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ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY

FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA

ASSESSMENT

LANDCORP –Onslow Townsite Strategy Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT Prepared for

LandCorp

Prepared by

ENV Australia Pty Ltd

Level 1, 503 Murray Street

PERTH WA 6000

Phone: (08) 9214 6100

Fax: (08) 9266 4109

Email: [email protected]

Job Number: J100505 (11.095)

Report Number: 11/095

Prepared by: Ciaran Sgherza and Dr Colin Trainor

Status: Final

QA Review: Bridget Watkins

Technical Review: Denise True

Content Review: Teresa Gepp

Date: 08/09/2011


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... III

1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 1

1.1 THE PROJECT...................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Objectives..............................................................................................................................................................1

1.1.2 Location.................................................................................................................................................................1

1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES....................................................................................................... 1

1.2.1 Climate ..................................................................................................................................................................1

1.2.2 Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia.............................................................................................2

1.2.3 Land Systems.........................................................................................................................................................3

1.2.4 Geology .................................................................................................................................................................3

1.2.5 Vegetation Mapping..............................................................................................................................................3

1.3 PREVIOUS BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS ................................................................................................... 4

2 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 5

2.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROTECTION OF FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ........................... 5

2.2 FLORA ................................................................................................................................................. 7

2.2.1 Desktop Survey .....................................................................................................................................................8

2.2.2 Field Survey ...........................................................................................................................................................8

2.2.3 Taxonomic Identification.......................................................................................................................................9

2.2.4 Vegetation Association Definition, Mapping and Statistical Analysis....................................................................9

2.2.5 Vegetation Condition Mapping ...........................................................................................................................10

2.3 FAUNA .............................................................................................................................................. 10

2.3.1 Database and Literature Review ......................................................................................................................... 10


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

2.3.2 Field Survey .........................................................................................................................................................11

2.3.3 Taxonomic Identification.....................................................................................................................................11

3 RESULTS.................................................................................................................... 12

3.1 VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE FLORA AND VEGETATION SURVEY ......................................... 12

3.2 FLORA ............................................................................................................................................... 13

3.2.1 Potentially Occurring Flora and Vegetation Communities of Conservation Significance ....................................13

3.2.2 Recorded Flora ....................................................................................................................................................16

3.2.3 Flora of Conservation Significance ......................................................................................................................16

3.2.4 Flora of Local Significance ...................................................................................................................................16

3.2.5 Introduced Flora..................................................................................................................................................18

3.3 VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS......................................................................................................... 19

3.3.1 Vegetation Condition ..........................................................................................................................................25

3.3.2 Vegetation of Conservation Significance.............................................................................................................25

3.3.3 Regional Representation of Vegetation Associations..........................................................................................25

3.4 VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE FAUNA SURVEY.......................................................................... 26

3.5 FAUNA HABITATS ............................................................................................................................ 27

3.6 FAUNA ASSEMBLAGES.................................................................................................................... 28

3.6.1 Amphibians .........................................................................................................................................................29

3.6.2 Reptiles................................................................................................................................................................29

3.6.3 Birds ....................................................................................................................................................................29

3.6.4 Mammals ............................................................................................................................................................30

3.7 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA ......................................................................................... 32

3.7.1 Potentially Occurring Fauna of Conservation Significance ..................................................................................32


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

3.7.2 Recorded Species ................................................................................................................................................34

4 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................ 35

4.1 FLORA ............................................................................................................................................... 35

4.2 INTRODUCED SPECIES .................................................................................................................... 36

4.3 VEGETATION .................................................................................................................................... 37

4.4 FAUNA HABITAT .............................................................................................................................. 37

4.5 FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE ................................................................................. 38

5 SUMMARY OF SURVEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION ............................................. 39

6 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 40

FIGURES

FIGURE 1 REGIONAL LOCATION

FIGURE 2 AVERAGE LONG‐TERM (1886‐2011), 2011 MONTHLY RAINFALL AND AVERAGE

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES AT ONLSOW (BOM 2011) (INCLUDED IN‐

TEXT)

FIGURE 3 LOCATION OF QUADRATS AND RELEVÉS

FIGURE 4 LOCATION OF LOCALLY SIGNIFICANT FLORA

FIGURE 5 LOCATION OF INTRODUCED FLORA

FIGURE 6 VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS

FIGURE 7 VEGETATION CONDITION

FIGURE 8 FAUNA HABITAT TYPES

FIGURE 9 LOCATION OF FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

PLATES

PLATE 1 MAIREANA LOBIFLORA (WAH 2011)

PLATE 2 MAIREANA LOBIFLORA DISTRUBUTION MAP: WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WAH 2011);

AND AUSTRALIA (COUNCIL OF HEADS OF AUSTRALIA [CHAH] 2011)

PLATE 3 KAPOK (*AERVA JAVANICA) (WAH 2011)

PLATE 4 BUFFEL (*CENCHRUS CILIARIS)

PLATE 5 MESQUITE (*PROSOPIS GLANDULOSA)

PLATE 6 VERANO STYLO (*STYLOSANTHES HAMATA) (WAH 2011)

PLATE 7 ATHEL TREE (*TAMARIS APHYLLA)

PLATE 8 CALTROP (*TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS) (WAH 2011)

PLATE 9 EXAMPLES OF BIRDS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE ONSLOW TOWNSITE SURVEY

TABLES

TABLE 1 LAND SYSTEMS OF THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 2 PRE‐EUROPEAN VEGETATION WITHIN THR STUDY AREA AS DESCRIBED BY SHEPHARD

ET AL., (2001)

TABLE 3 VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FLORA AND VEGETATION SURVEY

TABLE 4 THE LIKELIHOOD OF PRIORITY FLORA OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA BASED ON THE

SURVEY RESULTS AND LITERATURE REVIEW

TABLE 5 FLORA OF LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE WIHTIN THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 6 INTRODUCED PLANT SPECIES LISTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL WEED STRATEGY

(CALM 1999) FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA LOCATED WITHIN THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 7 VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 8 REGIONAL REPRESENTATION OF VEGETATION IN THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 9 VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAUNA SURVEY

TABLE 10 MAJOR HABITAT TYPES OF THE STUDY AREA

TABLE 11 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A DEFINITION OF DECLARED RARE / PRIORITY / THREATENED FLORA AND SIGNIFICANT

FLORA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA

APPENDIX B DEFINITIONS OF CONSERVATION CODES FOR FAUNA OF CONSERVATION

SIGNIFICANCE

APPENDIX C DEFINITION OF THREATENED AND PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

APPENDIX D ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS AND DECLARED PLANT CATEGORIES AND INTRODUCED

FLORA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA

APPENDIX E BUSH FOREVER CONDITION SCALE AND STANDARISED VEGETATION MATRIX

APPENDIX F FLORA QUADRAT DATA SHEETS

APPENDIX G MATRIX OF SPECIES FOUND WITHIN EACH SITE

APPENDIX H FLORA INVENTORY

APPENDIX I LOCATION OF INTRODUCED FLORA

APPENDIX J DENDROGRAM

APPENDIX K HABITAT ASSESSMENT DATA SHEETS

APPENDIX L PREVIOUSLY RECORDED CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT VERTEBRATE FAUNA

APPENDIX M SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA PREVIOUSLY RECORDED

WITHININ THE VICINITY OF THE SURVEY AREA

PERMITS

This flora survey was undertaken under the following licences issued by the Department

of Environment and Conservation: SL009368 to Ciaran Sgherza and SL009377 issued to

James Sansom.


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STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS

Scope of Services

This environmental site assessment report (‘the report’) has been prepared in

accordance with the scope of services set out in the contract, or as otherwise agreed,

between the Client and ENV.Australia Pty Ltd (ENV) (‘scope of services’). In some

circumstances the scope of services may have been limited by factors such as time,

budget, access and/or site disturbance constraints.

Reliance on Data

In preparing the report, ENV has relied on data, surveys, analyses, designs, plans and

other information provided by the Client and other individuals and organisations, most

of which are referred to in the report (‘the data’). Except as otherwise stated in the

report, ENV has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data. To the extent

that the statements, opinions, facts, information, conclusions and/or recommendations

in the report (‘conclusions’) are based in whole or in part on the data, those conclusions

are contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the data. ENV will not be liable

in relation to incorrect conclusions should any data, information or condition be

incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, unavailable, misrepresented or otherwise

not fully disclosed to ENV.

Environmental Conclusions

In accordance with the scope of services, ENV has relied on the data and has conducted

environmental field monitoring and/or testing in the preparation of the report. The

nature and extent of monitoring and/or testing conducted is described in the report.

Within the limitations imposed by the scope of services, the monitoring, testing,

sampling and preparation of this report have been undertaken and performed in a

professional manner, in accordance with generally accepted practices and using a

degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by reputable environmental consultants

under similar circumstances. No other warranty, express or implied, is made.

Report for Benefit of Client

The report has been prepared for the benefit of the Client and for no other party. ENV

assumes no responsibility and will not be liable to any other person or organisation for

or in relation to any matter dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report, or for any

loss or damage suffered by any other person or organisation arising from matters dealt

with or conclusions expressed in the report (including, without limitation, matters

arising from any negligent act or omission of ENV or for any loss or damage suffered by

any other party relying on the matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the

report). Other parties should not rely upon the report or the accuracy or completeness

of any conclusions, and should make their own enquiries and obtain independent advice

in relation to such matters.


Page ii J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Other Limitations

ENV will not be liable to update or revise the report to take into account any events or

circumstances occurring or facts becoming apparent after the date of the report.

The scope of services did not include any assessment of the title to or ownership of the

properties, buildings and structures referred to in the report, nor the application or

interpretation of laws in the jurisdiction in which those properties, buildings and

structures are located.


Page iii J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ENV.Australia Pty Ltd was commissioned by LandCorp in April 2011, to undertake a Level

Two Flora and Vegetation and a Level One Fauna assessment of the Onslow Townsite

Strategy study area.

The objectives of the flora and fauna assessment were to:

Review the desktop assessment completed by AECOM to collate background

information;

Delineate and characterise the vegetation associations (vegetation association

mapping);

Map the condition of vegetation (vegetation condition mapping);

Conduct targeted searches for Threatened Flora, Declared Rare Flora, Priority Flora,

Threatened Ecological Communities, Priority Ecological Communities, Declared

plants and environmental weeds;

Assess vertebrate fauna habitat; and

Make opportunistic records of vertebrate fauna.

A total of 109 flora taxa from 77 genera and 31 families, were recorded from the study

area. Average plant species richness was 17.7 taxa per quadrat ± 6.8 from a total of 22

sites.

No species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

1999, gazetted as Declared Rare Flora under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, or

listed as Priority Flora by the Department of Environment and Conservation were

recorded in the study area.

Six introduced plant species were recorded in the study area. Two of the introduced

species, Mesquite (*Prosopis glandulosa) and Athel Pine (*Tamarix aphylla), are listed

as Declared Plants under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976.

Four vegetation associations were mapped in the study area. None of the vegetation

associations recorded are listed as Threatened Ecological Communities under the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, as Environmentally

Sensitive Areas under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, or as Priority Ecological

Communities by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Vegetation condition ranged from Very Good to Completely Degraded, with most of the

study area being described as being in Very Good to Good condition. Disturbance to

vegetation within the study area included the presence of introduced species, tracks,

previous clearing and dumped rubbish.


Page iv J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

The study area consists of two fauna habitat types: shrubland of Acacia species over

Hummock grassland and Beach. The shrubland of Acacia species over Hummock

grassland was considered to have moderate habitat value mainly because of the lack of

vegetation structure, and lack of trees. The sandy substrate has potential to provide

habitat for a diverse reptile fauna. The Beach was also considered as moderate fauna

value because of its value for resident wading birds, as well as a wide range of

migratory terns and shorebirds that have been recorded in this habitat about Onslow,

but were absent during the time of survey.

A total of 279 vertebrate fauna have been previously recorded within the vicinity of the

study area. This includes four amphibian species, 70 reptile species, 176 bird species

and 29 mammal species. Many of the species recovered from database searches are

unlikely to occur in the study area on a regular basis since these records are from a

large area encompassing a wide range of habitats.

A total of 49 vertebrate fauna species were recorded including one amphibian, three

reptiles, two mammals and 43 bird species. The amphibian recorded (Green Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea) had not previously been listed for the Onslow area in database

searches, and appears to have been transported to the area, as its natural range in

Western Australia is the Kimberley. This was the only vertebrate recorded during the

survey, which had not been previously recorded.

A total of 44 conservation significant fauna were identified as having the potential to

use the habitats present within the study area. This includes a large number of migrant

shorebirds (20 species) and migratory terns (four species) which are likely to occur on

Beach habitat. Four of the 44 species are considered as ‘Possible’ to occur within the

study area; a further 30 were considered as ‘Likely’ to occur; five were noted as

‘Present’ (with current project records), and five species were considered as ‘Unlikely’

to occur within the study area.

A total of five vertebrate species of conservation significance were recorded during the

survey: the Western Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens) is a small resident

breeding bird that requires permanent water and grass seeds. A further four species are

listed as migratory: Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra), Eastern Osprey (Pandion

cristatus), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), and Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus).

Although listed as migratory species, the Eastern Reef Egret and Rainbow Bee‐eater

probably breed locally, and nests of Eastern Osprey are present, which confirms that

this bird breeds locally.

This flora, vegetation and fauna survey of the Onslow Townsite Strategy study area has

not identified any species, communities or habitats of conservation significance, which

would constitute a statutory constraint to development.


Page 1 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 THE PROJECT

1.1.1 Objectives

ENV.Australia Pty Ltd (ENV) was commissioned by LandCorp in April 2011, to undertake

a Level Two Flora and Vegetation and a Level One Fauna assessment of the Onslow

Townsite strategy study area (‘the study area’).

The objectives of the flora and fauna assessment were to:

Review the desktop assessment completed by AECOM to collate background

information;

Delineate and characterise the vegetation associations present (vegetation

association mapping);

Map the condition of vegetation (vegetation condition mapping);

Conduct targeted searches for Threatened Flora, Declared Rare Flora, Priority Flora,

Threatened Ecological Communities, Priority Ecological Communities, Declared

plants and environmental weeds;

Assess vertebrate fauna habitats; and

Make opportunistic records of vertebrate fauna.

1.1.2 Location

The study area is approximately 333 hectares (ha) in size and located within the

townsite of Onslow, approximately 1,386 km north of Perth, Western Australia

(Figure 1). The study area consists of several development opportunity areas including:

Infill Sites, Greenfield Opportunities, Other Opportunities and the Survey Area for the

Proposed Bypass Road. Approximately 17 ha of privately owned land within the study

area, was not accessed during the field assessment.

1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES

1.2.1 Climate

The study area is located in the Carnarvon region of Western Australia. The nearest

accessible climate data is available from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Onslow

weather station located within the study area.


Page 2 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

The Carnarvon region has an arid‐tropical climate with two distinct seasons, a hot

summer from October to April and a mild winter from May to September. The area

experiences a wide temperature range, with an average annual maximum daytime

temperature of 31.3°C (1886‐2011). In summer, maximum daytime temperatures may

reach 35.5°C, whilst in winter, minimum night time temperatures may fall to 12.5 °C

(BoM 2011).

Rainfall in the Carnarvon region is often sporadic, and throughout the year (in summer

and winter). The Onslow area has an average annual rainfall of 276.3 mm (1886‐2011)

(BoM 2011) with the majority of rainfall occurring during the summer months (Figure 2).

Summer rainfall is typically associated with tropical storms in the north, or tropical

cyclones that cross the coast and move inland. Winter rainfall is commonly the result of

cold fronts moving north‐easterly across the State.

For the three months preceding the survey Onslow received 385.0 mm of rainfall

(February – April 2011), compared with the long‐term average of 122.1 mm (1886‐2011)

for the same period (BoM 2011). Rainfall for the year to date (January to May 2011) was

469.8 mm compared with 150.0 mm for the long‐term average for the same period

(1971‐2010). Overall, rainfall was well above the long term average.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

Tem

per

atu

re (

oC

)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Rai

nfa

ll (

mm

)

Rainfall

2011Rainfall

Max

Min

Figure 2: Average long‐term (1886‐2011) Rainfall, 2011 Monthly Rainfall and average Maximum

and Minimum Temperatures at Onslow (BoM 2011)

1.2.2 Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia

The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) divides Australia into 85

bioregions based on major biological and geographical/geological attributes (Thackway

and Cresswell 1995). These bioregions are subdivided into 403 subregions, as part of a


Page 3 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

refinement of the IBRA framework [Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,

Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2011a].

The study area is located in the Carnarvon bioregion which is divided into two

subregions. The project is located in the Cape Range subregion (CAR1) (Kendrick and

Mau 2002). The Cape Range subregion is composed of quaternary alluvial, Aeolian and

marine sediments overlying Cretaceous strata (Kendrick and Mau 2002). The vegetation

is characterised by Acacia shrublands over Triodia (spinifex) on limestone and red

dunefields, Triodia hummock grasslands with sparse Eucalyptus trees and shrubs on the

Cape Range and eastern dune‐fields (Kendrick and Mau 2002).

1.2.3 Land Systems

Land system mapping is based on regional patterns in topography, soils and vegetation.

The land system mapping classifies the Pilbara region into 102 land systems (van

Vreeswyk et al. 2004). The study area comprises one land system (Table 1).

Table 1: Land System of the Study Area

Land System Description Extent within Pilbara Region

(km²)

Proportion of the Pilbara Region (%)

Dune Dune fields supporting soft spinifex grasslands.

138 0.1

1.2.4 Geology

The following geological units occur in the study area, based on mapping by the

Geological Survey of Western Australia (1990):

Qs: Beaches and coastal dunes – light grey, unconsolidated and poorly

consolidated quartzose calcarenite; and

Qp: Claypans poorly sorted clay, silt, sand and minor pebbles.

1.2.5 Vegetation Mapping

Vegetation mapping of the Pilbara region was completed on a broad scale (1:1,000,000)

by Beard (1975). The study area is situated in the Carnarvon Botanical District in the

Eremaean Botanical Province of Western Australia (Beard 1975). Beard mapped the

study area as containing three vegetation units (Table 2).

Shepherd et al. (2001) re‐assessed the mapping of Beard (1975), and updated

vegetation boundaries to account for clearing in the intensive land use zone, and


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divided some larger vegetation units into smaller units. Vegetation types described by

Shepherd et al. (2001) correspond with that of Beard (1975) as indicated in Table 2.

Table 2: Pre‐European Vegetation within the Study Area as Described by Shepherd et al., (2001)

Beard Mapping

Unit

Vegetation Code

Description Pre‐

European Extent (ha)

Current Extent (ha)

Remaining (%)

T1Hi 117 Hummock grasslands, grass steppe; soft spinifex

917, 087 917, 087 100

Mud 127 Bare areas; mudflats 778, 381 778,153 100

K3Ci 676 Succulent steppe; samphire 2, 110, 508 2, 087, 874 98.9

1.3 PREVIOUS BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS

Historically, the flora and fauna of the Carnarvon region has not been systematically

recorded in detail; with significant exceptions being the flora studies by Beard (1975).

More recently, the Department of Agriculture (van Vreeswyk et al. 2004) conducted an

inventory and condition survey. The report provides a regional inventory of flora and a

description of land resources. A comprehensive and systematic field review by the

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) of Pilbara regional flora has been

underway since 2002. However, the results of this assessment are not yet available.

In recent decades, a boom in large‐scale regional resource development projects has

resulted in a significant amount of site‐specific biological survey work being carried out

in the region, most of which is undertaken for formal environmental impact assessment.

Those most relevant to the current survey are:

Onslow Townsite Strategy Ecological Desktop Study (AECOM 2010);

A Vegetation and Flora Survey of the Wheatstone Project Area, near Onslow (Biota

2010a); and

Terrestrial Fauna Survey of the Wheatstone Project Area, near Onslow (Biota 2010b).


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2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROTECTION OF FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna are protected formally and informally by various legislative and non‐

legislative measures, which are as follows:

Legislative Protection

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act);

Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act); and

Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act).

Non‐Legislative Protection

Western Australian DEC Priority lists for flora, fauna and vegetation; and

Recognition of locally significant populations by the DEC.

A short description of each is given below. Other definitions, including species

conservation categories, are provided in Appendix A for flora and Appendix B for fauna.

Conservation categories for ecological communities are provided in Appendix C.

EPBC Act

The EPBC Act aims to protect matters of national environmental significance. Under the

EPBC Act, the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,

Populations and Communities (DSEWPaC) lists threatened species and communities in

categories determined by criteria set out in the Act

(www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html). See Appendix A2, Appendix B and

Appendix C2.

Projects likely to cause impacts on matters of national environmental significance

should be referred to DSEWPaC for assessment under the EPBC Act.

WC Act

The Western Australian DEC lists flora and fauna under the provisions of the WC Act as

protected according to their need for protection (Appendix A for flora and Appendix B

for fauna).

Flora is given Declared Rare status when populations are geographically restricted or

are threatened by local processes. In addition, under the WC Act, by Notice in the

Western Australian Government Gazette of 9 October 1987, all native flora


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(spermatophytes, pteridophytes, bryophytes and thallophytes) is protected throughout

the State.

Fauna are classified as Schedule 1 to Schedule 4 according to their need for protection

(Appendix B).

EP Act

Declared Rare Flora (DRF) and TECs are given special consideration in environmental

impact assessments, and have special status as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs)

under the EP Act and the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation)

Regulations 2004.

Exemptions for a clearing permit do not apply in an ESA. In addition, habitat necessary

for the maintenance of indigenous fauna is a clearing principle and assessed during

consideration of applications for a NVCP.

DEC Priority Lists

The DEC lists ‘Priority’ flora and fauna that have not been assigned statutory protection

under the WC Act, but which are under consideration for declaration as DRF or

‘Scheduled’ flora or fauna.

Flora and fauna assessed as Priority 1‐3 (Appendix A and Appendix B) are in urgent need

of further survey. Priority 4 flora require monitoring every 5‐10 years (Appendix A for

definitions) while Priority 4‐5 fauna are in need of monitoring as they are not currently

threatened but could become so (Appendix B).

Although DEC Priority species have no formal legal protection, they are under

consideration as ‘Rare’ flora and ‘Scheduled’ fauna under the WC Act.

In addition, the DEC maintains a list of Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) which

identifies those communities that need further investigation before possible nomination

for TEC status.

Once listed, a community is a PEC, and when endorsed by the Western Australian

Minister of Environment becomes a TEC, and protected as an ESA under Environmental

Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 (Appendix C for definitions).

Informal Recognition of Flora and Fauna

Certain populations or communities of flora and fauna may be of local significance or

interest because of their patterns of distribution and abundance. For example, flora and

fauna may be locally significant because they are range extensions to the previously

known distribution or are newly discovered taxa (and have the potential to be of more

than local significance). In addition, many species are in decline as a result of

threatening processes (primarily land clearing), and relict populations of such species


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assume local importance for the DEC. It is not uncommon for the DEC to make comment

on these species of interest.

Introduced Flora

The Environmental Weed Strategy for Western Australia [Department of Conservation

and Land Management (CALM) 1999] contains criteria for the assessment and ranking of

weeds in terms of their environmental impact on biodiversity (Appendix D). The

Strategy defines environmental weeds as ‘plants that establish themselves in natural

ecosystems and proceed to modify natural processes, usually adversely, resulting in the

decline of the communities they invade.’

Plants may also be ‘Declared’ by the Agriculture Protection Board under the Agriculture

and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 (WA) (ARRP Act). Declared Plants are

gazetted under five categories (P1‐P5), which define the action required. Details of the

definitions of these categories are provided in Appendix D. A declaration may apply to

the whole State, to districts, individual properties or even to single paddocks. If a plant

is ‘Declared’, landholders are obliged to control that plant on their properties

(Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia [DAFWA] 2009).

The Australia Government along with the State and Territory Governments has endorsed

20 species as Weeds of National Significance (WONS). Four major criteria were used in

determining WONS:

the invasiveness of a weed species;

a weed's impacts;

the potential for spread of a weed; and

socio‐economic and environmental values.

Each WONS has a national strategy and a national coordinator, responsible for

implementing the strategy. WONS are regarded as the worst weeds in Australia because

of their invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts

(Australian Government 2011).

2.2 FLORA

The survey was carried out in a manner designed to be compliant with EPA

requirements for the environmental surveying and reporting for flora and vegetation in

Western Australia, as set out in the following documents:

Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia: Clearing of

Native Vegetation with Particular Reference to Agricultural Areas. Position

Statement No.2 (EPA 2000);


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Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position

Statement No. 3 (EPA 2002); and

EPA Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors: Terrestrial Flora and

Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia No.

51 (EPA 2004a).

2.2.1 Desktop Survey

A desktop survey was undertaken to gather background information on the flora and

vegetation of the study area. This involved a search of the following sources:

DEC combined biological database NatureMap (DEC 2011b);

DEC Threatened and Priority Flora database (DEC 2011c); and

previous flora surveys (refer to Section 1.3).

A request for a database search was submitted to the DEC (50 km around the point:

115°6'48"E, 21°38'16"S) to ascertain the presence of Declared Rare or Priority species

and Threatened or Priority Ecological Communities previously recorded in the project

and surrounding areas. In addition, a literature review was conducted, together with a

review of records of flora for the study area. These sources were used to compile a list

of expected Declared Rare or Priority species, and Threatened or Priority Ecological

Communities that may occur on the landforms in the study areas.

2.2.2 Field Survey

The survey was undertaken between the 12th and 15th of May 2011, with eight person‐

days invested in the survey.

The survey recorded flora richness, vegetation composition and structure and assessed

vegetation condition using quadrat data and traverses of the study area. Field staff

collected flora information using 50 m x 50 m vegetation survey plots, as preferred by

DEC (pers. comm. S. van Leeuwen, DEC), relevés and opportunistic collections. Quadrat

and relevé locations are illustrated in Figure 3.

A total of 22 quadrats and six relevés were established within the study area. The

quadrats were selected to be representative of the flora and vegetation of the study

area.

Data was recorded using standardised field sheets. The information recorded at each

quadrat included landscape features, soils, bare ground and disturbance levels (the

Condition Scale is presented in Appendix E). Each species of plant at each quadrat was

recorded, including information on height and percentage cover (Quadrat data sheets

are presented in Appendix F). Descriptions of the vegetation present at each quadrat

were made using a standardised vegetation matrix (Appendix G). Opportunistic


Page 9 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

collections focused mainly on the location of new flora taxa not recorded in the

quadrats, introduced species, and in particular, Declared Rare and Priority Flora, and

flora not well known or not currently described.

2.2.3 Taxonomic Identification

One specimen of each taxon was collected. In addition, where field identification of taxa

was not possible, specimens were collected systematically for later identification by

taxonomists utilising the resources of the Western Australian Herbarium (WAH),

through comparison with the reference collection and use of identification keys.

The species list for the study area was checked against FloraBase (WAH 2011) to

determine whether any of the species are listed as DRF, Priority Flora or introduced

species. Declared Rare and Priority Flora were also checked against the EPBC Act listing

of threatened species to determine whether any are federally listed. Introduced species

were checked against the Environmental Weed Strategy for Western Australia (CALM

1999) and the Government of Australia WONS list to determine the criteria and ranking

in terms of their environmental impact. Introduced species were also checked against

the ARRP Act to determine whether any are listed as Declared Plants.

2.2.4 Vegetation Association Definition, Mapping and Statistical Analysis

Vegetation associations were described based on their structure and species

composition, as defined by quadrat data and field observations. Locations of quadrats

were selected using aerial photographs and were positioned to cover observed possible

variations in vegetation.

Quadrat and relevé vegetation descriptions were used to delineate vegetation

associations in the study area. Vegetation mapping was undertaken in the field and

finalised in the office once vegetation association analysis had been completed. Field

mapping was carried out using GPS (Magellan and Garmin) and GIS (OziExplorer and

ArcGIS 9.3.1) hardware and software.

Multivariate analysis was conducted on quadrat data from the survey using presence‐

absence. Quadrat data was transformed to improve normality, and a similarity matrix

based on Bray‐Curtis similarities was computed. A dendrogram was then computed,

using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis using Primer‐E version 6.1.5 (2006).

Using the multivariate analysis, boundaries of the vegetation associations were drawn

over aerial photographs with the aid of GPS coordinates taken throughout the field

survey. The vegetation associations were digitised and produced as electronic mapping

data using Microstation V7.0. ESRI shapefiles were created with ArcGIS 9.3.1.

Once the vegetation associations were determined, they were checked against the

listing of Federal and State TECs and State PECs. The vegetation associations were also

checked against regional databases, such as Beard (1975), Shepherd et al. (2001) and


Page 10 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Comprehensive Adequate and Representative (CAR) Reserve Analysis (DAFWA 2007), to

determine their regional representation.

2.2.5 Vegetation Condition Mapping

Quadrat data, combined with field traverses of the study area, was interpreted and

vegetation condition boundaries drawn over an aerial photograph. The vegetation

condition mapping was then digitised and produced as manipulable electronic mapping

data using ArcGIS 9.3.1. Vegetation condition was mapped as per the condition scale

presented in Appendix E.

2.3 FAUNA

The survey was carried out in a manner designed to be compliant with the EPA

requirements for the environmental surveying and reporting of fauna surveys in

Western Australia, as set out in the following documents:

Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position

Statement No. 3 (EPA 2002);

Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia.

Guidance Statement No. 56 (EPA 2004b); and

Terrestrial Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact

Assessment (EPA and DEC 2010).

2.3.1 Database and Literature Review

The purpose of the desktop review was to gather background information on the study

area and the fauna that it may support. This involved a search of the following sources:

Western Australian Museum (WAM) and DEC combined biological database

NatureMap (DEC 2011b) (area search based on an approximate 50 km buffer around

the study area);

DEC Threatened and Priority Fauna Database (DEC 2011d) (area search based on an

approximate 50 km buffer around the study area);

Birds Australia’s Birdata (Birdata 2011) (area search based on a one degree square at

around the study area);

DSEWPaC Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC 2011b), also known as an EPBC

search; and

Previous fauna surveys (e.g. previous ENV reports, other consultant’s reports and

DEC reports).


Page 11 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Collectively, these sources were used to compile a list of species previously recorded in

the region. This list will invariably include some species that do not occur in the study

area, as some fauna have a limited or patchy distribution, high level of habitat

specificity for habitat types not located in the study area, are locally extinct or were

erroneously identified in previous surveys. These fauna were analysed and excluded

from the list where relevant.

2.3.2 Field Survey

The purpose of the field survey was to verify the accuracy of the desktop assessment

and to further delineate and characterise the fauna and faunal assemblages present in

the study area. The 2011 field survey was undertaken between the 12th and 15th of May

2011 entailing four person days of effort.

During the field survey, broad fauna habitats were identified and mapped based on

vegetation structure and landforms. These fauna habitats were then assessed for their

potential to support species of conservation significance and the quality of habitat they

provide to a wider suite of fauna assemblages. Habitats were rated as high, moderate or

low on the basis of their complexity, the presence of microhabitats including caves,

significant trees with hollows, loose bark, fallen hollow logs and leaf litter, and their

representation in the region and study area. Four habitat assessments were undertaken

within the study area.

During the survey, fauna was opportunistically observed and recorded, with a focus on

individuals or evidence of conservation significant fauna, including evidence of burrows

and other traces of specific fauna (for example scats and tracks).

Bat recordings were undertaken at dusk and early evening using AnaBat II recording

units to document the presence of bat species in the area. The detectors convert

ultrasonic echolocation signals produced by bats into audible electronic signals, which

are later analysed to determine the presence of species‐specific calls.

2.3.3 Taxonomic Identification

For species identified in the desktop assessment where there is doubt to their true

taxonomy (through subsequent name changes or taxonomic reviews) an effort was

made to determine the current scientific name for each taxon. In some cases, old

scientific names may be presented where correct nomenclature could not be

determined due to name changes. Some taxon names may be followed by ‘sp.’, meaning

that the species name was not given in the data source or the identification is in doubt.

Where there are previously recorded taxa such as this that have the potential to be a

conservation significant species, they are discussed specifically in the results and

discussion section.


Page 12 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

3 RESULTS

3.1 VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE FLORA AND VEGETATION SURVEY

There are always variables associated with individual surveys and it is often difficult to

predict the extent to which they influence survey outcomes. Table 3 outlines some of

the variables identified during the survey of the study area.

Table 3: Variables Associated with the Flora and Vegetation Survey

Variable Impact on Survey Outcomes

Access Approximately 17 ha of private property was inaccessible as permission

to enter was not granted by the property owners. All other parts of the

study area were accessible and adequately surveyed.

Experience The scientists who conducted these surveys were practitioners suitably

qualified in their respective fields.

Co‐ordinating Botanist: Ciaran Gibson (Botanist);

Field Staff: Ciaran Gibson and James Sansom (Environmental

Biologist);

Taxonomy: Peter Jobson (Taxonomist); and

Data Interpretation and Reporting: Ciaran Gibson.

Timing1, weather,

season.

Flora composition changes with time, particularly over the seasons and

with seasonal conditions. A large proportion of arid flora is annual and

ephemerals and these have both specific growing periods and a

requirement for adequate and timely rainfall. Some plants last for a

markedly brief time. In the Carnarvon, the fire history will also have a

significant bearing on the composition of the flora. Therefore, botanical

surveys completed at different times will have varying results.

The seasonal conditions for the survey, and the timing of the survey

were considered to be optimal. See Section 1.2.1

Sources of

information

At the bioregion level, the Carnarvon region has not been relatively well

studied. Some flora surveys have been undertaken in the area as part of

environmental impact assessment processes. Those most relevant and

1 EPA Guidance Statement No, 51 (2004a) stipulates that flora and vegetation surveys should be undertaken following the season that

contributes the greatest rainfall in the region. In the Northern Province, this is after summer. In the Eremaean Province, rainfall is

sporadic, and in the South‐west Province the main rain is in winter, requiring surveys to be undertaken in spring. Short‐term variations

in normal weather patterns (e.g. drought) may necessitate supplementary survey work at other times of year or in later years to take

into account temporal changes in diversity.


Page 13 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)


available to the current study are listed in Section 1.3.

Completeness The study area was mostly accessible and considered to be adequately

surveyed. A minimum of one quadrat per vegetation association was

established across the study area.

The average plant species richness recorded of 17.7 taxa per quadrat ±

6.8 is considered to be low compared to two other recent surveys

within the townsite of Onslow. A survey of the Onslow Light Industrial

Area recorded an average plant species richness of 36.2 taxa per

quadrat ± 4.9 (four quadrats) (ENV 2011a) and a survey of the Onslow

Multi‐sport and Recreation Precinct recorded an average plant species

richness of 25.3 taxa per quadrat ± 6.1 (three quadrats) (ENV

2011b). Past clearing and the high presence of introduced species is

considered to have reduced the floral diversity within the study area.

3.2 FLORA

3.2.1 Potentially Occurring Flora and Vegetation Communities of Conservation

Significance

In the Carnarvon region one taxa, Eucalyptus beardiana (Beard's Mallee), is listed as

Threatened under the EPBC Act and DRF under the WC Act. This species is known from a

restricted distribution approximately 400 km south of the study area and thus, is not

expected to occur. Additionally, according to Florabase (WAH 2011) as of June 2011, 69

Priority Flora listed by the DEC are known from the Carnarvon region.

A search of DEC databases (Appendix A) for a 50 km radius around the study area

identified known records for six Priority Flora. One additional Priority flora and one

Threatened species pursuant to the EBPC Act were identified during the desktop

analysis as potentially occurring within the study area. Four of these Priority flora were

considered as ‘Possible’ to occur, the remaining four were considered as ‘Unlikely’. The

likelihood of these eight species occurring within the study area is presented in Table 4.

Two TECs as endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for the Environment, occur in

the Carnarvon region. These are: the Cape Range Remipede Community and the

Camerons Cave Troglobitic Community. These represent invertebrate communities and

neither of these TECs occurs in the study area.

The DEC database search did not identify any TEC as occurring within the vicinity of the

survey. One PEC was identified within 50 km of the study area, Peedamulla Swamp

Community (Priority 1), and another PEC was identified with 51 km of the study area,

Tanpool land System (Priority 1).


Page 14 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Table 4: The Likelihood of Priority Flora Occurring in the Study area based on the Survey Results and Literature Review

Priority Taxa Conservation

Status

Annual or

Perennial

Suitable Conditions

Habitat Preference (WAH 2011)

Suitable Habitat Present

Comments

Likelihood in the study area

Eleocharis papillosa

‘Vulnerable’

pursuant to

the EPBC Act

and P3

Annual Yes Red clay over

granite, open clay flats. Claypans

Yes

Species was recorded by Biota (2010a)

approximately 19 km south of the study area.

Unlikely

Abutilon uncinatum P1 Perennial Yes Red sand and flat

plains Yes


approximately 15 km south of the study area.

Possible

Carpobrotus sp. Thevenard Island

(M. White 050) P2 Perennial Yes

Occurs on coarse white sand, dune tops and disturbed

areas

Yes

Records of this species have been isolated to Thevenard Island,

approximately 20 km north of Onslow (WAH

2011).

Unlikely

Cyperus victoriensis P1 Perennial Yes Along creeks No

The closest known record is greater than 50 km from

the study area (WAH 2011).

Unlikely

Atriplex flabelliformis P3 Perennial Yes Saline flats or marshes

Yes

Species was recorded Biota (2010a)

approximately 16 km south west of the study

area.

Possible


Page 15 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Priority Taxa Conservation

Status

Annual or

Perennial

Suitable Conditions

Habitat Preference (WAH 2011)

Suitable Habitat Present

Comments

Likelihood in the study area

Eremophila forrestii subsp. viridis P3 Perennial Yes Not available No



area

Unlikely

Triumfetta echinata P3 Perennial Yes Red sandy soils and sand dunes.

Yes



area

Possible

Vigna sp. central (M.E. Trudgen

1626) P2 Perennial Yes

Sandplains, coastal dune. Brown sand with occasional

patches of crusting loam over limestone.

Yes

The closest known record is approximately 12 km west of the study area

(WAH 2011).

Possible

Likely – suitable habitat, close (<10 km) records and/or field survey completed in sub‐optimal season, suggest species is likely to occur; Possible – suitable habitat, records (<50 km) and/or field survey completed in sub‐optimal season, suggests species possibly occurs; and Unlikely – lack of suitable habitat, no records (<50 km) and/or field survey completed in optimal season, suggest species is unlikely to occur.


Page 16 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

3.2.2 Recorded Flora

A total of 109 taxa (including species, subspecies and varieties) were recorded from the

study area, consisting of plants from 77 genera and 31 families. Average plant species

richness was 17.7 taxa per quadrat ± 6.8 from a total of 22 quadrats. Quadrat data,

including photographs, are presented in Appendix F, the species by site matrix is

presented in Appendix G and the flora inventory is presented in Appendix H.

The most frequently recorded families from the study area were, Fabaceae (27 taxa),

Poaceae (16 taxa) and Chenopodiaceae (ten taxa). The most frequently recorded genera

from the study area were Acacia (nine taxa), Indigofera (five taxa) and Scaevola (four

taxa).

3.2.3 Flora of Conservation Significance

No Threatened species pursuant to the EPBC Act were found during the survey of the

study area.

No plant taxa gazetted as DRF pursuant to the WC Act were recorded in the study area.

No Priority flora was recorded in the study area.

3.2.4 Flora of Local Significance

One species of local significance, Maireana lobiflora was recorded within the study area

(Plate 1). Maireana lobiflora is a perennial herb or shrub, which grows to 0.5 m in

height, produces white flowers between September and October and is known to occur

on river flats and limestone flats (WAH 2011). The record is considered of significance as

it constitutes a range extension for the species.

Plate 1: Maireana lobiflora (WAH 2011)


Page 17 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Maireana lobiflora was recorded from four locations within the survey area (Table 5;

Figure 4). These records occur beyond the known distribution of this species, the closest

known record is approximately 240 km north‐east of the study area (WAH 2011)

(Plate 2). Thus these records are considered to constitute a range extension.

Table 5: Flora of Interest Found in the Study Area

Taxa Quadrat Location*

OS12 304916 7605003

OS13 305332 7604619

OS14 305250 7605277 Maireana lobiflora

OS21 304533 7604167

*Australian Geocentric 1994 (GDA94), Zone 51 K

Plate 2: Maireana lobiflora Distribution Map: Western Australia (WAH 2011); and Australia

(Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria [CHAH] 2011).


Page 18 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

3.2.5 Introduced Flora

Six introduced species were recorded in the study area (Plates 3 – 8). The locations of

these species are presented in Appendix I and Figure 5.

Five of the six introduced species recorded are environmental weeds as defined by the

Environmental Weed Strategy for Western Australia (CALM 1999). The rating and

criteria met for these species inclusion under this strategy are presented in Table 6.

Two of these taxa, Mesquite (*Prosopis glandulosa) and Athel Tree (*Tamarix aphylla)

are listed as Declared Plants under the ARRP Act. Mesquite is listed as P1 and P2 for the

entire State while Athel Tree is listed as P1 for the entire state (Appendix B).

Mesquite and Athel Tree are also listed as WONS (Australian Government 2011).

Plate 3: Kapok (*Aerva javanica) (WAH 2011) Plate 4: Buffel (*Cenchrus ciliaris)

Plate 5: Mesquite (*Prosopis glandulosa) Plate 6: Verano (*Stylosanthes hamata)

(WAH 2011)


Page 19 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Plate 7: Athel Tree (*Tamarix aphylla) Plate 8: Caltrop (*Tribulus terrestris)(WAH 2011)

Table 6: Introduced Plant Species Listed by the Environmental Weed Strategy (CALM 1999) for

Western Australia Located Within the Study area and Frequency of Species within Survey Area

Criteria

Taxon Common Name

No. of Sites

Recorded Rating Invasiveness Distribution Impacts

*Aerva javanica Kapok 22 High Yes Yes Yes

*Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel 24 High Yes Yes Yes

*Tamarix aphylla Athel Tree 3 Moderate Yes Yes ‐

*Stylosanthes Verano 3 Mild Yes ‐ ‐

*Prosopis Mesquite 2 Low ‐ ‐ ‐

*Tribulus terrestris Caltrop 18 Not N/A N/A N/A

3.3 VEGETATION ASSOCIATIONS

The study area comprised four vegetation associations (Figure 6 and Table 7).

Table 7: Vegetation Associations within the Study area

Vegetation Mapping Legend Area (ha)

1

Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Tephrosia rosea var. clementii over Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Open Herbs of Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis.

35.02

2

Scattered Shrubs of Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola sericophylla, Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda and Pityrodia loxocarpa over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

121.73


Page 20 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Vegetation Mapping Legend Area (ha)

3

Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Rhagodia preissii subsp. sturtii over Low Shrubs of Tephrosia gardneri, Scaevola crassifolia and Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

69.77

4

Low Shrubland of Tecticornia auriculata, Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis, Frankenia ambita and Atriplex semilunaris over Open Tussock Grassland of Eragrostis pergracilis, Eragrostis falcata and Sporobolus virginicus.

1.66

5 Bare Sandy Beach 20.44

6 Bare Salt Flat 0.76

Multivariate analysis of the quadrat data was conducted using Primer‐E version 6.1.5

(2006). The dendrogram and a discussion of the analysis are presented in Appendix J.

The presence of introduced species is likely to have limited the accuracy of the

statistical analysis. Delineation of vegetation associations was largely based on

observations from the field survey.

Three of the four vegetation associations were dominated by Acacia and Triodia species,

the remaining vegetation association dominated by Chenopod species (salt bush). The

majority of the study area consists of Acacia shrublands over Triodia hummock

grasslands on sand dunes and are represented by vegetation associations 1, 2 and 3.

The least commonly occurring vegetation association is 4, which encompasses the

chenopod communities in the wet salty depressions within the study area.

Two additional areas were also mapped: Bare Sandy Beach and Bare Salt Flats. These

areas are bare and do not consist of vegetation. However, they are naturally occurring.


Page 21 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Vegetation Association: 1 Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Tephrosia rosea var. clementii over Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Open Herbs of Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis.

Quadrats Sampled OS01, OS02, OS03, OS04 and OS20 Landform Description Location and Landform:

This vegetation association is located on the low foredunes of the study area

Soil Attributes: Red‐ light brown sand with some small limestone outcrops Litter Cover: 0% Logs, <1% Twigs and <1% Leaves Bare Ground: 20‐40% Vegetation Structure and Floristics The Low Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Tephrosia rosea var. clementii and the Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius are the main diagnostics of this association.

Stratum Key Characteristics

Overstorey

Canopy Layer Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea to a height of 2 m

Midstorey

Middle Shrub Layer Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii, Tephrosia

rosea var. clementii, Scaevola crassifolia, Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora

and Indigofera sp.

Understorey

Hummock and

Tussock Grasses

Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius and Tussock

Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris under 1 m.

Vegetation Condition

Condition Rating: Good to Very Good

Disturbances: Introduced species, tracks, dumped rubbish and nearby townsite

infrastructure

Average Fire Age: Old


Page 22 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Vegetation Association: 2 Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Rhagodia preissii subsp. sturtii over Low Shrubs of Tephrosia gardneri, Scaevola crassifolia and Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Quadrats Sampled OS05, OS06, OS07, OS08, OS17, OS19, OS26 and

OS28 Landform Description Location and Landform:

This vegetation association is located on the higher dunes in the north of the study area and on the tops of the dunes in the south of the study area.

Soil Attributes: Red‐brown Sand Litter Cover: <1% Logs, 2% Twigs and 5% Leaves Bare Ground: 20‐70% Vegetation Structure and Floristics The Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over the over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris are the main diagnostics of this association.


Overstorey

Canopy Layer Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea to a height of 2 m

Midstorey

Middle Shrub Layer Low Shrubs of Tephrosia gardneri, Scaevola crassifolia and Trichodesma

zeylanicum var. zeylanicum under 1 m

Understorey

Tussock Grasses Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris under 1 m


Condition Rating: Very Good to Good


infrastructure



Page 23 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Vegetation Association: 3 Scattered Shrubs of Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola sericophylla, Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda and Pityrodia loxocarpa over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Quadrats Sampled OS12, OS13, OS14, OS15, OS16, OS18, OS21, OS23

and OS30 Landform Description Location and Landform:

This vegetation association is located on the low sand dunes of the study area.

Soil Attributes: Red‐brown sand Litter Cover: <1% Logs, <1% Twigs and 1% Leaves Bare Ground: 20‐60% Vegetation Structure and Floristics Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps is one of the main diagnostics of this association.


Overstorey

Canopy Layer Scattered Shrubs of Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea, Acacia

tetragonophylla and Acacia bivenosa to a height of 2 m

Midstorey

Middle Shrub Layer Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola sericophylla, Indigofera

boviperda subsp. boviperda and Pityrodia loxocarpa under 1 m

Understorey

Hummock and

Tussock Grasses

Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of

*Cenchrus ciliaris under 1 m


Condition Rating: Very Good ‐ Good


infrastructure.



Page 24 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Vegetation Association: 4 Low Shrubland of Tecticornia auriculata, Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis, Frankenia ambita and Atriplex semilunaris over Open Tussock Grassland of Eragrostis pergracilis, Eragrostis falcata and Sporobolus virginicus.

Sites Sampled OSR02 and OSR05 Landform Description Location and Landform:

This vegetation association is located on the low salty depressions of the study area.

Soil Attributes: Brown mud with some Clayey Areas Litter Cover: 0% Logs, <1% Twigs and 5% Leaves Bare Ground: 80% Vegetation Structure and Floristics

The Low Shrubland of Chenopods is one of the main diagnostics of this association.


Overstorey

Canopy Layer None

Midstorey

Middle Shrub Layer Low Shrubland of Tecticornia auriculata, Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp.

tenuis, Frankenia ambita and Atriplex semilunaris under 1 m

Understorey

Tussock Grasses Open Tussock Grassland of Eragrostis pergracilis, Eragrostis falcata and

Sporobolus virginicus under 1 m


Condition Rating: Degraded


infrastructure



Page 25 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

3.3.1 Vegetation Condition

Vegetation condition within the study area ranged between Very Good to Completely

Degraded (Figure 7). The majority of the vegetation was categorised as Very Good to

Good. The proximity of the vegetation to the developed portions of Onslow has greatly

reduced the condition of the vegetation within the survey area. Disturbances to

vegetation include the presence of introduced species, tracks and roads, rubbish

dumping and property developments.

Fire age within the study area was assessed as Very Old (eight to 12 years since the last

fire).

3.3.2 Vegetation of Conservation Significance

Four vegetation associations were identified as occurring within the study area. None of

the vegetation associations recorded in the study area are listed as TECs under the EPBC

Act, as ESAs under the EP Act or as PECs by the DEC.

3.3.3 Regional Representation of Vegetation Associations

Beard (1975) mapped three vegetation types in the study area (Table 8). These can be

correlated to mapping by Shepherd et al. (2001) who determined the extent of these

vegetation types.

The ENV vegetation associations have been generally correlated with the Beard (1975)

broad vegetation types (Table 8). Differences exist with the terminology used in the

descriptions as they are based on different methods of categorising and characterising

vegetation types, and the spatial scale of the analysis (i.e. region vs. local scale).

The vegetation types mapped by Beard (1975) that occur in the study area have a large

distribution especially within the Carnarvon region. In addition, as shown in Table 8,

they are all considered to exist at more than 73% of their pre‐European extent as per

Shepherd et al. (2001) and DAFWA (2007). Vegetation types that have more than 50% of

their pre‐European extent are considered of ‘Least Concern’ as per the Department of

Natural Resources and Environment (2002).


Page 26 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Table 8: Regional Representation of Vegetation in the Study area

Pre‐

European

area (ha)2

Current

extent (ha)3

Remaining

(%)3

Pre‐

European

% in IUCN

Class I‐IV

Reserves3

Conservation

Status3

ENV

Vegetation

Associations

IBRA

Bioregion

–

Carnarvon

8,523,963 8,523,963 100.0 6.1 Least

Concern N/A

Vegetation Type (Beard 1975) within Western Australia

117 917, 087 917, 087 100.0 13.3 Least

Concern 1, 2 and 3

127 778, 381 778,153 100.0 7.0 Least

Concern ‐

676 2, 110, 508 2, 087, 874 98.9 6.5 Least

Concern 4

Vegetation Type (Beard 1975) within the Carnarvon Bioregion

117 12,395 9,065 73.1 27.1 Least

Concern 1, 2 and 3

127 102,670 102,282 99.6 1.1 Least

Concern ‐

676 51,978 51,678 99.4 6.5 Least

Concern 4

3.4 VARIABLES INFLUENCING THE FAUNA SURVEY

It is important to note the variables associated with individual surveys, which are often

difficult to predict, as is the extent to which they influence survey outcomes. Survey

variables of the fauna survey are detailed in Table 9.

2 Shepherd et al. (2001) and DAFWA (2007)

3 Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002)


Page 27 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Table 9: Variables Associated with the Fauna Survey


Access All areas of the study area were accessible and adequately surveyed.

Experience The scientists who undertook these surveys were practitioners suitably

qualified in their respective fields.

Field Staff: Dr Colin Trainor (Senior Zoologist);

Data Interpretation and Reporting: Colin Trainor, James Sansom.

Timing, weather,

season

The rainfall for the year to date (January to April 2011) was significantly

above average (see Section 1.2.1). A total of 15.2 mm fell over the three

survey days. The air temperature was several degrees below average

(15.3 degrees Celsius min., 25.3 degrees Celsius max.) during the

survey, with a strong gusty wind of more than 50 km/hr on each day,

with a maximum wind speed of 81 km/hr.

The cool weather undoubtedly limited reptile activity.

Scope: sampling

methods/

intensity

A Level One survey was undertaken. Many cryptic species that are

typically recorded by trapping would not have been recorded during the

survey, such as small mammals.

All conservation significant species previously recorded in the area have

been considered. Based on the habitat present, those species deemed

to potentially occur in the study area have been addressed in this

report.

Sources of

information

At the bioregion level, the Carnarvon region has not been relatively well

studied. Some flora surveys have been undertaken in the area as part of

environmental impact assessment processes. Those most relevant and

available to the current study are listed in Section 1.3.

3.5 FAUNA HABITATS

The study area consists of two main fauna habitat types: Shrubland of Acacia species

over Hummock grassland and Beach (Table 10 and Figure 8). The data sheets for the

habitat assessments are provided in Appendix K.

The study area comprises 84.1 ha of cleared and ‘completely degraded’ land which

provides little to no habitat value and ‘private property’ which could not be accessed

during the survey.


Page 28 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Table 10: Major Habitat Types of the Study Area.

Habitat Type Habitat Value Habitat Size (ha)

Shrubland of Acacia species

over Hummock grassland Moderate 229.0

Beach Moderate 20.5

Total 249.5

Additional classes were: ‘Completely degraded’ (67.2 ha) and ‘Private property’ (16.9 ha).

Shrubland of Acacia species over Hummock grassland

This was a simple habitat with variable shrub cover, but consistently high cover of

Triodia, which provides moderate quality fauna habitat. In the north‐west of the study

area and to the south, there were dense stands of Acacia up to about 5 m in height.

Above the beach there were also stands of Casuarina to about 10 m in height, but trees

were generally absent through most of the study area. The lack of vegetation structure

greatly constrains the variety of habitats available for vertebrate fauna. Consequently

the avifauna is highly generalised consisting predominantly of common and widespread

grassland and woodland species which occur throughout much of arid Australia. In

constrast, the reptile fauna is probably quite diverse and includes some regional

endemics such as Lerista onsloviana. The absence of trees means that there are few or

no hollows, few logs, little decorticating bark, and greatly simplified roosts and nesting

opportunities. The provision of artificial water sources, as well as tree plantings and

open fields inside the town of Onslow has attracted some species such as the Magpie‐

lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) and Green Tree Frog

(Litoria caerulea).

Beach

The Beach habitat occurs along the north of the study area. It provides a simple habitat which is frequently vital for a small range of resident beach dwelling fauna, as well as visiting and migratory species most of which were absent during the period of this survey. Many of these are migratory species are shorebirds or coastal seabirds. The Beach habitat provides for a limited number of presumed resident bird species such as Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), Red‐capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus), and the dunes above the beach are probably rich in reptiles.

3.6 FAUNA ASSEMBLAGES

Fauna assemblages in the study area have been compiled from surveys conducted

within and surrounding the study area (Appendix L) and records from DEC threatened

fauna database searches, NatureMap (DEC 2011b), and DSEWPaC Protected Matters

Search Tool (DSEWPaC 2011b).


Page 29 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

A total of 279 vertebrate fauna have been previously recorded within the vicinity of the

study area. This includes four amphibian species, 70 reptile species, 176 bird species

and 29 mammal species. Many of these species are unlikely to occur in the study area

on a regular basis since these records are from a large area encompassing a wide range

of habitats. Furthermore, small common ground‐dwelling reptiles and mammals tend to

be habitat specific and many shorebirds and coastal seabird species occur seasonally as

migrants (mostly August to March) or occasional visitors.

A total of 49 vertebrate species were recorded during the field survey, which included

one amphibian, three reptiles, two mammals and 43 bird species.

All fauna recorded previously in the region are listed in Appendix L, with conservation

significant fauna potentially occurring and/or previously recorded for the study area,

listed in Table 11.

3.6.1 Amphibians

One amphibian species the Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) was recorded during the

survey, and a further four species have been previously recorded (DEC 2011b). The

Green Tree Frog was the only vertebrate species not previously recorded from the study

area (Appendix L). This species occurs naturally in the Kimberley region of Western

Australia, where it occurs widely in woodland. The population (two individuals were

observed at a hotel in Onslow) appears to be the result of an unplanned translocation.

Whilst not recorded, the Sheep Frog (Cyclorana mainii) and Little Red Tree Frog (Litoria

rubella), are likely to be common in the study area.

3.6.2 Reptiles

A total of 70 reptile species have been previously recorded in the general vicinity of the

study area (Appendix L). Three reptiles (two gecko species and a dragon) were recorded

in the study area.

The most common reptiles surrounding the Onslow townsite are likely to be the Long‐

nosed Dragon (Amphibolurus longirostris), Ring‐tailed Rock Dragon (Ctenophorus

caudicinctus caudicinctus), Variegated Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata), Bynoe’s Gecko

(Heteronotia binoei) and Rock Ctenotus (Ctenotus saxatilis). None of these species are

considered as being of conservation significance.

3.6.3 Birds

A total of 176 species have been recorded previously in the general vicinity of the study

area (Appendix L), though 40‐50 species occur in the area as seasonal migrants during

the August to March. A total of 43 bird species were recorded during the field survey.


Page 30 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Some of the most commonly recorded bird species were: Nankeen Kestrel (Falco

cenchroides), Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata), Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus),

Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens), White‐plumed Honeyeater

(Lichenostomus penicillatus), Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta), Variegated

Fairy‐wren (Malurus lamberti), Magpie‐lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Black‐faced

Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus) and Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) (Plate 9). Most

of these are among the most common and widespread birds occurring in the arid

Australia. Uncommon birds included Bar‐shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) – just

two individuals were recorded within Onslow town. This is a common and

predominantly tropical bird, with Onslow close to its south‐western limits. The Yellow

White‐eye (Zosterops luteus) is another predominantly tropical bird, but it was

abundant in Acacia shrubland near the coast.

Five bird species considered as of conservation significance were recorded during the

field survey.

3.6.4 Mammals

A total of 29 mammal species have previously been recorded in the general vicinity of

the study area (Appendix L). A total of two mammal species were recorded. The Euro

(Macropus robustus) was recorded on dunes to the south of town, and scats were

observed throughout the survey area. A single cat, presumably a Feral Cat (Felis catus)

was recorded in shrubland in the east of the study area. AnaBat detectors failed to

record any bats adjacent to a small dam in Onslow.

Common bats likely to occur in the study area include the Gould’s Wattled Bat

(Chalinolobus gouldii), the Little Broad‐nosed Bat (Scotorepens greyii) and Finlayson’s

Cave Bat (Vespadelus finlaysoni).

No mammal species considered as conservation significance were recorded during the

field survey.

Six species of introduced mammal have previously been recorded in the general vicinity

of the study area: the House Mouse (*Mus musculus), European Rabbit (*Oryctolagus

cuniculus), Fox (*Vulpes vulpes), Feral Cat (*Felis catus), Cattle (*Bos taurus) and Goat

(*Capra hircus).


Page 31 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Plate 9. Examples of birds encountered and photographed during the Onslow Townsite

survey: 1. Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata); 2. Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus); 3.

nest of Eastern Osprey on tower; 4. Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides); 5. male

Variegated Fairy‐wren (Malurus lamberti); 6. Yellow White‐eye (Zosterops luteus); and,

7. Western Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens).


Page 32 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

3.7 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

3.7.1 Potentially Occurring Fauna of Conservation Significance

From the desktop review of previous surveys conducted in the area and database

searches, a list of recorded conservation significant species was compiled (Appendix L).

The 44 conservation significant species previously recorded are listed in Table 11 and

discussed in Appendix M. These comprise one reptile, 39 birds and four mammals. Four

of these species were assesses and listed as ‘Possible’ to occur within the study area

(Appendix M). A further 30 were considered as ‘Likely’ to occur; five were noted as

‘Present’ (with current project records), and five species were considered as ‘Unlikely’

to occur within the study area. Among the birds, a total of 20 Palaearctic migrant

shorebirds and four species of migratory tern are considered likely to occur.

The Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is considered as possible to occur. Of the

four mammals listed (Appendix M) only the Short‐tailed Mouse (Leggadina

lakedownensis) is considered as ‘likely’ to occur in the study area.

Table 11: Conservation Significant Fauna Potentially Occurring in the Study Area

Conservation Significant Species

Conserva

tion

Status Likelihood

Reptiles

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) S4 Possible

Birds

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica) P4 Likely

Fork‐tailed Swift (Apus pacificus) Mi Likely

Southern Giant‐petrel (Macronectes giganteus) En Unlikely

Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) Mi Unlikely

Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta) Mi Likely

Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra) Mi Present

White‐bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) Mi Likely

Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Mi Present

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) S4 Possible

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) P4 Likely

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Mi Likely

Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii) Mi Likely

Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) Mi Likely


Page 33 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)


Conserva

tion

Status Likelihood

Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus) Mi Likely

Bar‐tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) Mi Likely

Black‐tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) Mi Likely

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Mi Likely

Little Curlew (Numenius minutus) Mi Likely

Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) Mi, P4 Likely

Grey‐tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes) Mi Likely

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) Mi Likely

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) Mi Likely

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Mi Likely

Sanderling (Calidris alba) Mi Likely

Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) Mi Likely

Red‐necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) Mi Likely

Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) Mi Likely

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) Mi Likely

Red‐necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) Mi Likely

Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) Mi Likely

White‐winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucoptera) Mi Likely

Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis) Mi Likely

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Mi Likely

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) Mi Likely

Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) EN Unlikely

Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus) Mi Present

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Mi Possible

Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens) P4 Present

Mammals

Crest‐tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) VU,S1 Possible

Long‐tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis longicaudata) P4 Unlikely


Page 34 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)


Conserva

tion

Status Likelihood

Short‐tailed Mouse Mouse (Leggadina

lakedownensis) P4 Likely

Western Pebble‐mound Mouse (Pseudomys

chapmani) P4 Unlikely

3.7.2 Recorded Species

Five species of conservation significance were recorded. These incuded the Priority four

Western Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens) and a further four species listed

as migratory: Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra), Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus),

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), and Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus). The

location of the sightings of these conservation significant fauna are indicated in

Figure 9.

Although listed as migratory species, the Eastern Reef Egret and Rainbow Bee‐eater

probably breed locally. The Eastern Osprey breeds within the study area as evidenced by

two nests on towers (Plate 9). The Rainbow Bee‐eater has been reported breeding near

Onslow (Barrett et al. 2003). In Western Australia this bird can occur as a ‘resident,

breeding visitor, postnuptial nomad, passage migrant and winter visitor’ (Johnstone and

Storr 1998). Populations from south‐western Western Australia migrate north prior to

the winter period (February‐April) (Johnstone and Storr 1998).


Page 35 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

4 DISCUSSION

4.1 FLORA

A total of 109 taxa were recorded within the study area. The floral diversity recorded

within the study area is considered to be low when compared with two recent surveys in

Onslow. The current survey recorded an average of 17.7 taxa per quadrat ± 6.8 (twenty‐

two quadrats) compared with 36.2 taxa per quadrat ± 4.9 (four quadrats) (ENV 2011a)

and 25.3 taxa per quadrat ± 6.1 (three quadrats) (ENV 2011b). Past clearing and the high

presence of introduced species and is considered to have reduced the floral diversity


None of the plant species recorded in the study area are Threatened species pursuant to

the EPBC Act, gazetted as DRF pursuant to the WC Act or listed as Priority Flora by the

DEC.

One species listed as Vulnerable pursuant to the EPBC Act was previously recorded

within approximately 19 km of the study area: Eleocharis papillosa (Biota 2010a). This

species was recorded from a tidally influenced creek in association with chenopod

species (Biota 2010a). A similar habitat within the study area is represented by

vegetation association 4. However, this habitat is not considered suitable as it only

occurs in small areas within the study area and has been degraded by disturbances

including the presence of introduced species, clearing and dumped rubbish.

No other Threatened flora pursuant to the EPBC Act are known or expected to occur


No DRF species were identified as potentially occurring within the survey area and none

were recorded by the survey. Thus, no DRF are expected to occur within the study area.

Seven priority species were identified as potentially occurring within the study area.

Three of these species were considered unlikely to occur as suitable habitat does not

occur within the study area: Carpobrotus sp. Thevenard Island (M. White 050), Cyperus

victoriensis and Eremophila forrestii subsp. viridis. Suitable habitat for the remaining

four species occurs within the study area and thus, it was considered possible that these

species occur: Abutilon uncinatum, Atriplex flabelliformis, Triumfetta echinata and

Vigna sp. central (M.E. Trudgen 1626). Habitat for these species included the sand dune

communities: vegetation associations 1, 2 and 3. None of these species were recorded

during the survey and as the survey was thorough and conducted after sufficient

rainfall, these species are not considered to occur within the study area.

One species considered to be of local significance, Maireana lobiflora, was recorded.

The four records of this species from the study area represent a range extension. The

closet known previous record of this species is approximately 240 km south east of the


Page 36 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

study area (WAH 2011). This species is not protected by Commonwealth or State

legislation. However, the EPA and the DEC are interested in range extensions.

4.2 INTRODUCED SPECIES

Introduced species were common within the study area. At least one weed species was

recorded within each quadrat surveyed. Buffel (*Cenchrus ciliaris), Kapok (*Aerva

javanica) and Caltrop (*Tribulus terrestris) were the most commonly recorded species

and were observed to be present throughout the entire study area. These species are all

common and widespread within the semi‐arid regions of Western Australia (Hussey et

al., 2007).

Mesquite (*Prosopis glandulosa) and Athel pine (*Tamarix aphylla) were recorded in the

study area and are both listed as Declared Plants under the ARRP Act. These two species

are also listed as WONS by the Australian Government (Australian Government 2011).

Mesquite (*Prosopis glandulosa) is a Declared Plant that is listed as P1 and P2 for the

entire State. This species is known to occur along the coast between Karratha and

Onslow (Hussey et al., 2007). Mesquite was recorded in two wet depressions in

association with chenopod species within the study area. The northern record of this

species represents a dense thicket, whereas the southern record was an individual

plant. Key points of Mesquite as listed by the Australian Government include that:

Mesquite (Prosopis spp.), which includes four species and several hybrids, is one of

four prickle bushes that have infestations scattered throughout semi‐arid Australia;

it is a nuisance in rangelands where it forms dense impenetrable stands, particularly

around waterways;

Animals eat the seed pods and spread the seeds. Historical control efforts by

mechanical and chemical means have been expensive and ultimately ineffective; and

Control requires an integrated management approach, including mechanical,

chemical and biological techniques and the use of fire and grazing strategies

(Australian Government 2011).

Athel pine (*Tamarix aphylla) is a Declared Plant that is listed as P1 for the entire State.

This species is often planted as shade trees in arid areas (Hussey et al., 2007) and was

largely observed as a planted windbreak along the beach within the study area. This

species was also recorded in two isolated locations. Key points of Athel Pine as listed by

the Australian Government include that:

it is a fast growing and becomes reproductive at three years of age;

It is able to establish on saline and alkaline soils;


Page 37 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

it disperses and establishes by seed, and broken stem material is moved by flood

water; and

It is a threat to the pastoral and tourism industry and the riparian biodiversity of

central Australia (Australian Government 2011).

4.3 VEGETATION

Four vegetation associations were identified as occurring within the study area. Three of

these represent sand dune communities, while the remaining association consisted of

chenopod species within wet depressions. All of these communities were observed to

have been disturbed. Disturbances included introduced species, historical clearing,

tracks, developments and dumped rubbish. The high level of disturbance to the native

vegetation within the study area is a direct result of the proximity to the townsite of

Onslow. The vegetation surveyed occurred in and around the developed town and thus,

the impact of anthropogenic influences on the vegetation were obvious.

None of the vegetation associations recorded in the study area are listed as TECs under

the EPBC Act, as ESAs under the EP Act, or as PECs by the DEC. This is expected as no

communities of conservation significance were identified as potentially occurring within

the study area. In addition the vegetation associations recorded within the study area

are considered to be representative of vegetation units that are widespread within the

Carnarvon region.

4.4 FAUNA HABITAT

Two major habitat types (shrubland of Acacia species over Hummock grassland and

Beach) were recorded in the study area. Both were in good to very good condition, and

were considered to provide moderate habitat value. Shrubland of Acacia over Hummock

grassland was dominant in the study area. It provides a simple habitat lacking

vegetation structure which is important for birds, but the extensive Triodia cover and

sandy substrate probably hosts a diverse reptile fauna.

The fauna species recorded in shrubland was highly generalized, with species that occur

widely throughout much of arid Australia. Two exceptions were the Bar‐shouldered

Dove and Yellow White‐eye, which are tropical species near their southernmost limits at

Onslow. The only amphibian recorded was the Green Tree Frog. This species was

probably accidentally translocated in Onslow on trucks travelling from the Kimberley.

Artificial populations are likely to be maintained by the provision of artificial water

sources. Water about towns also attracts and provides drinking opportunities for a

range of bird species, especially granivorous parrots and finches.

The Beach habitat was poor in species overall, but most of those present were not

found in the Acacia shrubland habitat. Three migratory birds (Eastern Reef Egret,

Eastern Osprey and Caspian Tern) were recorded in the Beach habitat. During the


Page 38 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

summer migrant season, another 20 or more migratory shorebirds are likely to occur on

the beaches, and several migratory terns would also visit the Beach habitat in the study

area.

4.5 FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

Five birds of conservation significance were recorded within the study area, namely the

Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Osprey, Caspian Tern, Rainbow Bee‐eater and Western Star

Finch. The Western Star Finch is rated as Priority 4 on the DEC priority list and the other

four species are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act. Although considered as

migratory, the Eastern Osprey breeds in the study site, and the Eastern Reef Egret and

Rainbow Bee‐eater also probably breed in the study area. Therefore, populations of

these species might consist of a mixture of resident and migratory populations.

The Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Osprey and Caspian Tern are mostly associated with the

Beach habitat, which is understood to be unlikely to be directly impacted by

development of the study area. The towers that the Eastern Osprey nests in should be

retained, or artificial towers or platforms could be created to provide additional nesting

habitat for this bird.

The western subspecies of the Star Finch is confined to the Pilbara region of Western

Australia (Pizzey and Knight 2007) and typically inhabits areas with permanent water.

This small finch drinks daily and generally breeds near water. The Star Finch was

recorded in tall Acacia dominated shrubland to the northwest of the study area.

Juvenile and adult birds were observed, confirming that this bird does breed in or about

the study area. Development of the Onslow townsite may disturb populations of the

Star Finch, but this could be mitigated by providing permanent artificial water sources

such as small ponds (fed by roof‐top run‐off) in the vicinity of hummock grassland.

The Rainbow Bee‐eater is one of the most common and widespread birds in Australia

and was a commonly recorded species during surveys in the Pilbara (Burbidge et al.

2010) with a distribution that covers the majority of Australia (Barrett et al. 2003). The

Rainbow Bee‐eater is a highly mobile species and is unlikely to be disturbed by

development in the study area.


Page 39 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

5 SUMMARY OF SURVEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

The survey of the Onslow Townsite Strategy study area found the following:

No flora listed under the EPBC Act, gazetted as Declared Rare Flora under the WC

Act or listed as Priority Flora by the DEC were recorded;

Total of 109 taxa (six introduced and 103 native) were recorded from the study area.

These 127 taxa were from 77 genera and 31 families. Average plant species richness

was 17.7 taxa per quadrat ± 6.8 from a total of 22 quadrats;

Two flora, Mesquite (*Prosopis glandulosa) and Athel pine (*Tamarix aphylla), listed

as Declared Plants under the ARRP Act and as WONS by the Australian Government

were recorded;

Four vegetation associations were described for the study area: three sand dune

communities and one chenopod community; one naturally occurring on the sand

dunes and the other occurring within a drainage slump and thus, not considered to

be naturally occurring;

No vegetation associations representing TECs under the EPBC Act, ESAs under the EP

Act, or PECs as listed by the DEC were recorded;

Two fauna habitats were recorded in the study area, and both were considered to be

of moderate habitat value, because of their value in providing habitat for five birds

of conservation signbificance, for providing habitat for an assumed diverse reptile

fauna, and for potentially providing habitat for many migrant shorebirds and terns;

Five bird species of conservation significance were recorded during the survey;

Forty four conservation significant fauna potentially occur in the study area, thirty

of these were considered as ‘Likely’ inhabitants and four as ‘Possibly’ occurring; and

Two conservation significant birds, the Eastern Osprey and Western Star Finch could

be impacted by development of the Onslow townsite, but this might be readily

mitigated by artificial provision/retention of water (Western Star Finch) and

breeding towers/platforms (Eastern Osprey).

This flora, vegetation and fauna survey of the Onslow Townsite Strategy study area has

not identified any species, communities or habitats of conservation significance, which

would constitute a statutory constraint to development.


Page 40 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

6 REFERENCES

Australian Government (2011) Weeds of National Significance (WONS). Commonwealth

of Australia. Available from <http://www.weeds.gov.au/weeds/lists/wons.html> [June‐

July 2011]

AECOM (2010) Onslow Townsite Strategy Ecological Desktop Study. Unpublished report

prepared for Landcorp.

Biota (2010a) A Vegetation and Flora Survey of the Wheatstone Project Area, near

Onslow. Published Report Prepared for Chevron.

Biota (2010b) Terrestrial Fauna Survey of the Wheatstone Project Area, near Onslow.

Published Report Prepared for Chevron.

Council of Heads of Australia Herbaria [CHAH] (2011). Australia’s Virtual Herbarium

Available from <http://chah.gov.au/avh/index.jsp.> [May‐June 2011].

Barrett, G., Silcocks, A, Barry, S, Cunningham, R. and Poulter, R (2003). The new Atlas of

Australian Birds. Birds Australia. Hawthorn East, Victoria.

Beard, JS (1975). Vegetation Survey of Western Australia: Sheet 5 Pilbara, University of

Western Australia Press, Perth, Western Australia.

Birdata (2011). Birdata: Distribution Maps. Online: www.birdata.com.au/maps.vm

[Accessed January 2011]

Burbidge, A. H. Johnstone, R. E. and Pearson, D. J. (2010). Birds in a vast arid upland:

biogeographical patterns in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Records of the

Western Australian Museum 78: 247‐270.

Bureau of Meteorology (2011). Daily Weather Observations. Commonwealth of

Australia. Available from: <www.bom.gov.au/climate> [June 2011].

Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia [DAFWA] (2007). Comprehensive

Adequate and Representative Reserve Analysis. Department of Agriculture and Food,

Western Australia.

Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia [DAFWA] (2009). Agriculture and

Related Resources Protection Act 1976 ‐ Declared Plants, December 2009. Department of

Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Department of Conservation and Land Management [CALM] (1999). Environmental Weed

Strategy for Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management,

Perth, Western Australia.


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Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011a). Pilbara Biological Survey

Database. Department of Environment and Conservation. Online:

http://science.calm.wa.gov.au/projects/pilbaradb/ [January 2011].

Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011b). NatureMap: Mapping

Western Australia's Biodiversity. Department of Environment and Conservation and

Western Australian Museum. Available from: <http://naturemap.dec.wa.gov.au/>

[January 2011].

Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011c). Priority Flora Database

Search. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC] (2011d). Threatened and Priority

Fauna Database (custom search). Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth

Western Australia.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002). Biodiversity Action Planning.

Action planning for native biodiversity at multiple scales; catchment bioregional;

landscape, local. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.

Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

[DSEWPaC] (2011a). Maps: Australia’s Bioregions (IBRA) Available from:

<www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/science/bioregion‐framework/ibra/index.html>

[January 2011].

Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

[DSEWPaC] (2011b). EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool. Available from:

<www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/index.html> [May 2011].

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2000). Environmental Protection of Native

Vegetation in Western Australia: Clearing of Native Vegetation with Particular Reference

to Agricultural Areas. Position Statement No. 2. EPA, Perth, Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2002). Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an

Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position Statement No. 3. EPA, Perth, Western

Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2004a). Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation

Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia, No. 51. EPA, Perth,

Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2004b). Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for

Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia. Guidance Statement No. 56,

EPA, Perth, Western Australia.


Page 42 J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] (2010). Technical Guide – Terrestrial

Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment, EPA, Perth, Western

Australia.

ENV.Australia (2011a). Onslow Light Industrial Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna

Assessment. Unpublished Report Prepared for the Shire of Ashburton.

ENV.Australia (2011b). Onslow Multi‐sport and Recreation Precinct Flora, Vegetation

and Fauna Assessment. Unpublished Report Prepared for the Shire of Ashburton.

Geering, A, Agnew L and Harding, S (2007). Shorebirds of Australia, CSIRO Publishing,

Collingwood, Vic.

Geological Survey of Western Australia (1990). Onslow, Western Australia 1:250 000

Geological Series. Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.

Hussey B J M, Keighery G J, Dodd J, Lloyd S G and Cousens R D (2007). Western Weeds: A

Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia, 2nd ed. The Weeds Society of Western

Australia, Perth, Western Australia.

Johnstone, RE and Storr, GM (1998). Handbook of Western Australian Birds: Volume 1 –

Non‐passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western

Australia.

Johnstone, R. E. and Storr, G. M. (2004). Handbook of Western Australian Birds: Volume

2: Passerines (Blue‐winged Pitta to Goldfinch), Western Australian Museum, Perth.

Kendrick, P and Mau, R (2002). Carnarvon 1 (CAR1‐ Cape Range subregion) In: A

Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002.

Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Menkhorst, P and Knight, F (2004). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia (2nd ed.).

Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.

Morcombe, M (2000). Field Guide to Australian Birds, Steve Parish Publishing.

Archerfield, Queensland.

Pizzey, G and Knight, F (2007). The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Eighth Edition,

Harper Collins, Sydney New South Wales.

Shepherd, DP, Beeston, GR and Hopkins, AJM (2001). Native Vegetation in Western

Australia: Extent, Type and Status. Resource Management Technical Report 249,

Department of Agriculture, Government of Western Australia.

Simpson, K and Day, N (2004). A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Penguin Books

Australia Ltd, Melbourne.


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Thackway, R and Cresswell, ID (1995). An Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for

Australia: A framework for setting priorities in the National Reserves System Cooperative

Program, Version 4.0. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

van Dyck, S and Strahan R (2008). The Mammals of Australia – Third Edition. Reed New

Holland, Sydney.

van Vreeswyk, AME, Payne, AL, Leighton, KA, and Hennig, P (2004). An Inventory and

Condition Survey of the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Technical Bulletin 92.

Department of Agriculture, Government of Western Australia.

Western Australian Herbarium (2011). Florabase ‐ Information on the Western

Australian Flora. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth. Online:

http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/. [May‐June 2011].

Wilson, S and Swan, G (2008). Reptiles of Australia. Second Edition, New Holland

Publishers, Australia.


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

FIGURES

300000 32500075

7500

0

7575

000

7600

000

7600

000

7625

000

7625

000

Regional LocationAUTHOR:C. Gibson

Onslow Townsite Strategy - Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

@ A31:250,000

LandcorpJOB NO.CLIENT

SCALE PROJECTIONS. Rho 8-7-2011DRAWN DATE

GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

1FIGURE

LegendGreenfield Opportunities

Infill Sites

Survey Area for Proposed Bypass Road

Other Opportunity Sites

Survey Area

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth

Geraldton

Port Hedland

Broome

Indian Ocean

Location Map

0 2 4 6 8 10

Kilometres

±

Survey Area

OS30

OS28

OS26

OS23

OS21

OS20

OS19

OS18

OS17

OS16

OS15

OS14

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OS12

OS08

OS07 OS06

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Location of Quadrats and RelevesAUTHOR:C. Gibson

Onslow Townsite Strategy - Flora, Vegetation and FaunaAssessment@ A41:17,000



GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

3FIGURE


Infill Sites



Quadrat Location

Releve Location

0 250 500 750 1,000

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±

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0300

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7603

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Location of Locally Significant FloraAUTHOR:

C. Gibson Onslow Townsite Strategy - Flora, Vegetation and FaunaAssessment@ A41:17,000



GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

4FIGURE


Infill Sites



Location of

0 250 500 750 1,000

Metres

±

Maireana lobiflora

304000 305000 30600076

0300

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7603

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Location of Introduced FloraAUTHOR:C. Gibson Onslow Townsite Strategy -

Flora, Vegetation and FaunaAssessment@ A41:17,000



GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

5FIGURE


Infill Sites



Location of Introduced Flora

*Prosopis glandulosa *Stylosanthes hamata*Tamarix aphylla *Tribulus terrestris*Cenchrus ciliaris*Aerva javanica

0 250 500 750 1,000

Metres

±

(WONS)

(WONS)

Vegetation Assocations LegendAUTHOR:C. Gibson

Onslow Townsite Strategy - Flora, Vegetation and FaunaAssessment

NA



NA

J100505

6.1FIGURE

LegendVegetation Description

Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Tephrosia rosea var. clementii over Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Open Herbs of Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis.Scattered Shrubs of Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola sericophylla, Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda and Pityrodia loxocarpa over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Rhagodia preissii subsp. sturtii over Low Shrubs of Tephrosia gardneri, Scaevola crassifolia and Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Low Shrubland of Tecticornia auriculata, Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis, Frankenia ambita and Atriplex semilunaris over Open Tussock Grassland of Eragrostis pergracilis, Eragrostis falcata and Sporobolus virginicus.

Bare sandy beach

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Private Property

304000 305000 30600076

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Vegetation AssocationsAUTHOR:C. Gibson Onslow Townsite Strategy -




GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

6FIGURE

0 250 500 750 1,000

Metres

±


Infill Sites



See Figure 6.1 for Vegetation Association Legend

304000 305000 30600076

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Vegetation ConditionAUTHOR:C. Gibson Onslow Townsite Strategy -




GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

7FIGURE

0 250 500 750 1,000

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Very Good

Very Good to Good

Good

Degraded

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Fauna Habitat TypesAUTHOR:C. Gibson Onslow Townsite Strategy -




GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

8FIGURE

0 250 500 750 1,000

Metres

±


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Fauna Habitat TypeBeach

Completely Degraded

Private Property

Shrubland of Acacia species over Hummock grassland of Triodia

")

")!(

_̂

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Location of Fauna of Conservation SignificanceAUTHOR:

C. Gibson Onslow Townsite Strategy - Flora, Vegetation and FaunaAssessment@ A41:17,000



GDA 94 MGA 50

J100505

9FIGURE


Infill Sites



Location of Conservation Significant Fauna

_̂ Star Finch

!( Eastern Osprey

") Rainbow Bee-eater

0 250 500 750 1,000

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±


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX A

DEFINITION OF DECLARED RARE / PRIORITY / THREATENED FLORA AND SIGNIFICANT FLORA POTENTIALLY

OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix A

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX A

DEFINITION OF DECLARED RARE / PRIORITY / THREATENED FLORA AND SIGNIFICANT

FLORA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE PROJECT AREA

A1: Categories of Declared Rare and Priority Flora Conservation Code Category

X Presumed Extinct Flora (Declared Rare Flora – Extinct) “Taxa which have been adequately searched for and there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died, and have been gazetted as such (Schedule 2 under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950).”

T Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora – Extant) “Taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such (Schedule 1 under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950).” “Threatened Flora (Schedule 1) are further ranked by the Department according to their level of threat using IUCN Red List criteria:

CR: Critically Endangered – considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild;

EN: Endangered – considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild;

VU: Vulnerable – considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.”

P1 Priority One: Poorly‐known taxa “Taxa which are known from one or a few collections or sight records (generally less than five), all on lands not managed for conservation, e.g. agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, Shire, Westrail and Main Roads WA road, gravel and soil reserves, and active mineral leases and under threat of habitat destruction or degradation. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes.”

P2 Priority Two: Poorly‐known taxa “Taxa which are known from one or a few collections or sight records, some of which are on lands not under imminent threat of habitat destruction or degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant Crown Land, water reserves, etc. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes.”

P3 Priority Three: Poorly‐known taxa “Taxa which are known from collections or sight records from several localities not under imminent threat, or few but widespread localities with either large population size or significant remaining areas of apparently suitable habitat, much of it not under imminent threat. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from several localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and known threatening processes exist that could affect them.”



Source: Department of Environment and Conservation (2011). Western Australian Flora Conservation Codes. Department of

Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia. Online: http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au.

A2: Categories of Threatened Flora Species

Category Code Category

Ex

Extinct Taxa which at a particular time if, at the time, there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died.

ExW Extinct in the Wild Taxa which is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range; or it has not been recorded in its known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate seasons, anywhere in its past range, despite exhaustive surveys over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form.

CE Critically Endangered Taxa which at a particular time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

E Endangered Taxa which is not critically endangered and it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium‐term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

V Vulnerable Taxa which is not critically endangered or endangered and is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium‐term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

CD Conservation Dependent Taxa which at a particular time if, at that time, the species is the focus of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered within a period of 5 years.

Source: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 19



A3: Significant Flora Species Potentially Occurring in the Project Area

Priority Taxa Conservation Status

Description (WAH 2011)

Abutilon uncinatum P1

Prostrate perennial, herb, that grows to 0.2–1 m high with grey foliage and spined pods. Occurs on red sand and flat plains.

Atriplex flabelliformis P3

Monoecious, erect, rounded perennial, herb, to 0.35 m high. Occurs on clay loam, loam, saline

flats or marshes.

Carpobrotus sp. Thevenard Island (M. White 050)

P2

Prostrate, succulent perennial, herb with leaves that are sessile and triangular in cross‐section.

Fruit is turbinate. Produces cream flowers in August. Occurs on

coarse white sand, dune tops and disturbed areas.

Cyperus victoriensis P1 Perennial, grass‐like or herb

(sedge), that grows to 0.6 m high. Occurs along creeks.

Eremophila forrestii subsp. viridis P3 Much‐branched shrub, that

grows to 1 m high. Produces pink, cream flowers in August.

Eleocharis papillosa

‘Vulnerable’ pursuant to the EPBC Act and P3

Annual herb with brown flowers in November. Occurs on red clay over granite, open clay flats and

claypans.

Triumfetta echinata P3

Prostrate shrub, that grows to 0.3 m high. Produced flowers in August. Occurs on red sandy soils

and sand dunes.

Vigna sp. central (M.E. Trudgen 1626) P2 Not available.


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX B

DEFINITIONS OF CONSERVATION CODES FOR FAUNA OF CONSERVATION

SIGNIFICANCE


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix B

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX B

DEFINITIONS OF CONSERVATION CODES FOR FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

B1: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth): Threatened Species

and Threatened Ecological Communities Codes

The EPBC Act prescribes seven matters of national environmental significance:‐

World Heritage properties;

National Heritage places;

Wetlands of international importance;

Threatened species and ecological communities;

Migratory species;

Commonwealth marine areas; and

Nuclear actions (including uranium mining).

Species in the categories ExW, CE, E, V and M (see below), and Threatened Ecological Communities

in the CE and E categories are protected as matters of national environmental significance under

the EPBC Act.


Extinct Ex Taxa for which there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died.

Extinct in the Wild

ExW

Taxa known to survive only in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range; or not recorded in its known and/or expected habitat at appropriate seasons anywhere in its past range despite exhaustive surveys over a timeframe appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically Endangered

CE Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Endangered E Taxa not critically endangered and facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium‐term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Vulnerable V Taxa not critically endangered or endangered and facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium‐term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Conservation Dependent

CD Taxa which are the focus of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered within five years.




Migratory Mi

Taxa that migrate to Australia and its external territories, or pass through or over Australian waters during their annual migrations, that are included in an international agreement approved by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts and that have been placed on the national List of Migratory Species under the provisions of the EPBC Act. At present there are four such agreements:

the Bonn Convention

the China‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA)

the Japan‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA)

the Republic of Korea‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA)

Marine Ma

Taxa protected in a Commonwealth Marine Protected Area by virtue of section 248 of the EPBC Act. These taxa include certain seals, crocodiles, turtles and birds, as well as various marine fish.

Commonwealth marine areas are matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act.

An action will require approval if the:

action is taken in a Commonwealth marine area and the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment, or

action is taken outside a Commonwealth marine area and the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment in a Commonwealth marine area

1

The Commonwealth marine area is any part of the sea, including the waters, seabed, and airspace, within Australia's exclusive economic zone and/or over the continental shelf of Australia, that is not State or Northern Territory waters.

The Commonwealth marine area stretches from 3 to 200 nautical miles (approximately 5‐370 km) from the coast. Marine protected areas are marine areas which are recognised to have high conservation value.



B2: Western Australian Threatened Fauna Categories

Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA)

Category Code Description

Schedule 1 S1 Rare or likely to become extinct.

Schedule 2 S2 Presumed extinct.

Schedule 3 S3

Birds subject to an agreement between the governments of Australia and Japan, the People’s Republic of China & the Republic of Korea relating to the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction.

Schedule 4 S4 Other specially protected fauna.

B3: Department of Environment and Conservation Fauna Priority Codes


Priority 1 P1 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands.

Priority 2 P2 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands.

Priority 3 P3 Taxa with several, poorly known populations, some on conservation lands.

Priority 4 P4

Taxa in need of monitoring: not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could become so.

Usually represented on conservation lands.

Priority 5 P5 Taxa in need of monitoring: not considered threatened, but the subject of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.

B4: IUCN Redlist Conservation Fauna Codes


Extinct EX Taxa for which there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.

Extinct in the Wild EW

Taxa which is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range and it has not been recorded in known or expected habitat despite exhaustive survey over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically Endangered CR Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered EN Taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable VU Taxa facing high risk of extinction in the wild




Near Threatened NT Taxa which has been evaluated but does not qualify for CR, EN, or VU now but is close to qualifying or likely to qualify in the near future.

Least Concern LC Taxa which has been evaluated but does not qualify for CR, EN, VU, or NT but is likely to qualify for NT in the near future.

Data Deficient DD Taxa for which there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX C

DEFINITION OF THREATENED AND PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES


J100505‐001 CS Appendix C

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX C

DEFINITIONS OF THREATENED AND PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

C1: Definitions of Threatened Ecological Communities

Presumed Totally Destroyed (PD) An ecological community will be listed as presumed totally destroyed if there are no recent records of the community being extant and either of the following applies (A or B); A) Records within the last 50 years have not been confirmed despite thorough searches or

known or likely habitats or B) All occurrences recorded within the last 50 years have since been destroyed. Critically Endangered (CR) An ecological community will be listed as Critically Endangered when it has been adequately surveyed and is found to be facing an extremely high risk of total destruction in the immediate future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information, by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C): A) The estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete

occurrences since European settlement have been reduced by at least 90% and either or both of the following apply (i or ii)

i) geographic range, and/or total area occupied and/or number of discrete occurrences

are continuing to decline such that total destruction of the community is imminent (within approximately 5 years)

ii) modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the immediate future (within approximately 5 years) the community is unlikely to be capable of being substantially rehabilitated.

B) Current distribution is limited, and one or more of the following apply (i, ii or iii):

i) geographic range and/or number of discrete occurrences, and/or area occupied is highly restricted and the community is currently subject to known threatening processes which are likely to result in total destruction throughout its range in the immediate future (within approximately 5 years)

ii) there are very few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes

iii) there may be many occurrences but total area is very small and each occurrence is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes



C) The ecological community exists only as highly modified occurrences which may be capable of being rehabilitated if such work begins in the immediate future (within approximately 5 years)

Endangered (EN) An ecological community will be listed as Endangered when it has been adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of total destruction in the near future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information, by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C): A) The estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete

occurrences since European settlement have been reduced by at least 70% and either or both of the following apply (i or ii)

i) geographic range, and/or total area occupied and/or number of discrete occurrences are

continuing to decline such that total destruction of the community is likely in the short term (within approximately 10 years)

ii) modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the short term future (within approximately 10 years) the community is unlikely to be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated.

B) Current distribution is limited, and one or more of the following apply (i, ii or iii):

i) geographic range and/or number of discrete occurrences, and/or area occupied is highly restricted and the community is currently subject to known threatening processes which are likely to result in total destruction throughout its range in the short term future (within approximately 10 years)

ii) there are very few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes

iii) there may be many occurrences but total area is very small and each occurrence is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes

C) The ecological community exists only as highly modified occurrences which may be capable of being rehabilitated if such work begins in the short term future (within approximately 10 years).

Vulnerable (VU) An ecological community will be listed as Vulnerable when it has been adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of total destruction in the medium to long term future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information, by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C): A) The ecological community exists largely as modified occurrences which are likely to be

capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated. B) The ecological community can be modified or destroyed and would be vulnerable to

threatening processes, is restricted in area and/or range and/or is only found at a few locations.

C) The ecological community may still be widespread but is believed likely to move into a category of higher threat in the medium to long term future because of existing or impending threatening processes.



Source: Department of Environment and Conservation (2010). Definitions, Categories and Criteria for Threatened and Priority Ecological

Communities. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia. Online: www.naturebase.net/

C2: Definitions of Priority Ecological Communities

Possible threatened ecological communities that do not meet survey criteria or that are not adequately defined are added to the Priority Ecological Community Lists under Priorities 1, 2 and 3. These three categories are ranked in order of priority for survey and/or definition of the community, and evaluation of conservation status, so that consideration can be given to their declaration as threatened ecological communities. Ecological Communities that are adequately known, and are rare but not threatened or meet criteria for Near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list, are placed in Priority 4. These ecological communities require regular monitoring. Conservation Dependent ecological communities are placed in Priority 5.

Priority One: Poorly known ecological communities Ecological communities with apparently few, small occurrences, all or most not actively managed for conservation (e.g. within agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, active mineral leases) and for which current threats exist. Communities may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements, and/or are not well defined, and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes across their range.

Priority Two: Poorly known ecological communities. Communities that are known from few small occurrences, all or most of which are actively managed for conservation (e.g. within national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, unallocated Crown land, water reserves, etc.) and not under imminent threat of destruction or degradation.

Communities may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements, and/or are not well defined, and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes.

Priority Three: Poorly known ecological communities

(i) Communities that are known from several to many occurrences, a significant number or area of which are not under threat of habitat destruction or degradation or:

(ii) Communities known from a few widespread occurrences, which are either large or within significant remaining areas of habitat in which other occurrences may occur, much of it not under imminent threat, or;

(iii) Communities made up of large, and/or widespread occurrences, that may or not be represented in the reserve system, but are under threat of modification across much of their range from processes such as grazing by domestic and/or feral stock, and inappropriate fire regimes.

Communities may be included if they are comparatively well known from several localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and/or are not well defined, and known threatening processes exist that could affect them.



Priority Four: Ecological communities that are adequately known, rare but not threatened or meet criteria for Near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list. These communities require regular monitoring.

(a) Rare. Ecological communities known from few occurrences that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These communities are usually represented on conservation lands.

(b) Near Threatened. Ecological communities that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that do not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but that are close to qualifying for Vulnerable.

(c) Ecological communities that have been removed from the list of threatened communities during the past five years.

Priority Five: Conservation Dependent ecological communities. Ecological communities that are not threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the community becoming threatened within five years.

Source: Department of Environment and Conservation (2010). Definitions, Categories and Criteria for Threatened and Priority Ecological

Communities. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia. Online: www.naturebase.net/



C3: Categories of Threatened Ecological Communities under the EPBC Act.

Three categories exist for listing threatened ecological communities under the Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). An ecological community may be

categorized as:

Critically Endangered If, at that time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in

the immediate future.

Endangered If, at that time, it is not critically endangered and is facing a very high risk of

extinction in the wild in the near future.

Vulnerable If, at that time, it is not critically endangered or endangered, and is facing a

high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium‐term future.


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX D

ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS AND DECLARED PLANT CATEGORIES AND INTRODUCED FLORA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA


J100505‐001 CS Appendix D


APPENDIX D

ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS AND DECLARED PLANT CATEGORIES AND INTRODUCED FLORA POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE PROJECT AREA

D1: Criteria used for Ranking Environmental Weeds

The Environmental Weed Strategy for Western Australia (CALM 1999) contains criteria for

the assessment and ranking of weeds in terms of their environmental impact on biodiversity.

These criteria are as follows:

Invasiveness – ability to invade bushland in good to excellent condition or ability to

invade waterways. (Score as yes or no).

Distribution – wide current or potential distribution including consideration of known

history of wide spread distribution elsewhere in the world. (Score as yes or no).

Environmental Impacts – ability to change the structure, composition and function of

ecosystems. In particular an ability to form a monoculture in a vegetation

community. (Score as yes or no).

The rating of each weed is determined by the following scoring system:

High ‐ a weed species would have to score yes for all three criteria. Rating a weed

species as high would indicate prioritising this weed for control and/or research i.e.

prioritising funding to it.

Moderate ‐a weed species would have to score yes for two of the above criteria.

Rating a weed species as moderate would indicate that control or research effort

should be directed to it if funds are available, however it should be monitored

(possibly a reasonably high level of monitoring).

Mild – a weed species scoring one of the criteria. A mild rating would indicate

monitoring of the week and control where appropriate.

Low – a weed species would score none of the criteria. A low ranking would mean

that this species would require a low level of monitoring.

Source: Department of Conservation and Land Management (1999). Environmental Weed Strategy for Western Australia.

Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, Western Australia.



D2: Standard Meanings of Declared Plant Categories

P1

Prohibits movement.

The movement of plants or their seeds is prohibited within the State.

This prohibits the movement of contaminated machinery and produce including livestock

and fodder.

P2

Aim is to eradicate infestation.

Treat all plants to destroy and prevent propagation each year until no plants remain. The

infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the spread of seed or plant parts

on or in livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or machinery.

P3

Aims to control infestation by reducing area and/or density of infestation.

The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the spread of seed or plant

parts within and from the property on or in livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or

machinery.

Treat to destroy and prevent seed set all plants:

Within 50m inside of the boundaries of the infestation;

within 50m of roads and high water mark on waterways;

within 50m of sheds, stock yards and houses.

Treatment must be done prior to seed set each year.

Properties with less than 20ha of infestation must treat the entire infestation.

Additional areas may be ordered to be treated.

P4

Aims to prevent infestation spreading beyond existing boundaries of infestation

The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the spread of seed or plant

parts within and from the property on or in livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or

machinery.

Treat to destroy and prevent seed set all plants:

within 50m inside of the boundaries of the infested property for one‐leaf and 20m

for two‐leaf;



within 50m of roads and high water mark on waterways;

within 50m of sheds, stock yards and houses.

Treatment must be done prior to seed set each year. Properties with less than 20ha of

infestation must treat the entire infestation.

Additional areas may be ordered to be treated.

Special considerations: In the case of P4 infestations where they continue across property

boundaries there is no requirement to treat the relevant part of the property boundaries as

long as the boundaries of the infestation as a whole are treated. There must be agreement

between neighbours in relation to the treatment of these areas.

P5

Aims to control infestations on public lands.

Source: Department of Agriculture and Food (2008). List of Declared Plants. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western

Australia. Online: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/.


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX E

BUSH FOREVER CONDITION SCALE AND STANDARDISED VEGETATION

MATRIX


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix E


APPENDIX E

E1: BUSH FOREVER VEGETATION CONDITION SCALE

Condition Scale Code

Condition Scale

P Pristine (1) Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance

E Excellent (2) Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non‐aggressive species.

VG Very Good (3) Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by repeated fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing.

G Good (4) Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbance. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback and grazing.

D Degraded (5) Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing.

CD Completely Degraded (6) The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is completely or almost completely without native species. These areas are often described as ‘parkland cleared’ with the flora comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.

Source: Government of Western Australia (2000). Bush Forever Volume 2: Directory of Bush Forever Sites. Department of Environmental Protection, Perth, Western Australia.


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix E

E2: STANDARDISED VEGETATION MATRIX

Vegetation Classifications for the Pilbara based on Specht with modification by Aplin and

Trudgen

Under 2% 2‐10% 10‐30% 30‐70% 70‐100%

Trees over 30m Scattered Tall

Trees

High Open

woodland

High

Woodland

High Open

Forest

High Closed

Forest

Trees 10‐30m Scattered

Trees

Open

Woodland Woodland Open Forest Closed Forest

Trees under 10m Scattered Low

Trees

Low Open

Woodland Low woodland

Low Open

Forest

Low Closed

Forest

Shrubs 2‐5m Scattered Tall

Shrubs

High Open

Shrubland

High

Shrubland Open Scrub Closed Shrub

Shrubs 1‐2m Scattered

Shrubs

Open

Shrubland Shrubland Open Heath Closed Heath

Shrubs under 1m Low scattered

Shrubs

Low Open

Shrubland Low Shrubland

Low Open

Heath

Low Closed

Heath

Grasses Scattered

Grasses

Very open

Grassland

Open

Grassland Grassland

Closed

Grassland

Herbs Scattered

Herbs

Very Open

Herbland

Open

Herbland Herbland

Closed

Herbland

Sedges Scattered

Sedges

Very Open

Sedgeland

Open

Sedgeland Sedgeland

Closed

Sedgeland


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX F

FLORA QUADRAT DATA SHEETS


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix F

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX F

FLORA QUADRAT AND RELEVÉ DATA SHEETS

Onslow Town Site OS01

Described by JS Date 13/05/2011 Type Q 50 x 50 m

Location Onslow Town Site

MGA Zone 50 305834 mE 7605465 mN

Habitat Sand Dunes

Soil Red sand

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Open Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps,

Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Tephrosia rosea var. clementii over Hummock Grassland of

Triodia epactia over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Veg Condition Very Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: N/A Bare ground: 40%. Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Track, Introduced Species, Rubbish

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 3% 1.4 m OS01‐07 Acacia stellaticeps 2% 0.7 m OS01‐08 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.4 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica + 0.5 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 60% 0.5 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 1% 0.7 m OS01‐04 Eriachne aristidea OUT 0.4 m OS01‐23 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.2 m OS01‐03 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.4 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea + 0.3 m OS01‐10 Indigofera linifolia + 0.3 m OS01‐17 Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis + CR OS01‐06 Pityrodia loxocarpa OUT 0.4 m OS01‐20 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 0.6 m OS01‐09 Scaevola crassifolia OUT OS01‐24 Spinifex longifolius OUT 0.6 m OS01‐21 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii 1% 1 m OS01‐13 Threlkeldia diffusa OUT 1 m OS01‐22 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.6 m OS01‐02 Tricoryne corynothecoides + 0.5 m OS01‐18 Triodia epactia 30% 0.4 m OS01‐01 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.7 m OS01‐14




Described by CS Date 13/05/2011 Type Q 50 x 50 m

Location Onslow Town

MGA Zone 50 306113 mE 7605379 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Light Brown Sand

Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii

subsp. sturtii, Tephrosia rosea var. clementii and Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Very Open Hummock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbland of Ipomoea pes‐caprae and Euphorbia alsiniflora.


Fire Age Very Old

Notes Bare ground: 30%. Litter cover: + Logs; 5% Twigs; 10% Lvs. Disturbance type: Track, Introduced Species, Rubbish

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 1% 1.5 m OS02‐01 Acacia stellaticeps + 0.6 m NC Cassytha capillaris OUT OS02‐14 *Cenchrus ciliaris 10% 0.3 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 15% 0.9m OS02‐09 Dysphania rhadinostachya subsp. rhadinostachya OUT OS02‐15 Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa OUT OS02‐17 Euphorbia alsiniflora 1% 0.3 m OS02‐04 Indigofera colutea + 0.2 m OS02‐06 Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis 5% CR NC Neobassia astrocarpa OUT OS02‐16 Pityrodia loxocarpa + 0.5 m OS02‐11 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.3 m OS02‐10 Spinifex longifolius + 0.6 m OS02‐13 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii 3% 0.6 m OS02‐02 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS02‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum 1% 0.6 m OS02‐08 Triodia epactia 30% 0.3 m OS02‐03 Triraphis mollis + 0.4 m OS02‐07 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.5 m OS02‐12






MGA Zone 50 306250 mE 7605509 mN

Habitat Sand Dune


Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii, Tecticornia auriculata and Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Open Hummock Grassland of Spinifex longifolius over Very Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Open Herbs of Ipomoea pes‐caprae and Euphorbia alsiniflora.


Fire Age Very Old

Notes Bare ground: Litter cover: Logs; Twigs; Lvs. Disturbance type: Track, Introduced Species, Rubbish

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea + 1.5 m OS02‐01 *Aerva javanica + 0.5 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 7% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 1% 0.5 m OS02‐09 Dysphania rhadinostachya subsp. rhadinostachya + 0.15 m OS02‐15 Eragrostis falcata + 0.15 m OS03‐01 Eriachne aristidea + 0.5 m OS03‐02 Eulalia aurea + 0.6 m OS03‐07 Euphorbia alsiniflora 2% 0.3 m OS02‐04 Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis 8% CR NC Pluchea sp. B Kimberley Flora (K.F. Kenneally + 0.2 m OS03‐04 9526A)

Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides + 0.4 m OS03‐06 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.3 m OS02‐10 Scaevola crassifolia + 0.3 m OS01‐24 Spinifex longifolius 10% 0.5 m OS02‐13 Swainsona pterostylis + 0.4 m OS03‐03 Tecticornia auriculata + 0.3 m OS03‐09 Threlkeldia diffusa + 0.2 m OS03‐08 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.5 m OS02‐08





Location Onslow town

MGA Zone 50 305256 mE 7605662 mN

Habitat Sand Dune Crest

Soil Red Sand

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii over Low

Scattered Shrubs of Scaevola spinescens over Very Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over

Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Veg Condition Good

Fire Age Moderate

Notes Aspect: SW Bare ground: 20% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; 1% Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species,

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 2% 1.5 m OS01‐07 Cassytha capillaris + CR OS04‐05 *Cenchrus ciliaris 70% 0.5 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 2% 1 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.2 m OS01‐03 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda OUT 0.3 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea OUT 0.2 m OS01‐10 Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis 1% CR OS01‐06 Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides + 0.5 m OS04‐02 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata OUT 0.6 m OS01‐09 Scaevola spinescens 1% 0.6 m OS04‐01 Sida fibulifera OUT 0.4 m OS04‐04 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii + 0.5 m OS04‐03 *Tribulus terrestris 1% CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.4 m OS01‐02 Tricoryne corynothecoides + 0.3 m OS01‐18 Triodia epactia 5% 0.4 m OS01‐01 Whiteochloa airoides OUT 0.5 m OS01‐14






MGA Zone 50 304176 mE 7606607 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Sand

Vegetation Open Heath of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata over Low Scattered

Shrubs of Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbs of *Tribulus terrestris.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: N Bare ground: 50% Litter cover: + Logs; 1% Twigs; 5% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species,

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Abutilon aff. dioicum OUT 1.4 m OS05‐06 Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 30% 2.5 m OS05‐01 *Aerva javanica + 0.6 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 10% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii OUT 0.5 m OS01‐04 Eriachne aristidea OUT 0.4 m OS01‐23 Eulalia aurea OUT 0.5 m OS05‐07 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.3 m OS01‐03 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata 2% 1.2 m OS01‐09 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora 1% 0.4 m OS05‐03 Scaevola crassifolia OUT 0.4 m OS01‐24 Spinifex longifolius + 0.8 m OS01‐21 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.4 m OS05‐02 Threlkeldia diffusa + 0.2 m OS01‐22 *Tribulus terrestris 3% CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.1 m OS01‐02






MGA Zone 50 304127 mE 7606315 mN

Habitat Sand Dune


Vegetation Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea, Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata and Crotalaria

cunninghamii subsp. sturtii over Very Open Hummock Grassland of Spinifex longifolius over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Scattered Herbs of Euphorbia myrtoides.

Veg Condition Very Good ‐ Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Bare ground: 60% Litter cover: 1% Logs; 7% Twigs; 10% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species,

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 10% 2 m OS02‐01 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa OUT OS06‐02 *Cenchrus ciliaris 15% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 1m OS02‐09 Euphorbia myrtoides 1% 0.3 m OS06‐01 Indigofera colutea + 0.2 m OS02‐06 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata 1% 1m OS08‐03 Salsola tragus + 0.3 m NC Spinifex longifolius 5% 0.6 m OS02‐13 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.3 m OS08‐02 Threlkeldia diffusa + 0.4 m OS08‐05 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS02‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.5 m OS02‐08






MGA Zone 50 303925 mE 7606326 mN

Habitat Sand Dunes

Vegetation Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata over Low Scattered

Shrubs of Tephrosia gardneri and Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora over Very Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris, Eulalia aurea and Whiteochloa airoides.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspcet: N Bare ground: 60% Litter cover: 1% Logs; 7% Twigs; 10% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species,

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Abutilon aff. dioicum + 0.7 m OS05‐06 Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 27% 2 m OS05‐01 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.3 m OS01‐15 *Cenchrus ciliaris 5% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.6 m OS01‐04 Eulalia aurea + 0.5 m OS05‐07 Euphorbia myrtoides OUT 0.2 m OS01‐03 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata 3% 1 m OS01‐09 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.6 m OS05‐04 Spinifex longifolius + 0.6 m OS01‐21 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.3 m OS05‐02 Threlkeldia diffusa + 0.4 m OS01‐22 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.2 m OS01‐02 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.5 m OS01‐14






MGA Zone 50 304061 mE 7606086 mN

Habitat Sand Dune


Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea, Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Rhagodia

preissii subsp. obovata over Low Scattered Shrubs of Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum and

Tephrosia gardneri over Very Open Hummock Grassland of Spinifex longifolius over Open Hummock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbs of Euphorbia alsiniflora.


Fire Age Old

Notes Bare ground: 70% Litter cover: + Logs; 2% Twigs; 10% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Rubbish, Clearing.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 7% 2 OS02‐01 *Aerva javanica NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 15% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 2% <0.5 m OS02‐09 Cullen martinii + 1 m OS08‐01 Euphorbia alsiniflora 5% 0.3 m OS02‐04 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 1 m OS08‐04 Spinifex longifolius 5% 0.6 m OS02‐13 Tephrosia gardneri 1% 0.3 m OS08‐02 Threlkeldia diffusa + 0.5 m OS08‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum 1% 0.7 m OS02‐08






MGA Zone 50 304916 mE 7605003 mN

Habitat Undulating Sand Plain

Soil Red Brown Sandy Loam

Rock Type Limestone

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Pimelea ammocharis over Low Open Shrubland

of Scaevola spinescens, Acacia stellaticeps, Indigofera monophylla and Diplopeltis eriocarpa over Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Scattered Tussock Grasses of Sorghum plumosum,

*Cenchrus ciliaris and Aristida holathera var. holathera.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: Slightly SW Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; 1% Twigs; 1% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Nearby Tracks.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia bivenosa OUT NC Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 1% 1 m OS12‐06 Acacia stellaticeps 3% 0.4 m NC Acacia trachycarpa 2 m NC *Aerva javanica + 0.7 m NC Aristida holathera var. holathera + 0.3 m OS12‐13 Bonamia linearis + CR OS22‐04 Cassytha capillaris + CR OS02‐14 *Cenchrus ciliaris + 0.4 m NC Diplopeltis eriocarpa 1% 0.3 m OS12‐08 Goodenia microptera + 0.2 m OS12‐12 Indigofera monophylla 1% 0.4 m OS12‐02 Maireana lobiflora + 0.3 m OS12‐04 Pimelea ammocharis 1% 1 m OS12‐05 Ptilotus exaltatus OUT NC Scaevola sericophylla + 0.5 m OS12‐07 Scaevola spinescens 4% 0.6. m OS12‐01 Solanum lasiophyllum OUT OS10‐03 Sorghum plumosum 1% 1.5 m OS12‐10 Striga curviflora + 0.3 m OS12‐11 *Tribulus terrestris OUT OS02‐05 Triodia epactia 65% 0.5 m OS12‐03 Whiteochloa airoides OUT OS12‐14






MGA Zone 50 305332 mE 7604619 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps,

Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa, Pityrodia loxocarpa, Scaevola sericophylla and Trichodesma

zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock

Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbs of Cassytha capillaris.

Veg Condition Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: N, NW Bare ground: 20% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; ‐ Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Nearby Tracks.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 2% 1.2 m OS13‐07 Acacia stellaticeps 4% 0.7 m OS01‐08 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa 2% 0.7 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica + 0.4 m NC Cassytha capillaris 5% CR OS13‐04 *Cenchrus ciliaris 10% 0.4 m NC Euphorbia alsiniflora + 0.5 m OS13‐08 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.3 m OS13‐05 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.2 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea + 0.1 m OS01‐10 Indigofera linifolia + 0.1 m OS01‐17 Maireana lobiflora + 0.2 m OS13‐01 Olearia axillaris + 0.4 m OS13‐03 Pityrodia loxocarpa 1% 0.4 m OS01‐20 Scaevola sericophylla 1% 0.4 m OS13‐02 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.4 m OS10‐03 * Prosopis glandulosa + 0.1 m OS09‐17 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum 1% 0.6 m OS01‐02 Tricoryne corynothecoides + 0.4 m OS01‐18 Triodia epactia 25% 0.3 m OS13‐06 Whiteochloa airoides 1% 0.5 m OS01‐14




Described by CS Date 14/05/2011 Type Q 50x50


MGA Zone 50 305250 mE 7605277 mN

Habitat Low sandy hills

Soil Red brown loamy sand

Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps,

Pityrodia loxocarpa and Scaevola sericophylla over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over

Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Veg Condition Good to Very Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: N/A Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: + Logs; 1% Twigs; 1% Lvs. Disturbance type: Weeds, rubbish, nearby tracks SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia bivenosa + 2 m NC Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 1% 1.5 m OS02.01 Acacia stellaticeps 5% 0.6 m NC *Aerva javanica + 0.5 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 50% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 1.5 m OS02.09 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.3 m OSR08.03 Indigofera colutea + 0.15 m OS02.06 Maireana lobiflora OUT OS12.04 Malvaceae sp. OUT NC Pityrodia loxocarpa 2% 0.5 m OS02.11 Scaevola sericophylla 1% 0.6 m OS14.01 Scaevola spinescens OUT NC Tephrosia rosea var. clementii + 0.2 m OS02.02 *Tribulus terrestris + Cr OS02.05 Triodia epactia 20% 0.4 m OS12.03






MGA Zone 50 304828 mE 7604561 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola spinescens and Indigofera monophylla over Closed

Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Scattered Tussock Grasses of Sorghum plumosum.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: W Bare ground: 20% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; ‐ Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Nearby Tracks.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea + 0.4 m OS05‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 1% 0.5 m OS01‐08 *Aerva javanica + 0.4 m NC Cassytha capillaris + CR OS04‐05 Diplopeltis eriocarpa + 0.2 m OS15‐01 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.1 m OS01‐03 Indigofera monophylla 1% 0.5 m OSJS08 Pimelea ammocharis + 0.6 m OSJS09 Scaevola spinescens 1% 0.5 m OS04‐01 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.3 m OS10‐03 Sorghum plumosum 1% 1.2 m OS15‐03 Triodia epactia 80% 0.3 m OS13‐06






MGA Zone 50 305195 mE 7605017 mN

Habitat Low Sand Hill

Soil Light Brown Sand Hill

Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea, Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa and Rhagodia

preissii subsp. obovata over Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola spinescens and Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda over Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris, Sorghum plumosum and Whiteochloa airoides.


Fire Age Old

Notes Bare ground: 40% Litter cover: + Logs; + Twigs; 1% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Nearby Tracks, Rubbish

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 1% 1.5 m OS02‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 5% 0.7 m NC Acacia tetragonophylla + 1.2 m OS16‐04 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 1.5 m OSR08‐05 *Aerva javanica + 0.6 m NC Cassytha capillaris + CR OS02‐14 *Cenchrus ciliaris 15% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 1.5 m OS02‐09 Euphorbia alsiniflora + 0.3 m OS02‐04 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda 1% 0.3 m OSR08‐03 Indigofera monophylla OS12‐02 Indigofera trita OS16‐05 Pityrodia loxocarpa 1% 0.4 m OS02‐11 Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides + 0.4 m OS16‐02 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 1 m OS08‐03 Rhynchosia minima + CR OS16‐03 Scaevola sericophylla 1% 0.7 m OS12‐07 Scaevola spinescens 2% 0.5 m OS16‐06 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.3 m OS10‐03 Sorghum plumosum 2% 1.5 m OS12‐10 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.4 m OS16‐01 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS02‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 1.5 m OS02‐08 Triodia epactia 40% 0.4 m OS12‐03 Whiteochloa airoides 1% 0.5 m OS12‐14






MGA Zone 50 305043 mE 7604205 mN

Habitat Sand Hill Crest

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Scattered Shrubs of Tephrosia rosea var.

clementii, Acacia stellaticeps and Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda over Open Hummock grassland of Triodia epactia over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: E Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; 1% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 10% 2 m OS05‐01 Acacia stellaticeps + 0.5 m OS01‐08 *Cenchrus ciliaris 40% 0.3 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.4 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.1 m OS01‐03 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.4 m OS01‐11 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii 1% 0.6 m OSJS10 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.3 m OS01‐02 Tricoryne corynothecoides + 0.2 m OS01‐18 Triodia epactia 10% 0.3 m OS13‐06 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.7 m OS01‐14






MGA Zone 50 304246 mE 7603332 mN

Habitat Sandplain

Soil Red Brown Sandy Loam

Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia tetragonophylla, Hakea lorea subsp. lorea, Acacia bivenosa and Acacia

trudgeniana over Low Open Shrubland of Indigofera monophylla, Pimelea ammocharis, Ptilotus axillaris,

Scaevola spinescens, Scaevola pulchella and Acacia tetragonophylla over Hummock Grassland Triodia

epactia over Tussock Grassland of Aristida holathera var. holathera, *Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum

decompositum.


Notes Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: + Logs; 1% Twigs; 1% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species. Fencing, Near the Highway

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia bivenosa + 1.5 m NC Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea + 1 m OS02‐01 Acacia stellaticeps + 0.4 m NC Acacia tetragonophylla 1% 1 m OS18‐12 Acacia trudgeniana + 2.5 m OS18‐02 *Aerva javanica + 0.6 m NC Aristida holathera var. holathera 30% 0.5 m OS18‐04 Bonamia linearis + CR OS22‐04 Bonamia rosea + 0.3 m OS18‐18 Cassytha capillaris + CR OS02‐14 *Cenchrus ciliaris 10% 0.4 m NC Eriachne mucronata 1% 0.35 m OS18‐10 Euphorbia alsiniflora + 0.3 m OS02‐04 Euphorbia boophthona + 0.4 m OS18‐17 Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx + CR OS18‐01 Goodenia microptera + 0.3 m OS12‐12 Gossypium australe + 0.6 m OS18‐16 Hakea lorea subsp. lorea + 1m OS18‐19 Indigofera monophylla 2% 0.5 m OS12‐02 Indigofera trita + 0.2 m OS18‐07 Melhania oblongifolia + 0.25 m OS18‐09 Olearia axillaris + 0.3m OS18.19 Panicum decompositum 1% 0.7 m OS18‐03 Pimelea ammocharis 1% 0.5 m OS12‐05 Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides + 0.4m OS16‐02 Ptilotus axillaris 1% 0.3 m OSCS39 Ptilotus exaltatus + 0.3 m NC Ptilotus macrocephalus + 0.7 m OS18‐14 Rhynchosia minima + CR OS16‐03 Sauropus trachyspermus + 0.4 m OS18‐15



Scaevola pulchella 1% 0.3 m OS18‐08 Scaevola spinescens 1% 0.5 m OS12‐01 Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla + 0.2 m OS18‐06 Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa + 1.5 m OS18‐13 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.3 m OS10‐03 * Prosopis glandulosa + 0.3 m OSR06‐01 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS02‐05 Triodia epactia 40% 0.4 m OS18‐11 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.6 m OS12‐14 Yakirra australiensis + 0.25 m OS18‐05






MGA Zone 50 304650 mE 7603837 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii over Low

Open Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata and Tephrosia gardneri over

Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Open Herbs of Euphorbia myrtoides.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: W Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: + Logs; 1% Twigs; 1% Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species. Fencing, Near the Highway

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 5% 2 m OS05‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 2% 0.4 m OS01‐08 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.5 m OS01‐15 Cassytha capillaris + CR OS04‐05 *Cenchrus ciliaris 10% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 1 m OS01‐04 Cullen martinii + 0.2 m OS19‐01 Euphorbia myrtoides 12% 0.3 m OS13‐05 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.3 m OS01‐11 Pityrodia loxocarpa 1% 0.4 m OS01‐20 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 0.5 m OS01‐09 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.2 m OS10‐03 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.4 m OS19‐02 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii + 0.4 m OSJS10 *Tribulus terrestris 1% CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.6 m OS01‐02






MGA Zone 50 305144 mE 7605532 mN

Habitat Sandplain

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Tall Open Shrubland of * Tamarix aphylla over Low Open Shrubland of Tephrosia rosea var. clementii and Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Tussock

Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbs of *Aerva javanica.

Veg Condition Good ‐ Degraded

Fire Age Old

Notes Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Track, Rubbish, Clearing.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea + 0.6 m OS05‐01 Acacia stellaticeps + 0.5 m OS01‐08 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.6 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica 2% 0.4 m NC Cassytha capillaris + CR OS04‐05 *Cenchrus ciliaris 50% 0.3 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 1% 0.4 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.1 m OS01‐03 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.2 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea + 0.1 m OS01‐10 Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis + CR OS01‐06 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.3 m OS05‐03 Scaevola sericophylla + 0.3 m OS13‐02 * Tamarix aphylla 2% 4 m OS20‐02 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii 2% 0.5 m OS20‐01 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.4 m OS01‐02 Triodia epactia 20% 0.4 m OS13‐06






MGA Zone 50 304533 mE 7604167 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa, Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and Scaevola sericophylla over Very Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Scattered Herbs of *Aerva javanica.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: W Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea OUT 1.8 m OS05‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 20% 0.6 m OS01‐08 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.5 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica 1% 0.6 m NC Aristida holathera var. holathera + 0.3 m OS21‐03 Bonamia linearis + CR OS21‐04 *Cenchrus ciliaris 15% 0.3 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.4 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.2 m OS13‐05 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.3 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea + 0.1 m OS01‐10 Maireana lobiflora + 0.6 m OS13‐01 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 0.2 m OS01‐09 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.2 m OS21‐02 Scaevola sericophylla + 0.1 m OS13‐02 Sida clementii + 0.3 m OS21‐01 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.4 m OS10‐03 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.4 m OS01‐02 Triodia epactia 3% 0.3 m OS13‐06 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.5 m OS01‐14






MGA Zone 50 304405 mE 7603846 mN

Habitat Sand Plain

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa over Low

Open Shrubland over Acacia stellaticeps, Solanum lasiophyllum, Scaevola crassifolia, Scaevola sericophylla and Solanum lasiophyllum over open Hummock grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.


Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: W Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 1% 1.5 m OS05‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 2% 0.5 m OS01‐08 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa 1% 1 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica + 0.5 m NC Bonamia linearis + 0.1 m OS23‐01 Cassytha capillaris + CR OS13‐04 *Cenchrus ciliaris 10% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 1% 0.7 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia boophthona + 0.4 m OS23‐06 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.2 m OS01‐03 Gyrostemon ramulosus OUT 1.2 m OS23‐09 Hannafordia quadrivalvis subsp. recurva 50 0.3 m OSJS12 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.3 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea + 0.2 m OS01‐10 Indigofera trita + 0.3 m OS23‐05 Pimelea ammocharis + 0.6 m OSJS09 Pityrodia loxocarpa + 0.2 m OS01‐20 Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides + 0.3 m OS04‐02 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 0.7 m OS23‐08 Rhynchosia minima + CR OS23‐04 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.4 m OS23‐03 Scaevola crassifolia 1% 0.6 m OS01‐24 Scaevola sericophylla 1% 0.6 m OS13‐02 Sida rohlenae subsp. rohlenae + 0.4 m OS23‐07 Solanum lasiophyllum 1% 0.6 m OS10‐03 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.3 m OS01‐02 Tricoryne corynothecoides + 0.5 m OS01‐18 *Triodia epactia 20% 0.3 m OS13‐06 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.6 m OS01‐14






MGA Zone 50 304277 mE 7605432 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea, Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii and

Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum over Low Scattered Shrubs of Indigofera colutea, Rhagodia

preissii subsp. obovata, Tephrosia rosea var. clementii, Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa and Scaevola sericophylla over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbs of *Aerva javanica.

Veg Condition Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: E Bare ground: 30% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Nearby Track, Rubbish.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 5% 2 m OS26‐02 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.6 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica 2% 0.6 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 30% 0.3 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 1 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.1 m OS01‐03 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.2 m OS01‐11 Indigofera colutea + 0.1 m OS01‐10 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 0.6 m OS01‐09 Scaevola sericophylla + 0.5 m OS13‐02 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii + 0.4 m OSJS13 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 1 m OS01‐02 Tricoryne corynothecoides + 0.3 m OS01‐18 Triodia epactia 20% 0.4 m OS26‐01






MGA Zone 50 304493 mE 7605107 mN

Habitat Sand Dune

Soil Red Brown Sand

Vegetation Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Scattered Shrubs of Crotalaria cunninghamii

subsp. sturtii, Scaevola sericophylla, Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa and Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Veg Condition Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Aspect: N Bare ground: 20% Litter cover: ‐ Logs; + Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Nearby Track, Rubbish.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 10% 2 m OS26‐02 Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + 0.6 m OS01‐15 *Aerva javanica + 0.4 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 25% 0.3 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.6 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.1 m OS01‐03 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.3 m OS01‐11 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + 0.5 m OS01‐09 Scaevola sericophylla + 0.5 m OS13‐02 Solanum phlomoides + 0.4 m OS28‐01 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.5 m OS28‐02 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.3 m OS01‐02 Triodia epactia 15% 0.4 m OS26‐01






MGA Zone 50 304607 mE 7604820 mN

Habitat Low Sand Dune

Soil Light brown Sand

Rock Type Limestone

Vegetation Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii over Low

Open Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa and Scaevola sericophylla over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of Sorghum plumosum and *Cenchrus ciliaris over Scattered Herbs of Cassytha capillaris.

Veg Condition Good ‐ Very Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Bare ground: 60% Litter cover: + Logs; 2% Twigs; + Lvs. Disturbance type: Introduced Species, Old Track, Rubbish

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea + 1.5 m OS02‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 5% 0.5 m NC Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa 1% 0.6 m OSR08‐05 Aerva javanica + 0.5 m NC Bonamia linearis + CR OS22‐04 Cassytha capillaris 1% CR OS02‐14 *Cenchrus ciliaris 5% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 1 m OS02‐09 Diplopeltis eriocarpa + 0.3 m OS12‐08 Euphorbia alsiniflora 1% 0.3 m OS02‐04 Euphorbia boophthona + 0.3 m OS18‐17 Goodenia microptera + 0.3 m OS12‐12 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.4 m OSR08‐03 Indigofera monophylla OUT OS12‐02 Pimelea ammocharis + 0.5 m OS12‐05 Rhynchosia minima + CR OS16‐03 Scaevola sericophylla 1% 0.5 m OS12‐07 Solanum lasiophyllum + 0.4 m OS10‐03 Sorghum plumosum 10% 1.5 m OS12‐10 Striga curviflora + 0.3 m OS30‐02 Triodia epactia 20% 0.3 m OS30‐01 Whiteochloa airoides + 0.7 m OS12‐14



Onslow Town Site OSR01

Described by JS Date 13/05/2011 Type R


MGA Zone 50 304334 mE 7605750 mN

Habitat Low Hill/ Sand Dune

Soil Red Sand

Vegetation Open Shrubland of Acacia trachycarpa, Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea and Acacia sclerosperma subsp. sclerosperma over Low Open Shrubland of Tephrosia rosea var. clementii, Indigofera colutea, Pityrodia loxocarpa and Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii over Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Very Open Herbs of *Aerva javanica.

Veg Condition Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Disturbance‐ Introduced Species, Tracks.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 1% 2 m OS05‐01 Acacia sclerosperma subsp. sclerosperma + 1 m OSR01‐02 Acacia trachycarpa 2% 2 m OSR01‐01 *Aerva javanica 2% 0.5 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 40% 0.5 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.5 m OS01‐04 Euphorbia myrtoides + 0.1 m OS01‐03 Indigofera colutea + 0.3 m OS01‐10 Pityrodia loxocarpa + 0.4 m OS01‐20 Tephrosia rosea var. clementii 1% 0.6 m OPJS02 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OS01‐05 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.7 m OS01‐02 Triodia epactia 4% 0.3 m OS01‐01




Described by CS Date 13/05/2011 Type R


MGA Zone 50 305868 mE 7605274 mN

Habitat Wet Depression

Soil Brown Loamy Clay

Vegetation Low Shrubland of Tecticornia auriculata, Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis and Frankenia ambita

over Open Tussock Grassland of Eragrostis pergracilis and Sporobolus virginicus.


Fire Age Old

Notes Disturbance‐ Nearby Introduced Species, Altered Drainage.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Eragrostis pergracilis 5% 0.2 m OSR02‐03 Frankenia ambita + 0.2 m OSR02‐06 Sporobolus virginicus 5% 0.4 m OSR02‐07 Tecticornia auriculata 8% 0.3 m OSR02‐01 Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis 8% 0.3 m OSR02‐02






MGA Zone 50 304484 mE 7605858 mN

Habitat Sand Plain


Vegetation Low Open Woodland of *Tamarix aphylla over Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Very Open hummock grassland of Triodia epactia over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Veg Condition Degraded‐ Completely Degraded

Fire Age Old

Notes Disturbance‐ Introduced Species, Clearing, Tracks, Rubbish.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 10% 2 m OS02‐01 *Aerva javanica + 1 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 20% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.6 m OS02‐09 Eucalyptus camaldulensis OSCS10 Out of Plot Euphorbia alsiniflora + 0.3 m OS02‐04 Indigofera colutea + 0.4 m OS02.06 Pityrodia loxocarpa + 0.5 m OS02‐11 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.4 m OS02‐10 * Tamarix aphylla 5% 8 m OSR04‐03 Tecoma stans OSR04‐05 Out of Plot Tephrosia gardneri + 0.4 m OS08‐02 Terminalia hadleyana OSR04‐04 Out of Plot Threlkeldia diffusa + 0.4 m OS08‐05 *Tribulus terrestris + CR OSR02‐05 Triodia epactia 5% 0.4 m OSR04‐01






MGA Zone 50 303991 mE 7602809 mN

Habitat Salt Flats

Soil Red Brown Clay Loam

Vegetation Low Shrubland of Tecticornia auriculata, Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis and Atriplex semilunaris

over Very Open Tussock Grassland of Eragrostis falcata.

Veg Condition Degraded ‐ Good

Fire Age Old

Notes Disturbance‐ introduced Species, Rubbish, Tracks

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Atriplex semilunaris + 0.3 m OSR05‐06 Eragrostis falcata 6% 0.3 m OSR05‐05 *Prosopis glandulosa + 1 m OSCS05 Tecticornia auriculata 12% 0.4 m OSR05‐01 Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis 2% 0.3 m OSR05‐02




Described by Date 13/05/2011 Type R


MGA Zone 50 304839 mE 7605451 mN

Habitat Sand Plain


Vegetation Low Open Woodland of Eucalyptus camaldulensis over Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii, Acacia trachycarpa and Acacia ampliceps over Low Open Shrubland of *Stylosanthes hamata over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris.

Veg Condition Degraded

Fire Age Very Old

Notes Disturbance‐ Drainage diverting water into the site from the road, Introduced Species, Tracks

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Acacia ampliceps + 1.5 m OSCS06 Acacia trachycarpa + 1 m NC *Aerva javanica + 0.6 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 60% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 3% 1 m OS02‐09 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 2% 7 m OSCS10 *Stylosanthes hamata 10% 0.5 m OSR06‐01






MGA Zone 50 304899 mE 7605282 mN

Habitat Sand Dune


Vegetation Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea over Low Open Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps and

Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris over Scattered Herbs of *Aerva javanica.

Veg Condition Good ‐ Degraded

Fire Age Very Old

Notes Disturbance‐ Introduced Species, Rubbish, Clearing.

SPECIES LIST:

Name Cover Height Specimen Notes Abutilon aff. dioicum + 1 m OSR08‐02 Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 10% 2 m OSR08‐01 Acacia stellaticeps 5% 0.6 m NC Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa OUT OSR08‐05 *Aerva javanica 1% 1 m NC *Cenchrus ciliaris 40% 0.4 m NC Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii + 0.7 m OS02‐09 Euphorbia alsiniflora + 0.3 m OS02‐04 Goodenia microptera OUT OSR08‐04 Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + 0.4 m OSR08‐03 Pityrodia loxocarpa 1% 0.4 m OS02‐11 Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides OUT OS03‐06 Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata 1% 0.7 m OS08‐04 Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + 0.3 m OS02‐10 Tephrosia gardneri + 0.3 m OS08‐02 Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 0.5 m OS02‐08



Onslow Town Site OPCOL

Type Opportunistic Collections

Location Onslow

SPECIES LIST:

Quad Name Specimen Notes

Acacia ampliceps OSCS06 305862, 7605255, 70% cover

Acacia sclerosperma subsp. sclerosperma OSCS30 305009, 7605141 Acacia synchronicia OSCS42.02 Aerva javanica NC 306443, 7605469. 2 plants, 0.5 m

*Aerva javanica NC 305177, 7605636, Population

*Aerva javanica NC 304304, 7605762, Population.

Alysicarpus muelleri OSCS52 304674, 7603360 Casuarina obesa OSCS20 304153, 7605859, 2 plants

Corchorus tectus OSCS40 304349, 7603464 Dactyloctenium radulans OSCS51 304674, 7603360 Eucalyptus camaldulensis OSCS10 305127, 7605727, 2 plants

Eucalyptus victrix OSCS42 Gyrostemon ramulosus OSCS02 306264,7605334, 5 Plants

Heliotropium ovalifolium OSCS46 Indigofera monophylla OSJS08 304908, 7604664, Population of 50

Indigofera monophylla OSJS08 305348, 76004424, Population of 20

Indigofera monophylla OSJS08 304852, 7604757, 20 Plants Melaleuca argentea OSCS19 304153, 7605859, 3 plants

Myoporum montanum OSCS21 304079, 7605640, 7 plants

Olearia axillaris OSCS23 304734, 7604973, 4 plants

Olearia axillaris OSCS23 304987, 7605295, 2 plants

Pimelea ammocharis OSJS09 304908, 7604664, Population of 50

*Prosopis glandulosa OSCS05 306049, 7605174, 60 plants

Ptilotus axillaris OSCS38 304174, 7603227, 12 plants

Ptilotus axillaris OSCS38 304124, 7603270 Senna glutinosa subsp. chatelainiana OSCS35 304992, 7604986, 3 plants

Sida clementii OSCS36 304230, 7603489, 13 plants

Sida clementii OSCS36 304320, 7603545, 10 plants

Sporobolus virginicus OSCS22 304079, 7605640, 7 plants

Stemodia sp. Onslow (A.A. Mitchell 76/148) OSCS42.01



Stemodia sp. Onslow (A.A. Mitchell 76/148) OSCS04 306100, 7605148, 2 Plants

Streptoglossa bubakii OSCS48 304674, 7603360, 1 plant

Striga curviflora OSJS07 304852, 7604757, 1 Plant

Swainsona kingii OSCS50 304674, 7603360,3 plants

Tephrosia gardneri OSCS07 305325, 7605641, 7 plants




Tephrosia gardneri OSCS56 304434, 7605073, 30+ plants

Tephrosia gardneri OSCS16 304065, 7606227, 30 plants in 5m

Tephrosia gardneri OSCS07 304987, 7605295, 1 plant


Tephrosia gardneri OSCS16 304065, 7606227, 30 plants in 15m






Tephrosia gardneri OSCS07 305232, 765693, 4 Plants

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSJS13 304248, 7605445, Population of 20 Plants Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSCS01 Population from 306422, 7605343 ‐ 305827, 7605325

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSCS31 305103, 7605289,40+ plants

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSCS31 305217, 7605335, 50 plants

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSJS02 304186, 7605806, Population of 60.

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSJS01 306148, 7605400, Population

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii OSJS10 304896, 7604177, 14 Plants

Tricoryne corynothecoides OSCS03 306127, 7605176, 3 Plants


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX G

MATRIX OF SPECIES FOUND WITHIN EACH SITE


APPENDIX G


Taxa OS01 OS02 OS03 OS04 OS05 OS06 OS07 OS08 OS12 OS13 OS14 OS15 OS16 OS17

Abutilon aff. dioicum OUT +

Abutilon lepidum

Acacia ampliceps

Acacia bivenosa OUT +

Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 3% 1% + 2% 30% 10% 27% 7% 1% 2% 1% + 1% 10%

Acacia sclerosperma subsp. sclerosperma

Acacia stellaticeps 2% + 3% 4% 5% 1% 5% +

Acacia synchronicia

Acacia tetragonophylla +

Acacia trachycarpa nc

Acacia trudgeniana

Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa + OUT + 2% +

*Aerva javanica + + + nc + + + + +

Alysicarpus muelleri

Aristida holathera var. holathera +

Atriplex semilunaris

Bonamia linearis +

Bonamia rosea

Cassytha capillaris OUT + + 5% + +

Casuarina obesa

*Cenchrus ciliaris 60% 10% 7% 70% 10% 15% 5% 15% + 10% 50% 15% 40%

Corchorus tectus

Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii 1% 15% 1% 2% OUT + + 2% + + +

Cullen martinii +

Dactyloctenium radulans

Diplopeltis eriocarpa 1% +

Dysphania rhadinostachya subsp. rhadinostachya OUT +

Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa OUT

Eragrostis falcata +

Eragrostis pergracilis

Eriachne aristidea OUT + OUT

Eriachne mucronata

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Eucalyptus victrix

Eulalia aurea + OUT +

Euphorbia alsiniflora 1% 2% 5% + +

Euphorbia boophthona

Euphorbia myrtoides + + + 1% OUT + + +

Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx

Frankenia ambita

Goodenia microptera +

Gossypium australe

Gyrostemon ramulosus

Hakea lorea subsp. lorea

J100505‐001‐CS Appendix G


APPENDIX G



Hannafordia quadrivalvis subsp. recurva

Heliotropium ovalifolium

Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda + OUT + + 1% +

Indigofera colutea + + OUT + + +

Indigofera linifolia + +

Indigofera monophylla 1% 1% nc

Indigofera trita nc

Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis + 5% 8% 1%

Lepidium platypetalum

Maireana lobiflora + + OUT

Melaleuca argentea

Melhania oblongifolia

Myoporum montanum

Neobassia astrocarpa OUT

Olearia axillaris +

Panicum decompositum

Pimelea ammocharis 1% +

Pityrodia loxocarpa OUT + 1% 2% 1%

Pluchea sp. B Kimberley Flora (K.F. Kenneally 9526A) +

*Prosopis glandulosa

Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides + + +

Ptilotus axillaris

Ptilotus exaltatus OUT

Ptilotus macrocephalus

Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata + OUT 2% 1% 3% + +

Rhynchosia minima +

Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora + + 1% + +

Sauropus trachyspermus

Scaevola crassifolia OUT + OUT

Scaevola pulchella

Scaevola sericophylla + 1% 1% 1%

Scaevola spinescens 1% 4% OUT 1% +

Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla

Senna glutinosa subsp. chatelainiana

Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa

Sida clementii

Sida fibulifera OUT

Sida rohlenae subsp. rohlenae

Solanum lasiophyllum OUT + + +

Solanum phlomoides

Sorghum plumosum 1% 1% 2%

Spinifex longifolius OUT + 10% + 5% + 5%

Sporobolus virginicus

Stemodia sp. Onslow (A.A. Mitchell 76/148)



APPENDIX G



Streptoglossa bubakii

Striga curviflora +

Stylobasium spathulatum

*Stylosanthes hamata +

Swainsona kingii

Swainsona pterostylis +

*Tamarix aphylla

*Tecoma stans

Tecticornia auriculata +

Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. tenuis

Tephrosia gardneri + + + 1% +

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii 1% 3% + + 1%

Terminalia hadleyana

Threlkeldia diffusa OUT + + + + +

*Tribulus terrestris + + 1% 3% + OUT + + + +

Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum + 1% + + + + + 1% 1% + +

Tricoryne corynothecoides + + + +

Triodia epactia 30% 30% 5% 65% 25% 20% 80% 40% 10%

Triraphis mollis +

Whiteochloa airoides + + OUT + OUT 1% 1% +

Yakirra australiensis



APPENDIX G


Taxa

Abutilon aff. dioicum

Abutilon lepidum

Acacia ampliceps

Acacia bivenosa

Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea


Acacia stellaticeps

Acacia synchronicia

Acacia tetragonophylla

Acacia trachycarpa

Acacia trudgeniana

Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa

*Aerva javanica


Aristida holathera var. holathera


Bonamia linearis

Bonamia rosea

Cassytha capillaris

Casuarina obesa

*Cenchrus ciliaris

Corchorus tectus

Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii

Cullen martinii


Diplopeltis eriocarpa

Dysphania rhadinostachya subsp. rhadinostachya

Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa

Eragrostis falcata


Eriachne aristidea

Eriachne mucronata


Eucalyptus victrix

Eulalia aurea

Euphorbia alsiniflora


Euphorbia myrtoides


Frankenia ambita

Goodenia microptera

Gossypium australe

Gyrostemon ramulosus

Hakea lorea subsp. lorea

OS18 OS19 OS20 OS21 OS23 OS26 OS28 OS30 OSR01 OSR02 OSR04 OSR05 OSR06 OSR08 OPCOL

+

nc

+ nc

+

+ 5% + OUT 1% 5% 10% + 1% 10% 10%

+ nc

+ 2% + 20% 2% 5% 5%

nc

1%

2% +

+

+ + + 1% + + 1% OUT

+ 2% 1% + 2% + + 2% + + 1% nc

+ nc

30% +

+

+ + + +

+

+ + + + 1%

nc

10% 10% 50% 15% 10% 30% 25% 5% 40% 20% 60% 40%

nc

+ 1% + 1% + + + + + 3% +

+

nc

+

6%

5%

1%

nc 2% nc

nc

+ 1% + +

+ + +

12% + + + + + +

+

+

+ + OUT

+

OUT nc

+



APPENDIX G


Taxa


Heliotropium ovalifolium

Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda

Indigofera colutea

Indigofera linifolia

Indigofera monophylla

Indigofera trita

Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis

Lepidium platypetalum

Maireana lobiflora

Melaleuca argentea


Myoporum montanum

Neobassia astrocarpa

Olearia axillaris


Pimelea ammocharis

Pityrodia loxocarpa

Pluchea sp. B Kimberley Flora (K.F. Kenneally 9526A)


Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides

Ptilotus axillaris

Ptilotus exaltatus


Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata

Rhynchosia minima

Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora

Sauropus trachyspermus

Scaevola crassifolia

Scaevola pulchella

Scaevola sericophylla

Scaevola spinescens



Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa

Sida clementii

Sida fibulifera


Solanum lasiophyllum

Solanum phlomoides

Sorghum plumosum

Spinifex longifolius


Stemodia sp. Onslow (A.A. Mitchell 76/148)


+ nc

nc

+ + + + + + + +

+ + + + + +

2% OUT nc

+ +

+

nc

+

nc

+

nc

+ nc

1%

1% + + nc

1% + + + 1%

+ nc

+ + OUT

1% nc

+

+

+ + + + + 1%

+ + +

+ + + + +

+

1%

1%

+ + 1% + + 1%

1% nc

+

nc

+

+ nc

+

+ + + 1% +

+

10%

5% nc

nc



APPENDIX G


Taxa


Striga curviflora

Stylobasium spathulatum

*Stylosanthes hamata

Swainsona kingii

Swainsona pterostylis

*Tamarix aphylla

*Tecoma stans

Tecticornia auriculata


Tephrosia gardneri

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii

Terminalia hadleyana

Threlkeldia diffusa

*Tribulus terrestris

Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum

Tricoryne corynothecoides

Triodia epactia

Triraphis mollis

Whiteochloa airoides



nc

+ nc

nc

+ 10%

nc

2% 5%

nc

8% 12%

8% 2%

+ + + + nc

+ 2% + 1% nc

nc

+

+ 1% + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + +

+ + nc

40% 20% 3% 20% 20% 15% 20% 4% 5%

+ + + +

+



J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX H

FLORA INVENTORY


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix H

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX H

SPECIES INVENTORY

Family Taxa

*Aerva javanica

Ptilotus axillaris

Ptilotus exaltatus

Amaranthaceae


Olearia axillaris

Pluchea sp. B Kimberley Flora (K.F. Kenneally 9526A)

Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides

Asteraceae


Bignoniaceae *Tecoma stans

Heliotropium ovalifolium Boraginaceae

Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum

Brassicaceae Lepidium platypetalum

Casuarinaceae Casuarina obesa


Dysphania rhadinostachya subsp. rhadinostachya

Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa

Maireana lobiflora

Neobassia astrocarpa

Rhagodia preissii subsp. obovata

Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora

Tecticornia auriculata


Chenopodiaceae

Threlkeldia diffusa

Chloanthaceae Pityrodia loxocarpa

Combretaceae Terminalia hadleyana

Bonamia linearis

Bonamia rosea


Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea pes‐caprae subsp. brasiliensis

Adriana tomentosa var. tomentosa

Euphorbia alsiniflora


Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia myrtoides

Acacia ampliceps

Acacia bivenosa

Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea


Acacia stellaticeps

Acacia synchronicia

Acacia tetragonophylla

Acacia trachycarpa

Acacia trudgeniana


Fabaceae

Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii



Family Taxa

Cullen martinii

Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda

Indigofera colutea

Indigofera linifolia

Indigofera monophylla

Indigofera trita


Rhynchosia minima



Senna glutinosa subsp. pruinosa


Swainsona kingii

Swainsona pterostylis

Tephrosia gardneri

Fabaceae

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii

Frankeniaceae Frankenia ambita

Goodenia microptera

Scaevola crassifolia

Scaevola pulchella

Scaevola sericophylla

Goodeniaceae

Scaevola spinescens

Gyrostemonaceae Gyrostemon ramulosus

Hemerocallidaceae Tricoryne corynothecoides

Lauraceae Cassytha capillaris

Abutilon aff. dioicum

Abutilon lepidum

Corchorus tectus

Gossypium australe



Sida clementii

Sida fibulifera

Malvaceae


Myoporaceae Myoporum montanum


Eucalyptus victrix

Myrtaceae

Melaleuca argentea

Phyllanthaceae Sauropus trachyspermus

Plantaginaceae Stemodia sp. Onslow (A.A. Mitchell 76/148)

Aristida holathera var. holathera

*Cenchrus ciliaris


Eragrostis falcata


Eriachne aristidea

Eriachne mucronata

Eulalia aurea


Poaceae

Sorghum plumosum



Family Taxa

Spinifex longifolius


Triodia epactia

Triraphis mollis

Whiteochloa airoides

Poaceae


Proteaceae Hakea lorea subsp. lorea

Sapindaceae Diplopeltis eriocarpa

Scrophulariaceae Striga curviflora

Solanum lasiophyllum Solanaceae

Solanum phlomoides

Surianaceae Stylobasium spathulatum

Tamaricaceae *Tamarix aphylla

Thymelaeaceae Pimelea ammocharis

Zygophyllaceae *Tribulus terrestris


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX I

LOCATION OF INTRODUCED FLORA


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix I

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX I

LOCATION OF INTRODUCED FLORA

Taxa Site Number #Easting #Northing

OPCOL 306443 7605469

OPCOL 304304 7605762

OPCOL 305177 7605636

OS01 305834 7605465

OS03 306250 7605509

OS05 304176 7606607

OS08 304061 7606086

OS12 304916 7605003

OS13 305332 7604619

OS14 305250 7605277

OS15 304828 7604561

OS16 305195 7605017

OS18 304246 7603332

OS20 305144 7605532

OS21 304533 7604167

OSR01 304334 7605750

OSR04 304484 7605858

OSR06 304839 7605451

OSR08 304899 7605282

OS23 304405 7603846

OS26 304277 7605432

*Aerva javanica

OS28 304493 7605107

OS01 305834 7605465

OS02 306113 7605379

*Cenchrus ciliaris

OS03 306250 7605509




OS04 305256 7605662

OS05 304176 7606607

OS06 304127 7606315

OS07 303925 7606326

OS08 304061 7606086

OS12 304916 7605003

OS13 305332 7604619

OS14 305250 7605277

OS16 305195 7605017

OS17 305043 7604205

OS18 304246 7603332

OS19 304650 7603837

OS20 305144 7605532

OS21 304533 7604167

OSR01 304334 7605750

OSR04 304484 7605858

OSR06 304839 7605451

OSR08 304899 7605282

OS23 304405 7603846

OS26 304277 7605432

*Cenchrus ciliaris

OS28 304493 7605107

OPCOL 306049 7605174 *Prosopis glandulosa

OSR05 303991 7602809

OS13 305332 7604619

OS18 304246 7603332


OSR06 304839 7605451

OS20 305144 7605532

OSR04 304484 7605858

*Tamarix aphylla

OSR04 304484 7605858




OS01 305834 7605465 *Tribulus terrestris

OS02 306113 7605379

OS04 305256 7605662

OS05 304176 7606607

OS06 304127 7606315

OS12 304916 7605003

OS13 305332 7604619

OS14 305250 7605277

OS16 305195 7605017

OS17 305043 7604205

OS18 304246 7603332

OS19 304650 7603837

OS20 305144 7605532

OS21 304533 7604167

OSR01 304334 7605750

OSR04 304484 7605858

OS26 304277 7605432

*Tribulus terrestris

OS28 304493 7605107

# WGS 84, Zone 50K


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX J

DENDROGRAM


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix J


APPENDIX J

DENDROGRAM

Vegetation data from Onslow Townsite Strategy Flora and Vegetation assessment was analysed

to determine vegetation associations.

Quadrat percentage cover data was then transformed (presence/absence) to improve normality

and reduce the influence of different botanists whose cover value estimates are likely not to

have be normally distributed (i.e. skewed to high and low end of distribution curve). Whilst,

normality is less important in multivariate statistics, the underlying assumptions of normal

distribution are still a requisite.

Once data was treated, a similarity matrix based on Bray‐Curtis similarities was computed using

Primer‐E version 6.1.5 (2006). Using this similarity matrix, a dendrogram was then computed,

using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis. The dendrogram was checked and found to be

less than satisfactory. Delineation of vegetation associations was based primarily on the results

field observations with cross checks of the dendrogram.

Overall, the results of the statical analysis differ from the field observation vegetation mapping.

The impact of the disturbances particularly the high number and cover of introduced species is

considered to have reduce the accuracy of the statical analysis. The introduced species are

considered to have displaced native species in the understorey of vegetation. Thus, changing

species composition and adding complexity to the delineation of native vegetation associations.


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix J

Dendrogram of Onslow Townsite Strategy Quadrats Based on Species Presence/ Absence


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX K

HABITAT ASSESSMENT DATA SHEETS


J100505‐001 CS11.095 Appendix K Fauna habitat data sheets Complete

ONSLOW TOWNSITE STRATEGY FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT APPENDIX K

HABITAT ASSESSMENT DATA SHEETS

Habitat Assessment ‐ HA 1

Broad Fauna Habitat: Beach, Shrubland on dune behind beach

UTM Co‐ordinates 50 304973 Easting, 7604084 Northing

Habitat Value: Moderate

Total Area of Habitat: 229.02 ha Proportion of Project Area: 68.6%

Habitat Structure and Microhabitats Aspect: South Exfoliating Slabs: None Soils: Red sand Surface rocks: Small: Nill Large: Nill Boulders: None Tree Hollows: Small: None Large: None Cracks: None Caves: None Crevices: None Cliffs : None Suitability for bats: Nil Litter Cover: 5% Leaf litter , 0% Woody Debris, 15% Bare Ground

Vegetation Stratum Vegetation Species Cover Height Overstory Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 2‐10% 2 m Midstory Low Shrubs of Tephrosia gardneri, Scaevola crassifolia and

Trichodesma zeylanicum var. zeylanicum 2‐10% 1 m

Ground Cover Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris 30‐70% 0.3 m Condition Rating: Good Disturbance: Weeds

Fire Age Old




Broad Fauna Habitat: Shrubland


Habitat Value: Moderate


Habitat Structure and Microhabitats Aspect: North West Exfoliating Slabs: None Soils: Red Sand Surface rocks: Small: None Large: None Boulders: None Tree Hollows: Small: none Large: None Cracks: None Caves: None Crevices: None Cliffs : None Suitability for bats: Nil Litter Cover: 10% Leaf litter , 0% Woody Debris, 10% Bare Ground

Vegetation Stratum Vegetation Species Cover Height Overstory Scattered Shrubs of Shrubland of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea,

Acacia tetragonophylla and Acacia bivenosa. 2% 2 m

Midstory Low Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Scaevola sericophylla, Indigofera boviperda subsp. boviperda and Pityrodia loxocarpa

2% 1 m

Ground Cover Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris

30‐70% 0.3 m

Condition Rating: Very Good Disturbance: Weeds, Tracks

Fire Age Old




Broad Fauna Habitat: Shrubland


Habitat Value: Low


Habitat Structure and Microhabitats Aspect: North East Exfoliating Slabs: None Soils: Red Sand Surface rocks: Small: None Large: None Boulders: None Tree Hollows: Small: None Large: None Cracks: None Caves: None Crevices: None Cliffs : None Suitability for bats: Nil Litter Cover: 10% Leaf litter , 0% Woody Debris, 10% Bare Ground

Vegetation Stratum Vegetation Species Cover Height Overstory Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 2% 2 m Midstory Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii,

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii, Scaevola crassifolia, Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora and Indigofera sp.

2% 1 m

Ground Cover Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius and Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris

30‐70% 0.3 m

Condition Rating: Good Disturbance: Weeds

Fire Age Moderate




Broad Fauna Habitat: Coastal Dune/ Beach


Habitat Value: Low


Habitat Structure and Microhabitats Aspect: N/A Exfoliating Slabs: None Soils: Beach Sand Surface rocks: Small: None Large: None Boulders: None Tree Hollows: Small: None Large: None Cracks: None Caves: None Crevices: None Cliffs : None Suitability for bats: Nil Litter Cover: + Leaf litter , 0% Woody Debris, 80% Bare Ground

Vegetation Stratum Vegetation Species Cover Height Overstory Scattered Shrubs of Acacia coriacea subsp. coriacea 2% 2 m Midstory Low Open Shrubland of Crotalaria cunninghamii subsp. sturtii,

Tephrosia rosea var. clementii, Scaevola crassifolia, Salsola tragus subsp. grandiflora and Indigofera sp.

2% 1 m

Ground Cover Hummock Grassland of Triodia epactia and Spinifex longifolius and Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris

30‐70% 0.3 m

Condition Rating: Excellent Disturbance: Weeds, Rubbish

Fire Age Very Old


J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX L

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT

VERTEBRATE FAUNA

LANDCORP –Onslow Townsite Strategy Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX L

Previously Recorded Fauna Species

AMPHIBIANSScientific Name Common Name EPBC WC DEC A B C D E F

Cyclorana maini Sheep Frog x x

Litora caerulea Green Tree Frog xLitoria rubella Little Red Tree Frog x x

Neobatrachus aquilonius Northern Burrowing Frog x x

Notaden nichollsi Desert Spadefrog x x

[X] fauna species recorded from the project area.

[*] denotes introduced species.

L1: AMPHIBIAN SPECIES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED IN THE REGION

APPENDIX L

LIMNODYNASTIDAE

HYLIDAE

Key: EPBC = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, WC = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, DEC = Department of Conservation Priority

Code, A = Listed in Naturemap (2011), B= EPBC protected matters search tool (DSEWPaC 2011) C = Listed by Birds Australia (2010), D= DEC Protected Matters

Search E= Previously recorded from surveys within 50 km, F=Current Survey.

Note: For Definitions of Conservation Codes see Appendix B.

Conservation Codes

J100505‐001‐ CS Appendix L



REPTILES

Scientific Name Common Name EPBC WC DEC A B C D E F

Crocodylus porosus Salt Water Crocodile S x x

Amphibolurus gilberti gilberti x

Amphibolurus longirostris Long‐nosed Dragon x

Ctenophorus caudicinctus Ring‐tailed Rock Dragon x x

Ctenophorus femoralis Dune Dragon x

Ctenophorus isolepis Military Sand Dragon x x

Ctenophorus nuchalis Central Netted Dragon x x

Ctenophorus rubens Red Dragon x

Ctenophorus reticulatus Western Netted Dragon

Diporiphora winneckei Blue‐lined Dragon x x

Pogona minor minor Bearded Dragon x x

Diplodactylus conspicillatus Fat‐tailed Gecko x x

Diplodactylus pulcher x

Lucasium stenodactylum Pale‐snouted Ground Gecko x x

Rhynchoedura ornata Beaked Gecko x

Strophurus jeanae x x

Strophurus strophorus x x

Nephrurus levis occidentalis x x

Gehyra pilbara Pilbara Dtella x x

Gehyra punctata Spotted Rock Dtella x x

Gehyra purpurascens x

Gehyra variegata Variegated Tree Dtella x x xHeteronotia binoei Bynoe's Gecko x x x

Delma nasuta Long‐nosed Delma x x

Delma pax x

Delma tincta x

Lialis burtonis Burton's Legless Lizard x x

Pygopus nigriceps Hooded Scaly‐foot x x

Ctenotus calurus x xCtenotus duricola x

Ctenotus grandis titan x x

Ctenotus hanloni x

Ctenotus helenae x

Ctenotus iapetus x x

Ctenotus maryani x

PYGOPODIDAE

DIPLODACTYLIDAE

AGAMIDAE

CARPHODACTYLIDAE

GEKKONIDAE

APPENDIX L

Conservation Codes

Note: For Definitions of Conservation Codes see Appendix B

L2: REPTILIAN SPECIES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED IN THE REGION




SCINCIDAE

CROCODYLUS




REPTILES


Conservation Codes

Ctenotus pantherinus ocellifer Leopard Ctenotus x x

Ctenotus rufescens x x

Ctenotus saxatilis Rock Ctenotus x x

Ctenotus schomburgkii x x

Cyclodomorphus melanops melanops Spinifex‐slender Bluetongue x xEremiascincus fasciolatus Narrow‐banded Sand‐swimmer x x

Glaphyromorphus isolepis x

Lerista baynesi x

Lerista bipes x x

Lerista clara x x

Lerista elegans x

Lerista osloviana x x

Lerista planiventralis maryani x

Lerista uniduo x

Menetia greyii Common Dwarf Skink x x

Morethia ruficauda ruficauda x

Morethia ruficauda exquisita Fire‐tailed Skink x

Tiliqua multifasciata Central Bluetongue x x




REPTILES


Conservation Codes

Varanus brevicauda Short‐tailed Monitor x x

Varanus bushi Pilbara Mulga Monitor x

Varanus caudolineatus Striped‐tailed Monitor x x

Varanus eremius Pygmy Desert Monitor x x

Varanus gouldii Gould's Sand Monitor x

Varanus panoptes rubidus Yellow‐spotted Monitor x

Varanus tristis tristis Black‐headed Monitor x

Ramphotyphlops ammodytes x x

Ramphotyphlops grypus Beaked Blind Snake x x

Ramphotyphlops hamatus x x

Antaresia perthensis Pygmy Python x

Antaresia stimsoni stimsoni Western Stimson's Python x x

Aspidites melanocephalus Black‐headed Python x x

Demansia psammophis cupreiceps Yellow‐faced Whip‐Snake x x

Furina ornata Moon Snake x x

Pseudechis australis Mulga Snake x x

Pseudonaja modesta Ringed Brown Snake x x

Pseudonaja nuchalis Gwardar x x

Simoselaps anomalus Desert Banded Snake x x

Suta punctata Spotted Snake x x



VARANIDAE

ELAPIDAE

BOIDAE

TYPHLOPIDAE




BIRDS


Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu x x x

Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail x x x

Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail x x x

Tadorna tadornoides Australian Shelduck x

Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck x x

Anas gracilis Grey Teal x x x

Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck x x x x

Aythya australis Hardhead x x

Cygnus atratus Black Swan x

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe x x

Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary‐headed Grebe x x

Columba livia *Rock Dove x x

Geophaps plumifera Spinifex Pigeon x x x

Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove x x x

Geopelia striata Peaceful Dove x x x x

Geopelia humeralis Bar‐shouldered Dove x x x

Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing x

Phaps histrionica Flock Bronzewing P4 x x

Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon x x x

Eurostopodus argus Spotted Nightjar x x

Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet‐nightjar x x

Apus pacificus Fork‐tailed Swift Mi x x x x

Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant‐Petrel En X

Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian Darter x x

Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant x

Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant x X

Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant x X

Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant x X

APPENDIX L

L3: AVIAN SPECIES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED IN THE REGION

CASUARIIDAE

PHASIANIDAE

Conservation Codes


Key: EPBC = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, WC = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, DEC = Department of Conservation Priority Code,

A = Listed in Naturemap (2011), B= EPBC protected matters search tool (DSEWPaC 2011) C = Listed by Birds Australia (2010), D= DEC Protected Matters Search E=

Previously recorded from surveys within 50 km, F=Current Survey.

ANATIDAE

ANHINGIDAE

PODARGIDAE

AEGOTHELIDAE

APODIDAE

COLUMBIDAE

PODICIPEDIDAE

HYDROBATIDAE

CAPRIMULGIDAE

PHALACROCORACIDAE

J100505‐001 CS Appendix L



BIRDS


Conservation Codes

Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican x x

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black‐necked Stork x

Ardea garzetta Little Egret x X x

Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret x x

Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Mi x

Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret Mi x x X

Ardea pacifica White‐necked Heron X

Egretta novaehollandiae White‐faced Heron x X

Egretta sacra Eastern Reef Egret Mi x x x x

Butorides striata Striated Heron x

Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron x

Threskiornis spinicollis Straw‐necked Ibis x X

Platalea flavipes Yellow‐billed Spoonbill x X

Accipiter cirrhocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk x x

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk x x x

Aquila audax Wedge‐tailed Eagle x x x

Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier x x

Circus approximans Swamp Harrier x x x

Elanus axillaris Black‐shouldered Kite x x x

Elanus scriptus Letter‐winged Kite x

Haliaeetus leucogaster White‐bellied Sea‐Eagle Mi x x x x

Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite x x x x

Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite x x x

Hamirostra melanosternon Black‐breasted Buzzard x x x

Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle x x

Milvus migrans Black Kite x x

Pandion cristatus Eastern Osprey Mi x x x x

Falco berigora Brown Falcon x x

Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel x x x x

Falco longipennis Australian Hobby x x x

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon S4 x x

Falco subniger Black Falcon x

Fulica atra Eurasian Coot x x

Tribonyx ventralis Black‐tailed Native Hen x

Porzana fluminea Australian Spotted Crake x

Porzana pusilla Ballion's Crake x

Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard P4 x x x

Esacus magnirostris Beach Stone‐curlew x

Haematopus longirostris Australian Pied Oystercatcher x x x

Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher x x

Himantopus himantopus Black‐winged Stilt x x x

Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Red‐necked Avocet x x

RALLIDAE

ACCIPITRIDAE

CICONIIDAE

PELECANIDAE

BURHINIDAE

HAEMATOPODIDAE

OTIDAE

FALCONIDAE

ARDEIDAE

RECURVIROSTRIDAE

THRESKIORNITHIDAE




BIRDS


Conservation Codes

Elseyornis melanops Black‐fronted Dotterel x x

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover Mi x x

Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover Mi x x

Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover Mi x x

Charadrius ruficapillus Red‐capped Plover x x x

Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover Mi x x

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Mi x x

Limosa lapponica Bar‐tailed Godwit Mi x x

Limosa limosa Black‐tailed Godwit Mi x

Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel Mi x x

Numenius minutus Little Curlew Mi x x

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew Mi P4 x x x

Tringa brevipes Grey‐tailed Tattler Mi x x

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank Mi x x

Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper Mi x

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone Mi x x

Calidris alba Sanderling Mi x x

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot Mi x

Calidris ruficollis Red‐necked Stint Mi x x

Calidris acuminata Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper Mi x x

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper Mi x x

Phalaropus lobatus Red‐necked Phalarope Mi x

Turnix velox Little Button‐quail x x x x

Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole Mi x x x

Onychoprion anaethetus Bridled Tern x

Sternula albifrons Little Tern x x

Sternula nereis Fairy Tern x

Gelochelidon nilotica Gull‐billed Tern x x

Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern Mi x x x x

Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern x

Chlidonias leucopterus White‐winged Black Tern Mi x x

Sterna dougallii Roseate Tern Mi x x

Sterna hirundo Common Tern Mi x

Thalasseus bengalensis Lesser Crested Tern Mi x x

Thalasseus bergii Crested Tern x

Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae Silver Gull x x x x

Cacatua roseicapilla Galah x x x

Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella x x x

Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel x x x x

Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck x x x

Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar x x x

Pezoporus occidentalis Night Parrot En T x x

Chrysococcyx osculans Black‐eared Cuckoo x

Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze‐Cuckoo x x x x

Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo x x

CUCULIDAE

PSITTACIDAE

TURNICIDAE

CHARADRIIDAE

LARIDAE

CACATUIDAE

GALREOLIDAE

CENTROPIDAE

SCOLOPACIDAE




BIRDS


Conservation Codes

Centropus phasianinus Pheasant Coucal x

Ninox connivens Barking Owl x

STRIGIDAE




BIRDS


Conservation Codes

Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook Owl x x x

Tyto javanica Eastern Barn Owl

Dacelo leachii Blue‐winged Kookaburra x x x

Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Red‐backed Kingfisher x

Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher x x x

Todiramphus chloris Collared Kingfisher x x

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee‐eater Mi x x x x x

Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy‐wren x x x x

Malurus leucopterus White‐winged Fairy‐wren x x x x

Gerygone fusca Western Gerygone x

Gerygone levigaster Mangrove Gerygone x x

Gerygone tenebrosa Dusky Gerygone x

Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill x x

Pardalotus rubricatus Red‐browed Pardalote x x

Certhionyx variegatus Pied Honeyeater x

Epthianura aurifrons Orange Chat x

Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat x x

Lichenostomus keartlandi Grey‐headed Honeyeater x x x

Lichenostomus penicillatus White‐plumed Honeyeater x x x

Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater x x x x

Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater x x x x

Manorina flavigula Yellow‐throated Miner x x

Sugomel niger Black Honeyeater x x

Pomatostomus temporalis Grey‐crowned Babbler x x x

Psophodes occidentalis Chiming Wedgebill x x x

Coracina novaehollandiae Black‐faced Cuckoo‐shrike x x x x

Lalage tricolor White‐winged Triller x x x

Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike‐thrush x x

Oreoica gutturalis pallescens Crested Bellbird x x x

Pachycephala lanioides White‐breasted Whistler x

Pachycephala melanura Mangrove Golden Whistler x

Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler x x

HALCYONIDAE

TYTONIDAE

CLIMACTERIDAE

MEROPIDAE

POMATOSTOMIDAE

CAMPEPHAGIDAE

MALURIDAE

ACANTHIZIDAE

PACHYCEPHALIDAE

MELIPHAGIDAE

PARDALOTIDAE

PTILONORHYNCHIDAE

CINCLOSOMATIDAE




BIRDS


Conservation Codes

Artamus leucorynchus White‐breasted Woodswallow x x x

Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow x x

Artamus cinereus Black‐faced Woodswallow x x x x

Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow x x

Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird x x x

Cracticus torquatas Grey Butcherbird x

Cracticus tibicen Australian Magpie x x

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie‐Lark x x x x

Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher x

Rhipidura phasiana Mangrove Grey Fantail x

Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail x x x x

Corvus bennetti Little Crow x x x

Corvus orru Torresian Crow x x x

Mirafra javanica Singing Bushlark x x x x

Cincloramphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark x x x x

Cincloramphus cruralis Brown Songlark x x

Zosterops lateralis Silver eye x

Zosterops luteus Yellow White‐eye x X x x

Cheramoeca leucosterna White‐backed Swallow x x x

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow x x x

Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow MI x

Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin x x x

Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin x x x x

Emblema pictum Painted Finch x x x

Neochmia ruficauda clarescens Star Finch P4 x x x

Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch x x x x

Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard's Pipit x x x x



ARTAMIDAE

DICRURIDAE

ALAUIDAE

CORVIDAE

SYLVIIDAE

HIRUNDINIDAE

PASSERIDAE

MOTACILLIDAE

ZOSTEROPIDAE



MAMMALSScientific Name Common Name EPBC WC DEC A B C D E F

Tachyglossus aculeatus Short‐beaked Echidna x

Dasykaluta rosamondae Little Red Kaluta x

Dasyurus cristicauda Mulgara Vu x

Ningaui timealeyi Pilbara Ningaui x x

Planigale ingrami Long‐tailed Planigale x

Sminthopsis longicaudata Long‐tailed Dunnart P4 x x x

Sminthopsis macroura Stripe‐faced Dunnart x x

Sminthopsis youngsoni Lesser Hairy‐footed Dunnart x

Macropus robustus erubescens Euro x x x

Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo x x

Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow‐bellied Sheathtail‐bat x

Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat x x

Scotorepens greyii Little Broad‐nosed Bat x

Vespadelus finlaysoni Finlayson's Cave Bat x x

Tadarida australis White‐striped Freetail‐bat x

Leggendina lakedownensis Short‐tailed Mouse P4 x x

VESPERTILIONIDAE

MOLOSSIDAE

MURIDAE

EMBALLONURIDAE

MACROPODIDAE

APPENDIX L

L4: MAMMALIAN SPECIES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED IN THE REGION

TACHYGLOSSIDAE





Conservation Codes

DASYURIDAE



MAMMALSScientific Name Common Name EPBC WC DEC A B C D E F

Conservation Codes

*Mus musculus House Mouse x x

Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping‐mouse x x

Pseudomys chapmani Western Pebble‐mound Mouse P4 x x x

Pseudomys delicatulus Delicate Mouse x

Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse x x

Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse x x

Rattus tunneyi Pale Field rat x

*Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit x

Canis lupus dingo Dingo x

*Vulpes vulpes Fox x

*Felis catus Feral Cat x x x x

*Bos taurus Cow x x

*Capra hircus Goat x



BOVIDAE

CANIDAE

LEPORIDAE

FELIDAE



J100505‐001‐CS (8‐9‐2011)

APPENDIX M

SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA SPECIES


J100505‐001‐CS Appendix M

Onslow Townsite Strategy Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX M

SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FAUNA SPECIES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED WITHIN THE VICINITY OF THE SURVEY AREA


Conservation Status

Distribution and Ecology Habitat Relevance Likelihood

REPTILES

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

S4

The Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile inhabits coastal rivers and swamps from the Western Pacific to India. They extend inland along major drainage systems and are occasionally seen in open seas. Saltwater crocodiles feed on crustaceans, fish, reptiles, mammals, birds and fish (Wilson and Swan 2008).

Mangrove lined estuaries and beach

Possible

BIRDS

Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica)

P4

The Flock Bronzewing is highly nomadic, and is found in open woodland and treeless grass plains (Simpson and Day 2004). This species of pigeon is highly gregarious, usually feeding and drinking in large flocks of many thousands.

Shrubland over Triodia grassland; inland plains.

Likely

Fork‐tailed Swift (Apus pacificus)

Mi

The Fork‐tailed Swift is a summer migrant (October‐April) to

Australia. This species is an aerial species, which forages high

above the tree canopy and rarely lower, so is independent of

terrestrial habitats. It usually occurs in flocks of up to 2000

and is often seen accompanying Tree Martins and Masked

Woodswallows (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

It is possible that the Fork‐tailed Swift passes through the Survey area on a transitory basis. However, it is unlikely to use the habitats in the Survey area.

Likely




Conservation Status


Southern Giant‐petrel (Macronectes giganteus)

En

A pelagic seabird usually observed sitting on the sea; attracted to fishing boats where they take bait, mostly below 22 degrees south

Coastal habitats

Unlikely

Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)

Mi

The Cattle Egret occurs in the wetter parts of Western Australia, in particular the Kimberley and the south‐west. The species inhabits short grass, in particular damp pastures and wetlands, usually in the company of cattle and occasionally other livestock. In Western Australia it is an irregular visitor, occurring mostly in autumn, and is not thought to breed regularly (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

The Survey area lacks inundated pastures preferred by the Cattle Egret, thereby there is no suitable habitat present. Unlikely

Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta)

Mi

The Eastern Great Egret occurs in the Kimberley, Pilbara, and on the west coast from the Murchison River south, throughout the south‐west, and east to Cape Arid. It inhabits mostly shallow fresh lakes, pools in rivers, lagoons, lignum swamps, clay pans and samphire flats, large dams and sewage ponds. It also inhabits shallow saltwater habitat such as mangrove creeks, tidal pools, samphire swamps and salt work ponds (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

This species may forage in the Ephemeral Creekline habitat. However, no suitable nesting habitat is present in the Survey area.

Likely

Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra)

Mi

The Eastern Reef Egret occurs in coastal areas along the entire West Australian coast, although it is more common in the warmer regions to the north. The species inhabits beaches, rocky shores, tidal rivers and inlets, mangroves, and exposed coral reefs. Although it is listed as migratory, the Eastern Reef Egret is largely sedentary in nature (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

Recorded along mangrove lined stream in project area; likely on beach.

Present




Conservation Status


White‐bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Mi

The White‐bellied Sea Eagle is distributed along the coast, islands and estuaries of Western Australia but not the lower west and south‐west or far‐east (Johnstone and Storr 1998). They feed on fish, sea snakes and nesting seabirds. Nests are usually placed on high ground such as rock pinnacles, rigid shrubs or in tall trees (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

Mangrove lined estuary, coastal habitats.

Likely

Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Mi

The Eastern Osprey is distributed along the coast, islands and lower river courses of Western Australia. They feed on fish and other marine animals (Johnstone and Storr 1998). They nest in trees, cliffs and sometimes structures such as radio towers, often close to the water.

Mangrove lined stream; coastal habitats.

Present

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

S4

The Peregrine Falcon is uncommon but wide‐ranging across Australia. It occurs mainly along coastal cliffs, rivers and ranges as well as wooded watercourses and lakes. The Peregrine Falcon nests primarily on cliffs, granite outcrops and quarries, and feeds mostly on birds (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

Probably prefers habitat with greater tree cover.

Possible

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

P4

The Australian Bustard is typically widespread and nomadic, but locally scarce. This species is distributed across most of Western Australia, although is most prevalent in grasslands, especially tussock grasses, arid scrub and dry open woodlands (Morcombe 2000). The abundance of this species varies according to habitat and season, in particular the abundance of grasshoppers. Habitat loss has led to a decline in this species in the south‐west (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

Occurs in woodlands and plains.

Likely




Conservation Status


Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Mi

The Grey Plover inhabits coastal areas, preferring marine shores of estuaries or lagoons on broad open mudflats, sandy bars or beaches and rocky coasts as well as coastal salt lakes and swamps (Morcombe 2000). They occasionally are found in drying freshwater lakes (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

Likely to occur along beach and estuary habitat in the project area.

Likely

Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii)

Mi

The Greater Sand Plover is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that is common on the north and west coast of Western Australia. It inhabits exposed sand and mud flats (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)

Mi The Lesser Sand Plover is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs on the north and west coast of Western Australia (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).

Likely to occur along beach and estuary habitat in the project area. Likely

Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus)

Mi

The Oriental Plover occurs in the Kimberley and in the north‐eastern interior at Lake Gregory and the north‐west coastal plains (Johnstone and Storr 1998). This species is typically found on sparsely vegetated plains including samphire (in spinifex plains particularly after fire as well as beaches.

Likely to occur along beach, short grass and estuary habitat in the project area. Likely

Bar‐tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Mi

The Bar‐tailed Godwit a relatively common summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western Australia and typically inhabits inter‐tidal mudflats (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).

Likely to occur along beach and estuary habitat in the project area

Likely

Black‐tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Mi

The Black‐tailed Godwit is an uncommon summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western Australia (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007). It inhabits fresh and brackish wetlands as well as inter‐tidal mudflats (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007). This Migratory bird breeds of the coast of Mongolia and Siberia. It migrates to Australian waters in September to May (Pizzey and Knight 2007).


Likely




Conservation Status


Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Mi

The Whimbrel is a large non‐breeding migratory shorebird, found commonly along the north coast of Western Australia, but less commonly south of Shark Bay (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007). This species typically inhabits mudflats of estuaries or lagoons (Morcombe 2000).


Likely

Little Curlew (Numenius minutus)

Mi

The Little Curlew is a medium sized shorebird and is typically found on short, dry grasslands. Flocks are highly mobile moving unpredictably according to grassland conditions, often congregating in wetlands to drink when conditions are hot. This species breeds in north‐east Siberia and migrates to the sub‐coastal plains of northern Australia during summer (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

Mi, P4

The Eastern Curlew is a large non‐breeding migratory shorebird, found commonly along the north coast of Western Australia, but rarely south of Shark Bay. It inhabits a range of coastal habitats, but primarily inter‐tidal mudflats, particularly on exposed seagrass beds or mudflats feeding on burrowing crabs or shrimps (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Grey‐tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes)

Mi

The Grey‐tailed Tattler is a non‐breeding migratory shorebird, common on the north and west coasts of Western Australia, but rare on the south coast (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007). It inhabits sheltered coasts with reef and rock platforms or with inter‐tidal mudflats (Morcombe 2000).


Likely

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Mi

The Common Greenshank is a non‐breeding migratory shorebird, common along most of the coast of Western Australia (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007). It inhabits intertidal mudflats, as well as fresh and saltwater wetlands of the coast or inland (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely




Conservation Status


Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

Mi

The Wood Sandpiper is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along the coast and inland regions of Western Australia. It primarily inhabits freshwater wetlands and rarely inter‐tidal mudflats (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Mi

The Ruddy Turnstone is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs on the coast of the north‐west, and west coast from Beagle Bay to Shark Bay (Johnstone and Storr 1998). It occurs primarily on rocky coasts and rocky reefs, as well as tidal mudflats and beaches and pebbly shores of near‐coastal salt lakes and salt‐work ponds (Johnstone and Storr 1998).


Likely

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Mi

The Sanderling is a small compact shorebird and is often found in small to large flocks, mostly on open beaches exposed to surf. This species has also been recorded within inter‐tidal mudflats. This species distinctly dashes between waves when feeding and is known at high tide to roost among beach debris (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris)

Mi

The Great Knot is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western Australia. It inhabits larger inter‐tidal mud and sand flats (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Red‐necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)

Mi

The Red‐necked Stint is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western Australia. It inhabits a wide range of fresh and saltwater habitats such as tidal mudflats, salt marshes and sandy beaches (Pizzey and Knight 2007).


Likely




Conservation Status


Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminate)

Mi

The Sharp‐tailed Sandpiper is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western Australia except for the south coast, and in well‐watered parts of the interior and casually in the arid east south of Lake Gregory (Johnstone and Storr 1998). It inhabits both coastal and inland areas but prefers non‐tidal fresh or brackish wetlands (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

Mi

The Curlew Sandpiper is a summer non‐breeding migratory shorebird that occurs along most of the coast of Western Australia. It inhabits exposed tidal mudflats, and less frequently on inland freshwater wetlands (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).


Likely

Red‐necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

Mi

The Red‐necked Phalarope is usually found on shallow, near‐coastal wetlands, in water ranging from fresh to saline. The Red‐necked Phalarope is a small distinctive marine shorebird with small slender neck and short, straight needle‐like bill (Geering, Agnew and Harding 2007).

Likely to occur in near shore habitats just off the project area

Likely

Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum)

Mi

The Oriental Pratincole occurs in the Kimberley and along the northern coast of Western Australia, and is a summer migrant. It occurs around tidal flats and floodwaters where it feeds aerially on flying insects and roosts on bare ground (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

Likely to occur along beach, short grass and estuary habitat in the project area. Likely

White‐winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucoptera)

Mi

The White‐winged Black Tern is a non‐breeding migratory Tern that occurs regularly in northern Western Australia and rarely in the southern half of Western Australia (Barrett et al. 2003). It inhabits coastal marine habitats (such as estuaries, lagoons and harbours) and near‐coastal freshwater wetlands (such as river pools, billabongs and inundated floodplains (Morcombe 2000).

Near‐shore coastal habitats, beach and estuary.

Likely




Conservation Status


Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis)

Mi

The Lesser Crested Tern is distributed along the north‐western and upper west coasts of Western Australia and occasionally comes as far south as Shark Bay. This species inhabits mainly blue water seas around islands or reefs and commonly visits tidal creeks. It breeds on the many small islands found along the north‐west coast (Johnstone and Storr 1998).


Likely

Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia)

Mi

The Caspian Tern is distributed along the coast of Western Australia. It is scarce or uncommon north of Broome and uncommon to moderately common further south (Johnstone and Storr 1998). This species inhabits coastal areas as well as inland watercourses, saline and brackish lakes (Simpson and Day 2004).


Present

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

Mi

The Common Tern is a summer migrant that is found along the northern coast of Western Australia, with a southern distribution of Carnarvon. This species inhabits sheltered seas, estuaries, near coastal saltworks and sewerage ponds (Johnstone and Storr 1998).


Likely

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

Mi

Breeds on islands along the Kimberley coast, and very common in the Abrolhos.

Near‐shore coastal habitats, beach and estuary. Islands.

Likely

Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis)

EN

The Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is a very cryptic bird species, with few records of it since the 1880s, although it is thought to persist inland. It inhabits inland plains in sparsely wooded spinifex near water (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

A little known species that appears to need access to permanent water in association with spinifex grassland.

Unlikely




Conservation Status


Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus)

Mi

The Rainbow Bee‐eater is a common and widespread species in Western Australia, occurring in lightly wooded, often sandy country, preferring areas near water. This species feeds on airborne insects, and nests throughout its range in Western Australia in burrows excavated in sandy ground or banks, often at the margins of roads and tracks (Johnstone and Storr 1998).

The Rainbow Bee‐eater was recorded foraging within the Survey area. The sandy soils of the Sandplain habitat have the potential to be used for breeding or sheltering purposes.

Present

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Mi

The Barn Swallow is a migratory species that breeds in north‐east Asia, and is a rare visitor to northern coastal northern Western Australia from September to early April (Johnstone and Storr 2004). They occur in ones or twos or in small flocks up to 15 (or occasionally large flocks in the 100’s) and sometimes attached to flocks of Welcome Swallows (Johnstone and Storr 2004). They forage mainly near towns and wetlands such as sewage and salt work ponds, river pools, swamps, tidal creeks and reservoirs (Johnstone and Storr 2004). They forage aerially on insects and nest in caves, cliffs under bridges and in buildings (Morcombe 2000).

Can overfly all habitats, often feeds over freshwater lakes and streams.

Possible

Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda subsp. Subclarescens)

P4

The western subspecies of the Star Finch is confined to the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Pizzey and Knight 2007). The species occurs in grasslands with sparse vegetation, and feeds mainly on grass seeds and some small insects (Johnstone and Storr 2004). Like most finches this species needs regular water, so is likely to occur near permanent fresh water for most of the season then disperse out to a wider area during and after the wet season when ephemeral pools have water.

Needs permanent water, which is available in the project area.

Present




Conservation Status


MAMMALS

Crest‐tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda)

VU, S1

The Crest‐tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) is a small carnivorous marsupial, now possibly extinct in Western Australia, but it may persist in other parts of central Australia. Its position is uncertain because it is often confused with the closely‐related Mulgara (Dasycercus blythi). Its habitat is grassland (especially Spinifex), and it persists in parts of north‐western South Australia and south‐eastern Northern Territory. It is threatened by loss of habitat and competition from introduced grazers (Menkhorst and Knight 2004).

The sandy habitats throughout the project area may be suitable for burrowing by this species, but it is very unlikely to occur.

Possible

Long‐tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis longicaudata)

P4

Little is known about the habitat requirements of this species,

as prior to 1975 there were only three whole specimens in the

museums and nothing was known of its natural history. The

current records of Long‐tailed Dunnarts come from widely

scattered localities in the arid zone, but trapping records

show it may prefer rugged, rocky areas (van Dyck and Strahan

2008).

Probably no suitable habitat in project area

Unlikely

Short‐tailed Mouse Mouse (Leggadina lakedownensis)

P4

The Lakeland Downs Mouse occurs in a range of habitat types on seasonally inundated sandy‐clay soils (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). In the Pilbara it occurs on stony hummock grasslands (Menkhorst and Knight 2004). It is generally rare, with scattered populations, and very little is known of its biology (van Dyck and Strahan 2008).

There are recent records of this species from the vicinity of Onslow townsite.

Likely




Conservation Status


Western Pebble‐mound Mouse (Pseudomys chapmani)

P4

The Western Pebble‐mound Mouse is endemic to the Pilbara, and is confined to the central and eastern Pilbara, including Karijini National Park (Menkhorst and Knight 2004). Abandoned mounds to the east of its current range indicate a decline in distribution (van Dyck and Strahan 2008). Abandoned mounds are common in some areas, possibly as a result of land degradation from grazing and mining activities.

There is no suitable habitat in the vicinity of Onslow townsite.

Unlikely

KEY:

En Listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act 1999.

Vu Listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999.

Mi Listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act 1999.

S Listed as Scheduled under the WC Act 1950.

P Listed as Priority by the DEC.

Recorded Recorded during the field survey or site reconnaissance.

Likely Suitable habitat is present in the project area and the project area is in the species’ known distribution.

Possible Limited or no suitable habitat is present in project area but is nearby. The species has good dispersal abilities and is known from the general area.

Unlikely No suitable habitat is present in project area but is nearby, the species has poor dispersal abilities, but is known from the general area; or suitable habitat is present, however the project area is outside of the species’ known distribution.

Highly Unlikely The species has poor dispersal abilities, no suitable habitat is present, and the species is uncommon; or the species is thought to be locally extinct.

onslow townsite strategy flora, …...landcorp –onslow townsite strategy flora, vegetation and...

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