Using vital statistics and core-habitat maps to manage critically endangered orchids in the Western Australian wheatbelt

Abstract

Abstract. Vital-statistics data concerning population viability were gathered for four of the rarest orchids in Western Australia using surveys to define population sizes and habitat areas and annual measurements of plant demographics. These orchids were Caladenia melanema, C. graniticola, C. williamsiae and Drakaea isolata from the wheatbelt of Western Australia. This agricultural area has a Mediterranean climate with unreliable rainfall, and is >80% cleared of native vegetation. Surveys with 10-30 volunteers increased population-size estimates by up to 10 times and provided spatial data to define core habitat areas. These areas included most of the individuals of a species, but were only 2-10 ha in size. Within these areas, orchids were often highly aggregated in patches a few metres wide, potentially resulting in a high degree of intraspecific competition. Vital statistics were obtained using 4-m wide and 30-50-m-long transects to measure rates of emergence, flowering, grazing and seed-set for each orchid. Plants emerging at the same position in different years were considered to be the same individual, but most emerged in new positions. Many plants emerged just once in 4 years, and 2-3 years of dormancy was common. Emergence frequencies were used to provide estimates of population sizes that were two or three times larger than suggested by data from a single year. Seed production was typically very low. Grazing by kangaroos and rabbits was most severe for C. melanema, but was greatly reduced by fencing. Severe drought prevented flowering of C. graniticola in the driest year, whereas other species were more resilient. These orchids are likely to persist as long as there are some years where rainfall is sufficient for flowering and seed set followed by a year with adequate rain for seed germination. Populations of all these orchids were stable or increasing, but they are still at high risk of extinction because of the impacts of increasing soil salinity or fire on their habitats. These species are unlikely to spread elsewhere in the highly cleared and fragmented wheatbelt. Intervention by hand-pollination, grazing protection and translocation to new locations is required to mitigate these risks. Results were summarised in vital statistics report cards with thresholds set to inform conservation management for these species. Core habitat maps and vital-statistics report cards should also be valuable new tools for terrestrial-orchid conservation in other biomes.

A Proposed Framework for Efficient and Cost-Effective Terrestrial Orchid Conservation

“…Collaborations between government agencies, such as botanic gardens, and community groups are at the forefront of orchid conservation in Australia and globally (Marshall et al 2005, Brundrett 2016. For example, members of the WA Native Orchid Study and Conservation Group (WANOSCG) implement many rare orchid surveys for the West Australian Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).…”

“…1, 2, Table 1). However, these surveys only estimate population sizes and outcomes are strongly determined by survey effort and, especially for orchids, the level of experience of participants (Brundrett 2016). In particular it can be difficult to identify non-flowering individuals, since leaves of related species often look very similar.…”

“…So far, I have only been able to set up detailed demographic monitoring plots for 9 of the rarest orchids in WA (e.g. Brundrett 2016).…”

“…In addition to population surveys, detailed orchid demographics data are required to measure sustainability of orchid populations and to guide conservation actions (Whigham & Willems 2003, Brundrett 2016. This essential data includes actual population sizes (including dormant plants), plant lifespans, pollination rates and recruitment rates ( Fig.…”

“…Orchid conservation research and actions are urgently required, as the largest plant family with half its members listed on the IUCN Global Red List of threatened species . Major threats to orchids in Australia include loss of habitat, altered fire regimes, tourism and recreation, collecting, drought, weeds and grazing (Brundrett 2007, 2016, Wraith & Pickering 2019. Most of the orchids in WA are geophytes with summer dormancy and occur in areas of mediterranean climate with relatively high rainfall (Brundrett 2014).…”