Dragon Rocks (24843)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Dragon Rocks
Central coordinates: Latitude: -32.7502, Longitude: 119.0375
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 328 to 458
Area of KBA (km2): 325.53972
Protected area coverage (%): 98.76
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is identical to Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve. This is an isolated area of natural habitat, situated in the eastern Western Australia wheatbelt, about 300 km south-east of Perth. The IBA was identified from expert opinion that it supports a significant viable population of Malleefowl, as determined by records in relevant databases (notably the Malleefowl Preservation Group database of 1200 sightings over 15 years, WA Dept of Environment and Conservation, WA Museum and Birds Australia Atlas), and other literature and knowledge, that population viability is greatest within large areas of contiguous mallee or Acacia shrubland. The site consists primarily of mallee, with some mallee-heath present, and also woodland to a lesser degree. The IBA represents one of the larger areas of continuous mallee remnants within the wheatbelt of Western Australia, and supports considerable floristic diversity.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Other birds have not been documented for this IBA. Non-bird biodiversity: Honey Possum, Western Pygmy-possum.
Other site values: Western Australian State government. Permits are required for access to Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 95 | |
| Savanna | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Investigate the impact of fire regimes on Malleefowl persistence.
| 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 | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Barrett, G.W., Silcocks,A., Barry, S., Cunningham, R. and Poulter, R. (2003) The New Atlas of Australian Birds. Melbourne: Birds Australia. Benshemesh, J. (2000) National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl. Adelaide: Department of Environment and Heritage. Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Climate Data Online (on-line). http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages Accessed December 2007. Department of Environment and Heritage (2003) National Vegetation Information System (NVIS). Pre-European and Present Native Vegetation. (Published Data-Stage 1, Version 2) National Land & Water Resources Audit (on-line) Accessed 2006. Parsons, B.C., Short, J.C. and Roberts, J.D. (2008) Contraction in the range of Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) in Western Australia: a comparative assessment using presence-only and presence-absence datasets. Emu 108: 221-231. Parsons, B.C., Short, J.C. and Roberts, J.D. (in press) Using community observations to predict the occurrence of Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Biological Conservation.
Contributors: Thanks to Blair Parsons for writing the nomination.