Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p225
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 225/276)
Character Range: 825419–829590

m tall with small berries.

Distribution and abundance
Most of the Myrsine ralstoniae population is within the Mt Pitt section of the Norfolk Island National Park. The species is widespread and very common in the national park. Elsewhere, it occurs in most public reserves and in forest remnants on private land (K Mills 2024. pers comm 11 January).
The total number of mature plants present in 2003 was 562 (TSSC 2003b). The population estimate in 2021 was 1789, including 409 in Anson Bay and Selwyn Reserves and 547 in Hundred Acres Reserve (Mills 2017d & e).
The distribution is shown in Map 51.

Ecology
Little known.

Habitat
The species often occurs as an understorey tree in forested areas (Orchard 1994). Occurs in moist upland hardwood forest, pine-hardwood ridge forest, viny hardwood forest, plateau hardwood forest, lowland valley hardwood forest, sheltered coastal forest and coastal pine and white oak forest (Invasive Species Council & TierraMar 2021).

Threats
Threats to the species include weed invasion and competition, cattle grazing and climate change. Phytophthora cinnamomi is potentially a major risk.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 51 Distribution of Myrsine ralstoniae
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs. Green shading shows plant communities within which the species may occur (Christian & Mills 2021). Points show recorded locations (Mills 2017a and c).

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for Vulnerable trees/shrubs as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 119.
Table 119 Risk assessment for Vulnerable trees/shrubs 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                                                                                            Almost certain (91–100%)  Moderate     High
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                                                                                     Possible (26–50%)         Minor        Low
11. Competition from/change of habitat because of weed invasion                                                    Likely (51–90%)           Minor        Medium
12. Infection by pathogens already present                                                                         Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium
13. Impacts of potential new invasive species or pathogens                                                         Unlikely (11–25%)         Minor        Low
14. Changes to vegetation, increased fire risk and/or direct physiological stress as a result of climatic changes  Possible (26–50%)         Minor        Low
15. Problems caused by small populations, including lack of genetic diversity                                      Unlikely (11–25%)         Minor        Low

Management actions
Undertake seed collection, propagation and replanting. Implement habitat protection and rehabilitation.