Coomallo (26505)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Coomallo
Central coordinates: Latitude: -30.1912, Longitude: 115.4727
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 170 to 310
Area of KBA (km2): 21.23447
Protected area coverage (%): 48.25
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Coomallo IBA supports at least 1% of the breeding population of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, with nesting trees and feeding habitat distributed over a number of tenures including private property, Coomallo Creek Nature Reserve and Badgingarra National Park. The IBA boundaries are defined by known areas of suitable nesting and associated feeding habitat. The population of Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo at this IBA is one of the longest studied. Food resources for breeding birds include proteaceous plants in native kwongan heath and the seeds of weed species such as wild radish and wild geranium. The IBA consists of all suitable native vegetation and isolated nesting trees within the identified area. Pasture, crops, non-native plants and weed populations are not included in the IBA. The area has a Mediterranean climate.
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: The vulnerable Malleefowl has been recorded in the area but is not a breeding resident of this IBA.
Other site values: Private ownership (three landholders) and Department of Environment and Conservation. Contact Birds Australia WA Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project for access details related to private land.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Exclusion of stock and native herbivores by fencing and weed control around nesting trees and in native vegetation to promote regeneration. Nest hollow repair and nest competitor control. Planting appropriate native food plant species near nesting areas.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Birds Australia Western Australia (2008) Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project Database. Unpublished data. Data extracted 2008. Cale, B. (2003) Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) Recovery Plan 2002-2012. Perth: Department of Conservation and Land Management. Department of Environment and Conservation (2008) Threatened Species Database. Unpublished data. Data extracted 2008. Saunders, D.A. (1979) The availability of tree hollows for use as nest sites by white-tailed black cockatoos. Australian Wildlife Research 6: 205-216. Saunders, D.A. (1980) Food and movements of the short-billed form of the White-tailed Black Cockatoo. Australian Wildlife Research 7: 257-269. Saunders, D.A. (1986) Breeding season, nesting success and nestling growth in Carnaby's Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus latirostris, over 16 years at Coomallo Creek, and a method for assessing the viability of populations in other areas. Australian Wildlife Research 13: 261-273.
Contributors: Cheryl Gole (WWF-Australia and Birds Australia Western Australia) and Dejan Stevanovic (Birds Australia) prepared the nomination. Kellie Mantle, Rick Dawson and Peter Mawson (Department of Environment and Conservation) kindly provided mapping assistance, data and comments. Private landholders provided support and information.