Vegetation and Flora of the Gorgon Gas Development EIS/ERMP-Technical appendix C1

Brief description

A total of 68 families, 180 genera and 406 vascular plant taxa have been recorded on Barrow Island. The total of 406 vascular plant species, subspecies and varieties constitutes approximately 23 per cent of the flora recorded for the Pilbara region. Fourteen vascular plant species have been introduced to the Island, the majority of which have been recorded in the vicinity of previously disturbed sites. No Declared Rare Flora species, as listed under subsection (2) of Section 23F of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and as listed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (2003a, 2004a), have been found on Barrow Island. Two Priority species have been collected on Barrow Island: Helichrysum oligochaetum (Priority 1) and Corchorus interstans ms (Priority 3). The Priority 1 species Helichrysum oligochaetum is known to occur on Barrow Island and was searched for during post cyclonic rain surveys (April and May 2004) to check for potential presence on the proposed development site. Corchorus interstans ms (Priority 3) was recorded within the proposed gas processing plant site and the proposed North Whites Beach pipeline. Corchorus interstans ms is widely distributed on parts of the Island and the mainland and has also been observed to regenerate successfully on rehabilitated sites (Astron Environmental 2002). No vegetation communities listed under The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 have been recorded or are known to occur on Barrow Island. No threatened ecological community as listed by CALMs Threatened Ecological Database (2003c) has been recorded or is known to occur on Barrow Island. Barrow Islands vegetation has been previously classified by Buckley (1983) into eight major vegetation units. They were subsequently divided into 34 vegetation types based on major landforms, soil types and species composition by Mattiske (1993b). In recent, more detailed mapping of the vegetation on the proposed development area and associated infrastructure corridors, 83 vegetation communities (Attachment B and Attachment C) were defined and mapped within the proposed gas processing facility and wider study area and the proposed pipeline routes. Flora and vegetation communities, especially those of particular significance located within the proposed development area, are discussed in this technical appendix to the ERMP for the Gorgon Gas Development.

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Maintenance and Update Frequency: unknown

Statement: Original record compiled for the Gorgon Gas Development EIS/ERMP.

Notes

Credit
Jeremy Fitzpatrick: RPS Environment

Credit
Mattiske Consulting Pty Ltd