Survey of threatened plant species in South East Queensland biogeographical region queensland cra/rfa steering committee survey of threatened plant species in

SUMMARY

This report has been prepared for the joint Commonwealth/State Steering Committee that oversees the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) of forests in the South East Queensland CRA region.

1. cHAPTER ONE introduction

1.1 Preamble

Queensland has a rich native flora with 8655 species of seed plants and ferns throughout the state (Henderson 1997). At present 324 of these species are considered to be facing a medium to high risk of extinction in the near to medium term future. Future management of these plant species needs to be based on sound scientific knowledge on how each species interacts with its environment and how the species responds to human impact on its environment. The lack of information on these threatened species is an underlying limitation to management of these species in Queensland.

1.2 objectives

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  to survey populations and other potential habitats for additional populations of each target species in the region.
  

• 
  to obtain information on population structure and size and habitat parameters for each species.
  

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  to document the current knowledge about each target species and the possible threats to the long term viability in the wild
  

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  to assess the threats and conservation status of each species and make recommendations for management of existing populations.
  

2. cHAPTER Two Methods

2.1 Selecting target species

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  The amount of information available. The less information available, the more important it was to survey the species. Those species which presently have recovery plans or had been previously searched for directly or in association with other studies were considered of lesser priority.
  

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  The visibility of the species in the field at the time of survey. Grass species are difficult to identify without fertile material and preliminary information indicated that those grass species on the list did not flower during the survey period. The orchid species were not studied as these are often cryptic and seasonal in occurrence, and require a high level of specialised expertise.
  

Within the time available a total of 10 species were searched for during this project. Outlines were prepared for a further 22 species, based on information available from Queensland herbarium records and vegetation mapping records (CORVEG), botanists, and amateur naturalists.

1. 
   location details with Global Positioning Data
   
2. 
   habitat attributes within a 20 x 50 m plot placed within the population:
   

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  landform and land surface (McDonald et al. 1990).
  
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  soil type: Field texture was measured by the method described by Northcote (1971). Soil colour was recorded by comparing moist soil with colour charts (Revised Standard Colour Charts, Research Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Forestry and Fisheries, Japan, (1970)). Soil pH was measured using a TPS electronics WP-80 pH meter.
  
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  geology: as mapped on Queensland Department of Minerals and Energy 1: 250 000 geological series.
  
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  vegetation: Structure of associated vegetation (Walker and Hopkins 1990). Associated dominant and common plant species. (Plant nomenclature according to Henderson (1997)).
  

3. 
   an estimate of the area that the population covers based on a comprehensive search of the areas.
   
4. 
   a measurement of the populations of the targeted species. Populations were measured by one of two methods. If the site was small, or consisted of isolated clumps, a direct count of individuals plants was undertaken. For larger sites, or where it was impractical to do direct counts, density and abundance were estimated by counting individuals in transects placed through the populations. For these sites an estimate of the mean density and the variance are given with an estimate of abundance and 95 % confidence interval in Appendix 2. Each transect was placed in what was assessed to be a representative sample of the population.
   
5. 
   where practical, population characteristics such as breeding biology, age structure and response to disturbance and fire were assessed.
   

Table 2.1.1: ALPHABETICAL list of Threatened plant species recorded for State Forest (including Timber Reserves) in South East Queensland Biogeographical Region.

1. Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation (1994) (Qld).

2. Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (C’wlth).

3. Species Management Profiles produced by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources for forest management.

4. Barry, S. & Thomas, G. (1994) Threatened vascular rainforest plants of south-east Queensland: A conservation review. Unpublished report to Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

5. Drake, W. (1995) Conservation research statement and proposed recovery plan for Eucalyptus conglomerata (swamp stringybark) Myrtaceae. Unpublished report to Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program Project No. 410.

6. Halford, D. (1996) Conservation statement and draft recovery plan for Phebalium obtusifolium Paul G. Wilson Rutaceae. Unpublished report to Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program Project No. 515.

7. Barry, S.J. and Young, P.A.R. (1997). Alectryon ramiflorus S. Reynolds, Sapindaceae, species recovery plan. Unpublished report to Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program.

8. Leigh, J., Boden, R. and Briggs, J. (1984). Extinct and endangered plants of Australia. MacMillan, Melbourne.

10. Harrold, A.G. (1994). Boronia keysii (Domin), a conspectus and a conservation strategy. Noosa Parks Association Inc. (Unpublished).

11. Quinn, F.C., Williams, J.B., Gross, C.K. and Bruhl, J.J. (1995). Report on rare and threatened plants of north-eastern New South Wales. Report prepared for New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service and Australian Nature Conservation Agency. (Unpublished).

12. Erskine, P. (1992). The ecology, population dynamics and reasons for the restricted distribution of the rare Eucalyptus hallii. Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of B. Sc. (Hons.), Department of Botany, University of Queensland. (unpublished).

13. Benwell, A.S. (1994). Recovery Plan for Phaius australis and Phaius tancarvilleae. A report submitted to The Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program (Unpublished).

14. Griffith, S.J. (1992). Recovery Plan: Thesium australe. Report submitted to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Endangered Species Program Project No. 196.

OL = Species outlined in this report

S = Species surveyed Sept to Nov 1997 and outlined in this report

D = Draft Species Management Profile completed

P = Draft Species Management Profile in progress