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

1. Scientific name (common name) (an orchid). Prior to a taxonomic revision in 2000 (Jones 2000), Prasophyllum murfetii was previously included with the species (Maroon Leek-orchid). However, the taxonomic revision in 2000 concluded that some South Australian populations formerly referred to as Prasophyllum frenchii are now regarded as distinct at the species level as Prasophyllum murfetii (D.L. Jones pers comm. 2005). Prasophyllum frenchii occurs in the lower south-east of South Australia and Victoria. Prasophyllum murfetii occurs on the , south of Adelaide.

2. Description Prasophyllum murfetii is a terrestrial orchid with a single, erect dark-green cylindrical leaf. The tip of the leaf withers when the flowers open (Jones 2000). The flowers occur in a dense to moderately dense spike of 15 to 35 flowers and are coloured from greenish-brown to white, or light or bright pink (Jones 2000). The flowers are sweetly scented (Bates and Weber 1990). This species can be distinguished from P. frenchii on the basis of flower shape and other floral features (Jones 2000). Prasophyllum species are mature at five years and usually do not flower two years in succession. In the years they do not flower, they appear as a single leaf 1 cm or less in length (B. Bates pers comm. 2005).

3. National Context Prasophyllum murfetii is endemic to South Australia. The species occurs in two locations on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide: the Mount Compass area, and the Parawa area near the southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. These two locations are separated by the broad Inman Valley that does not have any suitable habitat for the species. Suitable habitat for Prasophyllum murfetii occurs in swampy sites in low-lying areas around the margins of permanent swamps or lakes (Bates and Weber 1990). It is found on brown to black, wet, loam soils and occurs at altitudes from 0 to 300 m (Jones 2000). The species is listed as endangered under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria. The Committee judges the species to be eligible for listing as critically endangered under the EPBC Act. The justification against the criteria is as follows:

Criterion 1 – It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers. Prasophyllum murfetii has only been collected from swamps on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide. The species has been collected from swamps in the Mount Compass and Parawa areas and there are two records for this species from the shores of Lake Alexandrina. This species has been collected from these areas from 1968 through to the early 1990s.

There are 10 to 15 subpopulations recorded of Prasophyllum murfetii and each of these records is considered to be a separate subpopulation, as they occur in geographically isolated sites where there is likely to be limited genetic exchange between the subpopulations. One of the subpopulations is presumed extinct; at Tooperang (DEH population database 2005) and many of the subpopulations have not been recorded since the 1970s/1980s. Two extant subpopulations occur in reserves and the remaining subpopulations occur on private property. Swamps of good quality that may have provided habitat for Prasophyllum murfetii on the Fleurieu Peninsula have declined by 75% (DEH 2005). Part of this decline in suitable swamp habitat is likely to have occurred over the past 10 years, prior to these swamps being listed as a nationally threatened ecological community: ‘Swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula’ under the EPBC Act in 2003. The decline in the quality of swamp habitat can be attributed to a number of threats operating in the area. Vegetation clearance on the Fleurieu Peninsula has occurred in a number of catchments where potential swamp habitat occurs. This has resulted in a severe reduction in the area of suitable habitat for Prasophyllum murfetii across its natural distribution. Vegetation clearance is also likely to increase run-off, resulting in erosion of stream banks and loss of soils. Swamp habitats are vulnerable to changes in hydrology and these changes in hydrology can be attributed to exclusion of water from swamps, the drainage of swamps and ground extraction of water. Changes in hydrology can also be attributed to the construction of farm dams, which changes the natural flow of creek systems, creating dry conditions in swampy areas. Plantation forestry in swamp catchments may also alter hydrological conditions within swamps by reducing groundwater and surface water flow (Bates and Weber 1990). Heavy trampling by livestock in wet, swampy areas can mark and compact soils which may result in poor infiltration of water, a reduction in plant growth and a loss of soil structure (Duffield and Hill 2002). This would result in unsuitable conditions for the establishment of Prasophyllum murfetii which favours the waterlogged soils within swamps. Trampling and grazing of by livestock, and agricultural practices of slashing or burning of swamp areas has resulted in fragmentation of remaining swamp habitats on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Other activities, such as sand mining in the Mount Compass region, may also reduce the capacity of the aquifer in areas, which may impact on the extent and duration of flooding within swamps. Given there has been a decline in good quality swamp habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula due to a number of agricultural activities and that one of the recorded subpopulations of Prasophyllum murfetii is presumed extinct, it is likely there has been a historical decline in the total population size of the species (Duffield and Hill 2002). However, there is insufficient information to quantify the decline in total numbers of Prasophyllum murfetii over the past three generations, or to estimate any future decline. Therefore, there are insufficient data available to assess the species against this criterion.

Criterion 2 – Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited

The geographic distribution of Prasophyllum murfetii is very restricted. The current extent of occurrence of Prasophyllum murfetii is estimated to be 730 km2 (South Australia database; DEH Reserves, Survey and Plant population databases 2005). The area of occupancy of this species is estimated to be less than 0.005 km2. (This is 1% of the area of swamp habitat that remains in good condition on the Fleurieu Peninsula (Duffield and Hill 2002), and which is likely to provide suitable habitat for the species. This was based on the assumptions that the species is only likely to occur in

good quality swamps and that species populations are very small. It was therefore estimated that only 1% of good quality swamp habitat would support populations of this species).

The species’ distribution is severely fragmented as most individuals are found in very small isolated subpopulations separated by areas with unsuitable habitat. The fragmented distribution of the species also reflects the fragmented occurrence of the swamp habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Threats contributing to a decline in the quality of habitat for Prasophyllum murfetii include altered hydrological regimes, clearing of vegetation, grazing, and slashing and burning of swamps. Most of the subpopulations of Prasophyllum murfetii occur on private properties where they are unprotected. The area of occupancy of Prasophyllum murfetii is very restricted and severely fragmented as most individuals are found in very small isolated subpopulations in swamps separated by areas with unsuitable habitat. The geographic distribution of the species is very restricted and based on the ongoing threats, precarious for its survival. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as critically endangered under this criterion.

Criterion 3 – The estimated total number of mature individuals is limited to a particular degree and: (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a particular rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival The total population size of the species is estimated to comprise between 100 to 150 individuals. This is based on the data available from the 10 to 15 known subpopulations from which no more than 10 individuals have been counted from one subpopulation. However many of these subpopulations have not been recorded since the 1970s/1980s. Further surveys may reveal additional subpopulations, resulting in a higher estimate of the population size, however, it is likely that these additional subpopulations would still be low in number. The species’ distribution is severely fragmented as most individuals are found in very small isolated subpopulations in swamps separated by areas with unsuitable habitat. Most subpopulations occur on private property and are not protected, with only two subpopulations occurring within conservation reserves. Threats contributing to a decline in the quality of habitat of Prasophyllum murfetii include the loss of suitable habitat from clearing of vegetation in swamp areas, changes in hydrology, grazing, slashing or burning of habitat through agricultural practices in the Fleurieu Peninsula. The total number of mature individuals is limited, and as discussed under criterion 2, Prasophyllum murfetii has a very restricted geographic distribution which is precarious for its survival. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as endangered under this criterion.

Criterion 4 – The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low As discussed in criterion 3, the current total population size is estimated to comprise between 100-150 mature individuals. Further surveys in suitable habitat may reveal additional subpopulations, resulting in a higher estimate of the population size, however, it is likely that these additional subpopulations would still be low in number. Therefore, the total number of mature individuals is estimated to be low. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under this criterion.

Criterion 5 – Probability of extinction in the wild

There are insufficient data available to assess the species against this criterion.

5. CONCLUSION Prasophyllum murfetii has been collected from swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide. Suitable habitat for Prasophyllum murfetii occurs in swampy sites of low-lying areas. The species is known from 10 to 15 subpopulations, with the total population size estimated to be between 100 to 150 mature individuals. Threats to the population of Prasophyllum murfetii include the loss of suitable habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula from clearing of vegetation in swamp areas, changes in hydrology, grazing and slashing or burning of habitat for agricultural purposes. The species’ geographic distribution is very restricted and severely fragmented as most individuals are found in very small isolated subpopulations in swamps separated by areas with unsuitable habitat. Therefore the geographic distribution of the species in addition to ongoing threats, is precarious for its survival. Most subpopulations occur on private property and are not protected, with only two subpopulations occurring within conservation reserves.

The species is eligible for listing as critically endangered under criterion 2, endangered under criterion 3 and as vulnerable under criterion 4.

6. Recommendation The Committee recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by including in the list in the critically endangered category: Prasophyllum murfetii (an orchid)

References cited in the advice Bates R.J. and Weber J.Z. 1990. Orchids of South Australia. Flora and Fauna of South Australia, Handbooks Committee, South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia. Plant population database. Extracted 31/5/2005. Department of the Environment and Heritage. 2005. Listing advice for the Swamps of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Duffield R. and Hill B. 2002. Swamp Management Guidelines for the Fleurieu Peninsula. Conservation Council of South Australia, Adelaide. Jones D.L. 2000. Ten new species of Prasophyllum R. Br. () from South-eastern Australia. The Orchadian 13; 149-173.