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The Busselton Ironstone Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) is found on the winter- wet, shallow ironstone soils on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain along the base of the Whicher Scarp in Busselton. These unique shrublands are special for many reasons including their highly restricted distribution, special adaptive features and because they occur here and nowhere else in the world!
Over 90% of the Busselton Ironstone community has been cleared, so remaining patches resemble floristic treasure chests, housing some 11 ‘Rare Flora’, six of which are state-listed as critically endangered – the ‘waiting room’ for extinction.
As true with the finest of jewels, these floral species cannot be as easily admired in isolation. The ironstone flora are found within a rich array of shrubland species, 20 of which are recorded as being endemic to these ironstone areas.
These species and the entire TEC are threatened due to their restricted distribution, loss of habitat, dieback disease, feral species invasion, fire and hydrological change.
We have been working in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation to implement ‘recovery’ works to reduce these threats.
Rabbit baiting programs have successfully been implemented over the last two years using 1080 oat baits, to effectively reduce rabbit populations harbouring in these areas especially during dryer months when feed is low.
Weed invasion has been combatted through selective spraying of Watsonia and slashing of pasture grasses.
Aerial spraying of phosphite, a fungicide has also been undertaken to offer protection for susceptible plant species against Dieback by boosting the natural immune system of the plants to facilitate recovery and or growth in affected areas.
We have also been making contact with landowners adjacent to the TEC, promoting planting of native vegetation buffers to reduce the invasion of non-native grasses and pasture weed species into the ironstones. If you are, or know of a landholder living near the Busselton Ironstones TEC, please call us!
45 ha
Total area protected through dieback control73 ha
Total area protected through rabbit control 10/1154 ha
Total area protected through rabbit control 09/1054 ha
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