The Minister deleted this species from the vulnerable category, effective from 14 December 2013 Advice to the Minister for the Environment from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on Amendment to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) 1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee Many species currently listed as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were brought over to the list in 2000 from previous listing processes. In many cases, there is little or no documentation of the rationale for the original listing, and some of these species may not meet the eligibility criteria now required for listing under the EPBC Act. The Committee is engaged in a continuing attempt to ensure that there is adequate documentation available for all listed species, and that the current listing of threatened species is justifiable. Such scrutiny of historic listings will provide greater integrity and credibility to the list, and help to ensure that conservation effort is directed most effectively. In considering possible de-listing of species that may no longer meet (or may never have met) the current eligibility criteria for designation as threatened, it should be noted that the EPBC Act stipulates (at s186 (2A)) that: “The Minister must not delete (whether as a result of a transfer or otherwise) a native species from a particular category unless satisfied that: (a) the native species is no longer eligible to be included in that category: or (b) the inclusion of the native species in that category is not contributing, or will not contribute, to the survival of the native species.” In considering possible de-listings (or any conservation status categorisation) of species, the Committee also notes the desirability of aligning national listing with that of the states, especially for species whose range is entirely restricted to one state. The species under consideration, Tetratheca glandulosa (glandular pink-bell), was brought to the EPBC Act list in 2000, without documentation of eligibility, and there is no listing advice available. It is currently listed as Vulnerable. In the advice here, the Committee seeks to assess whether it meets any of the criteria now used to assess eligibility for listing. Tetratheca glandulosa (glandular pink-bell) 2. Summary of Species Details Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Tetratheca glandulosa (CHAH, 2008) State/ Territory Listing Listed as vulnerable under the New South Wales Threatened Status Species Act 1995. In public submission to the assessment here, the NSW Threatened Species Committee stated that it believed that it remained eligible for listing. Description A spreading shrub that grows to 50 cm high. The flowers are dark pink, and the flowering period is July to November (NSW NPWS, 2000a, 2000b). Distribution Endemic to New South Wales and known from 150 populations. The northern limit is Sampsons Pass, the southern limit is West Pymble, the eastern limit is Ingleside, and the western limit is East Kurrajong (NSW NPWS, 2000a). The glandular pink-bell has a north-south range of 65 km (Hogbin, 2002). Relevant Plants re-sprout from a woody rootstock following fire, and Biology/Ecology observations indicate that at least some populations of this Tetratheca glandulosa (glandular pink-bell) Listing Advice Page 1 of 7 species may be clonal (Brown, 2003; NSW NPWS, 2000a). Juveniles are uncommon, with the majority of plants consisting of re-sprouting adults (NSW NPWS, 2000a). Successful seed set has not been observed in recent studies of some small, isolated populations (Brown, 2003) presumably due to a disruption of pollination services (NSW SC, pers. comm., 2010). Seed set in the field is low and soil-stored seed bank densities are low with no viable soil-stored seed available (NSW SC, pers. comm., 2012). Payne (1998) speculates that the similar species T. juncea is unable to self-pollinate due to the physical characteristics of the plant’s reproductive parts, and that a pollen vector (possibly a species of native bee) is required for successful pollination (NSW NPWS, 2000a). Threats Known Historically, clearing may have eliminated some populations, and caused fragmentation of some remaining populations. Current threats include high frequency fire (NSW NPWS, 2000b), habitat loss due to land clearing (NSW, NPWS 2000a, 2000b) and bushrock removal in the Pittwater area in Sydney (Pittwater Council, 2007). A low level of sexual recruitment is an additional threat to the survival of the species. Potential Potential threats include habitat degradation through fragmentation, fire, urban/agricultural runoff and stormwater and unrestricted access; illegal track creation; weed invasion; and trampling from people, Equus caballus (horses) and vehicles (NSW NPWS, 2000a). 3. Public Consultation The information used in this assessment was made available for public exhibition and comment for 12 months. Two comments were received and have been considered by the Committee. 4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers Not Eligible Criterion element Evidence Reduction in numbers The species has probably suffered some historical decline, but the Committee does not consider that the current rate of decline (i.e. in the last 10 years or three generations) meets this criterion for eligibility (rate of decline of at least 30% over that period). On the basis of current evidence, it is considered that such a rate is also unlikely in the future (10 years or 3 generations). Tetratheca glandulosa (glandular pink-bell) Listing Advice Page 2 of 7 Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Geographic distribution Restricted – The species’ extent of occurrence is 2080 km2 (NSW SC, pers. comm., 2012) and its area of occupancy is AND estimated at 105 km², based on the number of 1 km² grid squares in which the species is thought to occur. This estimate is considered to be of low reliability, as recent ground-truthing at all population sites has not occurred. Geographic distribution No –the geographic distribution is not considered precarious precarious given that the species is known from 150 populations, and occurs in nine national parks that are managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Management Plans, with Fire Management Plans relevant to this species (NSW NPWS, 1992, 1997a, 1997b, 1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 2000c, 2001a, 2001b, 2002, 2005, 2006a, 2006b, 2006c, 2006d, 2006e, 2006f, 200g). Furthermore, this distribution is not considered precarious because it is not likely that all populations will be subjected simultaneously and drastically to any single threat. This criterion relating to precariousness also includes consideration of whether or not populations of the species undergo “extreme” fluctuation. Although populations of this species may vary in numbers according to disturbance regimes, the Committee concludes that such variation is not “extreme”. Therefore the species’ restricted geographic distribution is not considered to be precarious for its survival. Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or substantial rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Insufficient data – It is estimated that there are at least 11 000 individuals mature plants across 150 populations (Hogbin, 2002). However, as the species may be at least partly clonal in AND nature, this may be an overestimate of the number of genetically distinct individuals (NSW SC, pers. comm., 2012). Continued rate of decline The Committee recognises that some past and current threats may have led or be leading to some localised declines. However, the Committee does not consider that the current rate of decline (i.e. in the last 10 years or three generations) meets the criteria for eligibility associated with this criterion (rate of decline of at least 10% over that period). On the basis of current evidence, it is considered that such a rate is unlikely in the future (10 years or 3 generations). Tetratheca glandulosa (glandular pink-bell) Listing Advice Page 3 of 7 OR Total no. of mature Insufficient data – It is estimated that there are at least 11 000 individuals mature plants across 150 populations (Hogbin, 2002). However, as the species is clonal in nature, this may be an AND overestimate of genetically distinct individuals (NSW SC, pers. comm., 2012). Continued decline likely See above AND Geographic distribution No – See Criterion 2 precarious Criterion 4: The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low Not eligible Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature The total population is greater than the threshold value individuals required to meet this criterion (less than 1,000 mature individuals). Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least (a) 50% in the immediate future; or (b) 20% in the near future; or (c) 10% in the medium-term future Not