Cryptandra longistaminea (a shrub) in the vicinity of Ellandgrove Road, South Grafton - removal of endangered population
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to remove the population of the shrub Cryptandra longistaminea F. Muell. in the vicinity of Ellandgrove Road, South Grafton from the Schedules of the Act by omitting reference to this population from Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Endangered population). The omission of species from the Schedules is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Cryptandra longistaminea F. Muell. (family Rhamnaceae) is a small, much branched shrub, normally 50-80cm tall.
2. The South Grafton population of Cryptandra longistaminea was listed on Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act as an endangered population on 11 September, 1998.
3. At the time of listing the Scientific Committee was of the view that the population had been reduced to such a critical level and its habitat had been so drastically reduced that it was in immediate danger of extinction; it was disjunct and at the limit of the geographic range of the species and its disjunction and regional rarity made it a population of significant conservation value.
4. Since that time a population of Cryptandra longistaminea has been discovered at Port Stephens. The South Grafton population is thus no longer at or near the limit of the geographic range of the species.
5. At the time of listing the known population of Cryptandra longistaminea in South Grafton in the vicinity of Ellandgrove Road was estimated at approximately 12 individual shrubs. More recent surveys have shown that Cryptandra longistaminea occurs near to South Grafton in a number of compartments in state forests. The small number of plants near Ellandgrove Road are part of a larger and more extensive population. Current, and likely future management of the State Forest lands are not considered to place the population at risk of extinction.
6. Cryptandra longistaminea is widespread although not common in northern New South Wales (Harden G. 1990. Flora of NSW Vol 2 p 371), mainly north of Grafton on the coastal plain (but with an outlier at Port Stephens), north of Gilgandra on the western slopes of the Dividing Range and north of Hillston in the inland. The Scientific Committee considers that on the basis of geographical distribution, estimated population and threats, Cryptandra longistaminea does not currently satisfy the criteria for listing as a threatened species, although a decline in distribution or abundance could result in the species becoming vulnerable.
7. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the population of the shrub Cryptandra longistaminea F. Muell. in South Grafton in the vicinity of Ellandgrove Road is no longer eligible to be listed as an endangered population in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act.
Associate Professor Paul Adam
Chairperson
Scientific Committee
Proposed Gazettal date: 17/12/04
Exhibition period: 17/12/04 - 28/01/05