Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions Amperea Xiphoclada

Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions

Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata You are invited to provide your views about:

1) the eligibility of Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata for exclusion from the EPBC Act threatened species list; and

2) the eligibility of Amperea xiphoclada for inclusion on the EPBC Act threatened species list.

The views of experts, stakeholders and the general public are welcome. Responses can be provided by any interested person.

At the commencement of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the list of threatened species under its predecessor, the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992, was transferred to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act in June 2000. This list includes varieties; however, varieties are not considered to be species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and are not eligible to be listed under section 178 of the EPBC Act. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) is reviewing the status of listed varieties as they are to be removed from the list. Prior to removal, the Committee is considering the higher taxon to determine its eligibility for listing.

Draft information for your consideration of the eligibility of Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata for listing starts at page 3 and of the eligibility of A. xiphoclada for listing starts at page 4. To assist with the Committee’s assessment, the Committee has identified two specific questions on which it seeks your guidance at page 7.

Responses to are to be provided in writing either by email to: [email protected] or by mail to:

The Director Species Information and Policy Section Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division Department of the Environment PO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601

Responses are required to be submitted by 30 January 2015.

Contents of this information package Page General background information about listing threatened species 2 Information about this consultation process 2 Draft information about Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata and its eligibility for listing 3 Draft information about Amperea xiphoclada and its eligibility for listing 4 References cited 7 Collective list of questions – your views 7

Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata and Amperea xiphoclada consultation Page 1 of 7 General background information about listing threatened species

The Australian Government helps protect species at risk of extinction by listing them as threatened under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Once listed under the EPBC Act, the species becomes a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and must be protected from significant impacts through the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act. More information about threatened species is available on the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html.

The listing of species is driven by a public nomination process. Public nominations to list threatened species under the EPBC Act are received annually by the department. In order to determine if a species is eligible for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes a rigorous scientific assessment of its status to determine if the species is eligible for listing against a set of criteria. These criteria are available on the Department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/guidelines-species.pdf.

As part of the assessment process, the Committee consults with the public and stakeholders to obtain specific details about the species, as well as advice on what conservation actions might be appropriate. Information provided through the consultation process is considered by the Committee in its assessment. The Committee provides its advice on the assessment (together with comments received) to the Minister regarding the eligibility of the species for listing under a particular category and what conservation actions might be appropriate. The Minister decides to add, or not to add, the species to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act. More detailed information about the listing process is at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html.

To promote the recovery of listed threatened species and ecological communities, conservation advices and where required, recovery plans are made or adopted in accordance with Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Conservation advices provide guidance at the time of listing on known threats and priority recovery actions that can be undertaken at a local and regional level. Recovery plans describe key threats and identify specific recovery actions that can be undertaken to enable recovery activities to occur within a planned and logical national framework. Information about recovery plans is available on the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery.html.

Information about this consultation process

Responses to this consultation can be provided electronically or in hard copy to the contact addresses provided on Page 1. All responses received will be provided in full to the Committee and then to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.

In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be attributed to you and referenced as a ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references or otherwise attribute this information (please specify if your organisation requires that this information is attributed to your organisation instead of yourself). The final advice by the Committee will be published on the department’s website following the listing decision by the Minister.

Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act, the deliberations and recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.

2 Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata

Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Amperea xiphoclada (Sieb. ex Spreng) Druce var. pedicellata R.J.F.Hend. (CHAH, 2014a).

Reason for conservation assessment by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata was listed as extinct under the predecessor to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992, and transferred to the EPBC Act in June 2000. It is also listed as extinct under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (New South Wales). Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata is conventionally accepted as a variety. Varieties are not considered to be species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and are not eligible to be listed under section 178 of the EPBC Act. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) is reviewing the status of listed varieties as they are to be removed from the list. Prior to removal, the Committee is considering the higher taxon (Amperea xiphoclada) to determine its eligibility for listing (see page 4). This assessment is a result of legal advice provided for the eligibility of varieties to be listed.

Distribution Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata is known only from the type specimen, collected in 1892, from the ‘head of Double Bay’ in Sydney, NSW. The variety has not been observed since and is presumed to be extinct (Henderson, 1992). The variety is distinguished by its long (to 13 mm) pedicels (flower stalks). Other A. xiphoclada varieties have pedicels no longer than 0.5 mm (Henderson, 1992). Nothing is known of the ecology of A. x. var. pedicellosa, but given the collection locality of the type (and only) specimen, it is likely to have occurred in somewhat swampy habitat (Henderson, 1992). The variety is presumed to have become extinct due to the expansion of Sydney. The type locality near Double Bay is now an inner suburb and little, if any, truly remnant vegetation persists there (Walsh, 2014, pers. comm.).

Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations and Consideration for delisting As identified in the “Reason for conservation assessment” discussion provided above, Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata is not considered a species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and is not eligible for listing in any category. Delisting is not expected to have any negative impacts as the species, Amperea xiphoclada, is abundant and widely distributed.

Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata and Amperea xiphoclada consultation Page 3 of 7 Amperea xiphoclada

Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Amperea xiphoclada (Sieb. ex. Spreng.) Druce (CHAH, 2014).

Reason for conservation assessment by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee This assessment is the result of Amperea xiphoclada being the closest higher order taxon to A. x. var. pedicellata that is eligible for assessment. This variety is listed as extinct under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, however, varieties are not considered to be species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and are not eligible to be included on the list of threatened species. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) is reviewing the status of listed varieties as they are to be removed from the list. Prior to removal, the Committee is considering the higher taxon (Amperea xiphoclada) to determine its eligibility for listing.

Description Amperea xiphoclada is an erect shrub to 60 cm high, with rigid, angular branches that are sometimes leafless. Plants are usually monoecious (both male and female flowers on the plant). Leaves are alternate and lower leaves are cuneate to oblong, 5–25 mm long and often toothed. Upper leaves are linear, scale-like, usually <10 mm long with margins that are entire. Stipules (growth at the base of the leaf) are fringed and reddish brown. Flowers are few and borne in sessile clusters or with pedicels to 13 mm long surrounded by ovate, fringed bracts. The perianth is 2–3 mm long and the capsule is ovoid and about 4 mm long.

Distribution Amperea xiphoclada is widespread, occurring in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. It occurs primarily on the coastal fall of the Great Dividing Range from Bundaberg, Queensland, to the Coorong area, South Australia (CHAH, 2014b). It generally occurs in sand-based lowland heath or heathy woodland, often in damper sites (Henderson, 1992). It is not regarded as threatened and is common through many lowland habitats (CHAH, 2014b).

Threats Amperea xiphoclada is widespread and common with no specific threats identified.

Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations

Criterion 1. Population size reduction (reduction in total numbers) Population reduction (measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations) based on any of A1 to A4 Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Very severe reduction Severe reduction Substantial reduction A1 ≥ 90% ≥ 70% ≥ 50% A2, A3, A4 ≥ 80% ≥ 50% ≥ 30%

4 A1 Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred or suspected in the past and the causes of the (a) direct observation [except A3] reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased. (b) an index of abundance appropriate A2 Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred to the taxon or suspected in the past where the causes of the reduction may not have ceased OR may not be (c) a decline in area of occupancy, understood OR may not be reversible. extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat A3 Population reduction, projected or suspected to be met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) [(a) cannot be used for A3] (d) actual or potential levels of exploitation A4 An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population reduction where the time (e) the effects of introduced taxa, period must include both the past and the future (up hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, to a max. of 100 years in future), and where the competitors or parasites causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible. Evidence: Amperea xiphoclada is widespread (The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, 2014) and not considered threatened (Walsh, 2014, pers. comm.) and there is no evidence of decline. The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Amperea xiphoclada is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 2. Geographic distribution is precarious for either extent of occurrence AND/OR area of occupancy Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Very restricted Restricted Limited B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO) < 100 km2 < 5,000 km2 < 20,000 km2 B2. Area of occupancy (AOO) < 10 km2 < 500 km2 < 2,000 km2 AND at least 2 of the following 3 conditions: (a) Severely fragmented OR Number of = 1 ≤ 5 ≤ 10 locations (b) Continuing decline observed, estimated, inferred or projected in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals (c) Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or subpopulations; (number of mature individuals

Evidence: The geographic distribution of Amperea xiphoclada is not considered to be very restricted, restricted or limited and no specific threats have been identified that are operating that would make the species’ geographic distribution precarious for its survival. The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Amperea xiphoclada is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 3. Small population size and decline Critically Endangered Vulnerable Endangered Low Limited Very low Estimated number of mature individuals < 250 < 2,500 < 10,000

Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata and Amperea xiphoclada consultation Page 5 of 7 AND either (C1) or (C2) is true C1 An observed, estimated or projected Very high rate High rate Substantial rate continuing decline of at least (up to a 25% in 3 years or 1 20% in 3 years or 1 10% in 10 years or 3 max. of 100 years in future generation generation generations (whichever is longer) (whichever is (whichever is longer) longer) C2 An observed, estimated, projected or inferred continuing decline AND its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival based on at least 1 of the following 3 conditions: (i) Number of mature individuals in ≤ 50 ≤ 250 ≤ 1,000 each subpopulation (ii) % of mature individuals in one 90 – 100% 95 – 100% 100% subpopulation = (b) Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals

Evidence: The estimated total numbers of mature individuals of Amperea xiphoclada is not known, however the species is widespread and the total number of mature individuals is considered to be greater than 10 000. The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Amperea xiphoclada is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 4. Very small population Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Extremely low Very Low Low

Number of mature individuals < 50 < 250 < 1,000

Evidence: The estimated total numbers of mature individuals of Amperea xiphoclada is considered greater than 1000. The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Amperea xiphoclada is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 5. Quantitative Analysis Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Immediate future Near future Medium-term future ≥ 50% in 10 years or 3 ≥ 20% in 20 years or Indicating the probability of extinction in generations, 5 generations, ≥ 10% in 100 years the wild to be: whichever is longer whichever is longer (100 years max.) (100 years max.)

Evidence: There is no quantitative data available to assess against this criterion.

6 References cited in the advice Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) (2014a). Australian Plant Name Index. Integrated Biodiversity Information System, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian National Herbarium Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://www.cpbr.gov.au/cpbr/databases/apni-search-full.html Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) (2014b). Australia’s Virtual Herbarium. Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://avh.chah.org.au/index.php/about/ Henderson RJF (1992). Studies in Euphorbiaceae A.L. Juss., sens. lat. I. A Revision of Amperea Adr. Juss. (Acalyphoideae Ascherson, Ampereae Muell. Arg.). Australian Systematic Botany 5(1): 24. Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) (2014). Amperea xiphoclada var. pedicellata – profile. NSW Government. Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=20224 The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust (2014). PlantNET. The Plant Information Network System of The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. (version 2). Sydney. Viewed: 3 October 2014 Available from the Internet: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Walsh NG (2014). Species Information Form prepared for the Department of the Environment, 3 June 2014. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Collective list of questions 1. Can you provide evidence that would change the outcome of the assessment of Amperea xiphoclada? 2. Can you provide evidence that A. x. var. pedicellata is considered a species or a subspecies?

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