Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346:reg:400:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00346
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 400 (pt 8/12)
Character Range: 357570–368393

outcrossing to better inform conservation actions for the species, e.g. seed sourcing.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * Seedling survival is the critical stage for recruitment success of the species.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         * Further study to understand environmental and management factors that influence different recruitment stages.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * Spiny Rice-flower has the ability to flower and set seed within the first year following germination.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * Collection of seed, propagation and supplemental planting into the seed orchard.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * Establishment of a seed orchard (Reynolds 2014). Planting in the seed orchard commenced in 2014 – 2019 using collected seed (2013 – 2015) representing 14 discrete populations. Each year number of planting and survival were recorded (Reynolds 2014).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * This seed orchard site was to be purchased by the State Government under an agreement with the Federal Government (through MSA) to become the future Western Plains Grassland Reserve.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                * The land where the Pimelea spinescens seed orchard and two nearby research plots containing ~300 plants are located was privately sold in 2019/20. In December 2020, access to the property was denied without an annual payment ($5,000). There has been no access to the site since December 2020 and the seed orchard's condition is currently unknown.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * An examination of the species' genetic diversity and population structure was conducted by the Royal Botanical Gardens. This is helping to optimise conservation activities by maintaining genetic diversity to help and ensure its long-term survival.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * The development of a Spiny Rice-flower monitoring protocol to quantify the reproductive performance of sites was introduced by Foreman in 2011 and 16 sites have been assessed using this method. The study suggests changes in the score of the metric mostly reflect habitat condition and management rather than seasonal variation. Further works that are still required include: quantification of seed production, seed banking and seed viability.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * An examination of the species' genetic diversity and population structure was conducted by the Royal Botanical Gardens Victoria has helped optimising conservation activities. Research priorities for an extension of the Royal Botanical Gardens Victoria genetics program have been identified.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             * Dear (2019) completed a study that involved tracking the gender presentation of individuals during a flowering season and then accessing the female's and hermaphrodite's seed quality has been established.
5.2         Determine seed germination requirements by conducting laboratory and field trials aimed to identify key stimuli and determine stimuli for recruitment.                                                                                                               * Stimuli for recruitment/regeneration identified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          * Reynolds (2013) study looking into the seed germination requirements of Spiny Rice-flower has greatly contributed to 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