The Minister included this species in the critically
endangered category, effective from 19 August 2010
Advice to the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts
from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee)
on Amendment to the list of Threatened Species
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
1.
Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee
This advice follows assessment of new information provided through the Species Information
Partnership with Western Australia on:
Verticordia apecta (Hay River Featherflower)
2.
Summary of Species Details
Taxonomy
Conventionally accepted as Verticordia apecta (George and
George, 1994).
State Listing Status
Listed as declared rare flora under the Western Australian
Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.
Managed as critically
endangered by the Western Australian Government.
Description
A slender, erect shrub that can grow to 0.45 m high. The flowers
are white or pink and the flowering period is in November
(George and George, 1994; Western Australian Herbarium,
2006).
Distribution
Endemic to Western Australia and known from a single
population in the Mt Barker area, approximately 400 km south-
east of Perth. The species occurs on Crown Land in State Forest,
which is proposed National Park (DEC, 2009).
Relevant
Biology/Ecology
Grows in sandy clay with loam and broken granite, on an upper
west-facing slope in Eucalyptus wandoo (Wandoo) low open
woodland and low open shrubland (George and George, 1994).
The species’ generation length is unknown (DEC, 2009).
Threats
Past
Land clearing (DEC, 2009).
Present
Inappropriate fire regimes may affect the long-term viability of
the species. Fire that is too frequent would most likely destroy
soil-stored seed reserves and reduce vigour if fire occurs before
regenerating or juvenile plants reach maturity, produce seed and
replenish the soil seed bank (DEC, 2009).
Dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi is considered a
threat to the species and is currently suspected to occur at the
location of the only known population (DEC, 2009).
Future
N/A
Verticordia apecta (Hay River Featherflower)
Listing Advice
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The Minister included this species in the critically endangered category, effective from 19 August 2010
3.
Public Consultation
The information used in this assessment was made available for public exhibition and
comment for 30 business days. No comments were received.
4.
How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations
Criterion 1: Not eligible
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
Criterion element
Evidence
Reduction in numbers
No data.
Criterion 2: Eligible for listing as critically endangered
Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted,
restricted or limited
Criterion element
Evidence
Geographic distribution
Very restricted – extent of occurrence is 100 m
2
and area of
occupancy is approximately 8 m
2
(DEC, 2009).
Geographic distribution
precarious
Yes – exists at a single location and continued decline is
inferred due to ongoing threats (DEC, 2009).
Criterion 3: Eligible for listing as critically endangered
The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either
(a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or
substantial rate; or
(b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for
its survival
Criterion element
Evidence
Total no. of mature
individuals
AND
Very low – 16 mature plants (DEC, 2009).
Continued rate of decline
No data.
OR
Verticordia apecta (Hay River Featherflower)
Listing Advice
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The Minister included this species in the critically endangered category, effective from 19 August 2010
Total no. of mature
individuals
AND
Very low – 16 mature plants (DEC, 2009).
Continued decline likely
AND
Yes – see Criterion 2.
Geographic distribution
precarious
Yes – see Criterion 2.
Criterion 4: Eligible for listing as critically endangered
The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low
Criterion element
Evidence
Total no. of mature
individuals
Extremely low – 16 mature plants (DEC, 2009).
Criterion 5: Not eligible
Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least
(a) 50% in the immediate future; or
(b) 20% in the near future; or
(c) 10% in the medium-term future
Criterion element
Evidence
Probability of extinction
in the wild
No data.
5.
Recovery Plan
The Committee considers that there should not be a recovery plan for the Hay River
Featherflower as the approved conservation advice for the species provides sufficient
direction to implement priority actions and mitigate against key threats.
6.
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:
Verticordia apecta
(ii) The Committee recommends that there should not be a recovery plan for this species.
Associate Professor Robert J.S. Beeton AM FEIANZ
Chair
Threatened Species Scientific Committee
Verticordia apecta (Hay River Featherflower)
Listing Advice
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The Minister included this species in the critically endangered category, effective from 19 August 2010
Verticordia apecta (Hay River Featherflower)
Listing Advice
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7.
References cited in the advice
DEC (Department of Environment and Conservation) (2009). Records held in DEC’s declared
flora database and rare flora files. Western Australian Department of Environment and
Conservation, Western Australia.
George EA and George AS (1994). New taxa of Verticordia (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)
from Western Australia. Nuytsia 9(3): 333–341.
Western Australian Herbarium (2006). FloraBase – The Western Australian Flora.
Department of Environment and Conservation.
Available on the Internet at:
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/