Conservation Science W. Aust. 7 (1) : 153–178 (2008) Flora and Vegetation of the banded iron formations of the Yilgarn Craton: the Weld Range ADRIENNE S MARKEY AND STEVEN J DILLON Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51, Wanneroo WA 6946. Email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT A survey of the flora and floristic communities of the Weld Range, in the Murchison region of Western Australia, was undertaken using classification and ordination analysis of quadrat data. A total of 239 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) and five hybrids of vascular plants were collected and identified from within the survey area. Of these, 229 taxa were native and 10 species were introduced. Eight priority species were located in this survey, six of these being new records for the Weld Range. Although no species endemic to the Weld Range were located in this survey, new populations of three priority listed taxa were identified which represent significant range extensions for these taxa of conservation significance. Eight floristic community types (six types, two of these subdivided into two subtypes each) were identified and described for the Weld Range, with the primary division in the classification separating a dolerite-associated floristic community from those on banded iron formation. Floristic communities occurring on BIF were found to be associated with topographic relief, underlying geology and soil chemistry. There did not appear to be any restricted communities within the landform, but some communities may be geographically restricted to the Weld Range. Because these communities on the Weld Range are so closely associated with topography and substrate, they are vulnerable to impact from mineral exploration and open cast mining.