An influx of tourists visiting Western Australia's forests could spell disaster for plant species with researchers worried about the spread of devastating dieback.
The combination of a boom in intrastate tourists due to WA's tight COVID borders and a wet winter, causing more mud, creates ideal conditions for the spread of the fungal disease, which has already killed more than one million hectares of native bush in the state.
Phytophthora, the fungal disease that causes dieback, attacks the roots of plants and once it infects the soil in an area, it cannot be eradicated.
Mia Hunt, dieback project officer at South Coast Natural Resource Management (NRM), said she feared the increase in domestic tourism and heavy rainfall in the region would aid the spread of the disease.
"There's [also] been a lot of rain that makes the ground stickier, and that makes it easier for us to transport [dieback]."
Humans are the primary spreaders of dieback, most commonly through the mud and soil that sticks to shoes and car tires.
"When you're walking around in the bush, or you're four-wheel driving or going camping, you might get some muddy soil stuck to your boots or your car or tent pegs even," Ms Hunt said.
"And then when you move to your next location … you're potentially taking infested material into a clean park."
Dieback has a serious impact on Australia's native flora, Ms Hunt explained.
"About half of our native plants are vulnerable to this disease, and what it presents as is just like if you can imagine a plant having its metaphorical throat cut."
To combat the spread of dieback, South Coast NRM and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions host awareness and training events that aim to educate the public about the dangers of dieback, and how to recognise the disease.
The group works on various projects, like funding to ensure dirt tracks are well maintained, dieback warning signs are placed where needed, and aiding with research into prevention strategies.
But Ms Hunt believes public awareness is still vital to combating the spread.
"We've all got COVID on our minds right now and I think that's a really good opportunity to think about hygiene and biosecurity," Ms Hunt said.
"We just have to be aware and be careful … wash your hands and wash your car … we don't have COVID [in WA] but we do have dieback."
