Summary - City of Gosnells

Flora 411. Calytrix breviseta subsp. breviseta (Myrtaceae).This small shrub is currently listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act (DEWHA, 2008d).A small population comprising about 20 plants was found in the current survey. Calytrix brevisetasubsp. breviseta is endemic to the eastern side of the Swan Coastal Plain in the Perth MetropolitanRegion (Kelly et al., 1993), where it is only known from two populations. One of these populations iscentred on BFS 387 in Kenwick. The other population is at Bellevue. There has been a decline in thehabitat of this species at Kenwick that is probably due to falling groundwater levels and increasedsalinity resulting from local drainage practices (Luu and English, 2004). Efforts to translocate thisspecies into nearby blocks at BFS 387 have not been successful, probably due to lack of informationabout the specific habitat requirements of this shrub.2. Conospermum undulatum (Proteaceae).The current status of this species under the EPBC Act (DEWHA, 2008d) is Vulnerable. A previouslyunrecorded population of this species was found in the MKSEA during the current survey. Anotherpopulation in the MKSEA that was reported by Cardno BSD (2005) was also confirmed in this survey.This species is endemic to the foothills of the Darling Range, where it occurs in a number of smallfragmented bushland remnants from about Muchea to Maddington (Western Australian Herbarium,2009). Much of its previous habitat has been cleared.The two populations of Conospermum undulatum in the MKSEA are close to the southern range end ofthe species. The small sizes and fragmented distributions of Conospermum undulatum populations maybe threats to the long-term survival of the species.3. Lepidosperma rostratum (Cyperaceae).This rather inconspicuous perennial sedge is currently listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act(DEWHA, 2008d). It was found on three palusplain blocks in the current survey.Prior to the current MKSEA survey, Lepidosperma rostratum was known from one site within BFS 387and at Forrestdale Lake Nature Reserve (Western Australian Herbarium, 2009). One of the areas whereLepidosperma rostratum was found in the current MKSEA survey coincided with an occurrence ofCalytrix breviseta var. breviseta. Lepidosperma rostratum has also been reported from two otherKenwick/Wattle Grove areas (Koch, 2003; Tauss, 2009).Many of the Lepidosperma rostratum plants observed in the MKSEA in early September 2007 (after thedriest year on record, 2006) appeared to be drought-stressed. Many, but not all, of these moribundLepidosperma rostratum plants recovered as the rainfall increased later in 2007. There is no data aboutthe reproductive biology of Lepidosperma rostratum. However, as this sedge lacks extensive rhizomes,it is likely to be an obligate re-seeding species. Based on the observations of this species in the MKSEAsurvey, the threatening processes that endanger Calytrix breviseta var. breviseta also appear to bethreatening Lepidosperma rostratum. Further intensive survey of this species in the area after favourablerainfall is required to establish a baseline for efforts to conserve it in the area.4.2.2 Flora of State Conservation Significance found in the MKSEAApart from the three taxa of national significance above, which are also listed as Declared Rare Flora (DRF)under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act, there are nine flora taxa of State ConservationSignificance (one listed as DRF and eight as Priority Flora by the Western Australian Department ofEnvironment and Conservation) (Atkins, 2008; Smith 2009; FloraBase, 2009) that were found in the currentfield survey of the MKSEA (Table 4.3). These taxa are described below.1. Eremophila glabra subsp. chlorella (Myoporaceae) (Declared Rare Flora).This low shrub is listed as Declared Rare Flora in Western Australia (Atkins, 2008; Western AustralianHerbarium, 2009). The most recent information available about this taxon indicates that it is extremelyrare (G.J. Keighery and R.J. Chinnock, pers. comms.).Tauss, C. and Weston, A.S. (2010). The flora, vegetation and wetlands of the Maddington-Kenwick Strategic Employment Area.A survey of the rural lands in the vicinity of the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Report to the City of Gosnells, W.A. Version 18.04.10