Lake Woods (24556)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: D1a

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Lake Woods

Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.8390, Longitude: 133.4540

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 198 to 205

Area of KBA (km²): 1239.19666

Protected area coverage (%): 81.17

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The IBA is identical to the total area of Lake Woods in the central Northern Territory when flooded to its maximum extent (close to 100,000 ha). It includes two near-permanent waterholes (Longreach and South Newcastle) on Newcastle Creek that become broadly contiguous with Lake Woods during major floods. Lake Woods is an ephemeral freshwater lake that can hold water for more than 12 consecutive months after major floods and follow-up rains. It has been filled to capacity on at least three occasions in the past 15 years. When inundated, Lake Woods is dominated by a vast expanse of open water. However, the basin of the lake supports broad bands and zones of open Lignum shrubland and, to the north, around the delta of Newcastle Creek, mixed open woodland of Coolibah, Gutta-percha and Belalie. Coolibah occurs around most of the lake perimeter, and River Red Gum is present, in association with Coolibah and Gutta-percha, around the waterholes. Other plant species/formations present in the IBA include Annual Verbine and Ludwigia perennis when the lake bed dries; dense, seasonal thickets of Budda Pea; mats of Nardoo and, during flood events, Ipomoea; occasional specimens of Northern Bluebush amongst the Lignum shrubland; and Spiny Mudgrass on Newcastle Creek and around the waterholes after floods. The IBA overlaps a single protected area, Longreach Waterhole Protected Area (DEWHA 2007; R. Jaensch pers. comm. 2007).

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 more than 20,000 and up to 116,000 waterbirds when fully inundated (Jaensch and Bellchambers 1997; Wetlands International, unpublished data provided by R. Jaensch). Sixty-seven species of waterbird have been recorded, and 23 of these have bred, in the IBA (Jaensch and Bellchambers 1997; Australian Wetlands Database 2001). Australasian Darters, Little Black Cormorants, Great Egrets, Intermediate Egrets, Straw-necked Ibis and Royal Spoonbills breed in colonies ranging in size from several hundred to several thousand birds (Jaensch and Bellchambers 1997; R. Jaensch pers. comm. 2007). The IBA is the only known inland breeding location, and possibly the only breeding location in the Northern Territory, for Great Egret (R. Jaensch pers. comm. 2007). Australian Pelicans (8000), Oriental Pratincoles (6000+) and Little Curlews (700+) have been recorded in substantial but sub-threshold numbers (DEWHA 2007; R. Jaensch pers. comm. 2007). Grey Teal (5000), Great Egrets (3000), Intermediate Egrets (2000) and Glossy Ibis (3300) have been recorded in moderate numbers (DEWHA 2007). Small numbers of Freckled Duck (e.g. 35 birds in March 1994) occur and may breed in the IBA (Jaensch 2003b). The nationally vulnerable Australian Painted Snipe has been recorded on a single occasion (Jaensch 2003a) but could be more common than the single record indicates, based on the extent of suitable habitat and the high potential for the species to be overlooked by observers (R. Jaensch pers. comm. 2007). Yellow Chats are abundant and breed in Lignum shrubland (Jaensch and Bellchambers 1997; DEWHA 2007). The globally near threatened Australian Bustard and biome-restricted Yellow-tinted Honeyeater are occasionally recorded in the IBA (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: Seven species of fish have been recorded from Lake Woods and/or Newcastle Creek. Eight species of frog have been recorded in the general region and most of these probably occur in the IBA (Fleming et al. 1983). At least 24 faunal species recorded at the site are listed under international conventions or bilateral agreements protecting migratory animals (Harrison et al. 2009).

Other site values: Two pastoral leasehold properties (Powell Creek and Newcastle Waters) managed by Consolidated Pastoral. Longreach Waterhole Protected Area is managed as a reserve by Parks and Wildlife Service Northern Territory in cooperation with the pastoral lease managers.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research (8%) | rangeland/pastureland (92%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	24
Shrubland	24
Savanna	24
Introduced Vegetation	24
Forest	5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Review Longreach Waterhole management agreement to assess conservation values and contribution to reserve network. Identify possible alternative reserves where appropriate. Work in partnership with landholder to continue weed control through the Barkly Landcare and Conservation Association. In conjunction with the Northern Land Council, investigate interest, or not, of the local Aboriginal community in undertaking land management activities in the reserve including possibly establishing a community based ranger group. In the context of review of the management agreement, investigate opportunities to upgrade facilities and access at Lake Woods and Longreach Waterhole in conjuction with the landholder, Elliot Town Council, and the Northern Territory Tourist Commission (NRETA 2005). Manage livestock to minimise the impact of grazing and trampling and initiate and support research projects that assess the impact of grazing on wetland vegetation. Maintain fencing to exclude livestock from Longreach Waterhole Protected Area. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the incidence of Parkinsonia aculeata and implement a management strategy to eradicate or reduce it or prevent further spread. Maintain fish stocks in Newcastle Creek and Longreach and Newcastle Waterholes. Monitor human disturbance of waterbirds and their habitat and regulate boating activity to minimise disturbance of waterbird breeding colonies. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of threats at the site.

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: DEWHA (2007) Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. Accessed September 2007. Fleming, M.R., Johnson, K.A., Latz, P.K. and McKean, J.R. (1983) A biological survey of Junction Stock Reserve and Newcastle Waters Pastoral Lease on the Barkly Tablelands. Darwin: Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory. Harrison, L., McGuire, L., Ward, S. Fisher, A., Pavey, C., Fegan, M. and Lynch, B. (2009) An inventory of sites of international and national significance for biodiversity values in the Northern Territory. Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts & Sport, Darwin, NT. Jaensch, R.P. (2003a) Recent records and breeding of Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis in the Mitchell Grass Downs and Sturt Plateau, Northern Territory. Northern Territory Naturalist 17: 31-37. Jaensch, R.P. (2003b) Breeding by Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa, and a review of recent records, in the Barkly wetlands, Northern Territory. Northern Territory Naturalist 17: 38-42. Jaensch, R.P. and Bellchambers, K. (1997) Waterbird conservation values of ephemeral wetlands of the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory. Unpublished report to Australian Heritage Commission and Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. NRETA (2005) Draft Northern Territory parks and conservation masterplan. Darwin: Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts. Ward, S. and Harrison, L. (2009) Recognising sites of conservation significance for biodiversity values in the Northern Territory. Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts & Sport, Darwin, NT. Ziembicki, M. (2006) Threatened species information sheet - Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis. http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/threatened/specieslist.html accessed 18 September 2007.