Volume South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy · 2017-03-24 · Permanent and...

South auStralian arid landS natural reSourceS management boardSouth auStralian arid landS natural reSourceS management region

www.environment.sa.gov.au

South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy

3 Volume

Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities

A partnership between

the department for environment and heritage and South australian arid lands natural resources management board

Contentsintroduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Section 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

Flinders and olary ranges description ...................................................................................................... 6

ibra subregions ...................................................................................................................................... 8

major landforms .................................................................................................................................... 10

major land uses .................................................................................................................................... 12

threats to biodiversity .......................................................................................................................... 13

Section 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 15

conservation priorities.... ........................................................................................................................... 15

drainage lines and floodplains ........................................................................................................... 17

RiverRedGumwoodlandondrainagelinesandfloodplains ..................................................... 20

Permanent and semi-permanent streams and waterholes.......................................................... 21

Significantandendemicspeciesindrainagelines ....................................................................... 22

Plains and rises ..................................................................................................................................... 24

Significantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrubland ............................................................................ 27

BullockBushtallshrublandandsignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplains ................................ 28

Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herbland ......................................... 30

Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains ................................ 31

ranges and hills.................................................................................................................................... 33

Ecologicalcommunitiesonhighranges ......................................................................................... 38

Yellow-footedRock-wallabyonrangesandhills ............................................................................ 41

Significantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesandhills .................................................. 42

monitoring and evaluation ........................................................................................................................ 44

glossary ....................................................................................................................................................... 46

abbreviations .............................................................................................................................................. 48

Further reading ........................................................................................................................................... 48

Cover photo: Gammon Ranges - Wooltana Station

Page ii South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation PrioritiesSouth Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities

IntroductionThe South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy has been developed by the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board (SAAL NRM Board) and the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH).

TheSouthAustralianAridLandsNaturalResourcesManagementRegioncoversover520,000km2,almost53%oftheState.Thelandscapesandbiodiversityofthishugeregionarediverseandcomplex.Planningforbiodiversityconservationatsuchlargescalesrequiresalandscape-basedsystemofclassifyingthelandsurface.ThelandscapeclassificationsystemusedforthisstrategyistheInterimBiogeographicRegionalisationforAustralia(IBRA)regions.TheIBRAbioregionsoftheSAALNRMregionaretheStonyPlains,FlindersLoftyBlock,BrokenHillComplex,ChannelCountry,Simpson–StrzeleckiDunefields,FinkeandGawler.

TheStrategyconsistsofsixdocuments.VolumeoneistheSouthAustralianAridLandsNaturalResourcesManagementRegionBiodiversityStrategy:Region-widePriorityActions.Itidentifiestheregion-widegoalforbiodiversityconservationandsetsresourceconditiontargetsthatwillenableustomeasureoursuccessinachievingthisgoal,anddetailsacomprehensivesuiteofmanagementactiontargetsandstrategiesthatmustbeimplementedregionallytoachieve this goal.

Thefivebioregionaldocumentsareseparatevolumes,andidentifyconservationprioritiesforeachof the bioregions in the South Australian Arid Lands. These are:

Volume 2 Channel Country Conservation Priorities•

Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities•

Volume 4 Gawler Conservation Priorities•

Volume 5 Sandy Deserts Conservation Priorities•

Volume 6 Stony Plains Conservation Priorities•

Thisdocument,South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy – Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Prioritieshastwosections.Sectiononedescribesthebioregion'snaturalattributes,landusesandthemajorthreatstobiodiversity.Sectiontwosetsoutthepriorityactionsforbiodiversityconservationforthebioregionoverthenextfiveyears.Thisdocumentisoneoffivebioregionalbiodiversitystrategiesthat,together,contributetotheSouthAustralianAridLandsBiodiversity Strategy.

TheconservationprioritiesdescribedherehavebeenidentifiedintheSAALportionoftheFlindersLoftyBlockandBrokenHillComplexbioregions.TheFlindersandOlaryRangesencompassesthesouthernandnorthernFlinders,andstretchesacrosstheOlaryRangestotheNewSouthWalesborder.TheentireSouthAustraliancomponentoftheBrokenHillComplexbioregion,andthemajorityofthethreesemi-aridIBRAsubregions–NorthernFlinders,CentralFlindersandOlarySpur oftheFlindersLoftyBlockbioregionarewithintheSAALNRMregion.

Photo:PricklyKnawelScleranthus pungens

South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 1South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 1

bioregional frameworkTheInterimBiogeographicRegionalisationofAustralia(IBRA)establishesahierarchyofecosystemclassificationforwhichthephysical,climaticandbiologicalcharacteristicsaredescribed.

bioregions:arecontinentalscale(1:1,000,000)ecosystemsthatrangeinsizefromoneto20millionhectares.Theyaredistinguishedfromadjacentregionsbytheirbroadphysicalandbiologicalcharacteristics.Theymayincludemorethan30landformsand50vegetationassociations.Sevenbioregions,orpartsthereof,occurintheSAALNRM Region.

continental ecosystem: FlindersLoftyBlockIBRA–Seriesofhighquartzitehogbackridgeswithshallowloamysoils,andinterveningplainswithred duplex soils.

IBRA Bioregion ContinentalEcosystem 1:1,000,000

Subregions:aresub-continentalscale(1:500,000)ecosystemsthatrangeinsizefrom100,000tosevenmillionhectares. TheyoccurwithinIBRAbioregionsandmayinclude upto15landformsand30vegetationassociations.

Sub-continental ecosystem:Northern Flinders IBRA subregion – Low ridges and hills supporting open woodlands,Acaciashrublands,chenopodlowshrublandsandgrasslands.Thehighquartziteandgranite ridges support spinifex grasslandswithMalleeandYacca.

IBRA Subregion Sub-continentalEcosystem 1:500,000

landsystems:areregionalscale(1:250,000)ecosystemsthatrangeinsizefrom2,000tofivemillionhectares.TheyoccurwithinIBRAsubregionsandmayincludeuptofivelandforms and10vegetationassociations.

regional ecosystem: Regionalecosystem:Freelinglandsystem–Highruggeddissectedplateauwithshallowsoils.SequencesofRedGumgorges,CypressPineescarpmentsandplateaus,undulatingplains with Red Mallee and Red Box woodlands over Spinifex and grasses

Landsystem RegionalEcosystem 1:250,000

Vegetation communities:arelocalscale(1:100,000)ecosystemsthatrange insizefromfiveto5,000hectaresandarebased onasinglelandformandvegetationcommunity.

local ecosystem: River Red Gum woodland along watercourses.

Vegetation Community LocalEcosystem 1:100,000v

Page 2 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities

Who is this strategy for?Thisstrategyisdesignedtoaddresstheneedsofthreemainstakeholdergroups:

TheSAALNRMBoard,Governmentandotherinvestors•

Scientists,technicians,andNRMsupportstaff•

Land managers•

Saal board, government and other investorsThefocusaudienceforthisstrategyistheSAALNRMBoard,StateandFederalGovernmentDepartmentswithresponsibilityforbiodiversityconservation,andotherorganisationscurrentlyinvesting,orwishingtoinvest,inconservingthebiodiversityoftheSouthAustralianAridLands. The20-yeartargetsrepresentclearstatementsofintentaboutbiodiversityconservationpriorities in the Flinders and Olary Ranges and how they will be managed. Monitoring and evaluating progressagainsttheidentifiedperformanceinformationwillcontributetoregionalreportingonbiodiversityconservationefforts.

The5-yearactionsprovidespecificdirectionfortargetinginvestment.Inmostinstances,theactionscanbeimplementedasnewprojects,oraspartofexistingprojectscurrentlyundertakenbytheSAALNRMBoard,GovernmentDepartmentsandotherstakeholders.Responsibilityfordeliveringeachactionhasnotbeendetailed.Ultimately,theSAALNRMBoardandGovernmentareresponsiblefortheongoingprocessofworkingwithotherstakeholderstodelivereachaction.

Scientists, technicians, and nrm support staffThestrategyalsohastwomainusesforbiologists,ecologists,NRMsupportstaffandothersinvolved inbiodiversityconservationandNRMprojectsandprograms.

1.ItprovidesasetofprioritiesforbiodiversityconservationintheFlindersandOlaryRanges.Technicalstaffcanconfidentlystructureexistingornewprojectstodelivertheactionsidentifiedforeachconservationpriority.

2.Itidentifiespracticalstrategiesfordirectinvolvementbylandmanagers.Technicalstaffcanusethesestrategiestostructureanddevelopengagementandextensionprogramstobuildcapacity oflandmanagerstoachieveeffectivebiodiversityconservationgoals.

land managersForthelandmanagersoftheFlindersandOlaryRanges,thisdocumentclearlysetsoutthebiodiversityconservationprioritiesforthebioregion,anddescribestheactivitiesthatneed tobeundertakentoaddressthesepriorities.Thedocumentalsosuggestspracticalstrategiesandactionsthatlandmanagerscanundertakeontheirownland,aspartoftheirday-to-dayoperations,tomaintainandimprovebiodiversityontheircountry.

South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 3

South australian arid lands nrm region – ibra bioregions

Marree

Innamincka

Roxby Downs

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ARID LANDS NRM REGIONIBRA Bioregions

South Australian Arid Lands NRM Region

South Australian Arid LandsNRM Group Boundary

Salt Lake

Major Road

State Border

Locality

0 150

Km

Northern Territory Queensland

Ne

w S

out

h W

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sV

icto

ria

Bioregion

Broken Hill Complex (BHC)

Channel Country (CHC)

Central Ranges (CR)

Eyre Yorke Block (EYB)

Finke (FIN)

Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

Gawler (GAW)

Great Victoria Desert (GVD)

Murray Darling Depression (MDD)

Riverina (RIV)

Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD)

Stony Plains (STP)

Gawler Ranges

Marla-Oodnadatta

North East

North Flinders

Marree-Innamincka

Kingoonya

GAW

STP

FIN

SSD

CHC

BHC

FLB

FLB

RIV

CR

MDD

EYB

EYB

GVD

GVD

Port Augusta

Ceduna


Photo: River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis(L.Edmunds)

SeCTION 1 FLINDERSANDOLARYRANGESDESCRIPTION IBRA subregions

Majorlandforms

Majorlanduses

Threats to biodiversity


Flinders and Olary Ranges descriptionCovering an area of 64,028 km2 of South Australia, the Flinders and Olary Ranges represent 6.5% of the State*.

ThemoststrikingfeatureoftheFlindersandOlaryRangesisthemountainrangesoftheFlinders,extendingfromCrystalBrookinthesouthtotheedgeofthearidgibberplainsinthenorth.Therangesandvalleyshavetheirorigininthepatternofsedimentationandfoldingthattookplacebetween1,000and500millionyearsago.KnownastheAdelaideGeosyncline,thelandscapewesee today is the result of the different rates of erosion of this fold belt.

TheelevationoftheFlindersRangessignificantlyinfluencesthelocalclimate,producingacorridorof moister habitat through the semi-arid part of South Australia and extending into the arid north. Theserangesprovideacorridorforthedispersalofspecieswithwetterclimateaffinitiesintosemi-arid rangelands. The ranges have also been viewed as a series of evolutionary refuges for native speciesduringalternatingdryandhumidperiods.

IntheOlaryRanges,tothenorthandeastoftheAdelaideGeosyncline,theWillyamaInlieristheprimarygeologicalfeature.TheWillyamaInlierisonthemarginof,andformspartof,alargeareaofbasementrockbeneathLakeFrome(CurnamonaCraton).InNewSouthWales,theexposedbasementcontainsthemineralrichrocksoftheBarrierRange.Thisbasementrockisalsoexposedinthenorth-easternFlindersRanges(MountPainterInlier).

The Flinders and Olary Ranges lie in a south to north transition zone from winter to summer dominantrainfall.Malleecommunitiestypifysouthernparts,respondingmostlytocoolseasonrains,whereasMitchellGrasscommunitiestypifythenorthernarea,showingmostresponsetowarmseasonrains.Thesouthernaridzoneischaracterisedbychenopodshrubland,whichcoversnearlyhalfoftheregionandusuallyrespondstorainatanytimeoftheyear.Occurringpredominantlyonplains,chenopodshrublandsarevariouslydominatedbyBladderSaltbush,LowBluebush,PearlBluebush,BlackBluebushandCottonbush.Theselowchenopodcommunitiesoftenformamosaicwithothercommunitiessuchaslowwoodland,shrublandandephemeralgrassland.Insandiercountry,SandhillWattleandMulgaoverstoreywithmixedshrubortussockgrassunderstoreyvariouslydominatevegetationcommunities.Speciesdiversityishighestintherangesanddrainagelineswherethereisgreaterhabitatvariety.Inthesteeperpartsoftheranges,theinaccessibilitylimitsnativeandintroducedherbivorepopulations.

*Bioregionsandsubregionsarethereportingunitforassessingthestatusofnativeecosystems,theirprotectioninthenationalreservesystemandforuseinthemonitoringandevaluationframeworkintheAustralianGovernment’scurrentNaturalResourceManagementinitiatives.TheIBRAboundariespresentedinthisreportareprovisionalandunpublishedandwillnotbeofficiallyrecogniseduntilIBRAversion7isreleasedin2009.MonitoringandevaluationintheFlindersandOlaryRangeswillbeconsistentwithnationalguidelinesandfitthenationalmonitoringandevaluationframework.

Photo: Chambers Gorge


ThenorthernFlindersRangesformpartofaseriesofaridrangeshabitatsextendingfromcentralAustraliathroughtheMacDonnellRanges,MusgraveRanges,Breakaways,StuartRange,DenisonandDavenportRangesandWillouranRange.SpeciessuchastheLittleWoodswallow,PaintedFiretail,Finlayson’sCaveBatandEurotakeadvantageofthischainofsuitablehabitat.

FlindersGreyMallee,WhiteCypressPinelowwoodlandsandhummockgrasslandsarecommonalongthecentralquartzitespineoftheranges,whilemalleecommunitiesdominatedbyBeakedRedMalleeandWhiteMalleearefoundonlowerslopesandvalleysinthecentralandnorthernranges.CurlyMalleeisalsofoundontheslopesofthenorthernFlindersRangesand,intheFlindersandOlaryRanges,mixedshrublandvariouslydominatedbyElegantWattle,DeadFinish,Emu-bushandSennaarewidespreadonlowershaleyandrockyhills.ThesespeciesalsooccurwithMulga,forming low open woodland.

The Olary Ranges have linear ridge/valley topography with inter-montane basins. This is similar to theFlindersRanges,howeverbeingtopographicallylowerinfluencesclimateless.MixedmalleecommunitiesdominatehillsandplainsinthewesternOlaryRanges,withchenopodlowshrublandsandnon-eucalyptwoodlandsmorecommonintheeasternpart.

Drainagelinesprovidesignificanthabitatanddispersalcorridorsforspeciesthroughouttheregion.Theseareasgenerallysupportasimilarlevelofspeciesdiversitytothemountainhabitatbecauseofthehighermoisturelevels,nutrientavailabilityandhabitatcomplexity.RiverRedGumscharacterisemostdrainagelineswithavariableunderstoreyincludingrushesandsedgesinmoistareasandInlandTeatree,ElegantWattle,BoobiallaandLemon-scentedGrassinthedrierparts.


IBRA subregionsSeven IBRA subregions occur within the SAAL component of the Flinders Lofty Block and Broken Hill Complex bioregions. Detailed descriptions of landsystems of the Flinders Lofty Block and Broken Hill Complex bioregions can be found in the District Plans published by the Central Flinders, Northern Flinders, North East Pastoral, and Marree Soil Conservation Boards.

Flinders lofty block bioregionolary Spur (Flb3)HogbackridgeswithMalleeinthesouth to Mulga shrublands in the west. Gentle footslopes and plains dominated by chenopodshrublands.

total area: 17,373km2. landsystems: Antro; Ballara; Beltimore; Benda; Bimbowrie;Carrick;Dlorah;Eringa;Milang;Oakvale;Olary;Oopina;Orama;Oratan;Oulnina;Panormina;Pearce;SouthernCrossand Starlight.

northern Flinders (Flb5)Low ridges and hills supporting open woodlands,Acaciashrublands,chenopodlowshrublandsandgrasslands.Thehighquartziteand granite ridges support Spinifex grasslands with Mallee andYacca.

total area: 18,392km2. landsystems: Alerumba;Anzac;Aroona;Arrowie;BillyCreek;Burr;Etina;Fitton;Freeling;Gammon;Grindstone;Hemming;Kunoth;Lennard; Mandarin; Morris; Mundawatina; Munyallina;Myrtle;Paradise;Parara;Roebuck;Saltia;StirrupIron;Thomas;Umberatana;Upalinna;Wertaloona;Willawertina;Willouran;Wilyerpa;WoolnoughandYankaninna.

central Flinders (Flb6)HighquartzitehogbackridgeswithMalleeoverYaccaandSpinifex. Intervening plains and lowlandswithdegradedwoodlands,Acaciashrublandsandchenopodshrublands.

total area: 9,564km2. landsystems: Alerumba;Anzac;Bagalowie;Beltimore;Burr;Eke;Etina;Hemming;Kunoth;Milang;Orama;Panormina;Parachilna;Parara;Pearce;Saltia;StirrupIron;Upalinna;Wilpenaand Wilyerpa.

broken hill complex bioregionbarrier range (bhc1)Subduedtopographyoflowhills,calcretemantles and alluvial fans at the eastern endofOlaryRanges,supportingshrublands and woodlands.

total area: 3,800km2. landsystems: Antro; Ballara; Benagerie; Bimbowrie; eringa; Mundi and Wompinie.

barrier range outwash (bhc4):Alluvialplainsofchenopodshrublands and woodlands dotted with small ephemeral swampstotal area:5,088km2. landsystems: Antro; Ballara; Benagerie; Corona; Eurinilla;Lockhart;MundiandWompinie.

bimbowrie (bhc5):UplandsofacidigneousrocksupportingAcaciashrublandwithalluvialplainsandvalleysofchenopodshrublands.

total area: 2,779km2. landsystems: Antro; Ballara; Benda; Bimbowrie; Olary;PearceandWompinie.

telechie Plains (bhc6):Gentlyinclinedalluvialplainofsandyredduplexsoils,developingsandsheetsinthe north and dominated by shrublands.

total area: 7,033km2. landsystems: Antro; Ballara; Benagerie; Glen Warwick;Orama;Pearce;Sandyoota;Siccus;Telechie;WompinieandWyambana.


Flinders and olary ranges – ibra subregions

FLB5

BHC6 BHC4

FLB5

BHC5

Burra

Clare

Yunta

Marree

Whyalla

Blinman

Cockburn

Port Pirie

Port Augusta

Flinders and Olary Ranges - IBRA Subregions

South Australian Arid LandsNRM Region

Salt Lake

Dog Fence

Major Road

State Border

Locality

0 75

Km

Ne

w S

out

h W

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s

SubregionBarrier Range (BHC1)

Barrier Range Outwash (BHC4)

Bimbowrie (BHC5)

Telechie Plains (BHC6)

Olary Spur (FLB3)

North Flinders (FLB5)

Central Flinders (FLB6)

FLB6

FLB3

BHC1


MajorlandformsThere are three major landforms in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

drainage lines and floodplainsEphemeralwatercoursesandfloodplainsdrainingintofoursurfacewaterbasins:LakeFrome, LakeTorrens,LowerMurrayandWillochraCreek. Subregions:FLB3;FLB5;FLB6;BHC1;BHC4;BHC5andBHC6.

Plains and risesRelativelyflatareas,characterisedbyalluvialplainsandplainsofsandyredduplexsoils,redcrackingclays,calcareoussoilsanddeeperduplexsoilswhenassociatedwithranges. Subregions:FLB3;FLB5;FLB6;BHC1;BHC4;BHC5andBHC6.

ranges and hillsHillsandlowranges,generallybelow700minaltitudewithsemi-aridspeciesdominatingthevegetation.ThehigherpartsoftheFlindersarecharacterisedbyquartzitehogbackridgeswithshallowloamysoils,mostlyover700melevationandsummitsover900m. Subregions:FLB3;FLB5;FLB6;BHC1andBHC5.

Conservationprioritieshavebeengroupedundereachlandform.

Photo:RiverRedGumlinedwatercourse


Flinders and olary ranges – land use

Burra

Clare

Yunta

Marree

Whyalla

Blinman

Cockburn

Andamooka

Port Pirie

Port Augusta

0 75

Km

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Land usePastoral Station

Mainly Cattle

Mainly Sheep

DEH Managed Area

Indigenous Protected Area

Pastoral lease managedprimarily for conservation

Major Mining Activity

Operating

Prospect

Resource

Crown Lands Act Reserves

Broken Hill Complex and FlindersLofty Block Bioregions


Salt Lake

Dog Fence

Major Road

State Border

Locality

Land Use


MajorlandusesThere are four major land uses in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Pastoralism and cereal cultivationThemainlanduseispastoralismforwoolproduction,althoughanincreasingnumberoflandholdersarenowgrazingcattleduetolowwoolprices.Thereisalsoagoatgrazingcasestudybeingundertakenononepastorallease.Onthesouthernmargin,substantialareasareundermiscellaneouslease,perpetualleaseorfreeholdtitle.Whilstsomeareashavebeenclearedforcultivation,onlyaverysmallpercentageofthisareaisregularlycropped.

conservationIntheNorthernFlindersRangessubregion,theVulkathunha-GammonRangesNationalParkisthehighestprofileconservationarea.AdjacentaretheNantawarrinaIndigenousProtectedAreaandtheprivatelymanagedArkaroola.WarraweenaandPindaSpringarebothprivatelymanagedpastoralleasesthatcontributetoconservationintheregionthroughdestockingandmanagingferalanimals.Inaddition,severalpastorallesseesaremanagingindividualpaddocksprimarilyforconservation.MountSerlehasrecentlybeenproclaimedanIndigenousProtectedArea.TheEdiacaraConservationReservehasbeendedicatedprimarilyfortheprotectionoffossilsofinternationalimportance.

TheFlindersRangesNationalParkismainlyintheCentralFlinderssubregion.BunkersConservationReserve,aprivatelymanagedreserve,isdedicatedprimarilytotheconservationof theYellow-footedRock-wallaby.

IntheBrokenHillComplexbioregion,therecentpurchaseofBimbowriePastoralLeasebytheDepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritageandtheprivateacquisitionofBoolcoomataforconservationpurposesrepresenttheonlyconservationareasinthisbioregioninSouthAustralia.

tourismTheFlindersRangesareamajornature-basedtourismdestinationinSouthAustraliawithWilpenaPound,BrachinaandParachilnaGorges,GammonRangesandArkaroolaamongthemostvisitedsites.IncreasedpublicinterestintheFlindersRangeshasalsomadeitprofitableforpastoralbusinessestodiversifyintotourism.Nature-basedtourismactivitiesincludebushwalking,astronomy,cycling,geology,fossils,campingand4WDexperiences.Alsoofgreatappealaretheheritage,culturalandhistoricalsites.Tourismcoversalltypesoflandtenure.TheOlaryRangesattractfarlesstourismthantheFlinders,thoughconservationareassuchasBimbowrieandBoolcoomatamayenhancetheinterestinecotourism.

miningThemostsignificantminingactivitiesintheFlindersLoftyBlockbioregionaretheLeighCreekcoalfieldsandBeverleyuraniummine.SmallerscaleoperationsincludeminingmagnesiteatMyrtleSprings,zincandleadatPuttapa,talcatMountFreeling,goldatTeetulpaandbariteatWillowSprings.IntheBrokenHillComplexbioregion,extensiveexplorationhasbeenundertakeninandaroundtheOlaryRangesoverthelastdecadealthoughnoextractionhascommenced.Honeymoonuraniummine,aninsituleachingoperationnorthofCockburn,islikelytocommenceoperation in the near future.


Threats to biodiversity There are many threats to biodiversity in the Flinders and Olary Ranges. Some are specific to particular areas, or act primarily within the Flinders and Olary Ranges, whilst others extend across multiple bioregions or jurisdictions.

Theimpactsofthesethreatsalsovarywithtime.ThemainthreatstobiodiversityintheFlinders andOlaryRangesinclude:

excessive total grazing pressure Thecombinedeffectsofexcessivegrazingpressurefromdomesticstockandferalandnativeherbivores.

impact: Reductioninrecruitmentofsomenativeplantspecies(decreasers);increaseinrecruitmentofsomeunpalatablenativeplantspecies(increasers);lossofnativeanimalsduetocompetitionforresources;reductioninhabitatquality;increasedsoilerosionandincreasedspreadof weeds and disease.

alteration to natural water flowsRestrictionstonaturalfloworfloodingregimesofawatercourseduetodiversionsortheconstructionofartificialflowbarriersandstorageareas,includingseismiclines,tracks,roads,borrowpits,damsandotherinfrastructure.

impact: Changeinecosystemstructure;disruptionofdispersalmechanismsofaquaticspecies;lossofrefugesandincreasedsoilerosionandsalinity.

competition for resources by pest plants and animalsIntroducedfaunaandfloraspeciescompetewithnativespeciesforresources.

impact: Reductioninrecruitmentanddensityofnativeplantsandanimals;changeinspeciescompositionofecosystemsandpotentiallossofnativeplantsandanimalspecies.

excessive predationHuntingandconsumptionofnativeanimalsbyintroducedcarnivores.

impact: Changeinspeciescompositionofecosystemsandpotentiallossofnativeanimals.

altered fire regimesChangestointensity,seasonandfrequencyoffirefromthepreviousregimeunderwhichtheecosystemevolved.

impact: Changeinecosystemstructureandhabitatvalueandlossoflocalpopulationsofplantsand animals.

Photo: Sheep Ovis aries


european impact on the Flinders and olary ranges and implications for biodiversityThesemi-aridenvironmentoftheFlindersandOlaryRangesisparticularlyfragile.Muchoftheregionwastakenupforpastoralproductioninthemidtolate1800s.StockingrateswereamongthehighestinAustraliaduringtheearlypastoralyears.Thearrivalandpersistenceoffoxes,rabbits,feralcats,goatsanddonkeyshascontributedtothefurtherdegradationoftheseecosystems.Manysmalltomedium-sizedmammalsandsomebirdsandreptileshadallbutdisappearedfromtheregionby1900.

FiftynativemammalspecieswerelikelytohaveoccurredintheFlindersandOlaryRangespriortoEuropeansettlementandaroundhalfofthesehadbecomeextinctwithin50yearsofsettlement.Thegreatestimpactwasbornebysmalltomedium-sizedmammalsweighingbetween50gramsandfivekilograms(CriticalWeightRange).

ThemostlikelycausesforCriticalWeightRangeextinctionsare:

Competitionwithandimpactofintroducedherbivores.•

Competitionwithandimpactofintroducedpredators.•

Changedfirefrequency,intensityandextent.•

CriticalWeightRangemammalsinaridAustraliaarehighlydependentondroughtrefuges.These are relatively rare and fertile habitats that provide small remnant populations with sufficientfood,shelterandwaterresourcestosurvivedrought.

mechanical disturbanceChangestothevegetationcoverasaconsequenceofhumanactivitythatleavesthesoilexposed.

impact: Lossofhabitatandreductioninhabitatvaluefornativespecies;increasedpotentialspreadofweedsandincreasernativespeciesandincreasedsoilerosion.

PollutionReductioninqualityofgroundand/orsurfacewaterasaconsequenceofhumanactivity.

impact: Lossofnativespeciesanddeclineinhabitatvalueinandsurroundingwaterholes.

climate changeChangesinrainfallpatternsandincreaseintemperature.

impact: Reductioninthegeographicrangeofspecies;changesinthelocation,structureandcompositionofhabitatsandecosystems;increasedriskofextinctionofalreadyvulnerablespeciesandexpansionofinvasivespecies.


identifying conservation prioritiesBiodiversityexistsatthreelevels-genes,speciesandecosystems-andoccursatavarietyofscales,fromsquaremetrestothousandsofsquarekilometres.Ateachoftheselevels,itisnecessarytoidentifythresholdswherespecies,ecosystemsorlandscapesarerecognisedasprioritiesfortargetedinvestment.Conservationprioritiesaddressedbythisstrategyinclude:

threatened species;IdentifiedasCriticallyEndangered,EndangeredorVulnerableundertheCommonwealthEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999.

endemic species;Identifiedasoccurringonlywithinasinglebioregion.

threatened ecological communities;IdentifiedasCriticallyEndangered,EndangeredorVulnerableundertheAustralianGovernment’sEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999,oridentifiedinNeagle(2003)AnInventoryoftheBiologicalResourcesoftheRangelands of South Australia.

Significant ecological processes;Significantecologicalprocessesarethoseidentifiedasbeingsignificantinmaintainingtheviabilityofspecies,communities,ecosystemsorlandscapes.

other species or communities considered to be at riskbutnotcurrentlylistedundertheCommonwealthGovernment’sEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999.

Conservationprioritieshavebeenpresentedwithinthisstrategyaseithersignificantecologicalprocessesorgroupingsofspeciesandecologicalcommunitiesthatshareacommonsetofconservationrequirementsatsimilarspatialscales.Individualconservationprioritieshavebeengroupedunderthemajorlandformsintheregion.

mapping conservation priorities at multiple scalesThisstrategyfollowsthemethodofBrandle(1998),andusesbroadlandformpatternstogroupvegetationcommunitiesandcategorisethelandscape.Vegetationcommunities,landsystems,subregionsandIBRAbioregionsareallcategorisedbythedominantlandformattheirrespectivescales.Whilstthedistributionofbiodiversitycorrelatesstronglywithlandformswithinbioregions,ecologicalprocesses,disturbanceregimesandlanduseinfluencethedistributionofbiodiversitywithinthelandscape.

Photo:DutchmansSternCP

Section2 CONSeRVATION PRIORITIeS


landform conservation priority

drainage lines and floodplains

River Red Gum woodland on drainage lines and floodplains and floodplains

threatened ecological communityRiver Red Gum woodland•

Permanent and semi-permanent streams and waterholesand waterholes

Significant ecological processEcologicalresponsetosurfacewater•

Significantandendemicspeciesindrainagelines

nationally threatened faunaFlinders Ranges Purple-spotted •Gudgeon(Mogurnda clivicola)

endemic FaunaStreambankFroglet(• Crinia riparia)

Plains and rises Significantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrubland

nationally threatened faunaThick-billedGrasswren(• Amytornis textilis modestus)Slender-billedThornbill(• Acanthiza iredalei iredalei)

BullockBushtallshrublandandsignificantplantspecieson alluvial plains

threatened ecological communityBullockBushtallshrubland•

nationally threatened floraMurraySwainson-pea(• Swainsona murrayana)

Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herbland

nationally threatened faunaPlains-wanderer(• Pedionomus torquatus)

Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains

threatened ecological communitiesMulga woodland on sand plains•Needle Wattle woodland on sand plains•

ranges and hills Ecologicalcommunitiesonhigh ranges

threatened ecological communitiesEucalyptus flindersii• malleeEucalyptus intertexta• woodlandAllocasuarina verticillata• woodlandTriodia• spp. grassland

nationally threatened floraDesertGreenhood(• Pterostylis xerophila)Dodonaea subglandulifera •Menzel’sWattle(• Acacia menzelii)

endemic floraArkaroolaWattle(• Acacia confluens)BarattaWattle(• Acacia barattensis)Eucalyptus goniocalyx• ssp. exposa FlindersRangesIxodia(• Ixodia flindersica)NectarBrookWattle(• Acacia spooneri)QuornWattle(• Acacia quornensis)SandalwoodEmubush(• Eremophila santalina)

Yellow-footedRock-wallabyon ranges and hills

nationally threatened faunaYellow-footedRock-wallaby •(Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus)

Significantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesand hills

nationally threatened floraBalcanoonaWattle(• Acacia araneosa)SlenderBell-fruit(• Codonocarpus pyramidalis)Small-leaved Xerothamnella •IXerothamnella parvifolia)


Drainagelines and floodplainsTheselandformsarecharacterisedbyephemeralwatercoursesthatdrainintofoursurface-waterbasins.ThemajorityofthesewatercoursesdrainintoLakeFromeinthenorth-east.Surfacewaterfromthesouth-easternmarginoftheOlarySpurandBarrierRangedrainsintotheLowerMurray,whilstdrainagelinesonthesouthernmarginsoftheCentralFlindersflowintotheWillochraCreekdrainagebasin.OnthewesternsideoftheCentralandNorthernFlinders,drainageiswesterlyintoLakeTorrens.

RiverRedGums(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)arethepredominantoverstoreyspeciesalongmajordrainagelines,beingreplacedbyRiverBox(Eucalyptus largiflorens)inthenorth-eastoftheBarrierRangeOutwashsubregion.MinorwatercoursestendtobedominatedbyElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae)tallshrublandoverchenopods,gradingintolowshrublandassociatedwiththemoresalineterminalflood-outs.Ephemeralswampstendtobedominatedbyavarietyofwoodlands,tall shrublands or tall grasslands.

Significance of drainage lines and floodplainsDrainagelines,floodplainsandswampsprovidesignificanthabitatformanyterrestrialandaquaticspeciesthatwouldotherwisenotoccurwithintheFlindersandOlaryRanges.RiverRedGumsarethemoststrikingfeatureofdrainagelinesintheregion,providingsignificanthabitatforarangeofspeciesandfunctioningascorridorsforthemovementofspeciesthroughthelandscape.Veryfewfaunaspeciesarerestrictedentirelytodrainagelines,withspeciescompositionbeingdrivenprimarilybythecompositionandstructureofadjacentvegetationtypes.Thenorth–southvariationinvegetationislesssignificantintheselandforms.Compositionalchangesalongthelengthofindividualdrainagelinesaremuchgreater.

Alongdrainagelines,permanentandnear-permanentwaterholesactasrefugesforaquaticspecies,enablingthemtosurviveextendeddryperiods.Theseareasarealsoimportantforwater-dependentterrestrialspecies.Consequently,manyofthesewaterholesarecriticalformaintainingthediversityofspeciesintheregion.

major vegetation communitiesWoodlandRiverBox(Eucalyptus largiflorens)lowopenwoodlandoverDesertSpinach(Tetragonia eremaea),WildTurnip(Brassica tournefortii)andBuckbush(Salsola tragus)andotherephemeralherbsalongstreamchannelsandinswamps.

RiverRedGum(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)+/-NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)woodlandover+/-InlandPaper-bark(Melaleuca glomerata)+/-ElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae)+/-BroughtonWillow(Acacia salicina)andgrassesandephemeralherbsalonglargerwatercourses.

Coolibah(Eucalyptus coolabah),RiverCooba(Acacia stenophylla)+/-BroughtonWillow(Acacia salicina),lowopenwoodlandoverLignum(Muehlenbeckia florulenta)andgrassesandephemeralherbsalongdrainagelines,particularlyintheplainsnorthoftheFlindersRanges.

ShrublandNitrebush(Nitraria billardierei),SpinySaltbush(Rhagodia spinescens)andBlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)+/-Old-manSaltbush(Atriplex nummularia spp. nummularia)lowshrublandonslightlysaline terminal flood-outs.

ElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae)tallopenshrublandoverBlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata),SpinySaltbush(Rhagodia spinescens)andBottlewashers(Enneapogonspp.)andBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)alongminordrainagelinesinfootslopesandplains.

Photo: Narrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostris


nationally threatened fauna

• Flinders Ranges Purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda clivicola)

endemic fauna

• Streambank Froglet (Crinia riparia)

threatened ecological communities

• River Red Gum woodland on drainage lines

Tree-linedwatercoursesandspringsprovidesuitablehabitatforskinks,geckoes,leglesslizardsandfrogs,includingtheStreambankFroglet.TheStreambankFrogletisendemictotheFlindersRangesandoccursinsuitablestreamsandspringsalongthelengthandbreadthoftheranges.Accumulatedleaflitterprovidescoverforlizards,goannasandsnakes.ThelargeCarpetPython,whichisnowextremelyrare,andthesmallerStimson’sPython,restintreehollowsandrockcrevicesandduringwarmweathermovearoundonthegroundatnighttohunt.Overrecentyears,therehasbeenanincreaseinthenumberofpythonsightingsinsomepartsoftheFlindersRanges.TheseincreasesmaybelinkedtoadecreaseinfoxnumbersfollowingthereleaseofRabbitHaemorrhagicDisease(RHD)andfox baiting programs.

chenopod shrublandCottonbush(Maireana aphylla),BlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)+/-SpinySaltbush(Rhagodia spinescens)lowsparseshrublandoverBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.)andMulgaGrass(Aristida contorta)andNeverfail(Eragrostis setifolia)onrun-onareas,flood-outsandminorstreamchannels.

BlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata),SpinySaltbush(Rhagodia spinescens),BladderSaltbush(Atriplex vesicaria)andLowBluebush(Maireana astrotricha)openchenopodshrublandwithemergentElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae)overephemeralherbs,grassesandBindyi (Sclerolaena spp.)alongminorstreamchannelsandfloodplains.

Samphire(Tecticornia spp.)andPopSaltbush(Atriplex holocarpa)lowshrublandonfrequentlyinundated saline flats.

herblandSunraysandEverlastingDaisies(Rhodanthe spp.)+/-Bottlewashers(Enneapogon spp.)andBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)lowherblandassociatedwithgypseoussoilsadjacenttosaltlakes.

grasslandSwampCane-grass(Eragrostis australasica)+/-Lignum(Muehlenbeckia florulenta)tallgrasslandoverannualsaltbush(Atriplexspp.)andephemeralherbsinnon-salineswamps.

Photo: Purple - spotted Gudgeon Mogurnda clivicola(M.Hammer),StreambankFrogletCrinia riparia, River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis


managing the biodiversity of drainage lines and floodplains – practical ways that land managers can helpThemaindriverofbiologicalactivityinthearidareasiswater.WhentheamountorintensityofrainfallovertheFlindersandOlarybioregionresultsinwaterrunoff,surfacewaterconvergesintodrainagelinesandeventually,iftheflowsarelargeenough,ontofloodplains.Theseareasholdmorewaterforlongerperiodsandaremoreproductivethanthesurroundinglandscape.Drainagelinesandfloodplainsareoftenthefocusforpestplants,campingbyhumansandgrazingofbothnativeandintroducedherbivores.Thesepressurescontributetothereducedrecruitmentofperennialshrubandtreespecies,negativeimpactsonwaterholewildlifethroughincreasedpollutionandincreasedwateruse.

Practicalstrategiesthatlandmanagerscanuseondrainagelinesandfloodplainstohelpretainbiodiversityinclude:

Promotebiodiversitybyfencingoffspringstoreducetotalgrazingpressureandassociated•impacts.

Especiallyafterheavyrains,reducetotalgrazingpressuretoenablerecruiting •or emerging plants and trees to establish.

Maximisevegetationcovertohelpslowwaterrunoffandpromotewaterinfiltration •afterrains.Thishasotherflow-onbenefitsincluding:

- Greaterinfiltrationofwaterintothesoilincreasesplantgrowth.

- Increasedvegetationcoverprotectsthesoilfromerosionandreduces sediment in runoff waters.

- Lowerflowsalongdrainagelinesarelesslikelytoscouranderodebanks ofwatercourses.

ControlferalherbivoresandpestplantsincollaborationwithneighboursandtheSAALNRMBoard.•

Photo: Variable Groundsel Senecio pinnatifolius


conservation priority river red gum woodland on drainage lines and floodplainsRiverRedGum(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)woodlandoccursalongdrainagelinesinmostephemeralwatercoursesthroughoutthesemi-aridzoneofthesouthernrangelandsinSouthAustralia.Usuallyalinearfeaturealongdrainagelines,itsometimescoversmoreextensive areas on floodplains.

ThisecologicalcommunityisassociatedwithallmajorwatercoursesintheFlindersRanges,althoughbecomingpatchierintheOlarySpursubregion.IntheBrokenHillComplexbioregion, itisoccasionallywiththemajorwatercoursesdrainingeastfromtheFlindersRangestoLakeFrome,andaccasionallyalongcreeklinesemanatingfromtheOlaryRanges.Understoreycompositionvarieswidely.Aroundpermanentwater,sedgesandrushesarecommon,whilstonsomealluvialflood-outsWhiteCypress-pineandInlandTeatreearepresent.Acacia,chenopodshrublandsandopentussockgrasslandsarevariouslydominantintheunderstorey.

MajorthreatsincludecompetitionfromenvironmentalweedssuchasPepperTree(Schinus molle)intheOlaryRanges,andOleander(Nerium oleander)andWheelCactus(Opuntia robusta)intheFlindersRanges.Excessivegrazinghasalsoalteredthespeciescomposition,relativeabundanceandstateofthephysicalenvironmentacrosstheentirerangeoftheecologicalcommunity.Theunderstoreyisusuallyheavilymodified,andinsomeplaces,excessivegrazinghasseverelyreducedRiverRedGumregeneration.WithintheFlindersRanges,groundwaterprocessesmayalsobeaffectingthesurvivalofRiverRedGumtrees.Themaintenanceandimprovementofthiswoodlandcommunityrequiresthedevelopmentofstrategies,includingthereductionoftotalgrazingpressure,topromoteregenerationofbothRiverRedGumandassociatedunderstorey.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofRiverRedGumwoodlandondrainagelineswithin the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialareaoccupiedbyRiverRedGumwoodlandondrainagelines •within IBRA subregions.

ConditionofindividualoccurrencesofRiverRedGumwoodlandondrainagelines •within IBRA subregions.

5-year actionsDeterminethecurrentextentandconditionofRiverRedGumwoodlandsondrainagelines •by IBRA subregion.

IdentifythepotentialareaofoccupancyofRiverRedGumwoodlandsondrainagelines •by IBRA subregion.

Identifyand,wherepossible,quantifythedisruption,andsourcesofdisruption,ofkey•ecologicalprocessessupportingindividualoccurrencesofRiverRedGumwoodlands on drainage lines.

RankindividualoccurrencesofRiverRedGumwoodlandalongdrainagelineswithin •IBRAsubregionsforviability,basedonsize,conditionandlandscapecontext.

Support land managers to improve River Red Gum woodlands on drainage lines.•


conservation priority Permanent and semi-permanent streams and waterholesPermanentandsemi-permanentstreamsandwaterholesareanimportantresourcetothepastoralindustryaswellasprovidingsignificantterrestrialandaquatichabitatandfaunarefugeareas.TheFlindersLoftyBlockbioregionsupportsamuchlargernumberofpermanentandsemi-permanentstreamsandwaterholesthantheBrokenHillComplexwheretheyarelargelyrestrictedto the Bimbowrie subregion .

Most permanent and semi-permanent streams and waterholes in the Flinders and Olary Ranges aresuppliedbygroundwater.Majorthreatstowaterqualityarenutrientenrichment,pollution,erosionandsedimentation,excessivewaterextractionanddiversion,andinfiltrationofsalinegroundwater.Manyaquaticandriparianhabitatsintheregionhavebenefitedfromthecontrol ofintroducedherbivores,managementoftourismimpactsandimprovedmanagementof waterextraction.

LimitedinformationisavailableonspeciesreliantonhabitatsprovidedbyFlindersRangesstreams,andfurtherresearchisneededonthehydrogeologicalcharacteristics,locationofwaterholesandhabitatrequirementsofindividualspecies.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementofthebiodiversityvaluesofpermanentandsemi-permanentstreams and waterholes.

5-year performance informationNumber of permanent and semi-permanent waterholes managed for biodiversity values.•

5-year actionsEstablishcriteriaforscoringtheconditionofpermanentandsemi-permanentwaterholes.•

Undertakebiologicalsurveysandidentifybiodiversityvalues,andprioritisepermanent •and semi-permanent waterholes along drainage lines.

Identifytheextentandintensityofthreateningprocessesthatreducebiodiversityvalue •of permanent and semi-permanent waterholes.

Developconceptualmodelstodescribegroundwaterprocessesthatsupportwaterholes •in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Support land managers to maintain and improve biodiversity values of priority permanent •and semi-permanent waterholes.

Undertaketargetedrestorationofpermanentandsemi-permanentwaterholes, •basedoncondition,biodiversityvalueandlinkagerequirements.

Photo:ParachilnaCreek


conservation priority Significant and endemic species in drainage lines TheFlindersRangesPurple-spottedGudgeon(Mogurnda clivicola)isoneofsevenfishesrepresentedinthenorthernFlindersRanges,ofwhichfivearenativeandtwointroduced.Verylittleisknownaboutthedistributionandhabitatrequirementsoftheothersixspeciesoranypopulationtrends.

TheFlindersRangesPurple-spottedGudgeonistheonlyknownspeciesintheFlindersRangestobeahabitatspecialist.Specifictospring-fedrocky-bottomedstreams,approximately4,000individualsliveinBalcanoonaCreekandnearbystreams.ApotentialthreattothesustainabilityofnativefishesintheFlindersRangesistheinvasionoftheintroducedMosquitoFish(Gambusia holbrooki).MosquitoFishareknowntobeinSpencerGulf,LakeTorrensandLakeEyredrainagesystems,althoughtheyhavenotyetbeenrecordedintheFlindersRanges.

TheStreambankFroglet(Crinia riparia)isendemictoSouthAustraliaandrestrictedtotheFlindersandGammonRanges,foundunderrocksandstonesinintermittentlyflowingstreams.Becauseoftheseasonalityoftherainandperiodicflooding,thetadpolesofthesefrogshavesuckermouthpartsandastreamlined,flattenedprofileadaptedtoholdontorocksevenincanyonswherewatercansometimesflowveryrapidly.

GlobalclimatechangeisapotentialthreattomanyofAustralia'sfrogs.Changesinlocalweatherconditions,includingdifferentrainfallpatternsandtemperaturescanaffecttheecologyoffrogsbyforcingpopulationstoalterhabitatuseandspawningtimes.Sincefrogsrelyonwatertobreed,anyreductionorchangeinrainfallcouldreducefrogreproductionandrecruitmentthroughprematuredryingofbreedingpools.Generallydrierconditionsmayalsoresultinhigheradultmortalityfromincreasedinternalwaterlossthroughthefrog’spermeableskin.

Currentresearchalsoshowsthatmanychemicalscontainedinpesticides,surfactantsandfertilisersareharmfultofrogsandmorestudiesarerequired.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofthePurple-spottedGudgeonandStreambankFroglet in the Flinders and Gammon Ranges.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialhabitatoccupiedbythePurple-spottedGudgeonandStreambank•Froglet in the Flinders and Gammon Ranges.

NumberandviabilityofsubpopulationsofthePurple-spottedGudgeonandStreambank•Froglet.

5-year actionsVerifyexistingsubpopulationsandundertakesurveysfornewsubpopulations.•

Identifycriticalandpotentialhabitats.•

Determineandmanagetheimpactoftourismandintroducedherbivoresonhabitatcondition.•

Developconceptualmodeloftheprocessesassociatedwiththesurfacewater–groundwater•interactionofcreekssupportingthesespecies.

establish an ex-situ population of Purple-spotted Gudgeon.•

AssessthecurrentdistributionoftheMosquitoFish(• Gambusia holbrooki)withintheFlinders Rangesanddevelopariskmanagementstrategy.


conservation priorities for drainage lines and floodplains

Burra

Clare

Yunta

Marree

Whyalla

Blinman

Cockburn

Andamooka

Port Pirie

Port Augusta

Conservation Priorities for Drainage Lines and Floodplains

Broken Hill Complex and Flinders Lofty Block Bioregions


Pastoral Station

Salt Lake

Dog Fence

Major Road

State Border

Locality

0 90

Km

Ne

w S

out

h W

ale

s

Conservation priorities

Sigificant and endemic speciesin drainage lines

River Red Gum woodland ondrainage lines and floodplains

Permanent and semi-permanent streams

Permanent and semi-permanentwaterholes

Mapped conservation priorities provide an indication of the potential distribution


Photo: Needle Wattle Acacia carneorum(R.Playfair),Thick-billedGrasswrenAmytornis textilis modestus (L.Pedler)

Plains and risesThislandformischaracterisedbyalluvialplainswithsandyredduplexsoils,red-crackingclays,plainswithcalcareoussoils,anddeeperduplexsoilsassociatedwithranges.ThislandformistypicaloftheBarrierRangeOutwash,TelechiePlainsandBarrierRangesubregions,andimportant,butlessdominant,intheNorthernFlinders,CentralFlinders,OlarySpurandBimbowriesubregions.

Chenopodshrublandsarecommonandextensiveinthislandform,variouslydominatedbyBladderSaltbush(Atriplex vesicaria),LowBluebush(Maireana astrotricha),PearlBluebush(M. sedifolia),BlackBluebush(M. pyramidata)andCottonbush(M. aphylla).Thesechenopodshrublandsoftenformamosaicwithothercommunitiessuchaslowwoodland,lowshrublandandephemeralgrassland.Insandiercountry,SandhillWattle(Acacia ligulata),Hop-bush(Dodonaea spp.) andMulga(Acacia aneura)variouslydominatetheoverstorey,withachenopodorhummockgrass(Triodiaspp.)understorey.

Significance of plains and risesPlainsandrisesarehighlyproductiveareasmainlysupportingchenopodshrublandsthatrespondtorainatanytimeoftheyear.Historically,thislandformhasbeenhighlymodifiedbyclearanceforagriculturealongthesouthernmarginoftheregion,andbystockingatratesthatwouldnowbeconsideredunsustainable.Landconditionvariessignificantlyacrosstheregion,withsomeareasnearwaterhighlyaltered.Plainsandrisesgenerallysupportlowspeciesdiversity,yetprovidecriticalhabitatforanumberofthreatenedplantsandanimals,includingNeedleWattle(Acacia carneorum),Plains-wanderer(Pedionomus torquatus),Thick-billedGrasswren(Amytornis textilis modestus)andSlender-billedThornbill(Acanthiza iredalei iredalei).

major vegetation communitiesWoodlandBlackOak(Casuarina pauper)+/-BullockBush(Alectryon oleifolius)lowwoodlandover Sennas(Senna artemisioidesspp.)andchenopods(Maireana spp./Atriplexspp.)andBindyi (Sclerolaena spp.)onfootslopesandsandytoclayloamsoils.

Mulga(Acacia aneura),WesternMyall(Acacia papyrocarpa)lowopenwoodlandover Flat-stalkSenna(Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris)andchenopods(Atriplex spp./Maireana spp.)andBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)ondunesandsandplainsinthewest.

Mulga(Acacia aneura)lowopenwoodlandoverBottlewashers(Enneapogon spp.) andPopSaltbush(Atriplex holocarpa)andephemeralherbsonsandyplainsandrises.

malleeWhiteMallee(Eucalyptus dumosa),RedMallee(Eucalyptus socialis)+/-FalseSandalwood(Myoporum platycarpum)openmalleeoverTarBush(Eremophila glabra),Broad-leavedSenna(Senna artemisioides ssp. coriacea)andNarrow-leavedHopBush(Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima)andSpinifex(Triodia irritans)onsandyplainsandrises.

Yorrell(Eucalyptus gracilis)RedMallee(Eucalyptus oleosa)+/-WhiteMallee(Eucalyptus dumosa)openmalleeoverSennas(Senna artemisioidesspp.)andchenopods(Atriplex spp./Maireanaspp.) andSandTwinleaf(Zygophyllum aurantiacum)onsandorloamyplains.

Photo: Chenopod shrubland


IntheFlindersandOlaryRanges,theShort-beakedEchidna(Tachyglossus aculeatus)

iswidespreadbutuncommon,occurringwhereveritsstaplefoodofantsandtermitesis

available.Italsoconsumesantandtermiteeggs,larvaeandpupaebylickingthemfrom

antnestsortermitemoundswithitslongstickytongueafterbreakinginusingitsstrongfront

clawsandsnout.Echidnasarecapableswimmers,abletocrossstreamsandsurvivefloods.

Whilst a number of small to medium-sized mammals in the Flinders and Olary region have

becomeextinct,theEchidnahasmanagedtoremainwidespread.Thiscouldbeexplained

byitslongsharpspinesinterspersedwithcoarsehaironitsback,enablingittoprotectitself

frompredators.Echidnaslessthanoneyearoldare,however,susceptibletopredation

byfoxes,astheirspinesarenotsufficientlydevelopedandfoxescansniffouttheyoung

animalsconcealedintheirnestwhiletheadultsareoutfeeding.Populationgrowthof

theEchidnaisextremelyslowduetolayingonlyoneeggperyear.

Theircharacteristicdiggingsrangefromsimplenosepokesandshallowpitstodeeper

excavations.RecentworkinwesternNewSouthWaleshasfoundthattheseforaging

pitsprovideidealmicrohabitatforseedgermination.Thesoilislessdenseandthepits

trapwater,litterandnutrients.ThesestudiesshowtheimportanceofEchidnaforaging

asresourcetrapsinaridandsemi-aridareas,contributingtotheecologicalfunctioning

oftheseecosystems.

Recently,therehasbeenanincreaseinEchidnasightingsinsomepartsoftheFlinders

andOlaryRanges.Thisincreasemaybelinkedtoadecreaseinfoxnumbersfollowing

thereleaseofRabbitHaemorrhagicDisease(RHD)andfoxbaitingprograms.

ShrublandSandhillWattle(Acacia ligulata)andNarrow-leavedHopbush(Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima)openshrublandwithemergentBlackOak(Casuarina pauper)overSenna(Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris)+/-SandhillCane-grass(Zygochloa paradoxa)onsanddunesandsandplains.

ElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae)+/-HarlequinEmuBush(Eremophila duttonii)+/-Flat-stalkSenna(Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris)+/-DeadFinish(Acacia tetragonophylla)openshrublandoverchenopods(Maireana spp./Atriplex spp.)andgrassesandBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.)onplains,footslopes and rises east of the ranges.

chenopod shrublandPovertyBush(Sclerolaena divaricata)andBallBindyi(Dissocarpus paradoxus)lowopenshrublandwith ephemeral herbs and grasses on gilgai and low lying areas.

Bindyi(Sclerolaena spp.)andBottleWashers(Enneapogon spp.)andWard’sWeed(Carrichtera annua)verylowopenshrublandonplains.

BladderSaltbush(Atriplex vesicaria)andLowBluebush(Maireana astrotricha)+/-BlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)openchenopodshrublandovergrassesandBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.) on plains and rises.

LowBluebush(Maireana astrotricha)+/-BlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)+/-BladderSaltbush(Atriplex vesicaria)openchenopodshrublandovergrassesandBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)on plains with red duplex soils.

BladderSaltbush(Atriplex vesicaria),OodnadattaSaltbush(Atriplex nummularia ssp. omissa), LowBluebush(Maireana astrotricha)andBlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)openchenopodshrublandovergrassesandBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)onslightlysalinestonyplains.

grasslandMitchellGrass(Astrebla pectinata)lowopengrasslandoverPovertyBush(Sclerolaena divaricata),Long-spinedPovertyBush(Sclerolaena longicuspis)andgrassesanddaisiesonhighlyerodableclaysoilsonplains.

MitchellGrass(Astrebla pectinata)andRayGrass(Sporobolus actinocladus)lowopengrasslandoverBonefruit(Osteocarpum acropterum)andBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)onstonyplains.


Photo:SouthernSpiny-tailedGeckoStrophurus intermedius

managing the biodiversity of plains and rises – practical ways that land managers can helpTheplainsandrisesoftheFlindersandOlarybioregionprovideamosaicofhabitatforawiderangeofnativeanimals.Duetotheirextensivenature,plainsandrisesarealsosignificantinsupporting the pastoral industry within the region.

Practicalstrategiesthatlandmanagerscanuseonplainsandrisestohelpretainbiodiversityinclude:

Identifyathresholdofgrazingintensitythatresultsinbothperennialandannualplants,not•beinggrazedbelowacertainheightorbiomass.Thiswillthenenabletheplanttoseedandalsoarapidplantresponsewhenbeneficialrainsfall.

Managetotalgrazingpressuretomaintainenoughplantcovertoprotectthesoilsurface. •Thisincludesthemanagementofbothdomesticandferalanimals.

Alignaccesstracksandfencelinesawayfromslopesandontolesserosionpronesoiltypes•where possible.

Avoidgradingwindrowsalongtracks,andinstallwaterdiversionbanksatstrategiclocations•alongtracksifnecessary.

Avoidlocatingwaterpointsonlightersandplainareasthatmayhavepotentialforinstability.•Wherepossible,locatewaterpointsontheleewardsideofrises,asthisdecreaseserosionpotential.



Photo: White-fronted Chat Epthianura albifrons

conservation priority Significant bird species in chenopod shrublandTwothreatenedbirdspecies,theThick-billedGrasswren(Amytornis textilis modestus)andthewesternsubspeciesoftheSlender-billedThornbill(Acanthiza iredalei iredalei),inhabitchenopodshrublands.

TheThick-billedGrasswrenhasbeenrecordedintheNorthernFlinders,OlarySpurandBimbowriesubregions.PresumedtobeextinctinNewSouthWales,thepopulationintheBrokenHillComplexbioregionrepresentstheeasternextentofthissubspecies’range.ItsmainrangeisintheStonyPlainsbioregion,withsmallpopulationsremainingintheGawlerbioregion.

RecentsightingsoftheSlender-billedThornbillhaveconfirmeditspresenceintheBimbowriesubregionoftheBrokenHillComplexbioregion.Thisistheeasternextentofitsdistribution.HistoricalrecordsofthisspeciesshowitisalsopresentwithintheFlindersRangesandasfarsouthasPeterboroughintheMidNorth.IntheSAALregion,thissubspecieshasalsobeenrecordedintheGawlerbioregionandonbreakawaytablelandsintheStonyPlainsbioregion.

BoththeThick-billedGrasswrenandSlender-billedThornbillareextremelyshyandoccupychenopodshrublands,particularlythosedominatedbySaltbush(Atriplex spp.)andBluebush(Maireana spp.).Themajorthreattothesespeciesisthelossofshrubcoverresultingfromexcessivetotalgrazingpressure.Reductioninvegetationcoverandlackofrecruitmentmayresultinincreasedpredationfromcatsandfoxes.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrublandsin the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialhabitatoccupiedbysignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrubland •in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Numberandviabilityofpopulationsofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrublandinthe•Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year actionsDetermineareaofoccupancyandrelationshipbetweenhabitatanddistributionand•abundanceofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrubland.

Identifyandwherepossible,quantifythedisruptionandsourcesofdisruptionofkeyecological•processessupportingindividualpopulationsofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrubland.

IdentifypotentialhabitatsintheFlindersandOlaryRangesforsignificantbirdspeciesin•chenopodshrubland.

RankpopulationsofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrublandwithinIBRAsubregionsfor•viability,basedonsize,threatsandlandscapecontext.

Supportlandmanagerstoimprovetheviabilityofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopod•shrublandincontrollingferalanimalsandoverabundantnativeherbivoresandpromotingappropriategrazingpractices.


conservation priority bullock bush tall shrubland and significant plant species on alluvial plainsBullockBush(Alectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens)tallshrublandonalluvialplainsisawidespreadecologicalcommunityofsemi-aridandaridregionsofSouthAustraliaandwesternNewSouthWales.ItisalsointheGawlerbioregion.IntheFlindersandOlaryRanges,thisecologicalcommunityoccursinallIBRAsubregions,ofteningrovesinopengrassland,shrubland,oropenlowwoodland.Despiteitswidespreaddistribution,thereislittleevidenceofBullockBushregeneration,andunderstoreyisoftendegraded.Excessivegrazing,primarilybyrabbits,goatsanddomesticstock,contributestothedegradationofthisecologicalcommunity.ThereductioninrabbitnumbersfromRabbitHaemorrhagicDisease(RHD)appearstohavebroughtaboutanimprovementintheconditionofthisecologicalcommunity.However,theextentandsignificanceofthisapparentimprovementisunknown.

TheMurraySwainson-pea(Swainsona murrayana)growsonheavysoils.Itisaslenderherb,foundindepressionswherewaterpoolsandisoftenassociatedwithbluebush.InSouthAustralia,thisspeciesisrestrictedtotheFlindersandOlarySpursubregionsandtheSouthAustralianpartsof theBrokenHillComplexbioregion.TheSouthAustralianpopulationisgeographicallyisolated frompopulationsinVictoria,NewSouthWalesandQueensland.

TheMurraySwainson-pearequiresfurtherinvestigationtoassessitsstatusintheregion.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofBullockBushtallshrublandandsignificant plantspeciesonalluvialplainswithintheFlindersandOlaryRanges.

5-year performance information

bullock bush tall shrubland

PercentageofpotentialareaoccupiedbyBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplains •within IBRA subregions.

ConditionofindividualoccurrencesofBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplainswithin •IBRA subregions.

Significant plant species

Percentageofpotentialhabitatoccupiedbysignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplains •in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Numberandviabilityofpopulationsofsignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplainsinthe •Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Photo:BullockBushAlectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens


Photo:TessellatedGeckoDiplodactylus tessellatus

5-year actions

bullock bush tall shrubland

DeterminethecurrentextentandconditionofBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplains •by IBRA subregion.

IdentifythepotentialareaofoccupancyofBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplainsby •IBRA subregion.

Identifyand,wherepossible,quantifythedisruption,andsourcesofdisruption,ofkey•ecologicalprocessessupportingindividualoccurrencesofBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvial plains.

RankindividualoccurrencesofBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplainswithinIBRA•subregionsforviability,basedonsize,conditionandlandscapecontext.

SupportlandmanagerstoimproveBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplainsincontrolling•feral animals and overabundant native herbivores and promoting appropriate grazing practices.

Significant plant species

Determineareaofoccupancyandrelationshipbetweenhabitatanddistributionand•abundanceofsignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplains.

Identifyand,wherepossible,quantifythedisruption,andsourcesofdisruption,ofkeyecological•processessupportingindividualpopulationsofsignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplains.

IdentifypotentialhabitatswithintheFlindersandOlaryRangesforsignificantplantspecies •on alluvial plains.

RankpopulationsofsignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplainswithinIBRAsubregionsfor•viability,basedonsize,threatsandlandscapecontext.

Supportlandmanagerstoimprovetheviabilityofsignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplains•incontrollingferalanimalsandoverabundantnativeherbivoresandpromotingappropriategrazingpractices.


conservation priority Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herblandThePlains-wanderer(Pedionomus torquatus)isadistinctivequail-likenomadicgroundbird.ThePlains-wandererissedentaryinsuitablehabitat,andisoneofthemostdifficultspeciestoobserveinthefieldduetoitscrypticplumageandnocturnalhabits.FewrecordsexistinSouthAustralia,althoughithasbeenrecordedasanoccasionalvisitortotheGawler,StonyPlains,Simpson–StrzeleckiDunefieldsandChannelCountrybioregions.Habitatstructureratherthanspeciescompositionisimportant,asitinhabitsnaturallysparsegrasslandsandmixedgrasslands/herblandsthathavebaregroundandwidelyspacedlowplants,withthebulkofremainingstandingvegetationlessthanfivecentremetreshigh.

TheprimaryhabitatstrongholdforthisspeciesisintheopengrasslandsofVictoriaandNewSouthWales,withSouthAustraliathoughttorepresentonlysecondaryhabitat,andwhilstithasbeenrecordedinseveralSAALbioregions,itisunclearwhetheritisapermanentresident.Itis,therefore,importanttoidentifycriticalhabitatanddeterminethestatusofknownpopulationsintheSAALregiontoensurethespecies’continuedviability.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofthePlains-wandererinsparsegrassland and mixed grassland/herbland within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialhabitatoccupiedbythePlains-wandererinsparsegrassland •and mixed grassland/herbland in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Number and viability of populations of the Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed •grassland/herbland in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year actionsDetermineareaofoccupancyandrelationshipbetweenhabitatanddistributionand•abundanceofthePlains-wandererinsparsegrasslandandmixedgrassland/herbland within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Identifyand,wherepossible,quantifythedisruption,andsourcesofdisruption,ofkey•ecologicalprocessessupportingindividualpopulationsofthePlains-wandererinsparsegrassland and mixed grassland/herbland.

Identify potential habitats in the Flinders and Olary Ranges for the Plains-wanderer in sparse •grassland and mixed grassland/herbland.

RankpopulationsofthePlains-wandererinsparsegrasslandandmixedgrassland/herbland•withinIBRAsubregionsforviability,basedonsize,threatsandlandscapecontext.

Support land managers to improve the viability of the Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and •mixedgrassland/herblandincontrollingferalanimalsandoverabundantnativeherbivoresandpromotingappropriategrazingpractices.


conservation priority mulga and needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plainsMulga(Acacia aneura)lowwoodlandandNeedleWattle(Acacia carneorum)lowwoodlandoccuronlowdunesandsandplains.Mulgalowwoodlandislimitedtothefewareasofsandplains on the eastern and western margins of the Northern and Central Flinders Ranges and thenorthernextentoftheBarrierRangeOutwashsubregions.ItalsooccursintheGawler,Finke,Simpson–StrzeleckiDunefields,StonyPlains,andChannelCountrybioregions.NeedleWattlelowwoodlandoccurspredominantlyintheBrokenHillComplexbioregion,althoughitdoesextendintothenorthernpartoftheOlarySpursubregion,andintoNewSouthWalesbetweenBrokenHillandMenindee and north towards Tibooburra.

NeedleWattlegrowsprimarilyonsandyplainsandalluvialsoilsalongwatercourses,andcan bethelocallydominantvegetationform.Itreproducesvegetativelyandgrowsincoloniesof uptoafewhundredplants.Asaresult,thisecologicalcommunitygenerallyisacomponent ofothervegetationcommunitiessuchasopengrasslands,shrublands,andopenlowwoodlandson sandy plains.

Bothecologicalcommunitiesareprimarilythreatenedbyinhibitedregenerationduetoexcessivetotalgrazingpressure.WhilstcattleareknowntograzematureMulga,rabbitsarethemostsignificantcomponentoftotalgrazingpressureastheyfavourthissandyhabitat.Rabbitsburrowinginthesecommunitiesmaycauseincreasederosion,whichcanbeexacerbatedbystockiftheareaisclosetowateringpoints.AnecdotalevidencesuggeststhatthereductioninrabbitnumbersfromRHDhasallowedincreasedrecruitmentoftheseecologicalcommunities.However,theextentandsignificanceofthisimprovementisunknown.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlands on low dunes and sand plains in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialareaoccupiedbyMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlandsonlow•dunes and sand plains within IBRA subregions.

ConditionofindividualoccurrencesofMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlandsonlowdunes•and sand plains within IBRA subregions.

5-year actionsDeterminethecurrentextentandconditionofMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlands •on low dunes and sand plains by IBRA subregion.

IdentifythepotentialareaofoccupancyofMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlandsonlow•dunes and sand plains by IBRA subregion.

Identifyandwherepossible,quantifythedisruptionandsourcesofdisruptionofkeyecological•processessupportingindividualoccurrencesofMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlandsonlow dunes and sand plains.

RankindividualoccurrencesofMulgaandNeedleWattlelowwoodlandsonlowdunesand•sandplainswithinIBRAsubregionsforviability,basedonsize,conditionandlandscapecontext.

Support land managers to improve Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes •and sand plains.


conservation priorities for plains and rises

Burra

Clare

Yunta

Marree

Whyalla

Blinman

Cockburn

Andamooka

Port Pirie

Port Augusta

Conservation Priorities for Plains and Rises

Broken Hill Complex and Flinders Lofty Block Bioregions


Pastoral Station

Salt Lake

Dog Fence

Major Road

State Border

Locality

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Km

Ne

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out

h W

ale

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Conservation prioritiesSignificant bird species in chenopod shrubland

Plains-wanderer in sparse grasslandand mixed grassland/herbland


Bullock Bush tall shrubland and significantplant species on alluvial plains



Ranges and hillsThislandformischaracterisedbyaseriesofhighquartzitehogbackridgesandsofterrocks, suchasshales,siltstoneandlimestoneandoccursintheFlindersRanges,OlarySpur,andBimbowrie subregions.

TheheightoftheFlindersRangessignificantlyinfluencesthelocalclimate,creatinganareaofmoister,moretemperatehabitatinthesemi-aridandaridnorth.ThisenablesspecieswithmoretemperateclimaticrequirementstoextendtheirdistributionnorthwardstowardsHawker.Furthernorth,thesemoretemperatehabitatsoccurassmallerisolatedareasonthehighestridgesandplateauxasfarnorthasFreelingHeightsandtheMawsonPlateau.

TheOlaryRanges,aloweasterlytrendinguplandbranchingofftheFlindersRanges,doesnothavetheelevationtosignificantlyalterlocalclimate.TheOlaryRangesisdominatedbyroundedlowhillsofgneissicgranite,withminormetamorphosedsediments.

Significance of ranges and hillsTherangesprovidehabitatformanyspeciesthatwouldotherwisenotsurviveinthearidclimate.Therangesarethemostspecies-richlandformduetohigherrainfallandmorecomplexphysicalstructure.TheBiologicalSurveyoftheFlindersRangesidentified23plant,fourbird,threereptileandonefrogspeciesthathavesouthernaffinitiesnorthofHawker.Thesepopulationsareviewedaspopulationisolates,orrelicts,fromamuchwetterperiodandcontributetothesignificanceoftheFlindersRanges.Thislandformislikelytobethemostseverelyaffectedbypredictedtemperatureincreasesandlowereffectiverainfallassociatedwithclimatechange.

TherangesalsosupportspeciesfoundinotheraridrangesincentralAustralia.Thisincludesatleasteightplant,twobird,onereptileandonemammal.Onebird,theLittleWoodswallow(Artamus minor),maybeanomadicvisitortotheFlindersRanges,dispersingsouthfromcentralAustraliaalongthewesternbreakawaysofthestonydesertsandtheStuartRangeandacrosstheWillouranRanges.ThePaintedFiretail(Emblema pictum)probablyhassomeresidentpopulationsthatmayperiodicallyintermixwithpopulationsalongthissamecorridor.

AnumberofspeciesaremorecloselyassociatedwiththemalleebeltthatrunstotheeastandwestoftheFlindersRanges,withrelationshipswiththeGawlerandOlaryRangesandintotheBarrierRangesinNewSouthWales.ThebestknownoftheseistheYellow-footedRock-wallaby,withadistributionfromtheGawlerRangesacrosstotheOlarySpurinSouthAustraliaandtheCoturaundeeRangesinNewSouthWales.Fourplantspecies,theSlenderBell-fruit(Codonocarpus pyramidalis),theFlindersRangesCorkwood(Hakea ednieana),CurlyMallee(Eucalyptus gillii)andSilverWattle(Acacia rivalis),andthesouthernsubspeciesoftheMaskedRockSkink(Egernia margaretae ssp. personatus)aresharedwitharidrangesinwesternNewSouthWales.

Photo:RockGrass-treeXanthorrhoea quadrangulata


major vegetation communitiesWoodlandMulga(Acacia aneura)lowopenwoodlandoverElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae),RockFuchsiaBush(Eremophila freelingii),DeadFinish(Acacia tetragonophylla),RockSida(Sida petrophila)+/-LobedHopBush(Dodonaea lobulata)anddaisiesandgrassesonrockyhills.

Gum-barkedCoolibah(Eucalyptus intertexta)+/-NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)lowopenwoodlandoverNarrow-leafedHopBush(Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima)andFlat-stalkSenna(Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris)andgrassesonrockyrises.

NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)+/-Yorrell(Eucalyptus gracilis)+/-RedMallee(Eucalyptus socialis)lowopenwoodlandoverMealySaltbush(Rhagodia parabolica),CurryBush(Cassinia laevis),LobedHopBush(Dodonaea lobulata)andMullaMulla(Ptilotus obovatus)onrockyslopes.

DroopingSheoak(Allocasuarina verticillata)+/-SlatySheoak(Allocasuarina muelleriana)openwoodlandoverSwordSedges(Lepidosperma spp.)onsouthernrangesandinternalslopesof Wilpena Pound.

malleeRedMallee(Eucalyptus socialis)+/-Yorrell(Eucalyptus gracilis)+/-WhiteMallee(Eucalyptus dumosa)openmalleeoverBroomBush(Eremophila scoparia),Flat-stalkSenna(Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris)+/-TarBush(Eremophila glabra),Spinifex(Triodia irritans)andchenopods(Maireana spp./Atriplexspp.)andBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.)onrangesandlowhills.

FlindersGreyMallee(Eucalyptus flindersii)+/-NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)openmalleeoverBroombush(Melaleuca uncinata);andGrassTree(Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata)andIronGrass(Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura)onrockyhillsintheFlindersRanges.

CurlyMallee(Eucalyptus gillii)+/-RedMallee(Eucalyptus socialis)openmalleeoverDeadFinish(Acacia tetragonophylla)+/-BalcanoonaWattle(Acacia araneosa),Spinifex(Triodia sp.)andchenopods(Maireana spp.)andBindyi(Sclerolaenaspp.)onlowcalcareoushillsinthenorthernFlinders Ranges.

RedMallee(Eucalyptus socialis),Yorrell(Eucalyptus gracilis)+/-FalseSandalwood(Myoporum platycarpum)+/-NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)openmalleeoverRockSida(Sida petrophila),Narrow-leavedHopBush(Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima),Spinifex(Triodia irritans)andBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.)andgrassesonloamysoilsinrangesandhills.

MalleeBox(Eucalyptus porosa)+/-PeppermintBox(Eucalyptus odorata)+/-NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)openmalleeoverCurryBush(Cassinia laevis),ClammyDaisyBush(Olearia decurrens)andSpinifex(Triodia irritans)andgrassesonlowhillsinthesouthernFlindersRanges.

Photo: Rough Blue-flower Halgania cyanea


ShrublandElegantWattle(Acacia victoriae),DeadFinish(Acacia tetragonophylla)tallopenshrublandoverSennas(Senna artemisioides),RockFuchsiaBush(Eremophila freelingii),LobedHopBush(Dodonaea lobulata),RockSida(Sida petrophila),ShrubbyTwinleaf(Zygophyllum aurantiacum) andBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.)andgrassesonrockyrangesandlowshaleyhills.

RockSida(Sida petrophila),MullaMulla(Ptilotus obovatus)lowverysparseshrublandover RockFerns(Cheilanthesspp.)onrockyslopes.

chenopod shrublandPearlBluebush(Maireana sedifolia),BlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)openchenopodshrublandoverBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.),Ward’sWeed(Carrichtera annua)andgrassesanddaisies on footslopes and stony rises with shales and ironstone.

grasslandLemonScentedGrass(Cymbopogon ambiguus),BalcarraSpearGrass(Austrostipa nitida), andBottlewashers(Enneapogonspp.)lowopentussockgrasslandonslopesofrangesandlowshaley hills.

Spinifex(Triodia irritans),LemonScentedGrass(Cymbopogon ambiguus)andBalcarraSpearGrass(Austrostipa nitida)hummockgrasslandonrangesandgranitehills.

Bottlewashers(Enneapogonspp.)andLimestoneCopperburr(Sclerolaena obliquicuspis)lowopentussockgrasslandwithemergent+/-DeadFinish(Acacia tetragonophylla)oncalcareousshalesand siltstones of hills.

Spinifex(Triodiaspp.)openhummockgrasslandwithavarietyofoccasionalemergent,includingWattles(Acaciaspp.),GrassTree(Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata),NorthernCypressPine(Callitris glaucophylla)andMallee(Eucalyptusspp.)onrockyridgesinthesouthernFlindersRanges.

triodia hummock grasslandTriodiahummockgrassisasignificantplantcommunityintheFlindersandOlaryRanges. Atoughdome-shapedplant,Triodiaprovidesimportanthabitatformanyspecies. TheShort-tailedGrasswren(Amytornis merrotsyi)isendemictotheFlindersandGawlerRanges,andisassociatedwithTriodiahummockgrasswithorwithoutoverstorey.IntheFlindersRanges,theShort-tailedGrasswrenhasbeenrecordedinthenorth-easternFlindersRanges,fromtheGammonRangesinthenorthtoBeltonandDutchman'sSterninthesouth.AllsiteswherethisspecieshasbeenrecordedarecharacterisedbyadensecoverofTriodia withashrub,malleeorlowwoodlandoverstorey.


managing the biodiversity of ranges and hills – practical ways that land managers can helpTheelevationoftheFlindersRangessignificantlyinfluencesthelocalclimate.Theincreasedrainfalloverthislandformsupportsanumberofthreatenedandendemicspeciesthatwouldotherwisebeunable to survive in the region. This landform has a number of permanent freshwater springs and is animportantcatchmentareaforthesurroundingrivers,streams,floodplainsandlakes.

Practicalstrategiesthatlandmanagerscanuseinrangesandhillstohelpretainbiodiversityinclude:

Wherepossible,providewaterforlivestockbypipingwaterawayfrommajorwaterholesor•springsandawayfromtheruggedrangesandhillsontomoreaccessibleplains.

Considerfencingoffspringstopromoterecruitmentofnativeplantspeciesandreduceimpact•causedbythetramplingandgrazingofstockorferalherbivores.

Locatestockwaterpointswellawayfromslopestominimisetheriskoferosioncausedbythe•developmentofstockpads.

Alignaccesstracksandfencelinesawayfromslopesandontolesserosionpronesoiltypes•where possible.

Avoidgradingwindrowsalongtracksandinstallwaterdiversionbanksatstrategiclocations•alongtracksifnecessary.

Implement total grazing management strategies. •



Photo:TawnyDragonCtenophorus decresii

reptiles of hill slopes and high rocky ridgesAcharacteristicreptilegroupisfoundonhillslopesandhighrockyridges.Thisdistinctivegroupofspeciesoccupiesthevarietyoflowwoodland,malleeandshrublandtypesin theFlindersRanges,particularlywheretherearehummockgrassesintheunderstorey. Twospeciesareconfinedtorockslabrangeenvironments:theTawnyDragon(Ctenophorus decresii)andtheMaskedRockSkink(Egernia margaretae ssp. personatus).OtherssuchastheSpinifexSnakeLizard(Delma butleri),SpinifexSlenderBluetongue(Cyclodomorphus melanops)andJewelledGecko(Diplodactylus elderi)dependonthepresenceofTriodia. Thislargeassemblageiscomposedofatleasttwodistinctivegroupswhicharecombinedatmanysitesbecauseofthepresenceofrockslab,Triodia and mallee in the ranges. Mostotherspeciesarecharacteristicofwoodlandsthoughsome,liketheNobbiDragon(Amphibolurus nobbi),arerarelyfoundawayfrommallee.


conservation priority ecological communities on high rangesThehighrangesoccuralongthespineoftheFlindersRangesandarecharacterisedbyfourmajorvegetationcommunities:

• Eucalyptus flindersii malleeovershrublandandlowopenhummockgrassland–anendemicvegetationassociationrestrictedtothehighestelevations.

• Eucalyptus intertextawoodlandwithlowshrublandunderstorey–commoninthecentralandnorthern high ranges.

• Allocasuarina verticillatawoodlandoverlowsparsesedgeland–restrictedtotheinternalslopes of Wilpena Pound.

Triodia • spp.grasslandwithemergentlowopenwoodlandonquartzite.

Thesevegetationcommunitiessupportpopulationsof10threatenedandendemicspeciesthatoccuronlyintheFlindersRangesinthishabitatoralongdrainagelinesrunningoutoftheranges.Distributionispatchyacrossthehighranges.BothFlindersRangesOak-bush(Allocasuarina muelleriana ssp. alticola)andSandalwoodEmubush(Eremophila santalina),endemictotheSouthern,CentralandNorthFlinderssubregions,arefoundinmosthighelevationareas.

FourspeciesarerestrictedtothehighrangesintheNorthernFlinderssubregion.Dodonaea subglandulifera andDesertGreenhood(Pterostylis xerophila)arebothconsideredthreatened.Dodonaea subglanduliferaisendemictoSouthAustralia,withthreesubpopulationsintheGammonRanges,representingthenorthernlimitofitsdistribution.TheDesertGreenhoodhasbeenrecordedattwositesintheNorthernFlinderssubregionandintheGawlerbioregion.ArkaroolaWattle(Acacia confluens)andFlindersRangesIxodia(Ixodia flindersica)areendemictotheNorthern Flinders subregion.

Menzel’sWattle(Acacia menzelii)isendemictoSouthAustralia,withisolatedpopulationsintheFlindersRanges,MurrayMalleeandMountLoftyRanges.TheFlindersRangespopulationsintheNorthernFlindersandCentralFlindersareconsideredrelicts.

TheBarattaWattle(Acacia barattensis),NectarBrookWattle(Acacia spooneri),QuornWattle (Acacia quornensis),andEucalyptus goniocalyx ssp. exposa areendemictotheCentralandSouthern Flinders Ranges.

VegetationcommunitiesinthenorthernFlindersRangeshavebecomefragmentedduetoagradualclimaticdryingforcingthesecommunitieshigherintheranges.Thisnaturalfragmentationhasresultedinmanyofthespeciespresentwithintherangesbeingconsideredasrelictsfromamuchwettertime.

Themostseriouscurrentthreattothesevegetationcommunitiesisfromexcessivegrazing,particularlybygoatsandrabbits.Firemayalsobeimportantforthevegetationcommunities,andfurtherinvestigationintoappropriatefireregimesisnecessary.

Photo: Quorn Wattle Acacia quornensis habitat


20-year targetThemaintenanceandimprovementoftheextentandconditionofecologicalcommunitiesonhigh ranges within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year performance informationConditionofindividualoccurrencesofeachecologicalcommunityonhighrangeswithinIBRA•subregions.

Numberandviabilityofpopulationsofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonhighranges•within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year actionsUndertakesurveysofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonhighranges.•

Identifyandwherepossible,quantifythedisruptionandsourcesofdisruptionofkeyecological•processessupportingindividualpopulationsofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonhighranges.

Evaluatethreatenedandendemicspeciesassurrogatesforassessingconditionofecological•communitiesonhighranges.

RankindividualoccurrencesofecologicalcommunitiesonhighrangeswithinIBRAsubregions,•basedonsize,condition,significantandendemicspecies,andlandscapecontext.

Investigatetheroleoffireinmaintainingecologicalcommunitiesandsignificantandendemic•plantspeciesonhighranges.

Maintaingoatcontrolprogramsandotherherbivorecontrolprogramsasrequired.•


bouncebackBouncebackisamajorconservationprojectaimingtoprotectandrestorethesemi-aridenvironmentsoftheFlinders,GawlerandOlaryRangesofSouthAustralia.

Sincethemid-1800s,excessivegrazing,weedinfestationandintroducedpredatorshavehadacombineddamagingeffectonthefragileenvironmentofsemi-aridrangesofSouthAustralia.Asearlyas1900,manysmalltomediumsizedmammalsandsomereptileshadallbutdisappeared.EvenwhenstockwasremovedfromtheNationalParks,threatenedspeciescontinuedtodeclinebecausetherewaslittleregenerationofnativeplantcommunitiesorimprovementinsoilconditionsandanimalhabitats.

Inresponse,NationalParksandWildlifeSouthAustraliainitiatedtheBouncebackProgramtoprotectthenativespeciesthathavepersistedintheregionandtoenablethereintroductionofsomespeciesthathavebecomelocallyextinct.ActivitiesintheNationalParksincluderemovaloffoxesandferalgoats,destructionofrabbitwarrens,regenerationofnativeplantspecies,protectionofhabitats,andmonitoringprograms.Inareassurroundingtheparks,thefocusisoncontrolofwheelcactus,feralgoatsandrabbits,removaloffoxesandprotectionofendangeredspecies.

Sinceitsinceptionintheearly1990sasatargetedoperationfocusedonreducingthreatstoRock-wallabypopulationsintheOlaryandFlindersRanges,Bouncebackhasevolvedintoabroadscalerecoveryprojectincorporatingspecificconservationobjectivesacrossreserves,private landholdings and pastoral properties.

Ecologicalrecoveryinthissemi-aridenvironmentwillbeaslowprocess,butBouncebackisalreadyshowingsomepositiveresults.Withinthenationalparks,achievementsincludeamajorreductioninthenumberofferalgoatsandrabbits,anincreaseinthenumberofYellow-footedRock-wallabies,atrialreintroductionoftheBrush-tailedBettongtotheFlindersRangesNationalPark,andlandreclamationwithsaltbush.

Bouncebackhasgrownsignificantlyovertheyears,inbothitsgeographicspreadandtheactivitiesbeingundertaken.ItbringstogetherpeoplemanagingNationalParks,privatesanctuaries,pastoralpropertiesandIndigenousProtectedAreas.Inthiswaytheprogramcreatesanintegratedapproachtorestoringthefragmentedecosystems,controllingpestplantsandanimals,andincreasingthediversityofspeciesinthesemi-aridranges.

BouncebackismanagedanddeliveredbytheSouthAustralianDepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritageinpartnershipwithnumerousindividuals,agencies,organisations,volunteergroupsandresearchinstitutions.SignificantresourcingandsupporthasbeenprovidedthroughtheSAAridLandsNRMBoardwiththeincorporationofBouncebackintotheNRMPlanandInvestmentStrategyasakeyinitiativeforconservationintheregion.

Manypartnershipshavebeendevelopedtohelpimplement,guideorresource theBouncebackproject,including:

Landholdersthroughouttheprojectarea•

Rangelands INRM Group •

SA Arid Lands NRM Board •

SportingShootersAssociationofAustralia•(HuntingandConservationBranch)

Conservation Volunteers Australia •

Adnyamathanhacommunity•

Greening Australia •

ArkaroolaSanctuary•

WarraweenaPrivateConservationPark•(WetlandsandWildlife)

Adelaide Zoo •

FlindersUniversity•

UniversityofAdelaide•

UniversityofSouthAustralia•

Nature Foundation SA •

ScientificExpeditionGroup•

Rural Solutions South Australia •

Yellow-footedRock-wallabyPreservation•Association


conservation priority Yellow-footed rock-wallaby on ranges and hillsTheYellow-footedRock-wallaby(Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus)inhabitshighmountainrangesand hills in the Northern and Central Flinders Ranges and Bimbowrie subregions. Yellow-footed Rock-wallabiesalsooccurintheSouthernFlinderssubregion,Gawlerbioregion,westernNewSouthWalesandcentralwesternQueensland.

ThedraftSouthAustralianRecoveryPlanfortheYellow-footedRock-wallabyidentifiesthatintheFlindersRanges,themajorityofcoloniesareonsandstone,whileintheOlaryRangesvolcanicrockgranite-porphyryareasarepreferred.Allhabitatsarestructurallyandtopographicallycomplex,providingshelterfromthesummerheatandprotectionfrompredators.

ThisspecieshassufferedseriousdeclineinbothdistributionandabundanceacrossmuchofitsSouthAustralianrange.TheFlindersRangesarethestrongholdforthisspecieswheresevendistinctmanagementunitshavebeenidentified,andtheBimbowriesubregionsupportstwomore.Managementunitshavebeendefinedasallcolonies,eitherextantorwithevidenceofhistoricaloccupation,thatoccurwithineightkilometers,theknowndispersaldistanceofanimals.Hence,geneflowbetweencolonysitesisconsideredtoonlypotentiallybeoccurringwithinmanagementunits and not between them.

Thedeclineofthisoncewidespreadspecieshasbeenlinkedtoexcessivehuntingpriorto1919,whenthespeciesbecameformallyprotected.Sincethe1930s,predationfromfoxesandcompetitionfromherbivoreshavebeenidentifiedasmajorthreats.ThedietofgoatsoverlapswiththatofYellow-footedRock-wallabies,especiallyduringextendeddryperiods,whengoatsalsocompeteforandfoulwatersources.Toalesserextent,rabbitsandEurosalsocompeteforfood.

Implementationofalandscapescalethreatabatementprogramin1992hasimprovedpopulationsizeswithincoloniesacrosspartsofitsrange.However,thisprogramdoesnotextendacrosstheentire range.

20-year targetYellow-footedRock-wallabiesarepresentinnolessthan75%ofpotentialcolonysiteswithinallmanagement units.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialcolonysitesoccupiedpermanagementunit.•

5-year actionsUndertake,inpartnershipandcollaborationwithlandmanagers,targetedthreatabatement•activitiesinprioritymanagementunitsandreviewcriteriafortransitionfromrecoverytomaintenanceofYellow-footedRock-wallabypopulationswithinindividualmanagementunits.

StrategicallysampletheYellow-footedRock-wallabypopulationforgeneticdiversityand•review management unit boundaries.

StrategicallysamplepriorityYellow-footedRock-wallabypopulationsfordemographic •indicatorsofviability.

Conductbroadscalesurveystoassesspopulationtrendsinselectedmanagementunits.•


conservation priority Significant and endemic plant species on low ranges and hillsThreesignificantspecieshavebeenrecordedintheFlindersandOlaryRangesonlowerrangesand hills.

BalcanoonaWattle(• Acacia araneosa)

SlenderBell-fruit(• Codonocarpus pyramidalis)

Small-leavedXerothamnella(• Xerothamnella parvifolia)

BoththeBalcanoonaWattleandSmall-leavedXerothamnellaarerestrictedtothenorthernFlindersRanges.TheSmall-leavedXerothamnellaisrestrictedtoasmallareanearMoroGorgeonWertaloonaStationwhereitgrowsonsandyloamsandsandyclaysontherockyslopesinlowopenwoodlandsdominatedbyBlackOak(Casuarina pauper)orCurlyMallee(Eucalyptus gillii).In1993,sevensitessupporting523plantswereidentifiedinanareaofapproximately30hectares,andwhilstgoatsdidnotappeartobegrazingonthisspecies,theymaybetheprimaryfactorlimiting its regeneration.

BalcanoonaWattlegrowsprimarilywithMulga(Acacia aneura)andCurlyMalleeinaveryrestrictedgeographicareaintheMandarinlandsystembetweenBalcanoonaandArkaroola.Therestricteddistributionandnaturalrarityofthisspecieshasresultedinaconservationratingofthreatenedandatriskofextinction.

SlenderBell-fruitisfoundinfrequentlyonlowhillsacrossmuchoftheFlindersandOlaryRanges.ItisnowthoughttoberestrictedtoSouthAustraliaandpresumedextinctinNewSouthWales.Itgrowsinarangeofvegetationcommunitiesincludinggrasslandsandwoodlands.

TheprimarythreattoSlenderBell-fruitisexcessivegrazingfromgoats,rabbitsanddomesticstock,whichlimitsrecruitment.Itisnotclearwhatcontributionkangaroosmaketototalgrazingpressureonthisspecies.RecruitmenthasoccurredintrialsonMannersWellStationwhereallgrazingherbivoreswereexcluded.Itisthoughtthatfiremaybesignificantforseedgermination.Manyofthecurrentlyknownpopulationshaveaverysparseunderstoreyunlikelytosupportfirewhichmaylimit germination events.

However,therearealsoseveralpopulationswithTriodiahummockgrassdominatedunderstorey.OneofthesepopulationsisontheBlackRangewithhundredsofindividualsthatappeartohavegerminated in response to a fire.

20-year targetThemaintenanceorimprovementoftheviabilityofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowranges and hills within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

5-year performance informationPercentageofpotentialareaoccupiedbysignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlow•ranges and hills within IBRA subregions.

Numberandviabilityofpopulationsofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowranges •and hills within IBRA subregions.

5-year actionsDetermineareaofoccupancyandrelationshipbetweenhabitatanddistributionand•abundanceofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesandhills.

Identifyandwherepossible,quantifythedisruptionandsourcesofdisruptionofkeyecological•processessupportingindividualpopulationsofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowranges and hills.

IdentifypotentialhabitatsintheFlindersandOlaryRangesforsignificantandendemicplant•speciesonlowrangesandhills.

RankpopulationsofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesandhillswithinIBRA•subregionsforviability,basedonsize,threatsandlandscapecontext.

Supportlandmanagerstoimprovetheviabilityofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlow•ranges and hills.


conservation priorities for ranges and hills

Burra

Clare

Yunta

Marree

Whyalla

Blinman

Cockburn

Andamooka

Port Pirie

Port Augusta

Conservation Priorities for Ranges and Hills

Broken Hill Complex and FlindersLofty Block Bioregions


Pastoral Station

Salt Lake

Dog Fence

Major Road

State Border

Locality

0 90

Km

Ne

w S

out

h W

ale

s

Conservation prioritiesEcological communities on high ranges

Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby on ranges and hills

Significant and endemic plant species on low ranges and hills



landform Priority targets Performance information

drainage lines and floodplains

River Red Gum woodland on drainage lines and floodplains

Themaintenanceor improvement of the viability of River Red Gum woodland along drainage lines within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialareaoccupied•by River Red Gum woodland along drainage lines within IBRA subregions.

Conditionofindividualoccurrences•of River Red Gum woodland along drainage lines within IBRA subregions.

Permanent and semi-permanent streams and waterholes

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the biodiversity values of permanent and semi-permanent streams and waterholes

Number of permanent and semi-•permanent waterholes managed for biodiversity values.

Significantandendemicspeciesindrainage lines

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viability of the Purple-spotted Gudgeon and StreambankFrogletin the Flinders and Gammon Ranges

Percentageofpotentialhabitat•occupiedbythePurple-spottedGudgeonandStreambankFrogletin the Gammon Ranges.

Number and viability of subpopulations of •thePurple-spottedGudgeonStreambankFroglet in the Gammon Ranges.

Monitoring and evaluationTheFlindersandOlaryRangesConservationPrioritiesaimtofacilitateconservationactionsacrossthebioregion.TheSAALNRMBoardandsupportpartnerswillcoordinateandsupportthedeliveryoftheseactions,guidedbystatutorymechanisms.TheSAALNRMBoardwillmonitorandreportonthe implementation of the Flinders and Olary Conservation Priorities.

BoththeSAALNRMBoardandtheDepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritagearejointlyresponsibleforevaluatingtheeffectivenessofthisplanwhichcontributestotheSAALNRMPlanandNo Species Loss – A Nature Conservation Strategy for South Australia.

DEHwillproduceapublicreportonoverallprogresstowardstheconservationprioritiesaspartofthe five year review and evaluation of the South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy in 2014.

monitoring and reporting information

Photo:MitchellGrassAstrebla pectinata grassland


landform Priority targets Performance information

Plains and rises

Significantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrubland

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viabilityofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrublandswithin the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialhabitat•occupiedbysignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrublandwithintheFlinders and Olary Ranges.

Number and viability of populations •ofsignificantbirdspeciesinchenopodshrublandwithintheFlinders and Olary Ranges.

BullockBushtall shrubland andsignificantplantspecieson alluvial plains

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viabilityofBullockBush tall shrubland on alluvial plains within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialareaoccupied•byBullockBushtallshrublandonalluvial plains within IBRA subregions.

Conditionofindividualoccurrencesof•BullockBushtallshrublandonalluvialplains within IBRA subregions.

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viabilityofsignificantplantspeciesonalluvial plains within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialhabitat•occupiedbysignificantplantspeciesonalluvialplainswithinthe Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Number and viability of populations of •significantplantspeciesonalluvialplainswithin the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herbland

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viability of the Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herbland within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialhabitatoccupied•by the Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herbland within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.

Number and viability of populations of •the Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and mixed grassland/herbland within the Flinders and Olary Ranges.


Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viability of Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialareaoccupied•by Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains within IBRA subregions.

Conditionofindividualoccurrences•of Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains within IBRA subregions.

ranges and hills

Ecologicalcommunitieson high ranges

Themaintenanceand improvement of the extent and conditionofecologicalcommunitiesonhighranges within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Conditionofindividualoccurrences•ofeachecologicalcommunityonhigh ranges within IBRA subregions.

Number and viability of populations •ofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonhighrangeswithintheFlinders and Olary Ranges.

Yellow-footed Rock-wallabyon ranges and hills

Yellow-footedRock-wallabies are present innolessthan75%ofpotentialcolonysiteswithin all management units

Percentageofpotentialcolonysites•occupiedpermanagementunit.

Significantandendemicplantspeciesonlowranges and hills

Themaintenanceorimprovement of the viabilityofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesand hills within the Flinders and Olary Ranges

Percentageofpotentialarea•occupiedbysignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesandhills within IBRA subregions.

Number and viability of populations •ofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowrangesandhillswithin IBRA subregions.


Glossaryalluvial Plain:Anextensivestream-laiddepositthatmayincludegravel,sand,siltandclay;typicallyformingfloodplainsthatdevelopalluvialsoils.Thealluvialdepositofastreamgeneratedfromagorgeuponaplainorofatributarystreamatitsjunctionwiththemainstream.

arid:Referstoclimatesorregionsthatlacksufficientcropproductionorextensivesownpastures.Usuallydefinedasaclimatewithannualaveragerainfalllessthan250mm(10inches).

biodiversity:Thevarietyoflifeforms:thedifferentplants,animalsandmicro-organisms;thegenestheycontain;andtheecosystemstheyform.

bioregion:Extensive(continentalscale)regionsdistinguishedfromadjacentregionsbytheirbroadphysicalandbiologicalcharacteristics.

calcareous:Asubstancecontainingcalciumcarbonate.Whenappliedtoarockname,itimpliesthatasmuchas50%oftherockiscalciumcarbonate.

calcrete:Aconglomerateofgravelandsandcementedbycalciumcarbonate.

conservation:Theprotection,maintenance,management,sustainableuse,restorationandenhancementofthenaturalenvironment.

decreaser Species:Aspeciesthatdecreasesinabundanceinareasofhighgrazingpressure,generally in proximity to water.

degradation:Degradationoflandisthedeclineinthequalityofthenaturalresourcesofthelandresultingfromhumanactivitiesontheland.

dispersal:Themovementoforganismsbetweenlocations,especiallyrelatingtothemovementfrom birth site or breeding sites.

duplex:Soilswithabruptandsignificantchangesintexture(e.g.loamoverclay)intheirprofile.

ecological community:Acharacteristicsuiteofinteractingspeciesadaptedtoparticularconditionsofsoil,topography,wateravailabilityandclimate.

ecological Processes:Dynamicinteractionsthatoccuramongandbetweenbiotic(living)andabiotic(non-living)componentsoftheenvironment.

ecosystem:Adynamiccomplexofplant,animal,fungalandmicro-organismcommunitiesandtheassociatednon-livingenvironmentinteractingasanecologicalunit.

endemic:Exclusivelynativetoaspecifiedregionorsite.

Feral:Adomesticatedspeciesthathasescapedtheownership,managementandcontrolofpeopleandislivingandreproducinginthewild.

Fire regime:Theintensity,frequencyandextentoffire.

Fragment:Restrictedareasofhabitatsurroundedbyareasofmostlydestroyedhabitat(mostrelevanttomodifiedandhighlymodifiedlandscapes).

Fragmentation/Fragmented landscapes: The division or separation of natural areas by the clearanceofnativevegetationforhumanlanduses,isolatingremnantsandspeciesandaffectinggeneticflow.

gene:Thefunctionalunitofheredity;thepartoftheDNAmoleculethatencodesasingleenzymeorstructuralproteinunit.

genetic diversity:Thevariabilityinthegeneticmakeupamongindividualsandpopulationswithinasinglespecies.

gilgai:AnaturalsoilformationoccurringextensivelyininlandAustralia,characterisedbyaanundulatingsurfacesometimeswithmoundsordepressionscausedbytheswellingandcrackingofclaysduringalternatingwetanddryseasons.

habitat diversity: The number of different types of habitats within a given area.

habitat:Thephysicalplaceortypeofsitewhereanorganism,speciesorpopulationnaturallyoccurstogetherwiththecharacteristicsandconditions,whichrenderitsuitabletomeetthelifecycle,needsofthatorganism,speciesorpopulation.

hogback ridge:Parallelremnantridgesofrockthatprojectupwardsoffarockybench.

ibra region:InterimBiogeographicRegionalisationforAustraliaregions.

ibra Subregion:Asubdivisionofabioregionbasedonbroadphysicalandbiologicalcharacteristics;asystemofrelatedandinterconnectedlandsystemswithinanIBRAregion.


igneous:Igneousrocksareformedbysolidificationofcooledmagma(moltenrock).

increaser Species:Aspeciesthatincreasesinabundanceinareasofhighgrazingpressure,generally in proximity to water.

indicator:Ameasureagainstwhichsomeaspectsofperformancecanbeassessed.

invasive Species:Anyanimalpest,plantordiseasethatcanadverselyaffectnativespeciesandecosystems.

landform:Anyofthenumerousfeaturesthatmakeupthesurfaceoftheearth,suchasplain,plateauandcanyon.

landscape:Aheterogeneousareaoflandorseathatisofsufficientsizetoachievepositiveresultsintherecoveryofspeciesorecologicalcommunities,orintheprotectionandenhancementofecologicalandevolutionaryprocesses.

landsystem:Agroupoflocalecologicalcommunitiesderivedfromalandscapepatternofrelatedandinterconnectedlocalecosystemswithinasubregion.

native Species:AplantoranimalspeciesthatoccursnaturallyinSouthAustralia.

Protected area:Anareaoflandand/orseaspecificallydedicatedtotheprotectionandmaintenanceofbiologicaldiversity,andofnaturalandassociatedculturalresources,andmanagedthroughlegalorothereffectivemeans.

refuge:Aregion,orhabitat,whereorganismsareabletopersistduringaperiodinwhichmostoftheoriginalgeographicrangebecomesuninhabitable.

remnant:Areas(generallysmall)ofnativeplantcommunitiesthatarefoundinotherwiseclearedlandscapes.

restoration:Assistingtherecoveryofecologicalsystemstoastateinwhichtheviabilityofspeciesandecologicalcommunities,andecosystemfunction,areimproved.

runoff:Theportionofprecipitationnotabsorbedintoordetaineduponthesoilandwhichbecomessurfaceflow.

Semi-arid:Referstoclimatesorregionswhichlacksufficientrainfallforregularcropproduction.Usuallydefinedasaclimatewithannualrainfallbetween250mmand375mm.

Species diversity:Variability(richnessandabundance)ofbiotainanarea.Anindexofcommunitydiversitythattakesintoaccountbothspeciesrichnessandtherelativeabundanceofspecies.

Species:Agroupoforganismscapableofinterbreedingwitheachotherbutnotwithmembersofotherspecies.

Subspecies:Distinctgeographicalrangesofinterbreedingnaturalpopulationsofspeciesthatarereproductivelyisolatedandpossessdistinguishingcharacteristicsfromotherpopulationsofthesamespecies.

Sustainable use:Theuseofcomponentsofbiologicaldiversityinawayandataratethatdoesnotleadtothelongtermdeclineofbiologicaldiversity,therebymaintainingitspotentialtomeettheneeds and aspirations of present and future generations.

Sustainable:Theuseofresourcesorcomponentsofbiologicaldiversityinawayandataratethatdoesnotleadtothelong-termdeclineofbiologicaldiversity,therebymaintainingitspotentialtomeet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

tableland:Anelevatedandgenerallylevelregionofconsiderableextent.

terrestrial:Land-basedbiodiversityincludinginlandaquaticecosystemssuchasrivers,streams,lakes,wetlands,springs,groundwaterandgroundwaterdependentecosystems,andthenativeinlandaquaticspeciesintheseareas.

threat abatement:Eliminatingorreducingathreat.

threatened Species or ecological communities:Aspeciesorecologicalcommunitythatisvulnerable or endangered.

threatening Processes:Thedominantlimitingfactorsandconstraintstotheongoingconservationof biodiversity.

Vegetation association:Astableplantcommunityofdefinitecompositionpresentingauniformappearanceandgrowinginmoreorlessuniformhabitatconditions.

Viability:Thelikelihoodoflong-termsurvivaloftheexample/populationofaparticularecosystemorspecies.


AbbreviationsDEH SouthAustralianDepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage

DWLBC SouthAustralianDepartmentforWaterLandandBiodiversityConservation

EPBC EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999

ESD EcologicallySustainableDevelopment

GAB Great Artesian Basin

IBRA InterimBiogeographicRegionalisationofAustralia

NPW NationalParksandWildlife

NRM NaturalResourcesManagement

PIRSA PrimaryIndustriesandResourcesSouthAustralia

SAAL South Australian Arid Lands

Further readingBrandle,R.(2001),A Biological Survey of the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, 1997 – 1999,DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage,SouthAustralia.

Davies,R.J.-P.(1990),Gammon Ranges National Park – Vegetation Monitoring and Rare and Threatened Plant Species Survey, 1987,NatureConservationSocietyofSouthAustraliaInc.,Adelaide.

Davies,R.J.-P.(1995),Threatened Plant Species Management in the Arid Pastoral Zone of South Australia,PastoralManagementBranch,DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources.

Davies,M.,Twidale,C.R.&Tyler,M.J.(Eds)(1996),Natural History of the Flinders Ranges,RoyalSocietyofSouthAustraliaInc.

DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage(2003),NatureLinks: Implementing the WildCountry Philosophy in South Australia,DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage,SouthAustralia.

Ehmann,H.(2005),South Australian Rangelands and Aboriginal Lands Wildlife Management Manual: A Resource Handbook,DepartmentforWater,LandandBiodiversityConservation, South Australia.

Neagle,N.(2003),An Inventory of the Biological Resources of the Rangelands of South Australia,DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage,SouthAustralia.

NorthEastPastoralSoilConservationBoard(1997),North East Pastoral Soil Conservation District Plan,NorthEastPastoralSoilConservationBoard.

NorthFlindersSoilConservationBoard(1997),North Flinders Soil Conservation District Plan, North Flinders Soil Conservation Board.

Playfair,R.M.&Robinson,A.C.(Eds)(1997),A Biological Survey of the North Olary Plains, South Australia 1995 – 1997,NaturalResourcesGroup,DepartmentofEnvironmentand NaturalResources,SouthAustralia.


South Australian Arid Lands NaturalResourcesManagementBoard

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disclaimer Whilereasonableeffortshavebeenmadetoensurethecontentsofthispublicationarefactuallycorrect,theDepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritagemakesnorepresentationsandacceptsnoresponsibilityfortheaccuracy,completenessorfitnessforanyparticularpurposeofthecontents,andshallnotbeliableforanylossordamagethatmaybeoccasioneddirectlyorindirectlythroughtheuseoforrelianceonthecontentsofthispublication.

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©DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage DesignedandproducedbyCorporateCommunicationBranch,DEH. ISBN9781921238946 FIS90326•June2009

DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage(2009) South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy - FlindersandOlaryRangesConservationPriorities, SouthAustralianAridLandsNRMBoard, DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritage.

For further information please contact:SA Arid Lands NRM Board Railway Station Building RailwayTerrace Port Augusta Telephone:(08)86485977 Website: www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au

DepartmentforEnvironmentandHeritageTelephone:(08)86485300Website: www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity

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