Logan City Council is embroiled in a battle to preserve the endangered Gossia gonoclada tree, a species that was on the brink of extinction for nearly a century. The tree, named after former Queensland Premier Wayne Goss, was rediscovered by amateur botanists Glenn Leiper and Janet Hauser in the late 1980s in Logan, south of Brisbane. Initially thought to have vanished in the 1890s, the Gossia gonoclada was a remarkable botanical find.
A comprehensive study conducted in 2001 revealed that only 73 natural Gossia gonoclada trees remained globally, with a significant portion of them thriving in Logan. The survival of these trees is closely linked to their habitat near creeks and rivers, where they can access a high water table. The Logan City Council recognized the urgency of the situation and developed the ‘Gossia gonoclada Recovery Plan 2019-2029’ to safeguard the species.
Deputy Mayor and environment chair, Cr Jon Raven, emphasized the council’s commitment to ensuring the tree’s survival and population recovery. Through strategic land acquisitions and conservation efforts, the council aims to create a conducive environment for the Gossia gonoclada to flourish. In 2019, the council purchased a 48-hectare parcel of land at Bahrs Scrub, a vital habitat for various rare species, including koalas.
Aside from acquiring land, Logan City Council has proactively engaged in planting activities to bolster the Gossia gonoclada population. Environmental experts, led by the council’s Gossia specialist Lee-Anne Veage, have introduced nearly 160 saplings across the city. These efforts include meticulous seed collection and hand pollination to ensure the growth and proliferation of the species.
The Gossia gonoclada faces multiple threats, with land clearing, grazing, and invasive species posing ongoing challenges. A recent and severe menace is the fungal pathogen myrtle rust, which targets new leaf growth and flowering, impacting the Myrtaceae family to which the Gossia belongs. Mitigating these threats is crucial to the long-term survival of this endangered species.
The council’s proactive stance in conserving the Gossia gonoclada underscores the significance of preserving plant biodiversity alongside animal conservation efforts. As the council continues its conservation initiatives and restoration projects, the hope is to witness the Gossia gonoclada thriving across Logan, enriching the local ecosystem and highlighting the importance of preserving endangered plant species.
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