Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p197
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 197/276)
Character Range: 726501–730592

>80% in the national park      3000
                                              >15% in public reserves

Relevant literature
Christian NE & Mills K (2021) Vegetation Mapping of Norfolk Island 2021. Unpublished data.
Invasive Species Council & TierraMar (2021) The Native Plant Communities of Norfolk Island. Invasive Species Council, Katoomba, NSW.
Mills K (2009b) The Vegetation of Phillip Island, Norfolk Island Group. Envirofund 2007/2008. Kevin Mills & Associates, Jamberoo, NSW.
Mills K (2017c) Survey of public reserves on Norfolk Island for threatened plant species: 1. The Kingston Reserves. Prepared for Norfolk Island Regional Council.
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.

Dendrobium brachypus—Norfolk Island orchid
Family ORCHIDACEAE

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

Description
An epiphytic orchid with two or three pale cream flowers on a short stem.

Distribution and abundance
There were fewer than 200 mature individuals present on Norfolk Island in 2003 (TSSC 2003c).
More than 90% of the population is in the Mt Pitt section of the national park and in the botanic garden. The distribution is shown in Map 34.
Map 34 Distribution of Dendrobium brachypus
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs.

Ecology
Little known.

Habitat
Grows on tree branches in forest on the slopes of Mt Pitt.

Threats
Dendrobium brachypus is threatened by small population size and subsequent increased risk of extinction through natural events such as cyclones, slips and drought. Weed invasion and competition affecting host trees and climate change also threaten the species.

Impacts on other species
Grows on branches and stems of other plants but is not parasitic.

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for all threatened orchids as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 85.
Table 85 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                                                                                            Possible (26–50%)         Extreme      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                                                                                     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                                                                         Unlikely (11–25%)