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)
14.8. Reference number NSW8
Refuge area: Great Cumbung Swamp
Biogeographic region: Murray-Darling Depression
Type of refuge: Wetland
Lat./Long. 34°30’S / 143°45’E
Quality of refuge: Significant (1)
Area (km²): <10,000
Chief refuge value
An extensive complex of wetlands providing a wide range of habitats and a major drought refuge for waterbirds.
General description
The Great Cumbung Swamp and the Lowbidgee Floodplain are wetlands comprising the terminal drainage swamp of the Lachlan River and its surrounding floodplain, together with the contiguous floodplain of the lower Murrumbidgee River near Balranald. Significant natural flooding occurs in about one in five years, and controlled annual flooding occurs as part of agricultural practices. There are areas of reed, woodland of river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis and black box E. largiflorens, with some areas of lignum Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii. This area provides drought refuge when wetlands in other parts of the inland are dry. The system supports large numbers of waterbirds, many of which breed in the area1, 2, 3.
ANZECC-listed species
None identified.
Regional endemics
None identified.
Relict species
None identified.
Other significant species
Freckled ducks Stictonetta naevosa occur2.
Key threats
Lakebed cropping.
Land tenure
Freehold and leasehold land.
Key references
1. Kingsford et al. (1990)
2. Maher (1990)
3. Wettin et al. (1993)
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