Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p215
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 215/276)
Character Range: 790093–794301

found over 100 new adults in the wild, which have been tagged for monitoring. The population estimate in 2021 was 148.
The distribution is shown in Map 45.

Ecology
Little known.

Habitat
This species requires moist shaded valley sites and broad ridges, and, while it can tolerate dense shade, it sometimes establishes at the edge of canopy gaps (Sykes & Atkinson 1988). It occurs in moist upland hardwood forest and plateau hardwood forest (Invasive Species Council & TierraMar 2021).

Threats
The main threats to the species are weed invasion and competition, particularly by red guava (Psidium cattleyanum) and wild tobacco (Solanum mauritianum). Unpredictable and irregular seed production is also a threat. Phytophthora cinnamomi is potentially a major risk.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 45 Distribution of Melicytus latifolius
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 trees/shrubs as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 107.
Table 107 Risk assessment for Critically Endangered 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                                                                                            Possible (26–50%)         Major        High
7. Predation by cats                                                                                               Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
8. Predation or damage by chickens                                                                                 Likely (51–90%)           Moderate     Medium
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                                                    Almost certain (91–100%)  Major        Extreme
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                                      Almost certain (91–100%)  Major        Extreme

Management actions
Monitor seed production and collect and propagate seed when available. Conduct regular monitoring to determine causes of mortality. Carry out targeted weed control and maintenance and undertake replanting on moist slopes within the national park (Sykes & Atkinson 1988). Continue protection of the Mission Road rainforest remnants. Exclude or manage cattle grazing.

Recovery target
The recovery target is shown in Table 108.
Table 108 Recovery target for Melicytus latifolius
EPBC Act status        Estimated population (2023)