This project is strengthening Australia's biodiversity protection by delivering continuous, national-scale surveillance for one of the country's most significant environmental pathogens. By combining automated airborne sampling with advanced molecular diagnostics, the monitoring network provides early warning of myrtle rust spread, supporting more informed conservation decisions and helping protect Australia's unique native ecosystems from emerging disease threats.
Collaborators
This project was delivered in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), and the Saving Native Species Program.
The Challenge
Myrtle rust is a devastating fungal pathogen threatening Australia's iconic Myrtaceae species. Protecting these native plants requires a proactive network capable of tracking airborne pathogens across regional lines.
Our Solution
Initiated in June 2025, we have now successfully conducted 12 months of continuous surveillance across a national, botanical-garden-based monitoring network. The system is centered around our DXE-1700 automated air sampler, which captures airborne fungal spores around the clock for rapid downstream molecular analysis.
The Impact
Delivers an active early-warning system mapping seasonal spread, geographic distribution, and emerging strain variations, allowing conservationists to step ahead of environmental threats under fluctuating climate pressures.