Wollogorang (26315)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Wollogorang
Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.4888, Longitude: 137.8390
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 105 to 320
Area of KBA (km2): 724.43157
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises a small area of Wollogorang Station in the far north-east of the Northern Territory, extending into Queensland. The IBA includes a length of about 50 km of sandstone escarpment and gorges, supporting all recent records of the near threatened Carpentarian Grasswren in the Northern Territory, south of the Carpentaria Highway and east of the Calvert River, extending to Lagoon Creek Gorge in Queensland. This is an isolated area of highly dissected sandstone country, and includes small patches of monsoon vine thickets in sheltered gorges. These are the best developed and richest monsoon rainforest patches in the Gulf Falls and Uplands bioregion, totalling an area of 860 ha but with most individual patches less than 10 ha. The station experiences a monsoonal climate with hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters; mean maximum temperatures range from 29oC in June to 38oC in November and mean annual rainfall is about 960 mm. Recent surveys of other historical sites for Carpentarian Grasswren in the Northern Territory have failed to find this species because of over-burning. If this habitat recovers, or patches of suitable habitat supporting grasswrens are discovered, the IBA could be extended south to China Wall on the edge of Arnhem Plateau. Other adjacent areas of long unburned savanna woodland appear to be important for Gouldian Finches and may justify an extension of the IBA.
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. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: There have been a scatter of recent records of the endangered Gouldian Finch (J. Perry in litt. 2008; C. Palmer in litt. 2008) and three breeding pairs found in 2008 when larger hinterland judged to possibly support more than 100 pairs (D. Baker-Gabb in litt. 2008). The near threatened Australian Bustard has been recorded at Wollongorang Station. A number of species restricted to the Australian tropical savanna biome (Varied Lorikeet, Northern Rosella, Silver-crowned Friarbird, White-gaped Honeyeater, Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Banded Honeyeater, Long-tailed Finch and Masked Finch) are suspected to occur in the IBA, but insufficient survey data are available to adequately assess the status of these species. Non-bird biodiversity: The sandstone ranges of Wollogorang Station support the only surviving population of the critically endangered Carpentarian Rock-rat and a diverse fauna including Rock Ringtail Possum, Short-eared Rock-wallaby, Sandstone Antechinus and Merten's Water Monitor. Merten's Water Monitor is classified as a threatened species in the Northern Territory.
Other site values: Wollogorang and Wentworth Stations; pastoral leases. Access is at the discretion of the land-holders.
Habitats
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Savanna | 90 | |
| Forest | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Manage fire to maintain patches of mature spinifex around documented and suspected grasswren sites. Where possible, fire management should be extended into adjacent areas which were formerly suitable for grasswrens. Investigate options for inclusion of significant areas of Wollogorang in the reserve system by agreement with landholder.
| 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: McKean, J.L. and Martin, K.C. (1989) Distribution and status of the Carpentarian Grasswern Amytornis dorotheae. Northern Territory Naturalist 11: 12-19. Perry, J. (2005) Habitat and status of the Carpentarian Grasswren (Amytornis dorotheae) in the Northern Territory. Unpublished MTEM thesis. Darwin: Charles Darwin University. Puckey, H., Woinarski, J. and Trainor, C. (2003) Revised recovery plan for the Carpentaria Rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis). Katherine, Northern Territory: Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. Trainor, C.R. (1997) Natural and Cultural Heritage of Values of Wollogorang Station, NT. Unpublished report.
Contributors: Justin Perry kindly prepared the map, Alaric Fisher, Carol Palmer and Colin Trainor provided information from their fieldwork visits and Louise Harrison provided background references.