News

Macadamia Conservation Trust (MCT) are calling upon the federal government to urgently adopt a Recovery Plan for the survival of three wild macadamias now classified as threatened by the global authority that compiles the most comprehensive list of species at risk of extinction.

The popular macadamia nut Macadamia integrifolia, native to south-east QLD, is now listed as “vulnerable” on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  M. ternifolia, native to QLD, and M. tetraphylla, from northern NSW, are meanwhile categorised as “endangered” on the list from the Switzerland-based body in its latest update, released on December 10.

“This is a wake-up call,” said Denise Bond, executive officer of the Australian non-profit Macadamia Conservation Trust (MCT), the world’s only charity devoted to conserving macadamias.

“I hope this listing will encourage the federal government to adopt the Macadamia Species Recovery Plan which will facilitate action to address the threats facing wild macadamia species.”

The plan, submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in early 2019, provides information on the biology, ecology, distribution and threats to survival of macadamias and identifies the research and management needed to support the species’ long-term recovery. Calls for public comment on the draft plan closed on 7 June 2019 - but Minister Susan Ley is yet to adopt it. 

“Macadamias are native to Australia and their inclusion on the IUCN Red List is a reminder that, post-colonisation, in less than 200 years, these species have lost 80% or more of their rainforest habitat.” said Ms. Bond. 

“Even now, their remaining habitat is threatened by further clearing, weed invasion, changes to fire regimes, and climate change and that’s why we want a formal Recovery Plan in place. 

“MCT hopes that this international recognition of their vulnerability will lead to more focus on their conservation in Australia to protect these unique species and their habitat.”

These three macadamia species are listed as “vulnerable” under the federal government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and by the Queensland and NSW State Governments. 

Macadamias are Australia’s leading commercially grown native crop and Australians eat more than twice as many macadamias per capita as any other country – an average of 135 grams per person.

Contact: Denise Bond, Executive Officer Macadamia Conservation Trust, 0488 432 226

[email protected]

Image: Pink new flush and flowers of M. tetraphylla. Photo by Cathy and Dallas Nock