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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) — Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Proiect,j Public Environmental Review

Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

LIBRARY / INFORMATION CENTRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT

168 ST GEORGE'S TERRACE PERTH

BInta © Blot a Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 0000

ABN 49 092 687 119 Level 1, 228 Carr Place

Leederville Western Australia 6007 Ph: (08) 9328 1900 Fax: (08) 9328 6138

Project No.: 291

Prepared by: Dan Kamien

Checked by: Garth Humphreys

Approved for Issue: Garth Humphreys

This document has been prepared to the requirements of the client identified on the cover page and no representation is made to any third party. It may be cited for the purposes of scientific

research or other fair use, but it may not be reproduced or distributed to any third party by any physical or electronic means without the express permission of the client for whom it was prepared

or Biofa Environmental Sciences Pfy Ltd.

This report has been printed on Reflex Green Recycled Paper

B1rta 3

Supptemenlary Report (Further TroIofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A I Warramboo Iron Ore Project. PER

Supplementary Report )Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A I Warramboo Iron Ore Project, Public Environmental Review

Contents

1.0 Scope and Objectives 7

2.0 Survey methodology and Sampling Effort 8

3.0 Phase IV Results 9

4.0 Discussion 11

5.0 Current Status and Direction 14

6.0 References 15

Tables Table 3.1 Summary of total troglobitic taxa collected from the mining

exclusion zone at Mesa A during Phase IV. 9 Table 3.2 Details of troglobitic fauna recorded from the mining exclusion

zone at Mesa A during Phase IV 9 Table 4.1 Overview comparison of troglobitic orders recorded during

Phases I-Ill and Phase IV. 11

Figures Figure 3.1 Mesa A bore sampling locations and distribution of troglofauna

recorded during Phase IV 10 Figure 4.1 Mesa A distribution of troglofauna recorded during Phases I, II, Ill

and IV combined. 13

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauno Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A I Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

1.0 Scope and Objectives The proposal to develop an iron ore mine (and associated infrastructure) at Mesa A was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) during early 2005 for a level of assessment to be set under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The EPA determined that the proposal would be formally assessed at the level of Public Environmental Review (PER). An Environmental Scoping Document was subsequently prepared for the PER, including identification of troglobitic fauna as a relevant environmental assessment factor for the proposal.

The Draft PER submitted to the EPA Service Unit (EPASU) by Robe River Mining Company Pty. Ltd. has proposed 'mining exclusions zone and potential troglofauna habitats' as refuges for Mesa A froglofauna. The exclusion zone comprises an area of habitat predominantly running around the outer margins of Mesa A. Sampling effort during the current phase (Phase IV) has focussed on this 'exclusion' area, particularly the portion bounding the outer margin of the mesa.

We provide a summar' of interim results of Phase IV of the Mesa A troglofauna sampling programme conducted in 2006. Please note that this is based on the outcomes of litter sample sorting and taxonomic resolution is limited to broad groups only. Further work will be undertaken to achieve species level results.

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2.0 Survey methodology and Sampling Effort Sampling for troglofauna was carried out in accordance with the approach followed during the original Mesa A and Robe Vafley troglofauna survey (Biota 2006). Sampling methodology consisted of the use of customised troglofauna traps filled with locally sourced leaf lifter (an attractant for the target fauna). These traps were suspended in boreholes with trap depths tailored to match fracture zones and cavities based on drill logs. Traps were left in place for approximately eight weeks and recovered during early August 2006. Thirty-one bores were sampled comprising a total of 91 traps (Figure 3.1).

Leaf litter from recovered traps was hand sorted by zoologists in Perth using dissecting microscopes (Olympus SZ and SZ40). Fauna specimens collected were assigned a unique specimen number based on borehole location and tracked on customised data sheets. All invertebrates, both epigean (surface fauna) and subterranean, were recovered from the samples. Specimens were curated in 100% ethanol to allow for potential DNA analyses. Sub-samples of adults from certain taxa of interest (Schizomida and Pseudoscorpionida) were curated in 70% ethanol to allow for morphological assessment.

Hand sampled leaf lifter was submitted to the Western Australian Museum to be placed in tullgren funnels in order to extract fauna that may have been overlooked (primarily Collembola and Acarina). Data from the tullgren funnels is currently pending.

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A I Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

3.0 Phase IV Results Sorting yielded a total of 262 invertebrate specimens, representing 10 taxonomic groups. Subsequent to the Phase IV sampling, a review of the collected fauna was carried out to distinguish groups that may be troglobitic (and therefore potentially restricted), from deep-soil and surface fauna. Based on this review, in combination with initial examination of the fauna, it appears that only 25 of the specimens collected during Phase IV were troglobitic, representing five taxonomic groups (Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1). Bore hole collection locations and sample identifications for these specimens are outlined in Table 3.2.

Table 3.1 Summary of total troglobitic taxa collected from the mining exclusion zone at Mesa A during Phase IV.

Class Order Common name Number individuals Arachnida Schizomida Schizomids 14 Arachnida Pseudoscorpionida Pseudoscorpions 1 Insecta Thysanura Silverfish 5 Insecta Coleoptera Beetles 1 Chilopoda Scolopendrida Centipedes 4

Table 3.2 Details of Iroglobitic fauna recorded from the mining exclusion zone at Mesa A during Phase IV

Site Date Borehole Toxa (Field Identifications) n Sample ID Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4018 Arachnida: Schizomida I MEARC4018T2-42 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4018 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4018 13-45 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4018 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4018T4-51 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4026 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4026 T3-43 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4038 Insecta: Coleoptera 1 MEARC4038TI-40 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4307 Chilopoda: Scolopedrida 1 MEARC4037 12-40 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4284 Chilopoda: Scolopedrida 1 MEARC4284 11-41 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4284 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4284 12-43 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4284 Arachnida: Schizomida I MEARC4284 12-45 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4285 Chilopoda: Scolopedrida 1 MEARC4285T1-41 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4290 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4290TI-40 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4290 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4290 12-42 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4293 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4293 13-40 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4294 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4294 13-41 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4296 lrssecta: Thysanura 3 MEARC4296 11-40 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4296 Chilopoda: Scolopedrida 1 MEARC4296 12-43 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4296 Insecta: Thysanura 1 MEARC4296 T2-45 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4296 Arachnida: Pseudoscorpionida 1 MEARC4296 T3-46 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4304 Arachnida: Schizomida I MEARC4304T2-41 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4304 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 MEARC4304 13-43 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4305 Arachnida: Schizomida 1 Not collected Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4305 lnsecta: Thysanura 1 MEARC4305 12-4 1 Mesa A 4/8/06 MEARC4306 Arachnida: Schizomida I MEARC4306 11-40

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglotciuna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A I Warromboo Iron Ore Project. PER

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Figure 3.1 Mesa A bore sampling locations and disfribution of troglofauna recorded during Phase IV

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Supplementary Repod (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa Al - Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

40 Discussion Preliminary examination of all fauna collected during Phase IV did not result in the detection of new taxa (at the order level). However, a single Coleoptera of the family Caribidae (carib beetle) was subsequently confirmed as troglobitic by Mr Brian Hanich and Ms Julianne Waldock of the WA Museum. This comprises a new troglobitic record for Mesa A, illustrating the value of ongoing survey effort at this site. A comparison of the results of troglobitic fauna sampling from Phases Ito Ill with those from Phase IV is shown in Table 4.1

Table 4.1 Overview comparison of troglobitic orders recorded during Phases I-Ill and Phase IV.

No. of bores sampled

No. of bores with troglofauna

Total individuals

Class Order Phase I - Ill Phase IV Phase I - Ill Phase IV Phase I - Ill Phase IV

Arachnida Schizomida 74 31 18 9 39 14 Pseudoscorpionido 74 31 2 1 2 1

lnsecta Thysanura 74 31 6 2 7 5 Coleoptera 74 31 0 1 0 1

Chilopoda Scolopendda 74 31 5 3 2 4 Diplopoda Polydesmida 74 31 1 0 1 0 Diplura Diplura 74 31 6 0 6 0

Relative to sampling effort, the Phase IV survey recorded a similar diversity and abundance of troglofauna from the mining exclusion zone to that previously recorded from the balance of Mesa A (Table 4.1). The orders represented amongst the Phase IV troglobitic faunal assemblage are largely consistent with those collected during the previous three phases. Four of the six troglobitic orders previously collected from the interior of Mesa A were also recorded from the mining exclusion zone. One of the orders, the Polydesmida, was only represented by two individuals from the entire sampling programme in the Robe Valley in 2005 (Biota 2006). It therefore seems likely that this group might not have been recorded due to its apparent low density and the influence of ecological sampling effects (e.g. polydesmids may be less attracted to the traps than other species as a function of their behaviour, life history or dietary requirements). The remaining group, the diplurans, were relatively well collected during 2005 and additional sampling effort will probably add these to the fauna known from the mining exclusion zone.

It should be recognised that while the same troglobitic orders occur in the exclusion zone, more detailed examination of specimens will be needed to complete a fuller comparison at the species level. An overview of the spatial distribution of troglofauna collected during Phase IV compared to Phase I, II and Ill is shown in Figure 4.1.

The Phase IV sampling of the mining exclusion zone has confirmed that troglofauna occur in this portion of the mesa. Based on these preliminary data, fauna density in the mesa outer margins appears to be comparable to that in the mesa interior. However, it should be noted that sample size is low for each taxon and different weather conditions during the various sampling phases could have affected the collections. As a result it is difficult to make definitive abundance comparisons based on data collected to date.

Given the current status of knowledge of the distribution and abundance of troglofauna in Mesa A, it is not possible to make any authoritative statements regarding the impact of the proposed mining project on the long-term viability of Mesa A troglofauna populations in the proposed exclusion zones. Sampling at Mesa A has significantly increased knowledge of the troglofauna assemblage, however, the data obtained remain limited, with few individuals represented within each taxon (i.e. the sample size is low).

Even if the current data set were sufficient to allow valid monitoring and statistical analysis of troglofauna populations, additional biological and physical information would be required to predict the impact of the proposed mining operation on the long-term viability of troglofauna

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

within Mesa A. For example, predicted changes to subterranean microclimate, surface hydrology, vibration and a reduction in organic inputs, in addition to genetic data and species' life histories (e.g. survivorship, recruitment, longevity, sex ratio and fecundity).

In short, knowledge of life histories and physical impacts combined with a high level of statistical power are fundamental in determining long-term viability of a species' population within what appears to be a restricted habitat.

Troglofauna sampling typically requires "high effort for low sample return". A sustained sampling program is required throughout the region to develop a sufficient information base to more adequately interpret ecological aspects such as seasonal fluctuation, diversity and population variability. The company is currently developing a regional troglofauna sampling program to gather that information.

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Supplementary Repart (Further Troglotauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Warromboo Iron Ore Project. PER

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Figure 4.1 Mesa A disfribution of troglofauna recorded during Phases I, II, III and IV combined.

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauno Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Worromboo Iron Ore Project, PER

5.0 Current Status and Direction The current status and direction on this project is as foflows:

all sorting of recovered traps has now been completed, preliminary specimen identifications are complete and all data have been entered. Preliminary maps showing the spatial distribution of the troglobitic specimens have also been prepared as supplied in this interim report;

collected specimens have been lodged with the WA Museum for detailed taxonomic resolution;

I-land sorted leaf litter from the traps has been submitted to the WA Museum to be placed in tullgren funnels in order to extract any fauna missed during hand sorting;

Dr Mark Harvey and Ms Karen Edward of the WA Museum are currently determining detailed identification of the specimens collected to date; and

A draft report for this study will commence in September 2006. This will also draw in findings from previous work completed by Biota and others on this fauna at other localities.

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Supplementary Report (Further Troglofauna Sampling at Mesa A) - Mesa A / Warramboo Iron Ore Project, PER

6.0 References Biota Environmental Sciences (2006). Mesa A and Robe Valley Mesas Troglobitic Fauna

Survey, Subterranean Fauna Assessment. Unpublished Report prepared for Robe River Iron Associates.

LIBRARY / INFORMATION CENTRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT

168 ST GEORGE'S TERRACE PERTH

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