Listing Statement for Anogramma leptophylla (annual fern) annual fern Anogramma leptophylla T A S M A N I A N T H R E A T E N E D F L O R A L I S T I N G S T A T E M E N T Scientific name: Anogramma leptophylla , (L.) Link, Fil. Spec . 137 (1841). Family: Adiantaceae Common Name: annual fern (Wapstra et al . 2005) Status: Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 : vulnerable Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 : Not Listed Regional Forest Agreement: Priority species Distribution: Tasmanian NRM Regions: North & South Figure 1 . Distribution of Anogramma leptophylla in Plate 1. Fronds of Anogramma leptophylla Tasmania. (Photograph: Chris Lang). 1 Threatened Species Section – Department of Primary Industries & Water Listing Statement for Anogramma leptophylla (annual fern) DESCRIPTION 111 km, the extent of occurrence 9 070 km 2, Anogramma leptophylla is a small annual fern of and the area of occupancy estimated to be less the Adiantaceae, and is known from several than 1 ha. disjunct sites in northern and southern Tasmania. The parsley-like fronds of the There are also historic records of Anogramma species die down during summer, with new leptophylla at Cataract Gorge near Launceston, fronds growing from a perennial gametophyte Georges Bay in the northeast, Macquarie Plains in spring. (Bushy Park), and Back River near New Norfolk (Garrett 1997, Rodway 1903). Identification Anogramma leptophylla grows in shallow soil The following description is adapted from layers over rock, on exposed or semi-exposed Duncan & Isaac (1986). outcrops in dry or damp sclerophyll forest. Plants are mostly found on rock ledges, often Fronds are parsley-like, tufted, 5 to 12 cm long on, or just inside, the drip line of the overhead and erect or spreading. Plants occasionally rock-face. The substrate is variable, including produce a shorter, fan-shaped, basal barren dolerite, basalt and sandstone. Co-occurring frond. The stipe is slender, pale to reddish- species include the ferns Asplenium flabellifolium, brown, shiny, and glabrous except for a few Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia and Pleurosorus rutifolius , hairs at the base. various herbs, notably Poa labillardierei and The lamina is yellow-green, hairless and with Bulbine bulbosa , as well as a plethora of mosses, very deep lobes. The lamina may be bipinnate lichens and liverworts. The altitudinal range of or oblong-triangular in outline. Pinnae are extant sites is 60 to 320 m above sea level, in rather distant and stalked. Pinnules are wedge- areas of low to moderate rainfall. shaped at the base, rounded and deeply lobed. Veins are forked several times and free. RESERVATION STATUS Sori are located on the under-surface of the Anogramma leptophylla is reserved in Mole Creek pinnae lobes, are unprotected, and clustered in Karst National Park and Wellington Park. bands along the veins, sometimes coalescing. POPULATION ESTIMATE Confusing Species There are estimated to be approximately 130 to Anogramma leptophylla may be confused with 170 mature individuals in Tasmania, across four young plants of Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia . The of the six populations believed to persist (Table rachis of the latter species has scattered pale 1). One of the populations for which scales: these are absent in Anogramma leptophylla . abundance is unknown has been estimated to cover an area of just 12 m 2. This suggests a DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT relatively low abundance. Another site last seen Anogramma leptophylla occurs in Tasmania, in 1998 on private land requires further Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and assessment to determine abundance. Western Australia, as well as New Zealand, South America, India Africa and Europe CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT (Duncan & Isaac 1986, Entwisle 1994, Bostock Anogramma leptophylla was listed as rare on the et al . 1998). TSP Act in 1995 , and up-listed to vulnerable in early 2008 as part of the Act’s 5-year review. Anogramma leptophylla has a disjunct distribution The species qualifies for vulnerable under the across Tasmania, being known from the eastern following criteria: side of the River Tamar near Spring Bay, Sensation Gorge and the Mersey River (both (B). Area of occupancy is less than 2 000 km 2, near Mole Creek), the Clyde and Bluff Rivers in the species is known to exist at no more than the south, and Glenorchy near Hobart. The 10 locations, and a continuing decline is linear extent of the extant sites in Tasmania is inferred in the area and quality of habitat. 2 Threatened Species Section – Department of Primary Industries & Water Listing Statement for Anogramma leptophylla (annual fern) (D) The total population estimated to number less than 1 000 mature individuals. Table 1. Population summary of Anogramma leptophylla in Tasmania. Popn. Location Tenure NRM 1:25 000 Year last Area Number of mature region mapsheet (first) occupied plants seen (ha) 1 Sensation Gorge Mole Creek Karst North Mole Creek 1996 20–40* National Park (1996) 2 Glenorchy Wellington Park South Collinsvale 1985 20–40* (1890s) 3 Mersey River Private North Gog 1998 (1997) 4 Spring Bay Private South Beaconsfield 1996 2 patches c. 40* (1874) 400 m apart * 5 Clyde River Private South Cawood 2005 $ 3 by 4 m $ (2004) 6 Bluff River Gorge State Forest South Woodsdale 2005 $ 30 by 40 c. 50 $ (2005) cm $ 7 Cataract Gorge Launceston North Launceston 1984 Presumed extinct* Council (1874) 8 Georges Bay North St Helens 1900?# Presumed extinct 9 Back River South New Norfolk 1900?# Presumed extinct 10 Macquarie Plains South Bushy Park 1840 $ Presumed extinct NRM region = Natural Resource Management region.* = Garrett (1997) and unpublished data, % = TSS 2005 surveys, $ = RTBG data, # = Rodway (1903). THREATS Most of the known Anogramma leptophylla sites Threats to the species include competition from are threatened by weed invasion. The degree of exotic plants, trampling by stock, inappropriate weed infestation appears to reflect the fire regimes and stochastic risks. These are proximity of populations to areas of major detailed below. disturbance. The presumed extinct sites at Cataract Gorge and Macquarie Plains are both Plant competition: Competition from native heavily infested with weeds, with briar rose and introduced species may be a major threat to (Rosa rubiginosa ) prominent at the latter site. The Anogramma leptophylla given its extremely small Glenorchy site is now heavily infested with and delicate habit, and the deciduous nature of introduced grasses and herbs such as cleavers, its sporophyte, combined with the fragile nature fumitory and chickweed, and the status of the of its ‘rootstock’. The species produces only a population is uncertain (Threatened Species small and poorly developed rhizome. These Section 2005 surveys). Weeds are also affecting characteristics make the plant susceptible to sites with an apparently large buffer of native changes in its immediate environment. Plant vegetation, with potential habitat being competition via excessive shading, deprivation colonised by introduced species that have wind- of soil moisture and nutrients, or smothering of dispersed seeds, such as thistles at the Bluff the rootstock may lead to suppression of the River Gorge site. sporophyte. Introduced herbivores : Three of the extant Anogramma leptophylla populations occur on 3 Threatened Species Section – Department of Primary Industries & Water Listing Statement for Anogramma leptophylla (annual fern) private land and may be potentially impacted conservation covenants under the Nature upon by a range of activities including Conservation Act 2002. trampling by stock. However, the preferred • Extension surveys, notably at Bluff River cliff-face habitat of the species does reduce the Gorge, Sand River Gorge, Coal River likelihood of long-term, intense grazing. Gorge. Inappropriate fire regimes: The rocky ADVICE FOR LANDOWNERS/MANAGERS outcrop habitat for Anogramma leptophylla tends to be well protected from the direct effects of The following actions will assist to conserve wildfire. However, fire in surrounding forest Anogramma leptophylla in Tasmania: may impact upon plants through changes to • Retain all areas of known habitat for the local hydrology and microclimate, and increased species. likelihood of physical disturbance from falling trees. • Avoid any activities that may impact upon the species’ habitat. Ensure stock is Stochastic risk: The extremely localised nature excluded, invasive weeds removed, and of the Anogramma leptophylla populations also avoid burning. exposes them to the risk of extinction through unforeseen stochastic events. • Actively search for new populations if visiting potential habitat and forward site details to the Threatened Species Section. MANAGEMENT STRATEGY The main objectives for recovery of Anogramma It is important to remember that there may be leptophylla are to minimise the probability of site specific management requirements. Please extinction of wild populations by ensuring contact the Threatened Species Section for habitat protection, and to secure all key further advice. populations under effective management regimes within the next five years. These BIBLIOGRAPHY objectives are consistent with the Draft Bostock, P.D., Chambers, T.C., and Farrant, Tasmanian Recovery Plan for threatened ferns P.A. (1998). Adiantaceae, Flora of Australia (Threatened Species Section 2008). 48: 224–286. DPIWE (1998) Strategic plan for the private land What has been done? component of the CAR reserve system. Anogramma leptophylla is listed as a priority Department