Araluen-Wungong (26714)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Araluen-Wungong
Central coordinates: Latitude: -32.1650, Longitude: 116.0900
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 70 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 124.84923
Protected area coverage (%): 25.34
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Araluen-Wungong IBA supports at least 1% of the non-breeding population of the endangered Baudin's Black-Cockatoo and smaller numbers of the endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. The IBA boundaries are defined by native vegetation within a 6 km foraging radius of known non-breeding season roost sites for Baudin's Black-Cockatoo in the Darling Range in south-west Western Australia. Foraging distance has been determined by research undertaken by the Western Australian Museum (T. Kirkby, Western Australian Museum, pers. comm. 2009). The IBA consists of all native vegetation greater than 1 ha on private land, water catchment areas, state forests, nature reserves and other reserves. Pasture, crops, non-native plants, weed species and orchards are excluded from the IBA. The 1 ha minimum native vegetation criterion has been determined by experts in a consultation process undertaken by the Australian Government (C. Gole pers. comm. 2009). 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 forest redtail subspecies of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) is listed as vulnerable under the Australian federal government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This subspecies is a breeding resident of the IBA. Numbers of breeding Red-tailed Cockatoos in this IBA have been monitored for a number of years by the Western Australian Museum (T. Kirkby, Western Australian Museum, pers. comm. 2009). There is a single record of the biome-restricted Regent Parrot near Wungong Gorge (T. Kirkby, Western Australian Museum, pers. comm. 2009). Non-bird biodiversity: This large IBA is likely to contain a number of other threatened flora and fauna. Details of these are available from the Department of Environment and Conservation, Threatened Species and Communities Branch.
Other site values: Private landholders (orchardists, farmers, peri-urban residents); state forests (Department of Environment and Conservation); local government; service providers (Western Power); Water Corporation. Access to private land and areas with restricted access must be arranged with individual land-holders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: European Honeybee (feral bee) control and mitigation of illegal shooting, particularly for Baudin's Black-Cockatoo. Active prevention of fruit crop damage by Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo by permanent netting and scaring by gas guns and shooting to scare (DEC 2008).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Department of Environment and Conservation (2008). Forest Black Cockatoo (Baudin's Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) Recovery Plan. Perth: Department of Environment and Conservation. Johnstone, R.E., Johnstone, C. and Kirkby, T. (2008) The distribution, status, social organisation, movements and conservation of Baudin’s Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii in the south-west of Western Australia. Unpublished report. Perth: Western Australian Museum.
Contributors: Cheryl Gole (WWF-Australia and Birds Australia Western Australia) prepared the nomination. Kellie Mantle (Department of Environment and Conservation) provided mapping assistance. The Forest Cockatoos Recovery Team (Department of Environment and Conservation) provided input on thresholds for Baudin's Black-Cockatoo. Tony Kirkby and Ron Johnstone (Western Australian Museum) provided invaluable advice, support and data.