Ancient Bunya Pines Under Threat: The Growing Crisis of Die back

What is Bunya Die back?

Bunya dieback is characterised by the progressive death of trees, beginning with crown dieback—the browning and thinning of leaves—and culminating in the death of the entire tree within months. Phytophthora cinnamomi and multivora are the key culprits, invading the fine feeder roots of the Bunya pine, disrupting the tree’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.

Contributing Factors

The spread and impact of Bunya dieback are exacerbated by several environmental and anthropogenic factors:

• Environmental Stressors: Prolonged drought, intense heat, and flooding rains have created conditions that weaken the trees and make them more susceptible to infection.
• Human Activities: Soil movement through vehicles, mountain biking, walking shoes, and equipment inadvertently transports the pathogen to new areas.
• Climate Change: Erratic weather patterns, including extended wet seasons followed by drought, have facilitated the spread and severity of the disease.

The Cultural Significance of Bunya Pines

For thousands of years, Aboriginal nations have revered the Bunya pine. Its enormous cones, filled with nutrient-rich nuts, were central to cultural gatherings, trade, and ceremonies. Tribes from across Queensland would journey to the Bunya Mountains and Blackall Range to celebrate the Bunya harvest, which fostered unity and strengthened inter-tribal relationships. Each tree held immense cultural significance, with specific trees allocated to particular family groups for harvesting.

Current Efforts and Challenges

Combating Bunya dieback requires a multi-pronged approach. Research and monitoring are crucial, encompassing disease surveillance through aerial mapping and soil testing to track its spread and assess its impact. Investigating the genetic diversity within Bunya pine populations is vital for understanding their resilience to the disease and informing breeding programs for more resistant trees. Furthermore, research into the impact of dieback on natural regeneration and exploring assisted regeneration techniques is essential. Long-term monitoring programs are indispensable for tracking disease progression, evaluating the effectiveness of management interventions, and assessing the overall health of Bunya pine populations.

Treatment and management strategies include testing phosphite injections to enhance tree defences against the pathogen. Emphasising sanitation and bio security measures is critical. This involves installing cleaning stations and signage at national park entrances and exits and promoting the thorough cleaning of shoes, clothing, and equipment before entering and leaving bush-land areas.

Fostering strong community engagement is paramount. This involves facilitating collaboration between conservationists, researchers, Indigenous leaders, and land managers to share knowledge, develop effective strategies, and implement management actions. Raising public awareness about Bunya die back and the importance of preventing its spread is crucial. The urgency of the situation was underscored by rain forest ecologist, Spencer Shaw, in an interview with ABC journalist Jennifer Nichols she said “We can’t afford to ignore the devastating impacts that pathogens like Phytophthora are having on Bunya trees and other native species… “The solutions are complex and require collaboration across all sectors.”

Prioritising conservation efforts in areas with high concentrations of healthy trees, culturally significant sites, and areas with high conservation value is essential. Integrating Indigenous knowledge and traditional land management practices into conservation strategies can provide valuable insights and enhance their effectiveness. Finally, considering the potential impacts of climate change on disease severity and incorporating climate change adaptation strategies into management plans is crucial for long-term success.

By implementing this multifaceted approach that combines research, monitoring, treatment, and community engagement, we can increase the chances of effectively combating Bunya die back and ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic and culturally important tree.

A Call to Action

Attendees are encouraged to book their tickets early via: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-bunya-dieback-symposium-bringing-community-together-to-heal-country as spaces are limited.

Complementing the symposium is the Beyond Bunya Art Exhibition, running from March 6th to 19th at the Little Red Cottage (Forest Heart ecoNursery). This exhibition offers another powerful avenue for community engagement, showcasing the creative responses of over 20 artists from Australia and internationally, including First Nations artists. Their works will explore themes related to Bunya dieback, the impact of pathogens, and the fragility of the Glasshouse Mountains ecosystems.

Both the symposium and the art exhibition highlight the importance of healthy soils, collaborative efforts, and increased community awareness.  The program emphasises that this is more than just a ecological conservation issue; it’s also about protecting the cultural and spiritual connections we share with these landscapes. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from leading experts, discover innovative solutions, and become part of a growing network dedicated to making a tangible difference. For further information and bookings for the symposium, please visit: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-bunya-dieback-symposium-bringing-community-together-to-heal-country.  

To safeguard Australia’s unique biodiversity, our extraordinary plants, animals, and ecological communities, we must urgently address the critical threats they face. As custodians of these ancient trees, it is our collective responsibility to ensure their survival for generations to come. The Bunya’s story, like its towering presence, must continue to inspire and endure.

^{Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and information purposes only.}