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 This advice follows assessment of new information provided on: Bothriochloa biloba (lobed blue-grass)

2. Summary of Species Details Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Bothriochloa biloba S.T.Blake State Listing Status Previously listed as vulnerable in both and , but has been de-listed in both states. Description An erect or decumbent grass growing to 1 m high (Harden, 1993). It can easily be distinguished from other Bothriochloa species by its lobed upper lemma (bract enclosing the flower) which remains attached to the base of the awn when the awn is pulled out of the spikelet (Quinn et al., 1995). Flowering occurs from November to June (Creamer, 1999; Sharp and Simon, 2001). This species occurs within the EPBC listed ecological community ‘Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland’. Distribution Restricted to northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. It extends from the district in

Queensland, south along the western slopes of the to near North Star, , Bingara and Merriwa in New South Wales (NSW SC, 2003; Quinn et al., 1995). Relevant A recent study conducted on this species (Yu et al., 2003) Biology/Ecology indicates that it has a complex reproductive system involving sexual and asexual (apomictic) mechanisms. The authors of the study noted that while these mechanisms may enhance the evolutionary potential of the species, they can also result in reduced seed production which, if a large reduction, could affect the long term survival of the species. Prefers heavier-textured soils (Bean, 1999). It is common on cracking black clay soils on roadsides and paddocks on the Darling Downs, and on brown clay and black soils on cleared roadsides in New South Wales (Quinn et al., 1995; Queensland Herbarium, pers. comm., 1999; BRI, 2001). Most herbarium specimens have been collected from roadsides and travelling stock routes. Recent targeted and intensive surveys within the known range of the species have located many additional occurrences on plains, basaltic hills and gentle slopes (Lazarides, pers. comm., 1999; NSW SC, 2003). Threats Known There are no current known threats.

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Potential Potential threats include overstocking, heavy grazing, invasion and competition by other perennial grasses, competition from exotic species such as Hyparrhenia hirta (Coolatai grass), Cyperus rotundus (nut grass) and Phyla nodiflora (lippia) (Fensham, 1998; NSW SC, 2004) and long periods of cultivation (more that 4–5 years) (Bean, 1999; Earl and Kahn, 2001). Virtually no populations are considered free of threats (NSW SC, 2003).

3. Public Consultation Notice of the proposed amendment was made available for public comment for 30 business days. No comments were received.

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 Substantial reduction in Insufficient data – Surveys of 18 sites were conducted in 2001 numbers and the number of individuals was estimated to be in the millions (Earl and Kahn, 2001). Potential threats have been identified and are considered likely to cause reductions in population numbers. However, there are insufficient data to indicate reductions 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 Not limited – Extent of occurrence is > 100 000 km2 and the limited. area of occupancy for 18 sites only is 8 km2 (NSW SC, 2004). AND Geographic distribution No – Estimated to be found in more than 50 populations and precarious 109 sites. Only one site is within a conservation reserve and approximately 50% of these sites are noted as being along road verges, travelling stock reserves or railway verges (NSW SC, 2004). However, this species is thought to be far more abundant outside of ‘reserves’ and appears to be tolerant of current management practices (Kemp, pers. comm., 2009).

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Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is limited to a particular degree; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a particular 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 Not limited – The number of mature individuals is estimated to individuals be greater than 300 million (NSW SC, 2004). This figure was recorded across only 18 sites surveyed in 2001, on the North- AND West Slopes of the Dividing Range in New South Wales (Earl and Kahn, 2001). Continued rate of decline Insufficient data – see Criterion 1 OR Total no. of mature Not limited – The number of mature individuals is estimated to individuals be greater than 300 million (NSW SC, 2004). This figure was recorded across only 18 sites surveyed in 2001, on the North- AND West Slopes of the Dividing Range in New South Wales (Earl and Kahn, 2001). Continued decline likely No – see Criterion 2 AND Geographic distribution No – 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 Not limited – The number of mature individuals is estimated to individuals be greater than 300 million (NSW SC, 2004). This figure was recorded across only 18 sites surveyed in 2001, on the North- West Slopes of the Dividing Range in New South Wales (Earl and Kahn, 2001).

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

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5. Recommendation The Committee notes that this species is eligible for delisting due to the availability of more information on the number of known locations and populations and the species’ population size.

The Committee recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by deleting from the list in the vulnerable category:

Bothriochloa biloba

Threatened Species Scientific Committee 3 June 2010

References cited in the advice Bean JM (1999). Bothriochloa biloba (Poaceae) in natural grasslands on slopes of the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, Cunninghamia 6: 383–387. BRI Rare and Threatened Plant database (2001). Herbarium-Museum Collection. Creamer H (1999). A landholder’s guide to threatened species: tips for saving threatened species in New England. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Earl J and Kahn L (2001). Field survey of Bothriochloa biloba S.T. Blake North-West Slopes NSW. Agricultural Information and Monitoring Services, NSW. Fensham RJ (1998). The grassy vegetation of the Darling Downs, south-eastern Queensland, : floristics and grazing effects. Biological Conservation 84: 301– 310. Harden GJ (1993). Flora of New South Wales Volume 4, NSW University Press, . Kemp DR (2009). Personal communication, 12 November 2009. Professor, Charles Sturt University. Lazarides, M. (1999). Personal communication. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research. New South Wales Scientific Committee (NSW SC) (2003). Bothriochloa biloba – proposed removal of vulnerable species listing; preliminary determination. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville. Available on the Internet at: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Bothriochloa_biloba_removal New South Wales Scientific Committee (NSW SC) (2004). Additional information regarding the nomination for de-listing Bothriochloa biloba S. T. Blake from Schedule 2 of the TSC Act. New South Wales. Queensland Herbarium (1999). Personal communication. Queensland Herbarium, Queensland Evironment Protection Agency. Quinn F, Williams JB, Gross CL and Bruhl J (1995). Report on rare and threatened plants of north-eastern New South Wales, University of New England, Armidale. Sharp D and Simon B (2001). Ausgrass: encyclopedia of Australian grasses, CSIRO Publishing and Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. Yu P, Prakash N and Whalley RDB (2003). Sexual and apomictic seed development in the vulnerable grass Bothriochloa biloba. Australian Journal of Botany 51: 75–84.

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