a1Li: Acacia aneura low woodland.
a1Li is the largest and most widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 24% of the Project Area.
Of the total area of the Beard unit, 0.2% occurs within the Project Area. The ecologia
vegetation communities related to this unit include those recorded on the hardpan plains
across the Yalgoo and Murchison bioregions, including; Mp6, Mp9, Mp11, Mp12, Mc5, Mr3,
Mh5, Mp5, Mh9, Mh10, Mh14, Mp1, Mp2 and Mp8. The large area covered by this vegetation
unit shows that the potential distribution of the ecologia vegetation communities associated
with it are widespread and common in Western Australia.
a1Li a9,17Si: Acacia aneura low woodland with understory of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia
ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia grasbyi.
a1Li a9,17Si is a very large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 13.4% of the Project
Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 2.7% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with floodplains of the Yalgoo region,
including; Yp5 and Yp6. The large area covered by this vegetation unit shows that the potential
distribution of the ecologia vegetation communities associated with it are widespread and
common in Western Australia.
a1Lp: Acacia aneura, trees in groves or patches.
a1Lp is a very large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 16.3% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 0.5% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with the sandy plains in the
Murchison region, including; Mp2, Mp3, Mp4, Mr1, Mr2, Mr3. The distribution of this
vegetation unit shows that the common ecologia vegetation communities represent a large
potential distribution in Western Australia.
a1Si: Acacia aneura scrub.
a1Si is a very large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 3.5% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 0.1% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with rockier areas, including; Mh10,
Mh11, Mh12, Mh15, Mh16, Mp6, Mp9 and Mp10. The distribution of this vegetation unit
shows that these ecologia communities have the potential to occur over a large area in
Western Australia and are not significant.
Oakajee Port and Rail
OPR Rail Project – Vegetation and Flora Assessment
March 2010
133
a33Sc: Acacia rostellifera thicket.
a33Sc is a very small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 0.5% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 35.9% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
community related to this unit include; Gc2. Gc2 is therefore very significant in the Project
Area as such a large percentage of its total is mapped. This is therefore a very significant
vegetation community, as it was more than likely locally abundant as mapped by Beard, but is
now largely cleared. Based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit in the
Geraldton Sandplains region, 75% occurs within the Project Area. This unit has half of its
known distribution in the Geraldton Sandplains region and is moderately endemic.
a8,9Sr k1,2Ci: Acacia sclerosperma, Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var.
linophylla with Atriplex and Maireana spp. succulent steppe.
a8,9Sr k1,2Ci is a small to moderate and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 0.05% of the
Project Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 0.1% occurs within the Project Area. It
therefore is not widespread in the Project Area and any impact to this unit is unlikely.
a8Sr k1,2Ci: Acacia sclerosperma with Atriplex and Maireana spp. succulent steppe.
a8Sr k1,2Ci is a small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 0.8% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 11.9% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with major creeklines in the Yalgoo
area and include; Yc1, Yf4 and Yf5. The distribution of this vegetation unit shows that the
potential distribution of the associated ecologia vegetation communities in Western Australia
is limited and are therefore significant.
a9,19Si: Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia acuminata scrub.
a9,19Si is a large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 1.6% of the Project Area. Of the
total area of the Beard unit, 0.5% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation communities
related to this unit include those associated with hardpan plains, including; Yp2 and Yp6. The
distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that these ecologia communities have the
potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia and are not significant.
a9,20Si: Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia murrayana scrub.
a9,20Si is a moderate to large and fairly widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 1.4% of the
Project Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 1.5% occurs within the Project Area. The
vegetation communities related to this unit include those associated with hardpan plains and
sandy plains; Yp2 and Yy1. The distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that these
ecologia communities have the potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia and
are not significant.
a9Si: Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla scrub.
a9Si is a very large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 3.4% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 0.6% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with sandy plains of the Yalgoo and
Murchison regions; Yy1 and Mr2. The distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that
these ecologia communities have the potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia
and are not significant.
Oakajee Port and Rail
OPR Rail Project – Vegetation and Flora Assessment
March 2010
134
acSc: Acacia ‐ Casuarina spp. thicket.
acSc is a moderate to large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 0.2% of the Project
Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 0.1% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with floodplains and includes; Yp3
and Gf2. The distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that these ecologia communities
have the potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia and are not significant,
however as it is such a small area within the Project Area, this Beard unit was not seen in
ecologia’s communities. Based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit in the
Geraldton Sandplains region, only 1% occurs within the Project Area.
anSi: Mixed Acacia spp. scrub.
anSi is a moderate to large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 8.1% of the Project
Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 4.9% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with the sandy‐clay plains and
includes; Yp1, Yp2, Yp5 and Yf5. The distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that
these ecologia communities have the potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia
and are not significant.
ceLr a9Si: Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla scrub with Callitris
columellaris and Eucalyptus spp.
ceLr a9Si is a large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 1.3% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 0.6% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with sandy plains and includes; Yp2
and Yp3, however based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit in the Geraldton
Sandplains region, none remains in the Project Area.
e6,8Mi: Eucalyptus loxophleba and Eucalyptus salmonophloia sclerophyll woodland.
e6,8Mi is a large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 0.1% of the Project Area. Of the
total area of the Beard unit, 0.04% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation community
that is related to this unit is associated with red sandy plains and includes; Gy2. The
distribution of this Beard unit shows that the ecologia community has the potential to occur
over a large area in Western Australia and is not significant. Based on the known current
extent of this vegetation unit in the Geraldton Sandplains region, 36% occurs within the Project
Area, however this unit is not endemic to this region (0.28% of the total area is in the
Geraldton Sandplains), the actual impact is likely to be a lot less.
e6c5Mr a9,19Si: Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia
acuminata scrub with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Casuarina huegeliana.
e6c5Mr a9,19Si is a small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 2.7% of the Project Area.
Of the total area of the Beard unit, 10.8% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
community related to this unit include that associated with floodplains of the Geraldton
Sandplains region and includes; Gf2. The distribution of this Beard unit represents the
potential distribution of the ecologia vegetation community, showing that it is very restricted
and is likely to be uncommon locally and regionally. Based on the known current extent of this
vegetation unit in the Geraldton Sandplains region, 24% occurs within the Project Area,
however this unit is not endemic to this region (31% of the total area is in the Geraldton
Sandplains) and the actual impact is likely to be a lot less.
Oakajee Port and Rail
OPR Rail Project – Vegetation and Flora Assessment
March 2010
135
e6Mr a19Si: Acacia acuminata scrub with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba.
e6Mr a19Si is a small to moderate and fairly restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 3.8% of
the Project Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 4.7% occurs within the Project Area. The
vegetation communities related to this unit include those with floodplain of the Geraldton
Sandplains region and includes; Gp1 and Gf2. The distribution of this vegetation unit
represents the potential distribution of the ecologia vegetation community, showing that it is
very restricted and is likely to be uncommon locally and regionally and is endemic to the
Geraldton Sandplains region. Based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit in the
Geraldton Sandplains region, 4% occurs within the Project Area.
e6Mr eaSi: Eucalyptus spp. (mallee) and Acacia spp. scrub with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba.
e6Mr eaSi is a small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 3.6% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 8.3% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with floodplains of the Geraldton
Sandplains region and includes; Gp1, Gf1 and Gf2. The distribution of this vegetation unit
represents the potential distribution of the ecologia vegetation community, showing that it is
very restricted and is likely to be uncommon locally and regionally and is almost endemic (99%)
to the Geraldton Sandplains region. Based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit
in the Geraldton Sandplains region, 10% occurs within the Project Area.
k1,3Ci: Atriplex spp., Tecticornia spp. and other samphires succulent steppe.
k1,3Ci is a small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 0.2% of the Project Area. Of the
total area of the Beard unit, 0.7% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation communities
related to this unit include those associated with floodplain of the Yalgoo region and include;
Yf4. The distribution of this vegetation unit represents the potential distribution of the
ecologia vegetation community, showing that it is very restricted and is likely to be uncommon
locally and regionally. Based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit in the
Geraldton Sandplains region, 14% occurs within the Project Area. This unit is not endemic to
the Geraldton Sandplains region (7% of its total is in the Geraldton Sandplains region).
k3Ci: Tecticornia spp. and other samphires succulent steppe.
k3Ci is a very large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 0.01% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, <0.01% occurs within the Project Area. It is therefore an
insignificant Beard unit.
mhSc: Melaleuca ‐ Hakea spp. thicket.
mhSc is a small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 0.9% of the Project Area. Of the
total area of the Beard unit, 4% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation communities
related to this unit include those associated the Moresby Range PEC; Gh1, Gh2 and Gh3. The
distribution of this vegetation unit represents the potential distribution of the ecologia
vegetation communities, showing that they are very restricted and is uncommon locally and is
regionally endemic to the Geraldton Sandplains region. Based on the known current extent of
this vegetation unit in the Geraldton Sandplains region, 4% occurs within the Project Area.
x2SZc: Scrub heath coastal association.
x2SZc is a moderate to large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 2.9% of the Project
Area. Of the total area of the Beard unit, 2% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
community related to this unit include those associated with the yellow sandy plains and
includes; Gy1. The distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that this ecologia
community has the potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia, however as this
Oakajee Port and Rail
OPR Rail Project – Vegetation and Flora Assessment
March 2010
136
area has been extensively cleared is locally rare. Based on the known current extent of this
vegetation unit in the Geraldton Sandplains region, 1% occurs within the Project Area. This
unit is endemic to the Geraldton Sandplains region.
x3SZc: Scrub heath inland association.
x3SZc is a large and widespread Beard unit that is mapped as 1.7% of the Project Area. Of the
total area of the Beard unit, 0.6% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation communities
related to this unit include those associated with floodplains and sandy plains; Yp3 and Gf2.
The distribution of this Beard vegetation unit shows that this ecologia community has the
potential to occur over a large area in Western Australia and are not significant. Based on the
known current extent of this vegetation unit in the Geraldton Sandplains region, 1% occurs
within the Project Area. This unit is highly endemic to the Geraldton Sandplains region (87% of
its total area).
x3SZc/acSc: Acacia ‐ Casuarina spp. thicket with scrub heath inland association.
x3SZc/acSc is a small and restricted Beard unit that is mapped as 2.6% of the Project Area. Of
the total area of the Beard unit, 7.1% occurs within the Project Area. The vegetation
communities related to this unit include those associated with yellow sand plains, including;
Gy2 and Gp2. The distribution of this vegetation unit represents the potential distribution of
the ecologia vegetation communities, showing that they are very restricted and are likely to be
uncommon locally and regionally. Based on the known current extent of this vegetation unit in
the Geraldton Sandplains region, 9% occurs within the Project Area. This unit is endemic to the
Geraldton Sandplains region and only has 11% of the original extent of its total remaining.
Oakajee Port and Rail
OPR Rail Project – Vegetation and Flora Assessment
March 2010
137
Table 7.2
–
Beard Vegetation Units Conservation Significance Assessment
Beard Vegetation
Unit
Description
Total Area of
Unit in WA (Ha)
% of The Total
Vegetation Unit
Total Area in
Project Area
(Ha)
% of
Project
Area
a1,14Si
Acacia aneura and Acacia quadrimarginea scrub.
448,700
0.56
2,525
1.12
a1,8Sr k1,2Ci
Acacia aneura and Acacia sclerosperma with Atriplex and Maireana spp. succulent steppe.
199,534
1.65
3,290
1.46
a1,9Li
Acacia aneura, Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla low woodland.
94,031
7.29
6,851
3.04
a10,11Si k1,2Ci
Acacia victoriae, Acacia xiphophylla and Acacia eremaea with Atriplex and Maireana spp.
succulent steppe.
65,169
3.50
2,279
1.01
a14Si
Acacia quadrimarginea scrub.
10,387
3.10
322
0.14
a1Li
Acacia aneura low woodland.
24,751,239
0.22
53,891
23.90
a1Li a9,17Si
Acacia aneura low woodland with understorey of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia
ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia grasbyi.
1,136,021
2.67
30,281
13.43
a1Lp
Acacia aneura, trees in groves or patches.
7,914,567
0.46
36,772
16.31
a1Si
Acacia aneura scrub.
6,666,951
0.12
7,909
3.51
a33Sc
Acacia rostellifera thicket.
3,478
35.88
1,248
0.55
a8,9Sr k1,2Ci
Acacia sclerosperma, Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla with
Atriplex and Maireana spp. succulent steppe.
119,058
0.10
121
0.05
a8Sr k1,2Ci
Acacia sclerosperma with Atriplex and Maireana spp. succulent steppe.
15,539
11.92
1,852
0.82
a9,19Si
Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia acuminata scrub.
756,674
0.47
3,519
1.56
a9,20Si
Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia murrayana scrub.
206,457
1.54
3,170
1.41
a9Si
Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla scrub.
1,331,779
0.58
7,768
3.45
acSc
Acacia ‐ Casuarina spp. thicket.
495,385
0.08
381
0.17
anSi
Mixed Acacia spp. scrub.
368,979
4.95
18,282
8.11
ceLr a9Si
Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla scrub with Callitris
columellaris and Eucalyptus spp.
511,008
0.59
2,992
1.33
e6,8Mi
Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa, Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia acuminata scrub with
scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Casuarina huegeliana.
796,448
0.04
340
0.15
e6c5Mr a9,19Si
Eucalyptus loxophleba and Eucalyptus salmonophloia sclerophyll woodland.
56,427
10.85
6,120
2.71
Oakajee Port and Rail
OPR Rail Project – Vegetation and Flora Assessment
March 2010
138
Beard Vegetation
Unit
Description
Total Area of
Unit in WA (Ha)
% of The Total
Vegetation Unit
Total Area in
Project Area
(Ha)
% of
Project
Area
e6Mr a19Si
Acacia acuminata scrub with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba.
184,571
4.71
8,692
3.86
e6Mr eaSi
Eucalyptus spp. (mallee) and Acacia spp. scrub with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba.
97,368
8.26
8,038
3.57
k1,3Ci
Atriplex spp., Tecticornia spp. and other samphires succulent steppe.
64,719
0.72
463
0.21
k3Ci
Tecticornia spp. and other samphires succulent steppe.
2,078,904
0.00
23
0.01
mhSc
Melaleuca ‐ Hakea spp. thicket.
51,880
4.00
2,077
0.92
x2SZc
Scrub heath coastal association.
328,738
2.01
6,593
2.92
x3SZc
Scrub heath inland association.
580,547
0.65
3,778
1.68
x3SZc/acSc
Acacia ‐ Casuarina spp. thicket with scrub heath inland association.
82,081
7.15
5,868
2.60
|