Hibbertia rufa

Habitat​

• 'Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed).
• If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
• The known range of brown guineaflower is a small area (about 53 square km) between Priory (north of St Helens) and inland of The Gardens over a distance of about 14 km. The potential range is probably not much greater because extensive surveys of heathland habitats have failed to detect the species. The species occupies only about 5-20 ha within its known range.
• Habitat for brown guineaflower includes the following elements: mainly in wet heathland but also extends through to buttongrass moorland and occasionally sedgy-scrubby Eucalyptus ovata–E. amygdalina forest/woodland; occurs in the transition zone between dry heathy woodland and denser wet heathland and is almost wholly restricted to very gentle slopes in the low-lying areas.

What to avoid

• Clearing of habitat
• Ensure habitat is subjected to an appropriate disturbance regime (e.g. fires between 5-20 years apart)

• Learn to identify brown guineaflower so as to recognise the species if it occurs on your property. If in doubt about what it is, seek expert assistance with identification.
• If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance
• If you are interested in knowing for certain whether the species occurs on your land, organise a formal survey. You may need to employ an ecological consultant to do this. Your local Bushcare or Field Naturalist club may be able to assist you with a survey.
• Important! Always report any observations of the species to the DPIPWE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
• Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
• For long-term protection of localities on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant.
• See the 'What is Needed' section in the brown guineaflower Listing Statement for a full list of conservation management actions for this species.

• ​Clearing of heathland and heathy woodland are minor historical and contemporary threats to brown guineaflower.
• To protect known localities – retain a buffer of undisturbed native vegetation around known sites to maintain the integrity of habitat.
• To prevent loss of habitat – avoid clearing of heathland and heathy woodland habitat.

• The absence of brown guineaflower in some long unburnt densely shrubby heathland suggests that leaving heathlands unburnt for too long may be detrimental.
• It is likely that the species would benefit from fuel reduction burning to maintain a mosaic of different density heathlands.
• To maintain long-term viability of habitat – undertake mosaic patch-burning of heathlands and heathy woodlands every 5-15 years.​

• ​Several other species of guineaflower are known to be susceptible to the rootrot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, which can cause death of individual plants or alter the viability of habitat through affecting other species. It is not known if brown guineaflower is susceptible but evidence suggests there is a low likelihood of this.
• To prevent the introduction or spread of disease – adhere to strict machinery hygiene protocols during any construction works.