Refugia for biological diversity in arid and semi-arid Australia
Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 4
S.R. Morton, J. Short and R.D. Barker, with an Appendix by G.F. Griffin and G. Pearce
Biodiversity Unit
Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories, 1995
11. Refugia in South Australia (continued)
11.8. Reference number SA8
Refuge area: Lake Eyre
Biogeographic region: Simpson-Strzelecki Dunefields
Type of refuge: Wetland
Lat./Long. 29°02’S / 137°20’E
Quality of refuge: Significant (3)
Area (km²): <10,000
Chief refuge value
The terminus of one of the largest endorheic drainage basins in the world, and a major breeding area for waterbirds during periods of inundation.
General description
An immense playa complex of salt lakes subject to occasional extensive flooding but more regular minor flooding every couple of years1, 2, 3.
ANZECC-listed species
None identified.
Regional endemics
The Lake Eyre dragon Ctenophorus maculosus is restricted to Lake Eyre and surrounding salt lakes4; an ostracod crustacean Diacypris sp. is also endemic2.
Relict species
None identified.
Other significant species
At least 36 species of waterbirds occupy the Lake in vast numbers during flooding, and several breed in large numbers3.
Key threats
Alterations to hydrology upstream, and introduction of exotic fish.
Land tenure
Lake Eyre National Park.
Key references
1. Kotwicki (1986)
2. Williams (1990)
3. Kingsford and Porter (1993)
4. Mitchell (1973)