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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 54(7)

Distribution and conservation status of the rare plants Melaleuca triumphalis and Stenostegia congesta (Myrtaceae), Victoria River district, northern Australia

Beth Crase A B , Ian D. Cowie A and Carrie R. Michell A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Biodiversity Conservation Division, Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT 0831, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: Beth.Crase@nt.gov.au

C Deceased.

Australian Journal of Botany 54(7) 641-653 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT05159
Submitted: 19 September 2005  Accepted: 14 March 2006   Published: 19 October 2006

Abstract

Targeted searches of approximately 150 km of cliff lines for two rare sandstone shrubs, Melaleuca triumphalis Craven and Stenostegia congesta A.R.Bean, thought to be restricted to the Victoria River gorge system within Gregory National Park, increased the number of known populations from 3 and 6 to 31 and 37, respectively. Both species occur predominantly in rocky and often fire-protected niches on sandstone cliffs and scree slopes, and are frequently associated with permanent drip-lines and seepage areas. Although their broad habitat requirements are similar, the two species do occur in slightly different niches. The data presented here suggest that M. triumphalis is reasonably fire tolerant, whereas S. congesta appears to be more fire sensitive. Weeds and introduced animals are not thought to pose a threat to these rare species. Models developed using remotely sensed and landscape-scale data (digital elevation models, radiometrics, geology and distance to rivers and streams) suggest that these species may also occur outside Gregory National Park in other areas of the Northern Territory such as on Bullo River and Bradshaw stations and in Keep River National Park. It is suggested that both species be regarded as Vulnerable under the IUCN guidelines.


Acknowledgments

Carrie Michell was responsible for much of the preparation and planning prior to the survey, organisation and co-ordination during the survey, and collation of data following the survey. Sadly, Carrie passed away in 2002, and we acknowledge her friendship and the contribution she made to the current knowledge of M. triumphalis and S. congesta. John Woinarski and Alaric Fisher are thanked for their recommendations on analyses and guidance provided during the drafting of the manuscript. We thank Chris Pavey, Raelee Kerrigan and Jenni Risler for comments on the manuscript, and Craig Hempel for assistance in mapping distributions. Fieldwork was completed as part of a Ranger Training Camp, involving Northern Territory Herbarium, Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife rangers and Aboriginal traditional owners. Participants in the fieldwork included Lily Gin.gina, Queenie Morgan, Jessie Brown, Paddy Bennet, Mr M. Bennett, Kym Brennan, Ian Cowie, Bob Harwood, Raelee Kerrigan, Greg Leach, Chris Mangion, Carrie Michell, Jenni Risler, David Rochford, Phillip Short, Sharon Wilson, Glenn Wightman, Colin Wilson, Greg Boehme, John Burke, Tracy Davies, Shauna Potter, Peter Ross, Rebecca Smith, Daniel Trudgeon, and Kerri Watkins. We also thank Nerida Holznagel, Mick Holten, Sarah Kerin, Darren Larcombe, Neville Muggeridge, Cameron Yates and district ranger staff for considerable assistance with logistic support and running the camp.


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