A Biodiversity Conservation Plan for Shield and Central Subregions of the Great Victoria Desert
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A biodiversity conservation plan for Shield and Central subregions of the Great Victoria Desert Review of literature and research records Prepared for the review by the Department of the Environment– under the EBPC Approval EPBC 2008/4270 Section 6 (a)(i) Executive Summary This document represents a collaboration between diverse stakeholders to collate biodiversity information on the Shield and Central subregions (SCS) of the Great Victoria Desert. Overwhelmingly, in reading this document the paucity of knowledge on the region will be become clear. In a very remote region, with no major settlements, distance and inaccessibility have limited the ability of researchers to conduct broad scale studies across the region. Some of the information in this plan is determined from broad scale national data sets. Other information comes from regional centres just outside, or on the edges of the SCS, and is extrapolated to apply to the region. Information also spans decades as important research conducted in the 1980’s and 1990’s has not been repeated and still represents the best available state of knowledge for biodiversity in the region. Much of the current information on the region comes from studies commissioned by mining and exploration activities. These reports have greatly increased knowledge of species and habitat in specific areas of the SCS. Taken together, the information captured helps to provide a baseline for the current understanding of the region and the biodiversity wherein. In this initial document, planning for future activities in the region, both in terms of research and on-ground land management are primarily extracted from existing documents. Planning is underway to ensure this plan evolves to further engage and consult with the diverse stakeholders in the region. By conducting a series of planning workshops which will develop priorities and analyse available knowledge and resources, a strong road map for future biodiversity activities in the region will be created. This document represents the first milestone along this journey and provides all stakeholders with a shared information platform on which to build knowledge and increase the holistic understanding of the region. The Great Victoria Desert Biodiversity Trust would like to thank all the stakeholders who provided resources and reports for the compilation of this document. The stakeholders who reviewed the document, and provided their insights and expertise about the region, have ensured this document is reflective of genuine, on-ground knowledge of the region. Biodiversity conservation plan – Great Victoria Desert - Shield & Central Subregions Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. 2 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6 2. The Great Victoria Desert - regional overview ................................................................ 7 3. Shield and Central Subregion: Existing environment ..................................................... 8 3.1. Climate .................................................................................................................... 8 3.2. Population ............................................................................................................. 12 3.3. Main industries ...................................................................................................... 12 3.4. Landforms and Soils ............................................................................................. 14 3.5. Geology ................................................................................................................ 16 3.6. Water .................................................................................................................... 17 3.6.1 Groundwater ............................................................................................................. 17 3.6.2 Surface Water ........................................................................................................... 18 3.6.3 Significant wetlands ................................................................................................. 19 4. Biodiversity and key natural values .............................................................................. 20 4.1. Biogeography ........................................................................................................ 20 4.2. Vegetation ............................................................................................................. 21 4.3. Flora...................................................................................................................... 26 4.3.1. Conservation Significance Vegetation and Flora ............................................ 27 4.4. Fauna .................................................................................................................... 31 4.4.1. Mammals ....................................................................................................... 32 4.4.1.1 Mammals of conservation significance ................................................................... 34 4.4.2. Birds .............................................................................................................. 38 4.4.2.1 Birds of conservation significance .......................................................................... 39 4.4.3. Reptiles .......................................................................................................... 41 4.4.3.1 Reptiles of conservation significance ...................................................................... 43 4.4.4. Amphibians .................................................................................................... 44 4.4.5. Invertebrates .................................................................................................. 44 4.4.6. Stygofauna and Troglofauna .......................................................................... 45 5. Legislation .................................................................................................................... 46 5.1. International Agreements and Legislation ............................................................. 46 5.2. National Legislation ............................................................................................... 47 5.3. Western Australian Legislation .............................................................................. 49 6. Land Tenure .................................................................................................................... 51 6. Regional stakeholders .................................................................................................. 53 6.1. Identification of potential issues, challenges and opportunities .............................. 54 Page 3 of 79 Biodiversity conservation plan – Great Victoria Desert - Shield & Central Subregions 7. Traditional owners ........................................................................................................ 55 7.1 Active Native Title Claims: ................................................................................. 55 7.3 Inactive Native Title Claims: ............................................................................... 55 7.4 Administrative arrangements ............................................................................. 55 7.1.1. Current land management activities ............................................................... 56 7.1.2. Significant sites .............................................................................................. 57 7.1.3. Role of Traditional Owners in Biodiversity Management ................................ 58 8. Threatening processes for conservation ....................................................................... 58 8.1. Introduced herbivores ........................................................................................... 58 8.1.1. Camels ........................................................................................................... 59 8.1.2. Rabbits ........................................................................................................... 59 8.1.3. Mice (Mus musculus) ..................................................................................... 59 8.1.4. Horse and donkeys ........................................................................................ 60 8.2. Introduced predators ............................................................................................. 60 8.2.1. Feral cats ....................................................................................................... 60 8.2.2. Foxes ............................................................................................................. 61 8.2.3. Dingo ............................................................................................................. 61 8.3. Fire ....................................................................................................................... 61 8.3.1. Fire regimes ................................................................................................... 62 8.3.2. Fuel Load / Vegetation ................................................................................... 63 8.3.3. Fire and climate change ................................................................................