Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p238
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 238/276)
Character Range: 871370–875357

of public reserves on Norfolk Island for threatened plant species: 6. Anson Bay Reserve and Selwyn Reserve. Prepared for Norfolk Island Regional Council.
Mills K (2017e) Survey of public reserves on Norfolk Island for threatened plant species: 7. Hundred Acres Reserve. Prepared for Norfolk Island Regional Council.
Mills K (2017f) Survey of public reserves on Norfolk Island for threatened plant species: 4. Cascade Reserve including Quarantine Reserve. Prepared for Norfolk Island Regional Council.
Orchard A (ed) (1994) Flora of Australia. Vol. 49. Oceanic Islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
TSSC (Threatened Species Scientific Committee) (2003c) Commonwealth Listing Advice for Norfolk Island Flora - 16 Endangered Species.

Pteris zahlbruckneriana—netted brakefern
Family PTERIDACEAE

Conservation significance
Endemic to Norfolk Island.
EPBC Act Listing Status: Endangered.

Description
Tufted fern with a short erect rhizome and fronds growing to 1 m high.

Distribution and abundance
Pteris zahlbruckneriana occurs in scattered populations in forests at higher elevations in the Norfolk Island National Park.
There were fewer than 200 mature plants recorded in 2003 (TSSC 2003c). Mills (2012b) found 35 individuals across seven valleys of the national park, and noted that this species replaces P. kingiana in the upper parts of the valleys leading to the coast. The species is not common and is known to be less widespread than P. kingiana (de Lange & Murray 2003).
The distribution is shown in Map 59.

Ecology
Wind born spores.

Habitat
This species grows in forest on gully sides and creek banks.

Threats
Threats to the species include weed invasion and competition (particularly by William Taylor [Ageratina riparia] and red guava [Psidium cattleyanum]), climate change, and cattle grazing.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 59 Distribution of Pteris zahlbruckneriana
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs.

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for Endangered ferns as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 135.
Table 135 Risk assessment for Endangered ferns as a grouping
Risk                                                                                                               Likelihood of exposure    Consequence  Threat rating
1. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through past land clearing                                          Almost certain (91–100%)  Extreme      Extreme
2. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through current or future land clearing                             Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
3. Degradation of native vegetation through past grazing or loss of nutrients                                      Almost certain (91–100%)  Extreme      Extreme
4. Degradation of native vegetation through current or future grazing                                              Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium
6. Predation by rodents                                                                                            Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
7. Predation by cats                                                                                               Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
8. Predation or damage by chickens                                                                                 Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
9. Predation by swamphens                                                                                          Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
10. Predation by Argentine ant                                                                                     Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
11. Competition from/change of habitat because of weed invasion                                                    Likely (51–90%)           Moderate     Medium
12. Infection by