SOUTH 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
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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
major landforms .................................................................................................................................... 10
major land uses .................................................................................................................................... 12
threats to biodiversity .......................................................................................................................... 13
Plains and rises ..................................................................................................................................... 24
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
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).
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.
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regional ecosystem: Regionalecosystem:Freelinglandsystem–Highruggeddissectedplateauwithshallowsoils.SequencesofRedGumgorges,CypressPineescarpmentsandplateaus,undulatingplains with Red Mallee and Red Box woodlands over Spinifex and grasses
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.
Scientists, technicians, and nrm support staffThestrategyalsohastwomainusesforbiologists,ecologists,NRMsupportstaffandothersinvolved inbiodiversityconservationandNRMprojectsandprograms.
land managersForthelandmanagersoftheFlindersandOlaryRanges,thisdocumentclearlysetsoutthebiodiversityconservationprioritiesforthebioregion,anddescribestheactivitiesthatneed tobeundertakentoaddressthesepriorities.Thedocumentalsosuggestspracticalstrategiesandactionsthatlandmanagerscanundertakeontheirownland,aspartoftheirday-to-dayoperations,tomaintainandimprovebiodiversityontheircountry.
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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
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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
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Photo: River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis(L.Edmunds)
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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
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SubregionBarrier Range (BHC1)
Barrier Range Outwash (BHC4)
Bimbowrie (BHC5)
Telechie Plains (BHC6)
Olary Spur (FLB3)
North Flinders (FLB5)
Central Flinders (FLB6)
FLB6
FLB3
BHC1
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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.
Page 10 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
Flinders and olary ranges – land use
Burra
Clare
Yunta
Marree
Whyalla
Blinman
Cockburn
Andamooka
Port Pirie
Port Augusta
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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
South Australian Arid LandsNRM Region
Salt Lake
Dog Fence
Major Road
State Border
Locality
Land Use
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MajorlandusesThere are four major land uses in the Flinders and Olary Ranges.
Pastoralism and cereal cultivationThemainlanduseispastoralismforwoolproduction,althoughanincreasingnumberoflandholdersarenowgrazingcattleduetolowwoolprices.Thereisalsoagoatgrazingcasestudybeingundertakenononepastorallease.Onthesouthernmargin,substantialareasareundermiscellaneouslease,perpetualleaseorfreeholdtitle.Whilstsomeareashavebeenclearedforcultivation,onlyaverysmallpercentageofthisareaisregularlycropped.
miningThemostsignificantminingactivitiesintheFlindersLoftyBlockbioregionaretheLeighCreekcoalfieldsandBeverleyuraniummine.SmallerscaleoperationsincludeminingmagnesiteatMyrtleSprings,zincandleadatPuttapa,talcatMountFreeling,goldatTeetulpaandbariteatWillowSprings.IntheBrokenHillComplexbioregion,extensiveexplorationhasbeenundertakeninandaroundtheOlaryRangesoverthelastdecadealthoughnoextractionhascommenced.Honeymoonuraniummine,aninsituleachingoperationnorthofCockburn,islikelytocommenceoperation in the near future.
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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.
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.
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european impact on the Flinders and olary ranges and implications for biodiversityThesemi-aridenvironmentoftheFlindersandOlaryRangesisparticularlyfragile.Muchoftheregionwastakenupforpastoralproductioninthemidtolate1800s.StockingrateswereamongthehighestinAustraliaduringtheearlypastoralyears.Thearrivalandpersistenceoffoxes,rabbits,feralcats,goatsanddonkeyshascontributedtothefurtherdegradationoftheseecosystems.Manysmalltomedium-sizedmammalsandsomebirdsandreptileshadallbutdisappearedfromtheregionby1900.
CriticalWeightRangemammalsinaridAustraliaarehighlydependentondroughtrefuges.These are relatively rare and fertile habitats that provide small remnant populations with sufficientfood,shelterandwaterresourcestosurvivedrought.
threatened ecological communities;IdentifiedasCriticallyEndangered,EndangeredorVulnerableundertheAustralianGovernment’sEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999,oridentifiedinNeagle(2003)AnInventoryoftheBiologicalResourcesoftheRangelands of South Australia.
other species or communities considered to be at riskbutnotcurrentlylistedundertheCommonwealthGovernment’sEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999.
Page 16 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
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.
Photo: Purple - spotted Gudgeon Mogurnda clivicola(M.Hammer),StreambankFrogletCrinia riparia, River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis
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managing the biodiversity of drainage lines and floodplains – practical ways that land managers can helpThemaindriverofbiologicalactivityinthearidareasiswater.WhentheamountorintensityofrainfallovertheFlindersandOlarybioregionresultsinwaterrunoff,surfacewaterconvergesintodrainagelinesandeventually,iftheflowsarelargeenough,ontofloodplains.Theseareasholdmorewaterforlongerperiodsandaremoreproductivethanthesurroundinglandscape.Drainagelinesandfloodplainsareoftenthefocusforpestplants,campingbyhumansandgrazingofbothnativeandintroducedherbivores.Thesepressurescontributetothereducedrecruitmentofperennialshrubandtreespecies,negativeimpactsonwaterholewildlifethroughincreasedpollutionandincreasedwateruse.
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conservation priority river red gum woodland on drainage lines and floodplainsRiverRedGum(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)woodlandoccursalongdrainagelinesinmostephemeralwatercoursesthroughoutthesemi-aridzoneofthesouthernrangelandsinSouthAustralia.Usuallyalinearfeaturealongdrainagelines,itsometimescoversmoreextensive areas on floodplains.
Identifyand,wherepossible,quantifythedisruption,andsourcesofdisruption,ofkey•ecologicalprocessessupportingindividualoccurrencesofRiverRedGumwoodlands on drainage lines.
Support land managers to improve River Red Gum woodlands on drainage lines.•
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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.
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conservation priority Significant and endemic species in drainage lines TheFlindersRangesPurple-spottedGudgeon(Mogurnda clivicola)isoneofsevenfishesrepresentedinthenorthernFlindersRanges,ofwhichfivearenativeandtwointroduced.Verylittleisknownaboutthedistributionandhabitatrequirementsoftheothersixspeciesoranypopulationtrends.
Plains and risesThislandformischaracterisedbyalluvialplainswithsandyredduplexsoils,red-crackingclays,plainswithcalcareoussoils,anddeeperduplexsoilsassociatedwithranges.ThislandformistypicaloftheBarrierRangeOutwash,TelechiePlainsandBarrierRangesubregions,andimportant,butlessdominant,intheNorthernFlinders,CentralFlinders,OlarySpurandBimbowriesubregions.
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.
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.
managing the biodiversity of plains and rises – practical ways that land managers can helpTheplainsandrisesoftheFlindersandOlarybioregionprovideamosaicofhabitatforawiderangeofnativeanimals.Duetotheirextensivenature,plainsandrisesarealsosignificantinsupporting the pastoral industry within the region.
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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.
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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.
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.
Support land managers to improve the viability of the Plains-wanderer in sparse grassland and •mixedgrassland/herblandincontrollingferalanimalsandoverabundantnativeherbivoresandpromotingappropriategrazingpractices.
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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.
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.
Support land managers to improve Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes •and sand plains.
South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 31
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
South Australian Arid LandsNRM Region
Pastoral Station
Salt Lake
Dog Fence
Major Road
State Border
Locality
0 90
Km
Ne
w S
out
h W
ale
s
Conservation prioritiesSignificant bird species in chenopod shrubland
Plains-wanderer in sparse grasslandand mixed grassland/herbland
Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains
Bullock Bush tall shrubland and significantplant species on alluvial plains
Mapped conservation priorities provide an indication of the potential distribution
Page 32 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
Ranges and hillsThislandformischaracterisedbyaseriesofhighquartzitehogbackridgesandsofterrocks, suchasshales,siltstoneandlimestoneandoccursintheFlindersRanges,OlarySpur,andBimbowrie subregions.
Significance of ranges and hillsTherangesprovidehabitatformanyspeciesthatwouldotherwisenotsurviveinthearidclimate.Therangesarethemostspecies-richlandformduetohigherrainfallandmorecomplexphysicalstructure.TheBiologicalSurveyoftheFlindersRangesidentified23plant,fourbird,threereptileandonefrogspeciesthathavesouthernaffinitiesnorthofHawker.Thesepopulationsareviewedaspopulationisolates,orrelicts,fromamuchwetterperiodandcontributetothesignificanceoftheFlindersRanges.Thislandformislikelytobethemostseverelyaffectedbypredictedtemperatureincreasesandlowereffectiverainfallassociatedwithclimatechange.
chenopod shrublandPearlBluebush(Maireana sedifolia),BlackBluebush(Maireana pyramidata)openchenopodshrublandoverBindyi(Sclerolaena spp.),Ward’sWeed(Carrichtera annua)andgrassesanddaisies on footslopes and stony rises with shales and ironstone.
South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 35
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.
Page 36 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
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.
South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 37
conservation priority ecological communities on high rangesThehighrangesoccuralongthespineoftheFlindersRangesandarecharacterisedbyfourmajorvegetationcommunities:
Sinceitsinceptionintheearly1990sasatargetedoperationfocusedonreducingthreatstoRock-wallabypopulationsintheOlaryandFlindersRanges,Bouncebackhasevolvedintoabroadscalerecoveryprojectincorporatingspecificconservationobjectivesacrossreserves,private landholdings and pastoral properties.
Page 40 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
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.
ThisspecieshassufferedseriousdeclineinbothdistributionandabundanceacrossmuchofitsSouthAustralianrange.TheFlindersRangesarethestrongholdforthisspecieswheresevendistinctmanagementunitshavebeenidentified,andtheBimbowriesubregionsupportstwomore.Managementunitshavebeendefinedasallcolonies,eitherextantorwithevidenceofhistoricaloccupation,thatoccurwithineightkilometers,theknowndispersaldistanceofanimals.Hence,geneflowbetweencolonysitesisconsideredtoonlypotentiallybeoccurringwithinmanagementunits and not between them.
South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 41
conservation priority Significant and endemic plant species on low ranges and hillsThreesignificantspecieshavebeenrecordedintheFlindersandOlaryRangesonlowerrangesand hills.
BoththeBalcanoonaWattleandSmall-leavedXerothamnellaarerestrictedtothenorthernFlindersRanges.TheSmall-leavedXerothamnellaisrestrictedtoasmallareanearMoroGorgeonWertaloonaStationwhereitgrowsonsandyloamsandsandyclaysontherockyslopesinlowopenwoodlandsdominatedbyBlackOak(Casuarina pauper)orCurlyMallee(Eucalyptus gillii).In1993,sevensitessupporting523plantswereidentifiedinanareaofapproximately30hectares,andwhilstgoatsdidnotappeartobegrazingonthisspecies,theymaybetheprimaryfactorlimiting its regeneration.
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.
Identifyandwherepossible,quantifythedisruptionandsourcesofdisruptionofkeyecological•processessupportingindividualpopulationsofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlowranges and hills.
Supportlandmanagerstoimprovetheviabilityofsignificantandendemicplantspeciesonlow•ranges and hills.
Page 42 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
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
South Australian Arid LandsNRM Region
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
Mapped conservation priorities provide an indication of the potential distribution
South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 43
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
Page 44 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
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.
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.
Mulga and Needle Wattle low woodlands on low dunes and sand plains
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
Fragmentation/Fragmented landscapes: The division or separation of natural areas by the clearanceofnativevegetationforhumanlanduses,isolatingremnantsandspeciesandaffectinggeneticflow.
Species diversity:Variability(richnessandabundance)ofbiotainanarea.Anindexofcommunitydiversitythattakesintoaccountbothspeciesrichnessandtherelativeabundanceofspecies.
Sustainable use:Theuseofcomponentsofbiologicaldiversityinawayandataratethatdoesnotleadtothelongtermdeclineofbiologicaldiversity,therebymaintainingitspotentialtomeettheneeds and aspirations of present and future generations.
Sustainable:Theuseofresourcesorcomponentsofbiologicaldiversityinawayandataratethatdoesnotleadtothelong-termdeclineofbiologicaldiversity,therebymaintainingitspotentialtomeet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.
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.
Page 48 South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities
South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy: Volume 3 Flinders and Olary Ranges Conservation Priorities Page 49
South Australian Arid Lands NaturalResourcesManagementBoard
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