Three thousand genetically diverse Hunter Valley River Red Gums are sinking their roots in the Upper and Lower Hunter, following planting efforts to increase the number of trees within this endangered population.
The Saving our Species team from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has been working to restore river red gum habitat in the Hunter Valley, following a dramatic decline that left less than 1,000 mature trees in the region.
Twisting, towering River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) once stretched across tens of thousands of hectares in the Hunter Valley.
Due to land clearing, habitat fragmentation and altered flood regimes, their population hit a critical low – with just 10 per cent of their previous expanse remaining across 19 patches.
Having a small, fragmented population puts the species at risk because it reduces their ability to reproduce, and the limited gene pool makes them less adaptable to threats such as climate change and disease.
To bolster planting efforts, the team has established a regional seed bank to address low genetic diversity within the population and improve the resilience of riparian and floodplain vegetation to climate change.
Guided by genetic science, the team is sourcing seeds from a wider geographic range including multiple patches within the Hunter catchment, as well as populations further west, that can survive hotter, drier conditions.
Participating landholders are supporting planting efforts on their properties, which helps to rejuvenate their land and improves the trajectory of this endangered population.
So far, the initiative has planted close to 3,000 River Red Gum within the Hunter, thanks to partnerships with Hunter Local Land Services, Research Centre of Ecosystem Resilience at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Muswellbrook Shire Council, Singleton Council, Broke-Bulga Landcare, Trees in Newcastle and local landholders.
Quotes attributable to Katie Elsley, Senior Project Officer with Saving our Species at NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water:
“This is an exciting project milestone and it couldn’t come at a better time with National Tree Day around the corner on Sunday 26 July.
“Partners from Muswellbrook, Scone, Aberdeen, Singleton and Broke have come together to support the recovery of this highly fragmented population.
“By combining on-ground restoration with genetic science, we’re giving this endangered population its best chance of survival.”
Quotes attributable to Kath McLoughlin, Local Land Services Team Leader – Community Engagement:
“Red Gums are quintessentially Australian, and we want to ensure this beautiful and iconic species remains part of the Hunter landscape for future generations.
“Healthy riparian vegetation supports healthier waterways, improves habitat for native wildlife and helps protect productive agricultural land.
“We’re so grateful to the local landholders who have embraced this opportunity to contribute to the recovery of the species while improving the environmental health of their properties.”
Quotes attributable to Maurizio Rossetto, Head of the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Botanic Gardens of Sydney:
“When populations become small and isolated, they lose genetic diversity, which can reduce their ability to reproduce and adapt to environmental pressures such as drought, heat and disease.
“This seed bank is helping capture a broad range of genetic material, creating a valuable resource for future restoration and a model for other regions looking to develop genetically diverse seed banks using guidance from our Restore and Renew webtool.
“This project demonstrates how conservation genetics can be applied in a practical way to improve restoration outcomes and support the long-term recovery of threatened species.”
