Appendix D Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity - Environment ...

4.3.2 Vegetation Condition
The fire regime suggested from NAFI together with evidence inclusive of vegetation types such as a very
thick stand of Eucalyptus tetradonta, extensive areas lancewood, patches of Callitris intratropica in good
condition together with the average scorch height in most other vegetation types suggests that the general
area does not exhibit significant disturbance from fire. However, there are some localised areas which
suggest these areas may be burnt frequently or suffer from fire damage due to their drier nature such as the
southern low hills. Extensive areas were burnt in 2011 (but early season burns). Overall, possibly the
remote location (which reduces the probability of human induced fire) together with the extensive inundated
areas and the rocky ridges may offer some protection from frequent broadscale fire.
No weeds were identified within the survey area, and there was low impact from stray livestock and feral pigs
at the site.
4.3.3 Notable Flora Records
No threatened flora species were recorded during the surveys, however there are several species that are
notable records for the region (i.e. range extensions or species listed as either Near Threatened or Data
Deficient under the TPWC Act).
Psydrax paludosa
Psydrax paludosa (Data Deficient) is a large shrub to small tree 3 – 4m high, with small greyish leaves.
When young, the leaves of the tree are smaller and the growth structure reminiscent of Terminalia species –
see Figure 15.
This species occurs in Qld (24 records in the QLD Herbarium) and the NT (three records including
specimens collected February 2012 on lease area). The majority of records are on the Cape York
Peninsula. In the NT, the few herbarium records are sourced from two general localities: from tributaries of
the Towns river and near Bing Bong where it is associated with shallow swamps or minor drainage lines with
Melaleuca viridiflora and Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa. In the lease area the species was recorded from a
total of 4 sites which closely match the habitat previously described for this species.
Psydrax paludosa occurs predominantly on Vegetation type 17 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Asteromyrtus
symphyocarpa, Psydrax paludosa Low Open Woodland, where it is one of the dominant species.
In the NT this species is classified as data deficient meaning that appropriate data on abundance and/or
distribution are lacking in order to define whether the species is threatened or otherwise. However unlike
some other cryptic species, which can easily be overlooked, this large woody species is unlikely to have
been overlooked in areas that have been surveyed.
Likely effect of mining disturbance on species
Most of the potential distribution of this species is close to the proposed areas of direct disturbance with the
pit area bisecting vegetation type 17. Potential impacts include direct disturbance to wetlands due to the pit
and re-alignment of waterways. Sedimentation downstream of the pits is also a risk for a proportion of the
population. Being a perennial species that is long lived, there would be some resilience to changes in
hydrology and sedimentation but in the longer term these factors may reduce recruitment of new plants.
Upstream of the pit changes in surface hydrology could result in changes to the inundation regime. The
maintenance of the ‘gaps’ between the low ranges would be important as they would limit or hold back water
flows which would result in flooding upstream of the gaps. Widening and deepening of these gaps may
contribute to a large change in flooding regimes.
Client: Western Desert Resources Ltd Page 58 of 150
Doc No. DW120004-C0302-EIA-R-0036
Doc Title: Appendix D – Terrestrial Biodiversity Technical Report