Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

BYRON FLORA AND FAUNA STUDY, 1999
5.5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5.5.1 Threatened and ROTAP species
In total, 858 records for 68 species (Threatened species and non-scheduled ROTAP species) were entered
into the database (summarised in Table 5.5).
Most records are recent, but historical records such as that of Knoxia sumatrensis (1897), now presumed
extinct in NSW, are included in the database. One of two records for Red-fruited Ebony is historical.
Summary information, including conservation codes, life form, habitat and distribution was compiled for
all species recorded (Table 5.6). Detailed ecological information, including mapped distributions, assessment
of threats and recommended amelioration, was compiled for the species scheduled under the TSC Act,
1995 and appended as species outlines (Appendix 7), and summarised in Table 5.7. No detailed information
was collected for ROTAP species not TSC Act, 1995 scheduled, but records are summarised with those of
Threatened species in Table 5.5.
This study has added substantially to the body of knowledge about species of conservation significance in
the study area. The Shire contains some of the most important populations of Rare and Threatened species,
and their documentation will be of value for their conservation at regional and state levels.
The authors have found 66 new locations for 13 Threatened species (TSC Act, 1995 scheduled) during the
study, despite the limited resources available for survey work. In addition, many more records that were
previously undocumented have been compiled and will be forwarded to NSW NPWS to assist in conservation
and recovery action.
The high number of records of Threatened species in Byron Shire is a reflection of the high species
biodiversity in the Shire. Although the database already contains high numbers it is likely that these
records only comprise a small proportion of the actual numbers. Further surveys will inevitably produce
new locations of Threatened species.
Table 5.5 Summary of records of Rare or Threatened flora species
Number of species
Number of records
TSC Act Schedule 3 (Extinct in NSW) 1 1
TSC Act Schedule 1(Endangered) 21 192
TSC Act Schedule 2 (Vulnerable) 17 389
ROTAP species not listed by TSC Act 29 276
TOTAL 68 858
5.5.2 Regionally significant species
Species listed as regionally significant (i.e. in Upper North East NSW by Sheringham and Westaway (1995)
were not included in the database except where they were also scheduled under the TSC Act, 1995 or listed
by Briggs and Leigh (1996). Many species listed as regionally significant are locally common in the Shire and
the surrounding area and will be adequately conserved by measures which protect native vegetation generally.
Species such as Pink-flowered Doughwood, Umbrella Cheese Tree and Bennett’s Ash illustrate the point.
The distribution and abundance of many species of regional significance has not been documented in
sufficient detail to fully understand the implications of regional significance listing in the context of the
study area.
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