INTERIM RECOVERY PLAN NO. 128

QUARTZ-LOVING SYNAPHEA (SYNAPHEA QUARTZITICA) INTERIM RECOVERY PLAN
2003-2008

Gillian Stack & Val English

Photograph: Gillian Stack

January 2003

Department of Conservation and Land Management

Western Australian Threatened Species and Communities Unit (WATSCU) PO Box 51, Wanneroo, WA 6946

FOREWORD

Interim Recovery Plans (IRPs) are developed within the framework laid down in Department of Conservation and Land Management (the Department) Policy Statements Nos. 44 and 50.

IRPs  outline  the  recovery  actions  that  are  required  to  urgently  address  those  threatening  processes  most affecting the ongoing survival of threatened taxa or ecological communities, and begin the recovery process.

The Department is committed to ensuring that Critically Endangered taxa are conserved through the preparation and implementation  of Recovery Plans or Interim Recovery Plans and by ensuring that conservation action commences as soon as possible and always within one year of endorsement of that rank by the Minister.

This Interim Recovery Plan replaces number 50  Synaphea quartzitica (G. Stack, and V. English, 1999).   It incorporates current information on factors such as population, land tenure plant numbers and threats that, if changed from the previous plan, may affect appropriate recovery actions. In addition, it provides an update of which recovery actions have occurred.

This Interim Recovery Plan will operate from January 2003 to December 2007 but will remain in force until withdrawn or replaced. It is intended that, if the taxon is still ranked Critically Endangered, this IRP will be reviewed after five years and the need for a full Recovery Plan will be assessed.

This IRP was approved by the Director of Nature Conservation  on 20 June, 2003. The provision of funds identified  in  this  Interim  Recovery  Plan  is  dependent  on  budgetary  and  other  constraints  affecting  the Department, as well as the need to address other priorities.

Information in this IRP was accurate at January 2003.

SUMMARY

Scientific Name:	

Synaphea quartzitica	

Common Name:	

Quartz-loving Synaphea	
Family:
Dept Region: Shire:	Proteaceae Midwest Moora	Flowering Period: Dept District: Recovery Team:	July – August
Moora
Moora District Threatened Flora Recovery	
			Team (MDTFRT)	

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; George, A. S. (1995). Synaphea. Flora of Australia 16: 271-315; Harding, M.G. and Lamont, B.B. (2001) Conservation biology of the rare Synaphea quartzitica and common Synaphea spinulosa. Department of Environmental Biology, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia.

Current status: Synaphea quartzitica was declared as Rare Flora in July 1998, and was ranked as Critically Endangered in Western Australia in November 1998. There has since been a perceived decline in level of threat to the species due to res ervation of the biggest population and it is now recommended for listing as Endangered (EN) under criterion D (World Conservation Union (IUCN) 2000)) due to the low number of plants.  Synaphea quartzitica  is also listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The species is known from four populations, with a total of less than 350 plants, many of which form part of clumps that are assumed to be clones, so it is likely that there are fe wer than 200 genetically distinct individuals. The species is threatened by grazing, inappropriate fire regimes and possibly mining.

An Interim Recovery Plan was developed for the species in 1999 (Stack and English 1999). Information accumulated since that plan was completed has been incorporated into this plan and this document now replaces Stack and English (1999).

Population 1 of Synaphea quartzitica occurs within a plant community listed as Endangered in Western Australia. This IRP will therefore be implemented  in conjunction with the IRP for the community described as 'Heath dominated by one or more of Regelia megacephala, Kunzea praestans and Allocasuarina campestris on ridges and slopes of the chert hills of the Coomberdale Floristic Region’ (Hami lton Brown 1999), in which Population 1 of Synaphea quartzitica occurs .

Critical habitat: The critical habitat for Synaphea quartzitica comprises the area of occupancy of the known populations; similar habitat within 200 metres of known populations;  remnant vegetation that links populations and additional nearby occurrences  of similar habitat that do not currently contain the species but may have done so in the past and may be suitable for translocations.

Habitat critical to the survival of the species, a nd important populations
Given that this species is listed as Critically Endangered it is considered that all known habitat for wild and translocated populations is habitat critical.

Benefits to other species/ecological communities
Population 1 is located within an occurrence of a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC), and other Declared Rare Flora (DRF) (Acacia aristulata (DRF),  Daviesia dielsii (DRF)) also occur in the vicinity of Population 1.  Acacia aristulata is listed as Endangered, and Daviesia dielsii as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. Recovery actions implemented to improve the quality or security of the habitat of Synaphea quartzitica Population 1 are likely to improve the status of the TEC in which this population is located, and populations of o ther listed species that occur in the same habitat.

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. However, as Synaphea quartzitica is not listed under any international agreement, the implementation of other international environmental responsibilities is not affected by this plan.

Role and interests of indigenous people
There are no known indigenous communities interested or involved in the management of areas affected by this plan. Therefore no role has been identified for indigenous communities in the recovery of this species.

Social and economic i mpacts
The implementation of this recovery plan is unlikely to cause significant adverse social and economic impacts. There are mineral leases over the area that contains population 1 of Synaphea quartzitica , however, an agreement has been negotiated

with the mining company with regard to the future management of the area that contains the habitat of the population. Recovery actions refer to continued liaison between stakeholders with regard to this area.

Evaluation of the Plans Performance
The Department   of  Conservation  and  Land  Management,  in  conjunction  with  the  Recovery  Team  will  evaluate  the performance of this IRP. In addition to annual reporting on progress with listed actions and comparison against the criteria for success and failure, the plan is t o be reviewed within five years of its implementation.
Habitat requirements: Synaphea quartzitica is currently known from a range of approximately 40 linear km in the Moora
- Watheroo area. It grows on the slopes of chert hills in open heath with Melaleuca radula and Kunzea species, adjacent to tall shrubland of  Allocasuarina  campestris. At Population 1, this species occurs with Acacia aristulata (DRF),  Daviesia dielsii (DRF),  Acacia congesta subsp.  cliftoniana (Priority 1),  Baeckea sp. Moora (Priority 3) and Regelia megacephala (Priority  4)  and  is part  of  the  Endangered  Heath  community  on  the  chert  hills  of  the  Coomberdale  Floristic  Region (Hamilton-Brown 2000).

Existing Recovery Actions: The following recovery actions have been or are currently being imp lemented –
1. 	All appropriate people have been made aware of the location and threatened status of the species.
2. 	Declared Rare Flora (DRF) markers have been installed at Population 2.
3. 	Dashboard stickers and posters describing the significance of DRF markers h ave been produced and distributed.
4. 	Negotiations to acquire the area on which Population 1 occurs as a Nature Reserve are well advanced.
5. 	Staff of the Department's Threatened Flora Seed Centre (TFSC) attempted, largely unsuccessfully, to collect seed in
1997 and again in 1998.
6. 	An information sheet that describes and illustrates the species has been produced.
7. 	Staff from the Department's Moora District regularly monitor populations of the species.
8. 	Detailed investigations have been undertaken into the species ’ population sizes, reproductive biology and growth rates
9. 	The Moora District Threatened Flora Recovery Team is overseeing the implementation  of this IRP and will include information on progress in an annual report to the Department's Corporate Executive and funding bodies.

IRP Objective: The objective of this Interim Recovery Plan is to abate identified threats and maintain or enhance in situ
populations to ensure the long-term preservation of the species 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.
Criteria for failure: The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have decreased by ten percent or mo re.

1.	Coordinate recovery actions	8.	Conduct further surveys	
2.	Preserve genetic diversity of the species	9.	Monitor populations	
3.	Undertake hand-pollination trials	10.	Liaise with land managers	
4.	Undertake disturbance and watering trials	11.	Obtain biologic al and ecological information	
5.	Install DRF markers	12.	Develop and implement fire management strategy	
6.	Control rabbits	13.	Promote awareness	
7.	Seek to transfer care, control and management	14.	Review the need for a full Recovery Plan	

Recovery actions

1.	BACKGROUND

History

The first known collection of Synaphea quartzitica was from the Moora area in October 1908 by Dr. J. Burton Cleland and this specimen is now housed in New South Wales. Surveys conducted in August 1997 resulted in collection of a Synaphea  specimen initially thought to be  Synaphea spinulosa. However, this was positively identified as S. quartzitica by a taxonomist working on the genus. Surveys conducted in August 1998 located three additional populations nearby. However, all of the known populations are relatively small and isolated.

The wider habitat of Population 1 also contains populations of Acacia aristulata (DRF), Daviesia dielsii (DRF), Acacia  congesta  subsp.  cliftoniana  (Priority  1), Baeckea  sp. Moora  (Priority  3) and Regelia  megacephala (Priority 4). It is part of the Heath community on the chert hills of the Coomberdale Floristic Region, which is ranked as Endangered (Hamilton-Brown 2000). This area has been subject to a mineral exploration lease, with interest focussed on the chert as a source of silicon. However, the process of transferring the care, control and management  of this land to the Conservation  Commission  as a Nature Reserve is now well advanced, the mining company, Simcoa Operations Pty Ltd, has voluntarily relinquished its lease over this area and no mining is now likely to occur in the immediate vicinity of Synaphea quartzitica.

An Interim  Recovery  Plan was developed  for the species  in 1999 (Stack  and English  1999).  Information accumulated since that plan was completed has been incorporated into this plan and this document now replaces Stack and English (1999).

Description

The genus Synaphea is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Fifty species are currently recognised, but taxonomic work is continuing on the resolution of various complexes. The genus consists of low shrubs that have small yellow tubular flowers, and strikingly varied leaf morphology (George 1995).

Synaphea quartzitica is a low sub-shrub with several stems. The flattened leaves have 6-15 cm long petioles, and are pinnately divided with two or three pairs of lobes to 6 mm wide. The flowering spikes carry many bright yellow  flowers,  are  6-18  cm  long  and  are  often  only  a little  taller  than  the  foliage.  This  species  can  be distinguished by the leaf shape, the length of flower spikes and the very narrow stigma (George 1995).

Distribution and habitat

Synaphea quartzitica  is endemic to the Moora  - Watheroo area of Western Australia. It is known from four populations that contain a total of less than 350 plants, although the species is clonal and there appears to be fewer than 200 genetically distinct individuals. The species occurs on the slopes of chert hills in open heath with Melaleuca radula and Kunzea species, adjacent to tall shrubland of Allocasuarina campestris.

Critical habitat

Critical  habitat is habitat identified  as being critical  to the survival  of a listed threatened  species  or listed threatened   ecological   community.   Habitat  is  defined   as  the  biophysical   medium   or  media  occupied (continuously,  periodic ally  or  occasionally)  by  an  organism  or  group  of  organisms  or  once  occupied (continuously, periodically or occasionally) by an organism, or group of organisms, and into which organisms of that kind have the potential to be reintroduced (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999).

The critical habitat for Synaphea quartzitica comprises:
the area of occupancy of known populations;
areas of similar habitat within 200 metres of known populations, i.e. open heath associated with chert hills
(these provide potential habitat for natural range extension);
remnant vegetation that surrounds and links several populations (this is necessary to allow pollinators to move between populations); and

additional occurrences of similar habitat that do not currently contain the species but may have done so in the past (these represent possible translocation sites).

Habitat critical to the survival of the species, and important populations
Given that this species is listed as Critically Endangered it is considered that all known habitat for wild and any translocated populations is habitat critical.

Benefits to other species/ecological communities
Population 1 is located within an occurrence of a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC), and other Declared
Rare  Flora  (DRF)  (Acacia  aristulata  (DRF),  Daviesia  dielsii (DRF)),  also  occur  in  the  wider  habitat  of Population 1. Acacia aristulata is listed as Endangered, and Daviesia dielsii as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. Recovery  actions  implemented  to  improve  the  quality  or  security  of  the  habitat  of   Synaphea  quartzitica Population 1 are likely to improve the status of the TEC in which this population is located, and populations of other listed species that occur in the same habitat.

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. However, as Synaphea quartzitica  is not listed under any international agreement, the implementation of other international environmental responsibilities is not affected by this plan.

Role and interests of indigenous people
There are no known indigenous communities interested or involved in the management of areas affected by this plan. Therefore no role has been identified for indigenous communities in the recovery of this species.

Social and economic impacts
The implementation of this recovery plan is unlikely to cause significant adverse social and economic impacts. There are mineral leases over the area that contains population 1 of Synaphea quartzitica,  however an agreement has been negotiated with the mining company with regard the future management of the area that contains the habitat of the population. Recovery actions refer to continued liaison between stakeholders with regard this area.

Evaluation of the Plans Performance
The Department of Conservation and Land Management, in conjunction with the Recovery Team will evaluate the performance of this IRP. In addition to annual reporting on progress with listed actions and comparison against the criteria for success and failure, the plan is to be reviewed within five years of its implementation. Biology and ecology

Some Synaphea species have fire-tolerant rootstock that allows regeneration in the absence of seed. New growth has been observed resprouting from otherwise apparently dead plants of Synaphea quartzitica , so it is likely that this  species  would  also  resprout  after  fire.  Synaphea quartzitica  also produces  suckers,  and can use this mechanism to reproduce. This means that of the apparently total number of plants in any population, a smaller number will be genetically distinct individuals. Genetic diversity is important to enable the species as a whole to adapt to changing environments.

Seed set is low in most  Synaphea  species, including many that are fire-sensitive. Staff of the Department’s Threatened Flora Seed Centre (TFSC) noted in October 1998 that virtually all the potential seed produced after flowering  in  August-September  had  aborted.  The  single   Synaphea  quartzitica  seed  collected  at  that  time germinated approximately 10 weeks after treatment with gibberellic acid and nicking of the seed coat. Unfortunately, the seedling died before reaching maturity. The more frequent occurrence of this species along existing tracks and on long overgrown tracks suggests that disturbance stimulates germination. Alternatively, germination in these areas may relate to increased moisture. However, as it appears to set very little seed, this alone will not ensure success of the species.

The pollinators of Synaphea species are unknown, but are thought to be insects. Research suggests that pollen transfer appears to be the major factor limiting seed set in Synaphea quartzitica (Harding and Lamont 2001). On that basis, further research into the success of hand-pollination  is a high priority, as is the discovery of the identity and requirements of pollinators of this species, which is crucia l for its longer term management.

Threats

Due to the species’ restricted distribution and threats associated with growing in a specialised habitat, Synaphea quartzitica was declared as Rare Flora in July 1998, and ranked as Critically Endangered in November 1998, because  of  the  low  number  of  plants,  scattered  distribution  within  and  between  populations,  and  threats associated  with growing  in a specialised  habitat  over a restricted  range.  The species  is known  from four populations, with a total of less than 350 plants, many of which form part of clumps that are assumed to be clones. It is likely that there are only about 200 genetically distinct individuals. It is now recommended  for listing as Endangered (EN) under criterion D (World Conservation Union (IUCN) 2000)) because the perceived level of threat has declined since 1998 due to research that indicates the species is capable of resprouting following disturbance. In addition one of the main populations is now unlikely to be impacted by mining as a consequence  of negotiations  that will result  in conservation  management  of the site.  When  that process  is concluded all populations will be on conservation land.

Synaphea quartzitica occurs in an unusual habitat associated with chert hills of low fertility, and is therefore likely to be naturally restricted. Its rarity has been exacerbated by the mining of chert as the raw material for silicon production,  and extensive  clearing  for agriculture  that has occurred  in the Moora  - Watheroo  area, including clearing of the known habitat. In addition, the known populations are small and threatened by grazing, track maintenance activities, and inappropriate fire regimes.

Grazing by rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus ) has had an impact on the plants at Population 1. In addition, disturbance of soil by rabbit warren construction, increased nutrient levels and the introduction of weeds from their droppings are impacting on the habitat of the species. Grazing would have an impact on the establishment of young shoots of Synaphea quartzitica thereby limiting natural recruitment.

Track maintenance activities have the potential to threaten plants and habitat at Populations 2, 3 and 4. Threats include grading, chemical spraying, construction of drainage channels and the mowing of vegetation alongside tracks. Several of these activities also encourage weed invasion.

Inappropriate fire regimes may affect the viability of populations. Mature plants probably respond to fire by resprouting from lignotubers, and frequent fire would therefore deplete lignotuber reserves, as well as degrade the surrounding habitat.  Synaphea quartzitica  also produces very small quantities of seed, which may germinate following fire. Therefore, occasional fires may aid recruitment.

Very low level of seed production threatens the species in the long term as the genetic diversity declines in all populations, leading to a decline in ability to adapt to changing conditions. This low seed set has been attributed to ineffective pollen transfer (Harding and Lamont 2001). This may be a natural characteristic as it applies to many species of Synaphea, but threatens this species because of the low total number of plants, due in part to clearing of much of the specialised habitat.

Summary of population information and threats

Pop. No. & Location	Land Status	Year/No. plants	Condition	Threats	
1. North of Moora	Private property,
soon to become a
nature reserve.	1996 45
1998 69 (10) [19]
2001 91 (6)
2001	68 genets	Good	Grazing, inappropriate fire regimes	
2a. Watheroo Nat Park	National Park	1998 75+
2000 146 (20) [5]
2001 194 (16)
2001	97 genets	Good	Track maintenance, inappropriate fire regimes	
2b. Watheroo Nat Park	National Park	2000 5	Good	Track maintenance, inappropriate fire regimes	
3. Watheroo Nat Park	National Park	1998 3
2000 2 (3) [1]	Good	Track maintenance, inappropriate fire regimes	
4. Watheroo Nat Park	National Park	1998 29 [11]	Good	Track maintenance, inappropriate fire regimes	
Numbers in brackets = number of juveniles; numbers in square brackets = number of dead. Bold = number of genets (genetically distinct
individuals). All other numbers refer to the number of ramets (clumps of plants assumed to be part of a clone).

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 defined critical habitat of Synaphea quartzitica require assessment. No developments should be approved unless the proponents can demonstrate that they will have no significant impact on the species, or its habitat or potential habitat.

2.	RECOVERY OBJECTIVE AND CRITERIA

Objectives

The objective  of this Interim  Recovery  Plan is to abate identified  threats and maintain  or enhance  in situ
populations to ensure the long-term preservation of the species in the wild.

Criteria for success:  The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have increased by ten percent or more.
Criteria for failure:  The number of individuals within populations  and/or the number of populations have decreased by ten percent or more.

3.	RECOVERY ACTIONS

Existing recovery actions

All land managers have been notified of the location and threatened status of the species. The notification details the Declared Rare status of Synaphea quartzitica and the legal responsibility to protect it.

Declared Rare Flora (DRF) markers have been installed at Population 2. These serve to alert people working in the vicinity to the presence of DRF, and the need to avoid work that may damage plants or their habitat. Dashboard stickers and posters describing the significance of DRF markers have been produced and distributed.

The area of Population 1 supports an unusual habitat that is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community. The community  contains  populations  of an additional  two taxa of Declared  Rare Flora  - Acacia aristulata  and Daviesia  dielsii  (ranked  Endangered  and  Vulnerable  respectively).  The  Department  is  in  the  process  of acquiring this area through negotiations with stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of having this area declared an A Class Nature Reserve.

Staff of the Department’s Threatened Flora Seed Centre (TFSC) attempted to collect seed in 1997 and again in
1998, without much success. Like most Synaphea species, Synaphea quartzitica sets almost no viable seed. The single seed collected germinated, but the seedling died before reaching maturity (personal communication A. Cochrane1).

1  Anne Cochrane, Manager, the Department's Threatened Flora Seed Centre

Growth of Synaphea quartzitica  from cuttings has not yet been attempted. Some  Synaphea spinulosa plants have been successfully  grown  from cuttings  by the Botanic  Garden  and Parks Authority  (BGPA)  nursery, despite an extremely low strike rate. BGPA staff have also successfully grown  Synaphea stenoloba in tissue cultured.

A double -sided  information sheet was produced in 2002, and includes a description of the plant, its habitat, threats, recovery actions and photos.

Staff from the Department's Moora District regularly monitor all populations of this species.

Detailed investigations have been undertaken into the species’ population sizes, reproductive biology and growth rates (Harding and Lamont 2001).

The Moora District Threatened Flora Recovery Team (MDTFRT) is overseeing the implementation of this IRP and will include information on progress  in its annual report to the Department's Corporate Executive and funding bodies.

Future recovery actions

Where populations occur on lands other than those managed by the Department, permission has been or will be sought from appropriate land managers prior to recovery actions being undertaken.

1. 	Coordinate recovery actions

The Moora District Threatened Flora Recovery Team (MDTFRT) will continue to coordinate recovery actions for Synaphea quartzitica  and  other  Declared  Rare  Flora  in the district.  They  will  include  information  on progress in their annual report to the Department’s Corporate Executive and funding bodies.

Action: 	Coordinate recovery actions
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$400 per year

2. 	Preserve genetic diversity of the species

Preservation of germplasm is essential to guard against extinction if wild populations are lost. Such collections are also needed to propagate plants for translocations.  Despite several attempts to collect seed of  Synaphea quartzitica, none has been stored due to its extremely low rate of seed set. It will therefore be necessary to preserve the genetic diversity of this species through the use of other techniques such as cuttings, tissue culture and maintenance of living plants in cultivation. There is currently no germplasm of this species held in storage.

Action: 	Preserve genetic diversity of the species
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District), BGPA through MDTFRT
Cost: 	$6,100 per year in first, second and third years

3. 	Undertake hand-pollination trials

Harding and Lamont (2001) found that pollen transfer was the major factor limiting seed set in this species. Seed-set in many Proteaceous species is naturally low, but is likely to be limiting the resilience of this species. Hand-pollination of flowers will be trialed to ascertain whether this will increase the level of viable seed set. Reproduction by seed provides greater genetic diversity than is possible by vegetative means, and should be fostered if possible. Greater genetic diversity provides the species with greater ability to deal with change.

Action: 	Undertake hand-pollination trials
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$1,500 in second, third and fourth years

4. 	Undertake disturbance and watering trials

The occurrence of greater numbers of plants near tracks in Watheroo National Park suggests that disturbance and/or moisture levels are a factor in germination. Disturbance and watering trials will be conducted to assess the germination response of soil-stored seed.

Action: 	Undertake disturbance and watering trials Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT Cost: 	$1,500 in third, fourth and fifth years

5. 	Install Declared Rare Flora markers

Declared Rare Flora (DRF) markers are required for Populations 3 and 4 that occur in Watheroo National Park. Their purpose is to alert people operating in the area (e.g. the Department’s operational staff, the Bush Fire Brigade and Shire staff and contractors) to the presence of DRF to help prevent accidental damage.

Action: 	Install DRF markers
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$400 in first year

6. 	Control rabbits

Population 1 is affected by rabbits. There is evidence of grazing on the plants themselves, and young shoots are extremely vulnerable to grazing. In addition, the soil is being disturbed by rabbit warren construction, and this combined with the increased nutrient levels and the presence of weed seed in  their droppings is introducing weeds into the habitat. Baiting will be undertaken in and around this area.

Action: 	Control rabbits
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$1,100 per year in second and third years

7. 	Seek to transfer care, control and management of habitat of Population 1

Negotiations  into  transferring  the  care  control  and  management  of  the  habitat  of  Population  1  to  the
Conservation Commission for the purpose of conservation are well advanced. These negotiations will continue.

Action: 	Seek to transfer care, control and management of habitat of Population 1
Responsibility: 	The Department (Land Administration, Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$500 in second year

8. 	Conduct further surveys

Further surveys will be conducted  for this species during its flowering period (July-August) in appropriate habitat in Watheroo National Park, and on private lands wherever possible. For example, an area of private property adjacent to Population 1 has been identified as suitable habitat. Areas considered suitable for translocation will also be noted. Volunteers from the local community, Wildflower Societies and Naturalist Clubs will be encouraged to be involved in surveys supervised by CALM staff.

Action: 	Conduct further surveys
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$2,400 per year in second and fourth years

9. 	Monitor populations

Annual  monitoring  of factors  such as habitat  degradation  (including  weed  invasion,  plant diseases  such as Phytophthora  cinnamomi  and salinity),  population  stability  (expansion  or decline),  pollinator  activity,  seed production, recruitment, longevity and predation is essential. For Populations 2, 3 and 4, monitoring will include

inspection of the visibility of DRF markers. The paint on markers may become dull with time, or vegetation growth may obscure markers, rendering them ineffective.

Action: 	Monitor populations
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$500 per year

10. 	Liaise with land managers

Staff from the Department's Moora District will continue liaising with  National Park rangers and others to ensure that populations are not accidentally damaged or destroyed by operational staff from the Department, Bush Fires Brigade, Shire or other groups.

Action: 	Liaise with land managers
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$700 per year

11. 	Obtain biological and ecological information

Improved knowledge of the biology and ecology of Synaphea quartzitica will provide a better scientific basis for  its  management  in the  wild.  An  understanding  of the  following  is particularly  necessary  for  effective management:

1. 	Soil seed bank dynamics and the role of various disturbances (including fire), competition, rainfall and grazing in germination and recruitment.
2. 	The identity and requirements of pollinators.
3. 	The reproductive strategies, phenology and seasonal growth of the species.
4. 	The population genetic structure, levels of genetic diversity and minimum viable population size.

Action: 	Obtain biological and ecological information
Responsibility: 	The Department (Science Division, Moora District) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$20,900 per year in second, third and fourth years

12. 	Develop and implement a fire management strategy

S. quartzitica can resprout from root suckers, and this may help plants survive disturbances such as fire. There may also be some recruitment from soil-stored seed. However, frequent fires may be detrimental to the long- term survival of the species, through depletion of lignotuber reserves. Fire also promotes the introduction of weed species, degrading associated habitat.

A   fire   management   strategy   will   be   developed   in   consultation   with   relevant   parties   to  determine recommendations for fire intensity and frequency and fire control measures.

Action: 	Develop and implement a fire management strategy Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District) through the MDTFRT Cost: 	$2,600 in first year and $1,000 in subsequent years

13. 	Promote awareness

The importance of biodiversity conservation and the need for the long-term protection of wild populations of Synaphea quartzitica will be promoted  to the  community  through poster displays  and the local print and electronic media. Formal links with local naturalist groups and interested individuals will also be encouraged.

A reply paid postal drop illustrating  S. quartzitica  and describing its distinctive features and habitat will be produced and distributed by the Department's Moora District office to residents of Shires containing possible habitat of the species. Postal drops aim to stimulate interest, provide information about threatened species and provide a name and number to contact if new populations are found by members of the community.

Action: 	Promote awareness
Responsibility: 	The Department (Moora District, Corporate Relations) through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$1,100 in first and second years and $700 in subsequent years

14. 	Review the need for a full Recovery Plan

At the end of the fourth year of its five-year term this Interim Recovery Plan will be reviewed and the need for further recovery actions will be assessed. If the species is still ranked as Critically Endangered at that time a full Recovery Plan may be required.

Action: 	Review the need for further recovery actions and/or a full Recovery Plan
Responsibility: 	The  Department  (WA  Threatened  Species  and  Communities  Unit,  Moora  District)
through the MDTFRT
Cost: 	$20,300 in fifth year (if full RecoveryPlan required)

4.	TERM OF PLAN

This Interim Recovery Plan will operate from January 2002 to December 2007 but will remain in force until withdrawn or replaced. If the taxon is still ranked Critically Endangered after five years, the need to review this IRP or to repla ce it with a full Recovery Plan will be determined.

5.	ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The following people have provided assistance and advice in the preparation of this Interim Recovery Plan: Ryonen Butcher 	Ph.D. Student - taxonomy of Synaphea, University of Western Australia
Martin Caldwell 	Geologist
Anne Cochrane 	Manager, the Department's Threatened Flora Seed Centre
Melanie Harding 	previously Honours student – conservation biology of S. quartzitica, Curtin University
Diana Papenfus 	Botanist, previously W.A. Herbarium
Robert Powell 	Acting Land Acquisitions Officer, the Department’s Land Administration Unit

Thanks also to the staff of the W.A. Herbarium for providing access to Herbarium databases and specimen information, and the Department's Wildlife Branch for assistance.

6.	REFERENCES

Brown, A., Thomson-Dans, C. and Marchant, N. (Eds). (1998) Western Australia’s Threatened Flora.
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1992) Policy Statement No. 44 Wildlife Management
Programs. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1994) Policy Statement No. 50 Setting Priorities for the Conservation of Western Australia’s Threatened Flora and Fauna. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1995) Policy Statement No. 29 Translocation of
Threatened Flora and Fauna. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management (1998) Western Australian Herbarium FloraBase –
Information on the Western Australian Flora. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western
Australia. http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/science/
George, A.S. (1995). Synaphea. Flora of Australia 16: 271-315. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Hamilton-Brown, S. (2000) Interim Recovery Plan - Heath dominated by one or more of Regelia megacephala, Kunzea praestans and Allocasuarina campestris on ridges and slopes of the chert hills of the Coomberdale Floristic Region. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.

Harding, M.G. and Lamont, B.B. (2001) Conservation biology of the rare Synaphea quartzitica and common Synaphea spinulosa. Department of Environmental Biology, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia.
Stack, G. and English, V. (1999) Interim Recovery Plan number 50, 1999-2002 Synaphea qu artzitica.
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth
World Conservation Union (2000) IUCN red list categories prepared by the IUCN Species Survival
Commission, as approved by the 51st meeting of the IUCN Council. Gland, Switzerland.

7.	TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTION

George, A. S. (1995). Synaphea. Flora of Australia  16: 271-315. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Synaphea quartzitica
Stems several, to 7 cm long, branched, silky but covered by leaf bases. Leaves pinnatipartite with 2 or 3 pairs of
lobes, gently undulate; petiole 6-15 cm long, pilose, glabrescent; lamina 6.5-8 cm long, 8-9 cm wide, pilose to pubescent, glabrescent; primary lobes 3-6 mm wide, tripartite, the upper ones simple; ultimate lobes triangular, abruptly pungent; reticulation very fine, shallow. Inflorescence not or shortly exceeding foliage; spikes 6-18 cm long; flowers rather openly spaced; peduncle 2-10 cm long, branched, tomentose to puberulous, prominently striate; rachis puberulous; bracts ascending, 1- 2 mm long, broad, acute, puberulous to hirsute in lower half. Perianth spreading, opening moderately widely, glabrous; adaxial tepal 4.5-5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, strongly curved; abaxial tepal 2.5-3.5 mm long. Stigma narrowly oblong, slightly broadened at base, emarginate, 0.8-1 mm long, 0.3-0.4 mm wide, straight to gently sigmoid, thick; ovary pubescent. Fruit narrowly obovoid, 4 mm long, pubescent.

Flowers July-Aug.

Distinguished by the leaf shape, long spikes, prominently curved adaxial tepal with much shorter abaxial tepal and very narrow stigma. The tip of the abaxial tepal is slightly recurved.

ADDENDUM

Quartz-loving Synaphea (Synaphea quartzitica) Interim Recovery Plan 2003-2008

In adopting this plan under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
(EPBC Act), the Minister for the Environment and Heritage has approved the following modifications.

Critical Habitat

The plan identifies a broad area as critical habitat, including buffer zones of a set distance around known populations.  The Threatened Species Scientific Committee does not necessarily believe that such an area qualifies as habitat critical to the survival of the species, as defined in the EPBC Act.

Recovery Criteria

For the purposes of reviewing this recovery plan under the EPBC Act, the Recovery Criteria are amended to read as follows:

Criteria for success: The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have increased by 10% or more over the period of the plan’s adoption under the EPBC Act.
Criteria for failure: The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have decreased by 10% or more over the period of the plan’s adoption under the EPBC Act.