Funding for research into saving endangered orchid

Senior lecturers at USQ Dr John Dearnaley (plant biology) and Dr Andrew Le Brocque (ecology and sustainability) have received funding to save an endangered orchid native to South East Queensland.

The pair have received funding from the Australian Orchid Foundation and the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research into the endangered ‘Black-Clubbed Spider Orchid'.

'I have a research background in the biology of rare plants and fungi and when we saw that we could do something to help these orchids we applied for the funding,' Dr Dearnaley said.

'They are only found in Girraween National Park, are on the national endangered species list and are on the verge of extinction.

'There are less than 50 of them left.'

With immediate action vital to ensure the survival of the plant, Dr Dearnaley, Dr Le Brocque and PhD student Andrew Murray have already visited the national park and begun their research.

'We have been travelling to Girraween National Park and have collected seeds of the orchid,' Dr Dearnaley said.

'As well as that we have been isolating and identifying the soil fungus that is needed in the roots of the plant for it too grow and the aim is to grow large numbers of these species under glasshouse conditions.

'In time, the dwindling natural populations will be bolstered by these horticulturally grown plants.'

Although only a few weeks into the project, there have already been positive results.

'Two weeks in and everything is going well and so far we have got the fungus out of the plants and we are growing more of it.'

Funding for the project has been allocated for three years, by which time all three researchers are hoping that the orchid will be close to being taken off the endangered species list.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628