Natural Values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area 2013 Extension

- Central North Sector

Nature Conservation Report 20/3

DeparNaturalt mentand Cultural of Heritage PrDepartmentimaryNatural Industr of Values Primaryies, PaSurveyrk Industries,s, W• 2013ater TWWHA Parks,and En Water vExtensionironmen And Area, tEnvironment Central North Sector 1 Natural Values of the TWWHA Extension - Central North Sector

Edited by Elise Dewar Document design by Land Tasmania Design Unit © Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

This report was prepared under the direction of the Natural and Cultural Heritage Division of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Program). Australian Government funds contributed to the project. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Governments.

ISSN: 1838-7403 (electronic)

Front cover photograph by Micah Visoiu; overlooking the headwaters of Brumby Creek in the TWWHA

Cite as: DPIPWE (2020). Natural values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area 2013 Extension – Central North Sector. Nature Conservation Report 20/3, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 2 KEY FINDINGS

In 2013, an area of 172,276 ha was added to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). A review of the known natural values for this extension and the threats to those values highlighted significant knowledge gaps (Balmeret al., 2017). To redress these knowedge gaps, at least partially, a multi-disciplinary survey was undertaken in November 2019 to document flora, fauna and geodiversity values in part of the extension area known as the Central North Sector (CNS). Key findings and outcomes from the survey include:

Natural Values

• A large number of flora and fauna observations including discovery of new species, new records for the TWWHA and, records that expand the known range and distribution of various species: o 1,277 flora records representing 356 plant taxa including 22 new native species for the CNS, of which three had not been previously recorded in the TWWHA; o 73 vertebrate fauna species recorded, including six new records for the CNS; o 192 invertebrate records representing at least 84 species including 19 new records for the TWWHA extension area and seven new records for the TWWHA; o A new genus and species of millipede, which has since been formally described and named as Kebodesmus zonarius; o A new species of weevil that has yet to be described and named; o The plant Carex sp. Algonkian Rivulet was recorded for only the second time in 40 years. Samples collected will enable the formal description of the taxon which is highly restricted and confined to within the TWWHA. • 32 comprehensive flora assessments were undertaken typifying the local vegetation communities. • 10,916 ha of vegetation mapping and validation (including 3,498 ha of threatened communities). • Well-developed sandstone caves, a hitherto neglected aspect of TWWHA geodiversity, were explored and mapped on the Great Western Tiers. These are some of the best examples of sandstone caves in Tasmania. • Three previously undescribed lunettes adjacent to Little Lake were documented. Their unusual aspect and orientation provide unique indication of climatic conditions at the time of formation and warrant further study in that regard. They have been nominated for listing on the Tasmanian Geoconservation Database.

Additional discovery

• An old drystone structure was found at the northern edge of the Central Plateau, likely a remnant shepherd’s hut from early grazing in the first half of the 19th century. The structure had not previously been recorded on the PWS Heritage layer and has historical significance.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 3

Threats to Natural Values WEEDS

• Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) o Ragwort is the most widespread invasive weed within the surveyed areas, with scattered individuals encountered east of Pine Lake, Westons Road and Gunns Marsh Road. o This species is wind dispersed and has a constant input of seed into these areas from large infestations which occur on the disturbed shores of Great Lake to the west. Disturbance is required for establishment and most plants are scattered populations or individuals. It is most widespread along the verges of Westons Road and Westons water race. o The species is also common around Gunns Marsh Road. In this area it has been the subject of targeted management through a Derwent Catchment Project management program since 2016, following the 2012 bushfire in this area. A coordinated weed management program for this species in this area should continue and be re-assessed on an annual basis. • Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) o Creeping thistle, which is also known as Californian thistle was found on the sides of Tumbledown Creek (site 10). This species is likely more widespread in this area. Creeping thistle reproduces vegetatively forming large patches that outcompete other species. It is recommended that this infestation be treated, and further mapping and treatment of infestations of the species be undertaken. Potentially this could be combined with ragwort management work in the area. • Gorse (Ulex europaeus) o Two well-established gorse bushes were found in the riparian scrub on the eastern side of the Tumbledown Creek bridge on Gunns Marsh Road (494320, 5357930). Treatment of this currently small incursion should be a management priority. o A well-established population of gorse was found above Poatina Road (site 31, 490581, 5371891) where it is mixed in the understorey of dry eucalypt forest including the threatened native vegetation community Eucalyptus amygdalina forest on sandstone. The population appears to be associated with an old service track that may have been used during road construction. Management of this site is a high priority and a targeted survey of the area for additional incursions of gorse is recommended.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 4 PESTS

• Fallow deer (Dama dama) o Deer are plentiful in the Gunns Marsh Road area. A strategy on how to best manage the species in this area is needed, as part of broader approach to managing deer in the TWWHA. • Goat (Capra hircus) o Scats were noted at Site 31 on Poatina Road, and 1km downhill which were suggestive of goat rather than deer. The habitat in the area is also not considered likely deer habitat. It is recommended that trail cameras be set up to confirm the identity of the feral bovids in the area. If goats are confirmed, eradication should be a priority. • Feral cats (Felis catus) o Cats were detected at nine of the ten camera monitoring sites and are assumed to be widespread throughout the CNS. As cats appear to be widespread and established, a control or eradication program is unlikely to be effective unless part of a broader statewide approved strategy. • European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) o Rabbit diggings and browsing were observed to have caused localised damage to sensitive vegetation communities including cushion moorlands and Poa grasslands fringing wet grassy sedgeland on the margins of Eucalyptus coccifera woodlands.

HUMAN IMPACTS

• Cutting and theft of firewood o Firewood hooking is very prevalent in the Gunns Marsh Road area, the scale of which suggests that this could be attributable, at least partially, to commercial operations. This is impacting significantly on the natural values in many places. The management history and mixed tenure of the area has meant that this activity has gone largely unmanaged for many years. Now that this area is within the TWWHA, management and policing of this activity should be prioritised. • Recreational activities o Areas have been cleared for unofficial camping on the shores of Little Lake near the documented lunette. This appears to have caused degradation and deflation of the ground surface, with further erosion expected due to lack of ground cover. Associated four-wheel drive tracks and rubbish dumping were also recorded in this area. Signage, closure and rerouting of the tracks may help mitigate the impacts of these activities and restoration of the area. • Access to sandstone caves o Sandstone caves off Stone Hut Track contain evidence of regular visitation, including grafitti, campfires and rubbish. These caves are locally well known and used for camping and similar activities, possibly going back many years. Any response to this is best approached via local community engagement. More generally, management of tracks on the Great Western Tiers should consider the risk that actions such as re-alignment of tracks, development of new tracks, or promotion of tracks, could put pressure on presently unaffected caves.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key Findings ...... 3 Acknowledgements ...... 7 Terms and abbreviations ...... 8 1. Introduction ...... 9 TWWHA extension ...... 10 Central North Sector ...... 11 2. Flora values survey of the Central North sector of the TWWHA 2013 Extension ...... 16 Introduction ...... 17 Method ...... 17 Results ...... 20 References ...... 39 APPENDIX 2.1 ...... 40 3. Vegetation Mapping ...... 58 Introduction ...... 59 Method ...... 60 Results of ground truthing and revision mapping ...... 61 Summary ...... 70 References ...... 70 Appendix 3.1 ...... 71 4. Fauna of the North East Central Plateau, Great Western Tiers and Quamby Bluff ...... 72 Introduction ...... 73 Method ...... 73 Results ...... 76 Discussion ...... 88 References ...... 89 Appendix 4.1 ...... 90 Appendix 4.2 ...... 92 5. Cavernous sandstone landforms of the Great Western Tiers ...... 96 Introduction ...... 97 Methods ...... 99 Results ...... 99 Discussion ...... 102 References ...... 104 6. Little lake lunettes ...... 108 Introduction ...... 109 Landform description ...... 109 Landform interpretation ...... 111 Values ...... 111 Management issues ...... 112 References ...... 112

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the custodians of this Land and respect their culture and identity which has been bound with the Land and Sea for generations. Whilst this report focusses on the natural values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, it is with full recognition that those values are important components of the Aboriginal cultural landscape; interwoven with and sustained by traditional cultural and land management practices over thousands of years. We would like to thank experts who volunteered their time to help with field surveys, data processing and reporting: Kevin Bonham, James Wood, Greg Middleton. We would also like to acknowledge the support of Tony Burgess (Parks and Wildlife Service), Rob Moreton and Carley Lambert (Natural and Cultural Heritage Division) as well as staff from Hydro Tasmania and the DPIPWE’s Inland Fisheries Service who provided access and advice regarding survey areas within the 2013 TWWHA Extension.

TWWHA Extension Area survey team members November 2019, from left: Michael Driessen, Rolan Eberhard, Jayne Balmer, Steve Leonard, Felicity Hargraves, James Wood, Greg Middleton, Jason Bradbury, Kevin Bonham, Micah Visoiu and Elise Dewar.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 7 TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ASL Above sea level Biodiversity The diverse variety of all life forms including microorganisms, animals and plants. The term is scalable from the genetic diversity within a single species, to community, and to ecosystem levels. Cultural values Cultural heritage values of the TWWHA, including Aboriginal heritage sites and artefacts and historic heritage sites and artefacts. CNS Central North Sector DPIPWE Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Extension Refers to the 2013 extension to the TWWHA Geodiversity The natural range of rocks, landforms and soils. LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging Natural values A feature or system of nature, as opposed to humans and human products. This includes native plants, animals and other organisms; the communities they form; geological features and the landscapes these features combine to create. NCA Nature Conservation Act 2002 NCH Natural and Cultural Heritage, a division of DPIPWE NVA NVA Natural Values Atlas; Tasmanian spatial database and repository for natural values (www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au) OUV Outstanding Universal Value - cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity, as detailed for the TWWHA in the properties Statement of Outstanding Universal Value. PWS Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, a division of DPIPWE Speleologist A scientist who studies or explores caves TWWHA Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area TSPA Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 UNESCO United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – a specialised agency of the United Nations.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 8 1. Introduction

Photo: Eucalyptus delegatensis forest, Felicity Hargraves

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 9 TWWHA EXTENSION

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982 for having Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) due to its iconic INTRODUCTION natural and cultural heritage values. These values encompass biodiversity and geological diversity of international significance and, examples of exceptional cultural heritage that demonstrate long occupation by Tasmanian Aboriginal people spanning over 40,000 years. The property originally inscribed on the World Heritage List was extended in 1989, 2010, 2012 and 2013. The TWWHA, now covering 1.58 million ha, is protected under national and state environmental laws and is subject to international obligations.

The 2013 TWWHA extension (here forth referred to as the ‘extension’) added 172,276 ha to the property, predominantly on the northern and eastern boundaries. There are significant gaps in the knowledge of natural values throughout the extension including flora, fauna and geodiversity attributes. Understanding the location of and threats to those values is imperative for protection and preservation of the TWWHA’s OUV. A Key Deliverable Outcome of the TWWHA Management Plan 2016, states: “There is an ongoing, adaptive and systematic program of identification, inventory, assessment, mapping and documentation of World Heritage and other natural values that supports the Management Plan’s management Objectives and guiding Vision” (KDO 5.1). This includes the following management actions: • Conduct coordinated research to identify new World Heritage and other natural values; assess information gaps, including systematic analysis of geodiversity; improve knowledge of the area’s taxonomic groups; document the values of significant ecosystems; and • Assess the 2013 extension to identify additional values and research requirements for its conservation and management, particularly around the mid-Huon River, headwaters of the Styx River, slopes of the Great Western Tiers and parts of the extension to the north-east of Cradle Mountain. Further to this, the TWWHA Management Plan states that “areas within the 2013 extension require further assessment to determine the impact of pests and weeds and the risks posed by roads” (KDO 5.5, page 114). Management actions are also prescribed to identify land use and recreational activities within the 2013 extension, address any associated impacts to natural and cultural values and, ensure consistency with reserve management objectives (KDO 6.11). In 2018, the Australian Government provided funding to document the location of and threats to the natural values in a priority region of the TWWHA extension. This was achieved by undertaking a multidisciplinary survey targeting flora, fauna and geodiversity values. In November 2019, twelve specialists conducted a five-day field survey, based out of Liawenee in the Central Plateau, to document values in the Central North Sector (CNS)of the extension. The results of the survey are presented in this report according to each of the disciplines. All records collected during this project have been added to the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas (NVA). This report serves as an addendum to the Review of natural values within the 2013 extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (Balmer et al., 2017), which provides a description and context of the CNS along

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 10 with a comprehensive review of previously known values, information gaps and recommended sites for research and monitoring. INTRODUCTION CENTRAL NORTH SECTOR

The 2013 extension area is divided into 15 units within four geographic sectors (Figure 1.1). Units within the CNS were prioritised for surveying in this project because they had: the least information available; the highest likelihood of containing important conservation values, and; were at the greatest risk from threats such as weeds, pests, diseases, changing environmental conditions (eg climate change) and the impacts of fires and developments. Units included in the survey were the North East Central Plateau, Great Western Tiers, Quamby Bluff and Upper Mersey. The CNS includes biodiversity and geodiversity values from regional to global levels of significance (Balmeret al., 2017). This includes threatened and endemic vegetation communities, fauna species of high conservation significance and several active landforms that provide outstanding examples of significant geological processes. A thorough review of natural values for the 2013 extension was undertaken in the 2017 review (Balmer et al., 2017) and highlights considerable knowledge gaps for the CNS. Revised and more accurate vegetation mapping is needed, particularly where areas have been disturbed by fire and timber harvesting, where threatened communities are poorly distinguished, and where high value old growth forests remain unclear due to undifferentiated understorey type. Coverage of fauna records is poor and largely limited to roadside and sporadic survey data, making it difficult to determine where threatened or uncommon species may be present. Glacial landforms and deposits contribute substantially to World Heritage values but are poorly documented in the CNS. Documented threats to natural values in the CNS include inappropriate fire regimes, weeds, pests, diseases (of flora and fauna), climate change, browsing by introduced species, as well as disturbance and concealment of geodiversity features. Until more is known about the location and status of significant flora, fauna and geological sites in the CNS, protecting natural values from these threats is problematic. Table 1.1 describes the major gaps in knowledge of natural values for the CNS and recommended tasks to fill those gaps, as described by Balmeret al., (2017). The following chapters of this report outline the surveys undertaken by each discipline and summarise the values recorded.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 11 INTRODUCTION

Figure 1.1: Map showing sectors and units of the 2013 Extension to the TWWHA (Balmer et al., 2017) and next page, boundaries of the Central North Sector.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 12 INTRODUCTION

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 13 Table 1.1: Major gaps in knowledge of natural values for the Central North sector of the TWWHA 2013 Extension, as listed in Balmer, J., Bradbury, J., Richards, K., Rudman, T., Visoiu, M., Troy, S. & Lawrence, N. (2017). A Review of natural values within the 2013 extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nature Conservation Report 2017/6, Hobart, page 172.

Key Gap Significance Action Notes Threat posed by Populations of threatened Further mapping and assessment INTRODUCTION environmental flora and the condition of is required to determine the weed weeds communities of OUV may management priorities for the area, be at risk from invasion by especially within areas burnt by environmental weeds. wildfire and management burns. Threat of Biota and vegetation Monitoring and reporting of changes climate change communities of OUV may in the condition of vegetation is be climate sensitive, and needed to assist with long-term mitigation measures may conservation planning. be needed to ensure their conservation. Verification Appropriate management Ground surveys and condition and revision of vegetation communities assessments and revision mapping of of threatened with OUV, NV and SV threatened communities, especially community requires better mapping. Eucalyptus viminalis wet forest, mapping Cushion moorlands, Highland Poa grassland, Highland grassy sedgeland and Athrotaxis cupressoides communities. Assessment Regional and state Ground surveys and improved of regionally value communities may mapping of Eucalyptus regnans significant have been impacted by wet forest, coniferous heathlands, vegetation recent fires, and future Eucalyptus radiata communities, communities wildfire responses need Eucalyptus dalrympleana wet and to take into account the dry forests, including an assessment vulnerability of these of the responses of these communities to future fire communities to recent wildfires. events. Threatened More data on threatened Extension surveys for species which A priority list of areas fauna surveys flora distributions are are threatened, uncommon or for and species for survey is needed in order to which data is lacking, in areas and required first. identify priority areas for habitats within the extension where fire management and they are most likely to occur. Grassy protection. areas are the most prospective areas for many threatened species. Flora surveys More comprehensive Ground surveys in areas of the A priority list of areas data on the distribution of extension where flora species for survey is required plants within the reserve distribution data is lacking. The first. Ideally these surveys system improves the largest gap is for the Dove River unit. would be undertaken in capacity for better land collaboration with other management. scientific surveys.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 14 Key Gap Significance Action Notes Distribution Old-growth forests are of TASVEG revision of undifferentiated Mainly office-based of old-growth OUV and NV and are fire forest communities into understorey mapping but some field forest values sensitive, taking more than types. This data is needed to assist verification of forest types 100 years to fully recover. in fire management planning and is required. suppression. Threatened Species at higher risk of Extension surveys for species that Target species for surveys fauna species extinction due to rarity or are threatened, uncommon or for to be informed by INTRODUCTION distributions restriction in range. which data is lacking in areas and relevant recovery plans, habitats within the extension where listing statements, note- they are most likely to occur to sheets and prioritisation enable better documentation of the reports produced by distribution and population sizes. the Threatened Species Section. Assessment of Knowledge of endemism Desktop exercise to compile existing invertebrate requires extensive survey information. endemism effort and understanding of species distributions, which is currently unknown for many invertebrate groups. Systematic This task is likely to field survey require specialists to with effort conduct or supervise and location surveys and identifications recorded for invertebrate fauna. Invertebrate Underestimate species Extension surveys across the unit This task is likely to groups poorly occurrence and diversity, recording effort and location. require specialists to known (eg. lack of appropriate conduct or supervise spiders, jewel management action. surveys and identifications beetles, for invertebrate fauna. freshwater invertebrates) Nature and Glacial landforms and A detailed, systematic and Nature and distribution distribution of deposits contribute comprehensive thematic survey of of Quaternary glacial Quaternary substantially to World the entire TWWHA is required. This landforms and deposits** glacial landforms Heritage values but are would require a multi-year program and deposits** for the most part poorly with a substantial field component documented. to be done by a specialist geomorphologist. ** See comments in Part A: Section 4.4.6 detailing key information gaps regarding glacial geomorphology theme.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 15 2. Flora values survey of the Central North sector of the TWWHA 2013 Extension

MICAH VISOIUA, JAMES WOODB, STEVE LEONARDA, JAYNE BALMERA

A Natural Values Science Section, NCH, DPIPWE B Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre, RTBG, DPIPWE

Photo: Athrotaxis hybrid swarm stand in the headwaters of Brumbys Creek, Micah Visoiu

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 16 INTRODUCTION

Flora values surveys were conducted in and around the Central North Sector (CNS) of the TWWHA 2013 extension area between 11th and 15th November 2019. Additional records of threatened and significant species were also collected by James Wood in a follow up Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre (TSCC) survey in late December 2019. This resulted in a total of 32 comprehensive flora assessments being undertaken typifying the local vegetation in representative homogenous vegetation communities, and an additional 70 ad hoc records of significant species, or species assemblages. In total 1,277 new records representing 356 plant taxa were collected during the survey. Several significant flora values that were hitherto

unidentified in the area were found which contribute to the TWWHA’s values and increase the FLORA VALUES importance the TWWHA 2013 extension area.

In addition to flora species, the presence of fauna species was recorded through observational, call, and sign at a subset of the comprehensive flora assessment sites. This resulted in 53 fauna records from a total of 22 species.

METHOD

Comprehensive flora assessments were carried out in six general areas: • east of Pine Lake toward Liffey Bluff/Whitehorse Hill – This part of the TWWHA was not part of the new 2013 extension but was considered an under-surveyed area; • Gunns Marsh Road in the vicinity of Tumbledown Creek; • Quamby Bluff; • around Archers Sugarloaf and Warners Sugarloaf; • Westons Road and in the headwaters of Brumbys Creek; and • several different altitudinal zones along the Poatina Road. Surveys were qualitative and consisted of walking/driving through target areas and recording vascular plant species present at arbitrarily selected sites that were representative of vegetation communities encountered. The centroid locations of the comprehensive flora assessment sites are presented in Table 2.1. Search effort varied amongst sites, ranging from approximately 45 to 90 person minutes depending on the stature, complexity and diversity of vegetation (eg. grassland was searched for longer than shrubby forest). The surveys comprised the listing of all observed vascular plant species occurring within the target vegetation community for the survey site. The size of the patch searched varied partly on the natural extent of the target vegetation in the local vicinity but was generally somewhere between a 20 x 20 m area and a 0.5 ha. In the situation of trackside or roadside survey – the search area was restricted to a narrow belt of vegetation, extending only as far along the track or road as the vegetation remained homogenous. When no new plant species were

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 17 easily located as the search area expanded beyond the start point, or when the vegetation began to change, then the survey at the site was concluded. Any rare or threatened or otherwise significant species (eg. not previously recorded in the region) that were observed while moving between sites were also recorded as additional ad hoc records. Additional records were collected in December 2019 by the TSCC in the vicinity of Scotch Bobs Creek and the foothills of the Sandbanks Tier. A map indicating the locations of all the sites surveyed is presented in Figure 2.1. Survey area selection was constrained by cold, windy weather that prevailed during the field trip, with surveys of the highest/most exposed sections of the study area not being possible on several days. All nomenclature pertaining to Tasmanian flora follows the latest version of A Census of the Vascular Plants of Tasmania, Including Macquarie Island (De Salas and Baker 2019). Where referred to vegetation mapping units follow the nomenclature of From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation. Edition 2 (Kitchener and Harris 2013). FLORA VALUES

Table 2.1 Flora survey site details

location ID East North East of Pine Lake 1 476014 5378496 2 476352 5378634 3 476559 5378721 4 478087 5379013 5 478398 5379255 6 478574 5378586 Gunns Marsh Road 7 493112 5359050 8 493227 5359257 9 493583 5359422 10 494361 5359673 11 494522 5359539 12 494674 5359540 13 496900 5361160 Quamby Bluff 14 475989 5388124 15 475289 5388277 16 474876 5388306 17 474670 5388430 Archers Sugarloaf / Warners Sugarloaf 18 470370 5387030 19 470358 5386966 20 469691 5383837 21 468525 5384359 22 469367 5386720

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 18 location ID East North Westons Road / Brumbys Creek 23 486438 5377648 24 485882 5379217 25 486343 5378913 26 486352 5378048 27 484898 5376064 Poatina Road 28 488395 5357531 29 488368 5357475 30 486518 5365207 31 490581 5371891 32 492899 5371176 FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.1: TWWHA extension area flora survey sites.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 19 RESULTS

Thirty-two comprehensive flora assessments were undertaken that covered a range of environments within and around the CNS of the TWWHA 2013 extension area. These assessments were undertaken in six general areas. Significant values are identified below. The full dataset of these surveys has been uploaded in the Natural Values Atlas under the project name TWWHA Extension Area survey 2019 (twwha_eas19) and are presented in Appendix 2.1. Among the plants recorded were 28 that had not previously been recorded for the CNS of the TWWHA extension area including seven introduced weeds and 22 native plants including eight plants endemic to Tasmania (Appendix 2.1). Three of the native plant species including one Tasmanian endemic are new records for the TWWHA.

East of Pine Lake - Liffey Bluff/Whitehorse Hill FLORA VALUES

The area to east of the Lake Highway at the northern edge of the Central Plateau in one of the higher regions of the Central Plateau. The area is typified as low undulating dolerite hill terrain averaging 1200-1220 meters asl. This area is within the Central Plateau Conservation Area (CPCA) and as such is part of the pre-2013 TWWHA Extent. The area is bounded to the east and north by the extension and has been under-surveyed in the past. This high-altitude area is characterised by a low rocky hills which are vegetated by Eucalyptus coccifera woodland, separated by plains and shallow valleys which depending on the drainage are either composed of heaths, sedgeland, wetlands or in a few small areas native grasslands (Figure 2.2).

Table 2.2 Comprehensive flora assessment sites in the Liffey Bluff / Whitehorse Hill area east of Pine Lake.

ID East North Present General Vegetation Note 1 476014 5378496 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Shrubby facies of Eastern alpine Steve Leonard heathland (HHE). 2 476352 5378634 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Wetland Mosaic Eastern alpine Steve Leonard heathland (HHE). 3 476559 5378721 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eastern alpine heathland (HHE). Steve Leonard 4 478087 5379013 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eastern alpine heathland (HHE). Steve Leonard 5 478398 5379255 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Heathy facies of Highland grassy Steve Leonard sedgeland (MGH). 6 478574 5378586 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eucalypt coccifera woodland (DCO) Steve Leonard on eastern flank of rocky knoll.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 20 NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Value Site/population Note Highland tussock Several small areas These areas are generally quite heathy and/or sedgy however, given grassland noted situated the high conservation significance of the vegetation community at on gentle easterly the state level these patches were still considered to be of significant slope. Example at value. site 5 Alpine paperdaisy Site 4 but noted This recently described species has previously only been recorded (Xerochrysum elsewhere in area from seven areas. The four additional records of this species made alpinum) during the survey have expanded its known range and distribution. This species was not previously recorded for the CNS of the

TWWHA extension area. FLORA VALUES Greygreen Several plants seen This species is listed as rare (Threatened Species Protection Act 1995; cottonleaf at Site 4. Likely TSPA). This record, along with a second record made during the (Argyrotegium more widespread survey near Arthurs Lake have extended the known distribution this poliochlorum) in areas species eastward, previously not having been found east of the Lake Augusta area. Value Site/population Note Montane ivyleaf Numerous patches This taxon is recently elevated to species status and is listed as violet (Viola encountered at rare (TSPA 1995). This record, along with several other records curtisiae) Site 6 collected during the survey have greatly increased the known range of this species which was hitherto only known from Mt Wellington and Mt Field. Although no flowering material was present, this ID is considered confident based on leaf morphology which is subtly distinctive for the species. Subsequent to the survey flowering material has been collected near Liawenee which has been formally determined as this species at the Tasmanian Herbarium. It is likely that this species is far more widespread than previously thought. Patch of hybrid Site 6 Population of cider gum (Eucalyptus gunnii) type trees, which appear eucalypts to be of hybrid origin or a distinctive clinal variant. The trees in question are short (4-8 meters) with some appearing to have great age. The only other species of eucalypt observed in the area was snow peppermint (Eucalyptus coccifera). A low-level conservation value but potentially of genetic interest.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

At site 6, an old drystone structure was found which appears to be a chimney butt. It is located in a protected setting within a copse of Eucalypts tucked into the eastern side of a small dolerite knoll (Figure 2.3). This structure was not recorded on the PWS Heritage layer (P. Rigozzi pers com. 28/05/2020). It is likely to be a remnant from

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 21 a very early grazing enterprise that was known as ‘Cider Park’ which consisted of thousands of acres in this area and which was accessed via the Blackwood Creek Track (I. Hayes, Secretary Mountain Huts Preservation Society 28/05/2020). Land grants for summer grazing in this area commenced in the first half of the 19th century, with a hut identified several kilometres south to the south near the shores of Great Lake on a survey map from 1847 (Calder’s 1847 survey of Great Lake in; Archaeological and Heritage Consultants 2010). It is potential that this site is of a similar age and is the remains of a summer Shepherd’s hut. Although not fully investigated it is considered to be of historical significance.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

This area was largely free of weeds with very occasional occurrences of low impact pasture weeds. The most widespread was rough catsear (Hypochaeris radicata). Several widely dispersed individual small seedlings of ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) were also observed which had established via windborne seeds. There was no evidence FLORA VALUES for any significant self-sustaining populations of ragwort in the areas surveyed. No sign of the presence of fallow deer (Dama dama) were observed in the areas surveyed.

Figure 2.2: Landscape in the vicinity of Whitehorse Hill. Photo by Steve Leonard.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 22 FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.3: Dry stone chimney butt at Site 6. It is potentially the remnants of a very early Shepherd’s hut. Potentially dating from the mid 19th century. Photos by Steve Leonard.

Gunns Marsh Road

Areas in the vicinity of Gunns Marsh Road and Tumbledown Creek were surveyed with seven comprehensive flora assessment plots recorded with several ad hoc records also collected. This area is within the TWWHA 2013 extension and currently has a tenure of Future Potential Production Forest (FPPF). The area contains significant Hydro and Tas Networks infrastructure and has a high visitor usage. Topographically it is hilly dolerite country interspersed with open valleys which are vegetated with wet, sedgeland/heathlands or grasslands depending on the drainage. As ex-STT managed land this area has a long history of human use, including for hunting, fishing, camping, off-road driving and firewood collecting, all of which have left a legacy of management issues. The area has been burnt by several significant and severe fires the most recent of which was in 2012/13. The fire history and a series of dry years have resulted in significant and widespread canopy tree death within the area, with varying rates of regeneration evident.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 23 Table 2.3 Comprehensive flora assessment sites in the Gunns Marsh Road area in the vicinity of Tumbledown Creek.

ID East North Present General Vegetation Note 7 493112 5359050 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eucalyptus pauciflora dominated dry Steve Leonard forest on dolerite (DPD) on rocky hillside, last burnt in 2012. 8 493227 5359257 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, As above Steve Leonard 9 493583 5359422 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Well cropped rock plate facies of Steve Leonard Highland Poa grassland (GPH). 10 494361 5359673 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Diverse riparian shrubland facies Steve Leonard of eastern alpine heathland (HHE)

on alluvial mineral sands along FLORA VALUES Tumbledown Creek. 11 494522 5359539 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Aquatic vegetation in pools in matrix Steve Leonard of Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) 12 494674 5359540 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Highland Poa grassland (GPH) last Steve Leonard burnt in 2012. 13 496900 5361160 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Lepidosperma filiforme dominated Steve Leonard Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) last burnt in 2012.

NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Several significant flora values were identified during to the survey, particularly pertaining to significant population of threatened plant species. It can be expected that the majority if not all these species are much more widespread within the area as suitable habitat appears to be very extensive for most of them.

Value Site/population Note Areas of highland Examples at sites 9 There are numerous areas of grassy vegetation within the valley flats grassy vegetation and 12 within this area (Figure 2.4). The majority are dominated by sedges and are classified as the Threatened Native Vegetation Community (TNVC, Nature Conservation Act 2002; NCA) Highland grassy sedgeland. Highland Poa Grassland, also a TNVC, is much more restricted in its occurrence in the area. Spreading knawel A small population Listed as vulnerable (TSPA 1995). This species was found in diverse (Scleranthus Site 12 native grassland patches near Tumbledown Creek. This is unusually fasciculatus) high altitude for this species (1000m) which has hitherto not been recorded above ~800m asl, and was not previously known to occur in the TWWHA.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 24 Value Site/population Note Matted lignum A small population Listed as rare (TSPA 1995). A few patches found in riparian (Muehlenbeckia Site 10 vegetation on Tumbledown Creek. This species is relatively axillaris) widespread and localised on the Central plateau and is likely to occur locally throughout the area. Mountain Sites 7, 9 and 12 Listed as rare (TSPA 1995). This restricted species was found at dandelion several sites on Gunns Marsh Road and is widespread in the area (Taraxacum (Figure 2.5). It is highly cryptic and has only recently been reliably aristum) recorded from several locations within a 50km radius of this site. Dagger wattle Sporadic, example Listed as rare (TSPA 1995). This species was relatively widespread but (Acacia siculiformis) site 10 localised in the area, with concentrations of this species were found

within the TasNetworks easement. FLORA VALUES Delicate bittercress Sites 7 and 6 Not Listed. Although not listed, up until 2017 this species was only (Cardamine tryssa) known in Tasmania from a single specimen collected around 1880 from near Hobart. Since its rediscovery by James Wood in 2017 it has been recorded numerous times from high altitude dolerite hill country (Figure 2.6). The Gunns Marsh Road and Sandbanks Tier areas within the extension area appear to be a stronghold for this species within Tasmania. Yellowleaf sedge Tumbledown Listed as rare (TSPA 1995) and endemic to Tasmania. Although only (Carex capillacea) Creek listed as rare, there are only approximately a dozen records of this species known, suggesting the population on Tumbledown Creek is potentially highly significant. Mountain sedge Tumbledown Listed as rare (TSPA 1995). This species has a wide distribution in (Carex gunniana) Creek Tasmania but appears to be highly localised with small populations. This species was not previously recorded for the CNS of the TWWHA extension area. Alpine paperdaisy Site 10 Not listed. This recently described species has previously only been (Xerochrysum recorded from seven areas. The four additional records of this alpinum) species made during the survey have expanded its known range and distribution. This species was not previously recorded for the CNS of the TWWHA extension area. Golden Site 12 This species is not listed or endemic, but it has not previously been weatherglass recorded from the TWWHA. (Hypoxis hygrometrica)

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 25 OTHER OBSERVATIONS

There are significant populations of native browsers in the area, in addition to which fallow deer signs were encountered at all areas visited and numerous individuals were seen.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

There are numerous management issues in this area which are compounded by the present unclear nature of the tenure and management responsibility for the area. Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is relatively widespread and localised in the area with small plants and seedlings encountered regularly. Two well established bushes of gorse (Ulex europaeus) were found in the riparian scrub on the eastern side of the Tumbledown Creek bridge (494320, 5357930). The treatment of this currently small incursion should be a FLORA VALUES management priority. Fallow deer are plentiful in the area, a management strategy for which is urgently needed. Firewood hooking is rampant in accessible areas, with track creation to access areas away from the formed roads evident in most areas along the main access roads.

Figure 2.4: Grassland and pools adjacent to Tumbledown Creek. This area is regenerating to kerosene bush (Olearia hookerii) dominated heathland following burning in 2012. Photo by Steve Leonard.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 26 FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.5: Mountain dandelion (Taraxacum aristum) appears to be widespread in the Gunns Marsh Road area. Photo by Micah Visoiu.

Figure 2.6: Delicate bittercress (Cardamine tryssa) was informally regarded as extinct in Tasmania until recently. Photo by Micah Visoiu.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 27 Quamby Bluff

The walking track up Quamby Bluff was traversed with four comprehensive flora assessment plots being surveyed along the altitudinal gradient. Quamby Bluff is an outlier of the northern edge of the Great Western Tiers and forms a small area of alpine/subalpine vegetation approximately 10 km distant from the main extent of the Central Plateau (Figure 2.7). It is a relatively steep sided dolerite capped mountain with slopes that are overlain with dolerite talus and scree. The slopes are vegetated by various mixes of wet sclerophyll and rainforest interspersed with scree slopes above which is montane rainforest with the summit being a small flat expanse of relatively uniform subalpine heathland.

Table 2.4 Comprehensive flora assessment sites in the vicinity of the Quamby Bluff walking track.

ID East North Present General Vegetation Note FLORA VALUES 14 475989 5388124 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eucalyptus obliqua forest with Steve Leonard broad-leaf shrubs (WOB) on sedimentary substrates. 15 475289 5388277 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eucalyptus delegatensis forest with Steve Leonard broad leafed shrubs (WDB) on dolerite talus. 16 474876 5388306 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Nothofagus - Phyllocladus short Steve Leonard rainforest (RMS) on dolerite talus. 17 474670 5388430 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Subalpine heathland (SHS) on Steve Leonard dolerite plate covering the summit of Quamby Bluff. 11 494522 5359539 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Aquatic vegetation in pools in matrix Steve Leonard of Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) 12 494674 5359540 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Highland Poa grassland (GPH) last Steve Leonard burnt in 2012. 13 496900 5361160 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Lepidosperma filiforme dominated Steve Leonard Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) last burnt in 2012.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 28 NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Once above the small settlement on the Lake Highway, Quamby Bluff is a generally undisturbed and intact area of rainforest and wet forest.

Value Site/population Note Montane ivyleaf Near site 16 This taxon is recently elevated to species status and is listed as violet (Viola rare (TSPA 1995). This record, along with several other records curtisiae) (Figure collected during the survey have greatly increased the known range 2.8) of this species which was hitherto only known from Mt Wellington and Mt Field. Although no flowering material was present, this ID is considered confident based on leaf morphology which is subtly distinctive for the species. Subsequent to the survey flowering material has been collected near Liawenee which has been formally FLORA VALUES determined as this species at the Tasmanian Herbarium. It is likely that this species is far more widespread than previously thought. Alpine paperdaisy Site 17 Not listed. This recently described species has previously only been (Xerochrysum recorded from seven areas. The four additional records of this alpinum) species made during the survey have expanded its known range and distribution. This species was not previously recorded for the CNS of the TWWHA extension area. Sweet forgetmenot Site 15 Not Listed. Although not listed as threatened this species is (Myosotis apparently highly restricted and localised in the state. A single non- exarrhena) flowering plant was located at the base of a scree slope on the forest edge during the survey. This is only the third record of this species in Tasmania in the last 30 years.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

On the slopes there are extensive areas of old growth Eucalyptus delegatensis forest which provide significant habitat for a hollow nesting fauna.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

None identified.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 29 FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.7: Summit of Quamby Bluff looking Southeast towards Drys Bluff. Photo by Micah Visoiu.

Figure 2.8: Leaves of the montane ivyleaf violet (Viola curtisiae) on Quamby Bluff. Photo by Micah Visoiu.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 30 Archers Sugarloaf / Warners Sugarloaf

The area around Jackeys Creek and the Meander River Archers Sugarloaf / Warners Sugarloaf areas were briefly surveyed. The values in this area are comparatively well documented due to the Huntsman Lake development process.

Table 2.5 Comprehensive flora assessment sites in Archers Sugarloaf and Warners Sugarloaf.

ID East North Present General Vegetation Note 18 470370 5387030 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Wetland within dry eucalypt forest Steve Leonard 19 470358 5386966 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Dry facies of damp sclerophyll forest Steve Leonard (DSC) FLORA VALUES 20 469691 5383837 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eucalyptus delegatensis dry forest Steve Leonard (DDE) 21 468525 5384359 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Eucalyptus amygdalina dry forest on Steve Leonard dolerite (DAD) 22 469367 5386720 Micah Visoiu, James Wood, Dry eucalypt forest/riparian scrub Steve Leonard on the Meander River

NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Value Site/population Note Revolute Site 21, extensive Listed as rare in Tasmania (TSPA 1995). There is a very large narrowleaf population of this species in the vicinity of the Meander River Dam. It dogwood is a localised taxa predominantly found in the north of the state. This (Pomaderris population is the only known population within the TWWHA. phylicifolia subsp. ericoides) Western riverheath Site 22, extensive Not listed. The taxa at this site (which also occur in the Mersey (Epacris franklinii) Catchment) were assigned to the species Epacris franklinii during the approvals proccess for the Meander Dam. It is distant to the core habitat of Epacris franklinii sensu stricto on the Franklin Gordon and Pieman Rivers on the west coast and will likely have this taxonomy reviewed in the future.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 31 OTHER OBSERVATIONS

N/A

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

N/A

Northern end Westons Road

This area off the northern end of Westons Road is a relatively remote area of the CPCA which is only accessible via a locked Hydro Road. The TWWHA 2013 Extension Area extends from the escarpment edge down to the foothills of the Great Western Tiers. The area is presently designated as FPPF. The CPCA in this area is undulating FLORA VALUES dolerite country with scrubby Eucalyptus coccifera forest on the rises and scrub, eastern alpine heathland and wet sedgeland and heathland areas on the flats. The slopes of the TWWHA extension are scree with a range of wet and dry Sclerophyll forest types. There are a series of narrow gorges which incise the side of the plateau in this area. The most significant of which is the Brumbys Creek. A series of five comprehensive flora assessment plots were surveyed on the edge of the CPCA and TWWH extension area.

Table 2.6 Comprehensive flora assessment sites at the northern end of Westons Road in the vicinity of the Brumbys Creek headwaters.

ID East North Present General Vegetation Note 23 486438 5377648 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Shrubby Eucalyptus coccifera James Wood woodland (DCO) 24 485882 5379217 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Wet eastern alpine heathland (HHE) James Wood interspersed with and cushion moorland 25 486343 5378913 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Riparian vegetation in Brumbys James Wood Creek gorge dominated by Athrotaxis 26 486352 5378048 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Small pool surrounded by herbfield James Wood 27 484898 5376064 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Heavily grazed wet herbfield James Wood adjacent to road

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 32 NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Access to the TWWHA Extension area is difficult in this area so the survey was conducted primarily along the boundary with the CPCA.

Value Site/population Note Small star plantain Site 26 Listed as rare in Tasmania (TSPA 1995). A small plantago that was (Plantago glacialis) identified asP. glacialis was identified from an area of marsupial lawn around a small pool adjacent to the Westerns water race. This is a significant outlier for this species which is more typical of the Cradle Mountain / Lake St Clare area, and needs further survey work to confirm the identification. Twinned buttercup Site 23 Listed as rare in Tasmania (TSPA 1995). This represents a moderate (Ranunculus range extension for this species but is not unexpected. The species FLORA VALUES jugosus) was found growing in wet soaks along Westerns water race. Montane ivyleaf Site 25 This taxon is recently elevated to species status and is listed as violet (Viola rare (TSPA 1995). This record, along with several other records curtisiae) collected during the survey have greatly increased the known range of this species which was hitherto only known from Mt Wellington and Mt Field. Although no flowering material was present, this ID is considered confident based on leaf morphology which is subtly distinctive for the species. Subsequent to the survey flowering material has been collected near Liawenee which has been formally determined as this species at the Tasmanian Herbarium. It is likely that this species is far more widespread than previously thought. Paleoendemic Site 25 The headwaters of the Brumbys Creek and extending down the conifers (Figure gorge is an extensive hybrid swarm between Pencil Pines (A. 2.9) cupressoides) and King Billy Pine (A. selaginoides). This site represents one of only two known sites where complex hybrid swarms between these two species are known to occur, with complete variation in both phenotypic traits and genetic variability occurring in the population (Worth et al., 2016). With the inclusion of the 2013 extension this population is now the only such site within the TWWHA. The site is highly significant due to the complex gene exchange present in the population and as a site is of scientific interest (Dr James Worth, Pers com 18th of May 2020). The refugia provided by this gorge have evidently protected this population, including from numerous fires over the past 100+ years. aerial imagery suggest that Bates Creek gorge 2.5 km to the north also supports a small relictual population of pines which have not been visited but should be investigated. These two sites represent the most north easterly extent of the genus in Tasmania.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 33 OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Although evidence was noted elsewhere during the survey, some clear examples of signs indicating broad toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) activity was observed in this area (Figure 2.10).

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is present along the Westerns Road and Westerns Water Race, with seedling occasional but widespread on the disturbed gravels. FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.9: Variation seen within a 20 m radius within Athrotaxis trees on the Brumbys Creek. Photo by Micah Visoiu.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 34 FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.10: Runways and scats indicating the presence of broad toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) at the end of Westons Road. Photo by Micah Visoiu.

Poatina Road

Several sites were surveyed along the Poatina Road. Including on the Sandbanks Tier and at two sites on the slopes of the Western Tiers.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 35 Table 2.7 Comprehensive flora assessment sites along the Poatina Road.

ID East North Present General Vegetation Note 28 488395 5357531 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Heathy/sedgy grassland burnt in James Wood 2012 (GPH) in the valley of Hydro Creek (outside the TWWHA) 29 488368 5357475 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Rocky open Eucalyptus pauciflora James Wood forest (DPD) burnt severely in 2012 (outside the TWWHA) 30 486518 5365207 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Diverse rocky high-altitude eucalypt James Wood forest on gentle westerly slope on the lower slopes of the Sandbanks

Tier. FLORA VALUES 31 490581 5371891 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, A small patch of shrubby facies of James Wood Eucalyptus amygdalina forest on sandstone (DAS) was restricted to a steep north-eastern slope. 32 492899 5371176 Micah Visoiu, Jayne Balmer, Eucalyptus obliqua dry forest (DOB) James Wood on gentle slope in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers.

NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Value Site/population Note Shrubby Eucalyptus Site 31 There are some small patches of this forest type on the slopes of amygdalina forest the Western Tiers which is classified as a TNVC (NCA 2002) in on sandstone Tasmania. The vegetation community is likely more extensive within (DAS) the TWWHA extension on eastern facing slopes on the sandstone layer which underlies the dolerite of plateau surface. Although the total extent is likely low. Diversity of Site 30 This area on the lower slopes of the Sandbank Tier supports an Eucalypt species unusual diversity of Eucalyptus species, particularly given the high altitude of the site which is above 1100m asl. In total five species were found growing in a mixed stand of dry forest, E. archeri, E. coccifera, E. dalrympleana, E. gunnii and E. pauciflora. elegant finger- Site 32 This endemic orchid species has not previously been recorded in the orchid (Caldenia TWWHA. cracens)

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 36 OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Scats were noted at Site 31 and 1km downhill which were suggestive of goat rather than deer (Figure 2.11). The habitat in the area is also not considered likely deer habitat. It is recommended that trail cameras be set up in the area to confirm the identity of the feral bovids in the area.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

A well-established population of gorse (Ulex europaeus) was found growing above the road at site 31 where it is mixed in the understorey of dry eucalypt forest including the TNVC Eucalyptus amygdalina forest on sandstone. The population appears to be associated with an old service track that may have been associated with road construction. The management of this site is a high priority and a targeted survey of the area for additional incursions of gorse is recommended. FLORA VALUES

Additional ad hoc surveys sites

One hundred and five additional records of threatened and significant species were gathered by James Wood on a subsequent survey in December 2019. The most notable finding from this trip was the confirmation of a presence of an unnamed sedge species in the Scotch Bobs Creek and Flexmore Creek area. Other notable observations include several obsevations of rare or restricted species and obserervations of species not previously recorded as present in the CNS of the TWWHA.

NOTABLE FLORA VALUES

Value Site/population Note Carex sp. Algonkian Scotch Bobs Creek Not listed TSPA (1995). This taxon was hitherto known from a single Rivulet (Figure and Flexmore collection made in 1979 from the Algonkian Rivulet in the Franklin 2.12) Creek area Gordon Wild Rivers national Park 100km to the southwest. It has not been described formally due to the paucity of material in the original collection. The new sites identified during the survey are highly significant and the material collected will enable the formal description of the taxa. Based on current knowledge this taxa is highly restricted and entirely confined within he TWWHA. Carex capillaceae Tumbledown Listed as rare under the TSPA (1995). This species is rarely recorded Creek with less than 30 previous records statewide, this is the first of this species for the CNS of the TWWHA. Carex gunniana Tumbledown Listed as rare under the TSPA (1995). This is the first of this species Creek for the CNS of the TWWHA. Carex flaviformis Tumbledown Not listed TSPA (1995). This is the first of this species for the CNS of Creek the TWWHA.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 37 Value Site/population Note Caesia alpina Tumbledown Not listed TSPA (1995). This is the first of this species for the CNS of Creek the TWWHA. Crassula Tumbledown Not listed TSPA (1995). Although not listed this is a poorly recorded peduncularis Creek species in Tasmania with fewer than 50 known sites. This is the first of this species for the central north sector of the TWWHA. FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.11: Scats potentially attributable to goat observed halfway down the Western Tiers on the Poatina Road. Photo by Jayne Balmer.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 38 FLORA VALUES

Figure 2.12: ‘Carex sp. Algonkian Rivulet’ from the Sandbanks Tier. Only the second ever record of this taxon and first in 40 years. Photo by James Wood.

REFERENCES

Archaeological and Heritage Consultants (2010). BYE’S HOUSE, GREAT LAKE - Historic Heritage Plan of Management, Final Report prepared for Hydro Tasmania Consulting 20 December 2010. Available at: https://www.hydro.com.au/ docs/default-source/environment-page/cultural-heritage/byes-hut-management-plan.pdf?sfvrsn=8b6b2128_2. Balmer, J., Bradbury, J., Richards, K., Rudman, T., Visoiu, M., Troy, S., & Lawrence, N. (2017). A Review of natural values within the 2013 extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nature Conservation Report 2017/6. Hobart. De Salas, M. & Baker, M.L. (2019). A Census of the Vascular Plants of Tasmania, Including Macquarie Island. Tasmanian Herbarium, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart. Available at: https://flora.tmag.tas.gov.au/resources/census/. Kitchener, A. & Harris, S. (2013). From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation. Edition 2. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania. Available at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/ conservation/flora-of-tasmania/from-forest-to-fjaeldmark-descriptions-of-tasmanias-vegetation. Worth, J. R. P., Larcombe, M. J., Sakaguchi, S., Marthick, J. R., Bowman D. M. J. S., Ito, M. & Jordan, G. J. (2016). Transient hybridization, not homoploid hybrid speciation, between ancient and deeply Divergent conifers. American Journal of Botany, 103(2), pp. 246 – 259.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 39 Total 53 8 8 1 2 1 4 45 7 3 4 5 1 1 1 1 1 30 3 3 2 7 3 32 1 31 Poatina Road 30 29 28 1 1 1 27 1 Westons 26 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 1 22 1 21 Archers / Warners 20 Sugarloaf 19 18 17 16 Quamby Bluff 15 14

13 FLORA VALUES 12 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 7 6 1 5 1 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 2 1 1 Area Th.

e EN Survey Site Survey Common name

tasmanian velvet tasmanian velvet grasshopper tasmanian grasshopper metallic flea beetle southern pyrgomorph

Common Eastern Froglet or brown froglet tasmanian froglet

pacific black duck pacific dusky woodswallow striated pardalote blue-winged blue-winged parrot lathams snipe

fallow deer fallow tasmanian devil rabbit red-necked red-necked wallaby broad-toothed rat Origin

e e

e

e i e e Species

Tasmanalpina Tasmanalpina clavata Tasmaniacris Tasmaniacris tasmaniensis Altica pagana Monistria concinna

Crinia signifera Crinia tasmaniensis

Anas superciliosa Artamus cyanopterus Pardalotus striatus Pardalotus Neophema chrysostoma Gallinago hardwickii

Dama dama Sarcophilus harrisii Oryctolagus cuniculus Macropus rufogriseus subsp. rufogriseus Mastacomys fuscus fuscus subsp. Taxonomic group Taxonomic Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Acrididae Chrysomelidae Pyrgomorphidae Chordata Amphibia Myobatrachidae Aves Anatidae Artamidae Pardalotidae Psittacidae Scolopacidae Mammalia Cervidae Dasyuridae Leporidae Macropodidae Muridae APPENDIX 2.1 Site Data recorded at extension surveyAssessment sites. Flora Comprehensive

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 40 Total 1 4 7 3 1 2 1172 5 5 5 11 11 1 9 1 1108 217 4 5 1 1 12 32 31 1 Poatina Road 30 1 29 1 1 28 1 1 1 27 1 1 Westons 26 1 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 22 1 21 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 Sugarloaf 19 1 18 1 1 17 1 16 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 14

13 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 Road 9 1 1 1 1 8 1 7 1 6 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Area Th.

Survey Site Survey Common name long-tailed mouse brushtail possum common wombat common wombat or wombat

white-lipped snake metallic skink

Sphagnum moss Sphagnum

mother clubmoss mountain clubmoss spreading clubmoss

sagg pineapple grass oneflower early oneflower nancy tall sedge shortstem sedge Origin e e

e Species Pseudomys higginsi Trichosurus Trichosurus vulpecula Vombatus ursinus Vombatus tasmaniensis subsp.

Drysdalia coronoides Carinascincus metallicus

Sphagnum cristatum

Huperzia australiana Lycopodium fastigiatum Lycopodium scariosum

Lomandra longifolia Lomandra Astelia alpina var. Astelia alpina var. alpina Wurmbea uniflora Wurmbea uniflora * Carex appressa Carex Carex breviculmis Carex Taxonomic group Taxonomic Phalangeridae Vombatidae Reptilia Elapidae Scincidae Plantae Bryophyta Sphagnopsida Sphagnaceae Lycopodiophyta Lycopodiopsida Lycopodiaceae Magnoliophyta Liliopsida Asparagaceae Asteliaceae Colchicaceae Cyperaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 41 Total 3 3 8 2 1 4 1 1 2 7 1 3 8 6 2 1 1 2 3 5 4 1 7 32 31 1 1 Poatina Road 30 29 28 1 1 1 1 1 27 1 1 1 1 1 Westons 26 1 1 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 1 23 22 1 1 1 21 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 18 1 1 1 17 1 1 1 16 Quamby Bluff 15 1 14 1

13 1 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 Road 9 1 8 1 7 1 6 1 5 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. Survey Site Survey Common name sedge fen sedge alpine strawsedge cutting grass slender clubsedge alpine clubsedge floating clubsedge arching swordsedge common rapiersedge variable swordsedge bloodstain bloodstain cushionsedge fan cushionsedge dwarf cushionsedge common bogsedge floating bogsedge leafy bogsedge compact hooksedge forest flaxlily forest sky lily golden weatherglass western flag-iris Origin e e Species Carex gaudichaudiana Carex sp. Carex Carpha alpina Gahnia grandis Isolepis aucklandica Isolepis crassiuscula Isolepis fluitans Isolepis sp. Lepidosperma ensiforme Lepidosperma filiforme Lepidosperma laterale Oreobolus acutifolius Oreobolus distichus Oreobolus pumilio pumilio subsp. Schoenus apogon Schoenus fluitans Schoenus maschalinus Schoenus sp. Uncinia compacta Dianella tasmanica Herpolirion novae- zelandiae Hypoxis Hypoxis hygrometrica * Diplarrena latifolia * Taxonomic group Taxonomic Hemerocallidaceae Hypoxidaceae Iridaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 42 Total 1 1 3 5 1 2 1 8 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 2 1 2 1 2 6 1 32 1 1 1 1 1 31 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 29 1 28 1 1 27 1 1 1 Westons 26 1 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 23 1 1 22 21 Archers / Warners 20 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 18 1 1 17 16 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 1 1 1 14 1 1 1 1 1 1

13 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 11 1 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 Road 9 1 8 1 1 7 1 1 6 1 5 4 East of Pine 1 Lake 3 2 1 Area Th. Survey Site Survey Common name prickly rush rigid rush toad rush short jointleaf rush sickleleaf rush tall rush broom rush pale vanilla-lily turquoise berry small mosquito- orchid alpine finger- orchid elegant finger- orchid bird-orchid threehorned bird- orchid blackstripe greenhood greenhood early hairgrass dark swampgrass prickly wheatgrass Origin i e e e e i e Species Juncus acuminatus * Juncus astreptus Juncus bufonius Juncus curtisiae Juncus falcatus Juncus falcatus falcatus subsp. Juncus procerus Juncus sarophorus Luzula sp. Arthropodium milleflorum Drymophila cyanocarpa Acianthus pusillus * Caladenia alpina Caladenia cracens Caladenia cracens * Caladenia sp. Chiloglottis sp. Chiloglottis triceratops Corybas sp. Pterostylis melagramma Pterostylis sp. Thelymitra sp. Thelymitra Aira praecox Aira Amphibromus recurvatus Australopyrum Australopyrum pectinatum ceae Taxonomic group Taxonomic Juncaceae Laxmanniaceae Luzuriagaceae Orchidaceae Poa

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 43 Total 4 1 4 1 4 9 3 1 11 1 1 5 9 13 891 1 1 1 1 5 11 4 9 32 1 31 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 1 1 1 1 27 1 1 1 Westons 26 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 1 1 22 21 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 18 1 1 1 17 1 1 1 16 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 1 1 14 1

13 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 8 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th.

Survey Site Survey Common name sweet holygrass sweet blowngrass weeping grassweeping fineleaf snowgrass gunns snowgrass velvet tussockgrass velvet scrambling tussockgrass snowpatch grasssnowpatch southern cordrush spreading roperush

swampwort eastern mountain- pennywort jointed swampstalks hairy pennywort mossy pennywort shining pennywort Origin

e Species sp. Deyeuxia Hierochloe redolens Lachnagrostis sp. Microlaena sp. Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Poa clivicola Poa Poa gunnii Poa Poa rodwayi Poa Poa sp. Poa Poa tenera Poa Rytidosperma australe Rytidosperma sp. Baloskion australe Empodisma minus

Centella cordifolia * Centella cordifolia Diplaspis hydrocotyle Diplaspis sp. Lilaeopsis polyantha Lilaeopsis Oreomyrrhis sp. Hydrocotyle hirta Hydrocotyle muscosa Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Taxonomic group Taxonomic Restionaceae Magnoliopsida Apiaceae Araliaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 44 Total 4 2 2 1 2 2 6 2 7 1 5 11 8 1 1 4 1 7 7 2 1 1 32 1 31 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 1 1 27 1 Westons 26 1 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 22 21 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 18 17 1 1 1 1 1 16 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 14

13 1 1 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 5 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Area Th. r Survey Site Survey Common name tasmanian cushionplant swamp daisy greygreen cottonleaf slender blanket slender blanket leaf tasmanian blanketleaf marsh daisy nil common dollybush silver snowdaisy silver creeping thistle spear thistle mountain everlasting alpine buttons little alpine billybuttons common billybuttons mountain billybuttons star cottonleaf cudweed mat cottonleaf cliff cottonleaf creeping cushionherb smooth catsear Origin e e e e i i e e e i Species Abrotanella forsteroides Allittia cardiocarpa * Argyrotegium poliochlorum Bedfordia linearisBedfordia Bedfordia salicina Bedfordia Brachyscome Brachyscome radicans Brachyscome sp. Brachyscome Cassinia aculeata aculeata subsp. Celmisia asteliifolia Cirsium arvense var. Cirsium arvense var. arvense Cirsium vulgare Coronidium monticola Cotula alpina Craspedia glabrata Craspedia Craspedia glauca Craspedia Craspedia gracilis Craspedia Euchiton involucratus Euchiton sp. Euchiton traversii Euchiton umbricola Ewartia planchonii * Hypochaeris * glabra Taxonomic group Taxonomic Asteraceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 45 Total 10 4 4 3 3 4 2 3 1 4 5 4 1 4 2 3 1 5 1 1 1 1 2 32 1 1 31 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 1 29 1 28 1 1 27 1 Westons 26 Road / 25 1 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 23 1 22 1 21 1 1 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 18 1 17 1 1 1 16 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 1 1 14 1 1

13 1 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 5 1 1 4 East of Pine Lake 3 2 1 1 1 Area Th. Survey Site Survey Common name rough catsear smooth bottledaisy blue bottledaisy blue hairy hawkbit ferny buttons ferny scaly buttons scaly highland yam daisy highland yam musk daisybush musk heathy daisybush heathy moth daisybush forest daisybush forest silky daisybush heartleaf daisybush dusty daisybush prickly daisybush viscid daisybush sticky everlastingbush scaly scaly everlastingbush common alpine everlastingbush arching everlastingbush violet mountaindaisy star mountaindaisy sage cushionplant Origin i e e e e e e e e e Species Hypochaeris radicata Lagenophora Lagenophora montana Lagenophora Lagenophora stipitata Leontodon saxatilis Leptinella filicula Leptorhynchos squamatus Microseris lanceolata Olearia argophylla Olearia ericoides * Olearia erubescens Olearia lirata Olearia myrsinoides Olearia obcordata Olearia phlogopappa Olearia pinifolia Olearia viscosa Ozothamnus antennaria Ozothamnus hookeri Ozothamnus rodwayi var. rodwayi Ozothamnus thyrsoideus Pappochroma Pappochroma pappocromum Pappochroma Pappochroma stellatum Pterygopappus lawrencei Taxonomic group Taxonomic

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 46 Total 10 3 2 4 4 1 3 2 2 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 32 1 1 31 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 29 1 28 1 27

Westons 26 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 23 1 1 22 21 Archers / Warners 20 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 18 17 1 1 1 16 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 1 14 1

13 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 Road 9 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 Lake 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 Area Th. r Survey Site Survey Common name mountain fireweed ragwort fireweed fireweed groundsel yellow alpine yellow groundsel common fireweed hairy flat-herb mountain dandelion common dandelion alpine paperdaisy sassafras southern forgetmenot sweet sweet forgetmenot lilac bittercress warty bittercress nil delicate bittercress spring whitlowgrass lesser swinecress shepherds cress mud lobelia mud mountain bluebell bluebell Origin i e i e i i e Species Senecio gunnii Senecio jacobaea Senecio linearifolius Senecio pectinatus pectinatus var. Senecio prenanthoides Solenogyne gunnii Taraxacum aristum Taraxacum Taraxacum Taraxacum officinale Xerochrysum alpinum * Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatum Myosotis australis Myosotis exarrhena Cardamine lilacina Cardamine papillata Cardamine sp. Cardamine tryssa Erophila verna * Lepidium didymum * Teesdalia nudicaulis Teesdalia * Lobelia surrepens Wahlenbergia Wahlenbergia saxicola Wahlenbergia sp. Wahlenbergia Taxonomic group Taxonomic Atherospermataceae Boraginaceae Brassicaceae Campanulaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 47 Total 1 2 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 7 16 3 1 1 8 4 32 1 31 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 1 1 1 27 1 Westons 26 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 23 1 22 1 1 21 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 18 1 17 1 16 Quamby Bluff 15 14

13 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 7 1 1 1 6 1 1 5 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. v Survey Site Survey Common name common mouse- ear coast cupflower twinflower knawel twinflower mountain knawel spreading knawel rayless starwort kidneyweed rock stonecrop wiry bauera thyme thyme guineaflower alpine sundew tall sundew red sundew dwarf sundew hairy pinkbells spreading pinkbells snow beardheath snow ants delight native cranberrynative western riverheath coral heath common heath Origin i e Species Cerastium subsp. fontanum vulgare Colobanthus apetalus var. apetalus Scleranthus biflorusScleranthus Scleranthus brockiei Scleranthus Scleranthus Scleranthus * fasciculatus Scleranthus sp. Scleranthus Stellaria * multiflora Dichondra repens Dichondra Crassula sieberianaCrassula Bauera rubioidesBauera Hibbertia serpyllifolia Drosera arcturiDrosera Drosera auriculataDrosera Drosera peltata * Drosera Drosera pygmaea Drosera Tetratheca pilosa Tetratheca Tetratheca Tetratheca procumbens Acrothamnus montanus Acrotriche serrulata Astroloma humifusum Epacris franklinii Epacris gunnii Epacris impressa Taxonomic group Taxonomic Caryophyllaceae Convolvulaceae Crassulaceae Cunoniaceae Dilleniaceae Droseraceae Elaeocarpaceae Ericaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 48 Total 5 1 8 3 2 11 5 8 4 6 1 8 1 5 2 2 8 3 2 3 4 4 1 32 1 1 31 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 29 1 1 28 1 1 27 1 1 Westons 26 1 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 1 1 22 1 21 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 18 1 17 1 1 1 1 1 1 16 1 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 14 1

13 1 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 8 1 7 1 6 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. r Survey Site Survey Common name swamp heath central snowheath alpine heath copperleaf snowberry tasmanian waxberry mountain pinkberry bellflower bellflower pinkberry prickly beardheath trailing beardheath mat broomheath carpet cheeseberry carpet frillyheath alpine cheeseberry slender candleheath bog candleheath lax candleheath scoparia rigid candleheath pink swampheath thymeleaf thymeleaf purpleberry silver wattle silver blackwood dagger wattle Origin e e e e e e e e e e e e Species Epacris lanuginosa Epacris petrophila Epacris serpyllifolia Gaultheria hispida Gaultheria tasmanica Leptecophylla parvifolia Leptecophylla pogonocalyx * Leucopogon fraseri Leucopogon pilifer Monotoca empetrifolia Montitega dealbata Montitega Pentachondra Pentachondra pumila Planocarpa petiolaris Richea acerosa Richea gunnii Richea procera Richea scoparia Richea sprengelioides Sprengelia incarnata Trochocarpa Trochocarpa thymifolia Acacia dealbata dealbata subsp. Acacia melanoxylon Acacia siculiformis Taxonomic group Taxonomic Fabaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 49 Total 1 9 5 1 1 1 10 3 1 6 2 9 6 2 1 5 4 7 7 1 3 32 1 1 31 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 1 1 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 1 1 1 1 27 1 Westons 26 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 23 1 1 1 22 1 21 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 18 1 1 17 1 1 16 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 14 1

13 1 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 1 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 8 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. Survey Site Survey Common name prickly moses wiry bushpea leafless bossia hop bitterpea winter purplepea greater birdsfoot- trefoil golden shaggypea alpine bushpea golden bushpea prickly beauty common centaury alpine cranesbill mountain cranesbill southern storksbill mountain velleia shade raspwort creeping raspwort mountain raspwort alpine raspwort common raspwort Origin i i Species Acacia verticillata Almaleea subumbellata Bossiaea riparia Daviesia latifolia Hovea heterophylla Hovea Lotus uliginosus Oxylobium ellipticum Pultenaea fasciculata Pultenaea gunnii gunnii subsp. Pultenaea juniperina Centaurium erythraea Geranium Geranium brevicaule Geranium Geranium potentilloides var. potentilloides Geranium sp. Geranium Pelargonium Pelargonium australe Velleia montana Velleia Gonocarpus humilis Gonocarpus subsp. micranthus micranthus Gonocarpus montanus Gonocarpus serpyllifolius Gonocarpus tetragynus Taxonomic group Taxonomic Gentianaceae Geraniaceae Goodeniaceae Haloragaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 50 Total 7 1 2 8 4 1 3 3 2 1 10 6 1 6 6 5 3 2 4 3 32 1 1 1 1 31 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 1 1 1 29 1 28 1 1 1 27 1 1 1 1 1 Westons 26 1 1 1 1 Road / 25 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 22 1 1 1 1 21 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 18 1 1 17 1 16 Quamby Bluff 15 1 14 1

13 1 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 8 1 1 7 1 1 6 1 1 5 4 East of Pine 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. Survey Site Survey Common name mat water-milfoil amphibious watermilfoil matted st johns- wort small st johns-wort australian bugle christmas mintbush mountain mitrewort dwarf marshwort alpine marshwort running marshflower alpine heathmyrtle black peppermintblack alpine cider gum snow peppermintsnow mountain white gum gumtopped stringybark cider gum cider gum stringybark black gum black Origin e e e e e e e Species Myriophyllum pedunculatum Myriophyllum simulans Hypericum gramineum Hypericum japonicum Ajuga australis Prostanthera Prostanthera lasianthos var. lasianthos Schizacme montana * Liparophyllum exiguum Liparophyllum gunnii Ornduffia reniformis Baeckea gunniana Baeckea Eucalyptus amygdalina Eucalyptus archeri Eucalyptus coccifera Eucalyptus Eucalyptus dalrympleana subsp. dalrympleana Eucalyptus subsp. delegatensis tasmaniensis Eucalyptus gunnii Eucalyptus gunnii gunnii subsp. Eucalyptus obliqua Eucalyptus ovata Eucalyptus ovata ovata var. Taxonomic group Taxonomic Hypericaceae Lamiaceae Loganiaceae Menyanthaceae Myrtaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 51 Total 5 3 13 8 2 2 6 2 6 5 1 11 1 1 4 4 2 3 1 4 1 3 4 32 1 1 31 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 1 1 1 1 1 27 1 1 1 1 1 Westons 26 1 1 1 Road / 25 1 1 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 1 1 23 1 1 1 1 1 1 22 1 1 1 1 1 1 21 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 1 18 17 1 1 1 16 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 14 1 1 1 1

13 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 11 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 8 1 1 7 1 1 6 1 5 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Area Th. r Survey Site Survey Common name gum cabbage white gum woolly teatree woolly mountain teatree yellow bottlebrushyellow prickly bottlebrush myrtle beech native olive native willowherb grassland woodsorrel small poranthera purple appleberry prickly box cheesewood matted brooklime mountain whitebell mountain plantain southern plantain subalpine plantain small star plantain bolster plantain hairtuft plantain Origin e e e i e e e Species Eucalyptus subsp. pauciflora pauciflora Eucalyptus viminalis viminalis subsp. Leptospermum lanigerum Leptospermum rupestre Melaleuca pallida Melaleuca virens Nothofagus Nothofagus cunninghamii Notelaea ligustrina Epilobium sp. Oxalis perennans Oxalis sp. Poranthera Poranthera microphylla Billardiera longiflora Billardiera Bursaria spinosa spinosa subsp. Pittosporum bicolor Gratiola nana Gratiola Ourisia integrifolia Plantago antarctica * Plantago australis * Plantago australis Plantago glabrata Plantago glacialis Plantago gunnii Plantago paradoxa Taxonomic group Taxonomic Nothofagaceae Oleaceae Onagraceae Oxalidaceae Phyllanthaceae Pittosporaceae Plantaginaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 52 Total 2 2 1 7 2 1 1 3 2 1 3 5 5 6 1 6 5 7 1 11 3 8 2 1 32 1 1 31 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 1 1 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 27 1 Westons 26 1 Road / 25 1 1 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 23 1 1 1 1 1 1 22 1 1 21 1 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 1 18 1 1 17 1 1 16 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 14

13 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 11 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 6 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. r Survey Site Survey Hakea Common name tasmanian plantain variable plantain hairy speedwell slender speedwell snow speedwell snow skunkweed blue lovecreeper blue sheep sorrel matted lignum white purslane silver banksia silver mountain rocket southern grevillea beaked beaked mountain needlebush smallfruit needlebush guitarplant yellow orites yellow revolute oritesrevolute mueller's geebung mueller's tasmanian waratah mountain clematis river buttercup Origin e i i e e e e e e e Species Plantago sp. Plantago tasmanica Plantago varia Veronica calycina Veronica Veronica gracilis Veronica Veronica nivea Veronica Navarretia squarrosa Comesperma volubile Acetosella vulgaris Muehlenbeckia axillaris Montia australasica Banksia marginata Bellendena montana Grevillea australis Grevillea Hakea epiglottis Hakea Hakea lissospermaHakea Hakea microcarpa Hakea Lomatia tinctoria Orites acicularis Orites revolutus Persoonia muelleriPersoonia Telopea truncata Telopea Clematis aristata Ranunculus amphitrichus Taxonomic group Taxonomic Polemoniaceae Polygalaceae Polygonaceae Portulacaceae Proteaceae Ranunculaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 53 Total 4 4 1 1 6 3 5 4 1 5 1 1 1 10 3 1 6 2 4 1 11 2 7 32 1 31 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 29 1 1 1 28 1 1 1 1 1 1 27 1 Westons 26 1 1 1 Road / 25 1 Brumbys Creek 24 1 1 23 1 1 1 1 1 22 1 21 1 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 18 1 17 1 1 16 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 14 1 1 1

13 1 1 1 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 5 4 East of Pine 1 1 1 Lake 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Area Th. r r Survey Site Survey Common name mountain buttercup shining buttercup tufted buttercup twinned buttercup dwarf buttercup bog buttercup gully buttercup gully threetooth buttercup alpine pearlflower dogwood yellow dogwood yellow revolute revolute narrowleaf dogwood spiny sheepsburr spiny mountain buzzy common buzzy smallfruit piert alpine raspberry mountain woodruff coffeeberry mountain currant dwarf matcurrant native currantnative Origin e e e e e i e Species Ranunculus collinus Ranunculus glabrifolius Ranunculus gunnianus Ranunculus jugosus Ranunculus nanus Ranunculus pimpinellifolius Ranunculus scapiger Ranunculus triplodontus Cryptandra alpina Pomaderris apetala Pomaderris elliptica Pomaderris subsp. phylicifolia ericoides Acaena echinata Acaena montana Acaena novae- zelandiae Aphanes microcarpa Rubus gunnianus Asperula gunnii Asperula sp. Coprosma hirtella Coprosma nitida Coprosma pumila Coprosma quadrifida Taxonomic group Taxonomic Rhamnaceae Rosaceae Rubiaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 54 Total 2 2 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 3 4 1 10 7 12 32 1 1 1 1 31 1 1 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 1 1 1 29 1 28 1 1 27

Westons 26 Road / 25 1 1 Brumbys Creek 24 1 23 1 1 22 1 21 1 1 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 1 18 1 17 1 1 16 1 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 14 1 1 1 1 1

13 FLORA VALUES 12 1 1 11 1 Gunns Marsh 10 1 1 1 1 Road 9 1 8 1 1 7 1 6 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 4 East of Pine 1 Lake 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Area Th. r Survey Site Survey Common name coast bedstraw lemon boronia hairy boronia satin wood common native- cherry mountain native- cherry alpine native- cherry pearly native- cherry narrowleaf triggerplant carpet riceflower cherry riceflower dwarf riceflower tall riceflower bushmans bushmans bootlace alpine riceflower mountain riceflower showy violet showy montane ivyleaf violet dusky violet ivy-leaf violet mountain pepper Origin e e e e e e Species Galium australe Galium sp. Boronia citriodora Boronia pilosa Nematolepis squamea Exocarpos cupressiformis Exocarpos humifusus Exocarpos nanus Exocarpos strictus Stylidium graminifolium Kelleria dieffenbachii Pimelea drupacea Pimelea humilis Pimelea ligustrina ligustrina subsp. Pimelea nivea Pimelea pygmaea Pimelea sericea Melicytus angustifolius Viola betonicifolia betonicifolia subsp. Viola curtisiae * Viola fuscoviolacea Viola hederacea Tasmannia Tasmannia lanceolata Taxonomic group Taxonomic Rutaceae Santalaceae Stylidiaceae Thymelaeaceae Violaceae Winteraceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 55 Total 6 3 1 1 1 3 1 2 42 42 3 4 4 5 6 2 5 3 1 1 2 32 1 31 1 1 1 1 Poatina Road 30 29 1 28 27 1 Westons 26 Road / 25 1 1 1 1 1 1 Brumbys Creek 24 23 22 1 1 1 1 21 1 Archers / Warners 20 1 1 1 1 Sugarloaf 19 1 1 18 1 17 1 16 1 1 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 1 1 14 1 1 1

13 FLORA VALUES 12 11 Gunns Marsh 10 Road 9 8 7 6 1 1 1 5 4 East of Pine 1 Lake 3 1 1 2 1 1 Area Th.

Survey Site Survey Common name

pencil pine king billy pine king billy hybrid pencil pine

celerytop pine mountain plumpine

necklace fern fishbone waterfern alpine waterfern hard waterfern bracken soft treefern mother shieldfern alpine coralfern silky fanfern beech fingerfern alpine filmyfern Origin

e e e

e

e Species

Athrotaxis cupressoides Athrotaxis selaginoides Athrotaxis x laxifolia Phyllocladus aspleniifolius Podocarpus Podocarpus lawrencei

Asplenium flabellifolium Blechnum nudum Blechnum pennamarinasubsp. alpina Blechnum wattsii Pteridium esculentum subsp. esculentum Dicksonia antarctica Polystichum Polystichum proliferum Gleichenia alpina Sticherus tener Notogrammitis Notogrammitis subsp. angustifolia nothofageti Hymenophyllum peltatum Taxonomic group Taxonomic Pinophyta Pinopsida Cupressaceae Podocarpopsida Podocarpaceae Polypodiophyta Polypodiopsida Aspleniaceae Blechnaceae Dennstaedtiaceae Dicksoniaceae Dryopteridaceae Gleicheniaceae Grammitidaceae Hymenophyllaceae

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 56 Total 1 3 2 1225 32 32 31 46 Poatina Road 30 35 29 31 28 53 27 34

Westons 26 24 Road / 25 14 Brumbys Creek 24 56 23 46 22 27 21 46 Archers / Warners 20 27 Sugarloaf 19 39 18 22 17 38 16 23 Quamby Bluff 15 1 1 38 14 1 30

13 43 FLORA VALUES 12 1 54 11 1 22 Gunns Marsh 10 69 Road 9 1 40 8 42 7 42 6 46 5 40 4 46 East of Pine Lake 3 50 2 35 1 35 Area Th. Survey Site Survey Common name narrow filmyfern adders-tongue kangaroo fern Total Origin Species Hymenophyllum rarum Ophioglossum lusitanicum subsp. coriaceum Microsorum pustulatum subsp. pustulatum Taxonomic group Taxonomic Ophioglossaceae Polypodiaceae been recorded in the Central the name.Asterix not previously North following * Species that have an Sector have

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 57 3. Vegetation Mapping

FELICITY HARGRAVESA & JAYNE BALMERB

A Natural Values Science Section, NCH, DPIPWE B Natural Values Conservation Branch, NCH, DPIPWE

Photo: Cryptogams growing on a tree trunk near Quamby bluff, Micah Visoiu

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 58 INTRODUCTION

The TWWHA Extension Area Survey provided an opportunity to undertake ground truthing and associated revision of the state-wide vegetation map, TASVEG, for areas within part of the 2013 extension and nearby areas of the TWWHA. Threatened communities Cushion moorland, Highland Poa grassland and Highland grassy sedgeland were targeted for field validation and mapping boundary refinements. Another vegetation community that was subject to targeted ground truthing and revision work was Eucalyptus gunnii woodland, which although not a listed threatened vegetation community, has a restricted distribution and significant cultural and natural value. TASVEG LIVE was directly revised for the areas ground-truthed during the extension survey and the improved mapping is now available for use by managers for such purposes as assessing priorities for fire management and biosecurity planning and actions.

VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.1: Bossiaea riparia, Gunns Marsh Road. Photo by Felicity Hargraves.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 59 METHOD

The TASVEG LIVE ground-truthing survey of the TWWHA extension area was undertaken between the 12th and 14th of November 2019. Areas were visited to visually inspect and record the vegetation mapping units/ communities present at each site. Sites were surveyed along Gunns Marsh Road, the Highlands Lake Road, Quamby Bluff, Meander Dam, Westons Road, Westons Rivulet, Brumbys Creek and Poatina Road. A GPS tracking smart phone was used to display the State orthophoto base map (Land Tasmania 2019), and a downloaded version of TASVEG LIVE mapping (DPIPWE 2019). Notes for later use in office-based revision mapping were recorded directly into the displayed downloaded version of TASVEG LIVE mapping during the survey by recording points and polygons confirming either that the mapping had been checked and was correct or if not, noting a more appropriate mapping unit attribution for the vegetation inspected and any alterations to polygon boundaries that warranted refinement. Mapping unit vegetation classification followed that of Kitchener and Harris (2013). Digital mapping revision was undertaken using ArcGIS Desktop 10.7.1 GIS software (ESRI, 2019). Vegetation community boundaries and map table attributions were adjusted in the office directly into TASVEG according to the overlay of the digital layer of points and polygons recorded in the field. The imagery and spatial data used to inform mapping boundaries included World imagery layer (DigitalGlobe 2015-2016), 10cm digital RGB high resolution aerial imagery captured for the Breton area on January 22nd2019 and the State orthophoto base map (Land Tasmania 2019) and canopy height data derived from Forestry Tasmania LiDAR datasets (2018). The updated TASVEG revision work is published at the end of each week as TASVEG LIVE and so is now publicly available. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 60 RESULTS OF GROUND TRUTHING AND REVISION MAPPING

The vegetation survey resulted in 10,916 ha of revised vegetation mapping and validation including 3498 ha of revised threatened community mapping (Figure 3.2). VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.2: Aerial image showing areas where vegetation mapping was undertaken following ground-truthing (shaded). This mapping indicates the large areas of Highland Poa grassland (GPH), Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) and Cushion moorland (HCM) added or amended in TASVEG mapping from this survey.

Highland grassy Poa (GPH) was observed at the north end of Arthurs lake, Christmas Bay to Boundary Bay on western side of Great Lake and extending across the Great Lake Highway (Figure 3.3). The mapped extent of Highland Poa grassland was increased by 2,145 ha in these areas.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 61 Figure 3.3: Highland grassy Poa (GPH) West of Halfmoon Creek and Halfmoon Bay, Great Lake. Photo by Felicity Hargraves. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.4: Highland sedgy grassland (MGH) West of Halfmoon Creek and Halfmoon Bay, Great Lake. Photo by Felicity Hargraves.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 62 Highland sedgy grassland (MGH) was identified at several new locations near Brandum, Alanvale Bay, Gunns Marsh Rd, Gunns Lake and north of Dells Bluff, Great Lake (Figure 3.4). The largest increase of Highland sedgy grassland was 519 ha around Gunns Lake and Little Lake. Dominant species occurring in this heathy version of Highland sedgy grassland include Baloskion australe, Lepidosperma filiforme, Poa labillardierei and/or P. gunnii, Empodisma minus, Acrothamnus hookeri, Epacris gunnii, Epacris lanuginosa and Pultenaea dentata. Mapping revisions increased the mapped extent of Eucalyptus gunnii woodland (DGW) by 4 ha at Haulage Hill, Great Lake (Figure 3.5). VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.5: Eucalyptus gunnii woodland (DGW). Photo by Felicity Hargraves.

Figure 3.6: Abrotanella forsteroides dominated Cushion moorland (HCM), Sandbank Creek. Photo by Jayne Balmer.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 63 Patchy areas of Highland cushion moorland (HCM) were confirmed along the valley floors of Westons Rivulet and Sandbank Creeks (Figure 3.6). Revision of the mapping has resulted in an increase of HCM by 830 ha in these areas. Abrotanella forsteroides is the main cushion species, with minor internal mosaics of Pterygopappus lawrencei and cushion epiphytes such as Plantago gunnii. This vegetation occurs in an intricate mosaic with Highland eastern sedgeland variously dominated by Astelia alpina, Gleichenia alpina, Lepidosperma filiforme, Eurychorda complanata, as well as Eastern alpine heathland dominated by Richea scoparia. In the areas to the west of Great Lake, cushion moorlands occur in small patches within a mosaic with Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) dominated by Lepidosperma filiforme, Highland Poa grassland (GPH) and Eastern alpine sedgeland (HSE). Accurate mapping of the cushion moorland is therefore not possible, and probably overestimates the area dominated by cushions. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.7: Subalpine heathland (SHS) Quamby Bluff. Photo by Felicity Hargraves.

The Subalpine heathland (SHS) on Quamby Bluff was in good condition and exhibited a high species richness (Figure 3.7, Appendix 3.1). The open shrub canopy is not dominated by any one species or closed enough to exclude ground species. Mapping revisions resulted in an increase of 12 ha in the mapped area of Subalpine heathland (SHS) at the expense of Eastern alpine heathland (HHE) in the Quamby Bluff area. In other areas surveyed such as the valley margins including Westons Rivulet and areas west of Great Lake large polygons of Eucalyptus coccifera forest and woodland (DCO) were revised to better distinguish the non-forest scrub-dominated vegetation patches. Field inspections of these areas confirmed that such scrub was typically dominated by 2-3 m tall Leptospermum rupestre and had been appropriately mapped as Subalpine heathland (SHS). Occasional emergent of E. coccifera occurred in this vegetation but where E. coccifera became dominant the understorey was typically scrub dominated by Leptospermum lanigerum. Relatively little Leptospermum lanigerum dominated scrub occurred in the absence of an overstorey of E. coccifera in the areas around the surveyed parts of the TWWHA extension area.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 64 Figure 3.8: Highland short rainforest and scrub (RSH) Quamby Bluff track. Photo by Felicity Hargraves. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION The Highland low rainforest and scrub (RSH) on Quamby Bluff was in good condition (Figure 3.8). The canopy was dominated by Nothofagus cunninghamii to 8 to 10 m. The revision of the mapping increased the area of Highland low rainforest and scrub in TASVEG by 10 ha and identified its presence around Quamby Bluff. This mapping replaced the previous over-mapping of Eastern alpine heathland (HHE), Nothofagus -Phyllocladus short rainforest (RMS) and Eucalyptus delegatensis forest with broad leafed shrubs (WDB).

Observations and notes - Cushion moorland

Along the very low gradient valley floor of Westons Rivulet and Sand Bank Creek, cushion moorlands and sedgeland vegetation appear to be contributing to the blockage of stream flow, which has given rise to complexes of peat pools (Figure 3.9a and 3.9b). Among these pool complexes there may potentially be some examples of a string bog system such as those described at Newdegate Pass, Mt Field National Park (Kirkpatrick and Gibson 1984, Bridle et al., 2017). Further assessment and detailed surveying are needed to confirm this possibility as visual assessment was insufficient to determine the relative water levels between pools, and the nature of water flow through the area.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 65 Figure 3.9a and 3.9b: Cushion moorland and Highland eastern sedgeland fringing pool complex system on the valley floor MAPPING VEGETATION of Westons Rivulet, Central Highlands. Photos by Jayne Balmer.

Within the vegetation mosaics present in the Westons rivulet valley floor are small areas of Gleichenia dominated fern mapped as Eastern alpine sedgeland (HSE). In some areas the strongly hummock shaped mounds now dominated by Gleichenia alpina, may indicate previous occupancy by cushion plants. Extraction of soil from one mound revealed what appeared to be the dead remains of a cushion plant. In some places, live Abrotanella forsteroides cushion plants were still visible within the Gleichenia (Figure 3.10a). Whilst not conclusive, it appeared that some patches of Gleichenia alpina fen had replaced an area previously dominated by cushion moorland, indicating that the vegetation in this area may be dynamic (Figure 3.10a and 3.10b). Observations of this sort were noted post-fire in the Lake Mackenzie area where Baloskion australe dominated Eastern alpine sedgeland appeared to have replaced cushion moorland (DPIPWE 2016) and have also been observed by the authors in the area Lake Augusta region, where Empodisma minus dominated Eastern highland sedgeland appears to have replaced patches of Cushion moorland.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 66 Figure 3.10a and 3.10b: A small area where Cushion moorland (HCM) appears to have been replaced by Gleichenia alpina dominated Eastern highland sedgeland (HSE), Westons Rivulet. Photos by Jayne Balmer. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.11: Abrotanella forsteroides cushion surface occupied by mealy bugs (grey-white scaley insects about the size of coarse sand grains). Photo by Jayne Balmer.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 67 Figure 3.12: Highland cushion moorland (HCM) exposed by recent fires at Split Rock Creek, Great Lake. Photo by Felicity Hargraves.

Within the Westons Rivulet and Sandbank Creek valleys many cushions of Abrotanella forsteroides were observed VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION to be infested by a mealy bug (Figure 3.11), a sap sucking insect in the Order Hemiptera. It is not known if this mealy bug was simply sheltering between the leaves or was inhabiting and feeding within cushion surface, although the latter seems likely. Some patches of Highland cushion moorland (HCM) have been burnt in recent years as part of planned burning or during the 2019 bushfires (Figure 3.12). Ground surveys confirmed that these patches are recovering well as the dominant species of these cushion moorlands, Abrotanella forsteroides, resprouts following scorching from cool fires (Kirkpatrick and Dickinson 1984).

Observations of Rabbit Damage

An uncommon vegetation community dominated by mat heaths and coral lichens was located on a rockplate (i.e. area where soils were thin or non-existent) at the southern end of the Westons Rivulet Valley. Within this area and adjacent rocky slopes, rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) droppings were densely deposited (Figure 13). Within 200 m north of this outcrop, localised damage of a few of the Abrotanella forsteroides plants within the cushion moorland had been impacted by animal diggings, possibly rabbits. Concentrations of rabbit droppings were also observed in short-turf communities of Poa grasslands fringing wet grassy sedgeland dominated valleys on the margins of Eucalyptus coccifera woodlands (eg. Brandum Creek, Great Lake). Casual observation suggested in areas such as these, where grasses are shorter, a greater diversity of native herbaceous species are maintained within the grassland vegetation compared with adjacent taller Poa tussock grasslands in rank condition.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 68 Figure 3.13: Rock plate heathland and associated rabbit droppings (484662 E 5377327 N), Westons Rivulet. Photos by Jayne Balmer. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION

Figure 3.14: Location of the cushion damage: 484518 E 5377519 N, Westons Rivulet. Photos by Jayne Balmer.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 69 SUMMARY

The TASVEG mapping has been significantly updated. This has greatly increased the accuracy and area of threatened vegetation communities of Highland grassy Poa (GPH), Highland sedgy grassland (MGH), Eucalyptus gunnii woodland (DGW) mapping (on Haulage Hill) and significant vegetation communities of Highland cushion moorland (HCM) in the TWWHA extension area.

REFERENCES

Bridle, K.L., Kirkpatrick, J.B., Gibson, N. & Balmer, J. (2017). Establishment Report for Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Climate Change Monitoring Program: Newdegate Pass Cushion String Fen, Mt Field, Southwest Tasmania. Nature Conservation Report Series 17/03. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. DigitalGlobe (2015-2016). World imagery, 0.5 m resolution satellite imagery displayed by ArcGIS Map Service. Available at: http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/services. DPIPWE (2016). Lake Mackenzie Alpine Fire Impacts Workshop, 8 June 2016. Nature Conservation Report Series 16/2. Natural and Cultural Heritage Division, Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment, Hobart. VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION DPIPWE (2019). TASVEG LIVE, digital state-wide vegetation map. Accessed from www.theLIST.tas.gov.au ©State of Tasmania, Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment, Hobart [version accessed November 1, 2019] Kirkpatrick, J.B. & Gibson, N. (1984). Dynamics of a Tasmanian bolster heath string fern. Vegetation, 58, pp. 71- 78 Kirkpatrick, J.B. and Dickinson, K.J.M. (1984). The impact of fire on Tasmanian alpine vegetation and soils.Australian Journal of Botany, 32, pp. 613-629 Kitchener, A. & Harris, S. (2013). From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation. Edition 2. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. Available at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov. au/conservation/flora-of-tasmania/from-forest-to-fjaeldmark-descriptions-of-tasmanias-vegetation [Accessed February 6, 2020]. Land Tasmania (2019). Tasmania Orthophoto mosaic base map. Accessed from www.theLIST.tas.gov.au ©State of Tasmania, Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment, Hobart

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 70 APPENDIX 3.1

Species list from Eastern alpine heathland 476559 East 5378721 North (M. Visoiu, S. Leonard, J. Woods, F. Hargraves).

Species

Abrotanella forsteroides Kelleria dieffenbachia Acaena montana Lepidosperma filiforme Acrothamnus montanus Leptospermum lanigerum Almaleea subumbellata Leucopogon oreophila Astelia alpina Liparophyllum gunnii Baeckea gunniana Myriophyllum amphibium Baloskion australe Oreobolus distichus Carpha alpina Oreobolus pumilio Coprosma nitida Orites acicularis Cotula alpina Orites revolutus Diplaspis sp. Ourisia integrifolia Drosera arcturi Pentachondra pumila Empodisma minus Phyllocladus aspleniifolius VEGETATION MAPPING VEGETATION Epacris gunnii Plantago sp. Epacris lanuginosa Ranunculus gunnianus Epacris serpyllifolius Richea scoparia Epilobium sp. Rytidosperma sp. Euchiton traversii Senecio gunnii Gaultheria tasmanica Senecio pectinatus Gleichenia alpina Sphagnum cristata Gonocarpus micranthus Telopea truncata Grevillea australis Uncinia compacta Herpolirion novae-zelandiae Velleia montana Hypericum japonicum Viola fuscoviolacea Isolepis crassiuscula

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 71 4. Fauna of the North East Central Plateau, Great Western Tiers and Quamby Bluff.

ELISE DEWARA, MICHAEL DRIESSENA, KEVIN BONHAMB

A Natural Values Science Section, NCH, DPIPWE B Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart

Photo: Southern pyrgomorph Monistria concinna (Walker), Michael Driessen

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 72 INTRODUCTION

The Central North Sector (CNS) of the 2013 TWWHA extension area contains fauna species of high conservation significance (Balmeret al., 2017). Thirty-seven vertebrate species known to exist in the CNS are classified as contributing to the TWWHA’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as they provide examples of biological evolution or, are of significant conservation and scientific value (such as threatened species). This includes Gondwanan relict fauna: species with strong ties to land masses such as New Zealand and Patagonia that were once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana (DPIPWE, 2016). The CNS provides habitat for at least 33 known endemic vertebrate species and 14 threatened species or sub- species that are listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TSPA). Endemic threatened invertebrate species can also be found in the CNS, including the ptunarra brown butterfly (Oreixenica ptunarra ptunarra), Miena jewel beetle (Castiarina insculpta) and various cave invertebrates. Within the CNS at least 11 species have previously been recorded that are listed as threatened under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The CNS is likely habitat for a range of other important vertebrate and invertebrate species but due to a lack of surveys fauna records from the region are sparse and the magnitude of biodiversity value has not been thoroughly assessed, representing a gap in the knowledge of natural values for the TWWHA extension area (Balmer et al., 2017). Equally, data are lacking on the presence and extent of different threats to natural values in the CNS which includes disturbance through increased visitation or developments, invasive species and wildlife diseases (Philips & Driessen, 2008; Mallick & Driessen, 2010; Balmer et al., 2017). In this study, we undertook a fauna survey of the North East Central Plateau, the Great Western Tiers, Quamby Bluff and the eastern side of the Upper Mersey to reduce the knowledge gaps for the CNS of the 2013 TWWHA Extension. The survey supplements the Review of natural values within the 2013 extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (Balmer et al., 2017), which describes in more detail the previously known fauna values and associated knowledge gaps in the CNS.

METHOD FAUNA VALUES FAUNA A complete fauna survey was beyond the scope of the resources available and the expertise of the survey team. As such, we focused on methods that would be efficient in detecting a range of species but particularly those species or faunal groups that contribute to the OUVs of the TWWHA. Invertebrate surveys targeted taxonomic groups with which the survey team had expertise. These surveys were somewhat limited due to the time of year and inactivity of invertebrates in cool temperatures. Surveys were conducted between 11th and 15th of November 2019 at 17 sites across the CNS in the following areas: north-eastern side of Great Lake (Westons Road), north of Arthurs Lake (Gunns Marsh Road), the northern slopes of Projection Bluff (off Highland Lakes Road), Liffey Falls area, Warners Sugarloaf, Meander Falls Road and the Quamby Bluff walking track (Figure 4.1). Habitat at these locations varied from open grasslands to dense forests dominated by Eucalyptus species and Nothofagus with varying ground and canopy cover (see Appendix 1 for detailed site descriptions).

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 73 Automated recording units

Five automated recording units (ARUs) (SM2+; Wildlife Acoustics Inc.), which record sound data were deployed at five sites from 11th to 15th November 2019 (Table 4.1, Figure 4.1). The ARUs were secured approximately 1m above ground on a steel picket and were programmed to record for 1 hour 50 minutes at dawn and dusk daily (this time represents the maximum data collection that could be recorded in the given survey period). The collected audio data was summarised using acoustic analysis software Kaleidoscope (Version 3.0.2; Wildlife Acoustics Inc.). This program analyses the acoustic data and groups similar sounds into clusters corresponding to unique calls which can be attributable to specific species of bird, frog or other vocal animal. Subsequent to the analysis, the acoustic clusters were reviewed by experts and, where possible, identified to specific species. The species were treated as either present or absent at each site (1 record) rather than tallying the calls, given that individual birds (and thus independent detections) could not be identified from the calls.

Cameras

Seven Swift 3C camera-traps with a wide-angle lens (110°) were set at Westons Rd (site 1) and 12 were set at Gunns Marsh Road (site 2) for 73-82 days from 27 June to 17 September 2019 (Figure 4.11). An additional ten sites were surveyed for 30 days from 11 November to 17 December 2019 (Figure 4.1). All cameras were set on high sensitivity to record one image per trigger with a 10 second delay between triggers. Cameras were mounted 50 cm above the ground on a steel picket. A 50–60 cm line of fish oil was dribbled 100 cm in front of and at right angle to the camera as bait. Cameras were located a minimum of 1 km apart. All fauna images captured by the cameras were reviewed for animal presence and where possible identified to species. The number of visits by each species was counted rather than the number of images. Visits indicate independence between successive images made by animals spending long periods of time in front of a camera (Jarman & Driessen, 2019). Five minutes was chosen as the interval to separate visits.

Bird surveys

Bird surveys were undertaken at ten of the sites (Table 4.1, Figure 4.1) by listing the bird species seen and heard within 500m of a central point, during 20 minutes, with two people (except sites 15–17 surveyed by one person). FAUNA VALUES FAUNA This survey technique is recommended by Birdlife Australia (2020).

Invertebrate surveys

Invertebrate surveying consisted of hand searching with primary target groups being land snails (Gastropoda), millipedes (Diplopoda), ground beetles (Coleoptera), harvestmen (Opilione) and grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera). Some incidental records of other invertebrate groups were also made during the surveys. Site selection was based partly on an assessment of geographic gaps in existing land snail records from the extension area and partly on practicality given the requirements of other team members. Search time ranged from around 20-90 minutes per site. Shelters likely to contain land snails, such as rocks, logs, leaf litter, bark and moss on trees were hand-searched with an aim of finding as many species as possible. Other target groups were collected

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 74 or recorded by sight during this process where practical. A total of 22 locations were surveyed from within the 17 sites. At three of these, leaf litter samples were taken to augment hand searching. There were also incidental records of invertebrates by survey team members from three other sites.

Incidental observations

Incidental observations of fauna were recorded at every site visited (Table 4.1). These records include sightings, calls and other sign (i.e. scats, tracks). The location, date, time, species and any other relevant details were noted for each observation. Additional fauna observations were collected opportunistically at sites where flora surveys were undertaken and where entered into the Natural Values Atlas (see chapters 2 and 3).

Table 4.1 Summary of fauna survey methods applied at each site in the TWWHA Extension Area Survey, Central North sector, 2019. ARU = automated recording unit, IO = incidental observations.

Site name Bird survey Camera(s) ARU Invertebrates IO 1. Westons Rd (7) 2. Gunns Marsh Rd (12) 3. Highland Lakes Rd Site 1 4. Highland Lakes Rd Site 2 (2) 5. Highland Lakes Rd Site 3 6. Mountain River Rd 7. Highland Lakes Rd Site 4 8. Liffey Falls Carpark 9. Liffey Falls Campground 10. Sugarloaf Rd 11. Warners Rd

12. Rd to Meander falls carpark VALUES FAUNA 13. Quamby bluff track (2) 14. Poatina Rd Site 1 15. Poatina Rd Site 2 16. Gunns Marsh Rd Site 2 17. Gunns Marsh Rd Site 3

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 75 Figure 4.1: Sites and methods used to survey fauna in the TWWHA Extension Area Survey, Central North Sector, 2019. Site numbers correspond with the site names listed in Table 4.1.

RESULTS VALUES FAUNA

Vertebrates

In total, 3,039 records of 67 vertebrate species were made from the 17 different survey areas. An additional 45 records of 17 species were made incidentally during the flora surveys, bringing the total number of vertebrate species recorded to 73. The records comprised 42 bird, 21 mammal, seven reptile and three frog species. Six of these species are new records for the CNS Extension Area; Sheoak skink (Cyclodomorphus casuarinae), long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi), broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus), Antechinus (species unidentified), brush bronzewing (Phaps elegans) and horsefield’s bronze cuckoo Chrysococcyx( basalis). The most widespread vertebrate species detected was the black currawong (Strepera fuliginosa) (82% of sites). Bennett’s wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus), brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and Tasmanian scrubwren were also widely detected (60-70% of sites). Five of the 67 vertebrate species detected are

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 76 introduced (fallow deer Dama dama, European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, black rat Rattus rattus, cat Felis catus and kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae). Cats were detected at 90% of the sites where cameras were set in this survey, though it is likely they are also present in the other sites where cameras where not set. Black rats were detected at 40% of the sites where cameras were set. Three of the detected species are listed as rare or threatened under the Tasmanian TSPA 1995 (Endangered: Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii, wedge tailed eagle Aquila audax fleayi; and Vulnerable: spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus) and, the same three species plus the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) are listed as threatened under the Australian EPBCA 2002. Thirty-one of the species detected are endemic to Tasmania (Table 4.2). A list of the species detected at each individual site and the corresponding survey method used to detect them appears in Appendix 4.2. Devil Facial Tumour Disease was detected in one devil on Gunns Marsh Road. No other wildlife diseases were detected.

Table 4.2 Number of detections* of vertebrate species across all sites and the number of sites where they were detected in the 2019 TWWHA Extension Area Survey, Central North Sector. Status under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: en = Endangered, VU = vulnerable, R = Rare, INT = introduced, e = Tasmanian endemic species, es = endemic subspecies. Status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2002: EN = Endangered, VU = vulnerable. Species classified as contributing to the TWWHA’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) are identified by a tick ( ), new records for the Central North Sector are bolded. Sites Contributes Common name Scientific name Count Status detected to OUV Birds (42) Black currawong Strepera fuliginosa 156 14 e Bassian thrush Zoothera lunulata 58 8 Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen 48 2 Tasmanian scrubwren Sericornis humilis 31 10 e Forest raven Corvus tasmanicus 19 7 Grey shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica 15 8 Grey fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa 13 9 Green rosella Platycercus caledonicus 12 7 e FAUNA VALUES FAUNA Crescent honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus 12 6 Striated pardalote Pardalotus striatus 11 6 Olive whistler Pachycephala olivacea 8 6 Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae 7 4 INT Superb fairy wren Malurus cyaneus 7 3 Yellow-throated Lichenostomus flavicollis 6 6 e honeyeater Thornbill sp. Acanthiza sp. 5 5 Golden whistler Pachycephala pectoralis 5 5 Tasmanian native hen Gallinula mortierii 5 2 e Tasmanian thornbill Acanthiza ewingii 4 4 e Yellow wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa 4 4 e Shining bronze-cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus 4 3

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 77 Sites Contributes Common name Scientific name Count Status detected to OUV Pink robin Petroica rodinogaster 4 2 Brush bronzewing Phaps elegans 4 2 Silvereye Zosterops lateralis 3 3 Wedge tailed eagle Aquila audax 3 2 en, EN Spotted pardalote Pardalotus punctatus 3 2 Yellow-tailed black Calyptorhynchus funereus 2 2 cockatoo Grey currawong Strepera versicolor 2 2 Striated field wren Calamanthus fuliginosus 2 1 Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena 2 1 Flame robin Petroica phoenicea 2 1 Pacific black duck Anas superciliosa 1 1 Australasian pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae 1 1 Dusky woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus 1 0 Horsefields bronze Chrysococcyx basalis 1 1 cuckoo Black-faced cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae 1 1 Lathams snipe Gallinago hardwickii 1 0 Dusky robin Melanodryas vittata 1 1 e Strong-billed honeyeater Melithreptus validirostris 1 1 e Satin flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca 1 1 Blue-winged parrot Neophema chrysostoma 1 1 Scarlet robin Petroica multicolor subsp. 1 1 boodang Tawny frogmouth Podargus strigoides 1 1 Mammals (21) Monotremes Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus 50 10 e Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus 14 1 Marsupials

Bennetts wallaby Notamacropus rufogriseus 1090 12 es VALUES FAUNA subsp. rufogriseus Brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula 412 11 Rufous-bellied pademelon Thylogale billardierii 243 9 e Eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus 219 2 e, EN Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii 136 9 e, en, EN Common wombat Vombatus ursinus subsp. 118 6 e tasmaniensis Spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus subsp. 27 6 es, r, V maculatus Long-nosed potoroo Potorous tridactylus subsp. 19 2 apicalis Southern brown Isoodon obesulus 10 1 bandicoot

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 78 Sites Contributes Common name Scientific name Count Status detected to OUV Antechinus sp. 1 1 Ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus 1 1 e Possum sp. 1 1 Placental mammals Long-tailed mouse Pseudomys higginsi 67 4 e Broad-toothed rat Mastacomys fuscus subsp. 3 0 es fuscus Swamp rat Rattus lutreolus subsp. 1 1 es velutinus Introduced mammals Black rat Rattus rattus 82 4 INT Fallow deer Dama dama 48 1 INT Cat Felis catus 43 9 INT European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 3 1 INT Reptiles (7) Metallic skink Carinascincus metallicus 5 3 Tiger snake Notechis scutatus 2 2 Sheoak skink Cyclodomorphus casuarinae 1 1 e Skink sp. Carinascincus sp. 1 1 Northern snow skink Niveoscincus greeni 1 1 e Tasmanian tree skink Carinascincus pretiosus 1 1 e White-lipped snake Drysdalia coronoides 1 0 Amphibians (3) Tasmanian froglet Crinia tasmaniensis 8 3 e Common froglet Crinia signifera 5 2 Southern brown tree frog Litoria ewingii 2 2 Grand Total 3084

*Detections of species are a cumulative total of detections using multiple survey methods; the different methods that VALUES FAUNA recorded each species at each site is summarised in Appendix 2. A definition of a ‘detection’ for species using each of the different survey methods can be found in the Methods section of this report.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 79 Figure 4.2: Fauna recorded during the TWWH Extension Area Survey November 2019 (left) Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle listed as endangered under Tasmanian legislation, observed near the Liffey Falls Carpark and (right) pink robin observed in its nest near the Liffey Falls Campground. Photos by Michael Driessen. FAUNA VALUES FAUNA

Figure 4.3: Introduced species captured on remote sensing cameras during the TWWHA Extension Area Survey, November 2019: (left) fallow deer and (right) feral cat.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 80 (a)

Figure 4.4: Bone and claw fragments found in a Tasmanian devil latrine (location of concentrated scat deposits) within a sandstone cave east of Burles Creek, near Highland Lakes Road Site 2 during the TWWHA Extension Area Survey, November 2019. Antechinus jawbone is indicated by (a).

(b) FAUNA VALUES FAUNA

(c)

(a)

Figure 4.5: Sonogram showing the calls of (a) Tasmanian froglet, (b) grey fantail and (c) crescent honeyeater in Kaleidoscope (Wildlife Acoustics Inc.) sound analysis software, recorded from Highland Lakes Road Site 2, during the TWWHA Extension Area Survey, November 2019.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 81 Invertebrates

A total of 192 records of at least 84 different invertebrate species were made during the survey, comprising 31 species of land snail and slugs, at least 12 species of millipedes, 21 species of beetle, 6 species of harvestmen, 7 species of crickets and grasshoppers, 3 species of butterfly, a single species each of velvetworm, centipede, mantisfly and a bumblebee. Of these, at least six species are endemic to the TWWHA (harvestmen and a centipede), 19 are new records for the extension area and seven of those are also new records for the TWWHA. A weevil specimen collected from Projection Bluff and a millipede specimen from Mountain Road have been identified as new species.

Land Snails

Twenty-six native and five introduced species of land snail were recorded. Diversity was low to moderate at most of the sites surveyed, but the previously unsurveyed Warners Sugarloaf area had very high diversity with 19 native species recorded in under three hours of sampling. A previously unconfirmed species of the genus Tasmathera Bonham 2018 (Tasmathera sp. “Quamby”) was recognised based on dead adult shells collected on Quamby Bluff and on juveniles assumed to be the same species and collected on Projection Bluff and near Mother Cummings Peak. An earlier juvenile specimen assumed to be the same species was collected within the extension area on Lake Mackenzie Road in 2000, but previously identified to genus only. All four records of this undescribed species are therefore from the extension area, but it is unlikely to be endemic to it. One species was newly recorded for the TWWHA (“Thryasona” sp “Champion”, a widespread northern Tasmanian species previously identified as “Thryasona” cf marchianae (Legrand, 1871)). Three species previously known from the TWWHA were newly recorded for the extension area (Kessneropa mimosa (Petterd, 1879), Pedicamista sp “Bull Hill” and Victaphanta lampra (Reeve, 1854)). In total (including previous surveys) 31 native land snail species have now been recorded from the survey area. Of the exotic species, the slug Arion hortensis (Férussac, 1819) was confirmed from the TWWHA for the first time (previous records are affected by identification and exact location doubts). Another slug,Arion silvaticus Lohmander 1937, which had only been previously confirmed as present twice in Tasmania, was recorded three times in this survey. One of the two previous confirmed records of this species was also from the extension area. The FAUNA VALUES FAUNA common garden snail Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) was recorded from the TWWHA for the second time (it has also been recorded from Maatsuyker Island). A single specimen was collected from dumped waste by the roadside on the slopes of Projection Bluff, but no evidence of an established population was seen.

Millipedes

At least 12 species of millipede were collected, however only seven have been identified to an existing species name and a further two (at least) to genus. In most cases where material was not identifiable to species it was because no mature males were collected. In one case (a Dalodesmidae sp from Mountain Road) the single mature male did not match any known species and was subsequently described as a new genus and species: Kebodesmus zonarius (Mesibov & Rodriguez, 2020). Of the other millipedes identified to species, two Propolyxenus( forsteri Condé, 1951 and Procophorella bashfordi Mesibov 2003) are newly recorded from the TWWHA.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 82 Beetles

Twenty beetle species were collected, of which 16 have been identified to a described or known undescribed species held in the collections of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). A specimen of the weevil genus Exithius collected from sandstone outcrops on Projection Bluff was found not to exactly match any species in the TMAG collections and is treated provisionally as a new species. The specimen closely resembled one previous specimen recorded as Exithius TFIC sp 06 from near Tarraleah. A specimen of the genus Notolioon (family Byrrhidae) closely resembled specimens held in TMAG as N. griffithi (Lea, 1907) but differed in having more clearly pitted elytra and lacking setae on the lower elytra. This is treated here as a species allied to N. griffithi and as newly recorded from the TWWHA, similar material being known from kunanyi/ Mt Wellington. The undescribed melyrid Dicranolauis TFIC sp 01 is a new record for the TWWHA based on TMAG collection records.

Harvestman

Six species were detected from nine sites, including five endemic species. All six species were known to exist in the TWWHA but are new records for the extension area.

Crickets and grasshoppers

Six species of crickets and grasshoppers were detected from three sites. All of these were known to exist in the TWWHA but are new records for the extension area.

Other Invertebrates

A mantisflyCalomantispa venusta (Lambkin, 1986) was collected near the Liffey Falls campground. About fifteen Tasmanian records of this distinctive but uncommon species were found based on museum collections, papers and

(mostly) social media records. Based on these, this is the second TWWHA record and the first from the extension VALUES FAUNA survey area. The high levels of endemism seen in TWWHA invertebrate fauna demonstrate their ties to the ancient continent Gondwana. Two invertebrates highly relevant to the TWWHA’s OUV were recorded – a velvetworm Ooperipatellus sp (part of a rich radiation of undescribed endemic onychophorans in the state) and the endemic centipede Craterostigmus tasmanianus Pocock, 1902 (an endemic species with evolutionary significance). Large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), an introduced species already known from the TWWHA, was recorded at one site on Westons Road. Three species of butterfly were recorded: Australian painted lady Vanessa( kershawi) from Gunns Marsh Road, a new record for the TWWHA extension, and Macleay’s swallowtail (Graphium macleayanus) from Jackeys Creek, already known from the TWWHA and extension area, and Hobart brown (Argynnina hobartia), already known from the extension area but a new record for the CNS.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 83 Table 4.3 Invertebrate species recorded during the 2019 TWWHA Extension Area Survey, Central North Sector, 11-15 November 2019. NT = New record for the TWWHA, NE = new record for the TWWHA Extension, INT = introduced species, e = Tasmanian endemic. New species identified in this survey are bolded. Specimens Species name Status Sites detected collected Beetles and weevils (21) Adelium abbreviatum North slope of Projection Bluff, Gunns Marsh 2 Altica corrusca Gunns Marsh Road 1 Brycopia caelioides e North slope of Projection Bluff 1 Denticollinae unplaced North slope of Projection Bluff 1 Dicranoliaus TFIC sp 01 NT Huntsmans Lake 1 Diemenoma commoda e North slope of Projection Bluff, Quamby Bluff, Pages 3 Creek near Liffey Falls campground Elatichrosus trisulcatus Huntsmans Lake 1 Ewanius nothofagi e Projection Bluff northern slope, Quamby Bluff 2 Exithius sp. (new species) NT North slope of Projection Bluff 1 Heteronyx sp. Gunns Marsh 1 Lissotes forcipula e North slope of Projection Bluff, Jackeys Creek, Pages 4 Creek near Liffey Falls campground Notolioon cf griffithi NT, e Flexmore Creek 1 Notonomus politulus e Westons Road, North slope of Projection Bluff, Gunns 6 Marsh, Highland Lakes Rd near Mountain Road Paropsisterna agricola Jackeys Creek, Westons Road 1 Paropsisterna nucea Highland Lakes Rd near Mountain Road 1 Percosoma sulcipenne e Warners Sugarloaf 1 Promecoderus brunnicornis e Gunns Marsh Road 1 Prosopogmus chalybeipennis Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground, Warners 3 Sugarloaf, Highland Lakes Rd near Mountain Road Ptiliidae sp. Gunns Marsh, Warners Sugarloaf 2 Scydmaeninae sp. Warners Sugarloaf 1 Simodontus australis North slope of Projection Bluff, Quamby Bluff, 3 Projection Bluff northern slope

Bumblebee (1) VALUES FAUNA Bombus terrestris INT Westons Road 1 Butterflies (3) Graphium macleayanus Jackeys Creek 1 Vanessa kershawi NE Gunns Marsh Road Site 1 1 Argynnina hobartia e Highland Lakes Road Site 2 1 Centipede (1) Craterostigmus tasmanianus e Gunns Marsh 1 Crickets and grasshoppers (7) Bobilla poene NE Gunns Marsh Road Site 1 1 Kinemania sp NE, e Westons Road Site 2 1 Monistria concinna Gunns Marsh Road Sites 1 and 2, and east of Pine Lake 6 (flora survey)

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 84 Specimens Species name Status Sites detected collected Phaulacridium vittatum Gunns Marsh Road Site 2 1 Tasmanalpina clavata e Whitehorse Hill 1 Tasmaniacris tasmaniensis e Gunns Marsh Road Site 2, Westons Road Site 2 4 Tetrigidae sp. Gunns Marsh Road Site 1, Westons Road Site 2 2 Harvestmen (6) Allonuncia grandis NE, e North slope Projection Bluff 1 Callinicus vulsus NE, e Westons Road 1 Megalopsalis nigricans NE, e North slope Projection Bluff 7 Mestonia picra NE, e Highland Lakes Rd Site 4 1 Nucina silvestris NE, e North slope Projection Bluff 1 Paranuncia gigantean NE North slope Projection Bluff, Pages Creek near Liffey 4 River, Quamby Bluff Land snails and slugs (31) Archiropa architectonica e Flexmore Creek 1 Arion hortensis NT, INT Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground 1 Arion silvaticus INT North slope of Projection Bluff, Jackeys Creek, Pages 3 Creek near Liffey Falls campground Bonhamaropa kershawi e Warners Sugarloaf, Flexmore Creek 2 Bonhamaropa sp. “Mersey” e Jackeys Creek, Quamby Bluff, Meander Falls Road 3 Caryodes dufresnii e Gunns Marsh Road 2 Cornu aspersum NE, INT North slope of Projection Bluff 1 Cystopelta petterdi e Warners Sugarloaf, Quamby Bluff, Jackeys Creek 3 Diemenoropa kingstonensis e Westons Road, Flexmore Creek, Quamby Bluff, Jackeys 7 Creek, North slope of Projection Bluff, Warners sugarloaf Gadoropa gadensis e North slope of Projection Bluff, Jackeys Creek, Mountain 4 Road Gratilaoma halli North slope of Projection Bluff, Meander Falls Road, 4 Jackeys Creek, Warners Sugarloaf Gratilaoma sp. “Knocklofty” Gunns Marsh, Quamby Bluff 2 Groveiana hookeriana e Warners Sugarloaf, Quamby Bluff, Jackeys Creek 3 HelicArion cuvieri e Meander Falls Road 1 VALUES FAUNA Kannaropa subrugosa e Jackeys Creek 1 Kessneropa mimosa NE Meander Falls Road, Quamby Bluff 2 Lehmannia nyctelia INT shepherds Hill 1 Limax maximus INT Mountain Road, Jackeys Creek, Pages Creek near Liffey 3 Falls campground Oreomava johnstoni e Jackeys Creek, Meander Falls Road 2 Paralaoma mucoides Westons Road, North slope of Projection Bluff, Gunns 3 Marsh Pedicamista sp. “Bull Hill” NE, e Westons Road, Shepherds Hill 1 Planilaoma luckmanii e Gunns Marsh Road, Jackeys Creek, Warners Sugarloaf, 4 Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground Prolesophanta dyeri Warners Sugarloaf 1

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 85 Specimens Species name Status Sites detected collected Punctidae sp. “Micro Cripps” e Highland Lakes Rd near Mountain Road, Quamby Bluff, 5 Meander Falls Road, Jackeys Creek, Warners Sugarloaf Stenacapha hamiltoni e Westons Road, near Mother Cummings Peak, Flexmore 16 Creek, Quamby Bluff, Projection Bluff northern slope, Jackeys Creek, Warners Sugarloaf, Mountain Road, North slope of Projection Bluff, Gunns Marsh Tasmanaropa tasmaniae e Gunns Marsh Road, Meander Falls Road, Warners 4 Sugarloaf, Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground Tasmaphena sinclairi e Warners Sugarloaf 1 Tasmathera sp. “Quamby” e North slope of Projection Bluff, near Mother Cummings 3 Peak, Quamby Bluff Thryasona sp. “Champion” NT, e Warners Sugarloaf, Meander Falls Road 2 Trocholaoma parvissima Warners Sugarloaf, Meander Falls Road 2 Victaphanta lampra NE, e Warners Sugarloaf, Quamby Bluff 2 Mantisfly (1) Calomantispa venusta NE Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground 1 Millipedes (12) Atrophotergum sp e Meander Falls Road 1 Australeuma jeekeli e Shepherds Hill 1 Bromodesmus rufus e Westons Road, Flexmore Creek 2 Dalodesmidae sp. e Mountain Road, Jackeys Creek 2 Dalodesmidae sp. (new species) NT, e Mountain Road 1 Lissodesmus perperosus e Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground, Highland 2 Lakes Rd near Mountain Road Paredrodesmus sp. e Westons Road, Shepherds Hill, Highland Lakes Rd 7 near Mountain Road, Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground, Mountain Road, North slope of Projection Bluff Peterjohnsia titan e Warners Sugarloaf 1 Procophorella bashfordi e Highland Lakes Rd near Mountain Road 1 Propolyxenus forsteri NT Flexmore Creek 1

Spirostreptida sp. North slope of Projection Bluff, Jackeys Creek, Warners 4 VALUES FAUNA Sugarloaf, Pages Creek near Liffey Falls campground Tasmanodesmus hardyi e Westons Road, Jackeys Creek, Warners Sugarloaf 4 Velvetworm (1) Ooperipatellus sp. e North slope of Projection Bluff 1 Total 192

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 86 (a) (b)

(c) (d) FAUNA VALUES FAUNA

Figure 4.6: Invertebrates recorded during the TWWHA Extension Area Survey during November 2019: (a) Mantisfly (Calomantispa venusta), second recording from the TWWHA and first ever for the Extension Area; (b) velvetworm (Ooperipatellus sp) and (c) harvestman (Paranuncia gigantea), both Gondwanan relict fauna that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value of the TWWHA; and (d) Hobart brown butterfly Argynnina( hobartia). Photos by Michael Driessen.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 87 DISCUSSION

This survey has increased the number and distribution of fauna records for the CNS. Over 151 species were detected including 26 species that contribute to the OUVs of the TWWHA and 25 new fauna records for the CNS. This includes the collection of a weevil and a millipede that were identified as new species (i.e. previously undescribed). Additional records of species that had been recorded in the CNS prior to this survey enhance our understanding of their distribution in the TWWHA, especially regarding the spread and threat of introduced species. Mammals that contribute to the OUV of the TWWHA, and/or are listed as threatened under state or national legislation were detected widely throughout the survey area including Tasmanian devils, spotted-tailed quolls, eastern quolls and echidnas. Nine of the bird species recorded in the survey are endemic to Tasmania and contribute to the OUV of the TWWHA, six of them were detected in at least four different sites across the survey area. A large number of endemic invertebrates recorded such as harvestmen, velvetworms and land snails contribute to the OUV of the TWWHA as Gondwanan relics. For example, the newly classified millipede species found during this survey (Kebodesmus zonarius) has a gonopod structure unlike any from its family (Dalodesmidae) in Australia or New Zealand, but closely resembles Dalodesmidae species found in Southern Chile (Mesibov & Rodriguez, 2020). These records help to fill the gaps in our knowledge of the fauna communities present in the CNS and, improves our understanding of the rich biodiversity that contributes to the OUV of the TWWHA. Competition and predation by introduced animals has been identified as one of the key threats to native fauna in the CNS (Balmer et al., 2017). At least 70 species of invasive vertebrate and invertebrate animals have been recorded in the TWWHA (Mallick and Driessen 2010) and while most of these have a restricted distribution associated with human disturbance, several species are known to occur widely in the TWWHA including the cat, rabbit and hedgehog slug (Arion spp.). It is not surprising that cats were detected at 90% of sites where cameras were set during this survey and, probably occur at other sites where cameras were not set. Cat records from the CNS have been in the NVA since 1985. As cats appear to be widespread and established in the CNS, management efforts are likely to have little gain for conservation. Black rats were commonly associated with locations subject to high levels of visitor disturbance and access for recreation (Liffey falls campground and carpark, Quamby Bluff walking track and Gunns Marsh Road). Rabbits have been recorded in the CNS previously (Balmer et al., 2017) and whilst we did not detect them on camera in this survey, rabbit diggings and scats were noted during the vegetation VALUES FAUNA mapping at Westons Rivulet and in the margins of Eucalyptus coccifera woodlands at Brandum Creek and Great Lake. Localised exotic slug and snail infestations are often seen in native forest in the Great Western Tiers. In this survey one site at Pages Creek near the Liffey Falls campground was found to be infested by exotic slugs (Limax maximus, Arion silvaticus, A. hortensis), with very few native snails present. Limax maximus may prey on native invertebrates. It is unknown whether this infestation was caused by proximity to the campground, historic logging or other impacts. Fallow deer numbers and distribution appear to be increasing in Tasmania and there are concerns they are spreading further into the TWWHA (Potts et al., 2015). We detected deer along Gunns Marsh Road where they appeared to be common, probably because of suitable grassy habitats. Most of the other areas surveyed consisted of less suitable habitat for deer, such as wet forest. Deer scats were also detected during the flora surveys on Gunns Marsh Road. More targeted surveys (currently being undertaken by the University of Tasmania and

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 88 DPIPWE) will help to better understand the distribution and impacts of deer in the TWWHA. Scats suspected to be from goats were also detected during the flora surveys onPoa tina Road, about 10km south of Poatina, with the recommendation that trail cameras be set up in the area to confirm the identity of the feral bovids in the area. The spread of wildlife diseases has been highlighted as another key threat to fauna in the CNS (Balmer et al., 2017). Diseases that have potential to impact on fauna include DFTD, sarcoptic mange, frog chytrid disease and mucor disease in platypus (McCallum, 2008; Gust et al., 2009; Philips et al., 2010; Martin et al., 2018). The CNS occurs within the DFTD front in Tasmania, so it is not surprising that we detected one devil with the disease along Gunns Marsh Road. However, on a positive note for the survey areas, all other devil observations appeared to be disease free. Similarly, we did not detect sarcoptic mange on wombats during our surveys, even though it has been reported in nearby areas outside of the TWWHA (Meander, Liffey, Poatina, Miena; Natural Values Atlas records). DPIPWE night surveys at various locations across Tasmania has recorded wombat mange prevalence variations from 0% to 18.8% (Driessen et al., in prep). Further opportunities for surveying and documenting wombat mange in the TWWHA will help to understand its status and impact.

REFERENCES

Balmer, J., Bradbury, J., Richards, K., Rudman, T., Visoiu, M., Troy, S. & Lawrence, N. (2017). A Review of natural values within the 2013 extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nature Conservation Report 2017/6. Hobart. Birdlife Australia (2020). Bird Survey Techniques. Available at: https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/survey-techniques. DPIPWE. (2016). Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan 2016, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. Available at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/TWWHA_Management_Plan_2016.pdf. Driessen, M., Dewar, E., Carver, S., Lawrence, C. & Gales, R. (n.d.). Common wombats in Tasmania: conservation status, incidence of mange and roadkill. Manuscript in prep. Gust, N., Griffiths, J., Driessen, M., Philips, A., Stewart, N. & Geraghty, D. (2009). Distribution, prevalence and persistence of mucormycosis in Tasmanian platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 57, VALUES FAUNA pp. 245–254. Jarman, P. & Driessen, M. (2019). Quantitative interpretation of images of long-nosed potoroos at baited camera- traps: defining a ‘visit.’Australian Mammalogy, 41, pp. 147–149. Mallick, S.A. & Driessen, M.M. (2010). Review, Risk Assessment and Management of Introduced Animals in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nature Conservation Report 10/01. Department of Primary Industries Water and Environment, Hobart. Available at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Nature-Conservation-Report-10-01.pdf. Martin, A.M., Burridge, C.P., Ingram, J., Fraser, T.A. & Carver, S. (2018). Invasive pathogen drives host population collapse: Effects of a travelling wave of sarcoptic mange on bare-nosed wombats. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55, pp. 331–341. McCallum, H. (2008). Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease: lessons for conservation biology. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 23, pp. 631–637.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 89 Mesibov, R. & Rodriguez, J. (2020). A new genus and species of narrow-range millipede (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Dalodesmidae) from Tasmania, Australia. Zookeys, 966, pp. 1–8. Philips, A. & Driessen, M. (2008). Strategy for managing wildlife disease in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart. Hobart, Tasmania. Available at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Strategy-for-Managing-Wildlife-Disease.pdf

Philips, A., Wilson, D., Voyles, J., Cornish, M., Stewart, K., Stowe, C., Tsimbas, K., Blackhall, S. & Driessen, M. (2010). Chytrid Research and Management in Tasmania. Nature Conservation Report 2010/02. Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment. Available at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Chytrid-Research-and-Management-in-Tasmania---Part-1.pdf

Potts, J.M., Beeton, N.J., Bowman, D.M.J.S., Williamson, G.J., Lefroy, E.C. & Johnson, C.N. (2015). Predicting the future range and abundance of fallow deer in Tasmania, Australia. Wildlife Research, 41, pp. 633–640.

APPENDIX 4.1

Site descriptions for fauna surveys of the TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector, November 2019. Site Site name Survey ID Description no. method 3 Highland Lakes Rd Camera HL43 Dense forest dominated by Nothofagus & tea tree, open Site 1 understorey. Some shrubs incl. mountain pepper, Persoonia, Olearia, Cyathodes. Thick ground cover of moss, lichen, litter, rocks & logs. 70% canopy cover. 4 Highland Lakes Rd Camera HL44 Dense forest dominated by Nothofagus & tea tree, 85% Site 2 lower canopy cover. Open understorey with Gahnia, Polystichium proliferum, tree fern. Leaf litter thick, some moss. Small stream nearby. 4 Highland Lakes Rd Camera HL45 Open Euc. forest (30% cover) over dense tea tree Site 2 upper understorey. Open at ground level. Thick moss ground cover, VALUES FAUNA litter 30%. Devil latrine nearby. Camera set on old vehicle track. 5 Highland Lakes Rd Camera HL46 E. obliqua & E. delegatensis tall forest (30% cover), Site 3 understorey of Nothofagus, waratah, Pomaderris, Phebalium. Open underneath with ground covered by bracken in patches, intermingled with dead and live shrubs. Open areas with thick dry litter & dead stems of bracken and twigs. Rotting logs. 6 Mountain River Rd Camera HL47 Nothafagus & stringybark forest. Canopy cover 20%. 8 Liffey Falls Carpark Camera HL48 Tall E. obliqua & E. delegatensis forest over tall Nothofagus, Zieria aborescens (70% cover). Open underneath, evidence of past disturbance/clearance. Moss & litter 60%. Logs.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 90 Site Site name Survey ID Description no. method 9 Liffey Falls Camera HL49 Wet Nothofagus forest with sassafras, Acacia dealbata, Olearia Campground argophylla, tea tree & tree fern. Canopy cover 85-90%. Open understorey with lots of litter, logs. Stream running nearby. 7 Highland Lakes Rd Camera HL50 Pomaderris dominated forest (15-20m) with emerging E. Site 4 delegatensis and tea tree. 85% canopy cover. Litter 50%. 13 Quamby Bluff Site 1 Camera HL51 Sparse acacia and Nothofagus wet forest with dense understorey of mature tree ferns and Pomaderris. Canopy cover 65%. 13 Quamby Bluff Site 2 Camera HL52 Euc. forest with Bedfordia & Nothofagus understorey, damp & very rocky. 60% canopy cover. 1 Westons Rd ARU SM1 E. coccifera woodland over Leptospermum and Hakea. Wetter areas in gully below rocky boulders. ARU set at a pond. 2 Gunns Marsh Rd ARU SM2 Grassy moorland surrounded by Euc. forest, closest about 300m away. Stream/small creek 10m away, puddles nearby. 4 Highland Lakes Rd ARU SM3 E. obliqua forest over tall tea tree scrub. Old vehicle track Site 2 lower mossy ground cover. Puddles. 9 Liffey Falls ARU SM4 Wet forest dominanted by Nothofagus, tree fern understorey. Campground Stream running nearby. No stagnant water (frogs unlikely). Canopy cover 85-90%. 13 Quamby Bluff ARU SM5 Tall tea tree scrub on edge of Nothofagus forest. Semi disturbed area near farmland. 2 Gunns Marsh Rd Bird Survey BS2 Grassy moorland, surrounded by Euc. forest (closest forest ~300m away). 4 Highland Lakes Rd Bird Survey BS3 Small clearing (car park) surrounded by young/low (8-10m) Site 2 lower euc forest and tea tree scrub. 8 Liffey Falls Bird Survey BS4 Densely covered Nothofagus & sassafras forest, open Campground understorey except for tree ferns. Stream nearby. 10 Sugarloaf Rd Bird Survey BS5 Tall eucalypt forest, dogwood (Pomaderris) & musk (Olearia) understorey. Steep slope. 11 Warners Rd Bird Survey BS6 Tall E. obliqua forest. Pomaderris. Acacia melanoxolyn (blackwood). 12 Road to Meander Bird Survey BS7 Euc. forest – E. obliqua & E. viminalis with dense understorey Falls carpark of Pomaderris. Survey from Rd, 30-40% canopy cover on

road. 50-60% cover in forest. VALUES FAUNA 15 Poatina Rd Site 1 Bird Survey PR1 Low Euc. forest with rocky escarpment, on edge of moorland. Canopy cover 10%. 16 Gunns Marsh Rd Bird Survey BS8 Sedgey-grassy plain with small creek lines. Empodisma, Lepyrodia, Poa, Sprengelia, Olearia. 17 Gunns Marsh Rd Bird Survey BS9 E. pauciflora woodland over open shrubs.Hakea , Leptophylla, interspersed with cropped Poa, moss, rock, litter.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 91 APPENDIX 4.2

List of vertebrate fauna detected with different survey methods across 17 sites during a survey of the TWWHA extension area, Central North Sector, November 2019.

ARU = automated recording Unit; BS = bird survey; CAM = camera; IO = incidental observation.

Survey method Survey method Species per site Species per site ARU BS CAM IO Total ARU BS CAM IO Total 1. Westons Rd 4 7 306 6 323 Cat 24 24 Common froglet 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 153 153 Common wombat 83 2 85 Black currawong 1 1 4 6 Crescent 1 1 Brush-tailed 37 1 38 honeyeater possum Dusky robin 1 1 Cat 4 4 Eastern quoll 185 185 Common froglet 1 1 European rabbit 1 1 Common wombat 8 8 Fallow deer 44 1 45 Crescent 1 1 honeyeater Flame robin 1 1 2 Eastern quoll 34 34 Forest raven 1 1 6 1 9 Green rosella 3 3 Green rosella 1 1 1 3 Grey fantail 1 1 2 Grey currawong 1 1 Grey shrikethrush 1 1 2 Grey fantail 1 1 Long-tailed mouse 21 21 Grey shrikethrush 1 3 4 Metallic skink 1 1 Human 2 2 Olive whistler 1 1 Pademelon 6 6 Pademelon 2 2 Platypus 14 14 Sheoke skink 1 1 Richards pipet 1 1 Short-beaked 5 1 6 Scarlet robin 1 1 echidna Short-beaked 25 25 Southern brown 1 1 echidna tree frog Southern brown 10 10 Spotted-tailed quoll 4 4 bandicoot Spotted pardalote 1 1 2 Tasmanian devil 30 30 VALUES FAUNA Tasmanian 1 1 2 Striated field wren 2 2 scrubwren Striated pardalote 3 3 Thornbill sp. 1 1 Tasmanian devil 84 84 Yellow-throated 1 1 Tasmanian froglet 1 1 honeyeater Tasmanian native 4 4 2. Gunns Marsh Rd 5 18 1766 13 1802 hen Tasmanian thornbill 1 1 Australian magpie 1 45 1 47 Tawny frogmouth 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 888 1 889 Wedge tailed eagle 2 2 Black currawong 1 3 39 1 44 Welcome swallow 1 1 2 Black-faced 1 1 Yellow wattlebird 1 1 cuckooshrike Yellow-throated 1 1 Black rat 1 1 honeyeater Brush-tailed 294 294 possum

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 92 Survey method Survey method Species per site Species per site ARU BS CAM IO Total ARU BS CAM IO Total 3. Highland Lakes 31 4 35 Tasmanian 1 4 1 6 Rd Site 1 scrubwren Bassian thrush 9 9 Tasmanian thornbill 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 4 1 5 Tasmanian tree 1 1 Black currawong 1 1 2 skink Brush-tailed 3 3 Thornbill sp. 1 1 possum Yellow-tailed black 1 1 Cat 2 2 cockatoo 5. Highland Lakes Crescent 1 1 27 2 29 honeyeater Rd Site 3 Forest raven 1 1 Bassian thrush 2 2 Long-tailed mouse 7 7 Bennetts wallaby 3 3 Short-beaked 1 1 Black currawong 2 2 echidna Cat 1 1 Tasmanian devil 4 4 Common wombat 1 1 2 4. Highland Lakes 8 10 52 13 83 Olive whistler 1 1 Rd Site 2 Pademelon 5 5 Antechinus sp. 1 1 Short-beaked 4 4 Bassian thrush 3 3 echidna Bennetts wallaby 1 5 6 Strong-billed 1 1 Black currawong 1 1 2 4 honeyeater Brush-tailed 6 6 Superb fairy wren 5 5 possum Tasmanian devil 1 1 Cat 4 4 Tasmanian 1 1 Crescent 1 1 5 7 scrubwren honeyeater Tiger snake 1 1 6. Mountain River Golden whistler 1 1 203 3 206 Green rosella 1 1 Rd Grey fantail 1 1 1 3 Bassian thrush 25 25 Grey shrikethrush 3 3 Bennetts wallaby 3 3 Human 2 2 Black currawong 74 1 75 Long-nosed 1 1 Brush-tailed 11 11 potoroo possum Metallic skink 1 1 Cat 2 2 FAUNA VALUES FAUNA Olive whistler 1 1 1 3 Crescent 1 1 Pademelon 4 4 honeyeater Pink robin 1 1 2 Forest raven 5 5 Possum sp. 1 1 Grey currawong 1 1 Ringtail possum 1 1 Grey fantail 1 1 Shining bronze- 1 1 2 Long-nosed 18 18 cuckoo potoroo Short-beaked 1 1 Pademelon 42 42 echidna Short-beaked 4 4 Skink sp. 1 1 echidna Spotted-tailed quoll 1 1 2 Spotted-tailed quoll 2 2 Striated pardalote 1 1 Tasmanian devil 1 1 Tasmanian devil 9 1 10 Tasmanian 14 14 scrubwren Tasmanian froglet 1 1 2 Yellow wattlebird 1 1

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 93 Survey method Survey method Species per site Species per site ARU BS CAM IO Total ARU BS CAM IO Total 7. Highland Lakes 31 31 Kookaburra 1 1 Rd Site 4 Long-tailed mouse 9 9 Bassian thrush 1 1 Olive whistler 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 1 1 Pademelon 130 130 Forest raven 1 1 Pink robin 1 1 2 Pademelon 22 22 Shining bronze- 1 1 Short-beaked 2 2 cuckoo echidna Short-beaked 1 1 Spotted-tailed quoll 3 3 echidna Tasmanian 1 1 Spotted-tailed quoll 4 4 scrubwren Striated pardalote 1 1 8. Liffey Falls 78 7 85 Tasmanian 1 1 Carpark scrubwren Bassian thrush 10 10 Tasmanian thornbill 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 6 6 Thornbill sp. 1 1 Black currawong 1 1 Yellow-throated 1 1 Black rat 41 41 honeyeater Brush-tailed 9 9 10. Sugarloaf Rd 18 18 possum Australian magpie 1 1 Cat 3 3 Black currawong 1 1 Grey shrikethrush 1 1 Brush-tailed 1 1 Kookaburra 3 3 possum Olive whistler 1 1 Forest raven 1 1 Pademelon 1 1 2 Golden whistler 1 1 Short-beaked 1 1 Grey fantail 1 1 echidna Grey shrikethrush 1 1 Silvereye 1 1 Olive whistler 1 1 Spotted-tailed quoll 3 3 Satin flycatcher 1 1 Superb fairy wren 1 1 Silvereye 1 1 Tasmanian 1 1 2 scrubwren Spotted pardalote 1 1 9. Liffey Falls Striated pardalote 1 1 8 8 249 2 267 Campground Tasmanian native 1 1 Bassian thrush 1 1 2 4 hen FAUNA VALUES FAUNA Bennetts wallaby 13 13 Tasmanian 1 1 scrubwren Black currawong 1 1 2 Tasmanian thornbill 1 1 Black rat 39 39 Yellow wattlebird 1 1 Brush bronzewing 3 3 Yellow-tailed black 1 1 Brush-tailed 33 33 cockatoo possum Yellow-throated 1 1 Cat 1 1 honeyeater Common wombat 12 12 11. Warners Rd 12 12 Crescent 1 1 honeyeater Black currawong 1 1 Golden whistler 1 1 Brush-tailed 1 1 Green rosella 1 1 possum Grey fantail 1 1 2 Forest raven 1 1 Grey shrikethrush 1 1 Golden whistler 1 1

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 94 Survey method Survey method Species per site Species per site ARU BS CAM IO Total ARU BS CAM IO Total Green rosella 1 1 Silvereye 1 1 Grey fantail 1 1 Southern brown 1 1 Grey shrikethrush 1 1 tree frog Horsefields bronze 1 1 Spotted or 1 1 cuckoo northern snow Metallic skink 1 1 skink Striated pardalote 1 1 Spotted-tailed quoll 9 9 Wedge tailed eagle 1 1 Striated pardalote 1 1 Yellow wattlebird 1 1 Superb fairy wren 1 1 12. Road to 8 8 Swamp rat 1 1 Meander Falls Tasmanian devil 1 1 Black currawong 1 1 Tasmanian froglet 1 1 Golden whistler 1 1 Tasmanian 1 1 2 Green rosella 1 1 scrubwren Grey fantail 1 1 Thornbill sp. 1 1 Kookaburra 1 1 Tiger snake 1 1 Striated pardalote 1 1 14. Poatina Rd Site 1 2 3 5 Tasmanian 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 1 1 scrubwren Black currawong 1 1 Thornbill sp. 1 1 Striated pardalote 1 1 13. Quamby Bluff 12 114 8 134 Tasmanian devil 1 1 track Yellow-throated 1 1 Bassian thrush 4 4 honeyeater Bennetts wallaby 2 2 15. Poatina Rd Site 2 6 6 Black currawong 1 13 1 15 Black rat 1 1 Bennetts wallaby 1 1 Brush bronzewing 1 1 Black currawong 1 1 Brush-tailed 12 12 Common wombat 1 1 possum Striated pardalote 1 1 Cat 2 2 Tasmanian devil 1 1 Common wombat 2 1 3 Yellow-throated 1 1 Forest raven 1 1 honeyeater Green rosella 1 1 2 Grand Total 37 83 2857 67 3044

Grey fantail 1 1 VALUES FAUNA Grey shrikethrush 1 1 2 Kookaburra 2 2 Long-tailed mouse 29 29 Pademelon 30 30 Shining bronze- 1 1 *NB: this Figure includes human detections on the cuckoo Short-beaked 5 5 cameras and thus differs from the reported number echidna of vertebrate fauna detected in the survey.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 95 5. Cavernous sandstone landforms of the Great Western Tiers

ROLAN EBERHARDA, GREG MIDDLETONB, TONY BURGESSC

A Natural Values Science Section, NCH, DPIPWE B Cave and Karst Management Consultant, Hobart C Operations Northern Region, PWS, DPIPWE

Photo: Cave at Burles Creek, Rolan Eberhard

I

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 96 INTRODUCTION

The Great Western Tiers is a distinctive landform which defines the northern margin of the Central Plateau – the eroded surface of an extensive dolerite sill, which was intruded into beds of Triassic sandstone above a thick sequence of fine-grained Permian sediments. These three rock types (Jurassic dolerite, Triassic sandstone, Permian mudstone) crop out as a layered succession across the face of Tiers. Portions of the Tiers underlain by Triassic sandstone typically display stepped profiles with flattish benches interspersed with steep or cliffed sections. Many of these cliffs are affected by cavernous weathering and substantial caves have developed in some cases. Such cavernous development is characteristic of sandstone terrain, due to its tendency to cantilever failure and basal undercutting through cliff-foot weathering (Young et al., 2009). Within the 2016 TWWHA extension area, noteworthy sandstone landforms are recorded on the Natural Values Atlas (NVA) geodiversity layer as the Great Western Tiers Cliff and Cave Complexes geosite and Staak Sandstone Caves geosite at Quamby Bluff. The presence of sandstone cliffs and caves on the Great Western Tiers is well-known locally and has been cited as an important natural value in campaigns for new reserves and extensions to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Sandstone landforms are not presently recognised as an Outstanding Universal Value of the TWWHA; however, this is true of many other significant aspects of TWWHA geodiversity (Sharples 2003). The Great Western Tiers sandstone landforms were prioritised for investigation during this survey because of their potential significance coupled with a lack of systematic documentation. From research and heritage perspectives, sandstone landforms are a neglected aspect of Tasmania’s geodiversity1. Our investigation focussed on sandstone landforms within the upper catchment of the Meander River, between Projection Bluff and Mother Cummings Peak. Within this area sandstone crops out as a discontinuous series of cliffs and caves at 700-900 m above sea level. Several of these caves are known to contain evidence of human occupation, both by Aboriginal people and Europeans.

NVA Geosite Listings

The Natural Values Atlas geodiversity layer (i.e. Tasmanian Geoconservation Database)2 entry for the Great Western Tiers Cliff and Cave Complexes refers to these as ‘important landform values including delicate alveolar weathering features associated with caves and overhangs on the clifflines’. The statement of significance notes only that the geosite is a notable example of type (for superficial weathering). The site is defined spatially by polygons including ‘particularly well-developed examples of cliff complexes’ at 474112m E 5382183m N, within the headwaters of Warners Creek on Projection Bluff. Three other occurrences are noted: • 475612m E 5383433m N (Projection Bluff); • 470612m E 5380783m N (Ritters Crag);

• 466312m E 5380183m (Bessells Road). LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

1 On occasion, cavernous karst-like landforms are referred to as ‘pseudokarst’. We reject this terminology, for reasons discussed by Eberhard & Sharples (2013). 2 https://www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 97 The source of the geosite listing is an unpublished 1990s report to Forestry Tasmania by Chris Sharples. A further listed geosite, the Staak Sandstone Caves at Quamby Bluff, is described in detail by Middleton & Sharples (2014). The statement of significance for this geosite states that ‘this is the most extensive development of dominantly solutional (non-tafoni) sandstone caves documented in Tasmania to date and is particularly notable for a well-expressed sequence of passage cross-section forms reflecting the speleogenetic processes of groundwater seepage and solution… this sequence of passage forms has not been noted in any other Tasmanian sandstone caves to date’.

Figure 5.1 Location map showing current NVA geosite listings (Staak Caves and Great Western Tiers Cliff and Cave Complexes) and sandstone landforms investigated during this project at Stone Hut, Crowdens Croft and Bessells Road cliff. CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 98 METHODS

We selected three sandstone outcrops for field-based examination during this survey, based on access considerations and advice from PWS staff at the Great Western Tiers field centre. Our report is informed also by observations by two of us (GM and RE) at the Staak Caves in 2014. The features discussed in this report are shown in Figure 5.1. Cave mapping was undertaken by GM using survey techniques routinely employed by speleologists. The principal dimensions of the caves were recorded as point to point bearings (±0.5°), inclinations (±0.5°) and distances (±0.01 m), using Suunto compass, Suunto clinometer and a hand-held laser distance measurer. Wall and floor detail were recorded as field sketches in the cave. The survey data were later reduced to x,y,z co-ordinates (using Excel software) and plotted in plan view at scales ranging from 1:70 to about 1:1503 (using EazyDraw software). Wall detail and, where desired, sections were added using EazyDraw. The resultant maps are schematic depictions intended to illustrate the general layout and dimensions of the caves and to highlight selected features of interest. Each entrance was allocated an alphanumeric code in accordance with speleological practice in Australia and proposed practice in Tasmania for ‘non-karst-area’ caves (Middleton 2015). The prefix ‘CN’ refers to the central north region.

RESULTS

Sandstone rocks on the Great Western Tiers belong to the Upper Parmeener Supergroup, which developed chiefly from quartzose fluvial sediments of Late Permian to Triassic age. The 1:25,000 Digital Geology of Tasmania4 layer maps these rocks on the Great Western Tiers as Upper Fluviolacustrine Sequence - Quartz Sandstone Sequence (Rq), which is described as ‘cross-bedded quartz sandstone, feldspathic sandstone and shale’. Field observations indicate that the sandstone outcrops investigated in this study comprise fairly uniform coarse- grained quartzose rock. The bedding typically comprises thin (1-5 cm) layers with low-angle cross-bedding and overturned current bedding. A small selection of hand specimens revealed quartz-feldspar sandstone, coarse quartz sandstone with minor feldspar and lithic fragments, and weathered feldspathic (arkose) sandstone (J. Bradbury, pers. comm.). No fossils were observed.

Stone Hut

The ‘Stone Hut’ is a sandstone cave at 880 m ASL on the eastern flanks of Bastian Bluff5. The cave is marked on topographic maps and seems well-known locally. Foot access is via the Stone Hut Track off Meander Falls Road. This cave is one of several within a discontinuous series of low (~10 m) sandstone cliffs on an east-facing ridge bounded CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

3 Convenient scales are selected to ensure the plans can be accommodated within an A4 page. 4 https://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au 5 This portion of the TWWHA pre-dates the 2016 extension area.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 99 by Mother Cummings Rivulet to the north and the Meander River to the south. Substantial cliffs and overhangs also occur on a separate ridge 0.6 km to the south of Stone Hut at Crowdens Croft. Access is via the Croft Track. Four principal caves were recorded at Stone Hut. Stone Hut Cave (CN21) is a bell-shaped cavity about 8 m in diameter (Figure 5.2). The interior of the cave is a broad shelf which drops steeply towards the cave entrance via a 2 m high bedrock ramp. A sleeping platform of rough bush poles has been constructed on the shelf, above a ladder of similar construction. Crude steps have been also been cut into the bedrock leading up to the shelf. Other evidence of occupation, such as tins and bottles, were noted and may or may not be contemporaneous with the built structures. The cave is close to the track, marked with graffiti and apparently visited with some frequency. Cave CN22-24 is located a short distance south of Stone Hut Cave in the same tier of cliffs. This cave has a spacious principal entrance (15 m wide by 6 m high) with a south-easterly aspect and several small subsidiary entrances. The cave floor is a gently inclined earthy slope. Ferns colonise the lower walls and floor. An unusual aspect of this cave is the presence of a rock arch which bridges the principle entrance. This feature has formed in response to enlargement by weathering and/or physical dilation of a linear fracture extending parallel to the cliff across the cave roof a short distance inside the entrance. Cave CN25 is located within a separate band of cliffs close to and downslope of Cave CN22-24. This cave has a large south-east facing entrance (20 m wide x 6 m high), opening into a simple domed cavity. The floor is a gently inclined earthy slope. Crowdens Croft is a substantial overhang marked by a sign indicating the name6. The associated cliff is up to 18 m high and displays both deep undercuts and large dihedral re-entrants due to shearing failure or toppling of large blocks of sandstone. The principal cavernous feature is a spacious shelter with a backwall about 15 m behind the cliff dripline. Unlike the domed forms of caves CN21-25, the backwall of Crowdens Croft is a flattish overhanging plane extending from the back of the cave to a point high on the cliff above. Minor honeycomb weathering and tafoni was observed at Crowdens Croft. Stone Hut and Crowdens Croft are not presently recorded under the Great Western Tiers Cliff and Cave Complexes geosite. Maps of Caves CN21, CN22-24 and CN25 are provided at Figure 5.3.

Bessells Road

A sizeable sandstone cliff extends across the slope marking the divide between Sales Rivulet and Dunning Rivulet. Access is via an unmarked route off Bessells Rd. Our field investigation traversed the base of the cliff, revealing a few minor overhangs but no substantial caves.

Warners Creek

A sandstone cliff east of Dunning Rivulet, on the divide between it and Warners Creek, can be seen from near LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS Huntsman Lake. Viewed from a distance, this cliff appears undercut and possibly cavernous. Access appears more

6 Due to lack of time this cave was not mapped or allocated an CN code.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 100 complicated than other sites and we did not verify the presence of caves at this location. The cliff is not recorded under the Great Western Tiers Cliff and Cave Complexes geosite.

Burles Creek

Our investigation focussed on a narrow ridge east of Burles Creek, several hundred metres south and upslope of the NVA Burles Creek geosite. The ridge is cliffed on the western side above an un-named tributary of Jackeys Creek. A small complex of caves has developed in the base of the cliff. Two caves (CN26 and CN27) display bell-like morphologies comparable to caves CN21 and CN25 at Stone Hut. Cave CN26 is particularly impressive, comprising a broadly symmetrical domed cavity – the largest cave examined in this study. The entrance to this cave is spacious (15 m wide by 10 m high) and the cave is commodious with a gently inclined earth floor and a backwall ~15 m beyond the dripline. A constructed stone fireplace and evidence of recent fires were noted. Cave CN27 is of similar form to CN26 but somewhat smaller. In contrast, Cave CN28 is an overhang with a flat ceiling reminiscent of Crowdens Croft at Stone Hut. Two short blind tunnels extend for a few metres into the cliff at the base of the CN28 overhang at its southern end. These tunnels conform more closely to the conduit-like form of typical karst caves, suggesting that they may have a different origin to the overhang. In this context it is relevant to note the presence of small (~30 cm diameter) elliptical inset cavities in the walls at Caves CN26 and CN27 (Figure 5.5). The possible speleogenetic implication of this observation are explored further in the discussion below. In addition to the mapped caves, evidence of cavernous weathering of sandstone was observed on the ridge a few hundred metres north of CN28. At this location the ridge narrows and is cliffed on both sides with tor-like residual sandstone blocks at the crest. Lateral undercutting of one very large block has caused it to topple, rotating the orientation of the formerly flat-lying sandstone beds by about 40°. It can be assumed that this event destroyed a formerly substantial cliff-foot cave. We briefly investigated further caves on a slope immediately east of Burles Creek at 476300mE 5383100mN. These caves comprise a series of deep, low undercuts in the base of a low cliff (Figure 5.4). Lack of time precluded a more thorough investigation of these features. The cliffs and caves at Burles Creek are host to a variety of ferns. Recent Tasmanian devil latrine deposits (i.e. concentrations of scats and crushed bones) were seen in and around several of the caves. Maps of Caves CN26, CN27 and CN28 are provided at Figure 5.5.

Staak Caves

The Staak Caves are located partly on private land off Lake Highway, within the catchment of Jackeys Creek. Maps and descriptions of the principal caves are provided by Middleton and Sharples (2014). The Staak Caves differ from other caves investigated during this survey in that they display relatively complex rectilinear planforms. This is CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS attributable to a degree of joint control not observed at other sites surveyed during this investigation. This tendency is illustrated at Figures 5.6-7.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 101 Speleothems

Chalky whitish material forming patchy wall coatings was observed in several caves. Close examination revealed soft, fine-grained, porous deposit resembling tufa or travertine in karst environments. A sample from Stone Hut submitted for XRD analysis at Mineral Resources Tasmania was found to be dominantly calcite (95%) with minor quartz (2%) and kaolinite (2%) (Bottrill et al., 2020). This suggests that the deposit is primarily due to carbonate leached from the sandstone matrix by pore water and deposited through evaporation on contact with the atmosphere. Cave deposits with a similar chalky aspect are common in near-entrance zones of karst caves where evaporation is a dominant driver in precipitating solutes from dripwater. Whilst it is not unusual for sandstone caves to contain minor speleothems, these are more typically composed of silica or ferruginous minerals (Young et al., 2009, pp. 133-140).

DISCUSSION

Our investigation confirmed that the Triassic sandstone rocks of the Great Western Tiers host a distinctive suite of cavernous landforms. The caves present typically conform to one of three morpho-genetic types, which we refer to as cliff-foot undercuts, bell-like domes and rectilinear tunnel networks. As implied by the name, cliff-foot undercuts occur at the base of cliffs undercut by cavernous weathering. The undercutting tends to produce laterally extensive shelter-type caves, with steeply inclined planar ceilings which project upwards and outwards from the back of the cave (e.g. Figure 5.4). Less commonly, the ceiling of the undercut projects outwards more-or-less horizontally, in the style of a wave-cut notch on the coast. It is inferred that cliff-foot undercut caves result from the vertical differential of weathering effects related to groundwater seepage at the base of cliffs, causing the cliff to retreat more rapidly at the wetter base. Examples of cliff-foot undercuts include CN22-24 at Stone Hut and CN28 at Burles Creek. Bell-like domes differ from cliff-foot undercuts in that they display characteristic concave internal morphologies, with large internal volumes compared to the diameter of their generally singular surficial openings (eg. Figure 5.2). Bell- like domes resemble very large tafoni (i.e. concave weathering pits) but exceed the scale of typical tafoni by orders of magnitude. These caves may be a form of cliff-foot weathering where lateral extension of the cliff-foot undercut is inhibited by case-hardening of portions of the cliff face (i.e. secondary mineralisation resulting in a hardened outer carapace of rock). In this situation, cliff-foot weathering may attack the base of the cliff at specific points of weakness, as opposed to generally along the wetted zone at the base. The resultant cavity likely develops a domed internal form in response to a combination of tafoni-style weathering and upwards stopping along pressure-release fractures. The presence of rows of short, steeply inclined en echelon fractures in the walls of bell-like domes at Stone Hut (CN21) and Burles Creek (CN26) corroborate the role at some level of pressure release fracturing. It is possibly significant that short, blind pockets are seen in sections of the cliffs adjacent to, and the walls within, some of the bell-like domes (eg. CN26; Figure 5.5). These enigmatic features are few and spaced well apart, unlike CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS tafoni, which typically present as clusters of honeycomb-like hollows. Blind pockets at Burles Creek resemble features referred to as ‘tubes’ by Young et al., (2009, p. 168), which they attribute to solutional weathering coupled with case-hardening by secondary silica within the phreas (i.e. below the water table). The possible role of such

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 102 features in the initiation of bell-like domes, which they resemble in form but differ in scale, warrants further investigation. Linear tunnel networks are most clearly expressed at Staak Caves. The form of these caves is strongly controlled by steeply inclined joints oriented perpendicular to and parallel with the face of the cliff in which they occur. These fractures provide ingress for water and are foci of weathering. The lenticular form of some passages is comparable to those seen in karst caves and provide circumstantial evidence of enlargement by solution (Middleton & Sharples 2014), possibly under conditions like those proposed by Young et al., (2009) to account for the development of solutional tubes in sandstone rocks. Turning to the question of the degree of uniqueness or otherwise of the Great Western Tiers sandstone landforms, we note that Triassic sandstone is widespread in the midlands and eastern Tasmania and many examples of cavernous weathering are known. For example, the Natural Values Atlas geodiversity layers has several dozen entries for cavernous weathering in sandstone. The available documentation of these is limited and not adequate for evaluating how they compare with the Great Western Tiers Cliff and Cave Complexes and Staak Caves geosites. We note that the context of many of these cliff and cave complexes differ from the Great Western Tiers in that they are occur at lower elevations, often in association with river gorges. The Great Western Tiers example is one of only a few sandstone landform assemblages recognised to date within the TWWHA7.

Conclusions

• Well-developed sandstone cliffs and caves are present on the Great Western Tiers between Projection Bluff and Mother Cummings Peak. The caves display a variety of morphologies and are substantial in scale compared to many other Tasmanian sandstone caves. Such features are more extensive on the Great Western Tiers than presently recognised on the NVA geosites layer. • Local factors strongly condition where sandstone crops out on the Tiers and the extent to which cliffs and caverns have developed. It can be assumed that lateral and vertical facies variations within the sandstone affect its susceptibility to weathering, conditioning the geomorphology. Furthermore, glacial, periglacial and mass movement processes have deposited great quantities of surficial sediments on the many parts of the Great Western Tiers, probably masking or inhibiting the development of sandstone terrain in otherwise potentially favourable locations. • Sandstone landforms are a poorly documented but possibly significant element of TWWHA geodiversity. Evaluation of their significance is hampered by the rudimentary level of documentation of sandstone landforms to date, both inside and outside the TWWHA. Notwithstanding this limitation, we cautiously suggest that the Great Western Tiers presents one of the best developed examples of cavernous sandstone terrain in Tasmania. • The sandstone landforms of the Great Western Tiers host a range of dependent values. For example, the caves provide denning habitat for the endangered Tasmanian devil. Some of the caves contain evidence of occupation by Tasmanian Aboriginal people, likely over thousands of years. We conclude that, at any level of CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS analysis, the caves are significant features and worthy of conservation.

7 Other listed geosites for Triassic sandstone landforms in the TWWHA include: Mt Rufus Alpine Sandstone Weathering Forms and the Moonlight Ridge Periglacial Features.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 103 REFERENCES

Bottrill, R.S., Unwin, L. & Coyte, T. (2020). Mineralogical Analyses, Various Locations. Mineral Resources Tasmania Laboratory Report LJN2019-133. Eberhard, R.S. & Sharples, C. (2013). Appropriate terminology for karst-like phenomena: The problem with ‘pseudokarst’. International Journal of Speleology, 42, pp. 109-113. Middleton, G. (2015). Proposal for establishment of new (‘background’) regions for the recording of non-karst (and isolated karst) caves in Tasmania. Speleo Spiel, 408, pp. 9-13. Middleton, G. & Sharples, C. (2014). A group of unusual sandstones caves in northern Tasmania. Journal of the Sydney Speleological Society, 58, pp. 1-12. Sharples, C. (2003). A Review of the Geoconservation Values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nature Conservation Report 03/06. Department of Primary Industies, Water and Environment, Tasmania. Young, R.W., Wray, R.A.L. & Young, A.R.M. (2009). Sandstone Landforms, Cambridge University Press, U.K.

CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 104 Figure 5.2: Cave CN21 at Stone Hut. This cave is an excellent example of caves with bell-like dome morphology. CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

Figure 5.3: Maps of the principal caves at Stone Hut.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 105 Figure 5.4: Cave at Burles Creek. This cave illustrates the cliff-foot undercut cave type (this example was not mapped during the survey). CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

Figure 5.5: Maps of selected caves at Burles Creek.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 106 Figure 5.6: Image of Staak Caves, illustrating the distinctive form of cave passages at this location. This cave conforms to the linear tunnel cave type. CAVERNOUS SANDSTONE LANDFORMS SANDSTONE CAVERNOUS

Figure 5.7: Map of Staak Labyrinth Cave.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 107 6. Little Lake lunettes

JASON BRADBURYA

A Natural Values Science Section, NCH, DPIPWE

Photo: Lunette adjacent to the shores of Little Lake, northeast of Arthurs Lake, Jason Bradbury

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 108 INTRODUCTION

Lunettes are wind deposited transverse dunes occurring on the shores of a lake or other inland waterbody. The term was first used by Hills (1940) and is derived from the crescentic outline of many lunettes in plan, although that is not the only dune form possible. Sandy lunettes are formed by essentially the same wave and aeolian processes that construct coastal dunes, although their scale is generally much smaller. As lakes are not subject to tides and the periodic exposure and desiccation of a littoral sediment source, the presence of a lunette implies an arid period of relatively low water level at some time in the history of the lake. The first documented mention of Central Plateau lunettes would appear to be singular note of ‘Quaternary alluvial, lunette and glacial deposits’ in the legend of Sutherland and Hale’s (1970) map of Cenozoic volcanism around Great Lake. Banks (1973) briefly noted the presence of vegetated lunettes on the eastern shores of Lagoon of Islands and Lakes Sorell and Crescent, inferring they dated from a mid-Holocene arid period. Lunettes in the Nineteen Lagoons area of the Central Plateau were first noted by Pemberton (1986), who identified them as part of the Lake Augusta land system, describing the uniform textured sandy soils developed upon them and the organic soils common in poorly drained positions. A radiocarbon age of 4420 ±80 years from a peat within unconsolidated sand at Lake Fergus was obtained by I. Thomas in 1993 (pers. comm. 2019). Pollen within the peat indicates a sub alpine vegetation community like that which presently occurs. In his study of soil erosion on the Central Plateau, Cullen (1995) noted that many of the Central Plateau lunettes appear to be rapidly eroding due to artificial disturbances. Bradbury (1994) considered that due to their high-altitude setting, derivation from doleritic glacial debris, Holocene age and association with (presently) perennial waterbodies the Central Plateau lunettes are geomorphically unique in Australia, if not the world. Similarly, Pharo and Kirkpatrick (1994) observed that alpine sand dunes are a rare phenomenon with considerable conservation significance. Despite that, recent work on Tasmanian lunettes and inland aeolian systems in general has ignored those of the Central Plateau to focus upon examples at mid- and lower altitudes (eg. Rayburg and Neave 2009, McIntosh et al., 2009, McIntosh et al., in prep.). During November 2019, mapping and then field surveys were undertaken to assess and describe lunettes in the Central Plateau of the TWWHA extension, Central North Sector including their values and management recommendations.

LANDFORM DESCRIPTION

This section briefly documents previously unreported lunettes adjacent to the shores of Little Lake, northeast of Arthurs Lake. These were first observed on the LISTmap orthophoto layer (LIST 2020a), with two of the three occurrences subsequently being confirmed in the field (the southern one was not investigated due to time constraints). The well-drained sand supports a distinct vegetation community mapped on TasVeg 3.0 as Eucalyptus delegatensis woodland (LIST 2020b). However, the canopy species are in fact E pauciflora and E coccifera with some possible E dalrympleana and marginal E rodwayii (M. Visoiu pers. comm. 2020). The distribution of woodland shown on the TasVeg 3.0 layer approximates the higher parts of the lunette complexes. However, field

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 109 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES observations and interpretation of visible light imagery and LiDAR data (Aerometrix 2019) suggests they are more extensive as very subtle landscape features. The fine (0.125 – 0.25 mm) sand is well sorted, with grain shapes ranging from well-rounded to subangular. The composition is predominantly feldspathic but with substantial (c 20%) quartz and lesser dark minerals (possibly pyroxene) or lithic fragments. The mineralogy appears consistent with derivation from granophyric dolerite or, perhaps more likely, a more typical dolerite followed by concentration of quartz with destruction of those minerals more susceptible to weathering. Even well-rounded quartz grains show little if any surface frosting, implying limited aeolian transport. The overall colour is a strong yellowish brown (10YR 5/8). A broad shoal devoid of aquatic macrophytes and up to 60 m wide exists immediately offshore all three complexes. This appears to be composed of the same sand as the lunettes and in coastal geomorphology terms resembles a low tide terrace. Water depth at the offshore margin of the shoal was not measured directly but estimated in the field to be about 0.5 m. Interrogation of the 2019 LiDAR-derived Central Highlands digital elevation model (Aerometrix 2019) indicates it is more like 0.35 - 0.40 m. Historic imagery (Google Earth 2020) shows that much of the shoal was exposed in late December 2015, implying that these lunettes may be occasionally active landforms under current climatic conditions. Three separate lunettes are present adjacent to Little Lake, described here as lunettes A, B and C (Figure 6.1). The lunette crests rise no more than 1.5 m above the surrounding landscape. While broadly crescentic, the landforms do not display the classic regular and smooth surfaces with even crests as described by Hills (1940). Instead they consist of a complex, overlapping assemblage of smaller aeolian forms. Lunette A, with a total area of 2.28 ha, has a narrow, arcuate western limb some 10 – 15 m wide set back from the lake shore by up to 25 m. A small, unnamed creek cuts through the lunette, debouching into the lake from a minor low headland suggestive of a delta. However any deltaic sediments are overlain by a low (0.2 – 0.3 m) lakeshore dune. That foredune almost encloses a 30 m wide swale (probably a deflation hollow) east of the creek mouth. Further east of the creek the lake full shoreline is a densely scrubby slope of approximately 1 in 4 rising to a height of about 1 m above water level. That is backed by a narrow (5 m wide) shelf, with higher, although still low relief, hummocky dunes further inshore (Figure 6.2). Lunette B (1.90 ha) has a relatively smooth low north-western limb that bifurcates into two separate ridges on approach to the central part of the lunette complex. Most of the aeolian sand is set back from the shore by some 20 to 50 m. However some isolated sand occurs on the lakeshore just north of Poachers Creek as a very low, thin foredune indicative of relatively recent activity. Again, the central part of the landform consists of low hummocks and hollows with relief of about 1 m and lacking any coherent trends. One distinct feature is a low parabolic dune some 25 m across and 1 m high (Figure 6.3). Lunette C (2.30 ha) was not investigated in the field however its characteristics on both visible light imagery and the DEM sufficiently resemble those of lunettes A and B to give confidence to a desktop interpretation. The boundaries shown in Figure 1 are therefore somewhat more speculative. These include two distinct lobes extending from the main lunette complex. The southern lobe is interpreted as a low parabolic dune associated with post-depositional reactivation. The semicircular eastern lobe is of very low relief and likely represents a sandsheet rather than part of the lunette sensu stricto. One striking difference between this and the other Little Lake lunettes and also those of the broader Central Plateau is their location and orientation indicating formation by northerly rather than westerly winds.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 110 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES LANDFORM INTERPRETATION

The age of initial lunette formation has not been determined, but since the fine-grained feldspathic sands are likely to weather rapidly to clay, an older limit of early Holocene is inferred. Clue to a younger age limit is provided by the presence of a thin layer of aeolian sand below 10 cm of peat on the plain mid-way between lunette A and the foot of the hill to the northeast. It is therefore inferred that the Little Lake lunettes are likely to be of similar age to those at Lake Fergus, i.e. c 4.5 ka. That would place deposition near the start of the current drier, El Nino – Southern Oscillation dominated climate phase and the associated increase in fire activity (e.g. Fletcheret al., 2015). It is envisioned that lunette formation began with early El Nino droughts lowering a previously stable lake level, thereby exposing beach and shoal sands that had been accumulated in the nearshore by wave action over previous millennia. The setback of the main lunette bodies from the lakeshore is significant. As it appears unlikely that the Holocene lake shore was ever entirely devoid of sediment trapping vegetation this implies a period of reactivation and downwind migration subsequent to initial lunette formation. The parabolic dune of lunette B is likely to date from that period, as it is atypical of primary lunette depositional process. A minimum age for reactivation is therefore suggested by the over-mature Eucalypts growing upon it, which are at least 100 and more likely 200 years old (J. Balmer pers. comm. 2020). That age range is insufficiently precise to indicate whether reactivation was due to natural processes or nineteenth century land management practices.

VALUES

With exception of those at Lakes Crescent and Sorell, the Little Lake lunettes are the lowest and most easterly of the Central Plateau lunettes. Given that those in the Sandbanks area beside Great Lake have been destroyed by the raising of lake level, they are the only known lunettes on the higher surface of the eastern Central Plateau. The aspect and orientation of most Central Plateau lunettes indicates formation by west to north-westerly winds, while those at Little Lake appear to have formed under both south-westerly, north-westerly and northerly winds. With no obvious wind shadow to the west these unusual orientations do not appear to have been topographically determined. As such they provide unique indication of climatic conditions at the time of formation and represent a worthy target for further study and a small-scale dating program. In addition, the relative rarity of sandy substrates at high altitude means that they may host flora communities of significance. Pharo and Kirkpatrick (1994) noted that the Lake Augusta dunes are “significant as the best example of an unusual locality for a common successional process with some interesting aberrant manifestations”. While the flora of the Little Lake lunettes was not examined in detail it may be significant for similar reasons, noting also its isolation by distance from other sandy areas on the Central Plateau. Thirdly, Aboriginal people are known to have occupied the Central Plateau at least seasonally during the Holocene (Kee et al., 1993). Lunettes at mid and low altitude were favoured Aboriginal occupation sites (eg. Sigleo and Colhoun 1982, Cosgrove 1985). The same is likely to have been true of the Little Lake lunettes, as the well-drained, relatively sheltered (by woodland) areas probably represent the most comfortable camp sites in the area. However, this study made no attempt to search for any evidence of activity by Aboriginal people and none was observed serendipitously.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 111 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Recreational activity in the area raises several management issues. Near the centre of lunette A is a large cleared campsite area. This may be a natural clearing since cut stumps are absent. Also absent is any live ground-covering vegetation, with less than 50% of the area of unconsolidated sand being covered with only a thin layer of forest litter (Figure 6.4). Remnant patches of vegetation bordered by exposed roots indicate some 30 cm of deflation and lowering from a formerly stable surface. Given the lack of ground cover, deflation is expected to continue with strong wind under dry conditions. Other issues associated with the campsite include: • At least one tree has been recently felled using a chainsaw and dragged towards the campsite area for use as firewood, leaving a gouge in ground. • Rubbish, including a vehicle chassis, 44-gallon drum, ruined gazebo, shotgun cartridges and various plastic containers litter the campsite and surrounding areas. • The multitude of braided four-wheel drive tracks in the wetlands surrounding Gunns and Little Lakes is comparable to the notoriously degraded Leprena track to Southport Lagoon prior to its closure and rerouting (Figure 6.5).

Consideration should be given to how the impact of these recreational practices could be mitigated and rehabilitated.

REFERENCES

Aerometrix (2019). Tasmanian flood recovery LiDAR 2019. 1 m digital elevation model downloaded from https://elevation.fsdf.org.au/ [accessed 22 April 2020]. Banks, M.R. (1973). Geomorphology. In ‘The Lake Country of Tasmania’ (Ed. MR Banks). Royal Society of Tasmania, Hobart, pp. 55-60. Bradbury, J. (1994). Aeolian landforms in the Lake Ada – Lake Augusta area. Unpublished report to Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Cosgrove, R. (1985). New evidence for early Holocene Aboriginal occupation in northeast Tasmania. Australian Archaeology, 21, pp. 19-36. Cullen, P. (1995). Land degradation on the Central Plateau, Tasmania. PWS Occasional Paper 34, Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Fletcher, M-S., Benson, A., Heijnis, H., Gadd, P.S., Cwynar, L.S., Rees, A.B.H. (2015). Changes in biomass burning mark the onset of an ENSO-influenced climate regime at 42S in southwest Tasmania, Australia. Quaternary Science Reviews, 122, pp. 222 – 232.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 112 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES Google Earth (2020). Little Lake and surrounds, image dated 30 December 2015. Hills, E.S. (1940). The lunette: a new landform of aeolian origin. Australian Geographer, 3, pp. 15 - 21. Kee, S., Prince, B., Dunnett, G., Thomas, I. (1993). Holocene Aboriginal settlement patterns. In ‘Tasmanian Wilderness – World Heritage Values’. (Eds. Smith SJ and Banks MR) Royal society of Tasmania, Hobart, pp. 58-66. LIST (2020a). State aerial photo basemap. Land Information System Tasmania. Available at: http://services.thelist.tas.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/Basemaps/Orthophoto/ImageServer

LIST (2020b). TasVeg 3.0. Land Information System Tasmania. Available at: http://services.thelist.tas.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/Public/NaturalEnvironment/MapServer/0

McIntosh, P.D., Neudorf, C., Lian, O., Slee, A., Walker, B., Price, D.M., Eberhard, R., Doyle, R., Dixon, G., Bradbury, J. (2019). Quaternary and Early Holocene aeolian deposits of Tasmania: climatic implications. Manuscript in prep. McIntosh, P.D., Price, D.M., Eberhard, R., Slee, A.J. (2009). Late Quaternary erosion events in lowland and mid-altitude Tasmania in relation to climate change and first human arrival. Quaternary Science Reviews, 28, pp. 850 – 872. Pemberton, M. (1986). ‘Land systems of Tasmania region 5 - Central Plateau’. Tasmanian Department of Agriculture, Hobart. Pharo, E.J. and Kirkpatrick, J.B. (1994). Vegetation and alpine sand dunes at Lake Augusta, Tasmania. Australian Journal of Ecology, 19, pp. 319 – 327. Rayberg, S., and Neave, M. (2009). A Quantitative Approach to the Characterisation of Tasmanian Deflation Basins. Report to NRM South, Tasmania. Sigleo, W.R. and Colhoun, E.A. (1982). Terrestrial dunes, man and the late Quaternary environment in southern Tasmania. Palaeography, Paleaoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 39, pp. 87 – 121. Sutherland, F.L., and Hale, G.E.A. (1970). Cainozoic volcanism in and around Great Lake, central Tasmania. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 104, pp. 17 – 36.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 113 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES Figure 6.1: Distribution of lunettes around Little Lake, aeolian sand shown yellow. The lines in the middle and lower panels indicate the location of the cross sections shown in Figure. 2. Basemaps ©The LIST.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 114 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES Figure 6.2: Lunette cross sections based on LiDAR derived DEM (Aerometrix 2019), arrows indicate location of four-wheel drive tracks. Both vertical and horizontal scales in metres.

Figure 6.3: The parabolic dune of lunette B, scale is provided by a daypack just visible on the dune crest near the centre of the image. Photo by Jason Bradbury.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 115 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES Figure 6.4: The campsite area of lunette A. Note the remnant pedestal at upper left of the cleared area indicating some 30 cm of deflation and the recently cut log that has been dragged into the clearing. Photo by Jason Bradbury.

Figure 6.5: Four-wheel drive track north of Little Lake, with the wooded Lunette A in the nearer background. Photo by Jason Bradbury.

Natural Values Survey • 2013 TWWHA Extension Area, Central North Sector 116 LITTLE LAKE LUNETTES Natural and Cultural Heritage Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water And Environment