Recovery plan for Acacia porcata 1999-2001

Summary

Current species status

Acacia porcata P.I. Forst. is known from a single location 45km south-east of Mundubbera, south-east Queensland, on a grazing homestead perpetual lease. Nine populations totalling 1177 individuals are located over 6km. The species is not conserved in any reserve. A. porcata is listed in the Queensland and Commonwealth Government schedules of threatened wildlife as 'endangered'. A. porcata is considered endangered because of its (i) low population number, (ii) low number of individuals, and (iii) all populations are in habitats considered to be insecure against imminent threats.

Habitat requirements and limiting factors

A. porcata grows on exposed rocky ridges on shallow, sandy, well-drained, weakly acidic soils derived from granite. Perceived threats to the long-term viability of the species in the wild are an inappropriate fire regime, the lack of long-term habitat security and genetic isolation.

Recovery objectives

The ultimate objectives of the recovery plan are to ensure the habitat of A. porcata is secure from any threats that would have a detrimental effect on the species' long-term viability, and to maintain sustainable population levels in the wild in the long term with minimum management. These objectives, considered achievable within 15 years of implementing this plan, would allow the re-listing of the species from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable'.

Recovery plan objectives

• Improve the conservation status of A. porcata from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable' (ANZECC) within 10 years
• Investigate the ecology and genetics of the species to enable decisions about management
• Achieve controlled cultivation of A. porcata

Recovery criteria

• Maintain and increase existing population levels of A. porcata in the wild
• Obtain environmental protection for populations
• Understand the population dynamics, reproductive biology and genetic diversity of A. porcata
• Establish the role of fire in the ecology of the species

Actions needed

• Action 1 Undertake further surveys to try to locate new populations
• Action 2 Provide secure habitat by negotiating a conservation agreement with the lessee and managing authority
• Action 3 Monitoring population levels for the purpose of detecting any detrimental effects of management (This can be carried out as part of Action 4.1.)
• Action 4 Undertake ecological and biological investigations:
  • 4.1 Investigate the population dynamics and reproductive biology of the species by permanently tagging individuals and monitoring the life history
  • 4.2 Investigate the genetic diversity of A. porcata
  • 4.3 Investigate aspects of seed biology with attention to seedbank dynamics
  • 4.4 Investigate the role of fire in the ecology of A. porcata.
• Action 5 Undertake controlled cultivation and propagation ensuring the representative sampling of the genetic diversity of the species. Depending on outcomes from Action 4, consider appropriate actions concerning reintroduction or translocation of individuals to suitable sites, or mechanisms to allow the establishment of the newly evolving species.

* this action will be completed by 2001, if the lessee is willing to negotiate. This action is not reliant on funding.

Biodiversity benefits

The area where A. porcata occurs has outstanding value for nature conservation with the presence of several rare and threatened plants. These include Newcastelia velutina Munir, Acacia eremophiloides Pedley & P.I. Forst. and Acacia grandifolia Pedley. Other rare species that are in the area include Acacia tenuinervis Pedley, Hibbertia monticola Stanley, Kunzea flavescens C.T.White & W.D. Francis and Eucalyptus petalophylla Brooker & Bean.