Conservation methods and approaches for the Coast Fontainea (Fontainea oraria).

The Coast Fontainea (Fontainea oraria) Jessup & Guymer, is an evergreen rainforest shrub or small tree to 5m in the Euphorbiaceae family (PlantNET, n.d; Harden et al. 2006; NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, 2002). It has a restricted natural distribution, existing only on private land at Lennox Head, New South Wales where there are 10 adult plants and approximately 52 seedlings (Rossetto et al., 2000). It is dioecious and only one female plant is known to exist in the wild (Rossetto et al., 2000) which presents challenges to the species’ survival.

There are six recognised species in the Fontainea genus. Five are endemic to Australia while the sixth is endemic to New Caledonia (Rossetto et al., 2000). All of the Australian species are both rare and endangered. They live in marginal and restricted rainforest remnants along the eastern coast of Australia, ranging from southern Queensland to the Northern Rivers of NSW (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, 2005; Rossetto et al., 2000). Kooyman and Rossetto (2006) and the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (2005) identify several strategies that are required for this species’ survival.

The foremost concern is protection for the remaining plants on private land. In this regard, co-operation has been achieved with the landowner, allowing scientific access to the plants to perform genetic and horticultural research (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, 2005). This governmental report goes into considerable depth analysing the threats and methods to overcome them. Weed control is a priority, as is the establishment of plant windbreaks to prevent over-exposure to salt spray. Some progress has been made propagating F. oraria by grafting on other species of Fontainea, or related members of Euphorbiaceae (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, 2005). Rossetto et al.(2000) goes on to say that re-establishment at new sites and laboratory propagation by cutting and hand-pollination would provide scope for new genetic material, thus assisting in securing the future of the species.

References

• Harden, G., McDonald, W. & Williams, J. (2006). Rainforest Trees and Shrubs – A field guide to their identification. Nambucca Heads, NSW: Gwen Harden Publishing.
• Kooyman, R. & Rossetto, M. (2006). Factors influencing species selection for littoral rainforest restoration: Do environmental gradients matter? Ecological Management and Restoration. 7(2), 113-122. doi: 10.1111/j1442-8903.2006.00265.x
• NSW Department of Environment and Conservation. (2005). Draft NSW & National Recovery Plan, Fontainea oraria, (Coastal Fontainea). Hurstville, NSW: NSW Department of Environment and Conservation. Retrieved 2 May, 2012 from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/recoveryplanDraftFontaineaOraria.pdf NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. (2002). Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of New South Wales – Flora. Coffs Harbour, NSW: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. PlantNET, (n.d). NSW Flora Online – Fontainea oraria Jessup & Guymer. Retrieved 2 May, 2012 from http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Fontainea~oraria
• Rossetto, M., McNally, J., Henry, R., Hunter, J. & Matthes, M. (2000). Conservation genetics of an endangered rainforest tree (Fontainea oraria- Euphorbiaceae) and implications for closely related species. Conservation Genetics. 1, 217-229.