Acacia dangarensis - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Acacia dangarensis

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 25 Nov 2005

Profile last updated: 04 Mar 2024

Description

Acacia dangarensis is a small tree that grows up to 10 metres. Young bark is smooth and grey, and later becomes fissured and blackish at the base. The leaves are frond-like with 2-6 pairs of pinnae per leaf with 14-30 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae 4-9 mm long. The golden-yellow flowers are produced in sprays from August to September. Each spray has 12-26 heads.

Distribution

Acacia dangarensis is endemic to NSW and confined to the summit and surrounding slopes of Mount Dangar south of Merriwa, within Goulburn River National Park and adjacent private property.

The total population size of Acacia dangarensis is estimated to be between 13,000 to 40,000 plants, extending over an area of about 112 hectares. It is not known to occur in any other location despite considerable survey around the Hunter district.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in pure stands or as a co-dominant tree in sclerophyll woodland on basalt and basalt colluvium. The known population dominates the deeper basalt soils on the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Dangar. Fire appears to drive the above-ground presence of this species. When mature trees are present, occasional fruiting events may be sufficient to maintain the seed bank until suitable climatic conditions favour a major wildfire event triggering germination.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Sydney Basin

Threats

At risk from stochastic events due to highly restricted distribution.
Competition from weeds may reduce seedling recruitment.
High frequency fire can inhibit growth and reproduction.
Insufficient understanding of ecological/ biophysical processes influencing restricted distribution.
Feral animals degrading habitat.
Uncertainty of age at which new recruits first flower/produce seed and can withstand drought conditions.
Management of the surrounding landscape may adversely impact the population by reducing opportunities for occasional wildfires that are necessary for triggering germination.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control infestations of mixed weeds.
Monitor mature plants, seedlings, senescence, reproduction and threats within the population.
Control feral animals.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
Research ecological requirements and fire ecology of the species.
Prevent inappropriate fire regime for the species. Recommended fire interval of 30-100 years.

Information sources

Bell, S. & Lamrock, P. Haines, H. & Turney, C. (2022) Multiple lines of evidence infer centurial-scale habitat change and resilience in a threatened plant species at Mount Dangar, Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Botany 70: 432-446
Bell, S.A.J & Elliott, M. (2013) Preliminary results suggest fire is required to maintain Acacia dangarensis, a threatened single-population endemic from the Hunter Valley of NSW. Australasian Plant Conservation 22: 9-10.
Bell, S.A.J. (2017) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 1 (2016-2017) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. June 2017. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Bell, S.A.J. & Lamrock, P. (2018) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 2 (2017-2018) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. October 2018. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Bell, S.A.J. & Lamrock, P. (2020) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 3 (2018-2019) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. January 2020. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Bell, S.A.J. & Lamrock, P. (2020) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 4 (2019-2020) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. August 2020. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Bell, S.A.J. & Lamrock, P. (2021) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 5 (2020-2021) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. August 2021. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Bell, S.A.J. & Lamrock, P. (2022) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 6 (2021-2022) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. October 2022. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Bell, S.A.J. & Lamrock, P. (2023) Mt Dangar Multi-species Saving our Species Project: Year 7 (2022-2023) Summary Report. Unpublished Report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. August 2023. Eastcoast Flora Survey & Cormal Environmental.
Hill, L. (2000) Goulburn River National Park and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve: vegetation survey for fire management purposes. (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Muswellbrook)
Kodela, P.G. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Acacia. Pp 381-476 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Tindale M.D. and Kodela P.G. (1991) Acacia tessellata, A. cangaiensis and A. dangarensis (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae), three new species from northern New South Wales, Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 4: 579-589

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin

Kerrabee

Known

mt Dangar region, within the Goulburn River National Park and adjacent freehold lands

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