Paluma (23868)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Paluma
Central coordinates: Latitude: -19.0308, Longitude: 146.2518
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 1063
Area of KBA (km2): 580.72431
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Paluma IBA encompasses the southern-most portion of tropical rainforest that makes up north Queensland's Wet Tropics rainforest. The boundary of the IBA coincides with the Wet Tropics World Heritage boundary. Additional adjacent areas of forest could be included in the IBA but the World Heritage Area adequately protects populations of the key species, especially the high-altitude species. Geologically the area is dominated by granites and metamophics, and these form ranges, high hills and mountain tops. Covering this geography is mainly rainforest vegetation with wet sclerophyll also present in some places. Historically, much of the area has been selectively logged, however the impact of this logging has been relatively minor with the ecological integrity of the area largely intact. As a high-altitude block, with most of the area above 800m and significant areas above 900m, it supports all but one of the high altitude rainforest species that are endemic to the Wet Tropics, and could be an important climate change refuge.
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: Other species recorded in the IBA include the near threatened Bush Stone-curlew and the biome-restricted White-gaped Honeyeater, Yellow Honeyeater and White-browed Robin (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: As with the birds the Paluma Range is the southern outlier for a number of endemic fauna species including the legless lizard Coeranoscincus frontalis, Boyds forest dragon, the rainforest skink Saproscincus tetradactylus, green ringtail possum and the endangered frog Litoria nannotis.
Other site values: Queensland State Government - administered by Dept. of Forests and QPWS.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Assessment of impacts, monitoring and management of weeds and ferals should be a high priority for land managers. Maintenance of the ecological integrity of high altitude forests through appropriate management of public access, weeds and feral animals is particularly important.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Barrett, G., Silcocks, A., Barry, S., Cunningham, R. and Poulter, R. (2003) 'The new atlas of Australian birds'. (Birds Australia: Melbourne). Crome, F.H.J. and Moore, L.A. (1990) Cassowaries in north-eastern Queensland: report of a survey and a review and assessment of their status and conservation and management needs. Australian Wildlife Research 17: 369-385. Hilbert, D.W., Bradford, M., Parker, T. and Westcott, D.A. (2004) 'Golden bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) habitat in past, present and future climate: predicted extinction of a vertebrate in tropical highlands due to global warming. Biological Conservation 16 :367-377. Kutt, A.S., King, S., Latch P. and Garnett, S.T. (2003) Distribution of cassowary habitat in the Wet Tropics bioregion, Queensland. Technical report to Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Nix, N.A. and Switzer, M.A. (1991) 'Rainforest animals. Atlas of vertebrates endemic to Australia's Wet Tropics'. (Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service: Canberra). Stanton,P. and Stanton, D. (2005) Vegetation mapping of the Wet tropics. (Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns. Australia. Wet Tropics Management Authority. (1996) Wet tropics in profile. Reference guide to the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. (Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns).
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Alastair Freeman.