The effects of fire and fragmentation upon co-occuring threatened coastal health plants in southern Queensland

This project investigates the potential impacts of fire and fragmentation on the long term viability of two co-occurring threatened heath species with differing life histories and responses to fire. Southern Queensland populations of Acacia baueri subsp. baueri (vulnerable) and Blandfordia grandiflora (endangered) will be examined under a variety of fragmentation scenarios. Fraser Island populations will be utilised as a control exhibiting close to natural fragmentation levels. Metapopulation models integrating ecological, genetic, fire history and spatial data will be used to conduct population viability analysis, to investigate any interactions between landscape level processes and to identify critical parameters regarding their conservation management. Estimates of historical gene flow among populations of Acacia baueri will be integrated into the models to identify vital genetic parameters, which are likely to be of relevance as populations become increasingly isolated. At present, little is known regarding the interplay between fire, fragmentation and metapopulation dynamics for co-occurring threatened species which depend on fire for regeneration. This project will enable an evaluation of which combination of life history, fire response and dispersal traits has been most historically sensitive to fragmentation. The outcomes will have direct implications in terms of fire and conservation management