LAND USE PROGRAM

ANAS CONTAINING SIGNIFICANT SPECIES OR HABITATS OUTSIDE THE EXISTING NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES NETWORK ON CAPE YORK PENINSULA

D.A. Whisson and P.A.R. Young Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage 1995

CYPLUS is a joint initiative of the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments CAPE YORK PENINSULA LAND USE STRATEGY (CYPLUS)

Land Use Program

AREAS CONTAINING SIGNIFICANT SPECIES OR HABITATS OUTSIDE THE EXISTING NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES NETWORK ON CAPE YORK PENINSULA

D.A. Whisson and P.A.R. Young Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage 1995

CYPLUS is a joint initiative of the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments

This Report incorporates information from CYPLUS Natural Resource Analysis Projects:

NROl - VEGETATION SURVEY NR03 - TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATE FAUNA SURVEY NR09 - WETLAND FAUNA SURVEY Recommended citation:

Whisson, D. A. and Young, P. A.R. (1995). 'Areas Containing Significant Species or Habitats Outside the Existing National Parks and Reserves Network on Cape York Peninsula'. (Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy, Office of the Co-ordinator General of Queensland, Brisbane, Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories, Canberra, and Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage, Brisbane.)

Note:

Due to the timing of publication, reports on other CYPLUS projects may not be fully cited in the BIBLIOGRAPHY section. However, they should be able to be located by author, agency or subject.

ISBN 0 7242 6236 9

@ The State of Queensland and Commonwealth of Australia 1995.

Copyright protects this publication. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the Office of the Co-ordinator General of Queensland and the Australian Government Publishing Service. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:

Office of the Co-ordinator General, Government of Queensland PO Box 185 BRISBANE ALBERT STREET Q 4002

The Manager, Commonwealth Information Services GPO Box 84 CANBERRA ACT 2601 CAPE YORK PENINSULA LAND USE STRATEGY STAGE I

PREFACE TO PROJECT REPORTS

Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy (CYPLUS) is an initiative to provide a basis for public participation in planning for the ecologically sustainable development of Cape York Peninsula. It is jointly funded by the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments and is being carried out in three stages:

Stage I - information gathering; Stage I1 - development of principles, policies and processes; and Stage I11 - implementation and review.

The project dealt with in this report is a part of Stage I of CYPLUS. The main components of Stage I of CYPLUS consist of two data collection programs, the development of a Geographic Information System (GIs) and the establishment of processes for public participation.

The data collection and collation work was conducted within two broad programs, the Natural Resources Analysis Program (NRAP) and the Land Use Program (LUP). The project reported on here forms part of one of these programs.

The objectives of NRAP were to collect and interpret base data on the natural resources of Cape York Peninsula to provide input to:

evaluation of the potential of those resources for a range of activities related to the use and management of land in line with economic, environmental and social values; and formulation of the land use policies, principles and processes of CYPLUS.

Projects examining both physical and biological resources were included in NRAP together with Geographic Information System (GIs) projects. NRAP projects are listed in the following Table. - Physical ResourceIGIS Projects Biological Resource Projects

Bedrock geological data - digitising and Vegetation mapping (NROI) integration (NR05) Airborne geophysical survey (NR15) Marine plant (seagrass/mangove) distribution (NR06) Coastal environment geoscience survey Insect fauna survey (NR17) (NR 14) Mineral resource inventory (NR04) Fish fauna survey (NR10) Water resource investigation (groundwater) Terrestrial vertebrate fauna survey (NR03) (NR16) Physical ResourceIGIS Projects Biological Resource Projects

Regolith terrain mapping (NR12) Wetland fauna survey (NR09) Land resource inventory (NR02) Flora data and modelling (NRl8) Environmental region analysis (NR11) Fauna distribution modelling (NR19) CYPLUS data into NRIC database FINDAR Golden-shouldered parrot conservation (NR20) management (NR21) Queensland GIs dev~lopmentand maintenance (NR08) * GIs creationlmaintenance (NR07)

* These projects are accumulating and storing all Stage I data that is submitted in GIs compatible formats.

Research priorities for the LUP were set through the public participation process with the objectives of:

collecting information on a wide range of social, cultural, economic and environmental issues relevant to Cape York Peninsula; and highlighting interactions between people, land (resource use) and nature sectors.

Projects were undertaken within these sector areas and are listed in the following Table.

People Projects Land Projects Nature Projects

Population Current land use Surface water resources Transport services and Land tenure Fire infrastructure Values, needs and aspirations Indigenous management of land Feral and pest animals and sea Services and infrastructure Pastoral industry Weeds Economic assessment Primary industries (non-pastoral, Land degradation and soil non-forestry) erosion Secondary and tertiary industries Forest resources Conservation and natural heritage assessment Traditional activities Commercial and non commercial Conservation and National Park fisheries management Current administrative structures Mineral resource potential and mining industry Tourism industry CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... i 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 CYPLUS Land Use Program .Conservation and Natural Heritage Assessment ...... 1 1.2 Criteria and Methods For Identifying Nature Conservation Resources ...... 2 1.2.1 Context ...... 2 1.2.2Data ...... 3 1.2.3 Biogeographic regions ...... 4 1.2.4 Criteria ...... 4 1.2.5 Assessment methods ...... 6 1.2.6 Land use planning considerations ...... 6

2.0 ANALYSIS OF VEGETATION MAPPING POLYGONS ...... 7 2.1 PBS analysis ...... 7 2.2 Results ...... 9 2.2.1 Representativeness as the major criterion of conservation value 10 2.2.2 Rarity as the major criterion of conservation value ...... 10 2.2.3 Current conservation status as the major criterion ...... 14 2.3 Inadequately conserved ecosystems = options for planning ..... 16

3.0 RARE AND THREATENED PLANT SPECIES ...... 23

4.0 ASSESSMENT OF TERRESTRIAL FAUNA DATA INCLUDING RARE AND THREATENEDSPECIES ...... 25 4.1 Delineation of areas and habitats of importance for nature conservation ...... 25 4.2 Rare and threatened species ...... 27

5.0 WETLANDS AND WETLAND FAUNA DATA ...... 31

7.0 APPENDICES ...... 34 Appendix i: Project Brief ...... 35 Appendix ii: Vegetation mapping units supplied from NROl and their total area and percentage contained in protected areas ..... 36 Appendix iii: Re~ults~ofcluster analysis of closed forests of Cape York Peninsula ...... 44 Appendix iv: Assessment of wetlands for nature conservation ...... 50 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Protected areas, mainland CYPLUS region ...... 3 Table 2: A comparison of "representative" mapping units in the protected area network versus PBS focal squares ...... 10 Table 3: A comparison of "rare" regional ecosystems contained in the protected area network versus PBS focal squares ...... 14 Table 4: A comparison of regional ecosystems inadequately conserved in the protected area network versus PBS focal squares ...... 16

LIST OF MAPS

Map 1: Important areas for nature conservation...... 17 Map 2: Broad areas that either: ...... 18 a) should be sympathetically managed for nature conservation, or b) contain ecosystems types that are inadequately conserved, samples of which could be managed for nature conservation on a co-operative basis, or c) require further study.

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Biogeographic regions of Queensland ...... 5 Figure 2: Groups produced by the first stage of the PBS analysis ...... 8 Figure 3: PBS analysis with representativeness as the major criterion for focal square selection ...... ll Figure 4: Grid squares containing rare mapping units ...... 12 Figure 5: PBS analysis with rarity as the major criterion for focal square selection ...... 13 Figure 6: Grid squares containing inadequately conserved mapping units .... 15 Figure 7: PBS analysis with low conservation status as the major criterion for focal square selection ...... 19 Figure 8: Faunal zones of Cape York Peninsula ...... 26 SUMMARY

The Conservation and Natural Heritage Assessment Project is one of 24 projects undertaken as part of the CYPLUS Land Use Program. Within the project, work has been divided between the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage, the Australian Heritage Commission and the Environment Resources Information Network. This report is one component of this Project.

The principal aim of the tasks undertaken by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage has been to analyse natural resource information collected as part of the CYPLUS Natural Resources Analysis Program using a "comprehensiveness, adequacy and representativeness" (CAR) approach. CAR-based methodologies that have become widely used across Australia aim to ensure that all ecosystem or habitat types in the landscape (ie. biodiversity in the broadest sense) are considered within nature conservation planning and assessment.

The first part of the CAR analysis has analysed the distribution and extent of 181 vegetation mapping units or ecosystems provided by project NROl Vegetation Survey. Currently 79 ecosystems are inadequately conserved, based upon the aim of representing a minimum of 5% of the total area of each, within a protected area. The 5% goal is an ideal because of factors such as, how ecosystems are distributed in the landscape, and recognition that many ecosystems, whilst not sampled within protected areas are not under threat of disappearing or degrading under prevailing land use. The analysis explored options for improving the status of some targeted, inadequately conserved ecosystems, based upon the goal of capturing the most number of these ecosystems within the least possible area. Other areas have been defined that have broader or lower priority value for nature conservation. An integrated approach to nature conservation planning would include consideration of protected area status for higher priority sites and off-park strategies for lower priority areas.

As part of the CAR analysis the region has been classified on the basis of fauna and associated habitats into 22 faunal zones. A substantial proportion of seven faunal zones is contained within protected areas. In other zones, important fauna habitats constitute only a small part of the total zone (these have been identified and incorporated into priority nature conservation areas) or it is considered that fauna composition can be maintained under existing management regimes.

The second phase of the CAR analysis has incorporated fauna and flora species information from NR.01 Vegetation Survey, NR03 Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey and NR09 Wetland Fauna Survey to identify further areas that are important for nature conservation.

As part of the project NROl Vegetation Survey focused on rainforests and vine thickets in the region. This work was undertaken as the small size and scattered nature of many rainforest patches and the complex floristic patterns typical of rainforests, require a far more detailed sampling approach than other vegetation types. While eight different rainforest types have been identified as high priority for nature conservation based on the CAR approach, a policy of no clearing of all rainforest types on Crown land could be considered as an option for the conservation of rainforest ecosystems. In grazing areas practical application of such a policy may require consideration of measures such as fencing of rainforest and vine thicket patches to exclude stock. The areas identified in this study in which nature conservation should be considered as a primary land use or which could be an important consideration in land management are shown on Maps 1 and 2 in this report and include:

three coastal strips and five estuarine environments, a the dunefields of the east coast, part of Batavia Downs, a Glennie Tableland, localised patches of several types of rainforest with restricted distributions, a small area constituting the habitat of the rare plant Jeddu multicaulis, localised occurrences of natural grassland, broad areas containing Eucalyptus setosa, lancewood Acacia shirleyi and the Darwin stringybark forest of "The Desert", some of which should be managed for nature conservation, the Wenlock and Archer River corridors that provide west-east corridors for eastern rainforest species.

The assessment has endeavoured to present spatial data (particular areas and sites) as this is an appropriate format for incorporating information into the next stage of CYPLUS. While such areas are broadly indicated on maps in the report, it is emphasised that the original information on which recommendations are based should be consulted where greater detail is required. Much of these data are available as coverages in the CYPLUS GIs. 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 CYPLUS Land Use Program - Conservation and Natural Heritage Assessment

The Conservation and Natural Heritage Assessment Project is one of 24 research projects comprising the CYPLUS Land Use Program. The work undertaken by the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) used data collected as part of the Natural Resources Analysis Program. The data used in the assessment are derived from:

NROl - Vegetation Survey;

. NR03 - Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey;

NR09 - Wetland Fauna Survey (Appendix iv)

In addition, the assessment incorporates data provided by NRll - Environmental Region Analysis and information and data provided by sources from outside CYPLUS (eg. museuin records for fauna).

The project work was planned by DEH in conjunction with CYPLUS Task Force, the Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) and Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN). The project brief is given in Appendix i. The major outcomes of the assessment include:

. definition of areas of high vegetation and faunal diversity;

. definition of areas with a concentration of vegetation types with restricted distribution;

. identification of plant and animal species that are inadequately conserved and their known locations on Cape York Peninsula;

. identification of sites that are important for wetland fauna;

. assessment of the extent to which the existing protected area network on Cape York Peninsula samples vegetation and faunal diversity;

. delineation of areas identified above on maps. The identification of areas or species important for nature conservation is in accordance with 1 the Naturee Conservation Act 1992. This legislation provides processes for the protection of ~~+~~E1-~~~~-8ft&&-8--~s~$reserves+thP4rr~71m~~ private land through: I

. gathering, researching analysing, monitoring and disseminating information on nature,

. identifying critical habitats and areas of major interest for nature conservation,

. encouraging nature conservation by education and co-operative involvement of the community,

. dedicating and declaring areas representative of biological diversity, natural features and wilderness,

. managing areas in accord with management principles, declared intent, conservation plans and conservation agreements,

. protecting the biological diversity of native wildlife and its habitat by dedicating and declaring protected areas, prescribing protected and prohibited wildlife, and managing areas in accord with management principles, declared intent, conservation plans and conservation agreements.

In dedicating and declaring areas representative of biological diversity, natural features and wilderness, and in protecting the biological diversity of native wildlife and its diversity, the Nattrve Conservation Act 1992, unlike the legislation it replaces, allows for landholders to provide protection and management of areas for nature conservation purposes via a co- operative approach.

The CYPLUS region represents a unique situation in the Queensland context as it has been subject to minimal human impact, contains an array of landscapes and bioclimatic conditions and has an established network of areas managed for nature conservation. Within the CYPLUS area there are 13 National Parks covering 13 672km2 (10.0% of the total area - Table 1). An additional 1 669.9km2 is contained within 'Resource Reserves' that are jointly administered by DEH and other government agencies.

1.2 Criteria and Methods for Identifying Nature Conservation Resources 1

1.2.1 Context ~1 For much of this century, nature conservation was limited to the setting aside of rugged, scenic areas as national park. In Queensland, widespread land clearing post World War I1 resulted in the growing realisation of a need to maintain representative samples of all of the State's ecosystems irrespective of their location and scenic quality. This basic philosophy has become adopted universally and is expressed as the need to maintain and protect biodiversity. 3

Table 1. Protected areas, mainland CYPLUS region

Reserve Total area Number of (km2) regional ecosystems Archer Bend 1638.10 37 Black Mountain 9.03 9 Cape Melville 364.12 5 1 Cedar Bay 56.63 17 Endeavour River 18.92 22 Iron Range 348.76 3 5 Jardine River 2 359.06 3 6 Lakefield 5 361.82 6 6 Mitchell and Alice River 365.22 16 Mt Cook 5.03 8 Mt Webb 2.20 5 Rokeby 2 915.91 6 4 Starcke 79.71 18 Resource Reserves 1 669.89

1.2.2 Data

The general aim in defining nature conservation resources is to identify discrete areas or sites as most of the attributes used in assessment such as vegetation types and fauna habitats have a definable geographical distribution. Thus as a prerequisite the assessment requires information including:

. a definition of the different vegetation types or ecosystelns present and the relationship between these and environmental features such as geology, landform, altitude,

description of the plant species comprising each ecosystem,

. fauna species present and if possible, habitats in which species are most likely to occur, . presence of plant and animal species that are considered to be rare and threatened by appropriate authorities (plants - the Queensland Herbarium within DEH maintains a register of species that are rare or threatened according to criteria established by The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, a UN body; animals - DEH under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 maintains a register of fauna determined to be rare and threatened using a standard set criteria developed and applied by conservation agencies across Australia). - Other information that is useful if available includes:

. data similar to the above from areas surrounding the geographical area being considered, to provide a broader context,

. disturbance - extent, causes, robustness of ecosystems.

1.2.3 Biogeographic regions

Within Queensland, the Department of Environment and Heritage recognises natural regions or biogeographic regions (Stanton and Morgan 1977, Thackway and Cresswell 1995) and these provide the framework for conservation assessment at the broader scale (Figure 1). It is important to note that, while the CYPLUS region largely coincides with the Cape York Peninsula biogeographic region, it also contains parts of the Gulf Plains, Einasleigh Uplands and Wet Tropics biogeographic regions.

1.2.4 Criteria

In conservation assessments, comparative criteria are used to assess the ecosystems and their component species contained within individual biogeographic regions. The criteria that are widely used include:

. diversity - the number of different ecosystems per unit area, . species richness - the number of species present per unit area, . representativeness - the ecosystems and species which tend to be characteristic of a region or area,

. ecosystem rarity - the ecosystems which tend to be localised usually because of restricted environmental conditions (eg. cold wet, windy mountain top),

. species rarity - species that occur at few sites or in very low frequencies, . species distribution limits (eg. northern limit of the geographical range of the species) and outlying species populations, Figure 1 Biogeographic regions of Queensland

Produced by the GIS Section. July 1994. IN803 Source - Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia, ANCA 1.2.5 Assessment methods

Methods for assessing the conservation values of natural areas and selecting or ranking sites of importance for nature conservation have been developed by conservation and research agencies within Australia (eg. Bolton and Specht 1983, Purdie 1987, Margules and Austin 1991). The potential conservation areas are systematically identified using computer-based or manual analysis and sorting techniques based upon the criteria discussed above. The advantage of such methods is that they are explicit, repeatable and provide a number of possibilities or alternatives.

1.2.6 Land use planning considerations

The methods for selecting potential nature conservation areas are ideally suited to situations where large tracts of land exist in a minimally disturbed state, and nature conservation will become a primary land use at some sites. These conditions do not necessarily apply in many situations. Consequently, strategies for maintaining biodiversity in the landscape may include accomlnodating nature conservation as a secondary or complementary land use, or in disturbed situations, promoting management that re-establishes ecosystems and species. 2.0 ANALYSIS OF VEGETATION MAPPING POLYGONS

2.1 PBS analysis

The analysis of vegetation mapping polygons provided by NROl Vegetation Survey is a fundamental part of the nature conservation assessment because, as discussed in Secton 1.2 above, vegetation and the environmental features which vegetation reflects are recognised as surrogates of biodiversity. The particular analysis used is a method developed by Purdie (1985a, 1985b, 1987) and Bolton and Specht (1983) (PBS method). The PBS method is a computer-based technique that classifies grid squares on the basis of the diversity, representativeness or rarity of the mapping units each cell contains.

The PBS method is a useful tool in conservation assessment because it provides an explicit means of identifying potential key areas for nature conservation. These can be used to assist in selecting areas that satisfy regional nature conservation requirements with appropriate tenures and management. Such areas can potentially conserve samples of the majority of ecosystems most representative of a region, and most rare and important species, in a network occupying a fraction of the region as a whole (Purdie 1987). In the context of the Cape York Peninsula region, the identification of potential key nature conservation areas is largely theoretical as the region has an existing regional reserve network. However, the PBS analysis is useful in analysing how well the existing reserve network captures the biodiversity of the region as well as indicating areas with the greatest concentration of ecosystems that are not contained in the reserve network. The latter can be used to guide future nature conservation planning in the region.

The PBS analysis of the CYPLUS region involved the numerical classification of 1,682 x 5' grid squares (82.3km2), using their vegetation contents as attributes. The first stage of the analysis groups grid squares that are similar in terms of the types and mixes of vegetation present. Eight groups were described for the CYPLUS region (Figure 2). These groups could be used a basis for delineating natural subregions, similar to the regionalisation produced by ERIN in NRll Environmental Region Analysis. The groups are characterised in terms of major vegetation types and associated landform and geology as follows:

• ranges and hills often with notophyll vine forest (shaded triangle in Figure 2),

• shrublands on dunefields, sandplains and headlands (unshaded triangle in Figure 2), iP Eucalyptus tetrodonta tall woodlands on deeply weathered plateax and erosional surfaces (light-shaded square in Figure 2),

EucaEyptus leptophleba/platyphylla/elythrophloiaand E. nesophila/hyZandii woodlands on hills and plains (plus sign in Figure 2),

• Eucalyptus woodlands and tussock grasslands on marine and alluvial plains (black square in Figure 2),

Eucalyptus tetrodonta/novoguinensis/polycarpa woodlands on erosional surfaces and residual sands and Melaleuca viridijlora low open woodland on depositional plains (black circle in Figure 2), A Ranges and hills often with notophyll vine forest

A Shrublands on dunefields, sandplains and headlands

Eucalyptus tetrodonta tall woodlands on deeply weathered plateax and erosional surfaces

+ Eucalyptus leptophleba/platyphy//a/erythrophloia and E, nesophila/hylandii woodlands on hills and plains ~~lBEiI@BPBE3BE?B~~BAAA EIl3kBABE3lBElEiB8BB~BAAA Eucalyptus woodlands and tussock grasslands on BElBBBBBBBPBE3BBBBAAAA marine and alluvial plains oiai~~~msasaasmon~e~~ q BB~AElM@B~~fBElBB~AA+A 6 Eucalyptus tetrodonta/novoguinensis/polycarpa IBBI38BBIBBBBBElEl88+AAAA woodlands on erosional surfaces and residual sands and E8B~8BBB1E31EBE4891+AAA Melaleuca viridiflora low open woodland on depositional plains 8811EiEiPk3t3BElBElABBAAAO------'' ' A ' E4 El @ q ' A A A A + ~~~~l~~t~shy/andij/tetrodonta woodland on sandstone ~RB~~EBOBBWB~~8~~00AAAOO----- BBHBPBBBBBEEEBOHBOOAAAAH E3 q fB El E7 B q 8 q E A A A n Eucalyptus cullenii/crebra/persisrens woodlands on E~BBBBWBB~BBHIBBBBBOODAAA~ metamorphic hills and E. hy/andii/tetrodonta woodland on EmB1B888EBEH8BHBBBODAAAA sandstone. metamorwhic and ironstone ranges

Figure 2. Groups produced by the first stage of the PBS analysis (classification of 181 mapping units into 8 groups). Eucalyptus hylandii/tetrodonta woodland on sandstone (shaded diamond in Figure 2),

Eucalyptus cullenii/crebra/persistens woodlands on metamorphic hills and E. hylandii/tetrodonta woodland on sandstone, metamorphic and ironstone ranges (unshaded square in Figure 2).

The PBS analysis then calculates a 'Priority Diversity Index' (PDI) for each grid square based on the diversity and the conservation value of its component communities. Grid squares having a high PDI (high diversity of communities having high conservation value) are considered to have a greater conservation value than those with a low PDI (low diversity and/or communities having low conservation value).

Diversity is defined as the number of vegetation coin~nunitiesper grid square. Squares containing the highest number of vegetation coininunities are considered to be the no st diverse and therefore have the highest conservation value.

Conseivation value of each coinmunity was considered in three separate analyses on the basis of:

1. Repr~esentativeness:the degree to which mapping units are typical of the entire region as measured by their aerial extent in the region. Mapping units occupying large proportions of the region are considered to be the most representative of the region as a whole, and therefore given higher conservation status than less extensive mapping units.

2. RnM'ty: Rare mapping units are defined as those with a relatively restricted distribution (30 or fewer separate occurrences as mapped) or restricted area (less than 5000ha) in the region. Rare nlapping units are therefore given higher conservation value than more cominon units.

3. Curivnt conservation status: Mapping units which are currently unconserved or inadequately conserved(1ess than 5% of the total area of the unit) in the current protected area network are given higher priority than well-conserved communities.

For each analysis, squares within each of the 8 groups are highlighted as being 'Focal' or 'Subfocal' (ie ideal grid squares for consideration as a key area) if their PDI is greater than the calculated cut off value for the group.

2.2 Results

The original dataset comprising 209 vegetation mapping units (Appendix ii) was reduced to 181 units. Units excluded were the 8 iniscellaneous units of 'disturbed' vegetation (eg urban, alien species, improved pasture ...etc); 7 communities only found on islands; and 13 communities which never co~nprisedmore than 0.05 of any grid square (the PBS method requires as input, the proportional cover of each vegetation coininunity within a cell expressed to the nearest tenth of the cell). None of the latter con~munitieswere classified as 'rare' or 'inadequately conserved'. 2.2.1 Representativeness as the major criterion of conservation value

The PBS analysis highlighted a total of 266 map squares (16.2% of the region) as potential key areas on this criterion (Figure 3). In terms of overlap of focal squares with protected areas, only 10.5% coincide with existing protected areas and a further 6.4% coincide with lands being acquired as protected areas (Silver Plains, Starcke, McIlwraith Range). The PBS classification provided adequate conservation (defined as >5% of the total area of the ecosystem in highlighted grid squares) of 68 (71.6%) of the 95 most 'representative' mapping units (communities occumng more than 60 times and covering more than 100km2). By comparison 59 (62.1 %) of the most 'representative' mapping units are adequately conserved in the current park and reserve system that occupies 11.8 % of the study area (Table 2). Therefore, despite the low level (10.5%) of overlap between the "ideal" key area network defined by the PBS method and existing reserves, the reserve network manages to capture a similar proportion of representative mapping units.

Table 2. A comparison of "representativenmapping units in the protected area network versus PBS focal squares

Status of mapping unit Current Park PBS Units common to both System Classification classifications All communities <5% conserved 79 83 48 > =5% conserved 102 98 67 Total 181 181 115

'Representative' communities <5% conserved 36 27 13 > =5 % conserved 59 68 45 Total 95 95 58

2.2.2 Rarity as the major criterion of conservation value

'Rare' mapping units are defined as those which have either a restricted distribution (not occurring more than 30 times, ie. 30 separate patches), restricted area (covering less than 50km2) or restricted by a combination of both attributes (not occurring more than 60 times and covering less than 100km2). In this analysis the 71 mapping units which were classified as being 'rare' were given a high priority compared to other more 'representative' units. Map squares in which these mapping units are present are highlighted in Figure 4.

The PBS analysis highlighted a total of 204 map squares (12.13 % of the region) because they contain at least one or more rare mapping units (Figure 5). Of these, 19.6% occur within National Parks and a further 4.9% within areas being acquired as protected areas. The PBS network provides adequate conservation of 60 (84.5%) of the 71 'rare' mapping . . -640 . . North

-590 North

-540 North

-490 North

-440 North

-390 North

-340 North

-290 North

-240 North

-190 North

-140 North

- 90 North

- 40 North

East 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

I - Focal squares 3 - Subfocal squares - Other squares in region

Figure 3. PBS analysis with representativeness as the major criterion for focal square selection. C II II I1 II II II II II II II II East 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

- Subfocal squares - Other squares in region

Figure 4. Grid squares containing rare mapping units. North

North

-540 North

-490 North

-440 North

-390 North

-340 North

-290 North

-240 North

-190 North

-140 North

- 90 North

- 40 North

East 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

1 - Focal squares - Subfocal squares - Other squares in region

Figure 5. PBS analysis with rarity as the major criterion for focal square selection. (units occurring more than 60 times and covering more than 100km2). By comparison 31 (43.7%) of the 'rare' mapping units are adequately conserved in the current park system (Table 3).

2.2.3 Current conservation status as the major criterion

Of the 18 1 mapping units used in the analysis, 79 are inadequately conserved based upon the goal of representing a minimum of 5 % of their total area within protected areas (these include both "representative and "rare" ecosystems - Table 3). In this analysis, these mapping units are given a higher priority for conservation than mapping units that have a higher percentage representation in protected areas. Therefore, the PBS classification highlights areas having a high diversity of inadequately conserved mapping units. The analysis does not take into account mapping units that are representative of the Wet Tropics biogeographic region as these were deleted on the basis that only a very small proportion of this region is contained in the CYPLUS area (refer to Figure 1).

Table 3. A comparison of "rare" regional ecosystems contained in the protected area network versus PBS focal squares.

Status of Vegetation Current Park PBS Communities colnmon to Comlnunity Systeln Classification both classifications All mapping units <5% conserved 79 5 1 26 >=5% conserved 102 130 77 Total 181 181 103

'Rare' mapping units ~5%conserved 4 0 11 9 >=5% conserved 3 1 60 2 9 Total 7 1 7 1 3 8

Map squares in which these mapping units are present are highlighted in Figure 6. This figure indicates that inadequately conserved units are widely scattered across the region. Consequently, it would be virtually impossible to capture all of these in a protected area network on practical grounds. The PBS analysis highlights a total of 282 map squares (16.77% of the region) as a way of capturing 43 (54.4%) of the 79 'inadequately conserved' vegetation communities (Table 4). Areas currently being acquired as protected areas contain 15 of the 79 inadequately conserved ecosystems. -640 North

...... -590 North

1/1 -540 North

East 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

- Subfocal squares - - Other squares in region

Figure 6. Grid inadequately conserved mapping units Table 4. A comparison of regional ecosystems inadequately conserved in the protected area network versus PBS focal squares.

Status of Vegetation Current Park PBS Com~nunitiescomlnon to Community System Classification both classifications All communities -6%conserved 79 77 3 1 >=5% conserved 102 104 3 3 Total 181 181 64

'Inadequately conserved' communities -4%conserved 7 9 43 >=5% conserved 0 24 0 Total 79 67 24

2.3 Inadequately conserved ecosystems - options for planning

The next step in the assessment is to determine some priorities from among the 79 inadequately conserved ecosystems based upon not only rarity and extent but also taking into account biogeographic context, and current and future land use considerations. Many of the 79 types are characteristic of adjacent biogeographic regions. As mentioned previously, only a very small part of the Wet Tropics biogeographic region is contained within the CYPLUS region and nlapping units restricted to this area have not been considered further (rather, they should be considered in the context of the entire Wet Tropics biogeographic region). In addition, fifteen of the 79 types are contained within areas that are being acquired for nature conservation and these have not been considered further.

A PBS analysis has been used to identify theoretical nleans of representing some of the remaining inadequately conserved types in areas managed for nature conservation. This analysis is based upon current conservation status (Figure 7) and defines soine broad concentrations of focal and subfocal squares. Some of these are considered to contain areas that should be managed primarily for nature conservation. These have been given a unique number and are indicated on Map 1. Alternatively, broader areas are defined in which nature conservation values can be accom~nodated under current management or through a'co- operative approach with landholders (Map 2). A third category also indicated on Map 2 are areas that may contain sites important for nature conservation but which require additional assessment. Maps 1 and 2 are available as digital coverages. The base data on which the recommendations are based are generally available as digital coverages and these data should be used where more accurate boundaries are required etc. The recomnlendations below do not cover all mapping units defined as inadequately conserved/unconserved at present but rather those units that are highlighted on the basis of potential threats and mapping units of particular biogeographic interest based upon patterns of species distribution. The concentrations of focal and subfocal squares include:

Broad Areas that either a) should be sympathetically managed for Nature Conservation (areas 7,11,13 & 14), or b) contain ecosystem types that are poorly conserved, samples of which could be managed for Nature Conservation on a co-operative basis (areas 2 and 9), or c) require further study (area 3) Note: Overlapping polygons indicate that two features or attributes occur ir'i the same area. Existing Reserves . . -640 North ...... -590 North ...... I *A ...... -540 North ...... -490 North ...... -440 North ......

... -390 North ...... A< ...... rg,. @,$]I...... +y;e. 13~s. -340 North ...... ?i...... I ...... '.....~...... K.4 -290 North ...... g......

-240 North ...... -190 North ...... -140 North ...... - 90 North ......

......

East 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

I - Focal squares ;$ ;$ - Subfocal squares - Other squares in region

Figure 7. PBS analysis with low conservation status as the major criterion for focal square selection. A large area centred on Mesozoic sediments east of Weipa containing 8 inadequately conserved communities. Fourteen percent of the delineated squares are contained within Batavia Downs Holding which has been managed by the Department of Primary Industries. Four inadequately conserved andlor restricted ecosystems are represented on this property (mapping units 95, 103, 109, 129) as well as some rare and threatened species (discussed in the following section) - consequently parts of the property are broadly identified as important for nature conservation (Area 1, Map 1).

Coastal strip south of Edward River and alluvial plains west of Mitchell River south to Nassau River, containing 11 inadequately consemed communities. This part of the CYPLUS region is an extension of the Gulf Plains biogeographic region (Figure 1) and at least eight of the 11 types are known to occur on Staaten River National Park and another area of conservation interest in the Gulf Plains region to the south (the reason for the imprecision in the actual total present in Staaten River is that comparisons are difficult as Staaten River NP has not yet been mapped in a similar way as the CYPLUS region).

. Consequently, this area may not be as important in capturing inadequately conserved types when considered in a broader biogeographical context, as the majority of the inadequately conserved types are, or may be, conserved elsewhere in the adjacent Gulf Plains biogeographic region. In addition, much of the lower Mitchell River system is infested with rubber vine which also reduces the nature conservation values of the area.

. Immediately north-east of Mitchell River NP containing 5 inadequately conserved communities. This area is also part of the Gulf Plains biogeographic region and the comments for the above area are relevant here. However, mapping unit 98 with Eucalwtus setosa is of biogeographic interest based on distributional data - the main area of distribution of the species is in an arc from the Northern Territory through the Gulf Plains region and down through the Desert Uplands region as far south as Barcaldine - Alpha. Some of the habitat of the E. setosa in the CYPLUS region (Area 2, Map 2) could be managed for nature conservation.

. Hilly country on sandstone, limestone and metamorphics south and east of Laura containing 16 inadequately conserved mapping units (Area 3, Map 2.) This area is more typical of an adjacent biogeographic region, the Einasleigh Uplands rather than Cape York Peninsula. Therefore, it needs to be considered in an appropriate biogeographical regional context. Some of the more fertile, flatter parts of the area have agricultural and more intensive pastoral potential. Mapping unit 79, for example, has been cleared for agriculture. Some habitats occurring in the area have also been identified as important for fauna (see below). There is inadequate vegetation and fauna data for most of the Einasleigh Uplands region, although the Queensland Herbarium will be carrying out vegetation survey and mapping in the region at a comparable scale to CYPLUS in the near future. It is recommended that further consideration of Area 3 as broadly defined on Map 2 await the availability of data from the Queensland Herbarium mapping project.

. Coastal strip south of Aurulcun to Edward River (Area 4, Map 1) containing 12 inadequately conserved mapping units, three of which do not occur anywhere else on the Peninsula (mapping units 31, 64 and 139). The area is highlighted also because of its wetlands and consequently is considered to be an important area for nature conservation.

Some individual mapping units or smaller areas are also identified including:

. mapping unit 1 which is a limited resource of Darwin stringybark (Eucalyptus terodonta) of harvestable quality (Area 9, Map 2). It is recommended that a sample of this type be managed for nature conservation.

. mapping unit 35 contains patches of lancewood (Acacia shirlevi) open forest (also contained within Area 2, Map 2). These patches are outliers of an ecosystem that is widely distributed on old weathered scarps and residuals in inland northern Australia. While it is not under any threat and well conserved in other regions in Queensland, the occurrences in the CYPLUS region are of scientific interest because of their spatial isolation. It is recommended that some areas be managed for nature conservation.

. Area 11, Map 2 that is defined by the distribution of mapping unit 181, a natural grassland of restricted occurrence. This area could be sympathetically managed to maintain the ecosystem in its present state.

. rainforests and vine thickets - the assessment of the conservation status of rainforests (including vine thickets) is based upon a separate analysis of rainforest site data (Appendix iii.) arising in large part from the work of Stanton and Fell within NRO1, in addition to the vegetation mapping provided by Neldner and Clarkson. It should be noted that, because of the small patch size of some mapping units, the total areas presented in Appendix ii that have been calculated by GIs are grossly underestimated (eg mapping unit 14).

. Groups 13 and 14 comprising mapping units 8 and 10 (Appendix iii) are considered to be rainforests of high priority for nature conservation including the Lockerbie Scrub at Bamaga (Area 5, Map 1). Other rainforest types of conservation importance are Group 6 (Area 6, Map I), Group 7 (Area 7, Map 2), Group 8 (Area 8, Map I), Group 12 (McIlwraith Range - within area being acquired for nature conservation), Group 3 (partly within Area 10, Map 1) and mapping unit 31 on the west coast (Area 4, Map 1).

Although eight rainforest and vine thicket types are inadequately conserved or unconserved at present, a policy of no clearing of rainforest on Crown land is suggested as one option. for conserving this vegetation type, based upon recognition that:

. rainforestlvine thicket in the region contains a large percentage of fauna and plant diversity,

. while there are some large patches (eg. Iron and McIlwraith Ranges), rainforestlvine thicket has a relatively restricted occurrence overall, rainforestlvine thicket patches tend to differ in species conlposition fro111 one patch to the next and clearing has the potential to result in local or even regional species extinctions.

Adoption of such a policy may require consideration of measures such as fencing in grazing areas where patches of rainforest or vine thicket obstruct mustering.

Some inadequately conserved ecosystems coincide with the known locationsihabitats of rare and threatened plant species for example the Quaternary dunefields of the east coast. These are discussed in the following section. 3.0 RARE AND THREATENED PLANT SPECIES

A total of 380 plant species are currently classified as "Rare and Threatened" (Rare, Vulnerable, Endangered) by the Queensland Herbarium (refer to Neldner and Clarkson 1994). There are some differences between species listed by the Queensland Herbarium and species currently listed under the Commonwealth's ROTAP (Rare or Threatened Plants of Australia). The Queensland list is taken here to be the standard. The site locations from NROl at which species have been observed have been compared with the reserve network (all protected areas including Resource Reserves and areas recently acquired but not gazetted) to determine whether or not species grow on protected areas. The list has also been subject to scrutiny by botanists familiar with the region to determine whether any species that are not contained or inadequately conserved within protected areas may require special management measures. It is intended that a Queensland Herbarium botanist will review the Rare and Threatened plants of Cape York Peninsula during 1995 to make full use of the extensive data now available. Consequently, the list and comments below should be treated as interim.

Cape York Peninsula represents an atypical situation in Australia as listed species are generally intrinsically rare on the ground rather than being reduced in extent by clearing which is often the case elsewhere. Given that little clearing has occurred, the level of risk to most Rare and Threatened species populations has been very low. The species potentially at greatest risk in the region are those currently falling within the Vulnerable and Endangered categories - seven species within these categories are not known to be contained within protected areas. These include:

Arenna australasica (a palm) - confined to rainforest in the Bamaga area on Cape York Peninsula. Occurs also south of Cairns and on offshore islands.

Cvcas silvestris (a cycad) - known only from closed forests on Quaternary sand dunes in a small area just north of the Olive River.

Hv~erziaphlerrinaroides (a tassel fern) - listed because of potential threat fro111 plant collectors who have depleted populations of other species elsewhere in northern Queensland.

Syzygium velaruin (rainforest tree) - confined to rainforest at Bamaga

Jedda ~nulticaulis- only known from a single population over about 5 sq km in mapping unit 1 (Area 9, Map 2). The species is of scientific interest as it reflects biogeographic links between Australia and South America.

Eremochloa muricata (a grass) and Stemona angusta (herb) - known from only one or two locations. It is difficult to propose any options for the conservation of these species based upon existing information and they will be considered in more detail as part of the proposed review of Rare and Threatened species. Areas important for nature conservation can be defined on the basis of the occurrence of populations of species listed above. In addition, some inadequately conserved types contain concentrations of Rare and Threatened plants as well and because of this combination these areas are defined as important for nature conservation. The areas defined include:

Area 10, Map 1.- Quaternary sand dunes of the east coast (eg Cvcas silvestris, Xanthostemon arenaria, Macarthuria sp. nov).

Area 12, Map 1 - habitat of Jedda multicaulis

Area 5, Map 1 - Bamaga rainforest (eg Syqnium velarum)

Area 8, Map 1 - very small patches of deciduous vine forestlthicket (mapping units 12, 14) on the Weipa Plateau and extending further west on clay soils that are the habitat for rare species such as Caesalpinia hvmenocarpa. 4.0 ASSESSMENT OF TERRESTRIAL FAUNA DATA INCLUDING RARE AND THREATENED SPECIES

4.1 Delineation of areas and habitats of importance for nature conservation

The data and report from NR03 (Winter and Lethbridge 1994) and additional data from earlier surveys have been used to define 22 parts of the CYPLUS region (Figure 8) that have particular features important for the conservation of species or suites of species. A substantial proportion of seven of the 22 areas is contained in protected areas or areas to be gazetted as protected area. For many of the remaining areas, the important fauna habitats constitute only a small part or can be maintained under existing land management practices. Soine of these areas contain habitats of rare and threatened species and these are discussed in the following section. A number of the 22 fauna areas listed below coincide with areas previously defined on the basis of vegetation types and rare plants. The 22 areas are as follows:

1. Outlier of Wet Tropics in the CYPLUS region - rainforest fauna.

2. Pallnerville Limestone - localised islands of faunal diversity and species restricted to particular habitats such as bats, rock wallabies, skinks, peregrine falcons.

3. Laura Quinkan sandstone cliff habitat (included in Area 3, Map 2) same as 2. above.

4. Cape Flattery dunefield (included in Area 10, Map 1) - not very diverse but some distinctive species including burrowing frogs, lizards.

5. Cape Melville/Bathurst boulder ranges (largely in protected area) - the inter-boulder areas provide moist, shady environment; endemic species and species generally associated with rainforests.

6. Recent and old alluvial plains, Lakefield - largely contained in protected area.

7. Tall Eucalyptus woodland on undulating sand sheet plains - habitat of squirrel glider, antilopine wallaroo, spectacled hare wallaby (Area 9, Map 2) - species' habitat maintained under current land use.

8. and 9. Recent and old alluvial plains of south-west -northern nailtail wallaby and high densities of agile wallaby. Species habitat is being maintained under current land use.

10. Aurukun coastal plains - waterfowl habitat (Area 4, Map 1).

11. Lower Archer River riparian corridorlfringing forests; the ArcherICoen and Wenlock Rivers provide faunal corridors for rainforest species such as the spotted cuscus, white- tailed rat, frugivore birds and palm cockatoo between the extensive rainforests of the east coast across the Peninsula to the west coast. Partly contained within existing protected area. Riparian corridor (Area 13, Map 2) is being maintained under existing land use.

12. Upper Archer River riparian habitat (Area 13, Map 2.). 1. Wet Tropics 2. Palmerville Limestone 3. Laura-Quinkan - sandstone cliff habitat 4. Flattery dunefield 5. Boulder Ranges - C. Melville - Bathurst Ra. 6. Lakefield alluvial plains 7. Tall Eucalyptus woodland on sand plains 819. Southwest alluvial plains 10. Arukun coastal plains 11. Lower Archer R. - riparian corridor 12. Upper Archer R. - riparian corridor 13. Coen River - riparian corridor 14. Mcllwraith Summit 15. Mcllwraith Iron Ras. core are 16. Wenlock R. riparian corridor 17. MapoonlAndoomNVenlock R. Weipa PlateaulMapoon Plain 18. Glennie Tab 19. Olive - Shelburne dunefields 10 20. Heathlands 21. Vrilya PVJardine Swamps 22. Lockerbie Scrub 23. Interfluvial vine thickets

1 Figure 8. Faunal zones of Cape York Peninsula 13. Coen River corridor (not as important as Archer R).

14. McIlwraith Range summit (> 500 m) - endemic gecko and frogs; proposed protected area.

15. McIIwraith Range - Iron Range; diverse rainforest fauna including endemic species and species shared with New Guinea - protected arealproposed protected area.

16. Wenlock Corridor riparian habitat. Riparian corridor is being maintained under existing land use (Area 14, Map 2).

17. Mapoon, Andoom, Wenlock R, Weipa Plateau and Mapoon Plain - diversity of habitats (Area 15, Map 1).

18. Glennie Tableland sandstones - isolated sandstone area supporting new species of skink and localised populations of rainforest species and species of rocky habitats. Other attributes important for conservation include attractive scenery. (Area 16, Map 1).

19. Olive-Shelburne dunefields. Important also for rare flora (Area 10, Map 1).

20. Northern heathlands - largely in resource reserve.

21. Vrilya Point area - Jardine swamps, Weipa Plateau, Mapoon Plain - Area 17, Map 1).

21. Lockerbie Scrub, Bamaga; rainforest fauna including New Guinea species, important also for flora (Area 5, Map 1).

22. Interfluvial vine thicket patches west of Weipa Plateau Area; populations of some rainforest fauna species more abundant in the east coast rainforests (Area 8, Map 1).

4.2 Rare and threatened species

Four datasets were used to establish a list of "Conservation Significant" (Endangered, Vulnerable, Rare, Restricted and Endemic) vertebrate species present on Cape York Peninsula:

DEH data, Queensland Museum specimen data, Australian Museum specimen data, Bat data - G. Richard's data supplied by ERIN. Data were subject to the following criteria:

. Species with distributions in the Wet Tropics biogeographic region were not included due in part to the protection given by World Heritage Listing.

. All 'rare and threatened' classifications are based upon the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994.

. The protected area network includes all national parks and resource reserves and areas acquired for nature conservation but not yet gazetted.

Species not represented in the reserve network include:

Amphibia

Only one species has not been recorded in the reserve network:

MCROHYLIDAE Cophixalus yeninsularis (Cape York nursery-frog) is endemic to rainforest in the CYPLUS region. It was last recorded in 1978 in rocky scrub 29km north-east of Coen (near Rokeby Np).

Rep tilia

A taxonomic group renowned for its diversity and localised populations in Australia, a total of 11 species appear to be unprotected. Of these:

CHELONIIDAE , Eretnzochelys irnbricata (hawksbill turtle) and Natador ciepressus (flatback turtle) are marine species listed as vulnerable and currently protected in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP ) .

S CINCIDAE Carlia parrhasius is a skink of the Glennie Tableland sandstones, Carlia coensis of the McIlwraith Range, Evlzoia atrocostata of the Torres Strait beach laterites, and Ctenotus quinkan (skink) of the Laura sandstones are species of rocky habitats with very localised distributions. All are endemic or restricted.

Ctenotus i*awIinsoniis a skink that is endemic to the CYPLUS region. This species is known froin only one collecting locality in heath of the dunefields near Cape Bedford. The habitat has not been extensively surveyed so the skink inay be common, though possibly restricted to the Cape Flattery dunefield.

Egernia mgosa (yakka skink) is a woodland species which was last recorded in the CYPLUS region in 1978 at Mt Croll, lskm north-north-west of Coen.

Eugongylus I-fescens is a rainforest-dwelling skink restricted to the Lockerbie Scrub. This species also occurs in New Guinea. Lerista ingr-anzi is a skink restricted to the sandy heathland areas of the north-east Peninsula and has been recorded in the sandy heathlands north of the McIvor River mouth.

Menetia koshlarzdae is a skink that has been collected on three occasions from woodland just north of the Palmer River crossing on the Peninsula Developn~entalRoad. It is endemic by definition but given the extent of the habitat in which it was collected it could be found further south in woodlands occurring on the Hodgkinson Metamorphics.

TYPHLOPIDAE Ran?photyphlops chanzodracaena is an endemic and recently described blind snake from the Weipa area.

BOIDAE Chondropython vindis (green python) is a rainforest species restricted to Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea. It was recorded froin Iron Range in 1993 and probably occurs within the Iron Range NP.

COLUBRIDAE Two specimens of the colubrid snake Stegonottis yawn were collected fro111 Thursday Island in 1978 and are lodged in the Queensland Museum. No mainland records are known to exist for this species but by definition it is endemic.

Aves

Of the Peninsula's six listed bird species:

Two endangered species, the golden-shouldered parrot and the Gouldian finch are currently the subject of recovery plans under the Endangered Species Program. The Gouldian finch may be protected in the Staaten River National Park in the Gulf Plains biogeographic region.

Three species, the red-tailed tropicbird, little tern and the sooty oystercatcher have offshore or strand habitats. The conservation status of these species has been addressed in NR09.

The star finch is known from a 1965 record froin the Mitchell hver Mission.

Mammalia

Marninals not protected in the Peninsula's current reserve network are:

MURID AE The Lakeland Downs mouse (Leggadinn lakedownensis) is known from several collections in the Lakeland Downs cropping region where it is reported to reach plague proportions when food is abundant and to disappear in less conducive periods.

MACROPODIDAE Petrogale coenensis (Cape York rock wallaby) is a woodland species which is endemic to the CYPLUS region. Its habitat is well represented within Rokeby NP. MEGADERMATID AE Macuou%rnzn gigas (ghost bat) is a woodland species which has been recorded froin caves of Birthday Mountain, Palmerville and Helenvale.

EMB ALLONURIDAE Saccolninzus saccolaii~zt~s(naked-rumped sheathtail-bat) is a woodland species which has been recorded from near Cooktown and further north near Coen. 3 1

5.0 WETLANDS AND WETLAND FAUNA DATA

The areas and species discussed in this section are based upon assessinent of data compiled for the CYPLUS NR09 project (Appendix iv).

The wetland areas defined as important for conservation include:

. Newcastle Bay (Area 18, Map 1) - exceptional for the extent and high concentration of mangroves in association with open saline areas and sedgelands. The limited fauna data available indicate wader populations.

Jardine complex including the existing national park and also the lower reaches of the river system (Jardine Swamps) and the coastal strip to the south of the river's mouth (Area 19, Map 1). The latter areas contain a diversity of wetland ecosysteins within a conlpact area.

. Port Musgrave and Weipa wetlands (Area 20, Map 1) including the coastal zone between the Wenlock and Pine Rivers, which have a large number of diverse and well-developed fresh water swamps and tidal flats. Mangroves of this area are noted for dugong, crocodiles and nypa palms. Inland of this diverse coastal setting there are paperbark sinkholes that support a rich frog fauna and wetland birds.

. coastal strip between Aurukun and Holroyd River (Area 4, Map 1) - diversity of wetland features and important for wetland birds.

. Shelburne Bay - Cape Grenville - Olive River (Area 10, Map 1) - diversity of coastal wetland features.

. extensive wetlands at mouth of Lloyd Bay (Area 21, Map 1).

Ten species of birds, two mammals, three frogs and five reptiles that are associated with wetlands are noteworthy based upon their conservation or endemic status:

great-billed heron and the Radjah shelduck - Cape York Peninsula is an important area for these species in Australia. The latter species has been recorded from the Mitchell River mouth, Cape Grenville, and the Wenlock and Jardine Rivers.

the black-necked stork that has been recorded from the west coast and Silver Plains and Lakefield.

the little bittern, chestnut teal and cotton pygmy goose are southern species that have been recorded from Cape York Peninsula.

. the sooty oystercatcher has a northern subspecies with a population estimated at only 1000 individuals. However, most records from the region appear to be from near shore islands within the GBRMP. the beach stone curlew occurs along the north-east and northern coasts of Australia and seemingly more often on off-shore islands, although better data are required to establish this.

there are significant numbers of eastern curlew in the Gulf Plains region but the species' distribution does extend all the way up the west coast of the CYPLUS region and at scattered sites on the east coast.

. at least two little tern breeding sites have been recorded on the west coast between Port Musgrave and Weipa and the Mitchell River. The red-tailed tropic bird is an off-shore species associated with outer reef islands.

Platypus records are confined to the south-eastern part of the CYPLUS region where there also appears to be a concentration of the spectacled flying fox. The spectacled flying fox and the frog, Crinia remota have also been recorded from Silver Plains. Several frogs of conservation interest including Crinia remota, Uperoleia mimila and Rana daemeli and two monitors have been recorded between Port Musgrave and Weipa. The Wenlock River area and Newcastle Bay are important for the estuarine crocodile. A little known turtle Enlvdura subglobosa has been recorded from Newcastle Bay and the central and western parts of the Gulf of the Carpentaria. 6.0 REFERENCES

Thackway, R. and I. D. Cresswell, 1995 (eds). An Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia: a framework for establishing the national system of reserves, Version 4.0. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

Bolton, M. P. and R. L. Specht, 1983. A Method for Selecting Nature Conservation Reserves. Aust. Nat. Parks and Wildl. Service Occ. Paper No S., Canberra.

Margules, C. R. and M. P. Austin, 1991 (eds). Nature Conservation: Cost Effective Biological Surveys and Data Analysis. Canberra: CSIRO Australia.

Margules, C. R., Nicholls, A. 0. and R. L. Pressey, 1988. Selecting networks of reserves to maximise biological diversity. Biol. Conservation 43: 63-76.

Neldner, V. J. and J. R. Clarkson, 1994. Vegetation Survey and Mapping of Cape York Peninsula. (Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy, Office of the Co-ordinator General and Department of Environment and Heritage, Government of Queensland, Brisbane).

Pressey, R. L. and A. 0. Nicholls, 1989. Application of a nuinerical algorithm to the selection of reserves in semi-arid New South Wales. Biol. Conservation 50: 263-278.

Purdie, R. W., 1985a. Nature Conservation Strategy - Mulga Lands. General report and findings. Q.NPWS, Brisbane. illilneo report.

Purdie, R. W., 1985b. Nature Conservation Strategy - Mulga Lands. Methodology. Q.NPWS, Brisbane. milneo report.

Purdie, R. W., 1987. Selection of key area networks for regional nature conservation - the revised Bolton and Specht method. Proc. Roy. Soc. Qd 98: 59-71.

Report of the Joint Scientific Committee, 1990. Biological Conservation of the South-east Forests. Report to the Hon. Alan Griffiths M. P., Minister for Resources, Commonwealth of Australia and the Hon. Ian Causley MLA, Minister for Natural Resources, State of New South Wales. Canberra.

Stanton, J. P. and M. G. Morgan, 1977. Project RAKES - the Rapid Selection and Appraisal of Key and Endangered Sites: the Queensland Case Study. School of Nat. Res., Univ. New England, Armidale. unpubl. milneo report.

Winter, J. W. and P. J. Lethbridge, 1994. Natural Resources Analysis Program, Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna NR03. Final Report of the Field Survey Subproject. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage. 7.0 APPENDICES Appendix i: Project Brief

Terms of Reference for Conservation and Natural Heritage Assessment project:

Tasks to be undertaken:

1. Assess the environmental regionalisations prepared as GIs base layer by ERIN and produce map. Output: Base GIs layer showing regions and attributes with draft map.

2. Establish and present criteria for the assessment of conservation values to the Nature Working Group.

3. Enhance NROl vegetation mapping and photopattern information with NR09 wetland habitat classifications and produce map. Output: GIs layer showing enhanced vegetation com~nunitieswith draft map.

4. Consolidate flora and fauna site data, and identify sites of significance for rare and threatened, endemic, primitive, and disjunct species. Output: GIs layer of significant sites with draft map.

5. Identify i~nportantbiological research sties and type localities. Output: GIs layer of research sites and type localities with draft n1'ap.

6. Apply Purdie/Bolton/Specht classification to identify areas of plant diversity within regions and communities, and identify grid cells of high faunal diversity. Output: GIs layer of flora and fauna diversity with draft map.

7. Identify significant migratory, breeding, feeding or roosting areas of terrestrial and wetland fauna. Output: GIs layer showing identified sites with draft map.

8. Amalgamate data and assess overall conservation values wit11 reference to obligations under international treaties or conventions, national programs, state responsibilities, and regional initiatives (for review by the Nature Working Group). Output: GIs layer of overall conservation-values. Draft report and maps. Final report and maps. APPENDIX 11. VEGETATION MAPPING UNITS SUPPLIED FROM NRO1 AND THEIR TOTAL AREA AND % CONTAINED IN PROTECTED AREAS (* Indicates those communities which are poorly conserved (4%of their area) in the current reserve network)

No. Area % Description (ha) protected

Tall Woodland 1' 125312 0.26 Eucalyptus tetrodonta +I-E. hylandii +I-Etythrophleum chlorostachys (The Desert) 2' 846345 3.12 Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. nesophila +I-Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Bauxite plateau)

Closed Forest 3 10454 Complex Mesophyll Vine Forest (Wet Tropics) (Metamorphics) (= Tracey 2a & la) 4 411 Complex Mesophyll Vine Forest on basalt (Shipton Flat) (= Tracey 5b) 5 11026 Complex Notophyll Vine Forest +I-Agathis robusta (Wet Tropics) (= Tracey 6) 6' 4019 Semi Deciduous Mesophyll Vine Forest (Wet Tropics) (= Tracey 4) 7 4161 Semi Deciduous Mesophyll Vine Forest (Metamorphic slopes - Mt Stuckey) 8 48906 Semi Deciduous Mesophyll Vine Forest (Claudie River & Normanby River) 9' 3183 Semi Deciduous MesophyllINotophyll Vine Forest (Granite slopes - Birthday Mtn) 10' 9830 Semi Deciduous MesophyllINotophyll Vine Forest (Alluvia, Cooktown) 11' 9682 Semi Deciduous Notophyll Vine Forest (Lockerbie) 12 15254 Semi Deciduous Notophyll Vine Forest (Small patches on plateaus, northern CYP) 13 2374 Semi Deciduous NotophyllIMicrophyll Vine Forest (Mt Webb) 14 37 Semi Deciduous NotophyllIMicrophyll Vine Thicket 15 7929 Araucarian Notophyll Vine Forest with emergent Araucaria cunninghamii (Altanmoui, Mcllwraith & Melville Ranges) 16' 6590 Evergreen Mesophyll Vine Forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae (Streams) 17' 3539 Evergreen MesophyllINotophyll Vine Forest (Sandstone gullies, Cooktown area) 18 78553 Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest (Major streams) 19 2698 Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest dominated by Melaleuca leucadendra, Xanthostemon crenulatus & Lophostemon suaveolens (Swamps) 20 6230 Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest dominated by Syzygium spp. & Terminalia spp. (Beach rainforest on east coast) 21 ' 77608 Notophyll Vine Forest (Iron & Mcllwraith Ranges) 22 0 Notophyll Vine Forest of Welchiodendron longivalve, Syzygium spp. & Terminalia spp, (Beach rainforest on east coast)) 23 6373 Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest (= Tracey 8 & 10) (Wet Tropics) 24 31917 Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest (North-east CYP) (Sometimes emergent Callitris intratropica) 25 3854 Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest dominated by Callitris intratropica emergents (occasionally C. intratropica OF) 26 85292 Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest with Acacia aulacocarpa +I-Eucalyptus tessellaris +I-Blepharocarya involucrigera emergents (Iron Range & Wet Tropics) (= Tracey 13d) Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest with Eucalyptus pellita emergents Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest (= Tracey 10) (High peaks, Wet Tropics) Simple Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest +I-Wodyetia bifurcata (Melville Range) Simple Microphyll Vine Fern Thicket (Mt Finnigan) (= Tracey 10) Semi Deciduous Vine Thicket with canopy of Neofabricia myrtifolia, Syzygium suborbiculare +I-Terminalia muelleri +I-Thryptomene oligandra (Dune scrub) (West coast) Deciduous Notophyll/Microphyll Vine Thicket +I-Gyrocarpus americanus +I-Bombax ceiba emergents (Laura Basin) (Semi Deciduous Notophyll Vine Forest on colluvium) APPENDIX II (cont.)

No. Area %Protected Description (ha)

Deciduous Vine Forest (Lakeland area on basalt hills, eg. Mt Earl, Mt Scatterbrain) Rhizophora stylosa +/- Bruguiera gymnorhiza +/- Avicennia marina (Outer mangroves)

Own Forest 35' 8554 Acacia shirleyi (Rocky rises, southern CYP) 36 9858 Eucalyptus brassiana, E. clarksoniana, Allocasuarina littoralis (Western Mcllwraith & wet coastal areas) 37' 36237 Eucalyptus clarksoniana (or E. novoguinensis), E. tessellaris +/- Acacia polystachya +/- rainforest species (Coastal ranges, Mcllwraith Range) 38 368 Eucalyptus cloeziana (Rossville, ranges) (= Tracey 16c) 39' 11 53 Eucalyptus crebra +/- E. intermedia +/- Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Allocasuarina littoralis (Rossville, ranges) (= Tracey 16j) 40' 970 Eucalyptus intermedia, E. leptophleba, Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- E. tereticornis (Bloomfield hills) 41 ' 18396 Eucalyptus nesophila +/- Eucalyptus spp. (Wet Tropics) (= Tracey 16k) 42' 2050 Eucalyptus pellita +/- E. intermedia +/- Allocasuarina torulosa +/- Acacia flavescens (Rossville) (= Tracey 13a) 43' 2922 Eucalyptus platyphylla, E. leptophleba, Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- other Eucalyptus spp. (Ranges & flats, Wet Tropics) (= Tracey 16h) 44' 24796 Eucalyptus tessellaris, E. clarksoniana +/- Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Acacia crassicarpa (Coastal areas) 45 443 Eucalyptus tindaliae (Mt Poverty) 46' 1500 Eucalyptus umbra (CREB track) (= Tracey 16k) 47 47464 Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Dillenia alata +I- Xanthostemon crenulatus +/- Melaleuca leucadendra (Alluvial & swampy areas) 48 175063 Melaleuca argentea +/- M. leucadendra +/- Acacia auriculiformis +/- Syzygium forte +/- Leptospermum patvifolium (Major streams) (M. saligna in minor streams) 49' 10820 Melaleuca dealbata +/- Acacia crassicarpa (Dune swales) 50' 7941 Melaleuca leucadendra +/- Eucalyptus tereticornis +/- Nauclea orientalis +/- Acacia oraria +I- Lagerstroemia archeriana +I- M. linariifolia var. trichostachya (Streams in metamorphics) Melaleuca quinquenervia open-forest (Coastal swamps) Melaleuca saligna +/- Hakea pedunculata +/- M. acacioides (Bathurst Heads, edge of salt pans) Melaleuca saligna +/- M. leucadendra +/- M. viridiflora, Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa &lor M. sp. (Emu Lagoon J.R.Clarkson+ 9582) (Sinkholes & swamps)

Woodland 54' 66585 Acacia crassicarpa +/- Syzygium suborbiculare +I- Parinari nonda +/- Acacia spp. (Dunes on west coast) 55' 2002 Casuarina equisetifolia (Foredunes) OF-LOW 56' 1990 Eucalyptus acmenoides, E. citriodora, E. crebra (Mt Janet, sandstone capping) 57 373 Eucalyptus brassiana (Bathurst Head, drainage areas) 58' 71872 Eucalyptus chlorophylla +/- E. clarksoniana (Lakefield, south-east CYP) 59' 3675 Eucalyptus chlorophylla with Terminalia platyptera & Melaleuca stenostachya subcanopy (Laura River) 60' 2 1468 Eucalyptus clarksoniana, Erythrophleum chlorostachys, E. brassiana +I- E. tessellaris +/- Canarium australianum, Melaleuca netvosa (Running Creek) 61 35939 Eucalyptus clarksoniana +/- E. papuana +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- Melaleuca nervosa (North-west Lakefield) APPENDIX Il (cont.)

No. Area % Description (ha) Protected

Eucalyptus clarksoniana +/- E. papuana +I- Melaleuca nenlosa +/- Piliostigma malabaricum +/- E. chlorophylla +/- E. microtheca (Archer River floodplain) Eucalyptus clarksoniana +/- Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +I- E. leptophleba (Plains) Eucalyptus clarksoniana +/- Syzygium eucalyptoides +/- Melaleuca viridiflora W (Aurukun/Holroyd drainage) Eucalyptus clarksonianalE. novoguinensis +I- Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Parinari nonda +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- Melaleuca viridiflora (River frontages) Eucalyptus clarksonianalE. novoguinensis with mid-dense shrub layer +/- E. platyphylla (Coastal wet areas) Eucalyptus clarksoniana/E. polycarpa +I- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- E. tetrodonta +/- E. confertiflora (Adjacent western streams) Eucalyptus crebra, E. ellipsoidea or E. hylandii var. campestris (Southern ranges) Eucalyptus cullenii, E. clarksoniana +/- E. chlorophylla +/- E. confertiflora (Granite slopes) W-OW Eucalyptus cullenii +I- E. clarksoniana (Acid volcanic ranges) Eucalyptus cullenii, E. hylandii var. campestris +/- Melaleuca stenostachya (Ranges) Eucalyptus cullenii +/- E. tetrodonta +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- Eucalyptus confertiflora +/- E. clarksoniana (Erosional surfaces off bauxite plateau) Eucalyptus erythrophloia (Lakeland, basalt flows) Eucalyptus hylandii var. hylandii +/- E. nesophila +I- Welchiodendron longivalve +/- mid-dense shrub layer (Slopes & undulating plains, northern CYP & Torres Strait Islands) Eucalyptus hylandii var. hylandii, E. tetrodonta (Ironstone knolls, Aurukun) Eucalyptus hylandii var. hylandii +/- E. tetrodonta +/- E. cullenii (Sandstone plateaus) Eucalyptus hylandii var. hylandii +/- E. tetrodonta +/- E. cullenii +/- Melaleuca stenostachya (Ironstone knolls & erosional surfaces) Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- E. clarksoniana +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Sandstone colluvium, Laura) Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- E. papuana +/- E. clarksoniana +/- E. erythrophloia +/- E. cullenii (Lakeland basalt) W-OW Eucalyptus leptophleba, E. tessellaris +/- E. clarksoniana (Riverine levees) Eucalyptus leptophleba, E. platyphylla +/- E. tessellaris +/- E. clarksoniana (Cooktown rolling hills) Eucalyptus nesophila +/- E. brassiana W to OF (Metamorphic hills) Eucalyptus nesophila +/- E. novoguinensis +/- E. hylandii var. campestris +/- E, tetrodonta (Old stabilised dunes & sandy colluvium) Eucalyptus novoguinensis +/- E, tessellaris +/- E. nesophila (Northern CYP) Eucalyptus phoenicea +/- E. nesophila +/- E umbra (Cape Bedford & wetter sandstones) OF-LOF Eucalyptus phoenicea +/- E. tetrodonta +/- E. hylandii var. campestris +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- Eucalyptus clarksoniana (Sandy colluvia, Laura Basin) Eucalyptus platyphylla +/- E. clarksoniana (Flat wet plains) W-OF Eucalyptus polycarpa (or E. clarksoniana) +I- E. papuana +/- E. curtipes (E. papuana OW on edge) (Levees, Mitchell floodplain) Eucalyptus similis (Ebagoola) Eucalyptus staigeriana (Metamorphic ranges, Maytown area) Eucalyptus tessellaris +/- E. clarksoniana +/- E. acroleuca +/- E. leptophleba (Lakefield levees) Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. clarksoniana +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Low-lying sandy areas) Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. clarksoniana +/- E. brassiana (Stabilised dunes, Archer Pt & Barrow Pt) APPENDIX II (cont.)

-- No. Area % Description (ha) Protected

Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. clarksoniana +/- E. tessellaris (Coastal lowlands) Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. confertiflora +/- E. hylandiivar. campestris +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys+/- E. clarksoniana +/- E. leptophleba (Rolling Downs erosional area) Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. hylandii var. hylandii +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys (Sandstone plateaus) Eucalyptus tetrodonta (or E. nesophila) E. hylandii var. campestris +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- Xanthorrhoea johnsonii +/- E. cullenii (Granite valleys) Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. hylandii var. campestris, Erythrophleum chlorostachys +I- Eucalyptus setosa (Sand ridges, west of Dividing Range) Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. hylandii var. campestris +/- E. cullenii Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. hylandii var. hylandii +/- E. nesophila +/- E. cullenii (or E. crebra) (Sandstone plateaus) Eucalyptus tetrodonta, E. nesophila (Plateaus, red earth soils & earthy sands) Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. nesophila +/- Asteromyrtus brassii +/- heath understorey (Sand plains over sandstone) W-OW Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. nesophila (&lor E. hylandii var. campestris) +I- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- E. confertiflora (Yellow earths, lower slopes) Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. nesophila +/- E. clarksoniana +/- shrubby layer (Earthy sands on plateaus in south) Eucalyptus tetrodonta +/- E. nesophila +/- Lophostemon suaveolens +/- M. stenostachya (Metamorphic & granite undulating hills) W Melaleuca stenostachya, Acacia leptostachya (Erosional slopes into creeks) Melaleuca viridiflora, Asteromyrtus brassii +/- M. stenostachya (Metamorphic hills, Wattle Hills) Melaleuca viridiflora, Asteromyrtus brassii +/- M. stenostachya (Flat sandplains, south of Lockhart River) Melaleuca viridiflora +/- M. saligna +/- Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa +/- Lophostemon suaveolens +/- Melaleuca spp. (Sinkholes & drainage depressions) Thryptomene oligandra +/- Neofabricia mjoebergii +/- Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Grevillea pteridifolia +/- Acacia torulosa (Drainage depressions)

Open-Woodland 11 1 4541 84.02 Corypha utan (Northern Lakefield) 112 31432 87.22 Eucalyptus acroleuca (Lakefield, floodplains) OW-W 113 337015 12.28 Eucalyptus chlorophylla (Southern plains) OW-W 114' 145185 3.99 Eucalyptus clarksoniana +/- Melaleuca viridiflora +/- E. platyphylla (Plains & floodplains, yellow earths) 115 53112 17.25 Eucalyptus leptophleba &lor E. chlorophylla +/- E. papuana +/- Erythrophleum chlorostachys +/- E. cullenii (Erosional slopes, Coen) 116 270663 11.71 Eucalyptus leptophleba +/- E. papuana +/- E. clarksoniana (Rolling plains, northern CYP, brown clays) 117 28082 42.41 Eucalyptus microtheca +/- E. papuana (Archer River floodplains) 118 36949 20.03 Eucalyptus papuana +/- E. leptophleba (Rolling to flat plains, Batavia Downs) 119 6602 16.92 Terminalia aridicola var. chillagoensis, T. platyphylla (Olive Vale, heavy clays)

Low Closed-Forest 120 12007 7.04 Acacia crassicarpa, Syzygium banksii +/- Neofabricia myrtifolia +/- Leucopogon yorkensis subcanopy (Low Microphyll Vine Forest) (Coastal dunes) 121 12060 7.18 Asteromyrtus angustifolia +/- Acacia crassicarpa +/- Syzygium spp. +/- Araucaria cunninghamii emergents (Araucarian Microphyll Vine Forest) (Coastal dunes) APPENDlC Il (cont.)

No. Area % Description (ha) Protected

Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest dominated by Manilkara kauki +I- Mimusops elengi +/- Terminalia spp. (Islands) LCF Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest dominated by Terminalia muelleri, Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Syzygium suborbiculare (Beach ridges & dunes) Evergreen Notophyll Vine Forest dominated by Welchiodendron longivalve +/- Acacia polystachya +/- Canarium australianum (Northern islands & headlands) Deciduous Microphyll Vine Thicket +/- emergent Lagerstroemia archeriana (Central CYP, riverine areas on heavy clays) Deciduous Vine Thicket dominated by Cochlospermum gillivraei +/- Canarium australianum +/- Acacia aulacocarpa (Granite slopes) (= Tracey 11) Deciduous Vine Thicket with Wodyetia bifurcata (Cape Melville, granite slopes) Pisonia grandis (Islands) LCF . Semi-deciduous microphyll species +I- emergent Melaleuca spp. (Sinkholes, Mission River road) Terminalia sp. +/- low trees with frequent scandent scrubs +/- Melaleuca citrolens +/- Eucalyptus acroleuca emergents (Lakefield, depressions) LCF-CS Avicennia marina +/- Ceriops tagal (Landward mangrove zone) LCF-OF Ceriops fagal+/- Avicennia marina (Landward mangrove zone) Pemphis acidula +/- Avicennia marina +/- Rhizophora stylosa (Islands) LCF

Low Own-Forest 134 277 0 Acacia brassii (Northern ranges & islands) 135 71772 65.96 Asteromyrtus brassii, Neofabricia myriifollia, AAlcasuarina liftoralis +/- Welchiodendron longivalve (Northern CYP, sandy plateaus) 136 5522 89.21 Eucalyptus hylandii var. hylandii &lor E. crebra +/- E. brassiana +/- Lophostemon suaveolens (Southern headlands & Melville Range) 137 1146 93.16 Lophostemon suaveolens, Eucalyptus crebra (Altanmoui Range) 138 3673 11.24 Melaleuca arcana (Dune swamps) 139' 19719 3.89 Melaleuca sp. (Emu Lagoon J.R.Clarkson+ 9582) (Western swamps) 140 18576 35.65 Neofabricia myrtifolia, Asteromyrtus brassii, Lophostemon suaveolens, Leucopogon yorkensis +/- Callitris intratropica emergents (Elliot Creek)

Low Woodland 141 1223 7.39 Allocasuarina sp. V.J.Neldner 3976 +I- Acacia crassicarpa +/- Grevillea glauca +/- Melaleuca viridiflora (Sandstone plateaus) 142' 18630 0 Eucalyptus persistens subsp. tardecidens, Melaleuca stenostachya (Southern metamorphic plateaus) 143 2164 95.10 Melaleuca foliolosa, Grevillea striata, Hakea persiehana, M. viridiflora (Old beach ridge, Marina Plains) 144 54245 6.77 Melaleuca viridiflora +I-low trees (Drainage areas) 145' 6512 3.96 Melaleuca viridiflora, Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa +/- Eucalyptus novoguinensis +/- M. stenostachya (Torres Strait Islands, north of Jeannie R.) 146 35628 7.94 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Neofabricia myrtifolia +I-Allocasuarina littoralis +I-Asteromyrtus brassii +/- Acacia spp. (Undulating plains, thin sand cover) 147 13530 59.00 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Xanthorrhoea johnsonii +/- Acacia brassii (Coen plains) 148' 1261 0 Welchiodendron longivalve, Melaleuca viridiflora & Neofabricia myrtifolia & Acacia brassii (Ridge crests, Iron Range area) APPENDIX I1 (cont.)

No. Area % Description (ha) Protected

Low Open-Woodland 149 8381 6.02 Acacia ditricha, Albizia procera (Rokeby) 150 23904 5.00 Eucalyptus chlorophylla +/- ~elaleucastenostachya (Hillslopes) . 151 44459 8.03 Eucalyptus chlorophylla +/- Melaleuca viridiflora (Flat plains, Mitchell River floodplain) 152' 98489 3.68 Eucalyptus microtheca +/- E. chlorophylla +/- Acacia ditricha +/- Lysiphyllum cunninghamii (Mitchell River floodplain) 153' 77223 4.64 Melaleuca citrolens +/- M. foliolosa +/- M. viridiflora +/- M. acacioides (Longitudinal drainage depressions) 154 23275 31.67 Melaleuca saligna +/- M. viridiflora +/- M. citrolens (Longitudinal drainage depressions) 155' 91885 2.56 Melaleuca stenostachya +/- M. foliolosa +/- shrubby layer (Sandstone scarps) 156 5698 19.00 Melaleuca stenostachya +/- M. viridiflora (Plains) 157 60933 23.12 Melaleuca viridiflora, M. stenostachya +/- Xanthorrhoea johnsonii (Lakefield, flat plains) 158 182576 10.09 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Petalostigma banksii (Plains) 159 1108642 11.73 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Petalostigma pubescens +/- emergent Eucalyptus clarksoniana (Low-lying plains)

Closed-Scrub 160 3358 15.17 Excoecaria agallocha +/- Aegiceras corniculatum +/- Lumnitzera spp. with emergent Avicennia marina (Inland tidal rivers) 161' 8128 4.84 Leucopogon yorkensis +/- Asteromyrtus angustifolia +/- Acacia spp. (Sandplains) 162 0 0 Premna serratifolia +/- mixed shrub spp. (Sand cays) CS

Tall Shrubland 163' 7194 4.29 Leptospermum purpurascens (Granite hills, Pascoe River area) 164' 2151 3.50 Melaleuca acacioides +/- Hakea pedunculata with emergent M. citrolens & M. viridiflora (Behind mangrove areas) 165 42084 5.33 Melaleuca citrolens +/- M. foliolosa &/or Antidesma parvifolium (Western drainage lines)

Tall Own-Shrubland 166' 3982 0 Neofabricia myrtifolia, Acacia calyculata, Jacksonia thesioides +/- Leptospermum purpurascens (Sandstone breakaways, Janet Range) 167 15323 14.36 Piliostigma malabaricum (Rokeby) TOS-LOW

Open-Heath 168 37525 Asteromyrtus lysicephala +/- Baeckea frutescens +/- emergent Thryptomene oligandra & Neofabricia myrtifolia (Jardine River sandplain) 169' 29272 Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Choriceras tricorne, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, Banksia dentata (Sand sheets, north-east of Coen) 170' 9078 Asteromyrtus lysicephala +/- Jacksonia thesioides +/- Choriceras tricorne +/- Banksia dentata (Adjacent streams, central Peninsula) 171 184674 Asteromyrfus lysicephala +/- Jacksonia thesioides +/- Choriceras tricorne +/- Neofabricia myrtifolia +/- emergent Melaleuca stenostachya (Heaths over sandstone plateau) Asteromyrtus lysicephala +/- Neofabricia myrtifolia +/- Thryptomene oligandra +/- Hibbertia banksii +/- emergent low trees (Sandplains in dunefields) OH-CH Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Thryptomene oligandra, Neofabricia myrtifolia +/- emergent Melaleuca arcana Leucopogon yorkensis +/- Asteromyrtus brassii +/- Pouteria sericea (Torres Strait Islands) Melaleuca arcana, Thryptomene oligandra, Asteromyrtus lysicephala +/- Baeckea frutescens (Swamp sandplains) Neofabricia myrtifolia +/- Jacksonia thesioides +/- Thryptomene oligandra +/- Leucopogon spp. (Quaternary dunefields) OH-CH 42

APPENDIX Il (cont.)

No. Area % Description (ha) Protected

Dwarf Own-Heath 177 4026 11.64 Acacia humifusa +/- Myrtella obtusa +/- Grevillea pteridifolia +/- Petalostigma pubescens (Coastal dunes & headlands) 178 21640 22.28 Asteromyrtus lysicephala, Neofabricia myrtifolia, Grevillea pteridifolia +/- Melaleuca viridiflora DOH &/or Schizachyrium spp. (Sandstone plateaus) TG 179'8134 0 Neofabricia myrtifolia +/- Labichea buettneriana +I- Leucopogon ruscifolius (Exposed sandplains, Cape Flattery)

Closed-Tussock Grassland 180' 146018 2.73 Eriachne spp. +/- Aristida spp. +/- Eragrostis spp. +/- Fimbristylis spp. (Holroyd drainage lines) 181' 3354 3.68 Heteropogon triticeus, Themeda arguens, Sorghum plumosum +/- Piliostigma malabaricum (Piccaninny Plains) 182' 9444 1.32 lmperata cylindrica +/- Mnesithea rottboellioides +/- Arundinella setosa (Coastal plains, hillslopes & islands, Lockhart River) 183 77214 11.98 Oryza spp. +/- Eleocharis spp. +/- Panicum trachyrhachis +/- Fimbristylis spp. (Seasonally inundated marine plains) 184 16773 55.13 Sorghum spp., Themeda arguens (Southern Lakefield & Olive Vale grasslands) 185' 23550 1.63 Sporobolus virginicus (Western coastal plains) 186 75457 49.32 Themeda arguens +/- Dichanthium sericeum +/- Capillipedium parviflorum +/- Fimbristylis spp. +/- Sorghum spp. (Marine plains) 187 0 0 Grasslandlsedgeland with emergent Pandanus spp. (Torres Strait Islands) CTG-OSG

Tussock Grassland 188' 305989 0.15 Panicum spp., Fimbristylis spp. +/- Oryza australiensis +/- Sporobolus virginicus +/- Eriachne spp. (Coastal plains, Rutland Plains) 189 1026 9.67 Themeda triandra TG or Schizachyrium spp. +/- Eriachne spp. (Headlands & islands)

Closed-Sedaeland 190' 20940 0 Eleocharis dulcis (Marine plains)

Open-Sedaeland 191 68256 27.57 Restio tetraphyllus subsp. meiostachyus +/- Leptocarpus spathaceus +/- Nepenthes mirabilis +/- Gahnia sieberiana (Drainage swamps) OSG-CSG

Closed-Herbland 192 101 0.47 Lepturus repens +/- lpomoea pescaprae +/- Tribulus cistoides (Island cay vegetation) 193' 2799 2.31 Mixed graminoids & forbs (Beach foredunes)

Sparse-Herbland 194 111342 12.23 Bare salt~answith areas of Halosarcia spp... sparse. forbland (SH) &/or Xerochloa imberbis TG &lor Suriana maritima woody forbland (OH) or Sesuvium portulacastrum OH (saltpans & saline flats) 195 3116 88.17 Granite boulders covered with Blue Green Algae & scattered trees (Ranges, Black Mountain, Cape Melville) 196 9722 6.48 Mixed herb species +/- emergent low trees (Coastal dunes (west coast) & grassland at edge of Weipa plateau) 197 4762 22.33 Rock pavements on mountains, or rivers (eg. Archer River), or islands 198' 19982 3.20 Sand blows, or bare sand areas (Sand cays & river beds) & sparse scattered shrubs APPENDIX Il (cont.)

- NO. Area % Description (ha) Protected

Lakes and Laaoons 199 35877 25.65 Ephemeral lakes - seasonally dry 200 5253 8.56 Perennial lakes with sedgelands on the margins (Lakes in dunefields) 201 4585 23.88 Permanent lakes & lagoons, frequently with fringing woodlands (Lakefield N.P.)

Disturbed Veaetation 202 0 0 Alien species eg. Agave sisalana, Cryptostegia grandiflora 203 0 0 Crops 204 0 0 Improved pasture 205 0 0 Mining overburden & regeneration 206 0 0 Native pasture only - cleared of woody overstorey 207 0 0 Urban 208 31575 4.65 Seas & estuaries (& wide rivers) 209 0 0 Unsurveyed island, probably rocky &/or sandy with little vascular plant cover Appendix iii

Results of Cluster Analysis of Closed Forests of Cape York Peninsula

Note that this is a prelimary classification and interpretation of data. A more detailed evaluation will be undertaken by DEH during 1995.

Data for the analysis of the Peninsula's closed forest communities were derived from three main sources:-

Neldner and Clarkson (CYPLUS) (sites belonging to map units 3-33, 120- 130, 161) Stanton and Fell (CYPLUS) Webb and Tracey (CSIRO)

The analysis was performed on presence/absence data for 389 sites and 722 canopy species using PATN Pattern Analysis Package (Belbin 1992). Association matrices, produced using the Czekanowski association measure, were subject to hierarchical agglomerative polythetic clustering using FUSE, based on the Flexible unweighted pair group method using averages (UPGMA) with the beta value set at -0.1.

Site groups were formed at the 20 group level (PATN default) and are examined below with particular reference to some or all of the following features:- structure, geology, soils, landform, geographic locality, conservation status and indicative species.

Group 1.

This group is essentially a widespread closed sclerophyll shrubland community common to dune systems and invariably contains some microphyll species and rarely Araucarian emergents. Species include Neofabricia myrffolia, Asferomyrus angustifolia, Thrypfomene oligandra, Syzygium suborbiculare and S. ban ksii.

The community is extremely widespread, its distribution limited by the frequency of fire.

Dominant map units: 121,161,120

Group 2.

This group is a continuation of sites possessing a high proportion of sclerophyll species and is comprised of three distinct sub groups:- plains, coastal dunes and slopes, the latter appearing to be a spurious inclusion (e.g. Mt Finnegan of the Wet Tropics and a basalt hill near Lakeland Downs). The coastal dunes subgroup is an extension of the previous group with a mixture of both sclerophyll and microphyll species and Araucarian emergents. The heavy soils of the plains subgroup are typical of sinkholes and cracking clays although the vegetation of the sinkholes again contains a high proportion of sclerophyll species. The cracking clay subgroup (Map Unit 125) and its associated conservation value is discussed more extensively under Group 7 where it dominates. The fact that they occur in two groups may be explained by the high number of sclerophyll species recorded by Neldner and Clarkson at the sites in this group.

Dominant map units: 121,125,129

Group 3

A continuation of the microphyll/notophyll dune scrubs, this group contains two distinct subgroups - essentially those with and those without emergent Araucaria cunninghamii. Those communities without A. cunninghamii are widespread and well represented along the east coast in the Jardine River, Iron Range and Cape Melville National Parks. They contain evergreen/semideciduous species dominated by Syzgium suborbiculare and Terminalia spp.

Of greater significance are those communities which possess A. cunninghamii emergents (map unit 1211. This type is best represented on the coast near Heathlands (D 0 Reserve), in the Olive River dunefields and at Hopevale Aboriginal Community.

Group 4

Group 4 best described as a mixed collection of transitional vegetation types alternating between sclerophyll and notophyll vine thicket communities depending on fire history. Those successional vine thicket species commonly invading sclerophyll communities include Canarium australianum and Buchanania arborescens. Given the difficulty in defining any one community it is not possible to define any conservation value but the type is known to be expanding rapidly in the absence of fire.

Dominant map units: 18,124,126

Group 5

This group features deciduouslsemideciduous vine thickets occurring in drier areas of the Peninsula, typically on the western side of that part of the Dividing Range which occurs north of Princess Charlotte Bay. Seasonal variation in rainfall is high and soils of floodplain alluvium and colluvium are lighter textured. Species with a wide ecological tolerance including Canarium australianum and Buchanania arborescens are typical of this type which is not of high priority conservation given its wide representation in National Parks including Rokeby and Lakefield.

Dominant map units: 9,32,125 Group 6

The majority of sites within this group occur on the lower slopes of sandstone ranges and on sandstone derived colluvium, the remainder on granitic and metamorphic slopes. As a result the microphylllnotophyll species are generally deciduous and include Gyrocarpus americanus. Terminalia muelleri, Ganophyllum falcatum, Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum and Drypetes deplanchei. Much floristic variation exists between these small but widely distributed patches which are found principally within the Laura Basin. The group contains one of the most interesting and significant rainforest types on the Peninsula near the Howick River. This small patch extends two rare and threatened species (Syzygium argyropedicum and Microcitrus garrawayae) from the wetter Mcllwraith Range area south into the much drier area of the Laura Basin.

This type is threatened by impact from cattle and feral pigs which shelter from the heat of the more sparsely vegetated surrounding areas. Very few of these communities are represented in National Parks (with the exception of Jane Table Hill and Rokeby) and are subsequently of a high conservation priority.

Dominant map units: 32

Group 7

This group contains the deciduous microphyll vine thicket communities mentioned previously under Group 2. They are found on the cracking clays of Rokeby, York Downs, Merluna and the Normanby River where indicative species include Lagerstroemia archeriana, Croton arnhemicus, Kailarsenia ochreata, Gochlospermum gillivraei, Strychnos lucida and Terminalia subacroptera. As this type is not conserved in National Parks, it is of high conservation priority. Threats include feral animal impact and clearing by pastoralists who find the thickets an obstruction to cattle mustering. Such potential impacts by the grazing industry may be worsened if potential live cattle exports from Weipa are introduced.

Dominant map units: 125

Group 8

This group is comprised of two main components - interfluvial semideciduous vine thickets of the northern central region of the Peninsula and evergreen vine forest associated with sands derived from lateritic sandstone. While the latter type is well conserved in the Jardine National Park, the interfluvial patches are of high conservation value given their generally unprotected status (except for one occurrence in the Jardine National Park). Indicative species of these patches include Welchiodendron longivalve, Ailanthus triphysa, Mimusops elengi, Acacia polystachya, Gyrocarpus americanus, Celtis philippensis var. philippensis, Buchanania arborescens and Maranthes corymbosa. Threats include impact from feral pigs and cattle.

Dominant map units 12,20,18,24 Group 9

Contained within this group are those communities associated with minor watercourses and swamps. These communities are of conservation significance due to impact from wallowing feral pigs, both on and off park.

Indicative species include Archontophoenix alexandrae, Dillenia alata, Syzygium forte and Syzgium angophoroides.

Dominant map units: 16,18,19

Group 10

This is a group of misfit sites, highlighted by the fact that the five sites have been ascribed to four different map units. Each site appears better suited to another group but for some reason they have been grouped together.

Dominant map units: 12,18,122,125

Group 11

This group is comprised of evergreen notophyll vine forest of two types - those communities associated with deep sands and those associated with shallow sands mantling other substrates. Both communities are well represented in Jardine National Park.

Dominant map units: 20,24,122

Group 12

This group contains the most widespread, well developed rainforest community on the Peninsula. Diversity is high with species varying with geographic location. This type is characterised by its widespread and uniform distribution. Some areas within the Mcllwraith Range Timber Reserve (TR14) would be considered to have high conservation value. Dominant map units: 21 and 24

Group 13

This group contains the better developed notophylllmesophyll rainforest occurring in the higher rainfall areas of the east-coast. The type has mostly developed on the well drained deeper earth alluvial soils but is also common on soils of basaltic and metamorphic origin. The type is of highest conservation value on the alluvial soils of Iron Range (D and 0 and VCL). Lockerbie (DOGIT) and Rocky River (depending on outcome of Silver Plans acquisition) and the basalt soils near Hopevale (Aboriginal FreeholdIDOGIT). Generally the type is very inadequately conserved in relation to its extent and may be affected by future changes in tenure (e.g. Aboriginal Freehold)

Dominant map units: 8,IO

Group 14

Essentially, this group is the same as above except for some slight variations in geology. Also included are sites from Mt Cook granite, from lateritic sandstones of Lockerbie and the sheltered sandstone valleys of Heathlands where moisture is abundant.

Dominant map units: 8,11,13,21

Group 15

This group contains sites floristically very distinct from the majority of the Peninsula's species due to a major influence from the Wet Tropics and the southern Peninsula. Protection of these communities is already provided through World Heritage Listing.

Canopy species include Cryptocarya mackinnoniana, Argyrodendron peralatum, Musgravea heterophylla and Syzygium kuranda.

Dominant map units 3,5,23

Group 16

Represented along the east coast dune systems, this group contain sites associated with dune swale and swamps. This evergreen notophyll community is protected at Iron Range and Jardine River National Parks.

Dominant map units: 19

Groups 17-19

Site are predominantly islands and sand cays occurring off shore. Difficult to elaborate given paucity of data regarding soils and geology. Communities technically are not rainforests. Other groups vary with floristics where granite and granitic soils are able to support more than just Pisonia grandis.

Map Unit 122 Group 20

This group contains sclerophyll heath communities of the mainland and offshore islands sandplains, not technically rainforest and largely protected in any case.

Indicative species are Leucopogen yorkensis and Asferomyrfus angusfifolia.

Map Units 122.161 Appendix iv. Assessment of wetlands for nature conservation

Cape York Peninsula Conservation Assessment

Report on consultancy for wetland assessment. Project 1: To Assess data from CYPLUS Project NR09 (Wetland Fauna Survey) to determine wetland sites and species of importance for nature conservation on Cape York Peninsula

P. V. Driscoll, December 1994

Introduction and methods ...... 1 Assessment of areas ...... 3 Northern region ...... 3 North east to mid north region ...... 4 Mid to lower western region ...... 5 Eastern region ...... 6 Assessment of fauna ...... 7 References ...... 10 Tables 1. Wetlands of Cape York Peninsula summary statistics

Figures

1. Map of Cape York Peninsula wetlands as key to 1:250000 map sheets (Figure 2) 2. Maps showing wetland areas and protected areas (1 for each 1:250 000 map sheet) 3. Wetland birds: status and summary distribution for Cape York Peninsula 4. Wetland mammals, frogs and reptiles: status and summary distribution for Cape York Introduction and methods

This report is largely based upon results and data compiled under the CYPLUS NR09 project on wetland definition and fauna assessment. The objectives were to further define wetlands and/or sites that are important for nature conservation and to determine the species associated with wetlands that are important for nature conservation. An assessment is also made of which areas occur inside and outside of the existing reserve system.

Cape York Peninsula has a complex mix of vast seasonally inundated wetlands, mangrove lined estuaries, perennial dune lakes, extensive intertidal areas, coastal lagoons and swamps, and pristine creeks and rivers. Analyses of the type, location and extent of wetland categories and features was undertaken in NR09 using preliminary versions of the vegetation mapping of Cape York Peninsula (NRO1) and a CSIRO database of features of the coastline up to 3 km inland (including inland from the shores of large estuaries).

In broad terms, the main vegetation categories used included mangroves (MAN), open saline areas (SAL) , ephemeral waterbodies (EPH) , perennial waterbodies (PER), sedgelands (SED) and swampy forested areas (DRA). In NR09, the distribution of these wetland categories as per ten minute grid cells was considered as was the coarse scale distribution of coastal wetland features such as the extent of tidal flats, muddy substrate, mangroves, channels, swamps, open lagoons, and perennial waterholes or lakes. Similarities and differences between ten minute grid cells were objectively assessed using classification analyses based upon these datasets.

A further compilation of polygons from the vegetation mapping of wetland categories (NR09) has been undertaken for this report to aid in delineating areas important for conservation. Groups of polygons have been subjectively demarcated with the aid of topographic maps into a total of 42 wetlands for the whole of the study area. These are named and numbered in Table 1 and on the maps supplied (see Figures 1 and 2a to 21n). The numbering is used in brackets in the text to follow together with the map reference (a to m) for individual wetlands. The various maps are indicated with the letters a to m which are then used in referring to individual wetlands. For each wetland, Table 1 gives a summary of total cover (ha) of all wetland categories, the percentage contribution of each category, the number of polygons included and the total length of their perimeters. An attempt has also been made in the table to group wetlands according to similarities in the proportional representation of wetland vegetation categories. To assess the current conservation status of wetlands, the extent of current reserves has also been mapped by way of marking off five minute grid cells as having at least some part of their area as a reserve (information supplied by DEH). These cells are marked with a large dot at their centres. Similarly, grid cells that have been indicated as conservation focal cells or sub-focal cells outside of the reserve system, are indicated on the maps with an outlined "xu or plain "xu respectively (information supplied digitally by DEH). For each of the 42 wetlands I have been able to supply to DEH a list of five minute grid cells that include at least one of the centres of the polygons that constitute the wetland.

This approach to ascertaining the reserve status of the wetlands along the coast inay not be sufficient since actual boundaries of current reserves are not mapped and, even where they come up against the coastline, boundaries are likely to end at high water mark and not include important intertidal areas and mangroves. An example is Jardine River National Park which does not include any of the extensive mangroves on the southern side of Newcastle Bay. Fish Habitat Reserves, Wetland Reserves, and Fish Sanctuaries should also be considered in ascertaining the conservation status of coastal wetlands and in this respect I offer the following comments.

As far as I can ascertain, the only Fish Sanctuary on Cape York Peninsula is German Bar (023-007) in Princess Charlotte Bay. There are no Wetland Reserves, and Fish Habitat Reserves include the following: Nassau River (015-054), Escape River (0 15-037, just south of Newcastle Bay); Temple Bay (0 15-038); Silver Plains (015-034); and Princess Charlotte Bay (015-035). These amount to a small area and very few reserves compared with other coastal regions in Queensland. It should be noted that all mangroves and marine plants that grow on intertidal and subtidal lands are protected, however, permission can be gained for their destruction. Another consideration down the east coast is the alignment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. I will comment where I consider this relevant but much of the boundary to the Marine Park cuts across and excludes important estuaries and coastal wetlands. Fauna data are presented for "wetland" species as determined in NR09 that are also acknowledged for their conservation status or endemic distribution to Cape York Peninsula, in either McFarland (1993), Winter and Lethbridge (1994) or Ingram and Raven (199 1). These data are a compilation of those presented by McFarland (1993), Winter and Lethbridge (1994) or recorded on aerial transect counts on the south-west coast by Blackrnan and colleagues or at selected wetland sites by Taplin and colleagues. Assessment of areas

Northern Region Several wetlands have more than 50% mangroves and include the first 9 in Table 1, ie Temple Bay (1 1,e) , Lloyd Bay (13 ,e), Pascoe (12 ,e), North Islands and Shore (1,a), Newcastle Bay area (6,a), Weipa (24,d), Port Musgrave area (22,b,d), North-west coast (20,b) and Cooktown (42,m). Of these, Newcastle Bay (6,a) is exceptional for the extent, and high concentration of mangroves in association with open saline areas and "sedgelands". It largely abuts the Jardine River National Park on one side and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) on another and is highly recommended for reservation. There are few fauna data from the area, which is no reflection on the quality of habitat but more on the inaccessible nature of the estuary. An aerial survey of waders (Garnett 1987) indicated medium numbers of birds along the coast.

Coastal wetlands of North islands and shore (1,a) are scattered beyond the project area. Other large areas of mangroves are around Weipa (24,d), Port Musgrave (22,b,d) and the north-west coast (20,b). Of these, the latter is probably the least notable and includes a series of smaller creek and river systems from Vrilya Point to the Skardon River. In behind this coastal zone is north-west hinterland (21,b) which is mostly "sedgelands" but includes soine ephemeral waterbodies. These appear to represent a significant concentration of this wetland category and lie just to the north of the upper Skardon River at about 142 deg. 10 min. E, 11 deg 45 inin S. However, available fauna data suggest that the more general area is not notable for waterbirds. The intertidal areas have reasonable numbers of waders which tend to be more abundant to the north in the region of the Jardine River mouth (Garnett 1987).

The Jardine complex (5,a) is highly recom~nendedfor conservation status and much of this area is already reserved, but not the lower reaches of the river system (Jardine Swamps) or the coastal strip to the south of the river mouth. By including these additional regions a much 'fuller complement of the wetland ecosystems could be conserved in a relatively small, concentrated region. Previous recommendations have been made along these lines and Stanton (1975) identified 8 wetland communities within the Jardine Swamps which lie within an Aboriginal Reserve. Conversion to National Park status may not be feasible but the whole region should be recognised for its conservation significance, and not just the existing National Park.

A few other smaller wetland areas are noted for the far north of Cape York Peninsula and include Paterson Hill (3 ,a), Burster Creek (4,a), Northern lakes (2 ,a), Northern sand ridges (7,a) and Orford Bay (8,a). The latter lies within Jardine River National Park or the GBRMP (General Use 'ByZone) but none of the others are in conservation reserves. Paterson Hill is a small isolated estuary whereas the Burster Creek system is larger and includes an extensive freshwater component between the Jardine complex (5,a) and the vine forest region of the tip of the Peninsula. Inclusion of all of the Jardine complex in a reserve is an option but alternative consideration of Burster Creek would also have merit and help complement what already lies within Jardine River National Park.

Northern Lakes (2,a) and Northern sand ridges (7,a) have a high representation of perennial waterbodies, particularly the former site which appears to represent significant added diversity to the range of wetlands covered by the Newcastle Bay area (6,a) and Jardine complex (5,a) (see Table 1).

North-east and mid north region At least parts of the Port Musgrave (22,b,d) or Weipa (24,d) wetlands could be considered for a conservation reserve. It is noted that areas just to the east of these estuaries are acknowledged for their conservation value (Figures 1 and 2b, d), but the coastal zone between the Wenlock and Pine Rivers are also noteworthy. The area would include the mangroves of the Wenlock River (noted for dugongs, crocodiles and Nypa palm) and Pine River, a large number of diverse and well-developed freshwater swamps, and tidal flats. Associated with this diverse coastal setting are the sub coastal paperbark sinkholes (included as swampy forested areas) which served to highlight this region in the NR09 report. A rich frog fauna has been noted for these sinkholes and the area has been noted as wetland bird habitat (Winter and Atherton 1985).

The classification analysis using vegetation wetland categories in NR09 highlighted the diversity of the region from the coast between Port Musgrave (Wenlock River) and Albatross Bay (Pine River) extending eastward into the Central north wetland (23,d,e). Six of the nine classification groups of ten minute grid cells were included in this broader region which extends into the upper reaches of the Wenlock and Mission Rivers and Myall Creek (Arthur, Gum, Cox, Necktie and Moonlight Creeks). The latter region has by far the highest concentration of swampy forested areas (DRA) amongst the wetlands identified in Table 1 and corresponds with a group of 5 minute grid cells already identified for their conservation significance (Figure 2e). The classification of coastal ten minute grid cells using coastal wetland attributes reported in NR09 also suggests the presence of diverse wetland ecosystems between Port Musgrave and Albatross Bay. Four of the 9 classification groups are represented in this relatively short section of coastline.

Inland sections of the Archer River and neighbouring swampland are noted in Figures 2f and 2g, but much of this area already lies within National Park. However, this is not the case for the Ward-Watson Aggregation listed in Usback and James (1993), which incorporates the estuarine wetlands emanating from all sides of Archer Bay.

Mid to lower western region Farther south along the west coast and with the exception of estuaries to the south of Albatross Bay, Archer Bay, and the Mitchell River mouth, mangroves are a less dominant feature of coastal wetlands. Open saline areas are generally more extensive and inland of these the flood plains of a number of rivers provide extensive seasonal wetlands. Data from NR09 indicate that the most significant coastal and sub coastal wetland areas in this region occur between the Aurukun and Holroyd Rivers (especially around Cape Keenveer) and in the vicinity of the Mitchell River mouth south to the Nassau River. This is based upon the analyses of both coastal wetland features and wetland vegetation, as well as aerial wetland bird counts and miscellaneous bird data. Neither of these areas are currently within reserves but both have been highlighted as possible focal areas for conservation purposes (Figure 2f, 2k). Both areas include ten minute grid cells classified in Groups 1, 3 and 6 using the coastal wetland features (NR09, CSIRO data). The implications are that mangroves and mangrove related features such as muddy, tidal flats and, in the case of the Mitchell River, tidal channels, were present as were coastal sedgelands, saline flats and open lagoons. That is, there is a greater diversity of wetland features in these two regions than is encountered along other parts of the lower west coast. The Cape Keerweer area also recorded a moderately high value for the "swamps" index. Higher concentrations of a number of wetland bird species were recorded in these two areas than elsewhere south of Aurukun (limit of aerial transect survey).

An assessment of relative importance of primarily seasonal wetlands farther inland from the west coast is not possible with the time and data available. However, Bull Lake at 14 deg 50 min S, 142 deg 5 min E is given a high rating in Usback and James (1993). I also note that there appears to be variation in the nature of the extensive inland wetlands as depicted by vegetation patterns and catchment regions and represented by the wetlands in Table 1 and Figure 2 as Lower Holroyd (3 1,h), Holroyd (33, h,i,k,l), Upper Alice (40,l) and Mitchell-Nassau (38,k,l). The southern part of Holroyd and the eastern half of Mitchell-Nassau coincide with focal and sub focal conservation areas (Figure 2k).

Also, the small area of wetland I have denoted as Upper Holroyd (Figure 2i) lies close to some five minute grid cells already designated for their possible conservation significance. Note also the proximity of the Upper Palmer (39, 1) to some similarly designated grid cells.

Eastern region Parts of Subcoastal north east (9,c) "sedgelands" lie within the Jardine River National Park and a Marine National Park Zone of the GBRMP lies adjacent to the coastal wetlands of Shelburne Bay. The heath dune fields of Cape Grenville (the majority of Shelburne (lO,c,e - perennial waterbodies) are not in a reserve and either this area, extending to include the Olive River and the mangroves of Temple Bay, or the Cape Flattery to Cape Bedford dune systems and neighbouring coastline could be considered for reservation. McFarland (1993) indicated the significance to fauna of the Shelburne Bay-Cape Grenville-Olive River region. The diversity of wetland categories and coastal wetland features of this area is indicated by the classification results in NR09. In the vicinity, there are grid cells classified into 6 of the 9 groups based on the vegetation mapping and 3 of the 9 groups based on coastal features. A GBRMP General Use Zone occurs between just north of the Olive River and Temple Bay but would not adequately protect the range of wetland features. Also, the Iron Range National Park to the south does not include a significant wetland component.

There is an extensive wetland system in Lloyd Bay at the mouth of the Lockhardt River which was highlighted for its estuarine features in NR09 and in this regard was exceptional on the east coast. Adequate protection of this estuary could perhaps be made through it becoming a Fish Habitat Reserve. The estuary does not lie within the GBRMP but the boundary occurs along the inner edge of the Bay.

Much of the coastal wetlands between Cape Direction and Princess Charlotte Bay (Silver Plains and north, 14, g, i) appears to be either a part of the proposed or existing Silver Plains National Park or the GBRMP, although exclusions occur around Bodardt Point and Port Stewart. Silver Plains and north (14, g, i) includes some diversity of coastal wetlands as indicated by the "swamps" index in NR09, the occurrence of grid cells from 4 classification groups (vegetation data) and the presence of reasonably extensive tidal flats (coastal features). However, in relation to the last point and on the basis of the scant data that exists, shorebirds are not particularly abundant here but occur more commonly in Princess Charlotte Bay (Garnett 1987).

Practically all of the two wetlands Princess Charlotte Bay (15,i,j) and Lakefield Region (16,ij,m) occur within National Park (Figure 2i,j,m). The Bay itself falls within a General Use 'B' Zone of the GBRMP. Reservation of these areas for the sake of the range and extent of wetland types and features is justifiable based on results from NR09, although perhaps not over such a large area as encompassed by the Park. Wetland fauna data also tend to support this conclusion.

Starcke Coast (18j) appears to also be adequately reserved within a combination of several existing or -proposed National Parks (Cape Melville, Starcke 1, Starcke 2), although the nature of the wetlands here are primarily mangroves and open saline areas (Table 1) and don't appear to exhibit any high degree of diversity except where they abut the Cape Flattery system (19,j ,m). The latter area was mentioned earlier in relation to the dune fields around Cape Grenville and occurs largely within an Aboriginal Reserve. Much of Starcke Coast (18,j) lies alongside Preservation, Scientific Research or Marine National Park zones of the GBRMP.

Assessn~entof fauna

Some more general features of the fauna reported in NR09 and Taplin (1994) have been the basis for comments and options for reserve areas presented in the last section. This section focuses on particular species selected on the basis of their conservation or endemic status and their association with wetlands. They include ten species of birds (Figure 3), two mammals, three frogs and five reptiles (Figure 4).

Data are presented against a background of considerable sampling bias. A strong relationship was found in NR09 between the diversity per cell of wetland bird species and of all bird species. It was apparent that the pattern of recorded diversity for wetland birds followed the general pattern for all species. This pattern was not necessarily related to the distribution of wetlands but was strongly linked to the geographical variation in sainpling effort that has been alluded to in other reports on the fauna. Most records of the great-billed heron in Australia are from Cape York Peninsula or the Top End of the Northern Territory and even though there appear to be few records in Figure 3 (1) for Cape York, it is an important region for the species. The Radjah shelduck has a similar pattern of distribution (Figure 3 (6)). There are a number of records of each species from areas already suggested for reserve status such as the Mitchell River mouth, Cape Grenville, Wenlock and Jardine Rivers. The black-necked stork is somewhat more widely distributed in Australia and during the aerial surveys on the west coast was mostly recorded as individuals in all seasons. During the dry season it was more often seen north of the Holroyd River up into the Cape Keerweer region (NR09). There are also a number of records from between Port Musgrave and Albatross Bay, in the Silver Plains area and in the Lakefield region.

There are sporadic records of the little bittern in northern Australia, one of which is from around Thursday Island (Figure 3 (2)). Similarly, the chestnut teal is primarily located in southern parts of Australia with just one grid cell with records on Cape York (Figure 3 (4)). The cotton pygmy-goose is recorded in protected areas of the Lakefield region where it is at its northern limit of distribution in Australia.

Of the waders presented in Figure 3, the sooty oystercatcher occurs more on rocky and sandy shores and offshore islands and reefs. There is a northern subspecies estimated at only 1000 individuals and the northern Great Barrier Reef has been identified as an area of international significance for the species (Watkins 1993). The records shown in Figure 3 (7) are likely to represent an important component of the distribution of the species and mostly occur outside of areas discussed in this report as possible reserves. However, many of these records appear to be on near shore islands, and probably within the GBRMP.

The beach stone-curlew occurs along the north-eastern and northern coasts of Australia and seemingly more often on offshore islands, although more information is needed. The Northern Great Barrier Reef is an important area for the species (Watkins 1993) as may be parts of Cape York Peninsula. A number of records for the species in Figure 3 (8) occur within those areas mentioned for reserve status in the last section. It has declined in numbers in those parts of its range where disturbance from humans, cats and pigs occurs.

There are significant numbers of eastern curlew in Gulf habitats (Garnett 1989) and their distribution appears to extend all the way up the west coast of the Peninsula and at scattered sites along the east coast of Cape York Peninsula. However, the aerial surveys revealed only small collections of unidentified curlew (eastern curlew or whimbrel), a number of which were in the area of the Mitchell River mouth (NR09).

At least two little tern breeding sites have been recorded on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula in the CYPLUS region (Taplin 1990) at Janie Creek and 5 krn north of the southern mouth of the Mitchell River. Janie Creek is on the coast between Port Musgrave and Weipa and both areas have been mentioned above as possible regions for reserves. Little Tern records (Figure 3) are scattered around the coast but a number occur in the Newcastle Bay area.

Of the other vertebrates being considered, platypus records are confined to the south-east of the study area where there is also a concentration of records of the spectacled flying fox. The latter species also occurs within the Silver Plains reserve area as does the frog, Crinia remota (Figure 4). There are a number of grid cell records for Crinia ren7,ota within the region between Port Musgrave and Weipa which has been suggested as a location for reservation. This also applies for the frogs Uperoleia nzinzula and Rana daenzeli. The latter species is apparently more widespread on the Cape but endemic to the region. The suggestions for the Wenlock River area and Newcastle Bay to become reserves would seem to adequately cover the occurrence of the estuarine crocodile (Figure 4) but records of the freshwater crocodile are fewer and far more scattered (Figure 4).

Special consideration should be given to the turtle Enzydura subglobosa which is considered poorly known and apart from the few records around Newcastle Bay (Figure 4) is only recorded as Queensland museum specimens from central and western parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria (see Ingram and Raven 1991). The two monitors listed in Figure 4 (9 & 10) have been recorded between Weipa and Port Musgrave. References

Driscoll, P. V. 1994. Wetland definition and fauna assessment. Report on project NR09: Wetland fauna survey. Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy (CYPLUS), Natural Resource Analysis Program. Prepared on behalf of the Qld Dept of Environment and Heritage, November 1994. Garnett, S. T. 1987. Aerial surveys of waders (Aves: Charadriiformes) along the coast of north-eastern Australia. Australian Wildlife Research 14: 521-528. Garnett, S. 1989. Wading Bird Abundance and Distribution - South-eastern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. RAOU Report No. 58. Report to the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. Ingram, G. J., and Raven, R. J., eds 1991. An Atlas of Queensland's Frogs, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals. Board of Trustees, Qld Museum, Brisbane. McFarland, D. 1993. Fauna of the Cape York Peninsula Biogeographic Region. Report to Qld Dept of Environment and Heritage. Taplin, A. 1990. Little tern Sterna albifrons surveys of Cape York Peninsula, Gulf of Carpentaria and eastern Coastal Queensland. unpubl report to the Dept of Conservation, Forest and Lands, Victoria. Taplin, A. 1993. A regional approach to migrant bird conservation issues: an example using waterbird surveys on western Cape York Peninsula. p. 83-92, In Catterall, C. P., Driscoll, P. V., Hulsman, K., Muir, D., and Taplin, A. eds. Birds and their Habitats: Status and Conservation in Queensland. Queensland Ornithological Society Inc., P.O. Box 97, St Lucia, Qld 4067. Usback, S., and James, R. 1993. A directory of important wetlands in Australia. ANCA. Watkins, D. 1993. A national plan for shorebird conservation in Australia. Australasian Wader Studies Group, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and World Wide Fund for Nature. RAOU Report No. 90. Winter, J. W., and Lethbridge, P.J. 1994. Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna. Report on field survey subproject (NR03) of Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy (CYPLUS), Natural Resource Analysis Program. Prepared on behalf of the the Qld Dept of Environ~nentand Heritage, October 1994.

Figure 1. Cape York Peninsula wetlands. Key to large scale maps Figure 2a. Top of Cape York Peninsula

Key to Symbols

Grid cell intersects with a protected area

grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht analysis focal square

grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht Analysis sub focal square Figure 2b. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Jardine River

Key to Symbols

Grid cell intersects with a protected area

grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht analysis focal square

X grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht Analysis sub focal square Figure 2c. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Orford Bay

Key to Symbols

Grid cell intersects with a protected area

x grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht analysis focal square

x grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht Analysis sub focal square Figure 2d. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Weipa

Key to Symbols

Grid cell intersects with a protected area

x grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht analysis focal square

x grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht Analysis sub focal square

Figure 2f. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Aurukun

Key to Symbols

Grid cell intersects with a protected area

grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht analysis focal square

grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht Analysis sub focal square

: Cape

. . Figure 29. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Coen

Key to Symbols

Grid cell intersects with a protected area

x grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht analysis focal square

x grid cell coincides with Bolton- Specht Analysis sub focal square

Key to Symbols Figure 2i. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Ebagoola Figure 2j. Scaled down 1:250000 map sheet of Cape Melville ......

lg k ...... :...... :...... :...... :. :...... Key to Symbols 'B""'

------1. Great-billed Heron Area : ;sgi7- i sumatrana (A0184): - Special Figure 3 Wetland bird distribution records ..:. : .... : i Interest (McFarland 1993) Recorded distribution within 10 minute grid cells of species listed for their conservation status by Winter and Lethbridge (1994), McFarland (1993), lngram and Raven (199 1). Records have been collated from these sources as well as aerial transect counts (Blackman) and site records (Taplin) - refer to NR09 report for details.

Letters on maps correspond with the codes to 1:250 000 maps given in Figures 1 and 2a-2m.

A m..

3. Black-necked Stork .-,. ------.- --T -----!. 2. Little Bittern lxobrychus -. j : j i Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus :. ! bI9 minutus (60195): Rare :..::.i % 1 :. .: ;: :. f i (McFarland 1993) :. i i j (W0183): Rare W~nter& .------.-. .-- 7. Sooty Oystercatcher i i Haernatopus fuliginosus . .1 i i .: 1: i (W0131): Special Interest cFarland 1993), Rare (Winter Lethbridge 1994) 8. Beach Stone-curlew Esacus ----..------.. 9. Eastern Curlew Nurnenius _(--- -. :. . :..: . : % / rnagnirostris (Woi 75): (:. i / madagascariensis (S0149): Rare :.:... '-: :. 1... . : j i Vulnerable (McFarland 1993), .;. . !.:. i i (McFarland 1993). Rare (Winter Lethbridge 1994), Rare

-- 10. Little Tern Sterna albifrons I:. t % / r:(C0117): Rare (McFarland 1993). -.. . i. . i i ! Vulnerable (Winter & Lethbridge ------1. Platypus Ornithorhynchus j j Figure 4 Wetland mammals, frogs and reptiles :. anatinus (SlOOl): Special :. i ! i distribution records :. ; i Interest (McFarland 1993)

Recorded distribution within 10 minute gird cells of species listed for their conservation status by Winter and Lethbridge (1994) McFarland (1993) and lngrarn and Raven (1991 1. Records have been collected from these sources - refer to NR09 for details.

Letters on maps correspond with the codes to 1 :250 000 maps given in Figures 1 and 2a-2m.

. :.

3. Frog Crinia remota (C3133): :.------. :..::.: . i C?-;, i i Endemic to CYP (McFarland :..::.. : i 1993). Endemic to CYP Winter & -_: 5. Wood Frog Rana daemeli a i .i $?3 1 . ; (63267): Endemic to CYP .;' . .: !. .: i I (McFarland 1993), Restricted in :. .:.i

6. Freshwater Crocodile ------.--.-.. 7. Estuarine or Salt-Water --.---,-.- 9-. ;.:.. i i 0.; Crocodylus johnstoni (K2001): :.I i ; Crocodile Crocodylus porosus .-. . . :. i... : : i Vulnerable (McFarland 1993) :. .:.i I i (M2002): Vulnerable (McFarland 1993), Vulnerable (Winter & Lethbridge 1994) 8. Turiie Emydura subglobosa - 9. Mangrove Monitor Varanus 7 -: i (Y2036): Insuff. known (McFarland :.i i i $?3 i indicus (Y2272): Potentially :!. i. ; . $?3 j :.i. .j - i vulnerable (McFarland 1993) i : i j i 1993), Rare 8 Rest in Aust. to CYP

10. Rusty Monitor Varanus 7- v. i i i 1 semiremex (U2278): Rare j::: j i I i (Winter & Lethbridge 1994)