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
13. Refugia in Queensland (continued)
13.3. Reference number QLD3
Refuge area: Lake Buchanan and Lake Galilee
Biogeographic region: Desert Uplands
Type of refuge: Wetlands
Lat./Long. 21°38’S / 145°52’E and 22°19’S / 145°50’E
Quality of refuge: Significant (1)
Area (km²): <1,000
Chief refuge value
A pair of sub-tropical freshwater wetlands functioning as important refuges for waterbirds.
General description
Two major wetlands lie to the south-east of Hughenden1. Lake Buchanan is a seasonal wetland comprised of saline flats, brackish water lakes, freshwater swamps, samphire associations, and sandy beaches supporting a Grevillea and Acacia woodland. This swamp is an important breeding site for a range of waterbirds. Lake Galilee has a similar range of habitats to Lake Buchanan but is less salty. It is reported to have large numbers of breeding waterbirds at times.
ANZECC-listed species
The plant Lawrencia buchananensis occurs on the west beach of Lake Buchanan1.
Regional endemics
None identified.
Relict species
None identified.
Other significant species
None identified.
Key threats
Disturbance by feral animals, notably pigs.
Land tenure
Pastoral leases.
Key references
1. Blackman et al. (1993)
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