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Cauliflower Soft Coral (Dendronephthya australis)

The cauliflower soft coral is a colonial soft coral endemic to south-eastern Australia. In NSW it occurs in estuaries and bays, commonly on sandy seabeds with strong currents, making these habitats relevant when planning works.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Breeding is likely to occur from November to March in south-east Australia.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: Breeding is likely to occur from November to March in south-east Australia.

Identification: Appearance

Colonies form branched aggregations that resemble cauliflower heads and can grow to about 1 m tall. Aggregations may form underwater gardens.

Colonies form branched aggregations that resemble cauliflower heads and can grow to about 1 m tall. Aggregations may form underwater gardens.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species is known from estuaries and bays between Port Stephens and Jervis Bay in NSW, with key locations including Brisbane Water, Botany Bay and the mouth of Jervis Bay. Small or sporadic colonies have also been reported at some sites in this range.

The species is known from estuaries and bays between Port Stephens and Jervis Bay in NSW, with key locations including Brisbane Water, Botany Bay and the mouth of Jervis Bay. Small or sporadic colonies have also been reported at some sites in this range.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It occurs in protected estuary environments and coastal bays, generally in areas of strong current and at depths of 1 to 18 m. Colonies have been found on sandy, seagrass and rocky reef substrates, and among sponge habitat.

It occurs in protected estuary environments and coastal bays, generally in areas of strong current and at depths of 1 to 18 m. Colonies have been found on sandy, seagrass and rocky reef substrates, and among sponge habitat.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The coral feeds on plankton transported by tidal currents.

The coral feeds on plankton transported by tidal currents.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

The species is a gonochoric broadcast spawner, meaning colonies have separate sexes and release reproductive material into the water. The supplied information does not specify a breeding season.

The species is a gonochoric broadcast spawner, meaning colonies have separate sexes and release reproductive material into the water. The supplied information does not specify a breeding season.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Threats: Threats

Flooding and associated low salinity have caused major losses in Port Stephens, with corals in shallower water particularly affected. Necrotising disease is also identified as an impact on the species.

Flooding and associated low salinity have caused major losses in Port Stephens, with corals in shallower water particularly affected. Necrotising disease is also identified as an impact on the species.

Threats: Works risk

Development that changes estuarine salinity, water depth or current conditions could affect colonies and the habitat they occupy. Flood-related low salinity was associated with severe coral losses, while the species is associated with sandy areas of strong current.

Survey methodology: 1. Commonwealth guidance

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the on-ground surveys and data for referred actions under the EPBC Act, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources