Gabo and Tullaberga Islands (23936)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Gabo and Tullaberga Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -37.5613, Longitude: 149.9112
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 1.56852
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA consists of two neighbouring islands off the coast of Croajingolong National Park near Mallacoota in eastern Bass Strait. Gabo Island is a small (154 ha) granitic island located 500 m offshore about 14 km east of Mallacoota. Tullaberga is a very small (4 ha) granitic island closer to Mallacoota. The islands have a temperate maritime climate. The centre of Gabo Island has high dune ridges covered by low forest; the periphery of the island has low scrub and grassland dominated by Kikuyu Grass. Gabo has long been grazed by beef cattle and is designated as a Heritage Property and Historic Place by its managers, Parks Victoria. Tullaberga is covered in grass, forbs and low scrub, rises to only 8.5 m, and is part of Croajingolong National Park.
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: Gabo Island also supports more than 6,000 breeding pairs of Short-tailed Shearwater (Fullagar & Heyligers 1996), a maximum of four nests per year of Sooty Oystercatcher and one to three breeding females per year of Swamp Harrier. Non-bird biodiversity: Gabo Island represents the southern-most location for Rock Fern Asplenium prostratum.
Other site values: Victorian State Government with management the responsibility of Parks Victoria. Permission for visits must be obtained from Parks Victoria.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 40 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 10 | |
| Shrubland | 35 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Develop a management strategy for cattle on Gabo that maintains breeding habitat for Little Penguin. Eradicate rats. Establish regular visits to monitor birds, rodents and weeds on Tullaberga.
| 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 | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Fullagar, P.J. and Heyligers, P.C. (1996) Gabo Island Shearwater Surveys, 1995 and 1996;. M.I. Partners Report No. 5. (M.I. Partners: Moruya.) Fullagar, P.J., Heyligers, P.C. and Crowley, M.A. (2005) The Birds of Gabo Island'. M.I. Partners Report No. 11. (M.I. Partners: Moruya.) Fullagar, P.J., Heyligers P.C., Crowley M.A. and Klomp, N.I. (1995) Gabo Island Penguin Survey, November 1994'. M.I. Partners Report No. 4. (M.I. Partners: Moruya.) Harris, M.P., Brown, R.S. and Deerson, D.M. (1980) Tullaberga Island, Victoria. Corella 80: 65-66. Twyford, K.L., Humphrey, P.G., Nunn, R.P. and Willoughby, L. (2000) Eradication of Feral Cats (Felis catus) from Gabo Island, south-east Victoria. Ecological Management and Restoration 1, 42-49.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Peter Fullagar and Petrus Heyligers with assistance from Tony Mitchell of DSE, Orbost.