The Minister deleted this species from the vulnerable category, effective from 14 December 2013

Advice to the Minister for the Environment from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on Amendment to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee

Many species currently listed as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) were brought over to the list in 2000 from previous listing processes. In many cases, there is little or no documentation of the rationale for the original listing, and some of these species may not meet the eligibility criteria now required for listing under the EPBC Act. The Committee is engaged in a continuing attempt to ensure that there is adequate documentation available for all listed species, and that the current listing of threatened species is justifiable. Such scrutiny of historic listings will provide greater integrity and credibility to the list, and help to ensure that conservation effort is directed most effectively.

In considering possible de-listing of species that may no longer meet (or may never have met) the current eligibility criteria for designation as threatened, it should be noted that the EPBC Act stipulates (at s186 (2A)) that:

“The Minister must not delete (whether as a result of a transfer or otherwise) a native species from a particular category unless satisfied that: (a) the native species is no longer eligible to be included in that category: or (b) the inclusion of the native species in that category is not contributing, or will not contribute, to the survival of the native species.”

In considering possible de-listings (or any conservation status categorisation) of species, the Committee also notes the desirability of aligning national listing with that of the states, especially for species whose range is entirely restricted to one state.

The species under consideration was brought to the EPBC Act list in 2000, without documentation of eligibility, and there is no listing advice available. In the advice here, the Committee seeks to assess whether it meets any of the criteria now used to assess eligibility for listing.

Tasmannia purpurascens (broad-leaved pepperbush)

2. Summary of Species Details Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Tasmannia purpurascens (CHAH, 2005). State/Territory Listing Listed as vulnerable under the New South Wales Threatened Status Species Conservation Act 1995. In public submission to the assessment here, the NSW Threatened Species Committee stated that it believed that it remained eligible for listing. Description The broad-leaved pepperbush is a medium to tall shrub growing 1–3 m high. Flowers are 8–12 mm long with two white petals. Fruit form shiny, deep blue-black berries 1–1.5 cm long, that are held in groups of 2–6 (Sampson et al., 1988). Distribution The broad-leaved pepperbush occurs in the Barrington Tops/Gloucester Tops area, in the Northern Tablelands area of New South Wales (Sampson et al., 1988; Harden, 1990). There are populations in Barrington Tops National Park, Ben Halls Gap National Park, Stewarts Brook and Barrington State Forest (Briggs and Leigh, 1996; Hinns, 1995; Peacock, 1996). Relevant The broad-leaved pepperbush regenerates from seed following Tasmannia purpurascens (broad-leaved pepperbush) Listing Advice Page 1 of 5

Biology/Ecology soil disturbance and has been observed growing on cleared land (Peacock, 1996), logged forest and graded fire trails (Quinn et al., 1995). Threats Known Past threats to this species include clearing of land adjacent to Stewarts Brook and Barrington Tops State Forest, which is known to have depleted some populations. Road works and tourism developments throughout Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops (such as tracks and camping areas) may have destroyed some plants (Quinn et al., 1995). The main identified threats to the broad-leaved pepperbush are weed invasion by scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), clearing of vegetation for agriculture and logging operations (in those parts of its range outside conservation reserves), grazing and trampling by feral horses (Equus caballus) and pigs (Sus scrofa), trampling by bushwalkers and a high susceptibility to infection by the root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi (Office of Environment and Heritage, 2005).

Potential There are no additional recognised potential threats to this species.

3. Public Consultation

The information used in this assessment was made available for public exhibition and comment for 12 months. One comment was received and has been considered by the Committee.

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 The species has declined historically, but the Committee does not consider that the current rate of decline (i.e. in the last 10 years or three generations) meets this criterion for eligibility (rate of decline of at least 30% over that period). On the basis of current evidence, it is not considered that such a rate is likely in the future (10 years or 3 generations) either.

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 Restricted – The estimated extent of occurrence of the broad- leaved pepperbush is 2560 km2 (AVH, 2009), within the AND threshold value for this part of the criterion (less than 5000 km2). Geographic distribution However, the geographic distribution is not considered precarious given that the species is locally abundant, is not

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precarious “severely fragmented”, occurs in several conservation reserves, and it is unlikely that all populations will be subjected simultaneously and drastically to any single threat. This criterion relating to precariousness also includes consideration of whether or not populations of the species undergo “extreme” fluctuation. Although populations of this species may vary in numbers according to disturbance regimes, the Committee concludes that such variation is not “extreme”.

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 Although quantitative population estimates of this species are individuals unavailable, the broad-leaved pepperbush is described as abundant in the state forests and national parks of Barrington AND Tops Plateau and the upper catchment of Ben Halls Creek (Quinn et al., 1995; Hinns, 1995; Peacock, 1996), and it is considered not likely that the total population is fewer than the threshold value required to meet this criterion (10,000 mature individuals). Continued decline at a The species has declined historically, but the Committee does particular rate not consider that the current rate of decline (i.e. in the last 10 years or three generations) meets the criteria for eligibility associated with this criterion (rate of decline of at least 10% over that period). On the basis of current evidence, it is not considered that such a rate is likely in the future (10 years or 3 generations) either. OR Total no. of mature Although quantitative population estimates of this species are individuals unavailable, the broad-leaved pepperbush is described as abundant in the state forests and national parks of Barrington AND Tops Plateau and the upper catchment of Ben Halls Creek (Hinns, 1995; Quinn et al., 1995; Peacock, 1996), and it is not likely that the total population is fewer than the threshold value required to meet this criterion (10,000 mature individuals). Continued decline likely The Committee recognises that some past and current threats (Office of Environment and Heritage, 2005) may have led or be AND leading to some localised declines, but that the species is favoured by the disturbance regimes now operating in the conservation reserves and State Forests in which much of the population occurs (Peacock, 1996). Geographic distribution The geographic distribution is not considered precarious. precarious No – See Criterion 2

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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 Although quantitative population estimates of this species are individuals unavailable, the broad-leaved pepperbush is described as abundant in the state forests and national parks of Barrington Tops Plateau and the upper catchment of Ben Halls Creek (Hinns, 1995; Quinn et al., 1995; Peacock, 1996), and it is implausible that the total population is fewer than the threshold value required to meet this criterion (1,000 mature 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 There has been no quantitative modelling of extinction risk for the wild this species.

5. Recommendations

Based on this review, the Committee considers that this species meets none of the currently accepted eligibility criteria for listing as threatened.

With respect to the matters stipulated in s186(2A) of the Act, the Committee advises that the available evidence is sufficient to be satisfied that the species is no longer eligible to be included as threatened. The Committee notes that while the current EPBC Act listing of this species may afford it some conservation protection, and hence that the current listing “is … contributing, to the survival of the native species”, that survival is not dependent upon ongoing listing.

Notwithstanding the considerations made in the above paragraph about some benefit from maintaining listing, the Committee considers that the lack of fit to any eligibility criteria is the most important component in this consideration, and hence recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by deleting from the list in the vulnerable category:

Tasmannia purpurascens

The reason for this proposed change in status is because the species was originally listed on the basis of criteria other than those now accepted, rather than due to any increase in abundance or range.

Threatened Species Scientific Committee 3 September 2013

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References cited in the advice

AVH (Australian Virtual Herbarium) (2009). Tasmannia purpurascens. Map output from AVH database. Council of Heads of Australian Herbaria. Canberra: Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research. Viewed: 15 August 2009 Available on the Internet at: http://www.chah.gov.au/avh/index.html.

Briggs JD and Leigh JH (1996). Rare or Threatened Australian Plants - Revised Edition. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing.

CHAH (Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria) (2005). Australian Plant Census, Tasmannia purpurascens (Vickery) A.C.Sm. Viewed: 3 August 2009 Available on the Internet at: http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=27058.

Harden GJ (ed.) (1990). Flora of New South Wales. Volume One. Kensington, NSW: University of NSW Press.

Hinns, D. (1995). Flora survey, Gloucester and Chichester Management Areas, Central Region, New South Wales. Forest Resources Series No. 34. State Forests of New South Wales, Beecroft.

Kendall P and Snelson B (2009). The role of floristic survey data and quantitative analysis in identification and description of ecological communities under threatened species legislation: A case study from north-eastern New South Wales. Ecological Management & Restoration. 10(S1):S16-S26.

Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales (2005). Broad-leaved pepperbush – profile. Viewed: 19 January 2012 Available on the Internet at: http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10797

Peacock RJ (1996). ROTAP Species of the Walcha/Nundle and Styx River Management Area. State Forests of New South Wales.

Quinn F, Williams JB, Gross CL and Bruhl J (1995). Report on rare and threatened plants of north-eastern New South Wales. Armidale: University of New England.

Sampson FB, Williams JB and Woodland PS (1988). The morphology and taxonomic position of Tasmannia glaucifolia (Winteraceae), a new Australian species. Australian Journal of Botany. 36(4): 395-413.

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