There are only five known populations of the Spiny Daisy. Three populations exist to the east of Laura and one population is near Hart, approximately 65 km to the south. The fifth population lies about 30 km north-west of its nearest neighbouring population near Laura. It is located about 1 km east of the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park, and is the only population to be found on the western side of the Southern Flinders Ranges.
The species was presumed to be extinct, after not being recorded for nearly 90 years, until its rediscovery near Laura in 1999. Genetic studies have shown that Spiny Daisy plants are clonal within populations, but the different populations are genetically distinct. To date no viable seed has been found and the species spreads by suckering. This means that, in genetic terms, there are only five known Spiny Daisy individuals, making this one of the world's most endangered species.
This project is being implemented by the SA Department Of Environment And Heritage
This project aims to contribute to the long-term conservation of the species, by adopting Objectives 1 and 3 of the National Recovery Plan for Acanthocladium dockeri.
Project Timetable
- Date of commencement Ongoing since 2004
- Intended date of completion June 2010
Project Location (Click Here For Map)
This project aims to contribute to the long-term conservation of the species, by adopting Objectives 1 and 3 of the National Recovery Plan for Acanthocladium dockeri.
This will be achieved through:
- (i) Maintaining habitat integrity at the five known core populations of the species.
- (ii) Refining our understanding of the species' ecology by soil testing at all natural and existing translocated A.dockeri sites. This will enable selection of suitable sites for translocations.
- (iii) Establishing at least an additional five translocated populations in suitable areas of intact habitat. These translocated populations will provide "back-up" against the risk of one of the natural populations being lost through natural disaster.
Work Schedule and Project Duration
- April-August 2008 & 2009 Snail baiting
- May 2008 April 2009 - Searches for additional populations of A.dockeri and selection of suitable translocation sites
- May-June 2008 Site preparation and translocation of Telowie genotype
- June 2008 Monitoring of previous experimental translocation site
- Quarterly - Minimal disturbance weed control at all sites
- June 2008 Soil testing at all natural and existing translocated A.dockeri sites
- June 2008 Spiny Daisy Recovery Team Meeting
- July 2008 (& quarterly afterwards) Progress Report to Exetel
- October December 2008 & 2009 Monitoring of natural and translocated A.dockeri sites.
- OctoberDecember 2008 Collecting of A.dockeri cuttings.
- January 2009 April 2009 Propagation of A.dockeri cuttings
- February 2009 Spiny Daisy Recovery Team Meeting
- June-September 2009 Translocation of A.dockeri to at least 5 sites TBD in the Mid North &/or Southern Flinders Ranges of SA
- August 2009 Spiny Daisy Recovery Team Meeting
- September 2009-April 2010 Quarterly follow-up monitoring of translocation plantings
- February 2010 Spiny Daisy Recovery Team Meeting
Exetel is donating $2,000 a month to assist fund the project management and travel costs associated with the implementation of the recovery program. More money than Exetel is providing is needed to accelerate the implementation of other parts of this program and if you can assist, as little as $0.50 per month will be welcome, then you can make your personal donation here:
https://www.exetel.com.au/members/customer_donation_choice.php
Project Updates
Progress reports by the Project manager for this and other Exetel sponsored projects can be found on the Exetel Forum here:
http://forum.exetel.com.au/viewforum.php?f=323&sid=7921f33759cf99130d18660f0b5ebc49
Detailed Species Information
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/acanthocladium-dockeri-advice.pdf
Project Team Web Site
No specific web site exists for this project
