DOCSLIB.ORG

Clearing Permit Decision Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Clearing Permit Decision Report Clearing Permit Decision Report 1. Application details 1.1. Permit application details Permit application No.: 6545/1 Permit type: Purpose Permit 1.2. Proponent details Proponent’s name: Robe River Limited 1.3. Property details Property: Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement Act 1964 , Mineral Lease 248SA (AML 70/248) General Purpose Lease 47/1235 General Purpose Lease 47/1236 Local Government Area: Shire of East Pilbara Colloquial name: West Angelas Project 1.4. Application Clearing Area (ha) No. Trees Method of Clearing For the purpose of: 500 Mechanical Removal Mineral Exploration, Hydrogeological and Geotechnical Investigations and Associated Activities 1.5. Decision on application Decision on Permit Application: Grant Decision Date: 11 June 2015 2. Site Information 2.1. Existing environment and information 2.1.1. Description of the native vegetation under application Vegetation Beard vegetation associations have been mapped for the whole of Western Australia. Four Beard vegetation associations are Description located within the application area (GIS Database): Beard vegetation association 18 : Low woodland; mulga ( Acacia aneura ); Beard vegetation association 29: Sparse low woodland; mulga, discontinuous in scattered groups; Beard vegetation association 82 : Hummock grasslands, low tree steppe; snappy gum over Triodia wiseana; and Beard vegetation association 169: Shrublands; mulga & minnieritchie scrub Multiple flora surveys have been conducted within the clearing application area and a total of 250 vegetation units have been mapped. The main landform types within the application area are: plains, including Mulga woodlands and cracking clays; hills; gorges and gullies; and major and minor drainage lines (Rio Tinto, 2015). Clearing West Angelas Project. Description Robe River Limited proposes to clear up to 500 hectares of native vegetation within a total boundary of approximately 29,761 hectares, for the purpose of mineral exploration, hydrogeological and geotechnical investigations and associated activities. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres north west of Newman in the Shire of East Pilbara. Vegetation The majority of the vegetation in the application area appears to be in a “Very Good” to “Excellent” condition. An operational Condition mine site is located within the application area boundary and historic clearing has occurred throughout the area, therefore parts of the vegetation have been highly disturbed or completely cleared. Degraded: Structure severely disturbed; regeneration to good condition requires intensive management (Keighery, 1994). To: Excellent: Vegetation structure intact; disturbance affecting individual species, weeds non-aggressive (Keighery, 1994) Comment The vegetation condition was derived from available aerial imagery, previous clearing permit assessments and information obtained from past surveys within the area (GIS Database; Rio Tinto, 2015). Page 1 3. Assessment of application against Clearing Principles (a) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it comprises a high level of biological diversity. Comments Proposal is at variance to this Principle The application area is located within the Hamersley subregion of the Pilbara Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) bioregion (GIS Database). At a broad scale, vegetation of the Hamersley subregion can be described as Mulga low woodlands over bunch grasses on fine textured soils in valley floors and Eucalyptus leucophloia over Triodia brizoides on skeletal soils of the ranges (CALM, 2002). The objective of this application is to consolidate at least 11 existing clearing permits held by Robe River Limited. Existing live permits are to be surrendered and future clearing is to be conducted under CPS 6545/1. Based on reported annual clearing for existing live permits within the application area (of approximately 29,761 hectares), a total of 455.41 hectares of native vegetation have been cleared out of a possible 1771.2 hectares approved to be cleared. While this does not take into consideration areas cleared under Part IV approvals, the current application to clear up to 500 hectares will result in a reduction in the amount of native vegetation proposed to be cleared within the local area. The western section of the application area borders the Karijini National Park, while the eastern end of the application area is at a distance of more than 30 kilometres (GIS Database). Given the application areas proximity to a National Park and that sixteen introduced (weed) species are known from the application area (Rio Tinto, 2015), the introduction and/or spread of weeds should be managed. Weeds have the potential to alter the biodiversity of an area, competing with native vegetation for available resources and making areas more fire prone. This can in turn lead to greater rates of infestation and further loss of biodiversity if the area is subjected to repeated fires. Potential impacts to biodiversity as a result of the proposed clearing may be minimised by the implementation of a weed management condition. The majority of the vegetation units known from the application area are considered to be well represented both locally and throughout the Hamersley subregion (Rio Tinto, 2015). However there are at least two vegetation units within the application area that have been identified as significant such as Mulga ( Acacia aneura) on flats and lower slopes including grove / inter grove mulga and Ground water Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs). The Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) lists a number of ecosystems within each IBRA subregion that are deemed to be other ‘Ecosystems at Risk’ and mulga ( Acacia aneura ) on flats and lower slopes including grove / inter grove mulga, eastern Hamersley Range may in future be deemed threatened should these be subject to ongoing threatening processes (DPaW, 2015a). GDEs are commonly known to rely on the availability of groundwater in order to maintain their structure and function. Areas of significant vegetation will be avoided where possible (Rio Tinto, 2015). Multiple flora surveys have been conducted within the application area and a total of 250 vegetation units have been mapped (Rio Tinto, 2015). Previous surveys of the application area have recorded between 262 and 976 flora taxa. Based on available aerial imagery, previous clearing permit assessments and information obtained from past surveys within the area, the condition of the vegetation varies, but appears to be in a predominantly ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’ condition. However, disturbance has occurred within parts of the application area due to the presence of an operational mine and previous mineral exploration activities. Twenty six Priority flora species have been recorded within the application area, this includes six Priority 1, five Priority 2, thirteen Priority 3 and two Priority 4 species. Of these, potential impacts to the following eight Priority flora species are considered to be of greatest significance (DPaW, 2015a): • Eremophila sp. West Angelas (S. van Leeuwen 4068) (P1) • Hibiscus sp. Mt Brockman (E. Thoma ET 1354) (P1) • Sida sp. Hamersley Range (K. Newbey 10692) (P1) • Josephinia sp. Marandoo (M.E. Trudgen 1554) (P1) • Aristida lazaridis (P2) • Eremophila forrestii subsp. Pingandy (M.E. Trudgen 2662) (P2) • Euphorbia clementii (P2) • Oxalis sp. Pilbara (M.E. Trudgen 12725) (P2) DPaW (2015b) also recommended that Aristida jerichoensis var. subspinulifera (P3), Hibiscus sp. Gurinbiddy Range (M.E. Trudgen 15708) (P2) and Vittadinia pustulata (P3) be avoided within the application area. Potential impacts to Priority flora as a result of the proposed clearing may be minimised by the implementation of a flora management condition. The proponent has developed and will implement environmental controls and management procedures (Rio Tinto, 2015). All Priority listed flora will be avoided where possible. Fauna habitats that occur within the application area are relatively common and widespread in the local area and in the Pilbara region (Rio Tinto, 2015). The gorge/gullies habitats found within the application area are considered the most significant fauna habitat, potentially providing habitat for species of conservation significance (Rio Tinto, 2015). Potential impacts to gorge/gullies habitat as a result of the proposed clearing may be minimised by the implementation of a restricted clearing condition. There are no known Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) mapped within the application area (GIS Page 2 Database), however the Priority Ecological Community (PEC) “West Angelas cracking clay community,” a Priority 1 PEC, occurs throughout the central part of the application area. This community is thought to be in a mostly ‘Excellent’ condition and has a mapped extent of approximately 447 hectares within the application area. DPaW (2015a) has advised that all mapped occurrences of this community appear to fall within the application area, and significant impacts to the West Angelas cracking clay community should be avoided due to the community’s highly restricted distribution (DPaW, 2015a). Rio Tinto has committed to avoiding clearing within the PEC where possible and has advised that the only likely scenario for any clearing within the PEC would be if critical access is required (Rio Tinto, 2015). Potential impacts to the PEC as a result of any proposed clearing may be minimised by the implementation of a priority ecological community management condition. Based on the above, the proposed clearing is at variance
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Koolan Island Quoll Demographics & Genetics
    Running head: Conservation status of the Olive Python Final report GENETIC SURVEY OF THE PILBARA OLIVE PYTHON (Liasis olivaceaus barroni) David Pearson1, Peter Spencer2 Mia Hillyer2 and Ric A. How3 1Science Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife PO Box 51, Wannerooo, WA 6946 2School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University 90 South St, Murdoch, WA 6150 3Department of Terrestrial Zoology (Vertebrates), Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew St, Welshpool, WA 6986 September, 2013 Olive python – final report 1 Running head: Conservation status of the Olive Python Summary • The study used genetic information to investigate differences between and within populations of olive pythons in the Pilbara. This information was compared with genetic profiles from olive pythons form the Kimberley and carpet pythons. • Genetic variation was examined at eight nuclear genes (microsatellite) from 47 individual olive pythons. • Genetic analyses of nuclear markers show that the Pilbara olive python contains low levels of diversity, compared with its Kimberley counterpart. • The Pilbara population also had a low effective population size, but showed no signatures of a genetic bottleneck as a result of a population crash. • Nuclear DNA markers identified two distinct olive python populations. One in the Pilbara and the other in the Kimberley. • Mitochondrial analysis at three diagnostic regions showed two distinct clades representing Pilbara and Kimberley olive pythons, exclusively, consistent with results from nuclear markers. • Overall olive pythons appear to have two Evolutionary Significant Units. The Pilbara unit appear to be less genetically diverse than Kimberley one and shows little phylogeographic structure within the Pilbara. • There is sufficient evidence from the data that the taxonomy of the two groups should be subject to a re-appraisal, the Kimberley and Pilbara Olive pythons sufficiently different to be considered as different species.
    [Show full text]
  • Flora and Fauna Survey June 2018
    Burrup Peninsula Interconnector Pipeline Flora and Fauna Survey June 2018 Prepared for DDG Operations Pty Ltd Report Reference: 21244-18-BISR-1Rev0_180803 This page has been left blank intentionally. Burrup Peninsula Interconnector Pipeline Flora and Fauna Survey Prepared for DDG Operations Pty Ltd Job Number: 21244-18 Reference: 21244-18-BISR-1Rev0_180803 Revision Status Rev Date Description Author(s) Reviewer B. Jeanes A 20/07/2018 Draft Issued for Client Review H. Warrener J. Atkinson J. Johnston B. Jeanes 0 03/08/2018 Final Issued for Information H. Warrener J. Atkinson J. Johnston Approval Rev Date Issued to Authorised by Name Signature A 20/07/2018 M. Goodwin R. Archibald 0 03/08/2018 M. Goodwin S. Pearse © Copyright 2018 Astron Environmental Services Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. This document and information contained in it has been prepared by Astron Environmental Services under the terms and conditions of its contract with its client. The report is for the clients use only and may not be used, exploited, copied, duplicated or reproduced in any form or medium whatsoever without the prior written permission of Astron Environmental Services or its client. DDG Operations Pty Ltd Burrup Peninsula Interconnector Pipeline – Flora and Fauna Survey, June 2018 Abbreviations Abbreviation Definition Astron Astron Environmental Services BAM Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 DBNGP Dampier Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline DBCA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions DEC Department of Environment and Conservation
    [Show full text]
  • Robe River Limited 1.3
    Clearing Permit Decision Report 1. Application details 1.1. Permit application details Permit application No.: 8319/1 Permit type: Purpose Permit 1.2. Proponent details Proponent’s name: Robe River Limited 1.3. Property details Property: Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement Act 1964, Mineral Lease 248SA (AML 70/248) Local Government Area: Shire of Ashburton Colloquial name: Puluru 1.4. Application Clearing Area (ha) No. Trees Method of Clearing For the purpose of: 110 Mechanical Removal Mineral Exploration, Hydrogeological Investigations and Associated Activities. 1.5. Decision on application Decision on Permit Application: Grant Decision Date: 18 April 2019 2. Site Information 2.1. Existing environment and information 2.1.1. Description of the native vegetation under application Vegetation Description The vegetation of the application area is broadly mapped as Beard vegetation association 82: Hummock grassland, low tree steppe; Snappy Gum (Eucalyptus leucophloia) over Triodia wiseana (GIS Database). A flora and vegetation survey was conducted over the application area by Biota Environmental Services during July 2018. The following vegetation units were recorded within the application area (Biota, 2018): Vegetation of River Systems and Drainages R1: EcEvMaAtrCYPvCYa Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens, E. victrix, Melaleuca argentea closed forest over Acacia trachycarpa tall open shrubland over Cyperus vaginatus open sedgeland and Cymbopogon ambiguus scattered tussock grasses. R2: EcEvMgAtrCYPvEUaTHtERItCYa Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens, E. victrix woodland over Melaleuca glomerata, Acacia trachycarpa tall shrubland over Cyperus vaginatus, very open sedgeland and Eulalia aurea, Themeda triandra, Eriachne tenuiculmis, Cymbopogon ambiguus very open tussock grassland. R3: AtrERIt Acacia trachycarpa tall shrubland over Eriachne tenuiculmis scattered tussock grasses. Vegetation of Gorges and Gullies G1: CfPHbTHt Corymbia ferriticola low woodland over Phyllanthus baccatus scattered tall shrubs over Themeda triandra very open tussock grassland.
    [Show full text]
  • MVG 16 Acacia Shrublands DRAFT
    MVG 16 - ACACIA SHRUBLANDS Acacia hillii, Tanami Desert, NT (Photo: D. Keith) Overview The overstorey of MVG 16 is dominated by multi-stemmed acacia shrubs. The most widespread species is Acacia aneura (mulga). Mulga vegetation takes on a variety of structural expressions and is consequently classified partly within MVG 16 where the overstorey is dominated by multi-stemmed shrubs, partly within MVG 6 in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol definition of forest cover in Australia (trees > 2 m tall and crown cover > 20%, foliage projective cover > 10%); and partly within MVG 13 where the woody dominants are predominantly single-stemmed, but with crown cover less than 20%. Occurs where annual rainfall is below 250mm in southern Australia and below 350mm in northern Australia (Hodgkinson 2002; Foulkes et al. 2014). Species composition varies along rainfall gradients, with substrate and rainfall seasonality (Beadle 1981; Johnson and Burrows 1994). Transitions into MVG 13 Acacia woodlands with higher rainfall and varying soil types. Is most commonly found on red earth soils (Hodgkinson 2002). Facts and figures Major Vegetation Group MVG 16 - Acacia Shrublands Major Vegetation Subgroups 20. Stony mulga woodlands and shrublands NSW, (number of NVIS descriptions) NT, QLD, SA, WA 23. Sandplain Acacia woodlands and shrublands NSW, NT, QLD, SA, WA Typical NVIS structural formations Shrubland (tall, mid,) Open shrubland (tall, mid,) Sparse shrubland (tall, mid,) Number of IBRA regions 53 Most extensive in IBRA region Est. pre-1750 and present : Great Victoria Desert (WA and SA) Estimated pre-1750 extent (km2) 865 845 Present extent (km2) 851 274 Area protected (km2) 85 444 Acacia ligulata (sandhill wattle), SA (Photo: M.
    [Show full text]
  • Pilbara 1 (PIL1 – Chichester Subregion)
    Pilbara 1 Pilbara 1 (PIL1 – Chichester subregion) PETER KENDRICK AND NORM MCKENZIE AUGUST 2001 Subregional description and biodiversity arnhemensis and other Critical Weight Range mammals, arid zone populations of Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas), values Northwestern Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus bifax daedalus) and Little Northwestern Free-tailed Bat Description and area (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis) are also significant in the subregion. The Chichester subregion (PIL 1) comprises the northern section of the Pilbara Craton. Undulating Rare Flora: Archaean granite and basalt plains include significant Species of subregional significance include Livistona areas of basaltic ranges. Plains support a shrub steppe alfredii populations in the Chichester escarpment characterised by Acacia inaequilatera over Triodia (Sherlock River drainage). wiseana (formerly Triodia pungens) hummock grasslands, while Eucalyptus leucophloia tree steppes occur on ranges. Centres of endemism: The climate is Semi-desert-tropical and receives 300mm Bioregional endemics include Ningaui timealeyi, an of rainfall annually. Drainage occurs to the north via undescribed Planigale, Dasykaluta rosamondae, numerous rivers (e.g. De Grey, Oakover, Nullagine, Pseudomys chapmani, Pseudantechinus roryi, Diplodactylus Shaw, Yule, Sherlock). Subregional area is 9,044,560ha. savagei, Diplodactylus wombeyi, Delma elegans, Delma pax, Ctenotus rubicundus, Ctenotus affin. robustus, Egernia pilbarensis, Lerista zietzi, Lerista flammicauda, Dominant land use Lerista neander, two or three undescribed taxa within Lerista muelleri, Notoscincus butleri, Varanus pilbarensis, Grazing – native pastures (see Appendix B, key b), Acanthophis wellsi, Demansia rufescens, Ramphotyphlops Aboriginal lands and Reserves, UCL & Crown Reserves, pilbarensis, and Ramphotyphlops ganei. Conservation, and Mining leases. Refugia: Continental Stress Class There are no known true Refugia in PIL1, however it is possible that calcrete aquifers in the upper Oakover Continental Stress Class for PIL1 is 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Approved Conservation Advice for Liasis Olivaceus Barroni (Olive Python – Pilbara Subspecies)
    This Conservation Advice was approved by the Minister / Delegate of the Minister on: 3/7/2008 Approved Conservation Advice (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) Approved Conservation Advice for Liasis olivaceus barroni (Olive Python – Pilbara subspecies) This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this conservation advice was approved. Description Liasis olivaceus barroni, Family Boidae, also known as the Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies), is a dull olive-brown/pale fawn python growing to 2.5 m. This subspecies has a white/cream belly, pale lips finely dotted with pale grey or brown, pitted anterial scales bordering the lips and smooth scales in 55–80 rows at mid-body (Cogger, 2000). This subspecies differs from Liasis olivaceus olivaceus in mid-body and ventral scale counts. Conservation Status The Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) is listed as vulnerable. This species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as vulnerable (under the name Morelia olivaceus barroni) under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth). This subspecies is also listed as threatened under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (Western Australia). Distribution and Habitat The Olive Python (Pilbara subspecies) is known only from ranges within the Pilbara region, north-western Western Australia, such as the Hamersley Range and islands of the Dampier Archipelago. It is known to occur at 21 locations within the Pilbara including populations at Pannawonica, Millstream, Tom Price and Burrup Peninsula (Pearson, 1993; Pearson, 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Mulga
    UNDERSTANDING MULGA This proposal details a three year multidisciplinary study of Mulga (Acacia aneura and its relatives) to resolve the complex PROJECT PROPOSAL patterns of variation within this large and important group or Wattles. The benefits derived from an improved understanding Bruce Maslin & Stephen van Leeuwen of Mulga will be immediate and substantial, and will enable these species and communities to be better-protected, more CALM Science Division effectively managed and sustainably utilized. The study will deliver numerous scientific and applied outcomes that are particularly relevant in rangeland areas where competing land use interests may occur. UNDERSTANDING MULGA Species currently recognized as comprising the Mulga group – APPENDIX 1 PROJECT PROPOSAL THE MULGA ‘CORE GROUP’ SPECIES Bruce Maslin & Stephen van Leeuwen Botanical name Common name State distribution CALM Science Division Acacia aneura F.Muell. ex Benth. Department of Conservation and Land Management var. aneura Common Mulga W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W., Qld Locked Bag 104 var. argentea Pedley W.A. Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 var. conifera Randell Christmas tree Mulga W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld (08) 93340510 var. fuliginea Pedley W.A. (08) 93340299 var. intermedia Pedley W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W., Qld 0429 334051 var. macrocarpa Randell W.A., S.A. [email protected] var. major Pedley W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W., Qld var. microcarpa Pedley W.A., N.T., S.A. var. pilbarana Pedley W.A. var. tenuis Pedley W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W., Qld AG CARTOGRAPHIC DIVISION THE MARCH OF MULGA Source: Flora of Australia, Volume 11 (to be published by Australian Biological Resources Acacia ayersiana Maconochie Uluru Mulga W.A., N.T., S.A.
    [Show full text]
  • G Iant Snakes
    Copyrighted Material Some pages are omitted from this book preview. Giant Snakes Giant Giant Snakes A Natural History John C. Murphy & Tom Crutchfield Snakes, particularly venomous snakes and exceptionally large constricting snakes, have haunted the human brain for a millennium. They appear to be responsible for our excellent vision, as well as the John C. Murphy & Tom Crutchfield & Tom C. Murphy John anxiety we feel. Despite the dangers we faced in prehistory, snakes now hold clues to solving some of humankind’s most debilitating diseases. Pythons and boas are capable of eating prey that is equal to more than their body weight, and their adaptations for this are providing insight into diabetes. Fascination with snakes has also drawn many to keep them as pets, including the largest species. Their popularity in the pet trade has led to these large constrictors inhabiting southern Florida. This book explores what we know about the largest snakes, how they are kept in captivity, and how they have managed to traverse ocean barriers with our help. Copyrighted Material Some pages are omitted from this book preview. Copyrighted Material Some pages are omitted from this book preview. Giant Snakes A Natural History John C. Murphy & Tom Crutchfield Copyrighted Material Some pages are omitted from this book preview. Giant Snakes Copyright © 2019 by John C. Murphy & Tom Cructhfield All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First Printing March 2019 ISBN 978-1-64516-232-2 Paperback ISBN 978-1-64516-233-9 Hardcover Published by: Book Services www.BookServices.us ii Copyrighted Material Some pages are omitted from this book preview.
    [Show full text]
  • Register Quarterly Significant Native Species Register Environment
    Register Quarterly Significant Native Species Register Environment 06/08/2020 45-RG-EN-0001 Quarterly Significant Native Species Register Page 3 of 9 45-RG-EN-0001 Rev Author Checker Approver Status Issued Date No. D Arnatt O Hertsted B McGuire 11 IFU 2/05/2016 D Arnatt Z Harman B McGuire 12 IFU 1/08/2016 D Arnatt C Cutress Z Harman 13 IFU 1/02/2017 D Arnatt Todd Edwards Z Harman 14 IFU 10/5/2017 D Arnatt Todd Edwards Z Harman 15 IFU 8/8/2017 D Arnatt Todd Edwards Z Harman 16 IFU 02/11/2017 D Arnatt Todd Edwards Z Harman 17 IFU 1/02/2018 D Arnatt Todd Edwards O Hertsted 18 IFU 6/08/2018 D Arnatt Todd Edwards J Levett 19 IFU 2/11/2018 D Arnatt Todd Edwards J Levett 20 IFU 5/02/2019 D Arnatt J Nelson Z Harman 21 IFU 5/08/2019 D Arnatt J Nelson O Hertsted 22 IFU 7/11/2019 D Arnatt J Nelson B McGuire 23 IFU 7/05/2020 D Arnatt J Nelson B McGuire 24 IFU 7/08/2020 Quarterly Significant Native Species Register Page 4 of 9 45-RG-EN-0001 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.1 Context and purpose ......................................................................................... 6 1.2 Changes to the Conservation Significant Fauna List...................................... 6 1.2.1 Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (replaces Wildlife Conservation Act 1950) and the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ....................................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Conservation Significant Fauna Management Plan ................................ 7 Quarterly Significant Native Species Register Page 5 of 9 45-RG-EN-0001 List of Tables Table 1: Changes to the Conservation Significant Fauna List resulting from the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notices issued on 2 December 2014 .............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Pilbara 2 (PIL2 – Fortescue Plains Subregion)
    Pilbara 2 Pilbara 2 (PIL2 – Fortescue Plains subregion) PETER KENDRICK OCTOBER 2001 Subregional description and biodiversity of the aquifer, where either the Fortescue River or associated streams have eroded into the water- values carrying calcrete. The aquifer is known to contain a stygofauna. Little is known of this fauna, due to lack Description and area of survey. • Alluvial plains and river frontage. Extensive salt marsh, Fortescue Marsh: An extensive, episodically mulga-bunch grass, and short grass communities on inundated samphire marsh, approximately 100 km alluvial plains in the east. Deeply incised gorge systems in long and 10 km wide. Constricted at the western the western (lower) part of the drainage. River gum (downstream) end by the Goodiadarrie Hills, it is woodlands fringe the drainage lines. Northern limit of possible that the upper Fortescue is prevented from Mulga (Acacia aneura). An extensive calcrete aquifer flowing through into the lower Fortescue drainage (originating within a palaeo-drainage valley) feeds except in extreme rainfall events. These hills numerous permanent springs in the central Fortescue, effectively separate the Fortescue into two separate supporting large permanent wetlands with extensive drainages. The Fortescue Marsh represents the stands of river gum and cadjeput Melaleuca woodlands. terminus for the upper Fortescue. Episodically Climatic conditions are semi desert tropical, with average supports immense water-bird breeding. rainfall of 300 mm, falling mainly in summer cyclonic events. Drainage occurs to the north-west. Subregional Short Range Endemics area is 2,041,914ha. Generally very little is known about short range endemic invertebrates in the Pilbara. Dominant land use Rare Vertebrates (see Appendix B, key b) Includes: Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and Orange Leaf-nosed Bat (Rhinonicteris aurantius).
    [Show full text]
  • Acacia Open Woodlands
    NVIS Fact sheet MVG 13 – Acacia open woodlands Australia’s native vegetation is a rich and fundamental Overview element of our natural heritage. It binds and nourishes our ancient soils; shelters and sustains wildlife, protects Typically, vegetation areas classified under MVG 13 – streams, wetlands, estuaries, and coastlines; and absorbs Acacia open woodlands: carbon dioxide while emitting oxygen. The National • are dominated by a single Acacia species, which may Vegetation Information System (NVIS) has been developed co-occur with other members of the genus, either and maintained by all Australian governments to provide in the understorey or in transitional segments of a national picture that captures and explains the broad environmental gradients diversity of our native vegetation. • have species composition and the identity of the dominant species that vary along rainfall gradients, with This is part of a series of fact sheets which the Australian substrate and to a lesser extent rainfall seasonality Government developed based on NVIS Version 4.2 data to provide detailed descriptions of the major vegetation groups • include “mulga” which dominate woodlands on stony (MVGs) and other MVG types. The series is comprised of or sandy landscapes across the arid zone and across the a fact sheet for each of the 25 MVGs to inform their use by north-east semi-arid landscapes adjoining savanna; and planners and policy makers. An additional eight MVGs are “gidgee” and “myall” woodlands which occur as mean available outlining other MVG types. annual rainfall declines below 550 mm • has mulga vegetation that takes on a variety of structural For more information on these fact sheets, including expressions and is consequently classified partly within its limitations and caveats related to its use, please see: MVG 6, in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol ‘Introduction to the Major Vegetation Group definition of forest cover in Australia (trees >two m tall (MVG) fact sheets’.
    [Show full text]
  • An Extraordinary Natural Legacy an Assessment and Recommendations for the Proposed Expansion of Western Australia’S Conservation Reserve System
    An Extraordinary Natural Legacy An assessment and recommendations for the proposed expansion of Western Australia’s conservation reserve system Summary Report Centre for Conservation Geography March 2019 Citation: Lucinda Douglass1, 2, Carol Booth1, Simon Kennedy1 and Joel Turner1 (2019) An extraordinary natural legacy: An assessment and recommendations for the proposed expansion of Western Australia’s conservation reserve system. Summary Report. Commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Centre for Conservation Geography. 1Centre for Conservation Geography 2University of Queensland Copyright: © Centre for Conservation Geography Designer: Iannello Design Printer: UniPrint The Centre for Conservation Geography (conservationgeography.org) is a research group established in 2011 to provide expert technical support and advice to government and non-government decision-makers and stakeholders. The centre’s primary focus is providing world’s-best-practice decision support to planning for nature conservation. Based in Australia, we are a multidisciplinary team with expertise in marine and terrestrial protected area planning. Our skills include scientific research, evidence-based policy development, biogeography including GIS analyses and mapping, and science communications and advocacy. We can support conservation decision-making across the world’s ecoregions, and currently have projects in Australia, Canada and Antarctica. Contact: [email protected] Acknowledgement of country: The authors acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands that are the focus of this report and their continuing connection to these lands. We pay respect to them and their cultures, and to their elders past and present. We acknowledge the inextricable link between natural values and Aboriginal heritage values and that the knowledge of Traditional Owners will be vital for maintaining both.
    [Show full text]