Tamar Wetlands (23962)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Tamar Wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -41.3060, Longitude: 147.0137
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3 to 130
Area of KBA (km2): 48.64925
Protected area coverage (%): 92.57
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of all water and intertidal mudflats of the Tamar River (excluding tributaries) from Launceston downstream to the narrows at the Batman Bridge, halfway to the sea. The lower half of the estuary has much smaller numbers of birds and is excluded from the IBA, although the Georgetown Reserve supports moderate numbers of shorebirds including Pied Oystercatcher. The Tamar is a large river draining north from the central highlands of Tasmania to Bass Strait. It is tidal below the large town of Launceston, starting narrow then broadening with shallow intertidal banks and a broad deep-water channel, protected as the Tamar Conservation Area to the Batman Highway bridge. The IBA is within a mosaic of temperate farmland and forestry with average maximum temperatures of 24°C in summer and 13°C in winter. The mudflats are bordered by saltmarsh and the only extensive reed beds in north Tasmania.
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: Small numbers of Australasian Bittern have been recorded irregularly (two in 1998 and single birds in 2001, 2002 and 2003; R. Cooper in litt. 2007). A single pair of Cape Barren Geese and small numbers of migratory shorebirds have been recorded in the IBA in recent years (R. Cooper pers. comm.). There were occasional sightings of seven restricted-range or biome-restricted species in Atlas of Australian Birds surveys undertaken from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: Green and Gold Frog.
Other site values: Australian Federal Government.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Monitor water quality.
| 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 |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Ralph Cooper.