Species richness and endemism
A search on Dandjoo biodiversity data platform (Department Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) on 4 August 2024, using a polygon around Helena and Aurora Range, revealed a total of 454 plants species. These searches often include species that are in the vicinity of the search area. Given the reasonably large number of flora surveys conducted on and around Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin), the number of these species that have been collected from Helena and Aurora Range Conservation Park or the proposed Helena Aurora National Park was determined using the distributions provided in Florabase. It was determined that 391 plant species (including 21 plant species collected nearby) have been recorded as occuring on or within the surrounds of Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin). The surrounds include the flats with Eucalypt woodlands and Sandplains (deep yellow sands).
Flora surveys and describing new plant species
The total number of flora species located at Helena and Aurora Range was 303 native species in 1995 (Gibson et al. 1997) and increased to 379 native plant species in 2008 (Department of Environment and Conservation, 2008).
Botanical surveys on Helena and Aurora Range have found new species, some of which are endemic to Helena and Aurora Range while others are endemic to several BIF ranges. Without these botanical surveys the flora of Helena and Aurora Range would remain unknown.
A special effort to describe new plant species found on BIF ranges was made during 2008 to 2011. Of the potentially 10 new species recognised on Helena and Aurora Range in 2008, all but three plant species were described (and named) by the end of 2011. By the end of 2012, there were still two undescribed species (Spartothamnella sp. Helena and Aurora Range (PG Armstrong 155-109) and Acaia sp. Bungalbin Hill (JJ Alford 1119)). Both species were given a Priority conservation status when first identified and allocated a phrase name (see Significant Flora List). In 2014, these two species were described and renamed. Spartothamnella sp. Helena and Aurora Range (PG Armstrong 155-109) was named Spartothamnella canescens and no longer of Priority status as it occurs as three distinct populations (two in WA and one in the NT). Acaia sp. Bungalbin Hill (JJ Alford 1119) was decribed and named as Acaia shapelleae and given Threatened status, as is only known from Helena and Auora Range.
For those of us who are curious or interested, the reason the phrase name for each of these species is Helena and Aurora Range or Bungalbin Hill is that the phrase name is referring to the location where the plant specimen was collected, followed by who collected it given in parenthesis.
Among the 379 native plant species recognised as occurring on Helena and Aurora Range in 2008, six were listed as endemic to the range. Since 2008, there are now five known endemic species on Helena and Aurora Range (see Significant Flora List), as based on current knowledge, one new species was added to the list of endemic species (Acacia shapelleae (formerly Acacia sp. Bungalbin (JJ Alford 1119)) and two are no longer found to be endemic - where one species, Neurachne annularis, was found to also occur on Mt Manning and another species no longer considered to be a distinct taxon (Echinopogon ovatus var. pubiglumis now considered to be Echinopogon ovatus).
Since the 1980s, the knowledge of the flora on Helena and Aurora Range and the broader region has grown, and so has the number of plants recognised as rare. In the early 1980s no rare species were known from Helena and Aurora Range and few Priority species. By 1995/1997 one rare species was recognised on Helena and Aurora Range and 10 Priority species. In 2007, two rare species and 12 Priority species were recognised from Helena and Aurora Range. Gibson (et al. 2007) found that within an area of 646km2 of Helena and Aurora Range there were two DRF and 11 Priority 1 species. By August 2024, the number of Priority species had increased to 13 (see Significant Flora List ) (where one plant species is no longer recognised as a Priority, plus three species now considered to have Priority status).
Summary of rare Flora
On Helena and Aurora Range there are four plant species listed as Threatened Flora1 (Declared Rare - Extant). Threatened Flora are given a status (Critically Endangered CE, endangered EN or Vulnerable VU), depending on the level of threat. The four Threatened Flora on the Range are listed as Vulnerable (VU).
These four Threatened Flora, are Tetratheca aphylla subsp. aphylla (VU), Leucopogon spectabilis (VU), Lepidosperma bungalbin (VU) and Acacia shapelleae (VU). All four of these Threatened Flora are endemic to Helena and Aurora Range, as they are only known to occur on this range. Tetratheca aphylla subsp. aphylla and Leucopogon spectabilis grow from the fissures or cracks within the rocky outcrops of Helena and Aurora Range. Very few plant species grow out of the rocky outcrops, a place where there is very little soil and where water availability can be in short supply or very restricted during the summer months.
Tetratheca aphylla subsp. aphylla was collected for the first time during the biological survey by Ken Newbey and Hnatiuk in 1979 (Newbey and Hnatiuk, 1985) and Leucopogon spectabilis for the first time by Brendan Lepschi, Neil Gibson and Michael Lyons in 1995. Their work was published in 1997 (Gibson et al. 1997).
In addition to Helena and Aurora Range having four Vulnerable Flora, this range currently has 12 Priority Flora1 - of which two appear to be endemic to the range or local area, Eremophila hamulata (P1) and Acacia adinophylla (P1).
Among the 12 Priority species; Mirbelia ferricola was described and published in 2012 (Butcher, 2012), and Leucopogon spectabilis, Lepidosperma bungalbin and Neurachne annularis were formerly described and named in 2007 (published in the WA Herbarium Journal, Nuytsia2).
Rare or Priority plant species dependent on BIF habitat include the four Vulnerable plant species Tetratheca aphylla subsp. aphylla, Leucopogon spectabilis, Lepidosperma bungalbin and Acacia shapelleae, plus Dryandra arborea (P4) (also known as Banksia arborea), Stenanthemum newbeyi (P3), Acacia adinophylla (P3), Mirbelia ferricola (P3), Grevillea georgeana (P3), Lepidosperma ferricola (P3) and, at least within Helena and Aurora Range, Neurachne annularis (P3).
The list of Rare and Priority Flora in WA is dynamic and, each year is reviewed, based on new records and knowledge of the Western Australian flora. Plant species may be added, taken off or their status changed. The list of plant species given in the Significant Flora List for Helena and Aurora Range is updated as soon as possible following any changes. (Last updated on 29 August 2024.)
Fauna
A survey of reptile and small mammal fauna of the Bungalbin Hill area (Helena and Aurora Range), during 1979 to 1981, stated: “This virtually undisturbed habitat contains a rich fauna including five dasyurid marsupial species, and 51 species of reptiles including 13 species of geckoes, the highest number recorded for any surveyed site in the Eastern Goldfields District (Henry-Hall1990)” (quoted in Goldfields Region Management Plan December 1994).
The reptile and mammal fauna is considered to be rich and diverse .... although none are endemic to Helena and Aurora Range, some have restricted distributions and several are endemic to Western Australia.
Summary of Rare Fauna
One Threatened (Rare)3 Fauna occurs in the area of Helena and Aurora Range; the Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) and has been given the status of Vulnerable (VU). There are also four conservation significant species; a short range endemic species the Tree-stem Trapdoor Spider (Aganippe castellum) (P4; Priority 4), Peregrine Falcon (OS; Other Specially Protected species)3, and Rainbow Bee-eater and Fork-tailed Swift (MI, Migratory Species), where both are under International agreements as a migratory species)3.
Some fauna species are considered to be dependent upon BIF habitat. The Strategic Review (2008) identified 11 fauna species likely to be significantly dependent on BIF ranges. These species would probably not occur in the area if the BIF range was not present.
Eight of the species likely to be significantly dependent on BIF ranges (five bird species and two mammal species) are known to occur on Helena and Aurora Range. They are:
Peregrine Falcon (OS)
Little Woodswallow
Western Yellow Robin
Golden Whistler
Shy Hylacola
Woolley’s Pseudantechinus
Long-tailed Dunnart
(Note: The Peregrine Falcon and Little Woodswallow nest on or within hollowed out areas of the banded ironstone outcrops respectively.)
A full list of known fauna species on Helena and Aurora Range is given in Fauna List.
Invertebrates
– study conducted by RP MacMillan as part of the Helena and Aurora Range Biological survey conducted in 1997 (Lyons and Chapman, 1997). A list of the insects found is provided in the Fauna List.
Insects (and other invertebrates) are often not included in Biological surveys. This is in part due to only a small portion of the native insect fauna of Western Australia being identified to species level and that there are few people available with the expertise to collect and identify insects to family and genus level. It may also be fair to say that the insect fauna in Western Australia (and Australia) is vast and the task of describing and naming all the insect fauna, even with one group, is several life times worth of work. In Western Australia, the great diversity of plants (new species still being found) adds to the complexity of the insect fauna, as there are indications that some insect species have just the one plant species as a host, or a groups of species are sometimes dependent on a particular genus of plants.
Short-range endemics
– a study was conducted for the Public Environmental Review (PER) for the proposed J5 and Bungalbin East iron ore project.
Troglofauna and Stygofauna
A study of Troglofauna was conducted near the range (to the south) by Bennelongia Environmental Consultants for Polaris Metals Pty Ltd in 2010. This study included one site (Vela) that appeared to be just off the main range of Helena and Aurora to the south. More recently, a Troglofauna survey was conducted for the Public Environmental Review (PER) for the proposed J5 and Bungalbin East iron ore project.
Unique plant communities
Plant communities on the banded ironstone formation (BIF) ranges differ from those on the surrounding flats. As early as the 1970s when John Beard did his broad scale vegetation mapping of this area, he grouped his vegetation units on the banded ironstone ranges separately, as part of the ‘Bungalbin System’ (made up of thickets and shrublands, usually dominated by sheoaks and acacias and the occasional tree such as Dryandra arborea (Tree Dryandra) or eucalypt). The vegetation units on the flats or valley systems adjacent were grouped together as part of the ‘Jackson System’ (made up of eucalypt woodlands, particularly Salmon Gum and Gimlet) (Beard 1972). There are also shrublands further afield on sandplain country, however, they include quite different species from the banded ironstone ranges.
Priority Ecological Community (PEC) listed for Helena and Aurora Range
Helena and Aurora Range vegetation complexes (banded ironstone formation)
Threats: iron ore mining. Priority 1
(Source: Department of Environment and Conservation Reference no.: 01-0511EC.)
The PEC on Helena and Aurora Range has been determined based on the unique flora communities occurring on this BIF landform. The vegetation types present within the Helena and Aurora Range PEC have yet to be fully described and mapped.
Geodiversity
- Geology and Landscape of Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin)
The banded ironstone formation (BIF) ranges were described in the Strategic Review (2008) as having significant and potentially unique landscape and geodiversity values as they are:
- isolated
- ancient ranges
- in a predominantly flat landscape
In addition, Helena and Aurora Range is Near Pristine and provides 360º views (to the horizon) of natural undisturbed vegetation.
The Strategic Review also states that the removal of entire or portions of BIF ranges has irreversible, permanent effects. Waste dumps, a by-product of mining, do not provide habitat comparable to the removed BIF range. This has a direct effect on plants and animals dependent on BIF range habitat (landform/geology and the plants and fauna that coexist on). Geological processes that are affected or changed by the removal of BIF ranges include; run off from the BIF range, changes in wind and exposure patterns, nutrient and soil input. Other biological processes that are affected or changed include introduction of weed species and changes in the abundance of key plant and animal species.
A recommendation in Guidance Statement 6 (EPA 2006) stated that examples of BIFS be retained partially or in their entirety as it is impossible to reconstruct BIF.
As early as 1985, the concept of conserving landform was discussed in Dell et al. (1985). Eight landform units were identified from surveys within the Jackson and western half of Kalgoorlie map sheets, of which four were noted as not being represented within reserves [in 1985] including the landform category: “Hill (banded ironstone formation)”.
EXPLANATIONS
Note 1 - The list of Threatened and Priority Flora in Western Australia is overseen by the WA State government’s environment department (currently Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA*)) under the WA Wildlife Conservtaion Act 1950. Flora that are considered to be rare and their distribution and abundance is well known are listed as Threatened (T) (formerly listed as Rare (R)). Flora that are considered to be Threatened (based on existing records), yet their distribution and abundance are not well known are given a Priority Status (P1, P2, P3 or P4). The definitions of the conservation codes of plants is provided on the Parks and Wildlife website ww.dpaw.wa.gov.au (within the DBCA*). A summary of the conservation codes is given below:
Threatened Flora (T) (Declared Rare Flora - Extant)
Priority 1 (P1) (Taxa known only from a few records - inadequately surveyed - none on lands managed for conservation, appear under immediate threat from known threatening processes)
Priority 2 (P2) (Taxa known only from a few records - inadequately surveyed - some records on land managed for conservation, appear under threat from known threatening processes)
Priority 3 (P3) (Taxa known from a number of records, or few though widespread records - inadequately surveyed - known threatening processes exist and could affect them)
Priority 4 (P4) (Taxa that are rare - adequately known - not threatened OR Taxa that are Near Threatened - adequately surveyed)
Note 2 - The taxonomic work published in Nuytsia (2007) was possible with the allocation of funds to three taxonomists (Juliet Wege, Kelly Shepherd and Ryonen Butcher) to work on undescribed BIF plant species (and included the work of other specialist taxonomists) as part of DEC’s Saving Our Species biodiversity conservation initiative. A total of 95 new plant species were described and published of which 36 occur on BIF ranges, including 4 from Helena and Aurora Range (Leucopogon spectablis (T), Lepidosperma bungalbin (P1), Lepidosperma ferricola (P1) and Neurachne annularis (P3)) .
Note 3 - The list of conservation significnat fauna in Western Australia is overseen by the WA State government’s environment department (currently Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA*)), under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. A summary of the conservation codes for fauna is given below.
"Threatened Fauna" (Schedules 1-7)
Schedule 1 Fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct - critically endangered fauna (CE).
Schedule 2 Fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct - endangered fauna (EN).
Schedule 3 Fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct - vulnerable fauna (VU).
Schedule 4 Fauna that is presumed to be extinct
Schedule 5 Birds that are subject to international agreements - protection of migratory birds (MI)
Schedule 6 Fauna that are of special conservation need - species dependent on ongoing conservation and intervention
Schedule 7 Fauna that is in need of special protection - other than for reasons above (Schedule 1-6)
Priority 1 (P1) (Taxa known only from a few records - inadequately surveyed - none on lands managed for conservation, appear under immediate threat from known threatening processes)
Priority 2 (P2) (Taxa known only from a few records - inadequately surveyed - some records on land managed for conservation, appear under threat from known threatening processes)
Priority 3 (P3) (Taxa known from a number of records, or few though widespread records - inadequately surveyed - known threatening processes exist and could affect them)
Priority 4 (P4) (Taxa that are rare - adequately known - not threatened OR Taxa that are Near Threatened - adequately surveyed)
References
- Beard JS (1972) The vegetation of the Jackson Area, Western Australia. Vegmap, Perth.
- Bennelongia Environmental Consultants (2011) Yilgarn Iron Ore Project: Troglofauna Surveys. Report prepared by Andrew Trotter for Polaris Metals Pty Ltd. August 2011, Report 2011/119.
- Butcher, R (2012) Three new species allied to the 'Mirbelia viminalis group' (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae), from Western Australia. Nuytsia. 22(2), 75-92.
- Dell J, How RA, Newbey KR and Hnatiuk RJ (1985) The Biological Survey of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Part 3. Jackson-Kalgoorlie. Records of Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 23. W.A. Museum, Perth.
- Department of Environment and Conservation (2008) Issues Paper. Northern Yilgarn (Mt Manning Range, Mt Elvire and Jaurdi) Conservation Reserves Management Plan, March 2008.
- Department of Environment and Conservation (2008) Banded Ironstone Formation Ranges of the Midwest and Goldfileds. In Strategic Review of the Conservation and Resource Values of the Banded Iron Formation of the Yilgarn Craton. Western Australian Government.
- Gibson N, Lyons MN and Lepschi BJ (1997) Flora and vegetation of the eastern goldfields ranges, Part 1: Helena and Aurora Range. CALMScience 2(3) 231-246.
- Gibson N, Coates DJ, Thiele KR (2007) Taxonomic research and the conservation status of flora in the Yilgarn banded iron formation ranges. Nuytsia 17 1-12.
- Gibson N, Yates CJ and Dillon R (2010) Plant communities of the ironstone ranges of south western Australia: hotspots for plant diversity and mineral deposits. Biodiversity and Conservation 19, 3951-3962.
- Government Gazette (2017) Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2016, pp 76-89, 6 January 2017.
- Henry-Hall NJ (1990) Nature Conservation Reserves in the Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia. Report to EPA Red Book Task Force.
- Keighery GJ (1980) Notes on the biology, distribution and conservation of Dryandra arborea (Proteaceae). Western Australian Naturaliste 14 212-213.
- Keighery, GJ, Gibson N, van Leeuwen S, Lyons MN and Patrick S (2007) Biological survey and setting priorities for flora conservation in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 55(3) 308-315.
- Lyons MN and Chapman A (eds.) (1997) A Biological Survey of the Helena and Aurora Range, Eastern Goldfields Western Australia. Unpublished Report for Environment Australia, Canberra - can be viewed at the following Libraries in Western Australia: Wildlife Sciences Library, DBCA* WA Wildlife Research Centre, Woodvale; DBCA Parks and Wildlife Office, Kalgoorlie.
- Payne AL, Van Vreeswyk AME, Pringle HJR, Leighton KA and Hennig P (1998) An inventory and condition survey of the Sandstone-Yalgoo-Paynes Find area, Western Australia. Agriculture Western Australia, Technical Bulletin No. 90.
- Western Australian Government (2008) Strategic Review of the Conservation and Resource Values of the Banded Iron Formation of the Yilgarn Craton.
- Western Australian Herbarium (2007) Nuytsia. Volume 17.
- Yates CJ, Gibson N, Pettit NE, Dillon R and Palmer R (2011) The eclogical relationship and demography of restricted ironstone endemic plant species: implications for conservation. Australian Journal of Botany 59(7), 692-700.
* Department Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) was created on 1 July 2017 with the amalgamation of Department Parks and Wildlife, Department Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Rottnest Island Authority and Zoological Parks Authority. [Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) was separated in to two departments on 1 July 2013, Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) and Department of Environment Regulation (DER)].
