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Home , Acacia argyrodendron, Acacia harpophylla, Atalaya (plant), Brigalow Belt, Casuarina cristata, Eremophila deserti

This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

Approved Conservation Advice for the Brigalow ( harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this Conservation Advice was approved; this includes existing plans, records or management prescriptions for this ecological community.

1. DESCRIPTION 1.1. Name of the ecological community The name of the ecological community is Brigalow ( dominant and co- dominant); also referred to as the Brigalow ecological community. 1.2 Summary The Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community (the Brigalow ecological community) occurs within (Qld) and (NSW). Acacia harpophylla (brigalow) is a distinctive silver-foliaged shrub or tree. It is commonly the dominant species in a range of open forests and woodlands; these are collectively referred to as brigalow woodlands. The Brigalow ecological community is characterised by the presence of Acacia harpophylla as one of the most abundant tree species (Butler, 2007). A. harpophylla is either, dominant in the tree layer, or co-dominant with other species – notably cristata (belah), other species of Acacia, or species of . Occasionally these other species may be more common than A. harpophylla within the broad matrix of brigalow woodlands vegetation. The Brigalow ecological community has a considerable range of vegetation structure and composition united by a suite of species that tend to occur on acidic and salty clay soils (Isbell, 1962; Johnson, 1964; Bui and Henderson, 2003). However not all vegetation in which A. harpophylla is dominant or co-dominant is part of the listed ecological community (see section 1.7.3. Excluded Queensland regional ecosystems). The Brigalow ecological community was listed as Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on 4 April 2001. The ecological community was defined using the respective state vegetation classifications available at that time. In Qld, the Brigalow ecological community is defined based on the Regional Ecosystem (RE) framework used for biodiversity planning (Sattler and Williams, 1999; Queensland Herbarium, 2013). In NSW, the Brigalow ecological community included two NSW vegetation communities: Brigalow community of the northern floodplain; and, Brigalow outlier of the Lands bioregion (Wade, 1992). Since the time of listing, REs in Qld have been revised and updated, including the identification of new brigalow REs. In NSW, a new vegetation classification, the NSW Vegetation Classification and Assessment (VCA) database, has since become available (Benson et al., 2006; 2010).

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 1 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

Contents 1. DESCRIPTION ...... 1 1.1. Name of the ecological community ...... 1 1.2 Summary ...... 1 1.3. Vegetation types in Queensland ...... 3 1.4. Vegetation types in New South Wales ...... 4 1.5. Regrowth ...... 4 1.6. Condition ...... 4 1.7. Key diagnostic characteristics and condition thresholds ...... 5 1.7.1. Step 1 Key diagnostic characteristics ...... 5 1.7.2. Step 2 Condition thresholds ...... 5 1.7.3. Excluded Queensland regional ecosystems ...... 6 1.7.4. Relationships to other vegetation classifications ...... 6 1.7.5. Additional Considerations ...... 7 1.8. Surrounding environment and landscape context ...... 7 1.9. Area critical to the survival of the ecological community ...... 8 1.10. Physical environment ...... 8 1.11. Vegetation ...... 9 1.11.1. Tree layer ...... 9 1.11.2 Lower tree and shrub layer/s ...... 10 1.11.3. Ground layer ...... 10 1.12. Fauna ...... 10 2. CONSERVATION STATUS ...... 11 3. DISTRIBUTION ...... 11 4. THREATS ...... 12 4.1. Clearing ...... 12 4.2. Fire ...... 12 4.3. Invasive species ...... 13 4.3.1 Weeds ...... 13 4.3.2 Pest animals ...... 13 4.4. Inappropriate grazing regimes ...... 14 4.5 Climate change ...... 14 5. PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS ...... 14 5.1 Research and monitoring priorities ...... 14 5.2 Priority recovery and threat abatement actions ...... 15 5.2.1. Threat reduction/control ...... 15 5.2.2 Land management ...... 15 5.2.3 Management for wildlife ...... 16

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 2 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

5.2.4 Develop and Propagate Conservation Information ...... 16 5.3 Existing plans/management prescriptions relevant to the ecological community ...... 16 6. REFERENCES ...... 17 6.1 Other information sources ...... 21 ______

1.3. Vegetation types in Queensland The Brigalow ecological community in Qld includes areas that meet the descriptions of the following 16 Qld REs, determined at the time of listing. The bioregions for the REs are those identified within Qld’s state biogeographic regionalisation system (rather than the national Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for (IBRA) bioregions). Regional ecosystems of the Qld Bioregion RE 11.3.1 Acacia harpophylla and/or open forest on alluvial . RE 11.4.3 Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata shrubby open forest on Cainozoic clay plains. RE 11.4.7 Open forest to woodland of with Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata on Cainozoic clay plains. RE 11.4.8 woodland to open forest with Acacia harpophylla or A. argyrodendron on Cainozoic clay plains. RE 11.4.9 Acacia harpophylla shrubby open forest to woodland with on Cainozoic clay plains. RE 11.4.10 Eucalyptus populnea or E. pilligaensis, Acacia harpophylla, Casuarina cristata open forest to woodland on margins of Cainozoic clay plains. RE 11.5.16 Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata open forest in depressions on Cainozoic sand plains/remnant surfaces. RE 11.9.1 Acacia harpophylla-Eucalyptus cambageana open forest to woodland on fine- grained sedimentary rocks. RE 11.9.5 Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata open forest on fine-grained sedimentary rocks. RE 11.9.6 Acacia melvillei +/- A. harpophylla open forest on fine-grained sedimentary rocks. RE 11.11.14 Acacia harpophylla open forest on deformed and metamorphosed sediments and interbedded volcanics. RE 11.12.21 Acacia harpophylla open forest on igneous rocks; colluvial lower slopes. Regional ecosystems of the Qld Southeast Queensland Bioregion RE 12.8.23 Acacia harpophylla open forest on Cainozoic igneous rocks. RE 12.9-10.6 Acacia harpophylla open forest on sedimentary rocks. RE 12.12.26 Acacia harpophylla open forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks. Regional ecosystems of the Qld Bioregion RE 6.4.2 Casuarina cristata +/- Acacia harpophylla open forest on clay plains. For complete descriptions of each RE refer to the Regional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD): http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/index.php (Queensland Herbarium, 2013). All 16 REs are listed as endangered under the Qld Vegetation Management Act 1999, as at 1 October 2013.

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 3 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

1.4. Vegetation types in New South Wales In NSW, the Brigalow ecological community included two vegetation communities that were identified at the time of the national listing. Since then, new and updated information from NSW state agencies allows cross-references to equivalent NSW vegetation classifications and NSW listings to be updated. The Brigalow ecological community equates to three NSW VCA communities: VCA ID 29 Brigalow open woodland on red earth and clay plains mainly in the Mulga Lands Bioregion; VCA ID 31 Brigalow-Gidgee open woodland on clay plains west of the , Mulga Lands Bioregion; and VCA ID 35 Brigalow-Belah woodland on alluvial often gilgaied clay soil mainly in the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion. Full descriptions are available in Benson et al. (2006) The Brigalow ecological community also corresponds to two ecological communities that were listed as endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 after the EPBC Act listing in 2001. These are:  Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions [Gazetted in 2005]; and  Brigalow within the Brigalow Belt South, and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions [Gazetted in 2002]. Descriptive information for these state listed ecological communities in the can be found in the NSW Scientific Committee (2002; 2005; 2011) determinations1 on the NSW threatened species website: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpecies/ (NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage, 2013). 1.5. Regrowth The Brigalow ecological community includes some vegetation considered to be ‘non- remnant’ within state classifications (e.g. regrowth vegetation not included in Qld RE mapping); in particularly brigalow regrowth more than 15 years old. This figure allows for the regeneration of a species composition and structural elements typical of the Brigalow ecological community (Environment Australia, 2001). Areas of brigalow woodland regrowth are not considered part of the EPBC Act listed Brigalow ecological community if they are of poor quality (e.g. more than 50% perennial weeds); see section 1.6 Condition. 1.6. Condition Butler (2007) recommends that remnants of component regional ecosystems in poor condition be excluded from the listed Brigalow ecological community. Poor condition of patches can be recognised by one or more of the following attributes:  vegetation that has been comprehensively cleared (not just thinned) within the last 15 years;  vegetation in which exotic perennial have more than 50% cover, assessed in a minimum area of 0.5 ha (100 m by 50 m); and,  individual patches of Brigalow that are smaller than 0.5 ha.

1 Web links to the NSW determinations and profiles for these ecological communities are in the final sections of this advice. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 4 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

1.7. Key diagnostic characteristics and condition thresholds The national ecological community is limited to patches that meet the following key diagnostic characteristics and condition thresholds: 1.7.1. Step 1 Key diagnostic characteristics A patch must include the following key diagnostic characteristics to be considered the Brigalow ecological community: 1) The presence of Acacia harpophylla as one of the most abundant tree species in the patch. A. harpophylla is either dominant in the tree layer, or co-dominant with other species (notably Casuarina cristata, other species of Acacia, or species of Eucalyptus). AND 2a) In Queensland - the patch is in one of the following Qld bioregions (including outliers) and it meets the description of one of 16 Qld REs2 determined at the time of the national listing of the Brigalow ecological community under the EPBC Act. The 16 REs are, as described by the Queensland Herbarium (2013): In the Qld Brigalow Belt Bioregion – REs 11.3.1, 11.4.3, 11.4.7, 11.4.8, 11.4.9, 11.4.10, 11.5.16, 11.9.1, 11.9.5, 11.9.6, 11.11.14 and 11.12.21; In the Qld Southeast Queensland Bioregion – REs 12.8.23, 12.9-10.6 and 12.12.26; or, In the Qld Mulga Lands Bioregion – RE 6.4.2. OR 2b) In New South Wales - the patch meets one of the following NSW Vegetation Classification and Assessment (VCA) community descriptions. The NSW VCA communities are: VCA IDs 29, 31 and 35; as described in Benson et al. (2006)3. AND/OR 2c) The vegetation in the patch is brigalow regrowth with species composition and structural elements broadly typical of one of the identified Qld REs or NSW vegetation communities (although species density may be reduced). This can be assumed to be the case where it has been at least 15 years since it was last comprehensively cleared (not just thinned); unless direct evidence proves otherwise.

1.7.2. Step 2 Condition thresholds A patch must meet the following condition thresholds to be considered the Brigalow ecological community: 3) The patch is 0.5 ha or more in size; AND 4) Exotic perennial plants comprise less than 50% of the total vegetation cover of the patch, as assessed over a minimum sample area of 0.5 ha (100 m by 50 m), that is representative of the patch.

2 For complete descriptions of each RE refer to the Regional Ecosystem Description Database: http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/index.php 3 At the time of listing, the Brigalow ecological community in NSW was described as including two NSW vegetation communities, the: Brigalow community of the northern floodplain; and, Brigalow outlier of the Mulga Lands bioregion. The NSW vegetation community classifications have since been updated. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 5 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

1.7.3. Excluded Queensland regional ecosystems Not all vegetation in which Brigalow is a prominent component is included within the listed Brigalow ecological community. In Queensland, the following regional ecosystems (REs) have Acacia harpophylla (brigalow) as a prominent component, but are not included in the Brigalow ecological Community listed under the EPBC Act: Regional ecosystems of the Qld Brigalow Belt Bioregion RE 11.3.17 Eucalyptus populnea woodland with Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata on alluvial plains RE 11.9.10 Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus populnea open forest on fine-grained sedimentary rocks RE 11.9.11 Acacia harpophylla shrubland on fine-grained sedimentary rocks RE 11.11.16 Eucalyptus cambageana, Acacia harpophylla woodland on old sedimentary rocks with varying degrees of metamorphism and folding. Regional ecosystems of the Qld Bioregion RE 10.4.2 Acacia harpophylla low open-woodland on Cainozoic lake beds (subregion 3) RE 10.4.7 Casuarina cristata woodland on Cainozoic lake beds Regional ecosystems of the Qld Bioregion RE 4.9.15 Acacia harpophylla tall shrubland with scattered emergent hemiglauca +/- Eucalyptus spp. on Cretaceous sediments RE 4.9.17 Acacia harpophylla +/- A. cambagei low woodland on undulating clay plains Regional ecosystems of the Qld Mulga Lands Bioregion RE 6.4.3 Eucalyptus populnea, Casuarina cristata or Acacia harpophylla +/- woodland on clay plains RE 6.4.4 Acacia harpophylla and/or A. cambagei low woodland on Quaternary deposits overlying older sediments For complete descriptions of each RE refer to the Regional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD): http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/index.php (Queensland Herbarium, 2013). 1.7.4. Relationships to other vegetation classifications Caveat - Ecological communities are complex to classify. Each state/territory jurisdiction applies its own system to classify ecological communities which can cause challenges when cross-referring amongst systems. The classification of an area of vegetation may also vary in accuracy to the on-the-ground situation; particularly if based on maps and modelling. A unit that is generally equivalent may include areas that do not meet the description of the ecological community; for example where, across a patch as a whole, Acacia harpophylla is neither dominant nor co-dominant in the tree layer (e.g. where Casuarina cristata (belah) is dominant instead). Judgement of whether an EPBC-protected ecological community is present at a particular site should focus on how an area meets the description, particularly the key diagnostic characteristics for the national ecological community.

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 6 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

1.7.5. Additional Considerations The following information should also be taken into consideration when applying the key diagnostic characteristics and condition thresholds: Land use history will influence the state in which a patch of the ecological community is expressed. The surrounding vegetation will also influence how important a patch of the ecological community is in the broader landscape. Patch. A patch is defined as a discrete and continuous area of the ecological community. However, a patch may include small-scale disturbances, such as tracks or breaks (including exposed soil), watercourses/drainage lines or localised changes in vegetation that do not act as a permanent barrier or significantly alter its overall functionality4. Composition may vary across a patch, but structure and presence of Acacia harpophylla as one of the most abundant tree species is a unifying feature. Buffer zone. A buffer zone is the area that lies immediately outside the edge of a patch but is not part of the ecological community. As the risk of damage to an ecological community is usually greater for actions close to a patch, the purpose of the buffer zone is to minimise this risk by guiding land managers to be aware when the ecological community is nearby and take extra care around the edge of patches. The buffer zone is not part of the ecological community, so is advisory only. Where the buffer zone/s on a particular property is/are subject to existing land uses, such as cropping, ploughing, grazing, spraying, they can continue. However, in the interests of protecting adjacent patches of the ecological community, it is requested that care be exercised in the buffer zone to minimise the risk of significant adverse impacts extending into those patches. Revegetated areas Revegetated, rehabilitated or replanted sites are not excluded from the listed ecological community so long as the patch meets the description, key diagnostic characteristics and condition thresholds above. Timing of surveys Whilst identifying the ecological community and its condition is possible at most times of the year, consideration must be given to the role that season and disturbance history may play in an assessment. For example, flowering may be necessary to identify shrub species and active growth will indicate population sizes of annual weeds. Immediately after a fire one or more vegetation layers, or groups of species, may not be evident for a time. Timing of surveys should allow for a reasonable interval after a disturbance (natural or human-induced) to allow the regeneration of species to become evident, and surveys should be timed to enable diagnostic species to be identified. 1.8. Surrounding environment and landscape context It is acknowledged that ecological communities are dynamic and can exist as a complex mosaic of species determined by a number of factors (e.g. nutrient levels, water availability and past fire and regimes). On top of this natural variation, a variety of disturbances have typically been imposed on a threatened ecological community since European settlement. Patches that are more species rich and less disturbed are likely to provide greater biodiversity value. Additionally, patches that provide corridors or linkages within a largely modified landscape are particularly important as wildlife habitat and to the viability of the ecological community into the future; provided that threats are adequately managed. Some patches occur in isolation and not only require protection, but also priority actions, to link them with other

4 Functionality refers to processes such as the movement of wildlife and pollinators, the dispersal of propagules, the activities of seed and plant predators and of many others species within the ecological community. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 7 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013 patches. Patches that are interconnected with other native vegetation associations have additional conservation value. The following indicators should be factored in when considering important qualities to protect, or when considering recovery, management and funding priorities for a particular patch:  Large size and/or a large area to boundary ratio – larger area/boundary ratios are less exposed and more resilient to edge effect disturbances such as weed invasion and human impacts;  Evidence of recruitment of key native plant species or, the presence of a range of age cohorts (including through successful assisted regeneration). For example, key species are present as seedlings through to mature plants;  Good faunal habitat as indicated by patches that meet a diversity of habitat requirements, and that contribute to movement corridors;  High species richness, most evident from the variety of native plant species but may also be shown by a high number of native fauna species;  Presence of listed threatened species or key functional species such as key pollinator and dispersal animals;  Areas with few weeds or feral animals or where these can be efficiently managed;  Connectivity to other native vegetation remnants or restoration works (e.g. native plantings). In particular, a patch in an important position between (or linking) other patches in the landscape (taking into account that connectivity should aim to not exacerbate the incidence or spread of threats e.g. weeds); and,  If the occurrence of the patch is: o in an area (e.g. ecodistrict) where the ecological community has been most heavily cleared and degraded; or o at the edge of the range of the ecological community. 1.9. Area critical to the survival of the ecological community The areas considered critical to the survival of the Brigalow ecological community includes all patches that meet the key diagnostic characteristics and condition thresholds for the ecological community; plus the buffer zones, particularly where these include native vegetation. Note that additional areas that do not meet the minimum condition thresholds may be critical to the survival of the ecological community depending on factors such as their size and shape, landscape linkages to other patches and landscape position; this is because they could retain some biodiversity, wildlife corridor, or habitat values. The Surrounding environment and landscape context (section 1.8) should also be considered. 1.10. Physical environment The vegetation types that make up the Brigalow ecological community tend to occur on acidic and salty clay soils (Isbell, 1962; Bui and Henderson, 2003); mostly on deep cracking clay soils with a microrelief pattern referred to as gilgai or melon holes, which intermittently fill with water. In Qld, the soils are predominantly cracking clays where Acacia harpophylla is dominant, but texture contrast soils are common where Eucalyptus species are co-dominant. In NSW, brigalow woodlands are typically associated with: red, brown and grey clays; red and grey earths; and, red-brown earths (Benson et al., 2006).

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 8 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

In Qld, most of the listed Brigalow ecological community remnants occur on flat to gently undulating Cainozoic5 clay plains that are not associated with current alluvium, or on gently undulating landscapes on more or less horizontally bedded fine grained sedimentary rocks. About 10% of remnants are associated with river and creek flats. The remainder are associated with old loamy and sandy plains, basalt plains and hills, or hills and lowlands on metamorphic or granitic rocks (Accad et al., 2001). In NSW, the listed Brigalow ecological community occurs on undulating plains, sand plains, or flat areas and gentle rises on alluvial plains (Benson et al., 2006). The Brigalow ecological community occurs largely within the 500-750 mm annual rainfall belt with a predominance of summer rainfall, although winter rainfall peaks occur in the south of its distribution where the climate in western areas is more arid (Pulsford, 1984; Johnson, 1997). 1.11. Vegetation The floristic composition and structure of the listed Brigalow ecological community vary considerably. The following description is based on the references shown in Butler (2007) and Australian Government Department of the Environment (2013). The flora and fauna species mentioned in the following sections do not all occur in each remnant. 1.11.1. Tree layer The tree layer varies in height from about 9 m in low rainfall areas (averaging 500 mm per annum) up to 25 m in higher rainfall areas (averaging 750 mm per annum). The canopy is usually dominated by Acacia harpophylla with or without Casuarina cristata, or Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus trees may be scattered, or may form an emergent layer that is taller than the brigalow canopy. Eucalyptus species commonly present include E. argophloia (Chinchilla white-gum), E. brownii (Reid River box), E. cambageana (blackbutt, coowarra box, Dawson gum), E. largiflorens (black box) E. microcarpa (grey box), E. moluccana (grey-topped box), E. pilligaensis (gum-topped box, ribbon gum, box, Molly box, narrow-leaved grey box), E. populnea (poplar box, bimble box) or E. thozetiana (mountain yapunyah), or less often E. coolabah (coolibah) or E. orgadophila (mountain coolibah). Other tree species such as Lysiphyllum carronii (red bauhinia) and (Queensland bottle tree) may be common in the tree layer in Qld (Butler, 2007). (gidgee) and A. argyrodendron (blackwood) may be co-dominant with A. harpophylla in northern areas in Qld, while A. melvillei (yarran, Melville's wattle) or A. omalophylla (yarran) may be associated with the vegetation in central and southern Qld and in NSW (Butler, 2007). In some areas Casuarina cristata, , A. melvillei, A. omalophylla, Eucalyptus populnea or E. pilligaensis may be locally dominant and more abundant than A. harpophylla, and form pockets of vegetation within or on the margins of the Brigalow ecological community (NSW Scientific Committee, 2002; Butler, 2007). In NSW, Casuarina cristata favours less well drained sites, and Eucalyptus populnea favours better drained areas (NSW Scientific Committee, 2002).

5 Cainozoic: The Cainozoic (or Cenozoic) era denotes the most recent geological era (the last 65 million years), following the Mesozoic era and comprising the Tertiary and Quaternary periods. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 9 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

1.11.2 Lower tree and shrub layer/s A moderately dense low tree layer or low to tall shrub layer/s are frequently present in the Brigalow ecological community. It typically includes (sandalwood) and Geijera parviflora (wilga), or in northern areas, Terminalia oblongata (yellowwood). Other common species include (scrub boonaree), A. oleifolius (western rosewood), Apophyllum anomalum (broom bush), Capparis loranthifolia (narrow-leaved bumble), Capparis mitchellii (wild orange), Carissa ovata (currant bush), Citrus glauca (lime bush), Ehretia membranifolia (peach bush), (ellangowan poison bush) and Notelaea microcarpa (small-fruited mock-olive). Climbing plants are usually present in the vegetation and include Clematicissus opaca (small- leaf grape, previously called Cissus opaca), Capparis lasiantha (nipan), Jasminum didymium subsp. lineare and J. didymium subsp. racemosum (native jasmines), and Parsonsia lanceolata (northern silk-pod). 1.11.3. Ground layer The Brigalow ecological community typically has a sparse ground layer. Graminoids6 often present include the grasses Enteropogon acicularis (curly windmill-grass), Panicum decompositum (native millet), spp. and spp. and the sedge Cyperus gracilis (slender sedge). Forbs7 commonly present include (blue trumpet), Rostellularia adscendens (pink tongue) and the ferns Cheilanthes distans (bristly cloak fern) and C. sieberi (rock fern) (Butler, 2007). Sub-shrubs are often present in the ground layer and include species from the families Malvaceae (especially species of Abutilon and Sida) and Chenopodiaceae (Gunn et al., 1967; Story et al., 1967; Galloway et al., 1974; Neldner, 1984). Common chenopods include Einadia nutans (climbing saltbush), Enchylaena tomentosa (ruby saltbush), Maireana microphylla (eastern cottonbush), Rhagodia spinescens (prickly saltbush), Salsola kali (soft roly-poly), Sclerolaena muricata (prickly roly-poly) and Sclerolaena tetracuspis (brigalow burr) (Butler, 2007). Nyssanthes diffusa or N. erecta (barb-wire weed) and Roepera apiculata (twinleaf, formerly Zygophyllum apiculatum) may also be common (Butler, 2007). 1.12. Fauna Litter on the floor of brigalow woodlands, particularly woody debris, is important to certain fauna, especially reptiles (WWF, 2001) and invertebrates. Other fauna, such as birds, are dependent on other forest8 components for suitable habitat. For example, key habitat factors for Calyptorhynchus lathami (glossy black-cockatoo) include mature Casuarina cristata trees as sources of seed for food, as well as large hollows for nest sites; these most commonly develop in large eucalypts. Hollows of various sizes, including narrow pockets under bark on larger tree trunks, are important roost sites for a variety of birds and mammals, including bats. Mistletoes are also a key resource for animals in brigalow woodlands. They produce nectar and fleshy fruits which are eaten by numerous species, most notably birds, including Grantiella picta () (Oliver et al., 2003). Connectivity to other vegetation types may be an important factor for fauna retention in the heavily cleared and fragmented landscapes in which brigalow remnants often occur (McAlpine et al., 2002). The vertebrate fauna of brigalow woodlands generally also use

6 Graminoids: Grasses and grass-like plants. 7 Forbs: Non-grass herbs. 8 Except when used for specific Qld RE or NSW vegetation classification names, the use of the term “woodland/s” includes “forest/s” and vice-versa. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 10 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013 eucalypt woodlands and other habitats (McFarland et al., 1999). Consequently eucalypt woodlands or even regrowth brigalow may be important to maintaining fauna in brigalow remnants (Bowen et al., 2009). The key local habitat characters for fauna outlined above (litter and woody debris on the forest floor, large trees providing hollows or pockets under their bark, and sources of nectar and fruit such as mistletoes and ) are more readily available in relatively undisturbed brigalow woodlands and in higher rainfall environments. On a per area basis, mature, long-undisturbed brigalow woodlands are expected to be of greater value to faunal biodiversity than younger or more frequently disturbed woodlands. Jalmenus ebulus9 (pale imperial hairstreak butterfly) provides perhaps the best example of this. This butterfly in its larval stage feeds on brigalow foliage and observations to date suggest that the butterfly only uses mature brigalow forests as habitat (i.e. as yet it has not been seen in regrowth brigalow forests). Other native species are more common in regrowth than remnant brigalow. For example, Miles and Madden (2002) found that in , central Qld, Ptilonorhynchus maculatus () preferentially constructs its bowers in brigalow regrowth. Brigalow regrowth also provides habitat for a suite of fauna and flora suited to early 'successional' environments. Whilst regrowth habitat is not necessarily identical to that of mature brigalow woodlands, it nonetheless contributes to the diversity and functioning of landscapes (House et al., 2006). As regrowth develops in structure and diversity its value to biodiversity increases (Bowen et al., 2009).

2. CONSERVATION STATUS The Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community was nationally listed under the EPBC Act as Endangered on 4 April 2001. This ecological community was listed on the basis of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee’s advice (TSSC, 2001) that it met criterion 1of the eligibility criteria for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act because it had undergone a severe decline in extent (to approximately 10% of its former area) following its clearance in both Qld and NSW for agricultural use.

3. DISTRIBUTION The Brigalow ecological community occurs over a substantial geographic area in semi-arid eastern Australia. Brigalow woodlands are found mostly west of the , stretching in a broad swathe east of Blackall, Charleville and Cunnamulla, north almost to in Qld, south to Narrabri in NSW, and west to Bourke on the Darling River and Blackall in central western Qld. In NSW, remnants of the listed ecological community mostly occur north of Bourke, west of Narrabri and north of Moree (Environmental Resources Information Network, 2003; Butler, 2007). Other minor occurrences are found near Walgett and Gunnedah, at Mt Misery and in the Pilliga East State Forest (Benson et al., 2006). The Brigalow ecological community is associated mostly with the Mulga Lands and Brigalow Belt South IBRA bioregions, with lesser areas in the Cobar Peneplain10, Darling Riverine Plains, NSW South-western Slopes and Nandewar IBRA bioregions (Benson et al., 2006; Butler, 2007). In Qld the Brigalow ecological community is found in the Brigalow Belt North, Brigalow Belt South, Mulga Lands, Darling Riverine Plains and Southeast Queensland IBRA bioregions.

9 Listed as a Vulnerable species in Qld and as Critically Endangered in NSW. 10 Penaplain: A relatively flat / gently undulating, almost featureless near sea level; typically thought to be produced by a long period of erosion. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 11 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

4. THREATS Threats to the Brigalow ecological community include factors that may further reduce its extent or cause a decline in condition. The most important threats and risks, in order of significance, include clearing, fire, weeds, feral animals and inappropriate grazing (Butler, 2007). Climate change is an emerging threat that needs consideration in management. Several of these threats are listed as key threatening processes under the EPBC Act. Disturbances such as clearing, intense fires and overgrazing, tend to reduce one or more of the key habitat characteristics for the fauna species (Butler, 2007). 4.1. Clearing The Brigalow ecological community was listed as Endangered on the basis of extensive clearing. This has altered the ecological community’s typical landscape context, with most remnants now occurring as fragments within substantially modified landscapes, or on small clay pans or the toe-slopes of jump-ups and escarpments. As clearing has mostly occurred after 1960, effects on biodiversity in the Brigalow ecological community are likely to be ongoing for some time yet, with equilibrium between the number of species supported and the much reduced area of available habitat probably still in the process of being re-established (McAlpine et al., 2002). Some of the remaining Brigalow ecological community has limited protection under Qld legislation. However, this protection does not extend to the entire national Brigalow ecological community (regardless of the significance of the impact). Mining in the in Qld and logging for fence posts in the Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar and Darling Riverine Plains bioregions of NSW continues to threaten significant areas of the Brigalow ecological community (Butler, 2007). Illegal clearing remains an ongoing concern for both remnant and regrowth areas of the Brigalow ecological community. 4.2. Fire The low density of herbage in most types of brigalow vegetation suggests that fire has been historically rare in the Brigalow ecological community. It becomes a serious threat to remnant brigalow where fuel characteristics have been changed (e.g. by the presence of high biomass introduced grass pasture species such as buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare syn. Cenchrus ciliaris), Rhodes grass ( gayana) or green panic grass (Megathyrsus maximus syn. Panicum maximum) in, or adjacent to, brigalow woodlands (Butler, 2007). Fragmentation and disturbance can interact with invasive grasses to increase the risk of fire to remnant brigalow woodlands. Linear remnants, such as those occurring on roadsides, possess large edge to area ratios and often grow in a matrix of introduced pasture grasses. Fire associated with exotic grass invasion is more problematic in the more open brigalow woodland types in the west and north. Generally, the most appropriate fire regime for brigalow stands is fire-exclusion (Butler, 2007). It is possible that grazing can be used to manage grass fuel loads. It may also be possible in some cases to develop techniques with cool fires that reduce fuel loads without killing brigalow. If climate change results in increasing temperatures and lower and more erratic rainfall it is probable that unplanned, high-intensity fires will become a greater threat throughout the Brigalow Belt (Butler, 2007).

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4.3. Invasive species 4.3.1 Weeds Pest plants can alter the structure and function of brigalow ecosystems and affect their suitability as habitat for native species. Introduced grasses, such as buffel grass, Rhodes grass and green panic grass, pose the greatest threat by drawing fires into the Brigalow ecological community and increasing fire severity (Butler, 2007). Particularly vulnerable are fragmented remnants (such as those adjacent to roadsides), patchy regrowth and patches in low rainfall areas. Numerous other weeds also occur in the Brigalow ecological community. Succulent weeds seem quite well suited to the salty drought prone brigalow lands. Climbing weeds can also be problematic, while shrubs and trees, as well as herbaceous weeds, can be locally common. Gaps in the tree canopy, or disturbance to the soil, generally assist weed establishment. Disturbance through natural events is a normal part of ecosystem processes but can assist invasion by weedy plants. The most easily controlled and widespread sources of disturbance are associated with human activities such as clearing for fences or roads, or by grazing stock (Butler, 2007). Tree thinning and soil disturbance can also contribute to weeds entering brigalow woodland patches. Limiting disturbance can be a useful strategy to minimise the threat from weeds. Weed invasion remains an ongoing concern across most of the Brigalow ecological community. Early detection and rapid response are likely to be essential, cost effective steps to implementing long-term preventative weed management. 4.3.2 Pest animals Feral pigs are probably the most widespread and problematic pest animal in the ecological community, although goats, cane toads, cats and foxes are also serious threats (Butler, 2007). All are responsible for key threatening processes (KTP) listed as under the EPBC Act. Noisy miners (Manorina melanocepla) are also a problem and their aggressive exclusion of other native bird species has been nominated as a national KTP under the EPBC Act. Pigs are broad-spectrum pests that impact on the population dynamics of both plants and animals (Choquenot et al., 1996). They can cause substantial degradation by destroying young plants and disturbing soil. Cane toads negatively impact native fauna populations, including frogs, goannas, snakes and mammalian carnivores such as quolls. Foxes and feral cats also have a devastating effect on Brigalow ecological community fauna. Landscapes characterised by cropping, many roads and small fragments of brigalow provide optimal conditions for them to hunt and breed. The greatest frequency of feral predator activity has been recorded near linear woodlands and roadsides, and the lowest in the interior of large brigalow patches. The (Manorina melanocephala) is a native bird; but is also a problem species within the Brigalow ecological community. Interspecific competition with Manorina (honeyeaters) is one of the most important and widespread processes threatening woodland birds in eastern Australia (Maron et al., 2011). Noisy miners cooperate to aggressively exclude almost all smaller bird species from areas they occupy. They tend to occupy degraded woodland areas that facilitate their aggressive behaviour; i.e. areas impacted by the habitat fragmentation and the structural simplification that typically results from human activities (Loyn, 1987; Catterall et al., 1997, 2002; Major et al., 2001; Martin and Possingham, 2005; Hastings and Beattie, 2006; Martin et al., 2006; Martin and McIntyre, 2007; cited in Maron et al, 2013). Some of the increase in noisy miner abundance may be attributable to changes in climate and drought (Mac Nally et al., 2009; Bennett et al., 2013; cited in Maron et al, 2013).

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Evidence reviewed by Maron et al. (2013), showed: strong causal links between Manorina melanocephala and the depressed richness and abundance of smaller birds, particularly nectarivores and insectivores; reduced tree condition stemming from impaired control of insect herbivore populations by smaller insectivores; and, a plausible negative effect on plant reproduction through reduced tree condition, altered pollination services and seed dispersal. 4.4. Inappropriate grazing regimes Trampling and grazing by large herbivores has a number of impacts. Trampling compresses soil, can reduce the amount of leaf litter and woody debris, and alters the composition and density of herbs and shrubs in the understorey of the Brigalow ecological community. Grazing can strongly affect recruitment and growth of shrubs and trees in brigalow vegetation, as indicated by some studies in western NSW on Brigalow-associated shrub species (Wilson et al., 1976; Chesterfield and Parsons, 1985). It is not uncommon to see distinct browse lines in brigalow vegetation, the height of which reflect the reach of the dominant herbivore; and, below which, little foliage persists. 4.5 Climate change The broad environmental tolerance of Acacia harpophylla and its associated species gives them some capacity to cope with climate change (Butler, 2007). However, the rate of change is expected to be higher than previously experienced and future climate may differ from that which the Brigalow ecological community was subject to in the past. Furthermore, the landscapes within which the Brigalow ecological community faces climate change are radically different from those within which it endured preceding changes and this may compromise adaptability. For example, animals living in fragmented brigalow landscapes will be particularly vulnerable to the effects of hotter and drier conditions as the fragments of habitat are too few and far between to allow animals to move further afield to find scarce resources (Butler, 2007). The same constraints apply to flora. Climate change may exacerbate existing threats such as fire, as well as slowing recovery.

5. PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS 5.1 Research and monitoring priorities There are key knowledge gaps in our understanding of the Brigalow ecological community. Specific gaps include: how to successfully restore or reclaim degraded brigalow communities; how best to manage some of the more serious plant and animal pests and their impacts; how climate change is affecting the ecological community; and the condition of the remaining areas of the Brigalow ecological community. Collating existing data, and completing the mapping necessary to provide coverage of the ecological community (particularly in NSW), will assist landholders and planners in managing the Brigalow ecological community.  Establish condition benchmarks across the range of the Brigalow ecological community for each of the component vegetation communities.  Survey and continue to monitor a representative set of sites in Qld and NSW to assess condition and to identify relevant threats.  Identify, prioritise and map important areas for Brigalow conservation in Qld and NSW.  Investigate methods to assist advanced regrowth to attain the structural and floristic characteristics of remnant Brigalow.  Undertake monitoring to ensure and encourage compliance with legislation that protects the Brigalow ecological community.

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5.2 Priority recovery and threat abatement actions 5.2.1. Threat reduction/control  Protect and conserve remnant and regrowth areas of the ecological community. Prevent clearance of this endangered ecological community and of nearby native vegetation including buffer zones and connecting corridors.  Where further clearance is unavoidable: - mitigate the severity of impacts (e.g. avoid higher quality areas, avoid dissection of patches, act to minimise hydrological disruption and the spread of weeds); and, - offsetting should consider the location and emulate qualities of affected patches.  Manage areas of the Brigalow ecological community to reduce threats, including through: - fire management that considers Brigalow conservation, protection, and ecological heterogeneity; and, - targeted weed and feral animal control with a particular focus on high biomass exotic grasses (buffel grass, Rhodes grass, green panic grass) and feral pigs.  Manage all weeds appropriately within and close to the Brigalow ecological community; e.g.: spot application of herbicides, rather than aerial spraying; avoid fertiliser application; minimise tree thinning and soil disturbance.  Manage foxes and cats (as well as feral pigs) using a coordinated approach, preferably among groups of neighbours and across regions.  Help woodland birds to avoid aggression from noisy miners by: encouraging and protecting shrubby understorey; managing grazing pressure so that it does not degrade native vegetation; and retaining dense stands of trees and regrowth. 5.2.2 Land management  Encourage landholders to balance primary production and the conservation of native flora and fauna within and close to the ecological community. Examples of this are: - managing stocking rates, paddock numbers/sizes, grazing practices and livestock camp sites to avoid damage to woodland understorey and ground cover - this may include adopting rotational or cell grazing regimes; or, excluding grazing entirely from intact stands of brigalow where appropriate (e.g. unless managing fuel loads through grazing); - leaving trees, or clumps of regrowth, in paddocks to maintain connections between patches of native flora and fauna habitat; - connecting shade-lines to one another and keeping them as wide as possible (ideally more than 100 m); - avoiding the application of fertiliser, or the aerial / broad scale spraying of herbicides; and, - leaving dead trees standing and allowing dead timber and leaf litter to rot where it falls on the ground.  Undertake regeneration of high value regrowth sites and revegetation of degraded sites.  Increase the area of the Brigalow ecological community managed for conservation, such as through the reservation of high quality/large areas of remnant or regrowth and by facilitating conservation agreements with landholders.  Establish adequate buffer zones to protect remnants.

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 Devise and implement water management, sediment erosion and pollution control and monitoring plans. 5.2.3 Management for wildlife  Undertake management actions that help to increase the diversity of species and their abundance; this requires thinking about habitat use at multiple scales. General management actions that benefit many fauna species include: - retaining fallen timber and leaf litter for small mammals and reptiles; - retaining standing dead trees or old trees with hollow limbs for nesting sites for birds, mammals and reptiles; - re-introducing microhabitat features (e.g. rocks, logs and other woody debris) to sites disturbed during proposed works; - discouraging species like noisy miners and introduced predators by maintaining large patches of woodland with complex structure; and, - avoiding clearing remnant vegetation; and retaining areas of brigalow regrowth.  Encourage woodland regeneration close to areas of existing woodland. 5.2.4 Develop and Propagate Conservation Information  In consultation with land managers, local and state authorities and Indigenous groups - develop and propagate environmentally sustainable management guidelines and technical material to assist land managers, including measure to address inappropriate fire regimes, plant pathogens, invasive animal management, weed management and health and maintenance of the ecological community. - develop or support appropriate existing education programs, information products and signage to help the public recognise the presence and importance of the ecological community, and encourage compliance with their responsibilities under state and local regulations and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). 5.3 Existing plans/management prescriptions relevant to the ecological community Butler DW (2007). Recovery plan for the "Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co- dominant" endangered ecological community (draft of 1 May 2007). Report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Qld National Parks and Wildlife Service. Brisbane. Commonwealth of Australia (2011). Draft Referral guidelines for the nationally listed Brigalow Belt reptiles11. http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/epbc-act-draft- referral-guidelines-nationally-listed-brigalow-belt-reptiles Howes A and Martine M (2008). Maximising woodland bird diversity in Brigalow Belt forests. Land and Water Australia. http://nrmonline.nrm.gov.au/catalog/mql:2825 & http://nrmonline.nrm.gov.au/downloads/mql:2825/PDF McAlpine C, Maron M, Smith CG, Bowen M, Seabrook L and Dwyer J (2011). Conserving biodiversity in Brigalow Landscapes. http://www.gpem.uq.edu.au/docs/Brigalow/ConservingBrigalowLandscapesl.pdf

11 To be superseded by the finalised EPBC Act referral guidelines for the nationally listed Brigalow Belt reptiles in due course. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 16 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

McGaw CC and Mitchell J (1998). Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in Queensland. Pest Status Review Series Land Protection. Qld Department of Natural Resources and Mines. http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/57277/IPA-FeralPig-PSA.pdf. NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage (Undated). Assessing wildlife habitat. Conservation Management Notes – Wildlife on your property. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cpp/AssessHabitat.pdf NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage (Undated). Priority actions by type of threatened species – Brigalow12 Endangered Ecological Community http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/PasSearchSpecies.aspx?spe ciesName=Brigalow+within+the+Brigalow+Belt+South%2c+Nandewar+and+Darling+ Riverine+Plains+Bioregions&generalType=Threatened+Ecological+Communities Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Program Overview. http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/48 or http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/48/fact-sheets-case-studies/reptile- recovery/brigalow-belt-reptile-recovery-plan-overview.pdf University of Queensland (undated). Managing Brigalow for wildlife. http://www.uq.edu.au/brigalow/docs/Managing-brigalow-wildlife.pdf Reptile Recovery Toolkit Part One. Available on the Internet at: http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/50 or http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/50/fact-sheets-case-studies/reptile- recovery/reptile-recovery-toolkit-part-one.pdf Reptile Recovery Toolkit Part Two. http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/51/ or http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/51/fact-sheets-case-studies/reptile- recovery/reptile-recovery-toolkit-part-two.pdf Richardson R (2006). Queensland Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan 2008 – 2012. Report to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. WWF Australia. Brisbane. http://www.qmdc.org.au/publications/download/52/ These prescriptions were current at the time of publishing; please refer to the relevant agency’s website for any updated versions.

6. REFERENCES Accad A, Neldner VJ, Wilson BA and Niehus RE (2001). Remnant vegetation in Queensland. Queensland Herbarium. Qld Environmental Protection Agency. Brisbane. Australian Government Department of the Environment ([updated] 2013). SPRAT [Species Profile and Threats Database] Profile for the Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community. Viewed: 16 October 2013 Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=28 Bennett JM, Cunningham SC, Connelly CA, Clarke RH, Thomson, J.R. and Mac Nally R (2013). The interaction between a drying climate and land use affects forest structure and above-ground carbon storage. Global Ecology and Biogeography 22.12: 1238–1247. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

12 These actions are the same as the priority actions for the NSW Brigalow-Gidgee Endangered Ecological Community Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 17 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

Available on the Internet at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.12083/abstract Benson JS, Allen CB, Togher C and Lemmon J (2006). New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 1 Plant communities of the NSW Western Plains. Cunninghamia 9: 383–450. Benson JS, Richards PG, Waller S and Allen CB (2010). New South Wales vegetation classification and assessment: Part 3 Plant communities of the NSW Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar and west New England bioregions and update of NSW western plains and south-western slopes plant communities. Version 3 of the New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment [NSWVCA] Database. Cunninghamia 11: 457–579. Bowen ME, McAlpine CA, Seabrook L, House APN and Smith C (2009). The age and amount of regrowth forest in fragmented brigalow landscapes are both important for woodland dependent birds. Biological Conservation 142, 3051–3059. Bui EN and Henderson BL (2003). Vegetation indicators of salinity in northern Queensland. Austral Ecology 28: 539–552. Butler DW (2007). Recovery plan for the "Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co- dominant" endangered ecological community (draft of 1 May 2007). Report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Qld National Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. Catterall CP, Kingston MB and Park K (1997). Use of remnant forest habitat by birds during winter in subtropical Australia: patterns and processes. Pacific Conservation Biology 3: 262–274. Catterall CP, Piper SD and Goodall K (2002) Noisy Miner irruptions associated with land use by humans in southeast Queensland: causes, effects and management implications. In ‘Landscape health in Queensland’ (eds. A Franks, J Playford and A Shapcott). Royal Society of Queensland. Brisbane. pp. 117–127. Chesterfield CJ and Parsons RF (1985). Regeneration of three tree species in arid south- eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 33: 715–732. Choquenot D, McIlroy J and Korn T (1996). Managing vertebrate pests: feral pigs. Bureau of Resource Sciences, Australian Government Printing Services. Canberra. Environment Australia (2001). Brigalow Regrowth and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/pubs/brigalow- regrowth.pdf Environmental Resources Information Network (2003). Map of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/maps/pubs/brigalo w-map.pdf Galloway RW, Gunn RH, Pedley L, Cocks KD and Kalma JD (1974). Lands of the Balonne- Maranoa Area, Queensland. Land Research Series No. 34. CSIRO. Melbourne. Gunn RH, Galloway RW, Pedley L and Fitzpatrick EA (1967). Lands of the Nogoa-Belyando Area, Queensland. Land Research Series No. 18. CSIRO. Melbourne.

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Hastings RA and Beattie AJ (2006). Stop bullying in the corridors: can including shrubs make your revegetation more Noisy Miner free? Ecological Management and Restoration 7: 105–112. House A, Burwell C and Brown S (2006). Ant assemblages in brigalow regrowth vegetation. Ecological Management and Restoration 7: 136–140. Isbell RF (1962). Soils and vegetation of the Brigalow Lands, Eastern Australia. Soils and Land Use Series No. 43. CSIRO. Johnson RW (1964). Ecology and control of brigalow in Queensland. Qld Department of Primary Industries. Johnson RW (1997). The impact of clearing on brigalow communities and consequences for conservation. In ‘Conservation outside nature reserves’ (eds. P Hale and D Lamb). Centre for Conservation Biology, the University of Queensland. Brisbane. pp. 359–63. Loyn RH (1987). Effects of patch area and habitat on bird abundances, species numbers and tree health in fragmented Victorian forests. In ‘Nature conservation: the role of remnants of native vegetation’ (ed. DA Saunders, GW Arnold, AA Burbidge and AJM Hopkins). Surrey Beatty and Sons Pty Ltd in association with CSIRO and CALM. Chipping Norton, NSW. pp. 65–77. Mac Nally R, Bennett AF, Thomson JR, Radford JQ, Unmack G, Horrocks G and Vesk PA (2009). Collapse of an avifauna: climate change appears to exacerbate habitat loss and degradation. Diversity and Distributions 15: 720–730. Major RE, Christie FJ and Gowing G (2001). Influence of remnant and landscape attributes on Australian woodland bird communities. Biological Conservation 102: 47–66. Maron M, Grey MJ, Catterall CP, Major RE, Oliver DL, Clarke MF, Loyn RH, Mac Nally R, Davidson I and Thomson JR (2013). Avifaunal disarray due to a single despotic species. Diversity and Distributions 19, 1468–1479. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Available on the Internet at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.12128/full and project details at http://www.aceas.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84&Itemid=86 Maron M, Main A, Bowen M, Howes A, Kath J, Pillette C and McAlpine CA (2011). Relative influence of habitat modification and interspecific competition on woodland bird assemblages in eastern Australia. Emu: Austral Ornithology 111: 40–51. Available on the Internet at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MU09108.htm Martin TG, McIntyre S, Catterall CP and Possingham HP (2006). Is landscape context important for riparian conservation? Birds in grassy woodland. Biological Conservation 127: 201–214. Martin TG and McIntyre S (2007). Impacts of livestock grazing and tree clearing on birds of woodland and riparian habitats. Conservation Biology 21: 504–514. Martin TG and Possingham HP (2005). Predicting the impact of livestock grazing on birds using foraging height data. Journal of Applied Ecology 42: 400–408. McAlpine CA, Fensham RJ and Temple-Smith DE (2002). Biodiversity conservation and vegetation clearing in Queensland: Principles and thresholds. Rangeland Journal 24: 36–55. McFarland D, Haseler M, Venz M, Reis T, Ford G and Hines B (1999). Terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the Brigalow Belt South bioregion: assessment and analysis for conservation planning. Qld Environmental Protection Agency. Brisbane. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 19 of 21 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 17 December 2013

Miles AJ & Madden JR (2002). Bower location by the Spotted Bowerbird (Chlamydera maculata). Emu: Austral Ornithology 102: 187–193. Neldner VJ (1984). Vegetation survey of Queensland: South Central Queensland. Queensland Botany Bulletin No. 3. Qld Department of Primary Industries. Brisbane. NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage (2013). NSW Threatened Species. Viewed: 16 October 2013 (Page last updated: 30 August 2013). Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ThreatenedSpecies/ NSW Scientific Committee (2002). Brigalow within the Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar and Darling Riverine Plains bioregions - endangered ecological community listing - NSW Scientific Committee - final determination. Viewed: 28 November 2013 (Page last updated: 28 February 2011). Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/BrigalowEndComListing.htmNSW Scientific Committee (2005). Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions - Endangered ecological community determination - final. NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions - Minor Amendment to Endangered ecological community determination. Viewed: 28 November 2013 (Page last updated: 28 February 2011). Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/BrigalowGidgeeWoodlandShrubla ndEndComListing.htm Oliver DL, Chambers MA and Parker DG (2003). Habitat and resource selection of the Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta) on the northern floodplains region of New South Wales. Emu: Austral Ornithology 103: 171–176. Pulsford IF (1984). Conservation status of Brigalow Acacia harpophylla in New South Wales. In ‘The Brigalow Belt of Australia’ (ed. A Bailey). The Royal Society of Queensland, Brisbane. pp. 161–75. Queensland Herbarium (2013). Regional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD) Version 6.1 (February 2013). Qld Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. Brisbane. Available on the Internet at: http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/ecosystems/biodiversity/regional-ecosystems/index.php Sattler PS and Williams RD (eds.) (1999). The conservation status of Queensland’s bioregional ecosystems. Qld Environmental Protection Agency. Brisbane. Story R, Galloway RW, Gunn RH and Fitzpatrick EA (1967). Lands of the Isaac-Comet Area, Queensland. Land Research Series No. 19. CSIRO. Melbourne. Threatened Species Scientific Committee [TSSC] (2001). 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. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/brigalow.html, accessed October 2013.

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Wade T (1992). The Brigalow outlier: a resource inventory of the Brigalow vegetation communities west of the Culgoa River. NSW Department of Conservation and Land Management. Wilson D, Mulham WE and Leigh JH (1976). A note on the effects of browsing by feral goats on a belah (Casuarina cristata) - rosewood (Heterodendrum oleifolium) woodland. Australian Rangeland Journal 1: 7–12. World Wide Fund for Nature [WWF] (2001). Reptiles under threat in Queensland’s southern Brigalow Belt. WWF Australia. 6.1 Other information sources The Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA http://www.brg.cma.nsw.gov.au/ The Brigalow Landscapes Project website http://www.uq.edu.au/brigalow/ The Brigalow Birds Educational Project http://www.brigalowbirds.org The Condamine Alliance. http://condaminealliance.com.au/NSW threatened species webpage. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/ The NSW Brigalow Endangered Ecological Community Guidelines http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/pnf/10917BrigalowGuidelines.pdf The NSW Brigalow within the Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions – profile (includes Activities to assist this species). http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=10109 The NSW Brigalow-Gidgee Endangered Ecological Community Guidelines. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/BrigalowGidgeeEECweb.pdf The NSW Brigalow-Gidgee woodland/shrubland in the Mulga Lands and Darling Riverine Plains Bioregions – profile (includes Activities to assist this species). http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10966 The Qld Government Vegetation Management Webpage. http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/vegetation/index.html The Queensland Historical Atlas – Prickly pear. http://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/prickly-pear The Queensland Historical Atlas – The Brigalow. http://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/brigalow The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee. http://www.qmdc.org.au/ The SPRAT (Species Profile and Threats Database) Profile for the Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community. http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=28

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant) ecological community Approved Conservation Advice. Page 21 of 21