Blunt wattle (Acacia aprica) Interim Recovery Plan 2003-2008
Interim Recovery Plan No. 152
Ben Bayliss
Department of Conservation and Land Management, WA, 2003
Summary
| Scientific Name: | Acacia aprica (Maslin and Chapman 1999) | Common Name: | Blunt Wattle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family: | Mimosaceae | Flowering Period: | June-August |
| Dept Region: | Midwest | Dept District: | Moora |
| Shire: | Coorow, Carnamah | Recovery Team: | Moora District Threatened Flora Recovery Team (MDTFRT) |
Illustrations and/or further information: Brown, A., Thomson-Dans, C. and Marchant, N. (eds.) (1998). Western Australia's Threatened Flora. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Current status: In 1997 Acacia aprica was declared as Rare Flora under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and is now listed as Critically Endangered (CR). It currently meets World Conservation Union (IUCN 2000) Red List Category CR under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) (IUCN 2000) due to the high level of fragmentation of populations, and a continuing decline in the quality of the habitat. Acacia aprica is also listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The main threats are road, rail and firebreak maintenance activities; weed invasion; inappropriate fire regimes; grazing and chemical drift.
An Interim Recovery Plan was developed for the species in 1999 (Stack and English 1999). Information collected since that plan was completed has been incorporated into this plan and this document now replaces Stack and English (1999).
Critical habitat: The critical habitat for Acacia aprica comprises the area of occupancy of the known populations; similar habitat within 200 metres of known populations; corridors of remnant vegetation that link populations and additional nearby occurrences of similar habitat that do not currently contain the species but may have done so in the past and may be suitable for translocations.
Habitat critical to the survival of the species, and important populations: Given that this species is listed as Critically Endangered it is considered that all known habitat for wild and translocated populations is critical habitat.
Benefits to other species/ecological communities: There are no other known listed threatened species or ecological communities in the habitat of Acacia aprica. Recovery actions, such as weed control, implemented to improve the security of Acacia aprica are likely to improve the quality of the habitat in which the populations are located.
International Obligations: This plan is fully consistent with the aims and recommendations of the Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by Australia in June 1993, and will assist in implementing Australia's responsibilities under that Convention. However, as Acacia aprica is not listed under any international agreement, the implementation of other international environmental responsibilities is not affected by this plan.
Role and interests of indigenous people: There are no known indigenous communities interested or involved in the management of areas affected by this plan. Therefore no role has been identified for indigenous communities in the recovery of this species.
Social and economic impact: Some populations of Acacia aprica occur on private land and negotiations will continue with regard to the future management of these populations. The implementation of this recovery plan has the potential to have some limited social and economic impact, where populations are located on private property. Recovery actions refer to continued liaison between stakeholders with regard to these areas.
Evaluation of the Plan's Performance: The Department of Conservation and Land Management, in conjunction with the Recovery Team will evaluate the performance of this IRP. In addition to annual reporting on progress with listed actions and comparison against the criteria for success and failure, the plan is to be reviewed within five years of its implementation.
Habitat requirements: Acacia aprica is endemic to the Carnamah-Coorow area of Western Australia. It is found on gravely brown clayey sand, often with surface quartz. Plants occur in highly disturbed heath on road reserves or private property. Associated species include Allocasuarina campestris, Acacia acuminata, Grevillea paniculata and Hakea scoparia.
Existing Recovery Actions: The following recovery actions have been or are currently being implemented -
- Relevant land managers have been notified of the presence of Acacia aprica..
- Surveys have been conducted to locate new populations.
- Markers that define these populations have been installed and maintained.
- Seed has been collected and stored.
- Three phases of the approved Translocation Proposal have been implemented.
- Biological and ecological information has been obtained through surveys and experimental trials.
- A poster that provides information and illustrates the species has been developed and distributed.
- All populations are regularly monitored.
IRP Objective: The objective of this Interim Recovery Plan is to abate identified threats and maintain viable in situ populations to ensure the long-term preservation of the species in the wild.
Recovery criteria
Criterion for success: The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have increased by ten percent or more.
Criterion for failure: The number of individuals within populations and/or the number of populations have decreased by ten percent or more.
| 1. Coordinate recovery actions | 7. Implement fire management strategy. |
| 2. Map critical habitat | 8. Obtain biological and ecological information |
| 3. Implement weed control | 9. Collect seed and cutting material. |
| 4. Continue to implement translocation program | 10. Conduct further surveys |
| 5. Attempt to stimulate germination. | 11. Promote awareness |
| 6. Monitor populations. | 12. Review the need for a full Recovery Plan |
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