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
14. Refugia in New South Wales (continued)
14.7. Reference number NSW7
Refuge area: Booligal wetlands
Biogeographic region: Riverina
Type of refuge: Wetlands
Lat./Long. 33°42’S / 144°51’E
Quality of refuge: Significant (1)
Area (km²): <1,000
Chief refuge value
A wetland providing a wide range of breeding habitats and a major drought refuge for waterbirds.
General description
Low-gradient braided channels situated on the Merrimajeel and Muggabah Creeks, distributaries of the Lachlan River. The creeks and channels are surrounded by lignum Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii and scattered stands of river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis, black box E. largiflorens and river cooba Acacia stenophylla. Several depressions along each of the creeks retain water after the creeks cease to flow. Large numbers of waterbirds congregate to breed and forage in the area during flood years, and so the Booligal wetlands provide valuable drought refuge habitat when wetlands in other parts of the inland are dry1, 2, 3, 4.
ANZECC-listed species
None identified.
Regional endemics
None identified.
Relict species
None identified.
Other significant species
None identified.
Key threats
None identified.
Land tenure
Freehold land.
Key references
1. Briggs et al. (1985)
2. Briggs and Maher (1985)
3. Kingsford et al. (1990)
4. Wettin et al. (1993)
Before you download
Most publications are available as PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.
If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window