Cape Le Grand Wetlands (100113)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Cape Le Grand Wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -33.8705, Longitude: 122.1961
System: freshwater
Elevation (m): 36 to 71
Area of KBA (km2): 2.74894
Protected area coverage (%): 40.61
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The site comprises seven wetlands within a very large wetlands complex located 28 km east of Esperance in Western Australia. Three of the seven wetlands are within the Cape Le Grand National Park and the other four are within Unallocated Crown Land. All wetlands are managed by Esperance Tjaltjraak Traditional Owners for natural and cultural values. The wetlands within the site include seasonally inundated freshwater marsh and permanent freshwater lakes dominated by extensive beds of Baumea sedges, some flooded Myrtaceae shrublands and some fringing stands of Melaleuca. The climate is temperate with warm dry summers and cool winters.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Listening surveys at the wetlands that make up this KBA have recorded calling Engendered Australasian Bittern. During surveys in 2011 and 2012, it is estimated 12 male Australasian Bittern were heard calling in this system, suggesting at least 32 adults use the area (assuming two females to every male). This represents over 0.5% of the global population and more than 5 reproductive units, meeting the threshold for triggering a KBA under criterion A1a.
Additional biodiversity: The sites, including the uplands are floristically diverse. Habitat for a wide range of fauna is available and include many species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and other birds. The birdlife includes southwest endemics species such as Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (Endangered), Red-capped Parrot, Spotted Scrubwren, Western Wattlebird, Gilbert’s Honeyeater, Western Spinebill, and Red-eared Firetail.
Manageability of the site: Wudjari traditional land. Part of Native Title determination area for the Esperance Nyungar People, managed by Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Delineation rationale: This KBA boundary consists of seven disjunct polygons, each encompassing a wetland that is either confirmed or likely Australian Bittern habitat. These wetlands are nested within a single connected wilderness area that includes both wetlands and terrestrial areas. Boundaries around individual wetlands were mapped with consideration of the edges of each wetland in a normal rainfall year.
Habitats
Land use: Three of the seven wetlands are within the Cape Le Grand National Park. All wetlands are managed by Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation for natural and cultural values.
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |