Population Ecology of Two Endemic, Fire-sensitive, Blue Mountains Banksia Taxa (Proteaceae) in Response to Fire

Banksia penicillata (northern Blue Mountains) and Banksia paludosa subsp. astrolux (Southern Highlands) occur in small, isolated populations and occasionally as isolated individuals. We undertook a field study of both species to better understand their population ecology in relation to fire. Both are large, serotinous, fire-sensitive shrubs with plant-stored seedbank and a relatively short lifespan (15 years old across the landscape, including some sites with fire intervals >30 years, to provide increased opportunities for distance-dispersal and establishment of new fruiting populations. Applying IUCN threatened species criteria, there is a strong case for listing Banksia paludosa subsp. astrolux as Endangered and Banksia penicillata as Vulnerable