Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p218
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 218/276)
Character Range: 801033–805256

recorded on Norfolk Island in 2003 (TSSC 2003b). Orchard (1994) reported that the species was widespread within the Norfolk Island National Park (particularly in areas where weed control had been carried out) and recorded it from the northern and southern slopes of Mt Bates, on the saddle between Mt Pitt and Mt Bates, and from outside the national park. Most of the population is within the park but there are some individuals in the Mission Road rainforest remnants.
The population estimate in 2021 was 494.
The distribution is shown in Map 47.

Ecology
Little known.

Habitat
Occurs in moist upland hardwood forest and pine-hardwood ridge forest (Invasive Species Council & TierraMar 2021).

Threats
Threats to the species include cattle grazing, weed invasion, and limited seed production in comparison with M. latifolia. Phytophthora cinnamomi is potentially a major risk.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 47 Distribution Meryta angustifolia
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs. Green shading shows plant communities within which the species may occur (Christian & Mills 2021).

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for Vulnerable trees/shrubs as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 111.
Table 111 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%)  Major        Extreme
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%)           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%)         Minor        Low
14. Changes to vegetation, increased fire risk and/or direct physiological stress as a result of climatic changes  Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium
15. Problems caused by small populations, including lack of genetic diversity                                      Possible (26–50%)         Moderate     Medium

Management actions
Undertake propagation and planting within suitable areas, including the public reserves. Implement habitat protection and rehabilitation. Conduct targeted weed control and maintenance. Maintain fencing and current grazing exclusion in Mission Road rainforest remnants.

Recovery target
The recovery target is shown in Table 112.
Table 112 Recovery target for Meryta angustifolia
EPBC Act status  Estimated population (2023)  Where known populations