ISHS Acta Horticulturae 185: I International Protea Research Symposium
POPULATION ECOLOGY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BANKSIA SPECIES : IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WILDFLOWER INDUSTRY |
| Authors: | R.M. Cowling, B.B. Lamont |
| Abstract:
The harvesting of blooms and cones of Banksia species from natural stands comprises an important component of the Western Australian wildflower industry. Therefore the management of banksia populations in the wild should enjoy a high priority. Our research on the population ecology of Western Australian banksias in relation to fire has important implications for the industry. The intensity of flower and cone harvesting should be constrained by the seed bank dynamics, variation of cone and follicle production and seed viability of individual species. Fire regime effects may have a profound affect on the recruitment of banksias. The possibility that certain horticulturally valuable species might be driven to extinction as a result of inappropriate fire management, cannot be ruled out. The industry should therefore actively support research on the management and conservation of banksia populations in the wild. | |
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