Threatened species & ecological communities

Spalding Blown Grass (Agrostis limitanea) recovery plan

M. Robertson & Y.Steed, National Parks and Wildlife SA
Threatened Plant Action Group, Threatened Species Network

1. Summary

Recovery of Agrostis limitanea will require ongoing action to maintain the largest population (Yakkalo) to prevent further decline in its abundance and immediate action to secure the small population (Tarlee) to maintain the extent of occurrence. Extrinsic threats (weeds, grading) will be controlled to stabilise and increase both populations and their area of occupancy. A translocation program is being undertaken to increase abundance and area of occupancy.

The recovery of A. limitanea is currently being driven by intensive work by members of the Threatened Plant Action Group. Land managers and neighbouring landowners have contributed substantially. The Recovery Team is providing guidance and broadening participation in the recovery process.

1.1 Current species status

Agrostis limitanea (Spalding Blown Grass) is classified as nationally endangered 2E by Briggs & Leigh (1996) and its status under the Commonwealth Endangered Species Protection Act 1991 is Endangered (Schedule 1). The species is apparently endemic to the Northern Lofty Ranges Region of South Australia. Only two extant populations are known, of which the main population comprises an estimated 700 plants and the other is a patch of fewer than 10 plants. The species' known extent of occurrence is less than 70 square kilometres (Figure 1) and the area of occupancy is less than one hectare. No extant populations have been found near the imprecise location of the type collection since 1931. The two known populations have been monitored and this has shown that population size fluctuates from year to year.

The species' status under the IUCN (1994) criteria is Critically Endangered under criteria CRB1 because its population is severely fragmented and CRB2(c) the area and quality of the species' habitat is projected to continue to decline.

1.2 Habitat requirements and limiting factors

Information on the habitat requirements of the species is limited to observations of the two known extant populations. The known habitat consists of low-lying, flood-prone clay loam near watercourses in the Northern Lofty Flora Region of South Australia. The main known population is on a small reserve adjacent to a perennial, reed-dominated stream.

Flat to gently undulating land in this region has been almost entirely cleared for cereal cropping and pasture, and low-lying areas are generally dominated by alien plant species. Replacement of native perennial vegetation by annual crops over wide areas and stock watering have altered the profile and hydrology of most streams in the region. Agrostis limitanea is intolerant of stock grazing and does not appear able to persist in dense stands of large tussocky perennial alien grasses such as frequently invade its habitat (particularly *Phalaris aquatica).

1.3 Overall recovery objectives

Medium Term

To increase the probability of survival of Agrostis limitanea.

Long Term

To improve the conservation status of Agrostis limitanea from Critically Endangered to Endangered within 10 years.

1.4 Specific objectives

To reduce the risk of extinction and improve the conservation status of the species it is necessary to:

  1. Maintain or, if possible, to increase the extent of occurrence of the species.
  2. Minimise loss of genetic variability of the species.
  3. Increase the number of populations, area of occupancy and abundance of the species.

1.5 Recovery criteria

  1. The main population (Yakkalo) has maintained or increased its area of occupancy and increased its abundance within 5 years.
  2. The second, smaller population (Tarlee) is protected from major threats and has increased its abundance to 50 ± 10 plants within 5 years.
  3. Seed from all known populations has been collected and stored within one year.
  4. At least two suitable sites for translocated populations selected, fenced and agreement on management strategy achieved with land owner/ community groups and new populations of at least 200 individuals established within 5 years
  5. The total number of plants in the wild increased from approximately 700 to at least 1000 ± 100 within 5 years and at least 1800 within 10 years.
  6. The total area of occupancy for the species increased by 50% to 1.5 hectares within 10 years through threat abatement and establishment of new populations
  7. Active involvement of the local community in the implementation, monitoring and promotion of recovery actions.

1.6 Actions needed

  1. Threat abatement for all known populations
    • 1.1 Control weeds through continuing use of selective techniques at both Yakkalo and Tarlee sites
    • 1.2 Exclude herbivory from Yakkalo and any other populations as required
    • 1.3 Exclude grading from Tarlee population through fencing, signage and liaison
  2. Search for unknown populations in the Mid-North region
  3. Collect and store seed from all wild populations to minimise loss of genetic variation
  4. Establish new populations through translocation into suitable habitat
    • 4.1 Select sites with suitable environmental conditions and management
    • 4.2 Prepare sites by fencing and weed control, management agreements
    • 4.3 Introduce propagules (seed and or seedlings)
  5. Broaden participation in the recovery process
  6. Monitor all known populations
    • 6.1 Monitor Yakkalo and Tarlee populations
    • 6.2 Monitor any newly discovered or translocated populations
    • 6.3 Maintain the Threatened Plant Population Database records of Agrostis limitanea
  7. Manage the project through the Recovery Team

1.7 Biodiversity benefits

The main population of the species occurs in a relatively diverse remnant of grassy wetland, an endangered plant community in the Mid-North of South Australia. Recovery actions for Agrostis limitanea will also benefit this threatened habitat. Many other species with a preference for this type of habitat are of regional conservation significance and should benefit from the recovery actions.

1.8 Estimated cost of recovery

Year Action Total
1.1 1.2 1.3 2 3 4.1 4.2 4.3 5 6.1 6.2 6.3 7
2000 8.5 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.4 0.5 - 0.7 1 0.2 0.2 0.1 2.6 16.4
2001 8.5 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.4 0.5 1.9 0.7 1 0.2 0.2 0.1 2.6 18.3
2002 8.6 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.5 - - 0.8 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.2 2.7 17
2003 8.6 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.5 0.5 1.9 0.8 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.2 2.7 19.4
2004 8.7 0.9 0.9 1 0.6 - - 0.9 1.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 2.8 18.1
Total 42.9 3.9 3.9 4.4 2.4 1.5 3.8 3.9 5.4 1.4 1.4 0.9 13.4 89.2

Figure 1

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2. Introduction

2.1 Description

Agrostis limitanea J. Black (Spalding blown grass) is a short-lived tufted perennial grass, growing 30-45 cm tall. The stems and leaves grow erect, rather stiffly. Leaf blades are bright green to blue-green with inrolled edges, slightly rough to touch with a 4-6mm long colourless membrane (ligule) at the base of the leaf blade. Fertile heads are produced in the spring to autumn season when conditions are favourable. The flowering head is much branched, becoming open and loose soon after emerging from the leaf sheath, 8-20 cm long; branches whorled, slender; flowers tiny (approx. 3 mm long), borne singly on fine branchlets and without awns.

Agrostis billardieri var., an annual, occurs in the same habitat and the two species may occur together. The most obvious difference is the presence of a bent awn, which is easily visible protruding from the seed in A. billardieri. A. limitanea seeds lack an awn. While the original description of the species (Black, 1931) was based on a single specimen, its taxonomic status has been supported by recent work (S. Jacobs pers. comm.).

2.2 Distribution

In 1931, J.M. Black reported the South Australian distribution of Agrostris limitanea as:

“Northern Lofty (known from only one collection from near Riverton).”

No description of habitat was recorded and the location description was too imprecise to enable the site to be relocated during recent studies such as Davies (1995). The species was not recorded again until 1992 when R. Bates collected it from a location known as Yakkalo. This is still the main population known. There have been two other recent reported sightings in the region. Figure 1 shows the past and present distribution of the species and the sites that were searched unsuccessfully in 1997-8. The type location and existing populations indicate that the species known range is less than 70 kilometres.

2.3 Population size

The populations have been monitored since 1994. The main known population (Yakkalo) comprised 563 individuals in 1998 (Table 1), and a smaller population (Tarlee) consisted of six plants in 1999.

Table 1. Total number of A. limitanea plants counted in Yakkalo grid.
Date Total no. of plants cells counted comments ave. per cell
23-Jul-94 732 17 part fenced 43
17-Jun-95 296 16 partial grid count 18
18-May-96 212 15 partial grid count, exclosure built 14
20-Sep-97 257 17 burnt in August 15
14-Oct-98 563 20 population expanded in area 28
13-Oct-99 679 18 spreading into reeds 38

2.4 Habitat

Most information on habitat is inferred from conditions prevailing at the major extant population (Yakkalo). The site is a swampy flat on the banks of a perennial watercourse. The adjacent unfenced road was formerly a route for moving stock and the reserve on which the Agrostis limitanea occurs would have been grazed on occasions. Most of the area where A. limitanea occurs has moist surface soil through the year. The associated native vegetation is grassy wetland with a cover of low-growing native herbaceous species including beaded glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora, creeping brookweed Samolus repens, and emu grass Distichlis distichophylla. The population of Agrostis limitanea extends towards the river amongst stands of common reeds, Phragmites australis, which dominate the river bed. Associated soil is a clay loam of pH 9 ± 0.2 which is light yellow brown when dry, and dark reddish-brown when wet. Soil salinity is fairly uniform throughout the grid although surface moisture varies.

The smaller population on the rail reserve north of Tarlee is also associated with drainage, is not grazed by stock and has been disturbed repeatedly by grading to maintain the railway line.

2.5 Life history / ecology

Agrostis limitanea is a short-lived, shallow-rooted perennial grass. It is apparently highly susceptible to grazing and vulnerable to weed invasion. Little is known about the ecology of the species. The main population was burnt by a fire escaping from adjacent land in 1997 and recovered within a year. The species is readily cultivated from seed and spreads from cultivated plants by means of seed where conditions are suitable. In the wild, healthy green leaves are most evident in spring to summer and abundant fertile heads may be produced in the spring to autumn season when conditions are favourable. Seeds are small (how small??) and readily spread by wind and presumably water. The entire seed head also readily breaks off and can be dispersed as a unit.

2.6 Reasons for conservation status

Agrostis limitanea is Endangered because of its limited population size (less than 1000 plants in total), small area of occupancy (<I hectare) and number of populations (two). The species is presumed extinct from its type locality, suggesting an historical decline in area occupied but this cannot be verified. All past and present locations are within a range (extent of occurrence) of 70 kilometres. The fact that the species appears largely confined to one population in a rare habitat type is considered to be the main threat to the species' survival. This type of habitat is prone to weed invasion and generally accessible to stock. Fencing and intensive site management have been necessary to maintain the main population at its current level. The two known populations have been monitored since discovery and appear to fluctuate in size (Table 1).

Current threats

  1. The Yakkalo population is threatened by invasion of phalaris (*Phalaris aquatica) and other weeds and is dependent on a continuing weeding program to abate this threat. The absence of the species in similar habitat on grazed private land adjacent to the reserve indicates that the species is unable to tolerate stock grazing, therefore the continued exclusion of stock is required.
  2. The small patch of a few plants on a rail reserve (Tarlee) is continually at risk from annual grading and spraying of ballast along the operational railway line.

2.7 Existing conservation measures

The two extant populations occur on a water reserve of 6.3 hectares and a rail reserve of 20 metres width respectively. The original collection was also probably from a rail reserve. A Heritage Agreement over the population on water reserve at Yakkalo has been approved but not finalised.

Searching of a large number of potential habitats in 1997-8 (Figure 1) was unsuccessful in locating any additional populations. Searching on an ad hoc basis continues, associated with this and other vegetation projects in the region.

Action has focused on management of the main population (Yakkalo) since July 1994. This has mainly involved:

Results from the monitoring program indicate that A. limitanea has recolonised areas from which dense Phalaris was removed and has spread beyond the exclosure. The management strategy employed on this site has therefore been judged appropriate.

Liaison with railway managers commenced in 1999 and a 530 metre length of rail reserve containing the Tarlee population has been fenced and restoration commenced.

Detailed information on all populations has been entered in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs' 'Threatened Plant Population Database'.

A Recovery Team was formed in late 1998. The team includes representatives of relevant landowners and community groups, both local and Adelaide-based. All relevant land managers have been notified of the presence of Agrostis limitanea and the issues relating to its survival.

2.8 Strategy for recovery

  1. Threat abatement will continue at all known sites through site specific management strategies and populations will continue to be monitored to guide future management activity.
  2. Over the next five years the search for additional populations will be extended to private land through providing information to, and encouraging involvement of, the local Mid-North community. Contact with the network of voluntary and professional vegetation workers in the region will be maintained to ensure that any finds are investigated and followed up as appropriate. A major goal of the recovery team is to foster local interest and involvement in the recovery process.
  3. The risk of extinction due to rarity in the wild will be managed through maintenance of ex situ seed orchards andstorage of seed in accordance with the Germplasm Conservation Guidelines for Australia (ANPC 1997).
  4. Based on existing knowledge of habitat type, suitable sites will be selected, protected and prepared for translocated populations and Agrostis limitanea introduced in accordance with the Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia (ANPC 1998).

3. Recovery objectives

To reduce the probability of extinction of the species based on the IUCN (1994) criteria of population size and trends, and extent of occurrence (number of viable populations).

The overall objectives are:

Medium Term

To increase the probability of survival of Agrostis limitanea.

Long Term

To improve the conservation status of Agrostis limitanea from Critically Endangered to Endangered within 10 years.

3.1 Specific objectives

To reduce the risk of extinction and improve the conservation status of the species it is necessary to:

  1. Maintain or, if possible, to increase the extent of occurrence of the species.
  2. Minimise loss of genetic variability of the species.
  3. Increase the number of populations, area of occupancy and abundance of the species.

4. Recovery criteria

For the Recovery Plan to be assessed as successful in reaching its desired objective, the total population of Agrostis limitanea should increase to at least 1000 ±100 within 5 years and to at least 1800 ± 100 within 10 years. NB. As most of the suitable habitat in the water reserve at Yakkalo is occupied by A. limitanea or other native species and the maximum number of plants ever recorded there is less than 800, it may not be possible for the population to increase by more than 40% unless the area of habitat increases through establishment of new populations. The preparation of suitable sites where translocated populations can be established will take at least 2 years per site and these populations will initially be small.

4.1 Progress criteria

The following measures will be used to gauge whether the specific objectives have been achieved:

  1. The main population (Yakkalo) has maintained or increased its area of occupancy and increased its abundance within 5 years.
  2. The second, smaller population (Tarlee) is protected from major threats and has increased its abundance to 50 ± 10 plants within 5 years.
  3. Seed from all known populations has been collected and stored within one year.
  4. At least two suitable sites for translocated populations selected, fenced and agreement on management strategy achieved with land owner/ community groups and new populations of at least 200 individuals established within 5 years
  5. The total number of plants in the wild increased from approximately 700 to at least 1000 ± 100 within 5 years and at least 1800 within 10 years.
  6. The total area of occupancy for the species increased by 50% to 1.5 hectares within 10 years through threat abatement and establishment of new populations
  7. Active involvement of the local community in the implementation, monitoring and promotion of recovery actions.

5. Recovery actions

Recovery of Agrostis limitanea will require ongoing action to maintain both known populations (Yakkalo and Tarlee) and thereby maintain the current extent of occurrence. Extrinsic threats (weeds, grading) will be controlled to stabilise and increase both populations and their area of occupancy. A translocation program is being undertaken to increase abundance and area of occupancy.

The recovery of A. limitanea is currently being driven by intensive work by members of the Threatened Plant Action Group. Land managers and neighbouring landowners have contributed substantially. The Recovery Team is providing guidance and broadening participation in the recovery process.

5.1 Actions needed

5.1.1 Threat abatement for existing known populations

The aim is to remove or reduce the factors that threaten populations of Agrostis limitanea with extinction and reduce the species' abundance due to lack of quality habitat, weed competition, herbivory and grading or spray damage.

The species has shown its potential to increase in abundance and area of occupancy where suitable habitat is available. Both of the known populations occupy a very small area and weed invasion has resulted partly from past disturbance. Liaison with land managers is essential to minimise the risk of deleterious activities and management agencies have supported threat abatement.

5.1.1.1 Weed competition

Both known populations are threatened by alien species that are controlled selectively. Large perennial species are removed by hand and direct application of Roundup Bio. Annual species are controlled by slashing which is timed to prevent seed set, hand-pulling and spot spraying. Weeding progresses outwards from the population and the area of habitat under active management increases each year with an equivalent amount of effort.

Yakkalo

An active weeding program has been in place since 1994 and the area occupied by the A. limitanea population has increased. Some re-invasion by weed seedlings and annual species occurs and the initial primary weeding needs to be followed up each year.

Tarlee

Broad leaf herbaceous alien species are invading habitat of A. limitanea at this site. Native species have begun to regenerate in the first year of active management. A combination of techniques will continue to be employed to improve the habitat.

Action 1.1 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
8.5 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.7 42.9
5.1.1.2 Herbivory

The fence at Yakkalo will be maintained and extended and any new populations will be fenced as necessary.

Action 1.2 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.9
5.1.1.3 Grading

The Tarlee population has been fenced and signage erected to exclude grading through liaison with managers of the adjacent railway and Transport SA. Such liaison will continue, to minimise the risk from railway maintenance and coordinate management actions.

Action 1.3. - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.9

5.2 Search for new populations

Most searching for new populations has been undertaken on public land such as road, rail, water and other minor reserves belonging to local councils or the Crown. There is a need to extend the searching to private land. Landowners are in the best position to identify and search likely habitats on their land and will be will encouraged to search on their properties. The Project Officer will circulate information on habitats where A. limitanea may be found, diagnostic characters of the species, and how to send in a herbarium specimen for identification. The Recovery Team will offer assistance with identifying specimens and habitat.

The Project Officer will monitor herbarium accessions and regional extension officer surveys to ensure that any new populations are identified and managed.

Action 2 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 4.4

5.3 Collect and store seed

To secure the genetic variability of the species, seed will be collected from as many populations as possible and stored at an approved storage site. The Recovery Team, in accordance with guidelines and DEHAA approval process will determine the number or maximum percentage of seedheads in small and large population collected in each year. Seedheads will be collected from different individuals throughout a population and seed labelled with site and date and stored at a registered seed storage facility.

Agrostis limitanea is already in cultivation in home gardens and Black Hill Nursery from seed collected at Yakkalo?. Abundant seed is produced in most years at Yakkalo. A small proportion could be harvested and stored long term in an appropriate facility as a last defence against extinction. The longevity of seed in storage is unknown, therefore seed should be collected every year and cultivation of specimens should continue. Seed will therefore be available for reintroduction if any populations become extinct and for translocations.

Action 3 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 2.4

5.4 Establish new populations through translocation

The species will be translocated to new locations where conditions are suitable and appropriate protection and management can be implemented. The aim is to establish self sustaining populations. If successful, this action will increase area of occupancy, abundance and possibly extent of occurrence

5.4.1 Select sites

Suitable sites are being selected in the Mid-North region, on flood plains and adjacent reedy watercourses, where the land is not required for other incompatible purposes.

Action 4.1 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.5 0.5   0.5   1.5
5.4.2 Prepare sites

Suitable sites for translocation will be prepared through fencing, weeding, signage, grids, planting other species as appropriate. A management program will be prepared for each site. This is estimated to require two years per site.

Action 4.2 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
  1.9   1.9   9.5
5.4.3 Introduce propagules (seed and or seedlings)

Seeds will be sourced from the nearest wild population providing adequate material is available without threatening the wild population (see action 3), or from existing cultivated plants.

Action 4.3 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.9

5.5 Broaden participation in the recovery process

The Recovery Team will establish a demonstration site in the region at an accessible, high profile location. The local community will be encouraged to attend field days. Local community representatives on the Recovery Team will seek involvement of the local community, through councils, groups such as Spalding Community Management Committee, schools and interested individuals.

Action 5 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 5.4

5.6 Evaluate and document site management and populations

In order to gauge the effectiveness of management actions and to assess population trends, all natural and translocated populations will be monitored each year. Data from all surveys and monitoring will be entered into the Threatened Plant Species Database at DEHAA. The following will be monitored:

5.6.1 Monitor Yakkalo and Tarlee populations
Action 6.1 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.4
5.6.2 Monitor any newly discovered or translocated populations
Action 6.2 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.4
5.6.3 Maintain the database records of Agrostis limitanea

Monitoring information and any new records will be entered in DEHAA Threatened Plant Population database and herbarium specimens from any new locations will be lodged in the State Herbarium Plant Biodiversity Centre.

Action 6.3 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.9

5.7 Manage the project through the Recovery Team

The Recovery Team will take an active role in planning and implementing all actions, and monitor the success of the project. The Recovery Team provides linkages between local and non local workers and its membership includes Spalding Community Management Committee, Threatened Plant Action Group, Northern Areas Council, DEHAA Biological Conservation Program, PIRSA, Greening Australia regional representative, private land owners. The Recovery Team will meet once or twice a year in the Mid-North. Contact between TPAG and DEHAA and the local community will be maintained between meetings. There will be administrative costs involved in running a recovery team and preparing reports.

Action 7 - Cost estimate ($'000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
2.6 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.8 13.4

6. Acknowledgments

The assistance given by Adrian Stokes, Peter Copley and Roman Urban of DEHAA in compiling this document is gratefully acknowledged. The Agrostis limitanea Recovery Team, including Peter and Pat Clark, Jan and Ian Trengove, Millie Nicholls, and Anne Brown have supported the project. Robert Bates, Tim Reynolds, Rick Davies and other members of the Threatened Plant Action Group have expertly implemented recovery strategies since 1994. The Plant Biodiversity Centre and State Herbarium, DEHAA has contributed advice and access to collections. The support and cooperation of the Northern Areas Council, SA Water and Australian National are appreciated.

7. References

8. Implementation schedule

Task no. Task description Priority Feasibility (%) Responsible party Cost estimate ($000s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total
1.1 Weeds 1 100 TPAG, NAC 8.5 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.7 42.9
1.2 Herbivory 1 100 NAC, TPAG 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.9
1.3 Grading 2 60 TPAG, AN, TSA 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.9
2 Searching 2 80 TPAG, SCCC 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 4.4
3 Collect and store seed 2 100 TPAG, DEHAA 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 2.4
4.1 Identify sites translocation 3 60 TPAG, DEHAA 0.5 0.5   0.5   1.5
4.2 Prepare sites 3 60 TPAG,   1.9   1.9   3.8
4.3 Introduce 3 60 TPAG, SCCC 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 3.9
5 Broaden participation 2 80 SCCC, DEHAA, TPAG 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 5.4
6.1 Monitor and evaluate known 1 100 TPAG, DEHAA 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.4
6.2 Monitor other 2 100 TPAG, DEHAA 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.4
6.3 Database 2 100 TPAG, DEHAA 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.9
7 Recovery Team 1 100 TPAG, DEHAA, SCCC, NAC 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.8 13.4
Total 16.4 18.3 17 19.4 18.1 89.2

9. Appendix 1

Plant species recorded at Yakkalo

Vegetation association: grassy wetland

Surveyor/source and survey dates:

Conservation ratings
Plant species Common name AUS SA NL 90 92 94 98
Agrostis limitanea Spalding blown-grass 2E E E + + + +
Apium prostratum ssp. prostratum native celery     K +      
Aristida behriana brush wire-grass       +   +  
*Asphodelus fistulosus onion weed       +      
*Aster subulatus aster-weed       +     +
*Atriplex prostrata creeping saltbush           + +
Atriplex semibaccata berry saltbush       +      
*Avena barbata bearded oat       + +    
Boerhavia dominii tar-vine       +      
Bolboschoenus caldwellii salt club-rush     U + +    
*Bromus diandrus great brome         +    
Bulbine bulbosa bulbine-lily       +      
Calostemma purpureum pink garland-lily           +  
Carex sp. sedge       +      
Chloris truncata windmill grass       +      
*Cotula coronopifolia water buttons         +    
*Critesion murinum ssp. glaucum blue barley-grass         +   +
Cryptandra amara var. amara spiny cryptandra           +  
*Cynara cardunculus artichoke thistle         +    
Cyperus gymnocaulos spiny flat-sedge       +      
Danthonia caespitosa common wallaby-grass       +      
Danthonia setacea var. setacea small-flower wallaby-grass       + +    
Distichlis distichophylla emu-grass     K + + + +
*Dittrichia graveolens stinkweed       + +   +
*Echium plantagineum Salvation Jane       +      
Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa ruby saltbush           +  
Enneapogon nigricans black-head grass     U +   +  
Eragrostis infecunda barren cane-grass   U V     +  
Gonocarpus sp. raspwort           +  
*Gynandriris setifolia thread iris         +    
*Heliotropium europaeum common heliotrope       +     +
*Helminthotheca echioides ox-tongue       +      
*Hypochaeris sp. cat's ear       +      
Isolepis cernua nodding club-rush     R   +    
Isolepis platycarpa flat-fruit club-rush     R +      
Juncus kraussii sea rush       + +   +
*Lagurus ovatus hare's tail grass             +
*Lepidium africanum common peppercress       +      
Lobelia alata angled lobelia     R +      
*Lolium perenne x rigidum hybrid ryegrass         +   +
Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura hard mat-rush           +  
Maireana aphylla cotton-bush     V     + +
Maireana enchylaenoides wingless fissure-plant       +   +  
Malvaceae sp.         +      
*Marrubium vulgare horehound       +     +
*Medicago polymorpha var. polymorpha burr-medic         +    
Mimulus repens creeping monkey-flower     T     +  
Muehlenbeckia florulenta lignum     K     +  
*Oenothera sp. evening primrose             +
Oxalis perennans native sorrel           +  
*Parapholis incurva curly ryegrass       + +    
*Phalaris aquatica phalaris       + +   +
Phragmites australis common reed       + + + +
*Picnomon acarna soldier thistle       +      
Poa sp. tussock-grass       +      
*Polygonum aviculare wireweed       + +   +
*Polypogon viridis water bent       +      
*Romulea sp. onion-grass       +      
*Rumex conglomeratus clustered dock       +      
*Rumex crispus curled dock         +   +
Rumex dumosus var. dumosus wiry dock       +      
Salsola kali buckbush       + + + +
*Salvia verbenaca form A wild sage         +    
Samolus repens creeping brookweed       + + + +
Sarcocornia quinqueflora beaded samphire       + + + +
Schoenoplectus pungens spiky club-rusf     R   +    
Sida corrugata var. angustifolia grassland sida   Q   +      
*Solanum nigrum black nightshade       +      
Sonchus hydrophilus native sow-thistle     Q +      
*Sonchus oleraceus common sow-thistle       +     +
*Spergularia marina salt sand-spurrey         +    
Stipa blackii crested spear-grass       +      
Stipa nitida Balcarra spear-grass         +    
Stipa sp. spear-grass       +   +  
*Trifolium angustifolium narrow-leaf clover         + +  
*Trifolium campestre hop clover         +    
Triglochin striatum streaked arrowgrass     V +     +
*Triticum aestivum wheat       +      
Typha domingensis narrow-leaf bulrush     Q   +    
Vittadinia sp. New Holland daisy       +      
Indigenous species 34 14 22 9
Alien species 21 17 3 13
Number of species 55 31 25 22

Indigenous species: 50

Alien species: 39

Total number of species: 89