Diamantina and Astrebla Grasslands (24439)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Diamantina and Astrebla Grasslands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -23.9063, Longitude: 141.0152
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 93 to 110
Area of KBA (km2): 7793.52226
Protected area coverage (%): 86.95
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of Diamantina National Park, Astrebla Downs National Park and intervening grassland in south-west Queensland. The IBA includes the whole of the two national parks, and also the intervening Nails Creek Corridor and east to the track along the western side of the Diamantina Creek, which has suitable habitat and records of Plains-wanderer. The area contains gibber plains, mulga lands, channel country and Mitchell Grass downs. Large permanent waterholes in central and western Diamantina Lakes NP and the broad floodplains and braided channels of the Diamantina River also support waterbirds. Astrebla Downs consists of sandstone ranges, braided channels and floodplains, grasslands dominated by Mitchell Grass, gibber plains, dune fields and clay pans.
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: Little Black Cormorant and Great Egret breed in regionally significant numbers at Diamantina Lakes. The near threatened Letter-winged Kite and Grey Kite are rarely recorded residents of the IBA (A. Ley pers. comm. 2007; Atlas of Australian Birds database; EPA database); and the vulnerable Painted Honeyeater is a rare non-breeding visitor (A. Ley pers. comm. 2007; Atlas of Australian Birds database). Birds recorded at Astrebla Downs include Flock Bronzewing, Yellow Chat (17 records), Australian Painted Snipe (one record) (Environment Protection Agency 2008), and 1000 Australian Pratincole in 2001 (Atlas of Australian Birds Database 1998-2007). The Atlas of Australian Birds database contains two records of the near threatened Bush Stone-curlew and one record of the biome-restricted Painted Finch for the period 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database). The biome-restricted Slaty-backed Thornbill is rare in Diamantina NP (A. Ley pers. comm. 2007). Non-bird biodiversity: Astrebla Downs supports the Spotted Grassfrog, nine species of mammals including Greater Bilby, Kowari, Kultarr, and Dingo, and 15 species of reptiles including Fierce Snake, Lined Earless Dragon and the skinks Ctenotus aphrodite, C. schevilli and C. serotinus that are listed as threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Environment Protection Agency 2008).
Other site values: Queensland EPA; privately-owned stations.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Savanna | 30 | |
| Desert | 30 | |
| Grassland | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Monitor spread of invasive weeds and implement control programmes for problem species. Monitor impact of pest animals on key birds and implement control programmes. Maintain existing network of fences to exclude livestock and remove or prevent access to artificial water points. Enforce an appropriate fire regime.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| 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
References: Australian Wetlands Database (2001) Diamantina Lakes Area - QLD028 and Lake Constance - QLD032. Downloaded from http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/database/ on 6 September 2007. Baker-Gabb, D. (1990) An annotated list of records of Plains-wanderers Pedionomus torquatus, 1980-1989. Australian Bird Watcher 13: 249-252. Baker-Gabb, D. (2002a). 'Recovery Plan for the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus 2002-2006: Conservation of Lowland Native Grassland Dependent Fauna. Canberra: Environment Australia. Baker-Gabb, D. (2002b). Survey in western Queensland national parks for Plains-wanderers. Unpublished report to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Environment Australia. EPA (2007) Diamantina National Park Management Statement 2007-2012. Brisbane: Environmental Protection Agency. EPA (2008) Wildlife Online extract for Astrebla Downs National Park. Accessed 12 June 2008. Stafford, A. (2007). Night Parrot find suppressed. Wingspan 17(2): 12-13.
Contributors: Allan Briggs of Birds Australia Capricornia; Andrew Ley of Birds Australia (Northern NSW); Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff and David Baker-Gabb provided data and comments.