North-west Tasmanian Coast (24587)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, B2, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: North-west Tasmanian Coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: -41.8607, Longitude: 145.1543
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1144
Area of KBA (km2): 2330.13963
Protected area coverage (%): 68.66
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA is the 10 km-wide coastal fringe which extends around the western coast of Tasmania from Low Rocky Point to Rocky Cape. The area is defined as the mainland Tasmanian portion of the Orange-bellied Parrot migratory habitat as mapped by the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team and Plan. It includes the entire lowland coastal peninsula north of Low Rocky Point, and the eastern margin of Macquarie Harbour; then extends 180 km north from Ocean Beach at Strahan through private land and the government-owned Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area to Cape Grim, where it takes in private property inland; then extends another 70 km east to Rocky Cape. South of Macquarie Harbour it abuts the Melaleuca to Birch's Inlet IBA; at Cape Grim it abuts the Robbins Passage and Boullanger Bay IBA. The coast comprises rocky headlands, sandy beaches, well-developed sand dune systems, and a coastal plain which contains lagoons, swamps, heathland, buttongrass and eucalypt woodlands and forests. Eucalypt forest dominates the higher altitudes inland but is probably not used by Orange-bellied Parrots. The climate is wet temperate maritime with average annual rainfall ranging from 1000 mm on the coastal plains to over 2000 mm in the highlands.
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 Endangered Swift Parrot was recorded in 15 of 548 (3%) Atlas of Australian Birds surveys from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Sooty Oystercatcher may also exceed threshold but data is lacking: Schulz (1993b) recorded 81 individuals from Macquarie Harbour to Bluff Point in April 1991 and Woehler (in litt. 2008) recorded 32 individuals from Interview River to Ordnance Point in November 2006, but both of these figures are considered likely to be significant underestimates because no areas of rocky coast were surveyed. Tawny-crowned Honeyeater is relatively common along heathy coasts. Ground Parrots and Southern Emu-wren occur locally.
Other site values: State or local government; private.
Habitats
Land use: forestry | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 23 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 23 | |
| Grassland | 23 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Forest | 23 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Assess the impact of cattle grazing (especially within the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area) and off-road vehicle use and, if deemed necessary, develop regulations to mitigate impact. Potential future development of land for human use (e.g. construction of wind farms) must be planned away from Orange-bellied Parrot habitat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Harries, D.N. (Ed.) (1992) Forgotten Wilderness: North West Tasmania. Tasmanian Conservation Trust Incorporated: Hobart. Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team (2006) National Recovery Plan for the Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster. Department of Primary Industries and Water: Hobart. Scultz, M. (1993a) A survey of the Hooded Plover of the north-west Tasmanian coastline, from Macquarie Harbour to Bluff Point. The Stilt 22: 40-43. Scultz, M. (1993b) A survey of shorebirds of western Tasmania. Part one. Macquarie Harbour to Bluff Point. The Stilt 23: 24-25. Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area Management Plan 2002 http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/publications/tech/arthurpieman/summary.html accessed April 2007. Woehler, E. (2007) Inventory of shorebird sites in the Cradle-Coast NRM region, including King Island, 2006/07. Report to Cradle-Coast NRM and DPIW.
Contributors: Eric Woehler provided comments and data.