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National Recovery Plan for Naturaliste Nancy Wurmbea calcicola
Government of Western Australia, Department of Environment and Conservation 2008
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2008
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About the plan
Scientific Name: Wurmbea calcicola
Common Name: Naturaliste Nancy
Family: Colchicaceae
Flowering Period: June to July
DEC Region: Southwest
DEC District: Blackwood
Shires: Busselton
Recovery Teams: South West Region Threatened Flora and Communities Recovery Team (SWRTFCRT)
Illustrations and/or further information:
Brown, A., Thomson-Dans, C. and Marchant, N. (Eds). (1998). Western Australia's Threatened Flora. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia; CALM (1998) Florabase – Information on the Western Australian Flora (http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/science/); Macfarlane, T.D. (1993) Wurmbea calcicola (Cochicaceae), a new species from Cape Naturaliste, south western Australia. Nuytsia Vol 9; pp 233-236.
Current status:
Wurmbea calcicola was declared as Rare Flora under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 in September 1987 as Wurmbea sp., Cape Naturaliste, S.D. Hopper 5871. It currently meets World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List Category Vulnerable (IUCN 2001) under criterion D1 as it is estimated that there are less than 1000 mature individuals. The species is currently known from a single population (4 subpopulations) at Cape Naturaliste in the south west of Western Australia. Recreational activities and weed invasion in nearby areas are minor threats to the single known population. The species is listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Distribution and habitat:
Wurmbea calcicola is found only in a restricted area on Cape Naturaliste in the south west of Western Australia. The species tends to form colonies on the coastal limestone cliffs, which are a part of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. The habitat for the species is the brown pockets of loamy soil found on the cliffs. It generally inhabits open areas, in low shrubland of chenille honey-myrtle (Melaleuca huegelii), coastal honey-myrtle (M. acerosa), native rosemary (Olearia axillaris), basket bush (Spyridium globosum), pinkwood (Beyeria viscosa), cockies tongues (Templetonia retusa), acacias and Preiss's prickle fruit (Acanthocarpus preissii).
Guide for decision-makers:
Section 1 provides details of current and possible future threats. Developments in the immediate vicinity of the population or within the habitat that is defined as critical to survival require assessment. Any on-ground works (clearing, firebreaks, roadworks, spraying of herbicides, burning, drainage etc) in the immediate vicinity of Wurmbea calcicola will require assessment. Proponents should demonstrate that on-ground works will not have an impact on the species, or on its habitat or potential habitat.
Habitat critical to the survival of the species, and important populations:
Habitat critical to the survival of the species includes the area of occupancy of important populations; areas of similar habitat surrounding important populations - these areas provide potential habitat for natural range extension and/or for allowing pollinators or biota essential to the continued existence of the species to move between populations; and additional occurrences of similar habitat that may contain important populations of the species or be suitable for future translocations or other recovery actions intended to create important populations. The single population is considered important for the long-term recovery and survival of the species.
Benefits to other species/ecological communities:
Recovery actions implemented to improve the quality or security of the habitat of Wurmbea calcicola will also improve the status of remnant vegetation in which it is located.International obligations: This plan is fully consistent with the aims and recommendations of the Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by Australia in June 1993, and will assist in implementing Australia's responsibilities under that convention. The taxon is not listed under any specific international treaty, however, and therefore this IRP does not affect Australia's obligations under any other international agreements.
Role and interests of Indigenous people:
Involvement of the Indigenous community is being sought through the advice of the Department of Indigenous Affairs to determine whether there are any issues or interests identified in the plan. A search of the Department of Indigenous Affairs Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register has identified that there are no sites of Aboriginal significance at or near populations of the species covered by this IRP. Where no role is identified for the Indigenous community associated with this species in the development of the recovery plan, opportunities may exist through cultural interpretation and awareness of the species. Indigenous involvement in the implementation of recovery actions will be encouraged.
Social and economic impacts:
The implementation of this recovery plan is unlikely to cause significant adverse social or economic impacts, as the only known population is located in a National Park.
Evaluation of the Plan's Performance:
The Department of Environment and Conservation, in conjunction with the Recovery Team will evaluate the performance of this IRP. The plan is to be reviewed within five years.
Completed Recovery Actions:
The following recovery actions have been implemented:
- The population has been accurately mapped and monitored following its initial identification.
- An original walk trail was re-directed to avoid the Wurmbea calcicola population.
- Staff from the Threatened Flora Seed Centre (TFSC) collected 237 seeds from the population in September 1998 and the initial viability was variable.
- Staff from DEC's Blackwood District staff monitor the population.
IRP Objective:
The objective of this Interim Recovery Plan is to abate identified threats and maintain and/or enhance in situ populations to ensure the long-term preservation of the taxon in the wild.
Recovery criteria
Criteria for success:
The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have increased by ten percent or more over the five year life of this plan.
Criteria for failure:
The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have decreased by ten percent or more over the five year life of this plan.
Recovery Actions:
- Coordinate recovery actions
- Conduct further surveys
- Liaise with relevant groups and individuals
- Monitor population
- Obtain biological and ecological information
- Promote community awareness
- Review this plan