Banksia woodlands declared endangered

The Banksia woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain have recently been declared an endangered ecological community by the federal government.

bushblock is located within the Swan Coastal Plain and has a fenced Banksia woodland which provides a protected habitat for a number of threatened species including Southern Brown Bandicoots and Glossy-leaved Hammer Orchid (Drakaea elastica). There is a combination of Candlestick Banksia (Banksia attenuata) and Holy-leaved Banksia (Banksia ilicifolia) growing within this area.

Near 60 per cent of Western Australia’s Banksia woodlands have already been lost and the threats to remaining patches persists. Land clearing, diseases (e.g. Phytophthora), invasive weeds and feral animals, changes to fire regimes, hydrological degradation, climate change, all continue to whittle away this unique ecosystem. The formal recognition of the value of this ecosystem and will encourage programs to further protect these Woodlands into the future.

The areas of Banksia woodlands used to be well connected but are now highly fragmented.

Primary threats to bushblock’s banksia woodland are grazing pressures (kangaroo & rabbit), rainfall and groundwater decline, and disease (Phytophthora dieback).

How will this declaration affect bushblock?

• Potential for more support for conservation of both this land and neighbouring properties to create a better quality, more connected ecosystem.
• Ensures more government protection of this unique land for future generations.
• It highlights the importance of fencing, seed collection and planting within bushblock bounds.
• Will encourage more research, resources and guidance as to how to protect, manage and restore this unique ecological community.

Further Reading