Criteria for failure: The number of populations have decreased and/or the number of mature individuals have
decreased by ten percent or more over the term of the plan.
3.
RECOVERY ACTIONS
Existing recovery actions
Relevant stakeholders have been made aware of the existence of this subspecies and its locations. These
notifications detail the current status of the species as Declared Rare Flora (DRF) and the associated legal
obligations in regards to their protection.
Declared Rare Flora (DRF) markers have been installed at Populations 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 and Subpopulations 5a
and 5b. These serve to alert people working in the vicinity to the presence of the DRF and the need to avoid
work that may damage plants or their habitat. Dashboard stickers and posters describing the significance of DRF
markers have been produced and distributed.
In July 1998, 150 plants of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis were translocated into a proposed Timber
Reserve near Beaufort (Bone and Graham 1998). All plants were grown from cuttings taken from five plants in
Population 3 and grown by the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA). The translocation was conducted
on an experimental basis and has provided information about effective techniques for future translocations.
Three treatments were tested: water, mulch and control (no watering or mulching). The number of surviving
plants, height, crown width, reproductive state, number of inflorescences and follicles, and general health are
being monitored. By March 1998, 56 of 150 introduced plants (37.3%) were dead. The least number of deaths
(26%) were in watered plants and the most (44%) were in mulched plants. In March 2004, only five plants were
still alive. Native grass had re-established at the site along with wild oats and veldt grass.
Weed control trials were conducted by DEC Katanning District at Population 1 following an uncontrolled fire in
1990. The population, located on a road reserve, was heavily infested with Veldt grass ( Ehrharta longiflora)
and the grass-selective herbicide, Fusilade
®
, was applied twice per year from 1993 to 1996. Initially, a smaller
area of 200m
2
was sprayed covering eight Verticordia plants. Then in 1994, the trial was expanded to include
the whole population. During the three years of the trial, no detrimental effects were noted on any Verticordia
plants. Although a reduction in grass mass was observed other bulbous and broadleaf weeds, which Fusilade
®
did not control, replaced them. Also Guildford grass (Romulea rosea) became abundant.
In 1997, Robert Buehrig conducted surveys for new populations of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis.
Over 40 waypoints were visited from Aldersyde southward to Woodanilling but no new populations were found
(Buehrig 1997).
In 2009, a new population of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis was found south east of Armadale by
Fred and Jean Hort.
Some 31,535 Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis seeds collected between 1996 and 2004 are stored in
DEC’s Threatened Flora Seed Centre at –18 C and 4 C (Table 5). The TFSC test the viability of the seed and
the initial germination rate was found to range from 29 to 92%, averaging 53% (A. Cochrane unpublished data).
Table 5: DEC’s Threatened Flora Seed Centre collections for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
Date
Population No.
No. seeds
Germination (%)
24 January 1996
6
670
38
24 January 1996
4
2988
92
24 January 1996
7
5242
86
20 February 1996
4
1945
48
Interim Recovery Plan for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
20 February 1996
7
2437
39
20 February 1996
8
723
64
2 March 1997
7
3462
77
2 March 1997
4
1228
62
2 March 1997
8
227
30
20 January 1998
4
946
29
21 January 1998, 3 February 1998, 2 February
1998
1
228
35
4 February 1998
7
5255
83
4 February 1998
8
405
38
9 February 2000
5
488
31
11 February 2000
10
668
38
12 February 2004
14
4623
Test not complete
A further collection of approximately 9.6 g of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis seed from 20 plants at
Subpopulation 7b was made in January 2000 by DEC’s Colin Yates. The seed was forwarded to the Botanic
Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) for storage.
Cutting material from Population 3 was collected in 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and forwarded to the
BGPA at Kings Park for propagation. Of the 3,061 propagules (eight from graftings; 3,053 from cuttings), 702
struck, with an average propagation rate of approximately 25%. The majority of the material grown between
1999 and 2000 was used for a translocation with the remainder since dying. The only living specimens currently
at Kings Park are two plants, approximately 12 months old, which were germinated by the TFSC from seed
collected at Population 14 on February 2004.
Staff from DEC’s Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts regularly monitor populations.
The SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT are overseeing the implementation of this IRP and will include information on
progress in their annual report to DEC’s Corporate Executive and funding bodies.
Future recovery actions
Where recovery actions occur on lands other than those managed by DEC, permission has been or will be
sought from appropriate owners/land managers prior to recovery actions being undertaken. The following
recovery actions are generally in order of descending priority, influenced by their timing over the life of the
plan. However this should not constrain addressing any of the actions if funding is available and other
opportunities arise.
1.
Coordinate recovery actions
The SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT will continue to oversee the implementation of recovery actions for Verticordia
fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis and will include information on progress in their annual report to DEC's Corporate
Executive and funding bodies.
Action:
Coordinate recovery actions
Responsibility:
DEC (Swan Region and Great Southern District) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$6,000 per year
2.
Stimulate germination
Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis appears to germinate well following smoke water treatment or fire.
Further treatments will be undertaken at senescing populations. Records will need to be maintained for future
research. Any disturbance trials will need to be undertaken in conjunction with weed control.
Action:
Stimulate germination
Responsibility:
DEC (Science Division, Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT
and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$7,000 in years 1 and 3, $2,000 in years 2, 4 and 5
Interim Recovery Plan for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
3.
Install DRF markers or replace where necessary
DRF markers are required at Population 15 and need to be replaced at Population 4.
Action:
Install DRF markers or replace where necessary
Responsibility:
DEC (Great Southern District) through the GSDTFRT
Cost:
$3,000 in year 1
4.
Undertake weed control and follow up with additional control if required
Weeds are a major threat to most populations and control is required. The following actions will be
implemented:
1.
Determine which weeds are present and map them.
2.
Select appropriate technique; herbicide, mowing or hand weeding.
3.
Control invasive weeds by hand removal and/or spot spraying around the Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp.
fimbrilepis plants when weeds first emerge.
4.
Revegetation with site-specific species is required (in Autumn) to maintain low weed levels.
5.
Monitor the success of the treatment on weed death, and the tolerance of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp.
fimbrilepis and associated native plant species to the treatment.
6.
Report on the method and success of the threatment, and effect on Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
plants and associated species.
Action:
Undertake weed control and follow up with additional control if required
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$6,000 per year, as required
5.
Maintain disease hygiene
Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis is susceptible to dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Dieback
hygiene (outlined in CALM 2003 (now DEC)) will be followed for activities such as installation and
maintenance of firebreaks and when walking into populations in wet soil conditions. Purpose built signs
advising of the dieback risk and high conservation values of the sites will be installed where required.
Action:
Maintain disease hygiene
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$2,000 per year
6.
Monitor populations
Monitoring of factors such as weed invasion, habitat degradation, hydrology (including salinity), population
stability (expansion or decline), pollinator activity, seed production, recruitment, and longevity is essential. The
populations will be inspected and an accurate location recorded.
Action:
Monitor populations
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$10,000 per year
7.
Rehabilitate habitat
Once gravel extraction has finished at the site, the habitat containing Population 13 should be deep ripped and
allowed to regenerate naturally.
Action:
Rehabilitate habitat
Responsibility:
DEC (Great Southern District) through the GSDTFRT
Cost:
$5,000 in first year
Interim Recovery Plan for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
8.
Collect seed and other material to preserve genetic diversity
Although a large number of seeds have been collected, the subspecies is not well represented in the seed store.
The germination rate for most of the seed collected is relatively low so the actual number of germinants that can
be produced is also quite low. Although populations 10, 11 and 16 will be the priority for seed collection as they
account for a large percentage of known plants, populations 3, 12 and 15 will also be targeted to ensure as much
genetic diversity is captured as possible.
Action:
Collect seed and other material to preserve genetic diversity
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts, TFSC), BGPA through the SRTFCRT
and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$5,000 per year
9.
Implement rabbit control where necessary
The level of threat posed by rabbits in Populations 4, 7, 8, 13 and 14 appears to vary from year to year. When
monitoring ascertains the threat is high, control measures may be required. Control should be undertaken in
summer when less green feed is available as an alternative food source.
Action:
Implement rabbit control where necessary
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT;
relevant land managers
Cost:
$7,000 in years 1, 3 and 5
10.
Implement feral pig control where necessary
Feral pigs can damage threatened flora and its habitat when digging in search of food. Pigs can also introduce
weed seeds and nutrients and the soil disturbance encourages establishment of weeds. Feral pig activity has been
recorded at Population 16 and control may be necessary.
Action:
Implement feral pig control where necessary
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills District) through the SRTFCRT
Cost:
$5,000 per year
11.
Develop and implement a fire response strategy
A fire response strategy will be developed that recommends fire frequency, intensity, season, and control
measures.
Action:
Develop and implement a fire response strategy
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$10,000 in first year and $2,000 in subsequent years
12.
Conduct further surveys
It is recommended that areas of potential habitat, particularly recently burnt areas, be surveyed for the presence
of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis during its flowering period between July and December.
All surveyed areas will be recorded and the presence or absence of the subspecies documented to increase
survey efficiency and reduce unnecessary duplicate surveys. Where possible volunteers from the local
community, Landcare groups, wildflower societies and naturalists clubs will be encouraged to be involved.
Action:
Conduct further surveys
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$5,000 in years 1, 3 and 5
13.
Achieve long-term protection of habitat
Interim Recovery Plan for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
DEC will investigate the possibility of land containing populations of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
being declared as reserves for the purpose of conservation and vested with the Conservation Commission.
Action:
Achieve long-term protection of habitat
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts, Land Unit); Department of Planning
(DoP); Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), through the SRTFCRT and
GSDTFRT
Cost:
$3,000 per year
14.
Map habitat critical to the survival of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
Although habitat critical to the survival of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis is alluded to in Section 1, it
has not yet been mapped. If additional populations are located, then habitat critical to their survival will also be
determined and mapped.
Action:
Map habitat critical to the survival of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
Responsibility:
DEC (SCB, Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and
GSDTFRT
Cost:
$6,000 in year 2
15.
Liaise with relevant land managers and Indigenous groups
Staff from DEC’s Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts will liaise with relevant land managers to ensure that
populations of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis are not accidentaly damaged or destroyed. Indigenous
consultation will also take place to determine if there are any issues or interests in areas that are habitat for V.
fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis.
Action:
Liaise with relevant land managers and Indigenous groups
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$2,000 per year
16.
Promote awareness
The importance of biodiversity conservation and the protection of Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis will
be promoted to the public. This will be achieved through an information campaign using local print and
electronic media and by setting up poster displays. An information sheet that includes a description of the plant,
its habitat type, threats and management actions, and photos will be produced. Formal links with local naturalist
groups and interested individuals will also be encouraged.
Action:
Promote awareness
Responsibility:
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts, SCB, Strategic Development and
Corporate Affairs Division) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Cost:
$4,000 in year 1 and $2,000 in years 2-5
17.
Review this IRP and assess the need for further recovery actions
If Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis is still listed as Threatened at the end of the five-year term of this
IRP, the need for further recovery actions, or a review of this IRP, including an evaluation of the plans
performance, will be assessed and a revised plan prepared if necessary.
Action:
Review this IRP and assess the need for further recovery actions
Responsibility:
DEC (SCB, Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through the SRTFCRT and
GSDTFRT
Cost:
$3,000 in year 5
Table 6. Summary of Recovery Actions
Recovery Action
Priority
Responsibility
Completion Date
Interim Recovery Plan for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
Coordinate recovery actions
High
DEC (Swan Region and Great Southern District)
through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Stimulate germination
High
DEC (Science Division, Perth Hills and Great Southern
Districts) through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
2015
Install DRF markers or replace where
necessary
High
DEC (Great Southern District) through the GSDTFRT
2011
Undertake weed control and follow up
with additional control if required
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Maintain disease hygiene
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Monitor populations
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Rehabilitate habitat
High
DEC (Great Southern District) through the GSDTFRT
2011
Collect seed and other material to
preserve genetic diversity
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts, TFSC),
BGPA through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
2015
Implement rabbit control where
necessary
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT; relevant land managers
Ongoing
Implement feral pig control where
necessary
High
DEC (Perth Hills District) through the SRTFCRT
Ongoing
Develop and implement a fire
management strategy
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Developed by 2011
with
implementation
ongoing
Conduct further surveys
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Achieve long-term protection of habitat
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts, Land
Unit); Department of Planning (DoP); Department of
Mines and Petroleum (DMP), through the SRTFCRT
and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Map habitat critical to the survival of
Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella
High
DEC (SCB, Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts)
through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
2012
Liaise with relevant land managers and
Indigenous groups
High
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts) through
the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Promote awareness
Medium
DEC (Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts, SCB,
Strategic Development and Corporate Affairs Division)
through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
Ongoing
Review this IRP and assess the need
for further recovery actions
Medium
DEC (SCB, Perth Hills and Great Southern Districts)
through the SRTFCRT and GSDTFRT
2015
4.
TERM OF PLAN
This IRP will operate from December 2010 to November 2015 but will remain in force until withdrawn or
replaced. If the subspecies is still listed as threatened after five years, the need for further recovery actions will
be determined.
5.
REFERENCES
Atkins, K. (2009) Declared Rare and Priority Flora List for Western Australia. Department of Environment and
Conservation, Perth, Western Australia.
Bone, B. and Graham, M. (1998) Translocation Proposal: Shy Featherflower, Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp.
fimbrilepis. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Katanning.
Brown, A., Thomson-Dans, C. and Marchant, N. (Eds). (1998) Western Australia’s Threatened Flora.
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Buehrig, R.M. (1997) Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis Report. Department of Conservation and Land
Management, Wanneroo.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1992) Policy Statement No. 44 Wildlife Management
Programs. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1994) Policy Statement No. 50 Setting Priorities for the
Conservation of Western Australia’s Threatened Flora and Fauna. Department of Conservation and Land
Management, Western Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (2003) Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it
Volume 1 – Management Guidelines. Department of Conservation and Land Management (now DEC),
Perth, Western Australia.
Interim Recovery Plan for Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
Department of Environment and Conservation (2007) Definitions, categories and criteria for Threatened and
Priority Ecological Communities. Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia.
http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/management-and-protection/threatened-species/wa-s-threatened-ecological-
communities.html.
George, A.S. (1991) New taxa, combinations and typifications in Verticordia (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae).
Nuytsia 7 (3): 231–394.
George, A.S. (2002) Verticordia: the turner of hearts. University of Western Australia Press, Crawley.
Government of Australia (1999) Endangered Species Protection Act 1999. Government Printer, Canberra.
Mitchell, M. (1997) Summary of weed control trials in a Declared Rare Flora population; Katanning District.
Unpublished Report, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Katanning.
Western Australian Herbarium (1998−) FloraBase − The Western Australian Flora. Department of
Environment and Conservation. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/.
World Conservation Union (2001) IUCN Red List Categories: Version 3.1. Prepared by the IUCN Species
Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
Yates, C.J. and Ladd, P.G. (2005) Relative importance of reproductive biology and establishment ecology for
persistence of a rare shrub in a fragmented landscape. Conservation Biology 19(1): 239-249.
6.
TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTION
Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis
George, A.S. (1991) New taxa, combinations and typifications in Verticordia (Myrtaceae : Chamelaucieae).
Nuytsia 7 (3): 231–394.
Peduncles 2–4 mm long. Petal lamina 1.3–1.5 mm wide, fimbriate. Staminodes fimbriate across broad apex, one
cilium much longer than the others.
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