Myoporum Turbinatum
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Short form Threatened species nomination form (Version Mar 2016) Abridged Threatened Species Nomination Form For nominations/assessments under the Common Assessment Method (CAM) where supporting information is available, but not in a format suitable for demonstrating compliance with the CAM, and assessment against the IUCN Red List threat status. Cover Page (Office use only for Assessment) Species name (scientific and common name): Myoporum turbinatum Nomination for (addition, deletion, change): Deletion Nominated conservation category and criteria: N/A Scientific committee assessment of eligibility against the criteria: This assessment is consistent with the standards set out in Schedule 1, item 2.7 (h) and Yes No 2.8 of the Common Assessment Method Memorandum of Understanding. A. Population size reduction • B. Geographic range • C. Small population size and • decline D. Very small or restricted • population E. Quantitative analysis • Outcome: Scientific committee Meeting date: Scientific committee comments: Recommendation: Ministerial approval: Date of Gazettal/ Legislative effect: Page 1 of 8 Nomination/Proposal summary (to be completed by nominator) Current conservation status Scientific name: Myoporum turbinatum Common name: Salt Myoporum Family name: Scrophulariaceae Fauna Flora Nomination for: Listing Change of status/criteria Delisting 1. Is the species currently on any conservation list, either in a State or Territory, Australia or Internationally? Provide details of the occurrence and listing status for each jurisdiction in the following table 2. Is it present in an Australian jurisdiction, but not listed? State / Territory in Date listed or Listing category i.e. Listing criteria i.e. Jurisdiction which the species assessed (or critically endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) occurs N/A) or ‘none’ International (IUCN Red List) National (EPBC Act) 16 July 2000 Endangered State / Territory 1. WA 1987 Threatened No criteria assigned 2. WA 2001 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v); C2a(i) 3. WA 2015 None Priority 4 Consistent with Schedule 1, item 2.7 (h) and 2.8 of the Common Assessment Method Memorandum of Understanding, it is confirmed that: • this assessment meets the standard of evidence required by the Common Assessment Yes No Method to document the eligibility of the species under the IUCN criteria; Comments: • surveys of the species were adequate to inform the assessment; Yes No Comments: Extensive survey undertaken between 2013 to 2014 located six new populations and six new subpopulations with the number of plants increasing from 171 plants counted in 2004 to 10,393. The range of the species was also extended by 30 km. A new population consisting of approximately 2,500 plants was located in a nature reserve. • the conclusion of the assessment remains current and that any further information that Yes No may have become available since the assessment was completed supports or is consistent with the conclusion of the assessment. Comments: The 2015 assessment remains current . The species previously met CR: B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i) due to the severe fragmentation of populations and continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of habitat and the number of mature individuals. It no longer meets these criteria due to an increase in the number of subpopulations, occurrences in extensive nature reserves, number of plants and its range, including in areas that are not under direct threat. Nominated national conservation status: category and criteria Page 2 of 8 Presumed extinct (EX) Critically endangered (CR) Endangered (EN) Vulnerable (VU) None (least concern) Data Deficient Conservation Dependent What are the IUCN Red List criteria that support the recommended conservation status category? Eligibility against the IUCN Red List criteria (A, B, C, D and E) Provide justification for the nominated conservation status; is the species eligible or ineligible for listing against the five criteria. For delisting, provide details for why the species no longer meets the requirements of the current conservation status. A. Population size reduction • Surveys carried out in 2013-2014 found six new populations and six new (evidence of decline) subpopulations, with the known number of plants increasing from 171 plants counted in 2004 to 10,393 in 2013-14, as a result of increased survey effort. • The species appears to undergo population variation within individual subpopulations in response to recruitment events. In 2014, large numbers of new seedlings were found in areas previously containing low numbers of plants. The fruit is woody and indehiscent, and appears to be long-lived and requires some form of treatment to germinate. It is apparent that the species periodically undergoes a mass recruitment event, possibly after fire, followed by slow decline as the plants age. • The species grows in areas associated with salt lakes which are naturally isolated, and not productive for agriculture. Identified threats to the species are not likely to result in significant longer term population decline. • Insufficient information to assess criteria B. Geographic range • Extensive survey from 2013 to 2014 extended the species range by 30 km. (EOO and AOO, number of A new subpopulation was located in a nature reserve and there is locations and evidence of potential for more subpopulations to be found in the large area of habitat decline) between the currently known eastern and western subpopulation areas. The EEO is approximately 420 km2 and using the 2x2km2 grid system the area of occupancy is 40 km2. • There is no evidence of ongoing decline and the nature of the threats listed for the species are not likely to result in ongoing decline. The biology of the species is for populations to decline and recruit from soil seed sources, with fire frequency in that environment not likely to restrict seed production capacity after fire regeneration. Both locations have subpopulations in nature reserves which are protected, and Location 2 is showing an increase in plant numbers. The species grows in areas associated with salt lakes which are not likely to be developed for agriculture when in private ownership, and no evidence of habitat decline. • Does not meet criteria as no continuing decline observed or projected, and the variation in population size between recruitment events is not placing the species at risk and not considered to be extreme fluctuation under the IUCN criteria C. Small population size and • Further surveys conducted in 2013-2014 increased the total known decline number of mature individuals to 10,393, located on 87 small lakes Page 3 of 8 (population size, distribution comprising 12 subpopulations at 2 locations. and evidence of decline) • Largest subpopulations exceeds 1000 (2500) mature individuals (refer to table at end of nomination form), and several with >1000 seedlings. • No population decline observed or projected. • Does not meet criteria D. Very small or restricted • 10,393 mature individuals. population • Does not meet criteria (population size) E. Quantitative analysis • No data (statistical probability of extinction) Summary of assessment information EOO 420 km2 AOO 40 km2 Generation - length No. locations 2 Severely fragmented Yes No Unknown No. subpopulations 12 No. mature individuals 10,393 Percentage global population within Australia 100 Percentage population decline over 10 years or 3 generations unknown Threats (detail how the species is being impacted) Threat Extent Impact (describe the threat and how it impacts on the (give details of impact on (what is the level of threat to the species. Specify if the threat is past, current or whole species or specific conservation of the species) potential) subpopulations) Refer to table at end. General over vegetation in Low level impact that do not which the species occurs. represent a threat to the Threats are general in nature relating to vegetation conservation of the species. management, and do not represent targeted threats to the species. Management and Recovery Is there a Recovery Plan (RP) or Conservation Management Plan operational for the Yes No species? List all relevant recovery or management plans (including draft, in-preparation, out-of-date, national and State/Territory recovery plans, recovery plans for other species or ecological communities, or other management plans that may benefit or be relevant to the nominated species). • Taylor, H., Butler, R. and Brown, A. (2004) Salt Myoporum (Myoporum turbinatum) Interim Recovery Plan 2004– 2009. Interim Recovery Plan No. 186. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia. • Department of Parks and Wildlife (in prep) Salt Myoporum (Myoporum turbinatum) Draft Interim Recovery Plan 2016–2021. Interim Recovery Plan No. *. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia. List current management or research actions, if any, that are being undertaken that benefit the conservation of the species. Page 4 of 8 • Protect the sites from fire unless required for ecological reasons, and implement early intervention in any wildfires which may threaten the site; • Survey for additional populations. • Liaise with road managers to minimise disturbance to remnant vegetation when maintaining roads; • Installation of markers on road reserves and firebreaks to protect habitat when undertaking maintenance; • Monitor the populations for evidence of rabbits or weed impacts, or changes in plant or site health; List further recommended management or research actions, if any, that would benefit