Lowland Woodland Flora

ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

3 Lowland Woodland Flora

3.1 Wattle (A. falciformis) are also found in lowland woodlands. Because of selective clearing and unequal Introduction capacities to regenerate, associations of species found today in some woodland patches may represent the Grassy woodland (10Ð30% projective foliage cover or mixing of marginal occurrences of previously adjoining 20Ð50% crown cover density) and grassy open and more integrated communities of these species woodland (less than 10% projective foliage cover or (ACT Government 1999a). 2Ð20% crown cover density) are characterised by a discontinuous cover of trees, with grasses dominating The mid-layer of lowland grassy woodland is generally the ground cover (see discussion in s. 2). Grassy relatively sparse, but shrubs may become more woodland may also contain a shrub and sub-shrub dominant in woodlands on poorer soils or those that (woody plants less than 0.5 m tall) layer. Woodland have been subjected to soil disturbance or fire. The that has been subject to only minor disturbance mid-layer may also contain regenerating trees. Shrub contains a diversity of native forbs, including lilies, species in grassy woodland include Lightwood (Acacia orchids, many daisies and other wildflowers, as well as implexa), Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa ssp. sedges and rushes. More than 600 native species lasiophylla), Cassinia species, Burgan (Kunzea have been found during surveys conducted since 1991 ericoides), Native Cherry (Exocarpus cupressiformis), by ACT and NSW government agencies in lowland Broom Bitter Pea (Daviesia genistifolia), Leafy Bitter woodlands and grasslands in the Southern Tablelands Pea (D. mimosoides) and Australian Indigo (Indigofera of NSW and ACT. australis). Common introduced species include Briar Rose (Rosa rubiginosa), Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) and Firethorn 3.2 (Pyracantha spp.), which are often described as Lowland Woodland Flora of the woody weeds. ACT Region The ground layer includes a wide range of perennial grasses, particularly Kangaroo Grass (Themeda Characteristic tree species in lowland woodlands in the triandra), wallaby grasses (Austrodanthonia species), ACT are Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora), Blakely’s spear grasses (Austrostipa species), Poa species (Poa Red Gum (E. blakelyi), Apple Box (E. bridgesiana), sieberiana and P. labillardieri), Red-leg Grass Snow Gum (E. pauciflora) and Candlebark (E. rubida). (Bothriochloa macra) Weeping Grass (Microlaena Other tree species that occur in these woodlands, but stipoides) and, on poorer soils, Red-anther Wallaby generally at slightly higher elevations or on rockier Grass (Joycea pallida). There may also be a diversity slopes are Broad-leaved Peppermint (E. dives), Bundy of native forbs, including the more disturbance tolerant (E. goniocalyx), Mealy Bundy (E. nortonii), Red Box Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Variable (E. polyanthemos) and Brittle Gum (E. mannifera). Plantain (Plantago varia), Common Woodruff Where woodland merges into forest, Scribbly Gum (Asperula conferta), Bluebells (Wahlenbergia spp.) and (E. rossii) and Red Stringybark (E. macrorhyncha) peas including Glycine species and Desmodium become more common. Drooping She-oak varians. Moderately tolerant species include Billy (Allocasuarina verticillata), Kurrajong (Brachychiton Buttons (Craspedia variabilis), Riceflowers (Pimelea populneus) and Acacias including Silver Wattle spp.) and lilies including Bulbine Lily (Bulbine (A. dealbata), Green Wattle (A. mearnsii) and Hickory bulbosa), Nodding Chocolate Lily (Dichopogon

27 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY fimbriatus) and Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica). In sites the data provided the information base for Action Plan that have been least modified, species most sensitive 10 (Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy Woodland) (ACT to disturbance can be found, including the Sun Orchids Government 1999a). Additional surveys using the (Thelymitra spp.), Diuris orchids (Diuris spp.) and same methods were undertaken in 1998Ð99. Greenhoods (Pterostylis spp.). Action Plan 10 (ACT Government 1999a) identified the Sub-shrubs are often present in the ground layer. need to undertake more detailed floristic surveys of These include Bush Peas (Dillwynia spp., Pultenaea remnant woodland patches to improve the assessment spp. and Bossiaea spp.), Bitter Cryptandra of the botanical significance of the understorey and to (Cryptandra amara), Urn Heath (Melichrus urceolata), evaluate secondary grassland areas. These were Peach Heath (Lissanthe strigosa), Grey Guinea Flower commenced in 2001 and 2002 in parts of East (Hibbertia obtusifolia) and Ivy Goodenia (Goodenia Gungahlin, Kinlyside, North Gungahlin, south and east hederacea). Belconnen, Coolamon Ridge, Jerrabomberra Valley and North Watson. Native woodland areas on land Cryptogams, which include bryophytes (e.g. moses, managed by ACT Forests in Stromlo and Isaacs were liverworts, hornworts), lichens and fungi are a also surveyed. Polygons used in these surveys were significant component of woodlands. They can similar to the earlier polygons, but were modified establish extensively in areas devoid of vascular where necessary to reflect more accurately the plants, and species vary across sites depending upon homogeneity of vegetation composition and structure. levels of modification. Cryptogams provide habitat for soil fauna, facilitate nutrient cycling and absorption of Other data were collected on the characteristics, water, and reduce soil erosion (Eldridge and Tozer condition and habitat features of sites, including tree 1997). and shrub structure, fallen timber, rockiness and water courses. Records were made of animals that were Woodland sites contain a variety of introduced sighted, heard or where there was evidence of their species, both weeds (adventitious) and introduced presence. A condition rating of the vegetation has also pasture species. These include annual and perennial been developed using attributes of vegetation grasses, herbaceous species and woody weeds. The structure, species composition and habitat types of introduced species and degree of invasion disturbance. into a site depend on past levels and types of disturbance as well as susceptibility to invasion (such For those areas where new information has not yet as proximity to urban areas and roads). Annual been obtained (TuggeranongÐNaas, Majura Valley, species can fluctuate significantly in cover and Kowen and river corridors), data from surveys diversity between seasons and years. undertaken between 1995 and 1999 have been used in this Strategy. In these surveys less detailed data on the understorey and habitat features were collected 3.3 and consequently no vegetation condition rating Surveys in Lowland Woodland in comparable with the later, more comprehensive data is the ACT available. This deficiency will be corrected progressively. Over many years, particular species or specific sites in In this Strategy, descriptions of the distribution of ACT lowland woodlands have been surveyed for a lowland woodland across the ACT and the condition of range of purposes and using a diversity of techniques. woodland sites are based on surveys undertaken Prior to 1995 most information on the distribution of between 1995 and 1999 and more detailed surveys woodland vegetation was based on extrapolation from undertaken in 2001 and 2002. Details of the methods surveys that were limited in scope. There was little used, analyses undertaken, and the results of the information about the condition of the woodlands. surveys can be obtained from Environment ACT In 1995Ð97 a preliminary assessment of the extent (Wildlife Research and Monitoring). and quality of remnant woodland vegetation in the ACT While the new surveys did not attempt to provide a identified important areas of high quality woodland complete species inventory, or to assess their (Ingwersen et al. 1997). Woodland patches were abundance, the polygons were adequately surveyed to identified on air photos, and defined as polygons allow for interpretation of the extent to which sites are (survey units) on the basis of uniformity of tree cover. likely to have been modified. This was based on the These polygons were then surveyed in the field and

28 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY diversity and abundance of species that have been species currently declared as threatened under ACT identified as sensitive to disturbance. Studies legislation. Following this, specific conservation undertaken by Prober and Thiele (1995) and Dorrough objectives and/or actions are outlined for two species (2002) have described which species occur more listed under the Environment Protection and frequently in grazed and ungrazed areas. Plant Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), ecologists from Environment ACT and the NSW and for Snow Gum woodland, eucalypt outliers, and a Department of Environment and Conservation have number of uncommon and rare woodland species. been analysing the frequency with which native Objectives and actions for the Strategy related to species have been encountered during grassland and woodland flora are contained in Table 6.1. More woodland surveys in over 700 sites in the ACT and detailed actions are outlined in this section and will be NSW Southern Tablelands since 1991. These studies developed further by responsible agencies, often with have provided information on those species that are community involvement, and refined over time as more less common, and those that appear to have declined information is gained (as part of ‘adaptive as a result of site disturbance. Table 3.1 lists examples management’, see s. 5.9.2). of these species.

The data were analysed to assess the condition of 3.4.2 Tablelands and Slopes Yellow remaining woodland remnants in relation to altitude. Box–Red Gum Grassy Woodland The data show that remnants that occur at lower Endangered Ecological Community altitudes (below 625 m) are likely to be more modified On the recommendation of the ACT Flora and Fauna than the remnants at higher altitudes. Remnants Committee, Yellow BoxÐRed Gum grassy woodland occurring at higher altitudes (above 875 m) are was declared an endangered ecological community in unlikely to be highly modified. 1997 under the ACT Nature Conservation Act 1980. The ACT Flora and Fauna Committee takes account of 3.4 the bioregional context when considering nature conservation issues in the ACT. While Yellow BoxÐRed Threatened Lowland Woodland Gum grassy woodland can still be found across the Communities and Plant Species ACT, the Committee recommendation to declare it an in the ACT endangered ecological community recognised its threatened status regionally (Landsberg 2000).

3.4.1 Conservation Goal The Flora and Fauna Committee adopted the following Consistent with the requirements for threatened definition in recommending the Yellow BoxÐRed Gum species in the Nature Conservation Act 1980, one of grassy woodland as an endangered ecological the two goals adopted for the Lowland Woodland community: Conservation Strategy is to: Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy Woodland is an open Conserve in perpetuity, viable, wild populations woodland community in which either or both of Yellow of all lowland woodland flora and fauna species Box Eucalyptus melliodora and Blakely’s Red Gum in the ACT and support regional and national E. blakelyi are usually present and commonly efforts towards conservation of these species dominant or co-dominant. Apple Box E. bridgesiana is (including declared threatened species). a frequent associate. The trees form an open canopy above a species-rich understorey of native tussock From the discussion in Section 2.3 of changes to grasses, herbs and scattered shrubs. The combination woodland since European settlement and ongoing results in a variegated mosaic of vegetation patches threats, it is evident that woodland flora will be with features that are transitional between forest and advantaged by the conservation of large areas of woodland with the least amount of disturbance, low grassland, and the community is frequently perimeter/area ratios, and some buffer from interspersed with these other vegetation types. Yellow incompatible adjacent land uses. ACT woodlands bear BoxÐRed Gum Grassy Woodlands are utilised by a the legacy of high levels of disturbance in the past large number of animal species. The name of this reflected in fragmentation, weed invasion, selective ecological community (Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy removal of species and changes in the tree cover e.g. Woodland) is intended to encompass the dominant lack of regeneration. trees of the upper stratum, the characteristic plants of the understorey and the characteristic animals that This part of the Strategy gives particular consideration interact with the vegetation complex. to the ecological community and two woodland plant

29 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Table 3.1: Species Typical of Different Levels of Disturbance in Lowland Woodland

Examples of Typical Flora of the Degree of Disturbance Ground Layer Species Characteristic Species Ground Layer

Very low Disturbance sensitive Diuris spp., Caladenia spp., Native species include species Thelymitra spp. orchids, lilies and other highly sensitive species, as well as more tolerant species

Low Moderately disturbance Dichopogon spp., Bulbine Species present include those tolerant species bulbosa, Craspedia variabilis, moderately tolerant of Cryptandra amara, Themeda disturbance, as well as triandra, Pimelia spp., Wurmbea disturbance tolerant species dioica Moderate Disturbance tolerant Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Native species include those species Convolvulus erubescens, commonly found in a range of Plantago varia, Asperula conferta, sites that have been subject to Glycine spp., Hibbertia moderate disturbance; sensitive obtusifolia species are rarely present.

High Disturbance tolerant native Poa spp., Austrodanthonia spp., Site may contain a variety of grasses Austrostipa spp., Bothriochloa native grass species but few macra, Microlaena stipoides or no native forbs are present.

Very high Exotic species Perennial and annual* weeds, Either dominated by perennial introduced or adventitious exotic species or a low cover species. and diversity of native species, of which most are native grasses

* Because annual exotic species fluctuate in cover and diversity between seasons and years, they are not used in the evaluation of the degree of disturbance although generally there is a greater cover of annual exotic species in the more disturbed sites.

In Action Plan 10, the Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy Species diversity, functional integrity and resilience to Woodland endangered ecological community was disturbance and/or weed invasion need to be described as having the following characteristics: considered when determining whether a remnant is (a) E. melliodora and/or E. blakelyi contribute 40% or part of the listed community. Many Yellow BoxÐRed more of the crown cover; Gum Grassy Woodland remnants have been reduced (b) There is a species-rich understorey of native to Yellow Box and or Red Gum trees over either exotic tussock grasses, herbs and scattered shrubs. The pasture or highly degraded understorey. In most of understorey is not exotic pasture or degraded these areas, although some native species may beyond recovery. remain in the understorey, the native soil seed store is likely to have been lost, as many woodland plants do (c) Remnants are not isolated trees or clumps. (ACT Government 1999a) not produce a long-lived seed bank. Without the injection of substantial resources, and even then for Since 1999 the definition of the ecological community uncertain outcomes, the proportion of native species has been modified to explicitly include secondary remaining at these sites is too low for restoration work grassland. This effectively replaces part (c) above with: to be able to successfully re-establish the ecological (c) Remnants of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy community. Other areas that contain trees over a less Woodland that contain a species-rich native modified understorey or where trees have been understorey of native tussock grasses, herbaceous cleared but the understorey is more intact (for example species and scattered shrubs but the trees have sites that may be grazed but have been subject to been removed or reduced. lower levels of soil disturbance) can be expected to As part of this Lowland Woodland Conservation contain a native seed store and a greater diversity of Strategy, it is the Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy fauna, and are likely to regenerate naturally with a Woodland endangered ecological community that change in management. An injection of resources requires the preparation of an Action Plan under the facilitate this regeneration is likely to be effective in Nature Conservation Act 1980. increasing species diversity, functional integrity and resilience to disturbance.

30 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

There is a continuum from partially modified lowland lowland grassland conservation strategy to be woodland to remnant trees with no native understorey prepared in 2004. or to secondary grassland where the trees have been Action Plans pursuant to the Nature Conservation Act totally or mostly removed (Table 2.3). However, as 1980 were adopted for these species in 1997 and 1998 Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland is declared an (ACT Government 1997b, 1998b). Other declarations of endangered ecological community under the Nature these species are summarised in Table 3.2. Conservation Act 1980, a decision has to be made as to whether any particular woodland area retains Table 3.2: Conservation Status Nationally sufficient characteristics of that community for the of ACT Threatened Lowland Woodland legislation to apply. Plant Species Other woodlands (Tablelands Valley Snow Gum ACT NSW Other Grassy Woodland, low elevation Dry Shrubby Box Woodland), former woodland community now with Tarengo Leek Orchid E (SPSS) E E (Cwlth) exotic understorey, isolated groups of trees, and Small Purple Pea E (SPSS) E E (Cwlth), T(E) (Vic.)1 individual trees with exotic understorey, which do not E: Endangered; SPSS: Special Protection Status Species (ACT); meet the definition of the grassy woodland ecological T: Threatened community are not the subject of the formal Action 1. The conservation status of the species in Victoria is ‘endangered’ and it Plan. However, these areas should not be devalued, is listed as ‘threatened’ under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as they are significant ecological resources of the ACT. (Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment 2000) They may contain threatened flora or fauna, provide Legislation: habitat for particular species, form important buffers or Commonwealth: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 provide connectivity between remnants, and are ACT: Nature Conservation Act 1980 therefore included in this Strategy. The Strategy NSW: Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 recognises that these woodland areas also may have Vic.: Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 aesthetic and recreational value to local residents. 3.4.4 Tarengo Leek Orchid 3.4.3 Threatened Plant Species in (Prasophyllum petilum) ACT Lowland Woodland Tarengo Leek Orchid was declared an endangered Some plant species that naturally occur in lowland species in 1996 under the Nature Conservation Act woodland in ACT region have become uncommon 1980 (ACT). It is a rare orchid of grasslands and or threatened with extinction as a result of loss grassy woodlands of the Southern Tablelands of NSW and/or modification of the woodland habitat. Three and the ACT. In the ACT the species is known only of these species are declared endangered under from the Hall Cemetery where it was first collected in the Nature Conservation Act 1980. These are: 1965, but not formally described as a new species (a) A leek orchid (Tarengo Leek Orchid) until 1991. It has subsequently been found in two sites Prasophyllum petilum in NSW (NSW NPWS 2003). Based on population (b) Small Purple Pea Swainsona recta counts between 1995 and 2002, the Hall Cemetery (c) Button Wrinklewort Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides population may be in decline. Further details of the species including distribution and abundance, habitat Prasophyllum petilum and Swainsona recta Action and ecology are contained in APPENDIX 1. Plans are included in this Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy, as grassy woodland is the only Planning principles and guidelines for Hall Cemetery habitat for these two species in the ACT. Rutidosis are set out in the Master Plan for the Village of Hall leptorrhynchoides is generally considered to be a herb (PALM 2001) and the cemetery is included in the Hall of Natural Temperate Grassland although in the ACT it Village Precinct that was entered on the ACT Heritage occurs on the margins of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Places Register in 2001. Both the Master Plan and the Grassy Woodland. Populations at Red Hill, Stirling Heritage Register are part of the Territory Plan. A Park and State Circle are found within grassy management protocol for the orchid at Hall Cemetery woodland. The largest population at Stirling Park was outlined in Action Plan 4 (ACT Government 1997b). occupies open areas within the woodland, especially previously disturbed areas and patches with skeletal soils. Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides will be included in a

31 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

THREATS TO ACT POPULATION Protection and Management ■ Threats to survival of this species at Hall Cemetery Finalise a management plan based on accurate have been identified as: mapping of the location of the plants. ■ (a) Small population: The population count has Coordinate management actions by the ACT varied between 90 and 22 since 1995 when Cemeteries Trust with Environment ACT. detailed monitoring began; with the count in 2003 ■ Implement the policy in the Master Plan for the being 63 plants. Village of Hall, p.18 (PALM 2001) which seeks an (b) Mechanical injury: The Tarengo Leek Orchid alternative location for future burials and minimise population in the ACT is located within an active future burials within the Hall Cemetery. cemetery where ground disturbance for burials ■ Undertake remedial weeding in orchid habitat. could remove a group of plants with potentially Monitoring and Research serious consequences for the population as a ■ Continue monitoring of the Tarengo Leek Orchid at whole. However, new initiatives by the ACT the Hall Cemetery and undertake analysis to assist Cemeteries Trust to extend the cemetery may in management. reduce pressure on existing plants in the future. (c) Competition from other native species: Tarengo National and Regional Cooperation Leek Orchid occurs in a vigorous sward of ■ Liaise with the National Recovery Team for Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) that Tarengo Leek Orchid and ensure actions potentially may impact on the orchid’s undertaken at Hall Cemetery are consistent with establishment and/or flowering. achieving national recovery of the species. (d) Weed invasion: The introduced grasses Sweet ■ Provide information from monitoring at Hall Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and Cemetery to the Recovery Team. Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus) are abundant and ■ Ensure that visitors to the cemetery understand increasing in the cemetery. Other introduced and comply with conservation requirements in and perennial species may also be increasing. around specific grave sites. Potentially, horticultural introductions may also pose a problem. 3.4.5 Small Purple Pea (e) Herbicides: Tarengo Leek Orchid may be affected (Swainsona recta) by herbicides used to treat weeds and control plant Small Purple Pea was declared an endangered growth around graves. species in 1996 under the Nature Conservation Act SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES 1980 (ACT) and its conservation status nationally is ■ Preserve the existing ACT population as one of the shown in Table 3.2. It is a small slender erect only three known natural populations where the perennial plant with purple or bluish flowers. Formerly species survives. widespread from north-eastern Victoria to central- ■ Maintain as diverse a gene pool as possible western NSW, its range has been drastically reduced. consistent with the limitations imposed by only The CanberraÐWilliamsdale (NSW) area is one of the three sites of occurrence. two remaining population clusters. Another, very small population of the species was discovered in Aranda ■ Develop successful propagation techniques. bushland in October 2003. Further details of the ■ Provide opportunities for research and enjoyment species including ACT listing, distribution and of the species in the ACT. abundance, habitat and ecology are contained in ■ Foster an appreciation of both the natural and APPENDIX 1. cultural heritage values of the Hall Cemetery. THREATS TO ACT POPULATIONS CONSERVATION ACTIONS Throughout the local region the Small Purple Pea is at Information risk from habitat loss and degradation due to ■ Maintain alertness to the possible presence of the agricultural practices, urban development, changes in species while conducting woodland surveys. grazing pressures and competition from invading ■ Continue to monitor flowering of the Tarengo Leek weeds and understorey species that flourish under Orchid to provide information and guidance for prevailing fire frequencies or biomass reduction cemetery management. programs. The small and fragmented nature of ACT

32 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY populations makes each susceptible to destruction 3.5 from a single catastrophic event. Conservation of Other SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE Uncommon Plant Maintain viable populations of the Small Purple Pea as Species/Communities in the ACT a component of the indigenous biological resources of the ACT and as a contribution to the regional and 3.5.1 Austral Toadflax national conservation of the species. (Thesium australe)

CONSERVATION ACTIONS CONSERVATION STATUS

Information Vulnerable: Environment Protection and Biodiversity ■ Maintain alertness to the possible presence of the Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth). species while conducting other surveys. Vulnerable: Threatened Species Conservation Act Protection and Management 1995 (NSW). ■ Maintain or increase the size of the Mt Taylor, Threatened (endangered): Flora and Fauna Guarantee Kambah and Aranda populations through effective Act 1988 (Vic.) and Victorian Department of Natural management. Resources and Environment (2000). ■ Evaluate the feasibility of increasing the population at Kambah and Aranda by introducing new Vulnerable: Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld). material or artificially germinating seed in-situ. Extinct: Tasmania. ■ Maintain collections of viable seed at the National Botanic Gardens Herbarium. DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY ■ Develop management plans and implementation Austral Toadflax is a hairless, yellowishÐgreen timetables for the three sites. perennial herb to 40 cm high (Eddy et al. 1998). Flowers are small and inconspicuous, greenishÐyellow. Monitoring and Research The species is found on a variety of soil types over a ■ Maintain monitoring programs for the Mt Taylor, wide range of altitudes in grassland, grassy woodland Kambah and Aranda populations. and grassy heath. It appears to be strongly associated ■ Participate in and support research on the with a Kangaroo Grass dominated herbaceous monitoring of populations in the ACT and adjacent understorey. It is a semi-parasite, deriving water and areas in NSW. mineral salts from the roots of other plants (Scarlett ■ Investigate further the criteria for optimal timing 1980). Attempts to germinate seed from the ACT and frequency of burns. populations have been unsuccessful (Briggs and National and Regional Cooperation Leigh 1985). ■ Participate in a regional and multi-agency effort to The species is likely to have been once widespread increase knowledge of the biology and but always rare, occurring from Victoria to Queensland conservation requirements of the species so that and in Tasmania. Remaining populations are found on management can be improved. the tablelands and coastal areas from southern ■ Participate in the National Recovery Team. Queensland to the south coast of NSW, in central and ■ Ensure that lessees and maintenance crews southwest Victoria. It formerly occurred in eastern responsible for land adjacent to the populations of Tasmania. The species has recently been surveyed on the Small Purple Pea along the the Victorian Open Grounds, where there were 1.6 Tralee/Williamsdale railway and road easement are million plants present that year (Prober and Thiele aware of the species, and do not damage it directly 1998). New populations have been recently found in or indirectly. NSW (Prober pers. comm.). All known populations in the ACT occur in nature reserves (Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve, Kambah Pool Reserve, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (two populations) and Namadgi National Park).

33 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

THREATS TO ACT POPULATIONS DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY

The small localised nature of occurrences and small The Hoary Sunray is a low tufted to mounding population numbers make the local populations perennial, to 30 cm tall, which flowers in spring and vulnerable to destructive events. Other threats are summer. The flowerhead is an everlasting daisy, heavy grazing (stock, rabbits, kangaroos and commonly white in the Canberra region and yellow to grasshoppers) and the development of dense shrub or the east of Canberra (Eddy et al. 1998). The species tree cover. is usually found in ungrazed and lightly grazed areas, along roadsides in particular. It appears to be very SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE sensitive to grazing, but responds to disturbance as a Maintain the known populations of Austral Toadflax. coloniser and appears to tolerate mowing. The species occurs from Queensland to Victoria and in Tasmania. CONSERVATION ACTIONS In NSW it is distributed on the inland slopes and plains Information including grassland on the Monaro. In the ACT Hoary ■ Maintain alertness to the possible presence of the Sunray can be seen in spring in abundance on the species while conducting surveys in appropriate roadside along Fairbairn Avenue and into Mt Ainslie habitat (e.g. Kangaroo Grass in grassy Nature Reserve, on the western slopes of Mt Majura woodlands). and adjacent to the Federal Highway road easement.

Protection and management THREATS TO ACT POPULATIONS ■ Prepare management guidelines for each of the Hoary Sunray does not tolerate moderate to heavy populations. grazing and is vulnerable to weed invasion along ■ Ensure known populations are protected from roadsides. inadvertent damage. (The Kambah Pool site is fenced to control any stock grazing). SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE ■ Manage sites to retain an open vegetation Maintain Hoary Sunray populations. structure while minimising grazing damage from CONSERVATION ACTIONS kangaroos or rabbits. ■ Consider nomination for ACT listing if the species Information shows evidence of local decline in extent and ■ Maintain a database of known occurrences and abundance. abundance to enable analysis of changes in distribution and abundance. Monitoring and Research ■ Facilitate and encourage research that will assist in Protection and Management maintaining the species and developing ■ Maintain populations through management of management guidelines. grazing pressure. ■ Investigate the impacts of burning. ■ Control invasive weeds on roadsides, especially Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana) on National and Regional Cooperation Fairbairn Avenue. n Liaise with the NSW Department of Environment ■ Consider ACT listing if the species shows evidence and Conservation and the Victorian Department of of local decline in extent and abundance. Sustainability and Environment to increase knowledge of the biology and conservation Monitoring and Research requirements of the species so that management ■ Maintain a watching brief on the ACT populations can be improved. of the Hoary Sunray.

3.5.2 Hoary Sunray (Leucochrysum National and Regional Cooperation albicans var. tricolor) ■ Liaise with interstate agencies that are involved in protection and management of the species. CONSERVATION STATUS

Endangered: Environment Protection and Biodiversity 3.5.3 Lowland Snow Gum Woodland Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth). Very few areas of lowland Snow Gum woodland Endangered: Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 remain in the ACT. Snow Gum woodland typically (Tasmania). occurs on the fringe between woodland and lowland

34 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY native grassland in frost hollows, where low winter ■ River Red Gum (E. camaldulensis) which is temperatures limit the growth of trees. The common common along river banks in inland NSW and trees in these woodlands are Snow Gum Victoria (one tree south of Tharwa). (E. pauciflora) and Candlebark (E. rubida). The pre- ■ Black Gum (E. aggregata) that is found in 1750 distribution and extent of these woodlands is scattered groups on lower slopes near streams unclear, as remnant stands of trees or the community (frost hollows) to the east and south of the ACT in occur only in scattered areas. NSW and Victoria (one clump of several trees along Kings Highway in the Kowen area, extreme The most significant patches of lowland Snow Gum east of the ACT). woodland that remain in the ACT are in Aranda Bushland (0.6 ha), Gungaderra Reserve (0.3 ha), SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE Gungahlin Central (9.2 ha in three areas) and Protect existing trees or groups of trees that are Kinlyside (4.6 ha in two patches). Remnants of lowland outliers of their species and encourage regeneration. Snow Gum woodland, indicating previous occurrences of this community, occur in the Jerrabomberra Valley, CONSERVATION ACTIONS Gungahlin (Harcourt Hill), Campbell and Reid (south of ■ Maintain a register of trees. the War Memorial and pockets on Mt Pleasant) and ■ Fence off outlier trees to protect from trampling or Belconnen (Glenloch Interchange). These remnants other damage. are characterised by a few remaining trees usually ■ Carry out weeding as required. over an exotic understorey.

Lowland Snow Gum woodland, which forms an 3.5.5 Other Uncommon Species ecotone between Natural Temperate Grassland and Some species in lowland woodland in the ACT are Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy Woodland, is a different naturally rare or have become uncommon due to community from Snow Gum woodland that occurs in clearance or modification. Achievement of the montane valleys and at higher elevations in the objectives of this Strategy (especially with regard to western parts of the ACT. Extensive areas dominated protection and management of lowland woodland) by Snow Gum and Black Sally (E. stellulata), a should ensure the conservation of rare and uncommon common co-dominant, occur in the Naas Valley and species, however, some species may require specific Tidbinbilla areas. management to ensure their long-term viability.

SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE Plants that are regarded as uncommon in the region The existing areas of lowland Snow Gum woodland and occur in woodlands in the ACT include Zornia that are partially or moderately modified are (Zornia dictiocarpa), Australian Anchor Plant (Discaria maintained in a viable state in perpetuity. pubescens), Cullen species, particularly Emu-foot (Cullen tenax), Mountain Swainson-pea (Swainsona CONSERVATION ACTION monticola), Silky Swainson-pea (S. sericea), Wedge ■ Prioritise for protection and management all Diuris (Diuris dendrobioides), Purple Diuris (D. remaining lowland Snow Gum woodland areas. punctata var. punctata), Hairy Buttons (Leptorhynchos ■ Monitor the condition of these remnants. elongatus), Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis), Yam Daisy ■ Consider listing as a threatened ecological (Microseris lanceolata), Picris species, a milkwort community under ACT legislation. (Polygala japonica) and Wild Sorghum (Sorghum leiocladum) (Crawford 1995, Prober pers. comm.). 3.5.4 Eucalypt Outliers Further analyses of information from regional surveys and publication of this information will assist in There are three naturally occurring woodland eucalypt identifying the uncommon species (including outliers) species in the ACT that are geographic outliers of their and their habitat requirements. This will facilitate the species. These are: identification of sites that may require specific ■ White Box (Eucalyptus albens) which is found management. mainly to the north and west of the ACT (one tree on ‘Huntly’ property in the Bulgar Creek land unit. SPECIFIC CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE This was burnt in the bushfires of January 2003 Rare and uncommon species in ACT lowland (Carey et al. 2003)). woodland are maintained in viable populations in perpetuity.

35 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

CONSERVATION ACTIONS ■ Maintain a database of known occurrences of populations and abundance of rare or uncommon species, to allow for analysis of any changes in distribution and abundance. ■ Consider ACT listing if any rare or uncommon species are declining in extent, sites are threatened or are being destroyed.