The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 June 2010
Advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee
This advice follows assessment of new information on: Amphibromus fluitans (river swamp wallaby-grass)
2. Summary of Species Details
Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Amphibromus fluitans P.Morris State Listing Status Listed as vulnerable under New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act. Description A slender aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial, with arching flowering stems that may be longer than one metre, but with around half the stem being below the water. The individual florets have a slender curved bristle and are aggregated into flowered spikelets. Flowering and fruiting occurs mainly between November and March (Jacobs and Lapinpuro, 1986; Walsh, 1994). Distribution Recorded in numerous locations in New South Wales and Victoria, and at a single location in Tasmania. It has also been recorded in
New Zealand (Weiller et al., 2009). Relevant Biology/Ecology Inhabits both natural and man-made water-bodies, including swamps, lagoons, billabongs and dams (TSSC, 2008). Grows mostly in permanent swamps, and needs wetlands which are at least moderately fertile and which have some bare ground, conditions which are produced by seasonally-fluctuating water levels (DECC, 2005). Threats Known Many lowland swamps drained and converted to agricultural lands, resulting in the loss of habitat and populations of this species. In addition, some seasonal wetlands inhabited by the species converted to deep, permanent dams, which are unsuitable for this species (TSSC, 2008; DECC, 2005). Current identified threats are grazing and trampling by livestock, particularly late in the season as the swamps dry and become accessible, hydrological changes and invasion of remnant habitats by exotic grasses and weeds (TSSC, 2008; DECC, 2005). Potential Potential threats include hydrological changes and invasion of remnant habitats by exotic grasses and weeds (TSSC, 2008; DECC, 2005).
3. Public Consultation
Notice of the proposed amendment was made available for public comment for 30 business days. Any comments received that are relevant to the survival of the species have been considered by the Committee.
Amphibromus fluitans (river swamp wallaby-grass) Listing Advice Page 1 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 June 2010
4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations
Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers Not eligible
Criterion element Evidence Reduction in numbers Insufficient data – Data on population trends are not available and though several past and current threats have been identified, their impact on species’ population is not known. Therefore there are insufficient data to suggest that a reduction in numbers would be substantial.
Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited Not eligible
Criterion element Evidence Geographic distribution No data AND Geographic distribution Insufficient data – This species is known from numerous populations precarious in northern Victoria and from several localities in southern Victoria, as well as in New South Wales, South Australia and from one population in Tasmania. Current threats have been identified, but given their unknown impact and a lack of quantitative data, there are insufficient data to determine the precariousness of its distribution.
Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or substantial rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival Not eligible
Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature No data individuals AND Continued rate of decline Insufficient data – See Criterion 1 OR Total no. of mature No data individuals AND
Amphibromus fluitans (river swamp wallaby-grass) Listing Advice Page 2 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 June 2010
Continued decline likely Insufficient data – See Criterion 2 AND Geographic distribution Insufficient data – See Criterion 2 precarious
Criterion 4: The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low Not eligible
Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature No data individuals
Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least (a) 50% in the immediate future; or (b) 20% in the near future; or (c) 10% in the medium-term future Not eligible
Criterion element Evidence Probability of extinction in No data the wild
5. Recommendation
Although there are insufficient data to assess the species against the criteria, the Committee recommends a precautionary approach be applied and hence that no amendment be made to the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act and that Amphibromus fluitans remains eligible for inclusion in the vulnerable category of the list.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee 3 June 2010
Amphibromus fluitans (river swamp wallaby-grass) Listing Advice Page 3 of 4 The Threatened Species Scientific Committee agreed that this species was eligible to be retained as vulnerable on 3 June 2010
6. References cited in the advice
Council of Heads of Australian Herbaria (CHAH) (2009). Australian Plant Census. Available on the Internet at: http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=32355 Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) (2005). Threatened species profile database, River Swamp Wallaby-grass. Viewed 18 January 2010 Available on the Internet at: http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10045 Jacobs SWL and Lapinpuro L (1986). The Australian species of Amphibromus (Poaceae). Telopea, 2(6): 715-729. Morris PF (1934) Some notes on the grass genus Amphibromus. The Victorian Naturalist 51: 145 Threatened Species Scientific Community (TSSC) (2008). Approved Conservation Advice for Amphibromus fluitans (River Swamp Wallaby-grass) Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT). Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/19215-conservation- advice.pdf Walsh NG (1994). Amphibromus, in Walsh, NG and Entwisle, TJ (Eds), Flora of Victoria, Vol. 2 Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne. Weiller CM, Jacobs SWL and Thompson IR (2009). Amphibromus, Flora of Australia, 44A: 136.
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