King Island Biodiversity Management Plan 2012–2022

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

King Island Biodiversity Management Plan 2012–2022 KING ISLAND BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN 2012–2022 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This Plan is a King Island Community document prepared by Debbi Delaney under a Steering Committee composed of King Island Community representatives and Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) representatives. The content of the plan reflects the knowledge and experience of the King Island Community augmented by inputs from staff of the Threatened Species Section of DPIPWE and the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC). The Plan was based upon a draft prepared by Lauren Barrow in 2008. The preparation of the Plan was funded by King Island Natural Resource Management Group, the King Island Council, DSEWPaC, and DPIPWE. Citation: Threatened Species Section (2012). King Island Biodiversity Management Plan. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. © Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment This work is copyright. It may be reproduced for study, research or training purposes subject to an acknowledgement of the sources and no commercial usage or sale. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Section Head, Threatened Species Section, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. Note: The King Island Biodiversity Management Plan (KIBMP) has been prepared under the provisions of both the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TSP Act). Adoption as a national Recovery Plan under the EPBC Act refers only to species listed under the EPBC Act. ISBN: 978-0-7246-6794-9 (pdf) 978-0-7246-6795-6 (print) Cover Photos: Left to right: Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis) courtesy of Chris Tzaros (Birds Australia); Green and Gold Frog (Litoria raniformis) and leafy greenhood (Pterostylis cucullata subsp. cucullata) courtesy of Mark Wapstra. Abbreviations DECCW New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water1 DSEWPaC Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities2 DPI Victorian Department of Primary Industries DPIPWE Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 3 EPBC Act Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 FPA Forest Practices Authority FP Act Tasmanian Forest Practices Act 1985 KI King Island KIC King Island Council KIBMP King Island Biodiversity Management Plan KIFMAC King Island Fire Management Area Committee KINRMG King Island Natural Resource Management Group NC Act Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002 NRM Natural Resource Management OBPRT Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team PWS Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, DPIPWE RMCD Resource Management and Conservation Division, DPIPWE TLC Tasmanian Land Conservancy TSP Act Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 TSS Threatened Species Section, DPIPWE 1 Now Office of the Environment and Heritage 2 Formerly the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) 3 Formerly the Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) and the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE). King Island Biodiversity Management Plan i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY King Island, located at the western entrance to Bass Strait, is treasured by residents and visitors alike for its valuable natural assets and way of life — the natural assets underpinning the Island’s main industries and leisure activities. The Island is home to a range of native plants and animals, some of which are under threat of extinction. Plant species under threat include, but are not restricted to, native orchids and ferns, whilst the animal species include the locally endemic threatened birds, the King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit amongst others. It is important to manage these valuable natural assets that make King Island special to ensure their future. The management of biodiversity, including threatened species, is a crucial part of protecting the environment. This does not necessarily mean dramatically changing existing land use practices, but instead developing better approaches within them. The King Island Biodiversity Management Plan aims to manage the Island’s biodiversity in a manner that not only improves the viability of threatened flora and fauna, but also acknowledges the social and economic needs of the Island’s residents. The Plan has been developed as a cooperative approach between the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment and the King Island Natural Resource Management Group. In addition King Island Council, residents and a range community groups, have been actively involved in many elements of the Plan. The overall aim of the Plan is that by 2020 there are viable, healthy populations of priority flora and fauna species and vegetation communities on King Island. To achieve this overall aim, the Plan identifies actions to: recover threatened species; address biodiversity management on the Island; address threats to biodiversity and priority species; monitor biodiversity trends to inform decision making; and research to address knowledge gaps to inform adaptive management. King Island Biodiversity Management Plan ii CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. ii 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Scope of the Plan .............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Interaction with other documents .................................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Legislative context ............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.4 International obligations .................................................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Management Plan preparation and exhibition ............................................................................................. 7 2. KING ISLAND AND ITS PEOPLE ........................................................................................... 8 2.1 Description of King Island.............................................................................................................................. 8 2.2 European settlement ........................................................................................................................................ 9 2.3 King Island’s people ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Community consultation ............................................................................................................................... 10 3. KING ISLAND FLORA AND FAUNA ..................................................................................... 12 3.1 Threatened species categories ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.2. Flora ................................................................................................................................................................. 12 3.3 Vegetation communities ................................................................................................................................ 12 3.4 Fauna ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 3.5 Current EBPC Act and TSP Act listings .................................................................................................... 14 4. THREATS .................................................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 The past ............................................................................................................................................................ 17 4.3 Known and potential threats to King Island’s biodiversity ..................................................................... 19 5. KING ISLAND BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT ............................................................... 26 5.1 Management objectives .............................................................................................................................. 26 5.2 Priority species for management on King Island ...................................................................................... 26 5.3 Priority vegetation communities for management on King Island ......................................................... 27 5.4 Priority threats for management on King Island ......................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Blue Tier Reserve Background Report 2016File
    Background Report Blue Tier Reserve www.tasland.org.au Tasmanian Land Conservancy (2016). The Blue Tier Reserve Background Report. Tasmanian Land Conservancy, Tasmania Australia. Copyright ©Tasmanian Land Conservancy The views expressed in this report are those of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and not the Federal Government, State Government or any other entity. This work is copyright. It may be reproduced for study, research or training purposes subject to an acknowledgment of the sources and no commercial usage or sale. Requests and enquires concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. Front Image: Myrtle rainforest on Blue Tier Reserve - Andy Townsend Contact Address Tasmanian Land Conservancy PO Box 2112, Lower Sandy Bay, 827 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay TAS 7005 | p: 03 6225 1399 | www.tasland.org.au Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 1 Acronyms and Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Location and Access ................................................................................................................................ 4 Bioregional Values and Reserve Status ..................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Taxonomic Revision of Hymenophyllaceae
    BLUMEA 51: 221–280 Published on 27 July 2006 http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651906X622210 A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF HYMENOPHYLLACEAE ATSUSHI EBIHARA1, 2, JEAN-YVES DUBUISSON3, KUNIO IWATSUKI4, SABINE HENNEQUIN3 & MOTOMI ITO1 SUMMARY A new classification of Hymenophyllaceae, consisting of nine genera (Hymenophyllum, Didymoglos- sum, Crepidomanes, Polyphlebium, Vandenboschia, Abrodictyum, Trichomanes, Cephalomanes and Callistopteris) is proposed. Every genus, subgenus and section chiefly corresponds to the mono- phyletic group elucidated in molecular phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast sequences. Brief descriptions and keys to the higher taxa are given, and their representative members are enumerated, including some new combinations. Key words: filmy ferns, Hymenophyllaceae, Hymenophyllum, Trichomanes. INTRODUCTION The Hymenophyllaceae, or ‘filmy ferns’, is the largest basal family of leptosporangiate ferns and comprises around 600 species (Iwatsuki, 1990). Members are easily distin- guished by their usually single-cell-thick laminae, and the monophyly of the family has not been questioned. The intrafamilial classification of the family, on the other hand, is highly controversial – several fundamentally different classifications are used by indi- vidual researchers and/or areas. Traditionally, only two genera – Hymenophyllum with bivalved involucres and Trichomanes with tubular involucres – have been recognized in this family. This scheme was expanded by Morton (1968) who hierarchically placed many subgenera, sections and subsections under
    [Show full text]
  • Rock and Gravel Resources of King Island
    Tasmanian Geological Survey Tasmania Record 1998/05 Rock and gravel resources of King Island by C. R. Calver Summary The known gravel resources on King Island are limited. Material for road works is currently sourced from two pits (Reekara and Pearshape) operated by the King Island Council, and from a mine overburden waste dump at Grassy. Concrete aggregate is sourced from beach shingle on the west coast. The Reekara and Pearshape pits are known to have acid drainage problems. Mineral Resources Tasmania and the Department of Environment and Land Management have agreed that the Reekara pit should be closed immediately and rehabilitated, and that the Pearshape pit should be closed and rehabilitated within two years. Mining of the beach shingle, which is deleterious to the coastal environment, will also cease within two years. Thereafter concrete aggregate will need to be produced from hard rock. Future supplies of road construction gravel may continue to be sourced from the Grassy dump, from a new site at Counsel Hill, and from one or two other small existing pits. For good quality road sealing material and concrete aggregate, it is recommended that sites in Precambrian amphibolite east of Pegarah, and in Tertiary basalt in the north of the island, be investigated. INTRODUCTION rehabilitation of the Pearshape and Reekara pits in King Island’s supplies of gravel for road construction the near future. and concrete aggregate have, for many years, been A substitute or substitutes for these pits needs to be taken from beach shingle at widely scattered points capable of providing an annual total of around along the west coast of the island, and from two 40 000 tonnes of gravel and crushed stone for road inland gravel pits at Reekara in the north and construction.
    [Show full text]
  • Rodondo Island
    BIODIVERSITY & OIL SPILL RESPONSE SURVEY January 2015 NATURE CONSERVATION REPORT SERIES 15/04 RODONDO ISLAND BASS STRAIT NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, PARKS, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT RODONDO ISLAND – Oil Spill & Biodiversity Survey, January 2015 RODONDO ISLAND BASS STRAIT Biodiversity & Oil Spill Response Survey, January 2015 NATURE CONSERVATION REPORT SERIES 15/04 Natural and Cultural Heritage Division, DPIPWE, Tasmania. © Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment ISBN: 978-1-74380-006-5 (Electronic publication only) ISSN: 1838-7403 Cite as: Carlyon, K., Visoiu, M., Hawkins, C., Richards, K. and Alderman, R. (2015) Rodondo Island, Bass Strait: Biodiversity & Oil Spill Response Survey, January 2015. Natural and Cultural Heritage Division, DPIPWE, Hobart. Nature Conservation Report Series 15/04. Main cover photo: Micah Visoiu Inside cover: Clare Hawkins Unless otherwise credited, the copyright of all images remains with the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. This work is copyright. It may be reproduced for study, research or training purposes subject to an acknowledgement of the source and no commercial use or sale. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Branch Manager, Wildlife Management Branch, DPIPWE. Page | 2 RODONDO ISLAND – Oil Spill & Biodiversity Survey, January 2015 SUMMARY Rodondo Island was surveyed in January 2015 by staff from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Division of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) to evaluate potential response and mitigation options should an oil spill occur in the region that had the potential to impact on the island’s natural values. Spatial information relevant to species that may be vulnerable in the event of an oil spill in the area has been added to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Oil Spill Response Atlas and all species records added to the DPIPWE Natural Values Atlas.
    [Show full text]
  • Breeding System Diversification and Evolution in American Poa Supersect. Homalopoa (Poaceae: Poeae: Poinae)
    Annals of Botany Page 1 of 23 doi:10.1093/aob/mcw108, available online at www.aob.oxfordjournals.org Breeding system diversification and evolution in American Poa supersect. Homalopoa (Poaceae: Poeae: Poinae) Liliana M. Giussani1,*, Lynn J. Gillespie2, M. Amalia Scataglini1,Marıa A. Negritto3, Ana M. Anton4 and Robert J. Soreng5 1Instituto de Botanica Darwinion, San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2Research and Collections Division, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 3Universidad de Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia, 4Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologıa Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET-UNC, Cordoba, Argentina and 5Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA *For correspondence. E-mail [email protected] Received: 11 December 2015 Returned for revision: 18 February 2016 Accepted: 18 March 2016 Downloaded from Background and Aims Poa subgenus Poa supersect. Homalopoa has diversified extensively in the Americas. Over half of the species in the supersection are diclinous; most of these are from the New World, while a few are from South-East Asia. Diclinism in Homalopoa can be divided into three main types: gynomonoecism, gynodioe- cism and dioecism. Here the sampling of species of New World Homalopoa is expanded to date its origin and diver- sification in North and South America and examine the evolution and origin of the breeding system diversity. Methods A total of 124 specimens were included in the matrix, of which 89 are species of Poa supersect. http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/ Homalopoa sections Acutifoliae, Anthochloa, Brizoides, Dasypoa, Dioicopoa, Dissanthelium, Homalopoa sensu lato (s.l.), Madropoa and Tovarochloa, and the informal Punapoa group. Bayesian and parsimony analyses were conducted on the data sets based on four markers: the nuclear ribosomal internal tanscribed spacer (ITS) and exter- nal transcribed spacer (ETS), and plastid trnT-L and trnL-F.
    [Show full text]
  • National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.PDF
    Version: 1.7.2015 South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 An Act to provide for the establishment and management of reserves for public benefit and enjoyment; to provide for the conservation of wildlife in a natural environment; and for other purposes. Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title 5 Interpretation Part 2—Administration Division 1—General administrative powers 6 Constitution of Minister as a corporation sole 9 Power of acquisition 10 Research and investigations 11 Wildlife Conservation Fund 12 Delegation 13 Information to be included in annual report 14 Minister not to administer this Act Division 2—The Parks and Wilderness Council 15 Establishment and membership of Council 16 Terms and conditions of membership 17 Remuneration 18 Vacancies or defects in appointment of members 19 Direction and control of Minister 19A Proceedings of Council 19B Conflict of interest under Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 19C Functions of Council 19D Annual report Division 3—Appointment and powers of wardens 20 Appointment of wardens 21 Assistance to warden 22 Powers of wardens 23 Forfeiture 24 Hindering of wardens etc 24A Offences by wardens etc 25 Power of arrest 26 False representation [3.7.2015] This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 1 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972—1.7.2015 Contents Part 3—Reserves and sanctuaries Division 1—National parks 27 Constitution of national parks by statute 28 Constitution of national parks by proclamation 28A Certain co-managed national
    [Show full text]
  • Rti-Dl-Release-Dpipwe
    Assessed by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment under the Right to Information Act 2009 RTI 039 Authorisation Type Species Basis of sustainability assessment CPP/Game Bennett’s • Annual spotlight monitoring of 190 x 10km transects Licence/Commercial and Rufous across Tasmania: Hunting Licence wallaby https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Spotlight%20Su mmary%20Report.pdf CPP Black • Case by case assessment of the impacts of species Currawong • As take is estimated at less than 5% per year, the population is therefore not monitored. CPP Black Swan • Annual monitoring on 75 wetlands across Tasmania: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Statewide%20W aterbird%20Surveys.pdf CPP Black-faced • Case by case assessment of the impacts of species Cormorant • As take is estimated at less than 5% per year, the population is therefore not monitored. Game Licence Brown • Annual monitoring on 9 offshore islands of the Furneaux Quail Group where majority of harvesting occurs (graph attached). CPP/Commercial Brushtail • Annual spotlight monitoring of 190 x 10km transects possum across Tasmania: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Spotlight%20Su mmary%20Report.pdf https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Management%2 0Plan%20for%20the%20Commercial%20Harvest%20&% 20Export%20of%20Brushtail%20Possums%20in%20Tas mania%202015-2020.pdf https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Commercial%20 Harvest%20Quota%20Report%20Brushtail%20Possum% 202019-20.pdf CPP Cape • Annual monitoring of gosling production and adult flock Barren size to set harvest/cull quota (graph attached). RTI-DL-RELEASE-DPIPWEGoose CPP/Game Licence Chestnut • Annual monitoring on 75 wetlands across Tasmania: Teal https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Statewide%20W aterbird%20Surveys.pdf CPP/Game Licence Common • Periodic monitoring of cock birds on King Island since Pheasant 1999 (graph attached).
    [Show full text]
  • Pollination Ecology and Evolution of Epacrids
    Pollination Ecology and Evolution of Epacrids by Karen A. Johnson BSc (Hons) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Tasmania February 2012 ii Declaration of originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma by the University or any other institution, except by way of background information and duly acknowledged in the thesis, and to the best of my knowledge and belief no material previously published or written by another person except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis, nor does the thesis contain any material that infringes copyright. Karen A. Johnson Statement of authority of access This thesis may be made available for copying. Copying of any part of this thesis is prohibited for two years from the date this statement was signed; after that time limited copying is permitted in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. Karen A. Johnson iii iv Abstract Relationships between plants and their pollinators are thought to have played a major role in the morphological diversification of angiosperms. The epacrids (subfamily Styphelioideae) comprise more than 550 species of woody plants ranging from small prostrate shrubs to temperate rainforest emergents. Their range extends from SE Asia through Oceania to Tierra del Fuego with their highest diversity in Australia. The overall aim of the thesis is to determine the relationships between epacrid floral features and potential pollinators, and assess the evolutionary status of any pollination syndromes. The main hypotheses were that flower characteristics relate to pollinators in predictable ways; and that there is convergent evolution in the development of pollination syndromes.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Methods Results
    Papers and Proceedings Royal Society ofTasmania, Volume 1999 103 THE CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS OF THE VEGETATION AND FLORA OF THE HUNTINGFIELD AREA, SOUTHERN TASMANIA by J.B. Kirkpatrick (with two tables, four text-figures and one appendix) KIRKPATRICK, J.B., 1999 (31:x): The characteristics and management problems of the vegetation and flora of the Huntingfield area, southern Tasmania. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 133(1): 103-113. ISSN 0080-4703. School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University ofTasmania, GPO Box 252-78, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001. The Huntingfield area has a varied vegetation, including substantial areas ofEucalyptus amygdalina heathy woodland, heath, buttongrass moorland and E. amygdalina shrubbyforest, with smaller areas ofwetland, grassland and E. ovata shrubbyforest. Six floristic communities are described for the area. Two hundred and one native vascular plant taxa, 26 moss species and ten liverworts are known from the area, which is particularly rich in orchids, two ofwhich are rare in Tasmania. Four other plant species are known to be rare and/or unreserved inTasmania. Sixty-four exotic plantspecies have been observed in the area, most ofwhich do not threaten the native biodiversity. However, a group offire-adapted shrubs are potentially serious invaders. Management problems in the area include the maintenance ofopen areas, weed invasion, pathogen invasion, introduced animals, fire, mechanised recreation, drainage from houses and roads, rubbish dumping and the gathering offirewood, sand and plants. Key Words: flora, forest, heath, Huntingfield, management, Tasmania, vegetation, wetland, woodland. INTRODUCTION species with the most cover in the shrub stratum (dominant species) was noted. If another species had more than half The Huntingfield Estate, approximately 400 ha of forest, the cover ofthe dominant one it was noted as a codominant.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Australian Bight BP Oil Drilling Project
    Submission to Senate Inquiry: Great Australian Bight BP Oil Drilling Project: Potential Impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance within Modelled Oil Spill Impact Areas (Summer and Winter 2A Model Scenarios) Prepared by Dr David Ellis (BSc Hons PhD; Ecologist, Environmental Consultant and Founder at Stepping Stones Ecological Services) March 27, 2016 Table of Contents Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... 2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................ 4 Summer Oil Spill Scenario Key Findings ................................................................. 5 Winter Oil Spill Scenario Key Findings ................................................................... 7 Threatened Species Conservation Status Summary ........................................... 8 International Migratory Bird Agreements ............................................................. 8 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 11 Methods .................................................................................................................... 12 Protected Matters Search Tool Database Search and Criteria for Oil-Spill Model Selection ............................................................................................................. 12 Criteria for Inclusion/Exclusion of Threatened, Migratory and Marine
    [Show full text]
  • Poa Billardierei
    Poa billardierei COMMON NAME Sand tussock, hinarepe SYNONYMS Festuca littoralis Labill.; Schedonorus littoralis (Labill.) P.Beauv.; Triodia billardierei Spreng.; Poa billardierei (Spreng.)St.-Yves; Schedonorus billardiereanus Nees; Arundo triodioides Trin.; Schedonorus littoralis var. alpha minor Hook.f.; Austrofestuca littoralis (Labill.) E.B.Alexev. FAMILY Poaceae AUTHORITY Poa billardierei (Spreng.)St.-Yves FLORA CATEGORY Vascular – Native ENDEMIC TAXON No Austrofestuca littoralis. Photographer: Kevin Matthews ENDEMIC GENUS No ENDEMIC FAMILY No STRUCTURAL CLASS Grasses NVS CODE POABIL CHROMOSOME NUMBER 2n = 28 CURRENT CONSERVATION STATUS 2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: SO PREVIOUS CONSERVATION STATUSES 2009 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: SO 2004 | Gradual Decline DISTRIBUTION Austrofestuca littoralis. Photographer: Geoff North Island, South Island, Chatham Island (apparently absent from Walls Chatham Island now despite being formerly abundant). Also found in temperate Australia. HABITAT Coastal dunes; sandy and rocky places near the shore, especially foredunes and dune hollows. FEATURES Yellow-green tussocks up to about 70 cm tall. Leaves fine, rolled, somewhat drooping (coarser than silver tussock), initially green, often fading at tips to silver, and drying to golden-straw colour. Seed heads no longer than leaves; seeds relatively large, barley-like, leaving a characteristic zig-zag look to the remaining head when fallen. Flowers in early summer and the seed are produced in late summer. It could be confused with Poa chathamica which has blue- green or grass-green flat leaves and an open seed head which overtops the foliage. It could also be confused with marram grass which has similar foliage but large cat’stail-like seed heads which overtop the foliage. SIMILAR TAXA Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) is often confused with sand tussock because they grow in the same habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Natural History Australian Natural History Published Quarterly by the Australian Museum, 6-8 College Street, Sydney
    AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HISTORY AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HISTORY PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, 6-8 COLLEGE STREET, SYDNEY. TRUST PRESIDENT, JOE BAKER. MUSEUM DIRECTOR, DESMOND GRIFFIN VOLUM E 20 NUMBER 6 1981 This sun orchid, known as Thelymitra Altocumulus developed from a sheet of altostratus provided this memorable dawn near Mt Watt, truncata, is thought to be a natural hybrid Central Australia. Photo Robert Jones. between two commoner species, T. ixioides and T. pauciflora (or T. nuda). Obviously hybridisation is an uncommon or local phenomenon, or the parent species would lose their distinctness. Photo D. McAlpine. EDITOR CONTENTS Roland Hughes FROM THE INSIDE 173 ASSISTANT EDITOR Editorial Barbara Purse CIRCULATION PAGEANTRY IN THE SKIES 175 Bruce Colbey by Julian Hollis AMAZING ORCHIDS OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA 181 by David McAlpine Annual Subscription: Australia, $A8.00; New MAMMALS FOR ALL SEASONS 185 Zealand, $NZ11.50; other countries, $A9.50. by Roland Hughes Single copies: Australia, $A2.20, $A2.65 posted; New Zealand, $NZ3.00; other countries, $A3.40. COMMON BENT-WING BAT, Miniopterus schreibersii 187 For renewal or subscription please forward the Centrefold appropriate cheque/money order or bankcard number and authority made payable to Australian Natural History, the Australian Museum, PO Box A LOOK AT THE DINGO 191 A285, Sydney South 2001. by Bob Harden New Zealand subscribers should make cheque or money order payable to the New Zealand Govern­ DINOSAUR DIGGING IN VICTORIA 195 ment Printer, Private Bag, Wellington. by Timothy Flannery and Thomas Rich Subscribers from other countries please note that moneys must be paid in Australian currency. IN REVIEW 199 Opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policies or GOOD THINGS GROW IN GLASS 201 views of the Australian Museum.
    [Show full text]