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Publications

Refugia for Biological Diversity in Arid and Semi-arid Australia

Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 4
Biodiversity Unit

S.R. Morton, J. Short and R.D. Barker
with an Appendix by G.F. Griffin and G. Pearce


13.2. Reference Number QLD2

Refuge area Gregory and Nicholson River wetlands

Biogeographic region Gulf Plains

Type of refuge Wetlands

Lat./Long. 18o S / 139o E

Quality of refuge Significant (2)

Area (km2) <10,000

Chief refuge value

A complex of sub-tropical freshwater and tidal wetlands functioning as important refuges for waterbirds and migratory waders.

General description

The Nicholson and Gregory Rivers drain out of the North-west Highlands in the corner of Queensland through dry, sub-tropical eucalypt woodland. On the marine plains and littoral shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the streams support dense shrublands, riverine forests and wetlands. Tidal wetlands form downstream. Systematic studies of these systems are lacking, but they appear to have high biological value and to function as refuges for many species of waterbirds and migratory waders1.

ANZECC-listed species

None identified.

Regional endemics

None identified.

Relict species

None identified.

Other significant species

None identified.

Key threats

Low intensity cattle grazing, and feral pigs and horses.

Land tenure

Pastoral leases.

Key references

1. Blackman et al. (1993)

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