Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p247
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 247/276)
Character Range: 902688–906987

Mills 2024. pers comm 11 January). There were fewer than 500 mature plants recorded in 2003 (TSSC 2003b).
The distribution is shown in Map 63.

Ecology
Leafless with photosynthetic roots.

Habitat
Grows on the trunks and underside of branches of the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla).

Threats
The species is threatened by small population size and subsequent increased risk of extinction through natural events such as cyclones, slips and drought, and by climate change.

Impact on other species
Primarily grows on Norfolk Island pines.
Map 63 Distribution of Taeniophyllum norfolkianum
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs.

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for all threatened orchids as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 145.
Table 145 Risk assessment for all threatened orchids 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%)  Minor        Medium
2. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through current or future land clearing                             Rare (0–10%)              Moderate     Negligible
3. Degradation of native vegetation through past grazing or loss of nutrients                                      Almost certain (91–100%)  Minor        Medium
4. Degradation of native vegetation through current or future grazing                                              Unlikely (11–25%)         Moderate     Low
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                                                    Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium
12. Infection by pathogens already present                                                                         Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium
13. Impacts of potential new invasive species or pathogens                                                         Unlikely (11–25%)         Moderate     Low
14. Changes to vegetation, increased fire risk and/or direct physiological stress as a result of climatic changes  Likely (51–90%)           Major        High
15. Problems caused by small populations, including lack of genetic diversity                                      Likely (51–90%)           Moderate     Medium

Management actions
This orchid may require development of species-specific conservation actions, including ex situ conservation. Implement targeted weed control and maintenance. Implement habitat protection and rehabilitation. Undertake research into the ecology of the species. Monitor/survey likely areas of the national park after storms, rescue any fallen specimens and attempt to cultivate them in at the Norfolk Island National Park Nursery (Sykes & Atkinson 1988).

Recovery target
The recovery target is shown in Table 146.
Table 146 Recovery target for Taeniophyllum norfolkianum
EPBC Act status  Estimated population (2023)  Where known populations occur  2034 target
Vulnerable       500                          100% within the national park  No decline

Relevant literature
Mills K (2024) Personal communication by email, 11 January 2024, plant ecologist.
Orchard A (ed) (1994) Flora of Australia. Vol. 49. Oceanic Islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Renner