Banksia Woodlands are iconic ecosystems of the Swan Coastal Plains and listed as endangered ecological communities. They are commonly dominated by Banksia attenuata and/or B. menziesii, although other Banksia species (B. prionotes or B. ilicifolia) sometimes dominate the community. These threatened Woodlands are rich in plant species and provide important habitat for many endemic flora, fauna and fungi. Current threats to Banksia Woodlands include land clearing, habitat fragmentation, weed invasion, rabbit herbivory, decreasing groundwater levels, increasing fire frequency and intensity, dieback diseases and climate change. Gathering accurate data on the condition of vegetation in Banksia Woodlands is critical to effecting managing these risks and overturning the predicted decline of this threatened ecological community.

PHCC has recently monitored a set of long term 10m x 10m plots within Banksia Woodlands across the Coastal Plain within the catchment, as well as set up new plots. These plots were surveyed to assess changes in vegetation condition across time. The November 2021 monitoring revealed some interesting floristic and structural changes at some plots within reserves and private land. High intensity fires have completely altered some reserves, transforming low lying Banksia attenuata Woodlands into Kunzea dominated shrublands with little diversity (Fig. 1). Alternatively, at sites where fire has occurred with lower intensity, many Banksia species survive and native seedling recruitment is high (Fig. 2).

Dieback is a major concern for Banksia Woodlands, however, recovery is possible with persistent management approaches. Some sites that were completely devastated due to dieback are showing excellent signs of improved plant health and resilience, after years of treatment using spraying and tree injection technologies (Fig. 3). Banksia Woodlands in excellent or very good condition are those with infrequent and low intensity fires, free of dieback and with few weeds (Fig. 4). Orchid species observed in these beautiful woodlands during the flora survey are shown in Figs. 5 and 6, including the priority orchid Pterostylis frenchii (Fig. 6). Data collected during the monitoring event will be used to gauge effectiveness of management actions undertaken to date as part of the World for Woodlands Banksia woodland project, as well as enable proactive and adaptive management. PHCC will continue to work with landowners and other stakeholders to monitor, protect and restore our iconic Woodlands through our Banksia Woodlands project and Community Environmental Grants. We thank private landholders who are dedicated to conservation and allowed access to land for this study.

The World for Woodlands project is supported by the PHCC through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present