Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017

© 2018 State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage With the exception of photographs, the State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs. The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has compiled this report in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. OEH shall not be liable for any damage which may occur to any person or organisation taking action or not on the basis of this publication. Readers should seek appropriate advice when applying the information to their specific needs. All content in this publication is owned by OEH and is protected by Crown Copyright, unless credited otherwise. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), subject to the exemptions contained in the licence. The legal code for the licence is available at Creative Commons. OEH asserts the right to be attributed as author of the original material in the following manner: © State of and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018. Report prepared by: Genevieve Wright1, Dave Albrecht2, Mel Schroder3 1. Office of Environment & Heritage, Regional Operations, South-east; 2. Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research 3. NSW NPWS. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Geoff Robertson (Regional Operations, South-west), Andrew Miller and Libby Lindsay (Southern Ranges, NSW NPWS), Maya Potapowicz (Biodiversity and Wildlife team, NSW NPWS) and Jackie Miles (Contract Botanist) for their assistance with the field surveys.

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ISBN 978 1 76039 814 9 OEH 2018/0248 May 2018

Find out more about your environment at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au Contents

1. Background 1 2. Purpose 2 3. Survey Details 3 3.1 Happy Jack Plains 6 3.2 Jagungal Wilderness Area 8 3.3 Perisher 10 4. Discussion 13 5. Recommendations 14 6. References 15 Appendix 1 16 Appendix 2 17 Appendix 3 19 Happy Jacks Plain – Site 1, Arsenic Creek (new site) 19 Happy Jacks Plain – Site 2, Happy Jack Creek (new site) 20 Happy Jacks Plain – Site 3, Happy Jack Creek (new site) 21 Happy Jacks Plain – Site 4, Happy Jack Creek (new site) 22 Jagungal – Site 9, Doubtful Creek 1 (new site) 23 Jagungal – Site 10, Doubtful Creek 2 (new site) 24 Jagungal – Site 12, Geehi River 1 (new site) 25 Jagungal – Site 13, Geehi River 2 (new site) 26 Jagungal – Site 14, Geehi River 3 (new site) 27 Jagungal – Site 17, O’Keefes Hut (existing site) 28 Jagungal – Site 18, Valentine Creek 1 (existing site) 29 Jagungal – Site 19, Valentine Creek 2 (new site) 30 Jagungal – Site 20, Valentine Creek 3, Big Bend (new site) 31 Jagungal – Site 21, Valentine Creek 4 (new site) 32 Jagungal – Site 22, Valentine Creek 5 (new site) 33 Perisher – Site 23a, Perisher Valley, unnamed creek 34 Perisher– Site 23b - Upper Perisher Creek – Alpine Bog 35 Perisher – Site 24a Upper Betts Creek 36 Perisher – Site 24b Betts Creek /Fen 37 Perisher – Site 24c, Betts Creek, 50 metres from Kosciuszko Rd 38

iii List of photos

Photo 1 Rytidosperma vickeryae habitat on Betts Creek 1 Photo 2 Rytidosperma vickeryae habit at the end of flowering season 3 Photo 3 Helicopter survey, Jagungal Wilderness Area 4 Photo 4 Happy Jacks Plain, March 2017 6 Photo 5 Jagungal Wilderness Area, potential Rytidosperma vickeryae habitat, March 2017 8 Photo 6 Perisher Valley, unnamed creek, March 2017 10 Photo 7 A monitoring plot established along Betts Creek, March 2017 11

List of maps

Map 1 Rytidosperma vickeryae extent in Kosciuszko National Park, March 2017 5 Map 2 Survey sites at Happy Jacks Plain, Kosciuszko National Park 7 Map 3 Survey sites in the Jagungal Wilderness area, Kosciuszko National Park 9 Map 4 Perisher area, Kosciuszko National Park 12

iv Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017 survey

1. Background

Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) is a small rhizomatous perennial grass up to 0.25 metres high with tufted small leaves (Linder 1999). It occurs in the treeless plains in the high country of New South Wales where it commonly grows along stream edges or in montane peatland communities that occur in close association with rivers and streams. This species occurs within Kosciuszko National Park between 1400 metres and 1800 metres elevation. Prior to the current survey the largest surviving populations of the species were thought to be in the Perisher area. There were historic records of collections in the northern end of the park within Happy Jacks Plain from the mid-1900s and two small populations had been found recently (2015, 2016) in the Jagungal Wilderness Area in the central part of the Park (Map 1). The Perisher population includes several localities – Perisher Creek (falling within the Perisher Ski Resort area), Betts Creek and Spencers Creek. Prior to this survey, plants had not been collected at Spencers Creek for over 45 years. Happy Jacks Plain had three historic records (Table 1), but despite several recent searches, no plants had been found since the 1965 collection over 50 years ago. The Jagungal Wilderness area populations were first found in 2015 near Valentine Creek, and a year later, another was recorded near O’Keefe’s Hut (Table 1). A list of location details prior to this survey are listed in Appendix 1, Table 1.

Photo 1 Rytidosperma vickeryae habitat on Betts Creek, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/G Wright

1 Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017 survey

2. Purpose

Rytidosperma vickeryae was listed as Endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Act 1995 in June 2009 (OEH 2011) and is currently a site-managed species in the Saving our Species (SOS) program. A priority action listed for this species was to identify additional populations. The current survey was conducted in February and March 2017 to provide additional information for this action and to undertake seed collection where possible to further secure the species in the longer-term. The objectives of the current survey were to: • re-locate and survey the extent of known sites • identify and survey potential habitat for new locations of the species • ascertain population size and habitat • identify current or potential threats • collect seed if available. This document reports on the surveys conducted across the species range in Happy Jacks Plain, the Jagungal Wilderness Area and Perisher/Betts creeks and provides comment on the current known species distribution.

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3. Survey Details

Field surveys were undertaken in Perisher (Perisher Creek, Betts Creek and Spencers Creek) from mid to late February 2017. These surveys were conducted in both areas with known records and in suitable habitat surrounding these known sites. Herbarium specimens were collected at any new sites located and seed collections were made at five sites (two at Perisher and three at Betts Creek) for storage in the Australian Plant Bank at Mount Annan. In March 2017 monitoring plots (20) were established in the Perisher Creek and Betts Creek areas. These will provide data on possible variation in the number of inflorescences (flowering stems) that are produced each year within the Rytidosperma vickeryae populations. In the Happy Jacks Plain and Jagungal areas, due to the remote nature of the sites, helicopter assisted surveys were conducted. These were carried out on the 1st, 2nd and 15th of March 2017. Locations for survey included 1. old herbarium records; 2. other known records with little survey data; and 3. areas identified through visual assessment of vegetation patterns from the latest aerial imagery (NSW Land and Property Information [NSW LPI]). In total, 22 sites were identified for survey. In Happy Jacks Plain, eight sites were identified and in the Jagungal Wilderness area, 14 sites were identified for survey. At all sites visited seed was collected if sufficient was available (Table 2). The seed collected at these sites was given to the National Seedbank located within the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Photo 2 Rytidosperma vickeryae habitat at the end of flowering season, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/G Wright

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Photo 3 Helicopter survey, Jagungal Wilderness Area, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/G Wright

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Map 1 Rytidosperma vickeryae extent in Kosciuszko National Park, March 2017

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3.1 Happy Jack Plains Three herbarium records from the Happy Jacks Plain area existed prior to the current survey, both from over 50 years ago – two were collected in 1955 and one in 1965. Two of these general localities were targeted in this survey (Map 2, sites 6 and 7). Site 7 was not surveyed as the habitat looked unsuitable from the air and at site 6 no plants were found. The third site was at the junction of a tributary to Happy Jacks Creek and Grey Mare fire trail. This site was not visited during this survey as the locality can be easily accessed by car. The original collection site for this record was most likely from the section of Grey Mare fire trail north of Happy Jacks Road (Map 2, site 8). Five other new sites were targeted for survey. At Site 5 no plants were found, but four new small populations of R. vickeryae were found at sites 1, 2, 3 and 4. At each site where sufficient material was available, seed collections were completed. These populations currently define the northern known distribution of the species. Site details of the four localities that had R. vickeryae present are outlined in Appendix 3 of this report.

Photo 4 Happy Jacks Plain, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/M Schroder

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Map 2 Survey sites at Happy Jacks Plain, Kosciuszko National Park

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3.2 Jagungal Wilderness Area Two historical records existed in the Jagungal Wilderness Area prior to the current survey. In 2015 NPWS Biodiversity surveys located a population of R. vickeryae near Valentine Creek and a year later another was recorded near O’Keefe’s Hut (Table 1) (Map 3, sites 17, 18). Eleven of the 14 identified sites for survey in the Jagungal area had populations of R. vickeryae, nine of which were new sites found during the 2017 surveys. Of the other three sites, site 15 was not surveyed as the habitat looked unsuitable from the air, and sites 11 and 16 were surveyed but no R. vickeryae was found. The Jagungal populations contain the central known distribution of the species. Site details of the 11 localities that had R. vickeryae present are outlined in Appendix 3 of this report.

Photo 5 Jagungal Wilderness Area, potential Rytidosperma vickeryae habitat, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/M Schroder

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Map 3 Survey sites in the Jagungal Wilderness area, Kosciuszko National Park

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3.3 Perisher There were eight herbarium records for the Perisher area prior to the current survey (Table 1). Two at Perisher Creek (site 23, Map 4), four at Betts Creek (site 24, Map 4) and two at Spencers Creek (site 25, Map 4). All localities were re-surveyed in February 2017 with more comprehensive targeted searches conducted in suitable habitat in the areas surrounding these known sites. Surveys undertaken on 16 February 2017 along 1.7km of Betts Creek (from Kosciuszko Rd to the south east) found R. vickeryae in the vegetation adjacent to the creek and in the margins of associated wetlands and bogs. This locality had the densest and most extensive populations of the species observed across its range. Additional field surveys undertaken on 23 February on the creek to the north of (2.1km to the with Spencers Creek) found that populations were scattered along the creek edge and in some adjacent wetlands. Surveys of Perisher Creek and its surrounding tributaries were undertaken on 21 and 23 February 2017, extending from the base of Mt Perisher to the Perisher sewage treatment plant. Along this 3.2km section of the Perisher Valley, the two known localities from herbarium records were re-located and multiple new records were found. Sections of Perisher Creek have been modified by resort infrastructure development and here few plants were located, but wetlands adjacent to the creek were found to contain R. vickeryae populations. The largest population was found in an unnamed creek adjacent to the Perisher Car park (Photo 5).

Photo 6 Perisher Valley, unnamed creek, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/M Schroder

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Long-term monitoring plots were established at two localities, Perisher and Betts Creek. The 20 plots (10 at each locality) were established using a 50cm square quadrat (Photo 6). Two permanent markers were used at each corner of the quadrat. The total inflorescences for each plot will be counted annually during the peak flowering period between February and March. This information aims to provide an understanding of annual changes in flowering of the species. The bureau of metrology (BOM) weather station is near the monitoring plots and will provide data to compare climatic effects (such as rainfall and temperature). The Perisher sites are close to potential disturbance from ski resort infrastructure and have an exotic perennial grass Agrostis capillaris co-occurring at three sites. Monitoring of this species may detect changes in its occurrence and possible changes in R. vickeryae.

Photo 7 A monitoring plot established along Betts Creek, March 2017 Photo: NSW OEH/M Schroder

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Map 4 Perisher area, Kosciuszko National Park

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4. Discussion

Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) occurs within three general localities in Kosciuszko National Park: Happy Jacks Plain (northern extent), the Jagungal Wilderness Area (central area) and the Perisher area (southern extent) (Map 1). The southern extent of the Happy Jacks population and the northern extent of the Jagungal populations are separated by about 11km. The southern extent of the Jagungal populations and northern extent of the Perisher populations are separated by some 17km. The species known extent, after the 2017 surveys, is 46km (north to south) and 18km (east to west), some 410km2. The species occurs in the headwaters of the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Snowy Rivers and in this survey, was only found in the treeless plains of Kosciuszko National Park between 1400 metres and 1800 metres. Here, it occurred exclusively along stream edges or in montane peatland communities near these rivers and streams. This survey did not search all the potential habitat for this species, and it is considered that with more survey, additional populations would be found. In total, 13 new sites were found during these surveys. The three days of targeted survey in the Jagungal Wilderness Area increased the number of known sites from 2 to 11. In Happy Jacks Plain, four new sites were recorded and this was the first time the species had been recorded in this area for over 50 years. At Perisher, the known sites have been expanded to cover multiple sites (up to 15) along a 3.2km stretch of the Perisher Valley. The Betts Creek and Spencers Creek sites have been reconfirmed and additional survey has provided better details on the species distribution in these areas. It is possible that the 2016/17 season was particularly good for R. vickeryae flowering and that there could be significant variation in flowering between years. This may explain, in part, why previous surveys indicated a more limited extent than is now known. Currently the threats to the species in the Happy Jacks and Jagungal areas are minimal, as there was little evidence of direct impacts to the species throughout its range. However, there are several emerging threats that could have a significant impact on the species. There was widespread feral pig activity throughout the Jagungal, Happy Jacks and Betts Creek areas, but this activity currently seems confined to drier open grassland sites. This may not be the case in the future, as it has been recently observed (G Wright pers. comm.) that pigs are digging on bog margins, feeding on the roots of two species of pineapple grass (Astelia psychrocharis and Astelia alpina). Increased activity of this kind could directly impact on the species. Other potential threats include impacts from feral horses and feral deer. Horse dung was observed in the Happy Jacks and Jagungal areas, but these were relatively old (last season’s). Horses are currently increasing in number across the park (OEH 2016) but populations are new in the Jagungal and Happy Jacks areas. Higher numbers of horses would impact on streamside vegetation and bogs across the species range. The impact of feral deer is lesser known; however, their impacts to bogs from wallowing have been recorded across the (Claridge, 2016) and increasing numbers will almost certainly impact on R. vickeryae habitat. This was the first survey conducted that specifically targeted R. vickeryae and it has significantly increased the understanding of the species extent, habitat and current threats. These types of programs should be regarded as critical for species where there is limited information about distribution and abundance. Collection of this type of information greatly increases longer term security and the ability to protect threatened species in-situ. Although the number of known sites has increased, assessment under IUCN categories indicates no change in status, with R. vickeryae remaining listed as Endangered in New South Wales.

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5. Recommendations

1. The current survey has confirmed historic records of the northern and southern extent of Rytidosperma vickeryae and significantly increased the number of known populations within its range. Assessment of current threats indicates that, at present, the species is reasonably secure, although there are identified emerging threats that should be monitored into the future. 2. The annual monitoring of the 20 permanent plots at Perisher and Betts Creek should be maintained for a minimum of five years and long-term opportunistic/synergistic population monitoring should still be undertaken as part of SoS threatened species project implementation. 3. There should be ongoing provision of information to key NPWS and Resorts personal to assist the identification of this species and prevent impact from any future infrastructure works in the Perisher Valley.

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6. References

Claridge, AW 2016, Ecological and agricultural impacts of introduced deer in the Australian Alps. A final report to the Australian Alps Liaison Committee, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Queanbeyan. Linder HP 1999, Rytidosperma vickeryae – a new danthonioid grass from Kosciuszko (New South Wales, ): morphology, phylogeny and biogeography. Australian Systematic Botany, vol. 12, pp.743-755. OEH 2015, Draft Horse Management Plan Kosciuszko National Park, Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney. Office of Environment and Heritage 2011, Rytidosperma vickeryae - endangered species listing NSW Scientific Committee – final determination, Office of Environment and Heritage, accessed 1 May 2018, http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/rytidospermavickeryaeFD.htm.

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Appendix 1

Table 1 Pre-survey records

Site Location Collector Date Perisher Approx. 2km WSW of Perisher ski resort, S N Walsh Feb 2004 side of road NW Bank of Perisher Creek, W of Perisher P McPherson Feb 2014 Village at gravel track creek crossing Betts Creek, c. 100 yards S (i.e. upstream) M Gray Feb 1960 of bridge Betts Creek, above road. Alt. c. 1750 m J Thompson Jan 1979 Betts Creek M Pirie Jan 2006 Betts Creek, approx. 150 metres S of G Wright (487) Feb 2015 Kosciuszko Road bridge crossing Spencers Creek to Betts Creek area M Gray Mar 1969 Spencers Creek, about halfway between the J Thompson Jan 1971 road and the Happy Jacks Happy Jacks Plain, 1.5 miles SE of Boobee ME Phllips Jan 1955 Hut Upper McKeahnie's Creek, Happy Jacks ME Phllips Jan 1955 Plain Happy Jacks Plain. Junction of Happy Jacks ME Phllips Jan 1965 Creek tributary and Grey Mare Track Jagungal Jagungal, tributary flowing into Valentine G Wright (291) 3/2/2015 creek, approx. 720 metres west of Brassy & J Miles Peak Site 18 G Wright (483) 3/2/2017 & J Miles Jagungal, O’Keefe’s Hut (site 17) D Albrecht 2/3/2016 (14560)

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Appendix 2

Table 2 2017 Survey records

Site Location Collector Additional Seed Date Collectors Collected Perisher Betts Creek, approx. 830 metres G Wright M Schroder 16/2/2017 south of Kosciuszko Road (487) bridge crossing Spencers Creek, north side of G Wright M Schroder 16/2/2017 Spencer’s bridge, approx. 50 (488) metres from bridge Upper Betts Creek – creek edge M Schroder Yes 23/2/2017 – little sphagnum (site 24a) Betts Creek, 40 metres from M Schroder Yes 23/2/2017 creek on edge of Fen (site 24b) Betts Creek – edge of creek, 50 M Schroder Yes 23/2/2017 metres from Kosciuszko road (site 24c) Perisher –unnamed creek (site M Schroder L Lindsay Yes 21/2/2017 23a) small tributary off Perisher Creek –sphagnum bog adjacent to the Perisher Resort car park Upper Perisher Creek – Alpine M Schroder L Lindsay Yes 21/2/2017 (site 23b) Bog – 20 metres from creek edge Happy Arsenic Creek adjacent approx. D Albrecht G Wright, Yes 1/3/2017 Jacks 500 metres South-east of (14957) M Schroder Brooks Hut (site 1) Upper reaches of the Happy No coll. No 1/3/2017 Jack Creek, approx. 1km SE of Happy’s Hut (site 2) Banks of Happy Jack Creek G Wright G Robertson, Yes 15/3/2017 approximately 1.5km south of (497) M Potapowicz Brooks Hut (site 3) Banks of Happy Jack Creek, G Wright G Robertson, Yes 15/3/2017 approximately 1.5km east of (499) M Potapowicz Brooks Hut (site 4) Jagungal Doubtful Creek headwaters G Wright J Miles Yes 3/2/2017 approx. 1.9km NNW of Cesjacks (482) Hut (site 9) Doubtful Creek approx. 750 D Albrecht G Wright, Yes 4/3/2017 metres south-west of Cesjacks (14967) A Miller Hut (site 10) Tributary to Geehi River, south- G Wright J Miles Yes 3/2/2017 east of Strawberry Hill (site 12) (481) Repeat collection from same D Albrecht G Wright, Yes 1/3/2017 area (site 12) (14954) M Schroder

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Table 2 cont. 2017 Survey records

Site Location Collector Additional Seed Date collectors collected Jagungal Geehi River, approx. 2.3km D Albrecht G Wright, Yes 2/3/2017 south-east of Mt Jagungal trig (14966) A Miller (site13) Tributary to Geehi River, approx. G Wright G Robertson, Yes 15/3/2017 2km west of North Bulls Peak (500) M Potapowicz (site 14) Tributary of Valentine Creek, D Albrecht G Wright, Yes 2/3/2017 approx. 1.9km South-west of Big (14972) A Miller Brassy Peak (site 19) Tributary of Valentine Creek at D Albrecht G Wright, Yes 2/3/2017 ‘Big Bend’ approx. 1.8km north (14969) A Miller of Mawsons Hut (site 20) Upper reaches of a tributary to G Wright G Robertson, ? 15/3/2017 Valentine Creek, approx. 900 (503) M Potapowicz metres south-east of Cup and Saucer (site 21) Side drainage to Valentine G Wright G Robertson, ? 15/3/2017 Creek, approx. 1.35km west of (501) M Potapowicz Mawson Hut (site 22)

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Appendix 3

All photos in this section: NSW OEH/G Wright

Happy Jacks Plain – Site 1, Arsenic Creek (new site)

Collection details Date: 1st March 2017 Elevation: 1460 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Adjacent to a Sphagnum bog complex. In the broad valley complex of Happy Jacks Plain. Associated species Richea continentis, Carex gaudichaudiana, Empodisma minus, Epacris celata, Cotula alpina, Juncus falcatus and Sphagnum cristatum.

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Happy Jacks Plain – Site 2, Happy Jack Creek (new site)

Collection details Date: 1 March 2017 Elevation: 1490 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: In the broad valley complex of Happy Jacks Plain. Associated species Epacris celata, Cassinia monticola, Carex gaudichaudiana and Empodisma minus.

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Happy Jacks Plain – Site 3, Happy Jack Creek (new site)

Collection details Date: 15 March 2017 Elevation: 1440 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: In the broad valley complex of Happy Jacks Plain. Associated species Carex gaudichaudiana, Hypericum japonicum, Gonocarpus micranthus, Viola fuscoviolacea, Hydrocotyle algida, Ranunculus pimpinellifolius, Agrostis sp., Baloskion australe.

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Happy Jacks Plain – Site 4, Happy Jack Creek (new site)

Collection details Date: 15 March 2017 Elevation: 1440 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: In the broad valley complex of Happy Jacks Plain. Associated species Carex gaudichaudiana, Hypericum japonicum, *Trifolium repens, Epilobium billardierianum, Gonocarpus micranthus, Carex sp., Agrostis sp., Oreomyrrhis ciliata and Ranunculus pimpinellifolius.

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Jagungal – Site 9, Doubtful Creek 1 (new site)

Collection details Date: 2 February 2017 Elevation: 1610 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing out of Sphagnum cristatum hummock beside small flowing creek. Associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Empodisma minus, Erigeron nitidulus, Epacris glacialis, Aciphylla simplicifolia and Carex gaudichaudiana.

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Jagungal – Site 10, Doubtful Creek 2 (new site)

Collection details Date: 3 March 2017 Elevation: 1660 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing in small depression adjacent to Creek, Fen margin sedgeland/grassland interface with Sphagnum. Associated species Poa costiniana, Empodisma minus, Gentianella muelleriana ssp. alpestris, Hydrocotyle sp., Oreomyrrhis ciliata and Sphagnum cristatum.

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Jagungal – Site 12, Geehi River 1 (new site)

Collection 1 Date: 3 February 2017 Elevation: 1750 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing along edge of stream. Associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Empodisma minus, Poa costiniana, Erigeron nitidulus and Carex gaudichaudiana.

Collection 2 Location (GDA94): Easting: 624766; Northing: 5993962 Date: 2 March 2017 Elevation: 1660 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing near margin of alpine bog and grassland. Associated species Richea continentis, Carpha nivicola, Carex gaudichaudiana, Poa costiniana and Empodisma minus.

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Jagungal – Site 13, Geehi River 2 (new site)

Collection details Date: 3 March 2017 Elevation: 1790 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing on river bank, easterly aspect. Moist grassland/sedgeland interface. Associated species Carex gaudichaudiana, Poa costiniana, Empodisma minus, Epacris celata and Juncus falcatus.

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Jagungal – Site 14, Geehi River 3 (new site)

Collection details Date: 3 March 2017 Elevation: 1770 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing out of Sphagnum cristatum occurring along the edge of a long pool. High subalpine treeless plain. Associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Empodisma minus, Carex gaudichaudiana, Poa costiniana and Oreomyrrhis ciliata.

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Jagungal – Site 17, O’Keefes Hut (existing site)

Collection details Date: 2 March 2017 Elevation: 1610 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing along a small creekline near its junction with Grey Mare fire trail. Fen-like vegetation. Associated species Empodisma minus, Epilobium sarmentaceum, Carex gaudichaudiana, Juncus falcatus, Poa costiniana, Gonocarpus micranthus, and Oreomyrrhis ciliata.

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Jagungal – Site 18, Valentine Creek 1 (existing site)

Collection details Date: 3 February 2017 Elevation: 1830 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing next to a small flowing creek in Empodisma minus. Associated species: Empodisma minus, Carex gaudichaudiana and Erigeron nitidulus. Also occurs in permanently wet open areas at this site, recorded during biodiversity surveys in 19 February 2015, plot no. Jagungal 007.

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Jagungal – Site 19, Valentine Creek 2 (new site)

Collection details Date: 2 March 2017 Elevation: 1850 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing along on the margin of a creek in open valley. Northerly aspect. Moist grassland/sedgeland interface. Associated species Carex gaudichaudiana, Oreomyrrhis ciliata, Luzula modesta, Drosera arcturi and Erigeron sp.

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Jagungal – Site 20, Valentine Creek 3, Big Bend (new site)

Collection details Date: 2 March 2017 Elevation: 1755 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Growing in valley with braided small creek. Easterly aspect. Growing in Bog. Associated species: Sphagnum cristatum, Richea continentis, Carpha nivicola, Carex gaudichaudiana, Poa costiniana and Empodisma minus.

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Jagungal – Site 21, Valentine Creek 4 (new site)

Collection details Date: 15 March 2017 Elevation: 1850 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Alpine bog/grassland interface, growing adjacent to creek. Associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Poa costiniana, Brachyscome obovata, Epilobium billardierianum, Carex gaudichaudiana, Oreomyrrhis ciliata, Ranunculus pimpinellifolius, Empodisma minus and Ranunculus dissectifolius.

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Jagungal – Site 22, Valentine Creek 5 (new site)

Collection details Date: 15 March 2017 Elevation: 1740 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Side drainage to Valentine Creek, approx. 1.35km west of Mawson Hut. Growing next to small unnamed creek. Associated species Empodisma minus, Asperula gunnii, Gonocarpus micranthus, Poa costiniana, Carex gaudichaudiana and Senecio sp.

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Perisher – Site 23a, Perisher Valley, unnamed creek

Collection details Date: 21 February 2017 Elevation: 1740 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Small tributary draining to Perisher Creek, Sphagnum bog previous disturbance from the adjacent Perisher Ski Resort car park. Associated species Carex gaudichaudiana, Carex echinata, Empodisma minus, Sphagnum cristatum, Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra.

34 Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017 survey

Perisher– Site 23b - Upper Perisher Creek – Alpine Bog

Collection details Date: 21 February 2017 Elevation: 1745 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Located in an Alpine bog 20 metres from Perisher Creek, associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Carex echinata, Carpha nivicola.

35 Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017 survey

Perisher – Site 24a Upper Betts Creek

Collection details Date: 23 February 2017 Elevation: 1764 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Located in Upper Perisher Creek on the edge of the creek, associated species Sphagnam cristatum, Carex gaudichaudiana, Carex echinata, Empodisma minus, Carpha nivicola, Epacris microphylla, Brachychome stolonifera.

36 Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017 survey

Perisher – Site 24b Betts Creek /Fen

Collection details Date: 23 February 2017 Elevation: 1757 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Located in an Alpine bog 20 metres from Betts Creek, associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Carex echinata, Carpha nivicola, Epacris microphylla, Brachychome stolonifera, Empodisma minus, Drosera arcturi, Oschatzia cuneifolia.

37 Perisher Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma vickeryae) 2017 survey

Perisher – Site 24c, Betts Creek, 50 metres from Kosciuszko Rd

Collection details Date: 23 February 2017 Elevation: 1757 metres Slope: 5 degrees Additional notes: Located in an alpine bog 20m from Betts Creek, associated species Sphagnum cristatum, Carex echinata, Carex gaudichaudiana, Euphrasia sp., Oreomyrrhis ciliata.

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