Exmouth Gulf Mangroves (26282)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Exmouth Gulf Mangroves
Central coordinates: Latitude: -22.2193, Longitude: 114.4745
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 427.39347
Protected area coverage (%): 4.72
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Exmouth Gulf Mangroves IBA is located on the eastern side of Exmouth Gulf in northern Western Australia. The IBA is defined by the EPA's Mangrove Mangement Unit (or Benthic Primary Producer Habitat unit), and extends for about 70 km from Giralia Bay to Tubridgi Point. The western boundary of the IBA approximates to the low tide level and the eastern boundary approximates to the inland extent of mangroves. Mudflats are typically 1 km wide but up to 4 km wide at Giralia Bay, and the mangroves are mostly 1 km wide. The shorebirds of this area are poorly known and further surveys may refine the IBA boundary; however it appears that mangroves are much richer along the eastern side of the gulf, which is sheltered and has some rainwater inflows. The mean rainfall at Onslow is 265 mm. Inland of the IBA are bare hypersaline flats, which support some shorebirds roosting at high tides but are otherwise of little value for the key bird species. A nomination for World Heritage listing for Cape Range and Exmouth Gulf is being advanced by the Western Australian government.
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.
Additional biodiversity: Other high counts of shorebirds include Bar-tailed Godwit (1253), Red-necked Stint (1133) and Greater Sand Plover (1036). Australian Yellow White-eye are very common and widespread (Biota Environmental Sciences 2005). Non-bird biodiversity: The site is one of the major population centres for Dugong in WA.
Other site values: Crown Land, private (= Yanrey Station pastoral lease), state government (Giralia Station and the two nature reserves managed by Department of Environment and Conservation).
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Further surveys are needed to investigate the real importance of Exmouth Gulf for shorebirds. Development proposals must not impact the rainwater inflow to the mangroves.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Biota Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd (2005) Yannarie Salt Project Mangrove and Coastal Ecosystem Study, North Perth, Western Australia. Biota Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd (2006) Yannarie Salt Project Mangrove and Coastal Ecosystem Study - Executive Summary, North Perth, Western Australia. Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group (1994) A Representative Marine Reserve System for Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth. DEWHA (2008) A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. Exmouth Gulf East - WA007. Accessed June 2008.
Contributors: Mike Bamford kindly provided advice.