, A. 2005. From Forest to Fjaeldmark. Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment. Printing Authority of Tasmania. Hobart.

Schahinger, R., Rudman T., and Wardlaw, T. J. 2003 Conservation of Tasmanian Plant Species & Communities threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Strategic Regional Plan for Tasmania. Technical Report 03/03, Nature Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart.

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APPENDIX 1. CHUCKLE HEAD SPECIES LIST

Species Phytophthora susceptible species

Threatened Species Status (TSP Act/ EPBC Act)

MONOCOTYLEDONAcacia genistifoliaAcacia gunniiAcacia longifolia subsp.. sophoraeAcacia myrtifolia YesAcacia strictaAcacia suaveolensAcacia verticillataAcacia verticillata subsp. ruscifoliaAcaena echinataAcrotriche serrulata YesAllocasuarina moniliferaAllocasuarina verticillataAmperea xiphoclada var. xiphoclada YesAotus ericoides YesApium prostratum subsp.. prostratumArgentipallium dealbatumAstroloma humifusum YesAstroloma pinifolium YesEuryomyrtus ramosissimaBanksia marginata YesBauera rubioides YesBillardiera longifloraBillardiera mutabilisBoronia parvifloraBoronia pilosaBossiaea prostrata YesBursaria spinosa subsp. spinosaCalytrix tetragonaCarpobrotus rossiiCassytha glabellaCassytha pubescensCentaurium erythraeaComesperma calymegaComesperma volubileCoronidium sp. Lowland SwampsCorrea albaCrassula sieberianaDaviesia ulicifolia YesDichondra repensDillwynia glaberrima YesDodonaea viscosa subsp.. spatulata

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Drosera auriculataDrosera macranthaDrosera peltataEpacris impressa YesEucalyptus amygdalinaEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus ovata var. ovataEucalyptus tenuiramisExocarpos cupressiformisGalium gaudichaudii subsp.. parviflorumArgyrotegium mackayiEuchiton japonicusGompholobium huegelii YesGonocarpus tetragynusGonocarpus teucrioidesGoodenia lanataHibbertia procumbensHydrocotyle hirtaHypochaeris radicataKennedia prostrata YesLagenophora stipitataLeptinella longipesLeptomeria drupaceaLeptospermum glaucescensLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon collinus YesLeucopogon ericoides YesLeucopogon parviflorusLindsaea linearisLissanthe strigosa subsp.. subulata YesLobelia ancepsLomatia tinctoriaMelaleuca gibbosaMelaleuca squamea YesMelaleuca squarrosaMicrolaena stipoides var. stipoidesMonotoca glaucaOlearia phlogopappaOpercularia variaOxalis perennansOzothamnus costatifructusPhyllota diffusa YesPimelea linifoliaPomaderris ellipticaPultenaea daphnoides YesPultenaea dentata Yes

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Pultenaea juniperina YesSamolus repens var. repensSarcocornia quinquefloraSonchus oleraceusSprengelia incarnata YesStylidium graminifolium YesTetragonia implexicomaTetratheca labillardiereiVelleia paradoxa (unverifiable)Vellereophyton dealbatumViola cleistogamoidesViola hederacea MONOCOTYLEDONSEmpodisma minusDiplarrena moraeaDistichlis distichophyllaDianella brevicaulisDianella revolutaDianella tasmanicaDactylis glomerataCorybas diemenicusCentrolepis strigosa subsp.. strigosaBaumea acutaAustrostipa stipoidesAcianthus caudatusAcianthus pusillusGahnia grandisEurychorda complanataFicinia nodosaGlossodia majorGymnoschoenus sphaerocephalusHolcus lanatusHypolaena fastigiataJuncus kraussii subsp.. australiensisJuncus pallidusLepidosperma concavumLepidosperma inopsLepidosperma longitudinaleLeptocarpus tenaxLomandra longifoliaPoa poiformisPterostylis nanaRytidosperma caespitosumRytidosperma dimidiatumRytidosperma penicillatumSchoenus apogon

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Schoenus lepidosperma subsp.. lepidospermaTetrarrhena distichophyllaVulpia myurosXanthosia tasmanicaPTERIDOPHYTESGleichenia dicarpaPteridium esculentumSelaginella uliginosa

APPENDIX 2. WEST CLOUDY HEAD SPECIES LIST



DICOTYLEDONSAcacia myrtifolia Yes

Allocasuarina moniliferaAmperea xiphoclada Yes

Aotus ericoides Yes

Astroloma humifusum Yes

Banksia marginata Yes

Bauera rubioides Yes

Bedfordia salicinaBlandfordia punicea Yes

Boronia pilosa Yes

Bossiaea prostrata Yes

Cassytha glabellaCassytha pubescensComesperma retusumComesperma volubileCoronidium scorpioidesCrassula sp.Daviesia ulicifolia Yes

Dianella revolutaDillwynia glaberrima Yes

Diplarrena moraeaDrosera auriculataDrosera binataDrosera pygmaeaEpacris impressa Yes

Epacris virgata Yes vulnerable / ENDANGERED

Eucalyptus amygdalina

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Eucalyptus obliquaEuryomyrtus ramosissima Yes

Gompholobium huegelii Yes

Gonocarpus tetragynusGoodenia ovataHakea epiglottisHibbertia procumbensHydrocotyle muscoidesLeptospermum glaucescensLeptospermum lanigerumLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon collinusLissanthe strigosa Yes

Lomatia tinctoriaMelaleuca gibbosaMelaleuca squarrosaOzothamnus scutellifoliusPersoonia juniperinaPhyllangium distylis Rare/-

Pimelea linifoliaPultenaea daphnoides Yes

Pultenaea juniperina Yes

Pultenaea stricta Yes

Sprengelia incarnata Yes

Stylidium graminifolium Yes

Viola hederaceaWahlenbergia sp.Westringia rigidaMONOCOTYLEDONSAustrostipa sp.Caladenia sp.Centrolepis aristataCentrolepis strigosaEmpodisma minusEurychorda complanataGahnia grandisGahnia trifidaLepidosperma filiformeLepidosperma lateraleLeptocarpus tenaxLomandra longifoliaPatersonia fragilisPoa sp.Rytidosperma sp.Schoenus lepidospermaSchoenus nitens

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Schoenus turbinatusTetrarrhena distichophyllaThelymitra aristata

APPENDIX 3. CHURCH HILL SPECIES LIST



DICOTYLEDONSAcacia genistifoliaAcacia melanoxylonAcacia myrtifolia YesAcacia suaveolensAcacia strictaAcacia verticillataAcrotriche serrulata YesActites megalocarpusAjuga australisAllocasuarina moniliferaAllocasuarina verticillataAotus ericoides YesApium prostratumAstroloma humifusum YesAstroloma pinifolium YesBanksia marginata YesBauera rubioidesBedfordia salicinaBoronia pilosa YesBoronia pilosa subsp.. pilosa YesBossiaea prostrata YesBursaria spinosaCalytrix tetragonaCarpobrotus rossiiCassytha glabellaCassytha pubescensCentaurium erythraeaCirsium sp.Correa albaCrassula sieberianaDaucus glochidiatusDaviesia sejugata YesDichondra repens

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Dillwynia glaberrima YesDodonaea viscosa subsp.. spatulataDrosera macranthaEpacris impressa YesEpacris lanuginosa YesErica lusitanicaEucalyptus amygdalinaEucalyptus cordataEucalyptus cordata subsp.. cordataEucalyptus globulusEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus tenuiramisEucalyptus viminalis subsp.. viminalisEuryomyrtus ramosissimaExocarpos cupressiformisExocarpos strictusGompholobium huegelii YesGonocarpus tetragynusGoodenia ovataHelichrysum luteoalbumHibbertia acicularisLeptospermum glaucescensLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon collinus YesLeucopogon parviflorusLissanthe strigosa YesLomatia tinctoriaMelaleuca squamea YesMelaleuca squarrosaMonotoca linifolia YesMyoporum parvifoliumOlearia stellataOzothamnus reticulatusPelargonium australePersoonia juniperinaPimelea niveaPultenaea daphnoides YesPultenaea gunnii subsp.. gunnii YesPultenaea juniperina YesSebaea ovataSenecio pinnatifoliusSolanum vescumSprengelia incarnata YesTetragonia implexicoma

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Tetratheca labillardierei ?Wahlenbergia sp.Wahlenbergia gracilentaWahlenbergia gymnocladaXanthosia tasmanicaMONOCOTYLEDONSAira elegantissimaAmmophila arenariaAmphibolis antarcticaAustrostipa rudis subsp.. australisAustrostipa stipoidesBaumea acutaCaladenia echidnachilaCaladenia gracilisCyrtostylis reniformisDeyeuxia micranthaDichelachne crinitaDianella revolutaDianella tasmanicaDiplarrena moraeaDrymophila cyanocarpaEchinopogon ovatusEmpodisma minusEriochilus cucullatusEurychorda complanataFicinia nodosaGahnia grandisGlossodia majorGymnoschoenus sphaerocephalusJuncus pallidusLepidosperma concavumLepidosperma elatiusLepidosperma longitudinaleLeptocarpus tenaxLomandra longifoliaPatersonia fragilisPoa sp.Rytidosperma dimidiatumSchoenus lepidosperma subsp. lepidospermaStipa sp.Thelymitra aristataThelymitra paucifloraVulpia bromoidesPTERIDOPHYTES

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Gleichenia dicarpaPteridium esculentumLycopodiella deuterodensumSelaginella uliginosaSphagnum sp.

APPENDIX 4. PARTRIDGE ISLAND SPECIES LISTSpecies Phytophthora

susceptible speciesThreatened Species Status (TSP Act/ EPBC Act)

DICOTYLEDONSAcacia genistifoliaAcacia longifolia subsp. longifoliaAcacia melanoxylonAcacia strictaAcaena echinataAcaena novae-zelandiaeAcaena pallidaAcetosella vulgarisAllocasuarina verticillataApium prostratumAraucaria heterophyllaAstroloma humifusum YesAtriplex prostrataBanksia marginata YesBillardiera longifoliaBossiaea prostrata YesCarpobrotus rossiiCassinia aculeataClematis aristataCoprosma quadrifidaCoronidium scorpioidesCorrea albaCrataegus monogynaDaviesia ulicifolia YesDichondra repensDrosera auriculataEpacris impressa YesEucalyptus globulusEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus viminalisExocarpos cupressoidesFuchsia magellanicaFumaria muralis

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Geranium solanderiGonocarpus teucrioidesGoodenia ovataHedera helixHypochaeris radicataIlex aquilifoliaLagenophora stipitataLeptospermum scopariumLeucopogon parviflorusLinum marginaleLissanthe strigosa YesLobelia ancepsMalus domesticaOlearia stellataOxalis corniculataPimelea linifoliaPlantago coronopusPlantago lanceolataPultenaea juniperina YesQuercus roburRhagodia candolleanaRosa rubiginosaRubus fruticosusRumex browniiSenecio hispidissimusSenecio linearisSenecio quadridentatusSonchus oleraceusSuaeda australisTetragonia implexicomaTrifolium dubiumVeronica gracilisVicia sativaVinca majorViola hederaceaWahlenbergia stricta subsp. spatternaMONOCOTYLEDONS

Aira caryophylleaAnthoxanthum odoratumAustrodanthonia setaceaAustrostipa stuposaBromus driandrusCynosurus echinatusDactylis glomerataDianella revolutaDianella tasmanica

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Distichlis distichophyllaFestuca rubraHolcus lanatusLolium rigidumLomandra longifoliaLuzula densifloraMicrotis unifloraPoa labillardiereiPoa poiformisThelymitra sp.PTERIDOPHYTESPteridium esculentum

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