Many of Australia’s most threatened plants live in rugged, remote, or fragile habitats that are difficult to access. Traditional survey methods are often slow, dangerous, and risk damaging the very plants and ecosystems we are trying to protect. Climate change, fire, invasive species, and disease are placing even greater pressure on these species, making accurate monitoring more critical than ever.
This project is pioneering the use of drone (UAV) and multispectral imaging technology to revolutionise how threatened plants are surveyed and monitored. By developing new techniques that are accurate, repeatable, and non-invasive, we can greatly improve our ability to safeguard species at risk of extinction.
The Southern Shepherd’s Purse (Ballantinia antipoda) — one of Australia’s rarest plants and on the brink of extinction — has been chosen as the pilot species for this project. Its tiny populations, isolated to fragile moss mats on granite outcrops, are ideally suited to testing and refining these innovative monitoring approaches.
Project Strategy
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Survey methodology: Develop UAV-based methods to locate populations in rugged, inaccessible terrain.
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Monitoring methodology: Establish repeatable, long-term datasets to track changes in population size, health, and habitat.
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Reduced risk: Minimise vegetation damage and disease spread by avoiding traditional foot surveys.
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Climate adaptation: Provide early warning of climate change impacts on moss mat ecosystems and other fragile plant communities.
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Scalability: Refine a model that can be applied to other threatened species in challenging environments across Australia.
Partners
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Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership and delivery
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Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – UAV and imaging expertise, led by Associate Professor Felipe Gonzalez
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Bendigo TAFE – Training and capacity building
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Traditional Owners, schools, and community volunteers – Engagement, stewardship, and citizen science
Conservation Status
National (EPBC Act 1999): Endangered
Victoria (FFG Act 1988): Critically Endangered
Costs (Funds Spent & Still Required)
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Estimated Cost: $90,000
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Funding Received: $0
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Duration: 2 years
