Advice to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on Amendments to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

1. Scientific name (common name) cyanea (Blue Tinsel Lily)

2. Description The Blue Tinsel Lily is a woody perennial herb that grows up to 60cm high and 30cm wide. The flowering season occurs from June to October and the prominent flowers are blue and purple, with red and yellow anthers (the pollen bearing part of the flower). The species reproduces by seed germination after fires.

3. National Context The Blue Tinsel Lily is endemic to Western . It is currently known from only one locality within Torndirrup National Park south of Albany, in southwestern . The species is currently listed as rare under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and is managed as ‘critically endangered’ (according to IUCN criteria) by the Western Australian Government.

4. How judged by TSSC in relation to the EPBC Act criteria. TSSC judges the species to be eligible for listing as critically endangered under the EPBC Act. The justification against the criteria is as follows:

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. The Blue Tinsel Lily was previously thought to be widespread throughout southwest Western Australia, however this was due to misidentification with a similar species, Calectasia narragera. It has now been established that the true Blue Tinsel Lily is known from only one locality within Torndirrup National Park, south of Albany (CALM 2005). The Blue Tinsel Lily was surveyed in January 2002 and the population was found to consist of 2 mature and 10 seedlings. A survey in December 2003 estimated there were approximately 60 mature plants, but by August 2004 the population had declined to approximately 50 mature plants (CALM, 2005). Natural fluctuations in the population over time can be expected and further work would be required to accurately determine the trend in population numbers. Therefore, there is not enough information at this stage to determine an immediate past decline in the number of mature individuals. There are insufficient data available to assess the species against this criterion.

Criterion 2 –Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited. The geographic distribution of the Blue Tinsel Lily is very restricted, occurring in a single location south of Albany in southwestern Western Australia. surveys have been undertaken in the surrounding region over several years, but no other sites containing the Blue Tinsel Lily have been found. Based on the single, known location of the Blue Tinsel Lily, the total area of occupancy is less than 0.02km2 (CALM, 2005). Historically, land clearing may have been one of the main threats to the Blue Tinsel Lily. The single known population now lies within Torndirrup National Park and surveys beyond the Park have not discovered further populations. However, there is little data to indicate whether the species occurred elsewhere before the Park was declared. The site where this species is known to occur is subject to frequent wildfire. Increased numbers of Blue Tinsel Lily seedlings have been recorded after fire, however, overly frequent fires could be detrimental to the species. The Blue Tinsel Lily is a slow growing plant that requires adequate periods of time between fire events for the species to produce enough seed material to allow recruitment post fire. A sufficient fire interval for the development of an adequate seed bank has been estimated to be approximately 14 years. Significant fires burned through the area in 1997 and 2003, although the population was successfully protected from the 2003 fire. Should consecutive frequent fires continue to threaten the single known population of the Blue Tinsel Lily, it is likely that the species could become extinct within a few years if adequate protection measures are not implemented (CALM, 2005). Additional current threats to the species include pressure from kangaroo grazing and disturbance from roadwork activities to mature plants that are located close to roadsides. (CALM 2005). The geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of this species and is very restricted. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as critically endangered under this criterion.

Criterion 3 – The estimated total number of mature individuals is limited to a particular degree and: (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a particular rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival. The total number of individuals is very low, with approximately 50 mature plants occurring at a single location. However, given the population fluctuations that have been observed over recent years, further work is required to accurately determine whether the population is declining. There are insufficient data available to assess the species against this criterion.

Criterion 4 – The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low. The total number of individuals of this species is extremely low, estimated at approximately 50 plants. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as critically endangered under this criterion.

Criterion 5 - Probability of extinction in the wild If consecutive frequent fires continue to threaten the single population of the Blue Tinsel Lily, the species could become extinct within a few years if adequate protection measures are not implemented.

However, as no quantitative analysis of the probability of extinction in the wild in the immediate to medium-term future has been undertaken, there are insufficient data available to assess the species against this criterion.

5. CONCLUSION

The Blue Tinsel Lily is endemic to Western Australia and known from only one locality with approximately 50 plants, occurring south of Albany in southwestern Western Australia. Plant surveys throughout the region have failed to locate any other occurrences of this species. Current threats to the Blue Tinsel Lily are frequent consecutive fires, pressure from kangaroo grazing and disturbance from roadwork activities as mature plants are located close to roadsides.

The species is eligible for listing as critically endangered under criteria 2 and 4.

6. Recommendation TSSC recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by including in the list in the critically endangered category: (Blue Tinsel Lily)

Publications used to assess the nomination CALM (2005) Records held in CALM’s Declared Flora Database and rare flora files. WA Department of Conservation and Land Management.