Threatened species & ecological communities

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant)

Recommendation to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on a public nomination for an ecological community listing on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act)

1. Generally accepted name

The TSSC received seven nominations for Brigalow sub-communities located within Queensland. The TSSC recognised that there are similar sub-communities in New South Wales and that differences existed in the way the sub-communities were discribed in the different jurisdictions. The TSSC spent considerable time in seeking to resolve these issues.

As a result, the TSSC agreed to consider the ecological community, Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) (as listed in Attachment (i) to this advice) for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

2. International/National Context

The ecological community occurs within Queensland and New South Wales.

In determining the appropriate extent of the ecological community, the TSSC has sought the best possible advice from Queensland and New South Wales on the mapping of Brigalow and the level of threat.

This culminated in a formal workshop of experts chaired by the TSSC Chair and attended by three other members.

3. How judged by TSSC in relation to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 criteria

The TSSC judges the ecological community to be eligible for listing as Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The justification against the criteria is as follows:

Criterion 1 – Decline in geographic distribution

The ecological community Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) has undergone a severe decline in extent following its clearance in both Queensland and New South Wales for agricultural use.

Of an estimated original extent of 7,324,560 hectares (7,020,360 ha in Queensland and 304,200 ha in New South Wales) approximately 804,264 hectares (661,314 ha in Queensland and 142,950 ha in New South Wales) remains. Thus nationally, Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) has declined to approximately 10% of its former area.

Therefore, the ecological community Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) is eligible for listing as Endangered under this criterion.

Criterion 2 – Small geographic distribution coupled with demonstrable threat

The Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community retains a national distribution of 804,264 hectares (therefore is >1,000km2). The primary threat to the community's continued existence is clearing for cropping and pasture.

The ecological community does not meet this criterion.

Criterion 3 - Loss or decline of functionally important species

The nominations provide no information under this criterion.

Criterion 4 – Reduction in community integrity

The nominations provide no information under this criterion.

Criterion 5 – Rate of continuing detrimental change

The ecological community Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) experienced its greatest decline in extent during the decade 1960 to 1970. Clearing may be further reduced as a result of recently enacted legislation in both Queensland and New South Wales.

The ecological community does not meet this criterion.

Criterion 6 - Quantitative analysis showing probability of extinction

The nominations provide no information under this criterion.

4. Conclusion

Under criterion 1, Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) is eligible for listing as an Endangered ecological community as it has declined to approximately 10% of its former area.

5. Recommendation

The TSSC recommends that the individual nominations for:

be rejected as individual nominations. The TSSC further recommends that the list referred to in section 181 of the EPBC Act be amended by including in the list in the endangered category the ecological community as listed at attachment (iii):

6. Attachment (i)

Summary description for the determination

The ecological community Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) is defined to include the following units described in the cited references: