Abridged Threatened Species Nomination Form Styphelia
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Short form Threatened species nomination form (Version Mar 2016) Abridged Threatened Species Nomination Form For nominations 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) Species name (scientific and common name): Styphelia longissima Previously known as Leucopogon sp. ciliate Eneabba (F. Obbens & C. Godden s.n. 3/7/2003) Nomination for (addition, deletion, change): Addition Nominated conservation category and criteria: Critically Endangered: B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(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 7 Nomination summary (to be completed by nominator) Current conservation status Scientific name: Styphelia longissima Previously known as Leucopogon sp. ciliate Eneabba (F. Obbens & C. Godden s.n. 3/7/2003) Common name: None Family name: Ericaceae Fauna Flora Nomination for: Listing Change of status 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) State / Territory 1. WA 22/1/2008 Vulnerable D1+D2 2016 Vulnerable D1 5/4/2017 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v) 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 surveys have been undertaken by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and environmental consultants to the mining tenement holder, Iluka Resources. No additional subpopulations have been discovered. 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: The number of mature individuals was estimated as 300-400 when the subpopulation was partially surveyed in 2003 prior to the last assessed in 2007, and reported as being reasonably healthy. Intensive survey of the existing population (individual plants GPSed) undertaken for Iluka Resources between 2003 and 2007, and reported in 2008, increased the number of mature individuals to 2188, but also made the following observations: Page 2 of 7 “…the relatively small percentage of the population composed of juvenile plants indicates that the population is mature and possibly senescing.” and “The small number of juveniles coupled with the presence of dead and stressed individuals (mature and juvenile) indicates that the population is experiencing stress and is therefore under threat.” With the population estimated to be 2188 individuals, criterion D1 is no longer eligible. However the reports that the population is under stress, and a large number of dead and stressed/very stressed individuals recorded, shows that the species is undergoing continuing decline and now meets criteria for critically endangered. Named as Styphelia longissima on 16/3/2017. 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 B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(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 data to assess (evidence of decline) B. Geographic range EOO and AOO 4km2 (EOO and AOO, number of Known from 1 location locations and evidence of Continuing decline observed and projected in the quality of habitat decline) (hydrology, weeds and past chaining) and number of mature individuals Meets criteria for Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v) C. Small population size and Number of mature individual 2188 decline Continuing decline observed and projected in the number of mature (population size, distribution individuals and evidence of decline) Meets criteria for Endangered C2(a)(ii) D. Very small or restricted Number of mature individual 2188 population Does not meet criteria (population size) E. Quantitative analysis Insufficient data to assess (statistical probability of extinction) Summary of assessment information Page 3 of 7 EOO Calculated to 4km2 based on AOO 4km2 (2x2km grid method). Generation Unknown AOO estimation (0.135km2 using length Area of remnant vegetation 0.135km2. a minimum convex polygon around the mature individuals as actual measure) No. locations 1 Severely fragmented Yes No Unknown No. subpopulations 1 No. mature individuals 2188 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) Mining – the remnant is within an active mining Whole species Low – the protected status of the tenement and prospective for mineral sands. species provides a level of protection to the remnant. Past, current, future Hydrological impacts – mineral sand mining is Whole species High – Mining has occurred to occurring immediately adjacent to the population the south, west and north of the which may be causing local lowering of the water remnant (see figure below) with table. rehabilitation leaving the landscape lower than prior to Past, current, future mining. The potential for a lowering of the water table under the remnant is high. Weeds – the remnant is open sandplain vegetation Whole species Low – while remnant is not that is subject to weeds. further disturbed weed risk is low, but would be a significant Past, current, future issue if the vegetation is burnt. Fire – the remnant is surrounded by cleared land. A Whole species High – recurrent fire will degrade single fire could impact the whole site. the remnant and impact the Regeneration would be dependent on fire frequency mature individuals. and resultant weed infestation. Past, current, future Clearing – the remnant is isolate due to previous Whole species High – clearing would have clearing for agriculture and/or mining. The remnant reduced the size of the was previously chained in preparation for clearing, population, has degraded the but allowed to regrow. existing remnant, and has removed any buffer to the Past current population. Phytophthora dieback – other species of Whole species Moderate – the susceptibility of Leucopogon/Styphelia are susceptible to dieback, this species to Phytophthora is and the species occurs within the dieback risk zone. unknown, and the sandy soil and now raised nature of the Page 4 of 7 Future remnant landscape may reduce the risk from dieback, but it is a potential risk. Rabbits Whole species Low– rabbits not currently Grazing impacts on the establishment of identified as a threat, but have seedlings and thereby limiting natural the potential to impact the recruitment. population if they become Disturbance to plants and roots from rabbit established in the area. diggings. Potential future 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). N/a List current management or research actions, if any, that are being undertaken that benefit the conservation of the species. Monitoring is being carried out at subpopulation to determine plant numbers, condition and impact of threats; Surveys have been undertaken in the region to find new occurrences, but have been unsuccessful; The subpopulation is fenced; The mining company is aware of the population and is protecting it from direct impact. List further recommended management or research actions,