THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Minister approved this conservation advice and retained this species in the Critically Endangered category, effective from 15 February 2019

Conservation Advice

Oberonia attenuata

Mossman Fairy Orchid

Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Oberonia attenuata Dockrill (CHAH 2018a).

Summary of assessment Conservation status Critically Endangered: Criteria 2 and 3. The highest category for which Oberonia attenuata is eligible to be listed is Critically Endangered. Oberonia attenuata has been found to be eligible for listing under the following categories: Criterion 1: A4(d): Vulnerable Criterion 2: B1ab(v)+2ab(v): Critically Endangered Criterion 3: C2a(ii): Critically Endangered Criterion 4: D: Endangered Species can be listed as threatened under state and territory legislation. For information on the listing status of this species under relevant state or territory legislation, see http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl Reason for conservation assessment by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee The Mossman Fairy Orchid was listed as Extinct under the predecessor to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 and transferred to the EPBC Act in July 2000. On 30 April 2016, the species was transferred from Extinct to Critically Endangered in the list of threatened species as an interim mechanism to ensure the species received immediate protection following its rediscovery. This advice follows assessment of information provided to the Department as part of the process to confirm the status of the Mossman Fairy Orchid, which was previously considered extinct. Public consultation Notice of the proposed amendment and a consultation document was made available for public comment for more than 30 business days between 30 May 2018 and 20 July 2018. Any comments received that were relevant to the survival of the species were considered by the Committee as part of the assessment process.

Species Information Description The Mossman Fairy Orchid, family , is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming small loosely hanging clumps. have 4 to 7 leaves which are scattered along the stem. It is unique among Australian Oberonia species in having long (up to 160 mm) and narrow (4-8 mm) pendulous leaves (Field & Zich 2012). Inflorescences are also pendulous, with the raceme bearing many minute, cream-orange flowers in whorls that change to red-brown flowers with age (CHAH 2018b).

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Distribution The Mossman Fairy Orchid is endemic to Queensland where it is known from one population within Mossman River Gorge in Daintree River National Park. This area is in the Wet Tropics IBRA bioregion (CHAH 2018b). It has a highly restricted known distribution. Specimens of the species were first collected in 1956 near Babinda (CNS 137340.1) (Field 2018b pers comm). The species was first vouchered in 1960 (ALA 2018) and no further vouchers were made until 2015 (ALA 2018). Accurate identification of the species was difficult in the intervening period as there was no original material until the donation of Alick Dockrill’s personal herbarium to the Australian Tropical Herbarium in 2012 (Field 2018b pers comm). Relevant Biology/Ecology The Mossman Fairy Orchid occurs in riparian complex mesophyll vine forest. It has been found hanging as a tufted epiphyte growing on rheophytic Xanthostemon chrysanthus (CHAH 2018b). Plants occur in the sub-canopy and stems of small trees and the lower branches from about 0.5 m to 4 m above the ground (Field 2018b pers comm). In Australia, the Mossman Fairy Orchid is known from a single population of about 200 plants. This is based on direct observations of the population; however, given the clumping habit of the species, it is difficult to ascertain true numbers (Field 2017 pers comm). Seedling plants occur in the same vicinity as the adult plants (Field 2018b pers comm). It is estimated only 100 trees have Mossman Fairy Orchid epiphytes on them (Field 2017 pers comm). Sexual maturity appears to be quite rapid as plants originally observed as seedlings were found to be sexually mature a few years later. Observations of establishment and time to maturity are needed to confirm the timeframe involved (Field 2018b pers comm). Threats Threats to the Mossman Fairy Orchid include invasive species, illegal collection and site disturbance (see Table 1). Table 1 – Threats impacting the Mossman Fairy Orchid in approximate order of severity of risk, based on available evidence

Threat factor Threat type Evidence base and status Gathering terrestrial plants Illegal collection Known current Illegal collection potentially affects the species (AG 2016): at least 20 plants have been observed taken since the rediscovery of the species in 2015 (Field 2018a pers comm). Invasive species Invasive weeds Potential current Invasive weeds (e.g. Miconia spp.) potentially affect the species (AG 2016), however, there is no referenced study to assess the impact. Invasive exotic vines which climb on trees could also be a threatening process, but have not been observed at the population. Human intrusions and disturbance Site disturbance Potential current Site disturbance potentially affects the species (AG 2016), however, there is no referenced study to assess the impact. Climate change and severe weather Changes in Potential current Habitat shifting as a result of climate change potentially habitat affects the species, however, there is no referenced suitability study to assess the impact.

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Storms and Potential current Severe tropical storms potentially affect the species and flooding its habitat, through tree collapse and degradation of forest structure (Turton 2008).

Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations

Criterion 1. Population size reduction (reduction in total numbers) Population reduction (measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations) based on any of A1 to A4 Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Very severe reduction Severe reduction Substantial reduction A1 ≥ 90% ≥ 70% ≥ 50% A2, A3, A4 ≥ 80% ≥ 50% ≥ 30% A1 Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred or suspected in the past and the causes of the reduction (a) direct observation [ except A3 ] are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased. A2 Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred (b) an index of abundance appropriate to or suspected in the past where the causes of the the taxon reduction may not have ceased OR may not be based understood OR may not be reversible. (c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent on any of occurrence and/or quality of habitat A3 Population reduction, projected or suspected to be of the met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) [(a) followin cannot be used for A3 ] (d) actual or potential levels of exploitation A4 An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or (e) the effects of introduced taxa, suspected population reduction where the time period hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, must include both the past and the future (up to a competitors or parasites max. of 100 years in future), and where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible.

Evidence: Eligible under Criterion 1 A4(d) for listing as Vulnerable There are insufficient data to assess the eligibility of the Mossman Fairy Orchid against this Criterion. No long term monitoring of the species has been undertaken: the species was rediscovered in 2015 (CHAH 2018b). In the 3 year period following rediscovery of the species in 2015, 20 plants have been observed as illegally taken from the population (Field 2018a pers comm), which equates to a 10% decline in the population over a period that is likely to be less than 3 generation lengths. Further plants were subsequently observed to be missing (Field 2018b pers comm). It is therefore feasible that declines may exceed 30% over 3 generations if the threat of illegal collection continues to operate. The Committee considers the species will have a substantial reduction in numbers over a 3 generation length period from 2015 onwards, equivalent to at least 30 percent of the population. Therefore, the species has met the relevant elements of Criterion 1 to make it eligible for listing as Vulnerable. Criterion 2. Geographic distribution as indicators for either extent of occurrence AND/OR area of occupancy Critically Endangered Vulnerable Endangered Restricted Limited Very restricted B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO) < 100 km 2 < 5,000 km 2 < 20,000 km 2 B2. Area of occupancy (AOO) < 10 km 2 < 500 km 2 < 2,000 km 2 AND at least 2 of the following 3 conditions indicating distribution is precarious for survival: (a) Severely fragmented OR Number = 1 ≤ 5 ≤ 10 of locations

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(b) Continuing decline observed, estimated, inferred or projected in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals (c) Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or subpopulations;( iv) number of mature individuals Evidence: Eligible under Criterion 2 B1ab(v)+2ab(v) for listing as Critically Endangered In Australia, the single known population of the Mossman Fairy Orchid has an extent of occurrence of less than 4 km 2 and an area of occupancy of 4 km 2. These figures are inferred from data associated with herbarium records. The area of occupancy was calculated using the 2x2 km grid cell method (DoEE 2017). The Mossman Fairy Orchid is very rare: it was considered extinct in Australia until being rediscovered in 2015 and it is known from an area that is 150 m long and 50 m wide (Field 2017 pers comm). The species’ distribution is not severely fragmented. It is known from one population in extensive remnant habitat. The species is known to occur at one location in Australia (CHAH 2018b). The Mossman Fairy Orchid is threatened by invasive weeds, illegal collection and site disturbance (AG 2016). Although evidence of how these threats may be impacting the species is limited, given the rarity of the species, illegal collection is a high risk threat to the species. As such, the species projected to have a continuing decline in its number of mature individuals. There is no evidence of extreme fluctuations of distribution or abundance of the species. The Committee considers that the species’ extent of occurrence and area of occupancy is very restricted, and the geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species because its number of locations is limited, and continuing decline in number of individuals is projected based on the threat of illegal collection. Therefore, the species has met the relevant elements of Criterion 2 to make it eligible for listing as Critically Endangered.

Criterion 3. Population size and decline

Critically Endangered Vulnerable Endangered Low Limited Very low Estimated number of mature individuals < 250 < 2,500 < 10,000 AND either (C1) or (C2) is true C1 An observed, estimated or projected Very high rate High rate Substantial rate continuing decline of at least (up to 25% in 3 years or 1 20% in 5 years or 2 10% in 10 years or 3 a max. of 100 years in future) generation generation generations (whichever is longer) (whichever is (whichever is longer) longer) C2 An observed, estimated, projected or inferred continuing decline AND its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival based on at least 1 of the following 3 conditions: (i) Number of mature individuals in ≤ 50 ≤ 250 ≤ 1,000 each subpopulation (a) (ii) % of mature individuals in one 90 – 100% 95 – 100% 100% subpopulation = (b) Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals

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Evidence: Eligible under Criterion 3 C2a(ii) for listing as Critically Endangered Information provided in Criteria 1 and 2 indicates that the species is projected to undergo continuing decline in the number of mature individuals. There are less than 250 individuals in the single population and 100% of mature individuals occur in the single population. There is no evidence of extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals of the species. The Committee considers that the estimated total number of mature individuals of this species is very low, with a projected continuing decline and that all mature individuals occur in a single population. Therefore, the species has met the relevant elements of Criterion 3 to make it eligible for listing as Critically Endangered.

Criterion 4. Number of mature individuals

Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Extremely low Very Low Low (Medium-term future) 1

Number of mature individuals < 50 < 250 < 1,000

D2 1 Only applies to the Vulnerable category Restricted area of occupancy or number of D2. Typically: area of locations with a plausible future threat that - - occupancy < 20 km 2 or could drive the species to critically number of locations ≤ 5 endangered or Extinct in a very short time

1 The IUCN Red List Criterion D allows for species to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion D2. The corresponding Criterion 4 in the EPBC Regulations does not currently include the provision for listing a species under D2. As such, a species cannot currently be listed under the EPBC Act under Criterion D2 only. However, assessments may include information relevant to D2. This information will not be considered by the Committee in making its recommendation of the species’ eligibility for listing under the EPBC Act, but may assist other jurisdictions to adopt the assessment outcome under the common assessment method . Evidence: Eligible under Criterion 4 for listing as Endangered Evidence presented in Criterion 3 indicates that the species has a very low number of mature individuals. Given that the species is eligible for listing as Endangered in this Criterion, consideration of Criterion D2 is unnecessary. The Committee considers that the total number of mature individuals is 200 which is very low. Therefore, the species has met the relevant elements of Criterion 4 to make it eligible for listing as Endangered.

Criterion 5. Quantitative Analysis

Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Immediate future Near future Medium-term future ≥ 5 0% in 10 years or ≥ 2 0% in 20 years or Indicating the probability of extinction in 3 generations, 5 generations, ≥ 10% in 100 years the wild to be: whichever is longer whichever is longer (100 years max.) (100 years max.) Evidence: Insufficient data to determine eligibility Population viability analysis has not been undertaken.

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Adequacy of survey For this assessment it is considered that the survey effort has been adequate and there is sufficient scientific evidence to support the assessment outcome.

Conservation Actions Recovery Plan A Recovery Plan is not recommended; an approved Conservation Advice for the species provides sufficient direction to implement priority actions, mitigate against key threats and enable recovery. Primary Conservation Actions No loss or destruction of individuals in the known population. Survey for the species in suitable habitat for further populations. Conservation and Management Priorities Stakeholder engagement o Ensure that information (especially location details) and access is managed securely to minimise the risk of illegal collection. o Provide management resources (e.g. information on identification, threats and management) to landholders with likely habitat, especially private landholders. o Ensure land managers are aware of the species’ threatened status and provide protection measures against key and potential threats. Invasive species o Control Miconia spp. infestations. Breeding, propagation and other ex situ recovery action o Establish an off-site conservation collection. o Secure tissue culture at appropriate locations with long term tenure. o Continue development of propagation methods at the Australian Tropical Herbarium. Survey and Monitoring priorities • Design and implement a monitoring program or, if appropriate, support and enhance existing programs. Key data that should be recorded during monitoring includes the impact of threats (impact of weeds and illegal collection) on the species, recruitment and mortality and the health of individual trees where the orchid is located. • Develop habitat suitability models to determine the ecological/environmental indices responsible for the distribution of the Mossman Fairy Orchid, and how it may change due to impending threats. • Using habitat suitability modelling as guidance, undertake surveys in suitable habitat and potential habitat to locate any additional occurrences, including outside of protected areas. Historic sites should be resurveyed. Surveys should be undertaken on private and public land. Sightings of the species should be reported to the Queensland Government WildNet Team via email on [email protected] Information and Research priorities • Investigate options for establishing additional populations. • Assess the species’ ecological requirements relevant to its persistence. Research is required to determine the: • demographics of the species – including abundance, life-span, reproductive age, size- class distribution, mortality and recruitment.

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• feasibility of salvage and translocation of the species, including techniques to maximise translocation success. • Research the effects of public access and site disturbance.

Recommendations (i) The Committee 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: Oberonia attenuata (ii) The Committee recommends that there not be a recovery plan for this species. Threatened Species Scientific Committee 5 September 2018

References cited in the advice AG (Australian Government) (2016). Improving the trajectories of 30 plants by 2020 . Available on the Internet at: http://environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/threatened-species- strategy-action-plan-2015-16-30-plants-by-2020 Field AR & Zich FA (2012). Types of enigmatic north-Queensland Orchids from the Dockrill herbarium. Austrobaileya 8(4): 696-698. Turton SM (2008). Landscape ‐scale impacts of Cyclone Larry on the forests of northeast Australia, including comparisons with previous cyclones impacting the region between 1858 and 2006. Austral Ecology 33(4): 409-416.

Other sources cited in the advice ALA (Atlas of Living Australia) (2018). Atlas of Living Australia . Available on the Internet at: https://www.ala.org.au/ CHAH (Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria) (2018a). Australian Name Index . Available on the Internet at: https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apni CHAH (2018b). Australian Virtual Herbarium . Available on the Internet at: http://avh.chah.org.au/ DoEE (Department of the Environment and Energy) (2017). Area of Occupancy and Extent of Occurrence for Oberonia attenuata . Unpublished report. Field AR (2017). Personal communication by telephone, August 2017. James Cook University. Field AR (2018a). Personal communication by email, August 2018. James Cook University. Field AR (2018b). Personal communication by email, September 2018. James Cook University.

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