Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

BYRON FLORA AND FAUNA STUDY, 1999
5.4 METHODS
Records within Byron Shire of flora species scheduled in the TSC Act, 1995 and/or in the NSW list of Rare
or Threatened Australian plants (Briggs and Leigh 1996) were obtained from NSW NPWS Wildlife Atlas
database, Quinn et al. (1995), Sheringham and Westaway (1995) and numerous reports. As the former
source in particular includes numerous inaccuracies, all records were validated before incorporation into the
database. Validation was achieved by personal communication with the original observer, through local knowledge
of the authors, or if necessary by field inspection. As a result, the accuracy of the location reported in the secondary
sources was frequently improved, and inaccurate records discarded. In addition, a number of botanists contributed
their unpublished records. As the study was focused on private lands, Crown land and council-owned land, the
occurrence of target species in National Parks, Nature Reserves and State Forests was recorded on a presence/
absence basis for context and to establish Shire-level reservation status. Multiple records for public lands
were not solicited, although when readily available were incorporated in to the database.
Regionally significant species (Sheringham and Westaway 1995) other than those also listed as Threatened
or ROTAP species were not targeted.
From the available information about the habitat of each species, other possible locations within the Shire
were predicted. Limited targeted surveys were carried out and further locations were recorded during API
ground truthing and plot-based vegetation surveys.
In addition, the survey was advertised in the local press, and residents invited to apply for a data record form
(Appendix 6) listing target species and requesting details of records of Threatened species. A large number
of forms was distributed. Records returned were validated and incorporated into the database.
Each record was assigned a data type code (point location = X, mapped polygon = P, public land polygon
ie National Park, Nature Reserve or State Forest = R, general locality = L). The latter were frequently
historical herbarium records for which the location was given as a general locality such as Mullumbimby.
Records in this category were not mapped but are held in the database. Point locations by their nature are
associated with an AMG grid reference. Records relating to polygons were assigned a grid reference of a
convenient point for mapping purposes.
In addition, each record was assigned an accuracy code (grid reference of point representing location to
nearest 100 m = 1, grid reference of point representing location to nearest 1000 m = 2, grid reference of
point representing location to less than 1000 m accuracy = 3).
Dates, observers and sources of data were recorded. Part of the database table is shown to illustrate (Table 5.4).
Modifications were made to some records for the genus Phaius. Some database records for P. tankervilliae are
likely to represent P. australis (Sheringham and Westaway 1995), while others, having been recorded outside
the flowering season, are designated as Phaius sp. (Stewart and McKinley 1997). In addition, some taxonomists
are of the opinion that the two taxa will prove to be conspecific (P. Bostock, Queensland Herbarium, pers.
com.). Accordingly, all records for Phaius spp. were entered as P. australis.
Changes in TSC Act, 1995 status to two Threatened species occurring in Byron Shire were gazetted during
the study period. The Basket Fern Drynaria rigidula was presumed to be extinct in NSW (TSC Act, 1995)
and was formerly listed on Schedule 3 (Extinct). The Basket Fern was recorded at Anderson’s Ridges in
Byron Shire several years ago (Kinhill 1997) and has also been recorded recently from Cape Byron (S.
Bower pers. comm.) and at Broken Head during current surveys. It is now listed on Schedule 1 (Endangered).
The listing of Phaius australis has been altered from Schedule 2 (Vulnerable ) to Schedule 1 (Endangered).
These listings have been updated in the database and throughout the report.
Changes to land tenure during the study period have affected the reservation status of some species. The
Threatened species database requires updating where the names of record locations have changed. Forestryrelated
threats have been removed from species which occur in those State Forests converted to National
Parks (requiring updating in Table 5.7).
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