Just Accepted
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Habitat for the endangered ephemeral Monotaxis macrophylla (Euphorbiaceae) in New South Wales: how do predictions compare with the evidence?
Abstract
Context: The endangered ephemeral herb Monotaxis macrophylla (Euphorbiaceae) has relatively few (c. 211) records throughout its known range in eastern Australia. In New South Wales (NSW), the 127 occurrences are spread over more than half of the state, and for regulatory purposes this has led to 262 Plant Community Types (PCTs) being predicted as suitable habitat for the species in the BioNet Threatened Biodiversity Data Collection (TBDC). Under the Biodiversity Assessment Method currently in use in NSW, Monotaxis macrophylla is to be specifically addressed for any development site where one or more of the 262 PCTs occur. Aims: To assess how predicted habitats for Monotaxis macrophylla as shown in the TBDC compare with evidence of occurrence. Methods: Examination of all available voucher collections, observations records, and the literature for eastern Australia was undertaken, and reviewed against the New South Wales PCT classification. Key results: Monotaxis macrophylla was found to be affiliated with only fifteen PCTs in NSW at best, but only ten of these are currently included in the list of predicted PCTs for the species. The weight of evidence from existing presence data clearly shows that ten heath and rocky scrub PCTs identified for Monotaxis macrophylla in NSW comprise 121 (95%) of all NSW records. Analysis of records in Queensland against Regional Ecosystems did not identify additional PCT-affiliated vegetation that might also support the species elsewhere in NSW. Conclusions: The revised suite of fifteen PCTs known or expected to support Monotaxis macrophylla occupies just 14,660 km2 or 1.8% of the State (potentially less if low confidence PCTs removed), compared to more than 27,000 km2 or 3.4% for the predicted 262 PCTs. Implications: Currently, if any development is proposed within land that supports one or more of the 262 PCTs linked to Monotaxis macrophylla, appropriately timed targeted surveys are required to discount its presence, or it must be assumed to be present. This review highlights that predicted habitats should be evidence based using known presence data, rather than assumed using broad understandings of possible habitat, and regular revision of predicted habitats within regulatory frameworks for all threatened species is recommended.
BT24064 Accepted 03 February 2025
© CSIRO 2025
