Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00045:body:0:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00045
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 51904–54975

bogs (G. Hope pers. comm., 2014) in the ACT. This invasive grass species is widespread throughout urban areas of the ACT and in surrounding rural districts.

Other herbaceous weed species commonly found in the ecological community include Lotus uliginosus (birds-foot trefoil), Mimulus moschatus (musk monkey flower), Agrostis capillaris (creeping bent grass), Phleum pratense (timothy grass) Anthoxanthum odoratum (sweet vernal-grass), Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire fog), and Hypochaeris radicata (cat's ear) (McDougall and Walsh, 2007; VDSE, 2007). Glyceria maxima (reed sweet grass), Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass), Juncus articulatus (jointed rush), Leucanthemum vulgare (ox-eye daisy), and Myosotis laxa subsp. caespitosa (water forget-me-not) are currently localised within the extent of the ecological community but may pose a significant threat in the future based on their impact elsewhere (K. McDougall pers. comm., 2014; J. Shannon pers. comm., 2014). Other common incidental weeds include Acetosella vulgaris (sheep sorrel) and Poa annua (annual meadow grass) (G. Hope pers. comm., 2014).

4.7 Pathogens and Diseases

Similar to the threat of fire, pathogens are unpredictable in terms of where and when they will appear. Containment or control of a pathogenic infestation in isolation is always likely to be difficult, but is recommended given the consequences of a pathogenic outbreak in combination with other threats facing the ecological community could be very high.

Chytrid fungus is a known pathogen causing the disease Chytridiomycosis in frogs and has been listed under the EPBC Act as a Key Threatening Process contributing to the decline in Australian frog species. Although there is no documented suggestion that Chytrid is of significant threat to the ecological community, it unquestionably affects the health of its frog fauna. These include the northern and southern corroboree frogs, the Alpine tree frog and Baw Baw frog, all of which are part of the ecological community fauna and have recorded major declines in population due in large part to this fungal disease. The Australian Government has produced a Threat abatement plan for infection of amphibians with chytrid fungus resulting in chytridiomycosis.

Other pathogens likely to emerge or become introduced to alpine, sub alpine and montane areas include Phytophthora, myrtle rust and didymo. Dieback of vegetation caused by Phytophthora cambivora has recently been detected in the alpine area of Kosciuszko National Park (Green and McDougall, pers. comms., 2014). The emergence of Phytophthora and potentially other diseases and pathogens in areas where they have been previously absent may be linked to a changing climate. The Australian Government has produced a Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Although not currently occurring in Australia, Didymo is a highly invasive alga (diatom) of waterways and is an increasingly significant problem in New Zealand.

4.8 Infrastructure, development and recreation

Tourism,