Australian Natural Resources Atlas

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Rangelands - Overview

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Location map of Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields bioregionphotograph

Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields

Summary

ATSIC Boundaries

Catchment Basins

Statistical Local Areas

Introduction

The Simpson - Strzelecki Dunefields includes 294,200 sq. kms of land. The majority of the bioregion lies within South Australia (42%) and Northern Territory (38%), with small areas extending into Queensland and New South Wales. The bioregion is characterised by dunefields and sand plains with sparse shrubland and spinifex hummock grassland. The major dry salt lakes in the bioregion include Lake Eyre and Lake Frome. The bioregion has a tropical-temperate climate and includes the driest area of Australia (Kerle, 1996).

Natural Environment

Climate

The Simpson and Strzelecki Dunefields have an arid climate. The region is in the tropical-temperate transition zone with the summer rainfall, especially in the north. The bioregion receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 220mm. Rainfall in the region is extremely unreliable and long dry periods are common. The mean temperatures range from 22°C - 38°C in summer and 5°C - 19°C in winter. Summer maximum temperatures can exceed 45°C. The average mean daily evaporation value ranges from 3.7mm in the winter to 15.7mm in the summer.

Climate information for the bioregion is limited due to the absence of synoptic stations. Climate averages are available for Charlotte Waters on the Northern Territory/South Australia border and Moomba (South Australian):

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/map/climate_avgs/a14f.shtml,

www.bom.gov.au/climate/map/climate_avgs/a17.shtml.

For monthly rainfall and temperature graphs refer to Bureau of Meteorology website: www.bom.gov.au/climate/forms/map_forms/new_imagemaps/sa_name.html,

www.bom.gov.au/climate/forms/map_forms/new_imagemaps/qld_name.html.

Current seasonal conditions and their historical context can be provided by satellite imagery. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a measure of the vegetation 'greenness'. The NDVI for the Simpson and Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion for this year and previous years can be found at: http://www.ea.gov.au/land/monitoring/ttrace/ssd.html.

For background information and additional NDVI products refer to: http://www.ea.gov.au/land/monitoring.

The region is made up of long parallel sand dunes, fringing dunefields, extensive saltpans, sand plains and dry watercourses. Floodplains, alluvial plains, gibber plains and dissected rocky outcrops occur within the bioregion. Topographically the bioregion comprises a vast alluvial depression. Only the occasional heavy rains will fill the usually dry clay pans, saltpans and waterholes. Rivers that have their origin in the ranges to the north and northwest flow into the Simpson Desert and eventually disappear.

The dunefields consist of longitudinal and parallel dunes, which developed approximately 10,000 years ago (Kerle, 1996). Rocky flat-topped hills, breakaway country and gibber plains occur in the eastern and southwestern margins of the bioregion. These remnant resistant areas form mesas and tablelands with a silcrete cap. The eroded silcrete has formed impermeable gibber pavements (Kerle, 1996).

The bioregion lies within the Lake Eyre Basin. Lake Eyre is one of the largest internal drainage basins in the world. The lake has only filled to a significant depth twice in recorded history, in 1948-50 and again in 1974-76. When Lake Eyre is full it teems with fish and bird life. At least 36 waterbird species have been recorded with a total of at least 300,000 individual birds (Morton, et. al., 1995).

The Lake Eyre Basin catchments include the Cooper's Creek, Georgina/Diamantina, Finke, Todd and Neales Rivers. The flow of these rivers is intermittent and highly variable.

The Hay River and Lake Caroline system in the Northern Territory portion of the bioregion is considered one of the few remaining Central Australia pristine watercourses. The Plenty River Salt Lakes are important ephemeral wetlands in Northern Territory (Connors, et. al., 1996). Lake Frome in South Australia is a large relatively pristine saline lake that provides occasional habitat for waterbirds (Morton, et. al., 1995).

Coongie Lakes areas as it is a RAMSAR wetland of international importance, there are a significant number of studies on the area. For further details on wetlands within the bioregion refer to:

www.biodiversity.environment.gov.au/environm/wetlands/directory/wetdir.htm.

Aquifers underlying the bioregion form part of the Great Artesian Basin. The Dalhousie Springs in South Australia are part of the Great Artesian Basin system. The springs are the largest mound springs in Australia (Cox & Barron, 1998).

For more detailed geological information and map refer to the Australian Geological Survey Organisation website: www.agso.gov.au/map/ and the Primary Industries and Resources South Australia: www.pir.sa.gov.au/dhtml/ss/section.php?sectID=5&tempID=18&force=1.

The soils are predominantly red to pale brown siliceous sands overlain by laterite, sandy clays, or ironstone gravels. The soils within the claypans consist of grey clays.

For further information on soils refer to Marree Soil Conservation District Board at: http://www.soil.pir.sa.gov.au/html/nav_dist.htm and the Digital Atlas of Australian Soils at: www.brs.gov.au/data/datasets/atlas/index.html

The bioregion is dominated by hummock grasslands with acacia woodlands (Connor, et. al., 1996). The plant species endemic to the region are the wattles (Acacia pickardii and Acacia nelsonii)(Morton, et. al., 1995). There are 671 plant species recorded within the Northern Territory portion of the bioregion, of which 12 plant species are endemic and 33 species are listed as rare and threatened plant species (Connor, et. al., 1996).

The dunefields have an alternation of vegetation between the sand ridges and interdune areas. The dune crests and upper slopes are sparsely covered with sandhill canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) and hard spinifex (Triodia basedowii), where as the interdunes are characterised by spinifex hummock grassland (Marree Soil Conservation District Board). The dune flanks have areas of sparse tall shrubland to low woodlands dominated by sandhill wattle (A. ligulata), whitewood (Atalaya hemiglauca) and needlebush (Hakea spp.).

The rocky outcrops and gibber plains are sparsely vegetated, commonly saltbush (Atriplex spp.), grasses and some low trees and shrubs (wattle and cassias). Three rare acacias are found on these landforms; waddywood (Acacia peuce), minnie richie (A. cyperophylla) and simpson desert pricky wattle (A. pickhardii) (Kerle, 1996).

Woodlands of coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah), river cooba (Acacia stenophylla) and broughton willow (Acacia salicina) fringe major watercourses and extend out onto floodplains. The low open claypans and margins along the saline lake support samphire and chenopod scrublands of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), queensland saltbush (Chenopodium auricomum), lignum (Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii or florulenta) and canegrass (Eragrostis australasica) (Walbank, et. al., 1996).

Detailed vegetation descriptions are available at the Marree Soil Conservation District Board website: http://www.soil.pir.sa.gov.au/html/nav_dist.htm. For a list of threatened plant species for the Northern Territory portion of the bioregion refer to Connors, et. al. (1996).

Approximately 36 species of terrestrial mammals were reported in the Simpson Desert at the time of European colonisation (Woinarski, et. al., in prep.). A biological survey of the Northern Simpson Desert in the late 1980s documented one fish, one amphibian, 50 reptiles, 145 birds, 17 native mammals and seven introduced mammals (Gibson & Cole, 1988). A total of ten mammal species are believed to be extinct from the region and other six are presumed in decline (Woinarski, et. al., in prep.). A list of mammal species considered extinct and in decline is available in Woinarski, et. al. (in prep.).

The biological survey reported abundant numbers the small mammals, such as the spinifex hopping-mouse (Notomys alexis) and the sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) (Gibson & Cole, 1988). Common small mammals are the forrest's mouse (Leggadina forresti), desert dunnart (Sminthopsis youngsoni), long-haired rat (Rattus villosissimus) and mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) (Kerle, 1996).

Unique to the Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields is theeyrean grasswren (Amytornis goyderi). The lake eyre dragon (Ctenophorus maculosus) is restricted to Lake Eyre and surrounding salt lakes. Lake Eyre fills infrequently and when it does at least 36 species of waterbirds, in excess of 300,000 birds gather at the lake (Morton, et. al, 1995).

Land Tenure & Use

The bioregion includes Aboriginal land, vacant crown land, pastoral lands, nature reserves and a fossil reserve. The Northern Territory portion of the bioregion contains approximately equal amounts of Aboriginal lands and pastoral leases and freehold land (Connors, et. al., 1996). The Aboriginal lands within the bioregion include the Atnetye, Pmere Nyente, Finke Pmer Ulperre Ingwemirne Arletherre, Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa community) lands (Hema Maps, 1997).

A high percentage of the bioregion is reserved, including 53% of the South Australia portion and 29% of the Queensland portion (Woinarski, et. al., in prep.). The reserves within the bioregion include Simpson Desert National Park (506,000 ha, Qld), Simpson Desert Conservation Park (632,680 ha, SA), Simpson Desert Regional Reserve (2,364,200 ha, SA), Lake Frome Regional Reserve (SA), Innamincka Regional Reserve (1,382,765 ha, SA), Strzelecki Regional Reserve (SA), Lake Eyre National Park (1,228,000 ha, SA), Witjira National Park (776,900 ha, SA), Mac Clarke Conservation Reserve (NT) and part of the Sturt National Park (310, 634 ha, NSW). The Lake Callabonnia fossil reserve is within South Australia portion of the bioregion.

Additional information on the South Australian National Parks is available at: http://www.atn.com.au/sa/south/parks-h.htm. Information on the Queensland's largest national park, Simpson Desert National Park is available at: www.env.qld.gov.au/.

The primary land-use is pastoralism, oil and gas exploration, nature conservation, Aboriginal Land and tourism. The land fringing the desert has been used extensively for cattle and sheep grazing (Woinarski, et. al., in prep.). Some of Australia's main gas fields lie within the region (Marree Soil Conservation District Board).

Condition Of The Landscape

Land degradation

Grazing on floodplain by stock and rabbits is one of the major causes of land degradation (Morton, et. al., 1995). Rabbits, camels, seismic exploration tracks and off-road driving have caused some land degradation in the Northern Territory portion of the bioregion (Gibson & Cole, 1988).

There are reports of widespread damage by camels, pigs, goats and rabbits within the Queensland portion of the bioregion (Sattler & Williams, 1999). The Northern Territory portion has major problems with fire, feral animals and erosion (Woinarski, et. al., in prep.). The increasing popularity of tourism in the bioregion may cause some land degradation problems (Connors, et. al., 1996).

The pest species identified in the region include camels, foxes, rabbits, goats and cats.

The most significant weed infestations involve mimosa bush (Acacia farnesiana), parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata), bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum), noogoora burr (X. strumarium), buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and feathertop rhodes grass (Chloris virgata) (Woinarski, et. al., in prep.).

Social & Economic Aspects

People

The population of the Simpson - Strzelecki Dunefields is extremely low. The Santa Teresa Aboriginal community in the far northwest is the only settlement within the bioregion. The Marree Soil Conservation District Board has a resident population of 200-300 people, most of who live outside this bioregion and a transient population of 200-300 petroleum workers.

The Queensland local governments of Diamantina and Bulloo cross the bioregion. The bioregion is within the ATSIC regions of Port Augusta (SA), Aputula (NT), Bourke (NSW), Mount Isa and Roma (Qld) and their respective regional councils of Nulla Wimila Kutja (SA), Papunya (NT), Murdi Paaki (NSW), Mt Isa and Gulf and Goolburri (Qld), (McLennan, 1997). For more information on the Aboriginal people of this region refer to Horton, (1994) and the relevant websites in the reference list.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides the health services in the Marree Soil Conservation District Board. The School of the Air supplies education, as the nearest schools are in Marree and Birdsville. The road infrastructure in the district is minimal.

The Simpson - Strzelecki Dunefields bioregion lies with the Lake Eyre Basin. The Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group (LEBCG) is a community driven initiative to develop a strategic plan for a healthy Lake Eyre Basin system and sustainable natural resource management (LEBCG, 1999).

Resources, References & Contacts

Publications

Connors, G., Oliver, B., & Woinarski, J., 1996, Bioregions in the Northern Territory: conservation values, reservations status and information gaps. Final report to ANCA National Reserves System Cooperative Program (Project N607) Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. ( www.nt.gov.au/paw/fauna/bau/intro.htm.)

Gibson, D. B., & Cole, J. R. 1988, A Biological Survey of the Northern Simpson Desert, Technical Report No 4., Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Darwin, Northern Territory.

Cox, R. & Barron, A. (eds.) 1998, Great Artesian Basin Resource Study Summary, Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council, Fortitude Valley BC, Queensland.

Hema Maps 1997, Australia Touring Atlas, Fergies Colour Printers, Brisbane, Queensland.

Horton, D. R. 1994, The Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia, Aboriginal Studies Press for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra, ACT.

Kerle, J.A. 1996, Bioregions of the Northern Territory. Draft report Conservation Commission of Northern Territory, Palmerston, Northern Territory.

Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group (LEBCG) 1999, In Our Hands: Building a Sustainable Future for the Communities and Environments of the Lake Eyre Basin, a draft strategic plan prepared for public consultation, Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group, Longreach, Queensland.

McLennan, W. 1997, 1994 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey: Social Atlas, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra, ACT.

Morton, S. R., Short, J. & Barker, R. D. with an Appendix by Griffin, G. F. & Pearce, G. 1995, Refugia for Biological Diversity in Arid and Semi-arid Australia, Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories, Canberra, ACT.

Sattler, P. & Williams, R. (eds.) 1999, The Conservation Status of Queensland's Bioregional Ecosystems, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane, Queensland.

Thackway R. and Cresswell I.D. (eds.) 1995, An InterimBiogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: A framework for setting priorities in the National Reserves System Cooperative Program, Version 4.0. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra, ACT.

Woinarski J., Fensham, R., Whitehead, P. & Fisher, A., with map production by Verhagen, C. in prep., Biodiversity in the Australian Rangelands: a Review of Changes in Status and Threatening Processes. Draft report prepared as a resource document for Project 3: Developing an Adaptive Framework for Monitoring Biodiversity in Australia's Rangelands, of the National Land and Water Resources Audit, Theme 4 (Rangelands monitoring) by the Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory.

Walbank, S., Ford, G., Harris, M., & Cohen, B. 1996, Lake Eyre Basin Catchment Management Steering Group. Department of Environment, Queensland & Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia.

Aboriginal languages of Australia:

http://www.dnathan.com/VL/

Aboriginal Studies WWW Virtual Library:

http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-Aboriginal.html

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC):

www.atsic.org.au/about_atsic/board_regional_councillors/regional_information.htm

Australian Geological Survey Organisation, Geology of Australia:

www.agso.gov.au/map/

Bureau of Meteorology, Climate averages:

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/map/climate_avgs/a14f.shtml

www.bom.gov.au/climate/map/climate_avgs/a17.shtml

Bureau of Meteorology, Temperature/rainfall graphs:

www.bom.gov.au/climate/forms/map_forms/new_imagemaps/sa_name.html

www.bom.gov.au/climate/forms/map_forms/new_imagemaps/qld_name.html

Bureau of Rural Sciences, Digital Atlas of Australian Soils:

www.brs.gov.au/data/datasets/atlas/index.html

Connors G., Oliver B., & Woinarski, J., 1996. Bioregions in the Northern Territory: conservation values, reservations status and information gaps:

www.nt.gov.au/paw/fauna/bau/intro.htm.

Environment Australia, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) information including bioregional information:

www.ea.gov.au/land/monitoring

Environment Australia, Wetland sites:

www.biodiversity.environment.gov.au/environm/wetlands/directory/wetdir.htm.

Landcare South Australia:

http://www.landcaresa.org.au/open.htm

Marree Soil Conservation District Board:

http://www.soil.pir.sa.gov.au/html/nav_dist.htm.

Primary Industries and Resources South Australia: www.pir.sa.gov.au/dhtml/ss/section.php?sectID=5&tempID=18&force=1.

South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service:

http://www.atn.com.au/sa/south/parks-h.htm

Queenslands National Parks, Simpson Desert National Park:

www.env.qld.gov.au/

Link to the Map Maker to make a map using this information.

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