Acacia pendula (a tree) in the Hunter catchment - endangered population listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the population of the tree Acacia pendula A. Cunn. ex G. Don in the Hunter catchment as an ENDANGERED POPULATION in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of endangered populations is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Acacia pendula (family Fabaceae) also known as Boree or Weeping Myall, is an erect or spreading tree 5-13 m high. For full description see page 432 of Harden (2002).
2. Acacia pendula is not currently listed as an endangered species in Part 1 of Schedule 1 and as a consequence populations of this species are eligible to be listed as endangered populations.
3. Acacia pendula occurs on the western slopes, western plains and far western plains of NSW, and south into Victoria and north into Queensland. A disjunct population of Acacia pendula occurs in the Hunter Valley at the eastern distributional limit of the species' range. This Hunter population is known to occur naturally as far east as Warkworth, and extends northwest to Muswellbrook and to the west of Muswellbrook at Wybong. It has been recorded in the local Government Areas of Mid-Western Regional, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
4. Within the Hunter catchment Acacia pendula typically occurs on heavy soils, sometimes on the margins of small floodplains, but also in more undulating locations.
5. The Hunter population of Acacia pendula is fewer than 1000 individuals, from 6 locations - Jerrys Plains, Edderton, Wybong, Appletree Creek, Warkworth and Appletree Flat. It is not known to occur within any conservation areas - recent surveys on reserves where it could potentially occur have not detected it e.g. Belford National Park (T Peake pers. comm.), Werakata National Park (Bell in press).
6. The currently known Hunter population occurs on private or non-conservation land and is potentially vulnerable to clearing (with or without approval). Most remaining plants occur in areas that are not, or only infrequently grazed, such as roadsides and cemeteries. Young plants appear to be readily grazed by cattle (T. Peake pers. comm.). Due to its small population size the population is also threatened by demographic and environmental stochasticity.
7. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the population of the tree Acacia pendula A. Cunn. Ex G. Don in the Hunter catchment is facing a high risk of becoming extinct in nature in New South Wales and it is of conservation value at the State or regional level for the following reason: it is disjunct or near the limit of its geographic range.
Dr Lesley Hughes
Chairperson
Scientific Committee
Proposed Gazettal date: 29/4/05
Exhibition period: 29/4/05 - 24/6/05
References
Bell SAJ (in press) The vegetation of Werakata National Park, Hunter Valley NSW. Cunninghamia.
Harden G (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Revised Edition Volume 3. (UNSW Press Sydney).