PROTECTING THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN CABBAGE PALM
Central Australian cabbage palm
(Livistona mariae mariae)
PROTECTING THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN CABBAGE PALM (LIVISTONA MARIAE MARIAE)
​
Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) has been contracted under the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program to deliver a project that will improve knowledge on the condition of the central Australian cabbage palm and, in collaboration with parks staff, Indigenous rangers and Traditional Owners, implement strategic actions to prevent further population decline.
TNRM has formed partnerships with Indigenous ranger groups, Traditional Owners, the Flora and Fauna Division of the Northern Territory Government and Finke Gorge National Park Rangers in Central Australia to carry out this project.
In consultation with Traditional Owners, and in conjunction with expert botanists, we conducted population health surveys and threat assessments on the cabbage palm stands on Ntaria Aboriginal Land Trust in May 2019.
We will use this information along with traditional knowledge to inform the development of management plans to ensure the long-term viability of these populations.
Over the next three years, TNRM will collaborate and engage with Indigenous Rangers, Traditional Owners, NT Parks Rangers and cabbage palm experts to assist with management for weeds, feral animals and fire on the palms outside and within Finke Gorge National Park.
THE STORY OF THE ENDANGERED AUSTRALIAN CENTRAL CABBAGE PALM
​
The Endangered central Australian cabbage palm (Livistona mariae mariae) is only found in Finke Gorge national park and several stands outside the park. It is the only palm species found in Central Australia.
The species is threatened largely from habitat decline due to trampling and browsing by feral horses and stock, overcrowding from introduced buffel and couch grasses, inappropriate fire regimes, and depletion of ground water supply. Previous surveys on the stands outside the national park were last undertaken in 2008.