Factors influencing the germination, establishment and distribution of

Context Little is known of the ecology Micromyrtus minutiflora, a threatened plant species endemic to Cumberland subregion, New South Wales, Australia. Aims To fill ecological knowledge gaps M. including habitat preferences, population size and structure, survivorship; responses fire disturbance inform appropriate management practices. Methods Surveys distribution abundance, regeneration mode response fire, survivorship, size-class analysis, greenhouse germination experiments using soil blocks; tissue analyses. Key results minutiflora was estimated have ~4.3 × 106, an extent occurrence ~13 000 ha ~1.5% area occupancy within study areas. It strongly associated with low tree canopy cover (few trees), dispersive clay soils Castlereagh Scribbly Gum Woodland. In one studied, survivorship decreased by ~15% per annum across 14 years. However, total numbers were stable 3 years, indicating continuous recruitment. Size distributions unimodal from small large plants, consistent recruitment matching mortality. Plants lack lignotuber high shoot:root ratio. Seedling emergence unaffected mechanical disturbance, but heat smoke significantly increased germination. Conclusions This abundant on clays restricted northern Plain in open woodland obligate seeder; plants are killed can flower 2 years Implications Understanding its seedbank dynamics pertinent determining regime maintain while not directly threatening populations. Populations require regular monitoring.