Conondale Range (24812)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B2

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Conondale Range

Central coordinates: Latitude: -26.5148, Longitude: 152.4555

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 40 to 850

Area of KBA (km²): 1661.84159

Protected area coverage (%): 43.72

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This IBA is centred approximately 125 km north-north-east of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. It comprises a series of protected areas and forest reserves that support either Black-breasted Button-quail or Eastern Bristlebird: the following National Parks: Amamoor, Conondale, Glastonbury and Maleny; and King Conservation Park; and Forest Reserves: Conondale, Elgin, Glastonbury, Imbil 1 & 2, Jimna, Kandanga, Kenilworth, Oakview, Wrattens, Yabba 1 & 2; and State Forests: Amamoor, Brooyar 1 & 2, Conondale, Diaper, Elgin Vale, Gallangowan, Glastonbury, Imbil 1 & 2, Jimna, Jimmys Scrub, Kabunga, King, Marys Creek, Mount Stanley 1, Oakview, Schact Creek, Squirrel Creek, Sunday Creek, Upper Kanganga, Wrattens, Yabba; and Conondale Resources Reserve. These areas are largely but not entirely connected and, as a whole, are surrounded by land cleared for agriculture and farming. Each individual block of these state-owned lands may not qualify in its own right as an IBA but together they support a large population of Black-breasted Button-quail. Additional neighbouring blocks on state and private land may qualify for inclusion but better survey data is needed. Immediately to the west is the Bunya Mountains & Yarraman IBA. The series of mountain ranges that make up the Conondale Range complex, with altitudes ranging from near sea-level to approximately 850 metres, is dissected by the Mary River and its tributaries. The climate is subtropical to mild with most rainfall falling during the spring and summer months. This area supports a diverse range of habitats from subtropical rainforests to vine thickets and sclerophyl forests.

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: In addition to the species listed above, this IBA also supports the following species listed as threatened (EPA 2008) under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992: Red Goshawk and Coxen's Fig-Parrot listed as endangered but both exceeding rare in the IBA; Marbled (Plumed) Frogmouth and Powerful Owl listed as vulnerable; and Grey Goshawk, Sooty Owl and Red-browed Treecreeper listed as rare. The Atlas of Australian Birds database contains a single record of the globally endangered Australasian Bittern and four records of the globally near threatened Bush Stone-curlew for the period 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: In addition to the species listed above, this IBA also supports the following species listed as threatened (EPA 2008) under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992: Southern Gastric Brooding-frog Rheobatrachus silus and Southern Day Frog Taudactylus diurnis both presumed extinct; Giant Barred Frog Mixophyes iteratus, Fleay's Barred Frog Mixophyes fleayi listed as endangered; Tusked Frog Adelotus brevis, Cascade Treefrog Litoria pearsoniana and Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus listed as vulnerable; and Pouched Frog Assa darlingtoni, Green-thighed Frog Litoria brevipalmata, Orange-tailed Shade Skink Saproscincus rosei, Death Adder acanthophis antarcticus, Stephen's Banded Snake Hoplocephalus stephensii listed as rare. There are three regional ecosystems listed as endangered and 21 regional ecosystems listed as of concern under Queensland's Vegetation Management Act (1994) (EPA 2007). Numerous threatened flora species occur within the nominated IBA.

Other site values: Queensland State government. This IBA is mostly accessible by both vehicle and foot. Some roads may have restricted access, be totally closed to traffic or be of poor quality. Birdwatchers should avoid searching for Eastern Bristlebirds as the population is almost extinct and susceptible to disturbance.

Habitats

Land use: forestry | nature conservation and research | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Savanna	5
Artificial - Terrestrial	45
Forest	45
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)	5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Manage fires to maintain good quality habitat for Eastern Bristlebird and Black-breasted Button-quail. Manage weeds effectively, especially where encroaching on habitats of Eastern Bristlebird and Black-breasted Button-quail. Actively discourage broadcasting recordings of Eastern Bristlebird by birders. Monitor populations of Eastern Bristlebird.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Unspecified species	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Only in the future

Additional information

References: EPA (2007) Regional Ecosystem Description database (REDD). Version 5.1. Updated June 2007. Database maintained by Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. EPA (2008) Wildnet [Database]. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Accessed 1 July 2008. Mathieson, M. and Smith, G.C. (2007) National recovery plan for the black-breasted button-quail Turnix melanogaster. Report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. Stewart, D., Gillman, S and Rounsevell, D. (2004) The recovery process for the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterys in Queensland. Sunbird 34(2): 66-79.