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The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

This collection of Pacific Conservation Biology contains papers about The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is one of the most important nature conservation areas along the south coast of Western Australia. Its importance is based on several factors. First, it contains remnant populations of rare fauna and flora of which the best known are the noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) or Jimuluk (Noongar name) and Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) or Ngilkat. Both were believed to be extinct for about a century until being rediscovered on the reserve in the early 1960s and 1990s respectively. Second, it is a place where considerable research effort has been concentrated since the gazettal of the area as a nature reserve in 1967; therefore, it has the potential to serve as a model for development of management practices for the region. Third, it is one of the few examples where the need for nature conservation overrode the need for commercial development.

This collection of Pacific Conservation Biology had its genesis in 1981 when the Western Australian Department of Fisheries and Wildlife decided to produce a management plan for Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. In order to do this, there was a need to prepare a comprehensive background document to provide a basis for planning and, at the same time, it was recognised that such a document would encourage further research. As a result, Angas Hopkins and Graeme Smith edited a volume of 23 papers covering a range of subjects from the European history of the establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, its geology, climate, biota, and management. The papers were peer-reviewed and laid out in July 1991 as a mock-up for publication. For some reason, the project went no further. Smith died in 1999 and Hopkins in 2016 without seeing their creation to publication.

Denis Saunders took on the challenge of arranging the updating of the original papers for publication in this collection of Pacific Conservation Biology. This was no easy task, as of the 22 contributors to the original 1991 bulletin, 13 were either dead, incapacitated, or uncontactable. This special issue is an important collection of papers providing past and current knowledge of the nature reserve.

Collection Editors
A. J. M. Hopkins
G. T. Smith
D. A. Saunders

Last Updated: 06 Jun 2024

PC24036A new vegetation classification for Western Australia’s Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and its significance for fire management

A. J. M. Hopkins, A. A. E. Williams, J. M. Harvey and Stephen D. Hopper 0000-0002-0364-2856

This project, extending over five decades, developed an authoritative vegetation classification and mapped plant fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Using Muir’s classification approach, field surveys were conducted with aerial photography in hand. Thirty-three vegetation units were identified, described, mapped, and photographed. Defining attributes and taxa were identified for each unit. Vegetation mapping has been a valuable aid for phytogeographical placement of the Reserve, for managers and for fire planning.

This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

PC24024Plant diversity on the edge: floristics, phytogeography, fire responses, and plant conservation of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in the context of OCBIL theory

Stephen D. Hopper 0000-0002-0364-2856, J. M. Harvey, A. J. M. Hopkins, L. A. Moore and G. T. Smith

This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Intensive field work by many collectors was involved. Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 3 declared rare species, 20 conservation priority species and various short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Continued avoidance of prescribed burning is advocated.

This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

PC24018A Merningar Bardok family’s Noongar oral history of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and surrounds

Lynette Knapp, Dion Cummings, Shandell Cummings, Peggy L. Fiedler and Stephen D. Hopper 0000-0002-0364-2856

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be aware that this document may contain sensitive information, images or names of people who have since passed away.

Future co-management of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve Reserve with Aboriginal peoples is likely, although very little information on the Noongar cultural heritage of the Reserve has been published and thus is available for stewardship guidance. Published for the first time, a rich trove of women’s and men’s stories from the Merningar Knapp family about Two Peoples Bay includes Wiernyert/Dreaming stories with classical human moral dilemmas, trading of gidj/spears, and stone structures on granite. Some Noongar names for landforms are provided.

This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

PC24004History and establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve

G. R. Chatfield and Denis A. Saunders 0000-0001-5959-573X

We describe the events leading to establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. The area was long known to Noongar peoples. Mapping by Europeans in 1791 was followed by sealing and whaling in the 19th century, and after World War II plans were prepared for a townsite. After the discovery of the noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus), hitherto believed extinct for 100 years, plans for the town were cancelled and the Reserve was established in 1967.

This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

PC24023Introduction to the special issue of The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

A. J. M. Hopkins, G. T. Smith and D. A. Saunders 0000-0001-5959-573X

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve comprises ~5000 ha of wetlands, heathlands, granite outcrops, sand dunes, beaches, cliffs, and islands. Two species, the Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird and Ngilgaitch/Gilbert’s potoroo, were believed extinct for over 100 years before being rediscovered on the Reserve. Since the Reserve was established in 1967, rainfall has decreased, while minimum and maximum temperatures have increased. We ask what the climate change means for managers of conservation areas such as Two Peoples Bay.

This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

PC24020Bryophytes of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

R. Wyatt, A. Stoneburner and Stephen D. Hopper 0000-0002-0364-2856

In 1984 we searched comprehensively for bryophytes at seven major habitats on Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. A total of 38 species of mosses and ten species of liverworts included two moss species (Distichium inclinatum and Tortella dakinii) previously unknown from Western Australia. Another represented a new species (Pleurophascum occidentale) in a heretofore monotypic order. This, the first listing published of bryophytes on a Reserve in Western Australia, indicates the potential rewards for further survey of bryophytes.

This article belongs to the Collection The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.