WESTERN HUB RAIL LINK LEVEL 2 FLORA AND VEGETATION SURVEY Fortescue Metals Group Ltd

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT FOR: Western Hub Rail Link Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey Our Reference: 9049-3017-13R final rev 0 flora Copyright © 1987-2014 Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 70 070 128 675 Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), the whole or any part of this document may not be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner, Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd. This includes microcopying, photocopying or recording of any parts of the report.

Direct all inquiries to: Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd 9 Stirling Highway • PO Box 50 NORTH FREMANTLE WA 6159 Ph: (08) 9430 8955 Fax: (08) 9430 8977

Rev. Author Approved Date

Draft rev 0 SK, LA BT August 2013

Final rev 0 SK, LA BT October 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements ...... 1 Acronyms and Abbreviations ...... 2 Executive Summary...... 3 1.0 . Introduction ...... 4 1.1 ... Project Overview ...... 4 1.1.1 .... Survey Area Location ...... 4

1.2 ... Project Objectives ...... 6 1.2.1 .... Relevant Legislation ...... 6

1.3 ... Previous Botanical Surveys ...... 6

2.0 . Existing Environment ...... 8 2.1 ... Physical Environment ...... 8 2.1.1 .... Climate ...... 8 2.1.2 .... Geology ...... 9 2.1.1 .... Land Systems ...... 9 2.1.1 .... Drainage ...... 10

2.2 ... Biological Environment ...... 10 2.2.1 .... Biogeographic Region ...... 10 2.2.2 .... Flora ...... 10 2.2.3 .... Vegetation and Ecological Communities ...... 12

3.0 . Methods ...... 17 3.1 ... Flora and Vegetation Assessment ...... 17 3.1.1 .... Field Survey ...... 17

3.2 ... Flora and Vegetation Significance...... 20 3.2.1 .... Survey Area Floristic Analysis ...... 20 3.2.2 .... Local and Regional Vegetation Significance ...... 21

3.3 ... Adequacy of Sampling ...... 22

4.0 . Results ...... 23 4.1 ... Flora Survey ...... 23 4.1.1 .... Flora Inventory ...... 23 4.1.2 .... Conservation Significant Flora ...... 24 4.1.3 .... Undescribed (New) Species ...... 27 4.1.4 .... Introduced Flora ...... 27

4.2 ... Vegetation Assessment ...... 34 4.2.1 .... Vegetation Types ...... 34 4.2.2 .... Conservation Significance of Vegetation Types ...... 55 4.2.3 .... Vegetation Condition ...... 56

4.3 ... Survey Area Floristic Analysis ...... 57 4.4 ... Adequacy of Sampling ...... 57 4.5 ... Survey Timing and Botanical Limitations ...... 59 4.5.1 .... Field Survey Timing ...... 59

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5.0 . Discussion ...... 62 5.1 ... Flora Significance ...... 62 5.1.1 .... Conservation Significant Flora ...... 62 5.1.2 .... Introduced Species ...... 63

5.2 ... Vegetation Significance ...... 64 5.2.1 .... Vegetation Types ...... 64 5.2.2 .... Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities ...... 64 5.2.3 .... Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems ...... 64 5.2.4 .... Sheet Flow Dependent Ecosystems ...... 64 5.2.5 .... Regional Vegetation Significance ...... 64

5.3 ... Vegetation Condition ...... 65 5.4 ... Summary Conclusion ...... 66

References ...... 67 Maps ...... 73 Appendix One: Definitions and Criteria ...... 82 Appendix Two: DPaW Database Search Results ...... 90 Appendix Three: EPBC Act Protected Matters Report ...... 94 Appendix Four: NatureMap Search Results ...... 102 Appendix Five: Floristic Quadrats ...... 107 Appendix Six: Flora Inventory ...... 177 Appendix Seven: Threatened and Priority Flora Report Forms ...... 187 Appendix Eight: Floristic Analysis Dendrogram ...... 196 Appendix Nine: Conservation Significance Assessments ...... 198 Appendix Ten: Vegetation Significance Review ...... 208

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Survey area location ...... 5

Figure 2: Mean monthly rainfall and mean daily maxima and minima for Wittenoom BoM station (1950-2013) (BoM 2013a) ...... 8

Figure 3: Species accumulation curve ...... 57

Figure 4: Taxa area plot ...... 58

Figure 5: Rainfall data for Wittenoom BoM station 2012-2013 (BoM 2013b)...... 60

Figure 6: Western Australian rainfall deciles January-June 2013 (BoM 2013c) ...... 60

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TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Geological units within the survey area ...... 9

Table 2: Descriptions of land types and systems occurring in the survey area (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004) 9

Table 3: Extent of land systems within the survey area and regional representation ...... 10

Table 4: Vegetation associations ...... 13

Table 5: Priority Flora species locations ...... 24

Table 6: Introduced species and their DEC (2012) rankings ...... 27

Table 7: Locations of introduced species ...... 28

Table 8: Vegetation types and their extents within the survey area ...... 34

Table 9: Vegetation type AaAaTw ...... 36

Table 10: Vegetation type AaTwSg ...... 37

Table 11: Vegetation type AbTw ...... 38

Table 12: Vegetation type AcAlTt ...... 39

Table 13: Vegetation type AeTwEl ...... 40

Table 14: Vegetation type AiTw ...... 41

Table 15: Vegetation type AkTwEl ...... 42

Table 16: Vegetation type AxSsTw ...... 43

Table 17: Vegetation type EgAaTw ...... 44

Table 18: Vegetation type ElAaTm ...... 45

Table 19: Vegetation type ElAbCf ...... 46

Table 20: Vegetation type ElAeTw ...... 47

Table 21: Vegetation type ElTlSg ...... 48

Table 22: Vegetation type ElTwSg ...... 49

Table 23: Vegetation type Em ...... 50

Table 24: Vegetation type EsMeTl ...... 51

Table 25: Vegetation type EvAcTt ...... 52

Table 26: Vegetation type ExElTt ...... 53

Table 27: Vegetation type TwElAs ...... 54

Table 28: Land systems and vegetation type extents ...... 55

Table 29: Vegetation condition of the survey area ...... 56

Table 30: Taxa recorded from various Pilbara surveys ...... 59

Table 31: Botanical limitations ...... 61

Table 32: Vegetation types and associated landform ...... 64

Table 33: EPBC Act 1999 categories for flora and fauna (Commonwealth of Australia 1999) ...... 82

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Table 34: DPaW conservation codes for flora and fauna (DEC 2011) ...... 83

Table 35: EPBC Act categories for TECs (DSEWPaC 2009) ...... 84

Table 36: DPaW definitions and criteria for TECs and PECs (DEC 2010) ...... 85

Table 37: NVIS structural formation (terrestrial vegetation) (National Heritage Trust 2003) ...... 88

Table 38: Vegetation Condition Scale (Trudgen 1991) ...... 89

Table 39: DPaW database search results ...... 90

Table 40: Flora inventory ...... 177

Table 41: Conservation significant flora likelihood assessment ...... 198

Table 42: Conservation significant flora likelihood re-evaluation ...... 205

Table 43: Reports reviewed for vegetation significance and summary of findings relevant to the survey area ...... 208

TABLE OF MAPS

Map 1: Land systems...... 74

Map 2: DPaW database search results ...... 75

Map 3: Pre-European vegetation associations ...... 76

Map 4: Priority and introduced flora ...... 77

Map 5: Vegetation types ...... 78

Map 6: Vegetation condition ...... 80

TABLE OF PLATES

Plate 1: Goodenia nuda flowers ...... 25

Plate 2: Goodenia nuda form ...... 25

Plate 3: Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) flowers ...... 25

Plate 4: Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) form ...... 25

Plate 5: Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479) ...... 26

Plate 6: Ptilotus subspinescens flowers ...... 26

Plate 7: Ptilotus subspinescens form ...... 26

Plate 8: *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca seedling ...... 29

Plate 9: *Bidens bipinnata achenes ...... 29

Plate 10: *Bidens bipinnata form ...... 29

Plate 11: *Cenchrus ciliaris flower ...... 30

Plate 12: *Cenchrus ciliaris form ...... 30

Plate 13: *Datura leichhardtii ...... 30

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Plate 14: *Flaveria trinervia flowers ...... 31

Plate 15: *Flaveria trinervia form ...... 31

Plate 16: *Malvastrum americanum flower head ...... 31

Plate 17: *Malvastrum americanum form ...... 31

Plate 18: *Portulaca oleracea ...... 32

Plate 19: *Setaria verticillata ...... 32

Plate 20: *Sigesbeckia orientalis flowers ...... 33

Plate 21: *Sigesbeckia orientalis form ...... 33

Plate 22: *Vachellia farnesiana flowers ...... 33

Plate 23: *Vachellia farnesiana form ...... 33

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ecoscape wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the following Fortescue Metals Group Ltd personnel in relation to the Western Hub surveys: x Todd Edwards and Andrea Johnstone, for coordinating the field survey logistics x Shaun Grein, project manager x the Bonnie Doon camp crew for accommodation and meals, and helping out with the myriad day-to-day issues that occur during field surveys. Malcolm Trudgen is thanked for identifying the more taxonomically ‘difficult’ plants collected during the field survey and confirming the Priority Flora identifications.

Christina Cox is thanked for her thorough technical review of the report.

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS aff. Affinity (most closely related to) ARRP Act 1976 Western Australian Agriculture and Related Resource Protection Act 1976 (superseded by the BAM Act 1997) BAM Act 2007 Western Australian Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 BoM Bureau of Meteorology C C1, C2, C3; Declared Pest categories under the BAM Act 2007 CALM Department of Conservation and Land Management (now DPaW) DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia DEC Department of Environment and Conservation (now, in part, DPaW) DEFL DPaW Threatened Flora Database DoE Department of Environment (Commonwealth) DPaW Department of Parks and Wildlife (formerly part of the DEC) DSEWPaC Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities, now known as Department of the Environment Ecoscape Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd EPA Environmental Protection Authority EPBC Act 1999 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 FMG Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (used where space does not permit use of ‘Fortescue’) Fortescue Fortescue Metals Group Ltd GDA 94 Geographic Datum of Australia 1994 GDE Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem GPS Global Positioning System ibid. (Latin) ibidem, meaning ‘the same place’ (refers to the previously quoted reference) IBRA Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia MGA Map Grid of Australia NVIS National Vegetation Inventory System OEPA Office of the Environmental Protection Authority PEC Priority Ecological Community PF Priority Flora, also known as Priority Listed Flora PIL3 Hamersley IBRA subregion P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 Priority Flora rankings (Table 34) sens. lat. (Latin) sensu lato, meaning ‘in the broad sense’ SFDV Sheet Flow Dependent Vegetation sp. Species (generally referring to an unidentified taxon or when a phrase name has been applied) subsp. subspecies (infrataxon) TEC Threatened Ecological Community TF Threatened Flora (formerly termed Declared Rare Flora, DRF) UPMGA Un-weighted Pair Group Using Arithmetic Averaging var. Variety (infrataxon) WAH Western Australian Herbarium WAOL Western Australian Organism List WC Act 1950 Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 WONS Weeds of National Significance * Introduced species

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ecoscape was commissioned by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (Fortescue) to undertake a Level 2 flora and vegetation survey of a proposed rail alignment connecting Fortescue’s Western Hub area with its Solomon project area.

The rail link survey area was approximately 36.6 km in length and 2 km wide, occupying 7 323 ha, and was located in the western Hamersley Range, approximately 53 km northwest of Tom Price in the Pilbara bioregion of Western Australia.

The assessment included a background ‘desktop’ assessment and a single phase quadrat-based field survey that incorporated targeted searches for conservation significant flora.

As part of the desktop assessment, a Department of Environment and Conservation (now Department of Parks and Wildlife) database search (conducted in 2011) identified two Threatened Flora (TF) and 65 Priority Flora (PF) as potentially occurring within the survey area, although none had been previously recorded from within it. There is one Threatened Ecological Community (TEC), the vulnerable ‘Themeda grasslands on cracking clays (Hamersley Station, Pilbara)’ and two Priority Ecological Communities (PECs), the P1 ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range’ and P3 ‘Triodia sp. Robe River assemblages of mesas of the West Pilbara’ known from nearby.

During the field survey, 44 quadrats were established and scored in June 2013. The vegetation was mapped, employing a combination of field mapping (using dominant and characteristic species) and floristic analysis (used to inform the identification of vegetation types). Vegetation condition was also assessed.

The flora survey identified 301 vascular flora taxa including: x no TF species x four PF taxa; three P3 (Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301), Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479) and Ptilotus subspinescens) and one P4 (Goodenia nuda) x based on NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) records, no taxa are considered to represent significant range extensions x no potentially undescribed (new to science) taxa x 10 introduced species, one of which is a Declared Pest in the Shire of Ashburton (*Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca), however neither it nor any of the others are listed on any other weeds register. The vegetation survey identified 19 vegetation types including: x no vegetation that is considered to represent any currently described TEC or PEC x GDE vegetation was represented by vegetation type EvAcTt that occupied 145.6 ha (2% of the survey area); this vegetation type had both Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens and E. victrix x no sheet flow dependent vegetation The vegetation condition was assessed as Excellent for 94% of the survey area and Very Good for the remaining 6%.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW

Ecoscape was commissioned by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (Fortescue) to undertake a Level 2 flora and vegetation survey of a proposed rail alignment connecting Fortescue’s Western Hub area with its Solomon project area known as the Western Hub Rail Link.

The survey results will be used to support future environmental approvals required for development of Fortescue’s Western Hub tenements.

1.1.1 Survey Area Location

The Western Hub Rail Link survey area (Figure 1) is located in the western Hamersley Range within the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, and comprises a 2 km wide corridor totalling 7,323 hectares (approximately 36.6 km in length). The nearest towns to the survey area are Tom Price, located approximately 53 km to the southeast, and Pannawonica, approximately 127 km to the northwest, in the Shire of Ashburton.

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Figure 1: Survey area location

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1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the flora and vegetation assessment and targeted conservation significant flora searches are that they must: x be compliant with an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Level 2 survey x provide sufficient information to allow for an assessment of potential impacts x follow Guidance Statement No. 51 – Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessments in Western Australia (EPA 2004) x follow Position Statement No. 3 – Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection (EPA 2002). x be compliant with Fortescue’s (2011a) Flora and Vegetation Assessment Guidelines 100-GU-EN-0005 The assessment consisted of: x a single phase Level 2 flora and vegetation field survey, resulting in an understanding of flora species and vegetation types present, and their representation over a broader area x targeted searches for significant flora species and vegetation, including Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs), Threatened Flora (TF), Priority Ecological Communities (PECs), Priority-listed Flora (PF) and Declared Pests 1.2.1 Relevant Legislation

Field surveys were conducted in accordance with Commonwealth and State legislation: x Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (1999) x Western Australian Environmental Protection Act 1986 (1986) x Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. (1950) In addition to the above, surveys complied with the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA) requirements for environmental survey and reporting in Western Australia, as outlined in Guidance Statement No. 33 – Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development (EPA 2008).

1.3 PREVIOUS BOTANICAL SURVEYS

The following previous flora and vegetation surveys within Fortescue’s Western Hub area have been conducted by Ecoscape during 2011-2013: x Ecoscape (2013a), Delphine Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey (Phase 2) draft, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Ecoscape (2013b), Eliwana and Flying Fish Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey (Phase 2) draft, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Ecoscape (2012d), Mt Farquhar Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Ecoscape (2012e), Vegetation, Flora and Fauna Assessment, and Targeted Conservation Significant Flora and Fauna Survey: Raven, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. Other relevant botanical surveys conducted in the vicinity of the survey area include: x Biota Environmental Sciences (2013), West Turner Syncline Phase 2 Vegetation and Flora Report, Unpublished report for Rio Tinto Pty Ltd x Astron Environmental Services (2012a), Hardey Rail Corridor and Borrow Pits Vegetation and Flora Survey (Phase 2), Unpublished report for API Management Pty Ltd x Astron Environmental Services (2012b), Hardey Resource Area and Gas Pipeline Vegetation and Flora Survey (Phase 2), Unpublished report for API Management Pty Ltd x Biota Environmental Sciences & Department of Environment and Conservation (2012), Themeda Grassland Threatened Ecological Community - Seasonal Botanical Survey, Unpublished report for Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pty Ltd, raw data interpreted by DEC and incorporated into the TEC database

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INTRODUCTION

x Ecoscape (2012c), Level 1 Vegetation, Flora and Fauna Assessment, and Targeted Conservation Significant Flora and Fauna Survey: Mt Macleod West, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Ecoscape (2012a), ‘Themeda Grasslands on Cracking Clay’ TEC Assessment, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Ecoscape (2012b), Central Pilbara Project Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Assessment, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Ecoscape (2011), Pilbara Iron Ore Project – Blacksmith Flora and Vegetation Survey, Unpublished report for Flinders Mines Ltd x Astron Environmental Services (2010), West Pilbara Iron Ore Project Reconciliation of Vegetation Descriptions and Associated Vegetation Mapping, Unpublished report for API Management Pty Ltd x Biota Environmental Sciences (2010a), A Vegetation and Flora Survey of Expansion Areas at Nammuldi, Unpublished report for Rio Tinto Iron Ore x Biota Environmental Sciences (2010b), A Vegetation and Flora Survey of Silvergrass West, Unpublished report for Rio Tinto Iron Ore x Ecoscape (2010), Level Two Flora and Vegetation Assessment, Firetail Mining Area, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x ENV Australia (2010), Solomon Project: Kings Flora and Vegetation Assessment, Unpublished report for Fortescue Metals Group Ltd x Western Botanical (2009a), Flora and vegetation of the proposed Cape Preston Rail Corridor West Pilbara Iron Ore Project 2007-2008, Report for API Management x Western Botanical (2009b), Flora and vegetation of the proposed mine and associated infrastructure areas West Pilbara Iron Ore Project, Unpublished report for API Management x van Leeuwen & Bromilow (2002), Botanical Survey of Hamersley Range Uplands, Department of Conservation and Land Management.

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2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 2.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

2.1.1 Climate

The Pilbara region experiences an arid climate, which is influenced by two air masses, the Indian tropical maritime air moving in from the west or north-west, and the tropical continental air from the inland (Australian Natural Resources Atlas 2009). During the warmer part of the year, there is a hot low-pressure system over the region resulting in clear skies and very high temperatures from November to February with average maximum temperatures generally between 35°C and 40°C. During the winter months the average maximum temperature generally falls to between 22°C and 30°C, the range of which is generally greater in inland areas away from the moderating effects of onshore winds common in coastal areas (Australian Natural Resources Atlas 2009).

The Pilbara lies south of the area normally penetrated by the northwest monsoon in the summer months, and is only occasionally influenced by weather systems of the westerly circulation in the winter months. Rainfall is therefore low and variable. The majority of rainfall occurs between December and March, as the result of moist tropical storms and cyclones originating in the north, with a pronounced dry period between August and November (Australian Natural Resources Atlas 2009).

Figure 2 outlines the monthly rainfall and temperature averages for the Wittenoom Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) station, approximately 120 km to the east of the survey area, derived from data collected between 1950 and 2013. Wittenoom is the BoM station closest to the survey area that has long-term and current rainfall and temperature data (BoM 2013a).

60 120

50 100

40 80

30 60 Rainfall (mm) 20 40 Temperature (degrees C)

10 20

0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Wittenoom monthly mean rainfall (1950-2013) Wittenoom monthly mean maximum temperature (1951-2013) Wittenoom monthly mean minimum temperature (1951-2013)

Figure 2: Mean monthly rainfall and mean daily maxima and minima for Wittenoom BoM station (1950-2013) (BoM 2013a)

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

2.1.2 Geology

Table 1 shows the geological units mapped within the survey area (Seymour et al. 1988; Thorne et al. 1996). Digital data was available for the entire survey area included within the Mt Bruce 1:250,000 Map Sheet.

Table 1: Geological units within the survey area

UNIT DESCRIPTION Mt Bruce 1:250,000 map sheet (Thorne et al. 1996; eastern half of study area) AFd Medium- to coarse-grained metadolerite sills intruded into Fortescue Group AFj Jeerinah Formation - pelite, metasandstone, chert, metabasaltic pillow lava and breccias, and metamorphorphosed felsic volcanic rock; intruded by numerous metadolerite sills AFjl Pillowed and massive metabasaltic flows metabasaltic breccia AFu Bunjinah Formation - pillowed and massive metabasaltic flows, metabasaltic breccia, metamorphosed volcanic sandstone, and minor chert; amygdaloidal metabasaltic flows occur in upper parts of the formation Czc Colluvium - partly consolidated quartz and rock fragments in silt and sand matris; old valley-fill deposits, locally derived Czk Calcrete - sheet carbonate, found along major drainage lines Czp Robe Pisolite - pisolitic limonite deposits developed along river channels Qa Alluvium - unconsolidated silt, sand, and gravel; in drainage channels and adjacent floodplains Qc Colluvium - unconsolidated quartz and rock fragments in soil

2.1.1 Land Systems

As part of the rangeland resource surveys, the then Department of Agriculture comprehensively described and mapped the biophysical resources of the Pilbara, together with an evaluation of the condition of the soils and vegetation (from an agricultural perspective) throughout (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004). As part of this process an inventory of land types, land systems and land units with particular use capabilities, habitats or conservation values were established to assist in land use planning. According to this mapping, the following land systems (grouped according to land type on the basis of a combination of landform, soil, vegetation, and drainage characteristics) occur within the survey area (Table 2). Map 1 shows the land systems occurring in the survey area.

Table 2: Descriptions of land types and systems occurring in the survey area (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004)

UNIT DESCRIPTION Land type 1 Hills and ranges with spinifex grasslands Basalt hills, plateaux, lower slopes and minor stony plains supporting hard Rocklea land system spinifex (and occasionally soft spinifex) grasslands Land type 3 Plateaux, mesas and breakaways with spinifex grasslands Low limonite mesas and buttes supporting soft spinifex (and occasionally hard Robe land system spinifex) grasslands Land type 8 Stony plains with spinifex grasslands Stony lower slopes and plains below hill systems supporting hard and soft Boolgeeda land system spinifex grasslands and mulga shrublands

The extent of the land systems outlined above within the survey area are indicated in Table 3.

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

Table 3: Extent of land systems within the survey area and regional representation

EXTENT WITHIN REPRESENTATION PROPORTION OF PILBARA EXTENT LAND SYSTEM SURVEY AREA (%) WITHIN THE SURVEY AREA (%) (KM2) (KM2) SURVEY AREA Boolgeeda 7.98 10.90 7,748 0.10 Robe 7.47 10.21 865 0.86 Rocklea 57.78 78.90 22,993 0.25

2.1.1 Drainage

There are several unnamed minor to mid-sized drainage lines that intersect the survey area (Map 2). The most significant drainage line within the survey area is Duck Creek, which is a tributary of the Ashburton River. All smaller drainage lines are tributaries of Duck Creek with most flowing in a north-south direction and a few in the eastern end flowing in a south-north direction.

2.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

2.2.1 Biogeographic Region

The survey area is located within the Pilbara biogeographic region as defined in the Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2011). Biogeographic regions are delineated on the basis of similar climate, geology, landforms, vegetation and fauna. The Pilbara biogeographic region includes four major components; the Hamersley, Fortescue Plains, Chichester and Roebourne subregions (Thackway & Cresswell 1995). The survey area is located entirely within the Hamersley (PIL3) subregion described in the 2002 Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia’s 53 Biogeographical Subregions (McKenzie et al. 2003) as:

Mountainous area of Proterozoic sedimentary ranges and plateaux, dissected by gorges (basalt, shale and dolerite). Mulga low woodland over bunch grasses on fine textured soils in valley floors, and Eucalyptus leucophloia over Triodia brizoides on skeletal soils of the ranges. The climate is semi-desert tropical, average 300 mm rainfall, usually in summer cyclonic or thunderstorm events. Winter rain is not uncommon. Drainage into either the Fortescue to the north, the Ashburton to the south, or the Robe to the west.

2.2.2 Flora

2.2.2.1 Conservation Significant Flora

For the purposes of this report, conservation significant flora species are those that are listed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW, formerly known as DEC) as TF and PF. Flora species are classified as TF or listed as PF where populations are geographically restricted or threatened by local processes (DEC 2011).

TF species (previously known in Western Australian as Declared Rare Flora (DRF)) are listed by the DPaW and are protected under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation (WC) Act 1950. Rare flora species, as they are termed in the WC Act, are gazetted under Sub-section 2 of Section 23F, thereby making it an offence to remove or damage rare flora without Ministerial approval.

Some TF species have additional legislative protection by being listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 (Commonwealth of Australia 1999).

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Definitions of the Commonwealth (Department of the Environment) categories are provided in Table 33 in Appendix One.

There are seven categories covering State-listed TF and PF species (DEC 2011), which are outlined in Table 34 in Appendix One. PF for Western Australia are regularly reviewed by DPaW whenever new information becomes available, with species status altered or removed from the list when data indicates that they no longer meet the requirements outlined in Table 34.

DPaW Database Search

The DPaW Threatened Flora database search (DPaW reference 04-0711FL, conducted for the Western Hub area and 40 km buffer in 2011) identifies TF and PF data from validated populations of TF and some PF from the Threatened Flora Database (DEFL), specimens in the Western Australian Herbarium (WAHERB).

Sixty seven conservation significant vascular flora taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) were identified from the DPaW Threatened Flora database search as occurring within 15 km of the database search area (Table 39 in Appendix Two).

Two TF taxa, Lepidium catapycnon and Thryptomene wittweri (both with Vulnerable EPBC Act status), were identified by the database search, along with 15 P1 taxa, 12 P2 taxa, 32 P3 taxa and six P4 taxa as occurring within the database search area.

Map 2 illustrates the locations of nearby species identified by the database search. No TF have been recorded close enough to be included on this map; the closest record of Lepidium catapycnon is approximately 70 km to the southeast, and the closest record of Thryptomene wittweri is approximately 200 km to the southeast.

Of the conservation significant flora species identified by the DPaW database search request, fifteen have been recorded within a 10 km buffer around the Western Hub Rail Link survey area: x Acacia bromilowiana (P4) x Astrebla lappacea (P3) x Brachyscome sp. Wanna Munna Flats (S. van Leeuwen 4662) (P1) x Dampiera anonyma (P3) x Eremophila magnifica subsp. velutina (P3) x Helichrysum oligochaetum (P1) x Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) (P3) x Iotasperma sessilifolium (P3) x Ptilotus mollis (P4) x Ptilotus subspinescens (P3) x Rhagodia sp. Hamersley (M. Trudgen 17794) (P3) x Sida sp. Barlee Range (S. van Leeuwen 1642) (P3) x Sida sp. Hamersley Range (K. Newbey 10692) (P1) x Spartothamnella puberula (P2) x Swainsona thompsoniana (P3). The DPaW Threatened Flora database search does not identify other significant flora species, described in Guidance Statement No. 51 (EPA 2004) as including keystone or relictual species, those having anomalous features, range extremities, range extensions, population outliers, restricted subtaxa and hybrids, local endemics or poorly reserved species.

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Commonwealth Protected Matters Search

A review of the DoE online databases (Protected Matters Search Tool and Species Profile and Threats Database) was also conducted to identify any additional threatened flora with Commonwealth protection nearby (Australian Government and DSEWPaC 2013). The Protected Matters Search, conducted in May 2013, identified Lepidium catapycnon (Vulnerable) as a species likely to occur in the area. The results of the Protected Matters Search are reproduced in Appendix Three.

NatureMap Search

NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) was reviewed to identify conservation significant flora species that have been recorded from within and near the survey area using a simplified version of the survey area (a rectangle encompassing most northern, southern, western and eastern extents). The search area specifically is a rectangle between the southwest corner (511722mE and 7517238mN) and the northeast corner (546373mE abd 7529512mN). The NatureMap search, conducted in May 2013, identified 127 vascular flora taxa and included no additional conservation significant species that had not been identified by other searches.

The results of the NatureMap search are presented in Appendix Four.

2.2.2.2 Introduced Species

The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL; Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 2013) details organisms listed as Declared Pests under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (BAM) Act 2007 that replaces the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (ARRP) Act 1976. Under the BAM Act 2007, Declared Pests are listed as one of three categories: x C1 (exclusion), that applies to pests not established in Western Australia; control measures are to be taken to prevent their entry and establishment x C2 (eradication), that applies to pests that are present in Western Australia but in low numbers or in limited areas where eradication is still a possibility x C3 (management), that applies to established pests where it is not feasible or desirable to manage them in order to limit their damage. Some of the more invasive introduced species are also included in a number of other weed lists maintained by DoE and Weeds Australia, including Weeds of National Significance (WONS, Weeds Australia 2012b), the National Environmental Alert List (DSEWPaC 2012a), Sleeper Weeds (DSEWPaC 2012b), Species Targeted for Eradication (DSEWPaC 2012c) and Target Species for Biological Control (Weeds Australia 2012a).

Introduced species (weeds) are commonly recorded, particularly in disturbed areas including those targeted for grazing by stock. Plants are regarded as introduced if they are listed as such on FloraBase (Western Australian Herbarium (WAH) 1998-). FloraBase (WAH 1998-) lists 107 introduced species as having been collected within the Pilbara bioregion, 57 within the Hamersley (PIL3) subregion and 76 within the Shire of Ashburton.

The NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) search identified two species of weeds within the search area; *Bidens bipinnata and *Flaveria trinervia. *Cenchrus ciliaris was identified by the Protected Matters search.

2.2.3 Vegetation and Ecological Communities

2.2.3.1 Vegetation Association Mapping

During the 1970s, John Beard and associates conducted a systematic survey of native vegetation, describing the vegetation systems in Western Australia at a scale of 1:250 000 in the south-west and at a

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

scale of 1:1 000 000 in less developed areas. The vegetation survey of Western Australia maps and explanatory memoirs (1974-1981) are credited to J.S. Beard (or Beard with various co-authors).

Beard’s vegetation maps attempted to depict the native vegetation as it was presumed to be at the time of settlement, and is known as the pre-European vegetation type and extent and has since been developed in digital form by Shepherd et al. (2002), updated by DAFWA (2012).

The pre-European vegetation associations identified from the survey area (DAFWA 2012) and their pre- European and current extents within the Hamersley (PIL3) subregion (Government of Western Australia 2013) are shown in Table 4. The total extent of the Hamersley subregion is 5 634 727 ha.

Table 4: Vegetation associations

HAMERSLEY (PIL3) SUBREGION EXTENT WITHIN SURVEY AREA

VEGETATION PRE- CURRENT % EXTENT PROPORTION OF ASSOCIATION EUROPEAN EXTENT REMAINING (HA) CURRENT EXTENT EXTENT (HA) (HA) 29 - Sparse low woodland; mulga, 151,150.78 151,059.98 99.94 1,716.84 1.14% discontinuous in scattered groups 567 - Hummock grasslands, shrub steppe; mulga & 777,187.88 774,576.94 99.66 5,606.12 0.72% kanji over soft spinifex and Triodia basedowii

The extent of the pre-European vegetation associations within the survey area are displayed in Map 3.

2.2.3.2 Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities

TECs are categorised at both State level (DEC 2010) and Commonwealth level (Commonwealth of Australia 1999), while PECs are classed at State level (DEC 2010). The status of the Commonwealth and State ratings are summarised in Table 35 and Table 36 in Appendix One.

According to the TECs listed on the DPaW database endorsed by the Minister for the Environment (DEC Species & Communities Branch 2013), there are two State-listed TECs within the Pilbara bioregion: x the vulnerable ‘Themeda grasslands on cracking clays (Hamersley Station, Pilbara)’. This TEC is described as grassland plains dominated by the perennial Themeda (kangaroo grass) and many annual herbs and grasses. x the endangered ‘Ethel Gorge aquifer stygobiont community’. Of these, only the Themeda grassland TEC is located within the Hamersley (PIL3) IBRA subregion (Kendrick 2002). The nearest known occurrence of this TEC is approximately 8.5 km north of the survey area (Biota Environmental Sciences & DEC 2012).

There are no Commonwealth-listed TECs within the Pilbara bioregion (DSEWPaC 2009).

There are 30 PECs listed as occurring in the Pilbara bioregion (DEC Species and Communities Branch 2013).

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

DPaW Ecological Communities Database Search

The DPaW Ecological Communities database search (search reference number 04-0711EC, conducted in 2011) identified six TEC locations occurring within approximately 30 km of the survey area. All six TEC locations were the vulnerable ‘Themeda grasslands on cracking clays (Hamersley Station, Pilbara)’.

The DPaW Ecological Communities database search does not identify other significant vegetation described in Guidance Statement No. 51 (EPA 2004), including scarce vegetation types, communities including unusual species or a novel combination of species, vegetation acting as a refuge or key habitat for threatened species, vegetation representative of a range of a unit, or vegetation having a restricted distribution.

Map 2 displays the locations of the TECs identified from the DPaW database search.

Previous Flora Surveys

Recent Ecoscape surveys in the Western Hub area have identified two PECs as occurring nearby (Ecoscape 2012a; 2013a; 2013b): x P1 ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range’ approximately 70 km WNW of the survey area x P3 ‘Triodia sp. Robe River assemblages of mesas of the West Pilbara’ approximately 30 km WSW of the survey area. Of these, the ‘Brockman Iron’ PEC is most likely to occur within the survey area as it occurs on valley floors whereas the ‘Triodia sp. Robe River’ PEC occurs on hills and mesas that are not normally associated with rail infrastructure placement. The ‘Brockman Iron’ PEC is described as:

Rare tussock grassland dominated by Astrebla lappacea in the Hamersley Range, on the Newman land system. Tussock grassland on cracking clays- derived in valley floors, depositional floors. This is a rare community and the landform is rare. Known from near West Angeles, Newman, Tom Price and boundary of Hamersley and Brockman Stations.

The ‘Brockman Iron’ PEC has been recorded approximately 6 km north of the survey area (Biota Environmental Sciences & DEC 2012).

2.2.3.3 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

Groundwater Definition

Groundwater is water that is found in the saturated zone of the soil, where all soil pores are filled with water. It occurs below the water table in an unconfined aquifer or may be held under pressure in a confined aquifer (Goulburn-Murray Water 2010). Groundwater may also occur as a perched aquifer where is located above unsaturated rock formations as a result of a discontinuous permeable layer (Goulburn-Murray Water 2010).

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Definition

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) have been defined as ecosystems that are dependent on groundwater for their survival at some stage or stages of their lifecycle. However, groundwater use cannot be equated with groundwater dependence (Eamus 2009).

Hatton and Evans (1998) identified four types of GDEs based on their geographic setting: 1. Terrestrial vegetation – vegetation communities and dependent fauna that have seasonal or episodic dependence on groundwater.

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

2. River base flow systems – aquatic and riparian ecosystems that exist in or adjacent to streams that are fed by groundwater base flow. 3. Aquifer and cave ecosystems. 4. Wetlands.

Eamus et al. (2006) identified three primary classes based on type of groundwater reliance: 1. Aquifer and cave ecosystems. 2. All ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater: a) river base flows b) wetlands, swamplands c) seagrass beds in estuaries d) floodplains e) mound springs f) riparian vegetation g) saline discharge to lakes h) low lying forests. 3. All ecosystems dependent on the subsurface presence of groundwater, often accessed via the capillary fringe (non-saturated zone above the water table) when roots penetrate this zone: a) River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forests b) Banksia woodlands c) Riparian vegetation in the wet/dry tropics.

GDEs in the Pilbara are generally determined to be vegetation associated with riparian areas. GDEs dependent on the surface expression of groundwater (Eamus et al. 2006 class 2) includes vegetation associated with wetlands (permanent or semi-permanent pools) within riparian areas, and generally includes Melaleuca argentea in association with other species described below. GDEs associated with the subsurface presence of groundwater (Eamus et al. 2006 class 3) includes riparian vegetation characterised by the phreatophytic species described below.

Phreatophytic Species

Phreatophytic species rely on groundwater sources for water intake (e.g. Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd 2006); essentially the water requirements of phreatophytes are greater than can be provided from the surface soil profile (e.g. riparian vegetation) or they are dependent on free water availability (e.g. wetland species). They frequently show low tolerance to extended water stress due to a lack of physiological and/or morphological adaptation to drought, and respond to significant water deficit by a decline in health and eventual death (ibid.).

Facultative phreatophytes can switch their water source from groundwater in times of drought to water in the soil surface profile in times of rain (Grierson 2010).

Phreatophytic species known to occur in or close to the survey area include: x Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens, which is regarded as a facultative phreatophyte that is dependent on groundwater for part of its lifecycle and/or in times of drought. This species has been reported to be tolerant of groundwater falls of up to 4 m per year (Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd 2006), has both lateral and sinker roots and is tolerant of waterlogging (Grierson 2010). x Eucalyptus victrix, which may be regarded as a facultative phreatophyte. It is considered to be relatively drought tolerant and likely to be tolerant of gradual declines to the watertable (to a degree) (Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd 2006). Eucalyptus victrix has lateral and sinker roots (i.e. a dimorphic root system) but is not tolerant of waterlogging (Grierson 2010). There is some conjecture that this species is actually a

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

vadophyte (i.e. relies on water from within the soil surface profile, and is independent of groundwater) or, at best, weakly phreatophytic (Resource and Environmental Management Pty Ltd 2007). x wetland species including Melaleuca argentea and Cyperus vaginatus. It is uncertain which, if any, of other species commonly associated with riparian areas are facultative phreatophytes or vadophytes. Acacia citrinoviridis and Corymbia hamersleyana are considered to be vadophytes (Astron Environmental Services 2008b), however Eucalyptus xerothermica and other Melaleuca species require research to determine their water use processes. Until there is evidence that these species access groundwater, they are not considered to be indicative of GDEs.

2.2.3.4 Sheet Flow Dependent Communities

Mulga (Acacia aneura sens. lat.) often occurs as a grove – intergrove formation on valley floors and floodplains. Regeneration of these groves is generally considered to be dependent on sheet flow in times of heavy rain (e.g. Muller 2005).

Mulga was previously considered the common name for Acacia aneura. Until recently there were 12 varieties of Acacia aneura in Western Australia (WAH 1998-). Following a revision of this group (Maslin & Reid 2012), a number of new taxa have been identified. The common name ‘Mulga’ includes the closely- related Acacia aneura, A. aptaneura, A. ayersiana, A. caesaneura, A. craspedocarpa, A. fuscaneura, A. incurvaneura, A. macraneura, A. minyura, A. mulganeura, A. paraneura and A. pteraneura, although not all of these taxa are present in the Pilbara.

2.2.3.5 Ecosystems at Risk

‘Ecosystems at Risk’ were identified by regional ecologists as part of the then Department of Conservation and Land Management’s (CALM, now DPaW) Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographical Subregions in 2002 (CALM 2002), however they do not have any formal legislative protection.

‘Ecosystems at Risk’ identified from the Hamersley subregion (PIL3) of the Pilbara bioregion that may occur in or near the survey area include: x the vulnerable ‘Grove/inter-grove Mulga, eastern Hamersley Range’ ecosystem, threatened by grazing, weeds and hydrological change x the vulnerable ‘Valley floor Mulga’ ecosystem, threatened by grazing, weeds, fire and hydrological change x the endangered ‘Lower-slope Mulga’ ecosystem, threatened by fire x the vulnerable ‘Hill-top floras, Hamersley Range’ ecosystem, threatened by fire x the vulnerable ‘All major ephemeral water courses’ ecosystem, threatened by grazing and weeds x the ‘Other stygofauna associated with aquifers near mining below water table’ ecosystem, threatened by mine dewatering. 2.2.3.6 Protected Matters Search

The DoE (2013) online databases (Protected Matters Search Tool and Species Profile and Threats Database, Appendix Three) identified no other protected matters from the survey area.

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3.0 METHODS 3.1 FLORA AND VEGETATION ASSESSMENT

This survey was conducted as a Level 2 flora and vegetation assessment, undertaken to be compliant with: x Guidance Statement No. 51: Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessments in Western Australia (EPA 2004) x Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection Position Statement No. 3 (EPA 2002) x Flora and Vegetation Assessment Guidelines 100-GU-EN-0005, 17 January 2011 (Fortescue Metals Group Ltd 2011a). Level 2 surveys incorporate background research and a reconnaissance survey as preparation for a more intensive and detailed survey. As Ecoscape has extensive experience with the vegetation of the area, having surveyed the adjacent ‘Eliwana and Flying Fish’ (Ecoscape 2013b) and ‘Central Pilbara’ tenements (Ecoscape 2012b) a separate reconnaissance survey was unnecessary. Instead, the first few days of the field survey were utilised to conduct a reconnaissance of the survey area and characterise the vegetation types present.

Level 2 surveys require one or more visits in the main flowering season followed by visits in other seasons. Level 2 surveys also involve replication of the survey, greater coverage than a Level 1 survey and displacement of plots over the target areas.

In order to determine the overall value of the vegetation and flora of the survey area, data collected during the field survey was used to: x describe and map the vegetation types of the survey area to indicate the distribution and relative abundance of each vegetation type x document the vascular flora of the area and provide a measure of the overall floristic richness x identify species and vegetation types of particular conservation significance x identify significant infestations of introduced plant species and occurrence of botanical Declared Pests, formerly known as Declared Plants. 3.1.1 Field Survey

The field survey was conducted by Stephen Kern (flora collecting permit SL010338) and Andrew Fry (SL010337) over ten days, during 17-26 June 2013.

3.1.1.1 Floristic Survey

The vegetation and floristic data were collected and described from 44 floristic quadrats (abbreviated to ‘quadrats’), 50 m x 50 m in dimension or equivalent area if linear (e.g. along a drainage line), which is in line with the DPaW’s Draft Botanical Survey Requirements for the Pilbara Region (CALM 2003), EPA Guidance Statement No. 51 Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (2004) and Fortescue’s Flora and Vegetation Assessment Guidelines (2011a).

Floristic, biological and physical data were collected and recorded from each of these quadrats. The flora records provided the names used in the vegetation descriptions and contributed to the flora species lists and frequency of occurrence data. Various parameters relating to the individual quadrats were used to assist in both the description of vegetation types and the determination of flora distribution, particularly in terms of defining associated landforms.

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METHODS

The quadrats were spatially distributed as widely as possible over the survey area. The western end of the survey area contains more uniform vegetation compared with the eastern end, requiring a lesser proportion of quadrats. Quadrats were located up to 6 km from the closest tracks.

Quadrats were marked with a fence dropper on the north-western corner (or nearest equivalent for linear quadrats/transects). Quadrats were oriented in a north-south and east-west direction, except where they were located in linear vegetation types (e.g. drainage lines). The corner fence dropper was marked with the quadrat number (RL13xx, where RL = Rail Link, 13 = 2013, and xx represents the two digit quadrat number), and blue and white flagging tape was attached.

The following parameters were recorded at each quadrat: x MGA coordinates recorded in GDA 94 datum using a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS), to an accuracy usually within 5 m x National Vegetation Inventory System (NVIS) vegetation description based on the height and estimated cover of dominant species x an inventory of all species, with estimated maximum height, percent foliage cover and presence of reproductive material (phenology) x description of landform and habitat x broad description of surface soil type and stony surface mantle x percentage of litter cover and depth x percentage of bare ground x evidence of grazing, mining exploration activities, weed invasion, frequent fires etc. Fire effects were only considered a negative impact to vegetation condition if they were caused by repeated burning (e.g. for pastoral purposes). Photographs of the vegetation at each quadrat were taken from the north-west corner (or nearest equivalent for linear quadrats) using a digital camera.

Flora species were also opportunistically recorded on traverses between quadrat locations. Track logs are shown on Map 4. To supplement the list of species recorded from the flora survey sites, specific searches of habitats likely to support flora species with sporadic or restricted distributions were also undertaken.

3.1.1.2 Flora Identification and Data Entry

Voucher specimens were collected of all species that could not be identified with confidence in the field. Each voucher specimen was assigned a unique number to facilitate tracking of data, and pressed in the field. Specimens collected were dried and treated in accordance with the requirements of the WAH.

These voucher specimens were identified by Ecoscape (mostly Stephen Kern) to infrataxa (subspecies, variety, affinity or hybrid) level where possible, using appropriate taxonomic publications, and comparison with pressed specimens housed at the WAH. The identification of all suspected conservation significant flora and various other taxonomically complex species were verified by ME Trudgen who is an expert in taxonomy of Pilbara flora.

Nomenclature was checked against the current listing of scientific names recognised by the WAH, listed on FloraBase (WAH 1998-) and updated as necessary.

All raw site data was entered into a Microsoft Access database, with species names entered following formal identification of the collected specimens.

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METHODS

3.1.1.3 Conservation Significant Flora Searches

Due to the size of the survey area, no systematic grid search for conservation significant flora was undertaken. However, when traversing between sites, every opportunity was taken to search for conservation significant flora species, especially where preferred habitats were encountered. The search spacing between surveyors was approximately 20-30 m (i.e. when walking between sites, the two surveyors walked parallel lines, searching either side of the walked line for species identified by the DPaW database search), but varied largely due to topographic features.

Additional targeted flora searches were also conducted on hilltops, slopes, in drainage lines, rocky areas and on the interface between different land forms. These restricted habitat types can be important to support conservation significant flora.

In order to assist with identification in the field, survey teams had access to literature (including images) of conservation significant species identified by the DPaW database search. Specimens of all PF species were collected for identification purposes.

3.1.1.4 Introduced Species

Declared Pest plants listed under the BAM Act 2007 and significant infestations of other introduced species were recorded if observed in the survey area.

Flora species were considered to be introduced (weeds) if they are listed as such on FloraBase (WAH 1998-).

Introduced species were recorded as a cover value where they were recorded within quadrats.

3.1.1.5 Vegetation Descriptions

Vegetation was described for each of the quadrats using the height and estimated cover of dominant and characteristic species of each stratum based on NVIS (2003) (Table 37 in Appendix One), recorded at Level V. Up to three species per stratum from each stratum (upper, mid and ground) were used to formulate vegetation descriptions for each quadrat and each vegetation type.

Vegetation codes are formulated using initials for dominant and characteristic species in each strata, following Fortescue’s Flora and Vegetation Guidelines (2011a) which is based on NVIS. For example the vegetation code ‘ElAeTw’ has Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia (‘El’) as the most dominant species of the upper stratum, Acacia exilis (‘Ae’) as the most dominant species of the mid stratum and Triodia wiseana (‘Tw’) as the most dominant species of the ground stratum.

3.1.1.6 Vegetation Condition

Vegetation condition at quadrats was assessed using the Trudgen (1991) Vegetation Condition Scale. This rating scale is outlined in Table 38 in Appendix One.

Vegetation condition of the survey area was assessed by extrapolating the value recorded for each quadrat and applying the condition to the vegetation type in the vicinity and from ‘spot’ evaluations recorded during traverses through the survey area.

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METHODS

3.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION SIGNIFICANCE

3.2.1 Survey Area Floristic Analysis

PATN© software (Belbin & Collins 2006) was used to undertake statistical analysis to generate floristic groups using data collected from floristic quadrats, in order to better understand local significance of floristic units. PATN analysis has been used for several local floristic analyses including Gibson et al. (1994) for the Swan Coastal Plain, and is routinely used for regional floristic analysis in the Pilbara by ME Trudgen and E Griffin (e.g. Ecoscape 2010; 2011).

PATN is a multivariate analysis tool that generates estimates of association (resemblance, affinity, distance) between sets of objects described by a suite of variables (attributes), and classifies the objects into groups and condenses the information and displays the patterns in the data graphically.

PATN offers a choice of data transformations prior to multivariate analysis. In this case, because the analysis used presence / absence data, the Kulczynski similarity coefficient was the appropriate association to use as it has proven to be a good estimation of association for ecological applications (Belbin & Collins 2006). This was followed by Flexible UPMGA (Un-weighted Pair Group Using Arithmetic Averaging) fusion to produce clusters of related objects (species); these are the floristic groups that are displayed as a dendrogram.

Interpretation of these purely floristic groups into recognisable and mappable on-ground units is a tool used to identify vegetation types and is largely based on dominant species from each stratum. Generally, quadrats that are closely floristically related on the dendrogram form identifiable vegetation units, however, as presence-absence data is used in the analysis and there is no weighting given to dominant species, at times the floristic groups are not easily related to on-ground vegetation types. Vegetation types are therefore determined as a combination of floristic analysis and on-ground interpretation.

Floristic analysis was used as a tool to inform vegetation types in the survey area. No regional floristic analysis was undertaken following Fortescue’s instructions.

3.2.1.1 Conservation Significant Flora Likelihood Assessment

Whilst both targeted and opportunistic searches for conservation significant flora species were undertaken during the field survey, it is still possible that others recorded in Table 39 may occur. In order to achieve a better understanding of the likelihood of conservation significant species occurring within the survey area, a likelihood assessment of possible taxa was undertaken (Table 41, Appendix Nine).

The likelihood of a species occurring in the survey area is based on the following attributes, as listed on FloraBase (WAH 1998-; 2013) and tailored to Pilbara populations, including information from recent nearby surveys. The attributes were: x broad soil type usually associated with the species x broad landform usually associated with the species x usual vegetation (characteristic species) with which the species is usually associated x species having previously been recorded from within approximately 50 km of the survey area (considered as ‘nearby’). The likelihood rating is assigned using the following categories: x Recorded: it does occur within the survey area and was recorded during the field survey x Possible: it may occur within the survey area (but was not recorded); broadly, 2-4 of the required attributes (but always including records from nearby) are present in the survey area

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METHODS

x Unlikely: it could occur but is not expected; 1-3 of the required attributes are present in the survey area but it is not known from nearby or is known from nearby but has no other required attributes x None (Rare): the species characteristics include none of the required attributes of soil, landform, associated vegetation and having previously been recorded nearby, and as such it almost certainly does not occur within the survey area. 3.2.1.2 Other Measures of Vegetation Type Significance (Locally Significant Vegetation Types)

In Guidance Statement No. 51 (2004), the EPA lists several reasons why vegetation may be considered to be significant in addition to its listing as a TEC or PEC or because the extent is below a minimum threshold. These reasons, which may apply at a number of scales but are not defined in detail, include: x scarcity x unusual species x novel combinations of species x role as a refuge x role as a key habitat for threatened species or large populations representing a significant proportion of the local to regional total population of a species x being representative of the range of a unit (particularly a good local and/or regional example of a unit in ’prime’ habitat, at the extremes of range, recently discovered range extension or isolated outliers of the main range) x restricted distribution. The above reasons can define locally significant vegetation.

3.2.2 Local and Regional Vegetation Significance

The reports listed in Section 1.3 were reviewed to assess similarities and differences between the vegetation of nearby areas.

The common themes from the reviewed reports include that the following broad vegetation types are considered, within the context of the applicable survey areas, to have local (or at times regional) significance: x vegetation of restricted local extent, although the vegetation type may be considered widespread within the bioregion (e.g. riparian vegetation, vegetation on valley floors where the relevant survey area largely comprises of hills) x vegetation on cracking clays x vegetation on calcrete x riparian vegetation x Mulga vegetation, particularly grove-intergrove formation (that is discussed as SFDV) x some Acacia xiphophylla dominated vegetation, including when associated with either grasslands or Mulga (as an intergrove vegetation type) or on cracking clay soil x vegetation supporting PF. The above vegetation types or attributes (e.g. landform) concur with the definition of significant vegetation in Guidance Statement 51 (EPA 2004) by having a restricted distribution or being a key habitat for threatened species.

State of the Environment reporting (Saunders et al. 1998) includes undescribed species as having significance as a biodiversity indicator, thus vegetation types that support undescribed species (in this case, species considered new to science and not yet given a phrase name) are considered to have significance.

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METHODS

3.3 ADEQUACY OF SAMPLING

In order to demonstrate adequacy of sampling, a species accumulation curve was generated by the computer programme Species Diversity and Richness (Pisces Conservation Ltd 2007) using five random selections of sample order, and using only quadrat data.

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4.0 RESULTS 4.1 FLORA SURVEY

4.1.1 Flora Inventory

Floristic quadrat details are included in Appendix Five, and the complete flora inventory in Appendix Six.

A total of 301 vascular flora taxa (including species, subspecies, varieties, hybrids, affinities and forms, including introduced species) were recorded from floristic quadrats, opportunistic observations and targeted conservation significant flora searches (Table 40, Appendix 6). Of these, four were of conservation significance (Table 5) and 10 were introduced (Table 6). Due to lack of reproductive material, eight taxa (approximately 2.7% of the 301 taxa) were only identified to genus level. It is likely that several of the unidentified taxa are represented in the flora inventory (e.g. ‘Cymbopogon sp.’ is likely to be a sterile specimen of a taxon from this genus already listed in the inventory). None of the unidentified taxa are considered likely to represent conservation significant flora.

There were 1 220 plant taxa records from the quadrats, and 132 voucher specimens were collected (including opportunistic collections).

Taxa from 39 identified families and 138 identified genera are represented in the survey area. The most commonly represented families are: x Fabaceae; 63 taxa (one introduced) x Poaceae; 49 taxa (two introduced) x Malvaceae; 37 taxa (one introduced) x Asteraceae; 14 taxa (three introduced) x Amaranthaceae; 13 taxa x Myrtaceae; 12 taxa. The most commonly represented genera are Acacia (27 taxa), Senna (11 taxa), Ptilotus (nine taxa), Goodenia (eight taxa), Sida (eight taxa) and Eucalyptus (seven taxa).

The most commonly encountered species were Triodia wiseana, recorded from 31 quadrats, Acacia bivenosa (26 quadrats), Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia (26 quadrats), Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa (24 quadrats), Sporobolus australasicus (23 quadrats) and Acacia synchronicia (20 quadrats).

Species’ Range Extensions

The distribution of all taxa recorded was reviewed using NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) to identify extensions to known geographic ranges or other significant features such as range ends and distribution gaps. Based on records in NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) and Ecoscape’s surveys in the surrounding Fortescue Western Hub (north, south and west of the survey area) and Central Pilbara (to the east) tenements (Ecoscape 2012b; 2012c; 2012d; 2012e; 2013a; 2013b), only one taxon, which is not of conservation significance, was recorded as a minor range extension: x Anthobolus leptomerioides (40 km northwest). Taxa range extensions were assessed using the NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) distance measuring tool. Range extensions of less than 50 km are considered a result of lack of collections in the vicinity and lack of submitted voucher specimens rather than a true range extension. Therefore the range extension of Anthobolus leptomerioides is not considered significant.

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RESULTS

4.1.2 Conservation Significant Flora

4.1.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

No plant taxon recorded in the survey area is listed as Threatened pursuant to Schedule 1 of the EPBC Act 1999.

4.1.2.2 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950

No plant taxon recorded in the survey is gazetted as a TF pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section 23F of the WC Act 1950.

4.1.2.3 Priority Flora

Four Priority Flora species were recorded from the survey area. These are briefly described on the following pages and their locations are included in Table 5 and shown on Map 4. Threatened and Priority Flora Report Forms are included in Appendix Seven.

Table 5: Priority Flora species locations

EASTINGS NORTHINGS CONS VEGETATION POPULATION SPECIES NAME (GDA 94, (GDA 94, CODE TYPE ESTIMATE MGA 50) MGA 50) P4 ElAbCf 543176 7527061 1 Goodenia nuda P4 ExElTt 523642 7525428 1 P4 AkTwEl 542284 7527387 1 P3 EvAcTt 531452 7527165 20+ P3 AiTw 517986 7522619 50+ Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van P3 EvAcTt 515628 7518954 20+ Leeuwen 4301) P3 AiTw 527955 7525768 200+ P3 ElAeTw 532236 7527166 20+ P3 ElAeTw 532360 7527402 20+ Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station P3 Em 537102 7527740 500+ (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479) P3 EsMeTl 528268 7525860 20+ P3 ElTwSg 535146 7527629 50+ P3 AiTw 534883 7527297 10+ P3 AbTw 534495 7527113 60+ P3 AbTw 532957 7527726 20+ Ptilotus subspinescens P3 TwElAs 534204 7528020 10+ P3 TwElAs 535376 7527733 50+ P3 TwElAs 536804 7528465 30+ P3 TwElAs 521756 7525480 10+ P3 EsMeTl 521798 7526199 50+

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Goodenia nuda (P4)

Goodenia nuda is an annual or short-lived herb with yellow flowers (Plate 1 and Plate 2). There are 82 records listed on NatureMap NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014), mostly from the Pilbara bioregion where it is considered to be sparsely distributed. Ecoscape surveys in nearby areas have also found this species to be sparsely distributed; it was most frequently found on valleys floors, particularly outwash areas, but also on hills (Ecoscape 2012b; 2012c; 2012d; 2012e; 2013a; 2013b). Within the survey area Goodenia nuda was recorded at three locations (a single plant at each) in vegetation types AkTwEl, ElAbCf and ExElTt.

Plate 1: Goodenia nuda flowers Plate 2: Goodenia nuda form

Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) (P3)

Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) is an upright shrub to 2.5 m tall with red flowers (Plate 3 and Plate 4). It is known from drainage lines and gorges of the Hamersley Range, and there are currently 22 NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) records. Within the survey area Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) was recorded from five populations (including quadrats RL1302, RL1310, RL1317 and RL1337) totaling over 300 plants, largely associated with creeklines but also on undulating hills on basalt substrate. It was recorded in vegetation types AiTw, ElAeTw and EvAcTt.

Plate 3: Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Plate 4: Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301) flowers Leeuwen 4301) form

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Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479)

Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479) is a spreading annual herb (Plate 5). It is known from cracking clay and basalt substrates in the Pilbara bioregion, and there are currently 10 NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) records. Within the survey area it was recorded from one population (at quadrat RL1327) of over 500 plants on cracking clay soils in vegetation type Em.

Plate 5: Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479)

Ptilotus subspinescens (P3)

Ptilotus subspinescens is a low, rounded, leafless shrub with pink flowers (Plate 6 and Plate 7). It is known from 44 NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) records, all from the Pilbara bioregion. Within the survey area Ptilotus subspinescens was recorded from six populations (including quadrats RL1309 and RL1318) totalling over 300 plants, typically on quartz or calcrete influenced substrates within vegetation types AbTw, AiTw, ElTwSg, EsMeTl and TwElAs. It was also observed outside the survey area (shown on Map 4).

Plate 6: Ptilotus subspinescens flowers Plate 7: Ptilotus subspinescens form

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4.1.3 Undescribed (New) Species

No undescribed, new or potentially new to science species were recorded from the survey area.

4.1.4 Introduced Flora

The introduced species recorded from the survey area are shown in Table 6. Most were recorded from drainage lines; their locations are shown on Map 4 and their coordinates given in Table 7. The species are described in Section 4.1.4.1.

One of the 10 introduced species recorded from the survey area is a Declared Pest for the region and is listed on WAOL. *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca is listed as a C3 organism (Declared Pest) for the whole of Western Australia. *Datura leichhardtii is listed as a C3 organism for a number of south- western local government areas (but not for the Shire of Ashburton).

No WONS (Weeds Australia 2012b), plants listed on the National Environmental Alert List (DSEWPaC 2012a), listed as Sleeper Weeds (DSEWPaC 2012b), listed as Species Targeted for Eradication (DSEWPaC 2012c) or listed as a Target Species for Biological Control (Weeds Australia 2012a) were recorded from the survey area.

Table 6 lists the introduced species (weeds) recorded from the survey area, with their Invasive Plant Prioritisation Process for the DEC (DEC 2012) rankings. Their locations are given in Table 7.

Table 6: Introduced species and their DEC (2012) rankings

FEASIBILITY POTENTIAL CURRENT ECOLOGICAL SPECIES ABUNDANCE INVASIVENESS OF STATUS DIST. DIST. IMPACT CONTROL *Argemone ochroleuca L H - L R L - subsp. ochroleuca *Bidens H H - U R L - bipinnata *Cenchrus H H A H R L EST ciliaris *Datura L M - L S U - leichhardtii *Flaveria Not listed for the Pilbara trinervia *Malvastrum L H A H R L EST americanum *Portulaca - - - L - - - oleracea *Setaria L M A H R L EST verticillata *Sigesbeckia M M - U R-M L - orientalis *Vachellia L H C H R L EST farnesiana

Table codes: x H = high, M= moderate, L = low (impact or feasibility of control) x O = occasional (light – scattered individuals), C = common (medium – scattered patches), A = abundant (isolated plants interspersed) x R= rapid, S = slow, U = unknown x EST = established

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Table 7: Locations of introduced species

EASTINGS NORTHINGS VEGETATION POPULATION SPECIES NAME (GDA 94, (GDA 94, TYPE ESTIMATE/COVER MGA 50) MGA 50) *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca EvAcTt 530845 7526909 20 *Bidens bipinnata EvAcTt 527955 7525768 <1% *Cenchrus ciliaris EvAcTt 515628 7518954 <1% 20+ scattered in *Datura leichhardtii EvAcTt 522204 7524122 creek EvAcTt 522192 7524123 100+ EvAcTt 527955 7525768 <1% *Flaveria trinervia EvAcTt 531451 7527140 10 AcAlTt 541724 7527440 <1% ExElTt 543904 7526890 <1% AaTwSg 513370 7518298 <1% EvAcTt 515628 7518954 2 common in EvAcTt 522189 7524116 creek, 500+ ElAbCf 523642 7525428 <1% EvAcTt 527955 7525768 3 *Malvastrum americanum EvAcTt 531451 7527140 50+ Em 537463 7527736 200+ AcAlTt 541724 7527440 <1% ExElTt 542284 7527387 <1% ExElTt 543904 7526890 <1% EvAcTt 531451 7527140 50+ AaTwSg 513370 7518298 <1% *Portulaca oleracea EvAcTt 515628 7518954 <1% AiTw 517991 7523389 <1% *Setaria verticillata EvAcTt 527955 7525768 <1% *Sigesbeckia orientalis AcAlTt 541724 7527440 <1% EvAcTt 527955 7525768 <1% *Vachellia farnesiana ElAbCf 536295 7529110 <1%

4.1.4.1 Introduced Flora Descriptions

Descriptions of introduced species are based on field observations, supplemented with information from Hussey et al. (2007) and FloraBase (WAH 1998-).

*Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca (Mexican Poppy)

*Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca is a prickly grey annual herb to 1 m high, although generally lower. One population of approximately 20 seedlings was found in and near a drainage line in vegetation type EvAcTt.

*Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca is found throughout much of Western Australia, and is listed as a C3 organism for the whole state. Plate 8 illustrates this species.

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Plate 8: *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca seedling

*Bidens bipinnata (Bipinnate Beggartick)

*Bidens bipinnata is an annual herb to 1.5 m high, although usually approximately 0.5 m high in the survey area. Within the survey area one population was recorded consisting of a small number of plants, associated with a drainage line in vegetation type EvAcTt. *Bidens bipinnata is found throughout much of the north of Western Australia. Plate 9 and Plate 10 illustrate this species.

Plate 9: *Bidens bipinnata achenes Plate 10: *Bidens bipinnata form

*Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass)

*Cenchrus ciliaris is a perennial tussock-forming grass to 1 m high, although usually approximately 0.5 m high in the survey area. It is generally associated with drainage lines and floodplains, and is more common in grazed areas. *Cenchrus ciliaris was either deliberately planted for pasture or accidently introduced (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004), and has been known from the Pilbara bioregion since the early 1900s (Keighery 2010).

*Cenchrus ciliaris was recorded from one quadrat within the survey area in vegetation type EvAcTt where it occurred in low density within one quadrat (RL1302). Plate 11 and Plate 12 illustrate this species.

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Plate 11: *Cenchrus ciliaris flower Plate 12: *Cenchrus ciliaris form

*Datura leichhardtii (Native Thornapple)

*Datura leichhardtii is an annual herb to 1 m high with distinctive spiny fruits. It is typically associated with drainage lines of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Carnarvon IBRA regions. *Datura leichhardtii was recorded from one population of over 20 scattered individual plants in vegetation type EvAcTt, along a creek. Plate 13 illustrates this species.

*Datura leichhardtii is listed as a C3 Declared Pest elsewhere in Western Australia, but not in the Shire of Ashburton.

Plate 13: *Datura leichhardtii

*Flaveria trinervia (Speedy Weed)

*Flaveria trinervia is an annual herb with distinctive red stems and three-veined leaves. In places it forms dense stands to approximately 1 m high. Five populations were associated with vegetation types AcAlTt, EvAcTt and ExElTt, in drainage lines and depressions.

This species is found throughout much of northern Western Australia. It is listed on FloraBase (WAH 1998-) as ‘alien’ (introduced), however Hussey et al. (2007) and DEC’s Invasive Plant Prioritisation Process for the DEC (2012) do not list this species, indicating there is debate in relation to *Flaveria trinervia being native or introduced. Plate 14 and Plate 15 illustrate this species.

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Plate 14: *Flaveria trinervia flowers Plate 15: *Flaveria trinervia form

*Malvastrum americanum (Spiked Malvastrum)

*Malvastrum americanum is a perennial herb or shrub to 1.3 m high, although within the survey area it has generally been recorded as being less than 0.5 m high. It is usually, but not always, associated with drainage lines and has a wide distribution through northern and arid Western Australia. *Malvastrum americanum was recorded from 11 populations within vegetation types AaTwSg, AcAlTt, ElAbCf, Em, EvAcTt and ExElTt. Each population varied; some were small (2-3 plants) whereas most were larger, ranging from over 50 to over 500 individuals. Plate 16 and Plate 17 illustrate this species.

Plate 16: *Malvastrum americanum flower head Plate 17: *Malvastrum americanum form

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*Portulaca oleracea (Purslane)

*Portulaca oleracea is a succulent prostrate to decumbent annual herb. It is found throughout much of Western Australia, however there is some dispute if it is native or introduced: FloraBase (WAH 1998-2014) considers *Portulaca oleracea to be ‘alien’ (introduced), whereas Hussey et al. (2007) consider it to be native, except in the south-west. Within the survey area it is sparsely distributed, and was recorded from three populations within vegetation types AaTwSg, AiTw and EvAcTt. Plate 18 illustrates this species.

Plate 18: *Portulaca oleracea

*Setaria verticillata (Whorled Pigeon Grass)

*Setaria verticillata is an annual grass to 1 m high, but more usually approximately 0.5 m. It is widely distributed within Western Australia and, within the Pilbara region, is mostly associated with drainage lines. Within the survey area it was recorded from vegetation type EvAcTt within one quadrat where its density was recorded as <1% cover. Plate 19 illustrates this species.

Plate 19: *Setaria verticillata

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*Sigesbeckia orientalis (Indian Weed)

*Sigesbeckia orientalis (Plate 20 and Plate 21) is an erect annual herb to 1 m high with a disjunct distribution in Western Australia, occurring in the Pilbara, southern forests and central arid areas. It was recorded from one population of a small number of plants within vegetation type AaAlTt.

Plate 21: *Sigesbeckia orientalis form

Plate 20: *Sigesbeckia orientalis flowers

*Vachellia farnesiana (Mimosa Bush)

*Vachellia farnesiana is an erect spinescent tree or, more usually, shrub to 4 m high. It is widely distributed through the north of Western Australia, however it occurs sporadically in areas closer to Perth. Hussey et al. (2007) consider it to have been introduced to Australia prior to European settlement. Within the survey area it was recorded from two populations within vegetation types ElAbCf and EvAcTt and was associated with drainage lines. Plate 22 illustrates the spinescent nature of the plant, whilst Plate 23 illustrates the shrubby form of this species in the survey area.

Plate 22: *Vachellia farnesiana flowers Plate 23: *Vachellia farnesiana form

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4.2 VEGETATION ASSESSMENT

4.2.1 Vegetation Types

Nineteen vegetation types were recorded from within the survey area, and their extents are shown in Table 8. Map 5 shows the distribution of the vegetation types within the survey area.

Table 8: Vegetation types and their extents within the survey area

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%) Acacia aneura, A. aptaneura and A. pruinocarpa low open woodland over Acacia atkinsiana and A. RL1335, AaAaTw 176.78 2.41 tetragonophylla tall sparse shrubland over Triodia RL1344 wiseana and T. epactia mid hummock grassland Acacia aptaneura low woodland over Triodia wiseana, Eragrostis xerophila, Sporobolus AaTwSg australasicus mid hummock/tussock grassland with RL1308 27.97 0.38 Senna glutinosa subsp. x luerssenii, Acacia tetragonophylla mid isolated shrubs Acacia bivenosa, A. exilis and Stylobasium spathulatum mid sparse shrubland over Triodia RL1318, AbTw 102.55 1.40 wiseana, T. epactia and T. longiceps mid hummock RL1323 grassland Acacia citrinoviridis and Eucalyptus xerothermica low open forest over Androcalva luteiflora, Petalostylis AcAlTt labicheoides tall sparse shrubland over Themeda RL1329 12.77 0.17 triandra, Dichanthium fecundum and Eulalia aurea mid closed tussock grassland Acacia exilis, A. pruinocarpa and Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa mid open shrubland over Triodia RL1311, AeTwEl wiseana and T. epactia mid open hummock RL1316, 57.98 0.79 grassland with Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. RL1321 leucophloia low isolated trees RL1301, Acacia inaequilatera, Senna glutinosa subsp. RL1304, pruinosa and Acacia tetragonophylla mid sparse AiTw RL1305, 3,128.61 42.72 shrubland over Triodia wiseana and T. epactia mid RL1314, hummock grassland RL1343 Acacia kempeana, A. exilis and A. ancistrocarpa tall open shrubland over Triodia wiseana mid hummock RL1325, AkTwEl 218.32 2.98 grassland with Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. RL1332 leucophloia low isolated trees Acacia xiphophylla and A. aptaneura low open RL1303, woodland over Senna stricta, Eremophila forrestii RL1319, AxSsTw subsp. forrestii, Acacia tetragonophylla mid sparse 239.77 3.27 RL1324, shrubland over Triodia wiseana and T. epactia mid RL1339 open hummock grassland Eucalyptus gamophylla and Corymbia hamersleyana low open woodland/mallee woodland over Acacia RL1322, EgAaTw atkinsiana, A. kempeana and A. bivenosa mid open RL1328, 644.19 8.80 shrubland over Triodia wiseana mid hummock RL1341 grassland Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia low open woodland over Acacia ancistrocarpa and A. bivenosa ElAaTm RL1313 52.73 0.72 tall sparse shrubland over Triodia aff. melvillei, T. wiseana and T. epactia mid hummock grassland Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia, Corymbia hamersleyana and Acacia citrinoviridis low open woodland over Acacia bivenosa, Androcalva RL1340, ElAbCf 83.29 1.14 luteiflora and Petalostylis labicheoides mid shrubland RL1342 over Chrysopogon fallax, Eulalia aurea and Themeda triandra mid tussock grassland

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PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%) Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia and Corymbia hamersleyana low open woodland over RL1317, ElAeTw Acacia exilis, A. bivenosa and A. synchronicia mid 234.26 3.20 RL1337 open shrubland over Triodia wiseana mid hummock grassland Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia low open woodland over Triodia longiceps and T. wiseana mid RL1315, ElTlSg hummock grassland with Senna glutinosa subsp. RL1331, 643.18 8.78 glutinosa, S. glutinosa subsp. pruinosa, S. glutinosa RL1333 subsp. x luerssenii mid isolated shrubs Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia low open woodland over Triodia wiseana and T. epactia mid RL1306, ElTwSg hummock grassland with Senna glutinosa subsp. RL1307, 705.36 9.63 glutinosa, S. glutinosa subsp. pruinosa and Acacia RL1312 marramamba mid isolated shrubs Eremophila maculata subsp. brevifolia, Sida fibulifera RL1327, Em 32.67 0.45 and Eragrostis xerophila low shrubland/grassland RL1338 Eucalyptus socialis subsp. eucentrica and E. leucophloia subsp. leucophloia low open woodland RL1309, EsMeTl over Melaleuca eleuterostachya, Acacia exilis mid 523.93 7.15 RL1336 sparse shrubland over Triodia longiceps, T. wiseana mid hummock grassland Eucalyptus victrix and E. camaldulensis var. refulgens mid woodland over Acacia citrinoviridis, Gossypium robinsonii and Acacia pyrifolia var. RL1302, EvAcTt 145.60 1.99 pyrifolia tall shrubland over Themeda triandra, RL1310 Eulalia aurea and Enteropogon ramosus mid tussock grassland Eucalyptus xerothermica, Acacia aptaneura and A. citrinoviridis low open woodland over Eremophila longifolia, Acacia bivenosa and Acacia ancistrocarpa RL1330, ExElTt 43.54 0.59 tall sparse shrubland over Themeda triandra, RL1334 Chrysopogon fallax and Dichanthium fecundum mid closed tussock grassland Triodia wiseana and T. longiceps mid hummock grassland with shrubs Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. RL1320, TwElAs 249.49 3.41 leucophloia low isolated trees and Acacia RL1326 synchronicia and A. bivenosa mid isolated shrubs Total 7,322.99 100.00

The floristics dendrogram that was used to inform vegetation type groupings is included in Appendix Eight.

‘Other species’ in the following tables refer to species that occur in at least 50% of representative quadrats or are dominant species in at least one quadrat.

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Table 9: Vegetation type AaAaTw

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia aneura, A. aptaneura and A. pruinocarpa low open Anthobolus leptomerioides, Hakea woodland over Acacia atkinsiana chordophylla, Hibiscus burtonii, RL1335, Flat valley AaAaTw and A. tetragonophylla tall sparse Psydrax suaveolens, Excellent None 176.78 2.41 RL1344 floor shrubland over Triodia wiseana Rhyncharrhena linearis, Senna and T. epactia mid hummock glutinosa subsp. glutinosa grassland

Vegetation type AaAaTw confirmed as a discrete vegetation type by floristic analysis. Floristically it is most similar to vegetation type EgAaTw that was also associated with valley floors.

Quadrat photo: RL1335

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Table 10: Vegetation type AaTwSg

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia aptaneura low woodland over Triodia wiseana, Eragrostis Eremophila forrestii, Senna xerophila, Sporobolus hamersleyensis x sp. Karijini (M.E. australasicus mid Trudgen 10392), Sida sp. AaTwSg RL1308 Valley floor Very Good None 27.97 0.38 hummock/tussock grassland with verrucose glands (F.H. Mollemans Senna glutinosa subsp. x 2423), Tephrosia sp. clay soils (S. luerssenii, Acacia tetragonophylla van Leeuwen et al. PBS 0273) mid isolated shrubs

Vegetation type AaTwSg was identified as being a distinct vegetation type by floristic analysis. It is most floristically similar to vegetation type AbTw however AaTwSg generally lacks an upper stratum and has few mid stratum species.

Quadrat photo: RL1308

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Table 11: Vegetation type AbTw

PROPORTION OTHER TYPICAL AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY SPECIES (HA) AREA (%) Chrysopogon fallax, Eucalyptus xerothermica, Euphorbia tannensis subsp. eremophila, Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx, Goodenia muelleriana, Acacia bivenosa, A. exilis and Gossypium australe (Burrup Stylobasium spathulatum mid Peninsula form), Hibiscus Flat valley Ptilotus sparse shrubland over Triodia RL1318, Very Good - AbTw sturtii var. campylochlamys, floor , subspinescens 102.55 1.40 wiseana, T. epactia and RL1323 Excellent Melhania oblongifolia, floodplain (P3) T. longiceps mid hummock Paraneurachne muelleri, grassland Ptilotus nobilis subsp. nobilis, Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla x helmsii, Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa, Solanum elatius, Sporobolus australasicus

Vegetation type AbTw formed a distinct vegetation type in the floristic analysis dendrogram. It is most similar to vegetation type AaTwSg, but AbTw lacks the characteristic upper stratum species and has few mid stratum species.

Quadrat photo: RL1318

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Table 12: Vegetation type AcAlTt

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia citrinoviridis and Eucalyptus xerothermica low open forest over Androcalva Acacia tumida var. pilbarensis, luteiflora, Petalostylis Chrysopogon fallax, Eragrostis Flat valley AcAlTt labicheoides tall sparse shrubland cumingii, Gossypium robinsonii, RL1329 floor Very Good None 12.77 0.17 over Themeda triandra, Spermacoce brachystema, drainage Dichanthium fecundum and Stylobasium spathulatum Eulalia aurea mid closed tussock grassland

AcAlTt was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey and confirmed by the floristic analysis. It is floristically most similar to vegetation type EvAcTt that was also associated with drainage lines however the upper stratum species differ.

AcAlTt was confined to a single drainage line near the eastern edge of the survey area.

Quadrat photo: RL1329

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Table 13: Vegetation type AeTwEl

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia atkinsiana, Amphipogon Acacia exilis, A. pruinocarpa and sericeus, Corchorus lasiocarpus, Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa Eriachne mucronata, mid open shrubland over Triodia RL1311, Gompholobium oreophilum, Mesa crests AeTwEl wiseana and T. epactia mid open RL1316, Excellent None 57.98 0.79 Goodenia stobbsiana, Hakea and rises hummock grassland with RL1321 chordophylla, Paraneurachne Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. muelleri, Ptilotus calostachyus, leucophloia low isolated trees Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa

Vegetation type AeTwEl was identified in the field as a discrete vegetation type; this was not confirmed by the floristics analysis.

The quadrats defining this vegetation type are associated with the low mesas of the survey area and had low species diversity.

Quadrat photo: RL1311

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Table 14: Vegetation type AiTw

PROPORTION OTHER TYPICAL AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY SPECIES (HA) AREA (%) Acacia kempeana, Bonamia sp. Dampier (A.A. Mitchell PRP 217), Corymbia hamersleyana, Indigofera sp. Slopes and Enneapogon Bungaroo Acacia inaequilatera, Senna RL1301, crests on caerulescens, Eremophila Creek (S. van glutinosa subsp. pruinosa and RL1304, basalt fraseri subsp. fraseri, Leeuwen AiTw Acacia tetragonophylla mid sparse RL1305, (occasionally Excellent 3,128.61 42.72 Schizachyrium fragile, 4301) (P3), shrubland over Triodia wiseana and RL1314, with some Senna artemisioides Ptilotus T. epactia mid hummock grassland RL1343 quartz) subsp. oligophylla, Senna subspinescens substrates glutinosa subsp. glutinosa, (P3) Sida echinocarpa, Sporobolus australasicus, Tribulus suberosus

Vegetation type AiTw formed a discrete group in the floristic analysis dendrogram. AiTw was not closely floristically associated with any other vegetation type.

Quadrat photo: RL1305

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Table 15: Vegetation type AkTwEl

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia kempeana, A. exilis and A. ancistrocarpa tall open shrubland Acacia aneura, Acacia Goodenia over Triodia wiseana mid RL1325, Slopes and AkTwEl pruinocarpa, Amphipogon Excellent nuda 218.32 2.98 hummock grassland with RL1332 flats sericeus (P4) Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia low isolated trees

Vegetation type AkTwEl was confirmed as a discrete vegetation type in the floristics analysis dendrogram.

Quadrat photo: PL1332

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RESULTS

Table 16: Vegetation type AxSsTw

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%) Acacia ancistrocarpa, Acacia bivenosa, Acacia exilis, Acacia kempeana, Acacia synchronicia, Acacia xiphophylla and A. Cassytha capillaris, Cheilanthes aptaneura low open woodland sieberi subsp. sieberi, Corchorus over Senna stricta, Eremophila lasiocarpus, Eremophila cuneifolia, RL1303, Flat or forrestii subsp. forrestii, Acacia Eriachne pulchella subsp. dominii, RL1319, Very Good - AxSsTw undulating None 239.77 3.27 tetragonophylla mid sparse Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. RL1324, Excellent valley floors shrubland over Triodia wiseana leucophloia, Grevillea berryana, RL1339 and T. epactia mid open Maireana ?georgei, Ptilotus hummock grassland astrolasius, Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa, Senna glutinosa subsp. x luerssenii, Sporobolus australasicus

Vegetation type AxSsTw was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey and confirmed by floristic analysis, where it formed a discrete group within the dendrogram.

Quadrat photo: RL1303

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Table 17: Vegetation type EgAaTw

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia ancistrocarpa, Acacia Eucalyptus gamophylla and aptaneura, Acacia exilis, Acacia Corymbia hamersleyana low tetragonophylla, Aristida holathera Valley floors open woodland/mallee woodland var. holathera, Duperreya RL1322, and lower EgAaTw over Acacia atkinsiana, commixta, Goodenia microptera, RL1328, slopes, low Excellent None 644.19 8.80 A. kempeana and A. bivenosa Goodenia stobbsiana, Hakea RL1341 undulating mid open shrubland over Triodia chordophylla, Ptilotus hills wiseana mid hummock grassland calostachyus, Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa

Vegetation type EgAaTw was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey. Floristic analysis confirmed this grouping. Floristically this vegetation type is most similar to vegetation type AaAaTw that also occurred on valley floors.

Quadrat photo: RL1341

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Table 18: Vegetation type ElAaTm

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia low open woodland Acacia exilis, Acacia kempeana, over Acacia ancistrocarpa and Acacia maitlandii, Acacia Crest of ElAaTm A. bivenosa tall sparse shrubland synchronicia, Goodenia RL1313 Excellent None 52.73 0.72 small hill over Triodia aff. melvillei, cusackiana, Hakea lorea subsp. T. wiseana and T. epactia mid lorea hummock grassland

Vegetation type ElAaTm was characterised by Triodia aff. melvillei. Floristically it was grouped with vegetation type AeTwEl but separated on this basis.

Quadrat photo: RL1313

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Table 19: Vegetation type ElAbCf

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%) Acacia cowleana, Acacia dictyophleba, Acacia exilis, Acacia maitlandii, Alternanthera nana, Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi, Digitaria brownii, Eragrostis Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. cumingii, Eragrostis tenellula, leucophloia, Corymbia Evolvulus alsinoides var. hamersleyana and Acacia villosicalyx, Glycine canescens, citrinoviridis low open woodland Glycine canescens, Gossypium over Acacia bivenosa, robinsonii, Gossypium sturtianum Goodenia RL1340, Creeks, ElAbCf Androcalva luteiflora and var. sturtianum, Indigofera Very Good nuda 83.29 1.14 RL1342 drainage fan Petalostylis labicheoides mid monophylla, *Malvastrum (P4) shrubland over Chrysopogon americanum, Panicum effusum, fallax, Eulalia aurea and Phyllanthus exilis, Pluchea dentex, Themeda triandra mid tussock Pluchea rubelliflora, Senna grassland artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Sida fibulifera, Spermacoce brachystema, Stemodia grossa, Stylobasium spathulatum, Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum, Triodia epactia

Vegetation type ElAbCf was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey. This was confirmed by floristic analysis in which the two defining quadrats formed a group in the dendrogram. ElAbCf is most floristically similar to vegetation type ExElTt that was also associated with drainage lines.

Quadrat photo: RL1340

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Table 20: Vegetation type ElAeTw

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Eucalyptus leucophloia Indigofera subsp. leucophloia and Hakea chordophylla, Indigofera Mid slope of sp. Corymbia hamersleyana low sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van low rises on Bungaroo open woodland over Acacia Leeuwen 4301), Senna RL1317, Rocklea Creek (S. ElAeTw exilis, A. bivenosa and artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Excellent 234.26 3.20 land system van Senna glutinosa subsp. pruinosa, RL1337 A. synchronicia mid open (basalt Leeuwen Senna glutinosa subsp. x shrubland over Triodia substrate) 4301) luerssenii wiseana mid hummock (P3) grassland

Vegetation type ElAeTw was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey and confirmed by floristic analysis. Floristically it was not closely related to any other vegetation type.

Quadrat photo: RL1337

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Table 21: Vegetation type ElTlSg

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. Bulbostylis barbata, Capparis leucophloia low open woodland lasiantha, Eriachne pulchella over Triodia longiceps and subsp. dominii, Fimbristylis T. wiseana mid hummock RL1315, dichotoma, Maireana ?georgei, Lower-mid ElTlSg grassland with Senna glutinosa RL1331, Excellent None 643.18 8.78 Ptilotus nobilis subsp. nobilis, slopes subsp. glutinosa, S. glutinosa RL1333 Sclerolaena densiflora, subsp. pruinosa, S. glutinosa Sclerolaena eriacantha, subsp. x luerssenii mid isolated Templetonia egena, Triodia epactia shrubs

Vegetation type ElTlSg was identified as a discrete vegetation type during the field survey. Floristic analysis resulted in two of the three characteristic quadrats being grouped together within the dendrogram, however the third quadrat (RL1315) was not within the group and was interpreted to belong to this vegetation type because of the dominant and characteristic species.

The ground stratum species Triodia longiceps was characteristic, as were the suite of Senna spp. in the mid stratum; other mid stratum shrubs, where they sparsely occurred, were not consistent species.

Quadrat photo: RL1331

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Table 22: Vegetation type ElTwSg

PROPORTION OTHER TYPICAL AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY SPECIES (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia aptaneura, Acacia Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. maitlandii, Capparis leucophloia low open woodland over lasiantha, Cymbopogon Triodia wiseana and T. epactia mid ambiguus, Eriachne RL1306, Ptilotus hummock grassland with Senna Upper slope 705. ElTwSg mucronata, Goodenia RL1307, Excellent subspinescens 9.63 glutinosa subsp. glutinosa, and crests 36 muelleriana, Goodenia RL1312 (P3) S. glutinosa subsp. pruinosa and stobbsiana, Hakea Acacia marramamba mid isolated chordophylla, Ptilotus shrubs calostachyus

Vegetation type ElTwSg was identified as a discrete vegetation type during the field survey, however this was not confirmed by floristic analysis with only two of the definitive quadrats being closely spaced within the dendrogram. These two quadrats were floristically most similar to vegetation type AeTwEl that occurred on mesa crests. The outlier quadrat (RL1312) was also most similar to others representing AeTwEl that were also widely spaced within the dendrogram.

The Triodia spp. were not consistent in terms of which of the two species was dominant in any particular area.

Quadrat photo: RL1312

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Table 23: Vegetation type Em

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Oldenlandia Flat valley sp. floor, Eremophila maculata subsp. Astrebla sp., Brachyachne Hamersley depressions brevifolia, Sida fibulifera and convergens, Sida laevis, RL1327, Station Em (clay soil with Very Good 32.67 0.45 Eragrostis xerophila low Sporobolus australasicus, RL1338 (A.A. basalt, shrubland/grassland Triodia longiceps Mitchell calcrete, quartz PRP 1479) or ironstone) (P3)

Vegetation type Em was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey; this was confirmed by the floristic analysis in which the quadrats defining Em formed a discrete group not closely associated with any other quadrats.

This vegetation type consisted only of ground stratum species, with no upper or mid strata. Eremophila maculata subsp. brevifolia characterised this vegetation type.

Quadrat photo: RL1327

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Table 24: Vegetation type EsMeTl

PROPORTION OTHER TYPICAL AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY SPECIES (HA) AREA (%)

Eucalyptus socialis subsp. Acacia bivenosa, Acacia Flat valley eucentrica and E. leucophloia synchronicia, Jasminum floor with subsp. leucophloia low open didymum subsp. lineare, quartz Ptilotus woodland over Melaleuca RL1309, EsMeTl Sclerolaena eriacantha, stones, Excellent subspinescens 523.93 7.15 eleuterostachya, Acacia exilis mid RL1336 Senna glutinosa subsp. x sometimes (P3) sparse shrubland over Triodia luerssenii, Sporobolus also with longiceps, T. wiseana mid hummock australasicus calcrete grassland

Vegetation type EsMeTl was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey however the two quadrats comprising this vegetation type were not closely related within the floristic analysis dendrogram (there was a wide floristic separation despite the quadrats being sequential). Within the dendrogram, vegetation type EsMeTl occurred within a broad group of valley floor, and lower to mid slope vegetation types.

Melaleuca eleuterostachya is the most characteristic species although Eucalyptus socialis subsp. eucentrica is also characteristic but at times sparsely spaced. The quartz substrate is characteristic of the associated landform.

Quadrat photo: RL1309

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Table 25: Vegetation type EvAcTt

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%) Acacia bivenosa, Acacia coriacea subsp. pendens, Alternanthera nana, Boerhavia coccinea, Capparis lasiantha, Convolvulus remotus, Dodonaea Eucalyptus victrix and lanceolata var. lanceolata, Indigofera E. camaldulensis var. refulgens Enneapogon lindleyanus, sp. mid woodland over Acacia Eragrostis cumingii, Eulalia Bungaroo citrinoviridis, Gossypium robinsonii aurea, Glycine canescens, RL1302, Drainage Creek (S. EvAcTt and Acacia pyrifolia var. pyrifolia Gossypium sturtianum var. Very Good 145.60 1.99 RL1310 lines van tall shrubland over Themeda sturtianum, Hybanthus Leeuwen triandra, Eulalia aurea and aurantiacus, Indigofera sp. 4301) Enteropogon ramosus mid tussock Bungaroo Creek (S. van (P3) grassland Leeuwen 4301), *Malvastrum americanum, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis, Pluchea rubelliflora, Stylobasium spathulatum, Triodia epactia, Waltheria indica

Vegetation type EvAcTt was identified as being a distinct vegetation type during the field survey and confirmed as such by the floristic analysis. Vegetation type EvAcTt is most floristically similar to vegetation type AcAlTt, with which it shares characteristic species and its association with drainage lines.

EvAcTt is associated with the largest drainage lines within the survey area. Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. refulgens occurred sporadically within the vegetation type.

Quadrat photo: RL1302

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Table 26: Vegetation type ExElTt

PROPORTION AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE OTHER TYPICAL SPECIES QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY (HA) AREA (%)

Capparis lasiantha, Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi, Eucalyptus xerothermica, Acacia Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. aptaneura and A. citrinoviridis low leucophloia, Eulalia aurea, open woodland over Eremophila Goodenia stellata, Gossypium longifolia, Acacia bivenosa and Goodenia australe (Burrup Peninsula form), RL1330, Depression Very Good - ExElTt Acacia ancistrocarpa tall sparse nuda 43.54 0.59 *Malvastrum americanum, RL1334 (valley) Excellent shrubland over Themeda triandra, (P4) Ptilotus obovatus, Senna Chrysopogon fallax and artemisioides subsp. oligophylla, Dichanthium fecundum mid closed Sida fibulifera, Sida sp. spiciform tussock grassland panicles (E. Leyland s.n. 14/8/90)

Vegetation type ExElTt was identified during the field survey and confirmed as a discrete vegetation type by the floristic analysis.

Vegetation type ExElTt is characterised by the generally dense tussock grass ground stratum and Eucalyptus xerothermica and Acacia aptaneura in the upper stratum (for both species), although Acacia aptaneura may also be a shrub in the mid stratum.

Quadrat photo: RL1330

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Table 27: Vegetation type TwElAs

PROPORTION OTHER TYPICAL AREA CODE VEGETATION TYPE QUADRATS LANDFORM CONDITION PF OF SURVEY SPECIES (HA) AREA (%)

Acacia atkinsiana, Hibiscus Triodia wiseana and T. longiceps coatesii, Hibiscus sturtii var. mid hummock grassland with shrubs campylochlamys, Maireana Valley floors Ptilotus Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. RL1320, TwElAs ?georgei, Maireana and lower Excellent subspinescens 249.49 3.41 leucophloia low isolated trees and RL1326 melanocoma, Sclerolaena slopes (P3) Acacia synchronicia and densiflora, Stylobasium A. bivenosa mid isolated shrubs spathulatum

Vegetation type TwElAs was identified as a distinct vegetation type during the field survey but not confirmed by the floristic analysis. Within the dendrogram, vegetation type TwElAs occurred within a broad group of valley floor and lower to mid slope vegetation types.

Vegetation type TwElAs was characterised by a very sparse upper and mid stratum. Vegetation type EsMeTl also occurred in small patches that were too small to be mapped, within the area mapped as vegetation type TwElAs.

Quadrat photo: RL1320

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4.2.2 Conservation Significance of Vegetation Types

4.2.2.1 Threatened or Priority Ecological Communities

No vegetation assessed as being or likely to be considered as a TEC or PEC was recorded from the survey area nor is development of the survey area likely to impact on known TEC or PECs.

The nearest TEC (the vulnerable ‘Themeda grasslands on cracking clays (Hamersley Station, Pilbara)’ and PEC (P1 ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range) are approximately 8.5 km and 6 km to the north respectively (Biota Environmental Sciences & DEC 2012).

4.2.2.2 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

Eucalyptus camaldulensis-dominated vegetation

Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens was recorded from vegetation type EvAcTt that occupied 145.6 ha (2% of the survey area). Within this vegetation type, Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens occurred sporadically rather than consistently.

Vegetation type EvAcTt is considered to indicate the presence of a GDE.

Eucalyptus victrix-dominated vegetation

Vegetation that includes Eucalyptus victrix is considered to be potentially characteristic of a GDE. Only vegetation type EvAcTt contained E. victrix; this vegetation type also contains E. camaldulensis subsp. refulgens, thus it indicates the presence of a GDE.

4.2.2.3 Sheet Flow Dependent Communities

No vegetation considered to represent sheet flow dependent communities was recorded from the survey area.

4.2.2.4 Other Measures of Vegetation Type Significance

In Guidance Statement No. 51 (2004), the EPA lists several reasons why vegetation may be considered to be significant in addition to its listing as a TEC or PEC or because the extent is below a minimum threshold (see Section 3.2.1.2).

No vegetation recorded from the survey area meets any of the criteria listed in Guidance Statement No. 51.

The local and regional significance of vegetation is discussed in Sections Error! Reference source not found. and 5.2.5.

4.2.2.5 Vegetation Types and Land System Representation

Table 28 shows the vegetation types within the survey area and the land systems on which they occur.

Table 28: Land systems and vegetation type extents

LAND SYSTEM VEGETATION TYPE AREA (HA) LAND SYSTEM VEGETATION TYPE AREA (HA) Boolgeeda AaAaTw 158.35 Robe ElAeTw 47.53 Rocklea AaAaTw 18.43 Rocklea ElAeTw 186.73 Rocklea AaTwSg 27.97 Boolgeeda ElTlSg 18.42 Boolgeeda AbTw 7.53 Robe ElTlSg 13.87 Robe AbTw 53.77 Rocklea ElTlSg 610.91

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LAND SYSTEM VEGETATION TYPE AREA (HA) LAND SYSTEM VEGETATION TYPE AREA (HA) Rocklea AbTw 41.25 Robe ElTwSg 5.84 Boolgeeda AcAlTt 8.67 Rocklea ElTwSg 699.53 Rocklea AcAlTt 4.10 Boolgeeda Em 0.25 Robe AeTwEl 27.15 Robe Em 10.44 Rocklea AeTwEl 30.84 Rocklea Em 21.98 Robe AiTw 57.52 Boolgeeda EsMeTl 0.51 Rocklea AiTw 3071.10 Robe EsMeTl 53.93 Boolgeeda AkTwEl 105.18 Rocklea EsMeTl 469.46 Robe AkTwEl 103.06 Boolgeeda EvAcTt 6.57 Rocklea AkTwEl 10.07 Robe EvAcTt 12.36 Boolgeeda AxSsTw 56.19 Rocklea EvAcTt 126.68 Robe AxSsTw 41.92 Boolgeeda ExElTt 27.38 Rocklea AxSsTw 141.64 Rocklea ExElTt 16.15 Boolgeeda EgAaTw 370.53 Boolgeeda TwElAs 22.71 Robe EgAaTw 208.33 Robe TwElAs 101.12 Rocklea EgAaTw 65.33 Rocklea TwElAs 125.67 Rocklea ElAaTm 52.73 Boolgeeda ElAbCf 15.79 Robe ElAbCf 10.55 Rocklea ElAbCf 56.96

4.2.3 Vegetation Condition

The extents and proportion of each vegetation condition rating category (using the Trudgen (1991) scale) is shown in Table 29. Map 6 shows the vegetation condition of the survey area.

Note that tracks that would have been assessed as being in a Degraded condition occurred at a scale too small for inclusion in the mapping.

Table 29: Vegetation condition of the survey area

VEGETATION EXTENT EXTENT CONDITION QUADRATS (HA) (%) RL1301, RL1304, RL1305, RL1306, RL1307, RL1309, RL1311, RL1312, RL1313, RL1314, RL1315, RL1316, RL1317, RL1318, RL1319, RL1320, RL1321, RL1322, Excellent 6,886.98 94.04 RL1324, RL1325, RL1326, RL1328, RL1330, RL1331, RL1332, RL1333, RL1335, RL1336, RL1337, RL1341, RL1343, RL1344 RL1302, RL1303, RL1308, RL1310, RL1323, RL1327, Very Good 436.00 5.96 RL1329, RL1334, RL1338, RL1339, RL1340, RL1342 Good - n/a n/a Poor - n/a n/a Very Poor - n/a n/a Degraded - n/a n/a

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4.3 SURVEY AREA FLORISTIC ANALYSIS

The dendrogram produced by PATN analysis (Appendix Eight) showed some clear floristic groupings that correspond well with observed vegetation types (defined by dominant and characteristic species) and landforms (including riparian areas and valley floors).

Vegetation types AiTw and Em, in particular, were vegetation types that were clearly defined within the floristics dendrogram. These two vegetation types formed discrete groups at 0.23; the other groups at this level comprised of mixed groups consisting of vegetation types associated with hills and lower slopes, slopes and crests, and drainage lines, floodplains and valley floors.

Interpretation of the vegetation types in relation to the floristic units is discussed in Section 4.2.1.

4.4 ADEQUACY OF SAMPLING

A species accumulation curve is generated to display adequacy of sampling: if the curve has reached (or nearly reached) an asymptote, it is considered likely that most species have been recorded from the survey area. Figure 3 displays the species accumulation curve for the survey area.

300

250

200

150

100

50 Number of Species Number

0 1 11213141 Sample Sites

Figure 3: Species accumulation curve

The species accumulation curve for the survey area (using only quadrat data) suggests that additional quadrats would be required to record all flora species within the survey area. The bootstrap species richness estimate calculates that 310.8 species could be expected to be recorded from the study area. With the addition of opportunistic collections the species total to 301 represents approximately 97% of taxa that would be expected from the survey area. Therefore most flora species are considered to have been recorded from within the survey area.

Adequacy of sampling can also be illustrated by comparing the number of taxa recorded per unit area (km2) from the survey area (i.e. species richness) with the same data from nearby. Figure 4 shows the taxa area plot for the survey area and nearby areas. The references used for this data are listed in Table 30.

The taxa area plot suggests that the species richness of the Rail Link survey area is comparable with other similarly sized survey areas nearby including Fortescue’s Mt Farquhar tenement (Ecoscape 2012d), Nammuldi Expansion West (Biota Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 2010a), Silvergrass West (Biota

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Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 2010b) and Turee Syncline (GHD 2009). This suggests neither high nor low species richness.

Survey adequacy can also be assessed by representation of sample points (quadrats) recorded from within each vegetation type. Of the 19 vegetation types recorded from the survey area, only three were represented by a single quadrat (16%), 10 were represented by two quadrats (53%), four were represented by three quadrats (21%), and one each by four and five quadrats (5% each). The three vegetation types represented by only one quadrat each only represented a combined 1.27% of the survey area. Ecoscape considers the representation of each vegetation type to be adequate to describe the vegetation of the survey area.

900

800 WHRL Channar 700 CPP Delphine EFF 600 Firetail HRAG 500 Kings

Taxa Mesa A/G 400 Mesa A Corridor MF 300 Nammuldi W Nammuldi E 200 S&I Silvergrass 100 Stage A Rail Turee 0 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 WTE Area (km2) WT2

Figure 4: Taxa area plot

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Table 30: Taxa recorded from various Pilbara surveys

LEGEND SURVEY AREA (KM2) TAXA REFERENCE ABBREVIATION (Biota Environmental Sciences Fortescue Stage A Rail Corridor Stage A Rail 700 762 Pty Ltd 2004a) in (Coffey Environments 2010b) (Biota Environmental Sciences West Turner Syncline Phase 2 WT2 223.08 638 2013) Fortescue CPP and regional CPP 1195.44 621 (Ecoscape 2012b) survey area Fortescue Delphine Delphine 527.7 468 (Ecoscape 2013a) Fortescue Solomon and S&I 180 467 (Coffey Environments 2010a) Investigator Project Areas Mesa A Corridor, Warramboo, Mesa A (Biota Environmental Sciences 70.45 437 Yarraloola Corridor Pty Ltd 2006) Fortescue Eliwana Flying Fish EFF 486.44 424 (Ecoscape 2013b) Fortescue Kings Kings 106.45 365 (ENV Australia Pty Ltd 2010) (Biota Environmental Sciences Silvergrass West Silvergrass 21.14 306 Pty Ltd 2010b) Fortescue Mt Farquhar MF 95.64 303 (Ecoscape 2012d) Fortescue Western Hub Rail WHRL 73.23 301 This report Link Turee Syncline Turee 14 296 (GHD 2009) Hardey Resource Area & Gas (Astron Environmental Services HRAG 13.64 295 Pipeline 2012b) (Mattiske 1986) in (Coffey Channar Survey Area Channar 120 288 Environments 2010b) (Biota Environmental Sciences Nammuldi Expansion (West) Nammuldi W 15.53 262 Pty Ltd 2010a) (Biota Environmental Sciences Mesa A & Mesa G Mesa A/G 33 257 Pty Ltd 2005) West Turner Syncline Section (Biota Environmental Sciences WTE 7.78 218 10 Expanded 2011) Fortescue Firetail Firetail 26.7 206 (Ecoscape 2010) (Biota Environmental Sciences Nammuldi Expansion (East) Nammuldi E 0.77 77 Pty Ltd 2010a)

4.5 SURVEY TIMING AND BOTANICAL LIMITATIONS

4.5.1 Field Survey Timing

The field survey was conducted over 10 days from 17-26 June 2013, which is in accordance with the EPA requirement that the field survey is conducted in the season following rain, as outlined in Guidance Statement No. 51 (EPA 2004).

Seasonal conditions in June 2013 were considered by Ecoscape to be average-poor due to low rainfall in the western Pilbara during the preceding summer ‘wet’ season. Figure 5 shows the rainfall 12 months prior to field survey (July 2012 to June 2013) compared with long term mean rainfall (1950 to 2013) at the Wittenoom BoM station (BoM 2013b), located approximately 120 km east of the survey area.

Figure 6 (BoM 2013c) indicates the rainfall of the survey area is considered above average, however due to the lack of summer cyclonic activity, seasonal conditions are considered average. Table 31 summarises any botanical limitations associated with the flora and vegetation survey.

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Figure 5: Rainfall data for Wittenoom BoM station 2012-2013 (BoM 2013b)

WH Rail Link

Figure 6: Western Australian rainfall deciles January-June 2013 (BoM 2013c)

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RESULTS

Table 31: Botanical limitations

CONSTRAINTS (YES/NO): POSSIBLE LIMITATIONS SIGNIFICANT, COMMENT MODERATE OR NEGLIGIBLE The lead botanist has relevant recent experience Competency/experience of the surveying in the Pilbara region, including having been a No constraints consultant conducting the survey lead botanist for surveys in the Hamersley Range area for the previous three years. 301 vascular flora taxa were identified from the survey area. Of these, only eight (representing 2.7% of all taxa) could not be identified to species level due to lack of reproductive material. One unidentified species was Proportion of the flora identified Negligible an Astrebla; it is possible that this may be Astrebla lappacea (P3) however there was no reproductive material available. No others are likely to be currently listed as TF or PF. Ecoscape has recently (in 2011-2013) conducted flora Sources of information No constraints and vegetation surveys to the north, south, east and (historic/recent/or new data) west of the survey area. Due to lack of track access some areas, particularly in the west, were not subject to a detailed survey, Proportion of the task achieved however the areas that have been adequately surveyed and further work that may need indicate that there are unlikely to be any significant flora Negligible to be undertaken/survey or vegetation that has not been identified. intensity/survey completeness Therefore there are negligible constraints in terms of requirement for further survey, survey intensity and survey completeness The field survey was conducted in June, which is ideal for the Pilbara (surveys should be done in the season following rain, April-June). Therefore there are no survey timing constraints. The seasonal conditions preceding the field survey were considered average, with a low abundance of Timing/weather/season/cycle Negligible ephemeral taxa indicating the survey area did not receive significant summer rainfall. Despite this, most flora were identifiable at this time, including conservation significant species thus constraints are considered negligible. The weather during the field survey was rainy, however this provided no constraint. The lead botanist has conducted a number of flora surveys in the vicinity in recent years and is able to Resources (e.g. degree of identify most species in the field. Any species not expertise available for plant No constraints identified in the field were identified with reference to identification) WAH collections or in consultation with Malcolm Trudgen. Remoteness and/or access Negligible See ‘proportion of the task achieved’ above. problems Ecoscape has conducted a number of surveys in the Availability of contextual (e.g. surrounding areas in recent years. Other surveys have bioregional) information for the No constraints been conducted in the vicinity, and the survey reports survey area have been reviewed to provide regional context.

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5.0 DISCUSSION 5.1 FLORA SIGNIFICANCE

There were 301 vascular flora taxa recorded from the survey area. Considering the species accumulation curve results (Figure 3) and opportunistic observations, most taxa would have been recorded during the survey. In an above average flora season it is likely that some additional ephemeral taxa would be present.

The species richness of the survey area, indicated in Figure 4, is comparable with other nearby areas and indicates that the survey adequately describes the flora of the survey area.

The seasonal conditions during the field survey were assessed as being average due to the low seasonal (summer) rainfall prior to the assessment (Figure 5 and Figure 6). However, despite this, the seasonal conditions were considered to represent a negligible constraint in terms of the likely presence of ephemeral flora species and the ability to identify these and grasses that may not have had reproductive material due to seasonal conditions and survey timing.

5.1.1 Conservation Significant Flora

No flora taxa listed as TF under either the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 or Western Australian WC Act 1950 were recorded during the survey.

Three TF species are known from the Pilbara (WAH 1998-2014) Aluta quadrata, Lepidium catapycnon and Thryptomene wittweri, the latter two species were identified by the desktop assessment. All are known from hill slopes, scree slopes, gorges and cliff bases. None have ever been recorded from within the survey area. Aluta quadrata and Thryptomene wittweri have only been recorded from greater than approximately 90 km and 130 km distant respectively (DPaW 2007-2014) and as such are highly unlikely to occur within the survey area. Lepidium catapycnon has been recorded within 15 km of the survey area, thus it may occur if there is suitable habitat. However, based on information available on FloraBase (WAH 1998-2014), the required habitat is taller hills that are not present within the survey area, thus it is unlikely to occur.

Four PF taxa were recorded from the survey area: x three P3 taxa: o Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301), recorded from vegetation types AiTw, ElAeTw and EvAcTt o Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479), recorded from vegetation type Em o Ptilotus subspinescens, recorded from vegetation types AbTw, AiTw, ElTwSg, EsMeTl and TwElAs x one P4 taxon, Goodenia nuda, recorded from vegetation types AkTwEl, ElAbCf and ExElTt. No P1 or P2 taxa were recorded from the survey area.

P3 and P4 taxa are considered as poorly known but not currently threatened (DEC 2011), thus are the conservation significant taxa considered of least concern.

5.1.1.1 Conservation Significant Flora Likelihood Assessment

The conservation significant taxa identified as most likely to occur (‘possible’) within the survey area but not recorded during the field survey are shown in Table 41 (Appendix Nine). The likelihood of these 41 species occurring within the survey area were individually evaluated, using more detailed information and based on Ecoscape experience. The evaluated likelihood is listed in Table 42 (Appendix Nine). Based on this assessment it is considered that eight species could possibly occur in the survey area including

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DISCUSSION

Brachyscome sp. Wanna Munna Flats (S. van Leeuwen 4662) (P1), Pentalepis trichodesmoides subsp. hispida, Vigna sp. central (M.E. Trudgen 1626) (P2), Astrebla lappacea (P3), Iotasperma sessilifolium (P3), Rhagodia sp. Hamersley (M. Trudgen 17794) (P3), Rostellularia adscendens var. latifolia (P3) and Swainsona thompsoniana (P3).

Most of these taxa are known to occur on clay flats. Clay flats, corresponding with vegetation type Em, occupied less than 0.05% of the survey area, thus even if these species do occur, they are likely to occur only within a small proportion of the survey area. The Em vegetation type was extensively searched for conservation significant flora, however most annual species were already dead at the time of survey. Therefore there is a possibility that these species could not be detected at the time of survey.

Pentalepis trichodesmoides subsp. hispida and Rhagodia sp. Hamersley (M. Trudgen 17794) are perennial shrubs that are relatively conspicuous regardless of survey timing . The latter P3 species is associated with Mulga to the east of the survey area (within Fortescue’s Central Pilbara area, Ecoscape 2012b) and is considered of least concern. The former is a P2 species that was observed close to, but not within the survey area. Both of these species have been observed elsewhere by Ecoscape botanists to be sporadic in distributions (i.e. commonly as isolated individual plants). Therefore, considering the size of the study area it is possible that these species may occur at low density.

Pentalepis trichodesmoides subsp. hispida (as a subtaxon) has only recently been described (Orchard & Cross 2012), and is only known from five NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) records. This low number of records may represent a lack of collections; that is until the species review was published there was no reason to consider this easily identifiable species sens. lat. required collection on every occasion it was encountered. The low number of records is also likely to have played a significant role in its listing as a P2 taxon.

Ecoscape identified eight records of Pentalepis trichodesmoides subsp. hispida in the nearby Delphine survey area (Ecoscape 2013a) and six records in the nearby Eliwana and Flying Fish survey area (Ecoscape 2013b), indicating that this taxon is more common than indicated, and may not warrant its listing as a P2 taxon. Within both of these areas, Pentalepis trichodesmoides subsp. hispida was recorded from drainage lines and on the Rocklea land system. The Rocklea land system occupies 5 778 ha of the Western Hub Rail Link survey area, representing 78.9%.

5.1.2 Introduced Species

Ten introduced species were recorded from the survey area (Section 4.1.4). Only one, *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca, is listed as a Declared Pest for the Shire of Ashburton (DAFWA 2013), however there is no requirement for control of C3 species. *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca was observed at a single location as a minor infestation.

*Cenchrus ciliaris frequently occurs as large infestations along drainage lines; although this species was recorded in similar situations, it only occurred at a low cover value (<1%) and did not form large infestations within the survey area.

Except for *Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca, none of the introduced species recorded from the survey area are recognised under the BAM Act 2007 as Declared Pests in the Shire of Ashburton (Government of Western Australia 2007), or as WONS (Weeds Australia 2012b). None on the National Environmental Alert List (DSEWPaC 2012a), listed as Sleeper Weeds (DSEWPaC 2012b), Species Targeted for Eradication (DSEWPaC 2012c) or Target Species for Biological Control (Weeds Australia 2012a).

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DISCUSSION

5.2 VEGETATION SIGNIFICANCE

5.2.1 Vegetation Types

Nineteen vegetation types were recorded from the survey area, listed in Table 32 with the landform within which they occur. Most vegetation types are associated with lower lying areas. The lower-lying areas (valleys and drainage lines) had the greatest diversity of vegetation types.

Table 32: Vegetation types and associated landform

DRAINAGE VALLEY CLAY VALLEY BASALT LANDFORM LINES/ FLOORS AND UPLAND AREA FLOORS UPLANDS ALLUVIAL SOIL FOOTSLOPES AaAaTw AaTwSg AbTw AeTw AcAlTt AkTwEl AiTw ElAaTm Vegetation type ElAbCf AxSsTw Em ElAeTw ElTlSg EvAcTt EgAaTw ElTwSg EsMeTl ExElTt TwElAs

5.2.2 Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities

No vegetation likely to represent any currently known TEC or PEC was recorded from the survey area.

The nearest TEC and PEC are approximately 8-10 km north of the survey area. The Western Hub Rail Link is not likely to impact these communities as drainage from the survey area is via a different tributary of Duck Creek than that of the TEC and PEC (i.e. no downstream impacts).

5.2.3 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

Vegetation considered to be indicative of a GDE (vegetation type EvAcTt, having Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens as a characteristic component) occupied 145.6 ha (2.0% of the survey area). No other vegetation types contain species that are considered to be dependent on groundwater. This vegetation was typically dominated by Eucalyptus victrix (which is considered potentially characteristic of a GDE) with E. camaldulensis subsp. refulgens more sparsely distributed and absent from some sections of the EvAcTt vegetation.

5.2.4 Sheet Flow Dependent Ecosystems

No sheet flow dependent vegetation was recorded from the survey area.

5.2.5 Regional Vegetation Significance

Regional floristic analysis was not undertaken for this project, therefore Land system extents (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004) and pre-European vegetation mapping (Government of Western Australia 2013; Shepherd et al. 2002) have been assessed in order to identify potential regional vegetation significance.

Land systems, which are derived from a combination of topography, soils and vegetation, provide a method of assessing regional significance. Only three land systems correspond with the survey area; the extents of each vegetation type within these are shown in Table 28.

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DISCUSSION

The Robe land system occupies 86,500 ha within the Pilbara bioregion (Payne 2004), of which 748 ha occurs within the survey area. No vegetation types mapped as occurring within the Robe land system are confined to it.

No other land system within the survey area is considered to be poorly represented.

Pre-European vegetation mapping (Government of Western Australia 2013; Shepherd et al. 2002) also provides a regional perspective, and can provide an indication of regional significance. The survey area intersects with two pre-European vegetation associations, both of which occupy less than 1 000 000 ha in the Hamersley (PIL3) subregion (Table 4). Neither have significant proportions of their remaining extent within the survey area (1.14% of vegetation association 29 and 0.72% of vegetation association 567). Additionally, as any proposed works within the survey area is associated with railway infrastructure, the actual clearing footprint is likely to be less than 10% of the total survey area thus any impacts on these poorly represented vegetation associations is unlikely to be insignificant on a regional scale.

5.3 VEGETATION CONDITION

The vegetation condition of the survey area, that was assessed using the adapted Trudgen (1991) Vegetation Condition Scale, varied from Very Good to Excellent. Areas considered to be in Degraded condition were associated with tracks, however most occurred at a scale too small to be mapped.

Overall 94% of the survey area was assessed as being in Excellent condition. The remaining 6% was assessed as being in Very Good condition, with these areas showing some evidence of impacts by grazing animals including trampling and weed invasion. These impacts were almost entirely confined to riparian areas (vegetation types ElAbCf, EvAcTt and ExElTt), Mulga and Acacia xiphophylla vegetation types (AaTwSg and AxSsTw) and clay soil (vegetation type Em). Riparian areas are used by grazing animals (cattle and feral horses and donkeys) for movement and shelter, as well as being preferentially grazed due to presence of grasses more palatable than the Triodia spp. that dominate other areas. Vegetation types AaTwSg and AxSsTw are frequently used for shelter due to the presence of an upper stratum; these and the area supporting vegetation type Em also have a more clay-based soil that is more vulnerable to trampling impacts than the ironstone based soils of other areas.

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DISCUSSION

5.4 SUMMARY CONCLUSION

An assessment of the flora and vegetation of the Western Hub Rail Link survey area was carried out in June 2013. Fourty-four quadrats were established and assessed during the survey. The vegetation of the survey area was mapped employing a combination of field mapping and (using dominant and characteristic species) and floristic analysis (to inform the vegetation types). Vegetation condition was also assessed.

The results of this assessment are concluded below.

Flora

The survey identified: x 301 vascular flora taxa x no TF species x four PF taxa; three P3 (Indigofera sp. Bungaroo Creek (S. van Leeuwen 4301), Oldenlandia sp. Hamersley Station (A.A. Mitchell PRP 1479) and Ptilotus subspinescens) and one P4 (Goodenia nuda) x based on NatureMap (DPaW 2007-2014) records, no taxa are considered to represent significant range extensions x no potentially undescribed (new to science) taxa x 10 introduced species, one of which is a Declared Pest in the Shire of Ashburton (*Argemone ochroleuca subsp. ochroleuca), however neither it nor any of the others are listed on any other weeds register. Vegetation

The survey identified: x 19 vegetation types x no vegetation that is considered to represent any currently described TEC or PEC x GDE vegetation was represented by vegetation type EvAcTt that occupied 145.6 ha (2% of the survey area); this vegetation type had both Eucalyptus camaldulensis subsp. refulgens and E. victrix x no sheet flow dependent vegetation The vegetation condition was assessed as Excellent for 94% of the survey area and Very Good for the remaining 6%.

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