Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346:reg:400:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 400 (pt 9/12)
Character Range: 368111–379895

our knowledge of the species' life-history and key stimuli for recruitment. The study also examined how management drives population ecological attributes. Among the key findings is the Spiny Rice-flower seeds germination was stimulated by the progression into cooler temperature in the presence of gibberellic acid, noting that dormancy could delay the germination of viable seed by at least a year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      * Given we know that seed fecundity and viability levels are relatively high and stable, the focus for future germination research should be on understanding the mechanisms of dispersal, dormancy, soil seed bank dynamics and germination. This work will not only benefit the in situ conservation effort but will also drive improvement of translocation technology.                                                                                                                                                                          2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 * Management strategies identified to maintain, enhance or restore processes fundamental to reproduction and survival.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      * Supplemental planting of small and isolated populations at four sites in Brimbank Council.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 * Further examinations on seed dynamics and germination requirements will help better understand recruitment processes as well as improve translocation techniques.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * A direct seeding project has been implemented to determine the best method to germinate the Spiny Rice-flower from seed in the field.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      * Survivorship study to aid in understanding population dynamics, but particularly recruitment, longevity and mortality. Understanding the factors that drive survivorship and mortality will help improve the management of in situ and ex situ populations.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * An assessment of all the Spiny Rice-flower translocations that have been carried out (Biosis 2014). This has highlighted ways to improve future translocation activities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  * Ecological study to support successful in situ population management including on understanding the relationships between Spiny Rice-flower and associated flora, and its response to disturbance and broader ecological processes. The study will help improve routine monitoring and communication.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Developing, parameterising and testing an agreed conceptual model of the life-cycle and population structure of Spiny Rice-flower (see Action 2.3 of the new Recovery Plan) would help standardise monitoring, improve communication and species research in general.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Develop best practice and technique for Spiny Rice-flower translocation. While translocating plants/populations should remain an option of last resort, there is scope to develop a range of techniques (as per Commander et al. 2018) that would have broader utility for the recovery effort.
6.1         Measure population trends and responses against recovery actions by collecting demographic and morphological data.                                                                                                                                                   * Techniques for monitoring developed and implemented.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      * To this date, no consistent approach to population monitoring has been developed for Spiny Rice-flower, although it is generally agreed that one is needed. The State-wide database is incomplete and of variable accuracy (see 1.1).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      * Database update and validation is a priority action. More accurate censuses will require not just significantly greater search times, but also experienced