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The Walpole Wilderness forms a world-class network of reserves of natural and wild landscapes embracing the essence of the southern forests and coast of Western Australia.
Dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi) has already impacted much of the lowland areas within the Walpole Wilderness. This introduced microscopic invader moves in soil and water, killing many plant species and destroying wildlife habitats. The greatest threat now is to the flora of upland communities.
Human activity spreads dieback. People can carry dieback from infested areas in mud on shoes, vehicles or machinery. Establishment of infrastructure, road building and maintenance activities pose the greatest risk.
The Walpole Wilderness area contains some of the most significant dieback free areas in the southern region. These unique communities urgently need our protection to ensure their future survival.
www.dieback.net.au
DIEBACK
WAL
POLE
WIL
DERN
ESS
THREATENS THE WALPOLE WILDERNESS
OVER 200 000 HECTARES CAN STILL BE PROTECTED WITH YOUR HELP
Dieback Protection AreasNew Dieback Protection Areas are being identified and managed in the Walpole Wilderness.
DIEBACKCommunity and government are working together to protect our most valued wilderness areas from dieback.Two-thirds of the Walpole Wilderness is still dieback free. With the help of communities, researchers and government, we have an excellent opportunity to manage and protect the most special areas threatened by dieback.
Susceptible SpeciesNearly half of the plant species in the Walpole Wilderness area are prone to infection. The Proteaceae, (Banksia, Hakea and Grevillea), Epacridaceae (Leucopogon) and Fabaceae (Pea) are high risk families.
Mapping the Infestation
South Coast Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Department of Environment and Conservation, through Project Dieback, have engaged interpreters to map the distribution of dieback. Aftermapping, a risk analysis identified areas of high environmental and social values considered to be protectable in the long term. These became regional priorities.
Regional Priorities and Dieback Protection AreasEach regional priority area requires its own Dieback Protection Assessment in order to develop specific management plans. This aims to ensure dieback does not impact their biodiversity and environmental values.
Australian Government support provided the resources for detailed ground surveys of dieback infestation, valued assets
and current users to help define the Dieback Protection Areas for the Walpole Wilderness. This work has identified the need to particularly protect the uplands that are mostly free of dieback.
Management will include restricted access and hygiene procedures to ensure all people, vehicles and equipment are clean on entry into these Dieback Protection Areas. The WA Government’s State NRM Program is currently providing resources to South Coast NRM Inc to assist industry, government and community implement these requirements.
Future VisionWith everyone working together, actions today will provide the best opportunity for the long term protection of our Walpole Wilderness values.
Healthy Banksiasindicate
Dieback Free
WESTERN AUST
RA
LIA
THE
GOV
ERNMEN
TOF
Protecting the Protectable
DiebackinfectedBanksias
•A hygiene clean-down requires removal of all mud from shoes, vehicles and equipment when leaving a DIEBACK INFESTED site intoDIEBACK FREE.
• Stay on approved tracks.• Access may be restricted.• Be aware of signage.• Avoid wet conditions.• Vehicles, footwear and
equipment must be clean.• Any soil movement must
adhere to strict hygiene guidelines.
• Areas not interpreted have not been mapped or do not have indicators that identify dieback. Treat area as if DIEBACK INFESTED and DIEBACK FREE.
• Be clean on the way in and on the way out.
South Coast Natural ResourceManagement Incorporated
Phone: (08) 9845 8537Email: [email protected]
DIEBACK INFESTEDDIEBACK FREE
Published March 2011
DIEBACK UNKNOWN
MANAGING DIEBACK PROTECTION AREAS
WESTERN AUST
RA
LIA
THE
GOV
ERNMEN
TOF STATE NRM
PROGRAM
DIEBACKTHREATENS THE
WALPOLE WILDERNESSOVER 200 000 HECTARES CAN STILL BE PROTECTED WITH YOUR HELP
The Walpole Wilderness has some of the most significant dieback free areas in southwestern Australia.The chronic dieback infestation east and west of the wilderness demonstrates the need to look after the remaining uninfested areas.
Dieback is widespread throughout much of the lowlands of the wilderness, causing permanent changes to ecosystems.Working together, community and government can keep protectable upland areas dieback free.
N
Walpole Wilderness AreaBoundary
Data estimate at 2005.
Dieback is still being spread by road works, vehicles, walkers and movement of soil and water.
25 km
WESTERN AUST
RA
LIA
THE
GOV
ERNMEN
TOF
LOWLANDS INFESTED
UPLANDS PROTECTABLE
Walpole Denmark
Albany
ManjimupAugusta
Mount Barker
DIEBACK
DIEBACK FREE
WESTERN AUST
RA
LIA
THE
GOV
ERNMEN
TOF STATE NRM
PROGRAM
