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Fell et all., Gnetum gnemon in Australia 
by seasonal burning practices. Weeds such as 
Brazilian joyweed (Alternanthera brasiliana 
(L.) Kuntze) and leucaena occur nearby. Weed 
incursions, and inappropriate fire management 
which erode fire sensitive riparian margins, 
represent potentially threatening processes to 
the integrity of the lowland Gnetum habitat. 
Integration of further ecological and 
genetic studies are necessary to better 
understand the conservation and management 
requirements of Gnetum gnemon in Torres 
Strait. Future assessments on the conservation 
values of Gnetum gnemon in Torres Strait 
should acknowledge that conservation of 
peripheral populations is dependent upon the 
genetic divergence from other conspecific 
populations, and may be beneficial to the 
protection of the evolutionary process (Lesica 
& Allendorf 1995). 
It is feasible that additional populations 
occur on Badu and Mua and further field 
assessments are required to better understand 
the species ecology in terms of distribution, 
population size, phenology, recruitment, and 
to investigate cultural values. Similar focus 
is also required for other additions to the 
Australia flora recently recorded in Torres 
Strait namely Cycas papuana F.Muell. and 
Manilkara kanosienisis H.J.Lan & B.Meeuse 
(Fell in prep.) as well as other highly disjunct 
species recorded in the region (Fell & Stanton 
2011). Such studies are achievable with 
the support and involvement of traditional 
landowners and their representative bodies 
and the Torres Strait Regional Authority Land 
and Sea Management Unit. 
Acknowledgements 
The authors acknowledge all Elders past and 
present, Traditional Owners and community 
members of Badu and Mua islands. Access 
to Badu was provided by the Mura Badulgal 
(TSI) Corporation Registered Native Title 
Body Corporation (RNTBC) and to Mua by the 
Mualgal (Torres Strait Islander) Corporation 
RNTBC. These bodies administer the native 
title rights and interests over their respective 
islands. The field surveys on Badu and Mua 
were funded and managed by the Land and 
Sea Management Unit of the Torres Strait 
Regional Authority. Field assistance on Badu 
was provided by Badu Island Ranger Keijie 
Bowie as well as by Mua Ranger Jackson 
Ware, Warraber Trainee Ranger Young Billy 
and Mer Trainee Ranger Tauki Passi. On 
Mua Island, Ranger Mentor Simon Conaty 
supported field work and his assistance is most 
appreciated. Thanks to David Gooding who 
provided GIS support to detailed vegetation 
mapping over Torres Strait islands. Botanical 
identifications were provided by the staff of 
the Queensland Herbarium. Comments on 
an earlier version of this paper from Garrick 
Hitchcock, Rob Neal, Paul Forster and 
Barbara Waterhouse are greatly appreciated. 
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