Cradle Mountain (24385)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B2

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Cradle Mountain

Central coordinates: Latitude: -41.8637, Longitude: 145.9555

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 900 to 1545

Area of KBA (km²): 1616.85198

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The IBA is identical to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, which is located approximately 80 km south of Burnie in north-western Tasmania. The IBA is chosen as the central/northern representative of a series of protected areas that support populations of most of Tasmania's endemic birds across a wide altitudinal range, including large areas of old-growth tall eucalyptus forest. The climate is cool to cold with heavy rainfall: mean maximum temperatures range from about 15-17oC in summer to around 5oC in winter with mean annual rainfall exceeding 2600 mm. The IBA features a series of mountain peaks, formed of dolerite rock, with a number of high-altitude lakes and tarns, the largest of which is Lake St Clair, the deepest lake (maximum depth 200 m) in Australia. The region was extensively shaped by glacial erosion and deposition with artifacts of this process (e.g. moraines, meltwash channels, outwash deposits) still present today. The vegetation in the IBA grades from dense forests on the lower slopes, to stunted forests at higher altitudes, to alpine grasslands and rocky outcrops around the summits of the various peaks.

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: At least 74 species of bird which are endemic to Australia, including 10 species which are endemic to Tasmania, have been recorded in the IBA. Three introduced species (Common Blackbird, Common Starling and European Goldfinch) also have been recorded (Parks and Wildlife 2008). Non-bird biodiversity: The IBA is a strong-hold for Tasmanian endemic flora (e.g. 40-55% of alpine plant species in the IBA are endemic to Tasmania). The resident flora includes several species of Gondwanan origin such as the long-lived endemic conifers (e.g. King Billy Pine, Pencil Pine, the hybrid Athrotaxis laxifolia and Celery Top Pine), members of the families Cunoniaceae (Bauera rubioides), Winteraceae (Tasmannia lanceolata) and Stylidiaceae (Stylidium graminifolium), and other species with Gondwanan links such as Deciduous Beech and Myrtle Beech. Non-avian faunal species present in the IBA include a number of Tasmanian endemic invertebrates and mammals, including an assemblage of the world's largest marsupial carnivores (e.g. Tasmanian Devil, Spotted-tailed Quoll and Eastern Quoll), and two of the three surviving species of monotremes, Platypus and Echidna (Parks and Wildlife Service 2008).

Other site values: Tasmanian State Government with management the responsibility of Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania. The northern region of the IBA is a popular tourist destination and can be readily accessed by road.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Grassland	5
Shrubland	48
Forest	48

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fire management needs to protect patches of deciduous beech and conifers that are intolerant of burning. The spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi should be monitored and addressed.

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	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Ongoing

Additional information