Granite Downs (25118)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Granite Downs
Central coordinates: Latitude: -27.0170, Longitude: 133.5208
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 464
Area of KBA (km2): 565.5744
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is a small area of the former Granite Downs Station, a large (approximately 9000 sq.km) former grazing property, now managed by the indigenous Anangu Pitjantjatjara people, in northern South Australia. The site encompasses a habitat association described by Laut et al. (1977) as consisting of breakaway country, tableland, extensive footslopes covered with gibber, chenopod shrublands, forblands and some low shrublands. This association occurs on the part of former Granite Downs Station that lies east of the central Australian rail line, mainly south of the old Oodnadatta track, which passes near Granite Downs homestead and on to the boundary of Lambina Station. The Chestnut-breasted Whiteface has been reliably recorded in patches of low Maireana astrotricha and Eremophila shrubland in stony breakaway areas of the site; this is the northern and western-most known regular location for this species. Fieldwork and Chestnut-breasted Whiteface records have been patchy across the IBA; further fieldwork may indicate that whitefaces occur at higher densities in specific locations and that a smaller IBA is likely to support a viable population of this species. The climate at Granite Downs is arid with hot to extremely hot summers and mild, dry winters: at nearby Marla, temperatures range from about 5-20oC in June and July to 22-37oC in January and mean annual rainfall is 219 mm.
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: White (1914) reported Thick-billed Grasswrens as he approached the locality of Indulkana to the west of this IBA. There have been no recent sightings of this species nearer than currently-known populations on Todmorden Station to the east of this IBA. However this is a poorly-surveyed region and there is a possibility that this species may persist undetected in the Granite Downs region. Non-bird biodiversity: The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, including the former Granite Downs Station, support a wide variety of plants and animals (Robinson et al. 2003).
Other site values: Ownership by Traditional Owners. Access to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands requires a permit from the land-owners. The Stuart Highway passes through the IBA.
Habitats
Land use: rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 50 | |
| Desert | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Develop a fire management strategy which aims to sustain habitat for key species and limit the potential for large-scale catastrophic wildfires. Investigate the impact of different grazing regimes by domestic, native and introduced herbivores, on key habitats and birds. Control introduced pest species, which are suspected to impact on key bird species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Climate statistics for Marla Police Station. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_016085.shtml accessed on 22 November 2007. Laut, P., Heyligers, P.C., Keig, G., Loffler, E., Margules, C., Scott, R.M. and Sullivan, M.E. (1977) Environments of South Australia. Province 7 Western Pastoral. Division of Land Use Research. Canberra: CSIRO. Pedler, L.P. (1991) The status and ecology of the Chestnut-breasted Whiteface Aphelocephala pectoralis. Canberra: Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (Endangered Species Unit) unpublished report. Pedler, L.P. (1992) Review of the status and distribution of the Chestnut-breasted Whiteface Aphelocephala pectoralis. South Australian Ornithologist 31: 79-93. Pedler, L.P. (2000) Chestnut-Breasted Whiteface survey, July-August 1999. South Australia: Wildlife Advisory Committee, National Parks and Wildlife South Australia unpublished report. Robinson, A.C., Copley, P.B., Canty, P.D., Baker, L.M. and Nesbitt, B.J. (eds) (2003) A biological survey of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, South Australia, 1991-2001. South Australia: Department for Environment and Heritage. White S.A. (1914) An expedition to the Musgrave and Everard Ranges. Emu 14: 181-191.
Contributors: Lynn Pedler (South Australian Ornithological Association) wrote the nomination.