Register      Login
Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > BT > BT09116
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(8)

Population ecology and genetics of the vulnerable Acacia attenuata (Mimosaceae) and their significance for its conservation, recovery and translocation

Heather Brownlie A , Julia Playford B , Helen Wallace A and Alison Shapcott A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore Qld 4558, Australia.

B Department of Environment and Resource Management, 80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, Qld 4068, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: ashapcot@usc.edu.au

Australian Journal of Botany 57(8) 675-687 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT09116
Submitted: 30 June 2009  Accepted: 30 November 2009   Published: 8 February 2010

Abstract

Acacia attenuata Maiden and Blakely, is a vulnerable shrub, endemic to south-east Queensland, Australia. The population ecology and genetics of the species were examined throughout its range to assist with conservation and recovery of the species. South-east Queensland is experiencing massive population expansion and the associated housing and infrastructure development is having an impact on the remnant vegetation in the region. Population sizes differed significantly (P < 0.05) and were smaller in the southern urbanised parts of the species distribution. Genetic diversity of A. attenuata was high in comparison to other Acacia species. Genetic diversity was not significantly correlated with population size or isolation. There was a high degree of genetic similarity among populations (FST = 0.101). Populations were effectively inbred (F = 0.482); however, inbreeding was not correlated with population size, density, isolation or reproductive activity. Uniform high levels of genetic diversity and low population differentiation suggest that A. attenuata once had a more continuous distribution. A population that was due to be translocated because of a development decision was also assessed as part of the research. The population at the development site (AA14 – Bundilla) was the largest and one of the most genetically variable sites, thus the genetic diversity of the population needs to be conserved within the translocation. The translocation process is reported here and occurred based on the information on genetics and ecology provided by this study. Population density and the proportion of seedlings and juveniles were significantly negatively correlated with time since fire. Fire regimes of 5–10 years are optimal for A. attenuata population regeneration and persistence, thus active fire management will be required for both the translocated population and for other populations within the urban and peri-urban areas, where competing demands make fire management controversial and difficult.


Acknowledgements

This project formed the basis of an Honours thesis and was later used to develop a recovery plan for the species. We thank Stocklands Pty Ltd for funding and assistance. Special thanks to Rhonda Stokoe, Rob Lamont, Malcom McVey and Judith Brownlie. The following people and groups gave support and provided valuable information: for the map of sites, Brad Magyer Qld DERM; for botanical expertise, Ann Moran, Janet Hauser, Stephanie Haslaam and members of SGAP; from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, John Klekar, Doug Shulz, Tim Pulsford, Rowena Thomas, Mark Lythal, John Kennedy, Brett Johns and Steve Jardine; the Queensland Herbarium; local council groups from the Gold Coast, Caboolture, Caloundra, Maroochy, Noosa and Cooloola Shires; Mountain Creek School; for site and botanical information, Brad McDonald, Clive Platter, Wayne Brogden, Mike Brown and John Hunter; and landholders Mal Tomlins, Kenny Felsham and Wendy Gillespie for permission to conduct research on their land and for their support during field work.


References


Adams WT, Joly RJ (1980) Genetics of allozyme variants in lobolly pine. The Journal of Heredity 71, 33–40.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Anon. (2007) The South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007–2012. (Department of Environment and Resource: Brisbane)

Ashton DH, Chappill JA (1989) Secondary succession in post-fire scrub dominated by Acacia verticillata (L’Herit.) Willd. at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria. Australian Journal of Botany 37, 1–18.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Auld TD, Scott J (2004) Estimating population abundance in plant species with dormant life stages: fire and the endangered plant Grevillea caleyi R.Br. Ecological Management & Restoration 5, 125–129.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Auld TD, Denham AJ (2006) How much seed remains in the soil after a fire? Plant Ecology 187, 15–24.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) Population trends, Queensland. 1318.3 – Qld Stats from the web, released November 2009 – www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/1318

Australian Commonwealth Government (1999) ‘Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation 1999 Act.’ (Australian Commonwealth Government: Canberra). Available at: www.environment.gov.au/epbc

Auld TD (1987) Population dynamics of the shrub Acacia suaveolens (Sm.) Willd: survivorship throughout the life cycle, a synthesis. Australian Journal of Ecology 12, 139–151. open url image1

Barrett SCH , Kohn JR (1991) Genetic and evolutionary consequences of small population size in plants: implications for conservation. In ‘Genetics and conservation of rare plants’ (Eds DA Falk, KE Holsinger) pp. 1–44. (Oxford University Press: New York)

Bradstock RA , Williams JE , Gill AM (2002) ‘Flammable Australia, the fire regimes and diversity of a continent’. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)

Bradstock RA, Tozer MG, Keith DA (1997) Effects of high frequency fire on floristic composition and abundance in a fire-prone heathland near Sydney. Australian Journal of Botany 45, 641–655.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Broadhurst L, Coates D (2002) Genetic diversity within and divergence between rare and geographically widespread taxa of the Acacia acuminata Benth. (Mimosaceae) Complex. Heredity 88, 250–257.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Broadhurst L, Young A (2007) Seeing the wood and the trees- predicting the future for fragmented plant populations in Australian landscapes. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 250–260.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Brown AHD, Nevo E, Zohary D, Dagan O (1978) Genetic variation in natural populations of wild barley. Genetica 49, 97–108.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Brown J, Enright NJ, Miller BP (2003) Seed production and germination in two rare and three common co-occurring Acacia species from south-east Australia. Austral Ecology 28, 271–280.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Brownlie H (2007) ‘National recovery plan for Acacia attenuata.’ Report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service: Brisbane)

Burgman MA, Lamont BB (1992) A stochastic model for the viability of Banksia cuneata populations: environmental, demographic and genetic effects. Journal of Applied Ecology 29, 719–727.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Catterall CP , Kingston M (1993) ‘Remnant bushland of south east Queensland in the 1990s: its distribution, loss, ecological consequences and future prospects.’ (Institute of Applied Environmental Research, Griffith University: Griffith, Qld, Australia)

Catterall CP , Storey R , Kingston M (1996) ‘Assessment and analysis of deforestation patterns in the SEQ 2001 Area 1820–1987–1994: report to the south east Queensland regional organisation of Councils, Brisbane’. (Institute of Applied Environmental Research, Griffith University: Griffith, Qld)

Casiva PV, Vilardi JC, Cialdella AM, Saidman BO (2004) Mating system and population structure of Acacia aroma and A. macracantha (Fabaceae). American Journal of Botany 91, 58–64.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Cheliak WM, Pitel JA (1984) Genetic control of allozyme variants in mature tissues of white spruce trees. The Journal of Heredity 75, 34–40.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Clarke PJ , Fulloon L (1997) ‘Fire and rare plants: Torrington State Recreational Area.’ (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and University of New England: Armidale)

Clayton JW, Tretiak DN (1972) Amino-citrate buffers for pH control in starch gel electrophoresis. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 29, 1169–1172.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Coates DJ (1988) Genetic diversity and population genetic structure in the rare chittering grass wattle Acacia anomala. Australian Journal of Botany 36, 273–286.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Coates DJ, Atkins KA (2001) Priority setting and the conservation of Western Australia’s diverse and highly endemic flora. Biological Conservation 97, 251–263.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Coates DJ, Sampson JF, Yates CJ (2007) Plant mating systems and assessing population persistence in fragmented landscapes. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 239–249.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Cohn JS, Bradstock RA (2000) Factors affecting post-fire seedling establishment of selected mallee understorey species. Australian Journal of Botany 48, 59–70.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Elliott CP, Colin AB, Colin J, Yates BC, Phillip G, Ladd A, David J, Coates B (2002) Morphometric, genetic and ecological studies clarify the conservation status of a rare acacia in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 50, 63–73.
| Crossref |
open url image1

Ellstrand NC, Elam DR (1993) Population genetic consequences of small population size: implications for plant conservation. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 24, 217–242.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Evans R , Brown A (1999) ‘Wongan gully wattle (Acacia pharangites) interim recovery plan 1999–2002.’ (Department of the Environment and Heritage: Canberra)

Gitzendanner MA, Soltis PS (2000) Patterns of genetic variation in rare and widespread congeners. American Journal of Botany 87, 783–792.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Godt MJW, Caplow F, Hamrick JL (2005) Allozyme diversity in the federally threatened golden paintbrush Castilleja levisecta (Scrophulariaceae). Conservation Genetics 6, 87–99.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Guries RP, Ledig FT (1978) Inheritance of some polymorphic isoenzymes in pitch pine (Pinus rigid. Mill.). Heredity 40, 27–32.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Halford D (1998) ‘Survey of threatened plant species in south-east Queensland biographical region.’ (Queensland CRA/RFA Steering Committee: Brisbane)

Hamrick JL , Godt MJW (1989) Allozyme diversity in plant species. In ‘Plant population genetics, breeding and genetic resources’. (Eds HD Brown, MT Clegg, AL Kahler, BS Weir) pp. 43–63. (Sinauer Associates: Sundaland, MA, US)

Hammill KA, Bradstock RA, Allaway WG (1998) Post-fire seed dispersal and species re-establishment in proteaceous heath. Australian Journal of Botany 46, 407–419.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Joly HI, Zeh-Nlo M, Danthus P, Aygalent C (1992) Population genetics of an African acacia, Acacia albida. 1. Genetic diversity of populations from West Africa. Australian Journal of Botany 40, 59–73.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Jones TA, Monaco TA (2007) A restoration practitioner’s guide to the restoration gene pool concept. Ecological Research 25, 12–19.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Keith D (2004) Australian heath shrub (Epacris barbata): viability under management options for fire and disease. In ‘Species conservation and management’. (Eds HR Akcakaya, MA Burgman, O Kindvall, CC Wood, P Sjogren-Gulve, JS Hatfield, MA McCarthy) pp. 90–104. (Oxford University Press: New York)

Kenrick J (2003) Review of pollen-pistil interactions and their relevance to the reproductive biology of Acacia. Australian Systematic Botany 16, 119–130.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Knox KJE, Morrison DA (2005) Effects of inter-fire intervals on the reproductive output of resprouters and obligate seeders in the Proteaceae. Austral Ecology 30, 407–413.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Krauss SL (1997) Low genetic diversity in Persoonia mollis (Proteaceae), a fire-sensitive shrub occurring in a fire-prone habitat. Heredity 78, 41–49.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Leimu RA, Mutikainen P, Koricheva J, Fischer M (2006) How general are positive relationships between plant population size, fitness and genetic variation? Journal of Ecology 94, 942–952.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Leverington A (2001) ‘Recovery Plan for Acacia porcata 1999–2001.’ (Queensland, Environmental Protection Agency: Brisbane, Australia)

Leverington A , Edgar R , Gordon G (2003) ‘Multi-species Recovery Plan for Acacia eremophiloides, Acacia grandifolia, Acacia porcata, Bertya granitica and Newcastlelia velutina 2003–2007: Report to Environment Australia, Canberra’. (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service: Brisbane)

Lewis PO , Zaykin D (2001) Genetic Data Analysis: computer program for the analysis of allelic data. Version 1.0 (d16c). (University of Connecticut: Storrs, CT, US)

Maslin BR (2001) ‘Flora of Australia. Volume 11A. Mimosaceae, Acacia Part 1.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Canberra)

McDonald MW (2003) Revision of Acacia tumida (Leguminoseae: Mimosoideae) and close allies, including the description of three rare taxa. Australian Systematic Botany 16, 139–164.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

McFarland DC (1988) Fire and the vegetation composition and structure of subtropical heathlands in south-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Botany 36, 533–546.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

McGranahan M, Bell JC, Moran GF, Slee M (1997) High genetic divergence between geographic regions in the highly outcrossing species Acacia aulacocarpa (Cunn.ex Benth.). Forest Genetics 4, 1–13. open url image1

McKay JK, Christian CE, Harrison S, Rice KJ (2005) “How local is local?” A review of practical and conceptual issues in the genetics of restoration. Restoration Ecology 13, 432–440.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Moran GF , Bell JC (1983) Eucalyptus. In ‘Isozymes in Plant Genetics and Breeding’. Part B. (Eds SD Tankersley, TJ Orton) pp. 423–441. (Elsevier Science Publishers: Amsterdam)

Moran GF, Muona O, Bell JC (1989a) Breeding systems and genetic diversity in Acacia auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa. Biotropica 21, 250–256.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Moran GF, Muona O, Bell JC (1989b) Acacia mangium: a tropical forest tree of the coastal lowlands with low genetic diversity. Evolution 43, 231–235.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Morgan A, Carthew SM, Sedgley M (2002) Breeding system, reproductive efficiency and the weed potential of Acacia baileyana. Australian Journal of Botany 50, 357–364.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Morrison DA, Rupp AJ (1995) Patterns of morphological variation within Acacia suaveolens (Mimosaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 8, 1013–1027.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Mueck SG (2000) Translocation of plains rice–flower (Pimelea spinescens ssp, spinescens) Laverton, Victoria. Ecological Management & Restoration 1, 111–116.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Mustajarvi K, Sikamaki P, Rytkonen S, Lammi A (2001) Consequences of plant population size and density for plant-pollinator interactions and plant performance. Journal of Ecology 89, 80–87.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Myerscough PJ, Clarke PJ (2007) Burnt to blazes: landscape fire, resilience and habitat interaction in frequently burnt coastal heath. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 91–102.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Nei M (1978) Estimation of Average Heterozygosity and Genetic Distance from a Small Number of Individuals. Genetics 89, 583–590.
| PubMed |
open url image1

New TR (1984) Biology of Acacias. (Oxford University Press: Melbourne, Australia)

O’Dowd DJ , Gill AM (1986) Seed dispersal syndromes in Australian Acacia. In ‘Seed dispersal’. (Ed. DR Murray) pp. 87–121. (Academic Press: Sydney)

Orloci L (1978) ‘Multivariate analysis in vegetation research.’ (Dr W. Junk: The Hague)

Peakall R , Smouse PE (2005) GenAlEx 6: Genetic Analysis in Excel. Population software for teaching and research. (Australian National University: Canberra, Australia)

Pedley L (1987) ‘Acacias in Queensland.’ (Queensland Department of Primary Industry: Brisbane)

Playford J, Bell JC, Moran GF (1993) A major disjunction in genetic diversity over the geographic range of Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. Australian Journal of Botany 41, 355–368.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Queensland Government (1992) ‘Nature Conservation Act 1992: Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation.’ (Queensland State Government: Brisbane)

Regan HM , Auld TD (2004) Australian shrub Grevillea caleyi: recovery through management of fire and predation. In ‘Species conservation and management’. (Eds HR Akcakaya, MA Burgman, O Kindvall, CC Wood, P Sjogren-Gulve, JS Hatfield, MA McCarthy) pp. 90–104. (Oxford University Press: New York)

Richardson BJ , Baverstock PR , Adams M (1986) ‘Allozyme electrophoresis: a handbook for animal systematics and population studies.’ (Academic Press: Sydney)

Rymer PD, Morris EC, Richardson BJ (2005) Reproductive success and pollinator effectiveness differ in common and rare Persoonia species (Proteaceae). Biological Conservation 123, 521–532.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Scandalios JG (1969) Genetic control of multiple molecular forms of enzymes in plants: a review. Biochemical Genetics 3, 37–79.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Searle SD, Bell JC, Moran GF (2000) Genetic diversity in natural populations of Acacia mearnsii. Australian Journal of Botany 48, 279–286.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Shapcott A (2002) Conservation genetics and ecology of the endangered rainforest shrub Triunia robusta from the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 50, 93–105.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Shapcott A, Lamont R, Thomson A (2005) How do rare Boronia species differ from their more widespread congeners? Australian Journal of Botany 53, 171–183.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Shapcott A, Olsen M, Lamont RW (2009) The importance of genetic considerations for planning translocations in the rare heathland species Boronia rivularis. Ecological Research 27, 47–57.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Shaw CR, Prasad R (1970) Starch gel electrophoresis of enzymes – a compilation of recipes. Biochemical Genetics 4, 297–320.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | PubMed | open url image1

Simmonds M, Playford J (2002) Genetics, ecology and conservation of the endangered plant Corchorus cunninghamii F. Muell. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 110, 61–73. open url image1

Specht R , Specht A (1999) ‘Australian plant communities: dynamics of structure, growth and biodiversity.’ (Oxford University Press: Australia: Melbourne, Australia)

Spooner PG, Lunt ID, Okabe A, Shiode S (2004) Spatial analysis of roadside Acacia populations on a road network using the network K-function. Landscape Ecology 19, 491–499.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Stephenson AG (1982) When does outcrossing occur in a mass-flowering plant? Evolution 36, 762–767.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Vallee L , Hogbin T , Monks L , Makinson M , Rossetto M (2004) ‘Guidelines for the translocation of threatened plants in Australia.’ Second Edition. (Australian Network for Plant Conservation: Canberra)

Watson P (2001) The Role and Use of Fire for Biodiversity in Southeast Queensland: Fire Management Guidelines Derived from Ecological Research. (EQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, Brisbane: Australia)

Wendel JF , Weeden NF (1989) Visualization and interpretation of plant isozymes. In ‘sozymes in plant biology’. (Eds DE Soltis, PS Soltis) pp. 5–45. (Chapman and Hall: London)

Whitney KD (2002) Dispersal for distance? Acacia ligulata seeds and meat ants Iridomyrmex viridiaeneus. Austral Ecology 27, 589–595.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Wickneswari R, Norwati M (1993) Genetic diversity of natural populations of Acacia auriculiformis. Australian Journal of Botany 41, 65–77.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Wright S (1965) The interpretation of population structure by F-statistics with special regard to systems of mating. Evolution 19, 395–420.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Yates CJ, Broadhurst LM (2002) Assessing limitations on population growth in two critically endangered Acacia taxa. Biological Conservation 108, 13–26.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Yeh FC , Yang RC , Boyle TBJ , Yeh ZH , Mao JX (1997) ‘POPGENE: The user-friendly shareware for population genetic analysis.’ (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Centre, University of Alberta: Alberta, Canada)

Young AG , Clarke GM (2000) ‘Genetics, demography and viability of fragmented populations.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge)