by
L.A.J. Thomson and E.G. Cole
Tree Seed Centre, Division of Forest Research, C.S.I.R.O.,
P.O. Box 4008, Queen Victoria Terrace, A.C.T., 2600, Australia
SUMMARY
Between 12 September and 16 October 1984 a seed-collecting expedition was jointly undertaken by the Tree Seed Centre (CSIRO, Australia) and the Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, France) to the arid and semi-arid parts of the Northern Territory and north-western Australia. Field assistance was provided by the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory (CCNT). This expedition formed part of a continuing program by the Centre to investigate Australia's arid zone flora and to make available well-documented, representative seed collections of woody species from the region.
This article lists a selection of species and provenances of which seed, collected on the 1984 and previous expeditions, is available for field trials to evaluate the potential of these species for fuelwood production, fodder production, soil stabilization and other uses in tropical/sub-tropical, arid and semi-arid zones. The Centre proposes to co-ordinate the evaluation of selected species and provenances in these trials.
INTRODUCTION
There is an urgent need to re-establish and increase shrub and tree cover in the arid and semi-arid tropics, particularly in the Sahel belt of Africa (Plan of Action of the U.N. Conference on Desertification, Nairobi, 1977). In addition to soil stabilisation, the planting of woody perennials may provide a wide range of benefits including fuelwood, human food, stock fodder, improvement of microclimate (through the provision of shade and shelter) and soil fertility (through N-fixation and mulching), timber and minor products (gums, oils, tannins etc.). In order that the most appropriate species and provenances are used in regeneration programs it is important to speed up the collection and evaluation of the woody flora of the arid zones of the world.
Australia has extensive tropical, arid and semi-arid zones (Fig. 1 and Table 1) and a large number of woody species occur in these areas. In the genus Acacia alone, the distribution maps of Maslin and Pedley (1982) indicate that ca. 140 species occur naturally in tropical, arid areas (i.e. areas north of latitude 24°S with a median rainfall less than 500 mm per annum). By comparison with tropical woody species from riverine locations and the more humid parts of Australia, there have been few well-documented collections of species from arid/semi-arid zones for species and provenance research. An exception is Acacia aneura (mulga) of which the Tree Seed Centre, in cooperation with FAO, has undertaken extensive collections over the past seven years from arid parts of Australia. The A. aneura seed collections have been used to establish international provenance trials in ten countries (Midgley and Gunn, 1985). During the mulga collecting expeditions to the southern part of the Northern Territory (NT) and central Western Australia (WA) the opportunity was taken to collect seed of other multipurpose, arid-zone species. The testing of these species in appropriate environments is being promoted by the Centre when opportunities arise.
Fig. 1 Map of northern Australia showing the route of the 1984 expedition, 50 percentile isohyets and location of meteorological stations (data presented in Table 1)
The aim of the 1984 expedition was to collect seed of multipurpose shrubs and trees for planting in sub-tropical/tropical arid and semi-arid parts of the world. Therefore the main collecting area was located further north of the previous expeditions, in central NT and adjacent parts of WA (see Fig. 1). The collecting area is characterised by infertile soils, in particular deep sands and skeletal lateritic types. The species collected, predominantly Acacia spp., were those considered to have potential for the production of fuelwood and/or fodder as well as other uses such as soil stabilization and nitrogen fixation.
Table 1 Climatic data for meteorological stations in the collecting region of the 1984 expedition
| Station location details, | Temperature (°C) | Mean monthly rainfall (mm) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Lat. (°S) | Long (°E) | Alt. (m) | January | July | Average no. of frosts per year | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Mean annual rainfall (mm) | |||
| Mean min. | Mean max. | Mean min. | Mean max. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mt Isa | 20°44' | 139°28' | 356 | 23 | 33 | 17 | 29 | 0 | 84 | 92 | 53 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 24 | 57 | 402 | |
| Daly Waters | 16°16' | 133°22' | 212 | 24 | 39 | 11 | 29 | 0 | 154 | 147 | 115 | 23 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 53 | 100 | 629 | |
| Halls Creek | 18°14' | 127°40' | 423 | 24 | 37 | 12 | 27 | 0 | 132 | 115 | 66 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 33 | 76 | 481 | |
| Alice Springs | 23°36' | 133°36' | 547 | 22 | 37 | 5 | 19 | 12 | 39 | 42 | 28 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 24 | 36 | 264 | |
Data from Hall et al (1981)
The expedition was jointly funded by FAO, CSIRO and CTFT. The CTFT was keen to follow-up the northern Australian collections undertaken by Cossalter in 1973–74, with collections of woody plants from more inland parts of tropical, arid Australia. A number of species and provenances from the 1973–74 collections have shown considerable promise in tropical Africa, e.g. Acacia holosericea in Senegal, but sometimes have not exhibited satisfactory drought tolerance or longevity. The expedition was undertaken in collaboration with CCNT, whose staff have a considerable knowledge of the distribution and characteristics of woody species naturally occurring in the Northern Territory.
SEED COLLECTIONS
The collecting team consisted of the authors, Dr. M. Cossalter, Mr. C. Cossalter (CTFT) and for part of the expedition Mr. P. Kube and Mr. S. Hester (CCNT). Between 12 September and 16 October 1984 the collecting team gathered 220 kg of seed in 102 seed Lots (2471 parent plants) from the area indicated in Figure 1. The species included members of the genera Acacia, Callitris, Cassia, Casuarina, Dodonaea, Eucalyptus, Geijera, Grevillea, Melaleuca, Petalostigma, Templetonia and Terminalia. The following discussion concentrates on the acacias of which seed of 41 species was collected.
Timing
While there was variation in the stage of fruit development between species and districts, it was apparent that the optimal time for Acacia seed collection in central NT and adjacent parts of WA was September-October in 1984. The optimal collecting time is affected by climate, and may vary by several weeks between different years (P. Latz, pers. comm.).
Collecting techniques
For Acacia spp. the most appropriate collecting technique varies between species and with stage of fruit maturity; a wide variety of other factors will also affect the collection method to be adopted. On the 1984 expedition the most frequently used technique was to saw or break small branches and beat these on a large tarpaulin, laid out underneath the plant. Where the fruits were relatively green and consequently more difficult to dislodge from the branches, hand stripping proved to be a more satisfactory approach. Where the fruits were fully mature (i.e. dry, brittle, brown and shedding seed), sticks were used to beat them down onto a tarpaulin; in some cases the plant was shaken vigorously to achieve the same end. Doran et al. (1983) give detailed information on collecting and cleaning techniques for Acacia seed used by CSIRO Division of Forest Research.
Sampling strategy
An effort was made to collect from more than one Locality (provenance) for the more promising and widely distributed species. In these cases collecting sites were usually geographically well separated (i.e. more than 100km apart) and wherever possible collections were made from populations occuring on different soil types. Populations growing on harsh sites, such as rocky outcrops, sand dunes and saline soils, were especially sought.
The main aim of sampling was to ensure that each collection was representative of a particular species at any collection site. The sampling pattern adopted depended on factors such as the pattern of distribution, plant density and extent of area over which fruit-bearing individuals were present. For trees or large shrub species it was considered desirable to collect seed from a minimum of ten trees spaced at least (50-)100 m apart. For shrubs, or larger plants with small seed crops, a ‘sub-site’ sampling approach was adopted whereby a number of plants were collected at each of a number of sub-sites (preferably five or more) which were well-spaced i.e. at least (50-)100 m apart. The latter approach facilitated a more rapid collection of a suitable quantity of seed, than if each sampled plant had been at wider intervals.
Most seed collections were bulked in the field. Individual plant collections were undertaken for some species of proven value and which were carrying particularly heavy seed crops, such as A. holosericea, A. cowleana and A. shirleyi.
Documentation
In addition to gathering standard data (see Doran et al. 1983) detailed information was recorded on associated species (frequency, stature) and soil type (profile description and soil analysis). It may be expected that where certain forms are identified as adapted to particular conditions elsewhere, many of their native associate species or provenances will be adapted to those same conditions. Detailed soil information for seed collection sites will be used in attempts to match species and provenances to potential planting sites.
Wood sampling
Wood samples were collected in order to assess the fuelwood potential of the sampled species. The Division of Chemistry-Energy of CTFT has since evaluated the chemical and energy characteristics of the wood samples. They concluded that, with the exception of Terminalia arostrata, the sampled species (which included members of Acacia, Eucalyptus, Grevillea and Melaleuca) had high calorific values and a reasonable potential for charcoal production. The species with the best properties for charcoal production were Acacia monticola, A. adsurgens, A. torulosa, A. difficilis, A. jennerae, A. tumida, A. acradenia, Melaleuca glomerata and Grevillea wickhamii.
COMMENTS ON SPECIES
The collections included a number of promising multi-purpose species described in detail by Turnbull (1986): A. ampliceps, A. ancistrocarpa, A. cowleana, A. difficilis, A. holosericea, A. ligulata, A. lysiphloia, A. monticola, A. pachycarpa, A. shirleyi and A. tumida.
Our field observations confirm that A. ampliceps (Fig. 2), a fast-growing species, has an excellent potential for fuelwood and fodder production in the wet/dry tropics and in arid areas where subsoil moisture is seasonally available. It typically occurs on heavy, occasionally saline, alkaline soils along drainage lines. A prostrate form grows together with the typical upright form on the floor of the Wolf Creek Meteorite Crater in WA (Fig. 3). The prostrate form has considerable potential for use as an ornamental groundcover.
Figure 2
Acacia ampliceps - fast growing, salt-tolerant species at Spice Creek (NT)
Figure 3
Acacia ampliceps - prostrate form at Wolf Creek Crater (WA)
Substantial provenance collections were made of A. holosericea and A. cowleana (Fig. 4), fast-growing species with a high potential for fuelwood production in tropical, arid zones (Cossalter 1985). Other noteworthy species for which seed was collected were A. gonoclada (a close relative of A. cowleana) - this species grows on harsh sites, typically rock outcrops, and may have potential for fuelwood production on skeletal soil types in arid areas; and A. adsurgens - a fast-growing, multistemmed shrub which has potential for soil stabilization and fuelwood production on sandy soils.
From botanical material collected during the 1984 expedition, a new species with affinity to A. tephrina (Fig. 5), which occurs around the margins of Lake Gregory and nearby depressions, is to be described by L. Pedley (Queensland Herbarium). The existence of this tree was known but its taxonomic status was uncertain (B. Maslin, pers. comm.). A. ‘maconochieana’ Pedley is a fast-growing, upright tree (to ca. 10 m tall) with potential for the production of posts, small poles, fuelwood and fodder in situations similar to that described above for A. ampliceps. Field observations indicate that the new species is highly tolerant of periodic inundation.
Figure 4
Acacia cowleana - seed collections at “Carranya” (WA)
Figure 5
Acacia ‘maconochieana’ Pedley - a new species from Lake Gregory (WA)
COMMENTS ON ACACIA DISTRIBUTION
On the 1984 expedition many acacias were observed growing in areas where they had not previously been recorded (cf. Maslin and Pedley 1982). The more favourable moisture regime in central Australia over the past ten years has encouraged the proliferation of woody vegetation, in particular fast-growing, precocious, heavy seeders such as A. holosericea, A. cowleana, A. laccata, A. tumida and A. stipuligera. Some of these ‘opportunistic’ species, particularly those dispersed by birds (see Davidson and Morton 1984), may have undergone recent expansions in distribution. For example A. cowleana, which has been considered an uncommon species (Pedley 1978; Maslin 1981), was found to be widespread and abundant over a large part of northern arid Australia. In some species, range extensions are the result of previously incomplete botanical exploration e.g. two small patches of A. aneura (mulga) were found in a remote part of the Tanami Desert, south-east of Hooker Creek. This collection extended the northern recorded range for this species from 19° 18'S to 18° 48'S.
PROPOSAL FOR INTERNATIONAL TRIALS OF TROPICAL, ARID/SEMI-ARID ZONE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES
There is a need for a more substantial co-ordinated research program to evaluate the potential of promising woody species and provenances from the arid/semi-arid tropics of Australia for cultivation. This program will complement related research being undertaken by ACIAR and CTFT in the dry tropics, and FAO Forestry Department's project on the improved utilisation of genetic resources of woody species of arid and semi-arid zones. We propose that this expanded program, “Trials of Australian woody plants in the dry tropics” should be undertaken on a collaborative basis, using seed made available by the Tree Seed Centre and that individual trials, the responsibility of individual collaborators, should be planned and reported with regard to the guidelines and objectives set out in this paper.
From the seedlots currently held by the Tree Seed Centre we have made a selection of 20 of the most promising species and provenances for evaluation for certain major uses under certain environmental conditions, viz.
Table 2 gives details of the ‘standards’ (species and provenances to be included in all trials) and other seedlots available for each trial. These selections have been based on preliminary field trial results from Africa and Australia, our field observations and the available literature. It is suggested that the material be evaluated against a small number of the most promising indigenous and other exotic species already included in planting programs in the area of the trial.
Organizations wishing to participate in these species and provenance trials should indicate their interest to the Tree Seed Centre of the CSIRO Division of Forest Research. Detailed information on the proposed testing site(s) (i.e. Latitude, Longitude, altitude, climatic and soil conditions) should be given, together with an indication of the preferred date for the receipt of the seed and possible import permit requirements. Initially collaborators will be supplied with seed and information on the origin and viability of all seedlots, recommended seed pretreatments, sources of rhizobium (in situations where inoculation may be required), and suggested guidelines for the establishment of research trials.
Seed will be supplied free-of-charge to collaborators in developing countries who undertake to supply the Tree Seed Centre with detailed information on the results of their trials. This response will enable the Tree Seed Centre to collate and maintain records on the performance of species and provenances in different trials through a computerised data base (TREDAB) under development at the Division of Forest Research, CSIRO (Brown, pers. comm.). Active collaborators will be supplied with progress reports at appropriate intervals.
FUTURE COLLECTIONS
In 1986 it is planned to make seed collections in the Pilbara region (see Fig. 1). Seed from this and other collections will be available at a later date to collaborators.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Mr. C. Cossalter (CTFT), Dr. M. Cossalter, the staff of the Tree Seed Centre (CSIRO), Dr. J.W. Turnbull (ACIAR), Mr. P. Kube, Mr. S. Hester and Mr. P. Sandell (CCNT), Central Lands Council and Mr. B.R. Maslin (WA Herbarium) for their valued contributions to the success of the 1984 expedition, and the FAO for providing financial support. Dr. D.J. Boland, Mr. J.C. Doran, Dr. M.I.H. Brooker and Mr. A.G. Brown provided valued comments on a draft of this report.
Table 2. Details of seedlots for international trials of multipurpose woody species from Australia in tropical/subtropical arid and semi-arid climate zones
| Seedlot Species No. | Location | Lat. °S | Long. °E | Alt. m | No. of parents | Major use/environmentA | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |||||||
| Standards | |||||||||||||
| 13720 | Acacia aneura | Floodout Bore, N.T. | 21 47 | 131 09 | 580 | 10 | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| 14655 | Acacia cowleana | Carranya, W.A. | 19 13 | 127 46 | 340 | 16 | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| 14651 | Acacia holosericea | Carranya, W.A. | 19 14 | 127 46 | 340 | 20 | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| 13923 | Eucalyptus camaldulensis | Katherine, N.T. | 14 29 | 132 15 | 95 | 12 | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| Other seedlots | |||||||||||||
| 14644 | Acacia acradenia | W. of Rabbit Flat, N.T. | 20 09 | 129 51 | 420 | 48 | * | ||||||
| 14667 | Acacia acradenia | E. of Halls Creek, W.A. | 18 18 | 127 50 | 430 | 60 | * | ||||||
| 13738 | Acacia adsurgens | Milton Park, N.T. | 23 16 | 132 53 | 600 | 10 | * | ||||||
| 14652 | Acacia adsurgens | Carranya, W.A. | 19 14 | 127 46 | 340 | 15 | * | * | * | ||||
| 14631 | Acacia ampliceps | Wave Hill, N.T. | 17 26 | 130 56 | 230 | 10 | * | * | * | * | * | ||
| 14668 | Acacia ampliceps | E. of Halls Creek, W.A. | 18 26 | 127 51 | 400 | 26 | * | * | * | ||||
| 14647 | Acacia ancistrocarpa | Carranya, W.A. | 19 16 | 127 39 | 340 | 22 | * | * | * | ||||
| 13481 | Acacia aneura | Charleville, Old. | 26 25 | 146 17 | 300 | 10 | * | ||||||
| 14061 | Acacia aneura | Giles, W.A. | 24 55 | 128 17 | 500 | 13 | * | ||||||
| 14665 | Acacia argyraea | M. of Halls Creek, W.A. | 18 31 | 127 18 | 420 | 39 | * | ||||||
| 14958 | Acacia bidwillii | ENE of Georgetown, Old. | 18 12 | 143 57 | 385 | 5 | * | ||||||
| 14039 | Acacia calcicola | Uluru N.P., N.T. | 25 13 | 130 20 | 530 | 40 | * | * | |||||
| 14597 | Acacia cambagei | Barcaldine, Old. | 23 32 | 144 58 | 265 | 5 | * | * | |||||
| 14602 | Acacia chisholmii | NW. of Mt Isa, Old. | 20 15 | 139 00 | 315 | 46 | * | * | * | ||||
| 14049 | Acacia coriacea | W. of Docker R., N.T. | 24 51 | 129 03 | 680 | 10 | * | * | * | * | |||
| 13768 | Acacia coriacea | Rabbit Flat, N.T. | 20 15 | 130 02 | 380 | 10 | * | * | |||||
| 14613 | Acacia cowleana | Helen Springs, N.T. | 18 31 | 133 53 | 295 | 56 | * | * | |||||
| 14634 | Acacia cowleana | SE. of Hooker Creek, N.T. | 18 48 | 131 13 | 300 | 22 | * | * | |||||
| 14050 | Acacia cuthbertsonii | Docker River, N.T. | 24 53 | 129 07 | 640 | 15 | * | ||||||
| 13776 | Acacia dictyophleba | Wannabi Hill, N.T. | 22 21 | 131 18 | 710 | 5 | * | * | |||||
| 14619 | Acacia difficilis | Elliot, N.T. | 17 24 | 133 30 | 250 | 46 | * | ||||||
| 14653 | Acacia drepanocarpa ssp | latifolia Carranya, W.A. | 19 14 | 127 46 | 340 | 25 | * | ||||||
| 14973 | Acacia farnesiana | Julia Creek, Old. | 20 40 | 141 35 | 80 | 20 | * | * | |||||
| 14633 | Acacia gonoclada | Wave Hill, N.T. | 17 36 | 130 52 | 300 | 9 | * | * | * | ||||
| 14657 | Acacia hemignosta | N. of Halls Creek, W.A. | 17 30 | 127 56 | 395 | 10 | * | ||||||
| 14601 | Acacia hilliana | N of Mt. Isa, Old. | 20 32 | 139 28 | 350 | 12 | * | ||||||
| 14632 | Acacia holosericea | Wave Hill, N.T. | 17 37 | 130 53 | 300 | 11 | * | * | |||||
| 14660 | Acacia holosericea | Turkey Creek, W.A. | 17 04 | 128 12 | 400 | 26 | * | * | * | ||||
| 14685 | Acacia inaequilatera | Chilla Well, N.T. | 21 31 | 130 59 | 460 | 11 | * | ||||||
| 14689 | Acacia jennerae | Newhaven, N.T. | 22 46 | 131 15 | 490 | 34 | * | ||||||
| 13737 | Acacia kempeana | Milton Park, N.T. | 23 17 | 132 56 | 600 | 5 | * | * | |||||
| 14656 | Acacia laccata | S. of Halls Creek, W.A. | 18 55 | 127 43 | 430 | 29 | * | * | |||||
| 14659 | Acacia limbata | Turkey Creek, W.A. | 17 08 | 128 10 | 400 | 41 | * | ||||||
| 14055 | Acacia ligulata | Giles, W.A. | 24 59 | 127 16 | 520 | 40 | * | * | * | * | |||
| 14662 | Acacia ligulata | Fitzroy R., W.A. | 18 29 | 125 45 | 180 | 110 | * | ||||||
| 14671 | Acacia ligulata | Sturt Creek Hstd., W.A. | 19 08 | 128 11 | 350 | 45 | * | ||||||
| 15066 | Acacia ligulata | Southern N.T. | 22 00 | 131 00 | 500 | 20 | * | * | |||||
| 14638 | Acacia lysiphloia | SW. of Hooker Ck., N.T. | 18 32 | 130 11 | 400 | 45 | * | * | * | * | |||
| 14676 | Acacia maconochieana MS | Bulbi Plain, W.A. | 20 17 | 127 19 | 260 | 23 | * | * | * | * | |||
| 13796 | Acacia maitlandii | Uluru N.P., N.T. | 25 20 | 131 15 | 580 | 15 | * | ||||||
| 14008 | Acacia monticola | S. of Broome, W.A. | 18 50 | 121 40 | 25 | 6 | * | * | * | ||||
| 14609 | Acacia monticola | SE. of Banka Banka, N.T. | 18 55 | 134 07 | 310 | 59 | * | ||||||
| 14646 | Acacia monticola | Billiluna, W.A. | 19 31 | 127 39 | 320 | 18 | * | ||||||
| 13781 | Acacia murrayana | Uluru N.P., N.T. | 25 13 | 130 53 | 580 | 6 | * | * | |||||
| 14672 | Acacia pachycarpa | Billiluna, W.A. | 19 33 | 127 41 | 300 | 33 | * | * | |||||
| 14629 | Acacia pallidifolia | Top Springs, N.T. | 16 41 | 131 46 | 200 | 5 | * | ||||||
| 14626 | Acacia platycarpa | Yellow Water Hole, N.T. | 16 45 | 132 19 | 280 | 16 | * | ||||||
| 14696 | Acacia plectocarpa | Kimberley Region, W.A. | 16 18 | 128 15 | 150 | 13 | * | ||||||
| 14625 | Acacia shirleyi | Hidden Valley, N.T. | 16 38 | 133 01 | 260 | 10 | * | * | * | ||||
| 13488 | Acacia stenophylla | Windorah, Qld. | 25 06 | 142 50 | 120 | 5 | * | ||||||
| 14670 | Acacia stenophylla | Cow Creek, W.A. | 18 41 | 128 21 | 340 | 10 | * | * | * | * | * | ||
| 14636 | Acacia stipuligera | SE. of Hooker Ck., N.T. | 18 45 | 131 06 | 300 | 17 | * | * | |||||
| 13798 | Acacia strongylophylla | Standley Chasm, N.T. | 23 45 | 133 28 | 720 | 15 | * | ||||||
| 14603 | Acacia tenuissima | NW. of Buckley R., Qld. | 20 06 | 138 48 | 295 | 20 | * | ||||||
| 14620 | Acacia torulosa | Newcastle Waters, N.T. | 17 26 | 133 28 | 240 | 20 | * | * | |||||
| 14681 | Acacia translucens | E. of Billiluna, W.A. | 19 53 | 128 13 | 370 | 88 | * | ||||||
| 14661 | Acacia tumida | Fitzroy River, W.A. | 18 19 | 125 37 | 150 | 20 | * | * | * | * | |||
| 14675 | Acacia tumida | S. of Lake Gregory | 20 10 | 127 34 | 260 | 58 | * | * | * | ||||
| 13797 | Acacia validinervia | Tylers Pass, N.T. | 23 41 | 132 22 | 600 | 40 | * | ||||||
| 13204 | Allocasuarina decaisneana | Hermannsburg, N.T. | 23 45 | 132 41 | 580 | 5 | * | * | |||||
| 14976 | Atalaya hemiglauca | W. of Georgetown, Old. | 18 17 | 143 14 | 220 | 25 | * | ||||||
| 14608 | Cassia oligophylla | Phillip Creek, N.T. | 19 13 | 134 10 | 320 | 50 | * | ||||||
| 14100 | Casuarina obesa | Wiluna, W.A. | 26 34 | 120 03 | 550 | 6 | * | ||||||
| 14692 | Dodonaea viscosa ssp. mucronata | Kulgera, N.T. | 25 55 | 113 14 | 510 | 10 | * | * | |||||
| 14642 | Eucalyptus brevifolia | NE. of Tanami, N.T. | 19 22 | 129 58 | 420 | 9 | * | * | |||||
| 14530 | Eucalyptus camaldulensis | Wyndham, W.A. | 15 31 | 128 12 | 5 | 8 | * | ||||||
| 14024 | Eucalyptus gamophylla | W. of Olgas, N.T. | 25 05 | 130 03 | 610 | 7 | * | ||||||
| 14026 | Eucalyptus gongylocarpa | Curtin Springs, N.T. | 24 58 | 131 30 | 400 | 5 | * | ||||||
| 14089 | Eucalyptus intertexta | Gary Hwy., W.A. | 25 04 | 124 59 | 500 | 7 | * | * | |||||
| 15067 | Eucalyptus microtheca | Carnarvon basin, W.A. | 23 30 | 114 00 | 30 | 15 | * | ||||||
| 15072 | Eucalyptus microtheca | Marble Bar/Pilbara, W.A. | 20 05 | 119 25 | 100 | 20 | * | ||||||
| 14682 | Eucalyptus odontocarpa | Billiluna, W.A. | 19 53 | 128 17 | 370 | 10 | * | ||||||
| 14641 | Eucalyptus pachyphylla | NE. of Tanami, N.T. | 19 23 | 129 58 | 420 | 8 | * | * | |||||
| 14906 | Eucalyptus thozetiana | Alice Springs, N.T. | 23 32 | 134 29 | 600 | 6 | * | * | |||||
| 14690 | Melaleuca glomerata | Curinya Bore, N.T. | 22 49 | 131 48 | 560 | 20 | * | * | |||||
| 14095 | Melaleuca lasiandra | Carnegie Station, N.T. | 25 28 | 123 23 | 470 | 10 | * | ||||||
| 14099 | Melaleuca pauperiflora | Wiluna, W.A. | 26 34 | 120 03 | 550 | 8 | * | ||||||
A Key to major use/environment
1. Fuelwood species - arid (i.e. < 500 mm. average annual rainfall)
2. Fuelwood species - semi-arid (i.e. 500–800 mm. average annual rainfall)
3. Fodder species - arid (i.e. < 500 mm. average annual rainfall)
4. Fodder species - semi-arid (i.e. 500–800 mm. average annual rainfall)
5. Species for planting on sand dunes/ sand-stabilization species
6. Species for planting on skeletal, rocky sites
7. Species for planting on low-lying areas (heavy soils/high water-table including brackish/saline sites)
REFERENCES
Cossalter, C. (1985) Introduction of Australian acacias in dry tropical Africa - first assessment and new plant material available for further introductions. Paper delivered at Symposium on establishment and productivity of tree plantings in semi-arid regions, Texas A & I University, U.S.A., 29 April–3 May, 1985.
Davidson, D.W., and Morton, S.R. (1985) Dispersal adaptations of some Acacia species in the Australian arid zone. Ecology 65, 1038–1051.
Doran, J.C., Turnbull, J.W., Boland, D.J., and Gunn, B.V. (1983) Handbook on seeds of the dry-zone acacias. FAO, Rome.
Hall, N., Wainwright, R.W., and Wolf, L.J. (1981) Summary of meteorological data in Australia. Divisional Report No. 6, Division of Forest Research, CSIRO, Australia.
Maslin, B.R. (1981) Acacia. In Flora of Central Australia. J. Jessop (ed.) PP. 115 142. Aust. Syst. Bot. Soc.
Maslin, B.R., and Pedley, L. (1982) The distribution of Acacia (Leguminosae:Mimosoideae) in Australia. Part 1. Species distribution maps. West. Aust. Herb. Res. Notes 6, 1–128.
Midgley, S.J., and Gunn, B.V. (1985) Acacia aneura seed collections for international provenance trials. For. Gen. Res. Info. 13, 21–29.
Pedley, L. (1978) A revision of Acacia Mill. in Quennsland. Austrobaileya 1, 77–234. (Queensland Herbarium, Dept. of Primary Industry, Australia)
Turnbull, J.W. (ed.). (1986) Multipurpose Australian Trees and Shrubs. Lesser-known species for fuelwood and agroforestry. ACIAR, Australia.
1 Manuscript received in December 1985.
