Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 Million

Government of Western Australia Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 million Strategic Assessment of the Perth and Peel Regions Draft EPBC Act Strategic Impact Assessment Report Appendix C: Threatened Ecological Community Profiles December 2015

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1. AQUATIC ROOT MAT COMMUNITY IN CAVES OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

1.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

1.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Aquatic Root Mat Community Number 1 of Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain’ and Community Identifier ‘CAVES SCP01’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

1.3 DESCRIPTION

At Yanchep and on the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, permanent streams and pools occur in caves and some support dense growths of root mats (CALM 2003). Where roots from living trees above the ground branch out into cave streams or pools they form root mats. These root mats provide a constant and abundant food source for a rich aquatic fauna, especially invertebrates. Aquatic root mat communities are known in caves from two areas at Yanchep, and Augusta-Margaret River (DPaW 2013).

The communities in south-western Western Australia are some of the richest aquatic cave communities known. These communities comprise a complete food web; the rootlets and their associated microflora which provide the primary food source, and invertebrate assemblages including root mat grazers, predators, parasites, detritivores and scavengers, completing the trophic interactions (CALM 2003).

1.4 DISTRIBUTION

A total of seven caves in the Yanchep area are known to contain streams or pools fed by groundwater from the Gnangara Mound and contain root mats from Tuart trees (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) (Figure C1).

1.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

The root mat communities occur at the junction of the Bassendean sands and Tamala Limestone (Spearwood Dunes). The seven caves occur where there is a surface limestone layer 5 – 20 m thick over the Bassendean sands. The formation of the caves that contain the root mat communities was caused, in part, by the flow of groundwater on the western side of the Gnangara Mound (a shallow unconfined aquifer that extends from Moore River to the Swan River) that has gradually developed into

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underground streams. The groundwater flows about 10 m below the surface, so the caves are very shallow (CALM 2003).

The existence of the root mat communities depends on the presence of permanent water in the caves (CALM 2003). The streams or pools need to be sufficiently warm, and not too deep below the ground surface, for tree roots to reach and grow in the water (Jasinska 1995 as cited in CALM 2003b). The main source of water for the cave streams is groundwater emerging into the stream bed within the caves most likely driven by the Gnangara Mound (Jasinska and Knott 1991; Jasinska 1995; Bastian 1996 as cited in CALM 2003). It is unlikely any of the caves receive water from a perched groundwater supply, so cave streams are almost certainly fed by waters of the Gnangara Mound (Glasson 1997 as cited in CALM 2003).

In 1998, water levels in several of the caves had declined to the point that it was necessary to supplement water flow artificially. This was done through establishment of a sump and pump system in the base of several of the caves. The sump follows the local ground water down as it sinks below the floor of each cave and the pumps are automatically triggered by low water levels in each cave, subsequently delivering water with the same water chemistry and species composition of the original pools in each cave (CALM 2003).

The caves where the root mat communities occur are not large, having a vertical range of less than 20 m. The caves that contain aquatic root mats are particularly small, the length of accessible stream chambers ranging from 3 – 25 m. The tree roots fringe the cave streams and form dense mats about 10 cm thick and 15 cm wide. The root mats provide a constant and reliable primary food source, as well as a complex habitat, and allow a complete and intricate ecosystem to exist. Microscopic fungi grow within the tissues of the rootlets (mycorrhizal associations) and may increase the nutritional value of the mats (Jasinska 1995; Jasinska et al. 1996 as cited in CALM 2003).

A handful of the root mats generally contains about 500 animals (Jasinska 1995 as cited in CALM 2003). The fauna that inhabit the caves include night fish, leeches, microscopic worms, crustaceans, insects, mites and snails. More than half of the species of each cave at Yanchep occur in the root mats, with the remainder in open water, root detritus and sand in the stream bed (Jasinska 1995; Jasinska et al. 1996 as cited in CALM 2003). The faunal assemblages in the caves vary both in species composition and relative abundance of species. However, the caves are defined as containing one community type because there is considerable overlap of animal species between at least five of them, and water chemistry is very similar in all caves. Some of the species appear to be endemic to these cave streams and some are confined to a single cave.

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Aquatic Root Mat Community in Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain (CALM 2003) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising the individual caves and cave streams, the trees that have roots in each of the caves, and the catchments for the streams that flow through the caves.

1.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Aquatic Root Mat Community in Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain are declining groundwater levels and associated water quality as a consequence of the combination of drying climate, groundwater extraction and changes in land use, destruction of the food source (i.e. the tree roots), vandalism, pollution of groundwater, cave collapse and invasion by exotic species. Indirect impacts are associated with changes to nutrient and water flow from surface and increased pollutants flowing downwards into cave systems (CALM 2003).

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1.7 RELEVANT PLANS

1.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There is no relevant Threat Abatement Plan for this ecological community.

1.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2003 – 2008 (CALM 2003), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, biology and ecology, threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the aquatic root mat communities of caves of the Swan Coastal Plain and the Crystal Cave Crangonyctoid, and reduce the level of threat with the aim of reclassifying them from Critically Endangered to Endangered or Vulnerable.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 continue to monitor cave fauna and respond to results as appropriate;

 establish cave protection zones;  monitor water levels and water quality in some caves and in likely catchment areas for cave streams;

 ensure land use planning and development control processes effectively safeguard against potential impacts to the cave systems;

 monitor and protect trees with roots in caves;

 wherever possible create a buffer between the caves and any tracks or trails;  manage fire regimes; and

 map habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community.

1.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

1.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Aquatic Root Mat Community in Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

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1.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

The Aquatic Root Mat Community in Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain occurs entirely within the Strategic Assessment Area (in the northern portion, Figure C1) and is considered an important Threatened Ecological Community as it is listed as Endangered.

Six of these caves occur within Yanchep National Park across a range of about 3 km, and within a radius of approximately 1 km. The seventh cave occurs just outside the Yanchep National Park boundary on freehold land in Carabooda, and is the most southern occurrence approximately 1 km south-east of the Yanchep caves.

Figure C-1: Known occurrences of the Aquatic Root Mat Community in Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area

Yanchep !H

0 4 8 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: SM Date: 10/06/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

2. ASSEMBLAGES OF PLANTS AND INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF TUMULUS (ORGANIC MOUND) SPRINGS OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

2.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

2.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Communities of Tumulus Springs (Organic Mound Springs, Swan Coastal Plain)’ and Community Identifier ‘Mound Springs SCP’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

2.3 DESCRIPTION

The habitat of the Tumulus (Latin meaning ‘little mound’) Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain is characterised by continuous discharge of groundwater in raised areas of peat. The peat and surrounds provide a stable, permanently moist series of microhabitats (DEC 2006a).

Typical and common native vascular plant species associated with the Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain are the trees Banksia littoralis, Melaleuca preissiana and Eucalyptus rudis, and the shrubs Taxandria linearfolia, Pteridium esculentum, Astartea scoparia and Cyclosorus interruptus. Non- vascular plants have also been located on peat mounds associated with the community including Lycopodium serpentium and Riccardia aequicellularis. Common weed species include Isolepis prolifera and Pennisetum clandestinum (DEC 2006a).

Common groups of invertebrate fauna associated with the ecological community include Ostracoda, Nematoda, Acarina, Amphipoda, Cladocera, Copepoda, Decapoda, Oligochaeta, Annelida, Tardigrada, Turbellaria and Insecta (DEC 2006a).

2.4 DISTRIBUTION

Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain occur at the eastern extent of the Bassendean Dune system. There are eight known occurrences of this ecological community, covering approximately 21 ha. The occurrences extend approximately 75 km from Muchea to Oldbury.

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2.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

The Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain occur in Bassendean sands where groundwater is forced to the surface at a series of discharge points on the eastern boundary of the Gnangara Mound superficial aquifer, as the waters encounter the relatively impervious Guildford clays. The continuous discharge forms springs, bogs and swamps (DEC 2006a). Within these areas, continuous growth of vegetation occurs that causes the formation of peat around the permanent water supply. Water continues to penetrate the increasingly elevated peat layers due to the pressure created by local and regional hydrological forces and where water finds a ‘preferred pathway’ or conduit through the soil, water movement is much faster than normal groundwater flow. Such conduits or pipes may carry sand and silt to the surface, where it is deposited as a ‘collar’ of increasing height, so enhancing the formation of mounds (A. Davidson, pers. comm. as cited in DEC 2006a).

The Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain are permanently moist, and some are also associated with permanent pools and surface water. Many of the invertebrate animals and the vascular and non- vascular plant species present are adapted to this permanent moisture and the areas probably act as refugia from climate change (drying) for certain species (Jasinska and Knott 1994 as cited in DEC 2006a).

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain (DEC 2006a) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising:

 the area of occupancy of known occurrences;  areas of similar habitat within 200 m of known occurrences, i.e. areas of continuous discharge of groundwater in raised areas of peat at the junction between the Bassendean sands and the Guildford clays;

 remnant vegetation that surrounds or links occurrences (this is to provide habitat for pollinators or to allow them to move between occurrences); and

 the local catchment for the surface and groundwater that maintain the habitat of the community (the community would be dependent on maintenance of the local and regional hydrological conditions).

2.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain include clearing, changing hydrology (water levels, quality and quantity), grazing, increased weed invasion, altered fire regimes and Phytophthora dieback (DEC 2006a).

2.7 RELEVANT PLANS

2.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There are two relevant Threat Abatement Plans for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Commonwealth of Australia 2014).

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 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

2.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2006 – 2010 (DEC 2006a), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the tumulus springs and the associated fauna and plant community in the known locations and reduce the level of threat, with the aim of reclassifying the community from Critically Endangered to Endangered (as Endorsed by the WA Minister for Environment).

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 map habitat critical to survival;  clarify and continue to monitor the extent and boundaries of the community;

 monitor water levels and quality;

 monitor the flora and fauna of tumulus springs;  develop and implement fire management plans;

 continue to monitor dieback and weeds;

 restrict access; and  rehabilitate recharge catchment zones and adjacent wetland areas.

2.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

2.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Tumulus Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

2.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

A total of six of the eight occurrences of this ecological community are located within the Strategic Assessment Area covering an area of approximately 19.5 ha, extending from Bullsbrook in the north to

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Oldbury in the south (Figure C2 and Figure C3). All occurrences are important as the ecological community is listed as Endangered.

Figure C-2: Known occurrences of the Assemblages of plants and invertebrate animals of tumulus (organic mound) springs of the Swan Coastal Plains within the Strategic Assessment Area (Northern)

Yanchep !H

North-west

Bullsbrook !H

Ellenbrook!H

North-east Chidlow !H

Mundaring !H Central

Perth !H

South Metro Peel

0 10 20 Legend Kilometres !H Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment Kwinana GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Rockingham !H Prepared by: SM Date: 10/06/2015 ±

!H Figure C-3: Known occurrences of the Assemblages of plants and invertebrate animals of tumulus (organic mound) springs of the Swan Coastal Plains within the Strategic Assessment Area (Southern)

Central North-east

Kwinana !H

Rockingham !H

Jarrahdale !H

Serpentine!H

South Metro Peel Mandurah !H

Pinjarra!H

Dwellingup!H

Waroona !H

0 10 20 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: SM Date: 27/07/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

3. CLAYPANS OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

3.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Critically Endangered.

3.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Vulnerable/Endangered in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria. The Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain ecological community corresponds with four separate ecological community types, endorsed by the WA Minster for Environment as threatened under the WC Act. These are:

 Herb rich saline shrublands in clay pans (SCP07) – Vulnerable.  Herb rich shrublands in clay pans (SCP08) – Vulnerable.

 Dense shrublands on clay flats (SCP09) – Vulnerable.

 Shrublands on dry clay flats (SCP10a) – Endangered.  Claypans with mid dense shrublands of Melaleuca laterita over herbs (Community 117) – Priority 1.

3.3 DESCRIPTION

The Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain occurs in Western Australia where clay soils form an impermeable layer close to the land surface, forming wetlands that rely solely on rainfall to fill and then dry to impervious pans in summer (TSSC 2012).

The ecological community generally occurs as a shrubland (less commonly as a low, open woodland) over a ground layer of geophytes, herbs and sedges which are characteristic of the wetter parts of the sites. There are no dominant species which characterise the ecological community, however, similar landform and vegetation structural features are shown across its range (TSSC 2012).

3.4 DISTRIBUTION

There are 123 individual occurrences of the Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain, occupying approximately 768 ha. The distribution of the ecological community is highly fragmented with most remnants being under 10 ha in size (TSSC 2012). The occurrences are located across the Swan Coastal Plain, extending from Mindarra and Moore River Nature Reserve in the north, to Dunsborough and Kaloorup in the south-west, across an approximate 300 km extent. For this ecological community, often several occurrences will be located within the same bushland remnant and are therefore managed as one unit.

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3.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

The Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain support a diverse array of fauna that depend on different aspects of the vegetation and surface water to provide refuge, food and suitable breeding conditions (TSSC 2012). The seasonal changes in hydrology and flora, result in many of these fauna species being present seasonally. Three species listed as threatened under the EPBC Act are known to be dependent on the Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain as well as surrounding ecological communities for a portion of their life/breeding cycle; Western Swamp Tortoise (Pseudemydura umbrina) (Critically Endangered), and two species of native bee; Leioproctus douglasiellus (Endangered) and Neopasiphae simplicior (Critically Endangered).

The ecology of the Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain is entirely dependent on the hydrological functioning of the clay pan (TSSC 2012). In winter, the clay pans fill from the winter rains and then over spring and early summer they slowly dry to a hard, almost impenetrable surface. The fluctuation in depth and duration of inundation is a factor in determining the array of plant species that occur in a particular clay pan (TSSC 2012). Therefore, the Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain are highly sensitive to any change to the hydrological functioning of the community that would significantly alter it.

A distinctive feature of Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain is the suite of geophytes and annual flora that germinates, grows and flowers sequentially as these areas dry over summer, producing a floral display for over three months (TSSC 2012). The clay pans have very high species richness, a number of local endemics and are the most floristically diverse of the Swan Coastal Plain wetlands.

3.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain include hydrological changes, clearing, weed invasion, inappropriate fire regimes and feral animals. Potential threats include climate change, inundation from rising saline groundwater and Phytophthora dieback (TSSC 2012).

3.7 RELEVANT PLANS

3.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There are two relevant Threat Abatement Plans for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Commonwealth of Australia 2014).

 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

3.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community.

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3.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

The Conservation Advice for this ecological community (TSSC 2012) provides guidance on immediate recovery and threat abatement actions that could be utilised to ensure the conservation of the species. The Conservation Advice includes information on the species habitat and distribution, threats, research priorities and local and regional priority actions including to:

 monitor the levels of salinity and nutrients;  investigate techniques for management of feral species;

 investigate the natural hydrological processes that maintain the ecological community, especially the water levels, quality and seasonal patterns of inundation;

 monitor hydrological change and species composition;

 apply appropriate buffer zones;

 avoid any changes to hydrology that may result in changes to the natural hydrological regime of the clay pans, groundwater water table levels and subsequent increase or decrease in runoff, salinity, or pollution;

 manage sites to prevent introduction or further spread of weeds;  develop and implement a suitable fire management strategy; and

 liaise with planning authorities, local governments and State authorities to ensure development does not adversely impact on remnants of the ecological community.

3.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community.

3.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

A total of 82 of the 123 occurrences of Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain are located within the Strategic Assessment Area, covering 412.4 ha (Figure C4 and Figure C5). All of the occurrences of this ecological community are considered important given it is listed as Critically Endangered.

The occurrences of this ecological community within the Strategic Assessment Area are distributed mainly in a north-south line from Bullsbrook in the north to Serpentine in the south, with a second main group of occurrences located in Pinjarra and surrounding areas to the west and south to Waroona. The highest number of occurrences are located within Forrestdale, Kenwick, and South Yunderup.

Components of the Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain are included in several Wetlands of National Significance, including Brixton Street Wetlands, the Ellen Brook Swamps Systems and the Forestdale Lake Nature Reserve, which is also listed under the Ramsar convention as a Wetland of International Importance (Environment Australia 2001 as cited in TSSC 2012).

Figure C-4: Known occurrences of Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Northern)

Yanchep !H

North-west

Bullsbrook !H

Ellenbrook!H

North-east Chidlow !H

Mundaring !H Central

Perth !H

South Metro Peel

0 10 20

Kilometres Legend Kwinana !H Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Data Source: DPaW Area Rockingham !H Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 16/02/2015 ± !H !H Figure C-5: Known occurrences of Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Southern)

Central North-east

Kwinana !H

Rockingham !H

Jarrahdale !H

Serpentine !H

South Metro Peel Mandurah !H

Pinjarra!H

Dwellingup !H

Waroona !H

0 10 20 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 16/02/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

4. CORYMBIA CALOPHYLLA-KINGIA AUSTRALIS WOODLANDS ON HEAVY SOILS OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

4.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

4.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Eucalyptus calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils, Swan Coastal Plain’ and Community Identifier ‘SCP3a’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

4.3 DESCRIPTION

The Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain (herein Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands) are a series of Marri (Corymbia calophylla) dominated plant communities which occur on heavy soils, to the east and south-east of Perth.

Typical and common native taxa in this ecological community are: Corymbia calophylla; the shrubs Banksia nivea, Philotheca spicata, Kingia australis and Xanthorrhoea preissii; herbs, rushes and sedges, Cyathochaeta avenacea, Dampiera linearis, Haemodorum laxum, Desmocladus fasciculatus, Mesomelaena tetragona and Tetraria octandra. The introduced grass Briza maxima is also common in this community (DEC 2011a).

4.4 DISTRIBUTION

A total of 44 occurrences of Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands, totalling approximately 196 ha have been located between Ruabon and Bullsbrook, a distance of around 220 km.

Marri dominated plant communities were historically probably some of the most common on heavy soils on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain. Almost all of the occurrences are very close to or surrounded by highly urbanised areas. For this ecological community often several occurrences will be located within the same bushland remnant and are therefore managed as one unit.

4.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Gibson et al. (1994) recognised three distinct communities in the Marri (Corymbia calophylla) dominated plant communities. The floristic composition of these communities varies with water regime, with the

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Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils occurring on the wettest of the sites and being associated with the median species richness, and lowest level of weed invasion and disturbance. Groundwater is generally within 3 m of the natural ground surface in occurrences of this ecological community, indicating there is a high level of dependence on groundwater (DEC 2011a).

The Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands occurs on a variety of land units and soil types. However, the soils in each occurrence all contain an impervious clay layer that would act as a barrier to drainage of water through the soil. A number of plant taxa that occur in the Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands are typically associated with these seasonally inundated impervious clay soils. These include Kingia australis, Mesomelaena tetragona, Pericalymma ellipticum and Hakea ceratophylla.

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands (DEC 2011a) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising the heavy soils on which the ecological community occurs, the fresh superficial groundwater, and/or surface water that helps sustain flora species in this wetland community, and the catchment for this groundwater and surface water.

4.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands are clearing, altered fire regimes, weed invasion, hydrological changes, salinisation, grazing and the introduction of Phytophthora dieback (DEC 2011a).

4.7 RELEVANT PLANS

4.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There are two relevant Threat Abatement Plans for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Commonwealth of Australia 2014).

 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

4.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2011 – 2016 (DEC 2011a), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of this plant community in the known locations and reduce the level of threat.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 mapping of habitat critical to the survival of the ecological community;

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 conducting surveys for dieback;

 developing and implementing a fire management strategy;

 seeking to influence land management practices to manage hydrology;

 support private landowners to protect the ecological community; and  seek long-term protection of areas of the ecological community.

4.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

4.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

4.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

The Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands are considered to have been some of the most extensive on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain but have suffered extensive clearing and are now regionally rare (Keighery and Trudgen 1992; Gibson et al. 1994; Department of Environmental Protection 1996; Government of Western Australia 2000 all as cited in DEC 2011a).

A total of 41 of the 44 occurrences of the Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands are located within the Strategic Assessment Area, covering approximately 186 ha (Figure C6 and Figure C7). All of the occurrences of this ecological community are considered important given it is listed as Endangered.

Figure C-6: Known occurrences of Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Northern)

Yanchep !H

North-west

Bullsbrook !H

Ellenbrook!H

North-east Chidlow !H

Mundaring !H Central

Perth !H

South Metro Peel

0 10 20

Kilometres Legend Kwinana !H Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Data Source: DPaW Area Rockingham !H Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 16/02/2015 ± !H !H Figure C-7: Known occurrences of Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Southern)

Central North-east

Kwinana !H

Rockingham !H

Jarrahdale !H

Serpentine !H

South Metro Peel Mandurah !H

Pinjarra!H

Dwellingup !H

Waroona !H

5. CORYMBIA CALOPHYLLA- XANTHORRHOEA PREISSII WOODLANDS AND SHRUBLANDS OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

5.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

5.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Eucalyptus calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands, Swan Coastal Plain’ and Community Identifier ‘SCP3c’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

5.3 DESCRIPTION

The Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands of the Swan Coastal Plain (herein Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands) is a plant community located on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain between Bullsbrook in the north and Waterloo near Bunbury in the south (English and Blyth 2000).

Dominant species in the ecological community are the trees Corymbia calophylla and occasionally Eucalyptus wandoo; the shrubs Xanthorrhoea preissii, Acacia pulchella, Banksia nivea, Gompholobium marginatum and Hypocalymma angustifolia, and the herbs Burchardia umbellata, Cyathochaeta avenacea and Neurachne allopecuroidea (Gibson et al. 1994 as cited in English and Blyth 2000). The introduced species Briza maxima and Romulea rosea are also common (English and Blyth 2000).

5.4 DISTRIBUTION

A total of 31 occurrences of Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands, totalling approximately 127 ha have been located between Bullsbrook and Stratham, a distance of around 200 km. For this ecological community often several occurrences will be located within the same bushland remnant and are therefore managed as one unit.

5.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

The Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands occurs on heavy soils of the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain. Gibson et al. (1994) recognised three distinct communities in the Marri (Corymbia calophylla) dominated plant communities, two of which are listed independently as Endangered under the EPBC Act; Corymbia calophylla – Xanthorrhoea preissi woodlands and

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shrublands and Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain (Section 4). The floristic composition of these communities varies with water regime, with the Corymbia calophylla – Xanthorrhoea preissi woodlands and shrublands occurring on the driest of the sites and being associated with the lowest species richness (English and Blyth 2000). This is the driest group of the Marri dominated plant communities which occur on heavy soils.

Habitat critical to the survival of the Corymbia calophylla – Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands is not defined in the Interim Recovery Plan for the community (English and Blyth 2000).

5.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Corymbia calophylla – Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands are clearing, altered fire regimes, weed invasion, introduction of disease, hydrological changes, salinisation and inundation, grazing and erosion by wind and water (English and Blyth 2000).

5.7 RELEVANT PLANS

5.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There are two relevant Threat Abatement Plans for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Commonwealth of Australia 2014).

 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

5.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2000 – 2003 (English and Blyth 2000), which includes community information on habitat requirements, summary of extent and location of occurrences and threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the plant community in the known locations and reduce the severity of threat, with the aim of reclassifying it from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 clarify and monitor boundaries;

 install markers;

 develop and implement fire management strategy;  implement Phytophthora dieback hygiene;

 implement weed control;

 implement drainage strategy;  control rabbits; and

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 monitor flora, weed populations and dieback.

5.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

5.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Corymbia calophylla – Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

5.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

A total of 26 of the 31 occurrences of the Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands are located within the Strategic Assessment Area, covering approximately 109 ha (Figure C8 and Figure C9). All of the occurrences of this ecological community are considered important given it is listed as Endangered.

Figure C-8: Known occurrences of Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Northern)

Yanchep !H

North-west

Bullsbrook !H

Ellenbrook!H

North-east Chidlow !H

Mundaring !H Central

Perth !H

South Metro Peel

0 10 20 Legend Kilometres Kwinana !H Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Rockingham !H Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 16/02/2015 ±

!H Figure C-9: Known occurrences of Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Southern)

Central North-east

Kwinana !H

Rockingham !H

Jarrahdale !H

Serpentine!H

South Metro Peel Mandurah !H

Pinjarra!H

Dwellingup!H

Waroona !H

0 10 20 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 27/07/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

6. SEDGELANDS IN HOLOCENE DUNE SWALES OF THE SOUTHERN SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

6.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

6.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain’ and Community Identifier ‘SCP19’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

6.3 DESCRIPTION

The Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales occurs in linear damplands and occasionally sumplands, between Holocene dunes, predominantly near Rockingham and Golden Bay.

Typical and common native species are the shrubs Acacia rostellifera, Acacia saligna, Xanthorrhoea preissii, the sedges Baumea juncea, Ficinia nodosa, Lepidosperma gladiatum, and the grass Poa porphyroclados. Some older occurrences have an overstorey characterised by Eucalyptus gomphocephala (Tuart trees), Melaleuca rhaphiophylla (Swamp Paperbark) and Banksia littoralis (Swamp Banksia) (DEC 2011b). Several exotic weeds are found in this ecological community but generally at low cover values.

6.4 DISTRIBUTION

A total of 103 occurrences of the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales have been recorded, the majority of which are located on Quindalup Dunes (Figure C10). The known distribution of the ecological community is approximately 190 ha, and is almost entirely located within linear wetland depressions (swales) occurring between parallel sand ridges of the Rockingham-Becher Plain. This plain has been formed through the accumulation of Holocene sediments and contains a continuous depositional history from 7,000 Before Present (BP) to present (Semeniuk 2007 as cited in DEC 2011b). For this threatened community often several occurrences will be located within the same bushland remnant and are therefore managed as one unit.

Additional occurrences of this ecological community include a small area at Yanchep and a small area at Dalyellup. Holocene dunes with wetlands around Preston Beach, south of Lancelin and at Cheynes Beach may also contain occurrences of this community (DEC 2011b).

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6.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Most of the occurrences of Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales are damplands that are waterlogged in winter, and retain relatively high soil moisture at the surface of the soil profile in summer. Some are sumplands and are seasonally inundated usually for less than two months of the year (DEC 2011b). Although the wetlands are expected to be strongly influenced by their proximity to the watertable, they also rely on direct rainfall (DEC 2011b).

The occurrences adjacent to waterbodies are typically dense, species-poor sedgeland dominated by bare Baumea juncea (Twigrush) and Ficinia nodosa (Knotted Club Rush). Several weed taxa are known to occur in the community and although they generally form only a minor component of the vegetation, some weed species have become a problem in areas where disturbance levels are high (DEC 2011b).

Two sub-groups of the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales are described in Bush Forever (Government of Western Australia 2000), which collectively form the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales Threatened Ecological Community:

 Community type 19a is termed ‘Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales’ and generally occurs in the younger swales.

 Community type 19b is termed ‘woodlands over Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales’ and tends to occur in older swales. This subgroup has an overstorey of woodlands including Tuart trees (Eucalyptus gomphocephala), Melaleuca rhaphiophylla (Swamp Paperbark) and Banksia littoralis (Swamp Banksia).

The sub-groups appear to relate to variations in depth to groundwater and in age of the dunes (B. Keighery, pers. comm. as cited in DEC 2011b).

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales (DEC 2011b) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising; the system of dunes and swales in which they occur, the fresh superficial groundwater that provides water to the swale wetlands, and the catchment for this groundwater.

6.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales include (DEC 2011b);

 hydrological changes (water quality and/or levels);

 clearing;  inappropriate fire regimes (too frequent);

 increased weed invasion;

 recreational activities;  overgrazing by native or introduced species;

 rubbish dumping;

 fragmentation and edge effects; and  lack of knowledge to guide management.

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

6.7 RELEVANT PLANS

6.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There is one relevant Threat Abatement Plan for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

6.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2011 – 2016 (DEC 2011b), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales community and reduce the level of threat.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 define the community in greater detail;

 identify all occurrences of the community;

 continue to minimise recreational disturbance to the community;  implement a fire management strategy;

 continue to implement a weed control strategy;

 continue to ensure any infrastructure does not impact the community;  continue monitoring of groundwater and vegetation; and

 implement the planned feral and introduced animal control program.

6.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

6.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales and shrublands was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

6.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

All of the 103 occurrences of Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales are located within the Strategic Assessment Area (Figure C10). All of the occurrences of this ecological community are considered important given it is listed as Endangered.

The occurrences of Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales within Port Kennedy Scientific Park are particularly highly valued for their excellent demonstration of a continuous depositional history of sediment dating from 7,000 Before Present (BP) to present (Tauss 2002 as cited in DEC 2011b). This is significant due to the information it provides about the evolutionary record of sea level history and climatic changes (Tauss 2002 as cited in DEC 2011b).

Furthermore, the wetlands within Port Kennedy Scientific Park are the wetlands of Point Becher which are listed under the Ramsar convention as Wetlands of International Importance.

Figure C-10: Known occurences of Sedgelands in Holocene!H dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area

Rockingham !H

Serpentine !H

Mandurah !H

Pinjarra !H

Waroona !H 0 6 12 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 16/02/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

7. SHRUBLANDS AND WOODLANDS OF THE EASTERN SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

7.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

7.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Shrublands and woodlands of the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain’ and Community Identifier ‘SCP20c’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

7.3 DESCRIPTION

The Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain occurs as a shrubland, or a woodland of Banksia attenuata and Banksia menziesii, sometimes with Allocasuarina fraseriana, over a shrub layer that can include the species Adenanthos cygnorum, Hibbertia huegelii, Scaevola repens var. repens, Allocasuarina humilis, Bossiaea eriocarpa, Hibbertia hypericoides and Stirlingia latifolia. A collection of herbs usually occurs in the community including; Conostylis aurea, Trachymene pilosa, Lomandra hermaphrodita, Burchardia umbellata and Patersonia occidentalis, and the sedges Mesomelaena pseudostygia and Lyginia barbata. The weeds Gladiolus caryophyllaceus and Ursinia anthemoides also commonly occur in this ecological community (DEC 2006b).

The ecological community occurs on a geomorphological unit described by (Gibson et al. 1994; DEP 1996 as cited in DEC 2006b) as the Forrestfield Unit of the Ridge Hill Shelf.

7.4 DISTRIBUTION

The Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain occurs on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain in the foothills of the Darling Scarp (DEC 2006b).

A total of 6 occurrences of the ecological community have been recorded, covering an area of approximately 127 ha from Stratton in the north to Maddington in the south (Figure C11). The ecological community is likely to have been rare even prior to extensive clearing of the geological unit on which it occurs (Gibson et al. 1994; B. Keighery pers. comm. as cited in DEC 2006b).

7.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

The composition of the Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain reflects the transitional zone between the Darling Scarp and the heavy soils on the eastern side of the Swan

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Coastal Plain (Gibson et al. 1994 as cited in DEC 2006b), with many species present in the community being more common on the Scarp, such as Templetonia biloba. The assemblage also contains species such as Neurachne alopecuroidea more commonly associated with Marri – Wandoo woodlands on heavy soils (Gibson et al. 1994 as cited in DEC 2006b).

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain (DEC 2006b) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising the area of occupancy of known occurrences, areas of similar habitat within 200 m of known occurrences, and remnant vegetation that surrounds or links several occurrences.

7.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain include clearing, altered fire regimes, weed invasion, grazing, disease introduction (Phytophthora dieback), hydrological changes, pollution and erosion by wind and water (DEC 2006b). The ecological community appears to be quite susceptible to dieback, and the pathogen is common in some occurrences (DEC 2006b).

7.7 RELEVANT PLANS

7.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There are two relevant Threat Abatement Plans for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Commonwealth of Australia 2014).

 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

7.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2006 – 2011 (DEC 2006b), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, biology and ecology, threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the community and reduce the level of threat, with the aim of reclassifying the State listing from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 mapping habitat critical for survival of the ecological community;

 establishing quadrats in unconfirmed occurrences of the ecological community;  designing and implementing flora monitoring program;

 developing and implementing a fire management strategy;

 monitoring and determining priority areas for treating dieback;

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 monitoring weed populations and implementing weed control;

 ensuring fences are constructed and maintained; and

 implementing a drainage strategy.

7.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

7.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

7.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

All 6 of the known occurrences of the Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain occur within the Strategic Assessment Area (Figure C11). All of the occurrences of this ecological community are considered important given it is listed as Endangered.

Figure C-11: Known occurrences of Shrublands and Woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area

Bullsbrook !H

Ellenbrook !H

Chidlow !H

Mundaring !H

Perth !H

0 6 12 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: KwinanaStrategic!H Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: SM Date: 10/06/2015 ±

!H Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

8. SHRUBLANDS AND WOODLANDS ON MUCHEA LIMESTONE OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN

8.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

8.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Endangered under the name ‘Shrublands and woodlands on Muchea Limestone’ and Community Identifier ‘MUCHEA LIMESTONE’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria.

8.3 DESCRIPTION

The Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan Coastal Plain (herein Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone) occurs on the heavy soils of the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain. The best developed limestone occurs near Gingin, where the plant community is located on shallow black clay or sandy clay soils on limestone (CALM 2000).

Typical and common native species of the ecological community (Keighery and Keighery 1995 as cited in CALM 2000) are the tree Casuarina obesa, the mallees Eucalyptus decipiens and E. foecunda and the shrubs Melaleuca huegelii, Alyogyne huegelii var. huegelii, Grevillea curviloba ssp. incurva, G. curviloba ssp. curviloba, G. evanescens, M. acerosa, M. huegelii, and the herb Thysanotus arenarius. Common exotic species include; Hypochaeris glabra, Sonchus asper, Briza maxima, B. minor, Anagallis arvensis and Centaurium erythraea.

8.4 DISTRIBUTION

A total of 16 occurrences of Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone totalling approximately 197 ha have been recorded between Beermullah and Wokalup, a distance of around 200 km. The soils which this ecological community occurs on are highly fragmented and only occur on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain (CALM 2000).

8.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

The Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone occurs on soils associated with limestone deposits (CALM 2000). The soils are frequently mounded up above the surrounding area and are likely to reflect areas of spring activity in the past, where carbonates have precipitated out of solution (McArthur and Bettenay 1960 as cited in CALM 2000). The Muchea Limestone soils have pH levels of between 7.8 – 8.3, which reflects the alkalinity of the limestone in the soil profile.

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

The plant taxa occurring within Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone reflect the unusual mixture of limestone, clay and sands. Many of the species are commonly associated with the limestone soils that occur on the coast, and do not generally occur further inland (CALM 2000). Some occurrences of this Threatened Ecological Community also support populations of the Threatened flora species Grevillea curviloba subsp. incurva and G. curviloba subsp. curviloba.

Habitat critical to the survival of the Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone is not defined in the Interim Recovery Plan for the community (CALM 2000).

8.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone are clearing, mining, weed invasion, grazing, altered fire regimes, hydrological changes, salinisation, disease introduction and erosion by wind and water (CALM 2000).

8.7 RELEVANT PLANS

8.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There are two relevant Threat Abatement Plans for this ecological community:

 The Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (Commonwealth of Australia 2014).

 The Threat Abatement Plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Commonwealth of Australia 2008).

8.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2000 – 2003 (CALM 2000), which includes community information on habitat requirements, summary of extent and location of occurrences and threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the plant community associated with the Muchea Limestone soils and reduce the level of threat towards downgrading from Critically Endangered to Endangered (note the current ranking of the species is now Endangered).

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 install markers;

 develop and implement fire management plan;  implement Phytophthora dieback hygiene;

 implement weed control;

 monitor depth and timing of inundation;  monitor flora, weed populations and dieback; and

 replant/rehabilitate.

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

8.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

There is no Commonwealth Conservation Advice for this ecological community.

8.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community.

8.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

A total of 11 of the 16 occurrences of Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone are located within the Strategic Assessment Area, covering approximately 79 ha (Figure C12 and Figure C13). All of the occurrences of this ecological community are considered important given it is listed as Endangered.

Figure C-13: Known occurrences of Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Northern)

Yanchep !H

North-west

Bullsbrook !H

Ellenbrook!H

North-east Chidlow !H

Mundaring !H Central

Perth !H

South Metro Peel

0 10 20

Kilometres Legend Kwinana !H Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Data Source: DPaW Area Rockingham !H Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 17/02/2015 ± !H !H Figure C-13: Known occurrences of Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone of the Swan Coastal Plain within the Strategic Assessment Area (Southern)

Central North-east

Kwinana !H

Rockingham !H

Jarrahdale !H

Serpentine !H

South Metro Peel Mandurah !H

Pinjarra!H

Dwellingup !H

Waroona !H

0 10 20 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 17/02/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

9. THROMBOLITE (MICROBIALITE) COMMUNITY OF A COASTAL BRACKISH LAKE (LAKE CLIFTON)

9.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Critically Endangered.

9.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Stromatolite like freshwater microbialite community of coastal brackish lakes’ and Community Identifier ‘Clifton-microbialite’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria and the ecological community is referred to in Western Australia as ‘Stromatolite like freshwater microbialite community of coastal brackish lakes’ (Clifton-microbialite)’.

9.3 DESCRIPTION

Microbialites are discrete organosedimentary rock-like structures formed by the activities of specific microbial communities that occur at the bottom of certain aqueous ecosystems. Thrombolites are a particular type of microbialite (see Section 9.5). The dominant type of microbe present in the thrombolite (microbialite) Community of a Coastal Brackish Lake (Lake Clifton) (herein, the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community) are generally photosynthetic cyanobacteria. Other cyanobacteria found in the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community include the genera Oscillatoria, Dichothrix, Chlorococcus, Gloeocapsa, Johannesbaptistia, Spirulina and Gomphosphaeria, as well as numerous species of diatoms (DoE 2014).

Microbialites have great scientific importance, as they provide the oldest evidence of life on Earth and the evidence of historical environments through information encrypted within their structure (Luu et al. 2004). Lake Clifton supports the largest known examples of living non-marine microbialites in the southern hemisphere (Department of Conservation and Land Management 1995 as cited in Luu et al. 2004) and the local geology indicates that the age of the thrombolites in Lake Clifton is likely to be approximately 3,000 – 6, 000 years (Moore 1991 as cited in English et al. 2003).

9.4 DISTRIBUTION

The Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community is restricted to Lake Clifton, on the Swan Coastal Plain, south of Perth (Figure C14). Lake Clifton is situated within the Yalgorup National Park, and is the northern- most lake in the Peel-Yalgorup Lakes System.

The Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community occurs on a relict foredune plain of Holocene age sands. The main known occurrence of the ecological community is a reef-like formation approximately 15 km long and up to 15 m wide along the north-eastern shoreline of Lake Clifton. Other smaller clusters of

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

thrombolites are known to occur at the northern end of Lake Clifton. The Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community covers a total area of approximately four square kilometres (DoE 2014).

9.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Microbialites are formed when cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae photosynthesise and precipitate calcium carbonate (limestone) from the surrounding water, leading to the formation of rock- like structures. Microbialites are living ecosystems similar to coral reefs (despite their rock-like appearance). Unlike corals, however, the hard carbonate structures of microbialites are not skeletal, but are instead the result of a passive process of mineralisation in the biochemical environment.

Thrombolites are distinguished from other microbialites, such as stromatolites, by the internal structure of their calcareous deposits. Stromatolites are finely layered, whereas thrombolites are not layered, and possess a clotted internal structure. Thrombolites are formed by the interactions of a complex association of photosynthetic prokaryotes, eukaryotic microalgae and true bacteria. The photosynthetic action of the microbes causes the precipitation of calcium carbonate as aragonite from fresh groundwater seeping up from underground aquifers. They require access to a carbonate-rich water supply and sunlight for their growth and survival (DoE 2014).

The thrombolites of the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community exhibit a range of external morphologies and vary in size up to 1.3 m high. Their external morphology is controlled primarily by fluctuations in water depth, sedimentation rates and prevailing winds and currents (Moore 1991 as cited in Luu et al. 2004).

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community (Luu et al. 2004) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising Lake Clifton itself and the groundwater and associated catchment that contribute to the lake waters.

9.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community are groundwater extraction and changes to surrounding vegetation, causing increased salinity levels, eutrophication and physical damage (TSSC 2009). The physical damage is mainly from crushing by visitors and recreational users of the Lake (Luu et al. 2004).

The main potential threats to the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community include introduced fish species and climate change (TSSC 2009). Introduced fish species, such as Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), are thought to graze on the microbial layer that forms the thrombolites and their faecal material may also alter the nutrient levels within the lake (Luu et al. 2004).

With increasing subdivision and subsequent rise in land use for agricultural practices on the eastern side of Lake Clifton, the rise in runoff of nutrients and other pollutants from adjacent properties may affect the growth and survival of the thrombolites. Increased nutrient levels can result in competition between thrombolitic communities and macroalgae and/or planktonic cyanobacteria leading to decreased light penetration that reduces or prevents photosynthesis, hindering thrombolite formation and growth (Luu et al. 2004).

The vegetation buffer of the lake has been impacted historically by clearing for agricultural use, and more recently by visitors. Vegetation near the lake shore can be important in areas of surface and

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

groundwater intrusion as a buffer can significantly reduce the level of nutrients entering the lake from surface flow (Luu et al. 2004).

9.7 RELEVANT PLANS 9.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan There is no relevant Threat Abatement Plan for this ecological community.

9.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2004 – 2009 (Luu et al. 2004), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, biology and ecology, threats and priority actions. The objective of this Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community and reduce the level of threat.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 mapping habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community;

 seeking creation and protection of a suitable native vegetation buffer for the lake;

 conducting biological research to clarify threats to the thrombolites and help design recovery actions;

 managing access to the lake and protecting areas containing the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community from physical damage;

 undertaking ongoing monitoring of physical condition and microbial assemblage of thrombolites;

 managing and monitoring water quality;

 informing surrounding landholders to ensure actions on their lands do not impact the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community;

 cooperating with appropriate agencies to manage land uses;

 controlling weeds and rehabilitating plant communities on the eastern side of the lake; and  developing and implementing an approved fire management strategy.

9.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

The Conservation Advice for this ecological community (TSSC 2009) provides guidance on immediate recovery and threat abatement actions that could be utilised to ensure the conservation of the species. The Conservation Advice includes information on the species habitat and distribution, threats, research priorities and local and regional priority actions including to:

 implement suitable monitoring programs;

 undertake further research into the biology, distribution and ecological requirements of the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community;

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

 develop and implement a Water Quality Improvement Plan;

 ensure development activities do not impact the Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community;

 minimise and manage changes in hydrology, including to the groundwater aquifer;

 create and protect a suitable native vegetation buffer around Lake Clifton;  investigate formal conservation agreements;

 implement practical methods of preventing physical damage; and

 ensure adequate fencing.

9.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

9.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

The Lake Clifton Thrombolite Community occurs entirely within the Strategic Assessment Area (in the southern portion; Figure C14) and is considered an important Threatened Ecological Community as it is listed as Critically Endangered.

The ecological community occurs within Yalgorup National Park. The Peel-Yalgorup System (which includes Lake Clifton) is listed as one of the Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar convention which involves countries agreeing to establish and oversee a management framework aimed at conserving the wetland and maintaining its ecological character.

Figure C-14: Known occurrences of Thrombolite (microbialite) Community of a Coastal Brackish Lake (Lake Clifton) within the Strategic Assessment Area

Mandurah !H

Pinjarra !H

Waroona !H

0 6.5 13 Legend Kilometres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: SM Date: 10/07/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

10. THROMBOLITE (MICROBIAL) COMMUNITY OF COASTAL FRESHWATER LAKES OF THE SWAN COASTAL PLAIN (LAKE RICHMOND)

10.1 COMMONWEALTH STATUS

Endangered.

10.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATUS

Ranked as Critically Endangered under the name ‘Stromatolite like microbialite community of coastal freshwater lakes’ and Community Identifier ‘Richmond-microbialite’ in the listing of Threatened Ecological Communities endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for Environment. This ranking is based on IUCN criteria and the ecological community is referred to in Western Australia as ‘Stromatolite like microbialite community of coastal freshwater lakes’ (Richmond-microbial)’.

10.3 DESCRIPTION

Thrombolites are a particular type of microbialite, which are discrete organosedimentary rock-like structures formed by the activities of specific microbial communities that occur at the bottom of certain aqueous ecosystems (see Section 9.3).

The thrombolite (microbial) community of coastal freshwater lakes of the Swan Coastal Plain (Lake Richmond) (herein the Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community) is unlike other known occurrences of thrombolites, as this ecological community appears to be adapted to fresh water (TSSC 2008). This ecological community occurs on relic foredune plain on Holocene sands at Lake Richmond, Rockingham and is a complex association of photosynthetic cyanobacteria and purple sulphur bacteria, eukaryotic microalgae and ’true bacteria‘ (English et al. 2003). The thrombolites in Lake Richmond are likely to have been formed at a similar or later time to those in Lake Clifton, which are likely to be approximately 3,000 – 6,000 years old (Moore 1991 as cited in English et al. 2003) (see Section 9.3).

10.4 DISTRIBUTION

The ecological community is confined to an area of approximately 3 ha of relict foredune plain on Holocene sands at Lake Richmond, about 1 km south of Rockingham on the southern Swan Coastal Plain (English et al. 2003) (Figure C15). Lake Richmond is elliptical, measuring approximately 1 km by 0.6 km and the water body covers about 40 ha. The microbial structures occur in a zone about 15 m wide around much of the lake (English et al. 2003) and the best developed thrombolite formations occur

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

on the eastern side. Old stranded thrombolites (no longer living) have been identified immediately to the east of Lake Richmond (A. and B. Goodale personal observation as cited in English et al. 2003).

The distribution of the Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community overlaps with the Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the Southern Swan Coastal Plain EPBC Act-listed ecological community (TSSC 2008).

10.5 HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Lake Richmond is a relatively deep, perennial freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 15 m. The water body is elevated about 1 m above sea level. The lake margin consists of bare flats up to 70 m wide, bordered by several metres of sedgeland dominated by Baumea juncea, Scirpus validus, and Typha orientalis (TSSC 2008). The thrombolitic zone is up to 15 m wide and has a lithified carbonate crust (TSSC 2008). The community is located upon relic foredune plain on Holocene sands which are calcareous, and composed of quartz sands and shell debris of aeolian origin (Gozzard 1983 as cited in English et al. 2003).

The biology and ecology of the thrombolites of Lake Richmond are not well studied. Thrombolites have a clotted internal organisation and the Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community probably formed by precipitation of aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate, during growth and metabolic activity within the community microenvironment (Moore 1993 as cited in TSSC 2008). The survival and growth of the community is dependent upon light and a continuing supply of fresh water rich in calcium, bicarbonate and carbonate (ESSS 2000 as cited in TSSC 2008). The source of the calcium in the waters of Lake Richmond is probably groundwater that has passed through sand dunes that surround the lake. The catchment for this groundwater is not known (English et al. 2003). The waters of Lake Richmond vary from 0.04 – 0.14% (0.4 – 1.4 parts per thousand (ppt)) salt and have a pH range of 8.3 – 9.3, which is significantly alkaline (Moore 1993 as cited in English et al. 2003).

The Interim Recovery Plan for the Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community (English et al. 2003) describes the habitat critical for survival of this Threatened Ecological Community as comprising the water and substrate of Lake Richmond itself, and the catchments for the surface waters, streams and drains and the groundwater that contributes to the lake waters.

10.6 THREATS

The main identified threats to the Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community include urban development; increased public use of Lake Richmond that may result in trampling of thrombolites; increased nutrient input from a major drain to the lake, which may cause epiphytic and planktonic blooms that could smother thrombolites (ESSS 2000 as cited in TSSC 2008), increased runoff due to urbanization and alterations to surrounding vegetation, smothering by weeds or sediment, rubbish dumping and road construction (English et al. 2003).

The main potential threats to the Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community include changes to ground water pattern through increased extraction and draw-down and intrusion of salt water into Lake Richmond (the thrombolite communities are unlikely to survive major increases in salinity) (TSSC 2008).

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

10.7 RELEVANT PLANS

10.7.1 Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan

There is no relevant Threat Abatement Plan for this ecological community.

10.7.2 Commonwealth Recovery Plan

There is no Commonwealth Recovery Plan for this ecological community, however, there is a State endorsed Interim Recovery Plan 2003 – 2008 (English et al. 2003), which includes community information on habitat requirements and habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community, summary of extent and location of occurrences, biology and ecology, threats and priority actions. The objective of the Interim Recovery Plan is to maintain or improve the overall condition of the microbial community in the only known location.

The priority recovery actions identified include:

 mapping habitat critical for survival of the Threatened Ecological Community;  agreeing on a suitable native vegetation buffer area;

 managing access to the site;

 ensuring drainage from adjacent lands does not impact the thrombolites;  undertaking ongoing monitoring of the physical condition of the thrombolites;

 monitoring water quality and hydrology;

 developing and implementing a fire management strategy; and

 using education to manage physical impacts to thrombolites and ensure actions on surrounding lands do not impact the thrombolites.

10.7.3 Commonwealth Conservation Advice

The Conservation Advice for this ecological community (TSSC 2008) provides guidance on immediate recovery and threat abatement actions that could be utilised to ensure the conservation of the species. The Conservation Advice includes information on the species habitat and distribution, threats, research priorities and local and regional priority actions including to:

 design and implement a monitoring program or, if appropriate, support and enhance existing programs;

 determine thrombolite tolerance to salinity, sedimentation and other threatening processes;

 monitor the ecological community;  manage any changes in hydrology;

 control access to the site;

 ensure nearby proposed developments and existing land use do not adversely impact on the community;

 manage and minimise public use of the lake;

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

 investigate formal conservation agreements; and

 raise awareness of the ecological community within the local community.

10.8 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY CATEGORISATION FOR THE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

The Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community was classified as Category 1 on the basis that:

 the Strategic Assessment Area supports more than 50% of all known records of the Threatened Ecological Community; and

 the Strategic Assessment Area comprises 66% or more of the distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community.

10.9 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE REGION AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT AREA

The Lake Richmond Thrombolite Community occurs entirely within the Strategic Assessment Area (in the southern portion; Figure C15) and is considered an important Threatened Ecological Community as it is listed as Endangered.

Lake Richmond is within Rockingham Lakes Regional Park. Most of the land at Lake Richmond is vested in the City of Rockingham for the purpose of “Conservation and Public Recreation” with the exception of Reserve 48310 and 48406 which the City is seeking to obtain via a management order, and Reserve 42518 which is vested with the Water Corporation. Lake Richmond Reserve is classified as Bush Forever Site No. 358, which is recognised for its representation of ecological communities, rarity and protection of wetland vegetation.

Figure C-15: Known occurrence of The Thrombolite (microbial) community of coastal !H freshwater lakes of the Swan Coastal Plain (Lake Richmond) within the Strategic Assessment Area

Kwinana !H

Rockingham !H

Jarrahdale !H

Serpentine !H

Mandurah 0 5,600 11,200 !H Legend Metres Datum/Projection: Strategic Assessment GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Area Data Source: DPaW Occurrence Prepared by: JL Date: 10/07/2015 ± Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

REFERENCES

Commonwealth of Australia 2008. Threat abatement plan for competition and land degredation by rabbits. Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.

Commonwealth of Australia 2014. Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi Environment Australia (EA), Department of the Environment, Canberra.

Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) 2000. Shrubland and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone Interim Recovery Plan 2000-2003. Interim Recovery Plan No. 57. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) 2003. Aquatic Root Mat Community of Caves of the Swan Coastal Plain, and the Crystal Cave Crangonyctoid Interim Recovery Plan 2003- 2008. Interim Recovery Plan No. 117. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2006a. Assemblages of Organic Mound (Tumulus) Springs of the Swan Coastal Plain Interim Recovery Plan 2006-2010, Interim Recovery Plan No. 198. Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2006b. Shrublands and woodlands on the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain (Community Type 20c) Interim Recovery Plan 2006-2011, Interim Recovery Plan No. 230. Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2011a. Interim Recovery Plan 2011-2016 for Corymbia calophylla - Kingia australis woodlands on heavy soil, Swan Coastal Plain. Interim Recovery Plan No. 315. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2011b. Sedgelands in Holocene Dune Swales Interim Recovery Plan 2011-2016. Interim Recover Plan No. 314. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) 2013. Invertebrate communities of caves on the South West coastal plain. Threatened Ecological Communities of Western Australia, posters. Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA.

Department of the Environment (DoE) 2014. Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.

English, V. and Blyth, J. 2000. Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands (Swan Coastal Plain Community type 3c - Gibson et al. 1994) Interim Recovery Plan 2000-2003. Interim Recovery Plan No. 60. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

English, V., Blyth, J., Goodale, A., Goodale, B., Moore, L., Mitchell, D., Loughton, B., Tucker, J., Halse, S. and King, S. 2003. Thrombolite community of coastal freshwater lakes (Lake Richmond), Interim Recovery Plan (Coastal freshwater lakes thrombolitic aragonite community formed by biologically influenced precipitation of a mineral phase) 2003-2008. Interim Recovery Plan No. 122, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Strategic Assessment for the Perth and Peel Regions

Gibson, N., Keighery, B.J., Keighery, G.J., Burbidge, A.H. and Lyons, M.N. 1994. A Floristic survey of the southern Swan Coastal Plain. Report for the Australian Heritage Commission prepared by Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Conservation Council of Western Australia (Inc.). Unpublished.

Government of Western Australia, 2000. Bush Forever Volume 2: Directory of Bush Forever Sites. Department of Environmental Protection, Perth.

Luu, R., Mitchell, D. and Blyth, J., 2004. Thrombolite (Stromatolite-like microbialite) Community of a Coastal Brackish Lake (Lake Clifton) Interim Recovery Plan 2004-2009, Interim Recovery Plan No. 153. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008. Commonwealth Approved Conservation Advice. [Online]. Department of the Environment. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/conservationadvice.pl

Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2009. Commonwealth Approved Conservation Advice. [Online]. Department of the Environment. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/conservationadvice.pl

Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2012. Commonwealth Approved Conservation Advice. [Online]. Department of the Environment. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/conservationadvice.pl.

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