Flinders Ranges (25101)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Flinders Ranges
Central coordinates: Latitude: -31.3935, Longitude: 138.6637
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 1168
Area of KBA (km2): 923.90624
Protected area coverage (%): 97.94
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is one of only a few protected areas in the world that supports an apparently sustainable population of the restricted-range Short-tailed Grasswren. The IBA is identical to Flinders Ranges National Park, which is located about 450 km north of Adelaide in the central Flinders Ranges. The site experiences a semi-arid climate with mild temperatures in winter, hot temperatures in summer and mean annual rainfall of around 300 mm. The terrain mainly consists of faulted and folded sedimentary rock with red-brown, calcerous and skeletal soils. The park supports a complex mosaic of vegetation associations with shrubland, woodland, tussock and hummock grassland, herbland and heathland formations all represented. Floristically, semi-arid adapted species (e.g. mallee eucalypts, cypress pines, spinifex) are widespread in the park, with a more diverse range of species (e.g. Bush Pea, Guinea Flower, grevilleas, Shrub Violet, Fringe Myrtle, lilies, ferns) found in higher rainfall areas at Wilpena Pound. Short-tailed Grasswrens also occur in neighbouring private pastoral properties but not adjacent protected areas.
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 IBA provides habitat for more than 100 endemic species of bird (Department for Environment and Heritage 2008) including rare records of the near threatened Australian Bustard and the biome-restricted Black Honeyeater, Pied Honeyeater and Chirruping Wedgebill (National Parks and Wildlife Service 1983; Atlas of Australian Birds database). Other species of conservation significance include Peregrine Falcon, Elegant Parrot, Blue-winged Parrot and Restless Flycatcher (K. Bellchambers in litt. 2009). Non-bird biodiversity: The IBA supports at least 85 plant species that are of national, state or regional conservation significance. The IBA also supports a population of the nationally vulnerable Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus (Department for Environment and Heritage 2008).
Other site values: Owned by the South Australian Government and managed by the Department for Environment and Heritage.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 32 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Savanna | 32 | |
| Shrubland | 32 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Monitor grazing activity and its impact on native ecosystems. Undertake control of pest species. Consider re-vegetation programs to mitigate the effects of soil erosion.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Carpenter, G.A. (in prep.) Distribution and habitats of the Short-tailed Grasswren (Amytornis merrotsyi) in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Christidis, L., Horton, P. and Norman, J. (2008) Subspeciation in the Short-tailed Grasswren (Amytornis merrotsyi, Maluridae). Emu 108: 275-282. Department for Environment and Heritage (2008) Flinders Ranges National Park. Downloaded from http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/sanpr/flindersranges on 15 July 2008. National Parks and Wildlife Service (1983) Flinders Ranges Management Plan. Department of Environment and Planning: Adelaide. Parker, S.A. (1982) Notes on Amytornis striatus merrotsyi Mellor, a subspecies of the Striated Grasswren inhabiting the Flinders Ranges. South Australian Ornithologist 29: 13-16.
Contributors: Keith Bellchambers provided comments on the nomination.