Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p200
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 200/276)
Character Range: 737415–740659

2007/2008. Kevin Mills & Associates, Jamberoo, NSW.
Orchard A (ed) (1994) Flora of Australia. Vol. 49. Oceanic Islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
TSSC (Threatened Species Scientific Committee) (2003b) Commonwealth Listing Advice for Norfolk Island Flora - 15 Vulnerable Species.

Elatostema montanum—mountain procris
Family URTICACEAE

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

Description
A fleshy, succulent-stemmed perennial herb or low shrub growing to 1m tall with a straggling habit.

Distribution and abundance
Gilmour & Helman (1989b) found the entire population of Elatostema montanum within the Mt Pitt section of the Norfolk Island National Park, and the largest known subpopulation declined between 1988 and 1989 (Gilmour & Helman 1989b).
Although not a detailed and comprehensive survey, 76 individuals were located in 2003 in seven severely fragmented subpopulations. No subpopulation contained more than 26 individuals, and only two subpopulations contained more than six individuals (TSSC 2003e).
In a 2012 survey the species was only found at a few rocky sites on the mountains and in valleys in moist locations near watercourses in the national park. It was found at three places along two transects where a total of 11 plants were counted (Mills 2012b).
The 2021 population estimate was 26 individuals.
The distribution is shown in Map 36.

Ecology
Monoecious. The plant propagates through division of the rather succulent stem and spreads as the stems produce roots on contact with the ground (Mills 2012b).

Habitat
This species occurs in damp shade within moist palm valley forest. It is found on cliffs behind shaded streams within the national park and is restricted to very steep rocky bands and cliffs in shaded valley bottoms where there is always adequate moisture (Sykes & Atkinson 1988). This species is affected by the erosion regime of the island—active down-cutting by streams might open new sites while heavy downpours might wipe out existing colonies (Sykes & Atkinson 1988).

Threats
The main threats to the species are weed invasion and competition—especially by weeds such William Taylor (Ageratina riparia) (TSSC 2003e)— and drought/dry conditions due to climate change.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 36 Distribution of Elatostema montanum
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 Critically Endangered herbs/grasses as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 89.
Table 89 Risk assessment for Critically Endangered herbs/grasses 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