Table 15:
Possible Regional Distribution of Vegetation Types based on Historical Regional Studies
VT
Broad Description
Reference
Possible
Equivalent
or
Similar
Community Type *
Location
1
Wet Heaths dominated by Banksia, Melaleuca, Hakea,
and Calothamnus spp.
Crook et al. (1984)
Association grouping seasonal fresh
water swamps
Namming NR
Griffin and Keighery (1989)
Wet Heaths
Moore River National Park
Namming Nature Reserve
2
Damp Shrublands dominated by Melaleuca spp.
Crook et al. (1984)
Seasonal
swamps
with
variable
vegetation including thicket to scrub of
Melaleuca spp.
Eneminga NR
3
Occasional Banksia prionotes over damp Shrubland of
Regelia ciliata, Kunzea glabrescens or Verticordia
densiflora subsp. densiflora
Crook et al. (1984)
Heath association of Regelia ciliata,
Beaufortia squarrosa and others with
patches of Banksia woodland on higher
ground
Eneminga NR
ecologia (1998, 2000)
NA
DTA
4
Shrubland of Acacia saligna subsp. lindleyi and
Calothamnus quadrifidus over sedges
Gibson et al. (1994)
SCP5 (Mixed Shrub Damplands)
Bassendean
and
Pinjarra
Plain Landsystems; majority
of
quadrats
in
Nature
Reserves
5
Damp Heaths dominated by Banksia telmatiaea and
Melaleuca seriata
Griffin and Keighery (1989)
Wet Heaths
Moore River National Park
Namming Nature Reserve
CALM (1998)
Soil type possibly represented
Nambung National Park
6
Low Woodland of Banksia attenuata, Banksia menziesii
and/or Banksia ilicifolia over shrubs on sand
Gibson et al. (1994)
SCP22 (Banksia ilicifolia Woodlands)
Mainly
on
Bassendean
Sands; some quadrats in
State Forest
Crook et al. (1984)
Low Woodland A of B. attenuata and B.
menziesii (occasional B. ilicifolia and B.
prionotes)
Eneminga NR
Low Woodland A of B. attenuata and B.
menziesii (occasional B. ilicifolia and E.
todtiana) over Low Heath D of mixed
species
Namming NR
7
Heaths
dominated
by
Allocasuarina,
Hakea,
Calothamnus spp. and Xanthorrhoea preissii on sand
Crook et al. (1984)
Reserve noted to contain low species-rich
heathlands on sandy and gravelley soils
Minyulo NR
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VT
Broad Description
Reference
Possible
Equivalent
or
Similar
Community Type *
Location
over laterite
Reserve noted to contain sandy gravels
on ridges supporting Xanthorrhoea spp.
over Low Heathlands
Reserve 27216
Griffin and Keighery (1989)
Laterite Heaths
Badgingarra National Park
8
Upper slope Shrublands on sand over limestone
Crook et al. (1984)
Inland Heaths; Open Dwarf Scrub C of
Melaleuca acerosa, Acacia cochlearis
and Hakea prostrata
Wanagarren NR
ecologia (1998, 2000)
NA
DTA
CALM (1998)
Soil type possibly represented
Nambung National Park
9a
Low Wet Shrublands dominated by Melaleuca spp. in
clay pan
Woodman
Environmental
(2012b)
Tall Shrublands of a mix of Melaleuca
teretifolia and M. rhaphiophylla
UCL both north and south of
Study Area
9b
Damp Forest to Woodland of Eucalyptus rudis over
Melaleuca rhaphiophylla and Acacia saligna
Gibson et al. (1994)
SCP11 (Wet Forests and Woodlands)
Sometimes on Bassendean
Sands; some quadrats in
Nature Reserve
ecologia (1998,2000)
NA
DTA
10
Damp Woodland of Banksia littoralis and Melaleuca
preissiana over sedges
NA
NA
NA
11
Open Damp Forest of Eucalyptus rudis, Corymbia
calophylla, Melaleuca spp. over sparse Acacia spp. and
coastal shrubs
Gibson et al. (1994)
SCP11 (Wet Forests and Woodlands)
Sometimes on Bassendean
Sands; some quadrats in
Nature Reserve
Woodman
Environmental
(2000)
F2: Dense Low Forest of Melaleuca
rhaphiophylla and Corymbia calophylla
Moore River NP
Woodman
Environmental
(2012b)
Eucalyptus rudis and Melaleuca Forest to
Woodland
UCL west of Study Area
Woodman
Environmental
(2009d)
F1:
Low
Forest
of
Melaleuca
preissiana, Eucalyptus rudis, Melaleuca
rhaphiophylla and Corymbia calophylla
on grey sandy clay.
Coomallo NR
CALM (1998)
Soil type possibly represented
Nambung National Park
12
Shrubland
of
Acacia
saligna
and
Melaleuca
rhaphiophylla on sand with ironstone
NA
NA
NA
13
Samphire Shrublands on saline flats
NA
NA
NA
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VT
Broad Description
Reference
Possible
Equivalent
or
Similar
Community Type *
Location
14
Woodland of Casuarina obesa over Melaleuca spp. on
saline flats
NA
NA
NA
15
Low Woodland of Eucalyptus decipiens or Eucalyptus
foecunda over Acacia spp. on sand over limestone
Burbidge and Boscacci (1989)
Site 5
Southern Beekeepers NR
CALM (1998)
Soil type possibly represented
Nambung National Park
16
Sedgelands on non-saline flats
CALM (1998)
Soil type possibly represented
Nambung National Park
17
Low Forest to Woodland of Bankia attenuata, with
occasional Banksia menziesii and Eucalyptus todtiana
over shrubs dominated by Adenanthos cygnorum and
Eremaea pauciflora on sand
Gibson et al. (1994)
SCP23a (Central Banksia attenuata – B.
menziesii Woodlands) and 23b (Northern
Banksia
attenuata
– B. menziesii
Woodlands).
Mainly
located
on
Bassendean Sands; quadrats
in State Forest and Nature
Reserve
Crook et al. (1984)
Low Woodland A of B. attenuata over
Thicket/Scrub of Adenanthos cygnorum
and Banksia burdettii over Low Heath
C/D of varied composition
Bundarra NR
Crook et al. (1984)
Inland Woodlands: Open Low Woodland
A of B. attenuata over Low Scrub B of
mixed species
Wanagarren NR
Gibson and Keighery (1989)
Banksia Woodlands
Moore River NP
Namming NR
ecologia (1998, 2000)
DTA
Woodman
Environmental
(2000)
W5: Low Woodland of B. attenuata and
B. menziesii over mixed low shrubs
dominated by Eremaea pauciflora on
grey sand
Moore River NP
18
Low Forest to Low Woodland of Banksia attenuata and
B. menziesii with occasional Eucalyptus todtiana on
yellow sand on mid-slopes
Gibson et al. (1994)
SCP20a (Banksia attenuata woodlands
over species rich Dense Shrublands) and
SCP28 (Spearwood Banksia attenuata or
Banksia
attenuata
–
Eucalyptus
Woodlands).
Located on Spearwood and
Bassendean Sands; quadrats
on Crown Land
Crook et al. (1984)
Low Woodland A of B. attenuata and B.
menziesii (occasional B. ilicifolia and E.
todtiana) over Low Heath D of mixed
species
Namming NR
Inland Woodlands: Open Low Woodland
A of B. attenuata over Low Scrub B of
mixed species
Wanagarren NR
Gibson and Keighery (1989)
Banksia Woodlands
Moore River NP
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VT
Broad Description
Reference
Possible
Equivalent
or
Similar
Community Type *
Location
Namming Nature Reserve
ecologia (1998, 2000)
NA
DTA
Woodman
Environmental
(2000)
W5: Low Woodland of B. attenuata and
B. menziesii over mixed low shrubs
dominated by Eremaea pauciflora on
grey sand
Moore River NP
*Note: Please see text in Section 4.2.5.3 for further explanation and possibility of VTs of the Study Area matching community descriptions in historical studies.
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5
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
5.1
Flora of the Study Area
A total of 1156 discrete vascular plant taxa (excluding hybrids) have been recorded within
and immediately adjacent to the Cooljarloo West Study Area, including 1063 native taxa; 573
of these native taxa were recorded during surveys in 2012. By comparison, approximately
4165 vascular plant taxa (including 3322 native taxa) are noted by FloraBase (DPaW 2013a)
to occur within the SWA02 (Swan Coastal Plain) subregion; approximately 32 % of the
known native flora of this subregion is therefore known within the Study Area.
One of the main causes of the high floristic diversity within the Study Area may be the
proximity to the Study Area of the GS03 and SWA01 subregions, reflecting differences in soil
and underlying geology. As displayed in Appendix J, the location of the Study Area may
represent extensions of the known ranges of approximately 70 flora taxa, including 10 CS
flora taxa. Although none of the taxa recorded in the Study Area are endemic to the Study
Area itself, several have relatively small ranges, including Arnocrinum gracillimum (P2),
Baeckea sp. Moora (R. Bone 1991/1) (P3), Grevillea thelemanniana subsp. Cooljarloo (B.J.
Keighery 28 B) (P1), Hakea longiflora (P3), Hypocalymma serrulatum (P3), Malleostemon
sp. Cooljarloo (B. Backhouse s.n. 16/11/88) (P1), Onychosepalum microcarpum (P2),
Onychosepalum nodatum (P3) and Verticordia amphigia (P3) (all less than 100 km).
A large number of CS flora taxa are known to occur within the Study Area, the majority of
which were historically known from the area. Despite numerous surveys historically
undertaken within the Study Area, five CS flora taxa were newly recorded for the Study Area
during the 2012 studies. Collections of each of these taxa represent either range extensions
(Guichenotia alba (P3), Verticordia huegelii var. tridens (P3)), further define their known
ranges (Allocasuarina grevillioides (P3), Beyeria cinerea subsp. cinerea (P3)), or represent
further collections of nearby known locations (Hibbertia spicata subsp. leptotheca (P3)).
Considerable numbers of populations of listed T – DRF taxa are known in the Study Area,
likely as a result of the numerous intensive, historical surveys for these taxa within suitable
habitat. A total of 39 Andersonia gracilis, 22 confirmed Anigozanthos viridis subsp.
terraspectans and 24 Macarthuria keigheryi populations are known within the Study Area
(Figure 7.1). The majority of all known populations of both Andersonia gracilis and
Anigozanthos viridis subsp. terraspectans are located in the Cooljarloo area, however
approximately half of the Macarthuria keigheryi populations are known outside of this area,
including within the Perth metropolitan area. The record of Paracaleana dixonii in the Study
Area is a new locality, with the majority of populations of this taxon known from sandplain
areas north of the Study Area.
The preferred habitat of the four threatened flora taxa known within the Study Area covers the
majority of the Study Area itself, due to the differing habitat requirements of these taxa. In
total, approximately 75.5 % of the Study Area comprises preferred habitat for one or more
Threatened (DRF) taxa. Both Andersonia gracilis and Anigozanthos viridis subsp.
terraspectans (T-DRF) are very habitat specific, preferring seasonally damp (winter-wet),
black sandy clay to grey sand to clay loam flats near or on the margins of swamps or in
depressions. Although both of these taxa have been recorded in a variety of VTs in the Study
Area, the preferred habitat of Andersonia gracilis is restricted to VTs 1, 2 and 5 (22.3 % of
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the Study Area), and the preferred habitat of Anigozanthos viridis subsp. terraspectans is VT
1 (13.1 % of the Study Area).
Conversely, Macarthuria keigheryi (T-DRF) is historically recorded to grow in winter-damp
sands under Banksia and Kingia (Brown et al. 1998), however it is more recently known to
also occur on drier, sandy areas, usually found in areas recovering from fire or disturbance.
The preferred habitat of this taxon (VTs 17 and 18) equates to 66.03 % of the Study Area.
Likewise, the preferred habitat of Paracaleana dixonii equates to 72.8 % of the Study Area.
There are several poorly known flora taxa in the Study Area:
Eremophila glabra subsp. ? carnosa is known from two locations in the Study Area,
both in VT 2. This taxon was previously identified as Eremophila glabra subsp.
chlorella (T-DRF); however, further examination of specimens taken from these
locations by Andrew Brown has resulted in a new partial identification. This taxon is
still of interest, as it does not fit Eremophila glabra subsp. carnosa, and may in fact
represent a new taxon. The preferred habitat for this taxon is VT 2, which comprises
3.1 % of the Study Area.
Diurus ? eburnea (P1) has been recorded in the Wongonderrah Nature Reserve. This
taxon is known from between Eneabba and Three Springs and therefore if this
identification were to prove correct this would result in a large range extension for this
poorly known taxon. It was recorded in VT 10, which comprises of 0.3 % of the Study
Area.
A single collection of Stylidium carnosum subsp. ?Narrow leaves (J.A. Wege 490) (P1)
was recorded within the existing Cooljarloo mining area during 2011;
Three locations of Stylidium aceratum (P2) have also been recorded in the Study Area,
two from VT 2 and a third from within VT 6 (4.05 % of the Study Area). Prior to this
survey, this taxa was known from only one population, in the vicinity of Muchea (150
km south of the Study Area).
A single specimen of Schoenus badius (P2) was identified from surveys in 2006 in the
northern portion of the Study Area. The specimen has been lodged at the Western
Australian Herbarium under this name, however subsequent survey in 2007 determined
that this specimen was more likely to represent a slightly atypical form of the very
similar Schoenus pennisetus (P1) (Helena Holdings 2007).
Despite the relatively well surveyed nature of the Study Area, the surveys in 2012 identified a
significant number of new taxa for the area including five previously unrecorded CS flora
taxa. This indicates the high species richness and diversity of the vegetation present at
Cooljarloo and suggests that as yet unrecorded taxa are likely to be present.
5.2
Vegetation of the Study Area
Nineteen VTs have been mapped within the Study Area comprising of two VTs associated
with the more common Banksia Woodlands on sandy dunal areas, and a further 17 VTs
ranging from Heaths to Woodlands associated with several drainage systems and braided
wetlands that transect the Study Area. The vegetation of the Study Area was found to be in
primarily Pristine condition despite a very large number of introduced species being recorded.
Statistical analysis of the floristic quadrat data produced reasonably strong and distinct
groupings in general. However, a large number of quadrats were manually allocated to
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different groups as a result of inappropriate positioning in the field and other factors such as
mosaics of soil and hydrological conditions.
Assessment of local conservation significance of the VTs of the Study Area assigned the
majority of VTs a Moderate local conservation significance ranking, comprising 78.1 % of the
Study Area. Eight VTs (comprising 11.0 % of the Study Area) were assigned a local
conservation significance ranking of High, and a further eight VTs (3.2 % of the Study Area)
were assigned a local conservation significance ranking of Very High. These rankings were
based on a combination of preferred habitat for Threatened flora taxa and mapped extent
through the Study Area. It must be noted that of the eight VTs with a local conservation
significance of Very High, six of them (VTs 3, 4, 11, 14, 15 and 16) have highly restricted
distributions within the Study Area (occupying <0.1 % of the Study Area). The presence of
T-DRF taxa within some of the VTs increased the conservation significance, particularly
where the VT formed preferred habitat for particular taxa. As stated previously,
approximately 75.5 % of the Study Area comprises preferred habitat for one or more T-DRF
taxa indicating that the vegetation of the Study Area in general is of relatively high
conservation value.
There is no regional dataset against which to accurately compare the VTs of the Study Area in
order to determine their regional extent and significance, as the closest relevant study was
undertaken south of the Study Area. In reviewing the Swan Coastal Plain studies it was
concluded that few similarities exist between the Study Area and the vegetation of the
Southern Swan Coastal Plain and that additional work to resolve differences and similarities is
required before a comprehensive understanding of regional representation of vegetation types
can be reached.
Comparison of the VTs against several historical regional survey reports in the region
indicates that many of these VTs are likely to be represented in conservation reserve outside
of the Study Area. VTs 12, 13, 14 and 16 are not known in conservation estate outside of the
Study Area, and therefore their regional conservation significance is assumed to be high. In
particular, VT 14 is considered to be of high regional conservation status, as it shows
affinities with Casuarina obesa woodlands which were noted by Keighery and Keighery
(1992) as being highly restricted in the northern Swan Coastal Plain. There are no listed
TECs or PECs known in the Study Area, and none of the VTs mapped in the Study Area can
be correlated to listed TECs or PECs.
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