Atherton Tablelands (24329)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Atherton Tablelands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.2822, Longitude: 145.5467
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 620 to 875
Area of KBA (km2): 352.76415
Protected area coverage (%): 2.12
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of Lake Tinaroo and an adjacent region of the Atherton Tablelands south of the lake and between Atherton and Malanda, in northern Queensland. The area is defined as including all sites which regularly support significant numbers of Sarus Cranes, including roosts and regular long-term feeding sites. This includes the whole extent of the open habitat along the shores of Lake Tinaroo. Other key roosting sites are at Hasties Swamp NP and on private land at Bromfield Crater. The climate of the IBA is tropical with warm to hot conditions throughout the year (mean maximum temperatures range from 22°C in July to 30°C in December) and most of the 1421 mm mean annual rainfall occurring in summer (Bureau of Meteorology 2007). The Atherton Tablelands is basaltic in origin and, with the exception of a few small volcanic cones, is mostly flat to gently undulating. The region mainly consists of arable land and improved pasture with numerous small wetlands and residual patches of rainforest, particularly along gullies. The region is dissected by a number of perennial streams and small rivers. Lake Tinaroo is 15 min northeast of Atherton and covers 4034 ha. The lake was formed after a dam blocking the Barron River was built in 1959. The dam is used for irrigation and recreational boating and fishing with numerous secluded inlets of varying depths and extent of aquatic vegetation. It is regularly stocked with fish in addition to large resident populations. The IBA also includes some remnant patches of rainforest supporting populations of many rainforest birds of conservation significance such as the Curtain Fig 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: The IBA supports regionally significant numbers of Plumed Whistling-Duck (at least 2000 in dry season), Cotton Pygmy-goose (75 - 200), Great Crested Grebe (65 - 200), Little Black Cormorant (maximum 2000) and Great Cormorant (maximum 200) (E. Scambler in litt. 2008; G. Harrington pers. comm; J. Leighton pers. comm.). The IBA also supports a substantial wintering population of Magpie Goose. The IBA is otherwise occupied by a suite of tropical grassland and wetland birds including most of the population of the Atherton subspecies of Singing Bushlark, a wide variety of raptors during winter and increasing numbers of Cattle Egret. Lake Tinaroo supports a variety of waterbirds including ducks, grebes, cormorants and coots. The following near threatened, restricted-range or biome-restricted species have been recorded in small numbers or are restricted to rainforest fragments within the IBA: Grey Falcon, Australian Bustard, Lovely Fairy-wren, Fernwren, Atherton Scrubwren, Mountain Thornbill, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Bridled Honeyeater, White-gaped Honeyeater, Yellow Honeyeater, Banded Honeyeater, Macleay's Honeyeater, Chowchilla, Bower's Shrike-thrush, Pied Monarch, Victoria's Riflebird, Pale-yellow Robin and Grey-headed Robin (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: Platypus are common at Lake Tinaroo.
Other site values: State government (including Environmental Protection Agency/Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service), local government and private.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Major area for agriculture and grazing.
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 79 | |
| Forest | 7 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 14 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Liaise with agricultural landholders to encourage management regimes that maintain habitat for Sarus Crane. Investigate the effect of human disturbance on Sarus Crane. Maintain the current low dam level and cattle grazing which maintains short vegetation along the shore of Lake Tinaroo.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Suppression in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
Additional information
References: Bravery, J.A. (1970) The Birds of Atherton Shire, Queensland. Emu 70: 49-63. Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Climate statistics for Atherton Post Office. Downloaded from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_031002.shtml on 21 November 2007. Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds) (1990). The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Scambler, E. (in litt. 2008). Site Results Birds Australia North Queensland Group Crane Counts 1997 - 2007.
Contributors: Thanks to Graham Harrington and Elinor Scambler as compilers.