Declared Rare and Poorly Known Flora in the Geraldton District

Taxa in this category, which present special management difficulties, are:Beyeria lepidopetalaConostylis dielsii subsp. teresConostylis micranthaDaviesia speciosaStylidium coroniforme(v)Land AcquisitionAcquisition of land by the Department, either by donation, exchange or purchase, is required for those taxa not wellrepresented on conservation reserves. This would enable appropriate management and protection practices to beimplemented on land maintained, as much as possible, in a natural state. Plants occurring on land reserved for natureconservation are generally considered to be less threatened than those on land designated for other purposes. It shouldbe noted, however, that presence on a reserve contributes to, but does not guarantee, population survival. Reserves aresubject to threats such as weed invasion, disease infection, drought, altered drainage and water tables, uncontrolled firesand where approved, mining activities.The following are priority taxa for land acquisition:Darwinia masoniiHalosarcia bulbosaEucalyptus cupreaHypocalymma longifoliumGlyceria drummondii Pterostylis sp. Northampton (S.D.Hopper 3349)Grevillea christineae(vi)FencingDeclared Rare Flora populations on private property are sometimes on farmland where they require protection fromgrazing by domestic stock. In some situations landholders themselves have excluded stock, and in others CALM hasprovided fencing materials as part of formal agreements. Other populations on pastoral leases may also require fencingto prevent grazing, usually by sheep and/or goats.Rabbits are also a widespread problem, particularly on sandy soils and granite outcrop areas.The following taxa require protection from grazing, either by fence construction or agreement with landowners toexclude stock from population localities:Caladenia elegans ms Pterostylis sp. Northampton (S.D.Hopper 3349)Eremophila viscidaVerticordia spicata subsp. squamosaHalosarcia bulbosa(vii)MiningMining, particularly for gold, occurs throughout many parts of the pastoral area of the District. Mining activities whichmay affect Declared Rare Flora include exploration (clearing of survey lines and drilling operations), actual mine siteestablishment, provision of services (road-making, power) and increased recreation activity by mine workers. Closeliaison between companies, CALM, the Department of Minerals and Energy and the Department of EnvironmentalProtection is essential.Other forms of mining in the District include gravel/sand mining by local authorities and the extraction of nickel,copper and iron ore. Oil is extracted from an area in the south of the District.Taxa most at risk are:Darwinia masoniiDaviesia speciosa(viii)RecreationMany of the Declared Rare Flora in the District occur in remote areas and are therefore at no risk from recreationalactivities. However, a few occur at or near heavily used sites where they are actually or potentially at risk fromrecreational activities. These sites include well known lookout areas in the Kalbarri National Park, the more accessiblenature reserves and the verges of the more major roads, where there is attractive natural vegetation. These activitiesmay include bushwalking, camping and off-road vehicle use. Risk may be from trampling, picking or the spread of27