Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions

Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla (Ironcaps )

You are invited to provide your views about:

1) the eligibility of Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla for exclusion from the EPBC Act threatened list; and

2) the eligibility of Banksia sphaerocarpa for inclusion on the EPBC Act threatened species list.

The views of experts, stakeholders and the general public are welcome. Responses can be provided by any interested person.

At the commencement of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the list of threatened species under its predecessor, the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992, was transferred to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act in June 2000. This list includes varieties; however, varieties are not considered to be species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and are not eligible to be listed under 178 of the EPBC Act. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) is reviewing the status of listed varieties as they are to be removed from the list. Prior to removal, the Committee is considering the higher to determine its eligibility for listing.

Draft information for your consideration of the eligibility of Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla for listing starts at page 3 and of the eligibility of B. sphaerocarpa for listing starts at page 5. To assist with the Committee’s assessment, the Committee has identified two specific questions on which it seeks your guidance at page 9.

Responses to are to be provided in writing either by email to: [email protected] or by mail to:

The Director Species Information and Policy Section Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division Department of the Environment PO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601

Responses are required to be submitted by 30 January 2015. Contents of this information package Page General background information about listing threatened species 2 Information about this consultation process 2 Draft information about Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla and its eligibility for listing 3 Draft information about Banksia sphaerocarpa and its eligibility for listing 5 References cited 8 Collective list of questions – your views 9

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General background information about listing threatened species

The Australian Government helps protect species at risk of extinction by listing them as threatened under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Once listed under the EPBC Act, the species becomes a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and must be protected from significant impacts through the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act. More information about threatened species is available on the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html.

The listing of species is driven by a public nomination process. Public nominations to list threatened species under the EPBC Act are received annually by the department. In order to determine if a species is eligible for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes a rigorous scientific assessment of its status to determine if the species is eligible for listing against a set of criteria. These criteria are available on the Department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/guidelines-species.pdf.

As part of the assessment process, the Committee consults with the public and stakeholders to obtain specific details about the species, as well as advice on what conservation actions might be appropriate. Information provided through the consultation process is considered by the Committee in its assessment. The Committee provides its advice on the assessment (together with comments received) to the Minister regarding the eligibility of the species for listing under a particular category and what conservation actions might be appropriate. The Minister decides to add, or not to add, the species to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act. More detailed information about the listing process is at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html.

To promote the recovery of listed threatened species and ecological communities, conservation advices and where required, recovery plans are made or adopted in accordance with Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Conservation advices provide guidance at the time of listing on known threats and priority recovery actions that can be undertaken at a local and regional level. Recovery plans describe key threats and identify specific recovery actions that can be undertaken to enable recovery activities to occur within a planned and logical national framework. Information about recovery plans is available on the department’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery.html.

Information about this consultation process

Responses to this consultation can be provided electronically or in hard copy to the contact addresses provided on Page 1. All responses received will be provided in full to the Committee and then to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.

In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be attributed to you and referenced as a ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references or otherwise attribute this information (please specify if your organisation requires that this information is attributed to your organisation instead of yourself). The final advice by the Committee will be published on the department’s website following the listing decision by the Minister.

Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act, the deliberations and recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.

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Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla

Ironcaps Banksia

Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla A.S.George (CHAH, 2014a). Thiele and Ladiges (1996, cited in Liber and Johnston, 2006) elevated Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla to B. dolichostyla due to its old styles (stalk structure between the stigma and the ovary) being stouter and its old cones not curling around (other varieties curl around the to form a ball). George (1999, cited in Liber and Johnston, 2006) maintained the varietal rank as the taxon is merely larger in all parts to B. s. var. caesia but essentially similar. More recently, Mast and Givnish’s (2002) molecular study found that the taxon may be more closely related to B. violacea, B. laricina and B. incana rather than other B. sphaerocarpa varieties.

Reason for conservation assessment by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla was listed as vulnerable 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 June 2000. It is also listed as vulnerable under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (). Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla is conventionally accepted as a variety. Varieties are not considered to be species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and are not eligible to be listed under section 178 of the EPBC Act. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) is reviewing the status of listed varieties as they are to be removed from the list. Prior to removal, the Committee is considering the higher taxon (Banksia sphaerocarpa) to determine its eligibility for listing (see page 5). This assessment is a result of advice provided for the eligibility of varieties to be listed.

Distribution Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla occurs in an area south-east of Merredin over a lineal range of 200 km in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions (DEC, 2014a). Most collections have been made on Unallocated Crown Land north from Digger Rocks through Forrestania to Mount Holland (DEC, 2014a), but collections have also been made to the west (Mount Hampton to Woolocutty) and east (south-east of Lake Hope) (ALA, 2014; DEC, 2014a). The variety has an extent of occurrence of 10 250 km2 and an area of occupancy of 1500 km2 (CHAH, 2014b). In 1998 there were nine subpopulations of Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla, comprising 6500 individuals (Brown et al., 1998). In 2014, available data indicates that there are now 22 subpopulations comprising at least 8500 individuals, but data on some sites may be from the mid-1990s (DEC, 2014b). At least one population was known to have been impacted by fire in 1994 (DEC, 2014b).

Ecology Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla occurs on lateritic (ironstone) soils on iron-capped rises. It is found in low woodland and low shrubland in association with Banksia and Allocasuarina species (Durell and Buehrig, 2001).

Threats Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla is threatened by ; direct destruction of through mining and exploration; altered fire regimes; weed invasion; changed hydrology; salinisation; and fragmentation (Durell and Buehrig, 2001).

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Shearer and colleagues (2013) note that subpopulations could experience 95% mortality if exposed to Phytophthora cinnamomi. In 2001, there were no known infections (Durell and Buehrig, 2001). The variety occurs mostly in areas of significant gold and nickel deposits. Mining leases are common over these areas and future developments may threaten this variety (Mollemans et al., 1993; Brown et al., 1998). Mining-related activities may increase weed invasion and encourage inappropriate fire regimes (Mollemans et al., 1993).

Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations and Consideration for delisting As identified in the “Reason for conservation assessment” discussion provided above, Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla is not considered a species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and is not eligible for listing in any category. Delisting is not expected to have any negative impacts as the species, Banksia sphaerocarpa, is abundant and widely distributed.

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Banksia sphaerocarpa

Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Banksia sphaerocarpa R.Br. (CHAH 2014a). There are five recognised varieties of B. sphaerocarpa (CHAH, 2014a). Banksia sphaerocarpa var. sphaerocarpa and B. s. var. caesia are widespread across the south-west of Western Australia while B. s. var. dolichostyla, B. s. var. latifolia and B. s. var. pumilio have more restricted distributions. George (2008) indicates that more varieties may be described in the future.

Reason for conservation assessment by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee This assessment is the result of Banksia sphaerocarpa being the closest higher order taxon to B. s. var. dolichostyla that is eligible for assessment. This variety is listed as vulnerable under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, however, varieties are not considered to be species for the purpose of the EPBC Act and are not eligible to be included on the list of threatened species. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) is reviewing the status of listed varieties as they are to be removed from the list. Prior to removal, the Committee is considering the higher taxon (Banksia sphaerocarpa) to determine its eligibility for listing.

Description Banksia sphaerocarpa is a which is widely varied in form. It is a lignotuberous shrub growing to 0.4–4 metres tall with narrow green and brownish, orange or yellow round flower spikes. It in January to July (Western Australian Herbarium, 2014).

Distribution Banksia sphaerocarpa is distributed across south-west Western Australia from Geraldton in the north to the Whicher Range, Nannup, Albany and Jerramungup, and eastwards to Hyden (Western Australian Herbarium, 2014). It is mainly found on sandy soils over laterite in flat or gently sloped areas in shrubland, mallee or open woodland. Subpopulations are known from conservation reserves, including and Stirling Ranges National Park (George, 2008). Records of the species have increased in recent years.

Threats Specific information on the threats to the widely distributed Banksia sphaerocarpa is scant. Like most Western Australian banksia species, B. sphaerocarpa is highly sensitive to dieback from Phytophthora cinnamomi (Shearer et al. 2013).

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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, on any extent of occurrence and/or quality of A3 Population reduction, projected or suspected to be of the habitat met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) [(a) following cannot be used for A3] : (d) actual or potential levels of A4 An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or exploitation suspected population reduction where the time period must include both the past and the future (up to a (e) the effects of introduced taxa, max. of 100 years in future), and where the causes of hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, reduction may not have ceased OR may not be competitors or parasites understood OR may not be reversible.

Evidence: Banksia sphaerocarpa is widespread and not considered threatened and there is no evidence of decline. Information considered appears to demonstrate that the species Banksia sphaerocarpa is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 2. Geographic distribution is precarious for either extent of occurrence AND/OR area of occupancy Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Very restricted Restricted Limited B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO) < 100 km2 < 5,000 km2 < 20,000 km2 B2. Area of occupancy (AOO) < 10 km2 < 500 km2 < 2,000 km2 AND at least 2 of the following 3 conditions: (a) Severely fragmented OR Number of = 1 ≤ 5 ≤ 10 locations (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; (number of mature individuals Evidence: Banksia sphaerocarpa has an extent of occurrence of 190 000 km2 and the area of occupancy of 100 000 km2 (CHAH, 2014b). The geographic distribution is not considered to be very restricted, restricted or limited and no specific threats have been identified that are operating that would make the species’ geographic distribution precarious for its survival.

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The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Banksia sphaerocarpa is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 3. Small 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 a 25% in 3 years or 1 20% in 3 years or 1 10% in 10 years or 3 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 Evidence: The estimated total numbers of mature individuals of Banksia sphaerocarpa is not known, however the species is widespread and the total number of mature individuals is considered to be greater than 10 000. The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Banksia sphaerocarpa is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

Criterion 4. Very small population

Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Extremely low Very Low Low

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

Evidence: The estimated total numbers of mature individuals of Banksia sphaerocarpa is considered greater than 1000. The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species Banksia sphaerocarpa is not eligible for listing in any category under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the species status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.

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Criterion 5. Quantitative Analysis

Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Immediate future Near future Medium-term future ≥ 50% in 10 years or 3 ≥ 20% in 20 years or Indicating the probability of extinction in generations, 5 generations, ≥ 10% in 100 years the wild to be: whichever is longer whichever is longer (100 years max.) (100 years max.) Evidence: There is no quantitative data available to assess against this criterion.

References cited in the advice Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) (2014). Atlas of Living Australia. Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://www.ala.org.au/ Brown A, Thomson-Dans C and Marchant N (Eds). (1998). Western Australia’s Threatened Flora. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, Western Australia. Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) (2014a). Australian Name Index. Integrated Biodiversity Information System, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian National Herbarium Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://www.cpbr.gov.au/cpbr/databases/apni-search-full.html Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) (2014b). Australia’s Virtual Herbarium. Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://avh.chah.org.au/index.php/about/ Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2014a). Extract from the Threatened and Priority Flora Database, 6 May 2014. Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2014b). NatureMap: Mapping Western Australia's Biodiversity. Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://naturemap.dec.wa.gov.au/ Durell G and Buehrig R (2001). Declared Rare and Poorly Known Flora in the Narrogin District. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Narrogin, Western Australia. George AS (1981). The genus Banksia L.f. (). Nuytsia 3(3): 239–473. George AS (2008). Further new taxa in Banksia (Proteaceae). Nuytsia 18: 53–59. Liber C and Johnston W (2006). Rare & Threatened Banksia #9 – Ironcap Banksia (Banksia sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla). Banksia Study Group Newsletter 13(8(1)): 1–4. Mast AR and Givnish TJ (2002). Historical biogeography and the origin of stomatal distributions in Banksia and Dryandra (Proteaceae) based on their cpDNA phylogeny. American Journal of Botany 89(8): 1311–1323. Mollemans FH, Brown P and Coates DJ (1993). Declared Rare and Poorly Known Flora in the Merredin District. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Merredin, Western Australia. Shearer BL, Crane CE and Cochrane JA (2013). Variation in susceptibility of Banksia (including Dryandra) to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australasian Plant Pathology 42(3): 351–361.

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Western Australian Herbarium (2014). Descriptions by the Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Parks and Wildlife. Viewed: 15 October 2014 Available on the Internet: http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/11582

Collective list of questions 1. Can you provide evidence that would change the outcome of the assessment of Banksia sphaerocarpa? 2. Can you provide evidence that B. s. var. dolichostyla is considered a species or a subspecies?

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