Phytophthora Dieback

Photo of area affected by Phytophthora Dieback

Phytophthora dieback (dieback) is a plant disease of native ecosystems. The main species responsible, Phytophthora cinnamomi, is a microscopic and soil-borne organism that was introduced into Western Australia in the early 1900s, probably on infected horticultural plants. It has already infested hundreds of thousands of hectares in the south-west of the State, and the impacts on the landscapes it invades are permanent and irreversible. The dieback scourge in Western Australia is a globally renowned example of what happens when there is a biosecurity failure with environmental consequences.

Humans have the potential to spread dieback further and faster than any other means through the disturbance and movement of infested soils. Dieback management tools are limited, so the department’s major objective is to ‘contain’ the spread dieback with a focus on mapping dieback occurrence in the landscape, then taking steps to minimise the chances that material (soil and organic matter) from infested areas is transported to uninfested areas.

Dieback is caused by a plant pathogen from the genus Phytophthora. Over 60 species of Phytophthora have been detected in Western Australia, with almost 40 of them detected in native ecosystems and the others in agriculture and horticulture. There is significant overlap between species detected in horticulture and native ecosystems.

In WA's south-west bioregion, more than 40% of native plant species are considered susceptible to the disease including many from the Proteaceae (banksia's and hakeas), Ericaceae (snottygobble), Myrtaceae (eucalypts) and Xanthorrhoeaceae (grass-trees) families. Threatened flora are at even greater risk with around 56% being considered susceptible (Shearer et al, 2004).

Outside of our native flora, many of our garden, ornamental and horticultural species are also susceptible to P. cinnamomi.

See the Indicator Plant lists for each of the major WA regions in the Downloads section below.

Phytophthora spreads naturally by moving through soil and the roots it infects, and in run-off.
Animals spread Phytophthora when infested soil gets caught in their feet and fur and it drops off in uninfested areas.
Humans spread Phytophthora when they disturb and move infested soil. Through their activities, humans have spread Phytophthora further and faster than any other means of spread.

Under optimal conditions (moist and warm) Phytophthora produces zoospores in large numbers. Zoospores swim toward plant roots, as they are attracted to the chemicals that the roots release. Zoospores adhere to and infect the roots producing mycelium. The Phytophthora mycelium draws nutrients from plant cells fuelling further growth and reproduction of the pathogen but killing the plant cells in the process. The entire plant dies if the root system becomes extensively infected or if Phytophthora reaches the collar (stem/trunk base) of the plant, cutting off water and nutrients to the crown (leaves and branches).

Dieback occurs in the south-west of WA in an area called the vulnerable zone. The conditions here allow Phytophthora to persist, establish and cause dieback in natural ecosystems. Not all parts of the zone are equally vulnerable, dieback is particularly widespread in the areas of 800 mm+ annual rainfall, i.e. forested regions, the Stirling Range.

Map

The impacts of dieback are negative, permanent and irreversible. Dieback affects the environment as well as social, cultural and economic values.

The environmental impacts include reduced biodiversity, reduced biomass and reduced food/shelter for native animals as well as increased weed invasion and increased areas of bare soil.

Our social and cultural values are also impacted with the disease causing the loss of natural heritage values, culturally significant species, and cultural and heritage sites. Economically, the disease increases our management costs and has a significant impact on tourism when natural attractions are degraded.