Recovery Team Annual Report

RECOVERY TEAM ANNUAL REPORT

THREATENED SPECIES AND/OR COMMUNITIES RECOVERY TEAM

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Recovery Team Great Southern District Threatened Flora and Communities

Reporting Period DATE FROM: 1/01/2012 DATE TO: 31/12/2012 Submission date 31 March

Current membership

Member Representing

Peter Lacey DEC Great Southern District, Narrogin Chair

Kris Brooks/Marie Edgley DEC Great Southern District, Narrogin Exec Officer

Brett Beecham DEC Wheatbelt Region Members

Greg Durell DEC Great Southern District, Narrogin

Andrew Brown DEC Species and Communities Branch

Anne Rick Lakes District Rare Flora Group, Landholder

Jill Richardson NRM Groups – Katanning Landcare Zone, Blackwood Basin Group

Val Crowley Volunteer/Community Groups

Judy Williams Volunteer/Community Groups

Anne Cochrane DEC Science Division, Flora Conservation and Herbarium Program

Bob Dixon Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority

Wendy Chow DEC Species and Communities Branch

Julian Murphy Local Government Authorities

12/10/2012 Dates meetings were held

Highlights of achievements for the • Recovery Team members and executive officer’s discovered an previous 12 months suitable for additional three populations of threatened flora and two publication in WATSNU and populations of priority flora during 2012. contribution to DEC annual report. • Threats of grazing and habitat destruction by rabbits continue to Provide 1-2 paragraphs summarising be managed at 31 DRF sites. total number of new populations • Research into the fire response of DRF species continues with located, surveys completed, list fire being introduced at two sites and pre and post fire monitoring major management actions etc being conducted for Acacia insolita subsp. recurva. • The Executive Officer’s continue to improve monitoring techniques, with quadrats being installed at one additional population to capture population dynamics and recruitment. • A new project commenced in the Great Southern District in 2012 that will be funded by Caring for our Country and implemented by Kris Brooks. The research project aims to determine the level of critical habitat senescence at 28 threatened flora populations and develop tools to identify and prioritise senescent populations that would benefit from the introduction of fire for recruitment and critical habitat recovery. • A morphological study of the Banksia mucronulata subspecies was completed and a paper has been published in Nuytsia. • The Executive Officer’s reviewed seven IRPs. Three of these have been endorsed by the Recovery Team.

List of recovery actions coordinated by Recovery Team Detail under the headings below the recovery actions undertaken during the reporting period. Provide separate detail for each species/community against each action. For species/community-specific recovery teams, the generic activity types below can be replaced by the specific recovery actions from the recovery plan where appropriate.

Monitoring and survey of existing and Monitored 24 populations: new populations/ occurrences, targeted Hemigenia ramosissima 2 populations surveys, critical habitat mapped etc. Acacia gemina 1 population (new) Acacia oncinophylla subsp. oncinophylla 1 population (new) Grevillea scapigera 3 populations Banksia cuneata 1 population Hakea aculeata 1 population Calectasia pignattiana 9 populations (3 new) Gastrolobiujm lehmanii 1 population Eremophila verticillata 1 population Acacia brachypoda 4 populations

Threat amelioration eg weed Controlled rabbits at 31 sites to ameliorate the threats of grazing and control/mapping, fencing/ repairs, fire habitat destruction for the following species: management Adenanthos pungens subsp. effusus disease management, feral/ introduced Banksia cuneata animal control, installation of roadside Banksia ionthocarpa subsp. chrysophoenix markers Banksia oligantha Calectasia pignattiana Conostylis drummondii Conostylis setigera subsp. dasys Eremophila subteretifolia Gastrolobium lehmanii Lechenaultia laricina Tribonanthes purpurea Verticordia fimbrilepis subsp. fimbrilepis

Replaced/repositioned rare flora markers as required

Conservation and research e.g. Introduced fire to manage biodiversity at Tutanning NR (Boronia capitata fire research, translocation, ex-situ subsp. capitata) and East Yornaning NR (Acacia insolita subsp. recurva). conservation, Planned for future fire management at Dragon Rocks NR (Grevillea revegetation/rehabilitation etc involucrata), Highbury Block, Dryandra Woodland (Calectasia pignattiana) and Pallarup NR (Eremophila subteretifolia).

Carried out threatened flora habitat senescence monitoring as part of a research project implemented in the Great Southern District by Kris Brooks which aims to determine the level of senescence in critical habitat for 28 threatened flora species.

Collected seed from Banksia oligantha Population 3

Implemented recruitment monitoring at one population of Tetratheca aphylla subsp. megacarpa

Continued to implement an adaptive management project to investigate the effect of disturbance regimes and rabbit grazing on survival and recruitment of Gastrolobium lehmannii. Data collected on Acacia insolita ssp recurva seed production and population dynamics in the late 1990’s was analysed and a paper is in preparation (RT: Anne Cochrane, Leonie Monks, Kris Brooks). A taxonomic study of the Adenanthos pungens subspecies was undertaken and a paper is in review (RT: Andrew Brown) A morphological study of the Banksia mucronulata subspecies was undertaken and a paper has been published in Nuytsia.

Liaison, education/provision of Mailed information to all Shires in the District identifying the current advice e.g. promotional material inc location of threatened flora and the purpose of DRF markers on lands newspaper/ magazine articles, liaison vested in their shire. We also offer assistance to Shires for with land managers/ owners, input to management operations that involve DRF species. impact assessment, development of Distributed fridge magnets for three threatened species Adenanthos specific management plans, velutinus and Caladenia luteola to landowners via selected Post volunteers assisting with surveys/ Offices in order to increase community awareness and locate new monitoring etc. populations. Jill Richardson and Anne Rick have continued to work with community volunteers throughout the year. Developing and maintaining the interest of the community in flora conservation.

Land use/tenure changes e.g. covenants, acquisitions, changes in land use or listed purpose etc.

Conservation status reviews for Gathered information (mapping, monitoring, community assistance and taxa/TECs e.g. surveys) to review the status of Trymalium monospermum, Calectasia nominations for additions, deletions or pignattiana and Eremophila subteretifolia. change in status to state threatened or priority lists; changes to EPBC list

Recovery plans e.g. Endorsed the following IRP reviews: recovery plans/ IRPs drafted, Banksia mucronulata subsp. retrorsa approved, reviewed or updated Eremophila subteretifolia Eremophila verticillata

Recommendations from the Banksia mucronulata subsp. mucronulata review led to this taxon being reduced to a synonymy under Banksia mucronulata which is not threatened.

Reviewed the following IRPs, which are ready for comment and endorsement at the next Recovery Team meeting: Caladenia graniticola, Drakaea isolata, Goodenia integerrima and Hemigenia ramosissima

Other actions completed

RECOVERY TEAM ANNUAL REPORT

THREATENED SPECIES AND/OR COMMUNITIES RECOVERY TEAM

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Recovery Team Toolibin Lake NDRC Recovery Team

Reporting Period DATE FROM: 1/1/2012 DATE TO: 31/12/2012 Submission date 31 March

Current membership

Member Representing

Greg Durell Department of Environment and Conservation Chair (DEC)

Exec Officer

Felicity Bunny Department of Water members Wendy Chow DEC Species and Communities Branch

Trevor Lacey Department of Agriculture and Food

Michael Coote DEC Wetlands Branch

Michael Schultz South West Catchments Council

Alan Leeson Shire of Wickepin

Ross Giles Catchment landholders

Keith Parnell Catchment landholders

Ron Knox Catchment landholders

Felicity Astbury Facey Group

No meetings were held during the year. Dates meetings were held

Highlights of achievements for the The process of preparing a revised recovery plan continued in previous 12 months suitable for 2012. Values were identified with stakeholders in the previous publication in WATSNU and year. A core group of DEC staff from Great Southern district contribution to DEC annual report. facilitated by Natural Resources Branch, Senior Planning Officer Provide 1-2 paragraphs summarising nutted out each step of the process. total number of new populations located, surveys completed, list Among the District staff is over forty years of experience and major management actions etc knowledge of Toolibin Lake. Elements were identified early on in the process and ground- truthing of various elements confirmed during the process. Staff completed various steps of the process as individuals and met as a group to discuss and finalise decisions before moving onto the next step. At this time a draft recovery plan with management actions is expected in 2013.

Monitoring and survey of existing and • Groundwater monitoring of over 200 bores within the catchment new populations/ occurrences, targeted and lake floor. surveys, critical habitat mapped etc. • Download of data and maintenance of surface water loggers throughout the catchment.

• Biannual spotlighting along the lake floor and reserve system of fauna and ecosystem threats (kangaroos).

• Analysis of vegetation monitoring data and recommendations for future monitoring.

• Periodic monitoring from December 2012 rainfall event.

Threat amelioration eg weed • Periodic survey and culling of kangaroos on the lake floor. control/mapping, fencing/ repairs, fire Baiting of rabbits. management disease management, feral/ introduced • On-going maintenance of groundwater pumping system, animal control, installation of roadside including asset condition assessment of system, installation of a markers telemetry system, installation of sanitiser dosers to inhibit biofouling of pipes,

• On-going maintenance of recreation site.

• Firebreak maintenance.

• Seed collection and propagation of seedlings.

• Revegetation with 9000 Casuarina obesa seedlings on the lake floor.

• Implementation of site works at Miller’s block to revegetate 60ha of denuded land. Works included surface water works and bore construction.

Conservation and research e.g. • Toolibin geophysics – acquisition, display and interpretation of fire research, translocation, ex-situ borehole geophysics and revision of conceptual hydrogeological conservation, model. revegetation/rehabilitation etc • Groundwater trend anaylsis and monitoring rationalisation.

Liaison, education/provision of • Hosting visit by federal government working on Ramsar advice e.g. promotional material inc wetlands. newspaper/ magazine articles, liaison with land managers/ owners, input to • Distribution of 2 newsletters to stakeholders and catchment impact assessment, development of community. specific management plans, volunteers assisting with surveys/ • Publish of article in Wetlands Australia on Toolibin Lake monitoring etc. inundation trial.

• Hosting of state annual recovery catchment offices meeting.

• Representation at SWCC’s Ecobridge Project Cultural Mapping project.

Land use/tenure changes e.g. • Progress towards inclusion of water reserve 19686 into covenants, acquisitions, changes in conservation estate. land use or listed purpose etc.

Conservation status reviews for None taxa/TECs e.g. nominations for additions, deletions or change in status to state threatened or priority lists; changes to EPBC list

Recovery plans e.g. • Completion of Toolibin Lake project review. The document is recovery plans/ IRPs drafted, currently in draft stage. approved, reviewed or updated • Progress towards a revised recovery plan: • Identification of elements and assets • Element value elicitation • Goal setting • Risk analysis and risk review • Optimization of management actions

Other actions completed • Maintenance of research trials at Chadwick’s block.

RECOVERY TEAM ANNUAL REPORT

THREATENED SPECIES AND/OR COMMUNITIES RECOVERY TEAM

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Recovery Team Lake Bryde

Reporting Period DATE FROM: 1/1/2012 DATE TO: 31/12/2012 Submission date 31 March

Current membership

Member Representing

Greg Durell (District Manager) DEC (Great Southern) Chair

Kevin Hemmings (Recovery DEC (Great Southern) Exec Officer Catchment Officer)

Richard Sutton, Sara Lynch, DEC and landholders members Kristine Brooks, Wendy Chow and selected landholders.

No meetings held. Dates meetings were held

Highlights of achievements for the The Threatened Ecological Species Muehlenbeckia Horrida subsp abdita previous 12 months suitable for with Tecticornia Verrucosa exists on three lake beds within the Lake publication in WATSNU and Bryde Recovery Catchment (Lake Bryde, East Lake Bryde and one lake contribution to DEC annual report. in Lakelands Nature Reserve). The monitoring project is now in its second Provide 1-2 paragraphs summarising phase with the reduction of TEC monitoring to an annual regime. The total number of new populations third occurrence of the TEC in Lakelands Nature reserve has been located, surveys completed, list partially fenced off to protect it against Kangaroo and rabbit grazing. In major management actions etc the first year evidence shows that grazing pressure is minimal. On Lake Bryde during the Tec monitoring almost all tecticornia verrucosa has died. In January they had completed their life cycle and there is now a green matt across the majority of the lake floor. Significant seeding is taking place and new growth is visible on the muehlenbeckia on both Lake Bryde and East Lake Bryde.

Monitoring and survey of existing and The annual monitoring was completed in Spring. new populations/ occurrences, targeted All monitoring data has successfully been uploaded to the TEC database. surveys, critical habitat mapped etc. The assessment of this data in Microsoft Access has now begun. The population of tecticornia verrucosa in Lakelands has reduced from 3 to 1. Threat amelioration eg weed Fencing against grazing animals in Lakelands NR has been kept. Minimal control/mapping, fencing/ repairs, fire impact seen. management Baiting in Lakelands NR successful. disease management, feral/ introduced Very minimal impact from weeds at any of the three sites. animal control, installation of roadside markers

Conservation and research e.g. Wendy Chow from species and communities branch is beginning a fire research, translocation, ex-situ Masters thesis on the TEC at Lake Bryde and is currently deciding on a conservation, title for her research. revegetation/rehabilitation etc

Liaison, education/provision of The Lake Bryde 6 monthly newsletter has been issued to all landholders advice e.g. promotional material inc and stakeholders of the recovery catchment. newspaper/ magazine articles, liaison Progress has been made towards completing the Lake Bryde Recovery with land managers/ owners, input to Plan. Currently agreed timescales with NRB have a draft report impact assessment, development of completion date at the end of 2013. specific management plans, volunteers assisting with surveys/ monitoring etc.

Land use/tenure changes e.g. N/A covenants, acquisitions, changes in land use or listed purpose etc.

Conservation status reviews for N/A taxa/TECs e.g. nominations for additions, deletions or change in status to state threatened or priority lists; changes to EPBC list

Recovery plans e.g. Progress has been made towards completing the Lake Bryde Recovery recovery plans/ IRPs drafted, Plan. Currently agreed timescales with NRB have a draft report approved, reviewed or updated completion date at the end of 2013.

Other actions completed N/A