Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p207
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 207/276)
Character Range: 761728–764779

Phillip Island. Undertake targeted weed control and ongoing maintenance, while maintaining a strict herbicide ban in the vicinity of the main population.

Recovery target
The recovery target is shown in Table 96.
Table 96 Recovery target for Hibiscus insularis
EPBC Act status        Estimated population (2023)  Where known populations occur  2034 target
Critically Endangered  350                          >95% within the national park  1000

Relevant literature
Groeneveld KM (1989) Conservation biology of the endangered species Hibiscus insularis. Unpublished Report to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Mills K (2009b) The Vegetation of Phillip Island, Norfolk Island Group. Envirofund 2007/2008. Kevin Mills & Associates, Jamberoo, NSW.
Orchard A (ed) (1994) Flora of Australia. Vol. 49. Oceanic Islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Sykes W & Atkinson I (1988) Rare and Endangered Plants of Norfolk Island. Unpublished report to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Norfolk Island.
TSSC (Threatened Species Scientific Committee) (2003a) Commonwealth Listing Advice for Norfolk Island Flora – 11 Critically Endangered Species.

Hypolepis dicksonioides—downy ground fern, brake fern
Family DENNSTAEDTIACEAE

Conservation significance
Australian distribution is restricted to Norfolk and Phillip Islands but also occurs in the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, Society Islands and Marquesas.
EPBC Act Listing Status: Vulnerable.

Description
A terrestrial fern of disturbed sites with fronds growing to 100 cm or longer.
An important colonising fern that does not persist for long periods in the same location (Braggins 1996).

Distribution and abundance
This species occurs on Norfolk and Phillip Islands and has been recorded from Mt Bates (Orchard 1994). In a 1995 survey, it was reported from only one site outside of Phillip Island and was much less common than in 1971 (Brownsey & Chinnock 1987, Braggins 1996).
On Phillip Island, this fern is uncommon but widespread. It is most common in First West End Valley and the valleys across the eastern part of the island (Mills 2009b). Six clumps of the plant were also recorded from Bumbora Reserve (Mills 2017a). The number of mature individuals in 2003 was fewer than 500 (TSSC 2003b).
The distribution is shown in Map 40.

Ecology
Little known.

Habitat
Grows in disturbed sites and open rocky places.

Threats
The main threats to the species are weed invasion and competition, and small population size and subsequent increased risk of extinction through natural events such as cyclones, slips and drought. Drought/dry conditions due to climate change are also a threat.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 40 Distribution of Hypolepis dicksonioides
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs. Points show recorded locations (Mills 2009b and 2017a).

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for Vulnerable ferns as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 97.
Table 97 Risk assessment for