Kunzea rupestris (a shrub) - vulnerable species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Kunzea rupestris Blakely (Myrtaceae) as a VULNERABLE SPECIES on Schedule 2 of the Act and as a consequence to omit reference to that species as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Kunzea rupestris was first described in 1929 by W. F. Blakely from a specimen collected near the Hawkesbury River.
2. Kunzea rupestris has been described by Harden (1991) Flora of NSW as: a clonal shrub to c.1.5m high; young stems villous or pubescent. Leaves are oblanceolate, 6-11mm long, 1.5-3mm wide, apex acute, villous to more or less glabrous; petiole c.0.5mm long. Flowers white to cream, sessile, in head-like clusters at end of branches. Hypanthium densely villous. Sepals triangular, 1-1.5mm long. Petals 1-1.5mm long. Stamens 5mm long. Ovary 2-locular, placentation apical; style 5-6mm long. Fruit 4-5mm long, c.2.5mm diameter, indehiscent. Flowers in spring. Grows in heath on rock platforms.
3. The species has a restricted range occurring from Maroota to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, in the Central Coast botanical subdivision of NSW. It is currently known to exist in 20 populations. Six of these populations are reserved. Four of the reserved sites are either situated adjacent to fire trails or contain low numbers of individuals.
4. The total number of plants in 14 populations (including 4 that are reserved) is estimated to be approximately 2750 individuals. Five of these populations consist of less than 100 plants. Numbers are unknown at 6 of the sites (including 2 that are reserved), however estimates of areas of occupancy have been given for these. It would be possible to give a coarse estimate of a total population of less than 5000 individuals. A change of status from Endangered to Vulnerable is warranted due to an increase in the number of known populations, some of which are secured within a National Park.
5. The main threats to K. rupestris are track maintenance, fire suppression activities, sedimentation and subsequent competition, encroachment of weeds, damage to plants for the cut flower industry and destruction of habitat by soil and sand extraction.
6. In view of 3, 4 & 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species is likely to become endangered in nature in NSW unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate, but it is not currently considered likely to become extinct in nature in NSW nor is it considered to be in immediate danger of extinction.
Proposed Gazettal date: 12/3/99
Exhibition period: 12/3/99 - 16/4/99