Gwydir Wetlands (23839)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Gwydir Wetlands

Central coordinates: Latitude: -29.3250, Longitude: 149.4410

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 160 to 160

Area of KBA (km²): 442.41132

Protected area coverage (%): 13.32

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This IBA consists of the inland drainage basin of the Gwydir River that splits into the Gingham (northern) and the Big Leather (southern) water courses - during flood times these form a wetland of over 100,000 ha about 45 km west of Moree. These extensive wetland areas are a particularly good example of an inland terminal delta, located along the watercourses where flat, overland grades allow shallow extensive flooding over large areas of the floodplain. Water extends for approximately 95 km through a series of natural and constructed channels and swamps (NPWS unpublished). As a result, intermittent semi-permanent wetlands have developed. Prior to the construction of the Copeton Dam (a 1364 Gigalitre dam approximately 90 km downstream of the headwaters of the Gwydir River), the Gwydir catchment could have been described as an inland delta or a closed system. Since the building of the dam, water flows have been controlled by NSW State Government water authorities to the detriment of the wetlands. Despite the consequent contraction of wetland areas from about 100,000ha to 10,000ha, it is still considered to be one of the most significant and most valuable waterbird breeding area in Australia. Windella, Crinolyn, Old Dromana and Goddard's Lease are four small wetlands listed as a 823 hectare Ramsar site, which are well outside the main waterbird breeding area but provide vital feeding areas for the breeding birds. Waterbird nesting colonies are usually confined to areas surrounding permanent waterholes such as the Gingham Waterhole.

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: Australian Painted Snipe and Painted Honeyeater have been recorded here, but not yet in sufficient numbers to meet IBA thresholds, and the status of the biome-restricted Pied Honeyeater and Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush is unknown. The NSW Bird Atlas has recorded 237 bird species within the wetlands of which 169 species have been recorded breeding. Over 1500 Glossy Ibis, 280 Royal Spoonbill and 80 Yellow-billed Spoonbill have been recorded. In December 1995, 2000 pairs of Little Egrets and 5000 pairs of Great Egrets (Morris & Burton 1997). Non-bird biodiversity: 53 species of reptiles, 18 native frogs, 16 native mamamls and 15 bat species have been recorded with at least 12 being threatened.

Other site values: Private stations including 'Yarrol', 'Lynworth' and parts of 'Old Dromana' and 'Bunoor'. The wetlands are contained in the properties 'Yarrol', 'Lynworth' and parts of 'Old Dromana' and 'Boonoke' but the surrounding areas are important feeding areas.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	48
Forest	48
Introduced Vegetation	5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Guarantee ecologically-sustainable water flows into wetlands, of the correct frequency, duration, extent and time of year (natural floods in Jan/Feb were topped up by floods in late winter/ early spring). Control of exotic weeds.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Large dams	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Agro-industry farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Suppression in fire frequency/intensity	Only in the future
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Only in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Problematic native species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Pollution	Agricultural & forestry effluents	Herbicides and pesticides	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Only in the future
Pollution	Garbage & solid waste		Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Only in the future
Climate change & severe weather	Habitat shifting & alteration		Ongoing

Additional information

References: Bennett, M and Green, J. (1993) Preliminary Assessment of Gwydir Wetlands Water Needs. Department of Water Resources, Technical Services Division. Blackburn, H. (1999) Diary of waterbird observations in the Gingham Watercourse: February-November 1998. NSW Field Ornithologists Club Inc. Newsletter: 171: 10-12. DEWHA (2008) Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/database/ accessed 2008. Gwydir Wetlands: Gingham and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) Watercourses Ramsar Information Sheet. Keyte, P.A. (1994) Lower Gwydir Plan of Management - 1994 to 1997. Report by NSW Department of Water Resources for the Lower Gwydir Wetland Steering Committee. Sydney. Morris, A.K. and Burton, A. (1997) NSW Annual Bird Report 1995. Aust. Birds 30: 81-149. McCosker, R.O. and Duggin, J.A. (1993) Gingham Watercourse Management Plan. Final Report. November 1993. Armidale: Department of Ecosystem Management, University of New England.