Wild about macadamias - conserving a national icon (MC10005)

What was it all about?

Wild macadamias are threatened with extinction over medium to long term timeframes due to historical land clearing, invasive vine weeds, pressure from human development and climate change.

The aim of this project, which ran from 2010 to 2014, was to implement the key aims of the Southern Macadamia Species Recovery Plan, in order to protect wild macadamia populations from decline, ensure their long-term viability, and raise awareness of flora conservation issues within the community.

The work included…

• A survey of macadamia populations to gather baseline data on their conservation status
  
  
• Establishment of long-term monitoring plots for the commercially important Macadamia integrifolia to assess the effects of habitat fragmentation and climate change over time
  
  
• Public information sessions and interpretation stalls at local environmental festivals and events
  
  
• Production of a booklet that outlines the history of macadamias, their conservation status and information on their taxonomy and biology
  
  
• Development of a website to inform the public of the conservation status of wild Macadamias and to enlist their support
  
  
• Establishing the lineage of named cultivars and advanced selections that are used in commercial macadamia orchards
  
  
• Commencement of an introduction program for the endangered Macadamia jansenii
  
  
• Production of a Macadamia Species Recovery Plan (2014-2019).

The work informed conservation efforts by identifying areas of habitat that need to be preserved.

ACT NOW

Find out more about wild macadamia nut species at the website established by the researchers.