Monaro Dieback
Classifying dieback
(5) Healthy tree, (4) canopy thinning from edges, (3) epicormic growth, (4) extensive dead branches and epicormic growth, (1) tree death.
The mid-1980’s story
So, what now?
In 2013:
• 2000 km2,
• almost all Eucalyptus viminalis dead
or severely affected.
Recent dieback observed further
east – Numeralla.
An obvious culprit – Gonipterus sp
A simple and obvious solution…
Grazing?
Dieback between Cooma and Berridale. To the left of the fence is a TSR, to the right a frequently grazed private property. There is no difference in the severity of dieback between these different land uses.
Burning?
Structure?
Structural diversity?
Weather?
Future directions
Climate Analogue Explorer -
http://www.climatechangeina
ustralia.gov.au/en/climate-
projections/climate-
analogues/analogues-
explorer/
https://theconversation.com/death-of-a-landscape-why-have-
thousands-of-trees-dropped-dead-in-new-south-wales-48657
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-11/monaro-dieback-brings-
science-and-aboriginal-knowledge-together/7034204
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-21/monaro-plains-eucalypt-
dieback-trees-lost-forever/6870542
Monaro Dieback
Catherine Ross and Cris Brack
Australian National University