Endangered species finds new home

The Eyre Peninsula is home to rare and endemic species found nowhere else in Australia – and sometimes the world.

Conserving these species is an important priority – through protecting their habitat, addressing threats and encouraging more to grow.

The Chalky Wattle is an acacia tree found in just a few locations in north-eastern Eastern Eyre Peninsula, and work is underway to increase its numbers.

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula, in conjunction with the Middleback Alliance, is re-introducing the endangered tree back into an area where it once flourished.

Natural Resources spokesperson Kate Brocklehurst said the Chalky Wattle is a very rare species living in a restricted zone, and it wouldn’t take much to destroy the existing populations.

“One fire too many could make the tree extinct, so it’s important we have as many sites as possible to prevent this from happening,” Ms Brocklehurst said.

The tree, which germinates and flourishes after a disturbance event, will be re-introduced into an area where a prescribed burn was carried out by Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula.

“Land clearing, grazing pressure and its specific fire frequency and intensity requirements in a limited area make it particularly susceptible to disappearing forever.”

The Chalky Wattle grows in deep red sand on low sand ridges, and plays an important role in soil conservation. If retained, it would minimise sand blows, as the soft, sandy ridges in the area make for ideal planting conditions.

If the project is successful it will open up the opportunity for other local sites to be used for the same purpose in the future.

For information on how you can help in this project or any others you can call Kate Brocklehurst on 0488 000 481 or email kate.brocklehurst@sa.gov.au

Find more Chalky Wattle (Acacia cretacea) information on the native plants section of our website: www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/plants-and-animals/native-plants-and-animals/native-plants