Westonia Bioblitz Report 2007

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Westonia BioBlitz Report 2007

Westonia Town Common

September 2007

This report was prepared by: Richard McLellan, Land Program Leader, WWF-Australia

First published in May 2008 by:

WWF-Australia GPO Box 528 Sydney NSW 2001 Tel: +612 9281 5515 Fax: +612 9281 1060 www.wwf.org.au

For bibliographic purposes, this report should be cited as: McLellan, R. 2008, Westonia BioBlitz Report 2007. WWF-Australia, Sydney.

Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. The contents of this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WWF-Australia.

For copies of this report, please contact WWF-Australia at [email protected] or call 1800 032 551

Cover photo: Peter Mioduszewski with a little long-tailed dunnart recorded at the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz. Photo: © Richard McLellan/WWF-Australia. Back Cover photo: Volunteers at the end of the 2007 BioBlitz. Photo: © Richard McLellan/WWF-Australia.

Acknowledgments

WWF-Australia would sincerely like to thank the following groups and individuals for their contributions towards the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz:

• The Shire of Westonia for permission to collect flora in the Westonia Town Common, and provision of the Base Camp/Headquarters camping area. The latter comprised the Westonia caravan park and Curtin University’s Westonia field station,

• Mr Paul Blechynden and the team from the Department of Conservation and Land Management Merredin District Office for their ongoing support of BioBlitzes in the region,

• All of the team leaders and other BioBlitz volunteers.

Special thanks also to Pauline Guest and Westonia’s NRM Officers - Sara Bright and Rohan Chalmer - for their assistance throughout the event. Their help in the days, weeks and months leading up to the BioBlitz was critical to the weekend's success.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 3 Table of Contents 4 1. Executive Summary 5 2. Introduction 7 2.1. Background 7 2.2. Project Description 7 2.3. Rationale 9 2.4. Goals 9 3. List of Participants 11 4. Site Description 13 4.1. Site Location 13 4.2. GPS and Map Co-ordinates 15 4.3. Weather Conditions 15 4.4. Geology and Soils 16 4.5. Regional Significance 19 5. Survey Methodology 23 6. Results 25 6.1. Flora 26 6.2. Fauna 31 7. Discussion & Recommendations 36 8. References 42 Appendix I - Full Species List 44 Appendix II - Other flora recorded by WWF in the Westonia Common 54 Appendix III - Total numbers of species recorded at WWF BioBlitz events 56

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2007 Westonia BioBlitz was conducted in the Westonia Town Common - a magnificent patch of bush that surrounds the Westonia townsite - on the 15 th and 16 th of September, 2007. The BioBlitz was organised by WWF through its Threatened Species Network (TSN) program as a special event during Australia’s annual Biodiversity Month.

Westonia is located within the globally significant Southwest Australia Ecoregion, a biodiversity hotspot of high conservation value due to its exceptionally high terrestrial diversity and correspondingly high degree of threat. Most of the original woodlands of the region have been preferentially cleared for agriculture – due to their association with the more fertile soils of the region – and much of what remains is under considerable threat.

The Westonia Town Common is especially important – in a regional, national and global context – as it is contains one of the largest ‘reserved’ red morrel (Eucalyptus longicornis) woodlands within the Intensive Land Use Zone (ILUZ) in Southwest Australia. Red morrel woodlands have largely been cleared within this region, and no formal nature reserves have ever been established specifically to protect this unique vegetation association.

The large size, good condition, and eucalypt vegetation association makes the Westonia Town Common biologically significant, and extremely valuable for conservation.

Six sites within the Reserve were subjected to field surveys during the BioBlitz. These were primarily selected to represent a wide range of vegetation types, of the highest quality, within the Reserve.

A total of 352 different plant and animal species were recorded as being present within the Westonia Town Common during the 2007 BioBlitz. This number represents a new record high total in the series of BioBlitzes conducted thus far in the WA Wheatbelt. The

list of species included: 9 species of mammals, 5 reptiles and amphibians, 51 birds, 44 invertebrates, 225 plants and 18 fungi and lichens.

Interesting and exciting discoveries within the Reserve included the presence of the Little Long-tailed Dunnart ( Sminthopsis doichura) - a species is believed to have been rendered locally extinct in many patches of bush throughout the agricultural zone of Southwest Australia. Of concern then is the recorded presence of a number of introduced pest species, particularly the feral animal predator species - cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) .

Also of concern, and further underlying the importance of this Reserve, was the fact that by far the greatest number of bird species recorded during the Westonia BioBlitz are considered as types that are ‘declining’ across the WA Wheatbelt, or are ‘remnant dependent’. Thirty-two species - well over half of all birds recorded in the Reserve (63%) during the BioBlitz - are classified as declining or remnant dependent.

The Reserve, either in whole, or in part, is threatened by a number of key threatening processes, including vegetation clearing, rubbish-dumping, weed invasion, feral animal predation, unrestricted vehicular use, and fire.

It is recommended that the Shire of Westonia should make every effort to improve the Reserve’s conservation protection status and future management. The future conservation of the Reserve would be enhanced by a change of purpose for the Reserve to include ‘for the protection of flora and fauna’; and the development and implementation of a comprehensive Reserve Management Plan

2. INTRODUCTION 2.1 Background

The 2007 Westonia BioBlitz was conducted in the Westonia Town Common - a magnificent patch of bush that surrounds the Westonia townsite - on the 15 th and 16 th of September, 2007. It was the fourth community-based, collaborative, 24-hour biological survey undertaken by WWF-Australia (WWF) in the Avon River Basin. WWF volunteers conducted biological survey fieldwork alongside members of the Westonia community and others from the Northeast Wheatbelt. Their goal was to discover more about the biodiversity of this high conservation value local Reserve – which is vested in the Shire of Westonia. The volunteers who participated in the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz comprised scientists, amateur naturalists and biologists, and enthusiastic 'learners' – including farmers, students, urban professionals and others. Their results of their efforts are contained within this ‘Westonia BioBlitz Report’. The data obtained during the BioBlitz provides a useful indicator of environmental quality, remnant vegetation significance, and serves as a baseline for future monitoring and management of the Reserve.

2.2 Project Description The 2007 Westonia BioBlitz involved a multi-disciplinary biodiversity survey team brought together specifically for the purpose of conducting a ‘snapshot’ biological survey in a designated site within the Avon River Basin. The BioBlitz was organised by WWF through its Threatened Species Network (TSN) program as a special event in Australia’s annual Biodiversity Month.

WWF has worked closely with the Shire of Westonia, and other North East Wheatbelt local government authorities in recent years, particularly through its Woodland Watch, Healthy Ecosystems, and Auction for Landscape Recovery projects, to raise awareness and provide information about the biodiversity values of shire-vested Reserves within the

NEWROC 1 region, and to facilitate improvements in remnant vegetation management and conservation – particularly on private properties and lands vested with local government authorities.

The North East Wheatbelt Regional Organisation of Councils The Shire of Westonia is the most easterly of the seven local government areas that comprise the North Eastern Wheatbelt Regional Organisation of Councils.

1 North East Wheatbelt Regional Organisation of Councils

Figure 1: Location of the NEWROC region in the Avon River Basin in Southwest Australia. (Source: Auction for Landscape Recovery: Final Report, WWF-Australia)

The Shire is located on the eastern margins of the West Australian Wheatbelt, extending over an area of 3,268 square kilometers (333,136 hectares). The Shire is renowned for its extensive tracts of magnificent natural woodlands – most of which lie beyond (east of) ‘the clearing line’. The shire’s main industries are broad-acre wheat and sheep farming, with some small-scale mining activity, including prospective gold mining.

2.3 Rationale

In conducting the Westonia BioBlitz, WWF is continuing to reinforce key elements of its commitment to threatened species and critical habitat conservation. The BioBlitz concept is a cost-effective, volunteer-focussed and community-based monitoring event, which provides a rapid assessment of site-specific biodiversity that contributes to NEWROC objectives of gaining more information about biodiversity in this relatively remote and little-researched region.

The intention of the series of BioBlitz 'snapshot' biodiversity surveys in the region has been to raise the profile of the value of the more important patches of remnant bushland vested in local government in the region, and to provide the relevant local government authorities with baseline data on some of their largest reserves.

2.4 Goals The primary goals of the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz were to:

• collect data and record the number of a maximum-possible number of species, from as many taxonomic groups, in the Westonia Town Common with a 24-hour time period;

• identify any rare and unique species that may be located in the Reserve; and

• document the species' occurrence.

Other goals were to:

• bring specialists with relevant biological expertise to an isolated rural community for scientific endeavour;

• build links between scientists and lay community members, and between urban and rural residents;

• raise awareness of the biodiversity richness (and the natural value) of a high conservation value patch of bush;

• create a local learning opportunity – as one of the best ways to learn about biodiversity is to get out into the field alongside experienced scientists; and

• have fun – to provide an opportunity for people to enjoy a day-out in the West Australian bush, collecting biological information while studying nature.

3. Participants

About 50 people contributed to and/or participated in the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz. The voluntary efforts of every participant contributed to the success of the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz - the fourth BioBlitz to be conducted in the Wheatbelt by WWF. There were many new faces at the 2007 event, along with a core group of volunteers (only four in total) who have contributed their time and expertise at every BioBlitz since 2002. A special thanks to this latter group of highly committed individuals (indicated with an asterix ), as well as the Team Leaders (in bold text).

With thanks to: Aidan Williams, Andrea Williams, Andrew Hobbs, Barbara Stoneman, Ben Lullfitz, Bill Flint, Bob Huxley, Bok Ho, Brooke Willis, Buddy Kent, Carl Danzi, Cecile Sellier, Cheryl Gole*, Chris Phoebe, Daisy Williams, Damien Buller, Dejan Stojanovic, Genevieve Farrelly, Geoff Burrow, Hayden Cannon, Ian Johnson, Jill Hobbs, Jim Williams, Joan Flint, Judy English, Kate Gole, Kevn Griffiths*, Lisa Carter, Liz McLellan, Mal Harper, Marion Bernard, Martin Gole*, Michael Curram, Monica Bell, Nick Tidmarsh, Nina

McLaren, Pam Masters, Peg Griffiths*, Pauline Guest, Peter Mioduszewski, Rebekah Esszig, Richard McLellan, Rohan Chalmer, Rowan Inglis, Sara Bright, Sarah Arnold, Sarah Williams, Sebastian Bell, Shannon Mioduszewski, Shaun Brunetti, Shenaye Mehmet, Tobias Vudzijena, Trevor Stoneman

12 4 Site Description 4.1 Location and Description of BioBlitz Site

Figure 2: The Westonia Town Common (Source: Google Earth).

The 2007 BioBlitz was conducted in the Westonia Town Common, which surrounds the small Wheatbelt town of Westonia, about 320 kilometres east-north-east of Perth, Western Australia. The Town Common is a rare jewel in the Shire of Westonia which, like most districts within the WA Wheatbelt, has been extensively cleared for agriculture, principally for wheat and sheep farming. The Reserve is still in a relatively good condition: protected from livestock grazing, by perimeter fencing, and fire, through local fire control. It appears to have not been burnt for many years (a factor that is likely to be having significant impact on its regenerative capacity).

The Westonia Town Common is situated in the Southwest Australia Ecoregion – a global biodiversity hotspot. Specifically, it is on the northeastern outskirts of a section of the Ecoregion called the Southwest Botanical Province. Immediately to the east is the ‘Interzone’ – an area of floristic and geological transition between the more mediterranean agricultural region (to the south and west) and the more arid, rangelands

and ‘goldfields’ of the interior (to the north and east). The Westonia Shire is positioned near the boundary between the Avon, Coolgardie and Austin Botanical Districts, and there is evidence of the influence of all of these Districts in the region’s vegetation. For this reason, the patches of remnant vegetation – particularly the larger patches like the Westonia Town Common – are particularly important.

The landscape in the hinterland of the Westonia Town Common is a matrix of intensive agricultural land with small (and isolated/fragmented) remnants of eucalypt woodland. Like the Town Common, these are commonly patches of gimlet (Eucalyptus salubris), red morrel (Eucalyptus longicornis) and salmon gum (E. salmonophloia) woodlands.

The Common also contains an open cut gold mine which has been operating for many years and has had a significant impact on a section of the Reserve. There are legacies of past gold-mining and prospecting activity throughout the Common – in the form of abandoned shafts, mullock heaps, former house-sites, vehicular tracks and piles of discarded rubbish – the remnants of old miners’ dumps.

The Westonia Town Common covers an area of approximately 4000ha, principally of gimlet, red morel and salmon gum woodlands of exceptional quality. One landmark within the Common is Boodalin Soak – an old well with that served as an important stopping point for travellers heading to and from the Kalgoorlie Goldfields. An adjacent granite outcrop is like an island in a sea of surrounding woodland, and is the source of an interesting floristic variation within the Common, with a surrounding grassland and heathland and a profusion of wildflowers in spring.

Figure 3: Westonia Town Common lies within a matrix of agricultural land.

4.2 GPS and Map Co-ordinates Westonia is located at:

• Latitude: 31° 40' S • Longitude: 118° 35' E

4.3 Climate

Like most of Southwest Australia, Westonia experiences a mediterranean-type climate; however, due to its location immediately adjacent to the western border of the Interzone, it also displays some semi-arid climatic characteristics. Summers are generally hot and

dry (summer temperatures can exceed 40 °Celcius), while winters are relatively cool and mild.

Most of the annual rainfall is recorded during the winter months (June, July, August), typically associated with the passage of cold fronts across Southwest Australia. Some of the district’s rainfall comes from occasional summer thunderstorms, but these events tend to be spasmodic and unreliable, frequently brought about by the presence of decaying tropical cyclones coming into the region from the north of the State. When these intense summer storms do occur, they can have a huge impact on the landscape through heavy run-off, flooding, and erosion. Creeks and lakes that have struggled to exist over successive dry winters can suddenly fill and burst their banks within hours. The area has also recorded some sporadic, but very heavy, falls of hail.

The average annual rainfall is 325 mm, most of which (about 65%) falls between May and October.

The 2007 BioBlitz was conducted in mid-September (15 th and 16 th ) – just a couple of weeks into the Spring season. Conditions at this time off the year can be quite variable, with day temperatures ranging from about 6°C (minimum) to 20°C (maximum), with about 40% relative humidity. It can get down to as low as 3 oC at night. September is usually a relatively drier month, although it still averages about 20 millimetres of rain.

4.4 Geology and Soils

Geologically Westonia is located in the centre of the Yilgarn Craton - a huge mass of granite that extends all the way from the Darling Scarp, near Perth, to the Goldfields on the ancient continental shield of Western Australia. The underlying granitic basement rock, called adamellite, developed during the Archaean age about 2,600 million years ago, when it ‘invaded’ layers of pre-existing Archaean sedimentary rock. This rock outcrops in a few places around Westonia, including the small outcrop in the Reserve near Boodallin Soak, and the nearby Sandford Rocks (an outcrop in a Nature Reserve a

few kilometres northeast of the Town Common). The district also contains Archaean rocks not affected by granitisation, predominantly metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous deposits including greenstone country – some of which contain significant amounts of gold. The Westonia Town Common is situated on one such area of greenstone – an outlier from the Southern Cross Greenstone belt - a series of meta- sedimentary rocks of Archaean origin that outcrop across the region.

Granite outcrop in the Westonia Town Common. Photo: Richard McLellan/WWF- Australia.

Westonia, like much of Southwest Australia is located in one of the world’s oldest landscapes. This ancient area is relatively flat and featureless, and has been termed a ‘Zone of Ancient Drainage’ - where old, flat valley floors wind their way through a gently undulating plain of low relief dissected by paleo-drainage channels and chains of salt lakes - which only become connected, and begin flowing, in the very wettest years.

The soils of the area are predominantly heavy red soils - clays, loams, loamy duplexes and loamy earths. These soils are typically associated with the decomposing Yilgarn

Craton and greenstone formations and are manifest on the surface by the presence of medium-height eucalypt woodlands.

The Government botanist John Beard noted the following soil associations for each of the dominant woodland communities: • brown to red-brown sandy loam over clay and decomposed granite - salmon gum (E. salmonophloia) and gimlet (E. salubris) woodlands. • gritty brown to red brown sandy loam - York gum (E. loxophleba) woodlands. • red clay over calcareous hardpan - red morrel (E. longicornis) woodlands.

Red morrel woodland with chenopod understorey. Photo: Carl Danzi/WWF-Australia

The “deeply weathered and bottom land soils (of the greenstone belts) grade from loams through sands to clay according to the development of the calcium carbonate accumulation layer, and carry woodlands of salmon gum (E. salmonophloia) , gimlet (E.

salubris) and red morrel (E. longicornis), frequently with blackbutt (also called Rib-fruited Mallee) (E. corrugata) present.” 2

4.5 Regional Significance of Westonia’s Woodlands

Westonia is located within the globally significant Southwest Australia Ecoregion, a biodiversity hotspot of high conservation value due to its exceptionally high terrestrial diversity and correspondingly high degree of threat. Most of the woodlands of the region have been preferentially cleared for agriculture – due to their association with the more fertile soils of the region – and much of what remains is under considerable threat.

“Vegetation in the … region is characterized by high levels of habitat loss and fragmentation due to clearing for agriculture and degradation due to ongoing threats such as weeds, grazing by livestock, and collection of firewood. Dryland salinity and associated waterlogging and inundation caused by rising water tables are major threats to biodiversity values in the Avon River Basin. 3

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the Westonia Town Common is now a woodland island in a sea of agricultural land, and thus of considerable importance for biodiversity.

Approximately 80% of the native vegetation that once extended right across the Shire of Westonia has been cleared – predominantly for agriculture in the area called the Intensive Land Use Zone (ILUZ). Most of the shire’s remnant vegetation (which amounts to approximately 320,500 ha, or 20% of the Shire) is located ‘beyond the clearing line’ (the extensive woodland region east of the Rabbit Proof Fence). Of the land within the ILUZ, approximately 80% has been cleared, leaving about 20% with remnant vegetation cover. A figure of approximately 20% remnant vegetation is similar to other shires along the eastern boundary of the Wheatbelt, and considerably higher than many of the shires

2 Beard, JS. 1972. The Vegetation of the Southern Cross Area, Western Australia. 3 Gole, C et al, 2005. Auction for Landscape Recovery: Final Report.

to the west, in the central Wheatbelt, some of which have as little as 4% or 5% remnant vegetation. The woodlands in many of these central shires have been decimated.

Figure 4: Remnant vegetation extent by Local Government Authority in the NEWROC area. (Source: Gole, C. et al, 2005. Auction for Landscape Recovery: Final Report.)

Unlike many of the more westerly shires, Westonia still has a small number of significant, large patches of remnant vegetation and, whilst the overall condition and trend of much of the bush in the western and central Wheatbelt is poor, most of these big remnants are still in relatively good condition. This makes them exceptionally important. However, the

remnants within the Shire of Westonia vary greatly in size and condition, with the vast majority being very small (less than 20 hectares in area) These are frequently isolated from other fragments, and are just as frequently unfenced, unmanaged, degraded, and in a declining condition due to a variety of threatening processes.

There are 10 Nature Reserves within the Shire, occupying 2.8% of the area (approximately 90 square kilometres). 74% of this area is contained within just two reserves – Chiddarcooping (5262 ha) and Reserve # 32864 (1742 ha).

Most of the remnants in the shire are dominated by medium woodlands and shrublands - the two most dominant vegetation groups across the Wheatbelt prior to its extensive clearing. The woodlands in particular are critically important. Approximately 85% of the pre-European extent of medium woodlands in the ILUZ were cleared for agriculture, with the greatest decline in vegetation cover occurring in woodlands dominated by salmon gum (E. salmonophloia), York gum (E. loxophleba), and gimlet (E. salubris).

Salmon Gum (Eucalyptus salmonophloia) woodland. Photo: Richard McLellan/WWF- Australia

The large size (approx. 4,000 hectares), good condition, and eucalypt vegetation association means that the Westonia Town Common is biologically significant, and highly valuable for conservation in the WA Wheatbelt. It should be noted that much of the Common’s woodlands were heavily cut-over during the peak of the town’s mining activity, and now comprise relatively young stands, some originating from coppice. However the extent and success of this regeneration, as well as the mix of relatively untouched, older trees, underscores the significance of the Reserve.

5 Methodology

The 2007 BioBlitz was conducted in Westonia on the weekend of September 15 and 16, 2007. Although not carried-out for the entire period, the survey was conducted over a full 24-hour period to provide opportunities to observe a wide range of species that may be present in the site, but active at different times of the day. Field survey team leaders were briefed, and then allocated to a group of four to six volunteers to conduct field surveys of specific animal and plant taxa. Each team operated independently, at one of six different sites within the Reserve, collecting data on their particular assigned group, with the team leader responsible for returning the data to the BioBlitz coordinator at the end of each survey period.

The first survey period was conducted from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday September 15, with the second survey period running from 8am to 1pm on Sunday September 16. A number of birding teams surveyed outside this timeframe - to make the most of the dawn and dusk bird activity - as did a team monitoring fauna pit traps. Another group (‘the Night- stalkers’) looked for nocturnal activity on the Saturday evening.

All data were collected by 1pm on the Sunday afternoon – the designated finish for the 24hr BioBlitz period - and was subsequently collated for further analysis where required.

Biological Survey Methodology

Six predetermined sites were used for the BioBlitz, as it would have been impossible to cover every part of the Reserve during the 24 hour period. The sites were chosen by the BioBlitz coordinating team using aerial photographs; vegetation and topographic maps; and input from local natural resource management personnel familiar with the Reserve. A field reconnaissance was undertaken to ground-truth the information and to pin-point the survey sites. These were selected to represent a wide range of vegetation types, of the highest quality, within the Reserve. Ease of access, and the provision of low-risk working environments for the volunteers were also among the site-selection criteria.

The flora survey methodology used is consistent with that previously used by WWF’s Woodland Watch and Healthy Ecosystems projects – which have conducted more than 200 flora surveys in woodlands in the WA Wheatbelt in collaboration with the WA Herbarium – as well as methodologies used by the Department of Environment and Conservation and the WA Wildflower Society. The flora surveys were conducted using 10m x 10m quadrats, as well as ‘random stratified walks’ throughout the allocated survey areas. During these walks, opportunistic observations of both flora and fauna were recorded. GPS readings (latitude and longitude) and photographic records were taken at the north-west corner of each flora survey quadrat for future monitoring purposes.

Fauna survey teams observed or inferred the presence of fauna species through a variety of methodologies - including direct observation and recording of live specimens, calls, tracks, scats, and bodily parts of deceased organisms recovered during the field surveys. Pit traps owned and administered by research staff from the Curtin University of Technology were utilised to facilitate recording of nocturnal or difficult-to-observe species.

The weather on the days of the BioBlitz varied from hot and windy on the Saturday, to cool and cloudy, with patchy sunshine, on the Sunday morning - when the maximum temperature was somewhere in the mid-20s ( °C). No rainfall was recorded.

6 Results

An impressive total of 352 different types of plant and animal species were recorded as being present within the Westonia Town Common during the 2007 BioBlitz. This number represents a new record high total in the series of BioBlitzes conducted thus far in the WA Wheatbelt (cf. 284 species recorded at 2002 Lake McDermott BioBlitz; 244 at 2003 Moningarin BioBlitz; and 271 at 2004 Kununoppin BioBlitz - See Appendix 3.)

The list of species included: 9 species of mammals, 5 reptiles and amphibians, 51 birds, 44 invertebrates, 225 plants and 18 fungi and lichens.

A further 60 species of plants have previously been recorded in the Commons during flora surveys conducted by either WWF or Curtin University of Technology – which brings the total number of species with known records to 412.

One-sided Bottlebrush (Calothamnus quadrifidus). Photo: Monica Bell

6.1 Flora

The flora observed throughout much of the Westonia Town Common is typical of that which occurs within most medium eucalypt woodland vegetation communities in the eastern part of the South West Botanical Province. The variety of flora was particularly impressive, with a total of 222 different types of plants recorded during the BioBlitz. This represents probably only a portion of the total plant biodiversity within the Reserve – reinforcing its significance as an important bush remnant for native plant conservation. In addition, 18 species of fungi were also recorded during the BioBlitz.

The woodland communities in the Reserve were dominated by salmon gum (Eucalyptus salmonophloia), red morrel (E. longicornis) and gimlet (E. salubris) with a varied understorey depending on changing soil types. The most typical woodland vegetation associations observed had an understorey dominated by either low chenopod shrubs (salt- and blue-bushes); or acacia, melaleuca, eremophila, or senna shrubs. Other woodland communities encountered during the BioBlitz included those dominated by the spectacular Red-flowered Mallee (E. erythronema). The vegetation community in the vicinity of the Boodalin Soak featured the Native Apricot (Pittosporum phillaraeoides), Golden Wreath Wattle (Acacia saligna), and the Smooth-barked York Gum (Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp lissophloia). Other common species of interest recorded in the Reserve included the presence of many Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) and Quandong (S. acuminatum) trees.

John Beard, who mapped the vegetation of the region between 1964 and 1969, described most of the Westonia Town Common as a red ‘morrel (E. longicornis) and blackbutt (E corrugata) woodland on greenstone’ – typical of what he called the ‘Yilgarn’ System. The Yilgarn System ‘patch’ that surrounds the Westonia townsite is a far- western outlier from the main Yilgarn System, which occurs around Southern Cross (about 60 kilometres to the east). The Westonia outlier is sandwiched between the Muntagin System (on the south), and the Moorine Rock System (to the north). Both of these systems are dominated by similar woodland vegetation communities as the Yilgarn System. Beard described the dominant vegetation of the district as open woodlands with sclerophyllous trees from predominantly eight different species, most of which were

between 10 and 25 metres tall. These occurred in several different eucalypt associations, a number of which occur in the Westonia Town Common. These associations, in addition to the two mentioned above, included patches of woodland dominated by salmon gum (E. salmonophloia) and gimlet (E. salubris). Another vegetation association recorded in the Westonia Town Common by Beard were ‘broombush’ thickets - dominated by species of melaleuca, acacia and casuarina.

Of the Yilgarn woodlands Beard wrote”

“These do not differ from the bottomland woodlands elsewhere in the district in essential particular. E. longicornis is rather more in evidence, as is the saltbush type of understorey. General composition is of E. longicornis, E. salmonophloia and E. salubris with less frequently E. flocktoniae, E. anceps, E. oleosa, E. sheathiana and E. gracilis. Patches of mallee of E. loxophleba and E. sheathiana occur here and there, either as pure mallee or with scattered trees. There are three types of understorey, Atriplex, Melaleuca pauperiflora , or a mixed understorey of Acacia, Eremophila, Olearia Muelleri, etc. as elsewhere in the district.”

Whilst the woodlands themselves were observed to be in good condition, and very aesthetically pleasing, so too were the numerous wildflower ‘fields’ observed within the Reserve, with magnificent displays of wildflowers, particularly ‘everlastings’ from the Asteraceae family, such as Pompom Heads (Cephalipterum drummondii) , Pink Everlastings (Lawrencella rosea) , Golden Longheads (Podotheca gnaphalioides) , and Golden Everlastings (Waitzia spp.) . Other plants that adding to the Spring flowering spectacle during the BioBlitz included Mulla Mullas (Ptilotus spp.), Povery and Tar bushes (Eremophila spp.), Goldfields Daisy Bushes (Olearia muelleri), Netbushes (Calothamnus quadrifidus), Popflowers (Glischrocaryon roei), Firebushes (Keraudrenia integrifolia), and Wattles (Acacia spp.)

The condition of the vegetation communities surveyed during the BioBlitz, within the Westonia Town Common, were considered to be in ‘good’, ‘very good’ and ‘excellent’

condition. There were, however, many signs of disturbance in the form of vehicular tracks, old mining activity (shafts and spoil heaps), and historical debris from pioneering residential and mining activity. However the vegetation has recovered from much of this past disturbance to be in, mostly, very good condition. The debris itself has become part of the character of the bush, providing habitat for reptiles and invertebrate fauna.

Larger patches of remnant vegetation like the Westonia Town Common have a number of important environmental values including having relatively higher levels of biological diversity, as well as being of sufficient extent to support populations of Declared Rare Flora.

The two botanical teams conducted four surveys, and identified a total of 180 plant species during the BioBlitz. Most of these species were identified within woodland habitat, although a significant number were identified from within shrubland and granite complex upslope from the Boodalin Soak. The most common types of plants collected included: 14 different types of Wattles (Acacia species), 11 types of gum trees (Eucalyptus spp.), 7 types of Bluebush (Maireana spp.), 7 types of Mulla Mullas (Ptilotus spp.), 5 types of Myrtles (Melaleuca spp.), 5 types of Greenhoods (Pterostylus spp.), 4 types of Grevilleas (Grevillea spp.), 4 types of Poverty or Emu Bush (Eremophila spp.), and 4 types of Twinleafs (Zygophyllum spp.)

The Westonia Town Common is known to contain rare and threatened flora, although none were recorded during the BioBlitz. The Declared Rare Flora (DRF) resinous eremophila ( Eremophila resinosa) occurs within the Town Common. It has been observed elsewhere in the Shire on road-verges, but not within unfenced remnants on farmland, suggesting that grazing contributes to the absence of the species in the woodlands. This observation reinforces the importance of the Town Common Reserve as a refuge for taxa likely to be severely threatened in smaller, more isolated, unprotected patches of bush.

A significant total of 22 weed species were identified during the BioBlitz – almost 10 per cent of the recorded flora. These include:

• Silvery Hairgrass (Aira sp. (carophyllum?), • Blue Pimpernel (Anagallis arvenensis var caerulea*), • Capeweed ( Arctotheca calendula), • Onion Weed ( Asphodelus fistulosus), • Mediterranean Turnip (Brassia tournefortii), • Red Brome Grass ( Bromus rubens), • Ward’s Weed ( Carrichtera annua), • Maltese Cockspur (Centaurea melitensis), • Corkscrew (Erodium aureum), • Corkscrew (Erodium botrys), • Barley Grass ( Hordeum sp. Leporinum?), • Smooth Cat’s Ear; Flatweed ( Hypochaeris sp. radicata / glabra?), • Small Burr Medic / Goldfields Medic ( Medicago minima), • Common or Slender Iceplant ( Mesembryanthemum sp.* (crystallinum / nodiflorum?), • Monoculus monstrosus • Common Prickly Pear ( Opuntia stricta), • False Hairgrass ( Pentaschistis aeroides), • Wild Radish ( Raphanus raphanistrum), • Cluster/Ball Clover ( Trifolium glomeratum), • Stinking Roger (Tripteris clandestina, formerly Osteospermum clandestinum), • Ursinea ( Ursinea anthemoides), • Silver Grass; Rat’s Tail Fescue ( Vulpia sp.* (myuros?).

When combined with the list of previously recorded weeds (see Appendix 2) the total number of weeds amounts to 28 species. Weed species previously recorded as occurring within the Reserve include: • Bearded Oats ( Avena barbata), • Wild Oats ( Avena fatua), • Couch Grass ( Cynodon dactylon), • Common Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium)

• Wood Sorrel ( Oxalis perennans), • Clover ( Trifolium sp).

The most significant of the weeds recorded is the Common Prickly Pear ( Opuntia stricta), a Declared Plant in Western Australia for all local government areas north of the 26 th Parallel. For shires in this part of the State, landholders with Prickly Pear on their property are obliged to control them at their own expense under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act (1976).

The list of flora species in Appendix 1 is believed to represent a conservative register of the total flora of the Reserve. For example, although observed in abundance, no effort was made to monitor the composition of the cryptogam cover

6.2 Fauna

Fauna survey teams recorded a total of 9 species of mammals, 5 species of reptiles and amphibians, 51 species of birds, and 44 species of invertebrates, comprising a combined total of 109 fauna species.

Of the mammal species, the presence of Little Long-tailed Dunnart ( Sminthopsis doichura) within the Reserve was a very exciting discovery – as this species is believed to have been rendered locally extinct in many patches of bush throughout the sections of its former range that lie within the heavily-cleared ILUZ of Southwest Australia. Of concern then is the recorded presence of a number of introduced pest species, particularly the feral predator species - cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) . These were among four exotic (introduced) mammal species recorded, with the other two being the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

The Little Long-tailed Dunnart, the original range of which extended over the northern Goldfields and Geraldton hinterland, northwest coast, southwest coast and western plateau in Western Australia, was only described in 1984. It is currently classified as being of ‘low risk, and little concern’ – largely due to its abundance within the arid and semi-arid parts of its range.

In addition to the Little Long-tailed Dunnart, the native mammal species recorded included: the more commonly-observed Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), Euro (Macropus robustus), Lesser Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Short- nosed Echidna (Sminthopsis doichura).

The five (5) species of reptiles identified included three lizards - a Skink ( Lerista sp.), Western Bluetongue ( Tiliqua occipitalis), and Bobtail ( Tiliqua rugosa); one gecko - Variegated Dtella ( Gehyra variegata); and one snake – Gwardar ( Pseudonaja nuchalis).

Variegated Dtella ( Gehyra variegata). Photo: Richard McLellan

Birds

The ornithological teams identified a total of 51 species of birds in or above the Reserve during the BioBlitz. There was considerable excitement during the first hours of the BioBlitz with the sighting of a nesting Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) in the woodland just southeast of the townsite caravan park. A total of 19 of the bird species (comprising 37%) are species that inhabit open country or have benefited from human activities including agriculture. Some of these ‘increaser’ or ‘human commensal’ bird species are undergoing significant range extension.

However by far the greatest number of bird species recorded during the Westonia BioBlitz are considered to be ‘declining’ across the WA Wheatbelt, or are ‘remnant dependent’. Thirty-two species - well over half of all birds recorded in the Reserve (63%) - are classified as declining or remnant dependent. These include small, resident insectivores such as Inland Thornbill, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren and Jacky Winter; insectivorous or nectarivorous species such as Brown-headed and White-fronted Honeyeater; and birds of prey such as Brown Falcon and Brown Goshawk. The

Peregrine Falcon, a species of conservation concern listed as ‘Other Specially Protected Fauna’, was also recorded in the Reserve.

This high proportion of declining or remnant dependent species recorded in the Reserve provides good indication of the conservation value of the Westonia Town Common. Reserve size, vegetation condition, and diversity of plant communities are likely to contribute to the Reserve’s conservation value for birds. Given the short survey period and the recorded species diversity, it is likely that a number of other species would be recorded in a longer survey period. It is also likely that a significant proportion of birds surveyed would breed in the Reserve.

The declining or remnant dependent species recorded during the BioBlitz were the: blue- breasted Fairy Wren, brown falcon, brown goshawk, brown honeyeater, brown-headed honeyeater, chestnut-rumped thornbill, common bronzewing, dusky woodswallow, golden whistler, grey fantail, grey currawong, grey shrike-thrush,inland thornbill, jacky winter, little eagle, peregrine falcon, purple-crowned lorikeet, red-capped robin, redthroat, red wattlebird, regent parrot, rufous whistler, spiny-cheeked honeyeater, striated pardalote, tawny frogmouth, weebill, western gerygone, white-browed babbler, white-eared honeyeater, white-fronted honeyeater, white-winged triller and yellow- rumped thornbill.

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides ) on nest. Photo: Dejan Stojanovic.

Unfortunately the 2007 BioBlitz was not able to include a comprehensive survey of invertebrates. Had it been able to do so, it is highly likely that the number of fauna species recorded would have been considerably higher. For example, a previous invertebrate survey, conducted at the nearby Sanford Rocks Nature Reserve – which investigated ant species alone - recorded an impressive total of 87 ant species (from 22 genera).

Opportunistic observations in the Reserve recorded a total of 44 invertebrates, including ants, beetles, butterflies, centipedes, cockroaches, earwigs, flies, lacewings, mantids, moths, silverfish, slaters, spiders, and termites.

Spider emerging from its burrow. Photo: Michael Curren.

Nesting and breeding habitat was observed during the BioBlitz, including active breeding hollows in some of the older, larger trees within the Reserve.

7.0 Discussion and Recommendations

The Westonia Town Common is indeed a magnificent patch of bush, and home to an amazing array of native flora and fauna. The total number of species living in the Reserve is unknown, however the approximately 350 species recorded during the BioBlitz is likely to be just a small proportion of the total. The Reserve is large, in relatively good condition (with some areas appearing to be virtually undisturbed), and very rich in biological diversity. It has several plant associations which provide a variety of habitat types and, based on the list of species recorded in the BioBlitz alone, must be considered important for fauna and flora conservation.

The Reserve is undoubtedly one of the best and most important local government reserves in the region and, with the ongoing decline of smaller non-viable remnants in its vicinity, is likely to become even more important into the future. As stated previously, it is especially important – in a regional, national and global context – as it is contains one of the largest ‘reserved’ red morrel woodlands within the Intensive Land Use Zone in Southwest Australia. Red morrel woodlands have largely been cleared within this region, and no nature reserves have ever been established to protect this unique vegetation association. The Shire of Westonia should make every effort to improve the Reserve’s conservation protection status.

However, either in its totality, or in part, it is threatened by a number of key threatening processes, including vegetation clearing, rubbish-dumping, weed invasion, feral animal predation, unrestricted vehicular use, and fire. The Reserve would benefit from a comprehensive Reserve Management Plan – particularly to address future fire management. Due to its proximity to the Westonia township residential area, the Reserve is likely to now be subject to a fire regime that is unlike the historic fire regime under which it evolved and previously survived. Total fire exclusion; and the possible future occurrence of too-intensive (too hot), too frequent, and too extensive (all- encompassing) fires would need to be addressed within the Reserve Management Plan.

Significantly, there was no observed history of fire in any of the BioBlitz sites sampled. As in virtually all of the landscapes of Southwest Australia, the presence of inhabitants of European descent has resulted in far-reaching alterations to former long-term fire regimes. There is evidence that fire has largely been excluded in the Westonia Town Commons. The exclusion of fire has likely led to simplification of the plant community and its continued absence will probably mean the loss of plant species that are dependant on fire for germination. This particularly applies to those which do not have the ability to remaining the landscape through the survival of viable seeds in a long-lived seed bank.

The presence of introduced pest species, especially feral predators such as cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes), was of particular concern, and should be addressed by the Shire of Westonia. The urgency of undertaking a comprehensive feral predator control program was reinforced during the BioBlitz by the discovery of Little Long-tailed Dunnarts ( Sminthopsis doichura) within the Reserve. The future survival of this species in the Westonia Town Common may be dependent on the eradication of cats and foxes. Likewise, efforts should be undertaken to either eradicate or drastically reduce the numbers of European rabbits.

Little Long-tailed Dunnart. Photo: Dejan Stojanovic

Also of concern was the fact that 22 exotic weed species were observed and recorded during the BioBlitz. Whilst the risk of severe weed invasion by all of these species is not evenly high across the Reserve, the more severe infestations and more invasive species should be eradicated and their sites monitored for some time into the future. Six (6) other weed species have previously been recorded as being present within the Town Common (see Appendix 2 below), bringing the total number of recorded weeds species to 28. This is a significant proportion of the known flora. Of these, the species requiring possibly the most urgent action required is Common Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta). It is recommended that efforts being made as soon as possible to document and eradicate of all occurrences of Common Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta) within the Reserve. Advice on how to control Prickly Pear is available from the WA Department of Agriculture and Food. See:

http://agspsrv95.agric.wa.gov.au/dps/version02/01_plantview.asp?page=7&contentID=5 2&

Common Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta . Photo: Michael Curren.

The future management and protection of the Westonia Town Common is of critical importance to the future of many of the species recorded during the BioBlitz. The Reserve is used for housing, transport infrastructure, recreation, and mining. The operations of the townsite, and the Edna May Gold Mine, are likely to have an ongoing impact. A feasibility study is currently underway to determine the feasibility of recommencing gold mining operations at the mine. Access to the Reserve is currently largely unrestricted, and made easy by the numerous roads and tracks that cut through the bush. There is an obvious correlation between the vehicular tracks and some of the other perceived threats – especially weed infestation and rubbish dumping/littering. The closure and restoration (through revegetation) of some of these tracks, and a

coordinated weed-control program are recommended management actions that should be incorporated into the Reserve Management Plan.

The information gathered during the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz has the potential to make a significant contribution towards a better understanding of the composition and value of the Reserve, while acting as an ‘at-the-time’ snapshot of the Reserve’s value as a regional biodiversity asset. The data has also helped identify management actions that need to be addressed to protect these special values.

Based on the data collected, the observations made, the advice put forward by the specialists attending the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz, and contributions from local key stakeholders and community members, the following recommendations are made:

1. That the Shire of Westonia develops a comprehensive Management Plan for the Westonia Town Common Reserve to ensure the survival of all flora and fauna within the Reserve.

2. That the Shire of Westonia changes the purpose of the Westonia Town Common Reserve to include ‘for the protection of flora and fauna’.

3. That in collaboration with WWF-Australia, the Shire of Westonia develops a conservation policy to guide the management and protection of all reserves of high conservation value which are vested in its authority.

4. That the Shire of Westonia takes measures to eradicate the declared environmental weed prickly pear from within the Reserve.

5. That the Shire implements a pest eradication program to eradicate foxes and cats from within the Reserve, and immediate hinterland.

6. That a copy of the 2007 Westonia BioBlitz Report be forwarded to: the Avon Catchment Council for use in its Regional NRM planning; and the Shire of

Westonia for use in reserve management and planning; and to the DEC regional office in Merredin for inclusion in its database.

8.0 References

Doronila, AI. & Fox, JED. 1997. The ant communities of Sanford Rock Nature Reserve, Arnold, S. 2007. Blitzing community involvement in biodiversity conservation. (Unpublished.)

Bamford, M. 1995 - 'Exploring Wheatbelt Woodlands". Published by Department of Conservation and Land Management, 50 Hayman Road, Como Western Australia.

Beard, J. S. (1990) – Plant Life of Western Australia. Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd.

Beard, JS. 1972. The Vegetation of the Southern Cross Area, Western Australia. Vegmap Publications, Sydney.

CMNH 1995 - BioBlitz Organisational Guide. Connecticut Museum of Natural History. www.mnh.uconn.edu/BioBlitz

Commonwealth of Australia, 2002. National Action Plan Boundaries for Salinity and Water Quality, © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Environment and Heritage with data compiled through cooperative efforts of the Australian and State/Territory Government Agencies. July 2002.

Commonwealth of Australia, 2004a. Natural Heritage Trust Interim Boundaries © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of the Environment and Heritage with data compiled through cooperative efforts of the Australian and State/Territory Government Agencies. 25 February 2004

Commonwealth of Australia, 2004b, Bureau of Meteorology website.

Gole, C, Burton M, Williams KJ, Clayton H, Faith D, White B, Huggett A and Margules C, 2005. Auction for Landscape Recovery: Final Report. WWF-Australia.

Safstrom, R, 1999. “The Current State of Biodiversity in the Avon River Basin”. Prepared for the Avon Working Group by Environs Consulting PTY LTD.

Shire of Westonia website: http://www.westonia.wa.gov.au/

Vernon L & Guest, P. 2006, Corridors Across NEWROC, International Landcare Conference Proceedings. Westonia, Western Australia, Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 80(3), September

APPENDIX 1

Full species list recorded at 2007 Westonia BioBlitz, 15th & 16th September 2007

Scientific Name Common Name

Mammals (9) Canis lupus familiaris.* Domestic Dog Felis catus* Feral Cat Macropus fuliginosus Western Grey Kangaroo Macropus robustus Euro Oryctolagus cuniculus* European Rabbit Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-nosed Echidna Sminthopsis doichura Little Long-tailed Dunnart Vulpes vulpes* European Fox

Reptiles/Amphibians (5) Lizards Lerista sp. Skink Tiliqua occipitalis Western Bluetongue Tiliqua rugosa Bobtail Geckos Gehyra variegata Variegated Dtella Snakes Pseudonaja nuchalis Gwardar

Birds (51) Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie-lark Corvus coronoides Australian Raven Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck (Twenty-eight Parrot) Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Malurus pulcherrimus Blue-breasted Fairy Wren Falco berigora Brown Falcon Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk Lichmera indistinca Brown Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing

Scientific Name Common Name Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot Cacatua roseicapilla Galah Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Rhipidura fuliginosa Grey Fantail Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird Glossopsitta porphyrocephala Purple-crowned Lorikeet Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black-cockatoo Pyrrholaemus brunneus Redthroat Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird Polytelis anthopeplus Regent Parrot Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Hirundo nigricans Tree Martin Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill Cacatua pastinator Western Corella Gerygone fusca Western Gerygone Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater Phylidonyris albifrons White-fronted Honeyeater Lalage sueurii White-winged Triller Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Manorina flavigula Yellow-throated Miner

Scientific Name Common Name

Invertebrates (44) Terrestrial Invertebrates Aganippe castellum Tree-stem Trapdoor Spider Aganippe sp. Shield-backed Trapdoor Spider Arachnida sp. Spider Blattidea sp. Bush Cockroach Bupestridae sp. Jewel Beetle Cerambycidae sp. Longicorn beetle Chilopoda sp. Centipede Coleoptera sp. Carabid Beetle Coleoptera sp. Beetle (x2) Coleoptera sp. Ladybird Dermaptera sp. Earwig Diptera sp. Flies Diptera sp Blowfly Formicidae sp. Soldier Ants Gaius sp. (villosus?) Trapdoor Spider Gasteracantha sp. (minax?) Christmas spider Gastropoda sp. Snail Hymenoptera sp. Ants (x4) Isopeda sp. Huntsman Spider Isopoda sp. Slater Isoptera sp. Termites Latrodectus hasselti Red-back Spider Lepidoptera sp. Grey/blue Butterfly Vanessa kershawi Painted Lady Butterfly Lepidoptera sp. Birdwing Butterfly Lepidoptera sp. Cossid Moth Lepidoptera sp. Moth (x2) Lepismatidae sp. Native Silverfish Lycosa godeffroyi Common Wolf Spider Mantodea sp. Mantid Myrmrcia gulosa Bull-ants Nephila sp. Golden Orb Spider Neuroptera sp. Lacewings Orthoptera sp. Grasshopper (x3) Phasmatodea sp Stick Insect Reduviidae sp. Assassin Bug

Scientific Name Common Name Rhabodosa rabida Wolf Spider

Flora (225) Acacia acuminata Jam Wattle; Raspberry Jam Tree (Mangard) Acacia aestivalis Wattle Acacia assimilis Fine-leaf Wodgil Acacia colletioides Wait-a-While Acacia coolgardiensis Spinifex Wattle/Sugarbrother Acacia erinacea Spring / Spiny Wattle Acacia graniticola Wattle Acacia hemiteles Tan Wattle Acacia lasiocalyx Shaggy / Caterpillar Wattle (Wilyurwur) Acacia merrallii Merrall’s Wattle Acacia neurophylla Broad-leafWodgil Acacia saligna Golden Wreath Wattle; Coojong (Wuanga) Acacia tetragonaphylla Dead Finish(Kurara / Curara) Acacia vericula Wattle Actinotus humilis Aira sp*. (carophyllum?) Silvery Hairgrass Allocasuarina acutivalvis Black Tamma Allocasuarina campestris Tamma; Shrubby She-oak Alyxia buxifolia Dysentry Bush Amyema miquelii Mistletoe Anagallis arvenensis var caerulea* Blue Pimpernel Angianthus tomentosus Camel Grass; Hairy Angianthus Arctotheca calendula* Capeweed Aristida contorta Bunched Kerosene Grass Arthropodium dyeri Asphodelus fistulosus* Onion Weed Asteraceae sp. (Eremophyllum?) Asteridea athrixioides Astroloma serratifolium Cranberry (Kondrung) Atriplex nummularia Old Man Saltbush Atriplex sp. Saltbush Austrodanthonia caespitosa Common Wallaby Grass Austrostipa elegantissima Elegant Feathergrass; Feather Speargrass Austrostipa nitida Speargrass Austrostipa scabra Rough Speargrass Austrostipa sp. Speargrass

Scientific Name Common Name Baeckea sp. Borya constricta Pin Cushions Borya sphaerocephala Pin Cushions Brachyscome sp. (iberidifolia?) Swan River Daisy Brassia tournefortii* Mediterranean Turnip Bromus rubens* Red Brome Grass Brunonia australis Blue Pincushion; Native Cornflower Caladenia roei Ant / Clown Orchid Caladenia saccharata Sugar Orchid Caladenia sp. (incrassata?) Puppet Orchid Caladenia sp. Caladrinia sp. (eremeae?) Small Puslane Calothamnus quadrifudus One-sided Bottlebrush; Crimson Netbush Calotis hispidula Bindy Eye Calytrix leschenaultii Purple Starflower Carrichtera annua* Ward’s Weed Centaurea melitensis* Maltese Cockspur Cephalipterum drummondii Pompom Head Chamaexeros fimbriata Cheilanthes sieberi Rock Fern Chrysocephalum apiculatum Yellow Buttons Chthonocephalus pseudevax Groundheads Chloris truncata Windmill Grass Comesperma integerrimum Milkwort Crassula colorata Dense Crassula Cryptandra apetala Dampiera lavandulacea Lavender Dampiera Daucus glochidiatus Native / Australian Carrot Daviesia sp. (benthamii?) Daviesia sp. Dianella revoluta Blueberry Lily; Spreading Flax Lily Diuris aff. corymbosa Rosy-cheeked Donkey Orchid Dodonaea adenophora Hop Bush Dodonaea inaequifolia Hop Bush Dodonaea viscose ssp angustissima Sticky Hop Bush Drosera sp. Sundew Drosera macrantha ssp macrantha Bridal Rainbow; Climbing Sundew Drummondita hassellii Peak Charles Drummondita Ecdeiocolea monostachya

Scientific Name Common Name Enchylaena lanata Enchylaena tomentosa Saltbush Eremophila decipiens Slender Fuschia Eremophila drummondii Poverty Bush Eremophila ionantha Violet-flowered Eremophila Eremophila oppositifolia Twin-leaf Eremophila Eriochiton sclerolaenoides Woolly Bindii Erodium aureum* Erodium botrys* Corkscrew Erodium cygnorum Blue Heron’s Bill Eucalyptus calycogona Gooseberry / Square-fruited Mallee Eucalyptus capillosa Inland Wandoo; White Gum Eucalyptus erythronema var erythronema Red-flowered / White-barked Mallee Eucalyptus ewartiana Ewart’s Mallee Eucalyptus longicornis Red Morrell (Poot) Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp lissophloia Smooth-barked York Gum Eucalyptus myriadena Eucalyptus salmonophloia Salmon Gum (Wurak) Eucalyptus salubris Gimlet Eucalyptus sheathiana Ribbon-barked Gum / Mallee Eucalyptus yilgarnensis Yorrel Exocarpos aphyllus Leafless Ballart (Mirnikuyan) Glischrocaryon aureum Common Popflower; Western Gold Pennants Gilberta tenuifolia Goodenia dyeri Goodenia sp. Grevillea acuaria Grevillea didymybotrya Grevillea laevis Kerosene Bush Grevillea paradoxa Bottlebrush Grevillea Hakea francisiana Bottle Brush; Grass Leaf / Pink Spike Hakea Hakea preissii Needle Bush / Tree Hakea recurva Standback; Bag Needle Bush (Djarnokmurd) Hibbertia glomerosa Buttercups; Guinea-flower Hordeum sp.* (leporinum?) Barley Grass Hyalosperma glutinosum Charming Sunray Hydrocotyl pilifera Pennywort Hypochaeris sp.* (radicata / glabra?) Smooth Cat’s Ear; Flatweed Isotoma petraea Small Isotome Isoetopsis graminifolia Cushion Grass

Scientific Name Common Name Keraudrenia velutina Common Firebush Lawrencella rosea Pink Everlasting Lepidosperma sp. Sedge Leptomaria sp. Leptosema aphyllum Ribbon Pea Leptospermum erubescens Roadside / Wheatbelt / Pink Tea Tree Lomandra effusa Scented Mat Rush Lycium australe Water Bush Maireana brevifolia Small-leaved Bluebush Maireana carnosa Cottony Bluebush Maireana georgei Golden / Satiny Bluebush Maireana radiata Bluebush Maireana tomentosa Bluebush Maireana trichoptera Pink-seeded / Downy Bluebush Maireana triptera Three-winged Bluebush Malleostemon roseus Malleostemon tuberculatus Marsdenia australis Cogola Bush Medicago minima* Small Burr Medic; Goldfields Medic Melaleuca eleuterostachya Melaleuca lanceolata Rottnest Teatree Melaleuca lateriflora Oblong-leaf Honey Myrtle (Gorada) Melaleuca pauperiflora Small-flowered Honey Myrtle (Borree) Melaleuca radula Graceful Honey Myrtle Mesembryanthemum sp.* (crystallinum / Common or Slender Iceplant nodiflorum?) Millotia myosotidifolia Mirbelia microphylla Mirbelia ramulosa Monoculus monstrosus* Muehlenbeckia adpressa Climbing Lignum Neurachne aloepecuroidea Foxtail Mulga Grass; Hairy Grass Olearia muelleri Goldfields / Mueller’s / Dusky Daisy Bush Olearea pimelioides Pimelea Daisy; Burrobunga Oncosiphon piliferum Opuntia stricta* Common Prickly Pear Pentaschistis aeroides* False Hairgrass Phebalium tuberculosum Philotheca tomentella Pittosporum angustifolium Weeping Pittosporum; Native Apricot / Willow

Scientific Name Common Name Platysace sp. Native Yam Pleurosorus rutifolius Blanket Fern Pimelia sp. Riceflower Poaceae sp Podolepis canescens Bright/Grey Podolepis Podolepis capillaris Wiry Capillaris Podolepis lessonii Yellow Buttons Podotheca gnaphalioides Golden Long-heads Pogonolepis stricta Prasophyllum gracile Little Laughing Leek Orchid Prostanthera grylloana Mintbush Psammomoya choretroides Pterostylis ciliata Greenhood Pterostylis mutica Midget Greenhood Pterostylis picta Greenhood Pterostylis sp. (sargentii?) Frog Greenhood? Pterostylis sp. (aff. spathulata) Greenhood Ptilotus carlsonii Ptilotus exaltatus Purple Mulla Mulla Ptilotus gaudichaudii Yellow Ptilotus / Mulla Mulla Ptilotus holosericeus Mulla Mulla Ptilotus polystachyus Green Mulla-Mulla; Prince of Wales Feather Ptilotus spathulatus Mulla Mulla Ptilotus sp. Mulla Mulla Raphanus raphanistrum* Wild Radish Rhodanthe rubella Everlastings Rhodanthe spicata Everlastings Rhagodia drummondii Low / Lake Fringing Rhagodia Rhagodia sp. (preissii?) Saltbush Rinzia carnosa Salsola australis Santalum acuminatum Quondong (Wolgol) Santalum spicatum Sandalwood (Poilyenum) Sarcozona praecox Sarcozona Scaevola spinescens Currant / Maroon Bush; Prickly Fanflower Schoenia cassiniana Pink Cluster Everlasting Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Bindii; Copperburr Sclerolaena fusiformis Bindii Senecio glossanthus Slender Groundsel

Scientific Name Common Name Senna artemissioides ssp filifolia Desert Cassia; Punty Bush Sida calyxhymenia Tall Sida Solanum hoplopetalum Afghan Thistle Solanum nummularium Money-leaved Solanum Solanum orbiculatum Bush / Wild Tomato Stackhousia monogyna White candles Stenopetalum sp. Stylidium dielianum Triggerplant Stypandra glauca Blind Grass Templetonia sulcata Flat Templetonia; Centipede / Kerosene Bush Thelymitra antennifera Vanilla / Lemon Orchid Thomasia rugosa Wrinkled Leaf Thomasia Thryptomene kochii Thysanotus sp. (manglesianus?) Twining/ Climbing Fringed Lily (Tjungoori) Thysanotus speckii Fringed Lily Trachymene cyanopetala Spongefruit Trachymene ornata Spongefruit Trifolium glomeratum* Cluster/Ball Clover Triodia sp. Spinifex Tripterus clandestina* Stinking Rodger Trymalium myrtillus Urodon dasphyllus Mop Bushpea Ursinea anthemoides* Ursinea Vittadinia gracilis Vulpia sp.* (myuros?) Silver Grass; Rat’s Tail Fescue Waitzia acuminata Orange Immortelle; Golden Everlasting Waitzia nitida Golden Waitzia Westringia cephalantha Zygophyllum apiculatum Twinleaf Zygophyllum eremaeum Climbing Twin Leaf Zygophyllum glaucum Twinleaf Zygophyllum ovatum Dwarf Twinleaf

Fungi (18) Bryophyta sp. Moss Buellia sp. Fungi Flavoparmelia rutidota A Foliose Lichen Gasteromycete sp. Earthstar fungi Gasteromycete battarea stevensi Fungi

Scientific Name Common Name Haematomma eremae Fungi Lechanora sp. (or Diploschistes) Fungi Phellinus sp. (marmoratus?) Fungi Phellinus sp. Fungi Polyporaceae sp. Fungi Teloschistes chrysophthalmus Fungi Tutostoma sp. (ex albica) Fungi Xanthoparmelia sp. (repens?) A Foliose Lichen Xanthoparmelia sp. (sewwllii?) A Foliose Lichen Xanthoparmelia sp. A Foliose Lichen Xanthora sp. Fungi Xanthora sp. Fungi Xanthora sp. Fungi

APPENDIX 2

2.1 Other flora species recorded by WWF Flora Surveys in the Westonia Town Common

Flora (13) Acacia ancistrophylla ssp ancistrophylla Wattle Acacia deficiens Wattle Brachyscome perpusilla Tiny Daisy Cheilanthes adiantoides Fern Daviesia nematophylla Eremophila clarkei Turpentine Bush Erodium cicutarium* Common Storksbill Eucalyptus aequioperta Mallee Plantago drummondii Plantain Schoenus nanus Tiny Bog Rush Senecio glossianthus Slender Groundsel Velleia cyanopotamica Wahlenbergia gracilenta Annual Bluebell

2.2 Other flora species recorded by Curtin University Surveys in the Westonia Town Common

Flora (47) Acacia brumalis Acacia burkittii Fine-leaved Jam Tree; Pinbush; Sandhill Wattle Acacia jennerae Coonavittra Wattle Actinostrobus pyramidalis Swamp Cypress Allocasuarina huegeliana Rock Sheoak Amphipogon strictus Greybeard Grass Amyema preissii Mistletoe Atriplex bunburyana Silver Saltbush Atriplex semibuccata Creeping Saltbush; Berry Saltbush Atriplex stipitata Mallee Saltbush Avena barbata* Bearded Oats Avena fatua* Wild Oats Bossiaea walkerii Cactus Pea Cassytha glabella Tangled Dodder Laurel Comesperma volubile Love Creeper

Cynodon dactylon* Couch Grass Eremophila alternifolia Narrow Leaf Fuschia Eremophila georgei Fine Tooth Poverty Bush Eremophila maculata Spotted Emu Bush; Native Fuchsia Eucalyptus burracoppinensis Burracoppin Mallee Eucalyptus leptopoda Tammin Mallee Eucalyptus moderata Eucalyptus salicola Salt Gum; Lake Salmon Gum Hakea invaginata Hakea trifurcata Two-leaved Hakea Halosarcia sp. Samphire Harperia laterifolia Lepidosperma drummondii Sedge Lepidosperma gracile Slender Sword Sedge Lepidosperma tenue Rapier Sedge Maireana marginata Bluebush Melaleuca acuminata Creamy Honey Myrtle Melaleuca conothamnoides Wheatbelt Honeymyrtle; Purple Pom-Pom Myrtle Melaleuca scabra Rough Honey-myrtle Melaleuca uncinata Broombush; Broom Honey Myrtle Micromyrtus racemosa Monachather paradoxus Bandicoot Grass; Broad Leaf Wanderrie Oxalis perennans* Wood Sorrel Ptilotus obovatus Cotton / Silver Bush (Matakuru) Salsola tragus Prickly Saltwort Schoenus globifer Schoenus sublaxus Sclerolaena lanata Bindii Sclerolaena sp. Bindii Senna artemissioides ssp Silver Cassia artemissioides Spartochloa scirpoidea Trifolium sp* Clover

APPENDIX 3

Total numbers of species recorded at WWF BioBlitz events BioBlitz Year 2002 2003 2004 2007 Mt Marshall Koorda Kununoppin Westonia Number of Participants 92 54 52 54

Mammals 7 6 7 9 Reptiles & Amphibians 15 6 11 5 Birds 53 56 53 51 Invertebrates 76 17 27 44 Flora 134 140 164 225 Fungi & Lichens 18 9 18

TOTAL 285 243 271 352