Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

A GREENPRINT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
However, examples of listed species occurring in Byron Shire are provided.
Species classified as ‘depleted habitat/sparse’ (Sheringham and Westaway 1995, Table 5.3) occurring in
Byron Shire include Leafy Twig-rush Cladium procerum, Spider Lily Crinum pedunculatum, Burny Bean Mucuna
gigantea, Myoporum boninense subsp. australe, Milkbush Neisosperma poweri, a grass Panicum paludosum and the
epiphytic orchid Peristanthus hillii.
Taxa presumed to be regionally extinct include the perennial herb Knoxia sumatrensis (recorded only once
near Mullumbimby in 1897), Plinanthesis urvillei (a grass recorded from Billinudgel in 1922) and Caladenia
quadrifaria (an orchid that occurs in sclerophyll forest and was recorded from Brunswick Heads in 1942)
(Sheringham and Westaway 1995). Sometimes plants presumed to be extinct have been overlooked or their
presence, although known to local naturalists, has not been reported to the relevant authorities (NSW
NPWS or the NSW Herbarium). Chiloglottis diphylla was presumed to be regionally extinct although local
orchid experts were aware of the plant’s continued presence in Byron Shire and, in fact, now consider the
species to be relatively common (John Moye, pers. comm).
Disjunct taxa (Sheringham and Westaway 1995, Table 5.3) occurring in Byron Shire are Large-leaved Banksia
Banksia robur, Christmas Bells Blandfordia grandiflora and Leptomeria drupacea.
Taxa occurring in Byron Shire and that reach their northern or southern geographical limits in Upper
North East NSW (e.g. White Ash Alphitonia petriei, Austromyrtus sp. A, Ferny-leaved Bosistoa Bosistoa pentacocca
and Thick-leaved Croton Croton acronychioides) are considered ‘regionally significant’ (Sheringham and
Westaway 1995).
Species that reach their northern or southern geographical limits within Byron Shire are of local and regional
significance. Such species include Marblewood Acacia bakeri (southern limit at Federal), Blush Coondoo
Planchonella laurifolia (southern limit at the Orara Bridge on the Brunswick River), Comesperma sphaerocarpum
(northern limit at Koonyum Range Rd, Mt Jerusalem N.P), Smooth Parrot-pea Dillwynia glaberrima (northern
limit at Taylor’s Lake south of Byron Bay) and Slender Yellow-eye Xyris gracilis subsp. gracilis (northern limit
south of Broken Head).
Many of the plants listed as Threatened species or ROTAP species (e.g. Hairy Quandong, Red-fruited
Ebony, Crystal Creek Walnut) also reach their southern limits within upper north-eastern NSW and are
therefore of regional significance in addition to having Threatened species status.
5.5.3 Reservation adequacy
Table 5.7 indicates the occurrence of Threatened species in the Shire’s National Parks and Nature Reserves.
However, except where populations of 1000 plants are known to be reserved, reservation is considered
inadequate or unknown (Table 5.2). The declaration of new National Parks and Nature Reserves in Byron
Shire may strengthen the reservation status of some Threatened species. Information on current reservation
status of Threatened species is available from NSW NPWS.
With two exceptions, all the Shire’s Threatened species are considered to be inadequately reserved within
formal conservation reserves (ROTAP codes Table 5.6). Inadequate representation in reserves is a major
criterion for listing as ‘Endangered’ (Briggs and Leigh 1996) since threatening processes are more frequently
unmanaged on non-reserved land.
Adequate reservation of habitat for many of the Shire’s Threatened species is often not possible since so
much of the coastal lowlands has been cleared. To avoid local, regional or national extinction of these
species, it is therefore essential that they are conserved effectively wherever they occur in the study area.
Protection measures such as fencing, fire management and weed control can be put in place and will allow
other land uses to proceed along with effective conservation.
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