The ecology, phytosociology and stand structure of an ancient endemic plant Lomatia tasmanica (Proteaceae) approaching extinction
A. J. J. Lynch A B C and J. Balmer AA Nature Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, GPO Box 44A, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B Present address: School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: jasmyn.lynch@uq.edu.au
Australian Journal of Botany 52(5) 619-627 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT03023
Submitted: 20 February 2003 Accepted: 24 June 2004 Published: 25 October 2004
Abstract
Lomatia tasmanica W.M.Curtis is a nationally endangered shrub of the family Proteaceae. It is entirely restricted to one population extending over 1.2 km in south-western Tasmania. The species occupies a variety of riparian vegetation types ranging from sclerophyll scrub to implicate rainforest. The population is dominated by ramets originating after fire in 1934, although the species regenerates in a continuous manner by root suckering. The ramets or stems may reach ages > 300 years. The entire population may be composed of one genet and fruit production has never been observed. The extreme rarity of the species, its inability to reproduce sexually and its lack of genetic diversity suggest that L. tasmanica is heading inevitably towards extinction. One population appears to have disappeared since 1934. Threats such as too frequent firing and the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi increase the likelihood of extinction of L. tasmanica in the short term to a very high level.
Acknowledgments
This project was largely funded from Tasmanian World Heritage Area project funds allocated to the Nature Conservation Branch of the Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment (previously the Department of Environment and Land Management), Tasmania. The 1996 field survey was undertaken with the assistance of Australian Geographic. We thank Richard Barnes, William Brown, Jennie Whinam and staff from the Nature Conservation Branch and associated volunteers for their field assistance; staff of the GIS section, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, for assistance with data storage and analysis, project support and advice; Roger Ling and Matthew Brooks for production of maps; and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments on the manuscript.
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