Conservation Spotlight on Rare Native Plant during Biodiversity Month
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is shining a spotlight on the rare native plant lowan phebalium during Biodiversity Month this September.
Rated as vulnerable on a regional, state and national basis, lowan phebalium traditionally occurred across parts of the South Australian Mallee and South East, and across the border into Victoria. Grazing of livestock and land clearing fragmented this patch and, today, lowan phebalium is found only in Ngarkat Conservation Park and a handful of surrounding private properties.
Like many Australian native plants, lowan phebalium thrives after a fire event, relying on a combination of heat, smoke and water to reproduce. Wildfires help the seed’s hard coating to crack, assisting in germination and aiding the regeneration of vegetation after a fire.
Research by the landscape board saw a significant increase in the number of lowan phebalium plants in Ngarkat Conservation Park after an ecological burn conducted in 2019.
“This new generation of plants flowered profusely within 4 years of the burn, allowing us to collect the seed for propagation,” said landscape board Ecologist Vic Hefford.
Ms Hefford said that in addition to conservation parks, private landholders can play a vital role in protecting rare native species such as lowan phebalium.
“By enacting a Heritage Agreement, landholders can help to protect remnant vegetation on their property in perpetuity”.
“Properties surrounding conservation parks are particularly important in terms of their vegetation value as they act as important corridors for travelling native wildlife”.
A new round of grants is currently open for landholders looking to establish a new Heritage Agreement or expand an existing one. The NVC Heritage Agreement Incentive Grants can be used to fund 1-5 year projects that help to protect native vegetation and enhance its condition.
Queries can be directed to the landscape board’s Native Vegetation Ecologist Priya Spencer on 0408 416 684 or via email to Priya.spencer@sa.gov.au.
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies.
