Mt Cameron Heath is an erect to semi-prostrate multi-stemmed woody shrub. It grows to about 1.5 m in height, has distinctive wide-spreading branches, small hard leaves and solitary white flowers arranged in clusters at the ends of its branches.
Epacris graniticola |
Epacris graniticola
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Epacris graniticola
Threats The main potential threats to the Mt Cameron Heath include inappropriate fire regimes; disease and stochastic risk.
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Australian Government, Listing Advices, Epacris graniticola
Graniticola (A.Moscal 4210) R.Crowden; due to its restricted geographic distribution; fragmented population; and also due to its likely decline from the potential threats of infrequent fire events; dieback (caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi) and mineral exploration (caused by both direct impact and transfer of disease).
Germination occurs in response to heat and smoke from fire (Keith; 1998).
Description of Threats The main potential threats to the Mt Cameron Heath include inappropriate fire regimes; disease and stochastic risk.
The species is potentially threatened by long fire free intervals; where mortality rates of 10 20 per cent per annum occurred in populations that had not been burnt for 25 30 years; compared to less than one per cent per annum where fires were more frequent (Keith 1998).
The Committee considers that the species has recently undergone a substantial reduction in numbers following the Blue Lake population being burnt; and that the potential threats of inappropriate fire regimes; possible spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi through mineral exploration and bushwalking; and unforeseen human impacts and stochastic events may cause a decline in numbers of this species.
Although recruitment has been observed in older populations where fire has not impacted for some years; and the numbers of plants do not appear to be declining; the potential threat of infrequent fire events is still likely to impact on the ability of the species to survive.
The Committee considers that the species has a very restricted geographic distribution; and that the geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species due to the potential threats of infrequent fire events; the disease Phytophthora cinnamomi being in close proximity to the species; and the threat of inappropriate fire regimes.
The Committee accepts that the species has a very restricted geographic distribution; and that the geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species due to the potential threats of inappropriate fire regimes; and the disease Phytophthora cinnamomi being in close proximity to the species.
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