Safeguarding Shy Susan
This project aims to reduce the impacts of key threats including invasive species, disease and human disturbance on one of Tasmania’s rarest plants, the endangered Shy Susan (Tetratheca gunnii).
Shy Susan is a very small, purple flowering native herb. Due to its size and rambling habit, the species is very difficult to locate outside of flowering season.
Background
Background
Until its rediscovery in 1986, Shy Susan (Tetratheca gunnii) was believed to be extinct. Now, the purple-flowering native herb is listed as critically endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Endemic to the serpentine soils of the Dazzler Range near Beaconsfield, Tasmania, the known sub-populations of T. gunnii occupy only approximately 0.6 ha in total, and often co-occur with other threatened endemic understorey species such as pretty heath (Epacris virgata) and creeping dustymiller (Spyridium obcordatum).
The Saving Shy Susan Project implemented, and adapted on-ground strategic actions to conserve the species, and secure a viable genetic collection of T. gunnii. Building on outcomes achieved through the previous Australian Government investment, this project supported by the Tasmanian Government will further reduce the impacts of key threats from invasive species, human disturbance and disease, to support future translocation efforts.
Project Plan
Project Plan
Key threats to Shy Susan include inappropriate fire regimes (both too frequent and too infrequent), excessive browsing by native wildlife, habitat disturbance, and the introduction of weeds and disease from illegal off-road vehicle use, firewood harvesting, and mineral exploration.
On-ground actions for this project will include:
- Environmental weed control
- Vehicle access management
- Monitoring for root rot fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi
- Annual population surveys
- Enhancement of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens insurance population
- Fire management and wildfire response plan, and
- Germination trials and support for future translocation efforts.
The project is supported by the Tasmanian Government and delivered by NRM North, with completion expected in November 2027.
The insurance population at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens will be enhanced as part of on-ground actions planned for this project.
Trained volunteers from West Tamar Landcare and Threatened Plants Tasmania will conduct an annual population census, as well as participate in field days to control environmental weeds.
A collaborative approach
A collaborative approach
This project draws on and continues the pre-existing collaborative achievements of those who have previously worked to safeguard Shy Susan. NRM North will support Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens staff to supplement the existing ex-situ insurance population and address knowledge gaps related to T. gunnii translocation, alongside germination trials to improve propagation rates from seed.
Trained volunteers from West Tamar Landcare and Threatened Plants Tasmania will participate in field days to control environmental weeds across approximately 5 ha of reserved land and complete annual spring population censuses for T. gunnii. With support from NRM North, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Environmental Protection Agency will also implement site-specific management actions, including signage, infrastructure, and surveillance, to address unauthorised access such as off-road vehicle use, illegal dumping, and firewood theft.
Partners
This project is supported by the Tasmanian Government.
Partners
This project is supported by the Tasmanian Government.
Partners
This project is funded by the Australian Government under Saving Native Species and delivered by NRM North as member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
