The Minister deleted this species from the vulnerable category, effective from 14 December 2013

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

1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee This advice follows assessment of new information provided on: Ectrosia blakei (a grass)

2. Summary of Species Details Conventionally accepted as Ectrosia blakei C.E. Hubb. State Listing Status Listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This species is not listed in the Northern Territory. Description An erect, slender, loosely tufted annual grass to 45 cm tall. The outer margins of the leaf sheaths are hairy. Leaf blades are 5–10 cm long and 1–2.5 mm wide. The spikelet is deciduous but does not break between the florets (Sharp and Simon, 2002; Nightingale and Weiller, 2005). Distribution Known to occur in seven disjunct locations, across northern Queensland and the Northern Territory (Cowie et al., 2006; Queensland Herbarium, 2009):  Oenpelli, Northern Territory  Ramingining, Northern Territory  near Goyder River, Northern Territory  Elcho Island, Northern Territory  Burketown, Queensland  Croydon, Queensland  Laura, Queensland. The species is not reported from any conservation areas. The fact that this species has been found only in seven disjunct locations may be a reflection of its specific habitat requirement of sandy flats in seasonally poorly drained areas, or may simply reflect a lack of specimen collections in these remote areas that are difficult to access (Cowie et al., 2006). Relevant The species occurs on sandy flats in woodlands associated with Biology/Ecology Eucalyptus tetrodonta (Darwin stringybark), E. tectifica (Darwin box), Melaleuca nervosa (paperbark) or M. viridiflora (broad- leaved paperbark). The species occurs on laterite, white sand or sandy loam soils, usually in seasonal poorly drained areas, along creek lines or in depressions, less than 100 m above sea level. Flowers and fruits have been recorded in April–July, at the end of the wet season (Cowie et al., 2006). Threats Known There are no known threats. Potential Inappropriate fire regimes may be a potential threat (Cowie et al., 2006).

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3. Public Consultation Notice of the proposed amendment was made available for public comment for 30 business days. No comments were received.

4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Reduction in numbers No data

Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Geographic distribution Not limited – The extent of occurrence is estimated at more than 90 000 km2 (AVH, 2010). The area of occupancy is AND unknown.

Geographic distribution No – Whilst this species is known from only seven disjunct precarious locations, it is considered there is a high likelihood of locating additional populations within the extent of occurrence (Queensland Herbarium, 2009).

Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or substantial rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Insufficient data – the species was recorded as abundant individuals (many thousands) in the vicinity of Elcho Island and near Ramingining (Cowie et al., 2006). AND Continued rate of decline No data OR Total no. of mature Insufficient data – The species was recorded as abundant individuals (many thousands) in the vicinity of Elcho Island and near Ramingining (Cowie et al., 2006). AND Continued decline likely No data AND Geographic distribution No – See Criterion 2 precarious

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Criterion 4: The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Insufficient data – The species was recorded as abundant individuals (many thousands) in the vicinity of Elcho Island and near Ramingining (Cowie et al., 2006).

Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least (a) 50% in the immediate future; or (b) 20% in the near future; or (c) 10% in the medium-term future Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Probability of extinction in No data the wild

5. Recommendations Based on available information on this species’ population size and geographic distribution, including no evidence of decline, the Committee notes that this species does not meet any of the required criteria for listing in any category. (i) The Committee recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by deleting from the list in the vulnerable category: Ectrosia blakei

Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2 December 2010

References cited in the advice ’s Virtual Herbarium (AVH) (2010). Query AVH. Council of Heads of Australian Herbaria. Viewed: 14 July 2010 Available on the Internet at: http://www.ersa.edu.au/avh/ Cowie I, Kerrigan R and Woinarski J (2006). Ectrosia blakei, Threatened Species Information Sheet. Northern Territory Government, Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Viewed: 11 November 2009 Available on the Internet at: http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/threatened/pdf//Ectrosia%20blakei_DD. pdf Hubbard CE (1936). Icones Plantarum [Hooker's] Edn. Ser. 5, 4(1): subt. 3312, p. 4. Nightingale ME and Weiller CM (2005). Ectrosia. In: ‘’ vol. 44B (ed K Mallett), pp. 426–439. ABRS/CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Queensland Herbarium (2009). Specimen label information. Viewed 11 November 2009. Sharp D and Simon BK (2002). AusGrass: Grasses of Australia, ABRS Identification Series, interactive CD ROM. ABRS/CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.

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