In the wake of the devastating bushfires that swept through the Grampians national park in western Victoria, a daring rescue mission is underway. Led by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV), teams of botanists and horticulturalists are scouring the charred landscape in search of rare and threatened plant species that narrowly escaped incineration. Their goal: to collect precious seeds and cuttings before it’s too late, preserving the genetic diversity of these unique Grampian wildflowers for future generations.
Racing Against Time to Save Endangered Flora
With an estimated 76,000 hectares of the national park burned, the clock is ticking for the RBGV scientists. Among their top priorities are five critically endangered species found nowhere else on Earth:
- Grampians globe-pea: A wiry shrub with vibrant orange and yellow flowers
- Mt Cassell grevillea: A low-lying shrub with holly-like leaves and striking red blooms
- Grampians rice-flower: A delicate white flowering plant
- Grampians bitter-pea: Known for its yellow pea-like flowers
- Pomonal leek orchid: A slender orchid species with purple-streaked flowers
According to RBGV director Chris Russell, the recent fires destroyed one of only two known sites for the Pomonal leek orchid, pushing it to the brink of extinction. For the other species, the full extent of the damage remains unknown until the rescue teams can safely access the impacted areas.
We’re talking about plants where there’s just so little genetic material left on the planet that it’s an absolute treasure – what you’re handling is gold.
Chris Russell, RBGV Director
Creating a Lifeline Through Seed Banking
Once collected, the precious seeds and cuttings will be rushed back to the RBGV labs, seedbank, and nurseries. There they will be carefully nurtured, studied, and propagated, forming ex situ conservation populations to ensure the survival of these rare species. This painstaking work requires a huge investment of time, expertise, and resources from the dedicated RBGV staff.
The Victorian Conservation Seedbank, a critical component of this effort, acts as a Noah’s Ark for native plant species. By storing seeds and spores at low temperatures, the seedbank aims to safeguard the genetic diversity of Victoria’s flora against the accelerating threats of climate change and habitat loss.
The work of creating backup populations of species before they are lost forever is urgent and ongoing, as climate change causes disruption to the whole system.
Chris Russell, RBGV Director
Adapted to Fire, But Pushed to the Limit
Many Grampian plant species have evolved strategies to cope with periodic bushfires, such as resprouting from lignotubers or releasing seeds in response to smoke. However, the increasing frequency and intensity of fires driven by climate change may exceed their ability to bounce back.
Dr. Ella Plumanns Pouton, who studies the influence of fire on biodiversity in the Grampians, warns that even fire-adapted species could be lost if subjected to repeated burns without sufficient recovery time. “The issue with having so many fires in such a short time frame is that plants need enough time to be able to accumulate seed again,” she explains.
A Biodiversity Hotspot on the Brink
The Grampians national park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to an astonishing array of unique flora and fauna. Its rugged sandstone ranges, craggy slopes, and surrounding woodlands and plains provide vital habitat for roughly a third of Victoria’s native plant species, including 49 found nowhere else in the world.
But this ecological treasure trove is increasingly under threat. Since 2006, a relentless string of bushfires has scorched over 90% of the park’s landscape, leaving little respite for its native flora to regenerate. As climate change amplifies the risk of more frequent and severe fires, the race to protect the Grampians’ irreplaceable botanical heritage has become more urgent than ever.
We just don’t know how it’s going to play out. So putting some seeds literally in the seedbank is a really important thing.
Prof. Angela Moles, University of New South Wales
The Fight to Prevent Extinctions
The RBGV’s plant rescue mission in the Grampians is part of a wider national effort to stem the catastrophic loss of Australia’s biodiversity. With the country’s extinction rate already among the world’s highest, and climate change compounding existing threats, experts warn that decisive action is needed to prevent a wave of plant and animal extinctions.
We have hundreds, maybe thousands of different plant species that exist in just a few square kilometers, and if two fires come through too quickly, they’re done.
Prof. Angela Moles, University of New South Wales
While seed banking offers a crucial safety net, it is no substitute for conserving species in their natural habitats. Scientists emphasize the need for better fire management strategies, expanded protected areas, and more research into how ecosystems are adapting to climate change.
For the critically endangered wildflowers of the Grampians, survival now depends on the tireless efforts of the RBGV team. As they scour the ashes for signs of life, every seed collected represents a fragile glimmer of hope for the future of these remarkable species. Against the backdrop of a warming world, their fight to prevent extinctions has never been more critical.
