Belvisia mucronata (a fern) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the fern Belvisia mucronata (Fée) Copel. as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. The listing of Endangered Species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Belvisia mucronata (Fée) Copel. (Polypodiaceae) was first described in Genera Filicum (1947) by E. B. Copeland.

2. Belvisia mucronata has been described in Flora of NSW, Vol. 1, page 40, edited by Harden (1990) (Uni. of NSW Press) as: rhizome densely covered with dark, clathrate, acuminate scales. Fronds usually to 45 cm long; stipe relatively short, 1-5 cm long; lamina dark green, simple or sometimes 2-forked at the apex; veins obscure, densely reticulate. Apical portion of the fertile frond 10-25 cm long. Usually found forming small clumps on trees or rocks in rainforest.

3. The species is cosmopolitan, occurring in NSW, Queensland, Asia, Malesia and the Pacific. In NSW it is restricted to the far north coast, reaching its southern distributional limit at a site north east of Grafton.

4. The species is currently known from five locations within NSW. None of these occurs within a conservation reserve. The species occurs at low densities at all known locations.

5. Targeted searches for the species failed to detect any new locations.

6. Threats include frequent fire regimes and activities associated with forestry operations. Low population sizes also make the species vulnerable to stochastic events.

7. In view of 3, 4, 5 & 6 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species is likely to become extinct in nature in NSW unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

Proposed Gazettal date: 30/11/01
Exhibition period: 30/11/01 - 18/01/02