Hypocalymma Angustifolium Subsp
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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): Hypocalymma angustifolium subsp. Hutt River (S.Patrick 2982) Nomination for (addition, deletion, change): Addition Nominated conservation category and criteria: EN B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) 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: Hypocalymma angustifolium subsp. Hutt River (S.Patrick 2982) Common name: None Family name: Myrtaceae 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? Listing category i.e. State / Territory in Date listed critically Listing criteria i.e. Jurisdiction which the species or assessed endangered or B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) occurs (or N/A) ‘none’ International (IUCN Red List) National (EPBC Act) State/ Territory 1. WA 2010 Vulnerable D2 5/4/2017 Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) 2. 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: Since the previous assessment in 2010, several visits were made to Subpopulation 2, however no plant counts were undertaken. Although no counts have been undertaken at the subpopulations since from 2003 to 2007, their status is not expected to have changed significantly. the conclusion of the assessment remains current and that any further information Yes No that may have become available since the assessment was completed supports or is consistent with the conclusion of the assessment. Comments: Hypocalymma longifolium is listed under the EPBC Act. This species was listed in WA, but in 2009 a taxonomic review determined that part of this species belonged to a new taxon H. angustifolium subsp. Hutt River (S. Patrick 2982). This nomination proposes the assessment and listing of H. angustifolium subsp. Hutt River while still retaining the separate listing of Hypocalymma longifolium as Vulnerable D1 as there are less than 1000 mature individuals, and the population appears stable. Page 2 of 8 H. angustifolium subsp. Hutt River It is not possible to determine whether the total population size of H. angustifolium subsp. Hutt River has increased or declined since the assessment in 2010, as no accurate plant counts have been undertaken. However the habitat within which the subspecies occurs is highly threatened by road and firebreak maintenance, weeds, pigs, water erosion, hydrological changes and fire. This may directly and indirectly contribute to a decline in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat in the subpopulation. Road maintenance, upgrading and subsequent erosion of the reserve at Subpopulation 2 have resulted in damage to individuals. Long term root exposure in the subspecies will likely cause an overall decline in individual numbers. Without ongoing management a projected decline is expected. Meets criteria for Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v). Nominated national conservation status: category and criteria 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 EN: B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) 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 Insufficient information is available to reliably show rate of decline. (evidence of decline) Unable to assess B. Geographic range (B1) EOO <5,000km2. Using Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) the EOO 2 (EOO and AOO, number of is estimated as 500km , which was calculated by drawing a polygon locations and evidence of around the outer most subpopulations. decline) (B2) AOO <500km2. The estimated AOO is 20km2 using the 2km x 2km grid method. (a) Severely fragmented and known from two geographically isolated locations which have no common overriding threat, one in the Yerina Springs/Hutt River area and the other 200km to the southeast in the Arrino area. Subpopulations 2 to 5 within one location are linked by continuous vegetation remnants. (b) Continuing decline observed and projected: (iii) The habitat within which the subspecies occurs is highly threatened by road and firebreak maintenance, weeds, pigs, water erosion, hydrological changes and fire. The large extent of clearing in the Northampton Shire has resulted in increased surface runoff and groundwater recharge. The subspecies occurs in permanently damp springs and swamps along a river, which makes it particularly susceptible to future changes to hydrology and water quality. It is suspected that these impacts may directly and indirectly contribute to a decline in the area, extent and/or quality of habitat in the subpopulations. (v) Road maintenance and upgrade at Subpopulation 2 have resulted in damaged to individuals in the past, with 14 plants destroyed in Page 3 of 8 2007. An increase in water runoff at Subpopulation 2 has resulted in sections of the road reserve eroding away causing root exposure in individuals and probable future road maintenance. Long term root exposure in the subspecies will likely cause an overall decline in individual numbers. Meets criteria for EN: B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) C. Small population size and Known from approximately 13,539 mature individuals. decline Does not meet criterion (population size, distribution and evidence of decline) D. Very small or restricted (D) The subspecies is known from approximately 13,539 mature population individuals in total. (population size) (D2) The number of locations ≤5 Meets criteria for VU:D2 E. Quantitative analysis No information to assess. (statistical probability of extinction) Summary of assessment information EOO 500km2 (MCP) AOO 20km2 (2km x 2km Generation Unknown grid). Extrapolated length area of subpopulations ~0.27km2 No. locations 2 Severely fragmented Yes No Unknown No. subpopulations 5 No. mature individuals 13,539 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 species. (give details of impact on (what is the level of threat to Specify if the threat is past, current or potential) whole species or specific the conservation of the subpopulations) species) Water erosion Subpopulation 2 Severe Water runoff from the road has resulted in sections of the road reserve eroding away, causing root the exposure in the subspecies and many other species. Hydrological changes Whole population Catastrophic Extensive clearing for agriculture in the area is likely to have increased surface runoff and recharge of the groundwater. The subspecies occurs in permanently damp springs and swamps along a Page 4 of 8 river, which are susceptible to waterlogging and an increase in salinity. Future Road and firebreak maintenance Subpopulations 2 and 5 Severe Threats include grading, chemical spraying, construction of drainage channels, and slashing of road and firebreak vegetation. These disturbance events also encourage weed invasion. Individuals at Subpopulation 2 have been damaged during road upgrading in the past. Past, current, future Weeds Subpopulation 2 Catastrophic Weeds, including grasses, melon (Citrullus lanatus), Typha sp. and nightshade (Solanum sp.) are present at Subpopulation 2. Weeds suppress early plant growth by competing for soil moisture, nutrients and light. They also increase the fire hazard. Grading, stock movement, slashing and spraying greatly promote weeds. Current, future Feral pigs Subpopulations 4 and 5, Severe Pigs are having a major impact on the habitat potential to all through digging, trampling and breaking foliage subpopulations while moving through the area. Increased nutrient levels from droppings may occur and result in weed invasion. Current, potential Altered fire regimes