Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation
Actions
Eucalyptus recurva (Mongarlowe mallee)
You are invited to provide your views about:
1) the eligibility of Eucalyptus recurva (Mongarlowe mallee) for inclusion on the EPBC Act
threatened species list; and
2) the necessary conservation actions for the above species.
The views of experts, stakeholders and the general public are welcome. Responses can be
provided by any interested person.
Anyone may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or for a
transfer of an item already on the list to a new listing category. The Threatened Species
Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes the assessment of species to determine
eligibility for inclusion in the list of threatened species and provides its recommendation to the
Australian Government Minister for the Environment.
Draft information for your consideration of the eligibility of this species for listing as critically
endangered starts at page 3 and information associated with potential conservation actions for
this species starts at page 8. To assist with the Committee’s assessment, the Committee has
identified a series of specific questions on which it seeks your guidance at page 10.
Responses to are to be provided in writing either by email to:
species.consultation@environment.gov.au
or by mail to:
The Director
Terrestrial Species Conservation Section
Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division
Department of the Environment
PO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Responses are required to be submitted by 20 June 2014.
Contents of this information package
General background information about listing threatened species
Information about this consultation process
Draft information about the bell-flower hyacinth orchid and its eligibility for listing
Conservation actions for the species
References cited
Collective list of questions – your views
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General background information about listing threatened species
The Australian Government helps protect species at risk of extinction by listing them as
threatened under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Once listed under the EPBC Act, the species
becomes a Matter of National Environmental Significance and must be protected from
significant impacts through the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act. More
information about threatened species is available on the department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html.
The listing of species is driven by a public nomination process. Public nominations to list
threatened species under the EPBC Act are received annually by the department. In order to
determine if a species is eligible for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act, the Threatened
Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes a rigorous scientific assessment of its
status to determine if the species is eligible for listing against a set of criteria. These criteria are
available on the Department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/guidelines-species.pdf.
As part of the assessment process, the Committee consults with the public and stakeholders to
obtain specific details about the species, as well as advice on what conservation actions might
be appropriate. Information provided through the consultation process is considered by the
Committee in its assessment. The Committee provides its advice on the assessment (together
with comments received) to the Minister regarding the eligibility of the species for listing under a
particular category and what conservation actions might be appropriate. The Minister decides to
add, or not to add, the species to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act. More
detailed information about the listing process is at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html.
To promote the recovery of listed threatened species and ecological communities, conservation
advices and where required, recovery plans are made or adopted in accordance with Part 13 of
the EPBC Act. Conservation advices provide guidance at the time of listing on known threats
and priority recovery actions that can be undertaken at a local and regional level. Recovery
plans describe key threats and identify specific recovery actions that can be undertaken to
enable recovery activities to occur within a planned and logical national framework. Information
about recovery plans is available on the department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery.html.
Information about this consultation process
Responses to this consultation can be provided electronically or in hard copy to the contact
addresses provided on Page 1. All responses received will be provided in full to the Committee
and then to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.
In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the
Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be
attributed to you and referenced as a ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references
or otherwise attribute this information (please specify if your organisation requires that this
information is attributed to your organisation instead of yourself). The final advice by the
Committee will be published on the department’s website following the listing decision by the
Minister.
Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation
and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act, the deliberations and
recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision
on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.
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Eucalyptus recurva
Mongarlowe mallee
Taxonomy
Conventionally accepted as Eucalyptus recurva Crisp (Crisp, 1988).
Description
The Mongarlowe mallee is a multi-stemmed mallee eucalypt. Individuals grow between 1.5 m
and 4.2 m in height. The stems have smooth, orange-brown to grey bark and arise from a
substantial lignotuberous root system, which can be up to 7.5 m x 12 m in diameter. Adult
leaves, 2.8 cm long and 0.7 cm broad, are opposite (i.e. two leaves arise at the same node, on
opposite sides of the stem) and have many oil glands. The adult leaves are narrow-elliptic in
shape, tapering at both ends, with the tips conspicuously curved downwards. Seedling leaves,
1.3 – 3.0 cm long and 0.7 – 1.6 cm wide, are opposite, broad elliptic to obovate in shape with a
blunt leaf tip. The Mongarlowe mallee has white flowers, approximately 5.5 mm long, which are
arranged in clusters of three on a common stalk. The fruits of the Mongarlowe mallee are
depressed-hemispherical woody capsules (gum-nuts). Flowering occurs for a period of
approximately two weeks, usually commencing in the second week of January (DECC, 2010).
Distribution
The Mongarlowe mallee is known from four sites within the Southern Tablelands of NSW. Three
of these sites are located near Mongarlowe and one is near Windellama (approximately 30 km
from the Mongarlowe sites). There are six known plants, one at each of the three sites near
Mongarlowe and three individuals at the site near Windellama (DECC, 2010; NSW OEH,
2012a). The three sites near Mongarlowe each support a single plant (each plant is
approximately 2 km apart) and the site near Windellama supports three individuals, two are
10 m apart and one is approximately 40 m from the other two. It is possible that two plants
located near Windellama, located 10 m apart, are identical genotypes that originated from a
common rootstock and spread in different directions. The first botanical specimen of this species
was collected from one of the Mongarlowe plants in 1985 and the species was described in
1988. The other two Mongarlowe plants were discovered in 1990 and 2001 respectively, and the
three plants at Windellama were discovered in 1994, 2001 and 2010 respectively (DECC, 2010).
The species’ extent of occurrence is no more than 30 km² and its area of occupancy is 16 km²
(NSW OEH, 2012b).
All occurrences of the species are within largely uncleared land that is unsuitable for agriculture.
The species appears to be naturally rare, rather than having been reduced in numbers through
human activities such as land clearance (DECC, 2010). Eucalyptus recurva is not known to
occur in any conservation reserves in New South Wales (NSW OEH, 2012b).
Cultural Significance
Not known.
Relevant Biology/Ecology
The Mongarlowe mallee is found in low heathland and in some cases at the margins of
heathland and adjacent low woodland. All sites are on gentle slopes, with shallow soil consisting
of pale-grey sandy loam overlying white or grey clay (DECC, 2010).
The size and spread of the lignotubers (woody underground structures) suggests that the
existing plants are of considerable age, probably several hundred years (hence the species is
also commonly known as the “Ice Age Gum”). It is considered possible that all six plants may
continue to live several hundreds of years in the absence of threats. Of the six mature
individuals, four are known to have flowered in at least some years and two have not yet been
observed to flower or bear fruit capsules. No seedling establishment has been observed at any
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of the known sites and survival of the species in the wild currently appears dependent on the
survival of the existing adults (DECC, 2010).
The Mongarlowe mallee is almost certainly insect pollinated, with visitation of the flowers by
several species of beetles, moths, flies, hover flies and native bees being observed during the
flowering period. Rates of natural seed set are extremely low. Only a small number of fruit
capsules have been found on the various plants at the time of their discoveries. The most
recently discovered plant near Mongarlowe had relatively more capsules per branchlet than the
other plants. These naturally pollinated capsules contained an average of only 0.6 viable seeds
per capsule (Briggs, pers. comm., cited in DECC, 2010). In 1992, the CSIRO attempted to
cross-pollinate two plants in order to produce viable seed and to propagate the species using
grafting and tissue culture techniques; however this was unsuccessful (NSW OEH, 2012a).
The results of hand pollination trials conducted by NPWS in 2001 and 2002, suggest that for
some of the Mongarlowe mallee plants, physical separation and lack of pollen from unrelated
individuals of this species may be the major cause of low natural seed production (DECC,
2010).
Threats
A major threat to the plant that was first found near Mongarlowe is visitation pressures, including
the collection of plant material, soil compaction, and other associated habitat damage. Vehicle
damage is also a threat to this plant, since a track and recreational vehicles have previously
damaged shoots sprouting from the lignotuber. Such visitation and vehicular traffic poses the
risk of introduction of soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Phytopthera cinnamomi. Although the
exact locations of most of the Mongarlowe mallee plants are currently not widely known, threats
associated with increased visitation pressures are likely to occur if visitation is not controlled
(DECC, 2010).
At the Windellama site, the main threat to the two plants has been past habitat loss and
degradation associated with clay mining and associated activities that have operated since
1995. Impacts included altered drainage, silt deposition near and around the base of the plants
and dust deposition on the foliage (DECC, 2010).
The very small number of individuals makes this species highly susceptible to random events
(e.g., disease).
All individuals occur on private land. Most current owners are supportive of protecting this
species; however future owners of the properties may not be as supportive of the protection of
the species (NSW OEH, 2012a).
Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations
Criterion 1: Reduction in numbers (based on any of A1 – A4)
A1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population very severe 90%, severe 70%
substantial 50% size reduction over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is
the longer, where the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND
ceased, based on (and specifying) any of the following:
(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or
parasites.
A2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population very severe 80%, severe 50%
substantial 30%size reduction over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the
longer, where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood
OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.
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A3. A population size reduction very severe 80%, severe 50% substantial 30%, projected or
suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer
(up to a maximum of 100 years), based on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1.
A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population size reduction very
severe 80%, severe 50% substantial 30%over any 10 year or three generation period,
whichever is longer (up to a maximum of 100 years in the future), where the time period
must include both the past and the future, and where the reduction or its causes may not
have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and
specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.
Evidence
The six mature individuals occurring within four known sites on the Southern Tablelands of
NSW were discovered between 1985 and 2010. As all occurrences of the species are within
largely uncleared land that is unsuitable for agriculture, it appears that the species is naturally
rare, rather than having been reduced in numbers through human activities such as land
clearance (DECC, 2010). While all individual plants have persisted since their discovery at
various times in the last 4–29 years, longer term trends in the population are unknown.
Individual plants are too far apart from each other to enable cross pollination to occur,
preventing viable seed production and recruitment (NSW OEH, 2012b) and survival of the
species currently appears dependent on the survival of existing adults, most of which appear
to be already of a great age (DECC, 2010). In addition, a number of threats are impacting
upon the species (as outlined in the threats section above). It is therefore likely that the
species will decline in the future. However, there are insufficient data available to
quantitatively determine past or future rates of decline for the purposes of this criterion i.e.
whether the reduction would be very severe, severe, substantial, or not substantial and within
a period of three generations.
The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species is ineligible for listing
under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation is to elicit additional information
to better understand the species’ status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to
be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation
process.
Criterion 2:
Geographic distribution (based on either of B1 or B2)
B1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be very restricted <100 km2, restricted <5000 km2 or
limited < 20 000 km2
B2. Area of occupancy estimated to be very restricted <10 km2, restricted <500 km2 or
limited <2000 km2
AND
Geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species,
(based on at least two of a–c)
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at a limited location.
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(i)
extent of occurrence
(ii)
area of occupancy
(iii)
area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(iv)
number of locations or subpopulations
(v)
number of mature individuals.
c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
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(i)
extent of occurrence
(ii)
area of occupancy
(iii)
number of locations or subpopulations
(iv)
number of mature individuals
Evidence
The species is only known to occur at four sites on the Southern Tablelands of NSW. The
species extent of occurrence is no more than 30 km² and its area of occupancy is 16 km²
(NSW OEH, 2012b).This is considered to be a ‘very restricted’ distribution.
The three sites near Mongarlowe are approximately 2 km apart, and at the site near
Windellama (approximately 30 km from the Mongarlowe sites) the three plants are 10–40 m
apart (DECC, 2010). All individuals are too far apart from each other to enable cross pollination
to occur, preventing viable seed production and recruitment (NSW OEH, 2012b). As such, the
species is considered to be severely fragmented. In addition, a number of threats are
impacting upon the species (as outlined in the threats section above). Given the above, a
decline in the number of mature individuals, the area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and
quality of habitat is projected.
The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species is eligible for listing as
critically endangered under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation is to elicit
additional information to better understand the species’ status. This conclusion should
therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of
responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low <250, low <2500 or
limited<10 000; and either of (A) or (B) is true
(A)
evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high (25% in 3 years
or 1 generation (up to 100 years), whichever is longer), high (20% in 5 years or 2
generations(up to 100 years), whichever is longer) or substantial (10% in 10 years or 3
generations years), whichever is longer(up to 100) rate; or
(B)
the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for
its survival (based on at least two of a – c):
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at a limited location.
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(i)
extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations
(v) number of mature individuals.
c.
Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
(i)
extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) number of locations or subpopulations
(iv) number of mature individuals
Evidence
There are six mature individuals occurring within known localities. It is possible that two of
these six plants are identical genotypes that originated from a common rootstock (DECC,
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2010). This is below the threshold for a ‘very low’ number of mature individuals.
The species occurs in a limited location and its geographic distribution is severely fragmented.
As no recruitment is known to be occurring, and a number of threats are impacting upon the
species (as outlined in the threats section above), continuing decline in the number of mature
individuals, the area of occupancy and extent of occurrence is projected. The above implies
the species’ geographic distribution is precarious for its survival.
The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species is eligible for listing as
critically endangered under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation is to elicit
additional information to better understand the species’ status. This conclusion should
therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of
responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 4: Estimated total number of mature individuals:
(a) Extremely low < 50
(b) Very low < 250
(c) Low < 1000
Evidence
There are six mature individuals occurring within known localities. It is possible that two of
these six plants are identical genotypes that originated from a common rootstock (DECC,
2010). This is below the threshold for an ‘extremely low’ number of mature individuals.
The data presented above appear to demonstrate that the species is eligible for listing as
critically endangered under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation is to elicit
additional information to better understand the species’ status. This conclusion should
therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of
responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild based on quantitative analysis is at least:
(a) 50% in the immediate future, 10 years or three generations (whichever is longer); or
(b) 20% in the near future, 20 year or five generations (whichever is longer); or
(c) 10% in the medium-term future, within 100 years.
Evidence
No evidence.
Population viability analysis is not known to have been undertaken on this species. Therefore,
the species appears to be ineligible for listing under this criterion.
Recovery Plan
There is a national recovery plan in place for the Mongarlowe mallee (DECC, 2010) and this
plan should be retained and updated as required. This currently directs conservation and
recovery actions.
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Recovery and Impact avoidance guidance
Primary Conservation Objectives
1. Control visitation to known sites
2. Control collection of plant material
3. Continue research into means of propagating the species
4. Over longer term existing populations could be enlarged by the planting of propagate
individuals.
5. Approach landowners to enter into conservation agreements.
Important populations and habitat for the survival of the species
Given the extremely low population size of the Mongarlowe mallee, all individuals and the
habitat they occupy is important to the survival of this species.
Information required, research and monitoring priorities
1. Support and enhance existing monitoring programs. All individuals should be visited
annually to detect any decline in health or the adjoining habitat condition, as well as to detect
new threats.
2. Undertake genetic analyses to determine:

the genetic characteristics of the six known individuals,

confirm that the progeny resulting from hand pollination work that morphologically
resemble the parent Mongarlowe mallee plants is genetically pure, and

identify the other eucalypt species which have hybridized with the Mongarlowe
mallee during hand pollination work.
3. Undertake additional combinations of hand pollination between the four flowering individuals.
4. Undertake further vegetative propagation trials to determine the requirements for successful
establishment.
Management actions required
1.
Undertake survey work in suitable habitat and potential habitat to locate any additional
populations/occurrences/remnants.
2.
Manage sites to identify, control and reduce the spread of invasive species.
3.
Consult private landholders with the Mongarlowe mallee on their properties and develop
site-specific management actions and the timescale for implementation. In the longer term,
formal protection of the sites on private land will be sought through the promotion of
Voluntary Conservation Agreements or other mechanisms.
4.
Manage access to known sites, in particular through limiting vehicle access to the sites.
5.
Erect exclusion fencing or other barriers at known sites, as appropriate, to prevent
accidental damage from vehicles and potentially stock (in the event of a change in land
management).
6.
Control the collection of plant material, for example by minimising the number of people who
know the exact location of individual plants.
7.
Implement suitable hygiene protocols to protect known sites from outbreaks of
disease/fungi/parasites, such as the disease caused by the introduced plant root pathogen
Phytophthora cinnamomi.
8.
If possible, establish ex-situ populations within suitable natural habitat.
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9.
If vegetative propagation is successful, establish and maintain ex-situ populations in botanic
gardens.
10. Implement an appropriate fire management regime for protecting key habitat.
11. Monitor the progress and effectiveness of management actions and the need to adapt them
if necessary.
References cited in the advice
Crisp MD (1988). Eucalyptus recurva (Myrtaceae), a new species from the Southern Tablelands
of New South Wales. Telopea 3(2): 223, Figs 1-2 [tax. nov.]
Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) 2010. National Recovery Plan for
Eucalyptus recurva, Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), Hurstville.
NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage (NSW OEH) (2012a), Mongarlowe Mallee –
Profile. Available on the internet at:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10310
NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage (NSW OEH) (2012b). Eucalyptus recurva –
critically endangered species listing: NSW Scientific Committee – final determination. Available
on the internet at:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/eucalyptusrecurvaFD.htm
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Questions to Stakeholders
Biological information
1.
Can you provide any additional or alternative references, information or estimates on
longevity, average life span and generation length?
Evidence of total population size change
2.
Please provide (if known) any additional evidence/data which shows the population is
stable, increasing or declining.
Current Distribution/range/extent of occurrence, area of occupancy
3.
Has the survey effort for this species been adequate to determine its national distribution?
If not, please provide justification for your response.
General
4.
Do you agree that the species is eligible for up-listing to the critically category of the
threatened species list?
5.
Can you provide additional data or information relevant to this assessment?
6.
Have you been involved in developing this nomination?
Threats
7.
Do you agree that the threats listed are correct and that their effect on the species is
significant?
8.
To what degree are the identified threats likely to impact on the species in the future?
9.
Can you provide additional or alternative information on threats, past, current or potential
that may adversely affect this species at any stage of its life cycle?
10.
Can you provide supporting data/justification or other information for your responses to
these questions about threats?
Management
11.
What planning, management and recovery actions are currently in place supporting
protection and recovery of the species? To what extent have they been effective?
12.
Can you recommend any additional or alternative specific threat abatement or
conservation actions that would aid the protection and recovery of the species?
13.
What individuals or organisations are currently, or potentially could be, involved in
management and recovery of the species?
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