Polystichum moorei (a fern) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the fern Polystichum moorei H. Christ as an ENDANGERED SPECIES in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. 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. Polystichum moorei H. Christ (family Dryopteridaceae) is described by Green (1994) as: a Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome short; scales dense, lanceolate, to 2 cm long, 2-5 mm broad, long-acute, brown. Fronds 3-pinnate or 2-pinnatisect; stipe 2-12 cm long; scales on stipe numerous, similar to those on rhizome, to 1.5 cm long, especially dense towards base; rachis with scattered, linear-lanceolate, brown scales to 1 cm long, especially towards base, and minute glandular hairs; lamina lanceolate in outline. 10-25 cm long, 7-14 cm broad; pinnules obliquely ovate, 0.5-2 cm long, with apices obtuse, bluntly serrate; veins not visible above. Sori more or less dome-shaped, 1.5-2 mm diam., glandular; indusia orbicular.

2. Polystichum moorei is endemic to Lord Howe Island. The species is largely restricted to a particular habitat, i.e. overhanging caves on basalt cliffs in the southern mountains. There is one additional location in an overhang of coral derived sedimentary rock known as calcarenite. The locations in the southern mountains are within the Permanent Park Preserve.

3. Recent survey work (Hutton 2001, Hutton pers. comm.) suggests that fewer than 30 mature plants of Polystichum moorei are currently known from 5 locations.

4. Goats may have damaged plants in the past, but as goats have virtually been eradicated from the island, this threat has now been removed. Because of the very small population size and the very limited area of suitable habitat, the species is likely to be threatened by stochastic events.

In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Polystichum moorei H. Christ is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

Proposed Gazettal date: 01/11/02
Exhibition period: 01/11/02 - 05/12/02

References 

Green, P. (1994) Dryopteridaceae. Flora of Australia 49, 600-606.

Hutton, I. (2001) Surveys of rare plants on Lord Howe Island - June 2001. Report to NSW Scientific Committee.