Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest on Lord Howe Island - profile

Indicative distribution

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known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest on Lord Howe Island

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 28 Oct 2011

Profile last updated: 24 Mar 2020

Description

Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest on Lord Howe Island is a forest 2-8 m tall, depending on aspect and whether it occurs on ridges or in drainage lines. On the summit plateau of Mt Gower, the dominant species are Zygogynum howeanum and Dracophyllum fitzgeraldii. A vegetation plot on the summit of Mt Lidgbird in Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest has a dominant canopy of Hedyscepe canterburyana, Cryptocarya gregsonii, Dysoxylum pachyphyllum, Negria rabdothamnoides, Pittopsorum erioloma and Cyathea macarthurii. A more detailed list of species that characterise the ecological community can be found in the NSW Scientific Committee Final Determination (NSW Scientific Committee 2011). Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest on Lord Howe Island is readily distinguished from adjacent communities as it only occurs on summit plateau and ridgetops of the two southern mountains of Lord Howe Island and the adjacent communities lack the extensive development of non-vascular epiphytes and several endemic mountain vascular plant species.

Distribution

Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest on Lord Howe Island is confined to Lord Howe Island in New South Wales. On the island it is restricted to the summit plateau of Mt Gower and in a greatly reduced form and extent on the narrow summit ridge of Mt Lidgbird.

Habitat and ecology

Restricted to the summit plateau of Mt Gower (875 m elevation) and in a greatly reduced form and extent on the narrow summit ridge of Mt Lidgbird (777 m elevation).
Approximately 86% of the vascular plant species in Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest are endemic to Lord Howe Island. The Little Mountain Palm, which is critically endangered in NSW, is confined to the Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest.
Many non-vascular plants in the community are dependent upon cloud cover and the structure provided by the trees and shrubs.
The assemblage of terrestrial invertebrates in the Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest exhibits high species richness and high levels of endemism to Lord Howe Island, with many species restricted to the Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest. In particular, four nationally critically endangered snails (Gudeoconcha sophiae magnifica ms, Pseudocharopa lidgbirdi, Mystivagor mastersi and Pseudocharopa whiteleggei) are restricted to the Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest, as is the Lord Howe Island Earthworm, which is endangered in NSW.
Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest forms key core habitat for several threatened vertebrate fauna including Providence Petrel and Lord Howe Woodhen. Burrowing by the Providence Petrel may have a role in plant recruitment in the ecological community.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Pacific Subtropical Islands

Threats

Climate change has the potential to affect the frequency of severe storms and cloud formation (timing, duration, frequency) on the summits of Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird and, hence, the moisture regime and species survival in the cloud forest. Climate change is causing reduced cloud-stripping by plants, resulting in drying of the community--particularly impacting epiphytes.
The exotic Ship Rat consumes a large proportion of seeds produced by the two endemic palm genera (Hedyscepe and Lepidorrhachis) in the Gnarled Mossy Cloud Forest. Rats also consume seeds and leaves of a number of other flora species and may also impact on a number of invertebrates occurring within the community. Rodents eat seed (which inhibits recruitment), ringbark trees, remove plants, and predate upon invertebrates.
The pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi has been found on Lord Howe Island and has the potential to spread to the summits of Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird,
Invasion by weeds, e.g. cherry guava, ground asparagus and erhata erecta, okna, tobacco bush.
Risk of infection in the TEC by myrtle rust.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Establish monitoring sites to enable the early detection of impacts of climate change on Lord Howe Island
Support initiatives that aim to reduce the effects and impacts of climate change
Investigate options for securing species identified as most at risk from climate change
Control and eradicate introduced rodents on Lord Howe Island
Implement and monitor the quarantine plan
Undertake appropriate hygiene protocol when accessing the Permanent Park Preserve
Undertake weed control or eradication on Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird
Stay on walking tracks when on Lord Howe Island

Information sources

Harris R, Cassis G, Auld TD, Hutton I (2005) Patterns in floristic composition and structure in the mossy cloud forest of Mt Gower summit, Lord Howe Island. Pacific Conservation Biology 11, 246–256.
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan