Brigalow Belt South Bioregion Scoping Report

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Brigalow Belt South, NSW

Bioregional Conservation Assessment Scoping Report

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH BIOREGION SCOPING REPORT

BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH BIOREGION

A project undertaken for the NSW Biodiversity Strategy For more information and for information on access to data contact the:

Western Regional Assessments Unit, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service PO Box 2111 DUBBO NSW 2830 Ph: (02) 6841 9200 Fax: (02) 6841 9222 www.npws.nsw.gov.au

New South Wales Government

ISBN 07313 68738

This project has been funded by the NSW Biodiversity Strategy and coordinated by Western Regional Assessments Unit, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Contributors include:

Tania Laity, NSW NPWS Ed Knowles, NSW NPWS Stephen Thornton, NSW NPWS Liz Mazzer, NSW NPWS Andrew Knight, NSW NPWS Gethin Morgan, QLD Environmental Protection Agency Henry Nix, Centre for Resource and Environment, Australian National University Heidi Henry, NSW NPWS Michael Pennay, NSW NPWS Peter Christie, NSW NPWS Brent Marchant, NSW NPWS Steve Wall, NSW NPWS Anne Kerle Allison Manning, Editor

Disclaimer: While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of printing, the State of New South Wales, its agents and employees, do not assume any responsibility and shall have no liability, consequential or otherwise, of any kind, arising from the use of or reliance on any of the information contained in this document. CONTENTS

Project Aim...... 1 Project Objectives...... 1 Methods 1 Key results1 Implications for biodiversity conservation management ...... 2 1 THE SCOPING PROJECT ...... 1 1.1 Aims...... 1 1.2 Objectives ...... 1 1.3 Timing and funding...... 2 1.4 Project management...... 2 2 BACKGROUND ...... 3 2.1 Bioregionalisation ...... 3 2.2 New South Wales Biodiversity Strategy...... 5 2.3 Integrated Biodiversity Conservation and Assessment (IBCA) ...... 5 2.4 Bioregional assessment and conservation in western New South Wales ...... 7 2.4.1 Brigalow Belt South Bioregion – Western Regional Assessments...... 7 3 BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH BIOREGION OVERVIEW...... 8 3.1 Naming conventions ...... 8 3.2 Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (Australia and Queensland)...... 9 3.3 Brigalow Belt South study area ...... 10 3.3.1 Provinces...... 11 3.4 Tenure ...... 14 3.4.1 NPWS Estate ...... 14 3.4.2 State Forests of NSW estate...... 16 3.4.3 Other Crown Lands...... 17 3.5 Administrative boundaries and roles of administrative bodies / organisations ..... 19 3.5.1 New South Wales State Government...... 19 3.5.2 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) ...... 19 3.5.3 State Forests of NSW (SFNSW)...... 20 3.5.4 Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) ...... 21 3.5.5 Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs)...... 22 3.5.6 Regional Vegetation Committees (RVCs)...... 22 3.5.7 Catchment Management Boards (CMBs)...... 22 3.5.8 Local Government ...... 23 3.5.9 Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) ...... 24 4 ABIOTIC DATA...... 27 4.1 Current knowledge...... 27 4.1.1 Climate...... 27 4.1.2 Geology and geomorphology...... 28 4.1.3 Soils ...... 28 4.1.4 Topography...... 31 4.1.5 Hydrology...... 31 4.2 Basic analysis / gaps ...... 38 4.2.1 Bioregional stratification ...... 38 4.2.2 Stratification based on regional and state-wide abiotic data (STRAT5)...... 39 4.2.3 Land capability ...... 39 4.2.4 DLWC soils ...... 42 4.2.5 Soils of the brigalow lands...... 42 4.2.6 MDBC soil landforms...... 42 4.2.7 Landforms...... 42 4.2.8 Geology...... 43 4.3 Recommendations...... 46 5 FAUNA...... 47 5.1 Current knowledge...... 47 5.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 49 5.2.1 Systematic fauna site gap analysis...... 56 5.3 Recommendations...... 58 6 FLORA...... 60 6.1 Current knowledge...... 60 6.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 61 6.2.1 Systematic flora site gap analysis ...... 66 6.3 Recommendations...... 68 7 OTHER BIOTA ...... 69 7.1 Current knowledge...... 69 7.1.1 Invertebrates ...... 69 7.1.2 Fish ...... 69 7.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 70 7.3 Recommendations...... 70 8 VEGETATION ...... 71 8.1 Current knowledge...... 71 8.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 75 8.2.1 Clearing native vegetation ...... 82 8.3 Recommendations...... 88 9 ECOSYSTEMS ...... 90 9.1 Current knowledge...... 90 9.1.1 Endangered and threatened ecological communities ...... 90 9.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 93 9.3 Recommendations...... 93 10 ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES...... 94 10.1 Current knowledge...... 94 10.1.1 Nutrient cycling and soil formation ...... 94 10.1.2 Hydrological regimes...... 94 10.1.3 Threatening processes...... 95 10.1.4 Province by province threats...... 105 10.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 107 10.3 Recommendations...... 108 11 ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ...... 109 11.1 Current knowledge...... 109 11.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 110 11.3 Recommendations...... 110 12 WILDERNESS...... 112 12.1 Current knowledge...... 112 12.2 Basic analyses / gaps...... 113 12.3 Recommendations...... 113 13 BIODIVERSITY...... 114 13.1 Current knowledge...... 115 13.1.1 Genetic diversity...... 116 13.1.2 Species diversity ...... 116 13.1.3 Ecosystem diversity ...... 117 13.1.4 Landscape diversity ...... 117 13.2 Basic analysis / gaps ...... 117 13.3 Recommendations...... 118 14 CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING ...... 119 14.1 Conservation assessment and planning framework ...... 120 14.1.1 Conservation assessment and planning framework ...... 120 14.1.2 Technical framework ...... 120 14.1.3 GIS and decision support and other tools ...... 122 14.2 Current knowledge...... 122 14.2.1 Basic ecological principles ...... 123 14.2.2 Preliminary identification of landscapes of significance ...... 124 14.3 Recommendations...... 125 15 CONSERVATION CRITERIA, TARGETS, AND The ECOLOGICAL BOTTOM LINE...... 126 15.1 Existing conservation criteria and targets ...... 127 15.1.1 IUCN criterion...... 127 15.1.2 Nationally agreed criteria for the establishment of a CAR reserve system for forests in Australia (JANIS) (Commonwealth of Australia, 1997)...... 127 15.1.3 DLWC criteria for vegetation retention and catchment management...... 128 15.1.4 Framework for terrestrial biodiversity targets in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDBC)...... 128 15.1.5 National objectives and targets for biodiversity conservation 2001-2005 (NOTBC)...... 130 15.2 Development of conservation criteria for the BBS...... 131 15.2.1 Conservation principles and criteria for the BBS (Modified JANIS) ...... 131 15.2.2 Criteria for BBS for vegetation retention and restoration...... 133 15.3 Recommendations...... 134 16 CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ...... 135 16.1 Current knowledge...... 135 16.2 Basic analysis / gaps ...... 136 16.3 Recommendations...... 136 17 LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS...... 137 Abiotic data...... 137 Fauna...... 138 Flora ...... 139 Other biota ...... 139 Vegetation ...... 140 Ecosystems...... 141 Ecological processes ...... 141 Aboriginal cultural heritage ...... 141 Wilderness...... 142 Biodiversity...... 143 Conservation assessment and planning...... 143 Conservation criteria, targets and the ecological bottom line...... 143 Consultation and community involvement ...... 144 18 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS...... 145 Develop consistent natural resource and biodiversity database for BBS including:...... 145 Undertake comprehensive conservation assessment ...... 146 Development of CAR reserve system and integrated landscape framework in western and central NSW . 146 Cultural knowledge of biodiversity recorded ...... 146 Community consultation and involvement...... 146 19 REFERENCES / FURTHER READING ...... 147 TABLES Chapter 3 Table 3.1 Key to provinces of the BBS (Morgan and Terrey 1992) ...... 11 Table 3.2 NPWS Estate within each province and percentage of province reserved.... 15 Table 3.3 NPWS Estate in BBS...... 16 Table 3.4 Flora Reserves and Flora Preserves within BBS ...... 17 Table 3.5 BBS tenure (DLWC CLID data & NPWS and SFNSW Estate Layers) ...... 18 Table 3.6 Areas of land managed by Rural Land Protection Boards in the BBS...... 19 Table 3.7 NPWS administrative areas ...... 20 Table 3.8 Local Government Areas within the BBS ...... 24 Table 3.9 Local Aboriginal Land Councils intersecting the BBS ...... 25

Chapter 4 Table 4.1 Soil type by province within BBS ...... 30 Table 4.2 Catchments intersecting the BBS...... 31 Table 4.3 Identified wetlands, types and area within BBS ...... 32 Table 4.4 Wetlands by province within the BBS...... 33 Table 4.5 Summary of land capability classes...... 40 Table 4.6 Land capability classes by province within BBS...... 41 Table 4.7 Landforms within Goonoo SF and Pilliga forests...... 43 Table 4.8 Area of lithology by tenure within the BBS (MDBC and CLID)...... 44 Table 4.9 Percent lithology within each province of BBS (MDBC) ...... 45

Chapter 5 Table 5.1 Number of Wildlife Atlas fauna records by 1:100 000 mapsheet for BBS ... 49 Table 5.2 Threatened and treaty fauna species recorded in BBS...... 52 Table 5.3 Species presumed extinct in New South Wales recorded within the BBS .... 55 Table 5.4 Threatened and / or treaty fauna species predicted to occur within the BBS 55 Table 5.5 Fauna species recorded within 50km buffer of BBS in Queensland not previously recorded in BBS ...... 56 Table 5.6 Systematic fauna surveys within the BBS recorded on Wildlife Atlas ...... 57

Chapter 6 Table 6.1 Number of Wildlife Atlas flora records by 1:100 000 mapsheet for BBS..... 61 Table 6.2 Threatened and ROTAP flora species recorded in BBS...... 63 Table 6.3 Threatened flora species predicted to occur (but not recorded) within the BBS ...... 66 Table 6.4 Systematic flora surveys within the BBS...... 66 Chapter 7 Table 7.1 Fish recorded in the Namoi, Gwydir and Macquarie River Catchments...... 69

Chapter 8 Table 8.1 Plant communities by province for BBS ...... 71 Table 8.2 Existing vegetation mapping datasets within the BBS ...... 75 Table 8.3 Percentage of woody vegetation remaining across bioregion according to land tenure and province...... 76 Table 8.4 Level of woody vegetation fragmentation ...... 77 Table 8.5 Woody and non-woody vegetation by lithology in the BBS ...... 81

Chapter 10 Table 10.1 Exotic fauna recorded within the BBS...... 99 Table 10.2 Number of native and introduced flora species within each survey ...... 100 Table 10.3 Most frequently found exotic flora species in surveys ...... 101 Table 10.4 Weeds of national significance predicted to occur in BBS in the future ..... 101 Table 10.5 Declared noxious weeds recorded within the BBS...... 102

Chapter 13 Table 13.1 Levels of biodiversity surrogacy...... 116

Chapter 16 Table 15.1 Extent and protection of the world’s major biomes...... 127 Table 15.2 Landscape framework for assigning terrestrial biodiversity targets within the Murray-Darling Basin...... 129 Table 15.3 JANIS biodiversity criteria and modified JANIS for the BBS ...... 132 FIGURES Chapter 1 Figure 1.1 BBS scoping exercise - project management...... 2

Chapter 4 Figure 4.1 Main features of an artesian basin ...... 34 Figure 4.2 Land capability in BBS...... 41

Chapter 6 Figure 5.1 Number of fauna records in woody and non-woody vegetation in BBS ...... 51 Figure 5.2 Number of fauna records by land capability class for BBS...... 51 Figure 5.3 Trend line of number of fauna sites by stratum area...... 57

Chapter 6 Figure 6.1 Number of flora records by land capability class for BBS ...... 63 Figure 6.2 Trend line of number of flora sites by stratum area...... 67

Chapter 8 Figure 8.1 Area of woody vegetation fragments by remnant size on private land within the BBS ...... 78 Figure 8.2 Area of woody vegetation fragments by remnant size on public land within the BBS ...... 78 Figure 8.3 Woody vegetation by land capability on private land...... 79 Figure 8.4 Vegetation in relation to ruggedness and inherent land use potential in BBS80 Figure 8.5 Number of strata (Strat5) by percent of strata covered by woody vegetation82 Figure 8.6 Clearing applications received per year in BBS ...... 83 Figure 8.7 Percentage of clearing applications granted in BBS...... 84 Figure 8.8 Percent of total area of clearing by degree of clearing in BBS 1995-2000 ... 85 Figure 8.9 Percent of total area cleared by vegetation structure in BBS 1995-2000 ...... 85 Figure 8.10 Percent of total area cleared by purpose of clearing in BBS 1995-2000...... 86 Figure 8.11 Percent of total area cleared by Local Government Area within BBS 1995- 2000...... 86 Figure 8.12 Percent of total area cleared by province 1995-2000...... 87 Figure 8.13 Percentage of each province cleared 1995-2000...... 87

Chapter 14 Figure 14.1 The bioregional conservation assessment and planning framework...... 121

Chapter 15 Figure 15.1 Application of various conservation criteria and how they interact ...... 131 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ABBBS ...... Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme ABS ...... Australian Bureau of Statistics AM ...... The Australian Museum ANCA ...... Australian Nature Conservation Agency ANPWS ...... Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service ANZECC ...... Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council APASE ...... Association for the Promotion and Advancement of Science Education API ...... Aerial photograph interpretation BA ...... Birds Australia BBS ...... Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (NSW Section) BBS (Aus)...... Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (Whole Bioregion) BBS (Qld) ...... Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (Qld Section) BREC ...... Brisbane Region Environment Council BRS ...... Bureau of Rural Sciences CAMBA ...... China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement CAR ...... Comprehensive Adequate and Representative CLID ...... Crown Lands Information Database CMB ...... Catchment Management Board CRA ...... Comprehensive Regional Assessment CSIRO ...... Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DEM ...... Digital Elevation Model DEST ...... Department of Environment Sports and Territories DLG ...... NSW Department of Local Government DLWC ...... NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation DRP ...... Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion DUAP ...... NSW Department of Urban Affairs and Planning DWR ...... Department of Water Resources New South Wales EA ...... Environment Australia EPA ...... NSW Environment Protection Authority EPBC Act...... Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 ERIN ...... Environment Resource Information Network ESD ...... Ecologically Sustainable Development GAB ...... Great Artesian Basin GABCC ...... Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council GIS ...... Geographical Information Systems IAP ...... Interim Assessment Process IBCA ...... Integrated Biodiversity Conservation and Assessment IBRA ...... Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia IUCN World Conservation Union (International Union for Conservation of Nature) JAMBA ...... Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement JANIS Joint ANZECC / MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Subcommittee LEP ...... Local Environment Plan LIC ...... Land Information Centre MCFFA ...... Ministerial Council on Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture MDBC ...... Murray Darling Basin Commission MDBMC ...... Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council NHT ...... Natural Heritage Trust NIE ...... National Index of Ecosystems NPWS ...... NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service NRS ...... National Reserve System NRSCP ...... National Reserves System Cooperative Program NWCMC ...... North West Catchment Management Committee NWI ...... National Wilderness Inventory NVC Act ...... Native Vegetation Conservation Act, 1997 PWP ...... Public Watering Place RACAC ...... Resource and Conservation Assessment Council RACD ...... Resource and Conservation Division (DUAP) RBG ...... Royal Botanic Gardens RLPB ...... Rural Lands Protection Board ROTAP ...... Rare or Threatened Australian Plants RPM ...... Resource Policy and Management Ltd RVC ...... Regional Vegetation Committee RVMP ...... Regional Vegetation Management Plan SBS ...... NSW State Biodiversity Strategy SF ...... State Forest SFNSW ...... State Forests of NSW Strat5 ...... Stratification Based on Regional and Statewide Data for BBS SWP ...... Stock Watering Point SWS ...... South West Slopes Bioregion TPO ...... Tree Preservation Order TSC Act ...... Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 TSN ...... Threatened Species Network TSR ...... Travelling Stock Route VCA ...... Voluntary Conservation Agreements WLA ...... NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife WRA ...... Western Regional Assessments PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Aim The aim of the Brigalow Belt South Scoping Project was : To review existing information and to prepare a framework and strategy for a bioregional conservation assessment of the BBS bioregion in 2001 to 2004.

Project Objectives The objectives of the project were: S to undertake a data audit and gap analysis; S to develop a detailed framework and strategy plan for the Brigalow Belt South bioregional survey and conservation assessment; and S to undertake a preliminary identification of probable sites of significant biodiversity.

Methods Scoping project addresses the following questions: S What is the biodiversity (including genetic, species, populations and ecosystems) of the bioregion? S What is the current conservation status of the bioregion’s biodiversity? S How does this status compare with pre-clearing biodiversity status?

Key results The key results identified by this scoping project are: S that there is a lack of consistent datasets for the bioregion in New South Wales including for vegetation (extant and pre-clearing), fauna, geology, woody vegetation, land capability and tenure; S that approximately 2.5% of the bioregion is reserved under National Parks and Wildlife Service estate; S that approximately 11% of the bioregion is dedicated under New South Wales State Forest tenure; S that approximately 50% of the remaining woody vegetation within the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion is on National Parks and Wildlife Service and State Forests of New South Wales estate, with the other 50% of the remaining woody vegetation being highly fragmented across the bioregion; S that existing reserve system predominantly occurs on rugged country on lands of medium to low land capability; S that there is more fauna, flora and vegetation data available relating to public lands with low land capability and areas of woody vegetation than to other parts of the bioregion; S that there are no wetlands within the Brigalow Belt South bioregion which are reserved within National Parks and Wildlife Service estate. However, 12% of all wetlands within the bioregion occur on crown land. The greatest area of wetlands within the bioregion occurs in Northern Outwash province; and S that the development of a conservation assessment and technical framework for the BBS to guide future data collection, analysis and conservation planning within the bioregion.

Implications for biodiversity conservation management This project established a framework: S to provide information to regional planning bodies or groups to assist in addressing conservation issues. For example, through the development of Regional Vegetation Management Plans, River Management Plans, Threatened Species Recovery plans; and S to enable priorities to be developed for the future development of a comprehensive adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system and protected area network to be identified. Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 1 THE SCOPING PROJECT

1.1 Aims

The aim of this project was to review existing information and to prepare a framework and strategy for a bioregional conservation assessment of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion from 2001 to 2004.

This report includes: S a data audit and gap analysis; S a detailed framework and strategy for the Brigalow Belt South bioregional survey and conservation assessment; and S preliminary identification of probable sites of significant biodiversity and ecology.

1.2 Objectives

The information from the scoping project and later, the full assessment, will be provided to regional planning bodies and groups for use in the development of plans such as Regional Vegetation Management Plans (RVMPs), River Management Plans (RMPs), Threatened Species Recovery Plans. In addition it will enable priorities for the future development of a CAR reserve system and a protected area network including voluntary conservation measures on other lands to be identified.

This scoping project aims to identify all current relevant data and further data required for comprehensive conservation assessment and planning within the BBS. The project will include information about the bioregion’s biodiversity, conservation status and a comparison of the current status with pre-clearing biodiversity status.

Other factors which need to be taken into account when undertaking this project are natural long-term fluctuations in ecosystem processes (eg major drought, extended wet periods, major wildfires) and population dynamics, compounded by anthropogenic activity.

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1.3 Timing and funding

The original project proposal to the NSW Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Assessment (IBCA) Program required approximately $1.3m for a full bioregional assessment. Due to reduced funding (ie now $110 000), however, the project does not have the resources required to adequately undertake a comprehensive survey and assessment across the whole bioregion, thus a Scoping Project was approved by the IBCA Working Group and Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Group. The reduced scale of the project still meets the SBS requirement of commencing bioregional assessments and will provide a framework and strategy to assist the ongoing bioregional assessment process. The project commenced in October 1999.

Collection of datasets for this project was undertaken prior to December 2002. Datasets produced after this date are not included in this report.

1.4 Project management

The project management structure for the Brigalow Belt South Scoping Project is shown in Figure 1.1. The project was managed by the NPWS Western Directorate - Western Regional Assessments Unit.

The project was supervised by and linked closely to the Darling Riverine Plains Conservation Assessment project by that Project Manager.

A Project Officer was employed to undertake this project.

A small technical working group was established by the Project Manager. This working group is currently linked to the Darling Riverine Plains Technical Working Group and its future depends on the WRA Stage 2, however, it should retain links with the SBS projects.

Manager, Western Darling Riverine Regional Assessments Plains Biodiversity Unit Conservation Project

Brigalow Belt Project Sub-group of Darling Riverine Officer Darling Riverine Plains Project Plains Technical Technical Working Working Group Group

Figure 1.1 BBS scoping exercise - project management

2 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 2 BACKGROUND

2.1 Bioregionalisation

In general, a bioregion can be viewed as a territory of land or water, the boundaries of which are defined not only by geographical or physical attributes, but encapsulate ecosystems, ecological processes and human communities, regardless of political boundaries.

The Global Biodiversity Strategy (Reid et al, 1992) describes a bioregion as being; S large enough to maintain the integrity of its biological communities, habitats and ecosystems, S having cultural identity and a sense of home to its local residents; S containing a mosaic of land uses; and S having components which are dynamic and interactive.

Whilst technically different entities, bioregion, region and biogeographic region are all used interchangeably. If using the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) the correct terminology would be biogeographic region (Thackway and Cresswell 1995).

A cooperative project between the Commonwealth, State and Territory conservation agencies to develop a national index of ecosystems (NIE) was initiated in the mid-1980s by the Australian Nature Conservation Agency (ANCA). This process established methodologies for classifying environments or ecosystems as a basis for developing a national system of protected areas for Australia (ANPWS, 1988).

The NIE was incorporated into the Environmental Resource and Information Network (ERIN) in 1989, where implementation of the NIE was developed using geographical information systems (GIS) to classify numerically physical environmental attributes. Through a number of workshops, a national framework for developing environmental regions was developed for use in national and regional conservation assessment and planning, including planning a national system of protected areas (Thackway, 1992).

The Prime Minister, in his 1992 Environmental Statement (Keating, 1992), provided the initial resources to establish progressively a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) system of protected areas across Australia by the year 2000. The bulk of this funding was administered by ANCA for the National Reserves System Cooperative Program (NRSCP). The Commonwealth, State and Territory stakeholders involved

3 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report determined that an agreed national biogeographic regionalisation specific to the NRSCP was needed. That need led to the development of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) (Thackway and Cresswell, 1995). The interim nature of IBRA indicates that there is continuing scope for boundary adjustment as further information on each bioregion becomes available.

The IBRA established a national framework for the National Reserve System (NRS) Program. The endorsement of this document by the Commonwealth, and all States and Territories in 1995 established 80 biogeographical regions throughout Australia (map 1).

Bioregionalisation has been accepted and used at a variety of policy, management and scientific levels, for conservation assessment and planning. As part of the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC), the Commonwealth Government developed the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity (1996), which established a national framework for a bioregional planning approach, with the goal of "protecting biological diversity and maintain[ing] ecological processes and systems".

The establishment of the National Reserve System, administered by Environment Australia (EA), and funded by the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) meets the requirement under the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity to “establish a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of ecologically viable protected areas integrated with the sympathetic management of all other areas, including agricultural and other resource production systems”.

Whilst this has been a significant policy development for biological conservation and bioregional planning over recent years, it should be noted that conservation and bioregional planning occurs, and has been doing so, across many levels and scales concurrently in Australia. It is important to acknowledge the role and legitimacy of each layer, and the need for bioregional planning to work within this matrix of levels and functions to produce a successful and sustainable outcome (Neilson, 1996).

IBRA bioregions in the western division of New South Wales have been further subdivided into provinces by Morgan and Terrey (1992) based on groupings of landsystems on the basis of functional and geological differences within each bioregion. Provinces within the BBS are described in section 3.3.1.

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2.2 New South Wales Biodiversity Strategy

The New South Wales State Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) is the New South Wales Government’s commitment to the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity. The national strategy calls for the State and Territory Governments to develop complementary biodiversity strategies. The goal of the SBS is “to protect the native biological diversity of New South Wales and maintain ecological processes and systems” (NPWS, 1999).

SBS is based on the ideals of ecologically sustainable development (ESD), as set out in the Protection of the Environment Administration Act, 1991. ESD aims for the effective integration of economic, ecological and social considerations in decision-making processes. One of the three key principles of ESD is to protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems.

The core objectives of the above principle are summarised as: S to ensure the survival and evolutionary development of species, populations and communities of plants, animals and microorganisms native to New South Wales; S to strengthen management of biodiversity on a bioregional basis while using catchment-level networks to focus on specific actions such as the integration of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management; S to identify and combat the threats to biodiversity in a timely manner; S to build on existing initiatives to conserve biodiversity involving community groups, industry, Government and Aboriginal communities and strengthen actions which gain the support of these groups for biodiversity conservation; and S to increase understanding of ecological systems and processes through scientific research, survey and monitoring, drawing on the knowledge and values of Aboriginal and local communities.

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is the lead agency for the SBS and a whole-of-Government approach is facilitated through the interagency Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Group.

2.3 Integrated Biodiversity Conservation and Assessment (IBCA)

Priority Action 13 of the SBS aims to “adopt a standardised, integrated, whole-of Government approach to the collection, analysis and distribution of biodiversity data for use in assessing the conservation significance of land areas throughout New South Wales” (NPWS, 1999). This action calls for assessments to be made on a bioregional basis with the aim of providing biodiversity information for all tenures, with a priority being the systematic and cost-effective collection of information, enabling gaps in information to be identified and addressed.

IBCA recognises that there are many existing and planned projects throughout New South Wales which are also collecting and generating data required by the IBCA assessments.

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The IBCA approach seeks to use all available data and to fill gaps in data collection to ensure the development of comprehensive datalayers.

The SBS defines the primary objective of bioregional conservation assessments as identifying areas and features of high biodiversity significance and providing recommendations for appropriate conservation measures. These recommendations will then be used to make informed land management decisions by the following mechanisms: S Native Vegetation Conservation Act, 1997 (NVC Act). The Regional Vegetation Committees (RVCs) empowered by the NVC Act will use ecosystem-based biodiversity information to develop Regional Vegetation Management Plans (RVMPs); S catchment management under the Catchment Management Act, 1989 and the Catchment Management Regulation, 1999; S voluntary participation by landholders via Land for Wildlife, Wildlife Refuges and Voluntary Conservation Agreements (VCAs); S River Management Plans under the Water Management Act, 2000; S Farming for the Future programs run cooperatively between NPWS, NSW Agriculture, Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) and NSW Farmers Federation; S Bushcare regional planning as outlined by NHT; S CAR reserve system planning; S Local and Regional Environmental Plans under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979; and S Recovery Planning for threatened species and endangered ecological communities and Threat Abatement Planning under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act).

The IBCA priority actions are overseen by the interagency IBCA Working Group and projects are managed by NPWS, DLWC and The Australian Museum (AM). SBS - funded projects relating to Priority Action 13 of the SBS are listed in Appendix 19.

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2.4 Bioregional assessment and conservation in western New South Wales

Various bioregional assessments have been attempted in western New South Wales to date. An outline of the Brigalow Belt South Regional Assessment Stages 1 and 2 is given below. Other regional assessments undertaken in New South Wales are listed in appendix 16. These projects demonstrate the different approaches to bioregional assessment and highlight the need for good baseline datasets with coverage across whole bioregions.

2.4.1 Brigalow Belt South Bioregion – Western Regional Assessments A number of regional assessment projects are currently underway in the BBS. These are: S WRA BBS - Stage 1 – 1999 to 2000 - Stage 1 of the Western Regional Assessment (WRA) of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion involved preliminary assessments of flora, fauna, wood resources, cultural heritage and socio-economic attributes of the bioregion. This project aimed to provide scientific information on which to base a Forest Agreement, as well as providing information for the use of other regional planning groups such as RVCs and CMBs (Beckers and Binns, 2000). This project focussed only on that portion of the BBS bioregion south of Narrabri and largely within the Goonoo and Pilliga State Forests.

S WRA BBS - Stage 2 – 2000 to 2002 - Stage 2 of the WRA of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion will implement some biodiversity, environmental, and socio-economic assessments recommended in the Stage 1 reports, but will not include a comprehensive biodiversity assessment. The Stage 2 assessment is focussed mainly on forest and woodland ecosystems within the BBS bioregion.

Information from these projects has been added to this report to clarify the biodiversity assessment requirements of the biodiversity strategy. A technical framework is proposed which identifies work to be undertaken as part of the WRA or SBS.

7 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 3 BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH BIOREGION OVERVIEW

This section provides an overview of current knowledge of the biodiversity of the BBS bioregion.

3.1 Naming conventions

The Brigalow Belt South bioregion lies partly in New South Wales (approx. 20%), with the majority in Queensland (approx. 80%) (Thackway and Cresswell, 1995) (Map 1). For the purpose of this report, the New South Wales section of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion is referred to as ‘BBS’, ‘the bioregion’ or ‘Brigalow Belt South’ depending on the context. Where reference is made to the Queensland section of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion it will be made explicit by referring to this area as ‘BBS (Qld)’. Where reference is made to the entire Brigalow Belt South bioregion it will be made explicit by referring to it as ‘BBS (Aus)’. The boundaries of IBRA regions within Australia have been revised while this scoping report was being written (Environment Australia, 2001f). The revised boundary of the BBS will not be used for the purposes of this report. Both the BBS boundary IBRA Version 4 (used in this report) and the new BBS boundary IBRA Version 5 are shown in Map 48. However, the revised boundary of the BBS should be used in any future conservation assessments of the bioregion.

This report will use the following style for names of flora and fauna: S birds, mammals (excluding bat species), invertebrates, and fish – common name followed by scientific name when first used, then common name only used throughout; and S reptiles, amphibians, bats and all flora – scientific name followed by common name (where available) when first used, then scientific name only used throughout.

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3.2 Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (Australia and Queensland)

The Brigalow Belt South bioregion, BBS (Aus), covers an area of 279 496 km2, the sixth largest of the 80 bioregions in Australia. The bioregional boundary was defined by Thackway and Cresswell, (1995), on the basis of Jurassic and younger deposits of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) and Cainozoic deposits and elevated Tertiary basalt flows.

The Australian State of the Environment Report 1996 (DEST, 1996) estimates that 64% of the BBS (Aus) bioregion had been cleared, 16% was affected by intensive production, 9% was used for forestry on public lands, 2% covered by protected areas, with approximately 28 areas either being mined or with potential to be mined in the future.

BBS (Qld) is defined by the major extent of Acacia harpophylla (brigalow) and Eucalyptus populnea (poplar box) open forests and woodlands on sediments of the GAB which forms forest and woodlands on clay soils. The vegetation of the bioregion is much more varied than the name would suggest with Acacia harpophylla the dominant species in only nine of the 20 provinces described for BBS (Qld). Landsystems and ecosystems by province are described in Appendix 18. Large areas of the BBS (Qld) are covered by ecosystems such as eucalypt open forests and woodlands, other Acacia open forests and woodlands, grasslands, dry rainforests, cypress pine open forest and woodlands, Casuarina open forests and woodlands and riparian communities (Young et al, 1999; Johnson, 1984). In New South Wales the dominance of Acacia harpophylla as the primary vegetation alliance is further reduced with more southern influences in plant communities evident. Acacia harpophylla is present in only three of the seven provinces in New South Wales and then not as a dominant species (Morgan and Terrey, 1992).

Work in Queensland (Young et al, 1999) notes that 200 broad regional ecosystems have been defined from land system mapping for the BBS (Qld). Forty-six of these regional ecosystems are threatened, including 20 that are considered endangered, and 26 considered of conservation concern (based on JANIS criteria as outlined in Commonwealth of Australia, 1997). Within western New South Wales the semi- evergreen vine thicket, bluegrass grassland, and brigalow ecosystems of Northern New South Wales are listed as nationally endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act) (Environment Australia, 2001a; TSN, 2000; QLD EPA, 1999). The status of these ecosystems is shown in Appendix 18.

Broadscale clearing, altered fire regimes and pressures from the introduction of exotic species are common to many of these regional ecosystems. These pressures are ongoing. The Brisbane Region Environment Council (BREC) has compiled figures on tree clearing within the BBS (Qld). The figures show that between 1991 and 1999, 8 373 km2 of native vegetation have been cleared – mostly for pasture – representing 31% of the total clearing for all of Queensland during this period (BREC, 2000).

Many vegetation remnants within the Brigalow Belt are either on land unsuitable for agriculture or are highly degraded with reduced tree and shrub cover (Environment Australia, 2001a). As in New South Wales, there is a very low representation of the more productive landscapes in the formal reserve system within BBS (Qld). Whilst small-scale targeted surveys have been undertaken, there has been no systematic flora and fauna survey for the entire bioregion. Targeted surveys of flora and fauna species in Queensland have found a substantial reduction in population in some species, for example, Cadellia

9 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report pentastylis (ooline), or even probable extinction in the case of a burrowing lizard, Lerista allanae (Sattler and Williams eds, 1999).

Several fauna species which once occupied the Brigalow Belt are either now nationally extinct or regionally extinct. Nationally extinct species include paradise parrot (Psephotus pulcherrimus), white-footed rabbit-rat (Conilurus albipes), and Darling Downs hopping mouse (Notomys mordax). The brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) is extinct in all mainland states except Western Australia. Regionally extinct species include bilby (Macrotis lagotis), eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), and long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) (Environment Australia, 2001a).

There are 13 wetlands, covering a total area of 238 000 ha, within the BBS (Qld) which are listed as nationally important (QLD EPA, 1999). One such wetland, Goran Lake, occurs within the NSW portion of the bioregion.

Thackway and Cresswell (1995) list the land use pressures, limiting factors and constraints to conservation planning within the BBS (Aus) as cropping, grazing, clearing, the extinction of critical weight range mammals, feral animals, feral rabbits, forestry, mineral potential, salination, and weeds.

3.3 Brigalow Belt South study area

NPWS has administrative responsibility only within the New South Wales portion of the bioregion and this report will focus on that portion. In New South Wales the bioregion covers 52 409 sq km which is 18.7% of the BBS (Aus) and 6.5% of New South Wales. 2.6% of the New South Wales portion of the bioregion is reserved for conservation.

The 1997 New South Wales State of the Environment Report (EPA, 1997a) estimated that a total of 32% of the BBS had been cleared, and 26.7% had been thinned from the 1780s to 1990s. The 2000 New South Wales State of the Environment Report (EPA, 2000) estimated that approximately 60.9% of native vegetation within the bioregion had been cleared since European settlement. These figures refer to clearing and thinning of vegetation of >15% canopy cover and therefore do not include some woodland and grassland communities. Comparing figures from these reports suggests that approximately 2.2% of the bioregion has been cleared during the period between 1997 and 2000. However, these figures were derived using different methodology and as such discrepancies may occur. An account of clearing for the BBS possibly more accurate, would be that given in section 8.2.1 (clearing of native vegetation).

The 2000 New South Wales State of the Environment Report estimated clearing rates during 1995 to 1997 as being 1 500ha / year and acquisitions for the New South Wales reserve system between 1996 and 1999 being 4 055ha for the bioregion. No figures regarding long-term average clearing rates are available for the bioregion.

Morgan and Terrey (1992) describe the BBS as the Northern Sandstones, which is dominated by the Mesozoic sediments that comprise the south-eastern extremity of the GAB. These north-west dipping beds form a generally undulating landscape with some low hills and a few higher areas overlain by Tertiary lava flows. Sandstone dominated areas, due to their lower fertility soils and hence low suitability to agriculture, have the bulk of the remaining native forest – the two main contiguous blocks being Pilliga State

10 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Forests / Pilliga Nature Reserve and Goonoo State Forest / Coolbaggie Nature Reserve. The steeper basaltic areas are dominated by native forest also due to their low suitability for agriculture. The more gently undulating areas and alluvial areas have been widely cleared due to their high land capability. This is especially evident in the Northern Outwash and Liverpool Plains provinces (map 11) (section 3.3.1).

The bioregion covers a large longitudinal and latitudinal climatic range, and lies within an ecological gradient or ecotone between dry inland bioregions and wetter coastal bioregions. Consequently the area is environmentally heterogeneous, and potentially rich in biodiversity.

Morgan and Terrey (1992) state that, due to BBS containing a major intake area and aquifer beds for the GAB in NSW, the main conservation objective for this bioregion would be to protect these intake areas to avoid contamination of groundwater.

In order to formulate principles and criteria for conservation values, the first priority is to determine the attributes that distinguish the BBS from other regions, including the inherent characteristics of the biophysical environment, and the region’s land use history, noting that the former in part influences the latter. The area has a significant cultural history which needs to be reflected in any conservation assessment (RACD, 2000a). 3.3.1 Provinces Morgan and Terrey (1992) defined the bioregion as the northern sandstones region and then further subdivided the bioregion into seven provinces (map 11), each having a distinctive suite and pattern of landforms, soils and vegetation. The provinces are largely identified by their dominant geomorphological patterns as outlined in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 Key to provinces of the BBS (Morgan and Terrey 1992)

Geology / Lithology Landform / Soils Province Alluvials and colluvials Gently sloping fans, grey clays 1. Northern Outwash dominant Plains, black earths 2. Liverpool Plains Plains, deep sandy texture -contrast soils 3. Pilliga Outwash Basalt dominant 4. Liverpool Range High ranges

Undulating, sandstone in valleys 5. Northern Basalt Mesozoic sediments Coarse sediments, sandy soils 6. Pilliga dominant Fine to medium sediments, red loams 7. Talbragar Valley

Provinces can be a useful tool in subdividing bioregions into more manageable units for conservation and assessment purposes. Provinces within the BBS and their associated vegetation are described and summarised below (RACD, 2000a; Morgan and Terrey, 1992).

Northern Outwash This province contains low red rises and a series of alluvial fans between Narrabri and the Queensland border on the western side of the bioregion. The fans have been formed by tributaries draining the sandstone and basalt areas to the east. The coarser red soils may be intake areas for the GAB. Some scalding is present. The native vegetation is dominated by grasslands and open woodlands. These continue to be cleared extensively and developed for cropping.

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Liverpool Plains This province lies between Narrabri and Quirindi in the central eastern portion of the bioregion and is made up of extensive black soil plains punctuated by low sedimentary and volcanic hills. The grasslands and open woodlands on the alluvial plains and foot slopes of the hills have been mainly cleared and are used for cropping. The southern parts of this province, in addition to the Liverpool Range Province and the eastern parts of the Pilliga Province make up the Oxley Geological Basin. Major intake areas for its aquifers are the sedimentary hills within this province. Important sources of groundwater include the alluvials of the Namoi River and its larger tributaries.

Unusual areas within the Liverpool Plains province include an area of rugged Permian volcanics near Boggabri. This is a restricted geological formation with vegetation cover similar to that in the sedimentary areas. The province contains Lake Goran, which is a seasonal swamp originally covered by Austrostipa aristiglumis (plains grass).

Pilliga Outwash This is a gently undulating plain of deep sandy soils formed by outwash from the sandstone hills to the east. Some of the more productive soils around the margins of this province have been cleared for agriculture but most of the higher areas remain covered by State forests. The remnant native forests are predominantly found on coarser soils in higher areas. This province is the most poorly reserved of all the BBS provinces with only 0.1% covered by NPWS estate (Table 3.2).

Liverpool Range This province is in the south-east of the bioregion and encompasses the basalt plateau and slopes of the Liverpool Ranges. The higher rainfall of the plateau supports tall eucalypt forests that have been partly cleared and logged. The slopes on the southern side, within the Hunter River catchment have been cleared extensively and developed for pasture, but on the northern slopes the forests are mostly still present. The Liverpool Range province is the primary catchment for the aquifers of the Oxley Geological Basin and forms the headwaters of the Namoi and Hunter Rivers.

Northern Basalts Lying between Narrabri and Yetman in the north east of the bioregion, this province has a gently undulating landscape resulting from erosion of the basalt layer to expose the underlying sandstone. The soils are rich and have been heavily cultivated. Almost no native vegetation remains except along waterways, and some small remnants on stony basalt hills and sandstone.

Pilliga This is the largest of the seven provinces within this bioregion, stretching from Dubbo to Narrabri. It contains extensive sandstone hills with areas of higher basalt peaks and has predominantly sandy soils. Much of the forest has been cleared, but there are large areas of State forest, especially on lands with rockier and shallower soils. This province is the major intake area of aquifer for the GAB in New South Wales. Seven percent of its area is reserved, which is the highest percentage of all the provinces in the bioregion. The Pilliga

12 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report province contains all or part of Pilliga, Binnaway, Weetalibah, and Coolbaggie Nature Reserves, and Warrumbungle, and Goulburn River National Parks (Table 3.2).

Talbragar Valley This is the smallest of the seven provinces and includes the Talbragar River valley and land to the southern border of the bioregion. The finer sediments of this province provide rich soils which have largely been cleared for cultivation and grazing. Native vegetation only remains on the rocky sandstone hills formed by the inliers of the coarse Pilliga Sandstone.

More detailed information regarding vegetation within each province is provided in the vegetation section of this report.

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Table 3.2 shows the national parks and nature reserves that occur within each province and the percentage of each province reserved.

3.4 Tenure

3.4.1 NPWS Estate There is an area of approximately 132 500 ha of NPWS estate that lies within or is intersected by the BBS (map 36). This figure represents the combined area of five national parks, 13 nature reserves and three ungazetted areas and accounts for 2.6% of the total area of the bioregion (Table 3.3) lists nature reserves, national parks and ungazetted NPWS estate within or which intersect the BBS, their area within the BBS and their protected area management category under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Manobalai Nature Reserve has been excluded from calculations. It has only one hectare within the BBS, which could be an inaccuracy due to the scale of mapping.

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Table 3.2 NPWS Estate within each province and percentage of province reserved

Province Area of NPWS Estate Area of Estate % of Province Within BBS (ha) Province (ha) Reserved Northern Outwash Careunga Nature Reserve 469 Kirramingly Nature Reserve (ungazetted) 1 329 701 355 1 798 0.3% Liverpool Plains Mount Kaputar National Park 1 252 940 197 1 252 0.1% Pilliga Outwash Brigalow Park Nature Reserve 202 Land adjacent to Claremont Nature Reserve 202 Land adjacent to Brigalow Park Nature Reserve 52 535 097 456 0.1% Liverpool Range Cedar Brush Nature Reserve 190 Coolah Tops National Park 10 578 Towarri National Park 3 352 Wingen Maid Nature Reserve 54 523 105 14 174 2.7% Northern Basalts Arakoola Nature Reserve 1 662 Gamilaroi Nature Reserve 113 Planchonella Nature Reserve 717 611 268 2 492 0.4% Pilliga Binnaway Nature Reserve 3 699 Coolbaggie Nature Reserve 1 793 Goulburn River National Park 2 012 Pilliga Nature Reserve 80 239 Warrumbungle National Park 23 198 Weetalibah Nature Reserve 613 1 734 198 111 554 6.4% Talbragar Valley Dapper Nature Reserve 753 Wongarbon Nature Reserve 99 205 346 852 0.4%

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Table 3.3 NPWS Estate in BBS

National Parks Estate Hectares % within Protected Areas Management Category Under IUCN Within BBS BBS Pilliga Nature Reserve 80 239 100% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Warrumbungle National Park 23 198 100% II – national park managed for ecosystem protection and recreation Coolah Tops National Park 10 578 100% II – national park managed for ecosystem protection and recreation Binnaway Nature Reserve 3 699 100% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Towarri National Park 3 352 70% II – national park managed for ecosystem protection and recreation Goulburn River National Park 2 012 3% II – national park managed for ecosystem protection and recreation Coolbaggie Nature Reserve 1 793 100% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Arakoola Nature Reserve 1 662 52% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Mount Kaputar National Park 1 252 3% II – national park managed for ecosystem protection and recreation Dapper Nature Reserve 753 75% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Planchonella Nature Reserve 717 100% IV – habitat / species management area managed for conservation through management intervention Weetalibah Nature Reserve 613 100% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Careunga Nature Reserve 469 100% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Brigalow Park Nature Reserve 202 100% IV – habitat / species management area managed for conservation through management intervention Cedar Brush Nature Reserve 190 100% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Gamilaroi Nature Reserve 113 100% IV – habitat / species management area managed for conservation through management intervention Wongarbon Nature Reserve 99 100% IV – habitat / species management area managed for conservation through management intervention Wingen Maid Nature Reserve 54 5% Ia – strict nature reserve managed mainly for science Kirramingly Nature Reserve (ungazetted) 1 329 100% not assigned Land adjoining Claremont Nature 202 100% not assigned Reserve Land adjoining Brigalow Park Nature 51 100% not assigned Reserve Total area of NPWS estate within BBS 132 577

3.4.2 State Forests of NSW estate Lands dedicated as flora reserves which lie within the BBS are listed in Table 3.4. These lands cover approximately 5 237 ha, which is 0.1% of the bioregion. The objective of management for Flora Reserves is the preservation of native flora. Of the 13 Flora reserves and preserves within the BBS, five flora reserves Lanes Mill, Bunal, Warung Tops, Yarindury, and Yearinan Flora Reserves have been exempted from mining and are therefore equivalent to IUCN I-IV. Timber harvesting and grazing by domestic stock are not permitted in flora reserves unless specified in a working plan.

There is an area of approximately 584 000 ha of land dedicated as State forest which lie within or is intersected by the BBS (map 36). This figure represents the summed area of 87 State forests and accounts for 11.1% of the total area of the bioregion. A list of State forests in the BBS is included as appendix 1. To date State Forests within the BBS have not been assigned IUCN categories. However, parts of these forests are likely to qualify for IUCN categories of I-IV under future Forest Management Zoning and initiatives associated with habitat or species management.

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Table 3.4 Flora Reserves and Flora Preserves within BBS

Flora Reserve Hectares Intersecting BBS Gilgai FR 2 496 Lanes Mill FR 732 Norfolk Falls FR 640 Mogriguy FP 399 Jemmys Creek FR 321 Bunal FR 182 Wittenbra FR 83 Sand Monkey FR 80 Yarindury FR 60 Warung Tops FR 60 Wambadule South FP 56 Ginee Belah FR 48 Yearinan FR 43 Currayall FP 37 TOTAL 5 237

3.4.3 Other Crown Lands The available data on Crown lands (map 4) (from CLID, the DLWCs Crown Lands Information Database) at the time of writing is not particularly accurate either spatially or by attributes. This is due to the fact that there is considerable spatial overlap between classes (Table 3.5). For example, a given patch of land may be classified as both Crown licence and Crown reserve, Crown lease or Crown other and there has been a lack of data verification and updating of CLID. There are also inconsistencies in the data. For example, Crown licences sometimes coincide with other crown classes (such as Crown licence on Crown reserve) but not always (Crown licence on unknown tenure) and when there is coincidence in some cases there is only a partial overlap.

When all of the Crown Land classes are merged and treated as a spatial layer with no overlap (Unclassified Crown Land), they cover 873 599 ha (16.6% of BBS). When combined with the SFNSW and NPWS estate, the figure for public tenure in BBS is 1 598 698 ha (30.4% of BBS). When this figure is subtracted from the total area of the BBS, 3 651 848 ha remains (69.6% of BBS). This tenure other than Crown tenure has been termed “freehold” for simplicity, but there will certainly be a small percentage of other tenures for which spatial data is not available at this time.

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Table 3.5 BBS tenure (DLWC CLID data & NPWS and SFNSW Estate Layers)

Tenure Groups Tenure Hectares % of BBS Area of BBS 5 250 546 100.0

Crown Crown Lease 609 326 11.6 Crown Reserve 189 024 3.6 Crown Licence 106 155 2.0 Crown Easements 3 081 0.1 Crown Other 10 438 0.2 Sum of Crown (not spatially unique) 918 024 17.5

Merged Crown (spatially unique) 873 599 16.6 All Public Tenure Merged Public Tenure (spatially unique), includes 1 596 176 30.4 SFNSW and NPWS Estate SFNSW Estate Includes flora reserves 590 000 11.2 NPWS Estate Includes estate owned but not gazetted as 132 577 2.6 national park or nature reserve Freehold Freehold (not Crown) 3 654 370 69.6

NB: All figures in the above table have been calculated from available spatial data using a projection of AMG Zone 55 and AGD66 Datum.

Convertible leasehold land Convertible leasehold land is Crown land that may be converted to freehold after a joint assessment of conservation values by DLWC and NPWS. There is currently limited spatial information on the status of convertible and non-convertible leasehold lands within the BBS. Approximately 120 000 hectares (about 20% of the total area of Crown leases in BBS) of convertible leasehold land has been identified within the BBS.

Vacant Crown land There are no spatial data available to indicate the amount or spatial arrangement of vacant Crown land in the BBS.

Special cases of Crown easements Approximately 3 081ha has been mapped as Crown easements (Table 3.5). The sub- classes in this group are: S easement over non-Crown land; S electricity transmission; S transportation access; S fuel (gas, oil) / water / sewerage / drainage; and S other purpose.

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Travelling Stock Routes Of the Crown reserve figure quoted in Table 3.6, 76 555 ha are travelling stock routes (TSRs). This figure is indicative only as the data used to derive it require updating. A better representation of the area of TSRs within the BBS can be estimated by the data given in Table 3.6 which shows the total area of managed land for each Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) and the percentage of their area within the BBS. Twenty one percent of the total area of all RLPBs which intersect the BBS falls within the bioregion. This area of 56 170 ha equates to approximately 1% of the entire bioregion.

Table 3.6 Areas of land managed by Rural Land Protection Boards in the BBS

RLPB Total Area TSRs, Area of % Area Of Jurisdiction Within BBS PWPs and SWPs Jurisdiction Within Managed BBS (ha) (ha) Coonabarabran 4 000 1 242 619 95.1% Narrabri 38 346 863 078 69.3% Tamworth 13 816 896 008 52.3% Northern Slopes 39 646 706 636 43.0% Dubbo 18 500 585 287 34.2% Mudgee – Merriwa 3 039 369 384 26.5% Moree 32 500 411 677 25.7% Walgett 63 833 94 163 3.7% Coonamble 50 000 13 511 1.2% Hunter 3 780 68 132 0.7% TOTALS 267 460 5 250 495 % total area of jurisdiction of all RLPBs in BBS=21%

TSRs are of important value as habitat corridors, and even though they are subject to edge effects due to their predominantly linear nature and general proximity to roads, are often a haven for rare plants due to their reduced grazing interval and frequency when compared with freehold land. TSRs are also important as they are often a key source of plants, seeds, seeds or other parts of plants which are able to produce an individual plant, for use in rehabilitation and restoration of vegetation.

3.5 Administrative boundaries and roles of administrative bodies / organisations

The following information shows the bodies or organisations which have land management jurisdiction within the BBS and are responsible for the administration of landscape related issues. 3.5.1 New South Wales State Government Five State Government electorates intersect the BBS. These are Dubbo, Northern Tablelands, Tamworth, Barwon and Upper Hunter. Barwon and Upper Hunter together occupy 86% of the bioregion. (Map 9)

3.5.2 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) The NPWS is the government agency responsible for developing and maintaining the parks and reserve system, and conserving natural and cultural heritage, in the state of New South Wales.

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The BBS sits on the boundary between three of the four NPWS Directorates; Northern, Central and Western. The majority (84%), however, sits in Western Directorate, with Northern and Central Directorates having responsibility for 11% and 5% respectively of the bioregion respectively. Any bioregional assessment of the BBS will be managed from the Western Directorate office in Dubbo. (Map 3 shows NPWS Directorates and Regions)

The NPWS Directorates are subdivided into Regions and Areas as shown in Table 3.7.

Table 3.7 NPWS administrative areas

Directorate Region Area Central Blue Mountains Mudgee Central Coast-Hunter Range Hunter Range Northern Northern Tablelands Glen Innes West Walcha Hunter Upper Hunter Western Northern Plains Narrabri Coonabarabran Central West Lachlan Macquarie

The functions of the NPWS are (NPWS, 2001g): S “to conserve protected native animals and plants throughout NSW S to protect and manage Aboriginal sites, objects and places of special significance to Aboriginal people S to promote community awareness, understanding and appreciation of the conservation of nature and our cultural heritage S to investigate and acquire land for the state’s network of parks and reserves so that it conserves a complete range of the natural environments of NSW S to manage historic places within parks and reserves and to acquire historic places of significance S to manage parks and reserves – and their culturally significant features – for enjoyment and conservation S to identify, protect and manage wilderness throughout the state.”

These functions are further detailed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 Part 2, Division 1.

3.5.3 State Forests of NSW (SFNSW) BBS is intersected by nine SFNSW Management Areas. They are Inverell, Pilliga, Attunga, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Gilgandra, Mudgee, Cessnock and Warung. For the purposes of this report Attunga can be considered outside the bioregion as there is only an insignificant overlap probably caused by digitising of boundaries at different scales.

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Dubbo, Gilgandra, Pilliga and Inverell management areas along the north and east of the BBS are probably the most important areas for biological diversity, natural and cultural values (Map 5).

The objectives of SFNSW outlined in the Forestry Act, 1916 (NSW) are: S to conserve and utilise the timber on Crown-timber lands and land owned by SFNSW or otherwise under its control or management to the best advantage of the State; S to provide adequate supplies of timber from Crown-timber lands and land owned by SFNSW or otherwise under its control or management for building, commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining and domestic purposes; S to preserve and improve, in accordance with good forestry practice, the soil resources and water catchment capabilities of Crown-timber lands and land owned by SFNSW or otherwise under its control or management; S to encourage the use of timber derived from trees grown in the State; S consistent with the use of State forests for the purposes of forestry and of flora reserves for the preservation of the native flora thereon: (i) to promote and encourage their use as a recreation; and (ii) to conserve birds and animals thereon; and S to provide natural resource environmental services (whether within or outside of New South Wales).

3.5.4 Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) There are three separate DLWC administrative regions intersecting the BBS. They are Barwon in the north, Central West in the south-west and Hunter in the south-east that corresponds generally to the Liverpool Range Province within BBS. (Map 7)

DLWC is responsible for integration of the management of land, water, soil, vegetation and coastal resources of New South Wales.

The functions of DLWC include (DLWC, 2000c): S “developing policies on resource use and management; S maintaining databases on the condition of the State’s land, soil, water and vegetation; S managing assets such as Crown land across the State; including the Crown reserve system, dams and fishing ports S providing expertise with management of the coast, estuaries and floodplains; S managing the country towns water supply and sewerage scheme; S managing the planning and sharing of water across the State; and S providing survey and mapping services (the geographic information infrastructure), ensuring the fundamental interests and rights in land of individuals.”

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3.5.5 Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) The BBS intersects with ten RLPB areas, with nine of these contributing most to the BBS area including Dubbo, Mudgee-Merriwa, Hunter, Tamworth, Coonabarabran, Walgett, Narrabri, Moree, and Northern Slopes. The remaining RLPB (Coonamble) only contributes a very small area on the mid-western boundary of the BBS (Map 2).

RLPBs main responsibilities are: S the care, control, and management of crown lands dedicated for the purposes of travelling stock.; S managing the control of rabbits, wild dogs, feral pigs, and other pests such as foxes and feral cats; and S animal health service to owners of commercial herd and flock animals.

3.5.6 Regional Vegetation Committees (RVCs) The BBS is intersected by eight RVCs and one proposed committee (Map 6). These committees are Hunter Valley (not appointed), Narrabri – Coonabarabran – Coolah, Inverell-Yallaroi, Liverpool Plains, Moree, North-Western Slopes (not appointed), Walgett and Lower Macquarie - Castlereagh.

RVCs are responsible for producing Regional Vegetation Management Plans (RVMPs), a way for communities to develop their own localised plans to deal with the native vegetation issues most effecting their region. For example, native vegetation conservation, viability of agricultural production, dryland salinity or the conservation of native species (NSW Govt., 1999). RVCs are governed by the NVC Act and are coordinated through DLWC.

As of June 2001, none of the RVCs within the BBS bioregion had finalised their RVMP. However, several RVCs which have RVMPs in various stages of development include: S Walgett; S Inverell – Yallaroi; S Liverpool Plains; S Moree; and S Narrabri – Coonabarabran – Coolah.

3.5.7 Catchment Management Boards (CMBs) 18 CMBs replace 43 of the 45 previous Catchment Management Committees and the five regional catchment committees within New South Wales. Four CMBs and one Catchment Management Trust have jurisdiction within the BBS bioregion (map 10). These are Namoi Catchment Management Board, Border Rivers Catchment Management Board, Gwydir Catchment Management Board, Central West Catchment Management Board, and Hunter Catchment Management Trust.

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Board members are drawn from representatives from the community, industry and Government including nature conservation interests, primary producers/natural resource users, local government, Aboriginal interests, and State Government.

The roles of CMBs include (DLWC, 2000a): S “To identify the opportunities, problems and threats associated with the use of natural resources to support rural production and protection and enhancement of the environment;

S to identify the first order objectives and targets, within the overall legislative and policy framework, for the use and management of the region’s natural resources;

S to develop management options, strategies and actions to address the identified objectives and targets;

S to assist in developing a greater understanding within the community of the issues identified and action required to support rural production and enhance the environment; and

S to initiate proposals for projects and assess against the targets, all projects submitted for funding under Commonwealth and State natural resource management grant programs.”

3.5.8 Local Government There are 20 local Government areas intersecting with the BBS. Table 3.8 shows the local Government areas (LGAs) which intersect the BBS, their area and the percent of the BBS which they cover. The main LGAs intersecting the BBS are Narrabri, Coonabarabran and Moree Plains (map 8).

Examples of local government’s role in biodiversity conservation include: S local environment plans (LEPs) which are the principal legal document for controlling development at the council level. The zoning provisions establish permissibility of uses and standards regulate the extent of development (DUAP, 2001);

S tree preservation orders (TPO) which are being used by Councils as a method of controlling vegetation clearing. For example, Gunnedah Shire Council has for a number of years been one of the few rural Councils that extended a TPO to cover the rural areas of the Shire. TPOs generally apply to urban areas within a local government area. The Gunnedah TPO has now been incorporated into Council’s Local Environment Plan (LEP) which was gazetted in 1998, giving the TPO even greater statutory power;

S Gunnedah Council is also developing a Koala Management Plan in part of the Shire. (ALGA, 2000); and

S SBS has helped to develop and trial Local Biodiversity Strategies which could be promoted through this project.

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S Many councils are involved in management of roadsides for protection of vegetation corridors. For example, Coonabarabran Shire has prepared a roadside assessment and vegetation management plan which has been issued as a development control plan for the Shire. Dubbo Shire is also currently (August 2001) undertaking a roadside assessment and vegetation management plan.

Table 3.8 Local Government Areas within the BBS

Local Government Total Area Hectares within BBS % of BBS Area (ha) (ha) Narrabri 1 309 700 930 285 17.7% Coonabarabran 746 730 744 513 14.2% Moree Plains 1 786 993 621 183 11.8% Gunnedah 504 641 450 808 8.6% Coolah 480 622 404 272 7.7% Yallaroi 536 333 390 140 7.4% Gilgandra 486 318 351 183 6.7% Merriwa 351 283 263 355 5.0% Dubbo 343 122 256 914 4.9% Quirindi 305 971 223 617 4.3% Murrurundi 246 632 152 199 2.9% Inverell 856 409 116 801 2.2% Coonamble 998 862 90 799 1.7% Scone 402 301 79 882 1.5% Walgett 2 228 333 64 624 1.2% Wellington 413 292 52 778 1.0% Narromine 524 831 47 848 0.9% Mudgee 555 243 5 913 0.1% Muswellbrook 344 068 2 681 0.1% Parry 475 898 751 <0.1%

3.5.9 Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) Seventeen Local Aboriginal Land Councils intersect the BBS (Map 39). Table 3.9 lists these, their area and the percent of their area which intersects the BBS, and the percentage of the BBS intersected by each Local Aboriginal Land Council area.

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Table 3.9 Local Aboriginal Land Councils intersecting the BBS

LALC Area Within The BBS (ha) % Within BBS % of BBS Covered by LALC Coonabarabran 606 773 100% 12% Coonamble 29 897 4% 1% Dubbo 387 458 70% 7% Gilgandra 547 046 80% 10% Moree 709 389 70% 14% Narrabri 438 843 87% 8% Narromine 42 962 26% 1% Nungaroo 113 289 28% 2% Pilliga 325 472 95% 6% Red Chief 473 794 84% 9% Toomelah 479 896 53% 9% Walgett 77 000 6% 1% Walhallow 498 013 99% 10% Wanaruah 219 343 15% 4% Wee Waa 96 144 27% 2% Weilwan 94 656 50% 2% Unincorporated 98 505 14% 2%

The functions of a Local Aboriginal Land Council as set out in Section 12 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 are:

(a) “in accordance with any regulations, to acquire land and to hold or dispose of, or otherwise deal with, land vested in or acquired by the Council, and (a1) to negotiate the acquisition by the Council or by the Council and one or more other Local Aboriginal Land Councils of lands of cultural significance to Aboriginals that are listed in Schedule 14 to the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 and the lease of those lands to the Minister administering that Act, and (a2) to submit proposals to the Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife for the listing in that Schedule of other lands of cultural significance to Aboriginals that are reserved or dedicated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974, and (a3) to negotiate the lease by the Council or by the Council and one or more other Local Aboriginal Land Councils of lands to which section 36A applies to the Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974, and (b) to make applications in writing to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council for the acquisition by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council of land on behalf of or to be vested in the Local Aboriginal Land Council, and (c) to make applications in writing to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council for the granting of funds to be applied solely to the payment of the administrative costs and expenses of the Local Aboriginal Land Council, and (d) to implement the wishes of its members (as decided at a meeting of the Council) with respect to: (i) the acquisition, management, use, control and disposal of land, and (ii) the acquisition, establishment and operation of enterprises, and

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(e) to consider applications to prospect or mine for minerals on its land and to make recommendations to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, and (f) to make claims to Crown lands, and (g) to upgrade and extend residential accommodation for Aborigines in its area, and (h) to protect the interests of Aborigines in its area in relation to the acquisition, management, use, control and disposal of its land, and (i) to negotiate with persons desiring to use, occupy or gain access to any part of its land, and (j) with the consent of the parties concerned, to conciliate disputes between individual Aborigines or groups of Aborigines in its area, and (k) such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.”

26 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 4 ABIOTIC DATA

4.1 Current knowledge

Appendix 9 shows all current datasets (biotic and abiotic), their custodianship, scale, source, and the percentage of the BBS bioregion covered by each.

4.1.1 Climate In an analysis of the BBS (RACD, 2000a), climatic data for six meteorological stations were included. The east-west axis of the bioregion is represented by Gilgandra in the west (31o72'S, 148o66'E; elevation 285m; 107 years of records) to Murrurundi in the east (31o77'S, 150084'E; elevation 466m; 126 years of records). Along the north-south axis the stations are Dubbo to the south (32o21'S, 148o57'E; elevation 275m; 126 years of records), Narrabri in the centre (30o34'S, 149o75'E; elevation 212m; 105 years of records) and in the north, Texas (28o85'S, 151 o17'E; elevation 284m; 99 years of records) and Goondiwindi (28o55'S, 150o31'E; elevation 217m; 112 years of records).

In addition to considering the variation in weather patterns across the year using long- term station data it is also essential to examine the microclimatic variation across the landscape by including topographic features in the analysis. The bioclimatic surfaces (derived from base data supplied by Australian National University) (Maps 13 and 14) indicate the range of microclimates and the consequent potential variation in the distribution and occurrence of plant and animal species across the bioregion.

Rainfall Located within the eastern sub-humid region of Australia, the BBS (Aus) includes a large proportion of the country with an annual rainfall of 500 - 750 mm from Carnarvon Range in central Queensland to Dubbo in New South Wales.

In the bioregion annual mean rainfall varies from about 550 mm in the west at Gilgandra to 823 mm on the eastern edge of the bioregion at Murrurundi. On the north - south gradient, annual mean rainfall is 587 mm in Dubbo, 651 mm at Narrabri and 659 mm at Texas on the Queensland border. Substantial rainfalls can occur at any time of the year but there is a peak in summer and a smaller peak in winter. The dominance of the summer rainfall decreases to the south, with the exception of Murrurundi on the higher altitudes of the south east. At Dubbo, the distribution of rainfall throughout the year is relatively even with a low in April. The bioclimatic surface for rainfall (Map 12) illustrates the variation in relation to topography (orographic variation), most notably the areas of higher rainfall around the Liverpool Ranges in the south east and the higher outcrops of the Warrumbungles (RACD, 2000a).

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Temperature Temperatures vary with altitude throughout the bioregion and have a large daily variation. The variation with altitude is clearly demonstrated by the bioclimatic surface for temperature (Map 13). Like the rainfall, the Liverpool and Warrumbungle Ranges have lower annual mean temperatures than the rest of the bioregion, as do some of the isolated volcanic peaks between the two ranges.

Monthly mean temperatures range from a maximum of 33oC in January to a minimum of 3oC in July but daily maxima can reach 45oC and stay above 40oC for several days. Minimum temperatures can be as low as -9oC. Frosts are common with up to 100 days of frost each winter possible in the southern areas. Occasional snowfalls occur on the tablelands (RACD, 2000a).

4.1.2 Geology and geomorphology The BBS is underlain by ancient fractured crystalline rocks covered by sedimentary layers deposited during the Triassic and Jurassic periods. In the Miocene epoch the area was subjected to igneous activity and subsequent movements of the earth’s crust (NWCMC, 1996).

The Mesozoic sediments that dominate the Brigalow Belt are the south-eastern extremity of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) (Map 21). These sandstone beds form a generally undulating to low hilly landscape with some higher areas covered by Tertiary lava flows (Morgan and Terrey 1992).

In the south western portion of the bioregion, the sedimentary deposits are the sandstones and mudstones of the Purlewaugh Beds of the lower and middle Jurassic period and the quartz Pilliga Sandstones of the upper Jurassic period. The Pilliga Sandstone are the major intake bed for the GAB. During this period of sedimentary deposition, the GAB to the west and north-west was subsiding and forming vast lakes. The landscape was then gradually eroded and uplifted and became one of worn sandstone ridges and mesas, surrounded by vertical cliffs and isolated by deep broad river valleys which were slowly being eroded away.

The volcanic activity in the Tertiary period then covered the whole area with vast lava flows and associated volcanic formations. The subsequent 13 million years of weathering reduced these vast flows to a few resistant volcanic formations – Liverpool Range, Warrumbungle Range and Nandewar Range (in the Nandewar bioregion) and many small conical hills. This weathering of the basalt ranges has produced the rich alluvium which has become the fertile floodplains now used extensively for cropping (Fairley, 1991).

Soils The long history of erosion of the landscape of the bioregion has resulted in the development of a variety of soils types (map 16). North of Narrabri most of the bioregion has coarsely cracking grey and brown clays with some deep black cracking clays and red- brown earths in the north east. South of Narrabri there are four predominant soil types:

28 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

S deep black cracking clays over most of the low elevation eastern half with shallow black self mulching clays on the Liverpool Ranges; S massive red and yellow earths in most of the western half; S areas of red brown earths and loams along the Castlereagh and Talbragar Rivers; and S shallow loams in the Warrumbungle Ranges.

The soils which developed directly on the basic igneous rocks such as basalt and tuff are generally finer textured with uniform to gradational profiles. These range from kraznozems and chocolate soils in the wetter parts to euchrozems and red, grey and black cracking clays on the drier western slopes. Over the Pilliga Sandstones there are mostly poor sandy or gravelly soils, sandy loams, duplex clays and sand or yellow earths, which are often skeletal. Along the major rivers the soils are deep black, grey or red clays and fertile, fine to medium textured soils on levees and more recent alluvium (Banks 1995, 1998 in RACD, 2000a).

Deep, highly fertile black earths have developed on the basic alluvia and colluvia on the wide valleys below the basaltic ranges, including the Liverpool Plains. These are interspersed with red earths, red brown earths, solodics and sometimes euchrozems on the sandstone outcrops. On the riverine plains of the west of the bioregion the soils have been derived from the Quaternary alluvia and have formed moderately fertile deep grey and brown cracking clays.

Soils landscapes have been mapped for four areas within the bioregion: the 1:250 000 Dubbo map sheet (Murphy and Lawrie, 1998), the Singleton 1:250 000 map sheet (Kovac and Lawrie, 1991), the 1:100 000 Blackville map sheet (Banks, 1998) and the 1:100 000 Curlewis map sheet (Banks, 1995). Draft digital data only is available for the Narromine 1:250 000 map sheet and mapping for the Boggabri 1:100 000 map sheet is currently underway (May, 2001). These data have not been included in any analysis in this report due to their limited coverage and being incomplete in digital format.

The distributions of soil types and lithology across the landscape are briefly included in the province descriptions outlined previously. 0 below shows soil types by province and the percentage of each province covered by each soil type. These figures show that the dominant soil types for the Liverpool Plains and Northern Basalts provinces are deep black cracking clays, for the Liverpool Range province they are shallow black self mulching and deep black cracking clays, for the Northern Outwash province they are coarsely cracking grey and brown clays, for the Pilliga province they are massive red and yellow earths, and for the Pilliga Outwash and Talbragar Valley provinces they are massive red and yellow earths and massive red brown earths.

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Table 4.1 Soil type by province within BBS (Source: 1:2 000 000 soils mapping) Province Soil Type Area (ha) % Province Liverpool Plains Deep black cracking clays 617 055 66% Yellow and red texture contrast soils 132 332 14% Massive red and yellow earths 73 601 8% Red-brown earths 56 335 6% Shallow loams 25 471 3% Coarsely cracking grey and brown clays 18 688 2% Deep structured red clay loams 9 059 1% Shallow black self-mulching clays 7 645 0.8% Liverpool Range Shallow black self-mulching clays 263 404 50% Deep black cracking clays 234 944 45% Deep structured red clay loams 7 854 2% Yellow and red texture contrast soils 6 207 1.2% Stony sandy loams 6 021 1.2% Massive red and yellow earths 4 302 0.8% Red-brown earths 369 0.1% Northern Basalts Deep black cracking clays 238 722 39% Red-brown earths 137 486 23% Coarsely cracking grey and brown clays 111 305 18% Yellow and red texture contrast soils 106 666 17% Massive red and yellow earths 11 839 2% Shallow loams 3 146 0.5% Stony sandy loams 422 0.1% Northern Outwash Coarsely cracking grey and brown clays 657 872 94% Red-brown earths 31 900 5% Deep black cracking clays 11 576 2% Pilliga Massive red and yellow earths 913 440 53% Deep black cracking clays 314 720 18% Red-brown earths 203 762 12% Deep alluvial loams 85 943 5% Deep structured red clay loams 78 114 5% Shallow black self-mulching clays 66 553 4% Shallow loams 41 460 2% Yellow and red texture contrast soils 14 180 0.8% Deep friable red and brown clays 13 465 0.8% Coarsely cracking grey and brown clays 2 552 0.1% Pilliga Outwash Red-brown earths 257 986 48% Massive red and yellow earths 227 254 42% Coarsely cracking grey and brown clays 42 943 8% Scalded red texture contrast soils 4 706 1% Deep black cracking clays 2 200 0.4% Talbragar Valley Red-brown earths 61 496 30% Massive red and yellow earths 44 506 22% Deep alluvial loams 35 174 17% Deep structured red clay loams 26 113 13% Yellow and red texture contrast soils 22 801 11% Deep black cracking clays 15 254 7%

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4.1.3 Topography Elevation within the BBS varies from 1 240 m above sea level in the east to 100 m above sea level in the west. The highest country is the Liverpool Range, a western extension of the Great Dividing Range that crosses the area from east to west south of Tamworth and Coonabarabran and joins the Warrumbungle Range in otherwise gently undulating and flat country. A digital elevation model (DEM) (25m LIC data) for the bioregion (map 17) demonstrates the variation in topography over the bioregion.

The Liverpool range is rugged on the northern edge with slopes up to 45 degrees and altitude from 600 to 1 200 m above sea level. The southern edge of the range has a more moderate slope of approximately 7 degrees.

The Warrumbungles range from approximately 1 100m above sea level to approximately 480m above sea level with slopes ranging from approximately 12 degrees on the northern side to 6 degrees in the south.

Map 43 was derived from the DEM and shows slope classes throughout the BBS. The majority of the bioregion has a slope of 0-10 degrees, with hillier areas such as the Warrumbungles, the Liverpool range and the lower slopes of Mount Kaputar having slopes up to 55 degrees.

4.1.4 Hydrology River catchments which intersect the BBS are the Namoi, Castlereagh, Macintyre, Macquarie, Gwydir and Hunter. The area of these catchments, and the percentage of each which intersect the BBS are shown in Table 4.2. Identified wetland types, number of each wetland type and area of identified wetlands within these catchments which intersect with the BBS are shown in Table 4.3. Map 14 shows catchment areas and identified wetlands within the 50km buffer of the BBS. The identified wetlands data layer used in this report was the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Wetlands GIS of the Murray Darling Basin (Kingsford et al, 1999). This data layer mapped wetlands greater than 5 ha at 1:250 000 scale and consequently wetlands smaller than 5 ha are not included in this report. Appendix 17 lists identified streams within all catchments in the BBS.

Table 4.2 Catchments intersecting the BBS

Catchment Area Catchment Area Area Intersecting with % Catchment Area % of BBS Covered by (ha) BBS (ha) Within BBS Catchment Namoi River 4 205 447 2 116 364 50% 40% Castlereagh River 1 742 205 889 136 51% 17% Macintyre River 2 424 432 703 323 29% 13% Macquarie River 7 476 966 625 647 8% 12% Gwydir River 2 660 999 568 450 21% 11% Hunter River 2 150 122 347 558 16% 7%

Of the six catchments which intersect the BBS, the Namoi River catchment covers by far the greatest area of the bioregion (40%) and contains the largest number and area of identified wetlands of all catchments within the BBS.

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No identified wetlands within the BBS fall within NPWS or NSWSF estate, and only 12% of these wetlands lie within Crown reserves. This figure was derived from overlaying the DLWC Crown Lands Information Database (CLID) layer on the wetlands layer. The total area of identified wetlands within the BBS is approximately 24 000 ha and includes 219 floodplain wetlands, reservoirs, and lakes. 64% of all wetlands in the BBS consist of a total of 116 floodplain wetlands, with five freshwater lakes accounting for 30% of the area of wetland in the BBS and 98 reservoirs accounting for 6% of the total area of wetlands in the BBS. Freshwater lakes in the BBS include Goran Lake in the Namoi River catchment, which covers an area of 6 800 ha, and is the largest freshwater lake in the bioregion. Other lakes in the BBS include Yarrie Lake, also in the Namoi catchment and covering an area of 61ha, and Old Harbour Lagoon in the Macquarie catchment, covering an area of 130ha (Map 14).

Wetlands are important ecosystems (NPWS, 2001g) as they: S provide breeding grounds for many animals, particularly fish and waterbirds; S provide habitats for wildlife and ensure the survival of many threatened species; S purify water by trapping sediments and nutrients; S provide protection from floods; S may be refuges for wildlife in times of drought; and S help maintain biological diversity.

Table 4.3 Identified wetlands, types and area within BBS (Source: Kingsford et al, 1999) Catchment Area Wetland Type No Wetlands Area (ha) % under Crown Reserve Namoi River including Reservoir 47 476 2% Cockburn River, Manila River, Freshwater Lake 4 6 924 1% Mooki River, and Peel River Floodplain Wetlands 26 4 676 45% Namoi Totals 77 12 077 18% Macintyre River including Reservoir 4 176 0% Barwon River, Boomi River, Floodplain Wetlands 62 7 255 6% Dumaresq River, and Severn River Macintyre Totals 66 7 431 6% Gwydir River including Reservoir 23 544 0.4% Horton River, and Mehi River Floodplain Wetlands 27 3 385 5% Gwydir Totals 50 3 929 5% Macquarie River including Reservoir 5 95 0% Bell River, Bogan River, Bogar Freshwater Lake 1 132 0% River, Coolburragundy River, Cudgegogn River, Little River, Floodplain Wetlands 1 25 5% and Talbragar River Macquarie Totals 7 252 3% Castlereagh River Reservoir 19 65 0% Castlereagh Totals 19 65 0% BBS Totals 219 23 754 12%

Table 4.4 shows areas of different wetland types within each province of the BBS and the percentage wetland cover within each province.

32 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Table 4.4 Wetlands by province within the BBS (Source: Kingsford et al, 1999) Province Wetland Type Name of Major Wetland Area (ha) % Province Wetlands Liverpool Plains Freshwater Lake Lake Goran 6 863 0.73% Reservoir 271 0.03% TOTALS 7 134 0.76% Northern Basalts Floodplain Wetlands 2 648 0.43% Reservoir 123 0.02% TOTALS 2 771 0.45% Northern Outwash Floodplain Wetlands 7 991 1.14% Reservoir 608 0.09% TOTALS 8 599 1.23% Pilliga Floodplain Wetlands 25 0.001% Freshwater Lake Old Harbour Lagoon 132 0.008% Reservoir 88 0.005% TOTALS 245 0.014% Pilliga Outwash Floodplain Wetlands 4 676 0.87% Freshwater Lake Yarrie Lake 61 0.01% Reservoir 260 0.05% TOTALS 4 998 0.93% Talbragar Valley Reservoir 7 0.003% TOTALS 7 0.003%

Great Artesian Basin The GAB covers approximately 1.7 million km2 (approximately one fifth of the continent) and covers the majority of Queensland, and parts of the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales (GABCC, 1998; DNR, 2001)). The BBS lies within the Surat Basin (sub-basin of GAB) in the south east of the GAB and covers only a small section of the basin. The major aquifers of the GAB which fall within the BBS are the Upper and Lower Pilliga Sandstone Aquifers (GABCC, 1998). Depth of sediments in the GAB within the majority of the BBS vary between 0 and 1 200 m, with one area up to 1 800 m deep along the New South Wales – Queensland border. Groundwater within the GAB flows from areas of higher topography (such as the recharge zones within the BBS) towards lower areas or discharge zones (springs) to the west of the bioregion (GABCC, 1998). Figure 4.1 below shows the main features of an artesian basin. In this context, the BBS lies in the recharge zone shown in this diagram.

Groundwater within the recharge zones moves very slowly at approximately 5m per annum with the oldest water in the GAB being dated at close to 2 million years old (GABCC, 1998). Due to utilisation of groundwater from the GAB, there has been a drop in artesian water pressure and flows. Consequently, decreased discharges from artesian springs leads to decreased biodiversity in these areas.

Wastage of water from bores is another issue relating to the GAB as up to 90% of bore discharge is lost from uncontrolled bores or evaporation from bore drains (GABCC, 1998). Water quality in the GAB is also an issue in the recharge zones such as those within the BBS where land use can potentially contaminate groundwater in these areas.

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Figure 4.1 Main features of an artesian basin (GABCC, 1998)

Macintyre River Catchment The Macintyre River catchment forms part of the larger Border Rivers catchment. The Bogabilla Weir, constructed in 1992 on the Macintyre River has a capacity of 5 400 ML and is used to store and re-regulate river flows for irrigation. Other weirs on the Macintyre River include the Boomi River Weir, which diverts water to Boomi and the Goondiwindi Weir which has a capacity of 1 660 ML and is used to supply town water (DWR, 1995).

The Macintyre River has an average annual flow of 760 GL and contributes approximately 60% of flow in the Border Rivers. The consumptive use of water in the Macintyre is estimated at 209 GL / year. The average salinity for the Macintyre River is 450 EC and no change is predicted in this value for the next 100 years (MDBMC, 1999).

Wetlands within the Macintyre River catchment mostly occur downstream of the BBS, past Bogabilla and include the Telephone / Malgarai, Rainbow, Maynes, and Boobera Lagoons, Whalan Creek and the Morella Watercourse (DWR, 1995).

Gwydir River Catchment The major water storage in the Gwydir River catchment is Copeton Dam which was built in the early 1970s and is located upstream of the bioregion. The total capacity of this dam is 1.3 million ML, however, water supplies in the Gwydir River are over-allocated and the dam rarely holds sufficient water to meet demands (EPA, 1997b). Many irrigators have built large off-river storages to extract water from the Gwydir during high flow periods (EPA, 1997b). Natural median flow in the Gwydir River above Moree is 520 000 ML/year with the nominal irrigation allocation over 530 000ML/year (EPA, 1997b).

Water extraction, river regulation and land management practices in the Gwydir catchment have had a major effect on river ecosystem health and water quality. Water

34 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report quality problems within the Gwydir catchment include streambank and gully erosion, turbidity and sedimentation, high nutrient levels and blue-green algal blooms, contamination with agricultural chemicals, rising salinity, lower water temperatures due to cold water releases from Copeton Dam and heavy metals contamination from disused mine sites (EPA, 1997b).

Average salinity at 1999 for the Gwydir River was 560 EC and a moderate rise in salinity to 600 EC is predicted by 2020. The 800 EC threshold is exceeded approximately 14% of the time on the Gwydir River at Pallamallawa. The critical threshold level of 1 500 EC, where wetland and ecosystem health is degraded, is currently exceeded infrequently but is expected to be exceeded 8% of the time by 2100. The Warialda Creek, a tributary of the Gwydir River within the BBS, exceeds the 800 EC threshold approximately 52% of the time, the 1 500 EC threshold 33% of the time, and is predicted to exceed the 1 500 EC threshold 40% of the time by 2100 (MDBMC, 1999).

Endosulphan levels above the level recommended by ANZECC for ecosystem protection have been recorded in the catchment within and downstream of cotton growing areas. Other chemicals, such as DDT are commonly detected in sediments of the Gwydir River system (EPA, 1997b).

The Gwydir wetlands, on the floodplain of the Gwydir River, are listed as nationally significant in the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia (EA, 2001e) and a part of the wetland is listed as a Ramsar site (internationally significant wetland). Although these wetlands are outside the BBS, they are downstream of the bioregion and, as such, land and water use within the BBS portion of the catchment will affect the ecological integrity of these ecosystems.

Riparian vegetation of the upper Gwydir River provides important habitat for birds listed under the TSC Act including regent honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia), and swift parrot (Lathamus discolor). The freshwater tortoise Elseya sp. (Namoi River elseya) is listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act and is only recorded from a small number of sites in the upper reaches of the Namoi and Gwydir Rivers upstream of the BBS (Johnson, 2001a).

Fish species recorded within the Gwydir River catchment are listed in Table 7.1.

Namoi River Catchment The major storage on the Namoi River is Lake Keepit Dam which was erected in 1960 and is located upstream of the Bioregion. Two other dams have since been built on the tributaries to the Namoi River (Chaffey Dam on the Peel River, and Split Rock Dam on the Manilla River), both upstream of the Bioregion. The total capacity of these dams is approximately 880 000 ML (EPA, 1997b).

Natural river flows have been changed seasonally due to river regulation within the catchment. Winter and spring flows are now captured and released in summer for irrigation. Flow variability has also been reduced below dams in the main streams due to constant minimum flow releases in non-irrigation seasons, and long periods of medium to high flow releases at other times (EPA, 1997b).

Change in flows has been detrimental to habitats within the catchment. Other issues within the catchment were identified in 1997 by the North West Catchment Management

35 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Committee as including dryland salinity, water quality, soil degradation, water supply, floodplain management, stream bank erosion and declining native vegetation. High levels of phosphorus are present in the Keepit and Split Rock dams, and blue-green algae blooms occur in winter and summer in Chaffey Dam. High levels of turbidity are common and may be exacerbated by domestic stock trampling streambanks and by European carp (EPA, 1997b).

Surface water within the catchment generally has low salinities and is generally suitable for irrigation. However, Mooki River is a significant source of salts as is Native Dog Creek which drains Lake Goran (EPA, 1997b). Average salinities to 1999 for the Namoi River were 680 EC at the end of the system and 634 EC at Boggabri. A threshold of 800 EC is the upper salinity limit for drinking water desirability and some yield reductions in irrigated crops can occur at this level. This level is exceeded 20% of the time on the Namoi River at Boggabri (MDBMC, 1999). Salt loads in the Namoi River are predicted to rise to 1050 EC by 2020 (MDBMC, 1999).

Agricultural chemicals such as endosulfan (used for cotton and some grain crops), atrazine and other agricultural chemicals have been detected in the Namoi River at levels higher that those recommended in the ANZECC criteria for protection of aquatic ecosystems. Groundwater is also affected, with some chemicals including atrazine detected (EPA, 1997b).

Lake Goran is the only wetland within the BBS which is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia as a nationally important wetland. Lake Goran is located largely on private land and is used for opportunistic cropping, irrigation, some grazing when dry, and recreational uses such as fishing and swimming when full. Due to its large size, Lake Goran is a potential drought refuge when other wetlands in western New South Wales are dry and as such provides habitat for a large number of waterbirds. These include freckled duck (Stictonetta naevosa) which is listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act and white-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) which is listed under the China- Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) (Green & Dunkerly, 1992; EA, 2001e).

Riparian vegetation of the upper Namoi River provides important habitat for birds listed under the TSC Act including the regent honeyeater and swift parrot. Baradine Creek is important breeding habitat for square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura) and the creeks of the Pilliga State Forests and surrounding landscapes provide important habitat for TSC Act species such as the regent honeyeater, glossy-black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) and turquoise parrot (Neophema pulchella). It is also possible that the tributaries of the Namoi River in the Liverpool Range provide important habitat for the barking owl (Ninox connivens). The freshwater tortoise Elseya sp. (Namoi River elseya) is listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act and is only recorded from a small number of sites in the upper reaches of the Namoi and Gwydir Rivers upstream of the BBS (Johnson, 2001a).

Fish species recorded within the Namoi River catchment are listed in Table 7.1.

Castlereagh River Catchment No major storages are located within this catchment, however there are six weirs including Timor Dam which has a capacity of 920 ML. Irrigation is minor within the catchment and surface water use rarely exceeds 1 500 ML / year. While flows are not significantly disrupted early ending of low flows may occur (EPA, 1997b).

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Average salinity for the middle reaches of the Castlereagh River at Coonamble is 640 EC and this is expected to rise to 760 EC by 2020. The threshold of 800 EC is currently exceeded approximately 30% of the time and is predicted to be exceeded 32% of the time by 2020. The critical threshold of 1 500 EC is predicted to occur approximately 20% of the time at present and is predicted to exceed this threshold 21% of the time by 2020 (MDBMC, 1999).

Regular aerial spraying of insecticides on irrigated crops is not undertaken within this catchment and consequently runoff in the catchment does not contain these chemicals. Turbidity levels are high in the upper catchment and high phosphorus levels have been recorded. Erosion in areas with a greater slope within the catchment is occurring which may lead to sedimentation and increased turbidity within wetlands further downstream (EPA, 1997b).

Riparian vegetation in the upper Castlereagh River is important habitat for TSC Act species such as the regent honeyeater, painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta) and the swift parrot. The creeks of Goonoo State Forest and the surrounding landscape provide important habitat for the regent honeyeater, glossy black-cockatoo and the turquoise parrot which are all listed on the TSC Act. The upper Castlereagh River and adjacent vegetation is important habitat for TSC Act species such as koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), and spotted-tail quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) (Johnson, 2001b).

Macquarie River Catchment The major storage within the Macquarie River catchment is Burrendong Dam, built in 1967. Other major storages within the catchment include Windamere Dam above Burrendong Dam. Total capacity of these storages is approximately 2 million ML (EPA, 1997b). In addition to these dams, seven town and industrial water supply dams are located in the catchment (EPA, 1997b). The majority of these storages are upstream of the BBS.

Natural median flows at Narromine, directly downstream of the BBS are 940 000 ML/year. A total of 622 000 ML/year makes up nominal irrigation allocations below the two major dams. Approximately 70% of all flows in the Macquarie catchment are regulated by Burrendong Dam. This has reduced flood heights and frequency of small to medium floods in the floodplains of the catchment (EPA, 1997b).

Issues within the Macquarie River catchment include river regulation and extraction and subsequent reduction of flooding frequency and extent, erosion and sedimentation, turbidity, restriction of native fish passage, European carp, willow infestation, reduced water temperature and oxygen levels below Burrendong Dam which may be affecting spawning in native fish populations, salinity levels in the headwaters (including the Talbragar, Cudgegong, Bell and Little Rivers) due to limestone outcrops, and agricultural chemical contamination which largely corresponds to the spraying calendar for cotton (EPA, 1997b).

Average salinity in the Macquarie River at the end of the valley is currently 623 EC and is expected to rise to 1 284 EC by 2020. The Macquarie River at Narromine exceeds the threshold level of 800 EC approximately 10% of the time and is predicted to be exceeded

37 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

30% of the time by 2020. The critical threshold of 1 500 EC is currently exceeded less than 5% of the time at Narromine and is predicted to exceed this threshold 10% of the time by 2020 (MDMC, 1999).

The Macquarie Marshes are listed as a nationally and internationally important wetland on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and under the Ramsar Convention. These wetlands lie downstream of the bioregion and hence land and water use within the BBS portion of the catchment will affect water quality and the ecological integrity of this system.

Riparian vegetation in the upper Macquarie River is important habitat for TSC Act species such as the regent honeyeater, painted honeyeater and the swift parrot. The upper Macquarie River and adjacent vegetation is important habitat for TSC Act species such as koala, squirrel glider, spotted-tail quoll, and Litoria castanea (yellow-spotted tree frog) which has been recorded from the Winburndale Rivulet near Bathurst in the upper Macquarie catchment (Johnson, 2001b).

Fish species recorded within the Macquarie River catchment are listed in Table 7.1.

4.2 Basic analysis / gaps

4.2.1 Bioregional stratification

Why stratify? To stratify means to arrange the different parts of the whole in separate layers or groups. In relation to this report, stratification can be defined as the process whereby similar attribute variables are grouped together into “strata” of similar environmental characteristics. Stratification is a useful and necessary tool which can assist in gaining an understanding of environmental variation for an area. Stratification can also be used to assist in selection of survey sites, gap analysis and to extrapolate information. The IBRA regions and provinces referred to in this report are a coarse form of nested stratification. Stratification can be used to check bioregional and province boundaries at a finer scale.

Stratification based on state-wide abiotic data Pressey et al 2000, carried out a State-wide bioregional stratification (metadata statement, appendix 2), which combines New South Wales administrative division boundaries and climatic limit, provinces, geology, and ruggedness to result in 85 strata across the BBS. The BBS portion of this stratification may be used to identify gaps in sampling for fauna, flora and cultural heritage values as they relate to biodiversity. Note that the cell resolution of this stratification is relatively coarse (1 000 m x 1 000 m cell size), compared to the currently available DEM from LIC (25m x 25m cell size). This is because the input data have been derived from State-wide datasets. Because of this coarseness, an updated stratification (appendix 3) has been carried out to analyse data gaps. It is this new draft stratification (described below) that has been used in all analyses for this report and any mention of stratification refers to the new stratification unless the text explicitly refers to the work of Pressey et al (2000).

38 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

4.2.2 Stratification based on regional and state-wide abiotic data (STRAT5) Finer scale stratification has been undertaken for this report using a combination of three datasets: S merged soils (derived from MDBC soil landform mapping and gap-filled by DLWC soils at 1:2 million scale);

S average annual rainfall (three classes based on natural breaks); and

S average annual temperature (three classes based on natural breaks).

Natural breaks used in the above classifications were determined by GIS where natural gaps occur within these datasets.

The resultant grid (250m cell resolution) has 184 strata with a key to the values of each input grid. More refined datalayers can be added to this stratification as required, however, Strat5 is presented in appendix 3 as an example to show variability across the BBS.

For more information on this process see appendix 3, ‘Stratification for Brigalow Belt South Scoping Exercise’. This exercise is preliminary only and as additional information becomes available such as more detailed and / or bioregion-wide datasets, then more accurate stratification exercises may be undertaken across the bioregion.

This stratification, however, is based on limited data and as such future conservation assessments should use the most current and comprehensive datasets available to undertake stratifications across the BBS.

4.2.3 Land capability Table 4.5 shows definitions of land capability classes and their suitability for land management practices as outlined by the Soil Conservation Service of NSW.

One percent of the BBS is neither covered by DLWC land capability nor NPWS or SFNSW estate. DLWC land capability mapping has been undertaken mostly for Crown land and freehold land (map 15). Therefore no land capability classifications were assigned to the majority of SFNSW or NPWS estate at the time of mapping (between 1986 and 1989). Therefore, no complete figures can be determined for level of reservation by land capability class within the BBS. New estate has been dedicated since 1989 and all figures relating to land capability following in this report (excluding Table 4.6) are calculated by first excluding NPWS and SFNSW estate mapping.

39 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Table 4.5 Summary of land capability classes (Source NSW Soil Conservation Service) Land Classification and Soil Conservation Practices Capability and Interpretation Class 1 No special soil conservation works or practices High Land capable of being regularly necessary cultivated Class 2 Soil conservation practices such as strip cropping, conservation tillage and adequate crop rotations Class 3 Structural soil conservation works such as diversion banks, graded banks and waterways, together with soil conservation practices as in class 2 Class 4 Soil conservation practices such as pasture Medium Land not capable of being regularly improvement, stock control, application of cultivated but suitable for grazing fertiliser and minimal cultivation for the with occasional cultivation establishment or re-establishment of permanent pasture Class 5 Structural soil conservation works such as absorption banks, diversion banks and contour ripping, together with the practices as in class 4 Class 6 Soil conservation practices including limitation Land not capable of being cultivated of stock, broadcasting of seed and fertiliser, but suitable for grazing prevention of fire and destruction of vermin. This class may require some structural works Class 7 Land best protected by green timber Low Other lands Class 8 Cliffs, lakes or swamps and other lands incapable of sustaining agricultural or pastoral production

Figure 4.2 and Table 4.6 show that where land capability is mapped within the BBS, land capabilities of two and three are the most abundant. These two classes fall into the group referred to as “capable of being regularly cultivated” (refer to Table 4.5). In addition to the eight land capability classes, the DLWC land capability mapping program also mapped areas such as flood irrigation, national park, nature reserve, State forest, forest reserve, mining / quarrying, trig reserve, and urban areas. These areas were not assigned a land capability class and are shaded out due to the historical nature of this data (these data are over ten years old and as such figures may have changed considerably).

Table 4.6 was compiled by overlaying land capability mapping with NPWS and SFNSW estate mapping, and the DLWC’s CLID layer to determine Crown and freehold coverage. Discrepancies between values for NPWS and SFNSW estate in Table 4.6 are possibly due to the land capability mapping being outdated (it was undertaken between 1986 and 1989), whereas the NPWS and SFNSW estate mapping is current and a number of reserves have been dedicated in the BBS since 1989.

40 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Land Capability in BBS 1400000

1200000

1000000

800000

600000

400000

200000

0 12345678 Land Capable of Being Cultivated Land not Capable of Being Other Lands Cultivated - Suitable for Grazing

Land Capability Class

Figure 4.2 Land capability in BBS NSW Soil Conservation Service (DLWC) (1 = most suitable for agriculture, 8 = least suitable)

Due to figures for Crown and freehold land in Table 4.6 being derived from the DLWC CLID layer, which requires updating, and due to the discrepancies described above for NPWS and SFNSW estate, the data in Table 4.6 can only be considered indicative.

Table 4.6 Land capability classes by province within BBS

Land Pilliga Talbragar Pilliga Liverpool Northern Liverpool Northern Total % Capability Valley Outwash Plains Outwash Range Basalts Bioregion Class 1 3 634 2 327 103 0 273 282 0 3 030 282 376 5 2 244 656 29 370 75 569 433 569 335 094 19 196 138 434 1 275 888 25 3 274 479 72 960 6 167 249 493 54 024 142 784 266 257 1 066 164 21 4 283 340 49 329 151 148 55 669 13 304 62 190 80 958 695 938 13 5 156 329 24 211 5 099 27 106 134 62 047 10 658 285 584 6 6 227 967 14 698 86 779 49 288 14 661 124 842 58 501 576 736 11 7 131 076 5 554 10 691 22 060 17 85 961 12 065 267 424 5 8 23 212 217 1 926 7 358 1 325 15 969 3 202 53 209 1 National 25 210 0 0 1 252 0 13 930 0 40 392 0.8 Park Nature 86 344 852 202 0 1 798 244 2 492 91 932 1.8 Reserve State Forest 287 633 3 654 192 575 31 328 730 9 178 37 744 562 842 11 Flood 1 767 0 4 531 0 7 498 0 0 13 796 0.3 Irrigation Forest 0 0 0 0 0 751 0 751 < 0.1 Reserve Mining or 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 < 0.1 Quarrying Trig. 143 0 0 0 0 0 0 143 < 0.1 Reserve Urban 1 329 2 161 377 1 692 1 253 148 325 7 285 0.1

41 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

4.2.4 DLWC soils There is complete soil coverage of the BBS mapped at a broad scale reconnaissance level resolution (1:2 000 000). This mapping was carried out by DLWC and was current in 1988. This dataset shows the spatial arrangement of 12 broad soil groupings as outlined in appendix 4 and in map 16.

Soil landscape mapping has been undertaken for only four areas within the BBS (Dubbo, Singleton and Blackville 1:25 000 mapsheets, and the Curlewis 1:100 000 mapsheet). Digital data are available for the Narromine 1:250 000 mapsheet and mapping for Boggabri is currently underway. Soil landscape mapping integrates soil and topographic constraints so that information can be derived form this mapping regarding limitations to urban and rural development. Due to limited coverage of soil landscape mapping within the BBS, it was not used in the stratification exercise.

4.2.5 Soils of the brigalow lands Isbell (1962) mapped soils and vegetation of the brigalow lands within New South Wales and Queensland. From this mapping approximately 251 000ha or 5% of all areas identified as having soils which support a brigalow dominant vegetation fall within New South Wales, with approximately 100 300ha or 2% of all identified areas falling within the BBS. This area represents approximately 2% of the BBS bioregion in New South Wales.

4.2.6 MDBC soil landforms A map of soil landforms of the Murray-Darling Basin (Map 20) was compiled as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Soil Information Strategy (MDBSIS) and is designed to provide information on soils for natural resource management and planning at the CMB level or over broader regions, and therefore is appropriate for use in bioregional planning. The layer contains information on each soil-landform class including lithofacies description, relief category and proportions of dominant principal profile forms; reliability and data quality statistics. The soil landforms data are derived from an integration of state soil databases, lithology and relief information. A rule-based method was used to fill in areas lacking adequate soil information. Appendices 5 and 6 ‘Soil Landforms and Relief of the Murray-Darling Basin Dataset description’ show information on this layer.

4.2.7 Landforms Landform mapping was undertaken for the Pilliga group of State forests and Goonoo State Forest as part of the cultural heritage field survey undertaken during the Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (NPWS, 2000j). This survey identified seven landform types within Goonoo State Forest and 12 within the Pilliga forests. These landforms are outlined in Table 4.7 below.

42 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Table 4.7 Landforms within Goonoo SF and Pilliga forests (NPWS, 2000j) Landform % Pilliga State Forests % Goonoo SF Alluvium: modern channels and floodplains 4.0 5.6 Alluvium terraces 2.9 sequence of terraces / alluvial plains 4.2 2 sequences of terraces / alluvial plains 41.9 3 sequences of terraces / alluvial plains 0.2 Paleochannels: abandoned channels 0.1 Sand Monkeys 4.0 Claypans 0.3 Aeolian 0.1 Aeolian sand sheets 0.9 Gilgai 0.2 0.02 Colluvial slopes 12.1 26.7 Soil mantled slopes – shale, sandstone, conglomerate 30.4 57.7 Rocky Ground 3.0 6.2

4.2.8 Geology The best base information currently available to NPWS is a layer of lithology at a broad scale reconnaissance level (1:250 000) compiled by the MDBC from standard geological mapping by Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) mapping and others which covers 93% of the BBS, missing most of the Liverpool Range province (map 21). The dataset was compiled from existing geological, metallogenic and surficial geology maps supplied by the DMR, Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Australian Geological Survey Organisation. Table 4.8 shows the area of each lithology grouping within specific tenures and the percentage of the bioregion covered by each group. Table 4.9 shows the provinces and percentage of these covered by each lithology grouping. A table showing the groups is also included as appendix 7 (sorted by area within BBS).

The DMR has produced a preliminary combined map of geology as part of the WRA BBS Stage 2 projects. This datalayer is currently available for use only for these WRA projects.

43 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Table 4.8 Area of lithology by tenure within the BBS (MDBC and CLID)

Lithology Group Crown Land State Forest NPWS Estate Freehold % BBS (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) Cainozoic alluvium 420 061 196 493 1 033 1 705 104 44.2% Cainozoic colluvial surfaces 1 244 0 0 5 975 0.1% Cainozoic duricrusts 1 0 0 17 < 0.01% Cainozoic lacustrine sediments 141 0 0 8 <0.01% Cainozoic residual and aeolian sands 6 479 6 659 0 18 258 0.6% Cainozoic volcanics 80 747 1 754 30 439 433 435 10.4% Cretaceous coarse-grained sediments 722 0 0 4 331 0.1% Jurassic coarse-grained sediments 167 552 332 645 93 471 731 331 25.2% Jurassic fine-grained sediments 50 545 3 384 396 198 473 4.8% Jurassic volcanics 17 690 6 0 92 806 2.1% Triassic coarse-grained sediments 12 414 6 592 323 70 257 1.7% Triassic fine-grained sediments 15 317 34 320 102 684 2.3% Triassic granites 32 0 0 260 0.01% Permian coarse-grained sediments 1 630 134 327 14 161 0.3% Permian fine-grained sediments 5 109 7 199 11 21 675 0.7% Permian granites 282 0 0 602 0.02% Permian volcanics 2 661 1 566 0 7 035 0.2% Carboniferous acid volcanics 6 79 28 182 0.01% Carboniferous granites 10 0 0 320 0.01% Carboniferous metasediments 1 141 1 369 168 12 173 0.3% Devonian volcanics 370 0 0 3 143 0.1% Silurian - Devonian basic rocks 0 0 0 53 <0.01% Silurian - Devonian granites 159 0 0 1 244 0.03% Silurian - Early Devonian coarse-grained 283 0 31 1 378 0.03% sediments Silurian - Early Devonian fine-grained 710 254 0 3 788 0.1% sediments Ordovician metasediments 339 121 0 2 684 0.1% Ordovician volcanics 39 0 0 1 544 0.03% Limestones (undifferentiated) 5 0 0 222 <0.01% Total 785 687 558 289 126 548 3 433 141 93.4%

44 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Table 4.9 Percent lithology within each province of BBS (MDBC)

Lithology Group Pilliga Talbragar Pilliga Liverpool Northern Liverpool Northern % BBS Valley Outwash Plains Outwash Range Basalts Cainozoic alluvium 14.98 11.54 97.12 67.66 96.43 1.88 32.28 44.24 Jurassic coarse-grained 64.28 14.23 2.69 1.81 0.11 2.25 22.43 25.24 sediments Cainozoic volcanics 8.42 7.08 0 3.68 0.64 36.22 25.71 10.41 Jurassic fine-grained 5.63 15.2 0 1.45 0.98 0 16.91 4.81 sediments Triassic fine-grained 2.87 33.35 0 0 0 0 0.03 2.25 sediments Jurassic volcanics 1.23 0 0 9.49 0 0 0 2.1 Triassic coarse-grained 0.01 2.21 0 8.74 0 0.11 0.33 1.71 sediments Permian fine-grained 0 0 0 3.59 0 0.04 0 0.65 sediments Cainozoic residual and 0.15 0 0.16 1.33 1.82 0 0.43 0.6 aeolian sands Permian coarse-grained 0.02 7.35 0 0.09 0 0 0 0.31 sediments Carboniferous 0 0 0 0.99 0 0.04 0.86 0.28 metasediments Permian volcanics 0 0.06 0 1.12 0 0.11 0 0.21 Cainozoic colluvial surfaces <0.01 3.47 0 0 0 0 0 0.14 Cretaceous coarse-grained 00000.0100.820.1 sediments Silurian - Early Devonian 0.11 1.35 0 0 0 0 <0.01 0.09 fine-grained sediments Devonian volcanics 0.06 1.23 0 0 0 0 0 0.07 Ordovician metasediments 0.06 1.05 0 0 0 0 0 0.06 Silurian - Devonian granites 0.08 0.01 0 0 0 0 0 0.03 Silurian - Early Devonian 0 0.82 0 0 0 0 0 0.03 coarse-grained sediments Ordovician volcanics 0 0.77 0 0 0 0 0 0.03 Permian granites 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.14 0.02 Carboniferous acid 0000.030000.01 volcanics Triassic granites 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.05 0.01 Carboniferous granites <0.01 0.14 0 0 0 0 0 0.01 Cainozoic duricrusts <0.01 0 0 0 0 0 0 <0.01 Cainozoic lacustrine 0 0 0.03 0 0 0 0 <0.01 sediments Limestones 0 0.1 0 <0.01 0 0 0 <0.01 (undifferentiated) Silurian - Devonian basic 0 0.03 0 0 0 0 0 <0.01 rocks Total 97.9 100 100 100 100 40.65 100 93.39

45 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

4.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations (R) are made to allow for further abiotic data to be gathered for the BBS. These data are to be used as baselines or surrogates for modelling and predicting biodiversity and conservation significance of the bioregion.

The Western Data Audit and Gap Analysis (RACD, 1999) recommended that abiotic base data layers be developed for use in regional planning some of which have been included below as recommendations for this Scoping Report: R1. Develop and improve BBS bioregion natural resource database including:

S a current tenure and administrative layer including producing an updated, spatially accurate and reliably attributed crown land layer for the BBS and other bioregions for which regional assessments are being considered;

S up-to-date and uniform geology and soils layers (some work is currently being undertaken under WRA BBS Stage 2) including reclassifying the MDBC Soil Landform Layer to produce a more detailed soil landform map for the BBS;

S up-to-date and uniform metallic minerals, industrial minerals and construction material occurrences (some work is currently being undertaken under WRA BBS Stage 2);

S up-to-date and uniform construction materials occurrences;

S up-to-date and uniform wood resources information (some work is currently being undertaken under WRA BBS Stage 2);

S current and historical land use;

S disturbance history;

S ground water and surface water quality and quantity;

S salinity and flood mapping; and

S land capability mapping to be updated to include SFNSW and NPWS estate to be used in analysis of area, representativeness, and distribution of each land capability class within the existing reserve system of the BBS.

R2. Data be made available for use within Catchment Management Boards and Trusts, Regional Vegetation Committees, River Management Committees, local Councils and Local Aboriginal Land Councils; and

R3. Province boundaries to be reviewed in light of Strat 5 or future stratifications as further knowledge becomes available.

46 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 5 FAUNA

5.1 Current knowledge

The vertebrate fauna of the BBS is characterised by a high mixing of species, showing both coastal and inland origins with a minor tropical element. The tree-dependent mammals are of a coastal origin, while the terrestrial species are generally of an inland origin. There is some endemism, for example Pilliga mouse (Pseudomys pilligaensis). The reptile and frog fauna are mostly of inland origins, though with strong coastal elements and some endemism, for example the Oedura monilis (ocellated velvet gecko). The bird fauna is also comprised of roughly equal numbers of species that have coastal and inland origins (RACD, 2000b).

A summary of the findings of the Preliminary Fauna Survey – Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Assessment (Stage 1) report (RACD, 2000b), is outlined below. This survey is the most comprehensive fauna survey in the BBS so far and systematically sampled 54 fauna sites on SFNSW and NPWS estate within the BBS south of Narrabri (predominantly in Goonoo and Pilliga groups of forests). The findings included: S twenty-two threatened species listed under the TSC Act were detected;

S fourteen forest types, most of commercial logging interest, were assessed for vertebrate species;

S probably the densest population of the threatened greater long-eared bat in New South Wales exists in the box ironbark forests of the BBS;

S many of the species found were of conservation concern because of habitat loss, declining populations and geographic isolation/extremes (listed in appendix 12);

S this bioregion has already experienced high levels of species decline, with 14 extinct mammals, and 118 species currently found to be regionally significant (in terms of species decline), 51 of which were detected during this survey. This is largely a result of widespread land clearing, agricultural and forestry practices;

S 12 species of frog, 39 reptiles, 155 birds, 17 non-flying native mammals, 16 bats and 10 introduced species were detected, giving a total of 239 native species. About 6 500 new records were collected for the NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife database, an increase in records of about 50% on the existing database for the bioregion. This result is similar to levels detected on the Sydney Basin CRA, with about one quarter of the effort. This result suggests that the diversity of fauna is still high in many of the areas surveyed;

47 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

S wooded habitats, which were found to be important for the diversity of vertebrates in the bioregion, were Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaf ironbark) and Eucalyptus fibrosa (broad-leaf ironbark) forests, box woodlands, gully zones and heathy scrubs;

S two major habitat components were identified as important for the maintenance of present levels of diversity. These are large, mature trees and shrubby understoreys. Both are highly susceptible to logging disturbance; and

S this survey was restricted to the largest and probably most diverse of the Brigalow Belt South remnants. There is a strong need to expand the scope of this inventory as baseline information is currently lacking from most ecosystems that are still found in the bioregion. Less than half of the habitats in the Pilliga alone were sampled. Most of these were sampled at low intensity and therefore data collected is not sufficiently comprehensive to correlate results over each habitat type.

Other systematic fauna surveys which have been undertaken within the BBS include the Vertebrate Fauna Survey of Coolah Tops (NPWS, 1998), the Fauna Survey of Cypress / Ironbark Forests of North-West New South Wales (Date and Paull, 1999) and Nocturnal Forest Birds and Arboreal Marsupials of Coolah Tops (Kavanagh, 1995). Results of these surveys are summarised below: S Coolah Tops Vertebrate Fauna Survey - seven threatened species were recorded, fauna communities were found to differ between the broad landscapes types of plateau forest, slopes woodland, riparian forest and swamp (NPWS, 1998);

S Cypress / Ironbark Survey – three threatened reptiles, eight threatened birds, 12 threatened mammals (four bats, eight others), and 19 feral species were recorded. Microhabitat utilisation, distribution of species assemblages and habitat and disturbance associations were analysed for each taxonomic group (Date and Paull, 1999); and

S Coolah Tops Nocturnal Birds and Arboreal Mammal Survey – 2 threatened birds were recorded. Associations between fauna and the major forest communities of Coolah Tops were analysed (Kavanagh, 1995).

Other fauna data for the BBS are available through the NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife database, records from the Australian Museum (AM), CSIRO, the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS), and Birds Australia (BA). A compiled list of all threatened and treaty species recorded within the BBS is shown in Table 5.2. Appendix 11 shows all validated fauna species records from the above-mentioned sources which have been recorded within the BBS. The list in appendix 11 does not include threatened or treaty species.

The Warrumbungles population of brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) which is located within the BBS is listed as an endangered population under the TSC Act.

48 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

5.2 Basic analyses / gaps

Maps 22-31 show the number of fauna records recorded in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife per 1:50 000 mapsheet. It can be seen from these maps that there is clearly a sampling bias for amphibians, mammals and reptiles towards Pilliga state forests and Coolah Tops National Park, with mapsheets centered on these two areas having more Atlas records relative to the other mapsheets in the BBS. This is indicative of the focus of survey effort on these areas by SFNSW and others. Threatened fauna species records listed under Schedules one and two of the TSC Act also show a bias towards Pilliga state forests and Warrumbungle National Park (map 22). Table 5.1 shows the number of wildlife atlas records by 1:100 000 mapsheet which fall within the 50km buffer of the BBS.

Table 5.1 Number of Wildlife Atlas fauna records by 1:100 000 mapsheet for BBS

No of Species Number of Mapsheets Name and Number of 1:100 000 Mapsheet Records 0-250 21 S 8738 – Bunna Bunna S 9140 – Texas S 8638 – Collarenebri S 8433 – Dandaloo S 8637 – Pilliga S 8536 – Coonamble S 8832 – Mudgee S 8432 – Tullamore S 8534 – Bundemar S 8939 – Croppa Creek S 8740 – Burrenbar S 8733 – Cobbora S 8437 – Carinda S 8938 – Gravesend S 8535 – Gulargambone S 8840 – Boomi S 8737 – Wee Waa S 8838 – Bellata S 8537 – Walgett S 9139 – Ashford S 8438 – Cumborah 251-500 13 S 8732 – Euchareena S 8940 – Goondiwindi S 8935 – Curlewis S 9035 – Tamworth S 9136 – Bendemeer S 9038 – Bingara S 9034 – Murrurundi S 8936 – Boggabri S 8632 – Wellington S 8835 – Tambar Springs S 9039 – Yallaroi S 8739 – Bunarba S 9040 – Yetman

49 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

No of Species Number of Mapsheets Name and Number of 1:100 000 Mapsheet Records 501-1500 15 S 8837 – Narrabri S 8839 – Moree S 9138 – Inverell S 8435 – Mt Harris S 8734 – Mendooran S 9036 – Manilla S 9033 – Muswellbrook S 8937 – Horton S 9135 – Nundle S 8735 – Coonabarabran S 8836 – Baan Baa S 9134 – Ellerston S 9037 – Cobbadah S 8533 – Narromine S 8636 – Gwabegar 1501-2500 15 S 8932 – Mt Pomany S 8434 – Warren S 9132 – Cessnock S 9137 – Bundarra S 8736 – Baradine S 9133 – Camberwell S 8634 – Gilgandra S 8833 – Gulgong S 9032 – Howes Valley S 8635 – Tenandra S 8933 – Merriwa S 8538 – Dungalear S 8532 – Peak Hill S 8834 – Coolah S 8934 – Blackville 2501-11000 2 S 8633 – Dubbo S 8436 – Quambone

Bird records are reasonably dense throughout the portion of the BBS below Narrabri, especially around Pilliga and Goonoo State Forests and Warrumbungle and Coolah Tops National Parks.

50 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Fauna species records within woody and non-woody vegetation

16,000

14,000

12,000

10,000 woody 8,000 non-w oody 6,000

Number of Records 4,000

2,000

0 amphibians reptiles mammals birds totals

Figure 5.1 Number of fauna records in woody and non-woody vegetation in BBS

Figure 5.1 shows number of fauna records (Wildlife Atlas records) which fall within the woody and non-woody vegetation as classified by the M305 datalayer. This figure shows that there is a clear bias for fauna records in areas with woody vegetation. 65% of these fauna records for the BBS fall within woody vegetation as classified by the M305 datalayer.

Figure 5.2 shows the number of fauna records (Wildlife Atlas records) which fall within each land capability class. This figure clearly indicates a strong bias for fauna records within State forest, national parks and nature reserves within the BBS.

Fauna sites by land capability

5000 Birds Frogs Mammals Reptiles

Number of systematic sites 0

g 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 rk n rest i rry Land capability class Fo urban a irrigat ion ional Pa te qu d ta r Nat S o floo g in min Figure 5.2 Number of fauna records by land capability class for BBS

51 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

The Atlas of NSW Wildlife (WLA), ABBBS, CSIRO, AM, BA, and the Brigalow Belt Stage 1 fauna survey (BBS) datasets show that 56 species of native fauna listed as vulnerable or endangered under Schedules one and two of the TSC Act, 27 species listed as threatened or near threatened under the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 (Garnett and Crowley, 2000), and 20 birds listed on the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and / or the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) have been recorded in the BBS. Table 5.2 lists these species. Appendix 11 is a list of all NSW Wildlife Atlas, BA, AM, Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Fauna Survey Stage 1, CSIRO, and the ABBBS fauna records for species not listed under the TSC Act nor listed under the JAMBA and / or CAMBA.

Table 5.2 Threatened and treaty fauna species recorded in BBS

Common Name Scientific Name Legal Status / Total Dataset Conservation Status Records In BBS swift parrot Lathamus discolor *E (EC2b) 3 AM (1), WLA (1), BA (1) (winter migrant) regent honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia *E (EC2b) 685 ABBBS (3) AM (24), WLA (653), BA (5) squatter pigeon Geophaps scripta E (NTa) 1 BA (southern extremity of range) booroolong frog Litoria booroolongensis E43AM red goshawk (southern Erythrotriorchis radiatus E (VD1) 1 WLA extremity of range) plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus E (EC2b) 2 AM (1), BA (1) malleefowl Leipoa ocellata E (VA1ce + VA2bce) 86 BBS (6), AM (10), WLA (53), BA (17) five-clawed worm-skink Anomalopus mackayi E 3 AM (3), WLA (2) cotton pygmy-goose Nettapus E (NTc) 3 WLA (southern extremity of range) coromandelianus bush thick-knee (curlew) Burhinus grallarius E (NTc) 9 BBS (1), AM (4), CSIRO (1), WLA (3) black-striped wallaby Macropus dorsalis E 195 BBS (1), WLA (194) black-necked stork Ephippiorhynchus E 4 WLA (2). BA (2) (winter migrant) asiaticus Australian bustard Ardeotis australis E (NTc) 9 AM (2), WLA (7) border thick-tailed gecko Underwoodisaurus *V 3 AM (2), WLA (1) sphyrurus superb parrot Polytelis swainsonii *V (VC2b) 77 ABBBS (7), WLA (62), BA (winter migrant) (9) brush-tailed rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata *V 33 AM (3), CSIRO (2), WLA (28) Pilliga mouse Pseudomys pilligaensis *V 258 BBS (18), AM (3), WLA (237) painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis V (CAMBA) 5 AM (2), WLA (3) yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat Saccolaimus flaviventris V 12 BBS (3), AM (2), WLA (7) turquoise parrot Neophema pulchella V (NTa) 440 BBS (38), AM (10), WLA (297), BA (95) stripe-faced dunnart Sminthopsis macroura V 17 AM (13), WLA (4) squirrel glider Petaurus norfolcensis V 25 BBS (7), AM (4), WLA (14) square-tailed kite Lophoictinia isura V 38 BBS (3), AM (2), WLA (29), BA (4) spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus V 7 AM (5), WLA (2) rufous bettong Aepyprymnus rufescens V1WLA red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda V 5 AM (1), WLA (3), BA (1) (vagrant – western extremity of range in north east new south wales) powerful owl Ninox strenua V5WLA

52 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Common Name Scientific Name Legal Status / Total Dataset Conservation Status Records In BBS pink cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri V 20 ABBBS (17), BA (3) pied honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus V1WLA (eastern extremity of range) pale-headed snake Hoplocephalus V 31 BBS (2), AM (24), WLA bitorquatus (5) painted honeyeater Grantiella picta V (NTc) 35 AM (6), WLA (23), BA (6) masked owl Tyto novaehollandiae V 20 BBS (2), WLA (17), BA (1) magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata V16WLA little pied bat Chalinolobus picatus V 12 BBS (4), AM (1), WLA (7) large pied bat Chalinolobus dwyeri V 56 BBS (24), WLA (32) koala Phascolarctos cinereus V 500 BBS (55), AM (4), CSIRO (1), WLA (440) grey falcon Falco hypoleucos V (NTd) 8 AM (2), WLA (1), BA (5) greater long-eared bat Nyctophilus timoriensis V 202 BBS (101), AM (2), WLA (99) greater broad-nosed bat Scoteanax rueppellii V3WLA great pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis V8WLA red-tailed black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii V 10 WLA (6), BA (4) glossy black-cockatooo Calyptorhynchus lathami V (NTc) 2507 BBS (55), AM (9), WLA (2365), BA (78) Gilbert’s whistler Pachycephala inornata V 6 BBS (1), WLA (3), BA (2) freckled duck Stictonetta naevosa V 310 BBS (2), AM (1), WLA (307) Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus V 38 BBS (3), WLA (35) eastern grass owl Tyto capensis V 17 WLA (5), BA (12) eastern cave bat Vespadelus troughtoni V 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) common planigale Planigale maculata V5AM brolga Grus rubicunda V 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) blue-billed duck Oxyura australis V 3 AM (2), BA (1) parma wallaby Macropus parma V5WLA black-breasted buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon V 5 BBS (1), WLA (3), BA (1) black bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis V1WLA (vagrant) barking owl Ninox connivens V (NTa) 89 BBS (13), BA (13), AM (6), WLA (57) australasian bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus V (VC2a) 6 BBS (1), WLA (2), BA (3) grey-headed flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus V2AM little bittern Ixobrychus minutus NTc 1 BA (vagrant) Leeuwin’s rail Rallus pectoralis NTC 2 WLA brown treecreeper Climacteris picumnus NTc 634 BBS (28), AM (8), WLA (200), BA (398) speckled warbler Chthonicola sagittata NTc 428 ABBBS (20), AM (5), CSIRO (2), WLA (216), BA (185) black-chinned honeyeater Melithreptus gularis NTc 25 CSIRO (1), WLA (3), BA (21) hooded robin Melanodryas cucullata NTc 361 BBS (7), AM (22), WLA (60), BA (262) diamond firetail Stagonopleura guttata NTc 290 BBS (3), ABBS (2), AM (5), WLA (79), BA (201) crested bellbird Oreoica gutturalis NTa 58 BBS (17), AM (6), WLA (21), BA (14) grey-crowned babbler Pomatostomus temporalis NTa 509 BBS (58), AM (30), WLA (239), BA (182) Latham’s snipe Gallinago hardwickii JAMBA & CAMBA 13 AM (2), WLA (6), BA (5) red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis JAMBA & CAMBA 2 BA (vagrant) lesser golden plover Pluvialis dominica JAMBA & CAMBA 1 BA (winter migrant) common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos JAMBA & CAMBA 1 BA

53 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Common Name Scientific Name Legal Status / Total Dataset Conservation Status Records In BBS (vagrant) white-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus JAMBA & CAMBA 2 AM (1), BA (1) (vagrant) red knot Calidris canutus JAMBA & CAMBA 1 BA (winter migrant) curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea JAMBA & CAMBA 1 BA (vagrant) sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminata JAMBA & CAMBA 42 WLA (37), BA (5) (winter migrant) marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis JAMBA & CAMBA 2 WLA (1), BA (1) (vagrant) common greenshank Tringa nebularia JAMBA & CAMBA 2 BA (winter migrant) great egret Ardea alba JAMBA & CAMBA 59 AM (3), WLA (6), BA (50) (winter migrant) fork-tailed swift Apus pacificus JAMBA & CAMBA 76 BBS (1), WLA (68), BA (7) cattle egret Ardea ibis JAMBA & CAMBA 10 WLA (5), BA (5) (winter migrant) little curlew Numenius minutus JAMBA & CAMBA 2 WLA ruff Philomachus pugnax JAMBA & CAMBA 1 WLA (vagrant) Latham’s snipe Gallinago hardwickii JAMBA & CAMBA 8 AM (2), WLA (6) citrine wagtail Motacilla citreola JAMBA & CAMBA 1 WLA white-throated needletail Hirundapus caudacutus CAMBA 638 BBS (30), WLA (628), BA (80) white-bellied sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster CAMBA 6 WLA (5), BA (1) (winter migrant) glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus CAMBA 5 AM (7), WLA (57), BA (16)

Key *E Nationally endangered under the TSC Act and Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 E Endangered in New South Wales under TSC Act *V Nationally vulnerable under the TSC Act and Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 V Vulnerable in New South Wales under TSC Act NTa Near Threatened due to a reduced area of occupancy and / or extent of occurrence: taxa that have disappeared from over 50% of their former area of occupancy and / or extent of occurrence and are at risk of further decline (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) NTc Near Threatened due to decline in abundance: taxa that have experienced a significant and continuing decline in abundance in over 50% of their former area of occupancy and / or extent of occurrence (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) NTd Near Threatened due to small populations: Taxa with populations smaller than 3 000 mature individuals, or of unknown population size but suspected to be small (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) VA1b Vulnerable: taxa with population reduction in the form of an observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction of at least 20% over the last 10 years or three generations whichever is the longer, based on an index of abundance appropriate for the taxon. (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) VA1ce Vulnerable: taxa with population reduction in the form of an observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction of at least 20% over the last 10 years or three generations whichever is the longer, based on either a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and / or quality of habitat; or the effects of introduced taxa, hybridisation, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites. (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) VA2bce Vulnerable: taxa with a population reduction in the form of a reduction of at least 20%, projected or suspected to be met within the next ten years or three generations, whichever is the longer based on an index of abundance appropriate for the taxon; or a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and / or quality of habitat; or the effects of introduced taxa, hybridisation, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) VC2a Vulnerable: taxa with a population estimated to number less that 10 000 mature individuals and suffering a continuing decline, observed, projected or inferred, in numbers of mature individuals and population structure in the form of severely fragmented (ie no sub-population estimated to contain more than 1 000 mature individuals). (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) VC2b Vulnerable: taxa with a population estimated to number less that 10 000 mature individuals and suffering a continuing decline, observed, projected or inferred, in numbers of mature individuals and population structure in the form of all individuals in a single population (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) VD1 Vulnerable: Taxa with a population estimated to number less than 1 000 mature individuals (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) EC2b Endangered: taxa with a population estimated to number less that 2 500 mature individuals and suffering a continuing decline, observed, projected or inferred, in numbers of mature individuals and population structure in the form of all individuals in a single population (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) ED Endangered: taxa with a population estimated to number less than 250 individuals (Garnett & Crowley, 2000) CAMBA China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Species JAMBA Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Species

54 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Appendix 12 lists regionally significant species for the BBS bioregion as identified by RACD, 2000b.

Table 5.3 lists 11 fauna species considered Presumed Extinct under Schedule 1 of the TSC Act which have been recorded within the BBS.

Table 5.3 Species presumed extinct in New South Wales recorded within the BBS

Common Name Scientific Name Records Source (Date) In BBS bilby Macrotis lagotis 6 AM (1788), WLA (1932,1908,1899) western quoll Dasyurus geoffroii 1 WLA (1840) western barred bandicoot Perameles bougainville 1 WLA (1841) brush-tailed bettong Bettongia penicillata 1 WLA (1863) burrowing bettong Bettongia lesueur 1 WLA (1985) eastern hare-wallaby Lagorchestes leporides 1 WLA (1863) bridled nailtail wallaby Onychogalea fraenata 1 WLA (1840) white-footed rabbit-rat Conilurus albipes 2 WLA (1840) greater stick-nest rat Leporillus conditor 2 WLA (1995) gold’s mouse Pseudomys gouldii 2 WLA (1840, 1850) plains rat Pseudomys australis 1 WLA (1932)

Table 5.4 lists threatened or treaty fauna predicted to occur in suitable habitats within the BBS. These species were predicted using the Bioclim Program which analyses potential habitat for species.

Table 5.4 Threatened and / or treaty fauna species predicted to occur within the BBS (Bioclim) Common Name Scientific Name Legal Status yellow-spotted tree frog Litoria castanea *E green and golden bell frog Litoria aurea E eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus E yellow-bellied glider Petaurus australis V western blue-tongued lizard Tiliqua occipitalis V pink robin Petroica rodinogaster V osprey Pandion haliaetus V large-footed mouse-eared bat Myotis adversus V bell's (Namoi River) elseya Elseya belli V common bent-wing bat Miniopterus schreibersii V collared whip-snake Demansia torquata V brush-tailed phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa V sanderling Calidris alba V (JAMBA and CAMBA) Mongolian plover Charadrius mongolus V (JAMBA and CAMBA) great knot Calidris tenuirostris V (JAMBA and CAMBA) black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa V (JAMBA) white-winged black tern Chlidonias leucopterus CAMBA ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres CAMBA caspian tern Sterna caspia CAMBA

Table 5.5 shows species recorded in the QLD equivalent of the NSW Wildlife Atlas that have not previously been recorded in the BBS. A 50km buffer was used around the BBS to obtain this list. Where the buffer extended into QLD, approximately 50% of the area covered part of the BBS (Qld) while the remainder covered other bioregions. The green

55 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report tree frog was predicted to occur within the BBS, however, there were no records for the bioregion. This species was recorded in QLD within the 50km buffer of the BBS.

Table 5.5 Fauna species recorded within 50km buffer of BBS in Queensland not previously recorded in BBS

Common Name Scientific Name Legal No Date Status Records Recorded paradise parrot Psephotus pulcherrimus E 1 1950 oriental plover Charadrius veredus P 1 1982 white-throated honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis P 1 1996 Paradelma orientalis P 22 1996 broad-banded sand swimmer Eremiascincus richardsonii P 2 1996 fire-tailed skink Morethia taeniopleura P 3 1996 varied triller Lalage leucomela P 1 1994 green tree frog Litoria caerulea P 9 1996

5.2.1 Systematic fauna site gap analysis Systematic fauna survey is limited in extent throughout the bioregion to some remaining forest blocks, namely parts of the Pilliga and Goonoo groups of State forests, Pilliga Nature Reserve (mapped as part of BBS stage 1), Coolah Tops National Park and Bebo State Forest (map 19).

Three systematic fauna surveys have been recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife which occur within the BBS. Table 5.6 lists these surveys, their locations, number of sites and standards used.

Figure 5.3 shows the number of sites per area of stratum, and identifies the strata identification number for each point on the graph. A trend line was plotted which shows that in general the number of sites per stratum increases with an increase in strata size. Again, the dataset used to formulate this figure was small, and as such only gives an indication of trends in this respect. Figure 5.3 also shows that survey activity was highly unbalanced, but is likely to also reflect the percentage of retained natural vegetation per stratum. Appendix 14 lists all strata, their area and the number of systematic fauna and flora survey sites within each.

56 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Table 5.6 Systematic fauna surveys within the BBS recorded on Wildlife Atlas

Survey No Sites in Locations Survey Standards used Reference BBS Dates CRA Coolah Tops 24 Coolah Tops National March 2ha (100m X200m) NPWS Park 1998 plots (1998) diurnal bird surveys, herpetofauna and frogs, spotlighting arboreal mammals, harp trapping, hair tubing (some sites), owl call playback, some Elliott trapping Fauna Survey of 45 (23 sites Pilliga, Goonoo, Euligal, 1993 to 45 sites each with 6 Date and the Cypress / within BBS) Etoo, Minnon, Quegobla, 200m X 60m transects Paull 1995 Ironbark Forests Yarrigan, Wittenbra, were surveyed for (1999) of North-West Baradine, Yaminbah, vertebrate fauna and New South Wales Rutley, Jacks Creek, habitat floristics and (State Forest Moema, Bobbiwaa, structure. Active Fauna Impact Killarney, Irrigappa, Terry searches, spotlighting, Statement) Hie Hie, Warialda, Bebo, playbacks, pit, Elliott Kerringle, Campbell, and cage trapping, hair Leard, Kelvin, Goran, tube, scat collection Trinkey, Yalcorgin, and opportunistic Breelong, Eura, Beni sightings State Forests BBS Stage 1 54 Pilliga and Goonoo 1999 to 2ha (100m X 200m) RACD (WRA) (36 Pilliga, Groups of Forests 2000 sites (2000b) 18 Goonoo) Anabat surveys, nocturnal playbacks, bird counts, habitat searches, harp and Elliott traps, hair tubes, bat echolocation, stag watch, trip lining, scat collection, frog searches.

Trend line of number of fauna sites by stratum area

25 92 20 19 47 15 10 12 3 6 5 7 44 3 5 171 4 27 11 14 No. sitesstrata per 0 0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 Area of Strata (ha)

Figure 5.3 Trend line of number of fauna sites by stratum area (Source: Surveys listed in Table 5.6 and Strat5)

57 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

5.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations aim to improve the knowledge of the distribution, habitat requirements and conservation status of fauna and to allow for a comprehensive bioregional conservation assessment to be undertaken. They aim at gathering data for use in the assessment of conservation values of the BBS.

It is recommended that: R4. a fauna list, including a list of species of priority for conservation effort, for the BBS be prepared and reviewed for accuracy / completeness by experts;

R5. survey effort / comprehensiveness be improved across the BBS to include open woodlands and “non-woody” vegetation types for example, wetlands, grasslands, shrublands and include further systematic and targeted surveys of priority fauna across all tenures within the BBS to ensure all habitats are adequately sampled. Targetted species could include hollow-dependant species, honeyeaters, parrots, small terrestrial mammals, cave and forest bats, and indicator and / or keystone species;

R6. species assemblages be defined for the BBS using pattern analysis using PATN software (Belbin, 1987) (software package for the manipulation, analysis and display of patterns in data) and correlations be made where possible between individual species or species assemblages and the vegetation communities of the bioregion as data becomes available;

R7. profiles be compiled of priority fauna species and their response to disturbance. These species may include fauna species of conservation concern because of habitat loss, declining populations and geographic isolation / extremes and / or species listed under the TSC Act;

R8. monitoring sites be established throughout BBS to generate year-round / all- seasons perspective;

R9. areas of high conservation value with respect to fauna be identified including core habitat areas;

R10. information be gathered about current status and limiting factors for threatened species to assist in defining recovery objectives and management strategies for regionally significant and threatened species;

R11. fauna modelling be considered for species which have suitable records and / or autecological knowledge available and that this be developed further as information becomes available;

R12. any vegetation mapping carried out as part of a bioregional assessment should collect information on the spatial arrangement and extent of large, mature to senescing trees and shrubby understoreys as an habitat component for fauna; and

R13. autecological studies of priority fauna be carried out whereby ecology, habitat requirements, and population dynamics etc of a single species or group of species are investigated.

58 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Current limitations to modelling include that many data layers which could be used in modelling do not cover the entire bioregion, or are not at a compatible scale to be useful at the bioregion level. Many data sets for the BBS require updating and validation to ensure that the end product of any modelling exercise is meaningful or useful.

59 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 6 FLORA

6.1 Current knowledge

The key results and products of the Vegetation Survey and Mapping, Stage 1 Report for the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion (Beckers and Binns, 2000) are outlined below:

S a diverse range of plants and vegetation occurs within the BBS with more than 1 850 native plant species recorded to date, including 16 threatened species and 17 protected species. Plot data collected from each area surveyed within the bioregion during the Brigalow Belt Stage 1 project contained species that were unique to the dataset. The large forest areas of the Pilliga and Goonoo State Forests were found to have low weed levels when compared to information from surveys conducted across other broad areas; and S vegetation overstorey types of Eucalyptus populnea / Eucalyptus pilligaensis (which occur within west Pilliga) and Eucalyptus nubila (which occurs within Goonoo, Lincoln, Eura and Breelong State Forests) were found to be poorly represented in existing national parks and nature reserves. The rare, threatened or highly cleared and modified vegetation overstorey types; containing, Cadellia pentastylis, semi- evergreen vine thicket, Corymbia tessellaris, Austrostipa aristiglumis, Eucalyptus viridis, Eucalyptus dumosa, Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus melliodora, Eucalyptus conica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis were also found to have low levels of reservation.

This study focussed on SFNSW and NPWS estate in the part of the BBS south of Narrabri.

Other flora data for the BBS are available through the NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife, and the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG). A compiled list of all threatened flora species listed under Schedules one and two of the TSC Act and Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (ROTAP) (Briggs and Leigh, 1996) recorded on these databases and the above survey are shown in Table 6.2.

Appendix 13 lists all native species other than ROTAP or TSC Act species recorded within the BBS from the above-mentioned sources.

60 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

6.2 Basic analyses / gaps

Maps 32-35 show number flora records recorded in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife per 1:50 000 mapsheet. It can be seen from these maps that there is a sampling bias for SFNSW and NPWS estate in the north east of the bioregion and Pilliga group of State Forests and Pilliga Nature Reserve. This is indicative of the focus of survey effort on these areas by SFNSW and others.

Table 6.1 shows the number of wildlife atlas flora records by 1:100 000 mapsheet which lie within the BBS (including 50km buffer).

Table 6.1 Number of Wildlife Atlas flora records by 1:100 000 mapsheet for BBS

No of Species No of 1:100 000 Mapsheets Name and Number of 1:100 000 Mapsheet Records 0-250 25 S 8734 – Mendooran S 9037 – Cobbadah S 8832 – Mudgee S 8732 – Euchareena S 9140 – Texas S 8835 – Tambar Springs S 8438 – Cumborah S 8933 – Merriwa S 8632 – Wellington S 8534 – Bundemar S 8536 – Coonamble S 9035 – Tamworth S 8636 – Gwabegar S 8434 – Warren S 8932 – Mt Pomany S 9132 – Cessnock S 8934 – Blackville S 8740 – Burrenbar S 8432 – Tullamore S 9038 – Bingara S 8538 – Gungalear S 8537 – Walgett S 8733 – Cobbora S 8436 – Quambone S 8634 – Gilgandra 251-500 22 S 8833 – Gulgong S 8535 – Gulargambone S 8735 – Coonabarabran S 8938 – Inverell S 8738 – Bunna Bunna S 8834 – Coolah S 8433 – Dandaloo S 9139 – Ashford S 8638 – Collarenebri S 8936 – Boggabri S 8840 – Boomi

61 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

No of Species No of 1:100 000 Mapsheets Name and Number of 1:100 000 Mapsheet Records S 8437 – Carinda S 8836 – Baan Baa S 9034 – Murrurundi S 8739 – Bunarba S 8637 – Pilliga S 8838 – Bellata S 8435 – Mt Harris S 8633 – Dubbo S 8737 – Wee Waa S 9039 – Yallaroi S 8935 – Curlewis 501-1500 17 S 9033 – Muswellbrook S 8839 – Moree S 9032 – Howes Valley S 8939 – Croppa Creek S 9040 – Yetman S 9137 – Bundarra S 9136 – Bendemeer S 8837 – Narrabri S 9036 – Manilla S 8635 – Tenandra S 8533 – Narromine S 8940 – Goondiwindi S 9138 – Inverell S 9135 – Nundle S 8736 – Baradine S 8937 – Horton S 9133 – Camberwell 1501-3500 2 S 9134 – Ellerston S 8532 – Peak Hill

59% of all flora records in the NSW Wildlife Atlas fall within the woody vegetation layer of the M305.

Figure 6.1 shows the number of flora records (Wildlife Atlas records) which fall within each land capability class. This figure indicates a strong bias for flora records within NPWS estate within the BBS.

62 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Systematic flora sites by land capability 3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0 Numberof systematic sites

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 st state ore Land capability class urban E e F PWS tat N S

Figure 6.1 Number of flora records by land capability class for BBS

The BBS Stage 1 Vegetation Survey and Mapping Project (Beckers and Binns, 2000), the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), and the Wildlife Atlas (WLA) datasets show 57 species of native flora listed as vulnerable or endangered under Schedules one and two of the TSC Act, 36 ROTAP species and a further 20 flora species listed as protected under Schedule 13 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 recorded within the BBS. Table 6.2 lists these species by family, common and scientific name, their legal or conservation status, the number of records within the BBS and which dataset in which they are recorded.

Table 6.2 Threatened and ROTAP flora species recorded in BBS

Family Common Name Scientific Name Status Records in Source (no. BBS records) Platyzomataceae Platyzoma microphyllum E1 1 RBG Sterculiaceae Rulingia procumbens *V 3 011 BBS (5), RBG (6), WLA (3 000) Rhamnaceae Pomaderris queenslandica E1 4 BBS (2), RBG (2), Euphorbiaceae Bertya sp. Coolabah-Cobar *V 4 BBS (2), RBG (2) Euphorbiaceae Monotaxis macrophylla E1 1 BBS Brassicaceae spiny peppercress Lepidium aschersonii *V 2 803 RBG (3), WLA (2 800) Brassicaceae Lepidium hyssopifolium *E 2 BBS Brassicaceae winged peppercress Lepidium monoplocoides *E 2 BBS Myrtaceae Homoranthus darwinioides *V 6 RBG (1), WLA (5) Myrtaceae Homoranthus prolixus V1RBG Rutaceae Philotheca ericifolia *V 18 BBS (7), WLA (11) Rutaceae Zieria ingramii *E1 66 RBG (13), WLA (53) Surianaceae ooline Cadellia pentastylis *V 138 BBS (23), RBG (15), WLA (100) Fabaceae Acacia jucunda E1 3 RBG Fabaceae creeping tick-trefoil Desmodium campylocaulon E1 5 WLA Fabaceae Indigofera efoliata *E 10 RBG (8), WLA (2) Fabaceae Pultenaea pedunculata E1 1 RBG Fabaceae slender darling pea Swainsona murrayana *V 8 BBS (1), RBG (3), WLA (4)

63 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Family Common Name Scientific Name Status Records in Source (no. BBS records) Polygalaceae Polygala linariifolia E1 6 BBS Santalaceae Thesium australe *V 7 BBS (2), RBG (3), WLA (2) Asteraceae Calotis glandulosa *V 1 WLA (northern extent of range) Goodeniaceae Goodenia macbarronii *V 688 BBS (31), RBG (7), WLA (650) Asclepiadaceae Cynanchum elegans E1 1 WLA Asclepiadaceae Tylophora linearis E1 1 RBG Lamiaceae Prostanthera cryptandroides V3RBG Orchidaceae Diurus tricolor V 4 BBS (2), RBG (1), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Pterostylis cobarensis V1RBG (eastern extent of range) Cyperaceae Cyperus conicus E1 3 BBS (1), RBG (2) Poaceae Bothriochloa biloba *V 348 BBS (10), RBG (38), WLA (300) Poaceae bluegrass Dichanthium setosum *V 8 BBS (1), RBG (2), WLA (5) Poaceae finger panic grass Digitaria porrecta *E 27 RBG (2), WLA (25) Scrophulariaceae Euphrasia collina 2EC- 3 BBS Myrtaceae Eucalyptus conjuncta 2K 6 RBG Poaceae porcupine grass Triodia scariosa 2K 1 WLA Proteaceae Persoonia terminalis 2R 8 BBS Dilleniaceae Hibbertia kaputarensis 2RC- 1 RBG Thymelaeaceae Pimelea ciliolaris 2RC- 2 RBG (1), WLA (1) Rutaceae scaly phebalium Phebalium squamulosum 2RC- 16 BBS (10), WLA (6) Rutaceae Asterolasia hexapetala 2RC- 75 RBG (5), WLA (70)

Fabaceae Acacia forsythii 2RC- 8 RBG (6), WLA (2)

Lamiaceae Prostanthera cruciflora 2RC- 1 RBG Lamiaceae Westringia glabra 2RC- 1 RBG (western extent of range) Rutaceae desert phebalium Phebalium glandulosum 2VCi 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Proteaceae Persoonia cuspidifera 3K 106 BBS (95), RBG (7), WLA (4) Orchidaceae Diuris tricolor 3K 2 BBS Asteraceae Ozothamnus adnatus 3KC- 9 BBS (1), WLA (8) Sapindaceae Dodonaea macrossanii 3R 3 BBS (1), RBG (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Homopholis belsonii 3R 258 BBS (6), RBG (2), WLA (250) Myrtaceae Callistemon shiressii 3RC- 1 WLA (western extent of range) Rutaceae Eriostemon ericifolius 3RC- 5 RBG Asteraceae Senecio macranthus 3RC- 2 RBG (1), WLA (1)

Scrophulariaceae Derwentia arenaria 3RC- 7 BBS (6), RBG (1) Orchidaceae Prasophyllum campestre 3RC- 4 RBG Orchidaceae Pterostylis longicurva 3RC- 3 WLA Orchidaceae long-tailed greenhood Pterostylis woollsii 3RC- 1 BBS Cyperaceae Eleocharis blakeana 3RC- 5 BBS (2), WLA (3) Rhamnaceae Australian anchor plant Discaria pubescens 3RCa 37 BBS (1), RBG (1), WLA (35) Euphorbiaceae Pseudanthus 3RCa 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) divaricatissimum Myrtaceae Eucalyptus nandewarica 3RCa 3 RBG

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Family Common Name Scientific Name Status Records in Source (no. BBS records) Rutaceae club-leaved phebalium Phebalium obcordatum 3RCa 4 BBS (1), RBG (1), WLA (2) Rutaceae Phebalium viridiflorum 3RCa 2 RBG Sapindaceae Dodonaea rhombifolia 3RCa 6 RBG (1), WLA (5)

Fabaceae Acacia barringtonensis 3RCa 1 RBG (western extent of range) Asteraceae Brachyscome gracilis 3RCa 1 BBS Rubiaceae Asperula charophyton 3RCa 10 RBG (4), WLA (6)

Lomandraceae Lomandra patens 3RCa 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Rutaceae Zieria odorifera 3RCi 10 RBG Adiantaceae common maidenhair Adiantum aethiopicum P13 24 BBS (21), WLA (3) Adiantaceae giant maidenhair Adiantum formosum P13 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) Adiantaceae rough maidenhair Adiantum hispidulum P13 1 WLA Cyatheaceae rough treefern Cyathea australis P13 2 BBS Casuarinaceae river oak Casuarina cunninghamiana P13 166 BBS (33), WLA ssp cunninghamiana (133) Proteaceae Xylomelum P13 7 BS (3), WLA (4) cunninghamianum Proteaceae Xylomelum pyriforme P13 101 BBS (1), WLA (100) Rutaceae Boronia anethifolia P13 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Rutaceae Boronia bipinnata P13 37 BBS (36), WLA (1) Rutaceae Boronia glabra P13 143 BBS (131), WLA (12) Rutaceae Sydney boronia Boronia ledifolia P13 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Rutaceae small-leaved boronia Boronia microphylla P13 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Rutaceae Boronia warrumbunglensis P13 3 BBS Rutaceae Philotheca myoporoides ssp P13 1 RBG epilosus (western extent of range) Apiaceae flannel flower Actinotus helianthi P13 103 BBS (87), WLA (16) Orchidaceae tiger orchid Cymbidium canaliculatum P13 40 BBS (24), WLA (16) Orchidaceae hyacinth orchid Dipodium hamiltonianum P13 5 BBS (3), RBG (1), WLA (1) Orchidaceae hyacinth orchid Dipodium punctatum P13 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Orchidaceae hyacinth orchid Dipodium roseum P13 4 BBS Orchidaceae rock lily Dendrobium speciosum P13 1 WLA

Table 6.3 shows threatened flora species predicted to occur (but not recorded) within suitable habitat within the BBS. These species were predicted using the Bioclim Program which analyses potential distribution of species within suitable habitat from climatic variables only.

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Table 6.3 Threatened flora species predicted to occur (but not recorded) within the BBS (Bioclim) Family Common Name Scientific Name Status Marsileaceae austral pillwort Pilularia novae-hollandiae E1 Malvaceae Sida rohlenae E1 Euphorbiaceae climbing caustic Euphorbia sarcostemmoides E1 Proteaceae Hakea pulvinifera *E Myrtaceae silver-leaved gum Eucalyptus pulverulenta *V Fabaceae Swainsona recta *E

Appendix 14 lists over 300 species of exotic flora which have been recorded within the BBS. Data sources were the BBS Stage 1 Vegetation Survey and Mapping Project (Beckers and Binns, 2000), the Royal Botanic Gardens database and the Wildlife Atlas database.

6.2.1 Systematic flora site gap analysis Table 6.4 lists systematic flora surveys which have been undertaken within the BBS. This table also lists survey locations and sampling intensity, plot size and number of plots for each survey. These systematic flora surveys have been used in the gap analysis process.

Table 6.4 Systematic flora surveys within the BBS (Beckers and Binns, 2000) Location Survey dates Plots in Sampling Plot size Reference Bioregion Intensity (ha per plot) Northern NPWS unpublished Wheatbelt 1986 to 1994 177(958) (c) N/A 20m x 20m 1994 Ooline 1988 21(32) (c) N/A 20m x 20m Benson 1988 Pilliga Nature NPWS unpublished Reserve (a) 1989 to 1990 96 818 20m x 20m 1990 Pilliga Nature NPWS unpublished Reserve (a) 1990 50 1 500 20m x 20m 1990 Pilliga State State Forests Forests 1993 to 1995 180 2 157 20m x 50m unpublished 1995 Warung Management Area 1993 to 1994 50 N/A 20m x 50m Binns 1995 Coolah Tops 1994 50 260 20m x 50m Binns 1997 Southern Sivertsen and Metcalfe Wheatbelt (b) 1995 0(290) (c) N/A 20m x 20m 1995 Namoi Riparian 500 x 20 to DLWC unpublished Zone 1995 to 1996 36(46) (c) N/A 30m 1996 Binnaway Nature Reserve 1997 30 123 20m x 20m Porteners 1998(a) Weetalibah Nature Reserve 1997 16 38 20m x 20m Porteners 1998(c) Dapper Nature Lembit and Skelton Reserve 1998 10 100 20m x 20m 1998 Kirramingly 1998 22 68 1012m2 Clarke et al. 1998 Mt Kaputar south 1998 4(50) (c) 260 20m x 20m Porteners 1998(b) Towarri 1999 22 114 20m x 20m NPWS unpublished

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Location Survey dates Plots in Sampling Plot size Reference Bioregion Intensity (ha per plot) National Park 1999 Moree Grasslands 1999 48(200) (c) N/A 20m x 20m Hunter and Earl in press Arakoola Nature Reserve 1999 50 63 20m x 20m Hunter in press Brigalow Belt Beckers and Binns, South Stage 1 2000 474 1 309 20m x 50m 2000 Total plots in bioregion 1 770

Notes: (a) = Incomplete survey, (b) = Used for comparisons only, (c) = survey overlapped bioregion with bracketed data indicating total number of plots in survey, N/A = data not available

Map 46 shows the locations of these systematic flora sites within the BBS. The majority of these sites fall within NPWS or State Forest Estate.

Figure 6.2 below illustrates that depending on the spatial arrangement of strata, from the current flora survey effort, as the size of the stratum increases, so does the number of sites and the percent of area of stratum sample will decrease also. This is due to the greater number and geographic spread of systematic flora sites (map 46) when compared to systematic fauna sites (map 19). Appendix 14 lists all strata, their area and the number of systematic fauna and flora survey sites within each.

Trend line of number of flora sites by strata area

350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000 400,000 450,000 500,000 Area of Strata (ha)

Figure 6.2 Trend line of number of flora sites by stratum area (Source: Surveys listed in Table 6.4 and Strat5)

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6.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations aim to improve the knowledge of the distribution, ecology and conservation status of native flora within the BBS and to allow for a comprehensive bioregional conservation assessment to be undertaken. They aim at gathering data for use in the assessment of conservation values of the BBS. It is recommended that: R14. a flora list, including a list of species of priority for conservation effort, for the BBS be prepared and reviewed for accuracy / completeness by experts; R15. further systematic plot-based and targetted flora surveys be undertaken on private / leasehold lands and areas not identified as “woody” vegetation in the MDBC vegetation mapping (for example, wetlands, shrublands, grassland and open woodlands), and to fill gaps in information about woody communities linked to DLWC vegetation mapping and vegetation survey. Priority flora species for targetted surveys may include Threatened, ROTAP or protected species; R16. analysis be undertaken of flora data in relation to vegetation mapping for the BBS; R17. information be gathered on current status and limiting factors to assist in defining recovery objectives for threatened flora; R18. conservation requirements be formulated for native flora; R19. management strategies be developed for regionally significant and threatened flora species; R20. modelling be done to predict distribution of potential habitat and critical habitat at a local and regional scale for priority species within the BBS including threatened species, regionally significant and ROTAP species. Current limitations to modelling include that many data layers that could be used in modelling do not cover the entire bioregion, or are not at a compatible scale to be useful at the bioregion level; R21. existing data sets for the BBS be updated and validated to ensure that the end product of any modelling exercise is meaningful or useful; R22. responses to disturbance be collated for flora species for use in population viability analysis and risk assessments and formulation of conservation requirements. R23. autecological studies of targeted flora be undertaken whereby ecology, distribution etc of a single species or group of species is investigated; R24. monitoring sites be established for flora across all tenures in the BBS. It is recommended that these monitoring sites be linked to the fauna monitoring sites; R25. studies on the distribution and abundance of cryptogam (mosses, liverworts and lichens) biodiversity be undertaken; and R26. a flora report be produced with datasets and species / community profiles suitable for use in conservation planning processes.

68 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 7 OTHER BIOTA

7.1 Current knowledge

7.1.1 Invertebrates Invertebrates have not been considered in this study but should be included in any comprehensive assessment as invertebrate species richness forms a major component of biodiversity in any region. No comprehensive invertebrate surveys have been undertaken across the bioregion. Information is likely to be collected for the bioregion by the Australian Museum, and the Department of Agriculture in future assessments. 7.1.2 Fish Fish have not been considered in this study but should be included in any comprehensive assessment as they are indicators of catchment and stream health.

Fish recorded in the Namoi, Gwydir and Macquarie River catchments by the NSW Rivers Survey (Harris and Gehrke, 1997) and a previous study in 1975 to 1976 (Llewellyn, 1983) are shown in Table 7.1. These river catchments fall partially within the BBS and had survey sites within the BBS for the NSW Rivers Survey (1996). This table shows the status of all species listed including two species listed as endangered or vulnerable under Schedules four and five of the Fisheries Management Act, 1994, 13 unprotected native species and seven feral species.

Table 7.1 Fish recorded in the Namoi, Gwydir and Macquarie River Catchments (source Harris and Gehrke, 1997; Llewellyn, 1983) Common Name Species Name Catchments Status Murray hardyhead Craterocephalus fluviatilis Namoi, Macquarie E silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie V olive perchlet Ambassis agassizii Macquarie Native flathead gudgeon Philypnodon grandiceps Macquarie Native flyspecked hardyhead Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum Namoi Native mountain galaxias Galaxias olidus Gwydir, Macquarie Native (possibly only in headwaters) river blackfish Gadopsis marmoratus Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native (possibly only in headwaters) Gudgeon Hypseleotris spp. Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native spangled perch Leiopotherapon unicolor Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native Murray cod Maccullochella peelii Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native golden perch Macquaria ambigua Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native crimson-spotted rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native bony herring Nematalosa erebi Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native Australian smelt Retropinna semoni Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native freshwater catfish Tandanus tandanus Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Macquarie Feral

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Common Name Species Name Catchments Status brown trout Salmo trutta Macquarie Feral brook trout Salvenlinus fontinalis Macquarie Feral redfin perch Perca fluviatilis Gwydir, Macquarie Feral gold fish Carassius auratus Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Feral common carp Cyprinus carpio Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Feral mosquito fish Gambusia holbrooki Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie Feral

The Murray hardhead was recorded in both the Macquarie and Namoi River catchments during the 1975 / 1976 survey but were not found in 1996 suggesting that a possible decline in or absence of this species in these catchments occurred over this 20-year period. The silver perch, however, was recorded only from the 1996 survey within the Gwydir catchment, in both the 1975 to 1976 and 1996 surveys in the Namoi catchment, and only in the 1975 to 1976 survey in the Macquarie catchment.

7.2 Basic analyses / gaps

No analysis of gaps in data was possible due to insufficient information across the bioregion.

7.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations are to assist in the development of a comprehensive biodiversity assessment of the BBS.

It is recommended that: R27. data collation and an audit be undertaken regarding invertebrates, aquatic vertebrates, macroinvertebrates and fish within the BBS; and

R28. database(s) be established for aquatic vertebrates, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and terrestrial invertebrates for use in biodiversity assessments and an evaluation of patterns of biological variation within mapped vegetation types be undertaken.

70 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 8 VEGETATION

8.1 Current knowledge

Thackway and Cresswell (1995) describe the vegetation of BBS as Eucalyptus woodlands and open forests of ironbarks, Eucalyptus populnea, Angophora leiocarpa, Callitris glaucophylla, bloodwoods, Acacia harpophylla - Casuarina cristata and semi-evergreen vine thickets. Benson (1999) describes the vegetation of the BBS as being mainly grassy woodland dominated by Eucalyptus albens, Eucalyptus populnea and Eucalyptus pilligaensis with several species of ironbarks. Callitris glaucophylla and Eucalyptus albens mix with microphyll vine thickets on basalt rises (NPWS, 2000c).

Woodlands and low open forest or open forests are comprised of Casuarina cristata, Allocasuarina leuhmannii and Acacia harpophylla. It was estimated, in 1984, that only about 5 000 of the original 250 000 hectares of Acacia harpophylla remain (Pulsford, 1984). Subsequent clearing has reduced this area further.

Detailed descriptions are unavailable for all the major plant communities and plant alliances within BBS. The brief province descriptions by Morgan and Terrey (1992), which list the main species associated with each soil and landform type, provide the most complete coverage of the range of plant communities for the BBS. Given that these are the only descriptions which cover the whole area they are outlined below. Whilst the spatial extent of communities is not recorded, the communities can be readily located in the landscape by identifying the portions of the land profile in which they occur.

Plant communities and their associated landform and / or geology listed by Morgan and Terrey (1992) are listed in Table 8.1.

Table 8.1 Plant communities by province for BBS (Morgan and Terrey, 1992) Plant Community 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eucalyptus populnea (poplar box) woodlands with: I. Callitris glaucophylla, Geijera parviflora and 4 Eremophila mitchellii on brighter red loam soils II. Casuarina cristata and Acacia harpophylla on 44 lower darker red loam soils III. Callitris glaucophylla and Eucalyptus 4 melanophloia on inner Gwydir fan IV. occasional Casuarina cristata and Geijera 4 parviflora in the north and Eucalyptus melliodora in the south on finer alluvial soils V. Callitris glaucophylla and Allocasuarina 4 luehmannii

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Plant Community 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 VI. Callitris glaucophylla, Eucalyptus blakelyi, 4 Eucalyptus pilligaensis and Eucalyptus sideroxylon

Austrostipa aristiglumis (plains grass) grassland with: I. Acacia pendula woodland and occasional Atalaya 4 hemiglauca and Casuarina cristata on high alluvial plains II. Dichanthium spp., Panicum spp. and occasional 4 Eucalyptus albens and Geijera parviflora, and Eucalyptus dealbata on steeper areas III. Chloris truncata and Panicum spp. with scattered 4 Eucalyptus populnea

Casuarina cristata (belah) woodland and open forest with: I. Casuarina cristata woodland and open forest 44 II. Eremophila mitchellii and occasional Atalaya 4 hemiglauca and Geijera parviflora on low alluvial plains

Acacia stenophylla (river cooba) on lower areas 4

Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) on lower 44 areas and channels with: I. Eucalyptus coolabah 44 II. Casuarina cunninghamiana 444 III. Casuarina cristata, Acacia pendula or Eucalyptus 4 populnea on alluvial flats

Lignum I. Muehlenbeckia spp. on low alluvials 4

Open forests or woodlands of Eucalyptus albens (white box) with: I. Callitris glaucophylla and occasional Angophora 4444 floribunda, Eucalyptus blakelyi, Atalaya hemiglauca, Geijera parviflora and/or Brachychiton populneus II. Eucalyptus melliodora on coarse alluvials 4 III. Eucalyptus melanophloia and Eucalyptus conica 4 IV. occasional Angophora floribunda on northern 4 slopes and footslopes of the Liverpool range V. Eucalyptus melliodora and Eucalyptus blakelyi on 4 southern slopes and footslopes of the Liverpool range VI. Eucalyptus melanophloia, Atalaya hemiglauca 4 and Allocasuarina luehmannii

Hill red gum open forest I. Eucalyptus dealbata open forest 4

Eucalyptus melliodora (yellow box) open forest with: I. occasional Eucalyptus moluccana or Eucalyptus 4 microcarpa and Brachychiton populneus II. Eucalyptus blakelyi 4

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Plant Community 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Open forests or fringing communities I. Open forest or fringing communities containing 4444 mixtures of Acacia harpophylla, Acacia homalophylla, Eremophila mitchellii, Geijera parviflora, Atalaya hemiglauca, Acacia pendula, Grevillea striata, Alectryon oleifolius, Alstonia constricta or Casuarina cristata

Tall open forests I. Tall open forest of Eucalyptus laevopinea, 4 Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus dalrympleana and some Eucalyptus pauciflora on the plateau of the Liverpool Range

Tallowwood, blackbutt, bluegum I. Eucalyptus microcorys, Eucalyptus pilularis, 4 Eucalyptus deanei on the eastern slopes of the Liverpool Range

Vineforests I. Vineforest with Daphnandra sp. and Acmena 4 smithii

Open forest of silver-leaf ironbark with white cypress pine I. Open forest of Eucalyptus melanophloia with 4 Callitris glaucophylla on rocky areas

Scrubby open forests I. Scrubby open forest of Angophora costata, Callitris 4 glaucophylla and Eucalyptus blakelyi on mid- slopes

Moreton bay ash, poplar box, wilga, rough-barked apple, buloke I. Corymbia tessellaris, Eucalyptus populnea, Geijera 4 parviflora, Angophora floribunda, Allocasuarina luehmannii and occasional Atalaya hemiglauca on lower slopes

Eucalyptus pilligaensis (Pilliga box) woodlands with: I. Eucalyptus populnea and Eucalyptus moluccana 4 or Eucalyptus microcarpa and Allocasuarina luehmannii and Alectryon oleifolius in the understorey II. Eucalyptus melliodora and Eucalyptus blakelyi 4 III. Angophora floribunda on sandy alluvials, easterly 4 aspect IV. Allocasuarina luehmannii, Alectryon oleifolius and 4 Geijera parviflora

Woodlands and open forests of Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and Callitris glaucophylla (white cypress pine) with: I. Eucalyptus nubila, Eucalyptus dealbata and 4 occasional Callitris endlicheri, Corymbia trachyphloia and Eucalyptus elliptica or Eucalyptus dunnii; Eucalyptus sideroxylon and Eucalyptus macrorhyncha or Eucalyptus cannonii may also occur

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Plant Community 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 II. Eucalyptus dealbata, Callitris endlicheri and 4 occasional Eucalyptus elliptica or Eucalyptus dunnii on rugged acid volcanics III. occasional Allocasuarina luehmannii on lower 4 areas

Blue-leaf ironbark, hill red gum, brown bloodwood, white gum and black cypress I. Eucalyptus nubila, Eucalyptus dealbata, 4 Corymbia trachyphloia, Eucalyptus elliptica or Eucalyptus dunnii and Callitris endlicheri with a shrubby understorey on rocky areas

Mallee I. Eucalyptus dumosa and Eucalyptus viridis 4

Grey box woodlands I. Eucalyptus moluccana or Eucalyptus microcarpa 4 woodlands with Eucalyptus conica, Eucalyptus melliodora and Angophora floribunda on smaller tributaries

Key to provinces: 1. Northern Outwash 5. Northern Basalts 2. Liverpool Plains 6. Pilliga 3. Pilliga Outwash 7. Talbragar Valley 4. Liverpool Range

While these descriptions provide a useful indication of the major plant communities across the bioregion, they are inadequate for provincial and property scale planning and management. They do not include any information about the composition of the understorey or groundcover, nor any systematic analysis of the variation in structure or floristics of the community, nor do they give any indication of the condition of the vegetation in each community or vegetation type. These factors are of critical importance when assessing the conservation value of the community and its value as habitat for wildlife. The accuracy of these descriptions is also in need of assessment (NPWS, 2000c).

Table 8.2 lists existing vegetation mapping datasets within the BBS, their coverage of the BBS and the scale of each dataset. The majority of mapping which covers the entire bioregion is at a very large scale and not useful for bioregional assessment purposes. Finer scale mapping is only available over smaller areas within the BBS.

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Table 8.2 Existing vegetation mapping datasets within the BBS

Dataset Scale of Notes / references % of BBS mapping covered The Vegetation of Australia 1:10 000 000 Beadle (1981) 100% AUSLIG Atlas of Australian 1:5 000 000 AUSLIG (1990) 100% Resources: Vegetation Murray Darling Basin 1:100 000 Broad Landsat structural and floristic 97.5% Commission M305 Datalayer (nominal) interpretation of woody/non-woody vegetation in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDBC 1991). Conservation Atlas of Plant Point data used to Specht et al. (1995) not available in electronic 100% Communities estimate locations form – published only in hard copy. of vegetation communities Natural Vegetation of the 1:250 000 Sivertsen and Metcalfe (1995) 12% Southern Wheatbelt Coonabarabran Shire 1:50 000 Whitehead (2000) 12% Vegetation Mapping Eastern Bushlands Database 1:100 000 Roberts (1992) 22% State Forests Forest Type unknown SFNSW Includes RN17, Lindsay typing, Type 10% Mapping 55 Moree RVC Mapping 1:50 000 Peasley (1999) 12% Moree Pre-clearing Layer 1:50 000 Ecology Australia Pty. Ltd. (undated) 12% Western Regional Assessment 1:100 000 NPWS (2000c) 3% Stage 1 Vegetation Mapping NPWS National Parks Estate varying scales Binnaway Nature Reserve, Arakoola Nature 1% Vegetation Mapping Reserve, Towarri National Park, Warrumbungles National Park, Weetalibah National Park, Mount Kaputar National Park, Kirramingly Nature Reserve (all undertaken by NPWS), Coolah Tops National Park (undertaken by SFNSW)

8.2 Basic analyses / gaps

There is considerable variation in the scales used in the vegetation datasets for the BBS. The scales range from 1:25 000 to 1:100 000. There is also variation in the level of detail in vegetation information recorded.

From a bioregional perspective, the Murray Darling Basin Project (M305) is currently the most useful dataset (although inadequate or inaccurate in parts) from which to draw conclusions about distribution of vegetation and communities. It is a digital dataset interpreted from Landsat TM imagery. It has a Boolean woody/non-woody layer (raster) and a classified structural vegetation layer (vector). The major deficiencies of the dataset are: S the inconsistent recording of vegetation classes within the BBS;

S that the structural vegetation layer has a smaller aerial coverage than the woody / non- woody layer; and

S that the methodology used in collecting woody/non-woody vegetation presence / absence records only targeted vegetation with a greater than 20% projected canopy cover and greater than 4m stand height. Therefore, communities cannot be identified and open woodlands and native grasslands can not be delineated using this dataset.

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Of all the vegetation datasets collated during the Bioregional Vegetation Project (NPWS, 2000c) however, the M305 dataset has the broadest coverage of the BBS with only sections of the Pilliga and Liverpool Range Provinces not covered by this dataset. However, only the woody layer is used in any analysis due to problematic data of the floristic datasets. There is no bioregion-wide coverage of pre-1750 / pre-clearing vegetation. Some mapping has been recently prepared by DLWC for Coonabarabran and Moree Shires.

Table 8.3 shows the percentage of woody vegetation remaining across the BBS according to land tenure and province.

Table 8.3 Percentage of woody vegetation remaining across bioregion according to land tenure and province

NPWS Estate S covers 2.6% of the bioregion; S 85.6% of the estate within the bioregion is covered by woody vegetation, which is equivalent to 114 738 ha; and S of the total woody vegetation in the bioregion, 9.2% occurs in NPWS estate.

NSW State Forests S covers 11.2% of the bioregion; S 88% of State forest within the bioregion is covered by woody vegetation, which is equivalent to 505 824 ha; and S of the total woody vegetation in the bioregion, 40.5% occurs in State forest.

Provinces

Province % of BBS %woody % of total Hectares of Hectares of Total Hectares of covered by veg in BBS woody Woody Veg on Woody Veg on Woody Veg on province province veg in Private Land in Crown Land in Private and Crown province High Land High Land Land in High Land Capability Class Capability Class Capability Class S Pilliga 33 41 57 17 827 1 499 19 327

S Liverpool 18 9 7 15 410 872 16 282 Plains S Northern 12 20 10 12 557 1 575 14 132 Basalts S Northern 13 3 1 11 389 1 571 12 960 Outwash S Pilliga 10 40 17 3 057 207 3 264 Outwash S Liverpool 10 13 5 2 877 104 2 982 Range S Talbragar 4 14 2 1 455 248 1 703 Valley NB: S 4 447ha not included in calculation for Pilliga Province as Woody Vegetation layer does not cover entire Pilliga province S 134 569 ha not included in calculation for Liverpool Range Province as Woody Vegetation layer does not cover entire Liverpool Range province Total Land S approximately 24%, or 1 248 956 ha, of the bioregion is currently covered by woody vegetation. However, no data regarding the amount of woody vegetation which has been lost from the bioregion since European occupation began are available (ie there is no pre-1750 or pre-clearing vegetation map of the BBS bioregion) and this is required. However, we do know that there are a number of plant communities which are over cleared and possibly threatened. These include ooline, semi-evergreen

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vine thicket, carbeen, plains grass, green mallee, white mallee, brigalow, yellow box and fuzzy box communities (Benson, 1989, 1991, 1999).

A measure of remnant size and fragmentation of vegetation can be determined using the woody layer. Appendix 8 shows calculations of the number and area of: S contiguous blocks of woody vegetation above and below one hundred, five hundred and one thousand hectares calculated by Spatial Analyst on ArcInfo; and

S contiguous blocks of woody vegetation above and below one hundred, five hundred and one thousand hectares using an alternative method whereby blocks are considered connected if they are within 56m of one another. The 56m range equals an 8-cell buffer around the vegetation and this range was calculated using Spatial Analyst on ArcInfo software.

Appendix 8 contains a more detailed explanation of the methods used to achieve the figures presented.

Table 8.4 Level of woody vegetation fragmentation

Method 1 Number of Fragments % Fragments Total ha % Area < 100 ha 224 487 99.81% 139 197 11.3% >100 ha < 500 ha 266 0.12% 56 070 4.6% > 500 ha < 1000 ha 70 0.03% 47 926 3.9% > 1000 ha 88 0.04% 984 654 80.2%

Method 2 Number of Fragments % Fragments Total ha % Area < 100 ha 80 132 99.56% 94 957 7.6% >100 ha < 500 ha 241 0.30% 49 829 4.0% > 500 ha < 1000 ha 45 0.06% 32 556 2.6% > 1000 ha 70 0.09% 1 065 270 85.7%

Table 8.4 shows the level of fragmentation of woody vegetation within the Brigalow Belt South. Using this method of calculation (method 1 in appendix 8), there are 224 487 separate fragments of vegetation less than 100 hectares in area. Note that these figures are cumulative (ie the total number of fragments under 1000 ha includes those under 500 ha and under 100 ha). Using method 2 calculations (appendix 8), there are 80 500 separate fragments of vegetation less than 100 hectares in area. Note that these figures are cumulative (ie the total number of fragments under 1000 ha includes those under 500 ha and under 100 ha).

Method 2 appears to represent contiguity of vegetation fragments more accurately within the BBS (see Appendix 8). However, proportions of fragments in each size class shown in Table 8.4 are comparable.

77 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Private land expanded

15% 79582 blocks 94 687ha

8% 246 blocks 50 864ha

6% 48 blocks 34 160 ha

440 812 ha 51 blocks 71%

0-100 hectare blocks 101-500 hectare blocks 501-1000 hectare blocks 1000+ hectare blocks

Figure 8.1 Area of woody vegetation fragments by remnant size on private land within the BBS

Public land expanded 1 426ha 0.2% 625 blocks 5 989ha 1% 22 blocks 2% 12 475 ha 16 blocks

97% 26 blocks 602 193ha

0-100 hectare blocks 101-500 hectare blocks 501-1000 hectare blocks 1001+ hectare blocks

Figure 8.2 Area of woody vegetation fragments by remnant size on public land within the BBS

78 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Figure 8.1 and Figure 8.2 show the percentage of remnants of different size within the BBS by total area on private and public land respectively using method 2 in appendix 8. The smallest blocks for both land tenures can only be estimated due to the grid cell size used for the analysis (25m x 25m / 0.06ha).

Figure 8.1 shows that 71% of all woody vegetation on private land consists of fragments of greater than 1 000 ha. These consist of 51 fragments with a total area of 440 812 ha, the largest being 145 000 ha. Of the remaining 29% of vegetation fragments on private land, 15% are less than 100 ha (comprising 79 582 fragments with a total area of 94 687 ha), 8% are between 101-500 ha (comprising 246 fragments with a total area of 50 864 ha) and 6% are between 501-1 000 ha (comprising 48 fragments with a total area of 34 160 ha).

Figure 8.2 shows that 97% of all woody vegetation on public land consists of fragments of greater than 1 000 ha. These consist of 26 contiguous blocks of woody vegetation, the largest being 435 000 ha (and comprising the Pilliga forests). Of the remainder of woody vegetation fragments (3%), 2% are between 501-1 000 ha (comprising 16 fragments with a total area of 12 745 ha), 1% are between 101-500 ha (comprising 22 fragments with a total area of 5 989 ha), and 0.2% are less than 100 ha (comprising 625 fragments with a total area of 1 426 ha).

Both the above-mentioned calculations (methods 1 and 2, appendix 8) show that woody vegetation across the BBS is highly fragmented but these figures are preliminary and do not consider the condition of the vegetation including understorey condition and do not consider native non-woody vegetation cover such as grasslands. Therefore, these figures require recalculating when better vegetation mapping is available. Map 47 shows the largest contiguous areas of woody vegetation on public and private land, and the areas of woody vegetation remaining by area class.

Woody vegetation by land capability on private land

2500000

2000000

1500000

1000000

hectares within BBS hectares within 500000

0 High - class 1,2,3 Medium - class Low - class 7,8 4,5,6 land capability class w oody (ha) non-w oody (ha)

Figure 8.3 Woody vegetation by land capability on private land

79 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Figure 8.3 and map 37 show the relative areas of the remaining woody vegetation in the BBS by land capability class. Note that in land capability classes 1 to 3, there is a large difference between areas of woody and non-woody vegetation (35:1) on private land which points to the extensive clearing for agriculture that has taken place in these most fertile areas of the bioregion. Woody vegetation within this group on private land has been identified in this report (map 38), as the portion on Crown Licence or Freehold land that is likely to be under significant threat of future clearing. Note that the areas of woody vegetation used in this analysis constitute approximately 50% of the total area of woody vegetation as only that on private land is used in calculations. This can be compared to the “Not Mapped” group which largely coincides with SFNSW and NPWS estate within the bioregion. In this group there is 3.7 times the amount of woody vegetation as there is non-woody vegetation. This is indicative of the under-representation of grasslands, shrublands and open woodlands within the public estate.

100

40 % vegetation 20 L 0 M Inherent land use H H M potential L Ruggedness

Figure 8.4 Vegetation in relation to ruggedness and inherent land use potential in BBS (RACD, 2000a)

Pressey et al (2000) found that native woody vegetation occupies larger percentages of land with more rugged terrain and / or lower inherent land use potential. This analysis was replicated for the Brigalow Belt South bioregion (Figure 8.4) (RACD, 2000a). Figure 8.4 shows that within the BBS, woody vegetation remaining tends to mostly occur on lands with higher ruggedness and / or lower inherent land use potential. Similar analyses show reservations occur mostly on areas of higher ruggedness and / or lower inherent land use potential. H, M, and L in Figure 8.4 indicate high, moderate and low classes; columns represent each combination of ruggedness and inherent land use potential; percentages of land area with woody vegetation in the BBS (RACD, 2000a).

Table 8.5 shows the area of woody and non-woody vegetation by lithology group using the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) datalayers. This table shows that the majority of lithology groups have significantly more non-woody than woody vegetation remaining. The exceptions to this are Jurassic coarse-grained sediments which have a slightly higher woody vegetation coverage, Carboniferous metasediments which have only a slightly lower woody vegetation coverage and Carboniferous acid volcanics which have a significantly higher woody vegetation coverage.

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Table 8.5 Woody and non-woody vegetation by lithology in the BBS

Lithology Area Of Non % Coverage Of Area Of Woody % Coverage Of Woody Lithology Group Vegetation Lithology Group Vegetation By Non Woody (Ha) By Woody (Ha) Vegetation Vegetation Cainozoic alluvium 2 052 939 88 268 477 12 Jurassic coarse-grained sediments 606 200 46 718 562 54 Jurassic fine-grained sediments 223 313 88 29 455 12 Cainozoic residual and aeolian sands 22 904 73 8 490 27 Permian granites 680 77 198 23 Carboniferous metasediments 8 306 57 6 369 43 Cainozoic volcanics 434 892 80 111 326 20 Triassic granites 222 77 68 23 Silurian – Early Devonian fine-grained 3 769 80 967 20 sediments Triassic coarse-grained sediments 67 655 76 21 889 24 Triassic fine-grained sediments 103 545 88 14 749 12 Cretaceous coarse-grained sediments 4 849 96 205 4 Permian coarse-grained sediments 11 745 72 4 465 28 Cainozoic lacustrine sediments 104 72 40 28 Permian fine-grained sediments 24 803 73 9 183 27 Carboniferous acid volcanics 94 33 191 67 Permian volcanics 8 068 72 3 183 28 Limestones (undifferentiated) 219 98 4 2 Jurassic volcanics 102 524 93 7 978 7 Carboniferous granites 301 92 27 8 Cainozoic colluvial surfaces 7 052 98 144 2 Ordovician metasediments 2 646 85 463 15 Ordovician volcanics 1 534 98 32 2 Silurian – Devonian granites 1 155 83 235 17 Devonian volcanics 3 223 93 255 7 Silurian – Devonian basic rocks 52 99 0 1 Silurian – Early Devonian coarse-grained 1 424 85 253 15 sediments Cainozoic duricrusts 12 69 5 31

Figure 8.5 shows that approximately half the strata within the BBS which are included in the M305 layer have less than 10% coverage of woody vegetation.

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Number of strata by percent of strata covered by woody vegetation 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

Number of Strata 20 10 0 0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 percentile range

Figure 8.5 Number of strata (Strat5) by percent of strata covered by woody vegetation

Appendix 10 shows the breakdown of tenure by province between SFNSW, NPWS estate and other tenure. It also shows how “woody” each tenure and each province is and the share of woody vegetation between tenure for each province. It can be seen from these data that the percent of woody vegetation is roughly equivalent to the percent of tenure available, except in the Northern Outwash province, where there is a greater area of "woody" vegetation in SFNSW tenure. This is the least "woody" province and the only province where SFNSW manages less tenure than NPWS.

Appendix 10 is a combination of tenure, province, land capability and woody grids. These data can be manipulated to calculate a range of variables affecting woody vegetation, for example, the area of tenure presumed to be private land (not Crown land, State forest or national park) in Pilliga province with a high land capability and woody vegetation (at risk from possible future clearing) equals 17 827 ha.

8.2.1 Clearing native vegetation The Native Vegetation Conservation Act, 1997 (NSW) (NVC Act) provides for an assessment and development consent process in relation to the clearing of native vegetation. Logging, sivicultural activities and other forestry practices on NSW State Forest Estate are not subject to the NVC Act. As the authority responsible for administering the NVC Act, the DLWC assesses applications under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and makes a determination. Consent may be granted, granted with conditions, or refused. DLWC may request advice from NPWS in the event that the development is likely to impact on issues of concern to NPWS such as threatened species and Aboriginal cultural heritage. DLWC will consider any NPWS advice during the assessment process. Number of clearing applications under the precursor to the NVC Act, State Environment Planning Policy 46 – Clearing of Native Vegetation (SEPP 46), have been included in the following figures and include applications from 1995 to 1997.

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In summary, the following figures show that clearing increased in the years after the NVC Act came into force (after 1997), with the greatest percent of applications granted by area in 1997 and the following years. The largest area of development was clearing with retention of individual trees or clumps of trees, for the primary purposes of cropping and grazing between 1995-2000. The majority of vegetation structures cleared were isolated trees, clumps of trees and very sparse trees. The majority of clearing was undertaken within the Moree Plains Shire and the Northern Basalts and Northern Outwash provinces.

Figure 8.6 and Figure 8.7show the area of clearing applications within the BBS from 1995 to 2000 and the percentage of these granted. Figure 8.6 shows that the total area of land cleared increased gradually per year from 1995 to 1997 under SEPP46. The rate of clearing under the NVC Act is now declining with an initial large increase occurring in the year after the Act came into force in late 1997.

Area of applications approved, and refused / rejected 1995-2000 4000

3000

2000 Area (ha) Area

1000

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Year Total area approved Total area refused / rejected

Figure 8.6 Clearing applications received per year in BBS

Figure 8.7 shows the percent of clearing undertaken within the BBS during the period 1995-2000. Figure 8.8 refers to the degree of clearing by area cleared for this period. Approximately 38% of all clearing within the BBS during this period was clearing or logging, retaining individual trees or clumps of trees. In addition, 23% of all clearing during this period included clearing of isolated trees, and 29% was non-specific clearing. The remainder of the clearing undertaken during this period (approximately 10%) comprised clearing with retention of 3-20 trees per hectare, clearing of regrowth vegetation, logging with retention of 50-60% native vegetation cover, and underscrubbing retaining either individual trees, clumps of trees or 70-80% native vegetation.

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Percentage of clearing applications granted by area

100%

80%

60%

40% Percent

20%

0% 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Year

Figure 8.7 Percentage of clearing applications granted in BBS

Figure 8.9 shows the percentage of the area cleared during this period which contained each of the vegetation structures. The three dominant vegetation structures cleared during this period were isolated trees, clumps of trees, very sparse trees, and mid-dense tussock grass.

Figure 8.10 shows the percentage of the total area cleared within the period 1995 to 2000 for each specific purpose. Cropping was the predominant purpose (59%) for which land was cleared within the BBS, with grazing and a mixture of cropping and grazing contributing a further 30% of the total area cleared. The main purposes for clearing within the BBS included cropping in 1997 to 2000 and grazing in 1995 to 1996.

Figure 8.11shows that during the period between 1995 and 2000, Moree Plains Local Government Area (LGA) had the largest total area cleared (41.3% of bioregional clearing), with Narrabri having 14.3% of the total area, and Murrurundi and Coonabarabran LGAs both having 10.2% of the total area cleared within this period. Moree Plains LGA had the largest area of clearing in the years 1997 to 2000.

Figure 8.12shows that during the period between 1995 and 2000, the Northern Basalts and the Northern Outwash Provinces contained the greatest total area of clearing during this period. The Talbragar Valley Province had the lowest total area cleared within this period with 0.5% of the total area cleared. The largest area cleared in 1995 and 1996 was in the Pilliga Province, in 1997 and 2000 in the Northern Outwash Province, and in 1998 and 1999 in the Northern Basalts Province. Figure 8.13 shows the percent of each province which was cleared during the period between 1995 and 2000. Again, the Northern Basalts and Northern Outwash provinces had the highest percentage of area cleared with Talbragar Valley Province having the lowest percentage area cleared during this period.

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Figure 8.8 Percent of total area of clearing by degree of clearing in BBS 1995-2000

Figure 8.9 Percent of total area cleared by vegetation structure in BBS 1995-2000

85 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Figure 8.10 Percent of total area cleared by purpose of clearing in BBS 1995-2000

Figure 8.11 Percent of total area cleared by Local Government Area within BBS 1995-2000

86 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Figure 8.12 Percent of total area cleared by province 1995-2000

Percentage of province cleared 1995-2000

0.40%

0.35%

0.30%

0.25%

0.20%

Percent 0.15%

0.10%

0.05%

0.00% Northern Northern Liverpool Pilliga Liverpool Pilliga Talbragar Basalts Outw ash Range Outw ash Plains Valley Province

Figure 8.13 Percentage of each province cleared 1995-2000

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8.3 Recommendations

In relation to vegetation which may be considered as a partial and incomplete surrogate for biodiversity, the following recommendations are made to allow for a comprehensive bioregional conservation assessment to be undertaken. They aim at gathering data for use in the assessment of conservation values of the BBS. There is a need to: R29. formulate a consistent plant community list for the BBS;

R30. prepare profiles of key plant communities (listed below) including threats and response to disturbance information. This list may be modified as further vegetation mapping becomes available. The poorly reserved overstorey species are: Eucalyptus populnea / Eucalyptus pilligaensis

Eucalyptus nubila The rare, threatened or highly cleared and modified vegetation overstorey types are: Cadellia pentastylis (TSC Act )

semi-evergreen vine thicket (TSC Act)

Corymbia tessellaris (TSC Act)

Austrostipa aristiglumis (TSC Act)

Acacia harpophylla (EPBC Act)

Eucalyptus viridis

Eucalyptus dumosa

Eucalyptus melliodora

Eucalyptus conica

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

R31. complete comprehensive and uniform bioregion-wide vegetation mapping derived from structural and floristic data including:

S vegetation mapping for public lands, significant remnants and high quality vegetation areas at 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 scale and vegetation mapping of regional vegetation using DLWC standards at 1:100 000 scale;

S native ecosystem mapping for all extant forest, native grasslands, wetlands, shrublands and woodlands for use in formulation of conservation requirements by vegetation communities;

S growth stage mapping to assist in identifying ecologically mature forest, woodlands, regrowth areas and other classes;

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S a vegetation mapping framework to be based on Strat 5 or future, more comprehensive stratifications.

R32. develop a general model of biological variation within mapped vegetation types, in relation to environmental and geographical gradients;

R33. develop a measure of the performance of vegetation mapping and alternative native ecosystem derivations as a surrogates for estimating biodiversity value within the BBS;

R34. develop a model or estimation of pre-clearing / pre-1750 vegetation types and native ecosystem extent for use in formulation of reservation / retention targets;

R35. describe and map endangered ecological communities within the BBS; and

R36. develop a disturbance history layer and detailed map of extant vegetation to be used in derivation / mapping of native ecosystems, mapping of growth stage mapping, modelling of species / assemblage distributions and pre-1750 / pre- clearing ecosystems.

89 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 9 ECOSYSTEMS

An ecosystem can be defined as a “dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal, and microorganism communities and their associated non-living environment interacting as a whole” (Reid et al, 1992).

The IUCN defines biodiversity as “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” (IUCN, 2000).

Ecological community, as defined under the TSC Act, means “an assemblage of species occupying a particular area”.

9.1 Current knowledge

No current list or mapping of ecosystems in the BBS is available. However, a project funded through the State Biodiversity Strategy is currently underway to list and map all ecosystems by bioregion across NSW. This project is being developed by National Parks and Wildlife Service and is due to be completed in June 2002.

The Strat5 environmental stratification undertaken as part of this scoping exercise demonstrates environmental variability throughout the bioregion (maps 18, 18 a-g). This stratification does not include a comprehensive and accurate vegetation layer, an accurate or comprehensive geology or lithology layers. Therefore, this stratification is indicative only and further mapping is required before ecosystems and ecosystem variability can be defined using stratification.

Some of the following ecological communities are very close to extinction for all practical purposes and are in need of targeted restoration, recovery and rehabilitation programs.

9.1.1 Endangered and threatened ecological communities

Bluegrass (Dichanthium spp.) dominant grasslands of the Brigalow Belt Bioregions (North and South) Dichanthium spp dominant grasslands of BBS (Aus) and Brigalow Belt North Bioregion are listed as a nationally threatened ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (Australia) (EPBC Act). The major threat to Dichanthium spp. grasslands is the replacement of native pasture with crops. Overgrazing is also considered to threaten this community as it enables the invasion of

90 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report weed species, decreasing the value of these grasslands for grazing and hence favouring replacement with crops (EA, 2001b).

Bluegrass grassland communities have been recorded in the Moree Plains area within the BBS by Hunter & Earl (1999).

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) The Acacia harpophylla (dominant and co-dominant) community is listed nationally as a threatened ecological community under the EPBC Act. This community may include co- dominant species such as Casuarina cristata, Eucalyptus populnea, or Eucalyptus pilligaensis (EA, 2001c).

The NSW Scientific Committee has made a preliminary determination to list the Brigalow community within the BBS and Darling Riverine Plains (DRP) bioregions as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act. This community is found on the rolling downs of the northern parts of the BBS and as an isolated occurrence in the DRP.

Brigalow in New South Wales has been extensively cleared for agricultural purposes and the remnants have often been thinned or modified. Of an estimated potential habitat for this community of 115 300ha in New South Wales, approximately 13 500ha (12%) remains (NPWS, 2001i). “Surviving remnants of Brigalow are often small linear patches along roadsides and the edges of paddocks where threats include ongoing logging for fence posts; road widening and invasion by weeds” (NPWS, 2001i).

Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions The semi-evergreen vine thickets of the BBS (Aus), Brigalow Belt North and Nandewar Bioregions are listed nationally as a threatened ecological community under the EPBC Act. The semi-evergreen vine thicket community in BBS and Nandewar Bioregions is also listed at a state level as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act. This community largely exists as small fragmented remnants commonly less than 100 ha and is under threat from clearing, inappropriate fire regimes, grazing, feral animal invasion, and weed invasion (EA, 2001d). One stand of semi-evergreen vine thicket occurs in the Planchonella Hill Nature Reserve within the BBS.

In New South Wales this community consists of vines and deciduous tree species which have affinities with species from subtropical rainforests. Common dominant species include Cassine angustifolia var. angustifolia (red olive plum), Geijera parvifolia, and Notelaea microcarpa var. microcarpa (native olive) with emergents typical of the surrounding woodlands for example, Eucalyptus albens, Eucalyptus melanophloia and Callitris glaucophylla (NPWS, 2001a).

Cadellia pentastylis (ooline) community in the Nandewar and Brigalow Belt South IBRA Regions The Cadellia pentastylis community of the Nandewar and BBS bioregions is listed at a state level as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act. This community is defined as a forest dominated or co-dominated by the tree Cadellia pentastylis and may include other canopy species such as Eucalyptus albens, Eucalyptus beyeriana, Eucalyptus chloroclada (dirty gum), Eucalyptus melanophloia, Eucalyptus populnea,

91 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

Eucalyptus viridis or Callitris glaucophylla. Threats to Cadellia pentastylis communities include grazing and the accompanying compaction of soil leading to poor recruitment of seedlings. Clearing and fragmentation of this community also poses long term threats to viability of the community (NPWS, 2001b).

A recovery plan is currently in preparation by NPWS for this community (Robyn Molsher, pers. com. Nov.2001).

Carbeen open forest community in the Darling Riverine Plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions The Corymbia tessellaris open forest of the DRP and BBS bioregions is listed at a state level as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act and has been recorded in the local government areas of Moree Plains and Walgett. This community is found on the riverine plains of the Meehi, Gwydir, Macintyre and Barwon Rivers typically on modern and older levees on better-drained alluvium above the clay floodplains. Common species in this community include Corymbia tessellaris, Callitris glaucophylla, Corymbia dolichocarpa (long-fruited bloodwood), Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Casuarina cristata, and Allocasuarina leuhmannii. Threats to Corymbia tessellaris open forest include clearing for agriculture, grazing, fire management practices, and land- forming for irrigated crops, with remnants and fragmented areas further threatened by weed invasion (NPWS, 2001c).

Native vegetation on cracking clay soils of the Liverpool Plains Native vegetation on cracking clay soils of the Liverpool Plains has been listed as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act. This community is found in the BBS and Nandewar bioregions. This community is often dominated by Austrostipa aristiglumis (plains grass), Queensland bluegrass, or Panicum queenslandicum (coolibah grass) but may include shrubs and trees which are generally sparse but may be locally common. This community has been found in the local government areas of Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Murrurundi, Narrabri, Parry and Quirindi, predominantly now occurring only on TSRs. All these local government areas intersect the BBS. Threats to this community include weed invasion, salinity, erosion of cultivated areas and subsequent deposition of sediment and plant propagules during flood events (NPWS, 2001d).

White box-yellow box woodland The New South Wales Scientific Committee has made a preliminary determination to list white box-yellow box woodland as an endangered ecological community under the TSC Act. This community includes woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus albens, Eucalyptus melliodora and / or Eucalyptus blakelyi with grass and herbs dominating the ground cover. This community has been reduced by clearing for cropping and pasture improvement. The white box-yellow box woodland occurs within the New South Wales North Coast, New England Tableland, Nandewar, BBS, Sydney Basin, South Eastern Highlands, and New South Wales South Western Slopes bioregions. Threats to this community include further clearing, deterioration of remnant condition, degradation of landscapes in which the remnants occur, and loss of connectivity between remnants (NPWS, 2001k).

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9.2 Basic analyses / gaps

It is expected that further endangered ecological communities are likely to be identified or nominated in the near future and as further information such as detailed vegetation and abiotic mapping becomes available.

9.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations are made to assist in the definition and mapping of ecosystems and to allow for a comprehensive bioregional conservation assessment to be undertaken. They aim at gathering data for use in the assessment of conservation values of the BBS.

It is recommended that: R37. ecosystems be defined and mapped at a useable resolution across the whole of the BBS to assist conservation assessment and reservation or restoration of the endangered ecological communities. Definition of ecosystems within the BBS should take into account work currently being undertaken by NPWS for the State Biodiversity Strategy project. This should include a review and analysis of ecosystems derived from the ecosystems project and their applicability to conservation assessments within the BBS; and

R38. further endangered ecological communities be defined and mapped as information becomes available.

93 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 10 ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES

The State Biodiversity Strategy requires the maintenance of ecological processes. Some processes relevant to the BBS are outlined below.

10.1 Current knowledge

10.1.1 Nutrient cycling and soil formation Nutrients essential for the growth of plants include potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorus. Nutrients are cycled through an ecosystem by various mechanisms including animals eating plants and depositing faeces, rain and groundwater flows washing nutrients from one place to another, wind and water erosion of soils transporting nutrients, soil fauna (such as microbes and invertebrates) and nutrients being taken up by plants followed by subsequent decomposition and return of nutrients to the soil. These processes ensure cycling of nutrients through the system. Fluctuation or disruption of nutrient cycles may be caused by factors such as removal of vegetation, bushfire and drought (APASE, 2001).

Soil formation processes involve the continuous breaking down of rock material through physical, chemical and biological mechanisms. The formation of soil is affected by parent material, living organisms (for example fungi, burrowing insects, animals and humans), climate, topography and time. Soil formation processes may take a very long time. They type of parent material determines the properties of the resultant soil. Soil formation processes can be disrupted by erosion, clearing and agriculture. Deep rooted trees and shrubs act as nutrient “pumps” for weathering substrates up to 10-20m below the surface (Nix, H. pers.com 2001).

10.1.2 Hydrological regimes The Gwydir, Macintyre, Namoi and Macquarie Rivers which fall partially within the BBS are regulated rivers. Regulated rivers are those rivers which “have large dams supplying irrigation water (and some town and industrial water) for substantial distances downstream. Downstream tributary inflows are typically supplemented during the irrigation season, resulting in fairly stable and unnaturally high water levels. River flow is substantially reduced during the non-irrigation or low-irrigation seasons. At any time of year in periods which would normally have high or very high flow, flows may be substantially reduced by the trapping of water in a large dam” (EPA, 2001).

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Environmental flows rules are being used to improve this through River Management Committees.

The majority of Castlereagh River (south of its junction with Greenbah Creek) and all other streams within the Castlereagh catchment, Talbragar River (within the Macquarie catchment), Horton River (Gwydir catchment), Mooki River, Bohena Creek, Baradine Creek and Coxs Creek (Namoi catchment) are classified as unregulated rivers (EPA, 2001). Unregulated or uncontrolled streams are those streams where “flow patterns are largely natural. Flows can occur in these streams from local runoff. They are typically ephemeral (flowing only during floods and freshes). Frequently, they open into or flow through wetlands and billabongs” (EPA, 2001).

Pian Creek (Namoi catchment) is classified as a controlled river with reduced flow (EPA, 2001). Controlled rivers with reduced flows include (EPA, 2001): 1. “River reaches downstream of the major regulated sections where the water is extracted or diverted. Flow is generally reduced throughout the year. Water is delivered from the main stream for stock, domestic, some irrigation, and town water supplies several times a year. 2. Sections of rivers immediately below town water supply dams, where water is diverted directly from the dam. Flows can be substantially reduced throughout the year, though special environmental releases may be possible”.

The BBS includes a number of aquifers (major recharge areas) in the Great Artesian Basin (see section 4.1.5). The majority of the bioregion is categorised as either over-extracted in terms of groundwater or with an extraction level of between 70 and 100% of the sustainable yield. The remainder of the bioregion is unclassified (unincorporated) with an abstraction of greater than 30% of sustainable yield. (EPA, 2000).

Contamination of groundwater by pesticides has been recorded in the lower Namoi Valley and the Liverpool Plains area. Monitoring of pesticides in groundwater is limited and further sampling and monitoring is required to assess accurately levels of contamination (EPA, 2000).

Flow alterations to streams across New South Wales have had major effects on the pattern of natural flows in the majority of waterways. Impacts flow alteration include reduction of habitat due to change in area, frequency and duration of flooding of floodplains and terminal wetlands, increased flows causing more permanent flooding of wetlands, riparian zone degradation, increased habitat for invasive species, and loss or disruption of ecological function (NSW, 2001j).

Further information on hydrological processes and environmental effects of changes to these processes within the BBS is outlined in section 4.1.5.

10.1.3 Threatening processes Thackway and Cresswell (1995) list the dominant limiting factors and constraints to conservation planning and management for the BBS as agriculture (including clearing and cropping), feral animals (including, in particular rabbits), forest timber production / harvesting, grazing, mining, salinisation and weed invasion.

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The BBS is subject to a number of threatening processes within the TSC Act and the EPBC Act. Threatening processes listed within the TSC Act and the EPBC Act are those processes that threaten, or may have the capability to threaten, the survival or evolutionary development of species, populations or ecological communities.

Listed Threatening Processes

Clearing of native vegetation The NSW Scientific Committee has listed clearing of native vegetation as a key threatening process under the TSC Act. Land clearance has also been listed as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act. Vegetation clearance results in habitat fragmentation and a decline in the quality of habitat for a number of species across a wide range of ecosystems (EPA, 2000, NPWS, 2001f). The NSW Scientific Committee (NPWS, 2001f) defines clearing as: “the destruction of a sufficient proportion of one or more strata (layers) within a stand or stands of native vegetation so as to result in the loss, or long term modification, of the structure, composition, and ecological function of stand or stands. The definition of clearing does not preclude management activities to control exotic species, or Australian species growing outside their natural geographic range”.

The EPA (2000) states that “vegetation clearance is the single greatest threat to terrestrial biological diversity in New South Wales and is still causing significant biodiversity losses in the State”. NPWS (2001f) outlines the effects of clearing on biodiversity as: S destruction of habitat resulting in loss of local populations of individual species;

S fragmentation;

S expansion of dryland salinity;

S riparian zone degradation;

S increased greenhouse gas emissions;

S increased habitat for invasive species;

S loss of leaf litter layer;

S loss or disruption of ecological function; and S changes to soil biota.

Pressey et al (2000) estimate that approximately 60.9% of the BBS has been cleared since European settlement. Clearing rates per year in the period 1995 to 1997 were estimated by Resource Policy and Management Ltd (1999) to be 1 500 ha per year within the BBS. Clearing rates between 1995 and 2000 estimated using figures from the NVC Act clearing applications database are approximately 1 340 ha per year within the BBS (see section 8.2.1 for more detailed information). Many threatened flora and fauna species, and ecological communities occurring in the BBS are under threat from clearing.

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Endangered ecological communities which occur within the BBS that are considered under threat by clearing of native vegetation include Cadellia pentastylis (ooline), carbeen open forest, and semi-evergreen vine thicket. The Warrumbungles population of the brush-tailed rock wallaby, an endangered population, is also under threat from clearing. Threatened species found within the BBS which are further threatened by clearing include 13 species of mammals, 3 species of reptiles, 27 species of birds, and 8 species of plants (NPWS, 2001f).

High frequency fire Schedule three of the TSC Act lists “High frequency fire resulting in the disruption of life cycle processes in plants and animals and loss of vegetation structure and composition” as a key threatening process. The NSW Scientific Committee defines high frequency fire as “two or more successive fires close enough together in time to interfere with or limit the ability of plants or animals to recruit new individuals into a population, or for plants to build up a seedbank sufficient in size to maintain the population through the next fire” (NPWS, 2000d).

Threatened species recorded within the BBS which are threatened by high frequency fires include Cynanchum elegans (a rainforest vine), glossy black-cockatoo, malleefowl, rufous bettong, black-striped wallaby, spotted-tailed quoll, parma wallaby, eastern pygmy- possum, and squirrel glider (NPWS, 2000d).

Species not listed as threatened which have been recorded within the BBS that could become threatened by high frequency fires include Acrobates pygmaeus (feathertail glider), Isoodon macrourus (northern brown bandicoot), Pseudocheirus peregrinus (common ringtail possum), Antechinus flavipes (yellow-footed antechinus), Perameles nasuta (long-nosed bandicoot), and the Petaurus breviceps (sugar glider) (NPWS, 2000d).

Bushrock removal Bushrock removal is listed as a key threatening process under Schedule three of the TSC Act. The Scientific Committee defines bushrock removal as “the removal of natural surface deposits of rock from rock outcrops or from areas of native vegetation” (ie trees, understorey plants, or groundcover) (NPWS, 2000f). Species which shelter in or under rocks, use rocks for basking or which grow in rocky areas may be adversely affected by the removal of bushrock (NPWS, 2000f).

Species listed under the TSC Act which have been recorded within the BBS and that are adversely affected by the removal of bushrock, include spotted-tailed quoll, and Underwoodisaurus sphyrurus (border thick-tailed gecko). Species not listed as threatened which are likely to become threatened by the continuance of bushrock removal that have been recorded within the BBS include Oedura lesueurii (velvet gecko), Anomalopus leuckartii (two-clawed worm-skink), and the mint bush Prostanthera howelliae (NPWS, 2000f).

Other organisms which may be threatened by bushrock removal include a number of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), lichens, and invertebrates (NPWS, 2000f).

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Anthropogenic climate change Anthropogenic climate change is listed as a key threatening process under Schedule three of the TSC Act. Climate change, a major ecological driving force, has occurred throughout geological history. However, there is evidence to suggest that modification of the environment by humans may accelerate the rate of future climate change. As many landscapes in New South Wales and in the BBS are highly modified and fragmented, the ability of organisms to survive climate change through dispersal will be limited (Brasher and Pittock, 1998).

Species which would be at risk from anthropogenic climate change include isolated and specialised species and those with long generation times, limited mobility, narrow distributional ranges, specific host relationships and those with large home ranges (Hughes and Westoby, 1994). Threatened species which have been recorded within the BBS that would be at risk from anthropogenic climate change in New South Wales include malleefowl, plains-wanderer, and red-tailed black-cockatoo (NPWS, 2000e).

Dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (cinnamon fungus) Dieback in plants caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (cinnamon fungus), a destructive root-fungus, is listed as a threatening process under the EPBC Act. Dieback in plants caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi is mainly a problem in other bioregions and states or territories and it has not been recorded in western New South Wales. The lack of data on the fungus is justified due to climatic variables not being suitable in the area, for example, not being humid enough (Environment Australia, 1999b) and the cost of undertaking extensive mapping of the fungus on a national scale is extreme (Environment Australia, 1999a). However, several species present in the BBS such as Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus viminalis have the potential to be adversely affected (Heatwole and Lowman, 1986).

Exotic fauna species (listed) Predation by European red fox and predation by feral cat are listed as key threatening processes under Schedule three of the TSC Act and threatening processes under the EPBC Act. Predation by plague minnow is also listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act. The plague minnow preys upon eggs and tadpoles of various frog species including Litoria lesueuri (Lesueur’s frog), and Limnodynastes peronii (brown striped frog) which have been recorded within the BBS, and the threatened Litoria aurea (green and golden bell frog), and Litoria castanea (yellow-spotted tree frog) which are predicted to occur in BBS (NPWS, 2000i).

Competition and land degradation by feral goats and feral rabbits are also listed as threatening processes under the EPBC Act.

Potential Threatening Processes

Competition from feral honeybees (preliminary determination) The NSW Scientific Committee has made a Preliminary Determination to list competition from feral honeybees (Apis mellifera) as a key threatening process under the TSC Act. Breeding colonies of honeybees compete with native hollow-dependant fauna for tree

98 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report hollows. At least 20% of bird species are hollow dependant (Saunders et al, 1982) and all native arboreal marsupials use tree hollows and all (excluding koala) are dependent on them for shelter and breeding sites (Lindenmayer et al, 1991). Threatened species that have been recorded in the BBS and which are likely to be affected by competition from feral honeybees include squirrel glider, pink cockatoo, glossy black-cockatoo, and superb parrot (NPWS, 2001e).

Honeybees, both feral and managed, often remove up to 80% of floral resources produced which may result in the displacement of native fauna such as honeyeaters and native bees which compete for these resources (Paton, 1993, 1996, 2000; Sugden and Pyke, 1991; Sugden et al, 1996).

Apiary however, has an unmeasured impact on biodiversity, although some studies (Paton, 1996; Pyke and Blazer, 1985) have shown that where nectar and pollen resources are limited in an area, honey bees may have a negative impact on seed set in some species of flora (Gibbs and Muirhead, 1998). These studies, however, were not specifically based on commercial honeybees as opposed to feral honeybees. Commercial honeybees are migratory in that hives are moved from site to site depending on resource availability. Commercial honeybees maintain fidelity to one species of plant until otherwise “reprogrammed” by the hive to focus on another species, whereas feral honeybees tend to move between species (Gibbs and Muirhead, 1998).

Other Threatening Processes

Exotic fauna species (listed) Table 10.1 lists exotic fauna which have been recorded within the BBS.

Table 10.1 Exotic fauna recorded within the BBS

Common Name Scientific Name Records Source cattle (feral) Bos taurus 47 BBS (5), WLA (42) goat (feral) Capra hircus 137 BBS (13), WLA (124) sheep (feral) Ovis aries 20 WLA pig (feral) Sus scrofa 183 BBS (30), WLA (153) fox (feral) Vulpes vulpes 200 BBS (39), WLA (161) dingo and dog (feral) Canis familiaris 21 AM (1), WLA (20) cat (feral) Felis catus 25 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (23) brown hare Lepus capensis 32 WLA rabbit (feral) Oryctolagus cuniculus 147 BBS (9), WLA (138) horse (feral) Equus caballus 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) house mouse (introduced) Mus musculus 367 BBS (93), AM (17), WLA (257) black rat (introduced) Rattus rattus 40 BBS (6), AM (9), WLA (25) house sparrow Passer domesticus 410 ABBS (15), BA (395) starling Sturnus vulgaris 803 ABBS (23), CSIRO (2), BA (778) European goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 32 AM (1), BA (31) rock dove Columba livia 121 BA mallard Anas platyrhynchos 5BA spotted turtle-dove Streptopelia chinensis 2BA skylark Alauda arvensis 1BA common blackbird Turdus merula 16 BA Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanus 1BA plague minnow (mosquito fish) Gambusia holbrooki Harris & Gehrke, 1997; Llewellyn, 1983

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The Barson et al. (2000) identify predation as the main impact of foxes, feral cats, and feral dogs. Native fauna affected by these feral animals include endangered and vulnerable birds and mammals including brush-tailed rock wallaby, Pilliga mouse, and ground-dwelling birds such as malleefowl which have been recorded in the BBS. Foxes and feral cats also prey upon reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (NPWS, 2000h; NPWS, 2000g). Other feral animals such as the feral goat, rabbit, and the wild pig may cause habitat destruction for many native flora and fauna species, cause land degradation or compete with native animals for resources.

Competition from feral bird species is not considered to have a significant impact on native fauna. However, competition for resources such as tree hollows, such as from starlings may be a problem in some areas where such resources are scarce.

Exotic flora species (weeds) Weeds can be detrimental to biodiversity by competing vigorously with native plants for resources, by affecting microclimates, by increasing susceptibility of native plants to disease, and many weeds provide poor habitat value for native fauna species compared with native plants. The effects of weed invasion on vegetation communities increases with decreasing size of fragments due to edge effects.

In four out of 17 flora surveys conducted during 1999 – 2000, more than 25% of the species found were exotic species. One of these surveys, The Namoi Riparian Zone Survey, had almost 55% exotic species. This highlights that from this limited survey effort (there are large unsurveyed areas outside public tenure in the Liverpool Range, Pilliga and Talbragar Valley provinces), the Liverpool Plains and Northern Outwash provinces of the BBS are the most effected by exotic species (Table 10.2) (Beckers and Binns, 2000). Common weed species found in these surveys are listed in Table 10.3.

Table 10.2 Number of native and introduced flora species within each survey (from Beckers and Binns, 2000) Survey Natives Introduced species % introduced Binnaway Nature Reserve 134 1 0.7% Coolah Tops 276 31 11.2% Dubbo Area 252 37 14.7% Goonoo Forests 241 35 14.5% Moree Grasslands 328 88 26.8% Namoi Riparian Zone 341 186 54.5% Narrabri Area 137 19 13.9% Northern Wheatbelt 784 104 13.3% Ooline Survey 126 6 4.8% Pilliga Nature Reserve 533 60 11.3% Pilliga State Forests 802 80 10.0% Plains Area 383 53 13.8% Weetalibah Nature Reserve 120 1 0.8% Southern Wheatbelt 473 114 24.1% Mt Kaputar South 223 10 4.5% Arakoola Nature Reserve 321 82 25.5% Towarri National Park 161 21 13.0%

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The National Weeds Strategy web site lists weeds of national significance. Two of these are believed to be a problem in the Brigalow Belt South, Rubus fruticosus agg. (blackberry) and Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock).

Table 10.3 Most frequently found exotic flora species in surveys (Szigethy-Gyula,2000) Family Scientific Name Apiaceae Ciclospermum leptophyllum Asteraceae Hypochaeris glabra Asteraceae Hypochaeris radicata Asteraceae Sonchus oleraceus Asteraceae Conyza albida Asteraceae Conyza bonariensis Asteraceae Cirsium vulgare Asteraceae Chondrilla juncea Asteraceae Lactuca serriola Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale Brassicaceae Rapistrum rugosum Cactaceae Opuntia stricta Cactaceae Opuntia stricta var stricta Caryophyllaceae Petrorhagia nanteuilii Caryophyllaceae Polycarpon tetraphyllum Fabaceae (Faboideae) Medicago polymorpha Poaceae Hyparrhenia hirta Poaceae Bromus catharticus Primulaceae Anagallis arvensis Verbenaceae Verbena bonariensis

Based on climatic predictions, using Bioclim program, Table 10.4 lists weeds of national significance that may become a problem in BBS in the future.

Weeds recorded within the BBS which have been declared noxious within various areas within the BBS are listed in Table 10.5 (NSW Agriculture, 2001). For information regarding number of records of these species and the dataset in which they were recorded see Appendix 14.

Table 10.4 Weeds of national significance predicted to occur in BBS in the future (Bioclim) Common Name Scientific Name athel pine Tamarix aphylla bitou bush / boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera bridal creeper Asparagus asparagoides cabomba Cabomba caroliniana lantana Lantana camara mesquite Prosopis spp. parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata parthenium weed Parthenium hysterophorus prickly acacia Acacia nilotica ssp. Indica rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora salvinia Salvinia molesta

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Common Name Scientific Name serrated tussock Nassella trichotoma

Table 10.5 Declared noxious weeds recorded within the BBS (NSW Agriculture, 2001) Common Name Scientific Name Noxious Weed Area Declared Category tiger pear Opuntia aurantiaca W4f CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL prickly pear Opuntia stricta W4f CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL common prickly pear Opuntia stricta var stricta W4f CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL velvet tree pear Opuntia tomentosa W4f CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL St john's wort Hypericum perforatum W2, W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL mother of millions Bryophyllum delagoense W3, W4c G, MP, NB sweet briar Rosa rubiginosa W3, W2 CM, M, W, NW, WL blackberry Rubus fruticosus W2, W3 CM, G, M, W, N, NB, NW, WL tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima W2, W3 G, W, WL hemlock Conium maculatum W3, W2 G, M, W, MP, NB, NW scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium ssp W2 W acanthium spotted thistle Scolymus maculatus W3 MP fireweed Senecio madagascariensis W3 N hunter burr Xanthium italicum W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL noogoora burr Xanthium occidentale W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL Californian burr Xanthium orientale W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL Bathurst burr Xanthium spinosum W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL Xanthium strumarium W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL green cestrum Cestrum parqui W2 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL African boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum W2, W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL golden dodder Cuscuta campestris W2 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL Paterson’s curse Echium plantagineum W3 G, M, MP, NW vipers bugloss Echium vulgare W3 G, M, MP, NW blue heliotrope Heliotropium amplexicaule W2, W3 CM, G, M, W, N, NB, WL yellow-flowered devil's claw Ibicella lutea W2 WL carpetweed Phyla nodiflora W4c G mintweed Salvia reflexa W3 CM, W, MP spiny burrgrass Cenchrus incertus W3, W2 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL spiny burrgrass Cenchrus longispinus W3, W2 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL Johnson grass Sorghum halepense W2, W3 CM, G, M, W, MP, N, NB, NW, WL

Key CM = Castlereagh-Macquarie N = Narromine G = Gunnedah NB = Narrabri M = Merriwa NW = North-West W = Mid-Western WL = Wellington MP = Moree Plains

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Grazing Grazing activities occur predominantly on private land, with grazing also occurring on lands administered by the region’s RLPBs. SFNSW also issues annual grazing permits which allow cattle access to certain forest areas.

In 1999, SFNSW issued 33 grazing permits to 30 different graziers in the BBS south of Narrabri. Permits sizes range up to 5 000 hectares, with the majority of permit sites falling in the 1 000 to 2 000 hectare category (RACD, 2000c).

Historical grazing by domestic sheep and cattle, the introduction of the goat and rabbit, and increased grazing pressure by native macropods has led to a reduction in total plant biomass, especially palatable species, and altered vegetation structure (Benson, 1999). Continuous long term and / or intensive grazing can result in the following impacts (Cullen and Lake, 1995; DEST, 1996; Benson, 1999; EPA, 2000; Kahrimanis et al, 2001): S prevention of regeneration of plants resulting in a non-reproductive aging population; S reduction in seedbank and seedling recruitment rate; S selective overgrazing of specific species favoured by stock and therefore changes in species composition; S removal of shelter for native fauna species exposing them to predation and weather; S alteration in nutrient cycling and increase in nutrients; S compaction of soil resulting in reduced water holding capacity, plant growth rate and soil erosion, decreased infiltration, increased runoff, destruction of burrows of native fauna and making burrowing difficult; S reduction in soil biomass including the loss of the living soil crust layer; S enhanced spread of weeds due to stock distributing weed seeds in their fur, and faeces; and S decreased and or modified composition of litter cover.

Salinity Major river catchments which fall partially within the BBS include the Macquarie, Castlereagh and Namoi River catchments. The Namoi River is one of the major contributors to salt load of the Barwon-Darling system, with the Mooki River (within the BBS) being one of the major contributing tributaries. The Macquarie River system flows through the Macquarie Marshes and increasing salt loads in wetland areas where water concentrates into pools and evaporates are of concern. The Talbragar and Little River subcatchments within the Macquarie catchment have severe salinity problems (DLWC, 2000b). Both these rivers lie within the BBS.

Salinity targets for end of catchment and within catchment flows have been set for NSW catchments by DLWC (2000b) for 2010. These targets will enable comparisons of environmental, economic and social benefits and costs of different management actions. Targets will also enable the most cost effective management action to be chosen, the

103 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report cumulative impact of actions to be monitored and managed at various sites, and desirable salinity outcomes to be quantified (DLWC, 2000b).

Dryland salinity and the associated severe salting which may occur, cause secondary land degradation such as soil structure decline, and subsequent erosion due to decline in soil health and structure (EPA, 2000). Salinisation can also cause tree dieback, reduced plant growth and habitat loss for native species (EPA, 2000). Downstream effects of dryland salinisation on waterways may include increased turbidity and siltation and subsequent effects on aquatic fauna and flora (EPA, 2000).

Timber harvesting on private lands In general, the level of private property timber harvesting for commercial purposes in the BBS south of Narrabri is relatively small and private property timber supply does not play an important role in maintaining the region’s native timber industry. At the start of 2000, there was one small mill within the BBS south of Narrabri processing timber exclusively sourced from private property. In addition, there are a few small mobile mills using private timber from the region. These mobile mills do not operate year round and generally only operate to fill specific local orders. There has generally been fairly sporadic timber harvesting since European settlement, with only small amounts of hardwood, dominated by ironbark, being removed from private land. Harvesting of cypress has been more consistent, however, harvesting of this timber has been in decline for a number of years (RACD, 2000c).

Timber harvesting particularly affects native fauna which are tree-dwelling or hollow- nesting. These include species listed under the TSC Act such as the powerful owl, which has been recorded within the BBS, and yellow-bellied glider which is predicted to occur in the BBS (Garnett 1993). Timber harvesting may also severely disrupt understorey vegetation and vegetation structure, which in turn will affect native fauna (Benson, 1999).

There are currently limited controls on timber harvesting on private lands in NSW. Guidelines for private native forestry operations are being developed by DLWC. These guidelines should be applied consistently across public and private land according to the Montreal Protocol and ecologically sustainable forest management standards.

Firewood collection In New South Wales, the most commonly used tree species for firewood are the box species Eucalyptus polyanthemos (red box), Eucalyptus melliodora (yellow box), and the redgum species Eucalyptus blakelyi (Blakely’s red gum) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) (Driscoll et al, 2000). Most firewood collection in the BBS is undertaken in woodland communities. In New South Wales, 76% of all firewood collected is taken from fallen timber resources, 19% from standing dead timber and 5% from standing live timber (Driscoll et al, 2000).

Many species which rely directly or indirectly on dead wood are likely to be adversely affected by firewood collection. For example, some fungi rely on invertebrates (which feed on dead wood) for their dispersal, rates of decay within forests and woodlands are affected by disruption of these species, and invertebrate diversity is directly correlated with the availability of fallen dead timber (Driscoll et al, 2000). Firewood distribution

104 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report also has the potential to distribute invertebrate species outside their natural range and hence these may compete with locally indigenous species (Todd and Horwitz, 1990).

Threatened fauna species that have been recorded in the BBS and which may be affected by firewood collection include tiger quoll, squirrel glider, square-tailed kite, bush stone curlew, glossy black-cockatoo, turquoise parrot, barking owl, masked owl, regent honeyeater, painted honeyeater, Gilbert’s whistler, Hoplocephalus bitorquatus (pale headed snake), and Underwoodisaurus sphyrurus (border thick-tailed gecko) (Driscoll et al; 2000).

10.1.4 Province by province threats The threats identified in this section are largely derived from Morgan and Terrey (1992), with some updating from the Landscape Health project (Environment Australia, 2001h). Other threats have been provisionally identified on the basis of interpretations based on field experience of the authors. These are outlined below.

Morgan and Terrey's (1992) work represents a limited bioregional assessment of the state prior to the current Western Regional Assessment, and delivers a regional classification of the state into provinces based on land systems. Their work proposes 12 natural regions made up of 56 provinces which have been identified, mapped and described on the basis of a broad range of available information from published reports to individual consultation. While the delineation and description of these provinces was a major part of the study, it is important to recognise that the assessment of conservation needs was a secondary aim and the authors stated that their "Key Areas" would need to be investigated to verify their conservation significance. The WRA will address such issues and will deliver conservation and industry outcomes through a whole of government process similar to that of the CRA/RFA process recently completed for NSW coastal regions.

Northern Outwash Province

Cultivation This province is being developed rapidly for cropping. Vegetation corresponding to darker soils on Tertiary sediments has been almost completely cleared. Small areas occur in the far north and as windbreaks around cultivation. Grey clay soil communities have also been and continue to be cultivated. These grey soils are also subject to inundation and subsequent floodwater scouring. However, these fine soils do not function as aquifer intakes to the great artesian basin. The coarser red soils may function as aquifer intakes and are subject to scalding.

Liverpool Plains Province

Cultivation The alluvial deposits of the Namoi River and its larger tributaries have been developed extensively. This is problematic as these soils are an important source of groundwater for the region. Strip cropping (planting alternate rows of different crops along contours) is advocated as the preferred cropping method as it assists in the replenishment of groundwater. However, due to the shallow nature of the groundwater, there is still a possibility of chemical contamination of this resource.

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Timber harvesting Morgan and Terrey (1992) recommend that timber harvesting should be restricted to regrowth cypress pine within this province. Morgan and Terry (1992) recommend that harvesting of hardwoods within all State forests in the province should be ceased immediately as these areas are all of high conservation value, especially Leard State Forest (which has the largest remaining remnant of Permian sedimentary vegetation), Wondoba State Forest and surrounds (a large, partly developed area on Triassic sediments and Tertiary basalts) and a small area of Triassic-Jurassic sediments and alkaline soils contiguous to the Pilliga East State Forest referred to by Morgan and Terrey (1992) as key area 60.

Clearing for coal mine developments Coal and methane potential within the Liverpool Plains province is high, especially in the north west of this province. Coal exploration has been intensive in this area and a large number of bores have been constructed, predominantly to the east of Pilliga forests (Upstream Petroleum Consulting Services, 2000).

Pilliga Outwash Province

Grazing The finer soils of this province towards the Namoi River have been developed partially for grazing. Those areas undeveloped should be retained as unimproved pasture.

Clearing Clearing of native forest has separated Pilliga East and Pilliga West forest blocks. Morgan and Terrey (1992) advocate establishment of corridors near Cowan’s Crossing on the Barradine-Pilliga Road and between Quegobla and Euligal State Forests.

Exploration activities for coal seam methane Two petroleum exploration licences exist within the Pilliga Outwash Province and potential for coal seam methane and conventional gas resource is extremely high (Upstream Petroleum Consulting Services, 2000). There is a strong potential for further exploration and testing to cause large areas of land within this province to be cleared.

Liverpool Range Province

Fragmentation The lower slope communities of this province have been fragmented significantly by clearing for pasture and cultivation. Reservation of a corridor linking the Liverpool Ranges with Trinkey State Forest is an option for conservation. Another option is the protection of steeper areas valuable for nature conservation which could form a link between the coastal forests and Pilliga forest areas via a corridor running through Binnaway Nature Reserve and Warrumbungle National Park.

Northern Basalts Province

Clearing and fragmentation As this province contains some of the best cropping soils in the state, the vegetation in this province has been mostly cleared and cultivated. This is especially the case for the

106 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report vegetation on basaltic and sandy colluvium and alluvium and vegetation occurring on Tertiary basalts, minor Tertiary sediments and fine grained Mesozoic sediments. Eucalyptus camaldulensis and ironbarks occurring on the latter geologies are suffering from the effects of dieback.

Pilliga Province

Clearing and fragmentation Colluvial and alluvial areas, mallee and blue-leaved ironbark communities are not well represented within conservation reserves within this province. Therefore, the main threats to this province are any activities that would further fragment the colluvial and alluvial areas as well as any clearing of mallee and any other under-represented communities within the reserve system. As this province is the major aquifer for the Great Artesian Basin in New South Wales, clearing of any remaining forest areas should be avoided. These areas, such as Goonoo and Pilliga east group of State Forests, occur on the more erodible and easily compactable soils.

Talbragar Valley Province

Clearing and fragmentation This province has been cleared extensively for pasture improvement, cultivation and irrigation, especially on the Quaternary alluvials. A threat to this Province is further clearing of native forests and woodlands. Any clearing between Goonoo State Forest and outlying forests to the south and east (Beni, Yarindury and Cobbora) should be avoided.

Salinity Due to excessive clearing in its upper catchment, the Talbragar River is highly salinised and, therefore, further loss of remnant vegetation and biodiversity is a threat.

10.2 Basic analyses / gaps

No analysis of specific gaps in information about ecological processes in the region was undertaken. See section 10.3 for recommendations about information required.

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10.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations aim at gathering data to use in the assessment of conservation values of the BBS, allowing for a comprehensive bioregional conservation assessment to be undertaken and assisting in the development of conservation strategies for ecosystems.

It is recommended that: R39. ecological processes operating in the BBS be identified and a detailed understanding of those processes be developed;

R40. detailed information be gathered for each province about key threatening processes and the effects of those processes; and

R41. monitoring strategies to measure the effects of the threatening processes and the effectiveness of ecosystem management be developed.

108 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 11 ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE

The BBS is intersected by 17 Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) including the Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Moree, Narrabri, Narromine, Nungaroo, Pilliga, Red Chief, Toomelah, Walgett, Walhallow, Wanaruah, Wee Waa, Weilwan, and Unincorporated LALCs (Map 39). Other Aboriginal groups’ areas of interest also intersect the BBS.

11.1 Current knowledge

An Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment was undertaken by NPWS in partnership with the Aboriginal community for Pilliga and Goonoo State Forests and the results documented (NPWS, 2000j). This study, during Stage 1 of the WRA process, involved three projects including Aboriginal consultation, oral history and archival investigation, and a cultural heritage field survey.

The following information was gathered during the Stage 1 project: S results of the NPWS oral history and archival project highlighted the close linkage between the environment and the Aboriginal communities associated with the Goonoo and Pilliga State Forests.

S Aboriginal concerns about the impacts on ‘bush tucker’ from land clearing practices were frequently voiced. Underlying this is the lack of access to land. Aboriginal communities in south eastern Australia generally do not have access to land that is commercially valuable including as freehold or leasehold lands (Young et al, 1991). Therefore, very little opportunity to be actively involved in land management occurs. Therefore, the forests are of great importance to the local Aboriginal people as these are areas where they have access and have the opportunity to be involved in land management within the BBS (NPWS, 2000j);

S other information gained through the oral history project included an increase in the documentation of Aboriginal cultural value of the Pilliga and Goonoo State Forests, knowledge of interactions between plant and animal species and their use by the Aboriginal people of the area, and increased knowledge of fire ecology of these forests;

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S a sampling approach used in the cultural heritage survey recorded 261 Aboriginal sites, and 38 plant species of known traditional use for a representative sample of the landforms within the Pilliga and Goonoo forests; and

S landforms of the Pilliga and Goonoo State Forests were mapped extensively as part of this project and relationships between landforms and Aboriginal sites were modelled and verified.

11.2 Basic analyses / gaps

There are large gaps in the Aboriginal cultural heritage information for the BBS relating to traditional, contemporary and historical knowledge of ecology, biodiversity and ecological processes.

11.3 Recommendations

The following recommendations aim to identify and conserve the cultural heritage values within the bioregion, and with Aboriginal community participation incorporate traditional ecological knowledge of the bioregion into future conservation management plans.

It is recommended that: R42. more cultural heritage surveys be undertaken across all tenures within the BBS;

R43. information be gathered about the significance to Aboriginal people of biodiversity across all tenures in the BBS with appropriate members of local Aboriginal communities. Assessment of conservation significance of this information be given equal weighting to other measures of assigning significance to natural areas. Further, that this information be treated as sensitive where appropriate;

R44. Purcell (2000) recommends that a project involving agencies and stakeholders be developed to further assess and compare Aboriginal and formal scientific knowledge of plants within the BBS. This is partly being undertaken as part of the WRA Stage 2 project for the BBS;

R45. Aboriginal cultural information at the landscape level and cultural heritage site information be prepared for use in conservation assessment by Aboriginal people;

R46. Aboriginal people have access to specialised expertise to assist them to investigate and determine the significance of any given area. Opportunities should be created for communities to take part in gathering all scientific. This is particularly important for fauna and flora assessments which are of great interest to Aboriginal communities (RACD, 2000d);

R47. a comprehensive assessment of current protective mechanisms for Aboriginal sites, existing management practices and an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of site management;

R48. a comprehensive strategy for site management be established;

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R49. results of flora and fauna surveys be integrated with Aboriginal site and landform data and that alternative sampling strategies that incorporate Aboriginal ecological values be developed;

R50. there be opportunities for Aboriginal people to be involved in data gathering and conservation assessment and planning; and

R51. there be further development of comprehensive Aboriginal land use modelling based on cultural ecology and geomorphology for the BBS.

111 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 12 WILDERNESS

The Wilderness Act, 1987 defines wilderness as an area of land that: (a) is, together with its plant and animal communities, in a state that has not been substantially modified by humans and their works or is capable of being restored to such a state; (b) is of a sufficient size to make its maintenance in such a state feasible; and (c) is capable of providing opportunities for solitude and appropriate self-reliant recreation.

As outlined in the Wilderness Act, 1987, wilderness areas are to be managed so as: (a) to restore (if applicable) and to protect the unmodified state of the area and its plant and animal communities; (b) to preserve the capacity of the area to evolve in the absence of significant human interference; and (c) to permit opportunities for solitude and appropriate self-reliant recreation.

The NPWS is the agency responsible for managing wilderness areas.

12.1 Current knowledge

The wilderness areas declared under the Wilderness Act 1987 that fall within the BBS are two small projections of wilderness areas that have been declared for Mount Kaputar National Park. It is possible that these areas are within the BBS only because the bioregional boundary has been mapped at a very coarse scale of one to three million (1:3 000 000).

Grattai, Nandewar, and Rusden Wilderness Areas totalling approximately 30 000ha cover most of Mount Kaputar National Park. Approximately 1 200 ha of this area (parts of Nandewar and Rusden Wilderness Areas) lies within the BBS (map 41).

Two areas in the Pillga Forests have been identified as provisional wilderness by Environment Australia (1999c). These areas cover approximately 127 000 hectares and include parts of Pilliga Nature Reserve and Denobollie, Pilliga East, Timallallie, Wittenbra and Yaminba State Forests (map 40).

A wilderness determination is proposed to be completed as part of any BBS regional forest agreement, and areas with wilderness values will be described futher in documentation related to that process.

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12.2 Basic analyses / gaps

The National Wilderness Inventory (NWI) (Lesslie and Maslen, 1995) has been completed by the Australian Heritage Commission for all of New South Wales. The NWI is an index of the relative wilderness value of the landscape at any given point based on a combination of the following factors: S biophysical naturalness (how intact or undisturbed the area is);

S apparent naturalness (aesthetic value);

S remoteness from settlement; and

S remoteness from access.

Map 45 shows the wilderness values across the BBS as defined by the National Wilderness Inventory. Areas identified meet the minimum requirement to be considered a wilderness area with a NWI rating of 12 or greater. The minimum area requirement of 8,000 ha for wilderness to be declared has been ignored for this exercise as all patches identified fall within larger forested blocks of Pilliga and Bebo State Forests and Pilliga Nature Reserve.

Any conservation assessment should be aware of the 8 000ha minimum limit for a wilderness area to be declared, but should seek to assess wilderness values for areas smaller than this for possible protection by other means.

12.3 Recommendations

It is recommended that: R52. the outcomes of any bioregional assessment of flora, fauna, vegetation, ecosystems and cultural heritage values be used in a bioregional wilderness project that seeks to define areas of high wilderness values in the BBS. This project should take into consideration the 8 000ha minimum limit for a wilderness area to be declared, but should also include, however, the assessment of wilderness values for areas smaller than this for possible protection by other means;

R53. sympathetic management be considered for areas provisionally identified as having wilderness value; and

R54. formal wilderness assessments and declarations be undertaken for areas nominated and provisionally identified as having wilderness value within the BBS. This process will be separate to the bioregional conservation assessment exercise.

113 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 13 BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is defined by the State Biodiversity Strategy (NPWS, 1999) as : “the variety of all living organisms, including all species, the genes they possess and the ecosystems they form”.

The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 states that: “biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources (including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part) and includes: (a) diversity within species and between species; and (b) diversity of ecosystems. “

Another definition of biodiversity is given in the Global Biodiversity Strategy (Reid et al, 1992): “the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region”

The Queensland Nature Conservation Act, 1992 further defines biological diversity as “the natural diversity of native wildlife, together with the environmental conditions necessary for their survival, and includes-- (a) regional diversity, that is, the diversity of the landscape components (including landforms, soils, water, climate, wildlife and land uses) of a region, and the functional relationships that affect environmental conditions within ecosystems; and (b) ecosystem diversity, that is, the diversity of the different types of communities formed by living organisms and the relations between them; and (c) species diversity, that is, the diversity of species; and (d) genetic diversity, that is, the diversity of genes within each species”.

Biodiversity can be measured at each of these scales - genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within a species. Species diversity refers to the variety of species within an area. Species diversity can be measured in many ways including the number of species in an area (species ‘richness’), or ‘taxonomic diversity’ (the diversity of taxonomic groups such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, flora, or microbes within an area) (Reid et al, 1992). Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats or communities within a region and their associated ecological processes (NPWS, 1999).

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Other expressions or measures of biodiversity are also important. These include the relative abundance of species or taxonomic groups, age structure of populations, pattern of communities within a region, changes in community composition and structure over time, and particular ecological processes such as predation (Reid et al, 1992).

The State Biodiversity Strategy requires the conservation of biodiversity. This will largely depend on a number of landscape factors including vegetation continuity or connectivity, size and shape of remaining vegetation remnants, condition of remnant vegetation, threats to biodiversity, distribution of species across the landscape and viability of populations within the landscape. Any conservation assessment needs to provide information on all these factors to allow adequate planning for the maintenance of biodiversity. Vegetation regeneration and restoration and recruitment into populations are also required to maintain biodiversity within the BBS.

The aim of any biodiversity conservation exercise should be the conservation of biodiversity across the landscape in the foreseeable future. Smart et al (2000) define this further as the “persistence and continuation of biodiversity at least at the species level over a time span of at least hundreds of years”.

Surrogates for biodiversity may be used to predict biodiversity for areas which have incomplete data coverage such as geographical and / or taxonomic coverage. Surrogates used to estimate biodiversity should be based on comprehensive data taken from the whole region. The use of surrogates assumes a correlation between the surrogate and the scale of biodiversity (gene, species, ecosystem) being assessed (Feria and Watson, 1997).

13.1 Current knowledge

Feria and Watson (1997) found that there is a wide variation in the performance of surrogates, both between different types of surrogates and different biological groups. These authors found that, generally, surrogates derived purely from abiotic environmental data were the least accurate as estimates for species biodiversity. The surrogates which performed most accurately when used in the north east of New South Wales were those which modelled species distribution or distribution of one biological group.

The level of precision of various types of surrogates and their cost effectiveness are shown in Table 13.1 below. This table shows that as the level of precision of surrogates increases, the costs increase dramatically and are not cost effective.

Most information available for the BBS is site-specific, data poor, inconsistent, unsystematic, and does not cover all levels of biodiversity. Little is known about species or ecosystems in the BBS, and less is known of temporal changes, genetic variation and population viability. Measures of biodiversity over time are required to understand how conservation actions and threats affect biodiversity. Use of surrogates for biodiversity measurement, may be necessary as an interim measure to assess biodiversity within the BBS.

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Table 13.1 Levels of biodiversity surrogacy (Williams, 1996) Advantage: A scale of surrogacy for a value Advantage: precision as a currency of character diversity cost efficiency and measure of units more inclusive character / of ecosystem biological diversity processes environmental surrogates low ECOSYSTEM richness high " climate class richness ) " terrain class richness )

" substrate class richness ) environmental / " landscape class richness ) assemblage surrogates " habitat class richness ) assemblage surrogates " 'community' class richness ) " vegetation class richness ) taxonomic surrogates " higher taxon richness ) " SPECIES / subspecies richness ) " taxonomic/phylogenetic subtree ) richness high GENE / character richness (currency) low

13.1.1 Genetic diversity At the most basic level, genetic variation is the basis for diversity in all living organisms. The loss of biodiversity can and does occur at the genetic level. This is particularly noticeable in small remnant populations of organisms that have become isolated through habitat destruction. The maintenance of genetic biodiversity is crucial to the long term viability of species, but it is often seen as secondary to saving the individuals of the species from imminent danger (Smart et al, 2000). Reduced genetic diversity in an isolated population can lead to breeding depression and local extinctions.

Little is known about genetic diversity for almost all species within the BBS.

13.1.2 Species diversity The conservation of individual species is a common objective of programs to halt the loss of biodiversity. This is particularly the case with very rare or threatened species. Where a particular species suggests that a suite of other species or an environment type may also be present, that species is referred to as a ‘keystone’ or ‘indicator’ species. The conservation of that species then takes on added significance in that many other elements of biodiversity in the wider environment are also theoretically protected. Conservation at a species level relies on a depth of knowledge about local species ecology, a depth which is lacking for species endemic to Western New South Wales including the BBS (Smart et al, 2000).

Population viability of any species is critical to its conservation. To determine population viability it is necessary to understand characteristics of the population such as size, age structure, fecundity and mortality rates, genetic diversity and threats. It is also critical to know the species’ habitat requirements, particularly across seasons.

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The following points should be taken into consideration when undertaking any population viability analyses (Burgman et al., 1999): S all populations face some risk of decline and extinction, simply because they are exposed to the vagaries of natural temporal and spatial variation, even in habitat that is unaffected by human impacts. These background risks may be approximated by simple population models which include environmental and demographic variation; S to minimise the number of extinctions in the medium term, priorities for conservation should reflect the risks faced by different taxa. The allocation of protection measures should be guided by an understanding of the kinds of threats that may be mitigated by reservation and / or active management; S disturbance regimes may be modelled in terms of the habitat remaining to the species over a given period of time; and S catastrophes may be implicated in the local extinction of many taxa and conservation strategies are developed to minimise the risk of global loss.

As there is insufficient data available for the BBS about species population (diversity), quantitative information based on expert opinion may be used. This is consistent with the precautionary principle that “lack of full knowledge should not be used as an excuse for postponing action”. (Protection Of The Environment Administration Act 1991 - Section 6).

13.1.3 Ecosystem diversity Conservation at an ecosystem level aims to ensure the long-term viability of a suite of habitats, their species and the ecological processes that link them across an ecologically defined region, in this case a bioregion. The aim of conserving an entire ecosystem is to conserve all species dependant upon that ecosystem. This is seen as a more practical approach to the conservation of biodiversity than understanding and planning for the often competing needs of individual species. In addition, an ecosystem based approach may be more cost-effective than a species based approach and may better account for energy exchange and nutrient cycling (Smart, et al, 2000). The ecosystem approach focuses upon ecological processes which affect the links between elements of biodiversity.

Ecosystems have not been defined in the BBS and, therefore, it is difficult to advance this approach.

13.1.4 Landscape diversity The conservation of landscape diversity focuses on the protection of entire landscapes and their associated ecosystems. Due to a large proportion of the BBS being cleared (estimated 60.9%) it is no longer possible to conserve any landscape in its entirety within the bioregion (Pressey et al, 2000).

13.2 Basic analysis / gaps

There is inadequate data for the bioregion at present to undertake a comprehensive analysis of biodiversity at the genetic, species or ecosystem scales.

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13.3 Recommendations

To maximise the likelihood of maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes there are numerous actions which are required. It is recommended that:

R55. scientifically rigorous data gathering programs be established and / or continue to increase information and understanding of biodiversity of the BBS at the three levels – genetic, species and ecosystem;

R56. polices are developed and implemented to ensure ongoing conservation assessment in the bioregion as information available about biodiversity increases;

R57. a CAR reserve system and protected area network be established to adequately conserve biodiversity in the BBS; and

R58. off-reserve conservation management programs be implemented to assist in biodiversity conservation and management in the BBS. These programs will require statutory planning committees such as RVCs and CMBs to develop plans aimed at landscape restoration, partnership agreements with RLPBs and will aim at conserving lands associated with water (such as wetlands, riverine corridors), diverse landscapes and ecosystems, and highly productive lands with areas of remnant vegetation.

118 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 14 CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING

Conservation assessment and planning aims to: S provide a comprehensive and systematic inventory of biodiversity, and natural and cultural values across the landscape; S determine the conservation status and significance of these values through application of conservation criteria; S identify threats and conservation issues to be addressed; S suggest potential management options to conserve or enhance the most significant areas; and S implement conservation management.

Bioregional assessment and planning attempts, on a bioregional basis, to (NPWS, 1999): S adopt a standardised, integrated, whole of government approach to the collection, analysis and distribution of biodiversity data for use in assessing the conservation significance of land areas within a bioregion and across New South Wales; S ensure cooperative, coordinated and cost-effective data collection and dissemination on a whole of landscape basis for biodiversity conservation across all land tenures; S identify areas of conservation significance and to advise on appropriate conservation measures; and S identify measures to conserve species or ecosystem diversity across the landscape.

Conservation planning for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity must recognise the importance of the context within which the range of species in an ecosystem exists and the interrelationship of the entities within this ecosystem.

A major advantage of using a bioregional approach to conservation is the broad homogeneity, explicit in the development of bioregions, of environmental patterns and ecological processes contained within the bioregion. The ecological boundaries of bioregions have a closer relationship with the processes which generally threaten biodiversity, such as landscape degradation, erosion and vegetation clearing. A disadvantage of using a bioregional approach, however, is the large size of many of the

119 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report bioregions and hence the collection of data is expensive and time-consuming especially in areas which are quite data poor such as western New South Wales.

14.1 Conservation assessment and planning framework

As part of this project, a conservation assessment and planning framework has been proposed for ongoing conservation assessment and planning. Figure 14.1 shows this proposed framework. 14.1.1 Conservation assessment and planning framework This framework shows that bioregional assessment and planning is a complex process that requires involvement of various levels of government, scientific knowledge, suitable tools and community understanding, involvement and support to succeed. Adequate time and resources need to be devoted to such assessments and their implementation for them to effectively secure on-ground conservation outcomes. An outline of the steps involved in the bioregional conservation assessment and planning process is shown in Figure 14.1.

14.1.2 Technical framework To assist in the initial and assessment phases of the BBS assessment (Figure 14.1), a technical framework which incorporates the recommendations made in this report was developed to guide the biodiversity assessment and conservation planning process for the BBS (Appendix 20). Appendix 21 lists the steps outlined in the conservation assessment and planning framework (Figure 14.1) and project areas described in the technical framework relevant to each step in this process.

The technical framework has not been costed and therefore would need to be developed further to include an analysis of timeframes and resources required. Priority tasks have been identified.

The technical framework shows the conservation and assessment priorities at the time of writing for the BBS. The framework will need to be modified as more knowledge of the biodiversity and conservation values of the bioregion become available.

The technical framework outlines ten main project areas and related subsets, stating their role in the conservation assessment process, indicative data collation and collection requirements, indicative outputs, work being undertaken under the current WRA BBS Stages 1 and 2, and future work required under the SBS (Appendix 20).

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Indicative Timeframes Data Audit - Review existing data sets and mapping regarding applicability for conservation assessment, determine acceptable confidence limits for data collection, and framework for collection of data Data Collection eg Flora and Fauna Surveys, Vegetation

1-2 years Selection of Most Mapping, Cultural Initial PhaseInitial Appropriate / Applicable Production of Heritage ExistingDatasetsfor New Bioregion- Assessment, and

(DRP & BBS are stage) this & BBS are at (DRP Conservation Assessment wide Mapping FurtherAbioticData Collection

Compilation of Final Mapping and DatasetsSuitable for Conservation Assessment Community Consultation and Involvement Assessment of Relative Assess Current, Past and Conservation Values of Potential Threatening the Bioregion Processes and Their Affects 1-2 years Assessment Phase

Identify the Conservation Status of Landscapes / Areas /Biodiversity Within the Bioregionand Management Required

Sub-divide theBioregioninto Management Units eg Remnant Habitats, Corridors, Wetlands, Provinces

Identify Potential Conservation Outcomes and Management Requirements for Each Management Unit

Implementation & Monitoring: Set Performance Measures / monitoring and feedback into ongoing assessment process / Timeframes for Implementation of Outcomes / Recommendations of the Conservation Assessment

Information toRVCs, Develop CAR Vegetation Biodiversity Cultural CMBs, Local Reserve Management Conservation Heritage 1-10 years & 10-20 years Government System and Conservation

Planning and Implementation Phase Planning Processes protected area network

Figure 14.1 The bioregional conservation assessment and planning framework (Adapted from Pressey, 1996 and Smart et al, 2000)

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14.1.3 GIS and decision support and other tools Various GIS-based tools are available or being developed to assist conservation assessment and planning. These include: S C-Plan is a GIS-based decision support system which maps options for achieving conservation goals within a region, allows users to determine which sites should be placed under some form of conservation management, displays these decisions and maps the options resulting from these decisions. Irreplaceability of entities of areas can be calculated and mapped using this tool. Irreplaceability is defined as the likelihood that a certain site will need to be protected to achieve a specified set of targets or, conversely, the extent to which options for achieving these targets are reduced if the site is not protected (Pressey et al., 1994). Measures of irreplaceability may change depending on conservation targets set for a particular entity or area (NPWS, 2001h). These tools can be of particular use in assisting identification of irreplaceability of conservation entities or areas, measuring how to meet conservation targets and spatial configuration of conservation options. S The GIS and decision support tool (developed initially for Moree Plains RVC by Simon Ferrier, NPWS GIS Research and Development Group, and Murray Ellis, NPWS Western Directorate, Conservation Assessment and Planning Unit, and entitled “Conservation Options for Regional Environments” or “CORE”) could be applied to single or multiple datalayers. For example, the vegetation datalayer could be used for planning in landuse and management. Further work to develop this system to add to C-Plan and other tools is underway.

Use of such tools should be considered where possible and the knowledge and training within various land management bodies and organisations to use these tools needs to be improved. Improved datasets will also increase the effectiveness of these tools in conjunction with expert knowledge.

There are many computer-based simulation tools for estimating viable population sizes, but these rely on modelled species distribution data and knowledge of species autecology (including habitat requirements) as input. It is unlikely that many models will be developed for the BBS in the near future due to the shortage and poor quality of baseline environmental data, and expert judgement will be needed to develop a greater understanding of species distribution, especially for rare or threatened vascular plants, which may be inadequately represented in ecosystem-based approaches to conservation.

14.2 Current knowledge

This project has documented the current knowledge of biodiversity and natural and cultural values known within the BBS. This is a necessary first step in identifying further work required for any comprehensive and systematic conservation assessment and future conservation planning.

Current work, including that of this SBS project, that under the RACAC Western Regional Assessments, and under various RVCs, and CMBs can still be considered in the initial or assessment phases (Figure 14.1). Much of the planning being undertaken within RVCs and CMBs is without comprehensive bioregional data or context. Thus, it is essential that bioregional conservation assessment is undertaken as a priority to provide a

122 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report bioregional landscape context and framework in which regional and local planning and implementation can occur.

14.2.1 Basic ecological principles A number of basic ecological principles are important when considering conservation assessment and planning across a bioregion and within provinces. Examples of some principles are outlined below.

Size and shape of any vegetation remnant and / or conservation reserve affects its effectiveness in terms of conservation of biodiversity. For example, long, linear reserves would be less effective than round reserves. This is due to edge effects and relates to the surface area to perimeter ratio. Some species of native flora and fauna naturally live on edges of woodland and forest communities and can benefit from a large edge to area ratio. However, edges are also favoured by many weed and feral animal species which compete with native species for habitat (Sheahan, 1998; Lunney and Recher, 1996). Species most at risk in developed landscapes are those that require larger areas or non-edge habitat.

Core habitat areas - Large areas of continuous habitat are important as they can provide for protection of a diversity of species, communities and ecosystems (Lunney and Recher, 1996). These core habitat areas are important refuges for species and communities and are generally large areas of vegetation which can be connected via corridors.

Fragmented ecosystems between core habitat areas can be sites of potential vegetation restoration and rehabilitation projects with the aim of extending core areas or developing the network of corridors linking these core areas (Sheahan, 1998).

Small and isolated remnants of habitat throughout the landscape can also be important as they may serve as “stepping stones” for colonising species, and roosting and / or breeding sites for migratory species or those which are able to forage in surrounding modified habitats (Lunney and Recher, 1996).

Generally in Australia, and particularly in the BBS, many vegetation remnants are surrounded by cleared land (Benson, 1999). The size of vegetation remnant ‘islands’ may affect the dynamics of the populations and communities which inhabit them. Small remnants, like small islands provide habitat for relatively small populations which, due to their size, are more susceptible to disturbance and hence local extinction from these areas (Sheahan, 1998; Lunney and Recher, 1996).

Continuity in natural habitat is an important factor for a number of species and communities. Many animals have large home ranges and need to move throughout the landscape. Many species do this via vegetation corridors, or adjacent fragments and, therefore, distance between fragments is also important. Small remnants should ideally be clustered so as to provide links to larger core habitat areas or to allow for movement if one fragment becomes uninhabitable, for example, following wildfire (Lunney and Recher, 1996). In many areas within the BBS riparian and roadside vegetation is the only native vegetation remaining and can provide important links between other, larger remnants. Sometimes these remnants may be the only remaining stands of a particular vegetation community in the region and may provide a valuable source of seed for revegetation projects (Sheahan, 1998).

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Duplication of habitats within a system of protected areas can provide refuges for species if one area of a particular type of habitat is totally decimated by fire, outbreaks of disease or another major disturbance (Lunney and Recher, 1996).

Home ranges of some species are large, while other species may have very specialised habitat requirements, or be migratory or only occur in habitats which are in decline (Lunney and Recher, 1996).

14.2.2 Preliminary identification of landscapes of significance No comprehensive identification of landscapes of significance is possible based on current datasets, however, conservation criteria will be used in any conservation assessment to determine areas of conservation value and their significance (section 15).

A preliminary identification of areas of significant conservation values could include the following: S sites identified by Morgan and Terrey (1992) as areas of high conservation value; S large core areas of native vegetation and habitat; S corridors of vegetation linking core areas of vegetation such as riverine corridors and TSRs; S areas of vegetation and ecosystems with naturally restricted distributions; S areas of core habitat for threatened species, communities and populations under the TSC Act; S remnant native vegetation including grasslands and shrublands; S vegetation communities not adequately represented within the reserve system in New South Wales and / or the BBS which are under threat or depleted; S all areas of National Wilderness Inventory (NWI) value 12+ as per Map 42. The most important component of the NWI for the BBS was “biophysical naturalness”. Areas rated as greater than 12 in the NWI have a high level of biophysical naturalness. Map 42 shows areas within the BBS which have a NWI rating of greater than 12 and an area of greater than 8,000ha; S refugia such as caves, rock outcrops and mountains; S areas with important cultural value; and S wetland (permanent and ephemeral) and riparian areas.

Map 44 illustrates how conservation principles can be considered on a bioregion-wide scale for the BBS to create a bioregional landscape framework (conservation strategy for the bioregion which will recognise the conservation values and management requirements). This map is an example only to illustrate concepts. More information is required from the bioregion to be able to undertake more meaningful assessment and conservation planning.

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14.3 Recommendations

Adoption of the following recommendations is required to ensure that a relevant and comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity and conservation values of the BBS is undertaken. It is recommended that:

R59. a comprehensive and systematic conservation assessment of the BBS be undertaken that follows the proposed conservation assessment and planning framework and by determining conservation values of the bioregion and each of its provinces. For example, through measures of diversity of land capability, vegetation communities, soils, species, habitats;

R60. the attached technical framework is used to guide further conservation assessment work and funding in the BBS in relation to biodiversity conservation;

R61. the above assessment (R60) be done using GIS-based decision support tools when they are refined and when more comprehensive datasets are available; and

R62. a preliminary bioregional landscape framework be prepared with various options for interpreting conservation management including integration of conservation and production such as:

S lists and descriptions of priority plant communities and priority conservation areas (for example, largest remaining areas of native vegetation, corridors, wetlands and rivers)

S identification of areas of priority for restoration and regeneration such as regional corridor networks

S identification of other areas of regional significance such as aquifer recharge zones and significant catchments for management actions.

125 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 15 CONSERVATION CRITERIA, TARGETS, AND THE ECOLOGICAL BOTTOM LINE

Conservation assessment will require the use of various conservation criteria, methodologies and tools to assist in determining the relative natural, biodiversity and cultural values that occur across the BBS. Once these criteria are chosen, specific targets are required to ensure that the conservation targets are measurable and addressed. There are a number of existing criteria and targets including those at the national and regional level.

An ecological bottom line is defined by Nix and Mackey (2000) as “the minimum area of natural ecosystems to be protected to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and life support systems with consideration of social and economic values within these constraints”. Nix and Mackey, 2000 state that the advantage of the ecological bottom line approach is that it could provide an objective and quantifiable set of boundary conditions for ecologically sustainable development.

Due to the lack of ecological knowledge for most areas within the BBS, the precautionary principle should be applied when developing conservation criteria, targets and an ecological bottom line for the bioregion.

The Protection of the Environment Administration Act, 1991 states , “namely, that if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation”.

The Protection of the Environment Administration Act, 1991 also states that “in the application of the precautionary principle, public and private decisions should be guided by: (i) careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment, and

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(ii) an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options”.

15.1 Existing conservation criteria and targets

15.1.1 IUCN criterion The Caracas Action Plan 1992 (IUCN, 1992) which was adopted at the IVth World Parks Congress in 1992 recommended that: “governments ensure – through international cooperation – that protected areas cover at least 10% of each biome by the year 2000.” The world’s major biomes and their reservation status were outlined by Green and Paine, 1997 and are outlined in Table 15.1 below.

Table 15.1 Extent and protection of the world’s major biomes (Green and Paine, 1997) Biome Protected Area Name Area (km2) Number Extent (km2) % Biome Protected Mixed island systems 3 252 563 1 980 530 676 16.32% Subtropical / temperate rain forests / woodlands 3 930 979 977 404 497 10.29% Mixed mountain systems 10 633 145 2 766 967 130 9.10% Tropical humid forests 10 513 210 1 030 922 453 8.77% Tundra communities 22 017 390 171 1 845 188 8.38% Tropical grasslands / savannas 4 264 832 100 316 465 7.42% Tropical dry forests / woodlands 17 312 538 1 290 1 224 566 7.07% Cold-winter deserts 9 250 252 290 546 168 5.90% Temperate needle-leaf forests / woodlands 15 682 817 1 492 897 375 5.72% Warm deserts / semi-deserts 24 279 843 605 1 173 025 4.83% Evergreen Sclerophyllous forests 3 757 144 1 469 164 883 4.39% Temperate broad-leaf forests 11 216 659 3 905 403 298 3.60% Lake systems 517 695 66 5 814 1.12% Temperate grasslands 8 976 591 495 88 127 0.98% Total 145 605 658 169 636 9 489 665 6.52%

15.1.2 Nationally agreed criteria for the establishment of a CAR reserve system for forests in Australia (JANIS)

(Commonwealth of Australia, 1997)

These nationally agreed criteria aim to define conservation values and to create and manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) forest reserve system. They have been used across Australia largely within forest ecosystems. The JANIS criteria are based on three principles including: S “comprehensiveness – includes the full range of forest communities recognised by an agreed national scientific classification at appropriate hierarchical levels;

S adequacy – the maintenance of ecological viability and integrity of populations, species and communities; and

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S representativeness – those sample areas of the forest that are selected for inclusion in reserves should reasonably reflect the biotic diversity of the communities.”

The JANIS biodiversity criteria are used to define conservation values and then to develop CAR reserve systems as outlined in Table 15.3 (Commonwealth of Australia, 1997). In addition to eight main criteria, there are additional specialised criteria for old growth forest, wilderness areas and reserve design and management.

These criteria have not yet been applied to any bioregion in western New South Wales as many vegetation types are non-forests (for example, woodlands, open-woodlands, shrublands and grasslands). Further work is required to use these criteria and incorporate other criteria such as vegetation retention and cultural heritage for western New South Wales. These criteria need to be considered a base line from which further detailed criteria can be developed.

15.1.3 DLWC criteria for vegetation retention and catchment management Regional Vegetation Management Plans – bioregional vegetation retention targets are being set by DLWC and by individual RVCs. These will need to be considered in any conservation criteria and targets for the BBS.

Catchment Management Planning – catchment targets for factors such as biodiversity, salinity and water quality are being set by individual CMBs. These management targets will need to considered in any conservation criteria and targets for the BBS.

15.1.4 Framework for terrestrial biodiversity targets in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDBC) (James and Saunders, 2001) This report sets a framework for developing terrestrial biodiversity targets within the Murray-Darling Basin based on a landscape context to maintain key ecological processes, maintaining or re-establishing viable populations of native species, and the integrity of ecological communities (especially vegetation), and controlling threats to biodiversity. This framework is summarised in Table 15.2.

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Table 15.2 Landscape framework for assigning terrestrial biodiversity targets within the Murray-Darling Basin (James and Saunders, 2001) Landscape Context Factors to Consider When Assigning Priorities for Landscapes Landscapes with more than 70% S Impact of grazing (water remoteness) – threshold based on more than cover of original native vegetation 5% of a landsystem being more than 3km from any water point S fragility of landsystem - vulnerability to degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services due to grazing impact, feral animals or invasive weeds S rareness and irreplaceability - eg if an attribute is restricted to one location and is less than 20km2 in area then it receives a higher priority than a widespread attribute. S size of landsystem (total area) – threshold based on absolute size being smaller than 20km2 in extent S isolation of landsystem – threshold based on landsystem being more that 30km from nearest similar landsystem Landscapes with between 30 and S watertables – are vegetation types or species threatened? 70% cover of original native vegetation S amount of clearing - thresholds if clearing has reduced vegetation type to different levels of its original extent S rareness and irreplaceability - eg if an attribute is restricted to one location and is less than 20km2 in area then it receives a higher priority than a widespread attribute. S total extent of vegetation community or species range (area) – based on total areal extent of an attribute S fragility of landsystem to degradation - vulnerability to degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services due to grazing impact, feral animals or invasive weeds Landscapes with between 10 and S watertables– are vegetation types or species threatened? 30% cover of original native vegetation S amount of clearing - % of original area remaining – threshold level if clearing has reduced original native vegetation to less than 30% S rareness and irreplaceability of biological attributes eg if an attribute is restricted to one location and is less than 20km2 in area then it receives a higher priority than a widespread attribute. S total extent of vegetation community or species range (area) – threshold based on total areal extent of biological attribute S fragility of landsystem to degradation – vulnerability to degradation of biodiversity and ecosystem services due to grazing impact, feral animals or invasive weeds S degree of isolation – threshold based on vegetation type being more than 10km from its nearest similar vegetation type Landscapes with less than 10% S all threatened species, threatened ecological communities and all cover of original native vegetation existing vegetation given priority 1 S goal to restore to 30% cover with suitable representation of different known types of vegetation – all existing vegetation retained and expanded

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15.1.5 National objectives and targets for biodiversity conservation 2001-2005 (NOTBC) (Environment Australia, 2001g) The priority actions outlined in these objectives are to: S “protect and restore native vegetation and terrestrial ecosystems; S protect and restore freshwater ecosystems; S protect and restore marine and estuarine ecosystems; S control invasive species; S mitigate dryland salinity; S promote ecologically sustainable grazing; S minimise impacts of climate change on biodiversity; S maintain and record indigenous peoples’ ethnobiological knowledge; S improve scientific knowledge and access to information; and S introduce institutional reform”.

In relation to native vegetation and terrestrial ecosystems, these objectives state that, “to reverse the decline in the quality and extent of Australia’s native vegetation and ecological communities and the ecosystem services they provide”, all jurisdictions (meaning all states and territories): S have measures in place to prevent clearing of ecological communities with an extent below 10% of pre-1750 by 2001; S have measures in place to prevent clearing of ecological communities with an extent below 30% of pre-1750 by 2003; S have programs in place to protect areas of high quality native vegetation by 2005; and S have clearing controls in place that will have the effect of reducing the national net rate of land clearance to zero by 2001.

These objectives also state that, to “protect a representative sample of Australia’s terrestrial ecosystems”: S “a representative sample of each bioregion is protected within the National Reserve System or network of Indigenous Protected Areas or as private land managed for conservation under a conservation agreement” by 2005; and S all jurisdictions shall have in place “native vegetation restoration programs to recover ecological communities that are below 10%” of pre-1750 extent or are nationally listed as critically endangered.

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A summary of how the above criteria interact is shown in Figure 15.1.

Legislation and government policy

Integrated landscape conservation network

Informal reserves Core Reserves Property IUCN reserves Agreements ESFM I-IV VCA ESLM – Property Planning, Eg NP, reserves, Conservation Landcare, etc FMZ1 Agreements MoU between agencies Crown reserves

20-30% Conservation 30-50 % low/moderate intensity use 30% development Eg formal/core reserves, JANIS Informal reserves MDBC eg Forestry, grazing, cropping eg irrigation, urban development NOTBC other mechanisms

Figure 15.1 Application of various conservation criteria and how they interact

15.2 Development of conservation criteria for the BBS

15.2.1 Conservation principles and criteria for the BBS (Modified JANIS) At present no ecological bottom line has been determined for the BBS bioregion. However, Nix and Mackey (2000) note that “…the notional 15% comprehensiveness target has no basis in science, except, that for biodiversity conservation, 15% is likely to be better than 10% and very much better than 5%. Tree clearing legislation in Queensland recognises an important threshold at 30% retention. Theoretical considerations, backed up by field experimentation provide strong indications that 40% is a critical threshold.”

This is explained further by Nix and Mackey, 2000: “At retained percentages less than 40% the patterning of the cleared / uncleared mosaic becomes critical for biodiversity conservation. As retained vegetation classes fall below 40% there is an increasing requirement to assess landscape and catchment context, connectivity perimeter / area ratios, erodibility factors, riparian components and so on. Where vegetation classes have been reduced to less than 40% then any further clearing on individual holdings should be subject to broad regional, catchment and property planning controls.”

To ensure that the JANIS biodiversity criteria are relevant to all ecosystems in western New South Wales, Nix and Mackey (2000) have suggested a modified set of criteria

131 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report which involves slight changes to the eight JANIS biodiversity criteria (both sets of criteria are shown in Table 15.3 below).

Table 15.3 JANIS biodiversity criteria and modified JANIS for the BBS

JANIS Biodiversity Criteria Proposed JANIS Biodiversity Criteria (Commonwealth of Australia, 1997) (Nix and Mackey, 2000) 1. “as a general criterion, 15% of the pre-1750 (1A) “in highly fragmented landscapes all remnants distribution of each forest ecosystem should be are valuable and should be protected across all protected in the CAR reserve system with land tenures and land uses . The proportion of flexibility considerations applied according to dedicated reserves should be maximised. regional circumstances, and recognising that as far as possible and practicable, the proportion of Dedicated Reserves [comprising IUCN categories I-IV] should be maximised. 2. where forest ecosystems are recognised as (2A) where ecosystems are recognised as vulnerable vulnerable, then at least 60% of their remaining then the entire remaining extent (ie 100%) should extent should be reserved. A vulnerable forest be protected through reserves and negotiated ecosystem is one which is: landholder agreements. A vulnerable ecosystem is one which is: (i) approaching a reduction in areal extent of 70% within a bioregional context and which (i) reduced to less than 30% of its original extent remains subject to threatening processes; or within a bioregional context and which remains subject to threatening processes; or (ii) not depleted but subject to continuing and significant threatening processes which may (ii) not depleted, but subject to continuing and reduce its extent. threatening processes which may reduce its extent and/or its functional value for biodiversity conservation. 3. all remaining occurrences of rare and endangered (3A) where ecosystems are recognised as rare and forest ecosystems should be reserved or endangered then their entire remaining extent (ie protected by other means as far as is practicable. 100%) should be protected through dedicated reserves and should receive priority in rehabilitation and restoration programs within an integrated landscape management framework. 4. reserved areas should be replicated across the (4A) protected areas should be replicated across the geographic range of the forest ecosystem to geographic range of the ecosystem to decrease decrease the likelihood that chance events such the potential impact of episodic events such as as wildfire or disease will cause the forest wildfire and disease. ecosystem to decline. 5. the reserve system should seek to maximise the (5A) integrated landscape management systems will area of high quality habitat for all known elements seek to optimise biodiversity conservation across of biodiversity wherever practicable, but with land tenures and land uses by protecting areas of particular reference to: highest quality habitat for all known elements of biodiversity, but with particular reference to: (i) the special needs of rare, vulnerable or endangered species; (i) the special needs of rare, vulnerable or endangered species (ii) special groups of organisms, for example (ii) special groups of organisms, for example species with complex habitat requirements, or species with complex habitat requirements or migratory or mobile species; migratory or mobile species (iii) areas of high species diversity, natural (iii) areas of high species diversity, natural refugia for refugia for flora and fauna, and centres of flora and fauna and centres of endemism endemism; and (iv) those species whose distribution and habitat requirements are not well correlated with any (iv) those species whose distributions and habitat particular ecosystem (JANIS, 1997) requirements are not well correlated with any particular forest ecosystem.

6. reserves should be large enough to sustain the (6A) protected areas, in sum, should be large enough viability, quality and integrity of populations. to sustain the viability, quality and integrity of populations. For particular target populations this will require prioritisation of both reserve and off- reserve areas.

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JANIS Biodiversity Criteria Proposed JANIS Biodiversity Criteria (Commonwealth of Australia, 1997) (Nix and Mackey, 2000) 7. to ensure representativeness, the reserve system (7A) the protected area network should sample the full should, as far as possible, sample the full range of range of biological variation through biological variation within each forest ecosystem, environmental space to ensure by sampling the range of environmental variation representativeness. When translated back into typical of its geographic range and sampling its geographic space, further adjustments may be range of successional stages. necessary to meet the needs of the other biodiversity criteria. 8. in fragmented landscapes, remnants that (8A) in highly fragmented landscapes all remnants are contribute to sampling the full range of biodiversity valuable and should be protected across all land are vital parts of a forest reserve system. The tenures and land uses.” areas should be identified and protected as part of the development of integrated regional conservation strategies.”

15.2.2 Criteria for BBS for vegetation retention and restoration Since there are eight RVCs, four CMBs and one Catchment Management Trust which intersect the BBS, there will be an issue of consistency of criteria and targets across the whole bioregion. However, once developed, these criteria should be reviewed to determine their scientific integrity and may be incorporated into future conservation criteria for the BBS.

Agreed criteria are required which are suitable for the BBS bioregion for biodiversity conservation and identification of biodiversity, natural and cultural values and vegetation retention, restoration and reservation. These criteria need to recognise the conditions within the BBS and set an ecological bottom line. Agreed conservation criteria and adequate datasets, particularly pre-clearing and extant vegetation mapping, are required across the bioregion to form the basis of identification of conservation values and inform decisions regarding retention, restoration, reservation and conservation.

These criteria will need to be considered at a province or landscape level within the BBS.

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15.3 Recommendations

To ensure that national agreed criteria are applied as a minimum requirement and that these are modified to suit bioregional conditions, the following recommendations are made. It is recommended that: R63. a set of western conservation criteria be developed which considers:

S the modified JANIS biodiversity conservation criteria (Nix and Mackey, 2000);

S vegetation restoration targets for vegetation types which have been reduced in extent to less than vegetation reservation and retention target levels;

S RVMPs and CMPs management criteria and other relevant conservation criteria and targets; and

S cultural biodiversity values determined in consultation with Aboriginal communities.

R64. once the western conservation criteria are developed, further detailed studies be carried out to apply the criteria within the BBS; and

R65. a CAR reserve system and protected area network (which includes formal reserves and informal mechanisms) be developed as part of an integrated landscape conservation network across the BBS to adequately conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological processes within the BBS.

134 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 16 CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Consultation and community involvement will be a major ongoing requirement of a successful conservation assessment. Subsequent ownership of any implementation actions will only occur if the community is fully engaged, have an understanding of the process and has the capacity and tools to be involved in the process.

16.1 Current knowledge

Organisations and groups likely to be involved in the BBS conservation assessment as well as relevant Government agencies include RVCs, CMBs, New South Wales National Parks Association, Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales, Landcare groups, Wellington / Dubbo Landcare District Steering Committee, Central West Water Quality Action Group, Western Alliance of Conservation Groups, North West Natural Resource Investment Group, NSW Farmers Association, Aboriginal Land Councils, Dubbo Field Naturalists, Friends of Pilliga and Goonoo and other relevant groups. Individual landholders also have a critical role in developing a comprehensive bioregional assessment for the BBS. Community consultation with Aboriginal communities and groups was established during WRA Stage 1 and is continuing.

One example of a program to involve the community is the Darling Riverine Plains Community Based Nature Conservation Planning project (NHT-funded) which aims to ensure that the bioregional conservation assessment for the Darling Riverine Plains incorporates best practices by providing opportunities for community participation and information exchange at all levels.

The Darling Riverine Plains project featured a high level of involvement and interest by private landholders, individuals and community groups regarding the information gathering and dissemination components of the project.

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16.2 Basic analysis / gaps

Many of these groups have not been involved with bioregional or conservation planning or provided with the bioregional context in which their own planning or land management activities occur. However, the involvement of many of these groups in such processes as RVCs, CMBs, Landcare and NPWS Visions for the New Millennium process means that their understanding and later use of information will add value and ownership to any conservation assessment undertaken within the BBS.

16.3 Recommendations

Any comprehensive and systematic regional assessment of the BBS must include community involvement. Development of a consultation and community involvement program will foster free information exchange between all parties and provide a sense of ownership in the results and outcomes of the assessment. It is proposed that the BBS adopt the methods currently being used as part of the Darling Riverine Plains project as outlined above.

It is recommended that: R66. a Community Consultation and Involvement Program be developed which includes:

S opportunities for all sectors of the regional community to be involved in data gathering (in particular by supporting the community in recording fauna/flora distribution in a manner that can be used in the project) and conservation assessment and planning; S consultation with the Aboriginal Community about traditional ecological knowledge and significant conservation issues; S the provision of training, opportunities, access to networks and incentives for cooperative partnerships with private landholders, local and State Government, non Government organisations, industry and other relevant management authorities to assist in the long term management of key areas for the conservation of biodiversity; and S promotion of the adoption of appropriate long term conservation management practices, through the Land for Wildlife scheme (eg Land for Wildlife property registration and support), wildlife refuges, voluntary conservation agreements, Farming For The Future, Bushcare and practices stipulated in the NVC Act and other programs.

136 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 17 LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Abiotic data

R1. Develop and improve BBS bioregion natural resource database including:

S up-to-date and uniform metallic minerals, industrial minerals and construction material occurrences (some work is currently being undertaken under WRA BBS Stage 2);

S up-to-date and uniform construction materials occurrences;

S up-to-date and uniform wood resources information (some work is currently being undertaken under WRA BBS Stage 2);

S current and historical land use;

S disturbance history;

S ground water and surface water quality and quantity;

S salinity and flood mapping; and

R2. Data be made available for use within Catchment Management Boards and Trusts, Regional Vegetation Committees, River Management Committees, local Councils and Local Aboriginal Land Councils; and

137 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

R3. Province boundaries to be reviewed in light of Strat 5 or future stratifications as further knowledge becomes available.

Fauna

R4. a fauna list, including a list of species of priority for conservation effort, for the BBS be prepared and reviewed for accuracy / completeness by experts;

R8. monitoring sites be established throughout BBS to generate year-round / all-seasons perspective;

R9. areas of high conservation value with respect to fauna be identified including core habitat areas;

R11. fauna modelling be considered for species which have suitable records and / or autecological knowledge available and that this be developed further as information becomes available;

R13. autecological studies of priority fauna be carried out whereby ecology, habitat requirements, and population dynamics etc of a single species or group of species are investigated.

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Flora

R14. a flora list, including a list of species of priority for conservation effort, for the BBS be prepared and reviewed for accuracy / completeness by experts;

R15. further systematic plot-based and targetted flora surveys be undertaken on private / leasehold lands and areas not identified as “woody” vegetation in the MDBC vegetation mapping (for example, wetlands, shrublands, grassland and open woodlands), and to fill gaps in information about woody communities linked to DLWC vegetation mapping and vegetation survey. Priority flora species for targetted surveys may include Threatened, ROTAP or protected species;

R16. analysis be undertaken of flora data in relation to vegetation mapping for the BBS;

R17. information be gathered on current status and limiting factors to assist in defining recovery objectives for threatened flora;

R18. conservation requirements be formulated for native flora;

R19. management strategies be developed for regionally significant and threatened flora species;

R20. modelling be done to predict distribution of potential habitat and critical habitat at a local and regional scale for priority species within the BBS including threatened species, regionally significant and ROTAP species. Current limitations to modelling include that many data layers that could be used in modelling do not cover the entire bioregion, or are not at a compatible scale to be useful at the bioregion level;

R21. existing data sets for the BBS be updated and validated to ensure that the end product of any modelling exercise is meaningful or useful;

R22. responses to disturbance be collated for flora species for use in population viability analysis and risk assessments and formulation of conservation requirements.

R23. autecological studies of targeted flora be undertaken whereby ecology, distribution etc of a single species or group of species is investigated;

R24. monitoring sites be established for flora across all tenures in the BBS. It is recommended that these monitoring sites be linked to the fauna monitoring sites;

R25. studies on the distribution and abundance of cryptogam (mosses, liverworts and lichens) biodiversity be undertaken; and

R26. a flora report be produced with datasets and species / community profiles suitable for use in conservation planning processes.

Other biota

R27. data collation and an audit be undertaken regarding invertebrates, aquatic vertebrates, macroinvertebrates and fish within the BBS; and

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Vegetation

R29. formulate a consistent plant community list for the BBS;

Eucalyptus nubila The rare, threatened or highly cleared and modified vegetation overstorey types are: Cadellia pentastylis (TSC Act )

semi-evergreen vine thicket (TSC Act)

Corymbia tessellaris (TSC Act)

Austrostipa aristiglumis (TSC Act)

Acacia harpophylla (EPBC Act)

Eucalyptus viridis

Eucalyptus dumosa

Eucalyptus melliodora

Eucalyptus conica

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

R31. complete comprehensive and uniform bioregion-wide vegetation mapping derived from structural and floristic data including:

S native ecosystem mapping for all extant forest, native grasslands, wetlands, shrublands and woodlands for use in formulation of conservation requirements by vegetation communities;

S growth stage mapping to assist in identifying ecologically mature forest, woodlands, regrowth areas and other classes;

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S a vegetation mapping framework to be based on Strat 5 or future, more comprehensive stratifications.

R32. develop a general model of biological variation within mapped vegetation types, in relation to environmental and geographical gradients;

R33. develop a measure of the performance of vegetation mapping and alternative native ecosystem derivations as a surrogates for estimating biodiversity value within the BBS;

R34. develop a model or estimation of pre-clearing / pre-1750 vegetation types and native ecosystem extent for use in formulation of reservation / retention targets;

R35. describe and map endangered ecological communities within the BBS; and

Ecosystems

R37. ecosystems be defined and mapped at a useable resolution across the whole of the BBS to assist conservation assessment and reservation or restoration of the endangered ecological communities. Definition of ecosystems within the BBS should take into account work currently being undertaken by NPWS for the State Biodiversity Strategy project. This should include a review and analysis of ecosystems derived from the ecosystems project and their applicability to conservation assessments within the BBS; and

R38. further endangered ecological communities be defined and mapped as information becomes available.

Ecological processes

R39. ecological processes operating in the BBS be identified and a detailed understanding of those processes be developed;

R40. detailed information be gathered for each province about key threatening processes and the effects of those processes; and

R41. monitoring strategies to measure the effects of the threatening processes and the effectiveness of ecosystem management be developed.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

R42. more cultural heritage surveys be undertaken across all tenures within the BBS;

R43. information be gathered about the significance to Aboriginal people of biodiversity across all tenures in the BBS with appropriate members of local Aboriginal

141 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

communities. Assessment of conservation significance of this information be given equal weighting to other measures of assigning significance to natural areas. Further, that this information be treated as sensitive where appropriate;

R45. Aboriginal cultural information at the landscape level and cultural heritage site information be prepared for use in conservation assessment by Aboriginal people;

R47. a comprehensive assessment of current protective mechanisms for Aboriginal sites, existing management practices and an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of site management;

R48. a comprehensive strategy for site management be established;

R49. results of flora and fauna surveys be integrated with Aboriginal site and landform data and that alternative sampling strategies that incorporate Aboriginal ecological values be developed;

R50. there be opportunities for Aboriginal people to be involved in data gathering and conservation assessment and planning; and

R51. there be further development of comprehensive Aboriginal land use modelling based on cultural ecology and geomorphology for the BBS.

Wilderness

R52. the outcomes of any bioregional assessment of flora, fauna, vegetation, ecosystems and cultural heritage values be used in a bioregional wilderness project that seeks to define areas of high wilderness values in the BBS. This project should take into consideration the 8 000ha minimum limit for a wilderness area to be declared, but should also include, however, the assessment of wilderness values for areas smaller than this for possible protection by other means;

R53. sympathetic management be considered for areas provisionally identified as having wilderness value; and

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Biodiversity

R56. polices are developed and implemented to ensure ongoing conservation assessment in the bioregion as information available about biodiversity increases;

R57. a CAR reserve system and protected area network be established to adequately conserve biodiversity in the BBS; and

Conservation assessment and planning

R60. the attached technical framework is used to guide further conservation assessment work and funding in the BBS in relation to biodiversity conservation;

R61. the above assessment (R60) be done using GIS-based decision support tools when they are refined and when more comprehensive datasets are available; and

R62. a preliminary bioregional landscape framework be prepared with various options for interpreting conservation management including integration of conservation and production such as:

S lists and descriptions of priority plant communities and priority conservation areas (for example, largest remaining areas of native vegetation, corridors, wetlands and rivers)

S identification of areas of priority for restoration and regeneration such as regional corridor networks

S identification of other areas of regional significance such as aquifer recharge zones and significant catchments for management actions.

Conservation criteria, targets and the ecological bottom line

R63. a set of western conservation criteria be developed which incorporate:

143 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report

S the modified JANIS biodiversity conservation criteria (Nix and Mackey, 2000);

S vegetation restoration targets for vegetation types which have been reduced in extent to less than vegetation reservation and retention target levels;

S RVMPs and CMPs management criteria and other relevant conservation criteria and targets; and

S cultural biodiversity values determined in consultation with Aboriginal communities.

R64. once the western conservation criteria are developed, further detailed be carried out to apply the criteria within the BBS; and

Consultation and community involvement

R66. a Community Consultation and Involvement Program be developed which includes:

144 Brigalow Belt South Scoping Report 18 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Develop consistent natural resource and biodiversity database for BBS including: Priority High S Develop and improve natural resource database including tenure, administrative, geology, soils, minerals, construction materials, wood resources, landuse, disturbance history, water quality and quantity, and land capability (R1);

High S Further vegetation, ecosystem, community, growth stage, disturbance history mapping (R12, R29, R31, R34, R36, R35, R37); High S Improved biodiversity and cultural heritage survey effort across bioregion to include woodlands and non-woody vegetation types eg wetlands, grasslands, shrublands (R5, R15); High S Further sampling across all tenures (flora, fauna, cultural heritage) (R5, R15, R42, R46); Medium S Autecological and targeted studies including response to disturbance, limiting factors, habitat requirements and threatening processes (R5, R7, R10, R11, R13, R15, R17, R18, R19, R22, R23); Medium S Establishment of monitoring sites and / or management strategies for flora, fauna, communities and ecological processes (R8, R18, R24, R39, R41); Medium S Compile comprehensive and accurate flora, fauna, community and priority species lists and profiles for these within the BBS (R4, R7, R14, R26, R30, R35, R38); Medium S Detailed information gathered on ecological processes including threatening processes and their impact on biodiversity (R39, R40); Medium S Undertake modelling and evaluate and develop surrogates to assist in definition of species assemblages, species distribution, ecosystem mapping, biological variation and critical habitat within the BBS (R6, R16, R20, R32, R33, R34, R37); Medium S Undertake data collation and audit on fish, macroinvertebrates, aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates to create a database for use in biodiversity assessment (R27, R28); Low S Undertake review of province boundaries in light of stratifications (R3); and Low S Collate distribution and abundance data for cryptogam diversity (R25).

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Undertake comprehensive conservation assessment Priority High S Integration of all data (R47, R55, R57, R59, R60); High S Areas of conservation value and wilderness value and potential protection measures identified (R9, R20, R21, R22, R52, R53, R56, R59, R62); and High S Use of Aboriginal cultural information at a landscape level in conservation assessment (R43, R45, R51).

Development of CAR reserve system and integrated landscape framework in western and central NSW Priority High S Estimation of pre-clearing vegetation extent for use in formulation of reservation / retention targets (R34, R36); High S Formulation of conservation requirements for flora and fauna (R7, R10, R18, R19, R22); High S Core habitat areas identified (R9, R12); High S Western conservation criteria be developed and operationalised (R56, R61, R63, R65); Medium-High S Consideration of off-reserve conservation programs (R58, R64); and Medium S Nominated wilderness areas and areas provisionally identified as having wilderness value be assessed within the BBS (R54). Cultural knowledge of biodiversity recorded Priority High S Access for Aboriginal people to information and expertise regarding site significance and investigation of an area (R43, R46); High S Overview of protective mechanisms for Aboriginal sites and management practices (R47, R48); High S Integration of flora and fauna surveys with Aboriginal site and landform data (R49); High S Further development of comprehensive Aboriginal land use modelling based on cultural ecology and geomorphology (R51); and Medium S Compare Aboriginal usage of plants with scientific knowledge of species (R44). Community consultation and involvement Priority High S Ensure information available to planning groups and the Aboriginal community (R2; R46, R66); Medium S Provide opportunities for involvement in data gathering (R43, R44, R46, R50, R66); and Medium S Provide incentives, skills, opportunities to assist in long-term management of key areas for conservation (R66).

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160 Brigalow Belt South, NSW Bioregional Conservation Assessment Scoping Report – APPENDICES

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service APPENDICES

1 State Forests within the BBS 2 NSW NPWS metadata framework proforma 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise 4 DLWC Soils 5 MDBC Soil Landforms 6 Soil landforms and relief for the MDB dataset description 7 MDBC Lithology 8 Woody vegetation within the BBS 9 Data audit of the BBS 10 Woody calculations by province and tenure 11 Native fauna recorded within the BBS (other than Threatened or Treaty Species) 12 Regionally significant fauna 13 Native flora recorded within the BBS – exclusive of TSC Act and ROTAP species 14 Exotic flora recorded in the BBS 15 Area of environmental strata Vs number of systematic flora and fauna sites 16 NSW Bioregional Assessments 17 Streams by catchment in the BBS 18 BBS (QLD) Landsystems and ecosystems by province 19 SBS Projects relating to Priority Action 13 20 BBS Conservation Assessment draft technical framework 21 Technical framework program areas relating to Conservation Assessment and Planning Framework APPENDIX 1: STATE FORESTS WITHIN BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH BIOREGION

State Forest Hectares Intersecting BBS State Forest Hectares Intersecting BBS Baby 255.3 Kelvin 454.8 Bailadoran 329.7 Kerringle 6,695.3 Baradine 10,035.6 Killarney 1,857.8 Bebo 14,281.6 Leard 8,688.5 Beni 1,835.9 Lincoln 3,434.9 Berrygill 2,237.0 Merriwindi 6,583.0 Bibblewindi 7,395.2 Minnon 2,416.5 Biddon 3,687.6 Mission 1,265.8 Black Jack 191.1 Moema 1,996.3 Bobbiwaa 2,676.0 Mogriguy 398.9 Boyben 2,571.7 Munmurra 842.2 Breelong 1,150.6 Orr 6,747.6 Breeza 1,379.9 Parkhurst 582.4 Bullala 2,620.8 Pilliga East 187,334.9 Bullawa Creek 98.7 Pilliga West 72,944.0 Bunal 1,031.3 Pine Ridge 352.2 Campbell 382.4 Plagyan 654.4 Cobbora 3,723.4 Quegobla 6,150.5 Coomore Creek 4,200.9 Rusden 563.7 Couradda 361.6 Ruttley 612.6 Cubbo 5,810.2 Spring Ridge 1,014.5 Culgoora 1,314.5 Stonehenge 529.6 Cumbil 7,594.5 Strathmore 390.3 Curban 197.9 Stuart 125.0 Curryall 1,079.6 Terry Hie Hie 5,389.9 Denobollie 6,492.2 Timmallallie 17,821.8 Deriah 2,239.9 Tinkrameanah 969.0 Dilly 65.8 Trinkey 10,227.8 Doona 1,326.9 Turill 1,051.6 Drillwarrina 1,077.3 Vickery 1,941.9 Durridgere 1,797.8 Warialda 1,085.2 Eringanerin 7.8 Warung 2,762.6 Etoo 5,033.3 Waubebunga 104.4 Euligal 11,151.5 Wittenbra 12,602.7 Eumungerie 135.4 Wondoba 1,675.1 Eura 2,265.8 Yalcogrin 930.0 Garrawilla 920.7 Yaminba 1,843.5 Goodiman 406.7 Yarindury 1,434.0 Goonoo 62,766.7 Yarrigan 3,144.1 Goran 502.4 Yarrobil 326.9 Gunyerwarildi 315.5 Yearinan 3,134.4 Irrigappa 899.2 Yetman 468.6 Jacks Creek 10,134.2 Total 564,005.0 Janewindi 473.6 APPENDIX 2: NSW NPWS METADATA FRAMEWORK PROFORMA

CATEGORY CORE METADATA 1 DESCRIPTION ELEMENT

Dataset Title Bioregional Strategy for NSW Landscape Layer Custodian New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS) Contact Address Contact organisation New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS). Biodiversity Survey and Research Division (BSRD). Systematic Conservation Planning Unit. Contact position Manager Systematic Conservation Planning Unit Mail address PO Box 402 (87 Faulkner Street) Suburb/place/locality Armidale State NSW Postcode 2350 Telephone 02 6773 7128 Facsimile 02 6772 2424 Electronic mail address Email: [email protected] Description Abstract In the absence of a consistent classification of vegetation types or biophysical environments across New South Wales, we divided the State into 1486 “landscapes” . The landscapes have two roles in this study: as surrogates for biodiversity and as units that reflect the influence on land use of geology, ruggedness, and administrative and climatic constraints. For both roles, we needed a classification system that could be developed across all tenures and land uses. Theme Geoscience Keywords State landscapes Project Bioregional Strategy for New South Wales – N201 Geographic extent NSW Bounding coordinates Bottom left – 10500N 79500E Top right – 1150500N 1407500E Type of feature Grid Dataset Currency Beginning date 1992 Ending date 12/1998 Digital Data Capture Beginning date 1994 Date Ending date 12/1998 Dataset Status Progress Complete Maintenance and update Unknown frequency Dataset Format Software Arcview (Version 3.1)

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 2 Pressey Landscape Metadata.doc Page 1 of 3 Computer operating system 1.1 Windows NT Version 4 Location of data Systematic Conservation Planning Unit (BSRD) – Armidale. Filename D:\NSW_Reserves\Data_Layers\Vulnerability\r3g_prov_nv3 Dataset size 0.87MB Map Specifications Number of maps Map name(s) and number(s) Scale of source map(s) Location of original map(s) Mapped by Map(s) digitised by Access Available format types Digital – ARC/INFO (ArcView) Available format forms CD-ROM Access constraints NSW State Government Conservation Agencies (NPWS, DLWC, EPA) Use constraints NSW State Government Conservation Agencies (NPWS, DLWC, EPA) Data Quality Lineage The landscape layer for the project was derived from 4 datasets which had previously been acquired or derived for the project: S Divisional boundaries and climatic limit; S Provinces; S Geology; and S Ruggedness.

Divisional boundaries and climatic limit - New South Wales is divided into three administrative Divisions; Eastern, Central and Western. The Western Division is a semi-arid region covering about 40% of the State and has been managed differently from land further east since it was established legislatively in 1884 (Hardy, 1969; Parliament of New South Wales, 1983). It remains largely in leasehold, not private, tenure. Historically, clearing and cropping in the Western Division have been more closely regulated than elsewhere in the State (Pressey, 1990; Campbell, 1994). This has led to a greater extent of vegetation cover on the western side of some parts of the Division’s boundary.

Within the Western Division, a line can be defined that separates areas in the south and east which are climatically suitable for clearing and cropping from areas further inland where applications for clearing and dryland cropping are either not submitted or not approved.

We used these administrative and climatic divisions to break NSW into three broad areas (generically called divisions); S west of the Western Division climatic constraint; S east of the Western Division climatic constraint, but still within the Western Division; and S the Central and Eastern Divisions combined.

Provinces - used the state-wide province layer derived for this project.

Geology - used the state-wide geology layer derived for this project.

Ruggedness - the state-wide ruggedness layer acquired for the project was classified into 3 catagories to reflect

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 2 Pressey Landscape Metadata.doc Page 2 of 3 strong differences in land use and tenure; S Low ruggedness (0 - 33); S Moderate ruggedness (34 - 105); and S High ruggedness (106 - 264).

The four layers were then combined using the ArcView comand; Landscapes = Combine(Divisions, Provinces, Geology, Ruggedness (3 classes))

The combining of these four layers produced a state-wide layer of 1486 unique classifications which were refered to as landscapes. Positional accuracy Attribute accuracy Hardy, B., 1969. West of the Darling. Jacaranda Press, Brisbane. Parliament of New South Wales, 1983. First Report from the Joint Select Committee of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly to Enquire into the Western Division of New South Wales. Government Printer, Sydney. Pressey, R.L., 1990. Clearing and conservation in the Western Division of New South Wales. National Parks Journal 34(6), 16-24. Campbell, D., 1994. Clearing and cultivation in the Western Division. In: Lunney, D., Hand, S., Reed, P., Butcher, D., (Eds.), Future of the Fauna of Western New South Wales. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney, pp. 201-205. Logical consistency Completeness This layer is current and complete as at December 1998. Notes Notes Metadata Date Metadata date 10/08/1999 Metadata Sheet Metadata sheet compiled by Stephen Wall (Project Officer, Systematic Conservation Planning Unit, BSRD, Armidale) Compiled By

Further Information Further information Email: [email protected] Ph: (02) 6773 7206

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 2 Pressey Landscape Metadata.doc Page 3 of 3 APPENDIX 3: STRATIFICATION FOR BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH SCOPING EXERCISE

1.1 St_soilmerge C Gridded MDBC soil landforms at 25m C Grided DLWC 1:2 million scale soils at 25m C Merged these two grids, giving priority to finer scale MDBC data. NB: This was done to fill the gap in the MDBC dataset over 347267 ha of the Liverpool Range Province.

Image of st_soilmerge showing gap in coverage filled by DLWC Soils at 1:2000000.

1.2 St_avrain2 C Constrained 250m statewide average annual rainfall grid to BBS C Reclassified grid cells into 3 classes based on natural breaks 1. 468 – 600 mm 2. 601 – 696 mm 3. 697 – 1056 mm

Image of st_avrain2 showing 3 classes based on natural breaks.

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise.doc 28/08/02 1.3 St_avtemp2 C Constrained 250m statewide average annual temperature grid to BBS C Reclassified grid cells into 3 classes based on natural breaks 1. 105 – 160 (LC x 10) ie. 10.5 – 16.0LC 2. 161 – 177 (LC x 10) ie. 16.1 – 17.7LC 3. 178 – 194 (LC x 10) ie. 17.8 – 19.4LC

Image of st_avtemp2 showing 3 classes based on natural breaks.

1.4 Strat5 Created using the ArcGRID command COMBINE with the following syntax:

Strat5 = combine(st_soilmerge, st_avrain2, st_avtemp2)

Resultant grid (250m cell resolution) has 184 strata with a key to the values of each input grid.

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise.doc 28/08/02 METADATA CORE METADATA DESCRIPTION CATEGORY ELEMENT DATASET Title Environmental Stratification 5

Custodian National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Jurisdiction New South Wales

DESCRIPTION Abstract Stratification derived to define environmental units within the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion. Generated by combining three grids, average annual temperature, average annual rainfall, (both derived by NPWS Head Office, and split into 3 classes based on natural breaks) and merged soils 1:2 million and soil landforms (50 categories).

Search Word(s) ECOLOGY landscape BOUNDARIES biophysical Geographic Extent Brigalow Belt South Name(s) GEN Category IBRA

GEN Custodial New South Wales Jurisdiction GEN Name Brigalow Belt South

Geographic Extent Polygon(s) Geographic Bounding Box North Bounding Latitude South Bounding Latitude East Bounding Longitude West Bounding Longitude DATA CURRENCY Beginning date 19/01/2001

Ending date 19/01/2001

DATASET STATUS Progress Complete

Maintenance and update Not planned frequency

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise.doc 28/08/02 METADATA CORE METADATA DESCRIPTION CATEGORY ELEMENT ACCESS Stored Data Format DIGITAL Grid

Available format types DIGITAL ArcView DIGITAL ARC/INFO

Access constraints None.

DATA QUALITY Lineage Three Grids combined using ArcView Spatial Analyst Average Annual Rainfall Grid (mm) – 250m cell size, Generated by NPWS HO from supplied DEM (250m), split into 3 classes using Natural Breaks, Average Annual Temperature Grid (degrees Celcius) – 250m cell size Generated by NPWS HO from supplied DEM Soil 1:2million – DLWC Broad Soil Classes – 25m cell size merged with MDBC Soil Landforms – 25m cell size giving priority to the finer scale MDBC data Resulting Grid contains 184 classes each representing an environmental unit

Positional accuracy Positional accuracy depends on accuracy of source data

Attribute accuracy Attribute accuracy depends on the accuracy of the combined datasets

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise.doc 28/08/02 METADATA CORE METADATA DESCRIPTION CATEGORY ELEMENT

DATA QUALITY Logical consistency Not relevant (continued)

Completeness Not relevant

CONTACT Contact organisation Western Regional Assessment Unit, ADDRESS NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Contact position GIS Co -ordinator

Mail Address 1 211 Macquarie Street

Mail Address 2 PO Box 2111

Suburb/Place/ Dubbo Locality State NSW

Country Australia

Postcode 2380

Telephone 02 68419201

Facsimile 02 68419222

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise.doc 28/08/02 METADATA CORE METADATA DESCRIPTION CATEGORY ELEMENT Electronic mail address [email protected]

METADATA DATE Metadata date 06/02/02

ADDITIONAL Additional Metadata METADATA Unknown

EXTENDED Type of feature Grid cell DESCRIPTION DETAILS Attribute/Field List Value Count St_soilmerge_grp St_avrain2_grp St_avtemp2_grp Legend Hectares Attribute/Field Value – Stratification Number Description Count – no of grid cells (25m) St_soilmerge_grp – Soil attribute St_avrain2_grp – rainfall classes (mm) St_avtemp2_grp – temperature classes (degrees celcius) Legend – combination of above three attributes for display purposes Hectares – area of each stratum

Scale/Resolution 25m grid cell size

DATASET Software ArcView 3.2, spatial analyst ENVIRONMENT Computer Operating Windows NT System Dataset Size 450KB

M:\gisd\ssu\IBCA\brigalow belt\Appendix 3 Stratification for BBS Scoping Exercise.doc 28/08/02 APPENDIX 4: DLWC SOILS

There is a complete soil coverage of the BBS mapped at very low resolution (1:2000000). This mapping was carried out by DLWC and is current as at 1988. The table below shows the soil classes and the surficial extent within BBS.

Soil Group Hectares in BBS Deep black cracking clays 1434478 Massive red and yellow earths 1274946 Coarsely cracking grey and brown clays 833362 Red-brown earths 749342 Shallow black self-mulching clays 337602 Yellow and red texture contrast soils 282195 Deep structured red clay loams 121141 Deep alluvial loams 121117 Shallow loams 70077 Deep friable red and brown clays 13465 Stony sandy loams 6443 Scalded red texture contrast soils 4706 APPENDIX 5: MDBC SOIL LANDFORMS

MDBC Soil Landforms for Brigalow Belt South sorted by area of coverage. Lithofacies Description Hectares Js, Sandstone, mixed sediments 1346819 Cza, Mixed alluvium, Eastern tributaries 800174 Cza, Fine colluvium, Eastern tributaries 582133 Czv, Basalt, trachyte, volcanic sediments 530487 Jm, Sandstone, shale, mixed sediments 257843 Cza, Silt, clay, sand, backplain, Carrabear Formation 237099 Cza, Silt and sand, meander plain, Carrabear Formation 207414 Cza, Floodplain, Eastern tributaries 173591 Rm, Siltstone, sandstone, mixed sediments 122815 Cza, Meander belt, Eastern tributaries 115518 Jv, Basalt, unsaturated volcanics 106931 Rs, Sandstone, conglomerate, mixed sediments 85969 Cza, Loamy colluvium 58895 Cza, Alluvium, undifferentiated 44846 Cza, Silty clay, crevasse splay, Bugwah Formation 40436 Pm, Mixed sediments, shale, conglomerate 31526 Czs, Sand, gravel, sandstone 31048 Cza, Sump basins, salinas, Eastern tributaries 23517 Ps, Conglomerate, sandstone 17424 Cs, Sandstone, mixed sediments 14741 Cza, Silty clay, backplain, Bugwah Formation 14130 Pv, Rhyolite, ignimbrite 11019 Cza, Silt and clay, meander plain, Marra Creek Formation 7811 Czr, Colluvium, sand 7507 Cza, Clay, backplain, Marra Creek Formation 5510 Ks, Sandstone, lutite 5410 Dvr, Rhyolite, volcanics 3726 SDs, Shale, siltstone 3669 Cza, Alluvial terrace, Eastern tributaries 2764 Cza, Silt and clay, backplain, Marra Creek Formation 2412 Os, Sandstone, mixed sediments, siltstone 2343 SDcl, Sandstone, mixed sediments, conglomerate 1841 Ov, Basalt, andesite 1593 Cza, Silt, meander plain, Bugwah Formation 1321 SDg, Granite, granitoids 890 Pg, Granite 802 Ci, Granite, aplite 340 Cza, Sand, channel 313 SDls, Limestone 204 Cza, Silty clay, floodbasin, Marra Creek Formation 186 Cuv, Volcanic sediments, andesite 167 Rg, Granite, syenite, adamellite 88 SDb, Mafic lava, gabbro, andesite 6

APPENDIX 6: SOIL-LANDFORMS AND RELIEF OF THE MURRAY-DARLING BASIN DATASET DESCRIPTION

Citation

Unique Record ID: ANZCW1201000012 Title: Soil-Landforms and Relief of the Murray-Darling Basin Originator: Custodian: Murray-Darling Basin Commission Jurisdiction: Australia

Description

Abstract:

Soil-Landforms of the Murray-Darling Basin was compiled as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Soil Information Strategy (MDBSIS) and is designed to provide information on soils for natural resource management and planning at the Catchment Management Committee level or over broader regions. The GIS contains information on each soil-landform class including lithofacies description, relief category and proportions of dominant Principal Profile Forms; reliability and data quality statistics. The soil-landforms data is derived from an integration of state soil databases, lithology and relief information. A rule-based method was used to fill in areas lacking adequate soil information. A hard copy map for the soil landforms is available and contains the same as the digital data excluding reliability and data quality statistics. The soil-landform map, including look-up tables and a relief map are available in digital form. Relief data are embedded in the soil landforms GIS in appropriate attributes and look-up table.

ANZLIC Search Words:

S GEOSCIENCES Geology S GEOSCIENCES Geomorphology S SOIL S SOIL

Spatial Domain:

Geographic Extent Name: MURRAY-DARLING BASIN,Australia Geographic Extent Polygon: Long: 130 Lat: -28 Bounding Coordinates: S North Bounding Coordinate: -28 S South Bounding Coordinate: -37 S East Bounding Coordinate: 152 S West Bounding Coordinate: 130

Data Currency

Beginning Date:

Ending Date:

Dataset Status

Progress: Complete

Maintenance and Update Frequency: As required

Access

Stored Data Format:

Digital: DIGITAL ARC/INFO

Available Format Type:

Digital: DIGITAL ARC/INFO

Access Constraints:

MDBC copyright conditions apply (see Terms & Conditions)

Data Quality

Lineage: Source data for this map can be divided into three main categories: soil, lithofacies and relief data. Soil data were derived from soil (1:100,000 and 1:250,000; 1959-94), soil landscape (1:100,000 and 1:250,000; 1990-97) and land system (1:250,000 and 1:500,000; 1974-91) maps. A number of the maps were not available in a digital form and were digitised for this project. Soil data were statistically extrapolated (1998) in areas of the Murray-Darling Basin where existing records were either non-existent or of insufficient quality. Lithofacies data were derived from the digital AGSO map, Geology of the Murray- Darling Basin (1:1,000,000; 1998), and a digitised Geomorphic Map of the Riverine Plain (1:500,000; 1973) combined with statistical lithofacies extrapolations (1998) to increase the spatial detail in the Darling alluvial plain. Relief data were derived (1998) from the GEODATA 9-Second DEM of Australia (250m pixel, 1996) as the elevation difference between the nearest ridge up-slope and nearest major stream down-slope of each cell. The soil-landforms were created (1998) by intersecting classes of lithofacies with relief and attributing soil and quality data.

Positional Accuracy: The Soil-Landforms map is largely a composite product and the positional accuracy depends on the source of the lithofacies and DEM data. Based on the scales of the lithofacies source data, input horizontal positional accuracy would range from 25m to 250m. However, as all polygonal input data were rasterised to a 250m cell size for processing, the horizontal positional accuracy of the final product would be 250m. The positional accuracy metadata for the GEODATA 9-Second DEM is "Not documented." This is the source of the vertical positional data for the Soil-Landforms map.

Attribute Accuracy: The accuracy of soil type information is defined through a reliability statement. In previously mapped areas the reliability is determined from the scale of mapping and the nature of the mapping, ie., whether soil type allocation to polygons was the principal aim of the mapping exercise or not. Reliability in areas where soil type was statistically mapped is derived from the uncertainty coefficients and model fitting accuracy associated with the mapping and the assumption that the maximum reliability would equate to 1:250 000 scale soil association mapping. The soil type reliability ratings are provided as a separate ARC/INFO coverage named RELIABIL (available with the Soil-Landforms map). Map quality statistics attributed to the soil-landform polygons were derived as mean values within each polygon. They contain no internal statement of accuracy.

Logical Consistency: The Soil-Landforms coverage was created by the conversion of grid to polygon data within the GIS package (ARC/INFO). A visual check of the map was performed to detect flaws in the resulting linework and the attributes described in the plotted key. Topological consistency checking ensured a logical polygon structure and the allocation of one label per polygon.

Completeness: Due to the nominal 1:250,000 scale of this map and its corresponding conventional minimum legible area of 2.5 square km, polygons smaller than this area were not represented. To assist interpretation of the plotted map, soil-landform class numbers have been shown on many polygons. Space limitations meant that class numbers were only plotted on polygons larger than 100 square km. For complete coverage of the Murray-Darling Basin, soil data required extrapolation across 34% and lithofacies data across 15% of the basin area where existing information was insufficient. Extrapolation model reliability was assessed and documented in polygon attributes but field verification of these predictions was not possible within the budget, scope and timeframe of the project. The data presented for the remainder of the Murray-Darling Basin were derived from published surveys.

Contact Information

Contact Organisation: Murray-Darling Basin Commission

Contact Position: Geographic Information Scientist Postal Address: GPO Box 409

City: CANBERRA

State: ACT

Country: Australia

Postcode: 2601

Telephone: 02 6279 0100

Facsimile: 02 6248 8053

Electronic Mail Address: [email protected]

Metadata Information

Metadata Date: 2000-07-29

Metadata Person:Social Change Online APPENDIX 7: MDBC LITHOLOGY

Layer of lithology produced by the MDBC which covers 93% of the BBS, missing most of the Liverpool Range Province.

Table showing the lithology groups (sorted by hectares within BBS). Lithology Group Hectares in BBS Cainozoic alluvium 2322688 Jurassic coarse-grained sediments 1324999 Cainozoic volcanics 546373 Jurassic fine-grained sediments 252802 Triassic fine-grained sediments 118349 Jurassic volcanics 110503 Triassic coarse-grained sediments 89591 Permian fine-grained sediments 33991 Cainozoic residual and aeolian sands 31396 Permian coarse-grained sediments 16253 Carboniferous metasediments 14857 Permian volcanics 11261 Cainozoic colluvial surfaces 7217 Cretaceous coarse-grained sediments 5053 Silurian - Early Devonian fine-grained sediments 4752 Devonian volcanics 3513 Ordovician metasediments 3145 Silurian - Early Devonian coarse-grained sediments 1692 Ordovician volcanics 1583 Silurian - Devonian granites 1404 Permian granites 884 Carboniferous granites 329 Carboniferous acid volcanics 294 Triassic granites 293 Limestones (undifferentiated) 226 Cainozoic lacustrine sediments 149 Silurian - Devonian basic rocks 53 Cainozoic duricrusts 17

APPENDIX 8: Woody Vegetation within Brigalow Belt South

total regions(all): 224911 total ha: 1227847 total regions(public): 8741 total ha: 621273 total regions(private): 216618 total ha: 606546

100+ hectare blocks all public private total ha: 1088650 616685 470244 total blocks: 424 81 403

under 100 hectare blocks all public private total ha: 139197 4588 136302 total blocks: 224487 8660 216215

500+ hectare blocks all public private total ha: 1032580 607644 413305 total blocks: 158 50 131

under 500 hectare blocks all public private total ha: 195267 13629 193241 total blocks: 224753 8691 216487

1000+ hectare blocks all public private total ha: 984654 596991 365514 total blocks: 88 35 61

under 1000 hectare blocks all public private total ha: 243193 24282 241032 total blocks: 224823 8706 216557

NB: Public refers to vegetation occurring on SFNSW or NPWS tenure

true hectares: 1248986 cumulative rounding error: 21139

E:\brent\docs\newwoodycalcs.doc 28/08/02 Woody Vegetation within Brigalow Belt South (expanded regions) total regions(all): 80488 total ha: 1242612 total regions(public): 689 total ha: 622083 total regions(private): 79927 total ha: 620523

100+ hectare blocks all public private total ha: 1147655 620657 525836 total blocks: 356 64 345 under 100 hectare blocks all public private total ha: 94957 1426 94687 total blocks: 80132 625 79582

500+ hectare blocks all public private total ha: 1097826 614668 474972 total blocks: 115 42 99 under 500 hectare blocks all public private total ha: 144786 7415 145551 total blocks: 80373 647 79828

1000+ hectare blocks all public private total ha: 1065270 602193 440812 total blocks: 70 26 51 under 1000 hectare blocks all public private total ha: 177342 19890 179711 total blocks: 80418 663 79876

NB: Public refers to vegetation occurring on SFNSW or NPWS tenure true hectares: 1248986 cumulative rounding error: 6374

E:\brent\docs\newwoodycalcs.doc 28/08/02 Methods used: The previous are calculations performed on the MDBC woody / non-woody layer.

Woody Vegetation within Brigalow Belt South:

S MDBC Woody/Non-Woody grid reclassified so that “woody” cells were assigned a value of 1 and all other cells were assigned “No Data”

S Resultant grid had a REGIONGROUP command performed using Spatial Analyst to define discrete blocks of vegetation. All cells of equal value within the 8-cell neighbourhood of each cell were considered connected if they adjoined either orthogonally or diagonally.

S Regiongrouped grid cut to tenure (public) using the following syntax: [tenure grid].con([regiongrouped grid],[tenure grid])

S Regiongrouped grid cut to “off-tenure” (private) using the following syntax: ([tenure grid].isnull).con([regiongrouped grid],0.asgrid) then values of 0 reclassified to “No Data”

S Blocks of contiguous vegetation were then analysed according to their size and tenure.

S Grids produced named: Woodyreg (MDBC woody layer for BBS regiongrouped) Woodyregpub (woodyreg cut to public lands ie. SFNSW or NPWS estate) Woodyregpri (woodyreg cut to all other tenure)

Woody Vegetation within Brigalow Belt South (expanded regions):

S MDBC Woody/Non-Woody grid reclassified so that “woody” cells were assigned a value of 1 and all other cells were assigned “No Data”

S Resultant grid expanded by one cell using the EXPAND request in Spatial Analyst.

S Expanded grid had a REGIONGROUP command performed using Spatial Analyst to define discrete blocks of vegetation. All cells of equal value within the 8-cell neighbourhood of each cell were considered connected if they adjoined only orthogonally.

S Expanded regions assigned to original non-expanded woody layer extent using the CON request in Spatial Analyst. This resulted in discrete blocks of woody vegetation being considered as the same group if they were within 56m of each other. Resultant grid named woodyexp4reg

S woodyexp4reg cut to tenure (public) using the following syntax: [tenure grid].con([woodyexp4reg],[tenure grid])

S woodyexp4reg cut to “off-tenure” (private) using the following syntax: ([tenure grid].isnull).con([woodyexp4reg],0.asgrid) then values of 0 reclassified to “No Data”

S Blocks of contiguous vegetation were then analysed according to their size and tenure.

S Grids produced named: Woodyregx4pub (woodyexp4reg cut to public lands ie. SFNSW or NPWS estate) Woodyregx4pri (woodyexp4reg cut to all other tenure)

E:\brent\docs\newwoodycalcs.doc 28/08/02 APPENDIX 9: DATA AUDIT OF THE BRIGALOW BELT SOUTH BIOREGION

Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset Murray Darling Basin Murray LAN Landsat Imagery/Ground 1: 100 000 Woody and Non-woody 97.45 Commission – Structural Darling Survey vegetation across the Vegetation Dataset (M305 Basin DOI:1990s entire Murray Darling Mapping) Commission DOM:1990-1994 Basin. Structural vegetation data including type, density, growth form. Coonabarabran Shire John LAN Aerial photos Field survey 1: 50 000 Vegetation Community 14.33 Vegetation (Whitehead) Whitehead Based on RN17(Research Transects in name (eg White Cypress Notes No 17 revised 100 m Ironbark) associations 1989)and M305 mapping sections (eg Bloodwood, classifications Stringybark, Red Gum, DOI: 1994&1997 Oak) and Locations (eg DOM:1998-2000 sandy and Rocky Ridges). NSW NPWS Vegetation Mapping Eastern Bushlands Database NPWS LAN Landsat Imagery 1: 250 000 Broad vegetation 22 1: 100 000 systems for the eastern coast, ranges and tablelands. Native Vegetation of the NPWS LAN Aerial Photos, Satellite 1: 50 000 Vegetation names and 28.33 Northern Wheatbelt (Sivertsen) imagery ,DOI: 1970s, (1970s/80s communities (eg 1980s mapping) Western Poplar Box 1990s Woodlands, with a map DOM: 1970s – 1990s. code of P4 West out of series 5). Towarri Vegetation Community. NPWS Email Aerial Photos DOI: 1994 1: 25 000 Vegetation labels (eg 0.06 Profiles Limited Ground Truthing OF1 = Open Forest 1). Manobalai NR Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photos 1: 25 000 Vegetation community <0.01 Communities. DOI: 1993 name (eg Narrabeen Limited Ground Truthing Sheltered Dry Forest) DOM: with label (eg Q6) and fire regime. Wollemi NP Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photos, 1: 25 000 Community name (eg <0.01 Communities. DOI: 1: 250 000 Upper Cudgegong DOM: 1993 Alluvial Reedland) with code (eg RL1) and fire regime. Goulburn River NP Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photographs 1: 25 000 Vegetation community 0.09 Communities. Ground Survey name (eg Box Woodland DOI: 1992 &1993 on Basalt) with code (eg DOM:1998/1999 WL2), fire community name (eg Basalt Woodland and Herbfield) and fire regime. Munghorn Gap NR Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photographs 1: 25 000 Vegetation community 0.09 Communities. Ground Survey name (eg Box Woodland DOI: 1992 &1993 on Basalt) with code (eg DOM:1998/1999 WL2), fire community name (eg Basalt Woodland and Herbfield) and fire regime. Weetalibah Nature Reserve NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 50 000 Label/Vegetation 0.03 Photos. 1: 25 000- community(eg Red Data collected 1: 100 000 stringybark with Narrow- continuously since 1985 leaved Ironbark and Black Cypress, with an attribute of 3) Binnaway Nature Reserve NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 50 000 Label/vegetation 0.10 Photos. 1: 25 000- community (eg Data collected 1: 100 000 E.sideroxylon, with an continuously since 1985 attribute label of 5). Kirramingly Nature Reserve NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 10 000 Broad classification of 0.04 Photos. 1: 25 000- vegetation types (eg Data collected 1: 100 000 Astrebla Mixed Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset continuously since 1985 grassland with an attribute label of 44). Also cultivation and land use classifications. Goobang National Park NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 50 000 Vegetation Community <0.01 Photos. Data collected 1: 25 000- (eg E.fibrosa with an continuously since 1985 1: 100 000 attribute of 6/3b). Mt Kaputar National Park NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 25 000 Label/Vegetation 0.11 Photos. 1: 100 000 community (eg. Narrow- Data collected leaved Ironbark. continuously since 1985 Cypress & Accac with an attribute label of 9. Pilliga Nature Reserve NPWS NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 25 000- Label/Vegetation 5.73 Mapping Photos. Data collected 1: 100 000 community name (eg continuously since 1985 Ironbark complex, with an attribute of 1). State Forest Vegetation Mapping AMG Zone 55 Leard NPWS Email Aerial Photos, Lindsay RN17, Type (eg: Be;Belah), 9.33 State Forest Lincoln types;(report compiled in 1: 25 000 Vegetation League (eg Typing: Merriwindi 1961 by A.D. Lindsay) Lindsay Western Box-Ironbark Baradine Minnon RN17 (Research Notes Types. league) Description Beni Mission No. 17 revised 1989) (Bimble Box-White Bibblewindi Moema estimated completion by Cypress Pine). Biddon Mogriguy 1996. Breelong Montrose Breeza Orr Campbell Pilliga East Coomore Pilliga West Creek Plagyan Courallie Quegobla Cubbo Ruttley Culgoora Spring Ridge Cumbil Terry Hie Hie Denobollie Timmallallie Doona Trinkey Drillwarrina Vickery Etoo Warung Euligal Waubebunga Eumungerie Wittenbra Eura Yalcogrin Garrawilla Yaminba Goonoo Yarindury Goran Yarrigan Irrigappa Yearinan Jacks Creek Kerringle Killarney Coolah Forest Types SF Email Forest typing (eg 0.25 swamp, mountain/manna gum). Coolah Logging History Email SF name and number 0.25 and if logged, the year in which logged. NSW NPWS Vegetation Mapping Eastern Bushlands Database NPWS LAN Landsat Imagery 1: 250 000 Broad vegetation 22 1: 100 000 systems for the eastern coast, ranges and tablelands. Native Vegetation of the NPWS LAN Aerial Photos, Satellite 1: 50 000 Vegetation names and 28.33 Northern Wheatbelt (Sivertsen) imagery ,DOI: 1970s, (1970s/80s communities (eg 1980s mapping) Western Poplar Box 1990s Woodlands, with a map DOM: 1970s – 1990s. code of P4 West out of series 5). Towarri Vegetation Community. NPWS Email Aerial Photos DOI: 1994 1: 25 000 Vegetation labels (eg 0.06 Profiles Limited Ground Truthing OF1 = Open Forest 1). Manobalai NR Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photos 1: 25 000 Vegetation community <0.01 Communities. DOI: 1993 name (eg Narrabeen Limited Ground Truthing Sheltered Dry Forest) DOM: with label (eg Q6) and Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset fire regime. Wollemi NP Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photos, 1: 25 000 Community name (eg <0.01 Communities. DOI: 1: 250 000 Upper Cudgegong DOM: 1993 Alluvial Reedland) with code (eg RL1) and fire regime. Goulburn River NP Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photographs 1: 25 000 Vegetation community 0.09 Communities. Ground Survey name (eg Box Woodland DOI: 1992 &1993 on Basalt) with code (eg DOM:1998/1999 WL2), fire community name (eg Basalt Woodland and Herbfield) and fire regime. Munghorn Gap NR Vegetation NPWS CD Aerial Photographs 1: 25 000 Vegetation community 0.09 Communities. Ground Survey name (eg Box Woodland DOI: 1992 &1993 on Basalt) with code (eg DOM:1998/1999 WL2), fire community name (eg Basalt Woodland and Herbfield) and fire regime. Weetalibah Nature Reserve NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 50 000 Label/Vegetation 0.03 Photos. 1: 25 000- community(eg Red Data collected 1: 100 000 stringybark with Narrow- continuously since 1985 leaved Ironbark and Black Cypress, with an attribute of 3) Binnaway Nature Reserve NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 50 000 Label/vegetation 0.10 Photos. 1: 25 000- community (eg Data collected 1: 100 000 E.sideroxylon, with an continuously since 1985 attribute label of 5). Kirramingly Nature Reserve NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 10 000 Broad classification of 0.04 Photos. 1: 25 000- vegetation types (eg Data collected 1: 100 000 Astrebla Mixed continuously since 1985 grassland with an attribute label of 44). Also cultivation and land use classifications. Goobang National Park NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 50 000 Vegetation Community <0.01 Photos. Data collected 1: 25 000- (eg E.fibrosa with an continuously since 1985 1: 100 000 attribute of 6/3b). Mt Kaputar National Park NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 25 000 Label/Vegetation 0.11 Photos. 1: 100 000 community (eg. Narrow- Data collected leaved Ironbark. continuously since 1985 Cypress & Accac with an attribute label of 9. Pilliga Nature Reserve NPWS NPWS LAN Field Survey, Aerial 1: 25 000- Label/Vegetation 5.73 Mapping Photos. Data collected 1: 100 000 community name (eg continuously since 1985 Ironbark complex, with an attribute of 1). WRA Brigalow Belt Stage 1 RACD LAN Aerial Photgraph 1:50000 Overstorey Species 2.83 Mapping (selected state Interpretation with ground Groupings with forests and NPWS estate) truthing. DOI: 1995-1998 rainforest or special DOM: 1999-2000 features mapped as appropriate. Reliability assigned to each polygon DLWC Barwon Region 1.64 total Vegetation Mapping

Bunna Bunna Vegetation DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Mapping Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow-leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and ending covered by crebra.). Also date) 1:50,000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset thereof). Burren Junction Vegetation DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Mapping Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and ending covered by crebra.). Also date) 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof). Caloona Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and ending covered by crebra.). Also date) 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Comeby Chance Vegetation DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Mapping Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and ending covered by crebra.). Also date) 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Graduale Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow-leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1:50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Gwabegar Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 & the (Data currency-1998/1999, River botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1:50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Pilliga Vegetation Mapping Data DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow-leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset Rowena Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Telleraga Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Walgett Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) Wee Waa Vegetation Mapping DLWC Email Aerial Photographs, Area of North west Vegetation Data Satellite Imagery, Ground Walgett Communities with Survey Shire East species associations (eg DOI: of the Narrow- leaved Ironbark DOM: Barwon with a code of E37 and (Data currency-1998/1999, River the botanical name E. beginning and end date) covered by crebra.). Also 1: 50 000 associated landcover topographic and landuse descriptors. mapsheets (or part thereof) DLWC Hunter Region 0.72 Vegetation Mapping Elderslie Vegetation Mapping DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Data checking (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Ingar Vegetation Mapping Data DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities checking (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Camberwell Vegetation DLWC CD Aerial Photos with 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Mapping Data reconnaissance ground (eg code-01, tree and truthing shrub community-dry DOI: (source information) sclerophyll forest.), 1993 including regrowth and DOM: understory. Also Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset descriptors of landuse and terrain. Rouchel Brook Vegetation DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Mapping Data checking. (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Glenrock Vegetation Mapping DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Data checking. (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Isis River Vegetation Mapping DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Data Checking. (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping compteted shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Muswellbrook Vegetation DLWC CD Aerial Photos, with 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Mapping Data reconnaissance ground (eg code-01, tree and truthing shrub community-dry DOI: (source information) sclerophyll forest.), 1993 including regrowth and DOM: understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Jerrys Plains Vegetation DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Mapping Data checking. (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Towarri Vegetation Mapping DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Data checking. (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Kars Springs Vegetation DLWC CD Aerial Photos, field 1:25 000 Vegetation Communities Mapping Data checking. (eg code-01, tree and DOM: Mapping completed shrub community-dry since 1994 sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Singleton Vegetation Mapping DLWC CD Landsat 1: 25 000 Vegetation Communities Data DOI: 1992 1: 100 000 (eg code-01, tree and DOM: shrub community-dry sclerophyll forest.), including regrowth and understory. Also descriptors of landuse and terrain. Abotic Layers used in Stratification Merged Soils Grid NPWS Derived by Derived from MDBC Soil 25 m Soil / Surface lithology 100 (St_soilmerge) – see metadata WRA GIS Landforms and DLWC grid cell groupings (50 classes in (6.61% statement soils at 1:2million scale resolution BBS) mapped at 1:2million) Dataset Data Form Data Currency & Lineage of Scale of Description of Data % of BBS Custodian Supplied Data Mapping covered In *Date of Imagery(DOI): (available by *Date of Mapping (DOM): at) dataset Average annual rainfall NPWS LAN Derived using ANUCLIM- 250 m Each cell represents the 100 (st_avrain2) BIOCLIM from base data grid cell average annual rainfall supplied by ANU. resolution in mm Constrained to BBS Average annual temperature NPWS LAN Derived using ANUCLIM- 250 m Each cell represents the 100 (st_avtemp2) BIOCLIM from base data grid cell average annual supplied by ANU. resolution temperature in degrees Constrained to BBS centigrade x 10 Stratification of BBS (strat5) NPWS Derived by Derived using ArcGRID 250 m Each cell represents a 100 WRA GIS command COMBINE grid cell stratum (1 – 184) using st_soilmerge, resolution st_avtemp2 and st_avrain2 Other Abotic Base Layers Digital Elevation Model LIC LAN 25 m Each cell value 100 grid cell represents the average resolution height in meters ASL for that cell Roughness of a 5 x 5 cell NPWS Email Derived from DEM by HO 25 m Each cell value 100 neighbourhood GIS grid cell represents the standard resolution deviation of the elevations of all of the cells in the input grid (DEM) in the given neighbourhood Roughness of a 3 x 3 cell NPWS Email Derived from DEM by HO 25 m Each cell value 100 neighbourhood GIS grid cell represents the standard resolution deviation of the elevations of all of the cells in the input grid (DEM) in the given neighbourhood Geology of the Murray-Darling MDBC LAN See metadata. 1:250000 Simplified 93.39 Basin - simplified DOM: 1996 – 1999 lithostratigraphic units lithostratigraphic groupings such as Cainozoic Alluvium, Triassic fine- grained sediments etc. Statewide Landscapes from NPWS CD See metadata. 1:250000, Cells represent a 100 Pressey et. al. 2000 DOM: 1994 - 1998 1000m lanscape, which is a grid cell combination of: resolution S Divisional boundaries and climatic limit; S Provinces; S Geology; and S Ruggedness. 85 landscapes occur in BBS Land Capability Mapping SCS LAN ? 1:100000 Classes 1 – 8 represent 85.78 (DLWC) the suitability of land for (classes 1- agricultural activities. 8) Other classes mapped eg, SFNSW and NPWS estate, flood irrigation, mining and urban areas. APPENDIX 10: WOODY CALCULATIONS BY PROVINCE AND TENURE

Province Tenure Total ha of Woody as % of Total ha of Woody as % of Woody as % of Woody on Public % Share of Public Woody Woody in Province Tenure in Tenure in Tenure (ie. Share of Woody Tenure by Area Province Province between SFNSW & NPWS) Liverpool Plains NPWS 1207 1.4 1306 92.4 4.0 3.9 (940197 Ha, 9.2%* "woody") Off-Tenure 56487 65.3 906978 6.2 SFNSW 28870 33.4 31913 90.5 96.0 96.1 Liverpool Plains Total 86565 Liverpool Range NPWS 10917 15.9 13204 82.7 81.6 82.7 (523105 Ha, 13.1% "woody") Off-Tenure 55193 80.5 507131 10.9 SFNSW 2460 3.6 2770 88.8 18.4 17.3 Liverpool Range Total 68570 Northern Basalts NPWS 1114 0.9 1777 62.7 3.1 4.5 (611268 Ha, 19.8 % "woody") Off-Tenure 84890 70.2 571343 14.9 SFNSW 34923 28.9 38148 91.5 96.9 95.5 Northern Basalts Total 120927 Northern Outwash NPWS 441 2.7 1846 23.9 64.1 84.5 (701355 Ha, 2.3% "woody") Off-Tenure 15760 95.8 699170 2.3 SFNSW 247 1.5 339 72.9 35.9 15.5 Northern Outwash Total 16448 Pilliga NPWS 100822 14.2 115171 87.5 27.7 28.1 (1734198 Ha, 41.1% "woody") Off-Tenure 348584 48.9 1323971 26.3 SFNSW 263063 36.9 295056 89.2 72.3 71.9 Pilliga Total 712469 Pilliga Outwash NPWS 178 0.1 450 39.4 0.1 0.2 (535097 Ha, 40.2% "woody") Off-Tenure 42793 19.9 343664 12.5 SFNSW 172403 80.0 190983 90.3 99.9 99.8 Pilliga Outwash Total 215373 Talbragar Valley NPWS 871 3.1 917 95.0 15.9 16.1 (205346 Ha, 13.7% "woody") Off-Tenure 22658 80.5 199636 11.3 SFNSW 4615 16.4 4793 96.3 84.1 83.9 Talbragar Valley Total 28145 It can be seen from the above that the % of woody vegetation is roughly equivalent to the % of tenure available, except in the Northern Outwash Province, where there is a bias towards "woody" vegetation in SFNSW tenure. This is the least "woody" province and the only province where SFNSW manages less tenure than NPWS. * Dataset does not cover entire province, woody percentage calculation for that part of province covered only (41%). APPENDIX 11: NATIVE FAUNA RECORDED WITHIN THE BBS (OTHER THAN THREATENED OR TREATY SPECIES) (SEE SECTION 6.2 FOR LIST OF THREATENED AND TREATY FAUNA WITHIN THE BBS) common name Scientific name Records Source green tree frog Litoria caerulea 65 BBS (3), AM (31), WLA (31) striped burrowing frog Litoria alboguttata 1WLA brown tree frog Litoria ewingii 1AM gunther’s frog Litoria latopalmata 265 BBS (23), AM (24), WLA (218) lesueur's frog Litoria lesueuri 3 AM (2), WLA (1) peron's tree frog Litoria peronii 176 BBS (25), AM (2), WLA (149) desert tree frog Litoria rubella 83 BBS (8), AM (7), WLA (68) eastern banjo frog Limnodynastes dumerilii 132 AM (40), WLA (92) long-thumbed frog Limnodynastes fletcheri 87 BBS (5), AM (21), WLA (61) giant banjo frog Limnodynastes interioris 1WLA brown-striped frog Limnodynastes peronii 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) salmon-striped frog Limnodynastes salmini 63 AM (29), WLA (34) ornate burrowing frog Limnodynastes ornatus 61 BBS (14), AM (12), WLA (35) spotted grass frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis 245 BBS (7), AM (141), WLA (97) northern banjo frog Limnodynastes terraereginae 57 BBS (14), AM (3), WLA (40) common spadefoot toad Neobatrachus sudelli 46 BBS (6), AM (8), WLA (32) crucifix toad Notaden bennettii 22 BBS (1), AM (10), WLA (11) plains froglet Crinia parinsignifera 50 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (48) common eastern froglet Crinia signifera 774 AM (6), WLA (768) sloane's toadlet Crinia sloanei 1WLA brown toadlet Pseudophryne bibronii 59 AM (20), WLA (39) wrinkled toadlet Uperoleia rugosa 45 BBS (2), AM (2), WLA (41) smooth toadlet Uperoleia laevigata 11 AM (7), CSIRO (3), WLA (1) tusked frog Adelotus brevis 2AM Cyclorana novaehollandiae 1WLA water-holding frog Cyclorana platycephala 5 AM (2), WLA (3) Cyclorana verrucosa 2WLA grey teal Anas gracilis 6434 BBS (2), AM (5), WLA (6193), BA (234) pacific black duck Anas superciliosa 3257 BBS (7), AM (5), WLA (2815), BA (430) chestnut teal Anas castanea 14 AM (3), WLA (2), BA (9) australasian shoveler Anas rhynchotis 19 AM (1), WLA (17), BA (1) pink-eared duck Malacorhynchus 2171 WLA (2161), BA (10) membranaceus hardhead Aythya australis 58 AM (2), WLA (12), BA (44) maned duck Chenonetta jubata 817 BBS (6), ABBBS (1), AM (3), WLA (289), BA (518) plumed whistling-duck Dendrocygna eytoni 396 WLA, (368), BA (28) wandering whistling-duck Dendrocygna arcuata 2 AM (1), BA (1) australian owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus 270 BBS (66), AM (6), WLA (138), BA (60) spotted nightjar Eurostopodus argus 27 BBS (3), AM (2), WLA (13), BA (9) white-throated nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis 63 BBS (21), AM (2), WLA (38), BA (2) tawny frogmouth Podargus strigoides 250 BBS (36), ABBBS (4), AM (4), WLA (109), BA (97) emu Dromaius novaehollandiae 867 BBS (38), AM (1), WLA (275), BA (211) australian brush-turkey Alectura lathami 4 AM (2), BA (2) black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus 59 AM (2), WLA (26), BA (31) red-necked avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae 1653 WLA (1652), BA (1) australian pratincole Stiltia isabella 12 AM (1), WLA (3), BA (8) inland dotterel Charadrius australis 2AM red-capped plover Charadrius ruficapillus 4BA red-kneed dotterel Erythogonys cinctus 14 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (1), BA (11) black-fronted dotterel Elseyornis melanops 134 AM (6), WLA (11), BA (117) masked lapwing Vanellus miles 461 BBS (1), AM (11), WLA (39), BA (410) banded lapwing Vanellus tricolor 188 AM (8), WLA (102), BA (78) little egret Egretta garzetta 9 WLA (3), BA (6) common name Scientific name Records Source white-faced heron Egretta novaehollandiae 619 BBS (2), ABBBS (1), AM (2), CSIRO (2), WLA (70), BA (542) intermediate egret Ardea intermedia 4 AM (1), WLA (3), BA (9) pacific heron Ardea pacifica 379 BBS (4), AM (3), WLA (33), BA (339) rufous night heron Nycticorax caledonicus 54 BBS (4), AM (3), WLA (16), BA (31) royal spoonbill Platalea regia 44 AM (4), WLA (5), BA (35) yellow-billed spoonbill Platalea flavipes 312 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (126), BA (184) australian white ibis Threskiornis molucca 172 WLA (47), BA (125) straw-necked ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 458 BBS (2), ABBBS (3), CSIRO (9), WLA (198), BA (246) diamond dove Geopelia cuneata 76 BBS (9), ABBBS (1), AM (3), WLA (42), BA (21) peaceful dove Geopelia striata 808 AM (8), WLA (286), BA (514) bar-shouldered dove Geopelia humeralis 271 BBS (32), ABBBS (2), WLA (136), BA (101) peaceful dove Geopelia placida 16 BBS brown cuckoo-dove Macropygia amboinensis 2 AM (1), WLA (1) white-headed pigeon Columba leucomela 1 ABBBS crested pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes 1123 BBS (3), ABBBS (2), AM (2), WLA (329), BA (787) common bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera 868 BBS (84), AM (5), WLA (425), BA (354) wonga pigeon Leucosarcia melanoleuca 2 WLA (2), BA (1) darter Anhinga melanogaster 40 ABBBS (1) AM (1), WLA (8), BA (30) black swan Cygnus atratus 109 ABBBS (1), WLA (37), BA (71) gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica 2WLA whiskered tern Chlidonias hybridus 34 AM (1), WLA (29), BA (4) silver gull Larus novaehollandiae 33 ABBBS (2), WLA (2), BA (29) azure kingfisher Alcedo azurea 25 BBS (1), ABBBS (8), WLA (12), BA (4) laughing kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae 1350 BBS (71), ABBBS (9), AM (13), WLA (491), BA (766) forest kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii 1WLA red-backed kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygia 50 AM (2), WLA (7), BA (41) sacred kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus 549 BBS (36), ABBBS (45), AM (3), WLA (171), BA (294) dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 294 BBS (6), ABBBS (1), AM (3), WLA (78), BA (206) rainbow bee-eater Merops ornatus 615 BBS (28), ABBBS (20), AM (7), WLA (327), BA (233) horsfield's bronze-cuckoo Chalcites basalis 201 BBS (28), ABBBS (2), AM (6), WLA (65), BA (100) shining bronze-cuckoo Chalcites lucidus 137 BBS (20), ABBBS (1), AM (4), WLA (40), BA (72) black-eared cuckoo Chalcites osculans 56 BBS (13), AM (3), WLA (26), BA (14) common koel Eudynamys scolopacea 29 ABBBS (5), WLA (14), BA (10) pheasant coucal Centropus phasianinus 4WLA pallid cuckoo Cuculus pallidus 182 BBS (2), AM (18), WLA (20), BA (142) fan-tailed cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis 251 BBS (2), ABBBS (5), CSIRO (2), WLA (93), BA (149) brush cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus 15 BBS (1), ABBBS (1), WLA (2), BA (11) spotted harrier Circus assimilis 88 WLA (15), BA (73) swamp harrier Circus approximans 8 WLA (3), BA (5) channel-billed cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae 88 BBS (4), WLA (34), BA (50) grey goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae 5 AM (1), WLA (3), BA (1) collared sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus 94 BBS (5), ABBBS (3), AM (2), WLA (14), BA (70) brown goshawk Accipiter fasciatus 158 BBS (3), ABBBS (8), AM (2), WLA (36), BA (109) wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax 456 BBS (6), ABBBS (4), AM (21), WLA (135), BA (290) whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus 161 BBS (1), AM (39), WLA (16), BA (105) black kite Milvus migrans 59 WLA (21), BA (38) black-shouldered kite Elanus axillaris 464 AM (9), WLA (59), BA (396) common name Scientific name Records Source letter-winged kite Elanus scriptus 7 AM (1), WLA (1), BA (5) little eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides 222 BBS (4), ABBBS (1), AM (3), WLA (42), BA (172) black falcon Falco subniger 18 WLA (11), BA (7) brown falcon Falco berigora 418 BBS (2), ABBBS (1), AM (18), CSIRO (1), WLA (48), BA (348) nankeen kestrel Falco cenchroides 938 ABBBS (3), AM (14), WLA (95), BA (826) australian hobby Falco longipennis 136 BBS (1), ABBBS (1), AM (3), WLA (25), BA (106) pacific baza Aviceda subcristata 7WLA peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus 167 BBS (3), ABBBS (20), AM (3), WLA (61), BA (80) king quail Coturnix chinensis 3 WLA (2), BA (1) stubble quail Coturnix pectoralis 137 BBS (2), ABBBS (3), AM (27), CSIRO (14), WLA (23), BA (68) brown quail Coturnix ypsilophora australis 26 ABBBS (1), AM (3), CSIRO (5) WLA (17) painted button-quail Turnix varia 46 BBS (10), AM (1), WLA (20), BA (15) little button-quail Turnix velox 19 AM (8), CSIRO (6), WLA (3), BA (2) red-chested button-quail Turnix pyrrhothorax 32 AM (6), CSIRO (10), WLA (9), BA (7) musk duck Biziura lobata 14 AM (5), WLA (2), BA (7) latham's snipe Gallinago hardwickii 13 AM (2), WLA (6), BA (5) buff-banded rail Gallirallus philippensis 7 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (4), BA (1) australian spotted crake Porzana fluminea 1WLA (winter migrant) baillon's crake Porzana pusilla 2 AM (2), BA (1) spotless crake Porzana tabuensis 1WLA black-tailed native-hen Gallinula ventralis 37 AM (3), WLA (8), BA (26) dusky moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa 115 AM (2), WLA (24), BA (89) purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 10 WLA (10), BA (17) eurasian coot Fulica atra 344 WLA (294), BA (50) inland thornbill Acanthiza apicalis 595 BBS (73), ABBBS (6), AM (3), WLA (378), BA (135) yellow-rumped thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa 978 BBS (12), ABBBS (52), AM (6), WLA (381), BA (527) striated thornbill Acanthiza lineata 433 BBS (1), ABBBS (14), WLA (353), BA (65) yellow thornbill Acanthiza nana 1521 BBS (83), ABBBS (25), AM (3), CSIRO (12), WLA (1078), BA (320) brown thornbill Acanthiza pusilla 267 BBS (7), CSIRO (23), WLA (214), BA (23) buff-rumped thornbill Acanthiza reguloides 809 BBS (40), ABBBS (23), AM (3), CSIRO (4), WLA (501), BA (238) chestnut-rumped thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis 252 BBS (30), ABBBS (2), WLA (155), BA (65) brown gerygone Gerygone mouki 19 WLA (18), BA (1) western gerygone Gerygone fusca 321 BBS (68), ABBBS (2), AM (8), CSIRO (1), WLA (124), BA (118) white-throated gerygone Gerygone olivacea 295 BBS (27), ABBBS (2), AM (4), CSIRO (3), WLA (116), BA (143) chestnut-rumped hylacola Hylacola pyrrhopygia 77 BBS (19), WLA (46), BA (12) speckled warbler Chthionicola sagittatus 39 BBS weebill Smicrornis brevirostris 1127 BBS (112), ABBBS (8), AM (14), CSIRO (1), WLA (582), BA (410) southern whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis 62 AM (10), WLA (23), BA (29) black-faced woodswallow Artamus cinereus 208 ABBBS (1), AM (4), CSIRO (2), WLA (34), BA (167) little woodswallow Artamus minor 62 WLA (54), BA (8) dusky woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus 665 BBS (18), ABBBS (2), AM (7), WLA (326), BA (312) white-breasted woodswallow Artamus leucorhynchus 83 BBS (2), AM (5), WLA (24), BA (52) masked woodswallow Artamus personatus 41 AM (4), WLA (6), BA (31) common name Scientific name Records Source white-browed woodswallow Artamus superciliosus 503 AM (14), WLA (286), BA (203) ground cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima 75 AM (6), WLA (33), BA (36) black-faced cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae 1066 BBS (44), ABBBS (1), AM (11), WLA (323), BA (687) white-bellied cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis 131 BBS (6), AM (6), WLA (20), BA (99) cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris 128 BBS (35), WLA (68), BA (25) white-winged triller Lalage sueurii 174 BBS (1), ABBBS (3), AM (6), WLA (28), BA (136) white-throated treecreeper Cormobates leucophaeus 1161 BBS (155), ABBBS (42), AM (4), CSIRO (2), WLA (585), BA (373) red-browed treecreeper Climacteris erythrops 58 WLA (57), BA (1) white-winged chough Corcorax melanorhamphos 1190 BBS (33), ABBBS (2), AM (10), WLA (648), BA (497) apostlebird Struthidea cinerea 639 BBS (7), ABBBS (1), AM (35), WLA (243), BA (353) australian raven Corvus coronoides 1136 BBS (29), AM (26), WLA (403), BA (678) little raven Corvus mellori 83 BBS (9), WLA (62), BA (12) little crow Corvus bennetti 8 WLA (1), BA (7) torresian crow Corvus orru 7 BBS (1), WLA (2), BA (4) pied butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis 1057 BBS (14), ABBBS (13), AM (8), CSIRO (3), WLA (237), BA (782) grey butcherbird Cracticus torquatus 867 BBS (95), ABBBS (3), AM (13), CSIRO (2), WLA (274), BA (480) australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen 1655 BBS (38), ABBBS (20), AM (38), WLA (533), BA (1026) grey currawong Strepera versicolor 2BA pied currawong Strepera graculina 1479 BBS (109), ABBBS (18), AM (1), CSIRO (2), WLA (737), BA (512) mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 647 BBS (38), ABBBS (33), AM (7), WLA (217), BA (352) spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus 1BA australian magpie lark Grallina cyanoleuca 1573 BBS (37), ABBBS (15), AM (12), WLA (482), BA (1027) richard's pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae 511 ABBBS (9), AM (4), CSIRO (1), WLA (55), BA (442) singing bushlark Mirafra javanica 125 ABBBS (11), AM (3), WLA (8), BA (103) tree martin Hirundo nigricans 401 BBS (2), ABBBS (5), AM (2), WLA (173), BA (219) white-backed swallow Cheramoeca leucosternus 128 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (20), BA (106) welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena 897 BBS (1), ABBBS (106), AM (1), WLA (276), BA (513) fairy martin Hirundo ariel 365 ABBBS (15), AM (13), CSIRO (1), WLA (61), BA (265) superb blue wren Malurus cyaneus 2161 BBS (92), ABBBS (220), AM (2), CSIRO (8), WLA (1240), BA (599) white-winged fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus 73 ABBBS (20), AM (6), WLA (18), BA (29) variegated wren Malurus lamberti 400 BBS (46), ABBBS (13), WLA (216), BA (125) white-cheeked honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra 3 WLA (2), BA (1) spiny-cheeked honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis 1040 BBS (81), ABBBS (30), AM (3), WLA (575), BA (351) white-browed scrubwren Sericornis frontalis 359 ABBBS (29), AM (1), WLA (201), BA (128) eastern spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris 302 BBS (6), ABBBS (25), WLA (125), BA (146) red wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata 488 BBS (25), AM (6), WLA (355), BA (102) blue-faced honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis 283 BBS (9), ABBBS (5), AM (8), CSIRO (1), WLA (83), BA (167) yellow-faced honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops 1120 BBS (50), ABBBS (63), AM (2), CSIRO (4), WLA (702), BA (299) common name Scientific name Records Source fuscous honeyeater Lichenostomus fuscus 149 BBS (1), ABBBS (10), AM (5), WLA (58), BA (75) white-eared honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis 984 BBS (99), ABBBS (44), AM (5), CSIRO (5), WLA (537), BA (294) yellow-tufted honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops 314 BBS (9), ABBBS (16), AM (1), CSIRO (2), WLA (208), BA (78) yellow-plumed honeyeater Lichenostomus ornatus 64 BBS (6), ABBBS (2), AM (1), WLA (53), BA (2) grey-fronted honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus 3WLA white-plumed honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus 1762 BBS (30), ABBBS (323), AM (9), CSIRO (1), WLA (748), BA (651) singing honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens 125 BBS (1), ABBBS (41), WLA (39), BA (44) brown honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 104 BBS (4), ABBBS (24), WLA (30), BA (46) lewin's honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii 23 ABBBS (1), WLA (2), BA (20) scarlet honeyeater Myzomela sanguinolenta 7 WLA (2), BA (5) black honeyeater Certhionyx niger 7 ABBBS (2), AM (2), WLA (3) tawny-breasted honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer 2 ABBBS bell miner Manorina melanophrys 2AM yellow-throated miner Manorina flavigula 351 BBS (1), ABBBS (3), AM (4), WLA (102), BA (241) noisy miner Manorina melanocephala 1308 BBS (46), ABBBS (3), AM (13), CSIRO (1), WLA (526), BA (719) white-naped honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus 260 ABBBS (3), WLA (186), BA (71) brown-headed honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris 650 BBS (36), ABBBS (32), AM (4), CSIRO (4), WLA (386), BA (188) little friarbird Philemon citreogularis 370 BBS (15), ABBBS (44), AM (18), CSIRO (2), WLA (88), BA (203) noisy friarbird Philemon corniculatus 1618 BBS (75), ABBBS (15), AM (12), WLA (1075), BA (441) striped honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata 603 BBS (55), ABBBS (5), AM (8), CSIRO (1), WLA (255), BA (279) grey shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica 1114 BBS (137), ABBBS (12), AM (4), WLA (461), BA (500) eastern yellow robin Eopsaltria australis 1125 BBS (164), ABBBS (55), AM (5), CSIRO (2), WLA (504), BA (395) crested shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus 152 ABBBS (5), AM (1), WLA (39), BA (107) jacky winter Microeca fascinans 849 BBS (36), ABBBS (1), AM (10), CSIRO (2), WLA (214), BA (586) satin flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca 31 BBS (3), WLA (11), BA (17) restless flycatcher Myiagra inquieta 457 BBS (10), ABBBS (6), AM (1), CSIRO (1), WLA (106), BA (333) leaden flycatcher Myiagra rubecula 129 BBS (13), ABBBS (5), AM (3), CSIRO (1), WLA (38), BA (69) golden whistler Pachycephala pectoralis 256 BBS (3), ABBBS (11), WLA (78), BA (164) rufous whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 1476 BBS (165), ABBBS (69), AM (6), CSIRO (2), WLA (739), BA (495) scarlet robin Petroica multicolor 98 BBS (31), BA (67) red-capped robin Petroica goodenovii 333 BBS (20), ABBBS (6), AM (16), WLA (115), BA (176) flame robin Petroica phoenicea 11 WLA (6), BA (5) rose robin Petroica rosea 21 WLA (13), BA (8) grey fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa 1273 BBS (132), ABBBS (9), AM (3), WLA (726), BA (403) rufous fantail Rhipidura rufifrons 19 WLA (19), BA (2) willie wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 1483 BBS (37), ABBBS (63), AM (6), WLA (437), BA (940) varied sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 367 BBS (35), AM (3), CSIRO (5), WLA (185), BA (139) olive-backed oriole Oriolus sagittatus 330 BBS (27), ABBS (15), AM (3), WLA common name Scientific name Records Source (120), BA (165) eastern whipbird Psophodes olivaceus 5BA spotted quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum 76 BBS (10), AM (1), WLA (41), BA (24) superb lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae 3WLA satin bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus 34 WLA (9), BA (25) spotted bowerbird Chlamydera maculata 94 BBS (6), ABBS (17), AM (1), WLA (23), BA (47) rockwarbler Origma solitaria 2BA spotted pardalote Pardalotus punctatus 867 BBS (64), ABBBS (30), AM (2), WLA (485), BA (286) yellow-rumped pardalote Pardalotus punctatus 2WLA xanthopygus striated pardalote Pardalotus striatus 777 BBS (28), ABBBS (7), AM (18), WLA (278), BA (446) red-browed firetail Neochmia temporalis 720 BBS (5), ABBS (162), AM (1), WLA (342), BA (210) double-barred finch Taeniopygia bichenovii 922 BBS (15), ABBBS (180), AM (3), CSIRO (1), WLA (311), BA (412) zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata 703 BBS (225), ABBBS (219), AM (6), WLA (53), BA (200) plum-headed finch Neochmia modesta 206 ABBBS (98), AM (11), WLA (49), BA (48) clamorous reed warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus 65 BBS (2), ABBBS (45), AM (2), WLA (16) little grassbird Megalurus gramineus 8 ABBBS (2), WLA (1), BA (5) golden-headed cisticola Cisticola exilis 47 ABBBS (13), WLA (14), BA (20) brown songlark Cinclorhamphus cruralis 105 BBS (2), AM (2), WLA (6), BA (95) rufous songlark Cinclorhamphus mathewsi 328 BBS (8), ABBBS (8), AM (7), WLA (75), BA (230) white-browed babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus 461 BBS (28), ABBBS (12), AM (8), WLA (298), BA (115) white-fronted chat Epthianura albifrons 52 AM (8), WLA (24), BA (20) crimson chat Epthianura tricolor 50 AM (9), WLA (20), BA (21) orange chat Epthianura aurifrons 1BA silvereye Zosterops lateralis 846 BBS (37), ABBBS (79), WLA (497), BA (233) australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus 1384 BBS (1), WLA (1306), BA (77) great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 127 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (12), BA (113) pied cormorant Phalacrocorax varius 16 WLA (5), BA (11) little pied cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos 257 BBS (2), AM (4), WLA (29), BA (222) little black cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris 96 BBS (2), WLA (18), BA (76) australasian grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 231 BBS (2), AM (9), WLA (50), BA (170) hoary-headed grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus 33 WLA (8), BA (25) great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus 14 AM (3), WLA (10), BA (1) yellow-tailed black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus 45 WLA (38), BA (7) gang-gang cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum 1WLA sulphur-crested cockatoo Cacatua galerita 2085 BBS (26), AM (4), WLA (1390), BA (665) little corella Cacatua sanguinea 232 WLA (230), BA (2) galah Eolopus roseicapilla 3433 BBS (78), ABBBS (16), AM (6), CSIRO (3), WLA (2255), BA (1075) scaly-breasted lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus 6BA musk lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna 625 BBS (28), ABBBS (2), AM (5), WLA (523), BA (67) little lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla 1204 BBS (44), ABBBS (1), AM (2), WLA (1004), BA (153) rainbow lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus 63 ABBBS (3), WLA (48), BA (12) mallee ringneck Barnardius zonarius barnardi 603 BBS (79), ABBBS (5), AM (1), WLA (306), BA (212) crimson rosella Platycercus elegans 532 BBS (1), ABBBS (19), WLA (334), BA (178) eastern rosella Platycercus eximius 1104 BBS (46), ABBBS (13), AM (3), CSIRO (3), WLA (334), BA (705) common name Scientific name Records Source pale-headed rosella Platycercus adscitus 99 ABBBS (24), AM (1), WLA (26), BA (48) red-rumped parrot Psephotus haematonotus 1406 BBS (3), ABBBS (8), AM (22), CSIRO (2), WLA (572), BA (799) mulga parrot Psephotus varius 12 ABBBS (2), WLA (8), BA (2) blue bonnet Northiella haematogaster 233 ABBBS (4), WLA (32), BA (197) australian king-parrot Alisterus scapularis 374 BBS (21), ABBBS (6), WLA (230), BA (117) red-winged parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus 255 BBS (12), ABBBS (8), AM (4), CSIRO (1), WLA (95), BA (135) cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus 657 BBS (1), AM (3), WLA (180), BA (473) budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus 45 AM (1), WLA (18), BA (26) southern boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae 345 BBS (28), ABBBS (1), AM (2), WLA (150), BA (164) barn owl Tyto alba 87 BBS (4), ABBBS (1), AM (7), WLA (25), BA (50) little mastiff-bat Mormopterus planiceps 23 WLA southern mastiff-bat Mormopterus planiceps big 21 BBS (10), AM (1), WLA (10) penis inland mastiff-bat Mormopterus planiceps small 39 BBS (13), WLA (26) penis white-striped mastiff-bat Nyctinomus australis 56 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (54) eastern horseshoe-bat Rhinolophus megaphyllus 5 AM (1), WLA (4) little red flying-fox Pteropus scapulatus 1526 BBS (8), AM (1), CSIRO (1), WLA (1516) gould's wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii 757 BBS (324), AM (1), WLA (443) chocolate wattled bat Chalinolobus morio 86 BBS (3), WLA (83) large forest bat Vespadelus darlingtoni 48 WLA little cave eptesicus Vespadelus pumilus 14 AM (1), WLA (13) southern forest bat Vespadelus regulus 13 WLA little forest bat Vespadelus vulturnus 751 BBS (313), AM (3), WLA (435) lesser long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi 195 BBS (67), AM (8), WLA (120) gould's long-eared bat Nyctophilus gouldi 198 BBS (72), AM (8), WLA (118) western broad-nosed bat Scotorepens balstoni 155 BBS (72), AM (1), WLA (82) little broad-nosed bat Scotorepens greyii 122 BBS (44), WLA (78) feathertail glider Acrobates pygmaeus 16 BBS (1), AM (7), WLA (8) whiptail wallaby Macropus parryi 1AM western grey kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus 1WLA eastern grey kangaroo Macropus giganteus 803 BBS (54), AM (5), WLA (744) common wallaroo Macropus robustus 128 BBS (3), AM (5), WLA (120) red-necked wallaby Macropus rufogriseus 261 BBS (58), AM (2), WLA (201) red kangaroo Macropus rufus 13 BBS (2), AM (2), WLA (9) swamp wallaby Wallabia bicolor 196 BBS (49), AM (2), WLA (145) red-necked pademelon Thylogale thetis 21 AM (1), WLA (20) greater glider Petauroides volans 619 AM (1), WLA (618) sugar glider Petaurus breviceps 161 BBS (46), AM (3), WLA (112) common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus 74 AM (1), WLA (73) common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula 108 BBS (14), AM (1), WLA (93) mountain brushtail possum Trichosurus caninus 1WLA common wombat Vombatus ursinus 55 WLA platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus 4 AM (2), WLA (2) short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus 112 BBS (25), AM (1), WLA (86) yellow-footed antechinus Antechinus flavipes 878 BBS (379), AM (15), WLA (484) brown antechinus Antechinus stuartii 81 AM (4), WLA (77) narrow-nosed planigale Planigale tenuirostris 11 AM (6), WLA (5) paucident planigale Planigale gilesi 2 AM (2), WLA (1) fat-tailed dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata 25 AM (21), WLA (4) common dunnart Sminthopsis murina 77 BBS (12), AM (7), WLA (56) northern brown bandicoot Isoodon macrourus 2WLA long-nosed bandicoot Perameles nasuta 1WLA bush rat Rattus fuscipes 3WLA common name Scientific name Records Source water rat Hydromys chrysogaster 12 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (10) jacky lizard Amphibolurus muricatus 40 BBS (7), AM (4), CSIRO (1), WLA (28) nobbi Amphibolurus nobbi 106 BBS (35), AM (20), WLA (51) nobbi dragon Amphibolurus nobbi coggeri 1WLA gilbert's dragon Lophognathus gilberti 9 BBS (1), AM (7), WLA (1) eastern water dragon Physignathus lesueurii 3 AM (2), WLA (1) lined earless dragon Tympanocryptis lineata 5 AM (2), WLA (3) bearded dragon Pogona barbata 60 BBS (12), AM (20), WLA (28) central bearded dragon Pogona vitticeps 2AM yellow-faced whip snake Demansia psammophis 22 BBS (2), AM (11), WLA (9) red-naped snake Furina diadema 74 BBS (2), AM (36), WLA (36) mulga snake Pseudechis australis 5 AM (4), WLA (1) blue-bellied black snake Pseudechis guttatus 67 BBS (2), AM (34), WLA (31) red-bellied black snake Pseudechis porphyriacus 35 BBS (1), AM (4), WLA (30) western brown snake Pseudonaja nuchalis 3 AM (2), WLA (1) eastern brown snake Pseudonaja textilis 64 BBS (1), AM (49), CSIRO (1), WLA (13) coral snake Simoselaps australis 35 BBS (1), AM (15), WLA (19) curl snake Suta suta 21 AM (20), WLA (1) hooded snake Suta spectabilis 31 BBS (1), AM (19), WLA (11) highland copperhead Austrelaps ramsayi 1AM carpet or diamond python Morelia spilota 5 AM (4), WLA (1) carpet python Morelia spilota variegata 1WLA green tree snake Dendrelaphis punctulata 3 AM (2), WLA (1) common death adder Acanthophis antarcticus 4AM eastern small-eyed snake Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens 2AM Rhinoplocephalus nigrostriatus 2AM bandy bandy Vermicella annulata 30 AM (16), WLA (14) grey snake Hemiaspis damelii 14 AM (10), WLA (4) black-bellied swamp snake Hemiaspis signata 1AM de vis' banded snake Denisonia devisi 30 AM (21), CSIRO (1), WLA (8) Denisonia maculata 2AM tussock skink Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii 1WLA Pseudemoia pagenstecheri 55 AM (1), WLA (54) eastern spiny-tailed gecko Diplodactylus intermedius 22 AM (12), WLA (10) tesselated gecko Diplodactylus tessellatus 2 AM (1), WLA (1) wood gecko Diplodactylus vittatus 72 BBS (20), AM (13), WLA (39) soft-tailed gecko Diplodactylus williamsi 69 BBS (3), AM (31), WLA (35) northern gecko Gehyra dubia 46 BBS (2), AM (32), WLA (12) tree dtella Gehyra variegata 135 BBS (32), AM (52), WLA (51) byrnoe's gecko Heteronotia binoei 235 BBS (60), AM (77), WLA (98) lesueur's velvet gecko Oedura lesueurii 4AM marbled velvet gecko Oedura marmorata 4 AM (3), WLA (1) ocellated velvet gecko Oedura monilis 124 BBS (13), AM (84), WLA (27) robust velvet gecko Oedura robusta 40 BBS (13), AM (8), WLA (19) southern spotted velvet Oedura tryoni 1AM gecko marbled gecko Christinus marmoratus 49 AM (36), WLA (13) thick-tailed gecko Underwoodisaurus milii 71 AM (36), CSIRO (1), WLA (34) Aprasia striolata 1WLA olive legless lizard Delma inornata 10 AM (4), CSIRO (1), WLA (5) Delma plebeia 2AM Delma tincta 5 AM (5), WLA (3) burton’s legless lizard Lialis burtonis 40 BBS (1), AM (18), WLA (21) common scaly-foot Pygopus lepidopodus 7 BBS (2), AM (1), WLA (4) hooded scaly-foot Pygopus nigriceps 14 AM (7), WLA (7) Anomalopus lentiginosus 5WLA two-clawed worm-skink Anomalopus leuckartii 40 BBS (2), AM (33), WLA (5) carnaby's wall skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi 108 BBS (25), AM (47), WLA (36) wall lizard Cryptoblepharus virgatus 6 AM (3), WLA (3) Ctenotus allotropis 25 BBS (8), AM (4), WLA (13) common name Scientific name Records Source Ctenotus strauchii 1WLA copper-tailed skink Ctenotus taeniolatus 29 AM (13), WLA (16) striped skink Ctenotus robustus 119 BBS (15), AM (41), WLA (63) Ctenotus uber 3 AM (2), WLA (1) tree skink Egernia striolata 242 BBS (40), AM (99), WLA (103) cunningham's skink Egernia cunninghami 29 AM (13), WLA (16) Egernia modesta 3AM black rock skink Egernia saxatilis 16 AM (15), WLA (1) warrumbungle's black rock Egernia saxatilis saxatilis 1WLA skink white's skink Egernia whitii 27 AM (11), WLA (16) barred-sided skink Eulamprus tenuis 4 BBS (1), AM (1), WLA (2) Eulamprus heatwolei 1AM eastern water skink Eulamprus quoyii 52 AM (13), WLA (38) three-toed skink Saiphos equalis 1 AM (1), WLA (21) grey's skink Menetia greyii 5 AM (4), WLA (1) red-throated skink Bassiana platynota 37 AM (1), WLA (36) weasel skink Saproscincus mustelinus 29 AM (1), WLA (28) grass skink Lampropholis delicata 23 AM (4), WLA (19) garden skink Lampropholis guichenoti 27 AM (4), WLA (23) Lampropholis caligula 18 AM (1), WLA (17) bougainville's skink Lerista bougainvillii 27 BBS (3), AM (19), WLA (5) south-eastern slider Lerista muelleri 55 BBS (6), AM (29), WLA (20) eastern robust slider Lerista punctatovittata 29 BBS (3), AM (19), WLA (7) litter skink Lygisaurus foliorum 15 BBS (3), AM (6), WLA (6) boulenger's skink Morethia boulengeri 300 BBS (67), AM (122), WLA (111) Carlia pectoralis 2AM southern rainbow skink Carlia tetradactyla 3 AM (1), WLA (2) eastern blue-tongued lizard Tiliqua scincoides 26 BBS (2), AM (7), WLA (17) shingle-back Trachydosaurus rugosus 15 BBS (1), AM (4), WLA (10) blind snake Ramphotyphlops bituberculatus 18 BBS (1), AM (9), WLA (8) blind snake Ramphotyphlops ligatus 3 BBS (1), AM (2) Ramphotyphlops nigrescens 4 AM (3), WLA (1) Ramphotyphlops proximus 19 AM (10), CSIRO (1), WLA (8) Ramphotyphlops wiedii 28 AM (16), WLA (12) Varanus tristis 1AM gould's goanna Varanus gouldii 38 BBS (13), AM (5), WLA (20) lace monitor Varanus varius 53 BBS (11), AM (10), WLA (32) Hemiergis decresiensis 48 AM (4), WLA (44) broad-shelled river turtle Chelodina expansa 1AM eastern long-necked tortoise Chelodina longicollis 14 AM (9), WLA (5) murray turtle Emydura macquarii 1AM

Key BBS BBS Stage 1 Surveys BA Birds Australia Dataset WLA Atlas of NSW Wildlife Dataset AM Australian Museum Dataset CSIRO CSIRO Dataset APPENDIX 12: REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

(RACD, 2000c) Species considered regionally significant for three reasons; very few records, known to be declining or at the edge of their distribution in New South Wales within the Brigalow Belt South. Conservation priority is given as an indication of level of threat from wood removal; either 1 (high level of threat, being tree and/or shrubby understorey dependent), 2 (possible threat, not known to use trees in Brigalow Belt South), or 3 (low level of threat, not found in wooded habitats or with shrubby understories).

Species name Common name Obs Legal Reason Conservation priority Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl X E1 DECLINING 1 Turnix velox Little Button-quail P RARE 3 Turnix pyrrhothorax Red-chested Button-quail P RARE 3 Geophaps scripta Squatter Pigeon E1 EDGE 3 Gallirallus philippensis Buff-banded Rail X P RARE 3 Erythogonys cinctus Red-kneed Dotterel X P RARE 3 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit V EDGE 3 Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe V RARE 3 Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew X E1 DECLINING 1 Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard E1 EDGE 3 Grus rubicunda Brolga X V RARE 3 Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black-necked Stork E1 EDGE 3 Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern X V RARE 3 Anseranas semipalmata Magpie Goose V EDGE 3 Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck V RARE 3 Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck V EDGE 3 Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite X V RARE 1 Hamirostra melanosternon Black-breasted Buzzard X V RARE 2 Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon V EDGE 2 Ninox connivens Barking Owl X V RARE 1 Ninox strenua Powerful Owl V EDGE 2 Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl X V RARE 1 Tyto capensis Grass Owl V RARE 3 Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo V RARE 2 Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo X V DECLINING 1 Cacatua leadbeateri Major Mitchell's Cockatoo V EDGE 2 Polytelis swainsonii Superb Parrot V RARE 2 Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella X P EDGE 2 Platycercus adscitus Pale-headed Rosella P EDGE 2 Psephotus varius Mulga Parrot X P EDGE 2 Northiella haematogaster Blue Bonnet P EDGE 1 Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot X V RARE 2 Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot V RARE 1 Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher X P EDGE 2 Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift X P RARE 2 Cacomantis variolosus Brush Cuckoo X P EDGE 2 Eudynamys scolopacea Common Koel P EDGE 2 Cheramoeca leucosternus White-backed Swallow X P RARE 2 Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher X P EDGE 2 Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin X P DECLINING 2 Pachycephala inornata Gilbert's Whistler X V EDGE, RARE 1 Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shrike-tit P RARE 2 Coracina maxima Ground Cuckoo-shrike P RARE 3 Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush X P RARE 1 Pomatostomus temporalis Grey-crowned Babbler X P DECLINING 1 Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler X P DECLINING 1 Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat P RARE 3 Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat P EDGE 3 Aphelocephala leucopsis Southern Whiteface P RARE 3 Hylacola pyrrhopygia Chestnut-rumped Heathwren X P RARE 1 Hylacola cauta Shy Heathwren V EDGE, RARE 1 Chthonicola sagittata Speckled Warbler X P DECLINING 2 Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow P RARE 2 Species name Common name Obs Legal Reason Conservation priority Artamus superciliosus White-browed Woodswallow P RARE 2 Artamus minor Little Woodswallow P RARE 2 Climacteris affinis White-browed Treecreeper P EDGE 2 Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater P DECLINING 1 Certhionyx niger Black Honeyeater P RARE 1 Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater X P EDGE 1 Grantiella picta Painted Honeyeater V RARE 1 Certhionyx variegatus Pied Honeyeater V EDGE 2 Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater E1 RARE 1 Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater X P EDGE 2 Lichenostomus ornatus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater X P EDGE 2 Manorina flavigula Yellow-throated Miner X P DECLINING 2 Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail X P DECLINING 3 Neochmia modesta Plum-headed Finch P RARE 3 Poephila cincta Black-throated Finch E1 RARE 3 Chlamydera maculata Spotted Bowerbird X P RARE 2 Dasyurus maculatus Tiger Quoll V RARE 1 Phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed Phascogale V RARE 1 Vespadelus troughtoni Eastern Cave Bat X V RARE 1 Planigale tenuirostris Narrow-nosed Planigale P EDGE 3 Planigale gilesi Paucident Planigale P EDGE 3 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart P RARE 3 Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart V RARE 3 Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum X P DECLINING 1 Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum P DECLINING 1 Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider X V RARE 1 Acrobates pygmaeus Feathertail Glider X P RARE 1 Cercartetus nanus Eastern Pigmy-possum X P RARE 1 Phascolarctos cinereus Koala X V RARE 1 Aepyprymnus rufescens Rufous Bettong V RARE 1 Petrogale penicillata Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby V DECLINING 3 Macropus dorsalis Black-striped Wallaby X E1 RARE 1 Macropus robustus Common Wallaroo X P RARE 2 Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox P EDGE 1 Rhinolophus megaphyllus Eastern Horseshoe-bat P RARE 2 Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat X V RARE 1 Nyctophilus timoriensis Greater Long-eared Bat X V RARE 1 Miniopterus schreibersii Common Bent-wing Bat V EDGE 3 Miniopterus australis Little Bent-wing Bat V EDGE 3 Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat X P EDGE 2 Chalinolobus picatus Little Pied Bat X V EDGE 1 Chalinolobus dwyeri Large Pied Bat X V RARE 1 Myotis adversus Large-footed Mouse-eared Bat V EDGE 3 Falsistrellus tasmaniensis Great Pipistrelle V EDGE 1 Vespadelus baverstocki Inland Forest Bat V RARE 2 Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat V RARE 3 Hydromys chrysogaster Water Rat X P RARE 3 Pseudomys pilligaensis Pilliga Mouse X V RARE 2 Canis familiaris dingo Dingo U RARE 3 Anomalopus mackayi Three-clawed Worm-skink E1 RARE 3 Tympanocryptis lineata Lined Earless Dragon P RARE 3 Varanus tristis Black-headed Monitor P RARE, EDGE 1 Lygisaurus foliorum Litter Skink X P EDGE 3 Carlia tetradactyla Southern Rainbow Skink P RARE 2 Ctenotus strauchii PEDGE 3 Ctenotus uber PEDGE 3 Egernia cunninghami Cunningham's Skink P EDGE 3 Egernia whitii White's Skink P EDGE 3 Hemiergis decresiensis PEDGE 2 Bassiana platynota Red-throated Skink P EDGE 2 Lerista bougainvillii Bougainville's Skink X P EDGE 2 Eulamprus tenuis Barred-side Skink X P EDGE 1 Morelia spilota Carpet or Diamond Python P RARE 1 Acanthophis antarcticus Common Death Adder P RARE 2 Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens Eastern Small-eyed Snake P EDGE 2 Species name Common name Obs Legal Reason Conservation priority Furina dunmalli Dunmall’s Snake P EDGE 2 Hoplocephalus bitorquatus Pale-headed Snake X V DECLINING 1 Pseudechis australis Mulga Snake P EDGE 3 Liasis maculosus Eastern Children's Python P EDGE 1 Egernia saxatilis saxatilis Warrumbungle's Black Rock PRARE 3 Skink Underwoodisaurus sphyrurus VRARE 3 Cyclorana verrucosa PEDGE 3 Notaden bennettii Crucifix Frog P EDGE 3 Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet P EDGE 3 Crinia sloanei Sloane's Toadlet P EDGE 3 Elseya sp. (Namoi and Gwydir Rivers) VRARE 3 APPENDIX 13: NATIVE FLORA RECORDED WITHIN THE BBS – EXCLUSIVE OF TSC ACT AND ROTAP SPECIES (SEE SECTION 7.2 FOR LIST OF THREATENED AND ROTAP SPECIES WITHIN THE BBS)

Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Acanthaceae Blue Trumpet Brunoniella australis 141 BBS (115), WLA (26) Acanthaceae Pastel Flower Pseuderanthemum variabile 66 BBS Acanthaceae Rostellularia adscendens 8 BBS Acanthaceae Rostellularia adscendens ssp 93 BBS (65), WLA (28) adscendens Acanthaceae Rostellularia adscendens ssp 18 BBS adscendens var adscendens Aizoaceae Glinus lotoides 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Aizoaceae Tetragonia moorei (Tetragonia 17 BBS (10), WLA (7) tetragonoides) Aizoaceae Trianthema triquetra 1 BBS Aizoaceae Hogweed Zaleya galericulata 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Aizoaceae Hogweed Zaleya galericulata ssp australis 4 BBS (1), WLA (3) Alismataceae Starfruit Damasonium minus 2 BBS Amaranthaceae Alternanthera angustifolia 1 BBS Amaranthaceae Lesser Joyweed Alternanthera denticulata 146 BBS (31), WLA (115) Amaranthaceae Hairy Joyweed Alternanthera nana 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) Amaranthaceae Common Joyweed Alternanthera nodiflora 1 BBS Amaranthaceae Alternanthera sp.A 51 BBS Amaranthaceae Dwarf Amaranth Amaranthus macrocarpus 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Amaranthaceae Dwarf Amaranth Amaranthus macrocarpus var 1 BBS macrocarpus Amaranthaceae Deeringia amaranthoides 1 BBS Amaranthaceae Barbwire Weed Nyssanthes diffusa 2 BBS Amaranthaceae Nyssanthes erecta 5 BBS Amaranthaceae Ptilotus erubescens 2 BBS Amaranthaceae Tall Mulla Mulla Ptilotus exaltatus var exaltatus 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Amaranthaceae Green Pussytails Ptilotus macrocephalus 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Amaranthaceae Ptilotus semilanatus 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Amaryllidaceae Garland Lily Calostemma purpureum 1 BBS Amaryllidaceae Macquarie Lily Crinum flaccidum 32 BBS (28), WLA (4) Anthericaceae Vanilla Lily Arthropodium milleflorum 56 BBS (54), WLA (2) Anthericaceae Small Vanilla Lily Arthropodium minus 12 BBS (11), WLA (1) Anthericaceae Arthropodium species B 11 BBS (10), WLA (1) Anthericaceae Caesia calliantha 2 BBS Anthericaceae Pale Grass-lily Caesia parviflora var parviflora 4 BBS Anthericaceae Pale Grass-lily Caesia parviflora var vittata 1 BBS Anthericaceae Nodding Chocolate Lily Dichopogon fimbriatus 10 BBS (6), WLA (4) Anthericaceae Chocolate Lily Dichopogon strictus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Anthericaceae Laxmannia compacta 51 BBS Anthericaceae Laxmannia gracilis 196 BBS (189), WLA (7) Anthericaceae Twining Fringe Lily Thysanotus patersonii 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Anthericaceae Common Fringe Lily Thysanotus tuberosus 66 BBS Anthericaceae Common Fringe Lily Thysanotus tuberosus ssp 2 BBS tuberosus Anthericaceae Yellow Autumn Lily Tricoryne elatior 122 BBS (120), WLA (2) Apiaceae Actinotus gibbonsii 35 BBS Apiaceae Native Carrot Daucus glochidiatus 111 BBS (104), WLA (7) Apiaceae Daucus glochidiatus forma D 1WLA Apiaceae Long Eryngium Eryngium plantagineum 1 BBS Apiaceae Stinking Pennywort Hydrocotyle laxiflora 71 BBS (69), WLA (2) Apiaceae Hydrocotyle peduncularis 25 BBS Apiaceae Pennywort Hydrocotyle tripartita 3 BBS Apiaceae Lilaeopsis polyantha 4 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Apiaceae Oreomyrrhis eriopoda 4 BBS Apiaceae Platysace ericoides 191 BBS (184), WLA (7) Apiaceae Platysace lanceolata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Apiaceae Platysace linearifolia 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Apiaceae Platysace sp. aff. linearifolia 12 BBS Apiaceae Wild Parsnip Trachymene glaucifolia 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Apiaceae Trachymene incisa 4 BBS Apiaceae Trachymene incisa ssp 2 BBS corrugata Apiaceae White Parsnip Trachymene ochracea 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Apocynaceae Quinine Bush Alstonia constricta 76 BBS (36), WLA (40) Apocynaceae Currant Bush Carissa ovata 260 BBS (25), WLA (235) Apocynaceae Gargaloo Parsonsia eucalyptophylla 87 BBS (47), WLA (43) Apocynaceae Parsonsia lanceolata 29 BBS (10), WLA (19) Araceae Settlers Flax Gymnostachys anceps 1 BBS Araceae Typhonium brownii 1 BBS Araliaceae Astrotricha longifolia 40 BBS (30), WLA (10) Araliaceae Elderberry Panax Polyscias sambucifolia 4 BBS Araliaceae Polyscias sambucifolia ssp A 1WLA Asclepiadaceae Doubah Marsdenia australis 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Asclepiadaceae Marsdenia pleiadenia 1002 WLA Asclepiadaceae Common Milk Vine Marsdenia rostrata 3 BBS Asclepiadaceae Native Pear Marsdenia viridiflora subsp 40 BBS (30), WLA (10) viridiflora Asclepiadaceae Rhyncharrhena linearis 29 BBS Asclepiadaceae Caustic Vine Sarcostemma australe 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Asclepiadaceae Bearded Tylophora Tylophora barbata 17 BBS (15), WLA (2) Asphodelaceae Bulbine Lily Bulbine bulbosa 17 BBS (12), WLA (5) Asphodelaceae Wild Onion Bulbine semibarbata 77 BBS (71), WLA (6) Aspleniaceae Necklace Fern Asplenium flabellifolium 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Aspleniaceae Asplenium trichomanes 1 BBS Aspleniaceae Blanket Fern Pleurosorus rutifolius 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Asteraceae Flannel Cudweed Actinobole uliginosum 2 BBS Asteraceae Ammobium alatum 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Asteraceae Hill Daisy Brachyscome aculeata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Brachyscome angustifolia 1WLA Asteraceae Brachyscome angustifolia var 1WLA heterophylla Asteraceae Variable Daisy Brachyscome ciliaris var 2 BBS subintegrifolia Asteraceae Brachyscome curvicarpa 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Asteraceae Brachyscome dissectifolia 4 BBS Asteraceae Large-headed Daisy Brachyscome diversifolia 105 BBS (5), WLA (100) Asteraceae Large-headed Daisy Brachyscome diversifolia var 1 BBS dissecta Asteraceae Pilliga Daisy Brachyscome formosa 9 BBS Asteraceae Dwarf Daisy Brachyscome goniocarpa 51 BBS (50), WLA (1) Asteraceae Brachyscome heterodonta 15 BBS (8), WLA (7) Asteraceae Brachyscome heterodonta var 1 BBS heterodonta Asteraceae Brachyscome microcarpa 41 BBS (40), WLA (1) Asteraceae Cut-leaved Daisy Brachyscome multifida 35 BBS (34), WLA (1) Asteraceae Cut-leaved Daisy Brachyscome multifida var 31 BBS (30), WLA (1) multifida Asteraceae Brachyscome nova-anglica 1 BBS Asteraceae Brachyscome procumbens 1WLA Asteraceae Southern Daisy Brachyscome readeri 1 BBS Asteraceae Brachyscome smithwhitei 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) (Brachyscome species B) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Asteraceae Smooth Daisy Brachyscome trachycarpa 2 BBS Asteraceae Spreading Daisy Brachyscome whitei 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Asteraceae Golden Everlasting Bracteantha bracteata 103 BBS (90), WLA (13) Asteraceae Sticky Everlasting Bracteantha viscosa 61 BBS (58), WLA (3) Asteraceae Woolly-heads Myriocephalus rhizocephalus 1WLA Asteraceae Pale Beauty-heads Calocephalus sonderi 8 BBS (5), WLA (3) Asteraceae Anchor Burr-daisy Calotis ancyrocarpa 1 BBS Asteraceae Mountain Burr-daisy Calotis cuneata 16 BBS (13), WLA (3) Asteraceae Mountain Burr-daisy Calotis cuneata var cuneata 54 BBS (4), WLA (50) Asteraceae Purple Burr-daisy Calotis cuneifolia 341 BBS (318), WLA (23) Asteraceae Calotis dentex 4 BBS Asteraceae Bogan Flea Calotis hispidula 17 BBS (13), WLA (4) Asteraceae Yellow Burr-daisy Calotis lappulacea 157 BBS (138), WLA (19) Asteraceae Rough Burr-daisy Calotis scabiosifolia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Rough Burr-daisy Calotis scabiosifolia var 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) integrifolia Asteraceae Rough Burr-daisy Calotis scabiosifolia var 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) scabiosifolia Asteraceae Tufted Burr-daisy Calotis scapigera 8 BBS (5), WLA (3) Asteraceae Dolly Bush Cassinia aculeata 398 BBS (397), WLA (1) Asteraceae Sifton Bush Cassinia arcuata 1075 WLA Asteraceae Cassinia compacta 5 BBS Asteraceae Cassinia cunninghamii 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Asteraceae Cough Bush Cassinia laevis 101 BBS (80), WLA (21) Asteraceae Cassinia leptocephala 1WLA Asteraceae Cassinia quinquefaria 41 BBS (34), WLA (7) Asteraceae Cassinia trinerva 1 BBS Asteraceae Sticky Cassinia Cassinia uncata 25 BBS (21), WLA (4) Asteraceae Common Sneezeweed Centipeda cunninghamii 5 BBS Asteraceae Spreading Sneezeweed Centipeda minima 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Asteraceae Spreading Sneezeweed Centipeda minima var minima 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Asteraceae Snuffweed Centipeda racemosa 1 BBS Asteraceae Desert Sneezeweed Centipeda thespidioides 3 BBS Asteraceae Common Everlasting Chrysocephalum apiculatum 295 BBS (279), WLA (16) Asteraceae Hill Everlasting Chrysocephalum semicalvum 9 BBS ssp semicalvum Asteraceae Clustered Everlasting Chrysocephalum semipapposum 64 BBS (59), WLA (5) Asteraceae Common Cotula Cotula australis 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Asteraceae Bears-ear Cymbonotus lawsonianus 40 BBS (37), WLA (3) Asteraceae Cymbonotus preissianus 11 BBS Asteraceae Eclipta platyglossa 9 BBS Asteraceae Spreading Nut-heads Epaltes australis 18 BBS Asteraceae Tall Nut-heads Epaltes cunninghamii 1 BBS Asteraceae Woolly Mantle Eriochlamys behrii 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Eriochlamys species A 4 BBS Asteraceae Creeping Cudweed Euchiton gymnocephalus 70 BBS Asteraceae Star Cudweed Euchiton involucratus 40 BBS (36), WLA (4) Asteraceae Euchiton sphaericus 77 BBS Asteraceae Speedy Weed Flaveria australasica 1 BBS Asteraceae Cobblers Tack Glossogyne tannensis 66 BBS Asteraceae Gnaphalium polycaulon 10 BBS Asteraceae Gnephosis tenuissima 34 BBS (32), WLA (2) Asteraceae Helichrysum collinum 28 BBS Asteraceae Button Everlasting Helichrysum scorpioides 1 BBS Asteraceae Dainty Everlasting Helichrysum semifertile 1 BBS Asteraceae Hyalosperma glutinosum ssp 1 BBS glutinosum Asteraceae Hyalosperma praecox 1WLA Asteraceae Hyalosperma semisterile 1 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Asteraceae Leucochrysum albicans 1WLA Asteraceae Plover Daisy Ixiolaena brevicompta 1 BBS Asteraceae Plover Daisy Ixiolaena leptolepis 11 BBS (5), WLA (6) Asteraceae Woolly Ixiolaena Ixiolaena tomentosa 21 BBS (10), WLA (11) Asteraceae Slender Lagenifera Lagenifera gracilis 14 BBS Asteraceae Blue Bottle-daisy Lagenifera stipitata 17 BBS Asteraceae Microseris lanceolata 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Asteraceae Minuria integerrima 9 BBS (5), WLA (4) Asteraceae Minuria leptophylla 1 BBS Asteraceae Alpine Daisy Bush Olearia alpicola 5 BBS Asteraceae Olearia canescens 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Olearia decurrens 27 BBS Asteraceae Sticky Daisy Bush Olearia elliptica 1076 BBS (58), WLA (1018)

Asteraceae Olearia microphylla 28 BBS (12), WLA (16) Asteraceae Olearia pimeleoides 11 BBS Asteraceae Olearia ramosissima 8 BBS (5), WLA (3) Asteraceae Olearia ramulosa 28 BBS (27), WLA (1) Asteraceae Olearia rosmarinifolia 1WLA Asteraceae Wallaby Weed Olearia viscidula 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Olearia viscosa 21 BBS (11), WLA (10) Asteraceae White Dogwood Ozothamnus diosmifolius 58 BBS Asteraceae Ozothamnus diotophyllus 1 BBS Asteraceae Ozothamnus obcordatus 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Asteraceae Bowl Daisy Pluchea dentex 1 BBS Asteraceae Clustered Copper-wire Podolepis arachnoidea 4 BBS Daisy Asteraceae Large Copper-wire Podolepis canescens 2WLA Daisy Asteraceae Showy Copper-wire Podolepis jaceoides 26 BBS (25), WLA (1) Daisy Asteraceae Podolepis neglecta 16 BBS (14), WLA (2) Asteraceae Podolepis robusta 1WLA Asteraceae Jersy Cudweed Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum 122 BBS (22), WLA (100) Asteraceae Billy Buttons Pycnosorus globosus 29 BBS (16), WLA (13) Asteraceae Rhodanthe anthemoides 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Asteraceae Small White Sunray Rhodanthe corymbiflora 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Asteraceae Rhodanthe stuartiana 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Asteraceae Rhodanthe troedelii 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Senecio bipinnatisectus 1 BBS Asteraceae Senecio biserratus 4 BBS Asteraceae Senecio cunninghamii var 1 BBS cunninghamii Asteraceae Senecio diaschides 29 BBS Asteraceae Senecio glossanthus 7 BBS Asteraceae Senecio hispidulus 4 BBS Asteraceae Senecio hispidulus var dissectus 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) Asteraceae Senecio hispidulus var 3WLA hispidulus Asteraceae Variable Groundsell Senecio lautus 11 BBS (10), WLA (1) Asteraceae Variable Groundsell Senecio lautus ssp dissectifolius 29 BBS Asteraceae Senecio linearifolius 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Asteraceae Senecio minimus 1 BBS Asteraceae Cotton Fireweed Senecio quadridentatus 122 BBS (116), WLA (6) Asteraceae Tall Groundsell Senecio runcinifolius 1 BBS Asteraceae Senecio species E 48 BBS (47), WLA (1) Asteraceae Sigesbeckia australiensis 34 BBS (33), WLA (1) Asteraceae Indian Weed Sigesbeckia orientalis ssp 23 BBS (19), WLA (4) orientalis Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Asteraceae Solenogyne bellioides 12 BBS (11), WLA (1) Asteraceae Solenogyne gunnii 10 BBS (9), WLA (1) Asteraceae Hooked Cudweed Stuartina hamata 23 BBS Asteraceae Spoon Cudweed Stuartina muelleri 6 BBS Asteraceae Triptilodiscus pygmaeus 43 BBS (41), WLA (2) Asteraceae Vernonia cinerea 69 BBS (65), WLA (4) Asteraceae Vernonia cinerea var cinerea 40 BBS Asteraceae Vittadinia cervicularis 11 BBS (9), WLA (2) Asteraceae Vittadinia cervicularis var 46 BBS cervicularis Asteraceae Vittadinia cervicularis var 9 BBS subcervicularis Asteraceae Fuzzweed Vittadinia cuneata 78 BBS (66), WLA (12) Asteraceae Fuzzweed Vittadinia cuneata var cuneata 23 BBS Asteraceae Fuzzweed Vittadinia cuneata var cuneata 3 BBS forma cuneata Asteraceae Fuzzweed Vittadinia cuneata var hirsuta 7 BBS Asteraceae Vittadinia dissecta 32 BBS (29), WLA (3) Asteraceae Vittadinia dissecta var dissecta 1WLA Asteraceae Vittadinia dissecta var hirta 99 BBS Asteraceae Vittadinia gracilis 2 BBS Asteraceae Vittadinia muelleri 54 BBS Asteraceae Rough Fuzzweed Vittadinia pterochaeta 17 BBS (13), WLA (4) Asteraceae Vittadinia pustulata 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Asteraceae Vittadinia sulcata 122 BBS Asteraceae Western New Holland Vittadinia tenuissima 1 BBS Daisy Asteraceae Picris angustifolia 26 BBS Azollaceae Azolla filiculoides var rubra 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Bignoniaceae Wonga Wonga Vine Pandorea pandorana 69 BBS (35), WLA (34) Blechnaceae Gristle Fern Blechnum cartilagineum 2WLA Blechnaceae Soft Water Fern Blechnum minus 4 BBS Blechnaceae Fishbone Water Fern Blechnum nudum 1 BBS Blechnaceae Rasp Fern Doodia aspera 12 BBS (10), WLA (2) Blechnaceae Rasp Fern Doodia caudata 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Boraginaceae Austrocynoglossum latifolium 6 BBS Boraginaceae Cynoglossum australe 36 BBS (34), WLA (2) Boraginaceae Cynoglossum suaveolens 3 BBS (1), WLA (1) Boraginaceae Australian Forget-me- Myosotis australis 1WLA not Boraginaceae Peach Bush Ehretia membranifolia 27 BBS (12), WLA (15) Boraginaceae Halgania brachyrhyncha 2 BBS Boraginaceae Rough Halgania Halgania cyanea 2 BBS Brassicaceae Cardamine paucijuga 12 BBS Brassicaceae Harmsiodoxa blennodioides 1 BBS Brassicaceae Lepidium fasciculatum 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Brassicaceae Lepidium muelleri-ferdinandi 1 BBS Brassicaceae Peppercress Lepidium pseudohyssopifolium 59 BBS (51), WLA (8) Brassicaceae Lepidium sagittulatum 2 BBS Brassicaceae Oval-podded Cress Phlegmatospermum 2 BBS cochlearinum Brassicaceae Rorippa eustylis 3 BBS Campanulaceae Tufted Bluebell Wahlenbergia communis 117 BBS (111), WLA (6) Campanulaceae River Bluebell Wahlenbergia fluminalis 57 BBS (48), WLA (9) Campanulaceae Annual Bluebell Wahlenbergia gracilenta 87 BBS (86), WLA (1) Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia gracilis 71 BBS (64), WLA (7) Campanulaceae Granite Bluebell Wahlenbergia graniticola 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia luteola 36 BBS (24), WLA (12) Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia planiflora 62 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia planiflora ssp 86 BBS longipila Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia planiflora ssp 73 BBS planiflora Campanulaceae Tall Bluebell Wahlenbergia stricta 46 BBS (38), WLA (8) Campanulaceae Tall Bluebell Wahlenbergia stricta ssp alterna 44 BBS Campanulaceae Tall Bluebell Wahlenbergia stricta ssp stricta 63 BBS Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia tumidifructa 2 BBS Capparaceae Warrior Bush Apophyllum anomalum 71 BBS (42), WLA (29) Capparaceae Nepine Capparis lasiantha 261 BBS (26), WLA (235) Capparaceae Wild Orange Capparis mitchellii 130 BBS (65), WLA (65) Caryophyllaceae Annual Chalkwort Gypsophila tubulosa 11 BBS (10), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Polycarpaea corymbosa 1 BBS Caryophyllaceae Polycarpaea corymbosa var 7 BBS minor Caryophyllaceae Scleranthus biflorus 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Scleranthus pungens 2 BBS Caryophyllaceae Swamp Starwort Stellaria angustifolia 9 BBS (7), WLA (2) Caryophyllaceae Stellaria flaccida 7 BBS Caryophyllaceae Stellaria multiflora 5 BBS Caryophyllaceae Prickly Starwort Stellaria pungens 25 BBS (24), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Stellaria species D 2 BBS Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina diminuta 82 BBS (81), WLA (1) Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina diminuta ssp 97 BBS (93), WLA (4) diminuta Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina distyla 8 BBS Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina gymnanthera 23 BBS Casuarinaceae Stringybark Sheoak Allocasuarina inophloia 1 BBS Casuarinaceae Black Sheoak Allocasuarina littoralis 3WLA Casuarinaceae Bulloak Allocasuarina luehmannii 310 BBS (269), WLA (41) Casuarinaceae Forest Oak Allocasuarina torulosa 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Casuarinaceae Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata 1 BBS Casuarinaceae Belah Casuarina cristata 264 BBS (84), WLA (180) Celastraceae Red Olive-plum Cassine australis 42 BBS (20), WLA (22) Celastraceae Red Olive-plum Cassine australis var angustifolia 22 BBS (8), WLA (14) Celastraceae Celastrus australis 4 BBS Celastraceae Celastrus subspicata 2 BBS Celastraceae Orangebark Maytenus bilocularis 4WLA Celastraceae Yellow-berry Bush Maytenus cunninghamii 102 BBS (90), WLA (12) Centrolepidaceae Centrolepis eremica 2 BBS Centrolepidaceae Centrolepis strigosa ssp strigosa 38 BBS (35), WLA (3) Chenopodiaceae Slender-fruit Saltbush Atriplex leptocarpa 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Chenopodiaceae Atriplex pseudocampanulata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Creeping Saltbush Atriplex semibaccata 17 BBS (11), WLA (6) Chenopodiaceae Atriplex spinibractea 17 BBS (16), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Atriplex suberecta 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium auricomum 10 BBS (5), WLA (5) Chenopodiaceae Keeled Goosefoot Chenopodium carinatum 2 BBS Chenopodiaceae Crested Goosefoot Chenopodium cristatum 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium curvispicatum 2 BBS Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium desertorum ssp 12 BBS desertorum Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium desertorum ssp 2 BBS microphyllum Chenopodiaceae Black Crumbweed Chenopodium melanocarpum 2 BBS Chenopodiaceae Small Crumbweed Chenopodium pumilio 13 BBS (9), WLA (4) Chenopodiaceae Dysphania glomulifera 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Berry Saltbush Einadia hastata 97 BBS (78), WLA (19) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Chenopodiaceae Climbing Saltbush Einadia nutans 186 BBS (46), WLA (140) Chenopodiaceae Climbing Saltbush Einadia nutans ssp linifolia 22 BBS (21), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Climbing Saltbush Einadia nutans ssp nutans 168 BBS (166), WLA (2) Chenopodiaceae Einadia polygonoides 12 BBS (10), WLA (2) Chenopodiaceae Fishweed Einadia trigonos 67 BBS (61), WLA (6) Chenopodiaceae Fishweed Einadia trigonos ssp leiocarpa 5 BBS Chenopodiaceae Fishweed Einadia trigonos ssp stellulata 4 BBS Chenopodiaceae Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa 126 BBS (95), WLA (31) Chenopodiaceae Cotton Bush Maireana aphylla 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Chenopodiaceae Maireana brevifolia 7 BBS (2), WLA (5) Chenopodiaceae Maireana coronata 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Chenopodiaceae Black Cottonbush Maireana decalvans 2 BBS Chenopodiaceae Maireana enchylaenoides 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Maireana microcarpa 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Chenopodiaceae Maireana microphylla 48 BBS (27), WLA (21) Chenopodiaceae Hairy Bluebush Maireana pentagona 2 BBS Chenopodiaceae Rhagodia parabolica 3 BBS Chenopodiaceae Rhagodia spinescens 97 BBS (50), WLA (47) Chenopodiaceae Salsola kali 22 BBS (11), WLA (11) Chenopodiaceae Salsola kali var kali 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Goathead Burr Sclerolaena bicornis 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Goathead Burr Sclerolaena bicornis var horrida 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Chenopodiaceae Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena birchii 83 BBS (42), WLA (41) Chenopodiaceae Red Burr Sclerolaena calcarata 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena convexula 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Tangled Copperburr Sclerolaena cuneata 1WLA Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena decurrens 3 BBS Chenopodiaceae Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena diacantha 20 BBS (15), WLA (5) Chenopodiaceae Tangled Copperburr Sclerolaena divaricata 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena intricata 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena longicuspis 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Black Rolypoly Sclerolaena muricata 38 BBS (18), WLA (20) Chenopodiaceae Black Rolypoly Sclerolaena muricata var 6 BBS muricata Chenopodiaceae Black Rolypoly Sclerolaena muricata var 4 BBS semiglabra Chenopodiaceae Black Rolypoly Sclerolaena muricata var villosa 4 BBS Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena stelligera 1 BBS Chenopodiaceae Brigalow Burr Sclerolaena tetracuspis 73 BBS (13), WLA (60) Chenopodiaceae Giant Redburr Sclerolaena tricuspis 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Chloanthaceae Chloanthes parviflora 107 BBS (85), WLA (22) Chloanthaceae Spartothamnella juncea 47 BBS (26), WLA (21) Chloanthaceae Spartothamnella puberula 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) Clusiaceae Small St John's Wort Hypericum gramineum 172 BBS (166), WLA (6) Clusiaceae Hypericum japonicum 10 BBS Colchicaceae Early Nancy Wurmbea dioica ssp dioica 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Commelinaceae Aneilema acuminatum 5 BBS Commelinaceae Commelina cyanea 71 BBS (64), WLA (7) Commelinaceae Scurvy Grass Commelina ensifolia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Commelinaceae Murdannia graminea 12 BBS (11), WLA (1) Convolvulaceae Calystegia marginata 2 BBS Convolvulaceae Convolvulus erubescens 31 BBS (23), WLA (8) Convolvulaceae Convolvulus remotus 6 BBS Convolvulaceae Australian Dodder Cuscuta australis 1 BBS Convolvulaceae Kidney Weed Dichondra repens 211 BBS (178), WLA (33) Convolvulaceae Kidney Weed Dichondra sp.A 129 BBS (114), WLA (15) Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides 21 BBS (19), WLA (2) Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides var 94 BBS (92), WLA (2) decumbens Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides var 7 BBS villosicalyx Convolvulaceae Polymeria longifolia 2 BBS Convolvulaceae Polymeria pusilla 2 BBS Crassulaceae Crassula colorata 8 BBS (4), WLA (4) Crassulaceae Crassula decumbens var 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) decumbens Crassulaceae Australian Stonecrop Crassula sieberiana 66 BBS (57), WLA (9) Cucurbitaceae Sicyos australis 2 BBS Cucurbitaceae Slender Cucumber Zehneria cunninghamii 1 BBS Cupressaceae Black Cypress Pine Callitris endlicheri 444 BBS (396), WLA (48) Cupressaceae White Cypress Pine Callitris glaucophylla (segregate 659 BBS (525), WLA (134) Callitris columellaris) Cyperaceae Baumea juncea 2 BBS Cyperaceae Bolboschoenus fluviatilis 11 BBS (6), WLA (5) Cyperaceae Bulbostylis barbata 12 BBS (11), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Bulbostylis densa 1 BBS Cyperaceae Carex appressa 22 BBS (15), WLA (7) Cyperaceae Carex bichenoviana 1 BBS Cyperaceae Carex breviculmis 39 BBS Cyperaceae Carex chlorantha 1 BBS Cyperaceae Carex declinata 1 BBS Cyperaceae Tassel Sedge Carex fascicularis 1 BBS Cyperaceae Carex incomitata 14 BBS Cyperaceae Knob Sedge Carex inversa 100 BBS (89), WLA (11) Cyperaceae Carex tereticaulis 1 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus alterniflorus 2 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus betchei subsp betchei 2 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus bifax 12 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus castaneus 1 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus concinnus 5 BBS Cyperaceae Dirty Dora Cyperus difformis 2 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus exaltatus 125 BBS (10), WLA (115) Cyperaceae Cyperus flaccidus 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Cyperaceae Cyperus fulvus 100 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus gracilis 314 BBS (209), WLA (105)

Cyperaceae Cyperus gunnii ssp gunnii 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Cyperaceae Cyperus gymnocaulos 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Cyperus leiocaulon 2 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus lucidus 18 BBS (16), WLA (2) Cyperaceae Cyperus polystachyos 1 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus pygmaeus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Cyperus sanguinolentus 9 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus sphaeroideus 5 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus squarrosus 1 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus subulatus 9 BBS (7), WLA (2) Cyperaceae Cyperus vaginatus 19 BBS (11), WLA (8) Cyperaceae Cyperus victoriensis 4 BBS Cyperaceae Eleocharis acuta 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Eleocharis cylindrostachys 1WLA Cyperaceae Eleocharis dietrichiana 3 BBS Cyperaceae Eleocharis gracilis 1 BBS Cyperaceae Eleocharis pallens 8 BBS Cyperaceae Eleocharis plana 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Cyperaceae Eleocharis pusilla 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Cyperaceae Fimbristylis dichotoma 113 BBS (110), WLA (3) Cyperaceae Fimbristylis neilsonii 32 BBS Cyperaceae Fuirena incrassata 5 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Cyperaceae Gahnia aspera 311 BBS (278), WLA (33) Cyperaceae Isolepis australiensis 2 BBS Cyperaceae Nodding Club-rush Isolepis cernua 1 BBS Cyperaceae Isolepis hookeriana 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Isolepis inundata 2 BBS Cyperaceae Isolepis victoriensis 1 BBS Cyperaceae Lepidosperma laterale 244 BBS (218), WLA (26) Cyperaceae Lepidosperma viscidum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Lipocarpha microcephala 5 BBS Cyperaceae Schoenoplectus mucronatus 1WLA Cyperaceae Schoenoplectus validus 13 BBS (7), WLA (6) Cyperaceae Schoenus apogon 43 BBS (41), WLA (2) Cyperaceae Schoenus centralis 16 RBG (1) Cyperaceae Schoenus ericetorum 229 BBS (127), WLA (102)

Cyperaceae Schoenus kennyi 46 BBS Cyperaceae Schoenus latelaminatus 3 BBS Cyperaceae Schoenus moorei 24 BBS Cyperaceae Scleria mackaviensis 23 BBS Davalliaceae Haresfoot Fern Davallia solida var pyxidata 4 BBS Davalliaceae Arthropteris beckleri 1WLA Davalliaceae Arthropteris tenella 1WLA Dennsteadtiaceae Ground Fern Hypolepis glandulifera 4 BBS Dennsteadtiaceae Bracken Pteridium esculentum 99 BBS (45), WLA (54) Dicksoniaceae Common Ground Fern Calochlaena dubia 14 BBS (13), WLA (1) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia acicularis 15 BBS (14), WLA (1) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia circumdans 7 BBS Dilleniaceae Hibbertia covenyana 50 BBS (49), WLA (1) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia incana 72 BBS (58), WLA (14) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia linearis 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia monogyna 12 BBS Dilleniaceae Hibbertia obtusifolia 470 BBS (404), WLA (66) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia pedunculata 1WLA Dilleniaceae Hibbertia riparia 95 BBS (79), WLA (16) Dilleniaceae Climbing Guinea Flower Hibbertia scandens 15 BBS (11), WLA (4) Dilleniaceae Hibbertia serpyllifolia 7 BBS Dilleniaceae Hibbertia species B 1 BBS Droseraceae Sundew Drosera auriculata 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) Droseraceae Drosera burmanni 6 BBS Droseraceae Pimpernel Sundew Drosera glanduligera 4 BBS Droseraceae Drosera indica 3 BBS Droseraceae Drosera peltata 14 BBS (11), WLA (3) Dryopteridaceae Shiny Sheild Fern Lastreopsis acuminata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Dryopteridaceae Sheild Fern Polystichum fallax 25 BBS (5), WLA (20) Dryopteridaceae Mother Sheild Fern Polystichum proliferum 4 BBS Ebenaceae Black Plum Diospyros australis 2 BBS Elatinaceae Waterwort Elatine gratioloides 1WLA Epacridaceae Acrotriche rigida 18 BBS (12), WLA (6) Epacridaceae Honeypots Acrotriche serrulata 7 BBS Epacridaceae Native Cranberry Astroloma humifusum 58 BBS (49), WLA (9) Epacridaceae Brachyloma daphnoides 380 BBS (334), WLA (46) Epacridaceae Brachyloma daphnoides subsp 5 BBS (1), WLA (4) daphnoides Epacridaceae Brachyloma daphnoides subsp 38 BBS pubescens Epacridaceae Leucopogon attenuatus 46 BBS (41), WLA (5) Epacridaceae Leucopogon biflorus 36 BBS (34), WLA (2) Epacridaceae Leucopogon hookeri 5 BBS Epacridaceae Leucopogon lanceolatus 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Epacridaceae Leucopogon lanceolatus var 1WLA lanceolatus Epacridaceae Leucopogon microphyllus 1 BBS Epacridaceae Leucopogon muticus 114 BBS (109), WLA (5) Epacridaceae Coastal Bearded-heath Leucopogon parviflorus 2 BBS Epacridaceae Leucopogon virgatus 3 BBS Epacridaceae Peach Heath Lissanthe strigosa 209 BBS (97), WLA (112) Epacridaceae Peach Heath Lissanthe strigosa subsp 2 BBS strigosa Epacridaceae Peach Heath Lissanthe strigosa subsp 4 BBS subuluta Epacridaceae Ruby Urn Heath Melichrus erubescens 43 BBS (34), WLA (9) Epacridaceae Jam Tarts Melichrus procumbens 2WLA Epacridaceae Melichrus sp. aff. erubescens 4 BBS Epacridaceae Urn Heath Melichrus urceolatus 522 BBS (460), WLA (62) Epacridaceae Monotoca scoparia 44 BBS (42), WLA (2) Epacridaceae Styphelia triflora 337 BBS (187), WLA (150)

Epacridaceae Styphelia viridis 1WLA Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon scariosum 3 BBS Euphorbiaceae Acalypha capillipes 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Euphorbiaceae Adriana tomentosa var 2 BBS tomentosa Euphorbiaceae Bertya cunninghamii 1 BBS Euphorbiaceae Bertya gummifera 11 BBS (9), WLA (2) Euphorbiaceae Bertya oblonga 2 BBS Euphorbiaceae Bertya oleifolia 3 BBS Euphorbiaceae Bertya species D 1 BBS Euphorbiaceae Beyeria viscosa 84 BBS (49), WLA (35) Euphorbiaceae Coffee Bush Breynia oblongifolia 45 BBS (21), WLA (24) Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce dallachyana 24 BBS (15), WLA (9) Euphorbiaceae Caustic Weed Chamaesyce drummondii 133 BBS (130), WLA (3) Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce species A 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Euphorbiaceae Brittlewood Claoxylon australe 5 BBS Euphorbiaceae Silver Croton Croton insularis 8 BBS (4), WLA (4) Euphorbiaceae Croton phebalioides 16 BBS (1), WLA (15) Euphorbiaceae Desert Spurge Euphorbia eremophila 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Euphorbiaceae Micrantheum ericoides 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Euphorbiaceae Bleeding Heart Omalanthus populifolius 2 BBS Euphorbiaceae Bitter Bark Petalostigma pubescens 9 BBS (4), WLA (5) Euphorbiaceae Long-leaved Bitter Bark Petalostigma triloculare 2WLA Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus carpentariae 2 BBS Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus fuernrohrii 1WLA Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus gunnii 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus hirtellus 52 BBS (44), WLA (8) Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus subcrenulatus 20 BBS (10), WLA (10) Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus virgatus 108 BBS (106), WLA (2) Euphorbiaceae Poranthera corymbosa 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Euphorbiaceae Poranthera microphylla 303 BBS (193), WLA (110)

Euphorbiaceae Ricinocarpos bowmanii 117 BBS (91), WLA (26) Euphorbiaceae Sauropus hirtellus 3 BBS Fabaceae Senna aciphylla 3WLA (Caesalpinioideae) Fabaceae Silver Cassia Senna artemisioides 22 BBS (10), WLA (12) (Caesalpinioideae) Fabaceae Silver Cassia Senna artemisioides noth 9 BBS (2), WLA (7) (Caesalpinioideae) artemisioides Fabaceae Senna artemisioides ssp 20 BBS (19), WLA (1) (Caesalpinioideae) zygophylla Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Fabaceae Smooth Senna Senna barclayana 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) (Caesalpinioideae) Fabaceae Senna coronilloides 17 BBS (4), WLA (13) (Caesalpinioideae) Fabaceae Senna form taxon "zygophylla" 3WLA (Caesalpinioideae) (syn. Cassia nemophila) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Gold-dust Wattle Acacia acinacea 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Fern Wattle Acacia amblygona 5 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Cootamundra Wattle Acacia baileyana 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia betchei 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia blakei subsp diphylla 5 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia brownii 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia burrowii 31 BBS (24), WLA (7) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Box-leaved Wattle Acacia buxifolia 123 BBS (102), WLA (21) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Box-leaved Wattle Acacia buxifolia ssp buxifolia 15 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Box-leaved Wattle Acacia buxifolia ssp pubiflora 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Blue Bush Acacia caesiella 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Wallowa Acacia calamifolia 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Wyalong Wattle Acacia cardiophylla 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia caroleae 85 BBS (83), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Motherumbah Acacia cheelii 47 BBS (43), WLA (4) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Curracabah Acacia concurrens 6WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia conferta 59 BBS (32), WLA (27) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia crassa ssp crassa 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Knife-leaved Wattle Acacia cultriformis 17 BBS (13), WLA (4) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Sliver Wattle Acacia dealbata 19 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Green Wattle Acacia deanei 204 BBS (94), WLA (110) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Green Wattle Acacia deanei ssp deanei 42 BBS (39), WLA (3) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Green Wattle Acacia deanei ssp paucijuga 150 BBS (148), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia debilis 3 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Western Golden Wattle Acacia decora 45 BBS (23), WLA (22) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Currawant Acacia doratoxylon 93 BBS (62), WLA (31) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia dorothea 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia elongata 8 BBS (2), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Ironwood Acacia excelsa 6 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Mimosa Bush Acacia farnesiana 38 BBS (19), WLA (19) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Fern-leaved Wattle Acacia filicifolia 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia flexifolia 60 BBS (25), WLA (35) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) White Sally Acacia floribunda 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Sword-leaved Wattle Acacia gladiiformis 189 BBS (154), WLA (35) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Ploughshare Wattle Acacia gunnii 2 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Hakea Wattle Acacia hakeoides 116 BBS (66), WLA (50) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Brigalow Acacia harpophylla 104 BBS (34), WLA (70) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia havilandiorum 25 BBS (18), WLA (7) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Yarran Acacia homalophylla 15 BBS (12), WLA (3) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Hickory Wattle Acacia implexa 32 BBS (23), WLA (9) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Green Wattle Acacia irrorata 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Green Wattle Acacia irrorata ssp irrorata 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia ixiophylla 47 BBS (40), WLA (7) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia ixodes 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Rush-leaved Wattle Acacia juncifolia 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Hairy Wattle Acacia lanigera 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia leiocalyx subsp leiocalyx 20 BBS (14), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia leptoclada 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia leucoclada 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia linearifolia 3WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Streaked Wattle Acacia lineata 28 BBS (13), WLA (15) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Sydney Golden Wattle Acacia longifolia 3 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Box-leaved Wattle Acacia lunata 2 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Maidens Wattle Acacia maidenii 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia maitlandii 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon 16 BBS (14), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia muelleriana 2WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia murrayana 3 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Red-stemmed Wattle Acacia myrtifolia 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Silver Wattle Acacia neriifolia 15 BBS (5), WLA (10) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia obtusifolia 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Miljee Acacia oswaldii 21 BBS (11), WLA (10) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Kangaroo Thorn Acacia paradoxa 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Weeping Myall (Boree) Acacia pendula 139 BBS (19), WLA (120) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Mountain Hickory Acacia penninervis 147 BBS (123), WLA (25) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia pilligaensis 238 BBS (98), WLA (140) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Western Silver Wattle Acacia polybotrya 79 BBS (67), WLA (12) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Coil-pod Wattle Acacia pravifolia 39 BBS (32), WLA (7) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Needle Wattle Acacia rigens 1 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Cooba Acacia salicina 20 BBS (6), WLA (14) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia sertiformis 14 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia sparsifolia 6 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Mudgee Wattle Acacia spectabilis 123 BBS (102), WLA (21) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) River Coobah Acacia stenophylla 13 BBS (7), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Awl-leaved Wattle Acacia subulata 5 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Golden-top Wattle Acacia tindaleae 140 BBS (135), WLA (5) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Spurwing Wattle Acacia triptera 56 BBS (49), WLA (7) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Prickly Moses Acacia ulicifolia 28 BBS (27), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Gold-dust Wattle Acacia uncinata 97 BBS (87), WLA (10) Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia venulosa 6 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Varnish Wattle Acacia verniciflua 9 BBS Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Prickly Wattle Acacia victoriae 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Acacia viscidula 1WLA Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Sensitive Plant Neptunia gracilis forma gracilis 5 BBS (1), WLA (4) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Aotus mollis 69 BBS (63), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Aotus subglauca 3 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Aotus subglauca ssp subglauca 7 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Aotus subglauca var filiformis 19 BBS (16), WLA (3) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea foliosa 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea obcordata 5 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea rhombifolia 46 BBS (36), WLA (10) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea rhombifolia ssp 23 BBS concolor Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea rhombifolia ssp 1 BBS rhombifolia Fabaceae (Faboideae) Bossiaea scortechinii 2 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Eastern Flame Pea Chorizema parviflorum 3 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Yellow Rattlepod Crotalaria mitchellii 6 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Yellow Rattlepod Crotalaria mitchellii ssp mitchellii 6 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Cullen tenax 14 BBS (8), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia acicularis 38 BBS (32), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Broom Bitter Pea Daviesia genistifolia 35 BBS (31), WLA (4) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia latifolia 2WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia mimosoides ssp 1 BBS mimosoides Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia nova-anglica 3 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia pubigera 18 BBS (14), WLA (4) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia squarrosa 1WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Gorse Bitter Pea Daviesia ulicifolia 75 BBS (45), WLA (30) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Daviesia villifera (syn. Daviesia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) squarrosa var villifera) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Fabaceae (Faboideae) Large Tick-trefoil Desmodium brachypodum 160 BBS (146), WLA (14) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Slender Tick-trefoil Desmodium varians 199 BBS (189), WLA (10) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dillwynia cinerascens 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dillwynia juniperina 43 BBS (35), WLA (8) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dillwynia phylicoides 20 WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dillwynia retorta 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dillwynia sericea 91 BBS (73), WLA (18) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dillwynia sieberi 5 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Silky Glycine Glycine canescens 69 BBS (54), WLA (15) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Glycine clandestina 196 BBS (158), WLA (38) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Glycine latifolia 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Glycine sp.A 2 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Glycine tabacina 186 BBS (176), WLA (10) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Woolly Glycine Glycine tomentella 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Fern-leaved Burtonia Gompholobium foliosum 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pale Wedge Pea Gompholobium huegelii 1WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Leafy-wedge Pea Gompholobium virgatum 5 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Gompholobium virgatum var 5 BBS aspalathoides Fabaceae (Faboideae) False Sarsaparilla Hardenbergia violacea 273 BBS (145), WLA (128)

Fabaceae (Faboideae) Hovea lanceolata 102 BBS (78), WLA (24) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Hovea linearis 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Hovea longipes 18 BBS (4), WLA (14) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Hovea purpurea 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Hovea rosmarinifolia 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Indigofera adesmiifolia (syn. 25 BBS (20), WLA (5) Indigofera signata) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Indigofera australis 61 BBS (25), WLA (36) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Indigofera brevidens 16 BBS (8), WLA (8) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Indigofera coronillifolia 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Dogwood Jacksonia scoparia 32 BBS (26), WLA (6) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Goodia medicaginea 1WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Purple Running Pea Kennedia procurrens 12 BBS (10), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Lespedeza juncea ssp sericea 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Australian Trefoil Lotus australis 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Red-flowered Lotus Lotus cruentus 9 BBS (7), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Native Wisteria Callerya megasperma (syn. 1 BBS Millettia megasperma) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Mirbelia pungens 30 BBS (29), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea boormanii 20 BBS (19), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea cinerascens 125 BBS (123), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea cunninghamii 14 BBS (12), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea foliolosa 129 BBS (99), WLA (40) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea microphylla 11 BBS (6), WLA (5) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea petiolaris 4 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea polifolia 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea retusa 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea species C 13 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea species G 4 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea species I 2 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Pultenaea villosa 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Rhyncho Rhynchosia minima 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Sesbania Pea Sesbania cannabina var 8 BBS (3), WLA (5) cannbina Fabaceae (Faboideae) Tephrosia brachyodon 1WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona affinis 8 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona behriana 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona bracteata 1WLA Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona cadellii 12 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Smooth Darling Pea Swainsona galegifolia 81 BBS (64), WLA (17) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Darling Pea Swainsona greyana 7 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona laxa 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona luteola 1WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona microphylla 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona oroboides 2WLA Fabaceae (Faboideae) Swainsona queenslandica 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Leafy Templetonia Templetonia stenophylla 18 BBS (16), WLA (2) Fabaceae (Faboideae) Zornia Zornia dyctiocarpa var 7 BBS dyctiocarpa Fabaceae (Faboideae) Zornia floribunda 1 BBS Fabaceae (Faboideae) Prickly Shaggy-pea Podolobium ilicifolium 3 BBS Gentianaceae Spike Centaury Centaurium spicatum 23 BBS Geraniaceae Common Crowfoot Erodium cicutarium 1WLA Geraniaceae Blue Storksbill Erodium crinitum 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Geraniaceae Geranium homeanum 19 BBS Geraniaceae Geranium potentilloides 13 BBS Geraniaceae Geranium retrorsum 8 BBS Geraniaceae Native Geranium Geranium solanderi 44 BBS (38), WLA (6) Geraniaceae Native Geranium Geranium solanderi var grande 1 BBS Geraniaceae Native Geranium Geranium solanderi var 14 BBS (11), WLA (3) solanderi Geraniaceae Native Storksbill Pelargonium australe 1WLA Geraniaceae Pelargonium inodorum 3 BBS Goodeniaceae Blue Pincushion Brunonia australis 26 BBS Goodeniaceae Coopernookia barbata 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Goodeniaceae Dampiera adpressa 17 BBS Goodeniaceae Dampiera lanceolata 15 WLA Goodeniaceae Dampiera lanceolata var 97 BBS (96), WLA (1) lanceolata Goodeniaceae Dampiera purpurea 40 BBS (31), WLA (9) Goodeniaceae Dampiera stricta 21 BBS (11), WLA (10) Goodeniaceae Goodenia bellidifolia 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Goodeniaceae Goodenia cycloptera 83 BBS (78), WLA (5) Goodeniaceae Goodenia fascicularis 51 BBS (21), WLA (30) Goodeniaceae Goodenia glabra 131 BBS (126), WLA (5) Goodeniaceae Goodenia glauca 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Goodeniaceae Goodenia gracilis 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Goodeniaceae Goodenia havilandii 9 BBS Goodeniaceae Goodenia hederacea 131 BBS (118), WLA (13) Goodeniaceae Goodenia hederacea ssp 47 BBS hederacea Goodeniaceae Goodenia heteromera 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Goodeniaceae Goodenia heterophylla 1 BBS Goodeniaceae Goodenia heterophylla ssp 20 BBS heterophylla Goodeniaceae Goodenia ovata 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Goodeniaceae Goodenia paniculata 43 BBS Goodeniaceae Goodenia pinnatifida 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Goodeniaceae Goodenia pusilliflora 1WLA Goodeniaceae Goodenia rotundifolia 138 BBS (133), WLA (5) Goodeniaceae Scaevola aemula 2WLA Goodeniaceae Scaevola albida 1WLA Goodeniaceae Scaevola humilis 10 BBS Goodeniaceae Scaevola parvibarbata 1 BBS Goodeniaceae Scaevola spinescens 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Goodeniaceae Bloodroot Velleia paradoxa 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Goodeniaceae Velleia parvisepta 1WLA Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Haemodoraceae Haemodorum planifolium 1 BBS Haloragaceae Gonocarpus elatus 186 BBS (180), WLA (6) Haloragaceae Gonocarpus micranthus 1 BBS Haloragaceae Gonocarpus micranthus ssp 1 BBS micranthus Haloragaceae Gonocarpus micranthus ssp 1 BBS ramosissimus Haloragaceae Gonocarpus tetragynus 15 BBS Haloragaceae Gonocarpus teucrioides 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Haloragaceae Haloragis aspera 22 BBS (19), WLA (3) Haloragaceae Haloragis glauca forma glauca 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Haloragaceae Haloragis heterophylla 109 BBS Haloragaceae Haloragis serra 1WLA Haloragaceae Myriophyllum gracile var gracile 1 BBS Haloragaceae Myriophyllum latifolium 1WLA Haloragaceae Myriophyllum pedunculatum 3 BBS Haloragaceae Myriophyllum striatum 1 BBS Haloragaceae Myriophyllum variifolium 2 BBS Haloragaceae Red Watermilfoil Myriophyllum verrucosum 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Hydrocharitaceae Eelweed Vallisneria gigantea 1WLA Hypoxidaceae Golder Weather-grass Hypoxis hygrometrica 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Hypoxidaceae Hypoxis hygrometrica var 4 BBS villosisepala Icacinaceae Brown Beech Pennantia cunninghamii 1 BBS Iridaceae Libertia paniculata 4 BBS Iridaceae Patersonia glabrata 1 BBS Iridaceae Patersonia sericea 47 BBS (46), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus alexandri 1 BBS Juncaceae Juncus alexandri ssp 2 BBS melanobasis Juncaceae Juncus aridicola 35 BBS (30), WLA (5) Juncaceae Juncus brevibracteus 1 BBS Juncaceae Juncus continuus 24 BBS (23), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus filicaulis 18 BBS (17), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus firmus 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Juncaceae Juncus flavidus 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus fockei 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus holoschoenus 1 BBS Juncaceae Juncus homalocaulis 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus ochrocoleus 22 BBS (21), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus planifolius 10 BBS Juncaceae Juncus prismatocarpus 2 BBS Juncaceae Juncus psammophilus 14 BBS Juncaceae Juncus radula 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Juncaceae Juncus remotiflorus 13 BBS (12), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus sandwithii 2 BBS Juncaceae Juncus sarophorus 1 BBS Juncaceae Juncus subglaucus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus subsecundus 74 BBS (73), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus usitatus 14 BBS (10), WLA (4) Juncaceae Juncus vaginatus 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Juncaceae Luzula densiflora 3 BBS Juncaceae Luzula flaccida 37 BBS Juncaceae Luzula meridionalis 1WLA Juncaginaceae Spurred Arrowgrass Triglochin calcitrapum 1 BBS Lamiaceae Austral Bugle Ajuga australis 136 BBS (127), WLA (9) Lamiaceae Hemigenia cuneifolia 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Lamiaceae Australian Gipsywort Lycopus australis 1WLA Lamiaceae Slender Mint Mentha diemenica 10 BBS (9), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Lamiaceae Creeping Mint Mentha satureioides 28 BBS (21), WLA (7) Lamiaceae Plectranthus graveolens 2WLA Lamiaceae Plectranthus parviflorus 22 BBS (19), WLA (3) Lamiaceae Prostanthera euphrasioides 5RBG Lamiaceae Prostanthera granitica 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Lamiaceae Prostanthera howelliae 21 BBS Lamiaceae Cut-leaved Mintbush Prostanthera incisa 2 BBS Lamiaceae Victorian Christmas Prostanthera lasianthos 1 BBS Bush Lamiaceae Snowy Mintbush Prostanthera nivea 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Lamiaceae Prostanthera nivea var nivea 1 BBS Lamiaceae Prostanthera ovalifolia 1WLA Lamiaceae Round-leaved Mint- Prostanthera rotundifolia 2WLA bush Lamiaceae Gaping Mintbush Prostanthera ringens 1 BBS Lamiaceae Prostanthera saxicola 12 BBS (10), WLA (2) Lamiaceae Dwarf Skullcap Scutellaria humilis 39 BBS (35), WLA (4) Lamiaceae Soft Skullcap Scutellaria mollis 2 BBS Lamiaceae Forest Germander Teucrium corymbosum 1WLA Lamiaceae Grey Germander Teucrium racemosum 6 BBS Lamiaceae Teucrium species A 1 BBS Lamiaceae Westringia cheelii 54 BBS Lamiaceae Slender Westringia Westringia eremicola 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Lamiaceae Stiff Westringia Westringia rigida 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Lauraceae Devils Twine Cassytha glabella forma glabella 27 BBS (26), WLA (1) Lauraceae Devils Twine Cassytha melantha 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Lauraceae Devils Twine Cassytha pubescens 198 BBS (170), WLA (28) Lauraceae Devils Twine Cassytha racemosa forma 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) muelleri Lemnaceae Lemna trisulca 1 BBS Lentibulariaceae Fairy Aprons Utricularia dichotoma 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Linaceae Native Flax Linum marginale 101 BBS (1), WLA (100) Lobeliaceae Isotoma armstrongii 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Lobeliaceae Showy Isotome Isotoma axillaris 11 BBS (8), WLA (3) Lobeliaceae Swamp Isotome Isotoma fluviatilis 1 BBS Lobeliaceae Swamp Isotome Isotoma fluviatilis ssp borealis 4 BBS Lobeliaceae Tall Lobelia Lobelia gibbosa 17 BBS (16), WLA (1) Lobeliaceae Lobelia sp. aff. gibbosa 1 BBS 'succulent' Lobeliaceae Poison Pratia Pratia concolor 15 BBS (12), WLA (3) Lobeliaceae Whiteroot Pratia purpurascens 21 BBS (14), WLA (7) Loganiaceae Logania albiflora 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Loganiaceae Mitrasacme paludosa 16 BBS Loganiaceae Mitrasacme polymorpha 4 BBS Lomandraceae Lomandra bracteata 1WLA Lomandraceae Lomandra collina 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Lomandraceae Lomandra confertifolia 5 BBS Lomandraceae Lomandra confertifolia ssp 2 BBS pallida Lomandraceae Scented Mat-rush Lomandra effusa 2WLA Lomandraceae Lomandra filiformis 353 BBS (347), WLA (6) Lomandraceae Lomandra filiformis ssp coriacea 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Lomandraceae Lomandra filiformis ssp filiformis 142 BBS (135), WLA (7) Lomandraceae Lomandra filiformis ssp flavior 10 BBS (9), WLA (1) Lomandraceae Pale Mat-rush Lomandra glauca 16 BBS (12), WLA (4) Lomandraceae Woolly Mat-rush Lomandra leucocephala 93 BBS (90), WLA (3) Lomandraceae Woolly Mat-rush Lomandra leucocephala ssp 20 BBS (18), WLA (2) leucocephala Lomandraceae Spiny-headed Mat-rush Lomandra longifolia 154 BBS (130), WLA (24) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Lomandraceae Many-flowered Mat- Lomandra multiflora 18 BBS rush Lomandraceae Many-flowered Mat- Lomandra multiflora ssp 641 BBS (497), WLA (144) rush multiflora Loranthaceae Amyema bifurcatum var 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) bifurcatum Loranthaceae Amyema cambagei 11 BBS (4), WLA (7) Loranthaceae Amyema congener ssp congener 2 BBS Loranthaceae Amyema linophyllum ssp 63 BBS (58), WLA (5) orientale Loranthaceae Amyema maidenii ssp 101 BBS (1), WLA (100) angustifolium Loranthaceae Amyema miquelii 133 BBS (111), WLA (22) Loranthaceae Amyema miraculosum ssp 15 BBS (12), WLA (3) boormanii Loranthaceae Amyema pendulum 15 BBS (14), WLA (1) Loranthaceae Amyema pendulum ssp 1 BBS longifolium Loranthaceae Amyema pendulum ssp 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) pendulum Loranthaceae Amyema quandang 5 BBS (2), WLA (3) Loranthaceae Amyema quandang var 14 BBS (8), WLA (6) quandang Loranthaceae Dendrophthoe glabrescens 12 BBS (9), WLA (3) Loranthaceae Lysiana exocarpi 8 BBS (5), WLA (3) Loranthaceae Lysiana exocarpi ssp tenuis 19 BBS (17), WLA (2) Loranthaceae Lysiana subfalcata 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Loranthaceae Muellerina bidwillii 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Loranthaceae Muellerina eucalyptoides 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Luzuriagaceae Wombat Berry Eustrephus latifolius 57 BBS (47), WLA (10) Luzuriagaceae Scrambling Lily Geitonoplesium cymosum 15 BBS Malvaceae Abutilon cryptopetalum 2 BBS Malvaceae Abutilon fraseri 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Malvaceae Abutilon leucopetalum 1003 BBS (3), WLA (1000) Malvaceae Abutilon malvifolium 6 BBS Malvaceae Flannelweed Abutilon oxycarpum 133 BBS (78), WLA (55) Malvaceae Abutilon tubulosum 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Malvaceae Hibiscus brachysiphonius 21 BBS (1), WLA (20) Malvaceae Velvet-leaf Hibiscus Hibiscus krichauffianus 1 BBS Malvaceae Hill Hibiscus Hibiscus sturtii 28 BBS (25), WLA (3) Malvaceae Hill Hibiscus Hibiscus sturtii var sturtii 20 BBS (16), WLA (4) Malvaceae Bladder Ketinia Hibiscus trionum 26 BBS (6), WLA (20) Malvaceae Sturt's Desert Rose Gossypium sturtianum 3WLA Malvaceae Prickly Malvastrum Malvastrum coromandelianum 4 BBS Malvaceae Sida corrugata 68 BBS (59), WLA (9) Malvaceae Sida cunninghamii 75 BBS (73), WLA (2) Malvaceae Sida fibulifera 10 BBS (5), WLA (5) Malvaceae Sida filiformis 8 BBS (3), WLA (5) Malvaceae Sida phaeotricha 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Malvaceae Sida sp. A 1 BBS Malvaceae Sida spinosa 36 BBS (13), WLA (23) Malvaceae Sida subspicata 1 BBS Malvaceae Sida trichopoda 31 BBS (30), WLA (1) Marsileaceae Marsilea costulifera 2 BBS Marsileaceae Common Nardoo Marsilea drummondii 24 BBS (17), WLA (7) Marsileaceae Nardoo Marsilea hirsuta 2 BBS Meliaceae White Cedar Melia azedarach 13 BBS (8), WLA (5) Meliaceae Gruie Owenia acidula 10 BBS (3), WLA (7) Meliaceae Scentless Rosewood Synoum glandulosum 3 BBS Menispermaceae Snake Vine Stephania japonica 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Menispermaceae Snake Vine Stephania japonica var discolor 14 BBS Monimiaceae Socketwood Daphnandra micrantha 4 BBS Monimiaceae Sassafras Doryphora sassafras 4 BBS Monimiaceae Native Mulberry Hedycarya angustifolia 8 BBS Monimiaceae Anchor Vine Palmeria scandens 1 BBS Moraceae Sandpaper Fig Ficus coronata 8 BBS Moraceae Port Jackson Fig Ficus rubiginosa 5 BBS (1), WLA (4) Myoporaceae Emubush Eremophila bignoniiflora 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Myoporaceae Winter Apple Eremophila debilis 24 BBS (16), WLA (8) Myoporaceae Turkey Bush Eremophila deserti 32 BBS (15), WLA (17) Myoporaceae Berriga Eremophila longifolia 43 BBS (37), WLA (6) Myoporaceae Budda Eremophila mitchellii 311 BBS (111), WLA (200)

Myoporaceae Silver Emubush Eremophila scoparia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Myoporaceae Western Boobialla Myoporum montanum 108 BBS (78), WLA (30) Myoporaceae Sugarwood Myoporum platycarpum 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Myrsinaceae Brush Muttonwood Rapanea howittiana 2 BBS Myrsinaceae Muttonwood Rapanea variabilis 2 BBS Myrtaceae Lilly Pilly Acmena smithii 2 BBS Myrtaceae Rough-barked Apple Angophora floribunda 213 BBS (173), WLA (40) Myrtaceae Smooth-barked Apple Angophora leiocarpa 51 BBS (35), WLA (16) Myrtaceae Prickly Bottlebrush Callistemon brachyandrus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Narrow-leaved Callistemon linearis 10 BBS (8), WLA (2) Bottlebrush Myrtaceae Lemon Bottlebrush Callistemon pallidus 3 BBS Myrtaceae Pine-leaved Bottlebrush Callistemon pinifolius 1 BBS Myrtaceae River Bottlebrush Callistemon sieberi 11 BBS (7), WLA (4) Myrtaceae Weeping Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Fringe Myrtle Calytrix tetragona 463 BBS (363), WLA (100)

Myrtaceae Long-fruited Bloodwood Corymbia dolichocarpa 323 BBS (13), WLA (310) Myrtaceae Carbeen Corymbia tessellaris 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Myrtaceae White Bloodwood Corymbia trachyphloia 4392 BBS (232), WLA (4160) Myrtaceae White Box Eucalyptus albens 106 BBS (68), WLA (38) Myrtaceae Eucalyptus bakeri 3WLA Myrtaceae Eucalyptus beyeriana 9 BBS (5), WLA (4) Myrtaceae Blakely's Red Gum Eucalyptus blakelyi 180 BBS (152), WLA (28) Myrtaceae Apple Box Eucalyptus bridgesiana 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) Myrtaceae River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis 86 BBS (44), WLA (42) Myrtaceae Eucalyptus camaldulensis<- 4 BBS >chloroclada Myrtaceae Dirty Gum Eucalyptus chloroclada 156 BBS (129), WLA (27) Myrtaceae Fuzzy Box Eucalyptus conica 35 BBS (25), WLA (10) Myrtaceae Coolibah Eucalyptus coolabah 7 BBS (3), WLA (4) Myrtaceae Narrow-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus crebra 436 BBS (386), WLA (50) Myrtaceae Monkey Gum Eucalyptus cypellocarpa 1WLA Myrtaceae Mountain Gum Eucalyptus dalrympleana 2 BBS Myrtaceae Mountain Gum Eucalyptus dalrympleana ssp 1 BBS dalrympleana Myrtaceae Mountain Gum Eucalyptus dalrympleana ssp 13 BBS heptantha Myrtaceae Slaty Gum Eucalyptus dawsonii 1 BBS Myrtaceae Tumbledown Red Gum Eucalyptus dealbata 71 BBS (48), WLA (23) Myrtaceae White Mallee Eucalyptus dumosa 3 BBS Myrtaceae Dwyer's Red Gum Eucalyptus dwyeri 1124 BBS (94), WLA (1030)

Myrtaceae Peppermint Eucalyptus exserta 1WLA Myrtaceae Red Ironbark Eucalyptus fibrosa 244 BBS (194), WLA (50) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Myrtaceae Bundy Eucalyptus goniocalyx 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Silver-top Stringybark Eucalyptus laevopinea 46 BBS (41), WLA (5) Myrtaceae Black Box Eucalyptus largiflorens 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Red Stringybark Eucalyptus macrorhyncha 83 BBS (68), WLA (15) Myrtaceae Brittle Gum Eucalyptus mannifera 1 BBS Myrtaceae Silver-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus melanophloia 595 BBS (49), WLA (546) Myrtaceae Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora 50 BBS (42), WLA (8) Myrtaceae Western Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa 35 BBS (22), WLA (13) Myrtaceae Forest Ribbon Gum Eucalyptus nobilis 21 BBS (20), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Large-flowered Bundy Eucalyptus nortonii 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Blue-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus nubila 51 BBS (48), WLA (3) Myrtaceae White Sally Eucalyptus pauciflora 14 BBS (13), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Narrow-leaved Grey Eucalyptus pilligaensis 126 BBS (86), WLA (40) Box Myrtaceae Bimble Box Eucalyptus populnea ssp bimbil 212 BBS (112), WLA (100)

Myrtaceae Red Box Eucalyptus polyanthemos 3WLA Myrtaceae Brittle Gum Eucalyptus praecox 3 BBS Myrtaceae Orange Gum Eucalyptus prava 1 BBS Myrtaceae Inland Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus rossii 11 BBS (9), WLA (2) Myrtaceae Mugga Eucalyptus sideroxylon 113 BBS (96), WLA (17) Myrtaceae Narrow-leaved Eucalyptus sparsifolia 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Stringybark Myrtaceae Black Sally Eucalyptus stellulata 11 BBS Myrtaceae Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis 1 BBS Myrtaceae Ribbon Gum Eucalyptus viminalis 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Myrtaceae Green Mallee Eucalyptus viridis 37 BBS (12), WLA (25) Myrtaceae Homoranthus flavescens 244 BBS (196), WLA (48) Myrtaceae Tick Bush Kunzea ambigua 2WLA Myrtaceae Kunzea parvifolia 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Myrtaceae Kunzea species D 1 BBS Myrtaceae Leptospermum arachnoides 2 BBS Myrtaceae Leptospermum brevipes 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Leptospermum divaricatum 11 BBS (7), WLA (4) Myrtaceae Leptospermum gregarium 5 BBS Myrtaceae Leptospermum parvifolium 40 BBS (39), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Leptospermum polygalifolium 22 BBS (19), WLA (3) Myrtaceae Leptospermum polygalifolium 2 BBS ssp montanum Myrtaceae Leptospermum polygalifolium 48 BBS (38), WLA (10) ssp transmontanum Myrtaceae Leptospermum sphaerocarpum 1WLA Myrtaceae Leptospermum trinervium 1 BBS Myrtaceae Melaleuca bracteata 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Myrtaceae Melaleuca densispicata 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Myrtaceae Melaleuca ericifolia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Melaleuca erubescens 33 BBS Myrtaceae Melaleuca lanceolata ssp 1 BBS lanceolata Myrtaceae Melaleuca thymifolia 20 BBS Myrtaceae Melaleuca trichostachya 1WLA Myrtaceae Broombush Melaleuca uncinata 73 BBS (48), WLA (25) Myrtaceae Micromyrtus ciliata 7 BBS (2), WLA (5) Myrtaceae Micromyrtus sessilis 27 BBS Myrtaceae Micromyrtus striata 16 BBS (15), WLA (1) Myrtaceae Water Gum Tristaniopsis laurina 1 BBS Myrtaceae Grey Myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia 1WLA Myrtaceae Babingtonia cunninghamii 31 BBS (28), WLA (3) Myrtaceae Babingtonia densifolia 42 BBS (35), WLA (7) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Myrtaceae Babingtonia pluriflora 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Nitrariaceae Nitre Bush Nitraria billardierei 1 BBS Nyctaginaceae Tarvine Boerhavia dominii 94 BBS (83), WLA (11) Nyctaginaceae Tarvine Boerhavia repleta 1 BBS Olacaceae Olax stricta 7 BBS Oleaceae Desert Jasmine Jasminum lineare 55 BBS (30), WLA (25) Oleaceae Jasminum suavissimum 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Oleaceae Notelaea linearis 1 BBS Oleaceae Large Mock-olive Notelaea longifolia 2 BBS Oleaceae Native Olive Notelaea microcarpa 1110 BBS (65), WLA (1045)

Oleaceae Native Olive Notelaea microcarpa var 26 BBS (23), WLA (3) microcarpa Oleaceae Notelaea microcarpa var velutina 8WLA Onagraceae Willowherb Epilobium billardierianum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Onagraceae Willowherb Epilobium billardierianum ssp 31 BBS (29), WLA (2) cinereum Onagraceae Willowherb Epilobium billardierianum ssp 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) hydrophyllum Onagraceae Epilobium hirtigerum 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) Onagraceae Water Primrose Ludwigia peploides ssp 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) montevidensis Ophioglossaceae Parsley Fern Botrychium australe 1 BBS Ophioglossaceae Adders Tongue Ophioglossum lusitanicum 21 BBS Orchidaceae Acianthus collinus 2 BBS Orchidaceae Pixie Caps Acianthus fornicatus 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Blue Caladenia Caladenia caerulea 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Orchidaceae Pink Fingers Caladenia carnea 1WLA Orchidaceae Hooded Caladenia Caladenia cucullata 1WLA Orchidaceae Daddy Long-legs Caladenia filamentosa var 1WLA filamentosa Orchidaceae Caladenia fuscata 32 BBS Orchidaceae Veined Spider Orchid Caladenia species A WLA Orchidaceae Fringed Spider Orchid Caladenia tentaculata 1WLA Orchidaceae Honey Caladenia Caladenia testacea 1WLA Orchidaceae Small Duck Orchid Caleana minor 9 BBS Orchidaceae Purplish Beard-orchid Calochilus robertsonii 28 BBS (27), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Ant Orchid Chiloglottis formicifera 1WLA Orchidaceae Chiloglottis trilabra 8 BBS Orchidaceae Brown Beaks Lyperanthus suaveolens 1WLA Orchidaceae Fringed Helmet Orchid Corybas fimbriatus 2 BBS Orchidaceae Lemon Doubletail Diuris abbreviata 1WLA Orchidaceae Western Donkey Orchid Diuris goonooensis 22 BBS (20), WLA (2) Orchidaceae Diuris platichila 1WLA Orchidaceae Purple Donkey Orchid Diuris punctata 1WLA Orchidaceae Tiger Orchid Diuris sulphurea 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Orchidaceae Diurus tricolor 2 BBS (2), RBG (1), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Genoplesium pedersonii 1 BBS Orchidaceae Red Midge Orchid Genoplesium rufum 1WLA Orchidaceae Parson's Bands Eriochilus cucullatus 1WLA Orchidaceae Waxlip Orchid Glossodia major 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Slender Onion Orchid Microtis parviflora 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Common Onion Orchid Microtis unifolia 23 BBS (21), WLA (2) Orchidaceae Broad-lipped Leek Prasophyllum patens 3 BBS Orchid Orchidaceae Pterostylis bicolor 9 BBS Orchidaceae Pterostylis biseta 1WLA Orchidaceae Pterostylis boormanii 20 BBS (19), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Orchidaceae Pterostylis coccina 13 BBS (12), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Pterostylis curta 1WLA Orchidaceae Summer Greenhood Pterostylis decurva 1 BBS Orchidaceae Pterostylis hamata 1WLA Orchidaceae Pterostylis laxa 2 BBS Orchidaceae Tall Greenhood Pterostylis longifolia 1WLA Orchidaceae Midget Greenhood Pterostylis mutica 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Dwarf Greenhood Pterostylis nana 1 BBS Orchidaceae Nodding Greenhood Pterostylis nutans 1WLA Orchidaceae Pterostylis obtusa 1 BBS Orchidaceae Tiny Greenhood Pterostylis parviflora 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Orchidaceae Pterostylis revoluta 1WLA Orchidaceae Rusty Hood Pterostylis rufa 1WLA Orchidaceae Pterostylis setifera 23 BBS Orchidaceae Pterostylis species B 7 BBS Orchidaceae Ladies Tresses Spiranthes sinensis ssp australis 5 BBS Orchidaceae Great Sun Orchid Thelymitra aristata 1WLA Orchidaceae Slender Sun Orchid Thelymitra pauciflora 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Oxalidaceae Oxalis chnoodes 85 BBS Oxalidaceae Oxalis exilis 20 BBS Oxalidaceae Oxalis perennans 213 BBS (203), WLA (10) Oxalidaceae Oxalis radicosa 56 BBS Papaveraceae Native Poppy Papaver aculeatum 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Philydraceae Frogsmouth Philydrum lanuginosum 7 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella 'admixta' 146 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella caerulea 25 BBS (24), WLA (1) Phormiaceae Dianella caerulea var caerulea 1 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella longifolia 62 BBS (61), WLA (1) Phormiaceae Dianella longifolia var grandis 4 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella longifolia var longifolia 73 BBS (38), WLA (35) Phormiaceae Dianella revoluta 349 BBS (289), WLA (60) Phormiaceae Dianella revoluta var revoluta 32 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella revoluta var vinosa 13 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella sp. aff. revoluta 'Pilliga' 44 BBS Phormiaceae Dianella sp. aff. tarda 'Pilliga' 7 BBS Phormiaceae Nodding Blue Lily Stypandra glauca 121 BBS (84), WLA (37) Pittosporaceae Appleberry Billardiera scandens 2 BBS Pittosporaceae Native Boxthorn Bursaria spinosa 47 BBS (40), WLA (7) Pittosporaceae Native Boxthorn Bursaria spinosa var microphylla 3 BBS Pittosporaceae Native Boxthorn Bursaria spinosa var obovata 6 BBS Pittosporaceae Native Boxthorn Bursaria spinosa var spinosa 7 BBS Pittosporaceae Finger Flower Cheiranthera cyanea var cyanea 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Pittosporaceae Orange Thorn Citriobatus pauciflorus 1 BBS Pittosporaceae Wallaby Apple Citriobatus spinescens 1011 BBS (1), WLA (1010) Pittosporaceae Native Frangipanni Hymenosporum flavum 9 BBS Pittosporaceae Weeping Pittosporum Pittosporum phylliraeoides 47 BBS (21), WLA (26) Pittosporaceae Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum 20 BBS (16), WLA (4) Pittosporaceae Rhytidosporum diosmoides 2 BBS Plantaginaceae Plantago cunninghamii 30 BBS (23), WLA (7) Plantaginaceae Plantago debilis 60 BBS (56), WLA (4) Plantaginaceae Plantago turrifera 12 BBS (11), WLA (1) Plantaginaceae Plantago varia 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Poaceae Silvery Hairgrass Aira cupaniana 1WLA Poaceae Agrostis avenacea var avenacea 57 BBS (44), WLA (13) Poaceae Graceful Bent Agrostis venusta 3 BBS Poaceae Cockatoo Grass Alloteropsis semialata 2 BBS Poaceae Amphibromus nervosus 1 BBS Poaceae Amphibromus whitei 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Poaceae Hooked-hairy Panic Ancistrachne uncinulata 19 BBS (15), WLA (4) Grass Poaceae Aristida acuta 12 BBS Poaceae Bunch Wiregrass Aristida behriana 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Aristida benthamii var benthamii 2 BBS Poaceae Aristida blakei 1 BBS Poaceae Aristida calycina 22 BBS (12), WLA (10) Poaceae Aristida calycina var calycina 5 BBS Poaceae Many-headed Aristida caput-medusae 63 BBS (58), WLA (5) Wiregrass Poaceae Aristida gracilipes 30 BBS (19), WLA (11) Poaceae Aristida helicophylla 4 BBS Poaceae Erect Kerosene Grass Aristida holathera var holathera 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Jericho Wiregrass Aristida jerichoensis 185 BBS (184), WLA (1) Poaceae Jericho Wiregrass Aristida jerichoensis var 72 BBS (70), WLA (2) jerichoensis Poaceae Jericho Wiregrass Aristida jerichoensis var 150 BBS (148), WLA (2) subspinulifera Poaceae Feathertop Wiregrass Aristida latifolia 1 BBS Poaceae Aristida leichhardtiana 44 BBS (37), WLA (7) Poaceae White Speargrass Aristida leptopoda 10 BBS (7), WLA (3) Poaceae Aristida muricata 15 BBS (9), WLA (6) Poaceae Aristida obscura 1 BBS Poaceae Aristida platychaeta 3 BBS (3), WLA (2) Poaceae Aristida psammophila 5 BBS Poaceae Aristida ramosa 111 BBS (100), WLA (11) Poaceae Aristida ramosa var ramosa 18 BBS Poaceae Aristida ramosa var scaberula 25 BBS Poaceae Aristida ramosa var speciosa 98 BBS (91), WLA (7) Poaceae Threeawn Speargrass Aristida vagans 54 BBS (48), WLA (6) Poaceae Reedgrass Arundinella nepalensis 85 BBS (81), WLA (4) Poaceae Hoop Mitchell Grass Astrebla elymoides 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Poaceae Curly Mitchell Grass Astrebla lappacea 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Poaceae Bull Mitchell Grass Astrebla pectinata 3 BBS Poaceae Astrebla squarrosa 1 BBS Poaceae Ringed Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia bipartita 126 BBS (99), 'WLA (27) Poaceae Austrodanthonia caespitosa 12 BBS (8), WLA (4) Poaceae Austrodanthonia eriantha 77 BBS Poaceae Austrodanthonia fulva 31 BBS Poaceae Austrodanthonia induta 44 BBS (9), WLA (35) Poaceae Austrodanthonia laevis 28 BBS (18), WLA (10) Poaceae Austrodanthonia monticola 1017 BBS (17), WLA (1000)

Poaceae Smooth-flowered Austrodanthonia pilosa 37 BBS Wallaby Grass Poaceae Austrodanthonia racemosa 16 BBS (8), WLA (8) Poaceae Austrodanthonia racemosa var 64 BBS (63), WLA (1) obtusata Poaceae Austrodanthonia racemosa var 42 BBS (41), WLA (1) racemosa Poaceae Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia richardsonii 11 BBS (10), WLA (1) Poaceae Small-flowered Wallby Austrodanthonia setacea 59 BBS (56), WLA (3) Grass Poaceae Austrostipa acrociliata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Plains Grass Austrostipa aristiglumis 48 BBS (28), WLA (20) Poaceae Austrostipa densiflora 17 BBS (15), WLA (2) Poaceae Austrostipa pubescens 1 BBS Poaceae Stout Bamboo Grass Austrostipa ramosissima 67 BBS (47), WLA (20) Poaceae Austrostipa rudis 1 BBS Poaceae Austrostipa rudis subsp nervosa 18 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Poaceae Austrostipa rudis subsp rudis 2 BBS Poaceae Speargrass Austrostipa scabra 174 BBS (119), WLA (55) Poaceae Speargrass Austrostipa scabra subsp falcata 1006 BBS (6), WLA (1000) Poaceae Speargrass Austrostipa scabra subsp scabra 282 BBS (266), WLA (16) Poaceae Corkscrew Grass Austrostipa setacea 77 BBS (73), WLA (4) Poaceae Austrostipa verticillata 111 BBS (71), WLA (40) Poaceae Forest Bluegrass Bothriochloa bladhii 3 BBS Poaceae Forest Bluegrass Bothriochloa bladhii subsp 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) bladhii Poaceae Red Grass Bothriochloa decipiens 48 BBS (41), WLA (7) Poaceae Desert Bluegrass Bothriochloa ewartiana 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Poaceae Red Grass Bothriochloa macra 33 BBS (20), WLA (13) Poaceae Sand Brome Bromus arenarius 1 BBS Poaceae Slender Chloris Chloris divaricata var divaricata 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Poaceae Windmill Grass Chloris truncata 153 BBS (118), WLA (35) Poaceae Tall Chloris Chloris ventricosa 26 BBS (16), WLA (10) Poaceae Chrysopogon fallax 1 BBS Poaceae Cleistochloa rigida 25 BBS (23), WLA (2) Poaceae Silky Heads Cymbopogon obtectus 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Poaceae Barbed Wire Grass Cymbopogon refractus 1171 BBS (161), WLA (1010) Poaceae Couch Cynodon dactylon 89 BBS (49), WLA (40) Poaceae Button Grass Dactyloctenium radulans 13 BBS (7), WLA (6) Poaceae Danthonia linkii 63 BBS (54), WLA (9) Poaceae Queensland Bluegrass Dichanthium sericeum 87 BBS (50), WLA (37) Poaceae Queensland Bluegrass Dichanthium sericeum ssp 1023 BBS (18), WLA (1005) sericeum Poaceae Longhair Plumegrass Dichelachne crinita 46 BBS Poaceae Dichelachne inaequiglumis 1 BBS Poaceae Shorthair Plumegrass Dichelachne micrantha 201 BBS (197), WLA (4) Poaceae Dichelachne rara 6 BBS Poaceae Silky Umbrella Grass Digitaria ammophila 33 BBS Poaceae Digitaria breviglumis 244 BBS (242), WLA (2) Poaceae Cotton Panic Grass Digitaria brownii 56 BBS (48), WLA (8) Poaceae Digitaria coenicola 1WLA Poaceae Digitaria diffusa 177 BBS (175), WLA (2) Poaceae Umbrella Grass Digitaria divaricatissima 16 BBS (14), WLA (2) Poaceae Digitaria hubbardii 1 BBS Poaceae Umbrella Grass Digitaria hystrichoides 3 BBS Poaceae Digitaria longiflora 1 BBS Poaceae Digitaria ramularis 32 BBS (31), WLA (1) Poaceae Brown Beetle Grass Diplachne fusca 2 BBS Poaceae Small-flowered Beetle Diplachne parviflora 1 BBS Grass Poaceae Awnless Barnyard Echinochloa colona 2 BBS Grass Poaceae Echinopogon caespitosus 36 BBS (33), WLA (3) Poaceae Tufted Hedgehog Grass Echinopogon caespitosus var 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) caespitosus Poaceae Erect Hedgehog Grass Echinopogon intermedius 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Echinopogon mckiei 2 BBS Poaceae Forest Hedgehog Grass Echinopogon ovatus 47 BBS Poaceae Wheatgrass Elymus scaber 24 BBS (18), WLA (6) Poaceae Elymus scaber var plurinervis 1WLA Poaceae Wheatgrass Elymus scaber var scaber 40 BBS Poaceae Bottle Washers Enneapogon avenaceus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Slender Nineawn Enneapogon gracilis 37 BBS (36), WLA (1) Poaceae Enneapogon nigricans 9 BBS (4), WLA (5) Poaceae Windmill Grass Enteropogon acicularis 222 BBS (171), WLA (51) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Poaceae Bordered Panic Entolasia marginata 4 BBS Poaceae Wiry Panic Entolasia stricta 135 BBS (32), WLA (103) Poaceae Canegrass Eragrostis australasica 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Eragrostis benthamii 4 BBS Poaceae Browns Lovegrass Eragrostis brownii 121 BBS (111), WLA (10) Poaceae Clustered Lovegrass Eragrostis elongata 65 BBS (60), WLA (5) Poaceae Purple Lovegrass Eragrostis lacunaria 200 BBS (190), WLA (10) Poaceae Drooping Lovegrass Eragrostis leptocarpa 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Paddock Lovegrass Eragrostis leptostachya 20 BBS (19), WLA (1) Poaceae Eragrostis megalosperma 35 BBS (8), WLA (27) Poaceae Eragrostis molybdea 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Poaceae Weeping Lovegrass Eragrostis parviflora 15 BBS (12), WLA (3) Poaceae Neverfail Eragrostis setifolia 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Poaceae Eragrostis sororia 77 BBS Poaceae Eragrostis speciosa 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Mountain Wanderrie Eriachne mucronata 2 BBS Grass Poaceae Eriochloa australiensis 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Cup Grass Eriochloa crebra 13 BBS (12), WLA (1) Poaceae Spring Grass Eriochloa procera 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Early Spring Grass Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha 122 BBS (15), WLA (107) Poaceae Silky Browntop Eulalia aurea 13 BBS (12), WLA (1) Poaceae Graceful Fescue Festuca asperula 1 BBS Poaceae Glyceria latispicea 3 BBS Poaceae Homopholis proluta 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Poaceae Blady Grass Imperata cylindrica 8 BBS Poaceae Blady Grass Imperata cylindrica var major 30 BBS (26), WLA (4) Poaceae Small Flinders Grass Iseilema membranaceum 2 BBS Poaceae Joycea pallida 96 BBS (87), WLA (9) Poaceae Leptochloa ciliolata 29 BBS Poaceae Umbrella Canegrass Leptochloa digitata 28 BBS (18), WLA (10) Poaceae Leptochloa divaricatissima 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Poaceae Leptochloa peacockii 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Poaceae Microlaena stipoides 139 BBS (127), WLA (12) Poaceae Microlaena stipoides var 63 BBS stipoides Poaceae Long-leaved Wallaby Notodanthonia longifolia 35 BBS (33), WLA (2) Grass Poaceae Oplismenus aemulus 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Poaceae Oplismenus imbecillis 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Poaceae Panicum buncei 7 BBS Poaceae Native Milett Panicum decompositum 26 BBS (19), WLA (7) Poaceae Hairy Panic Panicum effusum 236 BBS (233), WLA (3) Poaceae Pepper Grass Panicum laevinode 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Coolibah Grass Panicum queenslandicum 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Poaceae Coolibah Grass Panicum queenslandicum var 4 BBS queenslandicum Poaceae Two Colour Panic Panicum simile 77 BBS Poaceae Gilgai Grass Panicum subxerophilum 3 BBS Poaceae Reflexed Panic Grass Paractaenum novae-hollandiae 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Paspalidium albovillosum 2 BBS Poaceae Paspalidium aversum 36 BBS (22), WLA (14) Poaceae Brigalow Grass Paspalidium caespitosum 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Poaceae Knottybutt Grass Paspalidium constrictum 77 BBS (69), WLA (8) Poaceae Paspalidium distans 15 BBS (12), WLA (3) Poaceae Paspalidium gausum 2 BBS Poaceae Shotgrass Paspalidium globoideum 2 BBS Poaceae Slender Panic Paspalidium gracile 120 BBS (111), WLA (9) Poaceae Warrego Grass Paspalidium jubiflorum 12 BBS (9), WLA (3) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Poaceae Comet Grass Perotis rara 5 BBS Poaceae Common Reed Phragmites australis 22 BBS (11), WLA (11) Poaceae Wiry Ricegrass Tetrarrhena juncea 1WLA Poaceae Green Summer Grass Urochloa subquadripara 1WLA Poaceae Tussock Poa labillardieri var labillardieri 60 BBS (44), WLA (16) Poaceae Poa sieberiana 55 BBS (53), WLA (2) Poaceae Poa sieberiana var hirtella 3 BBS Poaceae Snow Grass Poa sieberiana var sieberiana 29 BBS Poaceae Indian Cupscale Grass Sacciolepis indica 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Poaceae Setaria paspalidioides 4 BBS Poaceae Wild Sorghum Sorghum leiocladum 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Poaceae Katoora Grass Sporobolus actinocladus 1 BBS Poaceae Fairy Grass Sporobolus caroli 34 BBS (28), WLA (6) Poaceae Slender Rat's Tail Sporobolus creber 52 BBS (48), WLA (4) Grass Poaceae Slender Rat's Tail Sporobolus elongatus 12 BBS Grass Poaceae Rat's Tail Couch Sporobolus mitchellii 42 BBS (41), WLA (1) Poaceae Coolibah Grass Thellungia advena 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Poaceae Kangaroo Grass Themeda australis 1064 BBS (51), WLA (1013)

Poaceae Native Oatgrass Themeda avenacea 7 BBS (3), WLA (4) Poaceae Mulga Mitchell Grass Thyridolepis mitchelliana 47 BBS (44), WLA (3) Poaceae Small Burrgrass Tragus australianus 14 BBS (9), WLA (5) Poaceae Triodia mitchellii 9 BBS Poaceae Triodia mitchellii var pubivagina 11 BBS (10), WLA (1) Poaceae Porcupine Grass Triodia scariosa ssp scariosa 1 BBS Poaceae Fiveminute Grass Tripogon loliiformis 93 BBS (92), WLA (1) Poaceae Australian Vetiver Vetiveria filipes 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Polygalaceae Comesperma sphaerocarpum 1 BBS Polygalaceae Comesperma sylvestre 1WLA Polygalaceae Polygala japonica 8 BBS Polygonaceae Lignum Muehlenbeckia florulenta 12 BBS (7), WLA (5) Polygonaceae Muehlenbeckia rhyticarya 1WLA Polygonaceae Knotweed Persicaria attenuata 101 BBS (1), WLA (100) Polygonaceae Slender Knotweed Persicaria decipiens 10 BBS (8), WLA (2) Polygonaceae Water Pepper Persicaria hydropiper 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Polygonaceae Pale Knotweed Persicaria lapathifolia 21 BBS (14), WLA (7) Polygonaceae Princes Feathers Persicaria orientalis 1WLA Polygonaceae Creeping Knotweed Persicaria prostrata 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Polygonaceae Hairy Knotweed Persicaria subsessilis 2 BBS Polygonaceae Small Knotweed Polygonum plebeium 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Polygonaceae Swamp Dock Rumex brownii 257 BBS (92), WLA (165) Polygonaceae Shiny Dock Rumex crystallinus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Polygonaceae Wiry Dock Rumex dumosus 1WLA Polygonaceae Rumex stenoglottis 1 BBS Polygonaceae Shiny Dock Rumex tenax 1 BBS Polypodiaceae Rock Felt Fern Pyrrosia rupestris 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Portulacaceae Anacampseros australiana 3 BBS Portulacaceae Calandrinia balonensis 3 BBS Portulacaceae Calandrinia calyptrata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Portulacaceae Calandrinia eremaea 57 BBS (48), WLA (9) Portulacaceae Calandrinia pickeringii 1WLA Portulacaceae Calandrinia ptychosperma 1 BBS Portulacaceae Portulaca bicolor var rosea 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Portulacaceae Portulaca filifolia 4 BBS Portulacaceae Pigweed Portulaca oleracea 19 BBS (11), WLA (8) Potamogetonaceae Curly Pondweed Potamogeton crispus 4 BBS (1), WLA (3) Potamogetonaceae Floating Pondweed Potamogeton tricarinatus 1 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Proteaceae Banksia integrifolia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Proteaceae Banksia marginata 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Proteaceae Conospermum taxifolium 3 BBS Proteaceae Grevillea arenaria 17 BBS (15), WLA (2) Proteaceae Seven Dwarfs Grevillea Grevillea floribunda 238 BBS Proteaceae Seven Dwarfs Grevillea Grevillea floribunda subsp 2160 WLA floribunda Proteaceae Grevillea ramosissima 9 BBS Proteaceae Fan Grevillea Grevillea ramosissima subsp 4WLA ramosissima Proteaceae Grevillea sericea 3 BBS Proteaceae Beefwood Grevillea striata 24 BBS (4), WLA (20) Proteaceae Grevillea triternata 65 BBS (55), WLA (10) Proteaceae Hakea decurrens 11 BBS Proteaceae Hakea decurrens ssp decurrens 4 BBS Proteaceae Needlewood Hakea leucoptera 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Proteaceae Small-fruited Hakea Hakea microcarpa 2 BBS Proteaceae Hakea sericea 1WLA Proteaceae Drumsticks Isopogon petiolaris 55 BBS (52), WLA (3) Proteaceae Lomatia arborescens 7 BBS Proteaceae Persoonia cornifolia 1 BBS Proteaceae Persoonia curvifolia 57 BBS (53), WLA (4) Proteaceae Persoonia sericea 317 BBS (286), WLA (31) Proteaceae Persoonia terminalis ssp recurva 306 RBG (6), WLA (300) Psilotaceae Skeleton Forked Fern Psilotum nudum 1WLA Pteridaceae Tender Brake Pteris tremula 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Pteridaceae Jungle Brake Pteris umbrosa 1 BBS Ranunculaceae Clematis aristata 27 BBS (26), WLA (1) Ranunculaceae Headache Vine Clematis glycinoides 11 BBS (9), WLA (2) Ranunculaceae Headache Vine Clematis glycinoides var 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) glycinoides Ranunculaceae Small-leaved Clematia Clematis microphylla 29 BBS (19), WLA (10) Ranunculaceae Clematis microphylla var 8WLA microphylla Ranunculaceae Buttercup Ranunculus amphitrichus 1 BBS Ranunculaceae Buttercup Ranunculus collinus 1 BBS Ranunculaceae Buttercup Ranunculus inundatus 5 BBS Ranunculaceae Common Buttercup Ranunculus lappaceus 40 BBS (38), WLA (2) Ranunculaceae Ranunculus pumilio 1 BBS Ranunculaceae Ranunculus pumilio var pumilio 2 BBS Ranunculaceae Ranunculus sessiliflorus 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Ranunculaceae Ranunculus sessiliflorus var 9 BBS sessiliflorus Ranunculaceae Ranunculus undosus 1 BBS Rhamnaceae Red Ash Alphitonia excelsa 38 BBS (19), WLA (19) Rhamnaceae Cryptandra amara 69 BBS (29), WLA (40) Rhamnaceae Cryptandra amara var amara 8 BBS Rhamnaceae Cryptandra amara var floribunda 54 BBS (53), WLA (1) Rhamnaceae Cryptandra amara var longiflora 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Rhamnaceae Cryptandra longistaminea 4 BBS Rhamnaceae Pomaderris andromedifolia 2 BBS Rhamnaceae Pomaderris angustifolia 21 BBS (1), WLA (20) Rhamnaceae Pomaderris lanigera 3 BBS Rhamnaceae Pomaderris prunifolia 1WLA Rhamnaceae Supple Jack Ventilago viminalis 40 BBS (5), WLA (35) Ripogonaceae White Supplejack Ripogonum album 2 BBS Rosaceae Acaena agnipila 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Rosaceae Acaena echinata 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) Rosaceae Acaena novae-zelandiae 54 BBS (53), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Rosaceae Acaena ovina 4 BBS (1), WLA (3) Rosaceae Aphanes australiana 1 BBS Rosaceae Geum urbanum 2 BBS Rosaceae Rubus moluccanus var trilobus 17 BBS Rosaceae Native Raspberry Rubus parvifolius 29 BBS (25), WLA (4) Rosaceae Rose-leaf Bramble Rubus rosifolius 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Rubiaceae Common Woodruff Asperula conferta 78 BBS (67), WLA (11) Rubiaceae Twining Woodruff Asperula cunninghamii 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Rubiaceae Stiff Canthium Canthium buxifolium 1WLA Rubiaceae Native Currant Canthium latifolium 8 BBS (4), WLA (4) Rubiaceae Shiny-leaved Canthium Canthium odoratum 26 BBS (11), WLA (15) Rubiaceae Wild Lemon Canthium oleifolium 58 BBS (46), WLA (12) Rubiaceae Prickly Currant Bush Coprosma quadrifida 6 BBS Rubiaceae Galium binifolium 1 BBS Rubiaceae Galium ciliare 8 BBS Rubiaceae Rough Bedstraw Galium gaudichaudii 82 BBS (44), WLA (38) Rubiaceae Galium migrans 39 BBS Rubiaceae Galium propinquum 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Rubiaceae Coarse Stinkweed Opercularia aspera 6 BBS Rubiaceae Opercularia diphylla 138 BBS (137), WLA (1) Rubiaceae Hairy Stinkweed Opercularia hispida 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Rubiaceae Variable Stinkweed Opercularia varia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Rubiaceae Pomax umbellata 400 BBS (353), WLA (47) Rubiaceae Synaptantha tillaeacea 14 BBS (11), WLA (3) Rubiaceae Citrus glauca 13 BBS (6), WLA (7) Rutaceae Rock Correa Correa glabra 2WLA Rutaceae Rock Correa Correa glabra var leucoclada 3 BBS Rutaceae Native Fuschia Correa reflexa 1WLA Rutaceae Native Fuschia Correa reflexa var reflexa 3 BBS Rutaceae Leopardwood Flindersia maculosa 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Rutaceae Wilga Geijera parviflora 394 BBS (214), WLA (180)

Rutaceae Hairy-leaved Melicope micrococca 2 BBS Doughwood Rutaceae Green Phebalium Leionema viridiflorum 25 WLA Rutaceae Phebalium elatius ssp elatius 1RBG Rutaceae Phebalium glandulosum ssp 2WLA glandulosum Rutaceae Pink Phebalium Phebalium nottii 3 BBS Rutaceae Scaly Phebalium Phebalium squamulosum ssp 13 BBS gracile Rutaceae Scaly Phebalium Phebalium squamulosum ssp 6 BBS squamulosum Rutaceae Narrow-leaved Phebalium stenophyllum 1WLA Phebalium Rutaceae Philotheca ciliata 26 BBS Rutaceae Philotheca difformis 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Rutaceae Philotheca difformis subsp 2 BBS difformis Rutaceae Philotheca myoporoides subsp 1WLA acuta Rutaceae Philotheca salsolifolia 48 BBS (35), WLA (13) Rutaceae Zieria aspalathoides 27 BBS (18), WLA (9) Rutaceae Downy Zieria Zieria cytisoides 1WLA Rutaceae Zieria fraseri 1WLA Rutaceae Nematolepis squamea subsp 5 BBS squamea Sambucaceae White Elderberry Sambucus gaudichaudiana 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Santalaceae White Sourbush Choretrum candollei 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Santalaceae Common Sourbush Choretrum glomeratum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Santalaceae Leafless Ballart Exocarpos aphyllus 20 BBS (13), WLA (7) Santalaceae Native Cherry Exocarpos cupressiformis 115 BBS (97), WLA (18) Santalaceae Sweet Quandong Santalum acuminatum 15 BBS (10), WLA (5) Santalaceae Northern Sandlewood Santalum lanceolatum 31 BBS (11), WLA (20) Sapindaceae Alectryon diversifolius 15 WLA Sapindaceae Western Rosewood Alectryon oleifolius 88 BBS (39), WLA (49) Sapindaceae Western Rosewood Alectryon oleifolius ssp 19 BBS (11), WLA (8) elongatus Sapindaceae Wild Quince Alectryon subcinereus 8 BBS Sapindaceae Wild Quince Alectryon subdentatus forma 13 BBS (5), WLA (8) subdentatus Sapindaceae Whitewood Atalaya hemiglauca 65 BBS (35), WLA (30) Sapindaceae Dodonaea boroniifolia 17 BBS (13), WLA (4) Sapindaceae Dodonaea falcata (syn. 49 BBS (46), WLA (3) Dodonaea filifolia) Sapindaceae Dodonaea heteromorpha 58 BBS (55), WLA (3) Sapindaceae Dodonaea peduncularis 89 BBS (81), WLA (8) Sapindaceae Dodonaea sinuolata 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Sapindaceae Dodonaea sinuolata ssp 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) sinuolata Sapindaceae Dodonaea tenuifolia 10 BBS (3), WLA (7) Sapindaceae Dodonaea triangularis 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Sapindaceae Dodonaea triquetra 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Sapindaceae Dodonaea truncatiales 1WLA Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa 121 BBS (74), WLA (47) Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa ssp 35 BBS (33), WLA (2) angustifolia Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa ssp 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) angustissima Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa ssp cuneata 108 BBS (80), WLA (28) Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa ssp 40 BBS mucronata Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa ssp spatulata 61 BBS (53), WLA (8) Sapotaceae Yellow Lemon Planchonella cotinifolia 4WLA Sapotaceae Planchonella cotinifolia var 4WLA pubescens Scrophulariaceae Derwentia derwentiana 1 BBS Scrophulariaceae Mud-mat Glossostigma diandrum 1 BBS Scrophulariaceae Brooklime Gratiola pedunculata 10 BBS (9), WLA (1) Scrophulariaceae Brooklime Gratiola peruviana 6 BBS Scrophulariaceae Slender Monkey-flower Mimulus gracilis 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Scrophulariaceae Small Monkey-flower Mimulus prostratus 5 BBS Scrophulariaceae Bluerod Stemodia florulenta 1 BBS Scrophulariaceae Stemodia glabella 8 BBS Scrophulariaceae Hairy Speedwell Veronica calycina 39 BBS (38), WLA (1) Scrophulariaceae Trailing Speedwell Veronica plebeia 55 BBS (54), WLA (1) Sinopteridaceae Rock Fern Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia 138 BBS (79), WLA (59) Sinopteridaceae Bristly Cloak Fern Cheilanthes distans 134 BBS (117), WLA (17) Sinopteridaceae Cheilanthes sieberi 27 BBS (26), WLA (1) Sinopteridaceae Cheilanthes sieberi ssp sieberi 519 BBS (508), WLA (11) Sinopteridaceae Sickle Fern Pellaea falcata 17 BBS (13), WLA (4) Sinopteridaceae Pellaea paradoxa 4 BBS Smilacaceae Sarsaparilla Smilax australis 19 BBS (18), WLA (1) Solanaceae Australian Boxthorn Lycium australe 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Nicotiana megalosiphon ssp 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) megalosiphon Solanaceae Native Tobacco Nicotiana suaveolens 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Grey Ray Flower Cyphanthera albicans 1WLA Solanaceae Kangaroo Apple Solanum aviculare 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Solanaceae Violet Nightshade Solanum brownii 10 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Solanaceae Solanum campanulatum 2 BBS Solanaceae Narrawa Burr Solanum cinereum 27 BBS (24), WLA (3) Solanaceae Solanum cleistogamum 20 BBS Solanaceae Velvet Potato Bush Solanum ellipticum 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Solanaceae Quena Solanum esuriale 25 BBS (19), WLA (6) Solanaceae Solanum ferocissimum 96 BBS (91), WLA (5) Solanaceae Green-berry Solanum opacum 16 BBS Nightshade Solanaceae Solanum papaverifolium 2 BBS Solanaceae Solanum parvifolium 89 BBS (56), WLA (33) Solanaceae Forest Nightshade Solanum prinophyllum 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Solanaceae Eastern Nightshade Solanum pungetium 3 BBS Solanaceae Solanum semiarmatum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Oondoroo Solanum simile 1WLA Solanaceae Solanum tetrathecum 42 BBS (40), WLA (2) Solanaceae Solanum vescum 1 BBS Stackhousiaceae Creamy Candles Stackhousia monogyna 21 BBS (13), WLA (8) Stackhousiaceae Stackhousia muricata 228 BBS (220), WLA (8) Stackhousiaceae Slender Stackhousia Stackhousia viminea 20 BBS Sterculiaceae Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus 71 BBS (46), WLA (25) Sterculiaceae Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus ssp 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) populneus Sterculiaceae Brush Kurrajong Commersonia fraseri 1 BBS Sterculiaceae Keraudrenia corollata var 2 BBS corollata Sterculiaceae Melhania oblongifolia 2 BBS Sterculiaceae Kerrawang Rulingia dasyphylla 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Stylidiaceae Hairy Stylewort Levenhookia dubia 6 BBS Stylidiaceae Woolly-stemmed Stylidium eglandulosum 44 BBS (42), WLA (2) Triggerplant Stylidiaceae Grass Triggerplant Stylidium graminifolium 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea curviflora 8 BBS Thymelaeaceae Pimelea curviflora var divergens 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea curviflora var sericea 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea latifolia 1 BBS Thymelaeaceae Pimelea ligustrina 4 BBS Thymelaeaceae Pimelea linifolia 181 BBS (171), WLA (10) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea linifolia ssp collina 5 BBS (2), WLA (3) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea linifolia ssp linifolia 38 BBS Thymelaeaceae Pimelea micrantha 12 BBS Thymelaeaceae Pimelea microcephala ssp 25 BBS (7), WLA (18) microcephala Thymelaeaceae Poison Pimelea Pimelea neo-anglica (syn. 104 BBS (68), WLA (36) Pimelea pauciflora) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea stricta 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Thymelaeaceae Pimelea strigosa 1WLA Thymelaeaceae Pimelea trichostachya 2 BBS Typhaceae Narrow-leaved Typha domingensis 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Cumbungi Typhaceae Broad-leaved Typha orientalis 6 BBS (4), WLA (2) Cumbungi Ulmaceae Native Peach Trema tomentosa var viridis 1 BBS Urticaceae Australina pusilla 5 BBS Urticaceae Native Pellitory Parietaria debilis 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Urticaceae Stinging Nettle Urtica incisa 73 BBS (57), WLA (16) Verbenaceae Clerodendrum tomentosum 7 BBS Verbenaceae Oncinocalyx betchei 14 BBS (12), WLA (2) Violaceae Slender Violet-bush Hybanthus monopetalus 60 BBS (52), WLA (8) Violaceae Tree Violet Hymenanthera dentata 37 BBS (31), WLA (6) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source

Violaceae Violet Viola betonicifolia 40 BBS (38), WLA (2) Violaceae Ivy-leaved Violet Viola hederacea 11 BBS (10), WLA (1) Viscaceae Korthalsella rubra 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Viscaceae Korthalsella rubra ssp geijericola 4 BBS (1), WLA (3) Viscaceae Kurrajong Mistletoe Notothixos cornifolius 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Vitaceae Slender Grape Cayratia clematidea 25 BBS (17), WLA (8) Vitaceae Water Vine Cissus antarctica 7 BBS (6), WLA (1) Vitaceae Giant Water Vine Cissus hypoglauca 1 BBS Vitaceae Small-leaved Water Cissus opaca 3 BBS Vine Winteraceae Northern Pepperbush Tasmannia stipitata 1 BBS Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea acaulis 148 BBS (145), WLA (3) Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea australis 39 BBS (35), WLA (4) Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea glauca 8 BBS Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea glauca ssp 26 BBS angustifolia Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea johnsonii 7 BBS Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea media 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Xyridaceae Xyris complanata 9 BBS Zamiaceae Macrozamia concinna 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Zamiaceae Burrawang Macrozamia diplomera 43 BBS (24), WLA (19) Zamiaceae Burrawang Macrozamia heteromera 153 BBS (135), WLA (18) Zamiaceae Macrozamia plurinervia 6 BBS Zamiaceae Burrawang Macrozamia secunda 11 BBS Zamiaceae Macrozamia stenomera 1WLA Zygophyllaceae Yellow Vine Tribulus micrococcus 17 BBS (12), WLA (5) Zygophyllaceae Common Twinleaf Zygophyllum apiculatum 11 BBS (6), WLA (5) Zygophyllaceae Pale Twinleaf Zygophyllum glaucum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Zygophyllaceae Violet Twinleaf Zygophyllum iodocarpum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1)

BBS Brigalow Belt South Stage 1 Surveys WLA Atlas of NSW Wildlife APPENDIX 14: EXOTIC FLORA RECORDED WITHIN THE BBS

Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source Ranunculaceae Pheasants Eye Adonis microcarpa 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Papaveraceae Mexican Poppy Argemone ochroleuca ssp ochroleuca 34 BBS (20), WLA (14) Papaveraceae American Poppy Argemone subfusiformis 4 BBS Papaveraceae Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum 1 BBS Papaveraceae Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum ssp setigerum 1 BBS Fumariaceae Climbing Fumitory Fumaria capreolata ssp capreolata 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Fumariaceae Wall Fumitory Fumaria muralis ssp muralis 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Phytolaccaceae Inkweed Phytolacca octandra 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Cactaceae Devils Rope Pear Cylindropuntia imbricata 1 BBS Cactaceae Tiger Pear Opuntia aurantiaca 35 BBS (25), WLA (10) Cactaceae Prickly Pear Opuntia stricta 242 BBS (167), WLA (75) Cactaceae Common Prickly Pear Opuntia stricta var stricta 47 BBS (46), WLA (1) Cactaceae Velvet Tree Pear Opuntia tomentosa 2 BBS Chenopodiaceae Fat Hen Chenopodium album 23 BBS (12), WLA (11) Chenopodiaceae Mexican Tea Chenopodium ambrosioides 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Chenopodiaceae Scented Goosefoot Chenopodium multifidum 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Amaranthaceae Khaki Weed Alternanthera pungens 28 BBS (13), WLA (15) Amaranthaceae Green Amaranth Amaranthus viridis 10 BBS (7), WLA (3) Amaranthaceae Gomphrena Weed Gomphrena celosioides 15 BBS (10), WLA (5) Caryophyllaceae Lesser Thyme-leaved Arenaria leptoclados 6 BBS Sandwort Caryophyllaceae Thyme-leaved Sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia 11 BBS (6), WLA (5) Caryophyllaceae Lesser Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastium balearicum 1WLA Caryophyllaceae Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastium glomeratum 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastium vulgare 2 BBS Caryophyllaceae Chilean Whitlow Wort Paronychia brasiliana 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Caryophyllaceae Petrorhagia nanteuilii 48 BBS (44), WLA (4) Caryophyllaceae Petrorhagia velutina 12 BBS (10), WLA (2) Caryophyllaceae Four-leaved Allseed Polycarpon tetraphyllum 40 BBS (38), WLA (2) Caryophyllaceae Silene gallica 1 BBS Caryophyllaceae French Catchfly Silene gallica var gallica 1WLA Caryophyllaceae Corn Spurry Spergula arvensis 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Spergula pentandra 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Sandspurry Spergularia rubra 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Caryophyllaceae Common Chickweed Stellaria media 14 BBS (12), WLA (2) Polygonaceae Redshank Persicaria maculosa 1 BBS Polygonaceae Sping Emex Emex australis 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Polygonaceae Black Bindweed Fallopia convolvulus 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Polygonaceae Wireweed Polygonum arenastrum 4 BBS Polygonaceae Wireweed Polygonum aviculare 38 BBS (22), WLA (16) Polygonaceae Tree Hogweed Polygonum patulum 3 BBS Polygonaceae Curled Dock Rumex crispus 1032 BBS (20), WLA (1012) Malvaceae Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta 2 BBS Malvaceae Small-flowered Mallow Malva parviflora 28 BBS (17), WLA (11) Malvaceae Malva verticillata 1 BBS Malvaceae Spiked Malvastrum Malvastrum americanum 22 BBS (20), WLA (2) Malvaceae Red-flowered Mallow Modiola caroliniana 22 BBS (12), WLA (10) Malvaceae Pavonia hastata 15 BBS (9), WLA (6) Brassicaceae Paddy's Lucerne Sida rhombifolia 15 BBS (10), WLA (5) Moraceae Osage Orange Maclura pomifera 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Urticaceae Small Nettle Urtica urens 3 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source Euphorbiaceae Caper Spurge Euphorbia lathyrus 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus tenellus 1 BBS Euphorbiaceae Castor Oil Plant Ricinus communis 2 BBS Cucurbitaceae Bitter Melon Citrullus lanatus var lanatus 5 BBS (2), WLA (3) Cucurbitaceae Pady Melon Cucumis myriocarpus 5 BBS (1), WLA (4) Salicaceae Lombardy Poplar Populus nigra 1 BBS Salicaceae Weeping Willow Salix babylonica 33 BBS (19), WLA (14) Brassicaceae Whitlow Grass Erophila verna 1WLA Brassicaceae Black Mustard Brassica nigra 3 BBS Brassicaceae Turnip Brassica rapa ssp sylvestris 1 BBS Brassicaceae Mediterranean Turnip Brassica tournefortii 1WLA Brassicaceae Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Brassicaceae Lesser Swinecress Coronopus didymus 11 BBS (1), WLA (10) Brassicaceae Hairy Brassica Hirschfeldia incana 21 BBS (12), WLA (9) Brassicaceae Lepidium africanum 27 BBS (25), WLA (2) Brassicaceae Lepidium bonariense 6 BBS (2), WLA (4) Brassicaceae Turnip Weed Rapistrum rugosum 86 BBS (54), WLA (32) Brassicaceae Water Cress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Brassicaceae Smooth Mustard Sisymbrium erysimoides 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Brassicaceae London Rocket Sisymbrium irio 23 BBS (7), WLA (16) Brassicaceae Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium officinale 1 BBS Brassicaceae Indian Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium orientale 1WLA Clusiaceae St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum 12 BBS (8), WLA (4) Primulaceae Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis 86 BBS (75), WLA (11) Crassulaceae Mother of Millions Bryophyllum delagoense 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Rosaceae Acaena 'X anserovina' 1 BBS Rosaceae Sweet Briar Rosa rubiginosa 12 BBS (7), WLA (5) Rosaceae Blackberry Rubus fruiticosus 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Rosaceae Blackberry Rubus ulmifolius 2 BBS Lythraceae Hyssop Loosestrife Lythrum hyssopifolia 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Onagraceae Oenothera mollissima 3 BBS Onagraceae Oenothera rosea 6 BBS Onagraceae Oenothera stricta ssp stricta 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Simaroubaceae Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima 2 BBS Anacardiaceae Pepper Tree Schinus areira 12 BBS (6), WLA (6) Fabaceae Tree Lucerne Chamaecytisus palmensis 1WLA Fabaceae Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Fabaceae Senna occidentalis 9 BBS (7), WLA (2) Fabaceae Senna septemtrionalis 12 BBS (9), WLA (3) Fabaceae Birds-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus 1 BBS Fabaceae Cut-leaved Medic Medicago laciniata 31 BBS (10), WLA (21) Fabaceae Black Medic Medicago lupulina 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) Fabaceae Woolly Burr Medic Medicago minima 16 BBS (14), WLA (2) Fabaceae Button Medic Medicago orbicularis 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Fabaceae Burr Medic Medicago polymorpha 75 BBS (52), WLA (23) Fabaceae Lucerne Medicago sativa 9 BBS (4), WLA (5) Fabaceae Barrel Medic Medicago truncatula 1 BBS Fabaceae Hexam Scent Melilotus indicus 22 BBS (13), WLA (9) Fabaceae Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Fabaceae Narrow-leaved Clover Trifolium angustifolium 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Fabaceae Haresfoot Clover Trifolium arvense 36 BBS (27), WLA (9) Fabaceae Hop Clover Trifolium campestre 24 BBS (21), WLA (3) Fabaceae Clustered Clover Trifolium glomeratum 11 BBS Fabaceae White Clover Trifolium repens 44 BBS (33), WLA (11) Fabaceae Shaftall Clover Trifolium resupinatum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source Fabaceae Subterranean Clover Trifolium subterraneum 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Fabaceae Woolly Clover Trifolium tomentosum 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Fabaceae Square-stemmed Vetch Vicia monantha 1 BBS Fabaceae Vicia sativa 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Fabaceae Vicia sativa ssp angustifolia 1 BBS Fabaceae Vicia sativa ssp sativa 1 BBS Fabaceae Slender Vetch Vicia tetrasperma 2 BBS Fabaceae Russion Vetch Vicia villosa 304 BBS (4), WLA (300) Zygophyllaceae Caltrop Tribulus terrestris 16 BBS (7), WLA (9) Oxalidaceae Creeping Oxalis Oxalis corniculata 130 BBS (30), WLA (100) Geraniaceae Cranesbil Geranium Geranium molle var molle 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Apiaceae Celery Apium graveolens 1WLA Apiaceae Hydrocotyle bonariensis 1WLA Apiaceae Bishop's Weed Ammi majus 36 BBS (23), WLA (13) Apiaceae Water Parsnip Berula erecta 4 BBS Apiaceae Slender Celery Ciclospermum leptophyllum 160 BBS (48), WLA (112) Apiaceae Hemlock Conium maculatum 4 BBS (1), WLA (3) Apiaceae Fennel Foeniculum vulgare 5 BBS (3), WLA (2) Apiaceae Knotted Hedge Parsley Torilis nodosa 5 BBS Asteraceae Capeweed Arctotheca calendula 9 BBS (4), WLA (5) Asteraceae Wild Aster Aster subulatus 27 BBS (17), WLA (10) Asteraceae Crownbeard Verbesina encelioides ssp encelioides 1WLA Asteraceae Bipinnate Beggars Ticks Bidens bipinnata 1 BBS Asteraceae Cobblers Pegs Bidens pilosa 27 BBS (17), WLA (10) Asteraceae Greater Beggar's Ticks Bidens subalternans 4WLA Asteraceae Bidens spp. 3 BBS Asteraceae Greater Beggars Ticks Bidens subalternans 21 BBS Asteraceae Slender Thistle Carduus pycnocephalus 4 BBS Asteraceae Winged Slender Thistle Carduus tenuiflorus 1WLA Asteraceae Saffron Thistle Carthamus lanatus 33 BBS (23), WLA (10) Asteraceae Safflower Carthamus tinctorius 4 BBS Asteraceae Star Thistle Centaurea calcitrapa 10 BBS (6), WLA (4) Asteraceae Cockspur Thistle Centaurea melitensis 10 BBS Asteraceae St Barnaby's Thistle Centaurea solstitialis 16 BBS (12), WLA (4) Asteraceae Skeleton Weed Chondrilla juncea 101 BBS (92), WLA (9) Asteraceae Chicory Cichorium intybus 16 BBS (11), WLA (5) Asteraceae Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare 130 BBS (116), WLA (14) Asteraceae Tall Fleabane Conyza albida 137 BBS (135), WLA (2) Asteraceae Conyza bilbaoana 7 BBS Asteraceae Flaxleaf Fleabane Conyza bonariensis 248 BBS (127), WLA (121) Asteraceae Canadian Fleabane Conyza canadensis var canadensis 1 BBS Asteraceae Conyza parva 21 BBS Asteraceae Cosmos bipinnatus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Asteraceae Ferny Cotula Cotula bipinnata 2 BBS Asteraceae Gnaphalium coarctatum 1 BBS Asteraceae Cretan Weed Hedypnois rhagadioloides ssp cretica 1025 BBS (20), WLA (1005) Asteraceae Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus 7 BBS (3), WLA (4) Asteraceae Smooth Catsear Hypochaeris glabra 368 BBS (264), WLA (104) Asteraceae White Flatweed Hypochaeris microcephala var albiflora 8 BBS (7), WLA (1) Asteraceae Catsear Hypochaeris radicata 244 BBS (227), WLA (17) Asteraceae Willow-leaved Lettuce Lactuca saligna 15 BBS (10), WLA (5) Asteraceae Prickly Lettuce Lactuca serriola 59 BBS (49), WLA (10) Asteraceae Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium ssp acanthium 67 BBS (12), WLA (55) Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source Asteraceae Dwarf Marigold Schkuhria pinnata var abrotanoides 8 BBS (5), WLA (3) Asteraceae Spotted Thistle Scolymus maculatus 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Asteraceae Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis 4 BBS Asteraceae Variegated Thistle Silybum marianum 47 BBS (30), WLA (17) Asteraceae Button Burweed Soliva anthemifolia 1 BBS Asteraceae Prickly Sowthistle Sonchus asper ssp glaucescens 18 BBS (17), WLA (1) Asteraceae Common Sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus 223 BBS (196), WLA (27) Asteraceae Stinking Roger Tagetes minuta 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Asteraceae Dandelion Taraxacum officinale 53 BBS (43), WLA (10) Asteraceae Tolpis umbellata 2 BBS Asteraceae Salsify Tragopogon porrifolius 6 BBS Asteraceae Hunter Burr Xanthium italicum 2 BBS Asteraceae Noogoora Burr Xanthium occidentale 45 BBS (28), WLA (17) Asteraceae Californian Burr Xanthium orientale 1 BBS Asteraceae Bathurst Burr Xanthium spinosum 29 BBS (18), WLA (11) Asteraceae Xanthium strumarium 4 BBS Asteraceae? Gamochaeta americana 3 BBS Asteraceae? Gamochaeta calviceps 1 BBS Asteraceae? Gamochaeta spicata 2 BBS Solanaceae Petunia axillaris 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Calibrachoa parviflora 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Green Cestrum Cestrum parqui 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Solanaceae Fierce Thornapple Datura ferox 20 BBS (11), WLA (9) Solanaceae Downy Thornapple Datura inoxia 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Common Thornapple Datura stramonium 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Solanaceae African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum 45 BBS (26), WLA (19) Solanaceae Tree Tobacco Nicotiana glauca 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Solanaceae Ground Cherry Physalis ixocarpa 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Solanaceae Blackberry Nightshade Solanum nigrum 36 BBS (27), WLA (9) Solanaceae Madeira Winter Cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum 12 BBS (10), WLA (2) Convolvulaceae Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis 1 BBS Convolvulaceae Golden Dodder Cuscuta campestris 17 BBS (11), WLA (6) Boraginaceae Sheepweed Buglossoides arvensis 1 BBS Boraginaceae Paterson's Curse Echium plantagineum 24 BBS (14), WLA (10) Boraginaceae Vipers Bugloss Echium vulgare 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Boraginaceae Blue Heliotrope Heliotropium amplexicaule 6 BBS (3), WLA (3) Boraginaceae Common Heliotrope Heliotropium europaeum 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Oleaceae Small-leaved Privet Ligustrum sinense 1 BBS Rubiaceae Goose Grass Galium aparine 12 BBS (7), WLA (5) Rubiaceae Small Bedstraw Galium murale 2 BBS Gentianaceae Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea 19 BBS (14), WLA (5) Gentianaceae Spike Centaury Centaurium spicatum 1WLA Gentianaceae Centaurium tenuiflorum 36 BBS (35), WLA (1) Asclepiadaceae Narrow-leaved Cottonbush Gomphocarpus fruticosus 30 BBS (22), WLA (8) Asclepiadaceae Balloon Cottonbush Gomphocarpus physocarpus 1 BBS Scrophulariaceae Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis ssp muralis 1 BBS Scrophulariaceae Round-leaved Toadflax Kickxia spuria ssp integrifolia 1WLA Scrophulariaceae Linaria arvensis 9 BBS Scrophulariaceae Lesser Snapdragon Misopates orontium 4 BBS Scrophulariaceae Blanketweed Verbascum thapsus ssp thapsus 3 BBS Scrophulariaceae Twiggy Mullein Verbascum virgatum 13 BBS (12), WLA (1) Scrophulariaceae Wall Speedwell Veronica arvensis 1WLA Scrophulariaceae Ivy-leaved Speedwell Veronica hederifolia 1 BBS Plantaginaceae Lamb's Tongue Plantago lanceolata 13 BBS (11), WLA (2) Martyniaceae Yellow-flowered Devil's Claw Ibicella lutea 1 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source Verbenaceae Carpetweed Phyla nodiflora 9 BBS (6), WLA (3) Verbenaceae Verbena aristigera 9 BBS (8), WLA (1) Verbenaceae Purpletop Verbena bonariensis 46 BBS (38), WLA (8) Verbenaceae Verbena brasiliensis 6 BBS Verbenaceae Rough Verbena Verbena hispida 2 BBS Verbenaceae Verbena incompta 1 BBS Verbenaceae Verbena litoralis 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Verbenaceae Common Verbena Verbena officinalis 44 BBS (33), WLA (11) Verbenaceae Verbena quadrangularis 2 BBS Verbenaceae Veined Verbena Verbena rigida 22 BBS (14), WLA (8) Verbenaceae Trailing Verbena Verbena supina 1WLA Lamiaceae Dead Nettle Lamium amplexicaule 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Lamiaceae Horehound Marrubium vulgare 21 BBS (15), WLA (6) Lamiaceae Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium 1WLA Lamiaceae Self Heal Prunella vulgaris 12 BBS (8), WLA (4) Lamiaceae Mintweed Salvia reflexa 16 BBS (8), WLA (8) Lamiaceae Wild Sage Salvia verbenaca 8 BBS (6), WLA (2) Lamiaceae Stagger Weed Stachys arvensis 5 BBS Asparagaceae Florists Smilax / Asapargus Myrsiphyllum asparagoides 1 BBS Asphodelaceae Onion Weed Asphodelus fistulosus 1002 BBS (2), WLA (1000) Alliaceae Onion Weed Nothoscordum borbonicum 15 BBS (9), WLA (6) Iridaceae Scourweed Sisyrinchium species A 1 BBS Iridaceae Onion Grass Romulea rosea var australis 1WLA Iridaceae Gladiolus Gladiolus carneus 1 BBS Juncaceae Toad Rush Juncus bufonius 31 BBS (30), WLA (1) Juncaceae Juncus capitatus 1 BBS Cyperaceae Cyperus aggregatus 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Cyperaceae Umbrella Sedge Cyperus eragrostis 14 BBS (12), WLA (2) Cyperaceae Papyrus Cyperus papyrus 1 BBS Cyperaceae Nutgrass Cyperus rotundus 7 BBS (4), WLA (3) Poaceae Silvery Hairgrass Aira cupaniana 11 BBS Poaceae Marsh Foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus 1 BBS Poaceae Sweel Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 BBS Poaceae Wild Oats Avena fatua 20 BBS (14), WLA (6) Poaceae Ludo Wild Oats Avena ludoviciana 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Oats Avena sativa 1 BBS Poaceae Quaking Grass Briza maxima 6 BBS (1), WLA (5) Poaceae Shivery Grass Briza minor 5 BBS (1), WLA (4) Poaceae Bromus alopecuros 2 BBS Poaceae Prairie Grass Bromus catharticus 56 BBS (36), WLA (20) Poaceae Great Brome Bromus diandrus 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Poaceae Prairie Grass Bromus catharticus 10 WLA Poaceae Soft Brome Bromus hordeaceus 1WLA Poaceae Soft Brome Bromus molliformis 14 BBS (9), WLA (5) Poaceae Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris 3 BBS Poaceae Mossman River Grass Cenchrus echinatus 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Spiny Burrgrass Cenchrus incertus 11 BBS (8), WLA (3) Poaceae Spiny Burrgrass Cenchrus longispinus 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Poaceae Rhodes Grass Chloris gayana 10 BBS (4), WLA (6) Poaceae Feathertop Rhodes Grass Chloris virgata 4 BBS (2), WLA (2) Poaceae Cynodon incompletus 1 BBS Poaceae Digitaria ciliaris 1WLA Poaceae Summer Grass Digitaria sanguinalis 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Barnyard Grass Echinochloa crus-galli 24 BBS (14), WLA (10) Poaceae Siberian Millet Echinochloa frumentacea 3 BBS Family Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Source Poaceae Goose Grass Eleusine tristachya 8 BBS (4), WLA (4) Poaceae Stinkgrass Eragrostis cilianensis 14 BBS (7), WLA (7) Poaceae African Lovegrass Eragrostis curvula 15 BBS (13), WLA (2) Poaceae Tall Fescue Festuca elatior 2 BBS Poaceae Chewings Fescue Festuca nigrescens 2 BBS Poaceae Meadow Fescue Festuca pratensis 1 BBS Poaceae Barley Grass Hordeum leporinum 31 BBS (19), WLA (13) Poaceae Coolatai Grass Hyparrhenia hirta 39 BBS (37), WLA (2) Poaceae Golden Top Lamarckia aurea 7 BBS (5), WLA (2) Poaceae Stiff Ryegrass Lolium loliaceum 1 BBS Poaceae Italian Ryegrass Lolium multiflorum 3 BBS (2), WLA (1) Poaceae Perennial Ryegrass Lolium perenne 15 BBS (10), WLA (5) Poaceae Wimmera Ryegrass Lolium rigidum 34 BBS (25), WLA (9) Poaceae Red Natal Grass Melinis repens 1 BBS Poaceae Nassella hyalina 2 BBS Poaceae Giant Panic Grass Panicum antidotale 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Poaceae Coolah Grass Panicum coloratum 5 BBS (4), WLA (1) Poaceae Panicum gilvum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Guinea Grass Panicum maximum var trichoglume 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Millet Panic Panicum miliaceum 1 BBS Poaceae Coast Barb Grass Parapholis incurva 1 BBS Poaceae Paspalum Paspalum dilatatum 36 BBS (20), WLA (16) Poaceae Water Couch Paspalum distichum 136 BBS (16), WLA (120) Poaceae Swamp Foxtail Pennisetum alopecuroides 1 BBS Poaceae Kikuyu Grass Pennisetum clandestinum 109 BBS (5), WLA (104) Poaceae Rice Millet Piptatherum miliacea 1WLA Poaceae Phalaris Phalaris aquatica 1WLA Poaceae Paradoxa Grass Phalaris paradoxa 21 BBS (12), WLA (9) Poaceae Canada Bluegrass Poa compressa 3 BBS (2), WLA (2) Poaceae Kentucky Bluegrass Poa pratensis 1WLA Poaceae Perennial Beardgrass Polypogon littoralis 1 BBS Poaceae Annual Beardgrass Polypogon monspeliensis 1 BBS Poaceae Annual Cat's Tail Rostraria cristata 6 BBS (5), WLA (1) Poaceae Slender Pigeon Grass Setaria gracilis 4 BBS (3), WLA (1) Poaceae Pale Pigeon Grass Setaria pumila 1 BBS Poaceae Green Pigeon Grass Setaria viridis 2 BBS Poaceae Johnson Grass Sorghum halepense 19 BBS (12), WLA (7) Poaceae Paramatta Grass Sporobolus indicus 3 BBS Poaceae Wheat Triticum aestivum 2 BBS (1), WLA (1) Poaceae Liverseed Grass Urochloa panicoides 25 BBS (18), WLA (7) Poaceae Texas Millet Urochloa texana 8 BBS Poaceae Squirrel Tail Fescue Vulpia bromoides 3 BBS (1), WLA (2) Poaceae Vulpia muralis 14 BBS Poaceae Rats Tail Fescue Vulpia myuros 23 BBS Poaceae Vulpia myuros forma megalura 3WLA

BBS Brigalow Belt South Stage 1 Surveys WLA Atlas of NSW Wildlife APPENDIX 15: AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRATA VS NUMBER OF SYSTEMATIC FAUNA & FLORA SITES

Strat 5 – No. No Area of Strat 5 – No. No Area of Strata Id Systematic Systematic Stratum (ha) Strata Id Systematic Systematic Stratum (ha) Number Fauna Sites Flora Sites Number Fauna Sites Flora Sites 3 17 91 481,856 74 0 6 21,331 92 42 109 458,606 114 0 4 19,175 19 53 331 329,213 45 0 7 18,600 71 4 10 259,169 67 0 0 17,144 97 2 60 251,675 30 0 31 16,931 1 8 24 245,513 147 0 6 15,850 11 1 33 226,100 29 0 2 15,450 7 8 54 195,356 136 0 0 15,013 47 71 36 189,706 122 0 0 14,188 5 38 84 167,475 90 0 0 14,113 27 4 1 154,825 9 0 1 14,038 14 8 24 118,331 149 0 1 13,581 6 11 17 110,881 81 0 0 13,063 23 0 0 103,394 124 0 0 12,313 100 0 0 96,638 93 3 6 10,150 116 0 0 94,463 142 0 0 9,644 123 39 15 88,713 22 0 0 9,350 2 0 9 80,144 51 0 2 9,288 21 0 7 72,981 13 0 2 9,031 15 4 22 62,875 169 0 0 8,650 16 0 4 61,906 115 0 0 7,463 103 0 1 60,019 70 0 0 7,338 24 0 4 59,725 99 0 0 7,288 87 0 0 54,144 56 0 0 7,119 110 0 3 52,144 31 0 1 7,038 91 0 0 48,663 18 0 3 6,625 132 0 1 47,469 146 0 0 6,588 109 0 1 47,106 39 0 0 6,563 143 0 0 45,644 72 0 2 6,538 50 0 13 43,556 75 0 1 6,425 44 11 24 40,438 141 0 3 6,013 4 2 24 39,413 107 0 0 5,631 112 0 2 38,738 73 0 0 5,531 127 0 0 37,500 59 0 1 5,363 36 0 5 35,813 41 0 0 4,763 137 0 0 35,319 76 0 0 4,444 96 0 0 34,944 10 0 0 4,256 104 0 0 34,644 173 0 0 4,213 140 0 0 29,750 37 0 0 4,163 84 0 0 29,331 63 0 0 4,031 12 0 2 26,538 144 0 0 3,719 8 1 12 23,500 52 0 0 3,656 83 0 4 22,481 25 0 0 3,344 94 0 0 21,488 20 0 0 3,263 Strat 5 – No. No Area of Strat 5 – No. No Area of Strata Id Systematic Systematic Stratum (ha) Strata Id Systematic Systematic Stratum (ha) Number Fauna Sites Flora Sites Number Fauna Sites Flora Sites 78 0 1 3,194 139 0 0 419 130 0 0 3,113 40 0 0 413 167 0 0 2,875 34 0 0 381 35 0 0 2,756 184 0 0 375 151 0 0 2,738 61 0 0 369 57 0 1 2,406 69 0 0 356 68 0 0 2,344 28 0 0 313 85 0 0 2,300 129 0 0 313 157 0 0 2,238 177 0 0 275 32 0 4 2,213 163 0 0 269 133 0 0 2,200 117 0 0 244 145 0 0 2,113 33 0 0 231 66 0 0 1,956 49 0 0 206 152 0 0 1,956 155 0 0 206 134 0 0 1,894 60 0 0 188 54 0 0 1,631 183 0 0 169 95 0 0 1,594 175 0 0 150 126 0 0 1,594 26 0 0 131 180 0 1 1,431 102 0 0 131 181 0 0 1,388 182 0 0 125 58 0 0 1,319 88 0 0 113 62 0 0 1,169 172 0 0 106 131 0 0 1,156 77 0 0 94 111 0 0 1,131 125 0 0 94 153 0 0 1,106 154 0 0 88 86 0 0 1,100 162 0 0 81 150 0 0 1,069 38 0 0 75 164 0 0 1,050 64 0 0 69 159 0 0 1,013 82 0 1 63 120 0 0 975 48 0 0 63 101 0 1 850 98 0 0 63 108 0 0 788 113 0 0 63 170 0 0 781 174 0 0 63 80 0 0 750 178 0 0 50 121 0 0 738 179 0 0 50 46 0 0 706 158 0 0 44 135 0 0 700 161 0 0 44 17 0 0 663 119 0 0 38 156 0 0 650 165 0 0 38 43 0 0 631 138 0 0 19 42 0 0 619 171 0 0 19 148 0 0 613 89 0 0 13 79 0 1 556 128 0 0 13 106 0 0 556 55006 168 0 0 531 65006 53 0 0 463 160 0 0 6 105 0 0 450 166 0 0 6 118 0 0 444 176 0 0 6 APPENDIX 16: BIOREGIONAL ASSESSMENTS UNDERTAKEN IN NSW SBS FUNDED CONSERVATION ASSESSMENTS Darling Riverine Plains

The Darling Riverine Plains (DRP) Project is funded from two sources, the NSW State Biodiversity Strategy (SBS), and the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). The DRP Project began in September 1999 and teams are currently in the field focussed on flora and fauna survey and traditional ecological knowledge. There are two stages proposed in the project, as detailed below (NPWS, 1999a):

Stage 1 Will include a Scoping exercise, broad data collection, broad conservation criteria development and biodiversity survey across the whole bioregion. As part of the initial scoping exercise a preliminary analysis will be undertaken identify gaps in the data layers and to establish an understanding of environmental patterns and variation within the bioregion.

NB - The scoping exercise will be used to more fully define the stage 1 biodiversity survey and bioregional assessment possible under stage 2.

Stage 2 Further refined conservation assessment analysis across the bioregion will be undertaken as part of stage 2 if suitable bioregionwide datasets are available. Also, following preliminary review of stage 1 information, stage 2 will target particular provinces or areas to undertake focused survey, detailed conservation status assessment and possibly modeling to provide more detailed information for use in the broader conservation assessment. Areas targeted for more detailed analysis may include those areas of high conservation value and /or under greatest threat.

Stage 2 will be used to identify the process (complete data layers required) and funding requirements to complete the Integrated Biodiversity Conservation and Assessment process across the whole bioregion.

Stage 1 has been clearly defined at this stage and as such is detailed below.

The DRP project has a number of components that are closely linked with each other; S conservation assessment (SBS funded), S vegetation mapping (SBS funded), and S community based nature conservation planning (NHT funded). S Long term monitoring sites established for invertebrates (Australian Museum)

The broad objectives of the DRP conservation assessment and vegetation mapping project are to; S provide consistent coarse and medium resolution bioregion-wide biological and relevant non-biological data assembled for use by planners and practitioners, S identify conservation value and significance at the bioregional level for use in regional planning processes such as Regional Vegetation Management Plans, Catchment Management Plans and River Management Plans, S provide advice on appropriate conservation measures and management practices. S provide advice on areas for further detailed assessment for reservation, S community participation in information gathering and presentation of findings in a form that is accessible to the broader community, and S the establishment of long term monitoring sites that will allow habitat condition to be assessed and the conservation management practices evaluated and reviewed.

The Vegetation Mapping project may be largely composed of validating and integrating the existing mapping. This in itself may be an onerous task given the differences in the levels and resolution of mapping, methods used, information collected, and currency of the data.

The conservation assessment will include the collection, analysis and distribution of biodiversity data for use in assessing the conservation significance within the bioregional context. The primary objective of the conservation assessment is to identify areas and features of high biodiversity significance and to advise on appropriate conservation measures.

The Community Based Nature Conservation Planning project (Natural Heritage Trust funded) aims to ensure that a proposed bioregional plan for the Darling Riverine Plains incorporates best practices by providing opportunities for community participation and information exchange at all levels.

The NHT component will include: S providing opportunities for all sectors of the regional community to be involved in data gathering; in particular to supporting the community in recording fauna/flora distribution in a manner that can be used in the project;

S undertaking consultation with the Aboriginal Community about traditional ecological knowledge and conservation issues of significance to them;

S providing skills, opportunities, networks and incentives for cooperative partnerships with private landholders, local and state government, non government organisations, industry and other relevant management authorities to assist in the long term management of key areas for the conservation of biodiversity as part of a whole of landscape approach to biodiversity conservation;

S encouraging the adoption of appropriate long term conservation management practices, through the Land for Wildlife scheme (eg Land for Wildlife property registration and support), wildlife refuges, voluntary conservation agreements, Farming For The Future, Bushcare and those in the Native Vegetation Conservation Act, 1997 and other programs. To achieve all the objectives outlined above within the funding provided, it has been necessary to focus on one or two provinces or sub regions within the bioregion in order to fully complete the work for these. This would then become a blueprint for future completion of the project across the bioregion and for other bioregional assessments in western NSW. The DRP project will be incorporating information collected during the Western Region Biodiversity Conservation Project (1994-1996): Northern Floodplains Region. By doing this we effectively extended the coverage of the data available which is consistent with the methodologies being employed by the DRP.

The DRP project has made some significant progress since it started in September 1999. Systematic and targeted fauna and flora surveys were conducted in autumn 2000, covering three geographical areas; Trangie/Narromine area, Moree area (west of Moree), and Nyngan area. Surveys have been completed for the spring/summer season of 2001 within areas of Wee Waa, the Macquarie Marshes, Gulargambone, Moree, Tottenham, Bourke, Wilcannia, and Warren. These areas were selected in an attempt to sample across the environmental and geographical ranges of the bioregion. A considerable amount of work has been achieved within the Community Based Nature Conservation Planning project in providing information between project personnel and the broader community. Involvement of the communities, Regional Vegetation Committees, Catchment Management Boards, and Rural Lands Protection Boards across the bioregion in the DRP has been a crucial component of the whole project, and the strategies for community consultation being developed will form the basis for future conservation assessment in western NSW (NPWS 1999a).

Nandewar Bioregion

The Nandewar Bioregional Scoping Study is very comprehensive in its scope and initiates the process of planning a detailed environmental assessment of the Nandewar Bioregion over a 3-year period beginning in the latter part of 2000. It collates readily available environmental data as a starting point for a comprehensive assessment of the Bioregion. It also presents the results of preliminary surveys and conservation assessments as part of what constitutes the first holistic, scientific view of the North Western Slopes of NSW.

The primary aim of the Scoping Study was: To develop an integrated resource and planning document that will serve as the strategic framework for a comprehensive environmental assessment of the Nandewar Bioregion

The key findings and outcomes of the Nandewar Bioregional Scoping Study may be summarised as follows: (NPWS, 2000a)

1. Technical working group. A technical working group including expert representatives from a range of planning, land management and biodiversity organisation has been established.

2. Consultation. Initial consultation with agencies, stakeholders and individuals has been productive and is ongoing.

3. Data audit. All readily available information on the environments and biological diversity of the Nandewar Bioregion has been collated in a Data Audit Report. 4. GIS database. An interim GIS database of the Nandewar Bioregion including all readily available environmental data layers has been established.

5. Geography. A concise review of the physical environments of the Nandewar Bioregion has been completed.

6. Atlas. An integrated series of maps (Atlas of Natural Resources) has been compiled as a spatial information resource.

7. Surveys. Preliminary surveys of the flora, fauna and vegetation of the Nandewar Bioregion have been completed. 8. Flora. A draft list of the vascular flora of the Nandewar Bioregion has been compiled.

9. Fauna. A draft list of the vertebrate species of the Nandewar Bioregion has been compiled.

10. Threatened plants. A draft list of the threatened vascular plants of the Nandewar Bioregion has been completed.

11. Threatened fauna. A draft list of the threatened and priority terrestrial vertebrate species of the Nandewar Bioregion has been completed.

12. Plant communities. An inventory of plant communities has been compiled.

13. Reservation of plant communities. The reservation status of plant communities has been reviewed.

14. Vegetation analysis and modeling. A range of floristic analysis and spatial modeling techniques have been applied to elucidate relationships between vegetation communities and environmental variables and to derive interim predictive vegetation maps of the Nandewar Bioregion.

15. Fauna modeling. Generalised additive modeling (GAM) has been utilised to derive interim fauna habitat quality maps for selected species.

16. Threatening processes. A review of the environmental condition of the Nandewar Bioregion has been completed.

17. Priority Areas. Interim priority conservation areas have been delineated.

18. Habitat corridors. The major regional corridors of retained habitat have been delineated.

19. Technical framework. A draft technical framework has been prepared.

20. Scoping Study. This Study has developed an integrated resource and planning document that will serve as the strategic framework for a comprehensive environmental assessment of the Nandewar Bioregion. South West Slopes Bioregion (NPWS, 2000b)

Summary The first stage of a bioregional assessment for the South West Slopes bioregion (SWS) – one of the priority bioregions identified in the State Biodiversity Strategy - seeks to undertake an assessment of the conservation status of woodland communities within the Upper Slopes province of the SWS. This has been identified as a priority in the scoping exercise. The project draws on considerable existing data, interpolative modeling and satellite imagery to reduce resource requirements. The scope and geographical extent of the initial proposal has been reduced; consistent with feedback from the IBCA Working Group.

Objective Assess the conservation status of woodland types in the Upper South West Slopes Province – a subset of the South West Slopes bioregion (SWS).

Liaison with stakeholders in the bioregion (Riverina Highlands Regional Vegetation Committee, Upper Murray Catchment Management Committee, NPWS, DLWC, Greening Australia, Local Councils) indicates that an assessment of the conservation status of vegetation types is the primary layer required to support land-use decisions on the SWS. This is also the layer that has been identified in the scoping exercise as pivotal to the completion of a bioregional assessment for the area.

DLWC’s vegetation mapping program (1999-2004) does not include the central portion of the SWS. Thus, the conservation status of vegetation types in the bioregional context will not be an outcome of this work. Comments from the IBCA Working Group allude to duplication of vegetation mapping effort and the size of the task if the entire bioregion were to be gap- filled in one year. This proposal has therefore been modified to reduce the scope of the project and eliminate any duplication with DLWC’s program. This has been achieved by focusing on the Upper Slopes Province, which reduces the area to be investigated and limits any field data collection to areas that do not appear in DLWC’s vegetation mapping program. However, this does not provide a bioregionwide perspective.

Methods An assessment of the conservation status of woodland communities in the bioregion will be achieved in the following steps: 1. Following advice from the IBCA Working Group, the study will be restricted in area to the Upper Slopes Province defined by Morgan and Terry (1992). This province is characterised by greater topographic relief, cooler temperatures and higher rainfall than the Lower Slopes Province.

2. All original vegetation plot information will be assembled for the study area. This is primarily three databases: CSIRO’s amalgamation of vegetation surveys for the Mid- Lachlan, the NPWS CRA extension mapping for the Riverina Highlands and the NPWS IAP mapping data for the Yass and Cootamundra mapsheets.

3. The three 1:100,000 mapsheets (Borowa, Junee, Temora) in the Upper Slopes Province that have not been previously sampled will be gap-filled with vegetation plots. These mapsheets do not appear on DLWC’s vegetation mapping program. Site-selection will be guided by stratification based on soil landscapes, mean annual rainfall and mean annual temperature. Plot data will be collected to the same standard as undertaken by CSIRO in the northern section of the SWS, ie. based on shrub and canopy species.

4. Classify the plot data into woodland types and model their distribution using topographic, climatic, soil landscape and geology layers that exist for the study area. Interpolation will be undertaken for each community using Generalised Linear Modeling or Generalised Additive Modeling. The methods will generally follow that of vegetation mapping undertaken for the Mid Lachlan (Austin et al. 1999) and the Riverina Highlands (Maguire et al. 2000). This layer will be an estimate of the pre- clearing extent of the different woodland types.

5. An estimate of the extant area of the different woodland types will be obtained by ‘cookie cutting’ the pre-clearing layer with a contemporary layer of extant woody vegetation derived from Landsat 7 satellite imagery. A private contractor will undertake classification of the imagery. This layer will be a continuous surface of canopy density that will include areas of scattered trees.

6. A comparison between estimates of the existing and pre-European extent of each woodland type, an analysis of vegetation distribution by land tenure, an assessment of vulnerability to clearing (sensu Pressey et al. in press) and an analysis of the patch-size distribution of each vegetation type will form the basis for assessing the conservation status vegetation types in the study area.

7. Key habitat variables consistently identified as important for a range of woodland fauna at the patch-level (ie. coarse woody debris, understorey density, tree diameter- class distribution and evidence of tree regeneration) will also be recorded in each of the vegetation plots. These data will be combined with data collected by CSIRO in the northern section of the SWS for use in Stage 2 of the bioregional assessment.

Outcomes A key outcome of this project is that an assessment of the conservation status of any patch of native woody vegetation identified in the field – whether occurring as a continuous patch or scattered trees – will be possible. Importantly, such data can be used to assess the conservation status of vegetation proposed for clearing and will be used to identify remnant vegetation in the Upper SWS Province that should be a priority for conservation or remnant vegetation that should be targeted for rehabilitation.

These data will also form the basis for the next stage of the bioregional assessment. For example, the data collected in this study will be critical for fauna modeling. It is intended that, as part of the next stage of the bioregional assessment, the understorey complexity scores measured on each plot will be interpolated across the entire landscape using either high resolution satellite imagery or statistical modeling. This is a key variable for a number of faunal groups in the study area and therefore will be used (along with other variables such as vegetation type) to identify important fauna habitat in the study area. The vegetation data will also be used to identify least-cost links in the landscape, or areas that should be managed for connectivity. This is an important principle for conservation in fragmented landscapes and provides a further basis for identifying priorities for rehabilitation.

Overall, this project will also be an important pilot for identifying how the DLWC vegetation mapping data can be value-added for biodiversity assessment in other parts of the SWS. RACAC FUNDED ASSESSMENTS

Western Data Audit and Gap Analysis

Aim and Objectives The aim of the Western Data Audit and Gap Analysis (RACD, 1999) was to “provide advice to government on information required for regional planning in western NSW”.

The following objectives were sought (RACD, 1999): S Comprehensive data audit of existing information;

S Capture of base data layers by digitising and data entry of existing information; and

S Analysis of the gaps in the existing information which needed to be filled prior to a comprehensive regional assessment.

Recommendations Recommendations arising from the Western Data Audit and Gap Analysis are briefly outlined below (RACD, 1999): 1. Data Requirements:

(i) Administrative layer including tenure information, ownership, zoning information, Voluntary Conservation Agreements, Property Agreements, and mining and exploration titles;

(ii) Digital elevation models of appropriate resolution and accuracy (min 100m western division and min 25m central division);

(iii) Aboriginal landscapes including modeling of Aboriginal occupation, sites and places of significance, oral histories of Aboriginal Elders, targeted archaeological surveys and anthropological studies to validate modeling;

(iv) Comprehensive and uniform vegetation layer (pre-1750 and existing) derived from structural and floristic data including analysis of reliability on ground of existing major vegetation maps;

(v) Systematic and targeted surveys of fauna and flora (based on extensive survey) and autecological studies to provide adequate information for modeling and distribution;

(vi) Up-to-date and uniform geology, soil, metallic minerals occurrences, industrial minerals occurrences and construction materials occurrences ie systematic assessment of mineral potential is required;

(vii) Current satellite imagery; and (viii) Current and historical land use, disturbance history, wood resource information, ground and surface water quality and quantity and salinity and flood mapping.

2. Future Scoping

(i) Scoping exercises, as part of the approved western regional assessment strategy, should be carried out to identify stakeholders, issues, agreed standard methods, and data layers required. NSW Natural Resources Data Directory to be used in this exercise.

3. Data Management

(i) Establish a western data management working group to deal with issues such as GDA94, scale and data transfer;

(ii) Database all herbaria specimens and investigate linking these to a single database;

(iii) Future data collected be entered into the relevant and appropriate digital database; and

(iv) Existing and proposed projects provide metadata to the NSW Natural Resources Data Directory explaining nature of project, and information on any data produced by the project.

OTHER BIOREGIONAL ASSESSMENTS Riverina Bioregion

A Foundation for Conservation in the Riverina Bioregion (Eardley, 1999) aimed at a systematic conservation assessment of the Riverina Bioregion. This was aided by the NPWS decision support system known as C-Plan, which links with a GIS to show areas in the landscape according to their relative irreplacability (ie. how necessary it is to conserve a given block of the landscape in order to meet a predefined conservation target) and their vulnerability to threatening processes.

This assessment used the best available data for analyses, however, there was no funding for additional data acquisition. Because of this constraint, all assumptions are based on quite coarse datasets and a selection grid of 5 square kilometres over the entire bioregion. As well as a general overview of the biotic and abiotic aspects of the Riverina Bioregion, this report produced a compiled vegetation map, a digital geomorphology coverage, and maps (based on C-plan outputs) showing selection units by irreplacability versus vulnerability and high priority areas for conservation management.

Cobar Peneplain

A Foundation for Conservation in the Cobar Peneplain Biogeographic Region of New South Wales – A Pilot Assessment (“The Cobar Peneplain Project”) is a study undertaken by NPWS between 1996 and 1999. The relevant section of this report, entitled A Conservation Assessment of the Cobar Peneplain Biogeographic Region –Methods and Opportunities (Smart, Knight and Robinson, 2000) will be discussed below.

The Cobar Peneplain Project was a pilot project that aimed to explore techniques for regional conservation planning that would facilitate decision making for biodiversity conservation – with the goal that techniques developed could be used in other bioregional assessments.

The project involved: (Smart, Knight and Robinson, 2000) S The use of computer-assisted methods for assessing the relative conservation values of lands across the region; S Introductory investigations into ways of incorporating traditional Aboriginal ecological knowledge into conservation assessments S The collection and use of fauna survey data and model fauna distributions; and S Ways of involving the broader regional community in facets of regional conservation planning

With a view to develop: S A regional approach to conservation assessment; S An identified network of indicative sites of high conservation value; S Community understanding of conservation assessment processes through involvement in the project S A method for incorporating Aboriginal knowledge of and cultural connection with flora and fauna into regional assessments; S Enhanced data on the regional distribution of flora and fauna; S A region-wide GIS database; S Greater understanding of the technical facets of computer-assisted conservation assessment; and S Recommendations for future conservation assessment and planning endeavours.

The project was limited by: S The absence of base data, vegetation mapping, and no land system mapping for the eastern portion of the bioregion. S Reliance upon the MDBC woody/non woody vegetation layer which identified presence or absence of woody vegetation to drive selections, which potentially discriminated against areas of remnant natural grasslands and shrublands.

Results and reports from this project are to be released as part of the ongoing community consultation and involvement strategy during 2001 under SBS funding. Sydney Basin Bioregion (Taylor-wood and House, 2000)

Aims The aim of this study was to develop a strategy and guidelines for establishing priorities for the assessment and conservation of biodiversity in the Sydney Basin bioregion.

Major Objectives The major objectives were to: 1. Review existing methods and determine whether criteria and benchmarks are appropriate to the Sydney Basin bioregion

2. Determine whether criteria can be set for reserve versus off-reserve

3. Determine criteria and benchmarks for the Sydney Region

4. Identify key threatening processes across the whole bioregion as they relate to the criteria

5. Determine how criteria can be integrated to provide an assessment of conservation priority

6. Determine gaps/limitations to assessment and priorities for future data acquisition and analysis

7. Determine scale of assessment (regional, local, multidimensional)

8. Determine the role of NPWS in the conservation of biodiversity across the Sydney Basin

Approach This project was approached in two ways, the first was more strategic, looking at existing methods and criteria to determine those that could be applied to the Sydney Basin Bioregion. The second was more hands on and used existing data layers to evaluate how far we can currently evaluate the conservation priority of the Sydney Basin based on NPWS current knowledge resources.

As this project was approached from two different directions (strategic ie. top down and existing information ie. ground up), it was never expected that the final recommendations or methodologies from the two approaches would be identical. However, it was hoped that the two approaches would provide similar outcomes or directions. Thus, while some of the criteria and indicators developed were used in the data analysis and assessment, not all the criteria have been used. This does not reduce the importance of such criteria. Instead it provides direction and recommendations for future data collection and assessment. For some criteria, no data may currently be available, as they have not previously been considered, as assessments have concentrated on areas within reserves and have not had to consider the issues faced by areas located off reserve. APPENDIX 17: STREAMS BY CATCHMENT WITHIN THE BBS

Catchment Stream Catchment Stream Castlereagh Balagula Creek Gwydir Berrygill Creek Baronne Creek Big Leather Watercourse Belar Creek Black Creek Binnia Creek Boggy Creek Boltons Creek Bomuckledi Creek Bonan Creek Boomi Creek Bourbong Creek Bora Creek Brooklyn Creek Bowman Creek Bucklanbar Creek Brigalow Creek Bulgan Creek Bullala Creek Butheroo Creek Carole Creek Calga Creek Clarks Creek Coolibah Creek Cobbadah Creek Coonamble Creek Copes Creek Duck Holes Creek Creamin Creek Eurimie Creek Crossing Creek Frazers Creek Curramanga Creek Garriwilla Anabranch Deadmans Creek Gidgenbar Watercourse Dry Creek Gidgerygah Creek Duckholes Creek Girriwilli Watercourse Duffys Creek Gulargambone Creek Dumboy Creek Ironbark Creek Eatons Ponds Creek Magometon Creek Five Mile Creek Mowlma Creek Flat Bottom Creek Mungery Creek Galathera Creek Murrumbah Creek Gehan Creek Nebea Creek Gingham Watercourse Nedgera Creek Glenford Creek Noonbar Creek Goonal Creek Oaky Creek Gouron Creek Quanda Quanda Creek Gulf Creek Ranters Creek Gundamulda Creek Sand Creek Gurley Creek Shepherds Warrambool Gwydir Anabranch Six Mile Creek Hallams Spring Creek Teridgerie Creek Halls Creek Terrabile Creek Hobbs Creek Terrawinda Creek Keera Creek Tititiree Creek Kellys Gully Toorawandi Creek Little Bumble Creek Tooraweenah Creek Long Creek Ulinda Creek Macintyre Creek Ulomogo Creek Mallowa Creek Urawilkie Creek Marshalls Ponds Creek Wambelong Creek Mia Mia Creek Warrena Creek Millie Creek Weeingoody Creek Moomin Creek Weetaliba Creek Mosquito Creek Wilber Creek Myall Creek Worinjerong Creek Myall Howoll Creek Gwydir Andersons Creek Noogera Creek Back Creek Oaky Creek Bald Hill Creek Paleroo Creek Ballin Boora Creek Pallal Creek Bells Creek Plains Creek Berrigal Creek Reedy Water Creek Catchment Stream Catchment Stream Gwydir Reserve Creek Hunter Dry Creek Rocky Creek Eastern Brook (Cattle) Sandy Creek Creek Second Water Creek Eckfords Creek Sheep Station Creek Elliots Creek Slaughterhouse Creek Emu Creek Spring Creek Fal Brook Staggy Creek Farm Springs Creek Tarran Creek Farrells Creek Ten Mile Creek Fish Hole Creek Terry Hie Hie Creek Foy Brook Thalaba Creek Giants Creek Tookey Creek Gibbergunyah Creek Toolinbar Creek Ginghi Creek Turrawarra Creek Gins Creek Tycannah Creek Glen Creek Tyreel Anabranch Goorangoola Creek Warialda Creek Green Creek Whitlow Creek Gulf Creek Wiltshire Creek Gum Flat Gully Wolongimba Creek Gumman Creek Hunter Anvil Creek Gungalwa Creek Appletree Creek Half Moon Creek Back Creek Halls Creek Baerami Creek Happy Valley Creek Barigan Creek Honeysuckle Creek Bayswater Creek Horse Creek Bellaleppa Creek Hungerford Creek Berenderry (Jemmys) Keans Creek Creek Kerrabee Arm Big Flat Creek Kerrabee Creek Big Plain Creek Kewell Creek Binalong Creek Killoe Creek Black Creek Kingdon Ponds Blackwater Creek Kings Creek Bobialla Creek Kittens Creek Borambil Creek Lee Creek Branch Creek Limestone Creek Brush Hill Creek Lincolns Creek Burrumbelong Creek Little Creek Butchers Swamp Creek Little Horseshoe Creek Campbells Creek Long Creek Carters Brook Lorimer Creek Coggan Creek Martindale Creek Cooba Bulga Stream Middle Brook Coulsons Creek Middle Gully Council Creek Moolarben Creek Cousins Creek Moonan Brook Cowparlour Creek Mount Misery Creek Coxs Gully Muscle Creek Cream Of Tartar Creek Myrtle Creek Cross Creek Nerobingabla Creek Cuan Creek New Found Out Creek Cumbo Creek North Wambo Creek Dart Brook Oaky Creek Davis Creek Omadale Brook Donalds Creek Pages Creek Doolans Creek Parnells Creek Doyles Creek Peters Creek Catchment Stream Catchment Stream Hunter Petwyn Valley Creek Macintyre Crooked Creek Poggy Gully Croppa Creek Quarry Creek Cucumber Creek Red Creek Dingo Creek Redbank Creek Dry Creek Redlynch Creek Ena Creek Reedy Creek Flaggy Creek Reubens Creek Forest Creek Rocky Creek Frazers Creek Rouchel Brook Gil Gil Creek Round Creek Gnoura Gnoura Creek Saddlers Creek Goodlayamma Creek Saltwater Creek Goodlayamma Creek Sandy Creek Graman Creek Scotts Creek Hickeys Plain Creek Scrubby Creek Ironbark Creek Sparkes Creek Jardines Creek Spring Creek Jessies Gully Spring Gully Kings Plains Creek Stewarts Brook Little Oaky Creek Stony Creek Log Creek Table Bay Creek Long Plain Creek Thompsons Creek Mandoe Creek Timor Creek Middle Creek Tommys Gully Mobbindry Creek Turnbridge Creek Mordell Creek Turon Creek Mount Pleasant Creek Vallances Creek Mungle Creek Wappinguy Creek Myall Creek Warlands Creek Nee Nee Creek Washpen Creek Oaky Creek Wattle Creek Ottleys Creek White Rock Gully Outleys Creek Whites Creek Pindari Creek Widden Brook Postman Gully Willy Wally Creek Reedy Creek Wilpin Creek Rob Roy Creek Wilpinjong Creek Rocky Creek Wollar Creek Rocky Hole Creek Wollombi Brook Scrubby Creek Woolooma Creek Seereys Creek Worondi Rivulet Simpsons Creek Wybong Creek Spring Creek Wyddagary Creek Stony (Middle) Creek Yarramung Creek Sugarloaf Arm Creek Macintyre Back Creek Swamp Creek Bannockburn Creek Swan Brook Blue Nobby Creek Tackinbri Creek Boobora Watercourse Tala Creek Boomangera Creek Tarpaulin Creek Boonal Creek The Whalan Creek Boughyard Creek Wallon Creek Branch Creek Whalan Creek Bunal Creek Wombyanna Creek Bunna Bunna Creek Wyndhams Creek Campbells Creek Yallaroi Creek Cherry Tree Creek Macquarie Back Creek Commillamori Creek Backwater Cowal Crawfords Arm Creek Ban Ban Creek Catchment Stream Catchment Stream Macquarie Bara Creek Macquarie Mullah Cowal Baragonumbel Creek Mullion Creek Barneys Creek Myrangle Creek Beleringar Creek Native Dog Creek Birchells Plain Creek Norfolk Island Creek Blathery Creek Nubrigan Creek Boggy Cowal Piambong Creek Bomely Creek Plain Creek Boomley Creek Sandy Creek Boothaguy Creek Slapdash Creek Bounty Creek Spicers Creek Bradys Cowal Spring Creek Brummagen Creek Stony Creek Buckinbah Creek Trangie Cowal Bullagreen Creek Tucklan Creek Bundijoe Creek Turee Creek Burlong Creek Umangla Cowal Burrabadine Creek Wallaby Creek Burrundulla Creek Wambangalong Creek Cainbil Creek Wemabung Creek Cookaburra Creek Whylandra Creek Cookambil Creek Wialdra Creek Coolbaggie Creek Wuuluman Creek Cooyal Creek Namoi Attunga Creek Cuddil Creek Back Creek Cumboogle Creek Baradine Creek Curra Creek Barbers Lagoon Emogandry Creek Barneys Spring Creek Ewenmar Creek Barraba Creek Five Mile Cowal Basin Creek Gin Gin Creek Bibbla Creek Goan Creek Bibblewindi Creek Goodgodery Creek Big Jacks Creek Goondy Creek Black Mountain Creek Goulburn Creek Bobbiwaa Creek Grattai Creek Boggy Spring Creek Greenbah Creek Bohena Creek Greenhide Creek Boiling Down Creek Gundong Creek Bollol Creek Gundy Creek Borah Creek Hanover Creek Borah Borah Creek Hyandra Creek Borambil Creek Jones Creek Brigalow Creek Kickabil Creek Bullawa Creek Laheys Creek Bundella Creek Lawsons Creek Bundock Creek Little Back Creek Burren Creek Little Merri Merri Creek Carbeen Creek Long Plain Creek Cattle Creek Marinda Creek Chambers Warrambool Marthaguy Creek Chilcotts Creek Mebul Creek Clarkes Creek Medway Creek Clay Creek Meroo Creek Coghill Creek Merri Merri Creek Colless Warrambool Merrigal Creek Colly Creek Millpulling Creek Collygra Creek Mitchells Creek Connors Creek Mogriguy Creek Coolibah Watercourse Catchment Stream Catchment Stream Namoi Coolibar Watercourse Namoi Rangira Creek Coomoo Coomoo Creek Reedy Creek Coomore Creek Rocky Creek Cowallah Creek Saltwater Creek Coxs Creek Sandy Creek Cubbaroo Warrambool Shepherds Warrambool Cubbo Creek Spring Creek Currabubula Creek Stony Creek Dam Gully Talluba Creek Dandry Creek Tangaratta Creek Dead Bullock Warrambool Tareela Creek Deriah Creek Taylors (Pump Station) Driggle Draggle Creek Creek Duncan Warrambool Tenegie Creek Etoo Creek Timbumburi Creek Eumur Creek Timmallallie Creek Friday Creek Turrabeile Creek Gananny Creek Turrabeile (Coxs) Creek Garawilla Creek Turragulla Creek Goally Creek Ulah Creek Goona Creek Warrah Creek Goonoo Goonoo Creek Water Hole Creek Greenhatch Creek Werris Creek Gunidgera Creek Yaminba Creek Halls Creek Yarminbah Creek Horsearm Creek Yarraman Creek Ironbark Creek Yarramanbully Creek Jacks Creek Yarrimanbah Creek Jacob And Joseph Creek Yearinan Creek Kangaroo Creek Kerringle Creek Lambruk Creek Lever Gully Limestone Gully Little Jacks Creek Macdonalds Creek Maules Creek Menedebri Creek Merriwee Creek Middle Creek Middlebrook Creek Millers Creek Millie Warrambool Moonbi Creek Moore Creek Moreduval Hut Gully Mount Lowry Creek Mountain Creek Mulgate Creek Myall Camp Warrambool Oaky Creek Old Bibbla Creek Omaleah (Black) Creek Orphants Well Creek Phillips Creek Pian Creek Quegobla Creek Quipolly Creek Quirindi Creek APPENDIX 18: BBS (QLD) LANDSYSTEMS AND ECOSYSTEMS BY PROVINCE

Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Cainozoic alluvial plains and Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina Endangered piedmont fans. Includes cristata on alluvial plains terraces, levees, swamps Eucalyptus populnea woodland on Of concern and channels of Quaternary alluvial plains. Texture contrast and deep alluvium and palaeo- clay soils. estuarine deposits, and Eucalyptus coolabah woodland on alluvial Of concern older floodplain complexes plains and piedmont fans with Eucalyptus tereticornis and / or E. Of concern palaeo-stream channels. camaldulensis tall woodland on alluvial Also includes inland plains freshwater lakes and Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on Of concern associated dune systems. alluvial plains Does not include talus Semi-evergreen vine thicket on alluvial Endangered slopes. Soils include deep plains cracking clays, loams, Eucalyptus spp., Angophora spp., Callitris No concern at earths, and poorly spp. woodland on alluvial plains. Sandy present developed alluvial soils. soils. Eucalyptus populnea woodland with Endangered shrubby Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina cristata on alluvial plains Eucalyptus populnea, Callitris No concern at glaucophylla, Allocasuarina luehmannii present shrubby woodland on alluvial plains. Texture contrast soils Callitris glaucophylla, Corymbia spp. and No concern at / or Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland present on Cainozoic alluvial plains. Deep sands. Dichanthium sericeum and / or Astrebla Endangered spp. grasssland on alluvial plains. Cracking clay soils. Cyclosorus interruptus or Leptospermum Endangered polygalifolium or Phragmites karka wetlands of mound springs. Eucalyptus conica, E. nobilis, E. Endangered tereticornis, Angophora floribunda on alluvial plains. Basalt-derived soils. Themeda avenacea grassland on alluvial Endangered plains. Basalt-derived soils. Eucalyptus tereticornis or E. Of concern camaldulensis, Casuarina cunninghamiana fringing woodland on alluvial plains Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Eucalyptus moluccana or E. microcarpa No concern at woodland to open forest on margins of present alluvial plains. Freshwater wetlands Of concern Casuarina cristata +/- Eucalyptus Of concern coolabah open woodland on alluvial plains. Eucalyptus crebra and / or E. populnea No concern at and / or E. melanophloia on alluvial present plains. Higher terraces. Eucalyptus coolabah fringing woodland No concern at on alluvial plains present Cainozoic clay deposits, Semi-evergreen vine thicket +/- Endangered usually forming gently Casuarina cristata on Cainozoic clay undulating plains with plains. poorly developed drainage Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina Endangered systems. Deep cracking cristata shrubby open forest on Cainozoic clays of moderate to high clay plains fertility, often with gilgai Dichanthium spp., Astrebla spp. Endangered microrelief, and texture grassland on Cainozoic clay plains. contrast soils. Excludes Open forest of Eucalyptus populnea with Of concern clay plains and downs Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina formed on older bedrock. cristata open forests on margins of Cainozoic clay plains Eucalyptus populnea or E. pilligaensis, Endangered Acacia harpophylla, Casuarina cristata open forest on margins of Cainozoic clay plains Eucalyptus populnea woodland on Of concern eroding edge of Cainozoic clay plains Cainozoic sand deposits, Eucalyptus crebra, Callitris glaucophylla, No concern at usually forming extensive, Angophora leiocarpa, Allocasuarina present uniform near-level or gently luehmannii woodland on Cainozoic sand undulating plains. Includes plains / remnant surfaces slightly dissected surfaces Eucalyptus crebra, Corymbia spp., with E. No concern at and small remnants of these moluccana on lower slopes of Cainozoic surfaces. Soils are usually present sand plains / remnant surfaces. sands, earths or texture contrast and often overlie Eucalyptus crebra, Callitris glaucophylla, No concern at laterite profiles. Includes C. endlicheri, E. chloroclada, Angophora present extensive sand plains of leiocarpa on Cainozoic sand plains / remnant surfaces. Deep sands. uncertain origin overlying weathered or unweathered Eucalyptus melanophloia, Callitris No concern at bedrock. Excludes alluvial glaucophylla woodland on Cainozoic present deposits, exposed duricrust, sand plains / remnant surfaces. Deep red and shallow soils derived sands. from underlying bedrock. Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Triodia spp. grassland on Cainozoic sand No concern at plains / remnant surfaces. present Eucalyptus acmenioides, Angophora No concern at leiocarpa on Cainozoic sand plains / present remnant surfaces. Eucalyptus crebra + other Eucalyptus and No concern at Corymbia spp. woodland on Cainozoic present sand plains / remnant surfaces. Plateaus and broad crests with deep red loams. Corymbia clarksoniana woodland + other No concern at Corymbia, Eucalyptus spp. on Cainozoic present sand plains / remnant surfaces Eucalyptus populnea +/- Acacia aneura No concern at +/- E. melanophloia woodland on present Cainozoic sand plains / remnant surfaces. Triodia spp. grassland with emergent No concern at trees on Cainozoic sand plains / remnant present surfaces. Highly saline soils. Semi-evergreen vine thicket on Cainozoic Of concern sand plains / remnant surfaces. Deep red loams. Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina Endangered cristata open forest in depressions on Cainozoic sand plains / remnant surfaces. Eucalyptus tereticornis woodland in No concern at depressions on Cainozoic sand plains / present remnant surfaces. Cainozoic duricrusts formed Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina Of concern on a variety of rock types. cristata and Eucalyptus thozetiana or E. Includes exposed microcarpa woodland on lower scarp ferruginous, siliceous and slopes on Cainozoic lateritic duricrust. mottled horizons and Acacia spp. woodland on Cainozoic No concern at associated talus and lateritic duricrust. Scarp retreat zone. present colluvium. Usually low Eucalyptus decorticans and / or No concern at mesas and scarps, or low Eucalyptus spp., Corymbia spp., Acacia present stony rises on downs. Soils spp., Lysicarpus angustifolius on are usually skeletal, with Cainozoic lateritic duricrust. shallow texture contrast Shrubland on natural scalds on Cainozoic No concern at soils on the adjacent coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. present colluvial fans, and shallow red earths on plateau margins and on larger mesas. Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Cainozoic igneous rocks, Eucalyptus laevopinea tall open forest on No concern at including extrusive and Cainozoic igneous rocks. Elevated present intrusive types. plateaus. Predominantly flood basalts Eucalyptus tereticornis, E. melliodora No concern at forming extensive plains and woodland on Cainozoic igneous rocks. present occasional low scarps, but Semi-evergreen vine thicket on Cainozoic Of concern including hills, cones and igneous rocks. Steep hillsides. plugs on trachytes and Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on No concern at rhyolites, and minor Cainozoic igneous rocks. Hillsides. present interbedded sediments. Eucalyptus orgadophila open woodland No concern at These igneous rocks have on Cainozoic igneous rocks. present diverse origins such as Macropteranthes leichhardtii thicket on Of concern flows, pyroclastics, plugs Cainozoic igneous rocks. and dykes. Associated soils Eucalyptus albens, E. crebra woodland Of concern include black earths, on Cainozoic igneous rocks. Hillsides. krasnozems, shallow clays and lithosols of generally Callitris spp. +/- vine thicket on Cainozoic Of concern igneous rocks. Hillsides. moderate to high fertility. Excludes alluvial soils Semi-evergreen vine thicket and Endangered derived from these rocks, as microphyll rainforest on Cainozoic well as springs, but includes ingneous rocks. Lowlands associated talus. Cainozoic to Proterozoic Acacia harpophylla - Eucalyptus Of concern consolidated, fine-grained cambageana open forest on Cainozoic sediments with little or no fine-grained sedimentary rocks. deformation. Siltstones, Eucalyptus melanophloia +/- E. Of concern mudstones, shales, orgadophila woodland on Cainozoic fine- calcareous sediments and grained sedimentary rocks lithic sandstones are typical Dichanthium spp., Astrebla spp. Of concern rock types although minor grassland on Cainozoic fine-grained interbedded volcanics may sedimentary rocks. occur. Usually undulating Semi-evergreen vine thicket on Cainozoic Of concern landscapes with fine- fine-grained sedimentary rocks. textured soils of moderate to high fertility. Excludes areas Acacia harpophylla and / or Casuarina Endangered of duricrust. cristata open forest on Cainozoic fine- grained sedimentary rocks. Acacia melvillei +/- Acacia harpophylla Endangered open forest on Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Eucalyptus populnea - Eremophila Of concern mitchellii shrubby woodland on Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Macropteranthes leichhardtii thicket on Of concern Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Lowlands. Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Eucalyptus crebra woodland on Of concern Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Lowlands. Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus populnea Endangered open forest on Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Acacia harpophylla shrubland on Of concern Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Dichanthium sericeum grassland with Endangered clumps of Acacia harpophylla on Cainozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Eucalyptus moluccana or E. microcarpa No concern at open forest on Cainozoic fine-grained present sedimentary rocks. Cainozoic to Proterozoic Corymbia citriodora open forest on No concern at consolidated, medium to Cainozoic coarse-grained sedimentary present coarse-grained sediments rocks. with little or no deformation. Tall open forest in sheltered gorges on No concern at Includes siliceous Cainozoic coarse-grained sedimentary present sandstones and rocks. conglomerates forming Acacia catenulata or A. shirleyi open No concern at ranges, plateaus, and scarps forest on Cainozoic coarse-grained present with shallow soils of low sedimentary rocks. Crests and scarps. fertility. Minor interbedded Eucalyptus decorticans, Lysicarpus No concern at volcanics may occur. angustifolius +/- Eucalyptus spp., present Excludes overlying Corymbia spp., Acacia spp. woodland on Cainozoic sand deposits, but coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Crests includes in situ earths and and scarps. texture contrast soils. Also Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa +/- E. mensalis, No concern at includes springs associated E. saligna tall open forest on Cainozoic present with these sediments. coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Tablelands. Angophora leiocarpa, Callitris No concern at glaucophylla open woodland on present Cainozoic coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Broad valleys. Eucalyptus crebra woodland on No concern at Cainozoic coarse-grained sedimentary present rocks. Semi-evergreen vine thicket in sheltered No concern at habitats on Cainozoic medium to coarse- present grained sedimentary rocks. Callitris glaucophylla woodland on No concern at Cainozoic coarse-grained sedimentary present rocks. Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Eucalyptus melanophloia +/- E. No concern at chloroclada woodland on Cainozoic present coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Eucalyptus melanophloia, Callitris No concern at glaucophylla woodland on Cainozoic present coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Eucalyptus populnea woodland on No concern at Cainozoic medium to coarse-grained present sedimentary rocks. Mixed Eucalyptus - Corymbia open forest No concern at on scarps and sandstone tablelands. present Mesozoic to Proterozoic Eucalyptus crebra +/- Acacia rhodoxylon No concern at moderately to strongly woodland on old sedimentary rocks with present deformed and varying degrees of metamorphism and metamorphosed sediments folding. and interbedded volcanics. Acacia shirleyi or A. catenulata low open No concern at Ranges, hills, and lowlands forest on old sedimentary rocks with present with lithosols and shallow varying degrees of metamorphism and texture contrast soils of low folding. to moderate fertility. Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus crebra, No concern at Includes low to high grade E. acmenioides open forest on old present metamorphics such as sedimentary rocks with varying degrees shales, slates, gneisses of of metamorphism and folding. Coastal indeterminate origin, and ranges. minor areas of associated Eucalyptus crebra woodland on old No concern at serpentine. sedimentary rocks with varying degrees present of metamorphism and folding. Coastal ranges. Microphyll rainforest +/- Araucaria No concern at cunninghamii on old sedimentary rocks present with varying degrees of metamorphism and folding. Eucalyptus populnea or E. brownii No concern at woodland on deformed and present metamorphosed sediments and interbedded volcanics. Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on No concern at deformed and metamorphosed sediments present and interbedded volcanics. Acacia harpophylla or A. argyrodendron, Of concern Terminalia oblongata low open forest on deformed and metamorphosed sediments and interbedded volcanics. Acacia harpophylla open forest on Endangered deformed and metamorphosed sediments and interbedded volcanics. Landsystem Ecosystem Description Conservation Province Status 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Eucalyptus crebra woodland on deformed No concern at and metamorphosed sediments and present interbedded volcanics. Undulating plains. Eucalyptus cambageana, Acacia Of concern harpophylla woodland on old sedimentary rocks with varying degrees of metamorphism and folding. Lowlands. Semi-evergreen vine thicket on old Endangered sedimentary rocks with varying degrees of metamorphism and folding. Lowlands. Eucalyptus platyphylla woodland on old No concern at sedimentary rocks with varying degrees present of metamorphism and folding. Lowlands. Mesozoic to Proterozoic Eucalyptus crebra woodland on igneous No concern at igneous rocks. rocks. present Predominantly granitoides Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland on No concern at and intermediate to acid igneous rocks present terrestrial volcanics, forming Eucalyptus crebra, E. tereticornis, No concern at ranges, hills and lowlands Angophora leiocarpa woodland on present and lithosols and texture igneous rocks, especially granite. contrast soils of usually low Semi-evergreen vine thicket and No concern at fertility. Includes granites, microphyll vine forest on igneous rocks. present granodiorites, andesites, Corymbia spp., Lysicarpus angustifolius, No concern at and rhyolites, as well as Eucalyptus crebra, E. cloeziana woodland present minor areas of interbedded on igneous rocks (granite) sediments and basic rock Corymbia citriodora open forest on No concern at types such as gabbros. igneous rocks (granite) present Excludes serpentines. Eucalyptus populnea woodland on Of concern igneous rocks. Colluvial lower slopes. Corymbia spp., Eucalyptus baileyana, E. No concern at dura, E. exserta woodland on igneous present rocks. Hills Acacia harpophylla open forest on Endangered igneous rocks. Colluvial lower slopes

Province Key

15 Claude River Downs 25 Taroom Downs 16 woorabinda 26 Southern Downs 17 Boomer Range 27 Barakula 18 Mount Morgan Ranges 28 Dulacca Downs 19 Callide Creek Downs 29 Weribone High 20 Arcadia 30 Tara Downs 21 Dawson River Downs 31 Eastern Darling Downs 22 Banana - Auburn Ranges 32 Inglewood Sandstones 23 Buckland Basalts 33 Moonie River - Commoron Creek Floodout 24 Carnarvon 34 Moonie - Barwon Interfluve APPENDIX 19: STATE BIODIVERSITY-FUNDED PROJECTS RELATING TO PRIORITY ACTION 13 OF THE STATE BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY

PROJECT AGENCY PROJECT COMPLETION DATE Project 13.1: Framework for bioregional conservation assessment. NPWS August 2001 Project 13.2: Darling Riverine Plains Conservation Assessment NPWS December 2001 (draft report) Project 13.3 : Brigalow Belt South Bioregion Conservation Assessment Scoping Project NPWS Sept 2001 Project 13.4: South-west slopes Bioregional Assessment Scoping Project. NPWS June 2001 Project 13.5: Nandewar Bioregion Conservation Assessment Scoping Project, to determine requirements for a full conservation assessment. NPWS September 2001 Project 13.6: Framework for assessing conservation priorities in Sydney Basin NPWS September 2001 Project 13.7: Listing of NSW Ecosystems. NPWS December 2002 Project 13.8: Vegetation classification of NSW. Royal Botanic July 2003 Gardens Project 13.9: Statewide GIS conservation assessment of NSW environments. NPWS May 2002 . Project 13.10: Develop a Geographic Information System to map areas of NSW which require conservation action. Employ a contractor to access DLWC July 2001 and transfer DLWC maps needed for use in bioregional assessments Project 13.11: A State-wide native vegetation coverage for NSW. . NPWS December 2001 Project 13.12: Floristic survey and gap filling for vegetation mapping. NPWS August 2001 Project 13.13: Analysis and interpretation of vegetation information to be provided to Regional Vegetation Committees in key regions. DLWC : Project 13.14: Acceleration of existing bioregional projects. NPWS June 2002 Project 13.15: Lower Murray-Darling Environmental Studies – Phase 2: Habitat Requirements for Fauna of the Lower Murray-Darling Catchment DLWC April 2002 and Cobar Peneplain. Project 13.16: Disseminate and promote outcomes of bioregional assessments (Internet). NPWS June 2002 Project 13.17: Bioregional overviews. NPWS December 2001 Project 13.18: Implementing conservation priorities in Cobar and Riverina bioregions (voluntary conservation agreements on private land). NPWS December 2002 Project 13.19: South West Slopes bioregional assessment (conservation status of woodland communities on the Upper South West Slopes) NPWS December 2002 Project 13.20: First Stage of Nandewar bioregional assessment NPWS December 2002 Project 13.21: Nandewar bioregion invertebrate survey Australian Museum June 2002 Project 13.22: Biodiversity building on a soil landscapes framework. DLWC December 2002 Project 13.23: Completion of CRAFTI GIS products and remodelling of Forest Ecosystems, significant habitat and old growth in Upper and Lower NPWS North East CRC regions. Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

Priority Key A – Most important – start within year 1 B – Important – 2-3 year timeframe C – Moderately important - 3-5 years D – Not within scope of SBS – may be possible under other programs

PA Project Area Role in bioregional conservation Indicative data collection / Indicative outputs BBS Stage 1 & 2 Future Work Priority & code assessment process and relationship collation requirements and (WRA – RACAC Funded Required Under SBS Timeframe to criteria required inputs from other (for SBS project areas funding) 1 Project areas relating to This group of project areas provides a basis for addressing JANIS biodiversity criteria relating native ecosystems and also contributes to fulfilment of old growth, National Estate criteria. Native ecosystems native ecosystems play an essential role in the bioregion conservation assessment process, as broad surrogates for biodiversity. Consideration should also be given to DLWC vegetation criteria as these are developed through the native vegetation management process. National Estate values to be considered include: Criterion A1: relictual vegetation classes, climatic refuges; Criterion A2 : successional stages, remnant ecosystems; Criterion A3: areas of ecosystem richness; Criterion B1: rare ecosystems; Criterion D1: principle characteristics of class. 1.1 Vegetation classification / A basic input to the S Existing vegetation mapping. S Vegetation map for all extant Broad scale mapping Areas outside NP & SF D mapping (API) derivation/mapping of native native vegetation, to be used in (1:100,000)is being undertaken Estate and Crown Land S ecosystems, mapping of old growth New and existing API. Use of derivation / mapping of native by DLWC as part of statewide to be mapped – Class 2 To be and modelling of species/assemblage satellite images to enhance ecosystems (PA 1.2), mapping of mapping program to be used as a mapping - outside completed by distributions and habitats. vegetation mapping. old growth (PA 3.1), modeling of broad surrogate for biodiversity woody vegetation areas 2003 by NVMP S Existing floristic plot data. species / assemblage in modelling ie non-woody areas (not SBS but Primary layer for modelling pre-1750 distributions, and pre-1750 / pre- required by / pre-clearing vegetation / ecosystems S New floristic plot data (from clearing ecosystems (PA 5.1, 5.2 Class 1 mapping - vegetation Completion of NVMP SBS) (JANIS Biodiversity Criterion 1) and PA 2.1 - 2.4). and 5.3) communities of SF and NP mapsheets by DLWC vegetation retention targets. estate within the BBS mapped as S S Modelling of plot data and Class 1 mapping - Public lands, part of BBS2 ie API at 1:50,000 environmental variables significant remnants and high integrated with field survey work quality vegetation. areas - 1:25 to produce 1:50,000 map of SF S Ground truthing and accuracy 000, 1:50 000 mapping & NP Estate & Crown Land assessment S Class 2 mapping – regional within the BBS bioregion vegetation 1:250 000, 1:100 000 Class 2 mapping – 6 mapsheets S Information provided to planning and woody vegetation layer groups such as RVCs, RLPBs, across the BBS bioregion RMCs, CMBs, DLWC, LG Preliminary interpretation and descriptions of plant communities including floristics, structure, likely habitat value, relative distribution and area, reservation status 1.2 Native ecosystem Converts mapped vegetation types S Vegetation mapping from PA S Native ecosystem map for all This will be investigated as part Implementation of B 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 1 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

Uses information on patterns of biological variation within vegetation types to formulate requirements for spatial configuration of reservation within native ecosystems, in accordance with JANIS biodiversity criterion 7 and 4. 1.4 Evaluation of Provides an objective basis for S Vegetation mapping from PA S A general ‘model’ of biological Not addressed - Possibly To be determined for all B environmental and converting mapped vegetation types 1.1. variation within mapped addressed in BBS2 across all vegetation communities geographical patterns of into native ecosystems, and for vegetation types, in relation to vegetation types in BBS – to be and ecosystems across S biological variation within formulating requirements for spatial Biological survey data and environmental and geographical determined by RACAC the BBS. and between vegetation configuration of reservation within models from PA 2.1 - 2.4, 5.1 gradients. types extant native ecosystems. and 5.2 (may require specially designed surveys within PA S A measure of the surrogacy Important in the development of a 2). performance of alternative native ecosystem derivations. CAR reserve system. Is integral in S Input from PAs 9.3, 9.12 and determining dissimilarities between 9.13. S Provides a basis for converting vegetation/ecosystem classifications, vegetation types into ecosystems and drives the selection of areas to be in PA 1.2, and for formulating incorporated into the CAR with reservation requirements in PA respect to complementarity. 1.3.

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 2 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

2 Project areas relating to This group of project areas provides a basis for addressing JANIS biodiversity criterion 5, dealing with the reservation of known elements of biodiversity that are of special conservation significance, or are fauna and flora likely to be poorly correlated with mapped native ecosystems. In addition, the project areas contribute information to PA 1.4 thereby guiding decisions on the derivation of ecosystems from vegetation assessments types, and the required spatial configuration of reservation within ecosystems. This group of project areas also contributes to the fulfillment of threatened species, National Estate and DLWC vegetation retention criteria. National Estate values to be considered include: 1. Criterion A1: relictual vegetation classes, climatic refuges; 2. Criterion A3: areas of ecosystem richness; and 3. Criterion B1: rare ecosystems 2.1 Systematic fauna surveys A basic input to all other flora and S Collation of existing data S Database of fauna survey data for Collection of systematic fauna Further systematic A fauna project areas, and to the from previous surveys, use in all other flora and fauna data throughout BBS1 & BBS2 fauna surveys required evaluation of biological variation museums, etc. project areas, and in the on public, leasehold and private in wetlands, grasslands, Immediate start within and between vegetation types evaluation of patterns of lands shrublands, and open S as a basis for deriving native Collection of new survey data. biological variation within woodlands ecosystems. S Requires inputs from current mapped vegetation types (PA Some evaluation of patterns of Further analysis of vegetation mapping, 1.4). biological variation within fauna data in relation to Plays an integral role in the mapped vegetation types. completed vegetation environmental layers for S Information on current status and development of species / assemblage survey site stratification. mapping. & habitat modeling (PA 5.1). limiting factors to assist in Collection of data on regionally defining recovery objectives for significant species within Integral in the development of threatened species woodyvegetation types ecosystem mapping (PA 1.2). S Basic data for use in National Estate assessment (PA 9.9) Identification of gaps within strata - 100 survey sites set up as part of BBS2 in those strata identified as having gaps with respect to fauna data

New information collected on the distribution and biology of fauna including threatened species. 2.2 Plot-based flora surveys A basic input to all other flora and S Collation of existing data S Database of flora survey data for BBS 1 & 2 plot-based stratified Further systematic plot- A 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 3 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

PA Project Area Role in bioregional conservation Indicative data collection / Indicative outputs BBS Stage 1 & 2 Future Work Priority & code assessment process and relationship collation requirements and (WRA – RACAC Funded Required Under SBS Timeframe to criteria required inputs from other (for SBS project areas funding) fauna project areas, and to the from previous surveys, use in all other flora and fauna random sampling within public, based sampling on evaluation of biological variation museums, herbaria etc. project areas, and in the leasehold and private lands. private / leasehold lands Immediate start within and between vegetation types evaluation of patterns of in identified gaps and S as a basis for deriving native Collection of new survey data. biological variation within Existing survey data sets fill gaps after NVMP ecosystems. S Requires inputs from current mapped vegetation types (PA identified and used for and BBS 1 & 2 eg vegetation mapping, 1.4). stratification & possibly wetlands, shrublands, Plays an integral role in the modeling. grasslands and open environmental layers for S Information on current status and development of species / assemblage survey site stratification. woodlands. modeling (PA 5.2). limiting factors to assist in New information on biology of S Monitoring PA 2.9 defining recovery objectives for threatened and regionally Further analysis of flora Integral in the development of threatened species. significant species and data in relation to vegetation mapping (PA 1.1), S Basic data for use in National vegetation communities. completed vegetation ecosystem mapping (PA 1.2) and Estate assessment (PA 9.9) mapping. growth stage mapping (PA 3.1). 2.3 Targeted fauna surveys A basic input to all other flora and S Collation of existing data S Database of fauna survey data for Some targeted fauna surveys in Further targeted surveys A fauna project areas, and to the from previous surveys, use in all other flora and fauna woody vegetation (public lands possible eg bats, owls, evaluation of biological variation museums, etc. project areas, and in the only) including Pale-headed regionally significant or Immediate start within and between vegetation types evaluation of patterns of Snake, Squirrel Glider, Eastern threatened species not S as a basis for deriving native Collection of new survey data. biological variation within Pygmy Possum, and Glossy represented in ecosystems. S Requires inputs from current mapped vegetation types (PA Black-Cockatoo (BBS2) systematic data. vegetation mapping, 1.4). Plays an integral role in the Further analysis of all environmental layers for S Information on current status and development of species / assemblage survey site stratification. fauna data & habitat modelling (PA 5.1). limiting factors to assist in S Targeted surveys for high defining recovery objectives for Integral in the development of priority species such as threatened species planning ecosystem mapping (PA 1.2). Threatened Species or S Basic data for use in National regionally significant species Estate assessment (PA 9.9)

2.4 Targeted flora surveys A basic input to all other flora and S Collation of existing data S Database of flora survey data for Some undertaken as part BBS 1 Further targeted surveys A fauna project areas, and to the from previous surveys, use in all other flora and fauna – target woody vegetation in all vegetation evaluation of biological variation museums, herbaria etc. project areas, and in the communities identified and communities and areas Immediate start within and between vegetation types evaluation of patterns of surveyed undertaken after S as a basis for deriving native Collection of new survey data. biological variation within analysis of systematic ecosystems. S Requires inputs from current mapped vegetation types (PA flora data . vegetation mapping, 1.4). Plays an integral role in the Further targeted surveys environmental layers for S Information on current status and development of species / assemblage survey site stratification. for significant flora modelling (PA 5.2). limiting factors to assist in species. S Targeted surveys for high defining recovery objectives for Integral in the development of priority species or areas eg threatened species vegetation mapping (PA 1.1), Threatened Species, areas of S Basic data for use in National ecosystem mapping (PA 1.2) and high genetic diversity, areas of Estate assessment (PA 9.9) growth stage mapping (PA 3.1). endemism, refugia

2.5 Assessment of aquatic This project should provide a basis for S Collation of existing data S Database of aquatic vertebrate Nil planned Nil planned D 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 4 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

2.6 Assessment of aquatic This project should provide a basis for S Collation of existing data S Database of aquatic invertebrates Nil Planned Nil Planned D macro invertebrates addressing JANIS biodiversity from previous surveys, for use in all other project areas, criterion 5, dealing with the museums etc. and in the evaluation of patterns reservation of known elements of of biological variation within S biodiversity that are of special Collection of new survey data. mapped vegetation types (PA conservation significance and are 1.4). likely to be poorly correlated with S mapped ecosystems. Basic data for use in National Estate assessment (PA 9.9)

2.7 Assessment of terrestrial This project should provide a basis for S Collation of existing S Database of terrestrial Nil Planned Nil Planned D invertebrates addressing JANIS biodiversity information invertebrates for use in all other criterion 5, dealing with the project areas, and in the S reservation of known elements of Collection of new survey data evaluation of patterns of biodiversity that are of special biological variation within conservation significance and are mapped vegetation types (PA likely to be poorly correlated with 1.4). mapped ecosystems. S Basic data for use in National Estate assessment (PA 9.9)

2.8 Genetic diversity Uses genetic data from a select, S Genetic data collected during S Broad guidelines for inferring Nil Planned Nil Planned D assessment representative groups of species to new surveys. patterns of genetic variation elucidate broad geographical patterns between populations of species S of genetic variation, providing a basis Results from previous genetic for which no direct genetic data for delineation of populations in studies conducted elsewhere. are available. future population viability analyses and formulation of rules guiding the spatial configuration of reservation for species and habitat protection.

This project should provide a basis for addressing JANIS criteria 5, 6 and 7. 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 5 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

2.10 Formulation of Uses information from preceding flora S Outputs from PA 2.1 - 2.4, 6.2 S A database of appropriate types of Some – dependant on the results Review on completion D conservation requirements and fauna projects areas to specify and 6.3. protection / reservation, and from the WRA of WRA to fill gaps in for flora and fauna appropriate types of protection / reservation targets for species / species requirements S (conservation mechanisms retention / reservation for species and Expert knowledge. assemblages /communties (and and targets) other known elements of biodiversity, other elements of biodiversity) for in accordance with Section 4 of the use by decision support systems JANIS report and DLWC vegetation in conservation assessment (PA retention targets 7.7) and by regional planning committees Also uses this information to S formulate habitat reservation Identification of management requirements for species/assemblages strategies for regionally etc, including requirements for the significant and threatened species spatial configuration of reserved / at both a local at regional scale protected habitat. S Information on management strategies for regionally significant and threatened species S Information to be provided to planning groups such as DLWC, RVCs, RLPBs, RMCs, CMBs, and LG S Information for use in National Estate assessment (PA 9.9)

3 Project areas relating to These projects enable the JANIS criteria for Old Growth Forests and the DLWC vegetation retention targets to be addressed and also contribute to the Old Growth components of National Estate and World growth stages Heritage criteria 3.1 Growth stage mapping Assist with determining relative age S Modify existing mapping. S Map / layer of Growth Stage BBS 2 – SF, NPWS and DLWC Study to determine A? and structural condition of forest / which is required to help identify to be involved in mapping – appropriate growth S woodland stands and the significance New mapping for private land ecologically mature forest or attributes measured to be stage surveys / of past canopy disturbance. & other unmapped tenures. woodlands, regrowth and other determined assessment on public, S Use of Disturbance Mapping classes. leasehold & private Requires API mapping of vegetation For selected targeted areas eg 6 lands eg management of if available. S at 1:25000 scale. Maps / layers of canopy 100,000 mapsheets and other National Parks. disturbance patterns and other areas where data gaps occur 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 6 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

3.2 Formulation of Sets targets for JANIS Old Growth S Requires old growth layer S Targets and other conservation Some – possible list of mature- Further work to define B conservation requirements Forest Criteria 1 & 2 incorporating from PA 3.1 and layers from requirements. aged components / plant mature-aged for mature aged vegetation work from PA 3.1. PA 1.1 and 1.2 to determine communities (woody vegetation) components / plant S types / native ecosystems current extent of native Provides output on successional of importance communities (all (conservation mechanisms ecosystems. stages to assist PA 1.3 vegetation types) and targets) for BBS (Formulation of Conservation Requirements for Native Ecosystems). S Determines geographic spread of all age classes (successional stages) and models for temporal changes (short, medium and long term) under different disturbance regimes. S Provide this information to planning groups such as RMCs, RVCs, RLPBs, CMBs, DLWC, and LG.

4 Project areas relating to This project provides information needed to ensure the JANIS wilderness criteria are met, and contributes to fulfilment of National Estate criteria and possibly also World Heritage criteria. Wilderness 4.1 Wilderness assessment and Delineation of high quality wilderness S Digitising / mapping of S Wilderness assessment reports Identified National Wilderness Nil planned – NPWS A identification of wilderness areas as outlined in the requirements boundaries of all existing will be prepared for each area Assessment data & NPWS core responsibility areas of the National / State Government identified and declared under investigation. assessments of nominated Scoping Agreement. wilderness. wilderness eg Pilliga, Mt S Boundaries of areas already Kaputar. S Required for the determination of Field- and API-based identified and / or declared under wilderness criterion in JANIS assessment of wilderness the Wilderness Act (GIS layer). NPWS assessment of Bebo quality and restoration (Section 6.3). S required potential. Boundaries of any new areas identified as wilderness (GIS S Investigations regarding an layer). area’s land-use and S disturbance history. Provide this information to planning groups such as RMCs, S Community consultation RVCs, RLPBs, CMBs, DLWC

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 7 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

5 Project areas relating to Modelling 5.1 Fauna species / assemblage Provides a basis for defining and S Biological survey data from S Predicted distribution of potential Some fauna species distribution Assemblage distribution B distribution and habitat extrapolating the distribution of PAs 2.1 and 2.3. high quality habitat for selected maps produced for existing and habitat modelling. modelling potential high quality habitat (JANIS species / assemblages, for use in records and those collected S biodiversity criterion 5) and critical Mapped vegetation types from Integration. through BBS1 & BBS2 More comprehensive habitat (threatened species legislation) PA 1.1. species modelling when S Identification of critical habitat for species / assemblages of S Some modelling proposed if suitable datasets Mapped growth stages from elements for threatened species / conservation concern, across PA 3.1. possible eg 5-6 priority species available unsurveyed ecosystems. assemblages at a local and with suitable datasets. S Response to disturbance data regional scale from PA 6.2. S Information on habitat S Expert knowledge requirements for threatened species planning S Inputs from PAs 9.3, 9.12 and S 9.13. Information on drought refugia S Basic data for use in National Estate assessment (PA 9.9) S Provide this information to planning groups such as RVCs, RLPBs, RMCs, CMBs, LG and DLWC

5.2 Flora species / assemblage Provides a basis for defining and S Biological survey data from S Predicted distribution of potential Some species distribution Assemblage distribution B distribution and habitat extrapolating the distribution of PA 2.2 and 2.4. high quality habitat for selected modeling undertaken using and habitat modelling modelling potential high quality habitat (JANIS species / assemblages, for use in existing data records and data S biodiversity criterion 5) and critical Mapped vegetation types from collected through BBS1 & BBS2 More comprehensive 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 8 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

5.3 Estimation of pre-1750 / Provides a basis for calculating areal S Vegetation mapping from PA S Pre-1750 / pre-clearing native Proposed under BBS2 for woody Determine for all plant A pre-clearing vegetation reservation and retention targets for 1.1. ecosystem / vegetation map for vegetation cover communities once PA types / native ecosystem native ecosystems in accordance with use in formulation of 1.1., 1.2 & 1.5 available S extents JANIS biodiversity criteria 1,2 and 3 Extant native ecosystem map reservation/retention targets in PA and DLWC vegetation retention from PA 1.2. 1.3. criteria. S Historical data on vegetation S Provide to planning groups such distribution extracted from as RVC’s, DLWC and parish and portion plans. revegetation programs S Inputs from PAs 9.3, 9.12 and 9.13.

6 Project areas relating to Response to Disturbance 6.1 Collation of ‘response to Provides a basis for specifying S Literature review of response S A database of basic ecological BBS2 - Some for woody Prepare for all plant A disturbance’ information appropriate types of protection / to disturbances of native and response to disturbance vegetation communities and communities and for vegetation types / reservation and for formulating ecosystems / vegetation types. attributes for native ecosystems ecosystems. ecosystems native ecosystems reservation targets for native for use in formulation of S ecosystems. Expert knowledge conservation requirements (PA 1.3). S Provide this information to land management groups for use in decision-making process

6.2 Collation of ‘response to Provides key attributes required for S Literature review of response S A database of basic ecological Some for priority species Prepare for further B disturbance’ information population viability analyses and risk to disturbances of native and response to disturbance priority species (to be 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 9 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

6.3 Collation of ‘response to Provides key attributes required for S Literature review of response S A database of basic ecological Some for priority species Prepare for further B disturbance’ information population viability analyses and risk to disturbances of native and response to disturbance priority species (to be for flora species assessments, and provides a basis for ecosystems / vegetation types. attributes for species, for use in determined) specifying appropriate types of population viability analyses and S protection / reservation and for Expert knowledge risk assessments and formulation formulating reservation targets for of conservation requirements (PA species / assemblages / communities. 2.10). S Provide this information to land management groups for use in decision-making process

6.4 Disturbance history This project is required to determine S Possible use of PA 1.5, 1.1, & S A map of disturbance across areas BBS1 provided some Determine possible C mapping conservation values of vegetation 3.1. on native vegetation in the information on disturbance on priority areas for types / native ecosystems, and may be bioregion, incorporating a State Forest Estate only disturbance mapping eg S effective in determining distributions Land tenure information (PA temporal land management fires of fauna and flora species / health of 9.2) database. ecosystems. S Forestry activities. Grazing S Provide this information to histories. Land management planning and land management reports. Salinity reports. groups for use in decision-making Clearing applications granted process. Fire history S Local and expert knowledge.

7 Project areas relating to integration 7.1 Assessment / derivation of Provide key information on the S Assessment of current criteria S The development of bioregion None – use available criteria. Formalise criteria and A bioregional conservation requirements for conservation target and strategies, including specific principles and criteria for BBS scoping exercise reviewed operationalise including criteria setting. Assess current conservation JANIS, SBS, NFPS, IUCN, conservation assessment and JANIS criteria for the west. DLWC and catchment criteria and determine the relevance of National Estate, Catchment target setting for; criteria and targets existing criteria to the bioregion. and DLWC vegetation when available. retention criteria and 1. Conservation legislative requirements. 2. Reservation S Expert and regional

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 10 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

7.2 C-Plan development and Critical in the development of a CAR S Conservation criteria (PA S A software package able to Some work proposed (NPWS in Further work to be B application to the BBS reserve system, and allows 7.1). accommodate the requirements of kind) determined (NPWS In bioregional conservation conservation criteria to be applied and conservation priority setting kind) S assessment monitored for all conservation values. Conservation mechanisms across all tenures in western (PA 7.6). NSW. Needs to be modified to accommodate S Planning unit layer (PA 7.5). S conservation across all tenures. The ability to map reservation / S Consultation with experts and retention options to accommodate Needs to be able to assess the regional / satisfy given conservation goals effectiveness and incorporate landscape/conservation for multiple entities within the alternative conservation mechanisms. managers. bioregion.

7.3 Evaluation of surrogates To use the outcomes of this and other S All data from Project Areas 1 S Report quantifying the Nil planned Project to assess value B for biodiversity (eg. projects to identify species, or and 2. effectiveness of mapped of vegetation and ecosystems, vegetation assemblages of species, whose ecosystems, vegetation types or ecosystems mapping as S types, soils, landscapes / distributions are not well correlated Results from PA 7.1 landforms as surrogates to a surrogate for landsystems) with native ecosystems and may S Expert & regional knowledge biodiversity. biodiversity therefore require special consideration and opinion. when formulating conservation requirements for flora and fauna (in accordance with JANIS Biodiversity Criterion 5).

To use the outcomes of this and other projects to formulate requirements relating to the spatial configuration of reservation within native ecosystems to ensure that the full range of biological variation within each ecosystem is sampled by the reserve system (in accordance with JANIS Biodiversity Criterion 7). 7.4 Derivation / mapping of Identifies areas of general significance S Biological survey data from S Spatial distribution of areas of Some – on public lands with Further work on species B areas of high diversity, for flora and fauna, in accordance PA 2.1 - 2.4 and predictive high diversity, centres of regard to fauna. on non-woody areas to centres of endemism, with JANIS biodiversity criterion 5 habitat models from PA 5.1 endemism, wetlands, natural and be defined when further natural refugia, wetlands (and National Estate criteria), and 5.2. drought refuges etc for use in data sets available etc vegetation including areas of high Integration and National Estate diversity, centres of endemism, 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 11 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

7.5 Production of a planning Needed to assess and map S Existing and new tenure S A GIS layer of a planning unit Planning unit layeronly on Apply 5km X 5km grid A unit layer (incorporating conservation values and options. information. layer for conservation assessment public lands – continuous across BBS for analysis tenure, vegetation, soils, eg C-Plan analysis (PA 7.2 and datalayer for context over the purposes S etc) for conservation Vegetation mapping (PA 1.1) 7.7) rest of the BBS assessment 7.6 Assessment of Provide key information on how the S Assessment of current criteria S Methodologies for applying a Through RVC’s LGAs on Determine further B-C methodologies and requirements for conservation (PA and strategies, including: variety of protection mechanisms private lands, forest agreement possible implementation mechanisms to apply 7.1) can be applied across all tenures. across all tenures in order to measures and S conservation criteria across JANIS, SBS, NFPS, IUCN, achieve a level of conservation opportunities for all tenures Look at alternative for conservation National Estate , Catchment (PAs 1.3, 2.10, 3.2 and 7.1) outcomes from and protection of significant entities and DLWC vegetation assessments. S across all tenures. retention criteria and Implementation (PA 9.1) legislative requirements. Prepare a coordinated Determine alternative protection S Expert and regional implementation strategy mechanisms over all tenures. knowledge. for once conservation assessment results S Government legislation and available. strategies.

7.7 Data analysis and Critical in determining the best S Data from all biological S Mapped reservation options to BBS1 – preliminary analysis Further analysis B-C integration possible outcomes for conservation project areas. accommodate / satisfy given only required especially for within the BBS bioregion. conservation goals for multiple non-woody areas and S Data from all non-biological entities within the bioregion. BBS2 will integrate and analyse private lands once project areas. data sets for wood vegetation on suitable data sets S Options for conservation, using a S public lands only available. Planning unit layer (PA 7.5). range of protection mechanisms S Project areas 8. across all tenures. S Provide this information to planning groups such as RVCs, RLPBs, RMCs, CMBs, LG and DLWC

8 Project areas relating to This group of project areas provides a basis for addressing indigenous and non-indigenous heritage requirements. heritage 8.1 Non-indigenous cultural A core cultural heritage value. S Audit of landscape / aesthetic S Overview of type and quality of BBS1 – social catchments & Nil Planned D heritage assessment Project area aims to address both value, historic value, and existing data. socio-demographic profiles done Outside the scope of the National Estate and State heritage social / community heritage biodiversity assessment. S criteria. value data - art and literature, Indication of inadequacies in Economic & social profiles existing data. prepared

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8.2 Indigenous Traditional This project area addresses the S To be determined on a S Data layers of places / areas of Oral history & archival Further work on TEK to A Ecological Knowledge and requirement for documentation of bioregional / regional (tribal / significance to Aboriginal people, information investigated - BBS1 be determined after cultural heritage areas of Traditional Ecological community boundary??) basis including post contact sites. BBS2 in consultation Immediate start assessment. Knowledge (TEK) and cultural by the Aboriginal Committees Cultural field survey undertaken with Aboriginal S significance of biodiversity in the in consultation with NPWS. Data layers of places / areas of within Pilliga & Goonoo SF – communities. BBS bioregion. scientific significance. BBS1 S Data that may be collected / S collated to include existing Information and data layers of Traditional Ecological BBS1 Indigenous socio- and new data relating to demographic profiles done Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Knowledge and places of S Information in forms that the Database to be compiled of Indigenous contemporary; Aboriginal community wishes eg indigenous heritage information spiritual; traditional; booklets, videos on specific TEK, using GIS, GPS, satellite historical; or archaeological cultural values of biodiversity and imagery, API and NPWS value, Aboriginal cultural landscape values. Aboriginal Sites Register and biodiversity use and natural consultation with Aboriginal heritage knowledge. Will S Comprehensive overview of communities as part of BBS2 include post-contact current protective mechanisms and further oral histories knowledge and uses. and management practices. Targeted surveys to identify and S Methods that may be utilised S Assessment of adequacy and record Aboriginal sites, include: data audit, effectiveness for site traditional ecological knowledge, community based heritage management. identification, cultural traditionally-used plant species, S heritage field survey, oral Identification of issues associated and culturally significant areas. history and historical research with management / protection of Indigenous heritage values and Possible proclamation of new S Information related to the places Aboriginal Places or Aboriginal

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 13 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

8.3 Aboriginal community To ensure that Aboriginal peoples S To be determined on a S Ongoing mechanisms for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Traditional Ecological A consultation interests and rights are recognised in bioregional / regional (tribal / Indigenous community Steering Committee set up as Knowledge and the assessment process a consultative community boundary??) basis consultation and participation. part of BBS1 to guide & review consultation to be Immediate start mechanism needs to be established by the Aboriginal Committees cultural heritage determined after BBS2 S that seeks the active participation of in consultation with NPWS. Strategies that maintain assessmentprojects. in consultation with Aboriginal communities in the Aboriginal input into the Aboriginal S development, management and Input of methodologies management of natural areas, Agreement for disclosure of TEK communities. implementation of projects associated utilised in BBS1. biodiversity and sites of and cultural heritage information with the assessment of Indigenous significance to the Aboriginal between NPWS & Aboriginal peoples cultural values and rights, community, and which involve a community. including cultural heritage, social and landform approach to site economic values, Ecological management. Awareness-raising within the sustainablity and any other projects S Negotiated agreement to ensure BBS Aboriginal community which may have an impact upon confidentiality and information regarding BBS bioregional Indigenous communities. ownership requirements of assessment and outcomes. Aboriginal communities are met. Outcomes of BBS2 to be communicated to LALCs, each community and site visits for Aboriginal Elders.

Development of agreement with Aboriginal communities about how sensitive information should be managed 8.4 Assessment of the linkages To develop new approaches towards S Results of fauna and flora S Improved methods for integrating Development of To be determined eg B between cultural heritage the development of cultural surveys can be integrated with cultural heritage values within a recommendations which assist in natural heritage and natural heritage landscapes. Aboriginal site and landform ecological landscape. Will assist developing links between significance to Immediate start data to develop alternative in the development of cultural landforms, Aboriginal sites, Aboriginal communities sampling strategies that landscapes and add to biodiversity and natural heritage incorporate Aboriginal biodiversity knowledge. with traditional ecological ecological values. knowledge – BBS2

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 14 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

It will also be important to coordinate the assessment approach for the biological and ecological data collection and review of management strategies within and across the bioregion to reflect conservation requirements across the entire range of priority species.

Needs to address both public, leasehold and private lands. 9.2 Production of a tenure Required as a base layer for S Current crown lands mapping S A reliable map of tenure BBS 2 will not have an updated Required by DLWC to D layer including crown land conservation assessment. (eg CLID) including private, leasehold land, CLID layer – DLWC have been provide to allow Crown (DLWC core mapping NP estate, other public lands requested to fix this layer as part lands to be included in business) S A basic layer for determining Updating of CLID and tenure crown land boundaries, for of their core business. assessment. conservation outcomes and measures. layers. integration into a planning unit S New mapping in conjunction layer (PA 7.5), and for integration Used most up to date NP estate with DLWC. into C-Plan (PA 7.2, 7.7) layer available.

9.3 Geology mapping Required as a base layer for S Collation and integration of S A sufficiently refined map of BBS2 – preliminary BBS layer Use most up to date D conservation assessment, and existing data. geology across the bioregion. available – improved layer with layer in stratification, (DMR to ecosystem / fauna / flora modelling new radiometric data available possibly modeling and provide) S processes. New mapping for areas with by June 2002 conservation coarse or no previous assessment.

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 15 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

Useful for environmental stratification during survey design and gap identification. 9.4 Soil landscape mapping Mapped soil attributes (including S Existing mapping – collation S A coarse map of soils with BBS2 will provide broad SBS – use most up to D depth, fertility, water holding capacity and integration of existing attribute data on depth, fertility, landscape / soils mapping by date available soils data (DLWC / and stability) and a classification map data. water holding capacity and June 2002 in stratification , RACD funded) of lithology are fundamental, essential stability. possible modelling and S and urgently required inputs to many New mapping for areas with conservation S modelling projects within the coarse or no previous. Provide information collected to assessment. planning groups such as RVCs, bioregional conservation assessment S Satellite imagery. process (eg. Modelling of individual RLPBs, RMCs, CMBs, LG and plant and animal species distributions, DLWC modelling of extant and pre-European distribution of vegetation communities, and modelling of site quality) 9.5 Land capability mapping Mapped land capability attributes ( S Existing mapping – collation S A existing map of land capability BBS will use existing mapping Nil Planned D including, soils, landform, vegetation, and integration of existing with analysis on area, rarity and available for some bioregional productivity) could be used for data. distribution within existing analysis only but will use (DLWC) conservation assessment purposes as a reserve system . vegetation as the critical base surrogate for biodiversity. layer in the conservation S Provide information collected to assessment. Land capability planning groups such as RVCs, mapping used for BBS doesn’t RLPBs, RMCs, CMBs, LG and include SF & NP estate DLWC

9.6 Hydrology assessment There is a need to assess the S Collection and collation of S A summary highlighting the BBS 2 – DLWC to provide Utilise information in D hydrological systems and pathways existing mapped data and available information and gaps. . survey of existing information conservation assessment (DLWC within the bioregion if we are to information on geology and and knowledge within BBS and eg water-dependant responsible for S assess the impacts of flooding hydrology. Information on bioregion recommendations for possible ecosystems improving regimes, clearing or further alteration available to/from River further work. surface S of native vegetation. There are Collection and collation of Management Committees and hydrology and reasonable concerns already noting existing mapping on surface Floodplain management plans etc BBS may list known water drainage the effects of clearing on the hydrology and flooding dependent plant communities information) hydrological systems in floodplain regimes. and ecosystems in the bioregion. environments. S New mapping if required This will feed into RTD projects and conservation assessments 9.7 Economic values of natural An analysis of economic values S Collation of existing data on S A report outlining the economic BBS2 – to be determined To be determined B and cultural heritage associated with biodiversity and NP economic values. values associated with National Park Estate. maintaining native vegetation, Previous NPWS reports S Collation of data for similar biodiversity and cultural values, 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 16 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

9.8 Formulation of general Provides general reserve design S Literature review (including S An agreed set of reserve design BBS – To be determined (NPWS To be determined – B reserve design principles principles and rules to guide planning review of research on habitat principles and rules for use in the in kind) further work may be and rules processes. corridors). integration process. required

S Provides a basis for operationalising Expert advice (including from criteria specified in Section 7 of the those currently working on JANIS report (Reserve Design and habitat corridors). Management), relating to reserve size, S Input from other Project Areas connectivity, context etc. including PA 7.1 and 7.7 and 9.1.

9.9 Identification of areas of Identifies areas satisfying the S Outputs from PA 1.1, 1.3, 3.1, S Identification of: BBS 2 not a priority. Assessment against D National Estate value following National Estate values: 4.1 Information could be used for criteria required for all 5. Criterion A1: relictual future nominations ecosystems / plant S Criterion A1: relictual vegetation Indicative outputs from 2.1 - vegetation classes, climatic communities / entities classes, climatic refuges, relict / 2.6, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 - 6.3 and 7.3. refuges, relict / Gondwanan No Commonwealth funding species; endemic species; Gondwanan species; endemic species; S Expert knowledge. available in WRA and SBS – disjunct/limit of range species; disjunct / limit of range limited assessment information S Topographic information. species; could be provided to Criterion A2 : successional stages, 6. Criterion A2 : successional Commonwealth for assessment S Catchment mapping. remnant ecosystems, natural stages, remnant ecosystems, purposes landscapes and undisturbed S Components of disturbance natural landscapes and catchments undisturbed catchments information layers. Criterion A3: areas of ecosystem S Tenure information. 7. Criterion A3: areas of richness; ecosystem richness;

Criterion B1: rare ecosystems, rare / 8. Criterion B1: rare threatened species; ecosystems, rare/threatened species; Criterion D1: principle characteristics 9. Criterion D1: principle of class. characteristics of class.

S Conservation requirements for each National Estate value. S Determine areas of high integrity in relation to each National Estate value as the basis for determining threshold. S GIS overlays and assessment of areas of integrity. S Determination of species 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 17 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

9.10 Assessment of current Determine the accuracy and S Inputs from PA 1.1, 1.2, 7.5, S An accurate and representative BBS bioregion and province Provide information C bioregional and province representativeness of the current 9.2 and 9.3. mapped bioregional and province boundary retained as is. into IBRA review – boundaries bioregional and province boundaries. boundaries confirm or suggest province boundaries or descriptions 9.11 Data management A data management project is S Collate all existing data. S A well-maintained database of BBS2 – RACD provide data to Any SBS project A urgently required to collate and audit GIS layers, fauna and flora all agencies and acted as clearing requires suitable data S existing data for use in determining Incorporate new data as records and any species / house – Agencies as custodians management protocols Immediate start conservation values. available. assemblage models for BBS. to be in place and BBS database established S New data needs to be entered into Metadata statements prepared for and maintained. databases for use in conservation all datasets created. Statements to assessment. be made as widely available as possible Data needs to be maintained at a standard if it is to be disseminated to Agencies. 9.12 GIS data source collection Abiotic data on climate, terrain, land S Data collected from existing S A database of current abiotic RACD provided to all agencies SBS Scoping report and C and collation capability, radiation etc needs to be GIS databases as NPWS, SF, data. BBS project collated all these use existing data sourced and collated for use in DMR, DLWC, DAg, Aus Lig, and cut to the bioregion. provided by LIC and deriving models and variation in the LIC, etc. RACD environment. As updated data become available then upgrade conservation assessment data bases. 9.13 Data and report This is a fundamental project to S Information and reports from all BBS 1 final reports SBS projects – produce A development and ensure data and information are project areas. Maps of vegetation, BBS 2 will produce various final biodiversity distribution for the collated, analysed and reported in a fauna and flora distributions / reports on these and other assessment, technical community format which is understandable and assemblages & habitat project areas. and community reports available to the community. preferences etc. . when projects / conservation assessment 30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 18 Appendix 20: Brigalow Belt South Bioregional Conservation Assessment – Draft Technical Framework

10 Project areas relating to community consultation 10.1 Community Community consultation and S Knowledge of stakeholders, S Development of avenues for BBS 1 & 2 - Advertise project Community A communication and communication is a critical pathway communities and groups level consultation and involvement of objectives via local media, and consultation and Very important awareness for bioregional conservation of understanding attitudes, landholders, community groups develop & distribute promotional involvement strategy and ongoing for assessment processes. needs and future expectations and Aboriginal communities. flyers regarding the project. required . implementation and requirements regarding S Need to develop positive relations biodiversity management and Development of avenues for data with landholders, particularly where conservation. and information to be distributed surveys are to fall on private lands . to the landholders, community S Methods to consult and groups and Aboriginal involve the community. communities. S Data presented and available in various formats for community use.

30 March 2001 Brigalow Belt South Technical Framework 19 APPENDIX 21: TECHNICAL FRAMEWORK PROJECT AREAS RELATING TO CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING FRAMEWORK

Step in Bioregional Conservation Assessment and Planning Project Areas Framework Data audit 2.5-2.7. 8.1, 9.5 Data collection 2.1-2.4, 8.1, 9.7 Selection of datasets for conservation assessment 2.8, 7.3, 8.1 Production of new bioregion-wide mapping 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 3.1, 5.3, 7.4, 8.1, 9.2-9.5, 9.10 Compilation of final mapping 1.3-1.5, 2.1-2.7, 6.1-6.4, 7.7, 8.2, 9.2, 9.1, 9.12 Assessment of relevant conservation values 1.5, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1-5.3, 9.9 Assessment of current, past and potential threatening processes 1.3, 1.5, 5.1-5.3 Identification of conservation status of landscapes, areas, 1.3-1.5, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.4, 9.5, 9.9 biodiversity and management required Subdivision of bioregion into management units 5.1, 5.2, 7.4 Identification of potential conservation outcomes 1.3, 2.10, 3.2, 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.4, 7.7, 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, 9.2, 9.5, 9.9 Implementation and monitoring 2.9, 7.1, 7.2, 7.5, 7.6, 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, 9.7, 9.8, 9.13 Information to RVCs, CMBs, Local Government planning processes all project areas Develop CAR reserve system 7.1, 7.2, 7.5, 8.3, 9.8 Vegetation Management 1.3 Biodiversity Conservation 2.1-2.8 Cultural heritage conservation 8.1-8.3, 9.7, 10.1 Brigalow Belt South, NSW Bioregional Conservation Assessment Scoping Report – ATLAS

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service MAPS

1 Location of BBS 2 RLPB boundaries 3 NPWS Directorate boundaries 4 Tenure 5 State Forests NSW Management Areas 6 RVC boundaries 7 DLWC Region boundaries 8 Local Government areas 9 State Government electoral boundaries 10 CMB boundaries 11 Provinces (Morgan & Terrey 1992) 12 Average annual rainfall 13 Average annual temperature 14 Hydrology 15 Land capability 16 DLWC Soils mapping 17 Digital elevation model 18 Stratification 5 18a Pilliga 18b Talbragar Valley 18c Pilliga Outwash 18d Liverpool Plains 18e Northern Outwash 18f Liverpool Range 18g Northern Basalts 19 Systematic fauna survey sites 20 MDBC Soil mapping 21 MDBC Lithology 22 Schedule 1 and 2 fauna records 23 Schedule 1 and 2 fauna records by 50k mapsheet 24 Amphibian records 25 Amphibian records by 50k mapsheet 26 Bird records 27 Bird records by 50k mapsheet 28 Mammal records 29 Mammal records by 50k mapsheet 30 Reptile records 31 Reptile records by 50k mapsheet 32 Schedule 1 and 2 flora records 33 Schedule 1 and 2 flora records by 50k mapsheet 34 Flora records 35 Flora records by 50k mapsheet 36 State Forest and NPWS estate 37 Woody vegetation bias by land capability 38 MDBC Woody Vegetation Layer 39 Local Aboriginal Land Council Boundaries 40 Provisionally identified wilderness 41 Declared wilderness 42 National wilderness inventory 43 Slope 44 Bioregional landscape concepts 45 National wilderness inventory (values >= 10 ) 46 Systematic flora survey sites 47 Contiguous blocks of woody vegetation 48 BBS Bioregion IBRA version 4.0 and IBRA version 5.0