Successful recruitment following translocation of a threatened terrestrial orchid (Diuris tricolor) into mining rehabilitation in the Hunter Valley of NSW

• DOI: 10.1111/emr.12473
• Publication Date: 2021-04-10T17:39:18Z
• Authors: Stephen A. J. Bell
• Keywords: Topsoil; Mammal

Summary Translocation of threatened terrestrial orchids is increasingly seen as a viable ameliorative conservation option when habitat destroyed or modified through changing land use. Most orchid translocations reported in the literature detail nursery‐raised seedlings planted into intact and suitable habitat, few involve translocation entire plants their mycorrhizal fungal associates. As part larger study, soil cores containing 46 individuals Painted Diuris ( tricolor ) were translocated herbivore‐proof plots on restored rehabilitated post‐mining lands Hunter Valley New South Wales. After 3 years annual flowering fruiting, new recruits (mature plants) observed within but outside original cores, at 6 following 29 observed. Two these germinated fenced plots. At peak 2020, search failed to locate any orchids, discounting unlikely possibility that tubers may have survived process topsoil stockpiling respreading. Successful recruitment mining rehabilitation has potential significantly offset losses this species resulting from operations region.