Northern Swan Coastal Plain (26933)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Northern Swan Coastal Plain
Central coordinates: Latitude: -31.6077, Longitude: 115.8150
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3 to 95
Area of KBA (km2): 2350.05494
Protected area coverage (%): 9.30
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Northern Swan Coastal Plain IBA supports a considerable portion of the non-breeding population of the endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo and a small number of breeding pairs. The IBA is bounded by the Moore River to the north, Darling Range to the east, Swan River to the south and the coast and Indian Ocean to the west. The IBA includes all native vegetation remnants in Spearwood and Bassendean North Heddle vegetation types (Western Australian Government 2000), both known to be productive for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. Further suveys may indicate that the IBA could be extended north or south where the status of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo is currently less well known. Pine plantations, which are known to support large numbers of Carnaby’s Cockatoo in the non-breeding season (Johnstone et al. 2008), are included in the IBA. 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 market gardens 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 biome-restricted Regent Parrot and White-breasted Robin have been recorded in a very small number of surveys (Atlas of Australian Birds database). The biome-restricted Western Yellow Robin has been recorded in a small number of surveys (Brooker 2004; Atlas of Australian Birds database). The biome-restricted Red-eared Firetail has been recorded at Whiteman Park (Brooker 2004).
Other site values: Multiple private landholders including commercial business interests; Department of Environment and Conservation (nature reserves, national parks); Forests and Products Commission (pine plantations); Water Corporation; local government; market gardeners; industry; Main Roads Department. 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 | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Retention and conservation of pine plantations and/or replacement of food resources; retention and conservation of large tracts of undeveloped native vegetation providing food resources.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Only in the future |
| 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 |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Berry, P.F. (2008) Counts of Carnaby's Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus Latirostris) and records of flock composition at an overnight roosting site in metropolitan Perth. Western Australian Naturalist 26: 1-11. Brooker, M. (2004) Whiteman Park Bird Surveys 1990-2003. Whiteman Park Technical Report Series No. 3. Perth: Western Australian Planning Commission. Cale, B. (2003) Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) Recovery Plan 2002-2012. Perth: Department of Conservation and Land Management. Gole, C. (ed.) (2005) Conserving Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo: Future Directions. Proceedings from a Conservation Symposium 2 July 2003. Perth: Birds Australia Western Australia. Government of Western Australia (2000) Bush Forever. Volume 2: Directory of Bush Forever Sites. Perth: Department of Environmental Protection. Johnstone, R.E., Johnstone, C. and Kirkby, T. (2008) Carnaby's Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) on the northern Swan Coastal Plain (Lancelin-Perth) Western Australia. Unpublished report. Perth: Western Australian Museum. Johnstone, R.E. and Storr, G.M. (1999) Handbook of Western Australian Birds. Volume 1: Non-Passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Perth: Western Australian Museum. Shah, B. (2006) Conservation of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia. Unpublished report. Perth: Birds Australia Western Australia. Valentine, E. and Stock, W. (2008) Food resources of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) in the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy study area. Unpublished report. Perth: Edith Cowan University.
Contributors: Cheryl Gole (WWF-Australia and Birds Australia Western Australia) prepared the nomination. Kellie Mantle (Department of Environment and Conservation) provided mapping assistance. Ron Johnstone (Western Australian Museum), Rob Davis (Edith Cowan University), David Mitchell (Department of Environment and Conservation), Leonie Valentine (Department of Environment and Conservation) and other members of the Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team and Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Project Advisory Group provided invaluable advice, support and data.