The Border Heath is an erect, single-stemmed shrub, sometimes branching near the base, and growing to 2 m tall. Its long slender branches bear thin, tough, concave leaves.
Epacris limbata
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Listing Advices, Epacris limbata
Fire also reduces the vegetation cover and allows soil temperature and water availability to rise facilitating an increase in the pathogen.
Fire also plays an important role in regeneration of theBorder Heath.Populations regenerate from seed following fire.
High frequency fire could; however; lead to exhaustion of the seed bank as plants are killed by fire and further recruitment by mature plants to the seed bank is limited.The frequency and impact of fire in conjunction with its link to periods of increased Phytophthora activity may have a significant influence on the survival of Border Heath subpopulations.
High frequency fire may also lead to depletion of the seed bank and reduced recruitment due to the death of mature individuals.