Factsheet 26 – What are riparian habitats?

Quirky fact : In 1997 there Australian Curriculum Links were 256 bird, 56 mammal, 94 reptile Year Subject Curriculum Links and 23 amphibian 5 Geography ACHGK028, ACHGK030 species recorded Science ACSSU043 for the Mulga Land 6 Science ACSSU094 bioregion. The 7 Geography ACHGK037, ACHGK039, ACHGK041 eucalypt woodlands Science ACSSU112 8 Geography ACHGK048, ACHGK049, ACHGK050, showed the highest ACHGK052 diversity of species. Science ACSHE136

Background Information The native bush that skirts many inland billabongs or and some parrots travel long distances each year to seek stretches along the banks of inland rivers conjures up out blossom-laden eucalypts. images of peace and quiet. However, these ‘riparian’ areas Riparian areas are fragile and can be easily damaged. are in fact teeming with wildlife. Riparian describes the Major threats include: over-grazing; clearing; feral animals land that lies between the bed of any natural watercourse, and weeds; changes in water flow; pollution; and high creek, river or wetland and the surrounding terrain. They are recreational use. narrow corridors that vary in width from just a few metres to more than one kilometre. Riparian habitat in Western BP1319 October00 Product of Habitat Case Studies A constant water supply combined with fertile alluvial soil and sand deposits create riparian conditions. These areas sustain a vast array of unique habitats for native plants and animals, as well as being highly valued for their agricultural benefits. The availability of water, shade, shelter and food not only supports resident wildlife but also many nomadic and migratory species. In Outback Queensland, open woodlands of large river red gum, coolibah and varieties of eucalypt commonly line the rivers and creeks. Shrubs provide a thick blanket of undergrowth and after periods of flooding, the ground becomes lush with grasses, sedges and forbs. Floods also bring hundreds of water birds including pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants and spoonbills to roost in the trees or hunt for fish. Once the water subsides and waterholes become fished out, these birds move away. Riparian zones are home to birds, mammals, frogs, reptiles and invertebrates. Koalas are common in riparian woodlands. The hollows of trees provide breeding sites for brushtail possums, gliders, owls and insectivorous bats. Water rats fish in waterholes at night and by day nest in burrows and hollow logs. Small birds feed on insects prevalent in the undergrowth while the kingfisher feeds on small fish, crustaceans and water insects. Fallen timber and leaf litter provide habitat for invertebrates, frogs and reptiles and migratory animals such as flying-foxes, honeyeaters Billabong sketching, Combo waterhole

102 Outback Queensland Education Handbook | Australian Curriculum Factsheets Inquiry Questions Subject Years Questions ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Geography 5 How do these environments influence the CSIRO www.csiro.au/places/QBP.html way people live, including the way they manage fire and floods? Greening Australia www.greeningaustralia.org.au 7/8 What do different people groups value about The Encyclopedia of Earth these landscapes and waterways? www.eoearth.org/article/Eastern_Australia_ How can they be protected and managed? mulga_shrublands South West NRM Science 5/6 What are the links between this environment www.southwestnrm.org.au and the features of things that live here? REFERENCES 7/8 How can understanding the interactions between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service organisms help to manage natural resources? Riparian Habitat in Western Queensland BP1319 October00 Points of Interest Product of Habitat Case Studies Parks and reserves within the region include , Hell Australian Natural Resources Atlas www.nratlas.nsw.gov.au Hole Gorge National Park, Lake Bindegolly National Park, Thruston National Park, , parts of , Idalia National FURTHER INFORMATION Park, Culgoa Floodplain National Park, part of Tregole National Park and Roma District Office Nocoleche and Peery Lake Nature Reserves. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service 36 Quintin Street, Roma QLD 4455 The bioregion includes 253,000 sq. kms of land within both Phone: (07) 4622 4266 Queensland and . Seventy-four per cent of the bioregion Charleville Visitor Information Centre lies within Queensland. Major towns include Charleville, Cunnamulla, Bollon, Phone: (07) 4654 7771 www.murweh.qld.gov.au St George, Quilpie, Hungerford in Queensland and White Cliffs, Wanaaring and Enngonia in New South Wales. All information courtesy of Australian Natural Resources Atlas Bilby Sanctuary, Charleville Tregole National Park, via Morven

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p l o 84 91 o 85 u B 85 87 MORVEN 91 QUEENSLAND CHARLEVILLE 44 MITCHELL 22 QUILPIE 74 CHEEPIE 88 TREGOLE 141 69 NATIONAL MUNGALLALA 45 AMBY 37 PARK 65 ROMA EROMANGA 48 COOLADDI 99 Townsville 74 Mt Isa 161 209 Rockhamptone r v 210 Longreach i WYANDRA R TOOMPINE 210 195 SURAT n 36 180 Charleville o s l 5 i 55 W 120 82 98 20 NOCCUNDRA 23 25

Outback Queensland Education Handbook | Australian Curriculum Factsheets 103