Werrikimbe (24840)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Werrikimbe
Central coordinates: Latitude: -31.2063, Longitude: 152.2598
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1115
Area of KBA (km2): 351.27248
Protected area coverage (%): 99.82
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is identical to Werrikimbe National Park, which is located in the Great Dividing Range of New South Wales, 70 km inland of Port Macquarie. The national park is located within a contiguous series of protected areas, and all of the key bird species occur more widely with the exception of the Rufous Scrub-bird, which is restricted to Werrikimbe. The parks are located in a region which receives substantial rainfall (average 1655 mm per year at 155 m altitude, much higher at high altitudes); average summer temperatures are 27-28 Celsius and winter temperatures 6-18 Celsius at this altitude. The park is situated on the eastern escarpment of the Great Dividing Range and represents rugged wilderness, with two major rivers, the Forbes and the Hastings. The vegetation is dominated by sub-tropical and cool temperate rainforests, and tall eucalypt forests with significant areas of Antarctic Beech used by Rufous Scrub-birds. When under the former State Forest tenure, some areas of the park were selectively logged for cedar and tallowwood, with some areas clear felled. The National Park rainforests are included in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area and some of the park is declared as wilderness area(s). The IBA could be extended to include the adjacent Mt Boss State Forest, which has previously supported small numbers of Rufous Scrub-birds.
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. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Other birds have not been documented for this IBA. Non-bird biodiversity: Werrikimbe NP is home to nearly 1000 plant species, including nearly 30 that are listed as rare or threatened. A total of 38 native mammal, 26 reptile, 15 amphibian and 150 bird species have been recorded within the park, of which 31 species are classified as threatened in NSW, including the endangered Hastings River Mouse and Giant Barred Frog.
Other site values: NSW State Government with management the responsibility of NSW NPWS.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 5 | |
| Forest | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Manage fire in a manner that sustains suitable habitat for key species. Eradicate or otherwise control introduced plants and animals. Undertake scrub-bird surveys before weed control. Investigate cause or causes of decline in Rufous Scrub-bird.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: NSW DECC (2006) Werrikimbe National Park - fire management strategy. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/firemanagement/WerrikimbeNpFms.htm Accessed June 2008. NSW NPWS (2005) Werrikimbe National Park Plan of Management. Hurstville: New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. NSW NPWS (2008) Atlas of NSW Wildlife. http://www.wildlifeatlas.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/watlasspecies.jsp Accessed 11 June 2008.
Contributors: Thanks to Peter Ekert (NSW DEC) for advice on Rufous Scrub-birds.