Monaro Dieback

Classifying dieback

(5) Healthy tree, (4) canopy thinning from edges, (3) epicormic growth, (4) extensive dead branches and epicormic growth, (1) tree death.

The mid-1980’s story

So, what now?

In 2013:

• 2000 km2,

• almost all Eucalyptus viminalis dead

or severely affected.

Recent dieback observed further

east – Numeralla.

An obvious culprit – Gonipterus sp

A simple and obvious solution…

Grazing?

Dieback between Cooma and Berridale. To the left of the fence is a TSR, to the right a frequently grazed private property. There is no difference in the severity of dieback between these different land uses.

Burning?

Structure?

Structural diversity?

Weather?

Future directions

Climate Analogue Explorer -

http://www.climatechangeina

ustralia.gov.au/en/climate-

projections/climate-

analogues/analogues-

explorer/

https://theconversation.com/death-of-a-landscape-why-have-

thousands-of-trees-dropped-dead-in-new-south-wales-48657

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-11/monaro-dieback-brings-

science-and-aboriginal-knowledge-together/7034204

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-21/monaro-plains-eucalypt-

dieback-trees-lost-forever/6870542

Monaro Dieback

Catherine Ross and Cris Brack

Australian National University