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Border Ranges Lined Fern
Cross border recovery of the Critically Endangered Border Ranges Lined Fern - stage 2
Status: ActiveInvestor: Australian Government- Saving Native Species Program
Locality: Gold Coast, Tweed, Byron and Lismore Council areas
Goals: Conservation and Landscape connection
Funds: $268,138
Partner(s): Australian Plant Conservation Network, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, City of Gold Coast, Tweed Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, Lismore City Council, Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Landcare, Goonengerry Landcare.
This project supports the recovery of the Critically Endangered Border Ranges Lined Fern Antrophyum austroqueenslandicum, a small lithophyte found at only a handful of sites in north east NSW and south east Queensland. The fern has only been found growing in rainforest on andesite boulders near creeks.
Through this project, which follows on from the Stage 1 project delivered by Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Landcare, we are working with project partners to improve understanding of this species by:
- logging data on microhabitat requirements (humidity, temperature and light)
- sampling environmental DNA to determine if the fern is present on suitable boulders in it’s tiny Prothallus life stage and to investigate symbiotic associations with fungi or bacteria
- collecting plant material for propagation trials
Using our knowledge of the ferns habitat requirements we have identified areas of potential habitat and are undertaking targeted surveys for new populations. Since the project started, the fern, which was originally found in Queensland but then thought to be locally extinct, has been found at three new areas on the Gold Coast.
Finally we are addressing threats to known populations by undertaking environmental weed control around boulders. This addresses fire risk. A major concern at many sites is Lantana incursions which can spread fire, while also buffering, improving and extending habitat.
This multipronged approach is increasing knowledge of this cryptic species and protecting known populations – combined this will support its ongoing survival.
