Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01376:reg:3:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01376
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 8/13)
Character Range: 105967–109030

recent research findings is applied to conservation of Macadamia species across all jurisdictions.

Phytophthora and other diseases
Phytophthora root rot is a major problem for the Australian Macadamia industry and is a serious threat to wild populations (Akinsami 2016). Of the Phytophthora species impacting Macadamia, Phytophthora cinnamomi is most widespread, has frequent impact and is the most devastating; P. cinnamomi causes stem canker, root rot, tree decline, dieback and tree death (if untreated).
Research is required to determine the extent and severity of P. cinnamomi infestation and the presence of other diseases within wild populations of Macadamia and explore further the variability in susceptibility between the four Macadamia species (Akinsami 2016). Strategies to mitigate and/or prevent spread of P. cinnamomi to Macadamia populations and remnant wild trees are also needed.
Dieback caused by the root-rot fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is a Listed Key Threatening Process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

Feral pigs
Predation within Macadamia orchards by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) caused an estimated $500,000 loss in South East Queensland in 2012 (The Courier Mail, 2012). Given the widespread occurrence of feral pigs within the natural distribution of Macadamia, it is likely that feral pigs are having an impact on the survival of wild populations, either directly through predation on nuts or damage to trees or indirectly through the spread of P. cinnamomi; however, research is needed to determine the extent and severity of their impact.
Predation, Habitat Degradation, Competition and Disease Transmission by Feral Pigs is a Listed Key Threatening Process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

Potential threats

Pests and Diseases from Commercial Orchards
Within orchards, the health and productive capacity of Macadamia is inhibited by a large range of insects and diseases, particularly flower caterpillar, spotting bugs, nutborer, blossom blight, husk spot and trunk canker.
Research is needed into the prevalence and impact of these insects and diseases on wild trees and populations.

Species specific threats
The major threats facing Macadamias, outlined in the previous section, are shared by the rainforest communities that co-occur with the species. The following section deals with specific threats to individual species and populations.

Macadamia integrifolia
Only a minority of recorded M. integrifolia sites is located within protected areas and these are often threatened by weeds and incursion by fire. Many populations on private land occur as individual trees dotted across paddocks left for their nuts when clearing occurred or small clusters of individuals in degraded remnants. The engagement and involvement of private landholders in conservation of this species is essential. The high urban growth zone from Beenleigh to the Gold Coast represents a major threat to local remnant wild M. integrifolia populations which