Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands (24559)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Natimuk-Douglas Wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -36.8300, Longitude: 141.8170
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 130 to 150
Area of KBA (km2): 65.12903
Protected area coverage (%): 57.71
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of a chain of brackish, saline and freshwater wetlands extending from near Olivers Lake (approximately 12 km north of Natimuk) south to Ti Tree Lake (approximately 8 km south of Douglas) in western Victoria. The IBA is situated in the semi-arid Wimmera region, which experiences hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. Waterbird numbers are greatest between July and November of most years, but particularly when there has been good rainfall in the region and when inland Australia is dry. Most of the wetlands captured by the IBA are subject to seasonal or otherwise episodic flooding, but some (e.g. Saint Marys Lake) are permanent and retain water throughout the year. The wetlands collectively receive water from a variety of sources including direct precipitation, groundwater, run-off, drainage lines, local catchments and overflows. Many of the wetlands are fringed by saltmarsh, but other vegetation communities such as sedgeland and Paper Bark forest are also prominent.
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 81 species of bird have been recorded around the Natimuk-Douglas wetlands (Birds Australia 2002). This figure includes twenty species listed under one or more of the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) and Bonn Convention (CMS); ten species listed as threatened in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998; and one species (Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo) listed as nationally threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Birds Australia 2002). Species recorded in moderate but sub-threshold numbers are Musk Duck (maximum 91 birds), Black Swan (maximum 3902 birds), Grey Teal (maximum 10,074 birds), Hoary-headed Grebe (maximum 3334 birds) and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (maximum 488 birds). The saltmarshes that surround the wetlands provide foraging habitat for Blue-winged Parrots (maximum 61 birds) (Birds Australia 2002). The near threatened Flame Robin and Diamond Firetail are occasionally observed in the IBA (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: More than 360 species of plant have been recorded around the Natimuk-Douglas wetlands. This figure includes five species (Buloke, Bead Glasswort, Salt Paperbark, Hairy Tails and Dwarf Yellowheads) listed as threatened in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and three species (Bead Glasswort, Dwarf Yellowheads and Western Water-starwort) listed as nationally threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Nine species of reptile and six species of mammal (including the introduced House Mouse and European Rabbit) have been recorded around the wetlands (Birds Australia 2002).
Other site values: State government and private. Most of the lakes in the IBA are situated within reserves managed by Parks Victoria.
Habitats
Land use: hunting | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Determine potential impact of any future proposed expansion of salt mining operations. Monitor usage/removal of groundwater and the effect of this on water levels in the system. Investigate impact of recreational activities on waterbirds. Eradicate or prevent further spread of Canary Grass and other introduced pasture grasses. Investigate potential measures to mitigate salinisation. Investigate benefits of excluding livestock from wetland margins.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Suppression in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Alcorn, M. and Alcorn, R. (2000) Seasonal migration of Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus to the Natimuk-Douglas salt pans in western Victoria, Australia. Stilt 36: 7-10. Birds Australia (2002) Management Plan for the Natimuk-Douglas Saline Wetland System. Melbourne: Birds Australia.
Contributors: Euan Moore wrote the nomination with input from Margaret Alcorn, Richard Alcorn and Dr Sutherland.