Threatened species & ecological communities

National recovery plan for the Monarto Mintbush (Prostanthera eurybioides)

South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage

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Summary

Recovery Objectives

  1. Short Term: To improve the age structure of the community by enhancing recruitment within the populations. 
  2. Medium Term: To increase the probability of survival of Prostanthera eurybioides across the entire range of the species.
  3. Long Term: To improve the conservation status of P. eurybioides from Endangered to Vulnerable.

Specific Objectives

  1. To maintain and increase the area of occupancy of the species.
  2. To improve the quality of habitat of the species.
  3. To maintain or increase the abundance of the species.
  4. To preserve the degree of genetic variability within the species. 
  5. To reduce the grazing impact of rabbits, sheep and kangaroos.

Performance Criteria

  1. The current known area of occupancy is increased over five years.
  2. The total number of mature plants is increased from its current level of approximately 2230 to 4500 in five years by planting from seed stock and increasing recruitment.
  3. Weed control measures substantially reduce the abundance of Avena spp., Ehrharta calycina, Lycium ferocissimum and Vulpia spp. in areas of habitat currently occupied by Prostanthera eurybioides, within five years.
  4. A 250m buffer is established around habitat currently occupied by P. eurybioides, where Asparagus asparagoides is to be substantially reduced in abundance within five years.
  5. Rabbits within the habitat critical to the survival of P. eurybioides are controlled by baiting and ripping, with a 100% reduction in the number of warrens present within five years.
  6. The possibility of including additional habitat containing P. eurybioides in the National Reserve System (NRS) is investigated within five years.
  7. Where appropriate, fencing is erected within two years to exclude sheep from populations on private property in the Monarto area.
  8. The impacts of kangaroo grazing and numbers in the area are investigated, with a control program, including fencing or caging where appropriate, implemented within two years if considered necessary.
  9. Roadside markers are installed at the site of roadside populations of P. eurybioides, and roadside maintenance staff is alerted to the presence and significance of the plants within two years.
  10. hrough the development of community awareness, and fencing where appropriate, the impacts of trail bike damage and illegal collecting and / or illegal rubbish dumping are significantly reduced within five years.
  11. Seed from each regional location is collected and stored within one year to boost current seed stores and provide seed to conduct seed longevity tests.
  12. Seed germination tests and seedbank trials are conducted within three years, to establish the longevity of seed maintained in storage and the extent and viability of the seedbank.

Recovery Actions

  1. Continue seed collection and storage to minimise loss of genetic variability.
  2. Undertake weed control.
  3. Undertake rabbit control.
  4. Investigate kangaroo grazing damage.
  5. Fence to control stock.
  6. Prevent damage from recreational activities.
  7. Install roadside markers.
  8. Search for new populations.
  9. Undertake strategic research and trials.
  10. Investigate the possibility of additional legal protection for P. eurybioides habitat within the National Reserve System.
  11. Continue monitoring of all known sites.
  12. Manage the recovery program through the recovery team.
  13. Undertake ongoing educational programs.
  14. Enhance recruitment.
Cover page of recovery plan

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