Project progress report: Systematic biodiversity monitoring of “Hill View”, Morawa – spring 2014

InSight Ecology, Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant and Spineless Wonders for Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund

December 2014

1. Background

This report presents the results of a spring 2014 targeted biodiversity survey undertaken on “Hill View”, a property owned by AusCarbon Pty Ltd near Morawa in ’s northern wheatbelt (Figure 1). Only 1.6% of the northern wheatbelt is protected within the formal conservation reserve system (Jenny Borger pers. comm.). Less than 12% of the remnant native vegetation of this region is left (InSight Ecology 2009). This highlights the importance of conserving and enhancing remnant native vegetation on privately owned lands such as “Hill View”. There is also a need to establish and maintain patches of revegetation to help re- connect often isolated remnants in this landscape.

This is the first of two targeted biodiversity sampling programs scheduled for “Hill View”, the second being in autumn 2015. The work is being undertaken by a team of three ecologists for the client Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund – InSight Ecology (avifauna and project management), Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant (flora) and Spineless Wonders (macroinvertebrates). This project is supported by Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund through funding from the Australian Government. A full description of the project is available (InSight Ecology and Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant 2014). A detailed project report will be provided following the completion of the autumn survey and analysis of all results obtained.

Figure 1: Location of “Hill View” showing sites surveyed for birds, flora and invertebrates in spring 2014. Red lines depict property and study area boundaries, blue lines indicate the approximate location of sites surveyed in remnants, green lines represent sites surveyed in revegetation, and small white lines are flora monitoring sites along the edges of remnant native vegetation. There are 6 numbered sites surveyed in remnants and 6 in revegetation, as shown. Image: Google earth 2014.

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6

2 5 3 1 4A 3 4

2 5 4B

0 1.49 km

2. Project aims and outcomes

This project evaluates the performance of planted and remnant native vegetation for beneficial biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration outcomes in a farming and mining landscape. Key attributes being sampled are avian species richness, relative abundance and

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habitat use, flora species presence and diversity, changes in species composition across remnant-paddock edges, composition of the Moonagin System Threatened Ecological Community (MTEC), and composition of the macroinvertebrate community. Changes in habitat condition and interactions between invertebrates, and avifauna are also being monitoring. A significant amount of the data being obtained is baseline – some of this information is new for the region and, in the case of the invertebrate results, potentially new to science.

Project outcomes will include increased knowledge of the role and performance of revegetation in providing new habitat for biodiversity in highly fragmented landscapes, improved understanding of relationships between insect and bird pollinators and herbivores of plants used for revegetation, and provision of a framework for the ongoing monitoring of revegetation in ecological restoration projects. The project will hopefully help seed further work in the future across the district. The use of “Hill View” as a model site for ecological restoration in other parts of the northern wheatbelt is a desired outcome of the project.

3. Methods

3.1 Flora surveying and monitoring

Methods used to sample remnant and planted native vegetation in spring 2014 in the study area have been detailed in the project proposal (InSight Ecology and Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant 2014). Appendix 1 (spring 2014 flora survey report – Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant 2014) describes the location, number and results obtained from the flora monitoring quadrats and transects and edge monitoring sites in remnants and revegetation. Site-specific information is also provided in this report.

3.2 Fauna surveying and monitoring

Avifaunal survey

A total of 12 sites were surveyed diurnally over 5 field days (9-14 October 2014) for resident and migratory birds on “Hill View”. Six (6) sites were established in remnants and 6 in revegetation (Figure 1). Conditions were dry and mostly calm or with light winds during the survey period. The area-search method was deployed to actively survey birds in remnants and revegetation, with 100 metres maintained wherever possible between the paddock-remnant edge. Key attributes sampled included bird occurrence, relative abundance, species richness and habitat use (especially breeding). The movement of birds between remnants and planted areas was noted where possible. The location of each site was recorded via GPS and all bird and location records were entered into an XL database. A photographic library of over 1,400 images was commenced during the survey.

Macroinvertebrate survey

Insects and other invertebrates were surveyed in 4 remnants and 2 revegetation sites over the period 29 September-2 October, 2014 by David Knowles of Spineless Wonders. Diurnal and

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nocturnal sampling occurred with an electrical storm impacting on one evening session. Appendix 2 details survey methods used in this component of the project. The autumn survey will focus on pollinators and herbivores in providing ecosystem services to revegetation and remnant sites on “Hill View”. It will be preferably undertaken at the same time as the bird and flora surveys.

4. Results

4.1 Flora

A total of approximately 136 plant species was recorded from 34 families and 68 genera at the “Hill View” sites. Most of these species were found in the remnants – only 9 species occurred in the revegetation sites. Plantings ranged in age from 4 months to 4 years and included and Eucalyptus species. An unseasonally dry winter and spring produced poorer than average flowering in especially the remnants. This impacted on results obtained in remnants and revegetation alike. The young age of planted sites was also a limitation to flowering results obtained.

One Threatened Ecological Community – Plant Assemblages of the Moonagin System - was surveyed on “Hill View”. A total of 3 plant species of conservation significance were recorded on and adjacent to “Hill View” during the survey – the threatened species Eucalyptus synandra (T) and two Priority species – Melaleuca barlowii (P3) and Persoonia pentasticha (P3). A number of other conservation-significant plant species may also occur in the study area. These are listed in Appendix 1 which presents the results of the spring 2014 flora survey in more detail.

4.2 Macroinvertebrates

A total of 140 macroinvertebrate species were recorded during the survey, many occurring in the sampled remnants. These included previously undescribed (new to science) moths and flies, some of which may be Short Range Endemics thus heightening their conservation significance. Of this total 130 species were insects, 6 were spiders, 1 was a centipede and another one a slater. Two lizards were also recorded during the survey. Appendix 2 provides more detail of the spring macroinvertebrate survey. The results of this work, like the flora survey, were constrained by the dryness of conditions and attenuated flowering period on site.

4.3 Avifauna

This component of the project was less affected by dry site conditions than the flora and invertebrate efforts. However, honeyeaters were noticeably less in number and species richness than recorded by InSight Ecology during other spring surveys in the northern wheatbelt. A total of 41 bird species was recorded during the survey – most (36) of which occurred in the sampled remnants. These included 7 conservation-significant species. Five of these are members of a group of declining woodland and shrubland birds in the northern wheatbelt - Crested Bellbird, White-browed Babbler, Redthroat, Inland Thornbill and Grey Shrike-thrush. The other two species are significant because of their occurrence at or near the western edge of their range (Southern Whiteface) and past loss of numbers following their

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persecution by sheep farmers in the region (Wedge-tailed Eagle). The recent change from sheep farming to canola and other crops on a number of farms has probably aided the recovery of this large carnivore in the wheatbelt.

A significant component of bird communities recorded in the remnants on “Hill View” was migratory and nomadic birds from inland and northern regions. These included Crimson Chat, White-winged Triller, Mulga Parrot, Zebra Finch, Black-eared Cuckoo, Tree Martin and Black- faced Woodswallow. A hilltop site in Remnant 2 was favoured as lookouts and breeding display/pursuit points for significant numbers of Crimson Chat, Black-faced Woodswallow, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and White-winged Triller.

Over 80% of all bird species recorded in the survey was observed breeding, mostly in the remnants but also in revegetation. Records of nests with eggs and/or nestlings were obtained for several of these species, along with fledglings accompanying and being provisioned by adult birds. Key examples of birds detected breeding or having recently bred in the survey were Splendid Fairy-wren, White-winged Fairy-wren (edge of Revegetation site 3), Variegated Fairy- wren, Crested Bellbird (territory calling), Rufous Whistler, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (a total of 44 birds were recorded including 6 fledged young with parents), Inland Thornbill, Redthroat (territory calling), White-browed Babbler (old and current nests in jam woodland patches and gullies in Remnants 3, 4A and 4B), Red-capped Robin, Nankeen Kestrel, Crimson Chat (nest monitored in Ptilotus sp. near Remnant 4B’s western edge) and Southern Whiteface. Some species nested and/or maintained breeding territories in revegetated sites such as Weebill (in and eucalypts in Revegetation sites 1 and 2), Banded Plover (Revegetation 5 and adjacent fallow paddocks) and Australasian Pipit (Revegetation sites 3, 4 and 6).

“Hill View” is also significant in avifaunal terms because of its location in a transitional zone between drier inland habitats and their moister coastal counterparts. Thus, a mix of drier country and sub-coastal bird species utilised a range of woodland and shrubland habitats including rocky escarpments and slopes on “Hill View”. Four species at or near their distributional limits were recorded in the larger remnants (Remnants 2, 3, 4A and 4B) – Southern Whiteface, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Redthroat and Variegated Fairy-wren.

The remnants of “Hill View” most likely also function as important habitat stepping stones for bird species moving across the larger landscape. These include, for example and as recorded in the spring 2014 survey, Tree Martin, Mulga Parrot, Zebra Finch, Crimson Chat, White-fronted Chat, Black-faced Woodswallow, White-winged triller and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater.

Plates 1-11 show some of the conservation-significant and other bird species recorded breeding in the “Hill View” remnants during the spring 2014 survey. Plate 12 depicts an adult male Western Red Kangaroo opportunistically detected browsing in Revegetation site 2. The full complement of bird species recorded in the spring 2014 survey will be reported in detail after the autumn 2015 survey round.

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Plate 1: White-browed Babbler live in small Plate 2: Redthroat was recorded breeding in groups in shrubland often along salt lake shrubland at Remnants 3, 4A, 4B & 5. They are margins. They were recorded in Remnants 2, 3, one of the finest singers of the bush and also 4A and 4B (birdlifephotography.org.au). mimic other birds’ calls (male shown – B&B Wells/Department of Parks and Wildlife)

Plate 3: Crested Bellbird requires larger Plate 4: Southern Whiteface foraged in small remnants of high quality with a degree groups along Remnant 4A and 4B lower slopes, of habitat connectivity often via road often near or with thornbills and fairy-wrens verge shrubland (ibc.lynxeds.com) (Peter Jacobs, flickr.com)

Plate 5: Splendid Fairy-wren foraged in small Plate 6: Variegated Fairy-wren foraged in groups over most remnants and near simple pairs or small groups along shrubby edges with paddocks (adult male shown, midslopes and gullies of Remnants 4A & 4B InSight Ecology) (adult male shown, InSight Ecology)

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Plate 7: Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater called Plate 8: Chestnut-rumped Thornbill moved and foraged in acacia thickets along rocky in small chatty groups and as simple pairs, slopes and ridges in Remnants 1, 2 and 3 most likely breeding on shrubby slopes in (Kevin Marshall) Remnants 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 5 (WildEyre)

Plate 9: Two pairs of Inland Thornbill were recorded Plate 10: A small group of White- winged in acacia and hakea thickets along stony slopes in Fairy-wren foraged in old weedy wire rolls Remnants 3, 4A and 4B, defending breeding in Revegetation site 2 (adult male shown), territory (Simon Mustoe) en.wikipedia.org)

Plate 11: The wire roll site used by White-winged Plate 12: A male Western Red Kangaroo Fairy-wren in Revegetation site 2 (InSight foraged between and within rows at Ecology) Revegetation site 2 (InSight Ecology, 2013)

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5. Discussion

The results of the spring 2014 survey point to the significant biodiversity value and function of remnant native vegetation protected on “Hill View”. They also help demonstrate the contribution of planted vegetation in providing adjacent habitat for some plants, shrub and ground-foraging birds and insects. Despite markedly low rainfall and a consequent brief and poor flowering event this year, these results are encouraging. For the first time in the district, we are starting to get a picture of what plants, birds and insects utilise revegetation and remnants and how this happens on-the-ground.

The results of the autumn survey and hopefully longer-term monitoring will help reveal key patterns of response of these taxa to strategic revegetation and remnant protection on this property. This information will significantly aid the planning, implementation and maintenance of future revegetation and land restoration work on “Hill View”, at each of the other properties owned by AusCarbon Pty Ltd in the Morawa/Perenjori district, and potentially, across the Northern Agricultural Region. This is something that everyone involved in biodiversity conservation, land restoration and carbon sequestration can be very excited about!

References

InSight Ecology, 2009. A Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy for the Landscape Design for Bird Conservation in Buntine-Marchagee Natural Diversity Recovery Catchment, 2009-2029. Technical report to Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC, now Department of Parks and Wildlife) for “Project BM2: Monitoring and Evaluation of the Landscape Design for Bird Conservation in Buntine-Marchagee Natural Diversity Recovery Catchment”, DEC, Perth. InSight Ecology and Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant, 2014. Systematic biodiversity monitoring of “Hill View”, Morawa – project proposal, March 2014 for Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund, Perth. Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant, 2014. Spring 2014 Vegetation and Flora Survey Report – “Hill View”, 12 pp. (see Appendix 1 to this report).

Photography credits (front page only, others as shown): Crested Bellbird (ibc.lynxeds.com); Western Yellow Robin (Rob Drummond), orchid and fringed lily (Jenny Borger), panorama from top of Remnant 4 and revegetation, both on “Hill View” (InSight Ecology).

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Spring 2014 Flora report (Jenny Borger Botanical Consultant) “Hill View” is located in the northern wheatbelt (IBRA sub-region Avon Wheatbelt P1) which has been heavily cleared for agricultural and pastoral and mining activities. Only 1.63 % of the AW1 sub-region is under formal conservation reserve, which places the conservation and protection of the remnant vegetation at “Hill View” at high importance. The revegetation of cleared areas which will link these remnants is also of significant value as it will further protect and enhance the condition of these areas. 1. The aims of the vegetation and flora surveys The aims of this work were to: 1. Record flora present at selected survey sites within the remnants (REM), cleared areas and revegetated areas (REV) 2. Monitor changes in vegetation at the edges of the remnant (E) 3. Describe the vegetation communities present within the remnants which form part of the Plant Assemblages of the Moonagin System Threatened Ecological Community (MTEC) which has only been partly described 4. Provide information on taxa supporting the fauna surveys Surveys were undertaken in September, October and November to try to capture a range of flowering plants. Due to drier than average conditions in June – August, many of the forbs had dried off early and there was also a poor flowering of perennial shrubs and trees. 2. Flora of Conservation Significance Twenty-one (21) threatened and priority listed flora (Appendix 2) are recorded within 20 km of the project area and fifty within 25 km. Three (3) species have been recorded from the surveys – Eucalyptus synandra (T) which is present on the northern and western boundaries (most within the road reserve or neighbouring property; Melaleuca barlowii (P3) – one population within the eastern area; and Persoonia pentasticha (P3) which has been recorded at three sites – two within remnant 4 and one in remnant 2. Conservation-significant taxa (from the 50 recorded in the local area) which are likely to occur or have occurred within the project area are presented in Table 1 with habitat type (19 taxa). Taxa which have been recorded in habitat not occurring on “Hill View” are not included – for example, Tecticornia bulbosa (T) which is a samphire species and occurs within the saline drainage system. Some individuals may have originally occurred on the property prior to clearing and grazing. Some of the conservation-significant flora which are recorded from the banded ironstone formation present at Koolanooka Hills (just over 25 km to the south-east of “Hill View”) may have also occurred at the site - there are outcrops of these rock types at the northern end of Remnant 4, as well as in Remnants 2 and 3. These areas have been modified through grazing and mining activities at “Hill View”. It is possible that there could be seed reserves still present if they occurred here prior to clearing, however these taxa will not be included in Table 1 at this point in time.

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Cyanicula fragrans (an orchid) has been recorded just south of the southern end of Remnant 4 on a neighbouring property. This year was a poor time for orchids in the northern wheatbelt. It is possible this species could occur at “Hill View” and suitable habitat should be surveyed when climatic conditions have improved. It has been recorded flowering in August and September.

Table 1: Conservation-significant flora recorded from the “Hill View” area occurring on similar habitat

Taxon Habitat 20 km 25 km Threatened (T) Androcalva adenothalia Lateritic gravel on midslopes;currently extinct X in the wild. Might respond to disturbance Eucalyptus synandra Gravelly sandplain associated with granite; X X occurs on boundaries of “Hill View” Gyrostemon reticulatus Sandplain/ gravelly sand; lower slopes; X X responds to disturbance – fire Priority 1 (P1) Baeckea sp. Billeranga Hills Sand/ clayey sand over granite; stony hills X X Chamelaucium sp. Yalgoo Granite outcrops; red brown clay/brown X X loam over decomposing granite Enekbatus planifolius Recorded near Gutha; might be expected to X X occur on lower slopes and plains – western revegetation area Mirbelia sp. Ternata Granitic sand (limited information) X X Ricinocarpos oliganthus Tall shrubland of Eremophila clarkei, X Melaleuca radula with granite Stylidium pendulum Granite outcrop X X Priority 2 Cheyniana rhodella Gravelly slopes X X Darwinia sp. Canna Base of granite outcrop; may need wetter X sites than available at “Hill View” Priority 3 Calytrix ecalycata subsp. Range of habitats; rocky hillslopes/sand & X ecalycata gravel Cryptandra nola Sandy soils over granite or laterite X X Cyanicula fragrans Red loam; flat granite outcrops; upper slope X X of rounded granite hills – red loam (Moonagin Hills – just south of boundary) Darwinia sp. Morawa Clay over granite; gravel; Melaleuca X X (uncinata)1 shrubland; Eucalyptus loxophleba woodland Hibbertia glomerosa var. Sand or sandy loam over granite X X bistrata Melaleuca barlowii Laterite; ironstone gravel/ sandy gravel X X

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Taxon Habitat 20 km 25 km over laterite; occurs on laterite ridge at “Hill View” Persoonia pentasticha Variety of habitats; occurs on hillslopes at X X “Hill View” Priority 4 Verticordia penicillaris Granite outcrops X 1 The Melaleuca uncinata complex originally included four taxa which have now been revised and eleven taxa are recognised. Melaleuca uncinata as listed above could refer to several of these.

3. Results A total of approximately 136 plant species were recorded of which 61 (perennial) and 36 (annual) were recorded in the quadrat and transect sites (see Attachment 1; conservation codes used are supplied in Attachment 2). Fifteen (15) were weed species. The diversity of annuals was lower than what has been previously recorded in wetter years. Thirty-four (34) families of plants were represented (of which only 5 were weed species) and 68 genera (of which 13 were weed species). Of the total number of taxa, only 9 occurred in the planted areas – 8 Acacia spp., and 1 Eucalyptus. Not all species have been identified as yet as some are still seedlings and may already be represented in the list. Taxa recorded from the surveys are presented in Appendix 1.

Monitoring Quadrats (20m x 20m) (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Location of remnant (REM) and revegetation (REV) sites in the study area (image: Google earth 2014)

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Six 20 m x 20m remnant quadrats were set up, and five 20 m x 20 m revegetated sites, 3 of which are in areas planted in 2014, and two in areas planted in 2010. These are termed REM 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 5; and REV 1 – 5. (Figure 1) Eleven sites with 10 m x 10m quadrats and 50 m (NVIS) transects were set up near the edges and in cleared areas. Two of these are in revegetated areas (ET4D and ET5). (Figure 2) The purpose of these sites is to monitor changes in species composition over time to monitor how long it takes for species to re-colonize land that has been subjected to pastoral and agricultural activities over many decades and whether actively revegetating with trees and shrubs, which will provide shade and protection from wind, rain and other factors, has an impact on rates of regeneration and diversity.

Edge monitoring sites

The edge monitoring sites were located at the edges of Remnant 4, with two located to the north between Remnant 4 and Remnant 5 (EC5 and ET5) (Figure 2). Codes used to describe the sites are C – cleared; V – remnant vegetation; T – Tree planting/ revegetated. Sites were paired where possible to similar landform and soil types to adjacent remnant vegetation. Remnant sites could not be placed further into the remnants as much of the remnants were different landform (mid and upper slopes of hills) to the farmed areas (lower slopes, and less rocky).

A number of opportunistic sites were also described. These included additional species not recorded from the established sites such as Eucalyptus stowardii, E. leptopoda subsp. arctata and Melaleuca barlowii (P3).

Figure 2: Location of edge monitoring sites in the study area (image: Google earth 2014)

Species present in the revegetated sites included those that have been planted as seedlings, as well as some germinating from direct seeding. Some native species were present within the shrub stratum – such as Ptilotus obovatus and Maireana brevifolia which could be described as

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colonizer species. Maireana tomentosa was also common in some of the cleared/ revegetated sites. Weeds were more prevalent and diverse in the cleared and revegetated areas. Weed presence within the remnants was generally very sparse. The number of taxa includes both perennial and annual species. Weeds are counted within the annuals total. Table 2 provides site-specific information recorded during the quadrat, transect and edge monitoring components of the survey.

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Table 2: Site Information

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1

SiteNo. Landform Elevation (m.a.s.l) Condition Community Type No. of taxa Perennial Annual Weed EC4A Midslope 337 Degraded Low sparse shrubland 14 5 9 4 EV4A Midslope 339 Good to very good Low open woodland 29 20 9 4 EC4B Lower slope 333 Degraded Low sparse shrubland 17 7 10 5 EV4B Lower slope 344 Good to very good Low open woodland 24 17 7 0 EC4C Lower slope 337 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 15 6 9 4 EV4C Lower slope 341 Excellent Low woodland 23 12 11 3 EC4D Lower slope 313 Degraded to good Low sparse shrubland 19 11 8 2 EV4D Lower slope 315 Very good to excellent Low open woodland 24 17 7 2 ET4D Lower slope 310 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 17 5 12 7 EC5 Lower slope 325 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 12 4 8 6 ET5 Lower slope 327 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 21 10 11 6 REM1 Ridge 323 Very good to excellent Mallee woodland 21 19 2 0 REM2 Upper slope 335 Very good to excellent Low open woodland 23 16 7 2 REM3 Upper slope 343 Very good to excellent Tall sparse shrubland 29 16 13 2 REM4A Upper slope 338 Excellent Low woodland 25 16 9 2 REM4B Upper slope 340 Excellent Low open forest 21 12 9 1 REM5 Mid slope 337 Excellent Low open woodland 25 16 9 3 REV1 Lower slope 291 Degraded to good Sparse shrubland 23 15 8 3 REV2 Lower slope 300 ~Good Sparse to open shrubland 19 13 6 2 REV3 Lower slope 309 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 15 7 8 5 REV4 Lower slope 301 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 24 8 16 10

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REV5 Lower slope 314 Degraded Low isolated shrubs 21 12 9 5

1 The total may include some taxa which have not been identified due to maturity or stage of growth, which may already be included in the count, particularly within the revegetated areas (for example Acacia seedlings). Colour code used in above table: Remnant Cleared Revegetated

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Revegetation sites

The revegetated areas have been planted with seedlings and direct seeded. All monitoring sites except for ET5 were planted in 2010. Sites REV 3, 4 and 5 and site ET4D were replanted in 2014 due to low survival/ germination rates of the 2010 program. REV1 and REV2 were planted in 2010 and show good survival rates. Results are presented in Table 3 with comparisons at perennial stems/ 100 m2.

Table 3: Number of stems/ 100 m2

REV1 2010 REV 2 REV 3 REV4 REV5 ET4D ET5 2010 2010/14 2010/14 2010/14 2010/14 2014 No. stems /49.25 28.5 4.25 4.25 19.5 6 4 100 m2 Condition Degraded toGood Degraded Degraded Degraded Degraded Degraded good

REV 4 and ET4D are within the same area (Direct seeding site HV13) and show similar results of 4.25 and 4 stems/ 100m2.

The condition of the sites were rated mainly as degraded, however sites REV1 and 2 are somewhat improved. Both REV 1 and REV 2 had a few natural germinations of shrubs and also had a significant number of Monachather paradoxus (native grass) tussocks present. These were the only cleared or revegetated sites to have this species present. It might be an indicator that conditions are improving. Trees and shrubs in REV 2 were generally bigger with slightly higher foliage cover than REV 1. (Trees <2m are recorded as shrubs)

References

Baxter J L and Lipple S L (1985) Geological Survey of Western Australia, 1:250,000 series Explanatory notes Sheet SH/50-6 Perenjori Western Australia. Department of Mines, WA Bell U (2008) Common Native Grasses of South-West WA. Department of Environment and Conservation Brown A and Buirchell B (2011) A Field Guide to the Eremophilas of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications – [email protected] Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (2006) Euclid – Eucalypts of Australia 3rd Edition. Interactive CD. CSIRO Publishing Craven L A, Lepschi B J, Broadhurst L, Byrne M (2004) Taxonomic revision of the broombush complex in Western Australia (Myrtaceae, Melaleuca uncinata s.l.) in Australian Systematic Botany 17, 255 – 271. CSIRO Publishing www.publish.csiro.au/journals/asb Department of Parks and Wildlife (2014) NatureMap, accessed August – December 2014 naturemap.dpaw.wa.gov.au Grieve B J (1998) How to know Western Australian wildflowers: a key to the flora of the extratropical regions of Western Australia. Part II. University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands WA 6907

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Hamilton-Brown S (2002) Plant assemblages of the Moonagin System – Interim Recovery Plan No. 105. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australian Threatened Species and Communities Unit, Wanneroo, WA Hussey B M J, Keighery G J, Dodd J, Lloyd S G and Cousens R D (2007) Western Weeds 2nd Edition; A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. The Weeds Society of Western Australia Holliday I (2004) Melaleucas – A field and garden guide, 2nd Edition. Reed New Holland Publishers, NSW Australia Keighery B J (1994) Bushland Plant survey, a guide to plant community survey for the community, Wildflower Society of WA (Inc.), Nedlands Maslin, B R (Coordinator) (2001): Wattle: Acacias of Australia; Published by Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra & Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth. (Interactive CD) Thackway R and Cresswell I D (1995), An Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: a framework for establishing the national system of reserves, Version 4.0 Canberra: Australia Nature Conservation Agency Western Australian Herbarium (2013) FloraBase – the Western Australian Flora, viewed August - December 2014, http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au Weston P H (1995) Proteaceae: Subfam. 1. Persoonioideae in Volume 16, Elaeaganaceae, Proteaceae 1. Melbourne CSIRO

Attachment 1: Species list

Family Species Flowering Aizoaceae Mesembryanthemum crystallinum * Y Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum * Y

Amaranthaceae Ptilotus obovatus Y, Fruit Ptilotus gaudichaudii subsp. eremita Y Ptilotus holosericeus Y Ptilotus polystachyus Y Ptilotus sp. (tentative)

Asteraceae Arctotheca calendula* Calotis sp.? Cephalipterum drummondii Y, seed Hyalosperma glutinosum subsp. venustum Y, seed Lawrencella rosea Y, seed Olearia sp. (tent) Podolepis canescens Y, seed Podolepis lessonii Y, seed Rhodanthe manglesii Y Rhodanthe sp. Ursinia anthemoides* Y Waitzia acuminata var. acuminata Y

Boraginaceae Echium plantagineum* Y

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Family Species Flowering Boryaceae Borya sphaerocephala Y

Brassicaceae Brassica tournefortii* Y Lepidium sp. ?oxytrichum Fruit Raphanus raphanistrum* Y

Campanulaceae Lobelia winfridae Y

Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina acutivalvis subsp. acutivalvis Fruit Allocasuarina campestris Fruit Allocasuarina huegeliana Fruit

Chenopodiaceae Atriplex bunburyana Fruit Atriplex codonocarpa Fruit Chenopodium sp. Enchylaena lanata Fruit Enchylaena tomentosa Fruit Maireana brevifolia Fruit Maireana carnosa Fruit

Chenopodiaceae Maireana georgei Y, Fruit Maireana seedling Maireana tomentosa Fruit Rhagodia drummondii Y, Fruit Rhagodia preissii Y, Fruit Rhagodia sp. Watheroo Y, Fruit Salsola australis Sclerolaena diacantha Fruit Sclerolaena eurotioides Fruit Sclerolaena fusiformis Fruit

Convolvulaceae Cuscuta epithymum* Fruit

Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea hastifolia Fruit

Ericaceae Astroloma serratifolium Y, Fruit

Euphorbiaceae Calycopeplus paucifolius Fruit Ricinocarpos velutinus Y

Fabaceae Acacia anthochaera Acacia acuminata Fruit Acacia andrewsii Acacia assimilis (planted) Acacia colletioides

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Family Species Flowering Acacia coolgardiensis (planted) Acacia erinacea Y, Fruit Acacia exocarpoides Y, Fruit Acacia kochii Acacia microbotrya (planted) Acacia neurophylla subsp. erugata (pl) Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Acacia sibina Acacia sp. (planted) Acacia sp. (planted soft terete) Acacia sp (planted blue green flat) Acacia stereophylla Acacia tetragonophylla Fruit (very sparse) Acacia ulicina Y, Fruit Acacia umbraculiformis Fruit (very sparse) Acacia victoriae (planted) Y Mirbelia longifolia Mirbelia trichocalyx Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Senna glutinosa subsp. chatelainiana Fruit

Fabaceae Senna pleurocarpa Y, Fruit Senna sp. Austin Medicago polymorpha * Fruit

Geraniaceae Erodium cygnorum Y Erodium sp.

Goodeniaceae Scaevola tomentosa Fruit Scaevola spinescens Fruit

Haloragaceae Haloragis trigonocarpa Y, Fruit

Hemerocallidaceae Dianella revoluta

Lamiaceae Hemigenia sp. Yuna Fruit Microcorys sp. Mt Gibson Y Prostanthera patens

Malvaceae Sida calyxhymenia Y Sida sp. (broad leaf)

Myrtaceae Baeckea sp. Dudawa Eucalyptus ewartiana Bud, Fruit Eucalyptus horistes/ kochii (tent) Fruit

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Family Species Flowering Eucalyptus leptopoda subsp. arctata Fruit Eucalyptus loxophleba subsp. supralaevis Fruit Eucalyptus salmonophloia Fruit Eucalyptus sp. planted Eucalyptus stowardii Fruit Eucalyptus synandra (outside survey area) Fruit Melaleuca barlowii P3 Y, Fruit Melaleuca barlowii x nematophylla Y, Fruit Melaleuca eleuterostachya Fruit Melaleuca hamata Fruit Melaleuca leiocarpa Fruit Melaleuca nematophylla Y, Fruit Melaleuca radula Y, Fruit

Plumbaginaceae Limonium sinuatum* Y, Fruit

Poaceae Amphipogon caricinus Seed Austrostipa elegantissima Seed Austrostipa tenuifolia Seed Austrostipa sp. Avena barbata* Seed

Poaceae Hordeum leporinum* Seed Lamarckia aurea* Y, Seed Monachather paradoxus Seed Pentameris airoides * Seed

Polygonaceae Emex australis* Fruit

Portulacaceae Calandrinia primuliflora Y

Proteaceae Grevillea paradoxa Fruit Grevillea sarissa Hakea recurva subsp. recurva Persoonia pentasticha P3

Pteridaceae Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi

Rutaceae Philotheca brucei subsp. brucei Philotheca deserti subsp. deserti

Santalaceae Exocarpos aphyllus Fruit Santalum acuminatum Fruit Santalum spicatum

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Family Species Flowering Sapindaceae Dodonaea inaequifolia

Scrophulariaceae Eremophila clarkei Eremophila decipiens subsp. decipiens (tent) Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. oldfieldii Fruit

Solanaceae Duboisia hopwoodii Y Solanum lasiophyllum Y Solanum orbiculatum Fruit

Thymelaeaceae Pimelea microcephala

Zygophyllaceae Zygophyllum ?eremaeum

* Introduced species Colour code used above: Planted

Attachment 2: Conservation codes

T: Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora — Extant) Taxa1 which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such (Schedule 1 under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950).

1: Priority One: Poorly-known taxa Taxa that are known from one or a few collections or sight records (generally less than five), all on lands not managed for conservation, e.g. agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, Shire, Westrail and Main Roads WA road, gravel and soil reserves, and active mineral leases and under threat of habitat destruction or degradation. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes.

2: Priority Two: Poorly-known taxa Taxa that are known from one or a few collections or sight records, some of which are on lands not under imminent threat of habitat destruction or degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant Crown land, water reserves, etc. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes.

3: Priority Three: Poorly-known taxa Taxa that are known from collections or sight records from several localities not under imminent threat, or from few but widespread localities with either large population size or significant remaining areas of apparently suitable habitat, much of it not under imminent threat. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from several localities but

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do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and known threatening processes exist that could affect them.

4: Priority Four: Rare, Near Threatened and other taxa in need of monitoring 1. Rare. Taxa that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These taxa are usually represented on conservation lands. 2. Near Threatened. Taxa that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that do not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but that are close to qualifying for Vulnerable. 3. Taxa that have been removed from the list of threatened species during the past five years for reasons other than taxonomy.

5: Priority Five: Conservation Dependent taxa Taxa that are not threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the taxon becoming threatened within five years

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Appendix 2: Spring 2014 Macroinvertebrate summary report (Spineless Wonders – D & F Knowles)

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