COMMUNITIES FOR COMMUNITIES Issue 11: November 2009

• Alpine Sphagnum Bogs In this issue: • Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland and • The ecological community listing process Associated Grassland • Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania • Finalised Priority Assessment List • Northern and Southern Grasslands of • New listings Queensland and New South Wales • Alpine Sphagnum Bogs • Victorian Grassy Woodlands • Weeping Myall Woodlands • Weeping Myall Woodlands

• Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania In this issue you’ll fi nd more detail on some of these ecological communities, including what they mean • New threatened species listed in 2009 for conservation outcomes. Articles on the others • Technical workshop will follow in the next issue. This issue also contains • Cumberland Plains Woodland updates on some of our current assessments, where you can go for more information on • News from Species Profi le and Threats threatened species and ecological communities, (SPRAT) team and the names of some of recently listed threatened species.

From the Ecological Communities Section The ecological communities listing process 2009 has been a busy year for the Ecological The list of nationally threatened ecological Communities team! communities, along with nationally threatened species is updated annually via a public process The culmination of several assessments of that begins with a call for nominations. Each year prioritised nominations under Australia’s national the Environment Minister, with advice from the environmental law—the Environment Protection and Threatened Species Scientifi c Committee Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)— (the committee), sets a conservation theme for the has led to the Environment Minister announcing the annual nomination round to identify those areas listing of seven new ecological communities so far of Australia’s environment in greatest need of in 2009: protection. ISSN 1834-3481 ISSN © Commonwealth of Australia 2009

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 1 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 1 25/11/2009 3:10:37 PM Once the committee has considered all valid Where to go for more information nominations, a Proposed Priority Assessment List The listing advice for each specifi c ecological (PPAL) of nominated communities is prepared. community is the defi nitive guide to determining Assessments are prioritised based on national whether a patch is part of the listed ecological signifi cance, level of threat, conservation status community. and effi cacy of existing protection measures. The listing advice includes a description and Based on this list, the minister establishes the species lists, and cross-refers to corresponding Finalised Priority Assessment List (FPAL) after state-listed communities and ecological vegetation considering the advice from the committee. Only classes to help identify where the ecological those ecological communities and species that community is present. It also specifi es condition are prioritised go through to assessment and thresholds that outline the minimum requirements consideration for the listing under the national for when a patch should be considered for referral environment law. under the national environment law. The listing follows an extensive assessment In addition, the conservation advice for the process. The assessment is a rigorous scientifi c ecological community outlines some priority actions investigation into the nominated community, which for its future conservation. includes consultation with stakeholders and the general public, and often a technical workshop Both of these documents, as well as a distribution involving experts on the ecological community. map for the ecological community can be accessed from: www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/ The resulting listing and conservation advice publiclookupcommunities.pl produced by the committee for each specifi c ecological community try to capture an accurate Select the Details link against each ecological description of the community, identify its major community of interest, then select View to download threats, and suggest priority actions to avoid or each document. minimise threats. These documents aim to help those who may have the ecological community on Ecological community policy statements their land or are otherwise affected by the listing to Informative brochures (policy statements) about identify it and manage it appropriately. each of the newly listed ecological communities are being developed. Finalised Priority Assessment List for threatened species, ecological communities Each policy statement aims to increase awareness, and key threatening processes explain the reasons for listing; provides advice on how to identify, assess and manage the ecological On 27 August 2009, the minister decided on the community; and highlights the implications of the Finalised Priority Assessment List for species, listing. ecological communities and key threatening processes that were nominated for listing under the national environment law, for the assessment period starting 1 October 2009. This list can be viewed at www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ nominations-fpal.html

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 2 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 2 25/11/2009 3:10:55 PM These policy statements will be available The ecological community occurs in highly in electronic downloadable (PDF) at: fragmented, isolated pockets, in restricted areas www:environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/ of Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and publiclookupcommunities.pl or contact the the Australian Capital Territory. Most (but not all) department to obtain a hard copy booklet. examples of the listed community are within national parks and other conservation areas. Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens The Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community was listed as endangered under the national environment law on 7 January 2009.

On the basis of the available scientifi c evidence, the committee considered that the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community eligible for listing as endangered, as it met the following criteria: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains, looking towards 2) It has a restricted geographic distribution that is Mount Bogong, Victoria. Photo © Arn Tolsma under threat. The nature of its restricted distribution The Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens makes it likely that a threatening process could ecological community can usually be defi ned by cause it to be lost in the near future. the presence or absence of Sphagnum spp., even 3) The decline of functionally important species in though it is not always the dominant genus. The this ecological community is severe and that the ecological community contains several recognised restoration of the community to an intact or near- variants, changing in a predictable progression intact state is not likely to be possible in the near from the hillsides down to the valley fl oor. Bogs future are found in permanently wet areas, such as along 4) The reduction in integrity of the ecological streams, valley edges and valley fl oors, as well as community is severe across its range. on slopes where soils are waterlogged. The key to bog formation is a good supply of groundwater, The Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens and an impeded drainage system that keeps the ecological community is typically found in alpine, water table at or near the surface. Fens are semi- subalpine and montane environments. It is often permanent to permanent pools of water, typically (but not always) above the climatic treeline, which found in the wettest areas along watercourses or can vary depending on topography and local climate on valley fl oors. These conditions generally do not conditions at individual sites. This means that the favour the growth of some sphagnum species, so ecological community also occurs at sites with lower in these locations the listed community tends to be elevations, where local conditions and vegetation dominated by sedges. are equivalent to those of ‘true alpine’ sites. ‘Frost hollows’ and inverted treelines are common.

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 3 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 3 25/11/2009 3:10:58 PM Alpine vegetation is particularly susceptible to Listing the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated change in general, and to more specifi c adverse Fens ecological community helps protect the critical impacts. This is partly due to the restricted growing ecosystem services it provides for major inland season in the alpine and subalpine regions, but also water resources. On the mainland, it includes the very fragile natures of some systems, of which the headwaters of important rivers, such as the the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, which ecological community is just one example. The are vital to many inland cities, towns and industries. biggest threats this community faces are fi re and Inland-fl owing alpine streams provide much of climate change. Other signifi cant threats include the total stream fl ow in the Murray-Darling Basin, exotic weed invasions, grazing and trampling by emphasising that these water resources and the non-native animals, tourism and increased human environment where they originate are of regional infrastructure. Harvesting of sphagnum moss for and national importance. In Tasmania, the alpine use in the horticultural industry is also an issue in and subalpine zones are also the main source for some areas, mainly in Tasmania. many river systems.

The Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens Peat bogs are also highly signifi cant from a ecological community is home to a rich variety of historical conservation perspective, as they fl ora, and provides signifi cant habitat for several contain pollen and charcoal deposits that provide threatened fauna species, including the southern a botanical and climatic timeline dating back corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree). millions of years. This type of geologic record is The ecological community includes sites like the of critical importance in providing a picture of past Ginini Flats Wetland and Blue Lake, which are climatic conditions, which in turn greatly helps us of international signifi cance through their listing understand climate change and its effects. under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Ginini An information guide has been recently published Flats Wetland is also the largest intact bog and fen entitled: Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated community in the Australian Alps. Fens—A nationally threatened ecological community, EPBC Policy Statement 3.16.

The department is distributing the policy statement widely to enable land managers and other stakeholders to use it as a reference and help ensure sustainable management and protection for this endangered community.

The policy statement and links to the listing and conservation advices can be found on the department’s website at: www.environment.gov.au/

The nationally listed endangered southern corroboree frog epbc/publications/alpine-sphagnum-bogs.html (Pseudophryne corroboree) Photo © Steve Wilson Contact offi cer: Ruth Crabb [email protected]

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 4 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 4 25/11/2009 3:11:02 PM Weeping Myall Woodlands The Weeping Myall Woodlands was listed as endangered under the national environment law on 7 January 2009.

The Threatened Species Scientifi c Committee considered that the Weeping Myall Woodlands ecological community was eligible for listing due to the severe decline in its geographic distribution. Threats to the ecological community include clearing, fragmentation, and degradation associated Weeping Myall Woodlands—Chenopod dominated understorey with cropping, weed invasion, overgrazing by feral (south of Narromine New South Wales). Photo © R. Armstrong, and domestic animals, lopping for stock fodder New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and feeding by caterpillars of the bag-shelter moth (Ochrogaster lunifer). The understorey of Weeping Myall Woodlands The Weeping Myall Woodlands occurs on the inland often includes an open layer of shrubs above an alluvial plains west of the Great Dividing Range in open ground layer of grasses and herbs, though the New South Wales and Queensland, though it now ecological community can exist naturally as either only exists as small remnants within this broad a shrubby, or grassy woodland. In many areas, the range. It occurs in the Riverina, New South Wales shrub layer has disappeared through overgrazing South Western Slopes, Darling Riverine Plains, and dieback. The ground layer includes a diversity Brigalow Belt north and south, Murray-Darling of grasses and forbs, with species varying depression, Nandewar and Cobar Peneplain. depending on grazing regimes and rainfall.

The ecological community ranges from open Most areas still in good condition are on lightly- woodlands to woodlands, in which weeping myall grazed, uncropped sites, such as road reserves (Acacia pendula) trees are the dominant overstorey and travelling stock routes and reserves. These species. Other common names for weeping myall remaining areas of structurally intact woodland include myall, boree, balaar, nilyah, bastard gidgee, tend to be relatively small and fragmented due to and silver leaf boree. Although weeping myalls are clearing, thinning, cropping, grazing, and associated often the only tree species in these woodlands, soil erosion and changes to fi re regimes in the other trees can occur in the overstorey of the surrounding landscape. The increasing trend of ecological community. converting intermittent grazing to more intense or set stocking regimes of these areas is of particular concern.

Protecting Weeping Myall Woodlands can benefi t the long-term protection of native biodiversity. Farmers are encouraged to investigate techniques, such as strategic grazing, which allows regeneration and minimises impacts to biodiversity.

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 5 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 5 25/11/2009 3:11:06 PM To accompany the listing and conservation advices, Native grasslands are defi ned as areas of native an information guide has been recently published vegetation dominated by native grasses with few or entitled: Weeping Myall Woodlands—A nationally no emergent woody species. The vegetation of the threatened ecological community, EPBC Policy Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania ecological Statement 3.17. community is mostly limited to a ground layer of grasses and herbs. Large trees and shrubs are The department is distributing the policy statement absent to sparse. widely to enable land managers (for example, farmers) and other stakeholders to use it as a The ecological community is made up of two major reference and help ensure sustainable management sub-types differentiated by the dominant native and protection for this endangered community. tussock-forming perennial grass species: Lowland Poa labillardierei (silver tussock grass) Grassland The policy statement and links to the listing and Lowland Themeda triandra (kangaroo grass) and conservation advices can be found on the Grassland. department’s website at: www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/ Grasses and other herbs dominate Tasmania’s weeping-myall-woodlands.html. lowland native grasslands, which mostly consist of a single dominant species, such as silver tussock Contact offi cer: Anthony Hoffman or kangaroo grass. Despite the dominance of these [email protected] grass species, grasslands can be extremely rich in other plant species. Herbs such as lilies, daisies and Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania orchids often live in between native grass tussocks The Natural Lowland Native Grasslands of in both grassland sub-types. However, the silver Tasmania ecological community was listed as tussock grass sub-type is generally less fl oristically critically endangered under the national environment diverse than the kangaroo grass sub-type. law on 25 June 2009. More than 100 species of plants can be part of the The Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania are ecological community, and more than 35 species a component of the lowland temperate grassland of animals can be found in or near the grasslands. vegetation group that occurs in unconnected Many of these species are endemic or listed as areas throughout south-eastern Australia broadly threatened at the national and/or state level. associated with particular Interim Biogeographic Temperate grasslands are one of the most under- Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) bioregions or represented ecosystems in Australia’s conservation subregions. The ecological community generally estate, and are recognised as one of the most occurs at elevations up to 600 metres above sea threatened vegetation types. The remnant Lowland level in the Tasmanian Midlands, Derwent Valley, Native Grasslands of Tasmania is one of Tasmania’s and on the east coast and south-east of Tasmania. most threatened and fragmented ecosystems, and Localised areas also occur in north-west Tasmania the most depleted vegetation formation in Tasmania. and on Flinders and Cape Barren Islands in Bass More than 83 per cent of the grasslands have Strait. Most of the ecological community is on disappeared since European settlement. private property, while some very small remnants occur along roadsides and in some cemeteries.

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 6 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 6 25/11/2009 3:11:09 PM The Australian Government is aware of concerns about the impact of the listing on some farmers who may have the listed grasslands on their property, and has taken several steps to help these landholders. First, a special hotline number, 1800 704 520 (free call including for mobile phones), is available for potentially affected farmers to discuss their concerns with the department’s Environment Liaison Offi cer, currently stationed with the National Farmers’ Federation. Second, departmental offi cers are available to visit sites and provide information directly to concerned farmers. Offi cers can help farmers determine whether the ecological community is present on their property, whether a proposed activity is exempt or is likely to have a signifi cant impact and, if so, help with the referral and approval process.

New information sessions on the national environment law are also planned to start in the

Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland. Photo © Tori Wright Midlands region in November. In addition, the department has produced two The Lowland Native Grasslands of Tasmania information guides to supplement the listing and ecological community was listed as critically conservation advices published at the time of endangered because of its severe decline, and the listing in June 2009. The guides are being widely substantial rate of continuing detrimental change. It distributed via email, post and hand-out. They aim also has a very restricted geographic distribution (as to increase awareness of the grasslands, provide indicated by very small patch sizes), and is subject advice on how to identify, assess and manage the to signifi cant ongoing threat. Fragmentation, weed ecological community and highlight implications invasion and loss of species diversity has also led under the national environment law. The fi rst is a to a severe reduction in the community’s integrity, question and answer guide specifi cally for farmers— and as a result reduced its capacity to maintain Farming and Nationally Protected Lowland Native ecosystem functions Grasslands of Tasmania. The second is a booklet The reasons for listing are set out in the listing with additional details and photos of the grasslands advice, which is always the defi nitive guide to and key species—Lowland Native Grasslands of determining whether a patch of vegetation is Tasmania, EPBC Policy Statement 3.18. The booklet part of the listed ecological community. The is particularly useful for land mangers with an active listing advice and indicative species lists for the interest in protecting grasslands biodiversity. The ecological community is at: www.environment. guides provide references, weblinks and phone gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity. numbers for additional information and answers to pl?id=74&status=Critically%20Endangered further questions.

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright) Tasmanian devil (Alexander Dudley) | 7 Cumberland Plains Woodland (Penny Watson)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 7 25/11/2009 3:11:12 PM The guides are available online, including at: Rexea solandri (gemfi sh) (eastern population) Conservation dependant EPBC Act news page: Thelymitra cyanapicata (blue-topped (dark- Critically www.environment.gov.au/epbc/ tipped) sun-orchid) endangered Thelymitra sp. Kangaloon (D.L. Jones 18108) Critically EPBC Act information specifi cally for farmers is at: Vic. herbarium (Kangaloon sun orchid) endangered www.environment.gov.au/epbc/information/farmers. Five Norfolk Island snails: Advena campbellii Critically html campbellii, Mathewsoconcha grayi ms, endangered Mathewsoconcha suteri, Mathewsoconcha Contact offi cer: Tori Wright phillipii, Quintalia stoddartii [email protected] Four Lord Howe Island snails: Gudeoconcha Critically sophiae magnifi ca ms, endangered Mystivagor mastersi, Pseudocharopa lidgbirdi, Pseudocharopa whiteleggei New threatened species listings Engaewa pseudoreducta (Margaret River Critically The Species Listing Section has also had a very burrowing crayfi sh) endangered busy year, with 26 species listed since our last Engaewa reducta (Dunsborough burrowing Critically crayfi sh) endangered edition in October 2008. Engaewa walpolea (Walpole burrowing endangered Along with the species mentioned below, the crayfi sh) Sarcophilus harrisii (Tasmanian devil) Uplisted from Species Listing team has also had decisions on 42 vulnerable to species through Species Information Partnerships endangered with state and territory governments. This included Listing and conservation advices for the species 24 species endemic to Western Australia, 17 mentioned above can be downloaded from: species endemic to Tasmania and 1 species www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl endemic to Victoria. The conservation advice provides guidance on Species Listed as immediate recovery and threat abatement activities Caladenia sp. Brentwood (R.J. Bates 53510) Critically SA herbarium (an orchid) endangered that can be undertaken to ensure the conservation Cassinia tegulata (a shrub) Critically of the species. endangered Contact offi cer: Carly Rickerby, Species Listing Conilurus penicillatus (brush-tailed rabbit-rat) Vulnerable Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtle) Uplisted from Section, DEWHA vulnerable to [email protected] endangered Galeorhinus galeus (school shark) Conservation dependant Technical workshop for the uplisting of Hibbertia sp. Bankstown (R.T. Miller & C.P. Critically Cumberland Plain Woodlands Gibson s.n. 18/10/06) endangered Cumberland Plain Woodlands are currently listed Hoplogonus bornemisszai (Bornemissza’s Critically stag beetle) endangered as endangered under the national environmental Notelaea ipsviciensis (cooneana olive) Critically law; however, a nomination was received in 2007 endangered to uplist the ecological community to critically Phebalium distans (a small tree) Critically endangered endangered. Reedia spathacea (a sedge) Critically endangered

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Tasmanian devil (Alexander Dudley) | 8 Cumberland Plains Woodland (Matt White)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 8 25/11/2009 3:11:23 PM Scientists and others with expertise in the inform the technical discussions. For example, the Cumberland Plain Woodlands ecological community Mt Annan Botanic Garden showed good examples attended a two-day workshop earlier this year at of high quality Cumberland Plain Woodlands Mt Annan Botanic Garden, Sydney to discuss the remnants, as well as those threatened by invasion nomination. of African olive. Other sites showed remnants with high plant diversity in areas of potential future urban Workshops are an important step in the development. department’s assessment of new nominations, and are used to develop a clear national description of We were encouraged by the involvement of experts the ecological community. This workshop was also and New South Wales Government offi cers in the an opportunity to update the description and provide workshop. Their input provided valuable technical more information in the listing advice compared to knowledge of the ecological community, and will the current listing. help improve consistency with New South Wales listings and mapping. We thank them for their Workshop participants were asked to identify what participation in the workshop and listing process. contributes to the uniqueness of the nominated ecological community. Questions included where The workshop and other consultation helped inform are Cumberland Plain Woodlands found? What the Threatened Species Scientifi c Committee’s are the physical attributes of areas where this advice to the minister. We should be able to vegetation is found: the landscape, geology, soils, announce the outcome of the minister’s decision on rainfall, altitude? What are the biological attributes: the Cumberland Plain Woodlands in our next edition the vegetation structure (height and density), of Communities for Communities. fl oristics of the canopy and understorey layers, as Contact offi cer: Mark Bourne well as the main tree species associations? [email protected] Once the key diagnostic features of the ecological community have been identifi ed, condition classes The Species Profi le and Threats website can be determined. Thresholds of condition identify (SPRAT) areas of the ecological community that have a The Australian Government’s Species Profi le and similar conservation value, or act as a measure of Threats (SPRAT) website is the online tool to use the extent to which different levels of degradation to fi nd all you need to know about listed threatened take the community away from its best quality- species and ecological communities. defi ned identity. Factors used in determining condition classes include numbers, types and Ever wondered which weeds are most prevalent spread of native plants present; the level of weed in Mabi Forest? Or had questions on the life cycle invasion; and the size of an area. Signifi cantly of the large-fruit fi reweed? Or how many endemic degraded areas—that is, areas that don’t meet invertebrate species are known to occur in Great the condition thresholds—will not be part of the Artesian Basin discharge spring wetlands? ecological community.

During the workshop, participants visited several Cumberland Plain Woodlands remnants near Mt Annan and Camden, viewing the vegetation to help

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern corroboree frog (Steve Wilson) | 9 Cumberland Plains Woodland (Penny Watson)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 9 25/11/2009 3:11:31 PM With profi les for more than 580 plant and animal Links to ecological community profi les are at: species and 10 ecological communities you’re likely www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/ to fi nd what you’re looking for on the Australian publiclookupcommunities.pl Government’s SPRAT website at www.environment. And species profi les can be searched at: gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl. www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl The website provides free, easily accessible The development of the SPRAT website is ongoing. information on threatened species and ecological Some species and ecological communities do not communities listed under the national environment yet have completed profi les. If you have any relevant law. The SPRAT website uses information from information that could help improve SPRAT, or any scientists, universities, conservation organisations, questions or feedback, please email consultants and the public to develop profi les. It [email protected]. aims to maintain profi les with recent information from scientifi c journals, surveys and management Who’s who in the Ecological Communities documents. Section The website’s target is to have up-to-date profi les Director: Matthew White for all 2200 threatened species and 40 ecological Assistant Directors: Gina Newton, John Vranjic, communities in Australia. Profi les that have been Tori Wright recently updated include: Project Offi cers: • a text profi le covering population, biological and Paul Barraclough, Collette Barton, Ramone Bisset, conservation information Mark Bourne, Ruth Crabb, Anthony Hoffman • a preview map indication distribution • links to relevant Australian Government Media enquiries documents. Please direct all media enquiries to the Public Some recently updated profi les include: Affairs Section:

• The community of native species dependent on GPO Box 787 natural discharge of groundwater from the Great Canberra ACT 2601 Artesian Basin Phone: +61 2 6275 9248 • Mabi Forest Fax: +61 2 6274 1094 • Natural Temperate Grassland of the Southern [email protected] Tablelands of New South Wales and the To stay informed of decisions, to view listings and Australian Capital Territory conservation advices, we encourage you to check • Forest red-tailed black-cockatoo out our website regularly: www.environment.gov.au/ (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) biodiversity/threatened/index.html • Southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) BIO68.1109 • Large-fruit fi reweed (Senecio macrocarpus).

Photos: Bog pools on the northern Bogong High Plains (Arn Tolsma) Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) grassland (Tori Wright) Southern brown bandicoot (Andrew Tatnell) | 10 Silver tussock grass (Poa labillardierei) grassland (Tori Wright)

Communities for communities CS3indd.indd 10 25/11/2009 3:11:34 PM