ILLAWARRA BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY Vol. 2 - Wollongong City ...

It is now accepted that it ismore important tomatchthe environmentalconditions at theseedcollectionsite withthose at the revegetationsite (HNCMA,17/8/09).Soil type, aspect,elevation, andthe vegetationcommunityare theobviousfeatures to compare betweensites.Climate change brings new questionsto the localprovenance approach (Adam2009),anddebate is nowturning towhetherwe should modify the ‘local’ provenance standards.Arecentstudy (Broadhurst2007)onthe genetic diversityof small, isolatedplantpopulations hasshown thatmajor negativegeneticeffects wereobservedwhenpopulationsize fell below 100-200reproductiveplants.Populationsunder this threshold areassociated withdeclining seedproduction,inbreeding andincreasedhybridisation.For this reason, seedcollectionundertakenfor revegetation projects shouldbe sourcedfromlarge populationsgreater than100-200 plants.The IllawarraCouncils propose to adopt the followingrecommendationsadaptedfrom the Hawkesbury-NepeanCMA(undated) andBroadhurst (2007) for provenance:• Collect seed from large, healthy, genetically diverse, natural populations(more than 100 plants)or combine severalcollectionsfromsmaller populations within theIllawarrasub-catchment(definedby Wollongong, Shellharbour andKiamaLGAs).• Identify target speciesforseedcollection andcollectmatureseed.• Collect seed from at least 20 widely spaced, healthy parent plantstomaximise genetic diversity.• Collect nomore than10%of the seedor20% of the fruit on any individual plant.• Ensure thatseedis notover-collectedfrom any siteorpopulation.and• Seedcollectionshouldbe undertakenfrom naturalareas ratherthan parksand gardens.Nurseriesgenerally need6-8 monthslead time to grow tubestock,or upto 18months if provenanceseedis notavailableand isrequired to becollected. Seed collectionneedstocomply withlicensingconditionsset out inSection 132Cof the National Parks and Wildlife Act1974 (HNCMA,17/8/09).9 GRANT OPPORTUNITIESThe following outlines themajor grantopportunities that canbesoughttoassistwithimplementationof the IllawarraBiodiversity Strategy.9.1 CARING FOROUR COUNTRYCaringforour Country is the FederalGovernment'snatural resourcemanagementprogram.Itcommencedon1July2008and integrates delivery ofthe Commonwealth's existingnaturalresourcemanagementprograms: the Natural HeritageTrust; the NationalActionPlanforSalinity and WaterQuality; the NationalLandcare Program; the EnvironmentalStewardshipProgram; and theWorkingonCountry IndigenousLandand EnvironmentalProgram.Further information:http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/index.htmlPhone:1800 552008.9.2 LANDAND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY – CROWN LANDS PROGRAMThe Land andProperty ManagementAuthority NSW (LPMA) provides grantopportunities to assistmanagersofCrown land. Fundingis made available to improve facilities, and protect the heritagevalueof the Crownland.Further information: http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/crown_land/crown_reserves/fundingPhone:02 9228 6666.ILLAWARRA BIODIVERSITYSTRATEGYVol.2Background document 34