Boodjamulla (23454)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Boodjamulla
Central coordinates: Latitude: -18.6700, Longitude: 138.3290
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 60 to 390
Area of KBA (km2): 3786.29015
Protected area coverage (%): 99.86
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park and adjacent Lawn Hill Resources Reserve, which are located about 300 km north-west of Mount Isa adjoining the Queensland-Northern Territory border. Morgan (1999) describes the major landforms and vegetation in detail. Southern parts of the IBA occur on the eastern edge of the Barkly Plateau and are largely composed of limestone hills dissected by numerous creeks that flow to the northeast, predominantly into Lawn Hill Creek and the Gregory River. Hills are dominated by low woodland of Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. euroa and Corymbia terminalis with protected rocky ridges and crests frequently dominated by low woodland of non-eucalypt species such as Brachychiton collinus, Ficus spp. and Terminalia aridicola subsp. aridicola. In places and especially to the west a capping of Mesozoic mudstone occurs and is dominated by low woodland of Eucalyptus leucophylla. The streams and springs of this fossil rich limestone landscape carry unique and restricted vegetation communities that include a number of rainforest species and the distinctive palm Livistona mariae subsp. rigida. Northern parts of the IBA are composed of gently deformed pre-Cambrian sediments such as shales that form low hills dominated by low open woodland of Eucalyptus pruinosa. These low hills are overlain in places by Mesozoic sediments of the Carpentaria Basin forming residual plateaus and scarps of sandstone that carry woodland of Eucalyptus miniata on sandy parts while rockier areas carry low woodland of Corymbia capricornia and C. aspera. Small but ecologically significant springs are scattered throughout these sandstone areas, particularly at lower elevations. Larger watercourses are composed of sandy alluvium and are fringed with woodland of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Melaleuca spp. and rainforest species. The climate is monsoonal but the wet season rains are irregular and consequently there are extended dry periods. Rainfall and humidity increase in a gradient from the south to the north. The major streams that flow out of the eastern escarpment are fed by springs that maintain water levels for prolonged periods, whereas the upper streams tend to dry out early in the dry season. Throughout the IBA, summers are hot and winters cool but without frosts. A number of sites throughout the IBA are of cultural significance to the Waanyi people, who are the traditional inhabitants of the region.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: In April 2005, a small flock of Gouldian Finches, including four juvenile birds, was recorded in the northwest of the IBA; whether the birds are resident or transient is unknown. Painted Finches, Bush Stone-curlews, Black Honeyeaters, Bar-breasted Honeyeaters and White-browed Robins are rarely recorded in the IBA (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: Recent survey work confirms that the mammals Pseudomys johnsonii and Desert Mouse are present (Mason, 2005). Earlier work by Parsons et. al. (2003) documented the presence of Rock Rat, Stripe-faced Dunnart, Long-tailed Planigale and Delicate Mouse. Reptiles recorded by Parson et. al. (2003) include Little Spotted Snake, Olive Python, Ridge-tailed Monitor, Ctenotus lateralis, Leopard Ctenotus and Central Netted Dragon. Amphibian and reptile species richness of the Musselbrook area in the west of the IBA was documented by Horner (1998) who recorded a total of 71 reptiles and 15 amphibian species in 1995. A number of rare plants are recorded for the IBA including Trachymene glandulosa, Alectryon tropicus, Brachychiton collinus and Cycas brunnea. Due to its remote location and poor road infrastructure, extensive areas of the IBA remain unsurveyed.
Other site values: Managed by QPWS and Waanyi representatives.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 65 | |
| Grassland | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fire is a potential threat and ongoing fire management is essential. Other major threats include introduced plants such as rubbervine Cryptostegia grandiflora, stinking passionfruit Passiflora foetida and lions tail Leonotis nepetifolia. Introduced animals such as cane toads, feral horses and pigs impact wetter areas such as springs and permanent waterholes and need to be monitored.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Boles, W.E. and Longmore, N.W. (1998) The Avifauna of the Musselbrook area, Queensland. Pp. 25-46 in Musselbrook Reserve Scientific Study Report. Fortitude Valley, Queensland: The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland. Horner, P. (1998) Amphibians and reptiles of Musselbrook reserve, northwest Queensland. Pp. 25-46 in Musselbrook Reserve Scientific Study Report. Fortitude Valley, Queensland: The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland. Mason, D. (2005) Mouse captures by the three 'mouseketeers' on the north-west frontier. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Wild Times Number 44 January to March 2005. Morgan, G. (1999) Chapter 1 Northwest Highlands. Pp. 1/1-1/30 in P.S. Sattler and R.D. Williams, eds. The Conservation Status of Queensland’s Bioregional Ecosystems. Brisbane: Environmental Protection Agency. Parsons, M., Williams, P., Mason, D. and Collins, E. (2003) First results from the establishment of fauna monitoring sites at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, April 2003. Mount Isa, Queensland: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Contributors: Nomination prepared by Ian Fox.