Botanical Survey of

Hamersley Range UplandsNmorn- ReseRve Svsreu PRoJEcr N7o9

Fnal RepoRT- MAY2002

I

5 8 1 .9( 9 4 1 3 )VAN

STEPHEN VAN LEEUWEN AND BOB BROMILOW

sclENcE DlvlsloN

DEPARTMENT oF CoNSERVATION AND LAND IIIANAGE ENT

l l

l e s t e r nustrat ia

GO C ? A R T T X I O F \ - - l

ConsennationA N D I . A N D M A N A g E A ' E N I

=V Cotuatri^g th. ^dtua ol wA

il|lu|m[|ililffl021263; t ' i : t l i r ; lAi ' i

J'i::jri: ; r.t:..r r /ii i-:ClilliiVrl.'il{tii

( ' , ; . \ ' ; . : . , t tL i : j ! i iT . : - , { l : ; ; i , \ i l ' l r . i - ;wnl*E 1;\tt.J -I . .,-:r.:,i,:,riA , f{t-1T f0{i l-0$lf ,".:,' -a

Botanical Survey of

Hamersley Range Uplands

NrloNll Resenve Sysreu Pnolecr N709

Frrunl Rrponr - MAY 2oo2

STEPHEN vAN LEEUWEN AND BoB BRoMILow

SctENcE DtvtstoN

DEPARTMENT oF CoNSERVATIoN AND LAND MANAGEMENT

-:q

Research. and the collation of information presented in this report was undertaken with

funding prouided bg the Biodiuersity Group of Enuironment Austalia. The project uas

undertaken for the National Reser-ues System Program (Project NTog).

The uiews and. opinions expressed in thk report are those of the author and d.o not reflect

those of the Commonwealth Gouernment, the Minister for the En,ironment and Heritage

or the Director of National Parks.

The rcport mag be cited. as Botanical Sunseg of Hamersby Range l/plands.

Copies of this rcport may be borroweilfrom the library:

Parks AustnliaEnvironment Australia

GPO Box 787CANBERRA ACT 260I

AUSTRALIA

of

Dr Stephen 1,1an l€euwenScience Division

Conseration anal Iand MaragementPO Box 8gs

KARRATHA WA6z4AUSTRAIIA

L

BotaDical Survey of HaneNley Range Upla(b NRS Project N709 Fhal Repon - May 2002

ABSTRACT

The Hamersley Range in the Pilbara is an extensive mountainous province in arid Australia containing acomplex mosaic of biological assemb/ages which harbours considerable botanical diversv. Theevolutionary history, geographical position, climatic gradients and heterogeneity in landforms, geologyand sol/s together with deterministic influences from selective forces such as fire have been indited asfactors that promote this botanical diversity. The archipelago of mountain summits and similar uplandislands throughout the Hamersley Range are purpofted to be impoftant habitats for this botanicaldiversity. However, limited sampling has precluded quantifying the importance of such habitats andconsequently an assessmenf of lhe conseruation sfatus of specles and communities occurring in summithabitats has not been undeftaken. Similarly, an assessmenl of the comprehenslyeness, adequacy andrepresentativeness of the existing reserve system in the Hamersley Range with respect to such habitatshas also not been undertaken. This survev addresses these shodcornlnos.

A total of 80 summits acloss fhe geographical extent of the Hamersley Range were systematicallysampled for their vascular plant flora. Ihese summlfs encompass the aftitudinal, climatic and arguablyselective gradients present across the range although were somewhat limited with respect to geologicaland edaphic gradients as inherently most summits were Banded lron Formation, the dominant geology ofthe Range.

A total flora of 378 vascular plant taxa were recorded from the 80 summit habitats. This flora includesmany species of taxonomic, biological and conservation interest, in pafticular eleven taxa which mayrepresent new species, 57 taxa at the geographical limits of their distributional ranges, 27 taxa which aredisjunct outliers and 15 taxa of conservation significance. Records for many taxa obtained during thissuruey were also the first for the Hamersley Range and the Pilbara Biogeographical Region.lnterestingly, a number of taxa recorded are also known from similar habitats in other arid Australianmountain ranges, in particular the Central Australian Ranges, MacDonnell Ranges and Mt Augustus. Themajority of taxa recorded are ubiquitous species known from many habitats types across fhe catenarysequence, only 38 are considered endemic to upland habitats. All but seven taxa recorded during thissurvey are known from the conseNation estate throughout their distributional range.

The summit habitat flora in the Hamersley Range ls partitioned into five ecologically identifiable andjustifiable floristic communities. The arrangement of these communities and thus the distribution of theirconstituent taxa appears to be influenced by geographical position, aftitudinal, climate andgeological/edaphic considerations although multi-collinearity undoubtedly ensures that such gradientsoperate in conceft. Altitude was identified as an impoftant gradient as a moderation in climatic conditionswith increasing height above the Hamersley Plateau, as demonstrated in cooler temperatures, is reflectedin higher floristic richness and a differentiation in floristic community types. Similarly, a soil moisturegradient as inferred from rainfall is also evident with localities close to the abrupt Hamersley Rangeescarpment and thus in the higher rainfall areas being differentiated floristically from those fufther southand in areas of lower rainfall. Problematically, floristic richness and the distribution of many refugial anddisjunct outlying taxa tend to be in areas of low rainfall afthough implied deficiencies in the rainfall recordfor the Range and the contribution to soil moisture from other climatic events may resolve this problem.The concordant influence of several deterministic gradients is implicit in the pyric gradient hypothesestendered to help explain patterns in specles dlstrlbution and community composition across the Range-Geological and inherently edaphic considerations also influence species distribution and floristic patternsespecially in respect to phosphorus, some cation concentrations and soil texture.

van keuwen a Brornilow, CoNenalion and hnd Manasene , Science Division

Botanical Suney of Hame$ley Range Uplads NRS Project N709 Firal ReDon - May 2002

Foftuitously, the existing Hamersley Range conservation reserve system, namely the Karijini NationalPark, adequately represenfs most taxa and floristic communities identified during the survey. With theimplementation of contemporary proposals lo augment this conservation reserve system all but six taxaand one floristic community will be represented on reserued land. No significant threats are identified forthe summit habitats of the Hamersley Range although the potential for degradation of biological andconseruation values was noted as a consequence of tourist developments, inappropriate firemanagement practices and future iron ore mine developments.

Several recommendations were tendered in respect to the outcomes of this survey. Five of theserecommendations relate specifically to the flora and floristic communities of summit habitats and addressthe need for changes to the conseNation status of several taxa, the need to have several taxa formallyrecognised as being of conseruation significance, the unresolved declaration of the MulgalandsConservation Park and the requirement for consideration of a conseruation reserve in the westernHamersley Range. The fifth recommendation lobbies for additional botanical surveys of other aridmountainous regions within Western Australia. The final two recommendations petition for consistency inthe delimitation of sub-regional biogeographical boundaries in the Pilbara and tender the necessaryrefinements.

*****

lan Le€uweD and Bromilow, Corsewation and Land Manag€ment, Scienc€ DivisioD

Botanical Swey of Haln€isl€y Range Uplands NRS Project N709 Finrl Reporr - May 2002

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project was principally supported by the Commonwealth covernment with fundingprovided under the auspices of the National Reserve System Program of the BiodiversityConservation Unit of Environment Australia. State Government funding was also providedthrough the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Commonwealth funding wasused to support the field program and subsequent laboratory, herbarium and analytical costswhile State funding covered staff salaries and infrastructure costs.

We acknowledge the assistance, encouragement and direction provided by Norm McKenzie,Keith Morris, Tony Start, Stephen Hopper, Allan Burbidge and lan Cresswell who helped withthe formulation of this project and ensured its completion. We would also like to thank supportstaff from the Wildlife Research Centre of the Department of Conservation and LandManagement, in particular Rod Mell and Lisa Wright, for their assistance with management ofthe budget and outstanding library support. Paul Gioia is acknowledged for the ANUCLIManalysis and Val English is thanked for her assistance in the field. The competent and proficientanalytical services provided by the Western Australian Chemistry Centre under the supervisionof Dave Allan are also acknowledged.

Our gratitude is also expressed to departmental colleagues in the Pilbara region namely,Chris Muller, Peter Moore, Peter Kendrick, Keith Cunningham (retired), Bob Taylor (retired) andMaitland Parker for providing access to vehicles, camping equipment and accommodation. Thesame staff are also acknowledged for their interest in the survey and its consequence formanagement of the Karijini National Park and other areas of conservation significance in theHamersley Range. Scott Bowden (Hamersley lron) and Mal Kneeshaw (BHP lron Ore) arethanked for sharing their geological knowledge of the Hamersley Range, in particular theirappreciation of the BlFs. Mal Kneeshaw and Matt Herbert (Hamersley lron) and colleagues atRobe River lron Associates are acknowledged for giving permission to access and use facilitieson land under their management in the Hamersley Range.

We are indebted to the aviation and logistical skills of pilots from Preston Helicopters, namelyMike Firth, Mike Agnew, Steve Kitson and Scott Bain (deceased). Without access to the wellmaintained helicopters and safety conscious, proficient pilots provided by Preston Helicoptersthis survey would have been severely limited.

Many staff from the Western Australian Herbarium (PERTH) and herbaria throughoutAustralia assisted with the identification and confirmation of determinations for the olantspecimens collected. ln particular, we thank Paul Wilson, Bruce Maslin, Nic Lander andBarbara Rye from PERTH and associates of PERTH, namely Carol Wilkins, Malcolm Trudgen,Tony Start and Andrew Brown. We also thank, Robyn Barker (AD), Bill Barker (AD), lanBrooker (CANB), Bob Chinnock (AD), Lyn Craven (CANB), lan Cowie (DNA), Paul Forster(BRl), James Grime (MEL), Gorgon Guymer (BRl), David Halford (BRl), Mike Lazarides(CANB), Brendan Lepschi (CANB), Barbara Randell (AD), Phil Short (DNA), Bryan Simon (BRl),Karen Wilson (NSW) and Peter Wilson (NSW) for their generosity in regards to assisting withplant identifications.

Finally, we thank Regina Flugge for her editorial review and commentary on this report.

vaD l-eeuweD aM Bron low, Consewation and r-ond ManaseNent, ScieDceDivisiol

Botanical Surv€y ofHairErsl€y Range Uplands NRS I'ioject N709 FinalRepon - May 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE HAMERSLEY RANGE - A NATURAL REGToN ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3ScoPE AND PURPoSE oF STUDY ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ENvtRoNMENTAL C

Climatic covelatesGeological correlates.......... -...-----.---...Edaphic conelates

. . . . . . . , , . . ' . . . . . . ' ' ' ' . . . . . . . . . . . ' . ' . 18t 0

t o

a 1

) ' t

1 7

ENvlRoNMENTAL CORRELATESGeo grap hic al correl ates .Climatic cofteldtes..........Geo lo gical correlates ....Edaphic correlates ........

FloRrsrrcs.........................Composition ....................Distributionol Status .......Res en'a I i on S ta hts .........

APPEIIDICES

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . 2 8

P ztterning... - - - - -......

Analytical regime used to determine the physical and chemical properties ofthe 80 soil sauples.

Descriptive details on the location and setting of 80 summits located throughout the Hamersley Range.

List ofvascular plants recorded from 80 summit habitats throughout the Hamersley Range.

Presence-absence matrix oftaxa by surveyed summits.

Mean (+ SE) values for environmental correlates andfloristic richness statistics between site groups.* * * * *

57

57

van lreuwen and Bromilow, Conse8ation and hnd Managerne , Science Division

BotaDical Survey of Harnelsley RanSe Uplards NRS Proiecl N709 Fnral Report - May 2002

INTRODUCTION

The Hamersley Range in the Pilbara of Western Australia is a mountainous region containingthe State's highest peaks. The Range can be orographically defined as an archipelago ofuplands which rise above the subdued Hamersley Plateau. The Range occurs within theAustralian arid zone (Gentille 1972. Nix 1982) and is characteristic of a Hot Mountainous Desert(Mabbutt 1965, '1977, van Etten 2000). Other Hot Mountainous Deserts include the BarleeRange - Mt Augustus area and Carnarvon Range of Western Australia, the Central Ranges(includes the Musgrave, Mann, Petermann and Everard Ranges) and MacDonnell Ranges ofthe Northern Territory, the Flinders Ranges of South Australia and the Barkly Tablelands ofQueensland (Mabbutt 1965, van Etten 2000).

As with mountainous regions worldwide the Hamersley Range is an important region forbotanical diversity, although the Range has not achieved the notoriety that similar Australianarid zone mountainous regions such as the Central Ranges or MacDonnell Ranges haveachieved. This arguably can be attributed to our lack of knowledge and the logistical isolation ofthe Range. Features of the Hamersley Range which promote botanical diversity encompass asuite of characters which are ubiquitous to mountainous regions. These characters, which mayact in concert, promote temporal and spatial heterogeneity in the environmental gradients thatdrive evolutionary and ecological selection processes (Poore 1992, Global MountainBiodiversity Assessment 2002). They include characters such as altitudinal gradients,geographical isolation, habitat protection and the stratification of climatic, geological, edaphic,pyric and anthropomorphic considerations (Costin 1983, Korner 2000). For example, the fidelityof Callitris glaucophylla to elevated sites which are characteristically sheltered scree slopes withsouthern aspects in the Hamersley Range is a manifestation of selective pressures driven byaltitudinal, habitat protection, micro-climate and pyric gradients. Similarly, zonation in thedistribution of Triodia and Acacia species across the catena sequence in the Range is driven bygeological, edaphic and pyric gradients (van Leeuwen and Fox 1985, Casson 1994, van Etten2000).

Furthermore, the geographical position of the Hamersley Range has also promoted botanicaldiversity. Firstly, the Range is located in a transitional zone between the floras of the southernTorresian and the central Eyrean bioclimatic regions as clearly demonstrated in the Acacla florawhich has strong representation of both subtropical and arid zone elements (Maslin 1982).Synonymously, the proximity of the Range to the Pilbara coast and thus the xeric-moderatinginfluences conferred by tropical depressions (cyclones) and monsoon troughs has permittedtropical elements in the flora and vegetation to persist (Beard '1976). The presence of plantssuch as Atalaya, Astrotricha, and Clerodendrum together with the occurrence of Sorghum andMitchell grass (Astrebla) grasslands on cracking clays throughout the Range are indicative ofsuch tropical elements. The juxtaposition of the Range across a major phytogeographicalboundary (Acacia-Triodia line) (Beard 1975, Bridgewater 1994) also promotes botanicaldiversity. The influence of this juxtaposition is evident in the coincidental occurrence of hightaxonomic diversity in Acacia and Triodia (Hopper and Maslin 1 978, Hnatiuk and Maslin 1980,Jacobs, 1982, Lazarides 1997). Similarly the northern limits to distributional ranges for manyAcacia and Eremophila species is also indicative of this phytogeographical boundary. Finally, itis postulated that during the Quaternary the Hamersley Range was within a region

var r-€eLtw€ and Bromilow. Consemtior and bM Manasenent, Scienc€ Division

characterised by climatic unpredicability which created conditions ideal for speciation as aconsequence of stresses endured by plants (Bowler 1982, Maslin and Hopper 1982). The highpreponderance of recently evolved taxa within the Acacla genus in the Hamersley Rangesupports this proposition (Maslin 1982).

Therefore, paradoxically, the Hamersley Range supports a flora which comprises bothrecently evolved and relictaul species. Examples of recently evolved entities include the 44Acacla species identified by Maslin (1982), while examples of relictaul entities include speciestypicaf of tropical distributions (eg. Brachychiton, Livistona), species with disjunct andattenuated distributions (eg. So/anum ferocissimum (Symon 1982), Hibbertia glaberrima) andspecies which are postulated to have retreated to upland refugia during adverse climatic periodsonly to proliferate and reinvade lowland (sandy) habitats during more favourable evolutionarytimes (eg. Dodonaea (West 1982), Senna (Randell and Symon 1977)).

The identification of the Hamersley Range as an important refugia of botanical diversity wasfirst reported by Gardner (1942) who described the Range as "almost an 'island' in theEremaea" when justifying inclusion of the Fortescue District in his Northern Botanical Province.Subsequently, Beard (1976, 1 980) also acknowledged ihe refugial qualities of the HamersleyRange while refuting Gardner's inclusion of the Fortescue District in the Northern BotanicalProvince and justifying its placement in the Eremaean Botanical Province. SubsequentlyMorton et a/. (1995) recognised the Hamersley Range together with the adjacent ChichesterRange (WA29) as an important refugia for biological diversity in arid Australia. These latterauthors cite the wide variety of endemic organisms as the chief refugial properties of theHamersley Range although mention is also made of gorges and pool habitats within the Rangewhich harbour relict species. The Hamersley-Chichester Ranges were described as anextremely significant refugia (score of 8) by Morton et a/. (1995) when ranked according to thenumber of distributional and conservation criteria. This ranking matched that determined for theEastern MacDonnell Ranges and is subordinate only to the ranking received for the WesternMacDonnell Ranges.

Obvious habitats in the Hamersley Range which have recital properties are the gorges andsummits of the higher peaks although the infrequent, well developed cracking clay (gilgai) soilon some valley floors also appears to be refugia as evident by the disjunct occurrences ofseveral tropical species (eg. Astrcbla squarrosa, Iotasperma sessilifolium, Desmodiumcampylocaulon) in this habitat. The gorges are refugial habitats as they principally affordprotection from fire and are microclimatically more mesic, especially those with permanent poolsand freshwater seepage. Examples of biologically significant plants occurring in such habitatsinclude Pferls viftata, Adiantum capillus-veneis, Clerodendrum lanceolatum and Stvlidiumweeliwolli.

Summits throughout the Hamersley Range are deemed to be refugial as they principallyconfer climatic relief from the xeric surrounds as a consequence of adiabatic lapse rateconsiderations, which is further attenuated on southern slopes which receive less sorarirradiation. Xeric relief may also be conferred in terms of moisture availability as the tallersummits may confer an orographic advantage which influences local rainfall and occasionallysuch summits are enveloped in mist or are below the cloud base. Such habitats also affordconsiderable protection from fire, particularly when surrounded by precipitous cliffs and boulderscrees. Exampfes of biologically significant plants occurring in such habitats include Hibbeftiaglaberrima, Thysanotus manolesranus, Brachychiton acuminatus and Daviesia eremaea.

vaD l€euwer and Bron low, CoDservatioDand tand Managenent ScieDce DivisioD

THE HAMERSLEY RANGE - A NATURAL REGIoN

The Hamersley Range (22' 33' S, 117" 54' E) is located within the Pilbara BiogeographicalRegion (Thackway and Cresswell 1995) which conforms to Beard's (1975) Fortescue BotanicalDistrict. The Range occupies 24.5o/o of the 179 323 km2 biogeographical region and is situatedbetween the Fortescue and Ashburton Rivers (Figure 1). The Range is the upland componentof the Hamersley Plateau, a natural physiogeographic sedimentary unit uplifted and overlayingthe southern portion of the Archaean Pilbara Craton (Trendalt 1990). The Hamersley Plateauand thus Range is encompassed within the Hamersley sub-region (PlL3) of the pilbaraBiogeographical Region and occupies 77yo of this sub-region (Figure 1 ).

The Hamersley Range covers approximately 44 O2O km2 and is geomorphologically a seriesof topographical features (ranges, ridges, hills, plateaux) encompassing isolated and continuouschains (archipelagos) of uplands which rise above the Plateau surface. The Range isdemarcated by an abrupt and precipitous escarpment, especially along its northern and westernflanks. This escarpment is broken in many places by entrenched, incised gorges such asDales, Hancock, Bee and Yampire Gorges. To the east and south the escarpment is subduedas the topography of the Hamersley Plateau gives way to the broad Ashburton River valley andthe low rocky hills of the Bangemall Basin and the Sylvania Inlier (Tyler et a/. 1990). Reliefacross the Range varies from 300 m above sea level in the west to over 1 200 m on the highestpeaks which occupy the central Plateau. From the central Plateau relief acquiesces in aneasterly and southerly direction to between 500-600 m at the extremities (Figure 2). The centralportion of the Range is 300-400 m above the Plateau surface. Approximately 251 km'� of theRange occurs above 1 000 m while the area above 1 200 m is just 64 ha represented in 12island summits. These summits include the highest mountains in Western Australia: MtMeharry 1245 m; Mt Bruce 1235 m: and Mt Mossenson 1204 m. The Hamersley Range sens./at. encompasses a number of constituent ranges and ridge massifs, namely the Eastern,Hancock, Jirrpalpur, Lawloit, Ophthalmia, Packsaddle, Werribee and Western Ranges.

Surface water drainage from the Range is into the Fortescue River on the northern andeastern flanks, into the Robe River in the west and into the Ashburton River in the south.Typically drainage along the northern escapement is short and abrupt via deeply incised gorgesalthough some large channels such a Weeli Wolli, Marillana, Western and Weelumurra Creekexist. Drainage into the Ashburton River is via a series of more elaborate channels such asTuree and Duck Creeks and the Beasley, Hardey and Angelo Rivers. The Robe River system isessentially the only tertiary drainage system which relies entirely on the Hamersley Range as itsprincipal catchment. The Robe River system is also fed by Bungaroo, Red Hill and KuminaCreeks which all have headwaters in the Range. There are also internal drainage basins withinthe Range, namely the Mt Bruce Flats, Lake Robinson and the Coondewanna and WannaMunna Flats.

Surface geology is dominated by banded ironstone (BlF - banded-ironstone formation)interlaced to varying degrees with intrusions of chert, dolomite, siltstone and shales which weredeposited during the Neoarchean to Palaeoproterozoic eons (Simonson and Hassler 1997).The BIF overlays the Archaean volcanics and basalts underpinning the Hamersley Plateau(Thorne and Tyler 1997a). The BlFs are ubiquitous throughout the Range (Figure 3), especiallytowards the escarpment, in the north and on the resistant higher portion of the HamersleyPlateau. These BlFs are part of the Hamersley Group of sedimentary rock types of which theBrockman lron Formation is the most abundant (Trendall and Blockley 1970). Other major

vltr Le€uweD ad Bromilow. Conser!"tioD ad Land Manage ent, Science Division

E3Hru3s30 AoNVS rv:lue

| 1 | l $

e,z\

!a

6

Eb

F

t

e

I

s

a!

Ett

ooo=0,ct'CtgeoEoE6Eo

oo

!,o6tJ

ctg!'lo{,g|oIlE(g

tt(!

attocoF

G|

EE lll

Iz€

z

' 6

I

t

€

IL

m

Eou-

E=

Ei:

cv

trd)

omt!Fo

c,ttq,

=(,E(!t

tl,aIt,

tgIq,

11)cttv,o

cD

rt,t!

aeg

gl

l!

Bolanical SNeyof Hamenley Ranse Uplards NRS Project N709 FntalReport - May 2002

ferruginous rock types include the basal Marra Mamba lron Formation, the Boolgeeda lronFormation and Cainozoic deposits of Robe Pisolite. The ancient Archaean granitic andgreenstone basement outcrops sporadically throughout the Range, predominantly to the southwith some isolated exposures along well eroded drainage lines towards the centre of thePlateau. The sedimentary sandstones of the Fortescue Group and their interlaced volcanic(doleritic) and basaltic sequences are scattered throughout the Range with notable exposuresforming a prominent ridge towards the centre of the Plateau. Alluvium and colluvial pedimentsderived from sources further up the catena profile dictate most valley floors (Beard 1975,Thorne and Tyler 1997a, Tyler ef a/. 1990).

Soil development throughout the Range is generally poor especially toward the summit ofupland areas where slope and gravitational forces colluded to redistribute such material downslope. Typically soils are skeletal, shallow, and stony having been derived rn s,tu or depositedas colluvium and alluvium pediments on valley floors. Colours reflect the underlying parentmaterial as does the preponderance of ferruginous pediments. Texturally the soils are stonyloams although towards the bottom of the catena clays and silts become prevalent (Bettenay etal. 1567). As a consequence of parent rock geology most soils are of low fertility and slightlyacidic although the clays associated with basalts and those of alluvial and colluvial valley floorstend towards alkaline and are more fertile (Conservation and Land Management 1999, vanEtten 2000).

Beard (1975) describes the climate of the Hamersley Plateau as semi-desert tropical withsummer rainfall of 300 mm per annum although it is enatic and highly unpredictable(Conservation and Land Management 1999, van Etten 2000). Temperatures range from anaverage maximum of about 40"C in January to 24'C in July, while average minima range from25'G to 8'C for the corresponding months. Typically summer (December to March)temperatures exceed a daily maxima of 35'C, winter temperatures (June to August) average amaxima of 11'C or below while spring and autumn average maxima vary between 15'C and30"C. Temperature extremes varying from -1'C to 48'C have been recorded across the Range.A temperature gradient associated with altitude is evident with upland localities being 2" to 5"Con average cooler than localities on the margins of the Range (Gavin Edmonds, Bureau ofMeteorology, Port Hedland, personal communication). Humidity averages 21 to 4Oo/o across theRange with the lowest relative humidity occurring from October to December. Evaporationaverages I mm/day however, this varies from 14 mm/day between November and January toaround 5 mm/day in June to July (Bureau of Meteorology, 2001).

Rainfall of 225 mm is predominantly received in the summer months (67%) and is primarilyassociated with the passage of tropical depressions (cyclones) along the Pilbara coast although35oh to 45o/o of this summer rainfall is derived from thunderstorms (Beard 1975). Rainfall overthe winter months averages around 50 mm (van Leeuwen, unpublished data) and is far moreregular than summer rainfall. This winter rainfall originates from strong cold fronts and theirassociated mid-latitudinal lows which penetrate the Pilbara as they move eastward across theState. Winter rainfall increases with progression south across the Range (van Etten 2000) andcan often be substantial, especially if interactions with a northwest cloud band occur (Tapp andBanell , 1984).

The 300 mm per annum average detailed by Beard (1975) conforms suitably with mean annualisohyet predictions based on Bureau of Meteorology data Waters and Rivers Commission,2002), which conservatively shows that rainfall across the Range varies from 350 mm in thenorth to 225 mm in the south (Figure 4). A gradient of about 75 mm also appears to exist from

van Leeuweu rnd Bmmilow. Conseoarion and L.and MaDrgcrnenl Science Drvrsron

5

,qE6

B

<)t

I

.5

Eo

Eaq)

v.9g.q)E't_

o)

Eq)

vit.96

oC'trttb 6 iu Q lt r o

g iE . Ya n U ,

> E( , E; o* oE 2g ;

: i zE E0 lt,

E Eg=-= op oE c {' F =

r t =E i ;t t -o _ 9

9 i+, rE

E 5o . =U E! f c9 0- , =o oO F

t'

E3.9tt

I

Bolanical SuNey ofHame6ley Rans€ Uplands NRS Project N709 Fnral Repon - May 2002

west to east with the eastern end of the Range receiving 225 mm. Recent climaticinterpolations by van Etten (2000) demonstrate that annual average rainfall throughout theRange was slightly higher varying from 400 to 250 mm across the latitudinal extent from north tosouth. These interpolated estimates conform closely with contemporary records for 23 rainfallrecording stations across the Range which indicate a range of 430 to 260 mm (van Leeuwen,unpublished data). An altitudinal gradient in rainfall is also apparent with habitats towards thesummits of the higher peaks receiving more rainfall, at least in winter (van Etten 2000).Obviously orographic factors also influence rainfall as demonstraied by the annual average of466 mm received at Wittenoom at the base of the northern escarpment (Bureau of Meteorology2001). Local orographic effects also appear to be influential on top of the Range asdemonstrated from the 20+ yeat record of 327 mm at East Giles, 379 mm at Marillana Creek,400 mm at Robe Catchment (56A), 409 mm at Flat Valley and 427 mm at Marandoo (Water andRivers Commission 2OO2, Hamersley lron 2001)

Apart from rainfall other climatic events influencing atmospheric moisture throughout theRange are frosts, dews and fog/mist. No statistics are available on the frequency of frosts anddews but they are known to occur (Conservation and Land Management 1999, van Leeuwenpersonal observation). Records of fog/mist are also limited but where available (Wittenoom andPannawonica) indicate that on average fogs/mists occur on less than one day per year (GavinEdmunds, Bureau of Meteorology, Port Hedland, personal communication) although thefrequency of such events in the Range is greater (van Leeuwen, unpublished data).

Another source of atmospheric moisture occurs when upland areas disappear above thecloud-base. As depicted in Figure 5 such events occur although frequency records areunknown for most of the Range. At Newman on the eastern end of the Range, during daylighthours the mean cloud height for the lowest cloud layer, on days when cloud is present, istypically less than 1 250 m from April to July (Table 1). A similar pattern is evident in themornings at Pararburdoo and Wittenoom from May to July. Interestingly, the frequency of suchevents coincides with months when the northwest cloud bands is most likely to impact on thePilbara and give rise to heavy rainfall over the Hamersley Range (Tapp and Barrell, 1984, vanLeeuwen, unpublished data). Undoubtedly, as a consequence of local orographic influencesand adiabatic thermodynamics, the height for the lowest cloud layer can fall below the height ofsummits within the Range which must increase moisture deposition.

Table 1 Monthly mean cloud height (m ASL) for the lowest cloud layer from three climaticstations in or immediately adjacent to the Hamersley Range (Bureau of Meteorology,Perth, personal communication).

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Newman9.00 am3.00 pm

Pararburdoo9.00 am3.00 pm

Wittenoom9.00 am3.00 pm

1 307 1 106't 361 't 211

1 2 a O 1 2 1 61501 1421

I 430 't 2181542 1388

1 353 I 0501 292 't 100

't 560 1 4441 682 1 608

1 233 't 3401 468 1 532

1230 12501 219 '�t 185

1224 12851 513 '1 491

I 246 't 1761384 1255

1 029 1 5001075 1436

1216 14241449 1962

1 074 't 326't 272 1 545

1 500 - 1320 't 3711 286 r 050 13BB 1219

1 339 1 547 1544 1 1641 706 1 785 1572 1735

1 599 1 523 I 544 15881675 1626 1592 1642

!"n Le€uw€n and Bronilow. Consen"tioD and ta'd Manasement, ScieDce Division

Bohnie{l swvfyol thtrrcrsl.y Rrnsc ud{n(ls NRs PRti(cr N709 Firril RcFrrr - Ivhy ?00:

Figure 5 lmage depicting a low cloud base obscuring the summit ot Mt Bruce (June 1998).

The major settlements within the Hamersley Range are the townships of Tom Price,

Pararburdoo and Newman (Figure 2). These towns were established in the 1960's to service

iron-ore mining operations, although today they are also service centres lor the pastoral and

tourism industries. The town o{ Pannawonica on the western edge of the Range is also a

service centre tor activities which impact on the Range as are the villages of Wittenoom and

Munjina. Smaller settlemenls are also scattered throughout the Range in the form of a national

park headquarters, three pastoral lease homesteads, lour aboriginal communities and

accommodation/infrastructure villages lor eleven mining operations. The economy of the

Hamersley Range is dominated by mining, in particular iron ore mining although tourism and thepastoral industry make substantial contributions. Operational mines are located at Brockman,

Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Channar, Marandoo, West Angelas, Marillana, Yandi, and Mt

Whaleback. Most roads throughout the Hamersley Range are unsealed although the Great

Northern Highway (National Highway 1) and arterial routes linking the major towns are sealed.

Rail transportation is also prominent with a proliferation of lines servicing all of the operational

mines and linking these mines to ports on the Pilbara coast (Figure 2). Two regional aarports,

located at Newman and Paraburdoo, service the Hamersley Range.

The tenure of land within the Hamersley Range is principally (50%) unallocated Crown land

with the remainder allocated to pastoral leases, a conservation reserve and numerous small

miscellaneous reserves associated with township developments, water supplies or minang

inlrastructure requirements. Three pastoral leases (Juna Downs, Hamersley Station, and

Brockman Station) are entirely encompassed within the Range while the majority ol the Rocklea

and Duck Creek leases are also captured. Another thirteen pastoral leases extend into the

Range. As a consequence ol the geological prowess and prospectivity of the Range almost

70% ot the Range is held under mining relates leases. Eight Native Title Claims are

superimposed over 90% of the Range.

vu I eerrvrn dtl Bnrril.rv. C(r$Ls'rli(!r rn,l li Mrnrs(nro(. Scirrc( Dilisitnr

Karijini National Park, the second largest national park in Western Australia occurs within theHamersley Range (Figure 2). This class "A" conservation reserve occupies an area of6 066 km2 of which most (all but 55 km2) occurs on the Hamersley Plateau. The Park occuptesapproximate 14o/o of the Range (Figure 2). The Park is a nationally significant tourist destinationbeing renowned for its spectacular gorges, scenic landscapes and prominent mountains like MtBruce. The National Park is located in the centre of the Hamersley Plateau and extends almostentirely across the latitudinal extent of the Range. Topographically the Park is somewhatbiased in its representativeness of the Hamersley Range as the rolling and rounded low hills tothe west are absent, as are the large colluvium and alluvium valley floors associated with theeast-west trending ridgelines found to the east. Altitudinal representation in the Park is alsosomewhat skewed as demonstrated by the occurrence of all but one summit island apove1 200 m within its boundary. Geologically and climatically the National Park appears toencompass most of the environmental gradients present throughout the Range.'

A significant addition to the conservation reserve system within the Hamersley Range hasbeen proposed. This reserve, proposed as a multiple use conservation park (MulgalandsConservation Park), encompasses 4 600 km2 and occurs to the south east of the existingNational Park (Figure 2). The tenure of this proposed conservation park is currently UnallocatedCrown Land and is bounded by the Great Northern Highway and Juna Downs Station to thenorth, by Mt Newman to the east, by pastoral leases (Prairie Downs and Turee Creek) to thesouth and by the National Park to the west. The proposed reserve encompasses mostly east-west trending ridge lines and mountain ranges that are covered with extensive mulgawoodlands which are continuous across the catenary sequence. The area also harbourssignificant tussock grasslands on the valley floors, including perennial tussock grasslands oncracking clay soils. Both the mulga woodland and tussock grassland communities are not wellrepresented in Karijini National Park (Conservation and Land Managemeni 1999) and as theyare in near-pristine condition have not been noticeably impacted by pastoral grazing and areinfrequently burnt. This proposed reserve encompasses substantial mountainous areasincluding the Ophthalmia Range and summits like Giles Point, Mt Ella, The Governor and WestAngela Hill.

Unquestionably, by virtue of its mineral wealth and resource development potential, theHamersley Range is one of the better known areas botanically in the arid zone of WesternAustralia. Despite this substantial reposiiory of knowledge the flora and vegetation of theRange is still poorly documented and the ecological forces, environmental gradients andthreatening process impinging upon it are poorly understood. This proposition is subsiantiatedby the implausible absence of a flora treatment for this important region, a fact which is furtherauthenticated by the lack of such an inventory for the Karijini National Park. Validation of theproposition that the flora of the region is poorly documented is also discernible from floristicrichness statistics for the National Park. These statistics have more than doubled in the oastdecade from estimates in 1992 of 'over 481' (Mattiske and Associates 1992) through to '750 to800' in 1998 (Trudgen and Casson 1 998) to finally approximately 900 species in 2002 (vanLeeuwen, unpublished data). Further substantiation is provided by van Etten (1998, 2000) whocontends the diversity of the Hamersley Range is under-appreciated, a fact which hasimplication for conservation and land management initiatives.

Notwithstanding such obvious shortcomings, a considerable volume of recent workassociated with the environmental approvals process for resource development p@ects (eg.Mattiske and Associates 1992, ecologia 1997, Trudgen and Casson 1998, Biota 2002) andscientific investigations undertaken by botanical ecologists (Craig 1 993, Casson 1 994, van

van Leeuwen and Bron low. Corsewation aDd hrdManasenEn! Science DivisioD

Botanical Survey of Hamenley knse Uplands NRS Proiect N709 Fi'ul Report - May 2002

Leeuwen ef a/. 1995, van Etten 2000) has provided valuable insight into the floristics of theHamersley Range and the environmental processes and gradients that influence thearrangement and organisation of vegetation. This research has demonstrated that the Rangehas a rich flora and diverse vegetation which contains many species and communities oftaxonomic, biological and conservation significance. For example, 635 taxa, of which 64 wereof conservation interest, and 62 vegeiation units, of which nine were of conservation interest,were recorded from the West Angelas Study Area (420 km'�) in the centrat Hamersley Range(Trudgen and Casson 1998). Species turnover (/ diversity) between sites has also beenrecorded as noteworthy and approaches that reported for the species-rich kwongan ai MtLesueur in the South-West Botanical Province (van Etten 2000). Environmental correlatespurported to contribute to the floristic richness and diversity of vegetation throughout the Rangehave been identified as fine-scale heterogeneity in edaphic and microclimatic conditions, andlandform heterogeneity with respect to position along the catenary sequence and geologicalsetting (van Leeuwen and Fox 1985, Trudgen and Casson 1998, van Etten 2000). Thesedeterministic correlates appear subordinate to the spatial and temporal influences of altitudinaland pyric gradients (Craig 1993, van Leeuwen and Fox 1985, van Leeuwen et a/. 1995,Trudgen and Casson 1998, van Etten 1988,2000).

Arguably, one of the least sampled and appreciated floras in the Hamersley Range belongsto habitats located on the summits of mountains, hills and the landforms present in this uolandarchipelago. The accessibility of such habitats to botanists is undoubtedly the main explanationfor our poor appreciation of their flora. Interrogation of the specimen database (FloraBase) atthe Western Australian Herbarium (PERTH) indicates that only 12 localities defined as summithabitats have been visited by botanists. The majority of these summits and those with thegreatest frequency of vouchered collections are easily accessible by vehicle (eg, Mt Nameless,Mt Meharry) or are renowned tourist destinations (Mt Bruce). The flora list, based on specimenshoused at PERTH totals 57 taxa for such habitats, the majority of which arc Eucalyptus, Acaciaand Triodia soecies.

Floristic surveys at West Angelas incorporating the numerical analysis of presence/absencedata distinguished vegetation associations on the crests of hills and other habitats analogous tothe summits of mountains in the Hamersley Range, although no sample sites actuallyrepresented summit habitats per se. Sites in these analogous habitats at West Angelas weredifferentiated into different floristic associations based on geological considerations (Brockmanlron Formation ys Marra Mamba Formation), position along the catenary sequence (steepslopes ys crests) and edaphic considerations (Trudgen and Casson 1998). Similarly, van Etten(2000) sampled seven summit habitats in his population pool of 139 sites within an area of8 400 km2 in the north central part of the Hamersley Range. He successfully distinguished andquantitatively defined the floristic associations of these habitats. The distinguishing features ofthese habitats, particularly in relation to other upland habitats dominated by hard spinifex, wasthe presence of emergent Eucalyptus mallees (E kingsmillii), the significant paucity of softgrass cover, the richness of 'uncommon' species and the altitude at which these associationsoccurred (> 980 m). Using Best Possible Estimation procedures van Etten (2000) estimatedthat summit habitats occupied 241 km2 of his study area which when extrapolated toencompass the Hamersley Range sens. /at. equates to about 2 218 km2 or 5% of the region.

No attempt was made by van Etten (2000) or those who preceded him to further quantify thefloristic richness of Hamersley Range summits, the biological and conservation significance ofthe flora or investigate the influence of environmental correlates on the partitioning of floristiccommunities across the Range. This study was conceived to fulfil this end.

van L€euwen aDd Bmmilow, Conservation and l.and Managernen! ScieDce Divisiol

Botanical Survey ofHanErsl€y Range Uplands NRS Project N709 Firal Repon - May 2002

SCOPE AND PURPoSE oF STUDY

The objectives of the Botanical Survey of Hamersley Range Uplands were tocomprehensively and quantitatively document the flora of summit habitats throughout theRange, investigate the arrangement of this flora into communities, identify the environmentalcorrelates influencing their circumscription and distribution and assess their biological andconservation status. The study involved a rigorous and comprehensive field program supportedby herbarium and laboratory analyses.

The fundamental deliverables are botanical (species and communities) and environmentalcorrelates inventories for summit habitats within the Hamersley Range. These inventories areemployed to evaluate the presence and distribution of plants of biologically and conservationsignificance and the floristic communities into which they are partitioned. The botanicalinventory is also used to verify the comprehensiveness, adequacy and representativeness ofthe exiting conservation reserve system (Karijini National Park) with respect to the flora andfloristic communities of summit habitats. Findings on the botanical significance of the Range(refugial qualities) with reference to significant species are presented as are comments onthreatening processes and the importance of the Range for biodiversity. Recommendations aretendered in relation to the conservation status of species and floristic communities, thecomprehensiveness, adequacy and representativeness of the reserve system, potentialthreatening processes and the validity of sub-regional boundaries.

METHODS

STUDY AREA

The area encompassed by this study includes the whole of the Hamersley Range sens. /at.as previously defined (page 3), extending from just south of Pannawonica in the west to east ofNewman and from the abrupt Hamersley escarpmeni in the north to the gentle souihern flankabutting the Gascoyne Biogeographical Region in the south (Figure 6). The study area wasconfined to the Pilbara Biogeographical Region and was predominantly within the Hamersley(PlL3) sub-region although minor incursions into the Fortescue (PlL2) sub+egion occurreo,particularly east of Newman.

FLoRtslcs

Sampling

The sampling regime developed for the survey aimed to sample, as a minimum, one summitin each of the 1 :50 000 map sheets (86 in total) which encompassed the study area. The

vatr L€€uwen and Bromilow, Consenation and rnnd Manasenput, Science Division

a

B

e

3

(!

6

o=

{,o

a)EoE,

too6'EEEo

=o

a

o!a,CI

GuC'o{,

o

.!

.JoE

t!r!e(!

tt

o

@

Eatllt

tactics used to select the appropriate summit in each on the 1:50 000 grid squares was basedon the following protocols:

. The highest summit in each 1:50 000 grid squares providing it was a prominentfeature and sufficiently elevated above the surrounding terrain;

o Where possible the summit within a grid square should be removed from thesummit(s) selected in neighbouring grid squares; and

. All prominent summits should be sampled irrespective of the number ofpreviously selected summits within that grid square.

As a consequence of this protocol several of the 1:50 000 grid squares were not sampled,primarily because they did not contain summits which were sufficiently distinct or elevatedabove the surrounding terrain to warrant inclusion in this survey. Access to the selectedsummits was typically obtained by helicopter although vehicular and foot access was obiainedto several sites.

One 50 m2 quadrat was established on each of the selected summits and all vascular plantswithin the quadrat were recorded. Sampling time within a quadrat was standardised toone-person hour. Unconfined opportunistic sampling outside each permanent quadrat was alsoundertaken over the reminder of the summit. This sampling endeavoured to record all vascularplants present and was standardised to two-person hours of effort. The majority of summitswere sampled on one occasion only as preliminary investigations undertaken on 12 summitsindicated that repeated sampling on two to three occasions did not markedly increase thenumber of plant species recorded (98% of the plants present were recorded during the initialvisit to the 12 trial summits, van Leeuwen, unpublished data). Sampling occurred betweenAugust and October in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and was typically constrained by the availabilityand cost of helicopter hire. Quadrats were permanently marked on all corners andphotographic records were captured from a fixed point. Orientation and geographical localitywere also recorded using a compass and GPS.

Plant specimens were collected for most taxa encountered during the survey. Thesespecimens were processed in the field and pressed in conventional herbarium plant presses fordrying under ambient conditions. Details on habit, abundance, locality, habitat, vegetation typeand associated species were recorded for each collected specimen. Sufficient material wascollected from each sample to facilitate the lodgement of voucher specimens in the WesternAustralian Herbarium (PERTH) and Pilbara Regional Herbarium (KARR). Duplicate materialwas also supplied to other Australian herbaria. Specimen identification was performed withreference to standard published floras applicable to the Pilbara, generic taxonomic treatmentsor through liaison with taxonomists at the PERTH and Eastern States herbaria. Theclassification of plants conforms to that currently employed by the Western Australia Herbarium(PERTH) as portrayed in Paczkowska and Chapman (2000), or with that promoted bysubsequent taxonomic and systematic treatments.

Analysis

Floristic composition and richness was assessed on presence/absence matrices whichcomprised the entire data set of planis recorded from each summit (records from quadrats plusthose obtained from unconfined sampling) and not just those plants recorded within the 50 m2quadrats. Justification for this agglomerative strategy was provided by the failure to detectsignificant heterogeneity, as estimated by the Mantel test statistic, between similarity matricescomposed from quadrat data alone and those composed from the combined species data set.

an lf,euwen and Bmmilow. Consewalion and L-and Mana8enenl, Science DivisioD

Bolanical Sw€y ofHanErsley Rans€ Uplards NRS Project N709 Firrrl Repon - May 2002

Floristic patterning between the surveyed summits was examined by numerical protocols onoverall presence/absence data using the PATN program (Belbin 1994). Summits wereassociated according to similarities in taxa using the Czekanowski metric (Faith et al. 1987) andthe unweighted pair grouped arithmetic averaging clustering strategy (UPGMA, F = -0.1, Belbin1994). The veracity of the resulting clustering outcome with respect to the initial associationmatrix was subjectively investigated through the cophenetic correlation while deviation fromrandomness of this relationship was tested via the normalised Mantel statistic (Z) where theone{ailed probability of Z = 0 was determined from 9 999 random permutations (Rohlf, 2000).

Statistical significance of association and disparity in the floristic data was examined usingnon-parametric routines. These routines included Spearman's rank correlation (r") for testingthe association between floristic values and independent environmental correlates, the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test (U) for comparisons between two groups of floristiC values and theKruskal-Wallis One Way Analysis of Variance on Ranks (H) for comparisons between three ormore groups. Multiple comparisons between Spearman's rank correlations were examinedusing a Tukey{ype multiple comparison procedure (Zar 1984) while Dunn's pairwise multiplecomparison procedure for treatment groups of unequal size (Zar 1984) was employed on resultsfrom Kruskal-Wallis interrogations. Where linear regressions were performed, the data wasinterrogated prior to analysis to ensure that requirement of normality and equal variances wereachieved. Differences in the frequency distribution of floristic values were investigated usingLog-likelihood ratio (G) contingency table routines.

ENVIRoNMENTAL CoRRELATES

G eog ra p h i c a I correl ate s

The latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates (Decimal.degrees) of surveyed summits weredetermined by GPS and verified from hardcopy maps and through interrogation of the GIS atlasdeveloped for this project. Altitude (metres above sea level) was determined from hardcopymaps while distance of each summit from the leading (northern) edge of the Hamersley Rangeescarpment was determined from the GIS atlas. This distance was the straight line, true northdistance to the front of the escarDment.

Climatic correlates

Six climatic correlates were determined for each surveyed summit using the ANUCLIMprogram (McMahon etal. 1995). These correlates are described below:

AMT: Annual mean temperature which is the mean of all weekly mean temperaturesmeasured in "C;

DTR: Mean diurnal range which is the mean of all diurnal temperature ranges asdefined by the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatureexperienced over a week and expressed in "C;

MaxT: Maximum temperature of warmest period, expressed in "C;

MinT: Minimum temperature of coldest period, expressed in "C;ATR: Annual temperature range being the difference between MaxT and MinT,

expressed in 'C; andAP: The sum of all rainfall over a calendar vear. expressed in mm.

\aD L€euwen and Bromilow, Consewarion and Land MaDaBemenr Science Divisiorl

Geological correlates

Surveyed summits were classified according to their geological setting based on theinterpretation of 1:250 000 geological maps produced by the Geological Survey of WesternAustralia (Seymour et a/. 1988, Thorne ef a/. 1991, fyler et al. 1990, Thorne and Tyler 1997a,'1997b). Summits were categorised on their ferruginous geological setting (iron vs non-iron),Geological Group and Geological Age.

Edaphic correlatesThe chemical and textural properties of the soils from each surveyed summit was

characterised to assist with subsequent analyses and the classification of sites according totheir similarities in species composition. To facilitate this soil characterisation, two 500 gsamples were collected from the upper 10 cm of the soil profile at the origin and opposingdiagonal corner of the 50 m2 quadrat on each of the surveyed summits. These samples weresubsequently bulked and analysed by the Western Australian Chemistry Centre (Department ofMinerals and Petroleum Resources) to determine macro nutrient status and texturalcomoosition.

The macro nulrient status of the soil samples was assessed by determining ElectricalConductivity, pH, Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous, Available Phosphorusand the concentrations of exchangeable cations, namely Aluminium (Al), Calcium (Ca),Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na). The textural attributesassessed were the fractions of Sand, Silt and Clay present in the soil. A summary of theanalytical methods used to determine these soil macro nutrient and textural properties isprovided in Appendix 1 .

Relationships between all environmental correlates were examined using the standard non-parametric procedures detailed previously.

RESULTS

Eighty summits across the Hamersley Range were sampled during this survey (Figure 6).These summits encompassed the overall geographical extent of the Range and included MtRica (Summit 72) at its western extremity and Shovelanna Hill (Summit 43) at its eastern edge.The sampling strategy also ensured ihat summits proximal to the abrupt Hamersley Escarpmentsuch as Mt King (Summit 26 ), those such as Snowy Mountain (Summit 37) on the subtleilFdefined southern flanks and those towards the centre of the Hamerslev Plateau such as MtVigors (Summit 31) were sampled.

Twenty of the summits were within the Karijini National Park (Figure 6). Of the remaining 60summits, 44 were on Unallocated Crown Land and 16 occurred on pastoral leases (Appendix2). Twelve of those summiis on Unallocated Crown Land were within the bounds of theproposed Mulgalands Conservation Park (Figure 6).

van Leeuwetr aDd Bronilow, Consenation and Land Management, Scien@ Divisiotr

ENVIRoNMENTAL CoRRELATES

G e og ra p h i c a I c orrel atesThe latitudinal coordinates of surveyed summits ranged from 21. 46' S to 23. 2g' S, a

straight line distance of 189 km, while the longitudinal coordinates ranged from 116" 25' S to120" 01' S, a straight line distance of 372km. Overall the maximum distance between summitsis 398 km which is an east-west difference. The north-south maximum distance is 161 km.Overall the average distance between summits is 126.41 5.4 km although betweenneighbouring summits this distance is 24.1 ! 2.8 km with a minimum of just 3.6 km.

The distance of summits from the abrupt Hamersley Escarpment varies considerably (Table2) and inherently, is significantly correlated with latitude as the escarpment typically trends in aWNW to ESE direction thereby roughly paralleling lines of latitude (Tablle 3). The altitude ofsummits varies by 661 m from a low of 577 m ASL at Mt Rica to a high of 1 238 m ASL at MtMeharry. Thirty-six summits are below an altitude of 1 000 m while only four are above1 200 m. Altitude is significantly correlated with all three geographical correlates (Table 3).

Climatic correlatesDescriptive statistical summaries for the six climatic correlates are provided in Table 2.

Intrinsically, most climaiic correlates were significantly correlated with the geographicalcorrelates, particularly latitude and elevation (Table 3). These results must be interpreted withcaution as the climatic correlates were not independent of the geographical correlates havingbeen estimated using modelling routines which rely on user-defined latitude, longitude andaltitude values for each locality. Nevertheless, the correlations indicate that gradients in climaticcorrelates exist across the Hamersley Range. These gradients suggest a decrease intemperature and temperature range with altitude and progression both south and east acrossthe Range. Similarly there is evidence of a rainfall gradient across the Range which suggeststhat as temperature decreases rainfall increases, however this is tempered by a strongerassociation with geographical position such that rainfall increases with distance from theescarpment and progression north and west across the Range.

Geological correlates

Seventy-two of the surveyed summits are characteristic of a ferruginous geological settingwith all but one of these summits being of the Brockman lron Formation (Appendix 2). Thesolitary non-Brockman lron Formation ferruginous summit (Summit 68) belongs to the MarraMamba lron Formation. All the ferruginous summits are part of the Hamersley GeologicalGroup and are Proterozoic in origin. The eight non-ferruginous geological summits belong tothe Jerrinah or Bunjinah geological formation which are characterised by dolomites, basalts andvolcanic sandstones. These summits are Archaean in origin and with the exception of Summit67, belong to the Fortescue Geological Group. Summit 67 is geologically distinct from all othersummits as it belongs to the Sylvania Inlier Sedimentary Basin and is therefore not part of thesedimentary deposits of the Hamersley Basin.

Edaphic correlatesDescriptive statistics for ihe 15 edaphic correlates are provided in Table 2. Significant

associations are detected between most of these correlates particularly in respect to theconcentrations of exchangeable cations, pH and the textural composition of the soil (Table 4).

van L€€uwer and Bronilow, Consenalion and Land Manasene4 Sci€nce DivisioD

Table 2 Mean ( t SE) and range statistics for environmental correlates determined from 80summit habitats throughout the Hamersley Range.

Environmental correlates Mean ! SE Range

Geographical correlates

Latitude (Decimal-degrees)

Longitude (Decimal.degrees)

Distance from Escarpment (km)

Altitude (m AsL)

Climatic correlates

AMT fC)DTR cc)MaxT ("C)

MinT fc)ATR cc)AP (mm)

Edaphic correlales

Electrical Conductivity (ms/m)

pn

Organic Carbon (%)

Total N (%)

Total P (ppm)

Available P (ppm)

Exchangeable Ca (meolo)

Exchangeable Mg (me"/")

Exchangeable Na (me%)

Exchangeable K (me%)

Exchangeable Al (me%)

Exchangeable Mn (me"/")

Sand fraction (%)

Silt fraction (%)

CIay fraction ("/")

53.07 r 4.05973.64 !17.42

22.04 ! O.O913.39 r 0.0536.58 r 0.077.44 !0 .1229.14 !0 .11368.5t ! 3.42

2.42 ! 0.41

1.'18 I 0.070.08 r 0.00

357.81 r 10.345.91 I 0.363.8610.281. '161 0 .090.26 r 0.010.0810.010.24 r 0.030.1010.0 '168.95 r 0.8615.62 r 0.6015.44 r 0.44

2.50 - 146.50577 - 1 238

20.60 - 24.1012.70 - 14.4035.30 - 38.005.40 - 9.90

27.40 - 31 .30296.00 - 412.00

't.00 - 22.004.80 - 7.000.27 - 3.400.03 - 0.16

182.00 - 788.002.00 - 20.000.31 - 10 .140.09 - 5.020.02 - '1.11

0.02 - 0.490.02 - 1.260.02 - 0.36

50.00 - 88.004.00 - 30.007.50 - 26.00

Table 3 Matrix of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of associationand climatic correlates. Only significant correlations are** = P < 0.01, *** = P < 0.001).

between geographicshown ( *= P<0 .05 ,

Latitude Longitude Distancefrom AltitudeEscarpment

AMT DTR MaxT MinT ATREnvironmental correlates

Geographical correlates

Longitude (Decimal.degrees)Distance from Escarpment (km)Altitude (m ASL)

Climatic correlates

AMT cc)DTR CC)MaxT fc)MinT fc)ATR CC)AP (mm)

0.69 *.

0 .27 ' � 0 .25 .

-0.51 "' 0.45 *.

0.33 * 0.23.

-0.91 *. -0.82 *"

0.96 "' -0.76 *"

-0.76 "- -0.53 *-

0.35 *

-0.44 *" -0.93 *.

-0.73*'�-0.92 *.

-0.52 ** -0.52 *.

0.5B *.

-0.45 *. 0.32 *

0.85 *. 0.77 *-

0.7s *. 0.38 *.

-0.34 " 0.53 "r

-0.80 *. -0.51 *'-0.83 ""

0.54 *' -0.88 "'�

vatr Le€uwen a d Bron)ilow. Consenation and Land Manasem€n! Science DivisioD

E

t2

I

o

9 9

i i *e a,i a2

t i

J e

r l t :o ! Q o o

A o - i - i

x :

i i i . ; i i$ I E R T 3 3c i J q c j 9 c j c ;

: i i i r i i i@ N + ^

b d + + \ c 2 \ 6 6c ; c t c i 9 o g c j o

i i r i3 3 s xo d 9 ;

I r . i it , " R s lu l : ! d A nI Y O

. i i i r r i i i{ n e + € q q s h" c j d c i o o 9 c j c i

i . i r i i i :s i s q s r q l sc ; o d o c i d 9 " c ;

i i i r ig E s B ; 3

E E E * s t9 9 9 E E :

c i 5 2 v < 5 4 .- q - q - q - q - c - e : 3 -

g g g g g g E E €E E E E E F : E S')r 't\ 'ti ,r +i ii F s >!

l ! u l t i l L ! | . l l | . l l ( , ( D o

d d

o d

* n - eF 6 E n6 O S H :O O ; : ;o E 4 r i i

: o x P t i i 9s o . e F F <uJ

i i i ; i l( " ) ( " ) c o - * nr f ) { ( o ( o { lo d c j d o q

(t)

i -

fi=

TJJ

* zTJJ

? <llJ

. E -

# =

6 z

. 9 c

30ooGoogo

E

.9o

ooo

E

o

q,(t

;()

Eli

oo

o

.9

.9!,o .;,o =a X

E q .! t l

t a i

g co o

; q -

i ! *q dv r ox o- v.i o.6 r l= t -

to

F

&.'E

z

z

i ( JuJ

I

fr

6 t

ll.t o

EgE - E5 E: 8IJJ

I

s

g

E

When edaphic correlates are grouped according to the geological correlates, in pariicularferruginous geology, significant differences are detected betvveen summit groups (Table 5).These differences indicate ihat the soils of non-ferruginous summits are inherently higher in ihemajor cations Ca, Mg and Na which intrinsically influence the results for electrical conductivityand pH. The soils of such summits also comprise more clay while those from ferruginoussummits are typically sandy and have higher concentrations of Total P (Table 5).

Table 5 Mean ( t SE) for edaphic correlates from 80 summit habitats throughout theHamersley Range grouped according to their ferruginous geology. Significancedetermined using Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test (Uo.zz).

Edaphic

correlates

Ferruginous Geology

Significance

Electrical Conductivity (ms/m)

pH

Organic Carbon (%)

Total N (%)

Total P (ppm)

Available P (ppm)

Exchangeable Ca (me"/")

Exchangeable Mg (me"/")

Exchangeable Na (me%)

Exchangeable K (me%)

Exchangeable Al (meo/o)

Exchangeable Mn (meyo)

Sand fraction (%)

Silt fraction ("/.)

Clay fraction (%)

4.00 ! 1.746 . 3 0 1 0 . 1 81.07 r 0 .130.09 r 0.01

255.12 1 18.035.75 ! 0.925.71 r 0.612.74 r0.410.5210. ' � l00 .10 10 .060.04 t 0.010.17 10 .0561.00 r 2.8919.00 r 2 .1120.00 r 1.45

2.25 r0.415.83 r 0.061 .20 t 0.070.08 t 0.00

369.221 10.505.93 r 0.383.65 r 0.290.981 0.070.24! 0.020.07 10 .010.26 i 0.030.10 10 .0169.83 r 0.8415.24 x 0.62't4.93 t 0.42

P < 0 .01

P < 0 .01

ns

ns

P < 0.001

n5

P < 0.05

P < 0.001

P < 0.00'1

ns

P < 0.05

ns

P < 0.0'1

ns

P < 0.01

FLoRtsncs

Composition

A total of 378 vascular plant taxa were recorded from the 80 summits visited throughout theHamersley Range study area (Table 6). These taxa comprise four ferns, one gymnosperm and374 flowering plants. A total of 4 260 site occurrence records were obtained from the 80summits visited and 1 071 voucher specimens representing 295 taxa were collected.

The recorded flora represent 151 genera from 58 families. As anticipated for an arid zoneflora, dominant families in terms of taxonomic representation were the Mimosaceae (40 taxa),Asteraceae (38), Malvaceae (25), Poaceae (25) Myoporaceae (23) Papilionaceae (21)Myrtaceae (20) and Caesalpiniaceae (19) which combined represented over 55% of theencountered taxa. Twenty{hree families were represented by only one taxon (Table 6). At thegeneric level the taxonomically dominant groups were Acaaa (40 taxa), Eremophila (23), Senna(18), Eucalyptus(13) ftilotus (12), Slda (11)and Solanum (10) while the majority of genera (95)were represented by only one taxon. Richness at the generic level was greatest in the familiesAsteraceae (21), Papilionaceae (13) and Poaceae (1 1).

vaD Laeuwen nnd Bromilow, Consewation atrd tand ManasenEnr ScieDce Divhior

Table 6 Vascular plants recorded from 80 summits throughout the Hamersley Range(* denotes an introduced or naturalised taxon, ms denotes a manuscript name, pn denotes aohrase name).

FAMILYTaxon

FA[irLYTaxon

ADIANTACEAECheilanthes browniiCheil anthes I asio phyl I aCheilarthes s,bbet subsp. s/ebenP araceterach reynol dsii

CUPRESSAoEAECa ittis glaucophylla

PoAcEAEAmphipogon seiceusAistida contoftaCymbopogon ambiguusCymbopogon obtectusE n nea pogon cae rule sce n sEragrostis ? eiopodaEragrostis sp. nov. Mt Robinson (SVL 4109) pnEriachne aistideaEiachne ciliataEiachne mucrcnataEdachne pulchella subsp. dominiiEiachne semiciliataEr,achne sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4199) pnEulalia aureaParaneurcchne muelleiPaspalidium rarumThemeda aft. tiandraIhemeda sp. Mt Barricade (M.E. Trudgen 2471) pnTiodia biflomTriodia bdzoidesTiodia aft. Ianigerc sp. 1 Mt Newman (SVL 4225) pnTiodia aft. lanigera sp. 2 Shovelanna Hill (SVL 3827) pnTiodia melvilleiTriodia pungensTiodia wiseana

CYPERAcEAECyperus cunninghamii subsp. cunninghamiiCyperus hespeius

CoMMELtNAcEAECommelina ensifolia

ANTHERIcAcEAEThysanotus inaequalis msTh ysa notu s m a ngl e sia n u sTti cotyne trudgen i an a ms

MoRAcEAEFicus brachypodaFicus opposita var indecon

PRoTEAcEAEGrevillea benyanaGrevillea pymmidalisGrevillea wickhamii subsp. apicaHakea chordophyllaHakea lorca

SANTALACEAEExocarpos spadeusSantalum lanceolatum

LORANTHACEAEAmyema bifurcataAmyema titzgeraldiiAmyema gibberulaAmyema miquelii

CHENoPoDtACEAEChenopodium saxatileDysphania kalpaiDysphania rhadinostachya subsp. hadinostachyaMaireana georgei

Maircana planifoliaMaireana planifolia x villosaMaireana villosaRhagodia eremaeaSa/so/a fragus

AMAMNTHAcEAEAmaranthus mitchelliiPtilotus aeNoidesPfilofus asfro/as,ijs var. aslro/asiusPli lotus a u icu I ifol i u sPtilotus calostachyusPtilotus exaltatusPtilotus fusifotmis var. fusiformlsPti lotu s h el i pte roi de sPlilotus incanus vat. incanusPtilotu$ m a croce pha I usPtilotus obovatusPtilotus polystachyusPtilotus rotu n difol i u s

GYRoSTEN4oNAcEAECodonoca rpus coti nifol i us

MoLLUGtNAcEAEMo ugo no uginis

PoRTULAcAcEAECalandrhia sp. nov. (SVL 2043)

CARYOPHYLLAcEAEPolycaryaea holtzeiPolycaryaea longiflon

MENTSPERMAcEAETinosporc smilacina

LAURACEAECasst'tha capillaris

CAPPARACEAECappais lasianthaCappar's sp,rosa var. nummulaia

Cleome viscosaBRAsstcAcEAE

Lepidium oxytrichumMenkea villosulaStenopetalum anfrcctum

P|TToSPoRAcEAEP iftosporu m a ngu stifoli u m

SURANAcEAEStylob a si u m spathu I atu m

MtMoSAcEAEAcacia acradeniaAcacia adoxaAcacia aneura var . aneurcAcacia afi. aneura (linear, SVL 4278) pnAcacia aidaAcacia atkinsianaAcacia ayersianaAcacia afl. ayerciana (Hamersley Range hilltops SVL 3552) pnAcacia bivenosaAcacia catenulataAcacia cowleanaAcacia dictyophlebaAcacia exilisAcacia hamersleyensisAcacia aff. hamersleyersis (gnarled, SVL 762) pnAcacia hillianaAcacia inaequilateraAcacia kempeana

!"n Leeuwen aDd Brornilow, Consen"tior a'd Land Manasenent, Scienc€ DivisioD

Bobnical Survey ofHanrersley Rrnge Uplands NRS ProJecl N709 Ijnral Rcpo.t - May 2002

FAMILYTaxon

FAMILYTaxon

Acacia maitlandiiAcacia marramambaAcacia monticolaAcacia ofthocatpaAcacia pachyacrcAcacia pruinocarpaAcacia ptychophy aAcacia pyrifoliaAcacia retivenea subsp, clandestinaAcacia rhodophloiaAcacia alf. rhodophloia (SVL 4279) pnAcacia spondylophyllaAcacia stowadiiAcacia afl. stowardii (linear, SVL 4265) pnAcacia aff. sublessarogona (SVL 3722) pnAcacia synchroniciaAcacia tenuissimaAcacia tetrcgonophy aAcacia tumidaAcacia validineNiaAcacia sp. (afl. cit noviridis, SVL 4143) pnAcacia sp. (aff. coiacea, SVL 1953) pn

CAESALPTNTAcEAEPetalostyl is I ab iche o idesSenna arfemisioi?es subsp. x ademisio,?esSer/ra arfemisiodes subsp. het s/iSenra arfemisioides subsp. oligophyllaSerna arfemisio,?es subsp. oligophy a x helmsiiSerna arfemisioldes subsp. x sturtiiSenra artem,siodes subsp. sp. nov. (SVL 2063) pnSenna cardiospetma subsp. sp. nov. (SVL 2706) pnSenna feffariaSenna glaucifoliaSerna g/uf,nosa subsp. chatelainianaSerra g/utirosa subsp. glutinosaSerra g/uf,rosa subsp. x /uerssen,iSerra g/utirosa subsp. pruinosaSenna hametsleyensisSenna notabilisSenna pleurocarya var. angustifoliaSenna stictaSenna venusta

PAPTLIoNAcEAECullen leucochaitesDaviesia eremaeaGa strol o bi u m g ra ndi fl oru mGlycine canescensGom ph olob i um pol y zygu mI n d ig ofe ra f ractiflex a msIndigofera gilesii subsp. gilesri msIndigoferc ixocarya mslndigofen monophyllaIndigofen sp.'monophyllalrugosa'(SvL 3673) pnlsotropis atrcpuryurcaMirbelia viminalisMue ercnthus ttifoliolatusRhynchosia minimaRhyncrosia sp. Bungaroo Creek (M.E. Trudgen 12402) pnSwai n son a ma cc u I I och i a n aTephrosia arcnicolaTephrcsia uniovulataTephrcsia virensIephrosia sp. West Angelas (M.E. Trudgen 16533) pnVigna lanceolata var. filiformis

ZYGOPHYLLAcEAE

Tibulus hirsutusTribulus platypterusIribulus suberosus

POLYGALAoEAEPolygala afi. isingii

EUPHORBIACEAEEuphorbia australisEuphohia boophthonaPhy anthus lacunellusP hyll anth us maderc sp ate ns is

CELASTRAcEAEMaytenus sp. nov.l,lt Windell (S. van Leeuwen 846) pn

STACKHoUSIAcEAEStackhousia afI. intermedia (SVL 4182)

SAPTNDAcEAEAlectryon oleifolius subsp. o/eifolrusAtalaya hemiglaucaDodonaea coiaceaDodonaea lanceolata vat. lanceolataDodonaea pachyneunDodonaea petiolaisDodotaea vlscosa subsp. mucronata

RHAN4NACEAECryptandra nonticolaStenanthemum petraeumVentilago viminalis

TTLTAcEAECorc horu s c tozopho tifol i u sCorchorus lasiocarpus subsp. parvus msCorchorus lithophilus msCorchorus obfectus msCorchorus sp. nov. Hamersley Range (SVL 3586) pnCorcror.rs sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 3826) pnTi u mfetta a ppe n dic u I ataTri u mfetta Ie pta ca nthaTi u mfett a ma co noch ie a n aIrumfetfa sp. (SVL 2800)

MALVACEAEAbutilon dioicum msAbutilon fraseiAbutilon lepidumAbutilon leucopetalumAbutilon otocaryumGossypium australeGossypiun robinsoniiHibiscus gadned msHibiscus goldswotlhiiHibiscus aft. haynaldiiHibiscus sturtii var. ca mpylochlamysHiblscus sp. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 3767) pnHibiscus sp. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4083) (aff. coatesr) pn

* Malvastrum americanumSida chrysocalyx msSida cyclophy a msSida echinocarpaSida excedentifolia msSda phaeotrbha msSrda pilbarersis msSida rchlenae subsp. rohlenaeSida subafticulata msSida sp. nov. (K. Newbey 1063) pnSda sp. nov. Shovelanna Hill (SVL 3842) pnSida sp. spiciform panicles (E. Leyland s.n. 1418/90) pn

STERcULTAcEAEB ra chych ito n ac u min atu sBrachychiton grcgodiKe raud ren i a ne ph rcspe tmaKeftudrenia velutina subsp. e/rptica msRul i ng ia aff . I ute if IorcWaltheia viryata

DtLLENTAcEAEHibbettia glaberrima

VIoLAcEAEHybanthus aurantiacus

THYMELAEAcEAEPimelea ammochais

van keuwer and Bronilow. ConsenalioDand rlM Management Science DivisioD

FAMILYTaxon

FA[,4rLYI axon

Pimetea fotestianaPimelea microcephala subsp, mrcrocepl,a/a

MYRTACEAECalytix cainataCorymbia desefticolaCorymbia feriticola subsp. feffiticolaCorymbia hamersleyanaEucalyptus ewaftianaEucalyptus gamophyllaEucalyptus kingsmi ii subsp. aff. a/alissimaEucalyptus kingsmi ii subsp. kirgsm,lrlEucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloiaEucalyptus lucasiiEu ca lyptus pil ba re nsisEuca lyptus repullu I ansEucalyptus socialisEucalyptus tivalvisE u ca I ypt u s xe roth e rmicaEucalypfus sp. nov. l\rt Bruce (SVL 3809) pnEucalypfus sp. nov. Mt King (SVL 3605) pnLamarchea sulcataMelaleuca leiocatpaThryptomene wiftwei

HALORAGACEAEHaloragis gossei

ARALtAcEAEAstroticha hamptonii

APIAcEAEDaucus glochidiatusTrachymene olencea subsp. oleraceaTrachyme ne pi lb aren si s

OLEAcEAEJasminum didymum subsp. /,'heale

ASCLEPIADACEAECynanchum tloibundumMarcdenia australisRhyncharhena lineaisSarcostemma viminale subsp. ausffale

CoNVoLVULAcEAEEvolvulus alsinoidesPorana commixta

BoRAGtNAcEAEHalgania solanaceavar. hirsuta msHel iotropi um chrysocarpu mHeliotro pi u m hete m nth umHeliotro pi u m i ne x p I icitu mTichodesma zeylanicum

LAMtAcEAEC lerode n d ru m f lo i b u nd um vat. a ng u stifol i u mClerodendrum tomentosum var, lanceolatumni.r^.'ti l i. da^mai

Newcasle/ia sp. Hamersley Range (SVL 4264) p,P I e ct ra nt h u s i nt rcte rra ne u sPro sta nth e ra albifl o raProsta nthe ra ca m pbe I I i iSp aft oth a mne I I a te uc ri itlora

SoLANAcEAENicotiana benthamianaN icotia na occidental i sNicotiana rcsulataSolanum centraleSolanum cleistogamumSolanum diversitlorumSolanum ferccissimumSolanum gabrielaeSolanum hoddumSolanum lasiophyllumSolanum phlomoidesSolanum stuftianumSo/anum sp. (aff. sturtiarum) (SVL 2718)

ScRoPHULARTAcEAEStemodia grossa

BtcNoNtAcEAEPandorca pandorana

ACANTHAcEAERostellularia adscendens var. latifolia

MYoPoRAcEAEEremophila canaliculata msErcmophila cryptothix msErcmophila cuneifoliaEremophila exilifoliaEremophila flaccida subsp. f/accida msEremophila foffestiiEremophila fraseri subsp. frase.i msEremophila trasei subsp. ? galeata msEremophila jucunda subsp. pulchemma msEremophila latrcbeisubsp. f,/i formis msEremophila latrobei subsp. g/abra msEremophila latrobei subsp. /alrobei msEremophila longifoliaErcmophila magnifica subsp. magnrtca msEremophila magnifica subsp. velufira msErcmophila pachomai msErcmophila petrophila subsp. petrophila msEremophila phy opoda subsp. oblrqua msErcmophila platycalyx subsp. pardalota msEremophila sp. all. platycaly;< pnEremophila sp. nov. Mt Meharry (SVL 4040) (Section Eriocalyx) pnEremoprila sp. nov. (Section Eriocalyx) (SVL 3737) pnEremoprila sp. nov. (SVL 4068) (g/ulirosa complex) pn

RUBAoEAEOldenlandia crcuchianaPomax rupestisPsydrax latifolia msPsydrax suaveolens msSynaptantha ti aeacea

CucuRgtrAcEAEMukia madercspatana

CA[4PANULAcEAEWahle n be rg i a tum id ifru cta

LoBELTAcEAELobelia heterophylla

GooDENtAcEAEBrunonia australisDampiera anonyma msDampiera candicansDampiera netallorum msGoodenia cusackianaGoodenia micropteraGoodenia muellerianaGoodenia prostrataGoodenia stobbsianaGoodenia triodiophilaScaevola acacioidesScaevola brcwniana subsp. brownianaScaevola paNifolia subsp. pilbarceScaevo/a sp. (SVL 3642)Scaeyo/a sp. Hamersley Range basalts (SVL 3675) pnVelleia connata

ASTERACEAE. Bidens bipinnataBra chysco me cil ioca rpaCalocephalus knappiiCalocephalus sp. Pilbara-Desert (l\,4.E. Trudgen 11454) pnCalotis hispidulaCalotis multicaulisC h ry soce p h al u m e re mae umC h ry soce phal u m pte roch aetu mFlaveria australasicaLeiocaea semicalva

van Leeuwetr and Bromilow, CoDsewation aDd hndManaseN€nl Science DivisioD

Botanical Suwey of tlanprsley Rang€ Uplands NRS Project N709 Fnlal Report - May 2002

FAMTLYTaxon

FAMILYTaxon

Olearia stuaftiiOIeafia xerophilaP e nt a I e pi s ti c h o de smo i de sPilbaft trudgenii msPodolepis carescensPte ro ca ulon se rrul atumPte ro ca ulon sp hacelatu mPte roca ulon sp haeranthoi desRhodanthe charsleyaeRhodanthe citinaRhodanthe floibundaRhodanthe hu mboldtia naRhodanthe maryarethaeRhodanthe propinqua

Rhoda nthe ste rile scen sRutidosis he I ichtysoide sSenecio magnifrcusSenecio sp. nov. Hamersley Range (SVL 3556) pn

- Sigesbeckia oie nta I i sStrcptoglossa bubakiiSf reptoglossa decurrensTaplinia saxatilisViftadinia aridaY,ffadmia sp. (SVL 3678)Viftadinia virgataWedelia sp. Hamersley (A.S. Weston 8444) pnGenus nov. sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4387) pn

Two hundred and ninety of the taxa recorded from the Hamersley Range summits are habitatgeneralists having been recorded from many other habitat types throughout the HamersleyRange, although typically those habitats lower in the catena sequence (Appendix 3). Only 89(23o/o) taxa are specialists of summit habitats and of these only 38 are endemic to such habitatthroughout their distributional range. Therefore it appears that many taxa which are restricted tosummits throughout the Hamersley Range have less demanding habitat requirementselsewhere throughout their distributional range.

Many significant collections were made during the survey including the collection of severaltaxa that are apparently new having not been recorded in the WA Herbarium or cited in thescientific literature previously. Similarly, many collections represent taxa which were previouslytaxonomically ambiguous however, with the additional material collected during this surveythese taxa appear to be valid novel species. Ten taxa were also collected during the surveywhich may represent new species however additional material is required to confirm their status.Details on such taxa are provided below.

Acacia atf. hamersleyensis (gnaded, SVL 762)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. Has beencollected previously in the Hamersley Range (Bruce Maslin, PERTH, pers. comm.).

Acacia aff. subtessarogona (SVL 3722)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. The taxonwas collected for the first time during this survey (Bruce Maslin, PERTH, pers. comm.).

Asteraceae nov. sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4387)A new taxon collected for the first time during this survey. Has a generic affinity to Olearia (PaulWilson and Nicholas Lander, PERTH, pers. comm.).

Corchorus sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 3826)A new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. Has been collected previously throughoutthe Hamersley Range.

Eragrosfis sp. nov. Mt Robinson (SVL 4109)A new taxon collected for the first time during this survey (Mike Lazarides, CANB, pers. comm.).

Eremophila sp. nov. (SVL 4068) (g/utlnosa complex)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. Collectedfor the first time during this survey (Bob Chinnock, AD, pers. comm.).

Eremophila sp. nov. Mt Meharry (SVL 4040) (Section Eriocalyx)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. Collectedfor the first time during this survey (Bob Chinnock, AD, pers. comm.).

Eremophila sp. nov. (Section Eriocalyx) (SVL 3737)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. Collectedfor the first time during this survey (Bob Chinnock, AD, pers. comm.).

vaD Leeuwen ard Bromilow, Consewation ard t-and Manasenrer[ Science Division

Bolanical Suw€y of Harnersley Range Upla ds NRS Project N709 FnralReport - May 2002

Eriachne sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4199)A new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. Has affinities to E. lanata and has beencollected on previous occasions in the Pilbara (Mike Lazarides, CANB and Bryan Simon, BRl,pers. comm.).

Eucalyptus kingsmllri subsp. afI. alatissimaPossibly a new taxon that was first collected during this survey but additional material isrequired to confirm its status. Superficially the taxon has more affinities with E. kingsmi iisubsp. a/atlssima than E. kingsmillii subsp. krhgsmll/rr, especially with respect to its glaucousbranchlets and concolorous dull, blue-grey leaves. However, typically E kmgsmllri subsp.alatissima is a mallee to 8 m tall with red flowers and has a sparse distributional range in theMurchison and Great Victoria Desert Biogeographical Regions.

Eucalyptus sp. nov. Mt Bruce (SVL 3809)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic slatus. Collectedfor the first time during this survey (lan Brooker, CANB, pers. comm.).

Eucalyptus sp. nov. Mt King (SVL 3605)A new taxon collected for the first time during this survey (lan Brooker, TCANB, pers. comm.).This taxon may prove to be E. areomontana ms, an undescribed taxon only known from a singlecollection obtained from Mt Nameless (Dean Nicolle, AD, pers. comm.).

Newcasfe/,a sp. Hamersley Range (SVL 4264)A new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. Has been collected on previousoccasions from the Hamersley Range and Rudall River area. (Malcolm Trudgen, Trudgen andAssociates, pers. comm.).

Pilbara trudgenii msA new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. Has been collected on several previousoccasions from the Hamersley Range and Barlee Range (23' 44' S, 1 1 6" 19' E). The taxonrepresents a monotypic genus. (Nicholas Lander, PERTH, pers. comm.).

Scaevo/a sp. (SVL 3642)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. Collectedfor the first time during this survey.

Scaeyo/a sp. Hamersley Range basalts (SVL 3675)A new taxon collected for the first time during this survey. This taxon has close affinities toS. ovalifolia from the Northern Territory and north-western Queensland.

Senna cardiosperma subsp. sp. nov. (SVL 2706)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status. Affinity toS. pilocarina, a Barlee Range endemic.

Slda sp. nov. (K. Newbey 1063)A new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. This taxon has affinity to S/da sp. 'E'

(Petermann Ranges). Has been collected on two previous occasions in the Hamersley Range(Robyn Barker, AD, pers. comm.).

Sida sp. nov. Shovelanna Hill (SVL 3842)A new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. This taxon has been collected on oneprevious occasion in the Hamersley Range (Robyn Barker, AD, pers. comm.).

Tephrosia sp. West Angelas (M.E. Trudgen 16533)A new taxon confirmed as distinct during this survey. This taxon as been collected on previousoccasions from the Hamersley and Barlee Ranges (lan Cowie, DNA, pers. comm.).

Triodia aff . lanigera sp. 1 Mt Newman (SVL 4225)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status (MikeLazarides, CANB, pers. comm.).

Triodia aft.lanigera sp.2 Shovelanna Hill (SVL 3827)Possibly a new taxon but additional material is required to confirm taxonomic status (MikeLazarides, CANB, pers. comm.).

Three naturalised weed species (Bipinnate Beggartick (Bidens bipinnafa), SpikedMalvastrum (Malvastrum americanum), Indian Weed (Srgesbeckla orientalis)) were recordedduring the survey. These species are typically short lived annuals or ephemeral biennials andhave a ubiquitous distribution throughout north-western Australia. No records of the

van Leeuwen rDd Bronilow, CoNewation and tand Managenrent Scie c€ Division

Botarical Survey ofHan€Bley Ra'se Upla is NRS Proiect N709 FnralReport - May 2002

environmental weed Ruby Dock (Acefosa vesicaria) were recorded during the survey although itwas observed on numerous occasions amongst boulder screes at the foot of cliffs. All locationswhere Ruby Dock was observed were undisturbed and remote from human activity indicatingthe distributional and invasive potential of this weed in the absence of anthropomorphicdisturbance and the threat it poses to native vegetation in the arid zone.

Distributional StatusThe majoriiy of laxa (74o/o) recorded during the survey have ubiquitous distributions across

arid north-western Australia (Appendix 3). Such species are typically recorded from elsewherein the Pilbara and in the adjacent Gascoyne and Little Sandy Desert Biogeographical Regions.The more widespread taxa have distributions which extend outside the Eremaean BotanicalProvince into the South West Botanical Province and into the deserts of central Australia.

Sixteen new species records were obtained for the Hamersley Range during this survey.Many of these records also represent new records for the Pilbara Biogeographical Region.Thirtythree of the taxa recorded during the survey are endemic io the Hamersley Rangealthough caution is advised with respect to the validity of this statistic as many of these entitiesare of uncertain taxonomic status. A further 15 taxa are considered endemic to the PilbaraBiogeographical Region.

Many new populations were recorded for taxa that were previously known from only a fewpopulations in the Hamersley Range, although most of these taxa are common elsewherethroughout their distributional range. A noteworthy example is provided by Paraceterachreynoldsii which prior to this survey was only known from one record in Western Australia. Thisrecord was for a collection obtained from Dales Gorge in the Hamersley Range in October1933. This species also occurs in the Northern Territory and South Australia. During thecurrent survey this taxon was recorded from seven new locations distributed across the centralpart of the Hamersley Range. Another notable example is provided by Thysanotus inaequalisms, a species which was only known from one locality ('VHF' Hill, Karijini National Park22'32'5, 118' 22'E) in the Hamersley Range prior to this survey, although it is sparselydistributed throughout central Australia (including northern South Australia) and the southernrangelands of Western Australia. During this survey the taxon was recorded from another eightlocalities. Further examples are provided below in relation to taxa of conservation significance.

Similarly many range extensions were recorded during the survey and in numerousinstances these range extensions were substantial. Noteworthy examples include the following:

Brachychiton gregoriiA small tree of sand dunes and rocky ridges predominantly occurring to the east of the studyarea in the central Australian deserts and to the south in the Murchison BiogeographicalRegion. The Hamersley Range populations are removed from the typical distributional range ofthe species by approximately 350 km.

Eriachne semiciliataA tussock grass sparsely distributed throughout the Kimberley region. The Mt Hyogo populationrecorded during this survey is approximately 750 km removed from the next closest populationnear Fitzroy crossing in the Dampierland Biogeographical Region.

van teeuwen and Bron low, Cons€rvation and l3tld ManaSenttrt, Sci€nce Division

Bolanical Suw€y of Hane6ley Range Uplands NRS Project N709 FirulR€port - May 2002

Melaleuca leiocarpaA shrub of sand and lateritic plains which predominantly occurs south of the cascoyne River inthe Murchison, Yalgoo and Coolgardie Biogeographical Regions. The Mt Wall population of thisspecies, the first recorded in the Hamersley Range, is approximately 170 km distant from thenearest population at Mt Augustus, which itself also represents a disjunct outlier.

Olearia plucheaceaA shrub of stony soils sparsely recorded to the south of the Ashburton River, principally in theCarnarvon Basin. The nearest known population to the one recorded in the central HamerslevRange during this survey is located on Mt Augustus some 215 km removed.

P rosta nt h e ra ca m p be I I i iA shrub of yellow sandplains and granitic outcrops predominantly to the south of the GascoyneRiver. Mt Augustus (205 km removed) is the nearest known populalion to the three southernHamersley Range populations recorded during this survey.

Rhodanthe citrinaAn annual daisy of sandy soils particularly in the South West Botanical Province and adjacentMurchison and Carnarvon Biogeographical Regions. The single Hamersley Range populationrecorded during this survey is 200 km removed from the next nearest population on MtAugustus.

Stenanthemum DetraeumA shrub of skeletal rocky soils in the Central Ranges and scattered in a few isolated populationsthroughout the Gascoyne and Murchison Biogeographical Regions. Mt Augustus (245 kmremoved) represents the nearest known locality to the four located in the Hamersley Rangeduring this survey.

Numerous taxa recorded during the survey are at the limits of their distributional range(Appendix 3). Such taxa are typically at the northern limits of their range (21 taxa) althoughmany are at their southern, eastern and western limits (10, 11 and 12 respectlvely). Notableexamples of such species include the following:

Alectryon o/eifolius subsp. oleifol i usA small tree typically distributed in coastal and near coastal areas of the PilbaraBiogeographical Region and Carnarvon Basin but which is at the eastern limits of itsdistributional range in the central Hamersley Range.

Chenopodium saxatileA small annual herb which typically has a sparse distribution throughout the southernrangelands and adjacenl central Australian deserts. This species is at the northern limits of itsdistribution in the southern Hamerslev Ranoe.

Pandorea nandoranaA twinning shrub at the western limits of its distribution in the central Hamersley Range where ithas been recorded on one previous occasion. Typically this species occurs in the CentralRanges and southern Kimberley region.

Thysanotus manglesianusA leafless twinning perennial herb which has a distribution centred on the South West BotanicalProvince but has also been recorded sparingly throughout the southern rangelands of WesternAustralia. This species retreats to the summit of hills and mountains (Mt Essendon, MtAugustus) with increasing aridity and is at the northern limits of it distribution on l\,4t Meharry inthe central Hamersley Range.

Ventilago viminalisA small weeping tree which typically has a discontinuous distribution throughout the Kimberleyregion. This species is at the southern limits of its range in the central Hamersley Range.

Reseryafion Sfafus

Two hundred and seventy-one of the taxa recorded from summits during this survey arepresent on summit habitats within the Karijini National Park (Appendix 3). Thirty-six of thesetaxa are only recorded within the National Park. Of the 107 taxa not recorded inside the

vaD rf,euwen and Bromilow. CoNewation and l,and Manasenrnl. Science DivisioD

Botanical Survey of Hanrersl€y Range Uplands NRS ProiecrN?og Fn'!l Report - May 2002

National Park 36 were present to the west only, 57 were exclusive to summits east of the Parkand 14 occurred on summits on either side of the Park.

The frequency of taxa not recorded from summits within the National Park varied from oneper summit to a high of 13 at Giles Point (Summit 64) (Figure 7). The frequency of non-Karijinitaxa on summits tended to be higher for those summits to the east (5.21 r 0.59) of the NationalPark than for those to the west (3.47 + 0.33) (U zt.zs = 972.50, P < 0.05). No correlation existedbetween the number of non-reserved taxa recorded on a summit and the straight line distancefrom the National Park, although a trend indicating an increase in the frequency of non-reservedtaxa with distance from the National Park was evident.

lf the reservation status of taxa recorded from summits is assessed after giving dueconsideration to their presence both in the Karijini National Park and in the proposedMulgalands Conservation Park then all taxa in the central and eastern partsrof the HamersteyRange were recorded from conservation lands (Figure 8). The outcome of such an assessmentwith respect to the reservation status of taxa which occur to the west of the National Park isnoticeably different however, as only two of the summits to the west do not support unreservedtaxa. The frequency of non-reserved taxa under this scenario of reservation varies from one persummit to a high of five. Interestingly the frequency of non-reserved taxa increases significantly(r"33 = 0.63, P < 0.001) with distance from the National Park ,such that Summits 71, 72 and 77have the highest frequency (five taxa each) of non-reserved taxa.

As previously mentioned, many of the taxa recorded from summits during this survey are notexclusive to summit habitats as they typically occur in many other habitats elsewherethroughout the catena sequence. Therefore, a more reliable assessment of reservation statusshould be made based on the overall distribution of each taxon and not just theirpresence/absence in summit habitats throughout the Hamersley Range. The results from sucnan assessment indicate that only seven taxa recorded during the suryey are not known fromconservation reserve land throughout the State (Appendix 3). Two of these taxa are onlyrecorded east of the National Park while the remaining five are to the west. A total of 12summits encompass such taxa, four are east of the National Park while the remainder are to thewest (Figure 8). lf this reservation status assessment is undertaken giving due consideration tothe proposed Mulgalands Conservation Park then only six taxa from ten summits to the west ofthe National Park are not known from conservation reserve lands.

Conserva tion StafusFifteen species of conservation significance, as defined by the Department of Conservation

and Land Management (Conservation and Land Management 2001), were recorded during thesurvey. Only one species of Declared Rare Flora was recorded while the remaining 13 aredocumented as Priority Flora, namely five taxa are Priority 2, eight taxa are Priority 3 and onetaxon is Priority 4. (see Appendix 3 for definitions of conservation codes). Details on the taxa ofconservation signif icance follows:

Dampiera anonyma ms Priority 3This taxon, formerly known by the phrase name Dampiera sp. Mt Bruce (M.E. Trudgen 1334),was known from three populations in the Hamersley Range prior to this survey. During thesurvey the species was recorded from 11 localitles, eight of which represent previouslyunrecorded populations. Currently, seven of the known populations are within the KarijiniNational Park. The current conservation ranking for the species is supported.

van Le€uweDand Bromilow. Conservation and Land Managcnent Scienc€ Division

' d'5

33

&

I

Is

J(!c(!

ot!z

i=

oxo

='ttoEooEo

E

ooe(gxG

t!tt(!

:C'o6

oolt

:z

t\

Eott

I' d

..?

6

E&

3

I

9

J

(,6

o,

oooEGo

oo

ot!eoo

(,

G

go

e6

o

g

;oI

o(gxt!

'o

E

:o

:(!o-

o(!

oq

ooE(!GE

=

oaoEIo

oI

oo-(!

(!z

6-{,

3tc,E(Jg6

:a

oe6xG

(!

c.!:Io(!

oott

z

€EcDlt

j

Dampiera metallorum ms priofity 2This taxon, formerly known by the phrase name Dampiera sp. Mt Meharry (M.E. Trudgen 117g),was known from four populations prior to this survey. During the survey the species wasrecorded from a total of nine populations of which seven represent previously unrecordedlocalities. Currently four populations are known from the Karijini National Park. Results fromthis survey indicate that this species is more widespread than previously known and is wellrepresented on the conservation estate. Accordingly, the conservation ranking for the speciesshould be altered to Priority 3.

Daviesia eremaea Priority 3This rounded shrub was recorded from six populations during the survey. Previously thespecies was known from only a single location in the Hamersley Range (eastern slope of MtTom Price), however this population is no longer extant as a consequence of mining operations.The species has a distribution which is typically cenlred on the sandy central deserts withpopulations occurring in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Populations within theHamersley Range are disjunct western outliers (removed by 280 km) of the species typicaldesert distribution. Some questions exist as to the taxonomic status of the Hamersley Rangespecimens with significant differences observed between the Hamersley Range and CentralDesert entities in habit, flower size and standard colour. These differences require furtherinvestigation to determine if the Hamersley Range entity is a distinct taxon. Should theHamersley Range entity be distinguished as a distinct taxon then this new species should beascribed P2 status as one of the extant populations is potentially threatened by future miningoperations while two others are within the Karijini National Park. lf future taxonomicinvestigations indicate that there is no differentiation between the Central Desert and HamersleyRange entities then this species should be removed from the Priority Flora list as it is knownfrom numerous populations totalling 250 000+ plants in the Little Sandy Desert (van Leeuwen,unpublished data).

Eremophila magn llca sens. /at. ms Priority 3This woody shrub comprised two potential subspecies (subsp. magnfflca ms and subsp.velutina ms) both of which are endemic to the Hamersley Range and currently assigned priority3 conservation status. Significant ambiguity exists with respect to the taxonomic delimitationand validity of the two subspecies (Bob Chinnock, AD, pers. comm.) and as a consequenceduring this survey the taxon was only scored at the specific rank. Subsequent herbariumexamination of collected specimens reveals samples conforming to both potential subspecies.During the survey the species was recorded from ten summits nine of which representpreviously undocumented localities. Seven of these new localities are representative of theE. magnifica subsp. magnifica ms taxon of which all were previously undocumented while two ofthe three remaining populations represent new localities for the E magnifica subsp. yelulrna mstaxon. Two of the populations for each subspecies were recorded from the Karijini NationalPark. lf future investigations indicate that subspecies status is not taxonomically supported thenit is recommended that this species be removed from the Priority Flora list. However, if thesuggested taxonomic delineation is maintained then results from this survey suggest that theconservation status of E. magnifica subsp. magnifica ms could be reduced to priority 4.Similarly, the conservation status of E. magnifica subsp. velutina should be altered to priority 2as the taxon is only known from four populations two of which are on conservation land.

Eu ca ly pt u s p i I b a re n s i s Priority 4This endemic Pilbara mallee was known from ten localities prior to this survey, nine of whichwere within the Hamersley Range,. During the survey the species was recorded from tensummits, seven of which represent previously undocumented populations. The species is nowknown from 17 populations, six of which occur in the Karijini National Park. Results from thissurvey extend the distribution of this species west by g0 km and indicate that this species iscommon throughout the Hamersley Range. Consequently, it is recommended that this speciesbe removed from the Prioritv Flora list.

Hibbertia glaberrima Priority 2This low erect and floriferous shrub was known from only two localities in the Hamersley Rangeprior to this survey. The species is also known from the MacDonnell and Central Ranges in theNorthern Territory. During this survey the species was recorded from 27 localities, 25 of whichwere previously undocumented occurrences. These new localities extend the distributionalrange of the species by 120 km and 130 km in easterly and westerly directions, respectively.Seven of the new populations are within the Karijini National Park taking the total number of

vaD beuwer and Bronilow. Conservation ard ljndMaDageorent. Science Division

Bota cal Swey of Hame6l€y Range Uplands NRS ProjectNT09 Fnral Report - May 2002

known populations on the conservation estate to eight. Results from this survey indicate thatthis species is reasonably common throughout the Hamersley Range, although restricted to thesummits of the higher peaks which may account for its poorly collected status. lt isrecommended that this species be removed from the Priority Flora list.

Indigofera gilesii subsp. gilesll ms Priority 3This upright shrub was only known from five locations in the Hamersley Range prior to thissurvey although it has also been collected on one occasion from the Glengarry Range(26' 09' S, 119' 01' E) near Meekatharra (Peter Wilson, NSW, pers. comm.). The species hasalso been recorded from 10 localities in the West Angelas Study Area (23" 09' S, 1 1 8' 44' E)and a locality near Packsaddle (22' 55' S, 1 18'40' E) in the central Hamersley Range (Trudgenand Casson 1998). During the survey the species was recorded from only one additionallocation. The conservation status of this species requires review as all but one of thepopulations in the West Angelas Study Area are threatened by future mining operations andonly two of the known populations occur in the National Park. This species should bereassigned to a Priority 2 conservation status.

lndigofera ixocarpa Priority 2This low spreading shrub was known from only two locations in the Hamersley Range prior tothis survey, although it reputedly also occurs north west of Tom Price (22" 42'5, 117" 51'El(Emil Thoma, Hamersley lron, pers. comm.). The species has also been collected fromBeeton's Pool near Nullagine (21' 53' S, 120" 07' E) (Peter Wilson, NSW, pers. comm.) and onthe northern Abydos Plain (21"03'S, 118"43'E) some 80 km south of Port Hedland (MichiMaier, Biota, pers. comm.). During the survey the species was only recorded from MtNameless (22"43'5,117"46'E). The current conservation ranking for the species issuoDorted.

Rhynchosia sp. Bungaroo Creek (M.E. Trudgen 12402) pn Priority 3Prior to this survey this low spreading viscid shrub was known from thirteen localities in north-western Australian. Six of these localities were in the Hamersley Range. During the currentsurvey this species was recorded for a single summit within the previously known distributionalrange of the species. The current conservation ranking for the species is supported.

Rostellularia adscendens vat. latifolia Priority 2This small eohemeral shrub is endemic to the Pilbara where it is known from five populations,two of which are in the Hamersley Range. The species reputedly also occurs north west of TomPrice (Emil Thoma, Hamersley lron, pers. comm.). During the survey this species was recordedfrom two new localities, both within the Karijini National Park. The current conservation rankingfor the species is supported.

Themeda sp. Mt Barricade (M.E. Trudgen 2471) pn Priority 3This perennial tussock grass appears endemic to the Pilbara. Prior to this survey this taxa hadbeen collected on five occasions from localities principally in the Hamersley Range, although itis also known from several other localities in the central Pilbara (Trudgen and Casson 1998,Halpern Glick Maunsell 2000). During this survey the taxon was confidently recorded from twonew localities within the Karijini National Park. The taxon may have also been present atseveral other sites however because of problems associated with the correct identification ofsterile material this doubt cannot be confirmed. The current conservation ranking for thespecies is supported.

Thryptomene wiftweri Declared Rare FloraThis disjunctly distributed myrtaceous shrub is known from four populations in arid WesternAustralia and also from Palm Valley in the MacDonnell Ranges of the Northern Territory. Theonly known population in the Hamersley Range is on Mt Meharry and this was the only summitwhere this species was recorded during the survey. The Mt Meharry population is 230 Kmremoved from the Mt Augustus population and 290 km removed from the Mt Essendonpopulation, the two nearest known localities for the species. The current conservation rankingfor the species is supported.

Triodia biflora Priority 2During the survey this hummock grass was recorded from '14 new populations taking the totalnumber of known populations for the species to 19. Only one of these populations is not in theHamersley Range. Three of the new populations recorded during this survey are in the KarijiniNational Park. Given the widespread occurrence of this species, its reservation status and alack of identifiable threatening processes it is recommended that this species be removed fromthe Prioritv Flora list.

vrn Le€uwer and Bronilow, Cons€wation and L"atd Manasen€n! ScieNe Division

Triumfefta lentacantha Priority 3The low shrub which appears endemic to the Hamersley Range was recorded from threesummits during the survey. All three localities represent previously unknown populations withthe population on Mt Lois representing a slight westerly extension to the distributional range ofthe species. The species is now known from at least 11 populations in the central and easternHamersley Range. No additional populations to that known from Mt Bruce were identified inKar'tjini National Park and therefore the current conservation ranking for the species issupported.

In addition to the species of conservation significance mentioned above, results from thissurvey indicate that several taxa should be considered for addition to the Priority Flora List.These taxa and justification for the recommendations are provided below:

Asteraceae nov. sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4387) pnThis novel taxon, which has generic affinities to Olearia, was collected for the first time duringthis survey. The taxon was collected from two summits (69 and 71) on thd southern slopes ofthe western portion of the Hamersley Range. No populations were recorded on the existingconservation estate. lt is recommended that this taxon be assigned a Priority 1 conservationcoqe.

Eragrosf6 sp. nov. Mt Robinson (SVL 4109) pnThis novel taxon was collected for the first time during this survey. lt was recorded from threesummits (46, 53 and 58) in the central-eastern Hamersley Range. No populations wererecorded on the existing conservation estate. lt is recommended that this taxon be assigned aconservation code of Priority 1.

Eriachne sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops (SVL 4199) pnThis novel taxon was recorded from five summits (44, 61, 63, 64 and 68) during the survey. ltwas also previously known from one location on the southern slopes of the Chichester Rangenorth of Wittenoom. No populations are known on the existing Pilbara conservation estate. lt isrecommended that this taxon be assigned a conservation code of Priority 'l .

Pilbara trudgenii msThis unusual perennial daisy was recorded from two summits (34 and 50) during the survey.Previously this taxon was also known from anolher four locations, lhree in the HamersleyRange and one in the Barlee Range. Both populations located during this survey were in theKaruini National Park. As the species is known from two conservation reserves it isrecommended that this taxon be assigned a Priority 2 conservation code.

Scaevo/a sp. Hamersley Range basalts (SVL 3675) pnThis novel taxon collected for the first time during this survey was recorded from five summits(3, 16, 17, 35 and 36). Three of these locations are within the Karijini National Park. lt isrecommended that this taxon be assigned a conservation code of Priority 2.

Srda sp. nov. (K. Newbey 1063) pnThis novel taxon was recorded from a single summit (77) during the survey. The species waspreviously known from two localities in the western Hamersley Range. No populations areknown on the existing conservation estate. lt is recommended that this taxon be assigned aconservation code of Prioritv 1.

Richress

The floristic richness of summits varied from 24 to g4 taxa with a mean of 53.34 + 1 .85(Appendix 2). As depicted in Figure 9 floristic richness appeared to be highest towards thecentral-southern portion of the Hamersley Range, a proposition supported by the detection of asignificantly positive correlation behveen altitude and floristic richness (Table 7). The best-fitlinear regression describing this relationship was enumerated as FloristicRichness = 19.22 + (0.04 x Al t i tude), (F t , f t= 9.47, P < 0.0' . , .

vaD Leeuwe aM Bronnlow, Consenation ard hnd MamsenEul, ScieDce Division

: l

&

sot

R

E

3

G.g

ut

cltu(,=tuE.EE,

on{,

o-€,

lotl,I(,(!o

c

ooo

o

age.!

(,o(!

ooocl

o'tr

{l

tl.

c)eEtt

Bolanical Surv€y ofHamenl€y Range Uplands NRSPrcjectN?09 Fn'al Repon - May 2002

Table 7 Significance of Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between floristic richnessand environmental correlates on 80 summits across the Hamersley Range(Signi f icance: * = P< 0.05, **= P< 0.01, ***= P< 0.001.) .

Environmental correlates SDearman's rank correlation coefficient

Geographical correlates

Latitude (Decimal.degrees)Longitude (Decimal.degrees)Distance from Escarpment (km)Altitude (m ASL)

Climatic correlates

AMT cc)DTR CC)MaxT ('C)MinT ('c)ATR Cc)AP (mm)

Edaphic correlates

Electrical Conductivity (ms/m)pHOrganic Carbon (%)Total N (%)Total P (ppm)Available P (ppm)Exchangeable Ca (me"/")Exchangeable Mg (me"/")Exchangeable Na (me%)Exchangeable K (me%)Exchangeable Al (meolo)Exchangeable Mn (me"/4Sand fraction f/.)Silt fraction (%)Clay fraction f/.)

-0.51 *-

0 .190.55 "'

0.34 *

-0.42 *.-0.0'l

0 . 1 7

-0 .26 .

0.29 *

-0.03

0 . 1 50.20

-0.22-0 .13

0.06-0.07

0.27 *

0.070.090.08

-0.05-0.12

0.26 '

As a consequence of collinearity between altitude and other geographical correlates floristicrichness is also correlated with latitude and longitude, although significantly with the formeronly. The relationship of floristic richness to latitude is described by the best-fit linear regressionmodel enumerated as Floristic Richness = -370.88 - (18.69 x Latitude) (Fr.za = 28.68,P < 0.001). This model indicates that floristic richness increases with progression south acrossthe Hamersley Range, a situation clearly evident in Figure 9. Results of the relationshipbetween floristic richness and longitude suggest that richness increases with progression acrossthe Range from west to east which is also apparent in Figure 9. Development of a multipleregression model explaining floristic richness based on the correlates of altitude, latitude andlongitude was not appropriate because of collinearity issues. Further statistical investigations,namely multiple comparisons tests among correlation coefficients (Zar 1984) indicates that ihecorrelation coefficients for all three variables versus floristic richness are statisticallyhomogeneous. Therefore, latitude is promoted as the best predictive correlate of floristicrichness as it confers the strongest correlation (Table 7).

As anticipated, given the latitudinal relationship described above, straight line distance from asummit to the leading edge of the Hamersley escarpment is also significantly correlated with

van Lf,euwetr and Bromrlow. ConseMLion and tind MarEBenEnr, Science Divisio'r

Botanicrl Suwey of Hamersl€y Range Uplands NRS Project N709 Firal Report - May 2002

floristic richness (Table 7). The strength of this correlation is noi significantly different from thatdetected for the latitude correlate and indicates that with progression away from the FortescueRiver floristic richness of summits increases. This pattern is evident in Figure g.

Floristic richness is significantly correlated with four of the six climatic correlates investigated,the exceptions being for DTR and MaxT (Table 7). The relationship between floristic richnessand AP reveals an unexpected result in that floristic richness tends to decrease as annualprecipitation increases. The relationship between floristic richness and two of the significaniclimatic correlates (AMT and MinT) suggests that the cooler summits tend to be floristicallyricher. Interestingly, both these correlates are significantly dependant on altitude (r"66 = -0.93and -0.52 for AMT and MinT respectively, P < 0.001). The significant relationship of floristicrichness to ATR, which is independent of altitude, indicated that summits which experience thegreatest range in temperatures also have the highest species richness.

Floristic richness is not significantly influenced by the geological correlates of ferruginousgeology, Geological Group and consequently Geological Age. Summits of a non-ferruginousgeological predicament tend to have a higher floristic richness (66.45 + 0.77) than those whichare ferruginous (51.98 t 1.03), however this difference is not significant. Floristic richness issignificantly correlated with only three of the edaphic correlates assessed (Table 7). Thesignificant correlations are positive with Electrical Conductivity, Exchangeable Na and the Clayfraction in the soil. The strongest correlation is with Electrical Conductivity although thisrelationship does not differ significantly from that reported for the other three edaphic correlates.These significant correlations are undoubtedly attributable to geological influences, in particularferruginous geology. Such a proposition is supported by the detection of significant differencesin estimates of the four correlates when interrogated with respect to ferruginous geology.Non-ferruginous summits have significantly higher soil estimates for Electrical Conductivity(Ua.zz=466.00, P< 0.05), Exchangeable Na (Ua,zz=534.00, P< 0.001) and Clay fract ion(U a,n= 509.50, P < 0.001) than summits characterised by a ferruginous geological setting.

Sites of high floristic richness tend to be well represented on the existing conservation estateand in the proposed Mulgalands Conservation Park (Figure 9). Indeed the floristic richness ofsummits in the National Park (61.00 t 4.48) is significantly greater than that for summits outside(50.78 + 1 .88) (U20,60 = 989.50, P < 0.05). This result is not surprising given the higherelevation of summits in the National Park (1 '103 m t 18.61 vs 930.32 m + 19.43,U zo,ao = 1 218.50, P < 0.001) together with the preponderance of non-ferruginous geologicalsummits (Appendix 2).

With respect to the occurrences of species and site fidelity, 190 taxa are recorded from fivesummits or fewer (Appendix 3). Only 18 taxa are recorded from more than half of the 80summits while nine are present on over 75% of the summits. Only three taxa occur on over90% of the summits. The most frequently recorded taxa are Eucalyptus /eucophlora subsp.leucophloia, Hakea lorea and Eriachne mucronata which were recorded from74,73 and 71 ofthe summits respectively.

Patterning

Seventy-eight taxa are recorded from only one summit during the survey and are excludedfrom the patterning analysis investigation (Appendix 4). Taxonomic ambiguity and uncertaintywith respect to confirmation of identification prompted the lumping of three other taxa. Thesetaxa are: Cymbopogon ambiguus wi\h C. obfectus to form Cymbopogon sp. sens. lat.; Themeda

van treuwen and Bronilow, Coiservalion and LaDd ManasenEn! S€ience Divisioll

BotaDical Sufley ofHanreEl€y Range Uplands NRS Projecl N709 Fnral R€port - May 2002

aff . tfiandra with Themeda sp. Mt Barricade (M.E. Trudgen 2471) pn lo form Themeda sp. sens.lat.; and Eremophila magnifica subsp. magnifica ms with E. magnifica subsp. yeluf,na ms toform Eremophila magnifica ms se/?s. /af. All other taxa (297) recorded from summit habitats areincluded in the analysis, including annuals, as the survey effort was considered adequate tohave recorded such species. Exploratory data analysis indicates that their exclusion has noimpact on the resulting dissimilarity matrixes and thus clustering outcomes.

In the numerical analysis and clustering routine, partitioning ceased at five cluster groups orsummit site groups as valid ecological interpretations could only be provided for this number ofgroups (Figure 10). Subdivision beyond this level is ecological problematic although it is ctearfrom Figure 10 that sub-groups exist within some of the five primary site groups. Thecophenetic correlation (r = 0.73) between the ultrametric values matrix used to generate theclustering outcome and the dissimilarity matrix indicates the clustering outcome was a poor fit ofthe original dissimilarity matrix, although the association between the two matrices differssignificantly from random (f = 10.14, P = 0.002).

The next segregation in the clustering outcome differentiates between those summits in thecentral and eastern parts of the Hamersley Range (Figure 1 1). This differentiation is attributedto a latitudinal gradient with summits in the southern portion of the Range being distinct fromthose further north (Appendix 5). Discrimination between these northern and southern summitsis evident for climatic correlates where significant differences are detected in DTR, MinT, ATRand AP. This climatic discrimination suggests that southern summits experience lower averagetemperatures, wider diurnal and annual temperature ranges and receive less rainfall than thosefurther north. Ferruginous geology also appears to influence this discrimination betweennorthern and southern summits with the frequency of non-ferruginous summits beingsignificantly greater in the partition representing southern summits (G z = 11.76, P < 0.001).This undoubtedly influences a few of the edaphic correlates which significantly discriminatebetween northern and southern summits. These edaphic correlates are Electrical Conductivity,Exchangeable Na and Clay fraction, which are higher on southern summits while Total P issignificantly lower. Floristic richness is significantly greater on the southern summits.

The next partition between cluster groups occurs in the northern summit site group anddifferentiates five summits from the previous pool of 39 (Figure 10 and 11). All environmentalcorrelates, with the exception of Available P are homogeneous between these two partitionsand thus no obvious explanation is available for the recognition of this site group. The levels ofAvailable P are significantly greater in soils from summits belonging to the new site group thanin the soils from summits in the cluster group made up of the remaining 34 summits. No otherexplanation is available for this differentiation, although topographically the five summits in thenew cluster group are characteristically very steep, surrounded by precipitous cliff and boulderscrees and encompass expansive areas of sheet rock belonging to the Brockman lronFormation.

The final division involves a dichotomy in the southern summits partition which delimits 13summits principally in the central-southern portion of the Range from those further east (Figure10 and 11). This dichotomy is not independent of ferruginous geology (Gz= 14.27, P< 0.001)with the 13 central-southern summits being predominantly characterised by a non-fenuginousgeological setting while the remainders are all characterised by the Brockman lron Formation.Such differences are also apparent in two of the edaphic correlates where Exchangeable Mg issignificantly higher on the central-southern summits while conversely Exchangeable Al is

vatr Le€uwen and Bromilow. ConsbnatjoD and Land ManasenEn! S€ience DivisioD

It

b

F

I

F

tG(,

(,E

'trs,6.2ttaa3

Gl.q'N(J

'6

|E

g

o; . -

E "> ca.

6 -= <6 Er E O'6 o-v t -l ! Y

E :g E 'e ! st ! EE A

a Eq =h .i5= l tE =s Ee .E'�= r t. ( !

: oY >ri- aE( 4 ( ,

i: d)t t F

= ( !t r t t= o

t t o9 t r )

b ' EF EED .C9 g tE 6 '- 3t 5o

t,

iI

EoTo. E

G

e(,a

e

C.l

eo(,

Yo o )

o c )c i

E

&

a

s

.!

E(!

tt

ac,o(!E,

oa{,IEI{,

ltaoIJoaEI

eE )oo=

oo

o

oCI6E

oItt

q

o

E3C||ll.

8

z

z

D

e

!d

na

s

significantly higher on the more eastern summits (Appendix 5). This final dichotomy is notassociated with a significant difference in floristic richness.

The five summit site groups identified during this survey differ significantly in respect to mostof the environmental correlates assessed (Table 8). In many instances these differences areanticipated as a consequence of collinearity between independent variables (eg. altitude andMinT). Nevertheless the detection of such significant differences suggests that environmentalheterogeneity is important in the partitioning of floristic assemblages across summits throughoutthe Hamersley Range. Floristic richness also displays significant heterogeneity between thefive summit site groups (Table 8). Once again, this result was not unexpected because of thedependence of this floristic value on many of the environmental correlates.

All of the summit site groups with the exception of Group 5 occur within the Karijini NationalPark (Figure 11). Site Group 1 is the most frequent of the four recorded in the National Parkwith eight of the surveyed summits classified as this type. Group 2 summits are the leastcommon in the National Park with only one summit (Mt Bruce) in the National Park. Typicallythose summits in the northern portion of the National Park are characteristic of Site Group 1,those in the central and western portions are Site Group 3 and those in the south-eastern partsof the Park are Site Group 4. Future reservation of the proposed Mulgalands ConservationPark will significantly increase the representation of Site Group 4 summits on the conservationestate and will double the representation of Site Group 2 summits, although Site Groups 5summits will still remained unreserved.

DISCUSSION

This Botanical Survey of Hamersley Range Uplands confirms that the flora of summithabitats throughout the Range is speciose, encompasses many entities of taxonomic, biologicaland conservation significance and is partitioned into floristic communities in response toenvironmental gradients. This broad conclusion concurs with propositions presented by vanEtten (1998) regarding the floristic richness of the Range when assessed across the entirelandscape and with comments by Latz (1996) and others (Taylor and Shurcliff 1983) regardingthe floristic diversity of the Central Australian Mountain Ranges. Floristic diversity amongsummit communities also concurs with results from previous botanical studies in the HamersleyRange which acknowledge the deterministic influences of environmental gradients on thearrangement of communities (van Leeuwen and Fox 1985, van Leeuwen et a/. 1995, van Etten2000). This result also supports propositions that the diversity in floristic communities within theHamersley Range is noteworthy as a consequence of considerable heterogeneity in micro-habitats (Trudgen and Casson 1998, van Etten 2000) and is a centre of significant communitybiodiversity (Specht ef a/. 1995).

The proposition that the flora of the Hamersley Range, especially that from summit habitats,is poorly known despite considerable contemporary survey effort was substantiated by thenumber of taxonomically uncertain and apparently novel entities (62) recorded during thissurvey. The new flora records obtained for the Range, which in most instances were also new

van t€euwen ard Bronilow, Conscrvation aDd lind MaM8enrent, Science Division

Bota cal Survey ofHan*rsley Rang€ Uplands NRS Proiect N709 Finc l Repon - lday 2002

records for the Pilbara Biogeographical Region, are also an inditement of inadequacies in ourbotanical knowledge. Similarly, changes in the distributional status of many taxa, especially forspecies of conservation significance, further substantiate this position. This point is eloquentlydemonstrated in the case of Hibbeftia glaberrima, which was only known from two localitiesprior to the survey and is now known from 27 and is consequently of nominal conservationtmDonance.

Table 8 Mean (t SE) values for environmental correlates and floristic richness of the fivesummit site groups identified through the classification of summits according to theirvascular flora. (Site groups with dissimilar superscripts were significantly different based onthe Kruskal-Wallis One Way Analysis of Variance on ranks and Dunn's pairwise multiplecomparison procedure, P < 0.05.)

Summit Site GrouDs

Number of Summits

Geographical correlates

Latitude (Decimal.degrees)

Longitude (Decimal.degrees)

Distance from Escarpment (km)

Altitude (m ASL)

Climatic correlates

At\rT fc)DTR cc)MaxT ('C)

MinT ('c)

ATR fc)AP (mm)

Geological correlates

Ferruginous Geology

Geological Age

Edaphic correlates

Electrical Conductivity (ms/m)

pH

Organic Carbon (%)

Total N (%)

Total P (ppm)

Available P (ppm)

Exchangeable Ca (me%)

Exchangeable Mg (me"/")

Exchangeable Na (meo/o)

Exchangeable K (meo/")

Exchangeable Al (me%)

Exchangeable Mn (me%)

Sand fraction ("/")

Silt fraction e/.)Clay fraction (%)

Floristic richness

34

22.60 r 0.06 o

1 1 8 . 1 9 t 0 . 1 3 '

43.881s.44 o"

' | 0 2 1 . 6 5 1 1 9 . 3 1 A

2 1 . 8 9 ! 0 . 1 1 "

tg.zs t o.o7 B

3 6 . 3 6 1 0 . 1 0 B

7 . 4 5 ! 0 . 1 4 "

28.9r t 0.1+ sc

377.00 r 4.39 aB

lron - 100%

Prolerozoic -

l000/6

1.74 ! 0.34 "

s.82 i 0.06 a

1.09 r 0.09

o.o81o.oo o

371.47 ! 1g.12aBc

+.gq r o.3 i "

3 . 2 9 1 0 . 4 3 8

0.96 ! O. ' t0 "

o.17 i o.o2 c

o.o9 ! o.o2 o

0.29 ! O.06 aB

o.1o l o.o1 "

to. tzt1.27^B

16.06 r 0.95 o"

1 3 . 8 1 1 0 . 5 8 B

44.32 ! Lg7 "

5

22.4a!0.22^B

118.02 ! 0.28 o"

37 .7a t. p.6o ^B

1 032.40165.94 ^

21.86 r 0.34 3

1 3 . 1 0 1 0 . 1 3 "

36.12 r 0.23 B

7.64 ! o-45 o"

28.50 i 0.45 rc

391.00 ! 10.74^

lron 100%

100%

i '4o ! 0.24

6 . 0 3 1 0 . 1 5 ^

0 . 9 8 1 0 . 1 5 "

0.07 r 0.01

522.00 !70.52"

12.60 ! 2.7s

3 . 6 8 1 0 . 9 7 €

1.06 r 0.26 *

0.16 ! 0.06 ""

0.17 1 o.og A

0.14 ! o.o5 o"

o.1o i o.og A

70.40 r 3.93*

15.1o ! 2.028

14.50 r 2.07 AB

4s.oo !2.12e

1 3

23.02 r 0.08

118.4o o.22o

77 .92 ! 10 .94 a

964.3't ! 38.71

22.0s r 0.13 B

13.51 r 0.15 o"

36.0s t o. ' t7 AB

7.o3 t o.17 B

29 .82 t o .26 oe

3 4 8 . 1 5 ! 1 1 . 1 3 o e

lron - 38olo

Non-ircn - 62%

Proterozoic - 38%

Archaean - 62010

3 . 1 5 ! 1 . ' 1 1 ^

6 . 1 4 ! 0 . 1 4 ^

1 . 0 9 r 0 . 1 2 o

0.09 t 0.o l

268.92 t 20.80 o

5.oo ! 0.71 c

4.95 ! 0.61 o"

i . 9 8 1 0 . 3 7 o

0.44 ! o.o7 o

o.o7 r o.o4 a

o.1o t o.04 B

o.t+ r o.03 a

6 5 . 9 6 1 3 . 0 0 *

1 5 . 7 7 ! 1 . 9 5 €

18.27 !1.33^

63.46 i s.3o AB

'17

23.13 r 0.06 o

1 t 8 . 7 7 r 0 . 0 8 a

77.12!6.32^

1 036.65 ! 27.39

21.52 ! o.148

13.46-0.oo m

3 6 . 4 2 1 0 . i 5 B

6.45 t 0.15 "

29.97 r 0.16

350.76 t 6.62 B

lron - l ooo/o

100%

2.88 t t .o4 A

5 . 6 6 1 0 . 1 6 ^

1 .44 ! o.2o "

o.o8 r o-01 o

334.6s 1 13.41 sco

s.23 t o.sg ""

2 . 7 s ! o . 4 a B

0.82 r 0.12 "

0 . 3 2 1 0 . 0 4 *

0 . 0 4 : 0 . 0 0 o

0.38 i o.o8 a

0.09 ! 0.01 0

7 l . 7 1 r 1 . 2 6

12.18 r 0.68 "

'16.18 i 0.87 *

71.06 i 2.16 "

' 11

22.05 !o.07 B

116.75 ! o.o7 B

21.36 t 6.73 s

712.18 ! 23.19'

23.42 t 0.13

13 .7510 .06 ^

37.41 + 0.09

9 .321 o -14 o

28 .0710 .16 "

3a3 .s4 ! 2.27 N

lron - 100%

Proterozoic -

lAOa/o

3.461 1.86

6.02 r 0.14 "

1.25 r o.og A

o . o 9 i 0 . 0 1 ^

3 8 1 . 8 2 1 8 . 1 0 o "

8.oo 10.65 AB

6.13 ! 0.58

1 . 5 4 ! O l 4 a

a 3 2 t o . o 2 *

o.oct o.ot A

o . 1 1 i o . o 4 o g

o.rr r o.o1 A

6 3 . 9 6 1 1 . 1 8 "

1s.64 i 0.97 a

r 6 4 t 1 0 . 7 1 a s

cs.ea r s.g3 rc

van Leeuwen aM Bromilow, CoifeRation and l-and MaMgenenl, Science Divisio')

BotaDical Survey oftlamersley Range Upla s NRS Proiect N709 Fi'ial Reporl - May 2002

Floristic comparisons with other uplands in the Australian arid zone are not possible asdifferent sampling and analytical regimes preclude an evaluation or the data simply does notexist. However, from available floristic inventories it appears that the Hamersley Range hasmany floristic attributes in common with the Central Australian Ranges, particularly theMacDonnell Ranges. These similarities are evident in the anomalous occurrence of largenumbers of endemic, recital, disjunctly distributed and habitat specialist taxa. Indeed, taxa (eg.Hibbeftia glaberrima, Olearia xerophila, Thryptomene wiftwerl with such attributes are commonto both upland areas. Interestingly, the proportional representation of endemic taxa in the florasof the two mountainous regions is similar (7% vs 9%) although the latter estimate for the CentralAustralian Ranges is inclusive of all habitats within the ranges and therefore may be anoverestimation of summit habitats alone (Boden and Given 1995).

Within Western Australia the flora from Mt Augustus in the Gascoyne biogeographical regionshares many similarities with that recorded on summits in the Hamersley Range. This issubstantiated for disjunctly distributed taxa as most taxa recorded from the Hamersley Rangesummits are also known from Mt Augustus, an upland which appears to link such taxa to theirmore coastal and/or mesic distributional ranges (eg. Melaleuca leiocarpa). The CarnarvonRange is also another upland feature that potentially has similarities with the Hamersley Range,as highlighted by the occurrence of Thryptomene wittweri and Thysanotus manglesianus.However further surveys are required of summits in the Carnarvon Range before any credibilitycan be ascribed to this comoarison as the flora of summits within the Carnarvon Ranoe isundocumented with only one summit, Mt Essendon having been visited by botanists.

Some comparisons with mountain ranges in the floristically significant South West BotanicalProvince are possible for summits habitats only, although caution in the validity of thesecomparisons is required given the obvious deficiencies in our taxonomic knowledge andappreciation of the distributional range of many arid zone species. Nevertheless, thesecomparisons suggest that summit habitats in the Hamersley Range harbour fewer endemics(15% vs 8%) but similar numbers of disjunctly distributed taxa (6.9% vs 7 .1o/o) compared withsummits of mountain ranges in southern Western Australian (eg. Stirling Range, PorongurupRange) (Barrett 1996).

The apparent deficit of endemics revealed above concurs with the hypothesis of selectiveextinction of arid-zone endemics during the Quaternary as a consequence of climatic instability(Crisp et a/. 2001). Under this hypothesis narrow endemics were unable to tolerate instability inarid-zone climates and had no where to go during the Quaternary (particularly Pleistocene)glaciations. In contrast, more wide-ranging species tolerated the climatic fluctuations byretreating to the edge of the arid-zone or suitable refugia (mountain ranges) from where theycould recover and reinvade once conditions moderated and eventually stabilised. Thefrequency of disjunctly distributed taxa in the Hamersley Range summit flora, especially thepreponderance of taxa with typically southern or tropical distributions (Appendix 3), which isindicaiive of more mesic climatic requirements, supports this proposition. lt also appears thatthe climatic instability of the Quaiernary has promoted the Hamersley Range as a centre ofspeciaiion as advocated by the desert peripheral hypothesis presented by Maslin and Hopper(1982) to explain the high frequency of recently derived Acacia laxa in the Range (Maslin 1982).

The synchronous occurrence of disjunctly distributed, habitat specialist taxa in the HamersleyRange and MacDonnell Ranges (eg. Hibbeftia glaberrima, Thryptomene wittweri) issymptomatic of an earlier widespread distribution for such species. Similar patterns ofdisjunction have been observed in other arid zone species, most notably among Senna and

van r.eeL'wen aM Bromilow. Coisewation aDd l,and MaDasentert, Science Division

BotaDical Survey of Hanr€rsley Rarge Uplands NRS Proiect N709 FnralReporl - May 2002

Solanum (Randell and Symon 1977, Symon 1982). Such patterns have been attributed to theclimatic fluctuations of the Quaternary, in particular extreme aridity, which caused widespreadspecies to retreat to refugia or the climatically moderate margins of the deserts. Synchronously,the development of extensive dunefields (Galloway and Kemp 1981) in the arid zone during iheQuaternary prevented such species from reinvading previous distributional ranges when climaticconditions moderated. The synchronous occurrence of disjunctly distributed taxa in theHamersley and MacDonnell Ranges, together with those which are disjunct outliers orrepresentatives of distributional range-ends, substantiates the significance of the HamersleyRange as an important refugial habitat which is unquestionably of similar importance to theMacDonnell Ranges (Morton et al. 1995).

The attributes of the Hamersley Range which have bestowed it with a specious floracomprising relictaul and recently derived elements together with notable community diversity isassociated with the temporal and spatial heterogeneity inherent to mountainous regions. Thisheterogeneity is most apparent for the environmental gradients which dictate where species andcommunities persist. This study demonstrates that environmental gradients determine whereplants persist in summit habitats throughout the Hamersley Range and influence thecomposition of the communities in which they occur. Major deterministic gradients appear to beassociated with geographical and climatic considerations although the significance of geologicalcorrelates, particularly parent bedrock and thus edaphic correlates cannot be underestimated.

ldentifying the geographical and climatic correlates which are the most influential indifferentiating where summit habitats species and their communities occur across theHamersley Range is problematic, as a consequence of complex multicollinearity, and beyondthe scope of this report. Nevertheless, it is postulated that altitude is an important gradient asclimatic conditions moderate with increasing height above the Hamersley Plateau assubstantiated by cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. lt is also postulated that distancefrom the Hamersley escarpment is also a significant deterministic influence on the flora. Notonly does distance from the Hamersley escarpment inherently confer moderating altitudinal andclimatic gradients but a pyric gradient is also imposed on summits. This pyric Aradient is at amaximum along the escarpment and acquiesces with progression through the Range, asdemonsirated by burn frequency isopleths for the Pilbara (van Leeuwen and Bromilow,unpublished data). The implications for the flora of such a pyric gradient are discernible interms of higher species richness for summits removed from the escarpment (Table 7, Figure 9)and differentiation between floristic communities based on their constituent soecies.Interestingly this pyric gradient also appears to influence the distribution of taxa of biological andconservation significance (disjunct, range-end), with the frequency of such taxa increasing asburn frequency moderates (van Leeuwen and Bromilow, unpublished data).

The distribution of fire sensitive mulga (Acaaa aneura sens. /at.) woodlands across theHamersley Range provides ample support for this proposed pyric gradient. Typically mulgawoodlands are absent from areas adjacent to the Hamersley escarpments although where theydo persist they occur in fire resistant habitats such as on rocky screes or on alluvial valleypediments and floors (Mt Bruce Flats, Fortescue Valley) with non-continuous fuels (tussockgrasses) (Start 1986, van Leeuwen ef. a/ 1 995). With progression into the Range, mulgawoodlands become a dominant feature across the entire catenary and in many instances formhighly combustible communities with hummock grasses as an understorey of near-continuousfuels (Craig 1 993, Casson 1994, van Etten 1988, 2000). Similarly, the prevalence ofEremophila species in the southern Hamersley Range flora irrespective of catenary sequenceposition is also indicative of a pyric gradient. In the northern Hamersley Range Eremophila

vaD t-€euw€n and Bronilow, ConsbnatioD a'd lnDd ManaseDent, ScieDce Division

Bolanical Survey ofHaniersley Rang€ UploDds [irtrl Repon - M.y 2002

species only exist in fire-avoiding habitats such as on valley floors or mountainous summits (eg.Eremophila magnifica). Clearly, over evolutionary times such species and communities wouldhave been removed or forced to refugial habitats in the southern Hamersley Range had firebeen a substantial selective force.

Obviously, this pyric gradient is determined by fuel loads which are regulated by climaticconsiderations particularly rainfall. In turn rainfall (and soil moisture) is arguably at it greatestadjaceni to the escarpment, although as previously suggested local orographic affects withinthe Range may significantly influence this correlate. Temperature may also be an importantcorrelate impacting on this pyric gradient as the principal groundcovers and fuels within theRange are hummock grasses. The distribution of hummock grasses within the Range is knownto be influenced by temperature, both at the micro-topographical (climatic) and catenarysequence scale (van Etten 2000) and most importantly to the veracity of this pyric hypothesis, atthe much larger bio-regional scale. This bio-regional influence is associated with the Acacla-Triodia line (Beard 1975) which speculatively is a product of the temperature requirements ofhummock grasses. As this phytogeographic boundary traverses southern areas of the Range(approximately 23"S), it is not unreasonable to assume that the dominance of hummockgrasses and thus frequency of fires moderates with progression south. Indeed this patternevident on the ground (van Leeuwen, unpublished data).

The influence of geological and edaphic correlates and their spatial gradients are easier toquantify ecologically and are undoubtedly determined by in situ geological (parent rock type)considerations. Essentially, summits with a ferruginous geology have soils which significantlydiffer from summits which are dominated by volcanics, basalts and dolomites, especially inrespecl to Total P, the major cations and clay content. Interestingly, summits which are themost floristically fecund have the highest potential soil moisture capacity, as inferred throughtheir clay content, and the lowest estimates of phosphorus. Similarly, appreciable differences inphosphorus concentrations may help explain some of the floristic discrimination observedbetween summits on the same parent rock material as this macro-nutrient is considered to be acontrolling influence in the Australian arid zone flora (Stafford Smith and Morton 1990).Differentiation of the flora on geological grounds and the influence of geology on soil nutrientstatus and textural properties is well documented throughout the Hamersley Range, both at thecatenary and micro-topographical scale (van Leeuwen and Fox 1985, Trudgen and Casson1998, van Etten 2000).

Differentiation between summits by the gross differences in parent rock geology and theresultant discrimination in flora and floristic communities is ecologically acceptable, howeverecological interpretations for floristic differences between sites dominated by the sameferruginous parent rock geology (BIF) are problematic. The differences may well be attributableto differentiation in the composition of BIF although as all but one of the ferruginous summitsbelong to the Brockman lron Formation this is unlikely. Conceivably, this floristic differentiationmay be attributable to fine scale geological heterogeneity (eg. lateral stratigraphy), variation inexposure and resilience to weathering experienced by the four constituent Members of theBrockman lron Formation (Dales Gorge, Whaleback Shale, Joffre and Yandicoogina Shale).For example, the concenirations of potassium (KzO) and aluminium (Al2O3) oxides areconsiderably higher in the Whaleback Shale Member of the Brockman lron Formation than inthe Dales Gorge and Joffre Members (BlF). In contrast, sodium oxide (NarO) is appreciablyhigher in the Dales Gorge and Joffre Members and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) appearsconsistent across Members (Trendall 1990). Further interrogation of geological data is required

NRS Project N709

van tf,euwen and Bromilow, Cons€rvation and l.and Managenetrl ScieDce Divisiotr

Botanical Survey of Hamlsley RaDse Uplands NRS Projecr N709 Firrrl Renorr - May 2002

to reveal if gradients in the compositional nature of the four Members within the Brockman lronFormation exist and the arrangement of these gradients across the Range.

Fortuitously, the position of the Karijini National Park within the Hamersley Range ensures asatisfactory level of reservation for most of the flora and floristic communities identified duringthis study. Some major gaps do exist however, as some floristic communities and taxa are notknown from the conservation estate. Fortunately opportunities exist to address iheseinadequacies in the Hamersley Range. lmplementation and declaration of the proposedMulgalands Conservation Park to the east of the National Park will have a major beneficialimpact on the reservation status of several taxa and will also augment the status of a fewfloristic community types which are uncommon and under-represented in the existing NationalPark (eg. community 2). Clearly, the issue of reservation and conservation status is mostpressing in the western Hamersley Range where several species which are not known from theexisting conservation estate were identified in conjunction with an entire community type(community 5) which is not represented on the reserve system. An opportunity exists todelineate a conservation reserve in this part of the Range as most of this region is UnallocatedCrown Land.

No significant threats are identified for summit habitats throughout the Range although, asnoted by van Etten (2000), pressures from tourism may have a deleterious impact on the flora ofthose summits visited extensively by tourists. These impacts may be manifested in terms ofvegetation clearing for interpretative infrastructure and access paths/tracks or simply fromtrampling. The potential for conflict wiih respect to tourism pressure is a real issue as the mostpopular tourism summits (Mt Meharry, Mt Bruce, Mt Nameless) are also botanically significant interms of rare, restricted, disjunct and otheruise significant flora.

Changes in fire regime, particularly an increase in frequency, may also be a threat to summithabitats, however as the majority of these habitats are fire resistant (surrounded by steep cliffsand boulder screes) or the fire sensitive taxa occur in fire avoiding sites, this issue does notappear to be a serious problem. Contemporary endeavours to manage fire in the HamersleyRange, however particularly in the National Park and adjacent pastoral areas, through the useof aerial burning programs is likely to impact on summit flora. This potential impact mayoriginate as a consequence of incendiary devices being deployed directly onto summits.Nevertheless, recognition by land managers of the botanical importance of summit habitatsthroughout the Range and the implementation of fire management strategies akin to thoseoutlined in the management plan for the Karuini National Park (Conservation and LandManagement 1999) should ensure that the botanical values of these habitats are maintained.Examples of strategies to ensure protection of summit habitats include the protection of longunburnt stands of different vegetation types, the protection of fire sensitive communities and thedelineation of no-planned-burn areas to protect areas on the basis of their conservationsignificance (Conservation and Land Management 1999).

Another potential threat is associated with iron-ore mining activities in the Range whichimpacts on ferruginous summits. The main avenue for this impact is from future miningoperations and the concurrent development of new ore bodies. Current mining operations,which extract ore from mineralised (> 70% iron) Brockman lron Formation deposits are locatedat Mt Tom Price, Mt Whaleback, Paraburdoo, Channar (east of Paraburdoo) and Mt Brockman.It is unlikely that these existing operations will have any further impact on the conservationsignificance of summit flora as these impacts would have already occurred, as demonstrated bythe apparent local extinction of at least one species of conservation significance (Daviesia

nn Le€uweD ard Bronilow. Conservation and Land Manase ent Science DivisioD

Bohnical Surv€y of HanEnley Range Uplands NRS Projecl N?09 Fin. l Repon - May2002

eremaea) on Mt Tom Price. Of greater concern is the development of future ore bodies basedon mineralised Brockman lron Formation deposits. Such ore bodies have been identified in theWestern Ranges near Paraburdoo and near Giles Point in the Ophthalmia Range. Regulatoryagencies must therefore appreciate the botanical significance of flora from summit habitats andinitiate appropriate management strategies, in collaboration with the developer, to protectconservation values during the environmental assessment process for any new miningoperations likely to impact these habitats. Some apprehension is also expressed with respectto changes in world steel market demands and blast furnace technologies (eg. Hlsmelt@) whichmay see the demand for lower quality ores such as moderately mineralised Brockman lronFormation ores with higher phosphorus and aluminium impurity rise, which may promote anincrease in the development of new mining operations throughout the Hamersley Range. Inmany instances some of the larger deposits of moderately mineralised Brockman lronFormation ores are associated with the larger mountains (Mt Bruce, Mt Robinson) whichinherently have notable botanical value in terms of summit flora.

REcoMMENDATIoNS

The following recommendations are tendered in respect to the flora and floristic communitiesof summit habitats in the Hamersley Range.

1. The status of several taxa already identified as being of conservation significanceshould be revised. These taxa and the recommended changes are summarised inTable 9 while the iustifications for these actions are orovided above.

Table I Summary of recommended changes to conservation codes for conservationsignificant taxa.

Taxon Conservation CodeContemporary Proposed

Dampiera anonyma msDampiera metallorum msDaviesia eremaeaEremophila magnifica subsp. magn,fica msEremophila magnifica subsp. velulina msE ucaly ptu s p ilbare ns i sHibbeftia glaber maI ndigofera gilesii subsp grlesll mslndigofera ixocarpa msRhynchosla sp. Bungaroo Creek

(M.E. Trudgen 12402\ pnRostellularia adscendens var. latifoliaThemeda sp. Mt Barricade

(Ni.E. Trudgen 247'l ) pnThryptomene wittweriTriodia biflonTri u mfetta le ptacanth a

Priority 3Priority 2Priority 3Priority 3Priority 3Priority 4Priority 2Priority 3Priority 2Priority 3

Priority 2Priority 3

Declared Rare FloraPtiority 2Priority 3

Priority 3Priority 3

Remove or Priority 2Priority 4Priority 2RemoveRemovePriority 2Priority 2Priority 3

Priority 3Priority 3

Declared Rare FloraRemovePriority 3

2. Several taxa should be added to the Priority Flora Lists. These taxa aresummarised in Table 10, together with their recommended conservation status.Justification for these actions are orovided above.

van Leeuwetr asd Bromilow. Co'Beruarion and knd ManaserEnt Science Div6roD

Table 10 Summary of taxa recommended for addition to the Priority Flora list.

Taxon Proposed Conservation CodeAsteraceae nov. sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops

(SVL 4387) pnEragroslis sp. nov. Mt Robinson (SVL 4109) pnEriachne sp. nov. Hamersley Range hilltops

(SVL 4199) pnPilbara trudgenii msScaeyo/a sp. Hamersley Range basalts (SVL 3675) pnSlda sp. nov. (K. Newbey 1063) pn

Priority 1

Priority IPriority '1

Priority 2Priority 2Priority 1

Declaration of the proposed Mulgalands Conservation Park, east of the KarijiniNational Park should be pursued to ensure ihe reservation of species and floristiccommunities either not or inadequately represented within the existing HamersleyRange Conservation Estate.

Land in the western Hamersley Range should be identified for a conservationreserve to ensure all species and floristic communities recorded from summithabitats are represented on the conservation estate. Figure 12 defines theboundaries of a possible reserve which coincidentally includes summits with taxanot recorded from the existing Hamersley Range conservation estate, taxa whichare unreserved throughout their known distributional range, summit habitats whichare floristically rich given their geographical/altitudinal predicament and summitswith floristic communities which are not known from the conservation estate. Theproposed reserve (West Hamersley Range Conservation Park) has an area of3 893 km2 and encompasses Unallocated Crown Land only. A multiple-useframework of land management similar to that espoused for the proposedMulgalands Conservation Park would be required as the proposed new reserveundoubtedly envelopes areas with significant mineral interest and is within theclaimed boundaries of Native Title asoirants.

5. Further surveys of other upland habitats throughout the arid and semi-arid regions ofWestern Australia should be undertaken. These surveys are required to facilitatemeaningful assessments of the regional significance of the Hamersley Range interms of its biological importance, conservation status and significance forbiodiversity. Such surveys will also enable worthwhile appraisals of thedistributional status of species and floristic communities from summit habitats andtheir conservation status. Target areas should include the uplands of the ChichesterRange in the Pilbara, uplands in the Gascoyne and northern MurchisonBiogeographical Region, (namely summits associated with the Barlee, Godfrey (MtAugustus), Kenneth and Robinson Range), uplands in the Little Sandy Desert (inparticular the Carnarvon Range) and those of the Central Ranges BiogeographicalRegion (such as the Tomkinson, Warburton and Rawlinson Ranges). Priority shouldbe ascribed to surveying summits of the Carnarvon Range and those in thecascoyne Biogeographical Region.

The following two recommendations are tendered in respect to a broader biogeographicalissue namely the delineation of sub-regional boundaries. These recommendations were

4.

vaD keuwen a Bronilow, Consen"tior atld Land Management Scienc€ Division

l -

5

E

E

o

e

a!a

t

o.!tto,

otoCIa6I.Eo-

EoooooE t(!t{,oq,

(!-atto=o

oaoatttt

olttt(,ID

CLeCLo

tILott{,E t(!uq,ttla,(!

o

oCIa!=

N

(1,

Eir

Botanical SuweyofHa ersley Range Upla s NRS Pmject N709 Fnul Rcpon - May 2002

formulated after development of the GIS atlas for this study and the subsequent analysis offloristic and environmental correlate data.

o .

7.

The northern boundary of the Hamersley sub-region (PlL3) should be redefined toconform with the edge of the Hamersley Plateau/Range in the area south of theMillstream Chichester Nalional Park (Figure 13). Such a redefinition will ensureconsistency in the sub-regional treatment of areas at the base of the Hamersleyescarpment. At present such areas to the east of Rio Tinto Gorge near Wittenoomare within the Fortescue sub-region (PlL2) while the same areas to the west are inthe Hamersley sub-region (PlL3). This recommendation conforms with the northernboundary of the Hamersley Plateau as defined by Beard (1975). The 400 m contouris suggested as a suitable demarcation line in this area.

The eastern boundary of the Hamersley sub-region (PlL3) should be redefined tocapture the narrow extension of the Hamersley Range which occurs east of theFortescue River in the Fortescue sub-region. This eastern extension of theHamersley Range appears to have been excluded from the Hamersley sub-region(PlL3) simply because it was east of the Fortescue River and the sub-region wasabruptly truncated at this point. Analyses indicate that this extension of the Rangehas a summit flora similar to that found west of the Fortescue and similar patternshave been observed in the flora and floristic communities lower in the catenarysequence (van Leeuwen, unpublished data). Essentially, there is no satisfactoryreason for the exclusion of this portion of the Hamersley Range from the Hamersleysub-region (PlL3). Figure 13 depicts the alignment of the proposed sub-regionalboundary change which is required to address this recommendation.

tr*)k**

van L€euwen and Bromilow, Cons€wation and Land Manasene , Science Division

A

6

F

!

'E

I

I

e

a

I

F.tt!loooIEtto

Iq,e,oaoo

Eo,t(t

c!gE )oq,ct

o

t!.!ll

o-tu

oo

E l{'ll3o

Jo-

E6lt

o-t(!

NJo.N

g!!!

oo

qroot(!

!,

G

coa,ttq,Qoo.oct

IJ

eq,It(,E '(!E

ottq,

C'Eo

CL(!=

a?

gE ttt

Bollrical Survey ofHanEBley RaDge UplaDds NRS Proi€ct N709 fnr.l Repon - May 2002

REFERENCES

Barrett, S. ('1996). Biological Survey of Mountains of Southern Western Australia. Department of Conservationand Land Management and the Australian Nature Conservation Agency. Project No. AW03.

Beard, J.S. (19751. The vegetation of the Pilbara Region. Explanatory Notes to Map Sheet 5 of Vegetation

Suvey of Western Australia: Pilbara- University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands.

Beard, J.S. (1976). The evolution of Auslralian desert plants. In: Evolution of Deseft Biota. (Ed. D.W. Goodall).University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.

Beard, J.S. (1980). A new phytogeographic map of Westem Australia. Wesfern Australian Herbarium Research

Notes. 3: 37-58.

Belbin, L. (1994\. PATN: Pattern Analysis Package: Technical Reference Manual. Division of Wildlife and

Ecology, CSIRO: Canberra.

Bettenay, E., Churchward, H.lvl. and McArthur, W.M. (1967). Atlas of Austmlian Soils. Explanatory Data for Sheet

6: Meekatharra-Hamersley Range Area. CSIRO and Melbourne University Press, l\4elbourne, 30 pp.

Biota Environmental Sciences (2002). Hope Downs Rail Corridor, Port Hedland to Weeli Wolli Creek -

Vegetation and Flora Survey. Unpublished report prepared for Hope Down management Services.

Bfakemore, L.C., Searle, P.L. and Daly B.K. (1987). l\4ethods for chemical analysis of soils. New Zealand SoilBureau Science RepotT 80.

Boden, R. and Given, D.R. (1995). Regional overview: Australia and New Zealand. ln: Centres of plant diversv:

A guide and strategy for their conservation, Vol. 2 Asia, Australasia and Pacific (Eds. S.D. Davis, V.H.

Heywood and A.C. Hamilton), World Wide Fund for nature and IUCN, Cambridge. pp. 433-518.

Bowfer, J.l\.4. (1982). Aridity in the late Tertiary and Quaternary of Australia.lni Evolution of the Flora and Fauna

of Arid Australia. (Eds. W.R. Barker and P.J.N4. Greenslade). Peacock Publications, South Australia, pp.

35-46.

Bridgewater, P.B. (1994). Conspectus of major vegetation units for Australia. Phytocoenologia. 24:283-297.

Bureau of Meteorology. (2001). Climate Averages for Western Australian Sltes. (Online) Available:

http://www.bom.qov.au/climate/averaqes/lables/ca wa names.shtml (Accessed 16 November2001).

Casson, N. (1994). The Biology and Ecology of Triodia basedowii and T. wiseana Associations in Relation to

Aridity and Fire. PhD Thesis, Curtin University ofTechnology, Bentley, Western Australia.

Colwell J.D. (1963). The estimation of phosphorus ferti l izer requirements of wheat in Southern New South Wales

by soil analysis. Australian Journal of Expehmental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. 3: 190-197.

Colwell J.D. (1965). An automatic procedure for the determination of phosphorus in sodium hydrogen carbonate

extract of soil. Chemistry and lnduslry 893-895.

Conservation and Land l\y'anagement (1999). Karij ini National Park. l\,4anagement Plan 1999-2009: Management

Plan No. 40. Department of Conservation and Land Management, National Parks and Nature

Conservation Authority, Perth.

Conservation and Land Management (2001). Declared Rare and Priority Flora l ist - 2310812001. Unpublished

Report, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

va)) l-ceuwen.Dd Bronilow, Cons€Nation aDd hndMaMSenent, Science Division

Costin, A.B. (1983). Mountain Lands in the Australian Region: Some principles of use and management. In:Mountain Ecology in the Australian Region. (Eds. R.W. Purdie and l.R. Nobte). proceedings of theEcological Society of Australia . 12: 1-14.

Craig, A.B. ('1993). The Post-Fire Regeneration of Plant Communities Dominated by Triodia pungens in thevicinity of Newman, Western Australia. l\4.Sc. (Natural Resources) Thesis, Curtin University ofTechnology, Bentley, Western Australia.

Crisp, M.D., Laffan, S., Linder, H.P. and Monro, A. (2001). Endemism in the Australian lto.a. Journal ofB i og e og ra phy, 28 :'l 83- 1gB.

eco/og,a Environmental Consultants (1997). Hope Downs Biological Survey. Unpublished report prepared forHancock Prospecting Pty Lta.

Faith, D.P. Minchin, P.R. and Belbin, L. (1987). Compositional dissimilarity as a robust measure of ecologicaldistance; A theoretical model and computer simulalions. Vegetatio. 69: 57-68.

Galloway, R.W. and Kemp, E.l\4. (1981). Late Cainozoic environments in Australia. ln'. Ecological Biogeographyof Australia (Ed. A. Keast) Junk, The Hague. pp. 53-80.

Gardner, C.A. (1942). The vegetation of Western Australia with special reference to climate and soils. JoumalProceedings of the Royal Society of Western Austmlia. 28: 11-87

Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (2002). Why study mountain biodiversity. Available:htto:/ www.unibas.ch/qmba/research.html (Accessed'16 April 2002).

Gentille, J. (1972\. Australian Climate Patterns. Nelson, Melbourne.

Halpern Gfick Maunsell (2000). Hope Downs rail Corridors Biological Surveys. Unpublished report prepared forHope Downs management Services, Report No. ES9779C.

Hamersley lron (2001). Marandoo. ln. Hamersley lron Annual Environmental Repoft 2001. Hamersley lron PtyLimited. pp 6.1-6.32.

Hopper, S.D. and l\.4aslin, B.R. (1978). Phytogeography ot Acacia in Western Australia. Australian Joumal ofBotany.26: 63-78.

Hnatiuk, R.J. and Maslin, B.R. (1980). The distribution of Acacia (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) in WestemAustralia. 1. Individual species distributions. Western Australia Herbarium Research Notes. 4; 1-103.

Jacobs, S.W.L. (1982). Relationships, distribution and evolution of Triodia and Plectrachne (cramineae). In:Evolution of the Flora and Fauna of Ahd Australia. (Eds. W.R. Barker and P.J.M. Greenslade). PeacockPublications, South Australia, pp. 287-290.

Korner, C. (2000). "Mountain biodiversity: Ecological safety, food source, treasure." lni clobal MountainBiodiversity Assessment: First international conference on mountain biodiversity. Rigi-Kaltbad,SwiEerland.

Latz, P.L. (1996). Knowledge of relict plants in central Australia - a measure of botanical research during the last100 years. ln: Exploring Central Australia: Society, the environment and the 1894 Horn Expedition. (Eds.S.R. Morton and D.J. Mulvaney). Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton. pp. 225-229.

Lazarides, M. (1997). A revision ot lhe Triodia including P/ectrachne (Poaceae, Eragrostideae, Triodiinae).Australian Systematic Botany. 10: 38 1-489.

Loveday, J. (1974). Methods for Analysis of lrrigated Soils. Commonwealth. Bureau of Soils, TechnicalCommunication No 54.

van Leeuw€r and Bromilow. Corsewation ard hnd Maragem€nt, ScieDce Divisio

Mabbutt, J.A. ('1965). Landscapes of arid and semi-arid Australia. Australian Natural History. December: 105-1 1 0 .

Nilabbutt, J.A. (1977). Desen Landfoms. Australian National University Press, Canberra.

lvlcMahan, J.P., Hutchinson, M.F., Nix H.A., and Ord, K.D. (1995). ANUCLIM User Guide, Version 1. Centre forResource and Environmental Studies, Australian national University, Canberra, Australia.

Mattiske, E. M. and Associates. (1992r. Flora and Vegektion: Marandoo Project Area. Unpublished reportprepared for Enviroscan, Report No. 10.04.02.

Maslin, B.R. ('1982). Studies in the genus Acacia (Leguminosae: l\4imosoideae) - 11. Acacia species of theHamersley Ranges area, Weslern Australia. Nu.ytsia 4:61-103.

Maslin, B.R. and Hopper, S.D. (1982). Phytogeography ol Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in CentralAustralia. In: Evolution of the Flora and Fauna of Arid Australia. (Eds. W.R. Barker and P.J.M.Greenslade). Peacock Publications, South Australia, pp. 301-316.

Morton, S.R., Short, J. and Barker, R.D. (1995). Refugia for Biological Diversity in arid and semi-arid Australia: Areport to the Biodiversity Unit of The Department of Environment, Sport and Territories. BiodiversitySeries, Paper No.4. Canberra, Australia.

Murphy, J., and Riley, J.P. (1962). A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphorus innatural waters. Ana lyti ca C h i mica Acta. 27 : 31 -36.

Nix, H.. (1982). Environmental determinants of biogeography and evolution in Terra Australis. lni Evolution ofthe Flora and Fauna of Arid Australia. (Eds. W.R. Barker and P.J.M. Greenslade). Peacock Publications,South Australia. pp. 47-66.

Paczkowska, G. and Chapman, A.R. (2000). The Western Australia Flora: A descriptive catalogue. WildflowerSociety of Western Australia, Department of Conservation and Land l\4anagement and Botanic Gardensand Parks Authority, Perth, Western Australia.

Poore, D. (1992). Guidelines for Mountain Protected Areas. IUCN Commission on National Parks and ProtectedAreas: IUCN, Protected Areas Programme Series, No.2. Gland (Switzerland) and Cambridge (UK).

Randell, B.R. and Symon, D.E. (1977). Distribution of Cassia and So/anum species in arid regions of Australia.Search , 8: 206-207 -

Rayment, G.E. and Higginson, F.R. (1992). Australian Laboratory Handbook of Soil and Water ChemicalMelhods. Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Rohlf, F.J. (2000). NTSYS-pc: Numerical taxonomy and mullivariate analysis system. Version 2..1 ExeterPublications. New York. USA

Searle, P.L. (1984). The Berthelot or indophenol reaction and its use in the analytical chemistry of nitrogen. Areview. Analyst. 109: 549-68.

Seymour, D.8., Thorne, A.M. and Blight, D.B. (1988). Wyloo, Western Australia. (2"d edition ): Western AustralianGeological Survey, 'l:250 000 Geological Series Explanatory Notes. Sheet SF50-10.

Simonson, B.M. and Hassler, S.W. (1997). Revised correlation in the Early Precambrian Hamersley Basin basedon a horizon of resedimented impact spherules. Ausfrallan Journal of Eanh Science. 44: 37-48.

Specht, R.L., Specht, A, Whelan, M.B. and Hegarty, E.E. (1995). Conseruation Atlas of Plant Communities inAusfralia. Centre for Coastal management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, N.S.W.

Stafford Smith, D.M. & Morton, S.R. (1990). A framework for the ecology of arid Australia. Joumal ot AridEnviron me nts 181 255-27 8.

van Le€uweD and Bromilow, CoDsewalior and l,atld Marasement Science DivisioD

Bolanical Sun€y of HaneBley Ranse Uplands NRS Project N709 FnDlReport - May 2002

Start, A.N. (1986). Status and management of mulga in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In: The MulgaLands (Ed. P.S. Sattler), Royal Society of Queensland, Brisbane. pp. | 36-'138.

Symon, D.E. (1982). Solanum (Solanaceae) in arid Australia. ln: Evolution of the Flora and Fauna of AhdArslra/la. (Eds. W.R. Barker and P.J.M. Greenslade). Peacock Publications, South Australia. pp. 335-340.

Tapp, R.G. and Barrell, S.L. (1984). The northwest Australia cloud band: climatology, characteristics and factorsassociated with development. Journal of Climatology. 4: 411-424.

Taylor, S.G. and Shurcliff, K.S. (1983). Ecology and management of central Australian mountain ranges. ln:Mountain Ecology in the Australian Region. (Eds. R.W. Purdie and l.R. Noble). Proceedings of theEcological Society of Australia. 12'.27-34.

Thackway, R. and Cresswell, l.D. (1995). An lnterim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: A Framewotkfor Sefting Piorities in the National Reserue System Coopemtive Progmm. Version 4.0. Australian NatureConservation Agency, Canberra.

Thorne, A.M. and Tyler, l.M. (1997a). Mount Bruce, Westem Aust€,tia. (2nd edition ): Western Australianceological Survey, 1:250 000 Geological Series Explanatory Notes. Sheet SF50-11.

Thorne, A.M. and Tyler, l.M. (1997b). Roy Hill, Western Australia. (2"o edition ): Western Australian GeologicalSurvey, 'l:250 000 Geological Series Explanatory Notes. Sheet SF50-12.

Thorne, A.M., Tyler, l.M and Hunter, W.M. (1991). Turee Creek, Westem Australia. (2"d edition ): WestemAustralian Geological Survey, 1 ;250 000 Geological Series Explanatory Notes. Sheet SF50-15.

Trendall, A.F. (1990). The Hamersley Basin. In: Geology and lvlineral Resources of Western Australia. l4lesfernAustralia Geological SuNey Memoirs 3: 163-191.

Trendall, A.F. and Blockley, J.G. (1970). The iron formations of the Precambrian Hamersley Group, WesternAustralia, with special reference to the associaled crocidolite. Western Australian Geological Survey,Bulletin 1 19.

Tyler, 1.M., Hunter, W.M. and Williams, l.R. ('1990). Newman, Western Australia. (2"d edition ): Western AustralianGeological Survey, 1:250 000 Geological Series Explanatory Notes. Sheet SF50-16.

Trudgen, M.E. and Casson, N. (1998). Flora and vegetation survey of Orebody A and Orebody B in the WestAngelas Hill area, an area surrounding them, and of rail route options considered to link them to theexisting Robe River lron Associates rait line. Unpublished report for Robe River Iron Associates.

van Etten, E.J.B. (1998). Plant species diversity of the Hamersley Ranges, Western Australia: More than mulgaand spinifex. ln'. Biodiversv, Biotechnology and Eiobusiness: Proceedings of the 2nd Asia-PacificConference on Biotechnology (Ed. M.V. Keulen and M.A. Borowitzka), Australian Society forBiotechnology, Perth. pp. 1 39-'142.

van Etten, E.J.B. (2000). Vegetation of the Hamersley Ranges, North-West Australia - Characteristics andComparisons. PhD Thesis, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, Western Australia.

van Leeuwen, S.J. and Fox, J.E.D. (1985). An accounl of edaphic factors in relation to the distribution ofperennial woody species in a tropical mulga community. Mulga Research Centre Joumalt 1-12-

van Leeuwen, S.J., Start, A.N., Bromilow, R.B. and Fuller, P.J. (1995). Fire and the floristics of mulga woodlandsin the Hamersley Ranges, Western Australia. In: Ecological Research and Management in theMulgalands. (Eds. M. J. Page and T. S. Beutel), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland. pp.

169-175.

!€n Leeuwen and Bronilow, Consbrvation arrd l,and Management, Science Divisior)

Walkley, A. (1947). A critical examination of a rapid method for determining organic carbon in soils - effect ofvariations in digestion conditions and of inorganic soil constituents. Soi/ Science. 63:251-264.

Walkley, A. and Black, l.A. (1934) An examination of the Degtiareff method for determining soil organic mafterand a proposed modification ofthe chromic acid titration method. Soil Science. 3Z: 29-38

Water and Rivers Commission (2002). Rainfall Statistical Summary Reporf. (Online) Available:http://www.wrc.wa.qov.aulwaterinf/wrdata/BoM/index.htm (Accessed 12 Apfl 20021 -

West, J.G. (1982). Radiation and adaptation of Dodonaea (Sapindaceae) in arid Australia. ln2 Evolution of theFlora and Fauna of Afid Austra/,a. (Eds. W.R. Barker and P.J.M. Greenslade). Peacock Publications.South Australia. pp. 329-334.

Zar, J.H. (1984). Biostatisticat Analysis. 2d edition. Prentice-Hill: Englewood Cliff, New Jersey.

*****

i

L\'rr keuwen atrd Bromilow, Conslnatiotr ad knd Mamgenett, ScieDce Division

U

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1

Analytical regime used to determine the physical and chemical properties of the 80 soilsamples collected from throughout the Hamersley Range.

Electrical Conductivitv

Measured by conductivity meter at 25oC on a 1:5 extract of soil and deionised water (Rayment andHigginson 1992, Method 3A1).

pH

Measured with a pH meter using a glass electrode in a l:5 e)dract of soil and 0.0'1 M CaCl, (Raymentand Higginson 1992, Method 481).

Oroanic Carbon Content

Determined by a modification of the wet oxidation procedure of Walkley and Black (1934), as describedby Walkley ('1947). Samples of finely ground soil (<0.2 mm) were treated with sulphuric acid andpotassium dichromate. The resulting chromium lll ions were measured spectrophotometrically at600 nm using a 1 cm cell

Total Nitroqen

Measured by Kjeldahl digestion of soil (copper sulphate - potassium sulphate catalyst). Total nitrogenis assessed as ammonium-N by automated colorimetry through the nitroprusside.dichloro-S-triazinemodification (Blakemore et a/. 1987) of the Berthelot indophenol reaction (Searle 1984).

Total Phosphorus

Measured by colorimetry on the Kjeldahl digest for Total N using a modification of the Murphy andRiley (1962) molybdenum blue procedure.

Available Phosphorus

Phosphate soluble in 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate was determined using the method of Colwell ('1963,1965). Samples of soil (1 g) were extracted with 100 mL of 0.5 M NaHCO" (pH 8.5) for 16 hours at23'C by end-over-end shaking (10 rpm).

vaD L€euw€n and Bronilow, CoDsan"tioD atrd land Masasenrert, Scierce Division

Botanical Sun€y ofHanenley Range Uplands FiDal Report - May 2002NRS Project N709

Exchanqeable Cations

Exchangeable Cations were assessed by three procedures:

a. 1 M NH.CI at pH 7.0.

Used for neutral soils (pH between 6.5 and 8.0 as measured by the pH (H,O) method (glasselectrode in a 1:5 extract of soil and deionised water)). Cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K) weremeasured by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometry (lCP-AES). Sotublesalts were removed from soil samples with electrical conductance >20 mS m-r by washing withglycoFethanol (Rayment and Higginson 1992).

b. 0.'1 M BaCL (unbuffered).

Used for acidic soils only (pH (H,O) <6.5). Cations (Ca, lvg, Na, K, Al and Mg) were measuredby ICP-AES. Soluble salts were removed from soils with electrical conductance >20 mS m-l bywashing with glycol-ethanol (David Allan, Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Centreof Western Australia, unpublished procedure).

c. 1 M NHaCI at pH 8.5 (used for calcareous soils).

This is a modification of the 15C1 Method proposed by Rayment and Higginson (1992).Cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K) were measured by flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.

Particle Sizinq

Determined by a modified 'plummet' procedure and expressed as percentage sand, silt and clay. Soilsamples were dispersed with a solution of Calgon (sodium hydroxide) then silt (0.002 - 0.020 mm) andclay (<0.002 mm) fractions were measured by density using a plummet after standard settling times(Loveday 1974).

\an L€euwen and Brcmilow, Consbnation and l.and Manag€ment, Sci€nce DivisioD

.9.9 - .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 _Q Q ; O O O Q O O O Q O O O O O =

x l x x i i9 0 x p p o a o o a o oq a { a a a o o o o o o o o o o . ca a i ; o o o o o o o o o o o o d Yd d < d d d d o - ' d d d d i i d d <

> r > r . \ > t_ q - 9 5 - 9 - 9 _ 9 - Q _ 9 - 9 - 9 _ 9 _ q I - 9 - 9 = 5a a Q a a a . t a a a a . A c c g , ; 90 E 3 b 6 6 6 b b b b b E E E 3 3F t r F F F T F C E E = Co o o ( ! ( ! ( s o ( E ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! o or r L _L _L _L _L _L I _L I _L I I - tL tL

c c c c c c c c c c c c c co o o a a a o o o o o o o o

c c g c c c c c c c - c c c c t Q(! (o,: (! o (! o (! (! o (s (! (! (! (! c =F F ' - F F F F F F F t r F t r F U ' - : -

r : ; ; ; : 3 * 3 : : : * : : q ;I e - I I e I I I I e I e I I

- *m m m ( D ( D m c o m m I D d ) m c o r D

( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( s

6 9 9 6 6 I I d 6 I d d 6 d 2 2 2l i i 6 l r f i H l l H l f I I Y Y Y

o _ ( L ( L ( L ( L

(9 N @.r + O t- (, |r) - @ N |.r) u) La) * coq) I @ o + N o F F- { (.) (o N o (\ { (or.o @ - o N N tO O o O N - ct F- - 1... Fq q q oq oq q a? a n c? R q c! q a? q c!N N t- (O (O F, t-- F- F- F- F- F- o) O) @ @ @

N * S @ @ @ @ CO O) ct O <) S O) O) O) Fcq (9 O @ O, ri_ S N c' ct $ (9 N o:) (t rO o')K) U) @ <O (.) @ F- (t F- @ O O @ O) (O - c"(o co O) N (g N @ F N + F (O @ r.r) F- t- €oc.i c.i c.i c.i 6i .i - 6i c'i .i 6i c.i .i c.i ai c.i c.i( \ I N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

q, F |r) @ O) O C! \f @ <t O F- rO N C{ (f) rtr) r- to K) ct sf i' $ ro s (o c.] o + \t 6) F,

LL LL < IL IL TL IL IJ- IL LI- IL IJ- LL LL TL d dm m z m m d } d ) ( D ( n m ( D ( D m d J m z z

A ! c t . ^ ] ] € ' a - $ N s t ^ , , ^ - S L r ) c oF- @ ro x o N : )x cr cr r >: :, : ri o coo F o X o o : X o - o Y l - ! 6 - o

2 E 4 s F " .E E * r E P E 9 9 € e - s ' : = E F ' Ee i= = g; s=,SEiEEF EsEr N co \r n (o F- @ o, : : s P : I I :

6(.)'5 o.r6 <(D

(!

c D f9 9o v

3 d

O Eo o(, rL

3 :

u ) -

: >

TL

C)

coF

o 3

O P

i E ,

J 3

o . l

a Z

(5

o

Q

o

=

ctGuoooE|tt

o

o

N 3X O

I ! -

< L ( E(Jo

Ec

q

oo r

o fc D cc o

6 E

i g5 € *E E - R E gt : = . x E q; = ; H 1 E [s , i H q q: o Y H l b 3 =: u J 6 6 - i : H : Y: R E d e z i : *: ! x 6 6 E b n +E ; E ; ' ' i * F E- g o 5 0 - v 6 - -t r z >S c ! )9 O t ' 1 9 ; ' l t. 1 E d d f f i z X c rE 3 . . r l r L Y - m z' E 3 g gg l e E \d f i P f l

z

7

o

t97

O, (.�) cO (o C9 q) cO N lO :t l..) co @ (O @ V F O |r) cr) O @ rl) rJ) F cO @ @ F- (O O (.) F 6) F@ |r) o (o lr) @ co (.) 6l N (\l s { { ro ro N (o or ro r'r) s ra) g S ro ra) co N C9 F F- F- L) +

< q g tr LL lL LL lL LL lL LL LL lL LL tL < 5 < < tr rL rr_ U_ tL Lr L L U_ rr. |L rL r! Lr lL U_2 6 6 6 6 6 d 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 2 E ' 2 2 d ' 6 c o 6 c o m c o c o m o c o m m m c o c o

- .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 -.9 - - .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9f i o o o o o o o o o o o o o o a a a f i o Q Q o o o o o o o o o o o o o;\ N N N N N N N N N N N N N N ;i N ;i ;i N N N N N N N N N N N N N N ij N6 9 e 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 e e 9 6 9 6 6 9 e 9 9 9 e e e 9 e 9 9 e 9 e ef i " 9 e g g I e . 9 I I g I " 9 . 9 I * I f i f i g I g I . e g g g - 9 - 9 - 9 - 9 . e g g gt 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 e ; L E E e e I 9 e 9 9 9 9 9 e I I 9 9 9- (I (L (L tL (L (L (L tL (L tL tL (L O_ (L - (L - - tL tL (L O_ (L (L (L (L O- (L 0 (I (L (L (L (L

.\ >t >t >!= _9 _9 -9 _9 _9 -C _9 -C _9 -9 _9 _9 _9 -C : -9 = 5 -e -q _q _Q -9 I -9 -9 -9 I _9 _9 _9 -C _9 _9o a @ a a a a a a a a a ut a u) a) co o o (, a a a a a a a aS b 6 b b b b b b b b b b b b S b S S b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b bi E E E E E E E E E E E E E E i E i i E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E Eo (! O (! O O (! (! O rE (! O O O t! O O O O (! (! (! (! rS (! O O O N (! (s (! (! (! (!

LL - :E I - I I I I I I I I I I TL I TI- LI- I T I I - - I I I I I T I I - -

9 9 0 9 9 4 9 p 9 p 0 9 p p I 0 0 0 p o a o o o Q Q Q o o o o- - - - c - + - c -

.= (! (! (E (! (D (! (! (! (D (! (tr (! (! O C O.= c: O O O O (! (! (! G O O (! r! (! (! (! (!c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c - c c - c c t r c t r c c t r E t r t r E E E E E; r t r ; t r i r i r r t r i s t ; q t i ; ; i ; t i t i i r r ; ; i- I I I e I I I I I e 9 I I I e - I I I e I e I e I I e I e e e I

{ n ( n m l I ) . n o c 0 d ) c 0 m m ( D ( n m t D m m d l o m ( n c 0 r D m ( n ( n m d ) c 0 6 I n

=l z E - a 6$Fs -E5- .u*tsHA€EHEec€;Exf,etfr'*5aE€ € g E€ g BsgsE Esg=

= = 5-$=- = E ! g = = gsE gFfi s gs g ; n; " - i nE g!

E

- @ : t F F - . N , ^ N 6 - ^ , c { N - t r ) O r N - @ , ^ , ^ r O O l ( ) a - , a @ l r ) - _ . ^ { { NN O, O N O |r) X O o ): :l d) cr @ (O ra) - : O, ;: Y O N (' Y X Y c9 @ X I :: F.. s r

o- o- (L J E. r--., r --, E Po- ,' ,' rL. E o- -.., -.., E -..,.--, E --., o- E --., Q o- r r QZ Z Z O F,^ z z () z () E n^ Z Z Z Z Z X Z O O X O z O * O Z X O -- z z z --v Y Y l 6 v Y f Y f 6 6 Y Y : Z Y Y 6 Y l l 6 f , Y f # l Y f t l r ) < ) . Y J(L (L[ rL [ 0_ rL o g

(O O) (') co Co 6, O) (O @ F d) N N O) @ O F F- cO + O @ ct @ :t F (O <o O) co F ct rO rO !4,c) @ rO |.r) c) Cr) O) - F co O d) - (., F- $ tr) F (O (g $ O - @ @ O) C\l <f O @ F c{ al- d) N(O (O (O N \t $ ll) F. (\ cr) @ O) Cf, c., N (O <t @ F (O r..) O (O (t O, r <O @ $ O N @ (O (O O)c? u? n q (? a? u? \ r o? \ o? q c! q q q \ q q oq q \': .! q \ u? 09 q ut n n'Q q@ co co @ co @ @ @ @ F F- F @ @ co 1.- @ F- l.-- @ N f- r'- @ oo o o) co co o co @ co co @

_ N F r

\t e (o - @ $ @ o, N - F- o (o c\t @ (o fD c) o) N s F Ar F- s { u-) o - o sr c\i o) o) oN @ (f) rr, Oi (o @ @ 1.. N <t - t() cO O @ La) r N LO co N co F- @ O O) N O N $ r \t |\- oO) F O O { @ O ro (f) N N (O F O, F @ c) c) La) c) V N - c) c, c., @ oo ol) <- ct ln N O Noq og oq q I 1rl a n c! q c! a? a R q q q q o? n n c! \ q c? c? ct o) oq oq n .. q q rN N N N c! N N N N F N N 6l N N c\ ct c\ N ct c.) N N N C{ (9 (.) N N N (?) ct (9 CO (tN N C\| N N N N N N C\T N N N C{ N N N N N N N N N N (\ N N N N N N N N N N

@ o, o r N (t s ro (o F- @ o) o r N (.) $ r.) (o F 6 o) o r (\ (t s ra) (o F- @ o) o F NF F N N N C\ N N C{ N N C! CO (.) (.) C.) c.) cf) c.) c.) cO d) S { S S S S :f .f rt S L) l.() ta)

, I F

O Eo oo r L

6 -at

6'6 a.r6 <o

6(t) l9 9o v(,

= > .

LL

of

c)F

o 3

o q

'tlo 6

:O ^o.,

3 - :. i <

6 z

o

a

t

':

!L !L tL lL u lr LL lL L I lL lL tr tr < tr LL LL LL lL lL E LL tL LL lJ- E tLc o c o m m c o o c o m m m m ( D o m z m m ( D m ( n c o m m ( n ( D ( n m ( D

. 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 - 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 - - . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9 . 9o o o o o o o o o o o o o a ; f i o o o o a a a q o o o oN - fu N N NI N N N N N N N N :'i ),! N N N N N N N N N N N No o o o o e p e p e p p 9 9 6 6 9 9 e 9 9 9 9 9 e 9 e 9E E . E E E E E . O . O . O E E B E 5 5 E E E g E E g P E E E Pb b o o 9 p A 9 g p 9 9 o o t r E o o o o o o o o 9 9 9 9i d d d i i d i d n n n i i < < d i d d d n n n r r - r : . r r r r

o ) o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o < D o o o o o o oe T P P P e e E P T P e E c e e P . P E ? E E e 2 . e 2 Pq 9 e e 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 ' 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 P 9 P 9 P P

F F F F E t s - E E E t r t r C C C C C E t r( ! ( ! ( ! ( E ( s ( ! ( ! ( ! ( E ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! O ( ! O G ( s ( ! N ( E ( E ( ! ( ! ( ! ( !

C C C C C

9 e 9 9 e 9 e e e 9 e 9 e e ! 9 9 9 e 9 9 e e 9 9 9 e- . ; ; 7 ; - Z ; ; : . ; ; H ; ; ; ; ; . ; ; l ; I EF E E E F F F F F F F F F F , : F F F F F F F F F F F F= - : - - = - t - r . * - : . . ; < - r ; < ; < i < v v r z : i z l Z . v ! ! - ! - !

- - - - o ( , ) . o o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o o 9 9 9 p p 9 p p 9 ( ! 9 9 9 9 9 p 9 9 9 9 9 96 6 6 6 6 6 f i d 6 d d 6 6 6 > 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 d 6 d

E =

E . = > n F ; a E i = p = o : s € E aE F EE t's r Es = = -f EE i E c E H g€ S ** es Bgg € Fe E * = ; gg 5 g E e,ss€ s"E = = ! 5 ! 5 s 5=- . o

3 ( J

N (o 6 6 crr F - F- O o.) @ @ F- co F F- (O ln F F tl) o') crr F_ F* C! { F_@ F co () { F- $ F- !t at d F. rJ) @ tr) @ r.r) \t r..) <t lr) N $ !- lr) si N c.,

( L o - o - ( L ( L ( L ( L t L t L - & -o o o o o . o . o . \ . \ f t . t ( U o o

d 5=_==_Ed Ed d d =_==s =t q q g q t q q q q q qI r -J I --.r -l f --.t I I f r J -J (i J d J J (D ) @ r J

o o o o o o o o o o - o c o - r Lf l l l f I l f I l

@ ^, r\ co co - F sf ,a a * @ 1? 9 o _ (o F \t F- N - rt (o o) N N (,)ro :: o - |r) o, lr, N x = : - 9! ! 6 - + co cil ir <- ct F_ F- F_ \r F- -: U I 9 : : I I 6 d d' I e P 6 b i F i: irl i id to io F @ to coE

o crr tl) @ { !- F- N N ct lo :l C! <i l..) cO - O) @ + - <o cO tr) @ @ O) Ndt c.j o co r F* o) c) (O st F c'.ri @ F r..) F- (f) N F (rr - (\l l-a) $ - F- O)di F- + co @ co ro @ (o (o o (o o) o) o c. F- 6l ra) N c.l o I gt o o) o ct" c n q \ o c \ q c ? n o j c . l . : ' : q c ? q q q n i - q o ? \ \ q \ \c o c o c o c o @ @ o ) o ) o ) o , o ) o r o ) o ) o ) q ) @ @ ( o ( 0 l ' - - F - @ ( o ( o ( o @ F

co ra) F F @ tr) oo - o) N (o co lr, o <o co C? { 9o I a Q 9q F @ ct o) Ng P : s s P s E 3 3 3 6 3 3 N $ 3 3 5 3 3 3 S 5 3 3 5 3c i " ? . ? "? c ! qc l o l q o?q c ! c ! n Sa a c , i . : o l q \ \ oC . : c . l o? ' :c.i ("i co co ao (.) cr o (o c! (.) cD (t (o (t (t N c{ c\t F !i :: !: !: c.l N r- Nol oi ai oi N oi N c.t N N N N 6l c{ N N N c{ (\l N N N N N 6l N c{ N

c € )

C D -

o . l

6 z(r s rr) (o F @ 6) O F N cO st LO @ F @ c') Q !_ N cr S !l) !O F- @ O) O6 6'.t (, b |l)'.) @ @ @ (o @ @ @ (o (o (o F F- F- F f'- F_ F_ F_ F f- @

o =o o(, rL

orof

o)c

J

o

o

$

q)

l

.s

q)LL

C)5cq)

o)

q)

-o

Botinical Survey ofHani€nley Rang€ Uplands NRS Project N709 FnralReporl - May 2002

APPENDIX 3

List of vascular plants recorded from 80 summit habitats throughout the HamersleyRange, their frequency of occurrence, habitat fidelity, geographic distribution,reservation status, Conservation and Land Management conservation code andassignment of a representative voucher specimen,

EXPLANATIoN oF CoDEs

Specialist of summit habitab:Y: ldentifies taxa known only from summit habitats in the Hamersley Range, although they may

occupy other habitats lower in the catenary sequence elsewhere in their distributional range.E: Denotes taxa which are only known from summit habitats throughout their entire distributional

range.

G eog ra p h i ca I D i stri h utio n :N: Denotes taxa atthe northern end oftheir distributional range.S: Denotes taxa at the southern limits of their distributional range.E: Denotes taxa at the eastern limits of their distributional range.W: Denotes taxa at the western limits of their distributional range.SW: Denotes taxa at the south-western limits of their distributional range.SE: Denotes taxa at the south-eastern limits of their distributional range.D: Denotes taxa which are disjunct outliers from typical species distribution.PE Denotes taxa which are endemic to the Pilbara Biogeographical Region.HE Denotes taxa which are considered endemic to lhe Hamersley Range

Reservalion Sfafus.'Y: Denotes if the taxon is known from the conservation estate either in the Karijini National Park or

from another conservation reserve throuohout Western Australia.

Conservation Status:Conservation status of taxa as defined bv-the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Landlilanagement (2001).R: Declared Rare Flora - Extant Taxa

Taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, indanger of extinction, or olherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazefted as such.

1: Priority One - Poorly known TaxaTaxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations which are under threat, eitherdue to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, eg. road verges, urbanareas, farmland, active mineral leases, etc., or the plants are under threat, eg. from disease,grazing by feral animals, etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands.Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as'rare flora', but are in urgent need of furthersurvey.

2: Priority Two - Poorly Known TaxaTaxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations, at least some of which are notbelieved to be under immediate threat (ie. not currently endangered). Such taxa are underconsideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey.

3: Priority Three - Poorly Known TaxaTaxa which are known from several populations, and the taxa are not believed to be underimmediate threat (ie. not currenlly endangered), either due to the number of known populations(generally >5), or known populations being large, and either widespread or protected. Such taxaare under consideration for declaration as'rare flora' but are in need offurther survev.

4: Priority Four - Rare TaxaTaxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (inAustralia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoringevery 5-10 years.

Conservation Status:Collection number of a representative voucher specimens obtained by Stephen van Leeuwen.

vart Leeuw€n and Bromilow. ConSewalion and t nd Maragement Science DivisioD

E

o - c

6 & 6 f i h N s 3 { 5

uo Lr.t ut u i - T

o o u l^ o+ ; t +ot

9 R - E € - - - . N F . " F . " - . - p . r : N * . N $ B

.?

.=

S - : .

5.^ F

3 s - ' E

c g [ ; + Er a E e e Fe E E * l e E i

seoE . . s ,$ € a E - f ; i { i f ; : g

e s B$ $ $ $, Fs SFFF$$ E $ $$ $s F sE gs s $EE s$ H gg E E H FFF, FF€ d 8 5 8 € S

E

9

(t)

q)a<D

I

'-E

E

I!z

.2o

EE

E

EE

E

E

a

o

6

-

E

E

E

e.q

Ez

. o

= F

t!

3

z

ii

a

s

E

a

o

;

J

s

N F & S 6 F

& P R . R : 9 - N R - N - * R - N N b : S N N P , ' N S S P

L!

t

s$i o

F g E s eI

€ o s € t E f i , s ;

c sF$ ft s es E EEEFE FHEeEer $$g E $ $ $ $$$ F$ $$ $$ E gE 5E $E

9

tg.D

o)

I

.E

(!

:<

.qo

E

I

EE

.z

Iu.

a

E

z

tr

g

'o

@

o

z

> Ft!

z

c

E

i

H g F H $ E R P $ H * f i U$ E 3 S V

zz

e

Ha =

g $o. E;

- F f l PF $ ; *s . 1 3 .E ; f i e

- F E S s S l $ 3! i - * t i P P 5 ' F

p R . e . = , i * S $ $ S q 5 s - E x -

f;FC5.g-$*;€*F$$-* r s.tF.ssissi$*E$stgr5tSgg$$$ e se a H Fgss a $E B E F E $E t $ $E $ E $t $ $ t r r r r E t t t t t t sts

* R E - . . } - s : ( ) - R , ' E o , o S d E @ @ o N 9 _

a

'o

> 9> F

LL

9

Et

e

z

t

.9

b

z

!Dav,

e

EE

(!z

.9o

Ia5

E

E

8

o

E

t

;

9

9 N @

H E S U [ [ K * g F H

uJ urI I

ul ulI I = H

S N P N ' O : F I ' F N e o 8 3 c , N - N 6 - i 3 K 3 - F d , c , *

Lll ulu.l uti >

L! LI]

t

5 ; ; s

a r r € e ! ! Ea n * ' g e B + s @ e . ;

t s : ! : g E e € € s e i , F a E , € e Et I t d d t : * X E : B B € P ( PS * ; E e ; - c i i i + + F i * E s s i 3 " " E H

EsFF$E tt e* F, s;g s gE t $ E t E g, ggg€gs* g, *, H F F E 5$ $ HFi3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4* E E E 3 3 P E e E e 3 E 3 E E 3 s E 2 s 3l -E EEEEEE$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ tr $ .E .F .B .E,8 $ .E $ $ $ e $ $ $ $ $ $ fi = E E 6 5$ E E'�E'�E'�E'�

5 f

.E

ga

E

I

E

(!z

.2o

EE

E

a

Eg.

-

a

t

.8g

pE

U)

Ez

> 9> FLr-

e

o

g

2

I

I o - o " + H g g- z @ * ( / j * *

- R - N - - - N - P - - - N : . o t s P , ' N - R e S K e & { - o f t v o < . r

i $ $ $ q $ € H $ E g E H $ t x i R f i f f

z u 3 : t

ul

3$ a Ex ^ 5 ' 5i : E s 6 'g p g EE - . t r J

i S q - ? > eu r i q < ; g * 3 9 ,

? I . : r $ * R F EE = , * 3 a E € F ; bs E H g $ E e * ; : q s " E q E* * H i P F ' . E = e S e s 3 * E f E E F

$sEtExEsrttqfu$s,**ts$E,isE.€cH$Ftg.iFi EE*$EB $ $ E E S E E E E t ; € € € = 3 < * ; H * E E x * i € u s s { $ s B s q ^ E E g H F F F F FE s s FF; FFFF$ H S F S F g F F FFFF E 5 * $ I $ $E E E E E = Sg 5 q S $ S $ $

& 8 d 6 5 6 t r E

E

U)

U)

9

(LzY

.2o

EE

E

E

t

-

U)

t

t

E

E

6Er!'6

U)

b

z

> 9> F

LL

z

3

e

E

t

e

: , o o ! N F . - g , o - N s - @ | b * - 3 . 3 f t . s - p - . - x ( ,

o o F - N @ . n 6 6

ot

^ o- o , ^ " - i t n u u r o

d i

ulcui

ot

L! L!

- & N

:a $

{ o e

$ aE- i; r s Fs : l s : -E 'sd sE o E$ - R R s E E 3e $ ; f l : ; q g Fn ' E g P F E l s I l0 o - Xee" + ; t - .E o Ee ' E ,F * s 6 - F * ; . S e Q . " B E E * F ; c 2+ f e X R - E ' = p , = * l ' < ; ; : " ' . ^ E a ^ E t s H

xEsp? s usBEttFgs*i$F;;si€ ats;€€ - EFers*, R l *ttgE$$$$ HEEEEE ii33; ; ; ;E$gE $ EstE ;F; :FF$$$$ g$ar $$$$S \ S S S 9 E = F F = A 4 . 9 9 . 3 3 . 3 3 t s s s s s s s s s s ss F F E E = A e A A A d d r t E t E E s d d d d d d i ; d d d d E 6 6 8 e d x ! t * f = d d t

q

9

cz

.9

.g

EE

8

E

.9E

Ict

-

a

e

t

zg

(,

.9

.q

z

> 9= t :

IL

a

I [ 3 P 8 3 3 3 N b 3 3 3 3 p 3 R 3 p d P 3 8 3 : 6 S 3

o= i

lll l! !J

ul ul lll ul

: R S E R b - E E 9 9 N N ! = S e : , o N g N - - - b

- c l c

$ $EE :q $ * € *s +gi 'si, s p 6 ."

EsggggegE$ggggggiEg$FE$sg FFg,FEErFEEss *$FFFE

.E

!q!)

s

o)

I

(!z

.ao

!!:6

E

E

I

E

I

t

g

at)

t

t

=g

E.e.9

Ez

> X= F

TL

.9

t6

ul Lll- I

^ L ! ^ O

= | ; :oz

L l l u J . - uJ UJ

- N o s @ & r ' - - * : 3 K K N * o - | o : o o e o E * : P N N N P

e

i E 5 ^ ? ? ,E E a f ; * E , : F : e e € Er ts e E $E$i5$$ BEi E b s E c E i ; : ' - J g , , # * ; ' ; " R R S

* E s c$$ $$Fs $E E E gE $ Fs Fss FE gE gE $ E FHFFFF$$Fu**FFF*

I(t)

I

(!z

.9o

E

E

I

8

g

I

t

-

.9

e

E

6

z

Eg

.9

.q

> 9> FLL

E

NJ

I

a

: 3 € 3 N 3 3 R F 3 S 3 S 8 : : : A 5

t ! . ^l : " l > I I

ul . Llt ut

@ : € o P . P - E E P E . - . S - - - , - * - - 9 -

3 =

u.l ulUJ . UJ t tJu l U l

a

aE 3f i : a ! eo + ?o ( . ) = F - r3 5 8 3 q

e P e g d B d g

Fsfi,aEl s * ;S r s =

: ; : i F : E i g $ i . 5- ; E - ; g * E ; o F - t o E E ' a c { " ? F **t$3=?? $ *E$ *-E E rlE*$E$*€$$ss3r- utFi-i$F*g i S I i i : F . c I f $ *

*-Fgg"g"gg. E gE E* s g u *,* H H F s E i F F FiF q€-EesS _F;fr iFt,e�f,tFFFFFFF g $ $ $$B E s ; $ H $ E S FF$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ } E H H $ $ $$ggF $ $g$

a E 5 9 3 & -

q'o

a

I

I

o-z

.9

.2o

E

I

.z

I

t

-

O

a

a

E

g

.a

.g

U)

b

Ez

> Ft!

zz

eE

Ee

I

9 - 3 g o N * ,o & ,o to - F d, N o: * 'o I - N ,o N

rllUJ - L]J .L!r H r

ult

o2i =

$* : ?A tpP 3 d

E$E EFF$$FFgE s S $sg gFissgFs gs$i

'o

aU)

EE

ILz:<

6

E

I

EE

t

z

(J

5U)

t

v

,9

g

o.9.g

E

Ez

> 9= F

IL

ll

I

,5

a _

a d $ iC : " 4 ; E? = H H E SE € E = t e ' , - ^ x F€ - s E * . ; ; € . i ; [ € . 5 ' -Ett*BEa*tEE*t$$tse-EE

* iFE es t$EFFFEFEE$sFe$EEE EEFF F BsEs E EEsgF$B$$$Ft

: s$ 6gcl e * B . B o

$$EFFS.HE -

= d 3 F F

. 5 * i i r $n+€€$H$., ,- < s p e g i t s <? * R R S E F q< o t L

N

i-

EE

: r,f

stxozut

o;=

Eo

ooI=o

lrIEx(5

Ex

tg

o(,oo.o(!

J,a,ooEo-

, -

a

6

i . 6> F,f

E

l

LLL

$!I

sqig E t € €( n E E f ; , s :s * E E = �

ecE ercEegEeEeEfu $sEEs$SS$EsFEsSSEEEcc$E $ECEe$e$EEc E EEBE FEBgt1rr

t

' ta

6

I

a

(i

aH* - E a

. = . q ' ,e e u EEgi c d e a s a e S t i q ? e

, [ E B E $ ? ? i ; i g e g B ; ; e s s s e =u xe,*aFe*$,s$ueerEeec€tegsFeeE$eeF,eEi'$E€€€*€$ue€€€€Erg,c * $EF$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$88$$E$$E$;E$$$;$$;;$$$$$$$$Est8

3

R

i 6= F

E

?

RzE

z

D

ELL

'I

L

6

S " e s

s i q E m aq g ! ; e - . - " 8" 1 s F i = * € E H F gs g E : = = H E ? g E F * 5 F

c$sEcCEgsE FgEesF$Ec ss s*H sgF$E Ec $ e F$E E gcE e E$F, Fs F3 giF€€ ** E s cE

a 6= F,f

F

l

&

s

t

s

b

EE

= F

l

LI

L

e

,is g P € ' H , , g ; :

^ : ; g g $ e $ E E q HH !:i'= .: ; E i5E ?E

$csssgsFsFgft g$$gEee F* iE F $ Fe sg$$$$$$E$$$$$gg$E $EE ee F

g

8

a

d

EI

f

f

b

d;

E =

E F<5c*,

S E

S S

Bct€ssF$5FE$$$

R

J

I

o

7

4

3

lill ; l|;Il ; ll ; lltll ; lt : lt : lt ' l

. l 4 t - lE I N I

Fl*ll ; ll : ll : lt:l : l

t:t :l:t:l -

= Flt

6

z

z

I

,Ee

i-

L-

iit iU

s s i ^ e

$ s E E . t E g " . I E , r t s E E g

* gsE, i E EE FE c $ s e $$FFF* E E sF$ s FFs $ t E s gE H Fs FFs ie se Fe $ E $FFe$ps$EF$

Ei

I

se

3

I

i 6= F

f

i,-

IL

I

?

E aE a i e $€ s E o :8 b r 3 c

B*E idB e g- - 0 _ 6 < - gE * s E l > € P * u i

E s €€E"9gl i* $ =

$ES*BE$E$EE* Ee$sFE $E $eEE E EF$E$E$EFs$$EF$ e F$$$e$ EFs a$E $$F$F FFsE

.9

&E

I

5Ot

3

E

3 ; ,Se = o

$E$F$$FEEggs$3e$E

g

$

..

: 6= F

tr

It_

IL

a

a e5 a h

a d $ 9e g ' 6 ? Et n Ee .F

B E E g C g ! C

c E g$FE $* EE gFs$x * Ft i*EFFs sF$s sr e EeE E E EEF u $F, $F$e,

*

5

an

-Fzo(,)txclzuto.o-

I

L

L

-9

3

J

-

(.)

3

s

3

3

Ts6€

s E E . e $B " I E E R i

c BB cEEEEgFEgceEEs$c E$ESSs$E$Fg$EEEccc$E FFE Ee$EBgFs EEEFE FEFE$!$

?&,

z,9

E

2

D

E

5

t

.9'5

'6

:

E

t6

I

a

g

s s B e n: E ; , ; 5 5 ' f - t a a5 $ E Eq ;e ;s esBB;it $eEe €*E g g s d ;B €i ";;;;;;s $g:i *

u * c,s afu *$, EEu$ec tu ecs*s pF$e g$es E,sE$ g $€€*$$*$* sEc€gF* s, *, E e F$ E E $ $ E E E E $ E E $ $ E E $ $ $ $ E E $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ B E $ E $ $ E $ E d F ; ; H E ; S E H S S H fi H E ; E $ J F S f; E{ < < < < < < < < < < <

!

R

3

s

3

'^

=F

o

E

I

b

t

3

It

=

s

3

3E

t

2

5

6E

.E

L

L

a i$ a e . S

F E q g f i ;q E E e i : ** , 4 : 9 s

; E g g * , s i E $ E . i $ i

s$g$EEE$EEFgEsEsEgc$s sEs Fc$EFFEEg$e$ss$ gFEeeFs* E$gEigEFE** €$s

:E

!2

,t

Ee

t

e

s

B

3

=

a.I

I

L

a

BE .

o g

€ s g; ; : ; * p o i ae r3 g F

. ; -e e . -5 € - e - ' l q s H f i * E E l qE.eE Fsgd s t E i9i

'?.4F**s E aEE c $-; E, u"- -sgi *Es

s$BEFFEi iiE$B$$$g$$iiFE FF€EEsE F* sE E$$c sgFg$E$$esF$ess$$t $EE se $

z

B

3

ri

3

3

F

I,f

Il r

L l lg L

,sie,Eeses€ cft eEsEgg,EEuE$*eE*r* * * gEs*sEEsEec* F*$, $F$FB#EBFE

.9

E

I

.5

=

lE,f

z;

z

a

I

e6

E - au r t dc ' ^ d *

E S E E :A b f 3 c

r *c5df i d po e : . e < ? P p *-. a*8 teE .6 Eg q g5€"9€* F* $ d$ r l i l s E ? B q i P h s

seEeE$$Eeeee g e$EEc $c Fe sE E EEE$ sE$E gE $$gEs c FF$$ss gF$ e$E $FF$$ $F$$

E

:

s

t

,1

E

a= i3 a a

; * ;: t t P

s$sstgFE$s$sses$E

b

3

b

3

I

I

j

,f

L

Botanical Swey ofHarneEley Range Uplands NRS Project N709 Final Repon - May 2002

APPENDIX 5

Mean (! SE) values for environmental correlates and floristic richness where significantdifferences are detected between summit site groups identified sequentially through theclassification of summits according to their vascular flora.

Two Summit Site Groups

Site groups with dissimilar superscripts are significantly different based on the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test,P < 0.05.).

Summit Site Groups

1 , 2 , 3 , 4

Number of Summits

Geographical correlales

Latitude (Decimal.degrees)Longitude (Decimal.degrees)Distance from Escarpment (km)Altitude (m AsL)

Climatic correlates

AMT fc)DTR fc)NraxT ('c)N4inT ('c)ATR cc)

Edaphic correlates

Available P (ppm)Exchangeable Ca (meolo)Exchangeable Mg (me%)Exchangeable Na (me%)Sand lraction (%)Silt fraction (%)

6S

22.8010.05 a

118.36 ! o.o8 o

58.0314.29 A

1ots.32x14. ^

21.83 t o.o8 s

13.34 r o.o5 B

36.4s r o.o7 "

7.31 r 0.10"

29 .31 i 0 .124

s.58 r 0.38 B

3.49 r 0.28 B

1 .09 t o .1o B

o.2sr o.o2 B

69.74 ! 0.95"

14.98 I 0.65 s

1 1

22.05 r O.O7 e

1 16.75 r O.O7 "

21 .9616 .73 3

v2 la ! 23 .198

23.42 ! o.13 o

13.75 i 0.06

37.41 r o.o9 a

9.32 to.14

28.07 + 0. ' t6 s

8.00 r 0.65 a

6.13 r 0.58 o

1 .54 ! 0 .14 A

0.32 ! o.o2 a

63-96 r 1.18 B

19.64 r 0.97 a

van laeuwen and Bromilow, Cons€rvation and bnd ManaseftDt, Sci€nc€ Division

Botanical Survey of Hanenley Ranse Uplands NRS Project N709 Fi alReport - May 2002

Three Summit Site Groups

Site groups with dissimilar superscriptrsVariance on ranks and Dunn's Dairwise

are significantly different based on

multiple comparison procedure, P <One Way Analysis ofthe Kruskal-Wallis

0.05.).

Summit Site Groups

3 , 41 , 2

Number of Summits

Geographical correlates

Latitude (Decimal.degrees)Longitude (Decimal.degrees)Distance from Escarpment (km)Altitude (m AsL)

Climatic correlates

ArvT fc)DTR CC)MaxT ('c)MinT ('c)ATR fC)AP (mm)

Edaphic correlates

Electrical Conductivity (ms/m)Total P (ppm)Available P (ppm)Exchangeable Ca (me%)Exchangeable Mg (me%)Exchangeable Na (meo/o)Sand fraction (%)Silt fraction ("/")Clay fraction &)

Floristic richness

39

22.59 i 0.06 "

f i a17 ! o .12^

43.00 t +.g7 B

1 023.03 \ ft.47

21 .89 i 0 .10 "

13.2310.06 B

36.303l o.og "

7 .47 ! o .14 '

28.8510.14 B

374.79 r 4.O9 ^

1.691 0.31 B

390.77 r 16.25 "

5.S2 t 0.59 B

3.34 t o.39 3

0.93 i o.og €

o . t j t o .o2a

70 .15 ! 1 .19^

15.9+ t 0.86 "

13.89 ! 0.56 B

l l . l t x1.738

30

23.08.0.0s o

1 1 8 . 6 1 0 . 1 1 "

77 .47 ! s.a3^

1 oo5.3o r 23.40 o

21.7s r o.11 4

tg.+s r o.o8 A

36.61 i 0.12 B

6.07 to.12'

29.91 i 0.14 A

34s.63 r s.sg s

3.oo r 0.75 A

306.171 13.05 B

5.t3 t o.+5 "

g.7o +. o.423

1 .32 ! o.2o oB

0 .3710 .04 a

69 .221 1 .5ss'13.73 ! 0.97 "

f l . oa t o .77 ^

67.76 t 2.64

1 l

22.0s t o.o7 "

116.75 r o.o7 B

21.961 6.73 B

z l 2 s a t z t . t g '

23.42 ! o.13 o

13.751 0.06

37.41 10.09

9.92 ! o.14 o

2 8 . 0 7 ! 0 . 1 6 "

3A3 .54 t 2.27

3.46 t 1.86 oB

301.82 ! e. io o

8.oo ! 0.65 A

6 . 1 3 r 0 . 5 8 o

1.54 i 0.14 o

0.32 r 0.02'

6 3 . 9 6 ! 1 . 1 8 3

1 9 . 6 4 r 0 . 9 7 A

16.41!o.71^e

45-64 + 3.33 B

van l-€€uwer and Brornilow, Cons€ration and Land Manasenent, Science DivisioD

Bota cal Suw€y ofHame6l€y Rangp Uplar& NRS Project N?09 Ftual Report - May 2002

Four Summit Site Groups

Site groups with dissimilar superscripts are significantly different based on the KruskaFWallis One Way AnalysisVariance on ranks and Dunn's paiMise multiple comparison procedure, P < 0.05.).

Summit Site Grouos

of

3 , 4

Number of Summits

Geographical correlates

Latitude (Decimal.degrees)Longitude (Decimat.degrees)Distance from Escarpment (km)Altitude (m AsL)

Climalic correlates

AMT cc)DTR CC)MaxT ('c)MinT ('C)ATR CC)AP (mm)

Edaphic correlates

Electrical Conductivity (ms/m)Total P (ppm)Available P (ppm)Exchangeable Ca (me%)Exchangeable Mg (me%)Exchangeable Na (me%)

Silt fraction (%)Clay fraction f/")

Floristic richness

34

22.60 i 0.06^

118 .19 r0 .13 "

43-88 r 5.44s

1 021.65 i 19.31 "

2t.09 r o.t l "

13.2s t o.o7'

36.36 i 0. i0 "

7 .45 t o.14 "

28.91 t 0.14 "

377.00 t 4.3s o"

1.74 r o.348

371.47 t1gj28

+ .g+ to .3 t "

3 .2910 .43 "

0 .96 ro .1o "

0 .17 t o .o2 '

16.06 r 0.95*

te.g1 t o.5g "

44.22 ! 1.97 B

5

zz.lo to.22*

110.02 t o.2g "

gz.zo r tz.oo *

t o:2.+o t 65.9+ o

21.06 r o-34 B

t3 . t o r o . t 3 "

36.12 r 0.23 "

7.6+ r o.+5 o"

28.50 r o.4s "

3s1.oo + 10.74 o

1.4o !o.24*

s22.oo ! 70.s2 o

12.60 t2.75^

3.68 r o.s7 oB

t.oo r o.zo o"

0.16 t o.06 o""

ts.to t 2.02 o"

14.so t 2.o7 o"

ts.oo x 2.12"

30

23.08 r 0.05

118 .61 0 .11 A

77 .47 r5.83^

1 oo5.go r 23.40 a

21.7s t o.11'

13.48 r o.o8 AB

:o.ot r o.tz "

6.o7 toj2g

29.91 10.14^

349.63 r 5.99 "

3 .0010 .75^

306.17 r 13.05 "

5.13 r 0.45 B

zlo xo.qz"

1.92 t o.2o As

0.37 r o.o4 o"

13.73 t o.g7 B

fl.oa ! o.77 o

67 .77 t 2.64^

1 l

zz.o5 x o.o7 "

116.75 t o.o7 s

zt.go r o.ze "

712.ft !23.1s8

23.42 ! o.13 "

13.7s r 0.06 o

37.41 ! 0.09^

s.32 ! o-14 A

ze.oz t o.t6 "

383.s4 ! 2.27 *

g.+o r t .e6 *

3a1 .a2 r a.1o o'

8.oo 10.65 A

6.13 ! 0.58 o

1 . s4 t o . t 4

0.32 ! 0.02

1s.64 r o.s7 o

rc.q to.t t o"

4s.64 t 3.33 B

vaD lreuweD and Bromilow. Consewation and Land Managenenl, Sci€nc€ DivisioD