The importance of pollen pathways in Fawkner

Brian Bainbridge on Pollen Pathways at Fawkner Library

Merri Creek Management Committee ecological planner Brian Bainbridge presented this talk at Fawkner Library using three plant species as examples of repairing pollen pathways to build plant and biodiversity resilience In Moreland’s urban parklands associated with Merri Creek.

“Did you know that endangered plants grow along the Merri Creek in Fawkner and Reservoir? That a rare Merri Creek lily’s sex life relies on a bee with a pitch perfect hum? Or that helping rare plants in a local parkland could help you grow better tomatoes? Learn about these fascinating facts and more in a presentation by Brian Bainbridge, Merri Creek Management Committee’s Ecological planner.” said the blurb on the Moreland Council website advertising the talk.

Brian Bainbridge on pollen pathways at #Fawkner Library #MerriCreek pic.twitter.com/iHzzebDDXM

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Much reduced plant population and fragmentation of plant communities problematic along #MerriCreek – Bainbridge #Fawkner

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

1. The example of the two Manna Gums (Eucalyptus viminalis) in Moreland.

The closest patches of Manna Gums are found nearly 30 kilometres north with two trees at Donnybrook located. This distance poses problems for pollination and self-seeding. Many native species uses Manna gums as part of their habitat, so the paucity of trees impacts the number and type of species.

Only 2 remnant Manna gum in Moreland: one on Moonee Ponds Creek, one at end of Jukes Rd #Fawkner rocky ground near #MerriCreek – Bainbridge

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Merri Creek Management Committee collected seeds and raised seedlings and have planted 2 Manna clumps: one in Campbellfield and one in Fawkner about 15 years ago. These trees are just now starting to mature and attract birds.

Bainbridge: manna gum collected seeds, raised seedlings in nursery, planted 2 clumps Campbellfield & #Fawkner 15 yrs pic.twitter.com/hwWZvHFryX

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

2. Rock Correa (Correa Glabra)

Rock Corea like rocky escarpments along #MerriCreek but rare. Spinebill & New Holland honeyeaters spread the seeds but plants too far apart

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge: Rock Corea populations along #MerriCreek are reproductively isolated

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

http://www.iffa.org.au/correa-glabra

Bainbridge: 6 clumps of Rock Corea planted from cuttings from 13 remnant plants in #Fawkner #pollenpaths

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

@takvera loving the live tweets from Brian's talk! Sorry we can't be there.

— Katrina Withycombe (@katrinaog) February 23, 2016

3. Matted Flax Lilly (Dianella Amoena)

Bainbridge on the sexlife of the matted flax Lilly pollinated only by blue banded native bee #pollenpaths #Fawkner pic.twitter.com/IG4h729mRm

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge- Really interesting how matted flax Lilly rely on blue banded native bee for pollination #pollenpaths #Fawkner

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge- but can the native bees cope with fragmented vegetation?Range is about 300 metres #pollenpaths #fawkner

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge – Matted Flax Lilly critically endangered but common from nth Coburg to #Fawkner, but plant communities fragmented #pollenpaths

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64886

Bainbridge- need to create some new Matted Flax Lilly communities to encourage Dianella to reproduce naturally #pollenpaths #MerriCreek

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge – will be having plantings in #Fawkner later this year for conservation and prevent plant #Extinction #pollenpaths

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Questions

Our urban areas support endangered species

I raised that new scientific research shows that 30 per cent of Australian endangered species are found within our capital city urban areas. Where we have settled and built our cities and houses has also been biodiversity hot spots. So many endangered species are still living in parkland and urban conservation areas in urban areas.

https://fawkner.org/2016/02/24/urban-areas-like-fawkner-support-endangered-species/

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.12404/full

https://pelentiniresearch.wordpress.com/2016/02/11/kids-adaptation-of-our-threatened-species-in-cities-research-now-online/

Native Bees enhance tomato pollination

Bainbridge – blue banded bees also pollinate tomatoes, enhance your crop. Buy Dianellas from indigenous nursery at Fairfield #pollenpaths

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge – important to work with land maintainer or established group like Merri Creek Mgmt Committee for public plantings #pollenpaths

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge – cross pollination is a risk with different varieties of Dianella muddying local species #pollenpaths #Fawkner

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016

Bainbridge- honey bees can't do buzz pollination like blue banded native bee, so can't do tomatoes or Matted Flax Lilly #pollenpaths

— John Englart EAM (@takvera) February 23, 2016