Invitation to comment on EPBC Act nomination to …€¦ · Web viewHowever, this growth habit is found in a wide range of genera typical of the savanna understorey of the wet –

Invitation to comment on EPBC Act nomination to list in the critically endangered category:

Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River (G.M.Wightman 6259) NT Herbarium(a shrub)

Anyone may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

You are invited to provide comment on the attached nomination to assist the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) with its assessment of whether the species is eligible for inclusion in the EPBC Act list of threatened species and, if eligible, the category in which it is eligible to be included.

The Committee welcomes the views of experts, stakeholders and the general public on nominations to further inform its nomination assessment process.

In order to determine if a species, ecological community or threatening process is eligible for listing under the EPBC Act, a rigorous scientific assessment of its status is undertaken. These assessments are undertaken by the Committee to determine if an item is eligible for listing against a set of criteria as set out in the guidelines for nominating and assessing threatened species and ecological communities, and threatening processes. These are available at:

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html

To assist in this matter, the Committee has identified a series of specific questions on which it seeks particular guidance (Part A).

The nomination for this item is provided in Part B. Individual nominations may vary considerably in quality. Therefore in addition to the information presented in the nomination, the Committee also takes into account published data and considers other information received when it prepares its advice for the Minister.

Responses to this consultation will be provided in full to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be attributed to you and referenced as ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references or otherwise attribute this information.

The Committee’s advice may be published on the department’s website at completion of the assessment and decision by the Minister. Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act, the deliberations and recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.

The views expressed within the attached nomination (Part B) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Australian Government. The Australian Government and the Committee do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents of the nomination.

Included here for your consideration of the nomination are:

Part A – specific questions identified by the Committee

Part B – nomination information

document.docx Page 1 of 12

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html

Part A

1. Can you comment on whether or not there is sufficient evidence that this entity is a distinct species?

2. Do you consider the way the population size has been derived to be appropriate? If not, why?

3. Are you able to provide an estimate of the current population size of mature adults of this species (national extent)?

If the level of uncertainty is such that you are unable to provide a single number, please frame your answer in terms of an estimated minimum, estimated maximum, best estimate, and the overall level of confidence in these estimates:

Lower bound Upper bound Best Estimate Confidence (please answer in range 50-100%)

4. Can you provide any references, information or estimates on longevity, average life span and generation length?

5. Do you know of other threats, past, current or potential that may adversely affect this species at any stage of its life cycle?

6. Are you aware of any additional evidence/data which shows the population is stable, increasing or declining?

7. Can you recommend any specific threat abatement or conservation actions that would aid the protection and recovery of the species?

8. In seeking to facilitate the recovery of this species, can you provide management advice for the following:

a. What individuals or organisations are currently, or need to be, involved in planning to abate threats and any other relevant planning issues?

9. Can you provide additional data or information relevant to this assessment?

10. Have you been involved in developing this nomination? If so, in what capacity?

11. Do you agree with the proposal to list this species? Please briefly summarise your reasoning.

Part B

Eligibility for Listing

1. NAME OF NOMINATED SPECIES (OR SUBSPECIES) Scientific name: Atalaya sp. Elizabeth RiverCommon name: none

2. NOMINATED CATEGORY Critically Endangered (Criterion 2, B1, B2, a, b (i, ii, iii, iv, v)), based on

Geographic distributionB1. Extent of Occurrence < 100 km2 (estimate at 7.6 km2)B2. Area of occupancy < 10 km2 (estimated at 4.5 ha)

Geographic distribution is precariousa. known to exist at a limited locationb. Continuing decline (projected) in

(i) Extent of occurrence(ii) Area of occupancy(iii) Area, extent and quality of habitat(iv) Number of locations or subpopulations(v) Number of mature individuals

It is also likely to qualify for a threatened category based on Criterion 1, A3. Projected reduction in population size (the percentage depending on assumptions regarding proposed development and human population growth rates in greater Darwin) over three generations based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and quality of habitat.


3. CRITERIA UNDER WHICH THE SPECIES IS ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING Please mark the boxes that apply by clicking them with your mouse.

Criterion 1

Criterion 2

Criterion 3

Criterion 4

Criterion 5

For conservation dependent nominations only:

A1 (specify at least one of the following) a) b) c) d) e); AND/OR A2 (specify at least one of the following) a) b) c) d) e); AND/OR A3 (specify at least one of the following) b) c) d) e); AND/OR A4 (specify at least one of the following) a) b) c) d) e)

A1 (specify at least two of the following) a) b) c); AND/OR A2 (specify at least two of the following) a) b) c)

A1; AND/OR A2 (specify at least two of the following) a) b) c)

Criterion 1 Criterion 2

4. CURRENT LISTING CATEGORY If the nomination is for a currently listed species to transfer to another category please indicate which category the species is currently listed in. If you are nominating the species for delisting (deleting from the list) please complete the nomination form for delisting.What category is the species currently listed in under the EPBC Act?

Extinct Extinct in the wild Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Conservation dependent

5. 2012 CONSERVATION THEME: Corridors and connecting habitats (including freshwater habitats)

Is the current conservation theme relevant to this species? If so, explain how.n.a.

6. CONSERVATION STATUS What is the species’ current conservation status under State/Territory Government legislation? Does the species have specific protection under other legislation or intergovernmental arrangements?

The species is currently Data Deficient in the NT. Additional information become available too late for this assessment to be upgraded in the recent review of listings under TPWCA. However, it appears to at least meet the criteria for Endangered (B1,2 a&b (i, ii, iii, iv, v).

Species Information

7. TAXONOMY Provide detail on the species' taxonomy, including whether or not it is conventionally accepted. Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River (Wightman 6259). This name is accepted by the Australian Plant Census and as such is agreed to by all Australian state and territory herbaria (CHAH 2012). The taxon concept has been tested through morphological comparisons with all other Australian species both in the literature and specimens in Northern Territory and Queensland herbaria (Cowie & Stuckey in press), the latter state where most Australian species occur.

Atalaya Blume is a genus of around 17 species with 14 in northern and eastern Australia, one species in New Guinea and two or three species in southern Africa (CHAH 2012; Leenhouts 1994; Palgrove 1977; Short et al. 2011). One species (A. salicifolia (DC.) Blume, the type of the genus) occurs in the Lesser Sunda Islands, including Leti, Sumba, Sumbawa, Timor as well as northern Australia. Queenland, with 13 species has most Australian species except for Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River, while NT has four species.

Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River is distinguished from all other Atalaya species by the combination of a reduced wing on the samara, the simple, linear leaves and the suffruticose growth habit (XXXX unpubl.; Reynolds 1981, 1985). It shares the sericeous petals of A. sericopetala S.T.Reynolds (the only other species


http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/delisting-nomination-form.doc

with this character) but that species is a shrub or small tree, has an extended racemose or paniculate inflorescence 80–280 mm long, sepals with a glabrous, hyaline margin, staminal filaments sericeous throughout and the leaf blades or leaflets are usually elliptic or oblong-ovate, 20–60 mm wide. In addition, the leaves of A. sericopetala are often compound, with 3–4 pairs of leaflets or may be simple.

8. DESCRIPTIONDescribe the species, including size and/or weight, social structure and dispersion (e.g. solitary/ clumped/ flocks), and give a brief description of its ecological role (e.g. is it a ‘keystone’ or ‘foundation’ species, or does it play a role in ecological processes such as seed dispersal or pollination).

Suffuticose subshrub, aerial parts annual, to 45 cm tall, stems slender, to 21 cm, rootstock perennial, woody, 8–15 mm diam. Branchlets with short, mid-dense, straw coloured hairs 0.1–0.3 mm long. Leaves simple, sessile, alternate, linear, 65–410 mm long, 1.4–7.5 mm wide, concolorous. Inflorescence paniculate or sometimes corymbose, axillary, supra axillary or terminal, to 70 mm long. Fruit divaricately 3-lobed, separating into indehiscent, 1-seeded, dorsally-winged samaras. Samaras 3, brown when mature, oblong to ovate or broady elliptic, 11–22 mm long, 7–12 mm wide, with short, arcuate, mid dense hairs, base turgid, wing erect, 0–6 mm long, apex rounded, entire, irregular or erose. Seed 1, pale brown, obovoid, c. 8.5 mm long, 8 mm wide, surface uneven but otherwise more or less smooth.

9. BIOLOGY Provide information on the species' biology, including its life cycle, generation length, reproductive and feeding characteristics and behaviours. Little information on age at sexual maturity, average life expectancy, natural mortality rates, and generation length are available. The fresh seed germinates readily and the size of seelings and other young plants in the field suggests they may reach reproductive size in two to three years under good conditions.

The suffruticose growth habit, with annual aerial parts dieing backing during the dry season to a more or less woody perennial rootstock is unusual in Australian Sapindaceae. However, this growth habit is found in a wide range of genera typical of the savanna understorey of the wet – dry tropics of Australia. However, the plant does not appear to be clonal, as are many species in this habitat.

Flowering: Oct-Nov. Fruiting: Nov.

10. HABITAT Describe the species’ habitats and what role they play in the species' life cycle. Include whether or not the species is associated with, or if it relies on, a listed threatened ecological community or listed threatened species? It grows in woodland with varying proportions of Eucalyptus tectifica and Corymbia foelscheana but also with Xanthostemon paradoxus, Terminalia grandiflora and Acacia hemignosta in the overstorey with open layer of perennial grasses such as Eriachne avenacea. Usually it occurs on sandy soils in foot slope situations, often with a surface gravel layer. Sometimes it grows in mixed Melaleuca viridiflora, Grevillea pteridifolia and Acacia leptocarpa low woodland in more poorly drained situations but on more gravelly, slight rises. Suitable habitat appears to often occur in a narrow band upslope of sandy, poorly drained flats dominated by the small tree Grevillea pteridifolia and Dapsilathus spathaceus (Restionaceae). In two locations, smaller populations occurred just upslope of the rear-mangrove community. The proximity to seasonally waterlogged to shallowly inundated flats suggests that the relatively high water table associated with them may be important. However, this requires further investigation.

Transfer InformationNote: If the nomination is to transfer a species between categories please complete questions 15, 16 and 17. If the nomination is for a new listing please proceed to question 18.

11. REASON FOR THE NOMINATION FOR CATEGORY CHANGE Please mark the boxes that apply by clicking them with your mouse.What is the reason for the nomination:

Genuine change of status Knowledge Mistake Other

Taxonomy – newly split newly described newly lumped


12. INITIAL LISTING Describe the reasons for the species’ initial listing and if available the criteria under which it was formerly considered eligible Not previously listed by EPBC. Previously regarded as IUCN Data Deficient in NT.

13. CHANGES IN SITUATIONWith regard for the listing criteria, how have circumstances changed since the species was listed now makes it eligible for listing in another category? Not previously listed. Recent collections, taxonomic research and field survey has increased knowledge of the species.

Population Size

14. NUMBERS a. What is the total number of mature individuals? How was this figure derived? b. Identify important populations necessary for the species’ long-term survival and recovery. The current population estimate is 302,247 ± 15,088 mature plants. Recent targeted searches of suitable habitat for the species located 5 subpopulations and attempted to define the limits of these. A density estimate of 67,166 ± 3353 mature plants per hectare was derived by counting individuals on 15 randomly located 2 x 2 quadrats at two subpopulations. The population figure was derived using the area of occupancy (as defined through use of GIS data points overlain with a 20 x 20 m grid) multiplied by the density estimate. At the Jenkins Road site good germination of seed was observed with an estimated 47,333 seedlings per hectare in December 2011. No seedlings were observed at the site on the south side of the Elizabeth River. It is unclear how many seedlings survive the dry season although some seedlings seemed to be from the previous year’s recruitment (a record wet season with very consistent rainfall).

The southern-most subpopulations on Jenkins Road and Amys Creek appear to be by far the largest.

15. POPULATION TREND a. What is the population trend (PAST to CURRENT) for the entire species? Is the population trended increasing or

decreasing, or is the population static? Provide relevant data sources.b. Is this trend likely to continue, or are there any data which indicate FUTURE changes in population size? Provide

relevant data sources.c. Does the species undergo extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals? The population size has never been previously assessed. There is no quantitative data to infer past declines (see however 23 . Area of Occupancy regarding possible reductions through road and other construction.) Almost the entire population is in areas proposed for future urban housing development for the expansion of greater Darwin (see 24, 26 below).

16. PROBABILITY OF EXTINCTION IN THE WILD Identify and explain any quantitative measures or models that address the probability of the species’ extinction in the wild over a particular timeframe. No analyses are available

Geographic Distribution

17. GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION Describe the species' known or estimated current and past global distribution (include a map if available). Does the species exist in an EPBC Act listed ecological community?

The species is known only from a small area to the south of Darwin, N.T. (Fig. 1) The five known localities are near Virginia and west to northwest of Noonamah (Fig. 2 ).


18. EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE within AustraliaNOTE: The distribution of the species within Australia is assessed in two ways, the EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE and the AREA OF OCCUPANCY. The two concepts are closely related, and often confused. Therefore, before you answer this question, please see the definitions and explanatory material in Attachment A.a. What is the CURRENT extent of occurrence (in km2)? Explain how it was calculated and provide relevant data

sources.b. Has the extent of occurrence changed over time (PAST to CURRENT)? If so, provide evidence.c. Is the extent of occurrence expected to decline in FUTURE? If so, provide evidence.d. Does the species undergo extreme fluctuations in the extent of occurrence? If so, provide evidence.

The species is known only from near the Elizabeth River and its tributary Amys Creek just to the south of Darwin, N.T. (Fig. 1 & 2.) The extent of occurrence is estimated at 7.6 km2. This was estimated through extensive field survey to locate and define subpopulations using GPS collected data points. Spatial data was analysed using GIS with extent of occurrence estimated using the Minimum Convex Polygon method (Hawths Tools extension).

There is a high degree of confidence that the species has a small extent of occurrence. The one degree grid cell on which the species occurs is the one of the most heavily surveyed areas in the N.T. with 167 plant records / 100 km2 on Herbarium specimen and survey databases while the grid cell immediately to the west has 345 plant records / 100 km2 (XXXX unpubl.). An extensive vegetation and flora survey of the proposed Weddell urban area was conducted over the 2010-11 wet season, with many additional sites visited, but the species was not detected (Cuff & Brocklehurst 2011, Attachment Figs. 3, 5).). It has also not been detected during surveys of flora and fauna in the Darwin rural area (e.g. Price et al 2005). The probability of finding additional subpopulations outside the Weddell area appears to be low.

Extensive survey targeted at apparently suitable habitat has been conducted in the Weddell area in recent months (Fig. 2) and located several subpopulations. However, much apparently suitable habitat did not support the species. Some potentially suitable habitat in close proximity to the ultralight airstrip is yet to be surveyed. The species appears restricted to sites with a fairly specific combination of soil, geological and topographic characteristics (Fig. 4.).

There has been insufficient information to assess previous extent of occurrence. Until Nov. 2011, the species was known from one locality and the taxonomic status was unclear. It is possible that extent of occurrence has been reduced through settlement and clearing in Darwin rural area, near Virginia, although there are no data to quantify any such losses.

The extent of occurrence is expected to decline dramatically over the next 20-30 years. Almost the entire population is within the footprint of proposed urban expansion areas for greater Darwin (Fig. 5). Head works development in the area has already started and stage one development is expected commence in the next few years with land release commencing in 2014.

The species appears to be a moderately long-lived perennial (perhaps > 10 or 20 years) and it seems unlikely to undergo extreme fluctuations, at least in this time scale.

19. AREA OF OCCUPANCY NOTE: The distribution of the species within Australia is assessed in two ways, the EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE and the AREA OF OCCUPANCY. The two concepts are closely related, and often confused. Therefore, before you answer this question, please see the definitions and explanatory material in Attachment A.a. What is the CURRENT area of occupancy (in km2)? Explain how it was calculated and provide relevant data

sources.b. Has the area of occupancy changed over time (PAST to CURRENT)? If so, provide evidence.c. Is the area of occupancy expected to decline in FUTURE? If so, provide evidence.d. Does the species undergo extreme fluctuations in its area of occupancy? If so, provide evidence.

Area of occupancy for the population is estimated at 4.5 hectares. This has been estimated using the sum of occupied 20 x 20 m grid cells. GIS software was used to place a grid over spatial distribution data gathered during extensive field survey. This scale of grid was considered appropriate given that plants often occur in a relatively narrow band along footslopes. However, some potentially suitable habitat in close proximity to the ultralight airstrip is yet to be surveyed and some further infill survey is required. This may increase the estimate of area of occupancy by a small amount but is unlikely to change the level of threat. Even in the event that additional small patches of Atalaya are located, the total area of occupancy would still be much less than 1 km2.

It is likely that around 2 hectares have been lost due to construction of Jenkins Road in the 1980’s and a further area may have been lost due to building of the ultralight airstrip at around this time or earlier.

Without threat abatement, the area of occupancy is expected to decline dramatically over the next 20-30 years (see 26. Known Threats).document.docx Page 6 of 12

20. PRECARIOUSNESS a. Is the species' geographic distribution severely fragmented, or known to exist at a limited number of locations?b. Is the area, extent and/or quality of the species' habitat in continuing decline (observed / inferred / projected)?c. Is the number of locations or subpopulations in continuing decline (observed / inferred / projected)?d. Are there extreme fluctuations in the number of locations or subpopulations of this species?Please ensure that you provide evidence and appropriate references.

The species is known from 5 discrete subpopulations, within a restricted geographic area. There is a projected decline in area and quality of habitat due to proposed development of the area for housing and associated urban development. The Weddell area is expected to be the next major area of land to be developed for housing in the Darwin region (fig. 5; http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/growth/weddell/ and http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/growth/weddell/documents/factsheet1.pdf). The area is set to be the next new town in a series of satellite towns planned to extend around Darwin Harbour. Land release is likely to commence in 2014 and continue for 20-30 years or more. (See also 26. Known Threats below).

21. PROTECTED AREASIs the species protected within the reserve system (e.g. national parks, Indigenous Protected Areas, or other conservation estates, private land covenants, etc.)? If so, which populations? Which reserves are actively managed for this species? Give details.

The species is not represented in any reserve system. The five known localities occur on a mixture of Private and NG Government owned land with around 75% of the known population on one privately owned parcel. The subpopulation on the immediate south side of the Elizabeth River (estimated at 2,829 ± 293 plants) is all on NTG land. The subpopulation on the north side of the Elizabeth River is mostly on NTG land but is very small.

Threats

22. KNOWN THREATS Identify any KNOWN threats to the species, and state clearly whether these are past, current or future threats.

If climate change is an important threat to the nominated species it is important that you provide referenced information on exactly how climate change might significantly increase the nominated species’ vulnerability to extinction. For guidance refer to the Guidelines for assessing climate change as a threat to native species (Attachment B; Part B2). The immediate major threat to Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River is proposed development for housing and other urban uses. Four subpopulations are either in the immediate or longer term footprint of the proposed Weddell development area, a proposed new town following on from the near completed development of housing areas in the Palmerston satellite town (Fig. 5). Land releases are proposed to commence in 2014. The fifth subpopulation in the Virginia area is very small, numbering less than a few hundred plants. (see also 24. Precariousness)

23. POTENTIAL THREATS Identify any POTENTIAL threats to the species.

Even if substantial parts of the population are protected, invasion by gamba grass and other weeds is a potential threat. Large robust perennial species are likely to out compete and shade out smaller species such as Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River. Atalaya occurs in more open vegetation on deeper coarser sandy soils on foot slopes but appears to be absent from the finer sandy soils in similar topographic situations where a naturally dense grass or shrub layer is present.

Gamba Grass is a high-biomass producing introduced perennial grass species and is now established and common some kilometres to the east with scattered stands already in the general area. Gamba Grass forms taller, denser stands, curing later in the dry season. This results in substantial changes to savanna fire regimes. It can dramatically increase local fuel loads from the 2–4 tonnes/ha typical for native grasses to 11–15 tonnes/ha or sometimes even 30 tonnes/ha for gamba grass resulting in later, more intense fires that can kill or reduce the vigour of tree species (Rossiter et al. 2003; Ferdinands et al. 2006). Gamba Grass may also out compete native woody species both by grossly altering the availability of nitrogen to native plant species and by using larger amounts of water than native grasses. (Rossiter et al. 2004; Rossiter-Rachor et al. 2009).

While not under imminent threat of development, proposed future land use in the vicinity of the Viginia subpopulation is unclear. The species currently has no legal protection at any site.


http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/growth/weddell/documents/factsheet1.pdf

http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/growth/weddell/

24. THREAT ABATEMENT Give an overview of recovery and threat abatement/mitigation actions that are underway and/or proposed.

No threat abatement actions are currently underway as the species is currently Data Deficient and has no legal protection.

A good level of protection could be provided by reserving a substantial part of the population and protecting it from development and inappropriate uses. However, adequate buffering from adjoining land use activities will be required. Gamba Grass and other invasive weeds (especially perennial grasses) should be controlled and managed at the known sites. This would both prevent the development of excessive fuel loads that will inevitably result in high intensity fires that pose a threat of loss or decline and reduce direct competition from these species. Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River appears adapted to regular low intensity fires and field observation suggests that population levels may be higher in open vegetation that is regularly burned than in fire protected sites. However, this needs to be confirmed experimentally.

Surveys and Monitoring

25. DISTINCTIVENESSGive details of the distinctiveness of the species.

Is this species taxonomically distinct? Taxonomic distinctiveness is a measure of how unique a species is relative to other species.

How distinct is this species in its appearance from other species? How likely is it to be misidentified?Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River is distinguished from all other Atalaya species by the combination of a

reduced wing on the fruit, the simple, linear leaves and the short growth habit with annual aerial parts and a perennial root stock (XXXX unpubl.). It shares the sericeous petals of A. sericopetala S.T.Reynolds (the only other species with this character) but that species is a shrub or small tree, has an extended racemose or paniculate inflorescence 80–280 mm long, sepals with a glabrous, hyaline margin, staminal filaments sericeous throughout and the leaf blades or leaflets usually elliptic or oblong-ovate, 20–60 mm wide (rarely linear as in Wannan 5638). In addition, the leaves of A. sericopetala are often compound, with 3–4 pairs of leaflets or may be simple.

It is also distinguished from A. variifolia, A. hemiglauca and A. salicifolia by the smaller, sericeous petals with an attenuate base and the lack of lobing of the scales (Reynolds 1981, 1985). In A. hemiglauca and A. salicifolia the leaflets often dry darker above, are mostly opposite to subopposite and the sepals are dark reddish brown with paler margins. A. salicifolia has glabrous sepals and samaras but in A. hemiglauca these are usually hairy. A. variifolia and A. brevialata have more or less concolorous leaves with the sepals mostly cream to pale brown and in the former, leaflets are frequently subopposite or alternate. A. variifolia sometimes produces simple leaves below the inflorescence or on the juvenile regeneration but both the leaves and stems are more robust than in A. brevialata and the juvenile regeneration appears to rarely produce flowers and fruit.

In the field, the foliage may be confused at first glance with juvenile Grevillea pteridifolia or Xyris complanata and some grasses, but differs in having more prominent, reticulate venation.

Key to species of Atalaya in the Northern Territory

1. Petals with appressed hairs on outer surface; wing of fruit reduced, less than 5 mm long; leaves simple; subshrub ..........................................................................................A. brevialataPetals hairless in upper half; wing of fruit well developed; adult leaves compound; trees ......................................................................................................................................................

2. Sepals and fruits hairless or almost so ...............................................................................A. salicifoliaSepals and fruits hairy .........................................................................................................................3

3. Leaf stems winged, often broadly, wing leaf-like; many leaflets subopposite or alternate, green on both surfaces; petal margins with a fringe of hairs..............................A. variifoliaLeaf stems rarely winged, except in some juvenile leaves; leaflets mostly opposite, often darker above; petals margins without a fringe of hairs ........................................A. hemiglauca


26. DETECTABILITYGive details of the detectability of the species.

Provide information on how easy the species is to detect and the ease in which it has/can be surveyed. If relevant, provide information on when and how surveys should be conducted, for example:

- Recommended methods- Season, time of day, weather conditions- Length, intensity and pattern of search effort- Limitations and whether or not the method is accepted by experts- Survey-effort guide- Methods for detecting the species.

The species is most easily detected in late October to December when plants are flowering and other ground layer species are still short. Once the grass layer becomes taller after Christmas it becomes more difficult to detect and once plants have finished flowering they may be difficult to identify without prior knowledge of the species. The dry season months (June through to the start of the build-up storms) are likely to be a poor choice for survey as plants have annual aerial parts and dry season fires will remove these in any case. Eucalyptus tectifica and/ or C. foelscheana woodland in foot slope situations with deeper, coarse often sandy soils should be targeted for further survey (see 31. Surveys below).

27. SURVEYS Provide information on survey effort to date, and any ongoing/proposed monitoring programs. The plant was only known from one population in the Virginia area until November 2011. The taxonomic status of the species was then uncertain. An extensive vegetation and flora survey of the Weddell development area was conducted over the 2010-11 wet season, but the species was not detected (Cuff & Brocklehurst 2011), nor was it detected in the wider region during surveys of flora and fauna in the Darwin rural area (e.g. Price et al. 2005).

Following discovery of an additional subpopulation near Amys Creek in November 2011 and review of its taxonomic status, survey targeted at apparently suitable habitat was conducted in the surrounding area over the November- December 2011 period (Fig. 2). Based on knowledge of two subpopulations, survey was targeted at Eucalyptus tectifica and/ or Corymbia foelscheana woodland in foot-slope situations. However, this habitat model was refined over time. It became apparent that there was some association with deeper, often coarse textured soils associated with a particular geological boundary in this topographic situation (still with these same associated overstorey species)(Fig. 4). No additional subpopulations were found in this type of woodland on shallow stoney soils or on sites with near-surface laterite. Using this information, similar habitat higher in the catchment of Amys Creek and further afield near the Blackmore River was identified using geological and topographic mapping, satellite imagery and radiometric (potassium) data in a GIS system and was subsequently surveyed in early Jan 2012 (Fig. 4). (Radiometric data has been found to be a useful tool for differentiating substrates in NT (Crase & Hemple 2005)). However, no additional subpopulations were found. Resurvey of the Blackmore River area and additional potential habitat in the Berry Creek catchment (XXXX) and further afield (XXXX) is recommended at a time of year when the plant has high visibility.

Indigenous Values

28. INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCEIs the species known to have cultural significance for Indigenous groups within Australia? If so, to which groups? Provide information on the nature of this significance if publicly available. none known

Further Information

29. FURTHER INFORMATIONIdentify relevant studies or management documentation that might relate to the species (e.g. research projects, national park management plans, recovery plans, conservation plans, threat abatement plans, etc.).


30. REFERENCE LISTPlease list key references/documentation you have referred to in your nomination.CHAH 2012. Australian Plant Census. IBIS database, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research,

Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, viewed 20th Jan. 2012. http://www.chah.gov.au/apc/index.html

Cowie, I.D. & B.M. Stuckey in press.Crase, B. & Hempe, C. 2005. Object based land cover mapping for Groote Eylandt: A tool for reconnaissance

and land based surveys. In Proceedings of NARGIS 2005 – Applications in tropical spatial science. 4–7 July 2005, Charles Darwin University, Darwin NT, Australia.

Cuff, N. & Brocklehurst, P. 2011. Vegetation Mapping and floristic survey of the proposed new township of Weddell, Darwin, Northern Territory. Department of Natural resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport. Palmerston, Northern Territory.

Ferdinands, K. Setterfield, S.A., Douglas, M.M. & Barratt, J. 2006. Africanising the tropical woodlands: Canopy loss and tree death following gamba grass Andropogon gayanus invasion. In Proceedings of the 15th Australian Weeds Conference, Eds. C. Preston, J.H. Watts and N.D. Crossman. Weed Management Society of South Australia, Adelaide, p. 296.

Leenhouts, P.W. 1994. Atalaya. Fl. Malesiana ser. 1, 11: 479-483.Palgrove, K.C. 1977. Trees of southern Africa. C. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.Price, O., Rankmore , B., Milne, D., Brock, C., Tynan, C., Kean, L., Roeger, L. 2005. Regional patterns of

mammal abundance and their relationship to landscape variables in eucalypt woodlands near Darwin, northern Australia. Wildlife Research 32: 435-446.

Reynolds, S.T. 1981. Notes on Sapindaceae in Australia, 1. Austrobaileya 1: 388-419.Reynolds, S.T. 1985. Sapindaceae. Flora of Australia 25: 4-164.Rossiter, N.A., Setterfield, S.A., Douglas, M.M. & Hutley, L.B. 2003. Testing the grass-fire cycle: exotic grass

invasion in the tropical savannas of northern Australia, Diversity and Distributions 9: 169–176.Rossiter, N.A., Setterfield, S.A., Douglas, M.M., Hutley, L.B. and Cook, G.D. 2004. Exotic grass invasion in the

tropical savannas of northern Australia: Ecosystem consequences. In Proceedings of the 14th Australian Weeds Conference, Eds. B.M. Sindel and S.B. Johnson. Weeds Society of New South Wales, Sydney, pp. 168–171.

Rossiter-Rachor, N. A., Setterfield S. A., Douglas, M. M., Hutley, L. B., Cook, G. D. and Schmidt, S. 2009. Invasive Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) is an ecosystem transformer of nitrogen relations in Australian savanna. Ecological Applications 19(6): 1546-1560.

Short, P.S., Albrecht, D.E., Cowie, I.D., Lewis, D.L. & Stuckey, B.M. (eds) 2011. Checklist of vascular plants of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Herbarium, Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport.

31. APPENDIXPlease place here any figures, tables or maps that you have referred to within your nomination. Alternatively, you can provide them as an attachment.


http://www.chah.gov.au/apc/index.html

Fig. 1. The distribution of Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River (on NT Base Map).

Fig. 2. Known locations of Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River (green dots) and survey search paths Nov. 2011-Jan 2012 (red lines) west of Noonamah, to the immediate south of Darwin. Other plant records (all species) are shown as blue dots.

This map has been removed as it contains confidential location information.

Fig. 4. Known locations of Atalaya sp. Elizabeth River (green dots) and survey search paths Nov. 2011-Jan 2012 (red lines) in relation to underlying geology and radiometric imagery, showing distribution along a sand (dark to purple, RHS) - laterite (yellow, LHS) boundary. Other plant records (all species) are shown as blue dots.



Fig. 5. Location of the Weddell area within the Darwin Region.

Fig. 3. Site locations from the Weddell vegetation survey and mapping area (from Cuff & Brocklehurst 2011).



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Invitation to comment on EPBC Act nomination to …€¦ · Web viewHowever, this growth habit is found in a wide range of genera typical of the savanna understorey of the wet –