Karara and Lochada (24846)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Karara and Lochada
Central coordinates: Latitude: -29.1373, Longitude: 116.7258
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 280 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 2461.43234
Protected area coverage (%): 0.61
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA incorporates Karara and Lochada, previously pastoral properties, which are now owned by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, and some small areas of intervening land. 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. Adjacent pastoral stations also support Malleefowl in smaller numbers and could be added to the IBA if management is improved to conserve numbers and breeding success of this species. The IBA is situated in pastoral country adjacent to the Western Australian wheatbelt, about 320 km north-east of Perth. It supports large areas of Acacia shrubland habitat The IBA receives approximately 300 mm of rainfall a year, and although highly variable, rain falls mostly in winter.
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: The Atlas of Australian Birds contains two records of the biome-restricted Pied Honeyeater for the period 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database).
Other site values: Fully managed by Western Australian State government. Permits are required for access to Karara and Lochada stations.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 90 | |
| Savanna | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Investigate the impact of fire regimes on Malleefowl persistence. Investigate the effect of fox control on Malleefowl and also on meso-predators (i.e. feral cats etc).
| 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.