The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sarus Crane Grus antigone | VU | non-breeding (1997–2008) | 1,050–3,200 birds | A1, A4i |
Bush Thick-knee Burhinus grallarius | LC | breeding (1998–2008) | frequent | A1 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2020) is shown below.
IBA conservation assessment | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
2020 | poor | high | low |
Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
yes | habitat | medium |
State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
Artificial/Terrestrial | moderate (70–90%) | moderate (70–90%) | poor |
Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
Energy production and mining | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | low |
Residential and commercial development | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | low |
Pollution | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
Natural system modifications | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
Biological resource use | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
Most of area (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | No management planning has taken place | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
---|---|---|---|
- | Danbulla South | Forest Reserve (VI) | 1 |
1994 | Hasties Swamp | National Park (II) | <1 |
1994 | Yungaburra | National Park (II) | <1 |
1994 | Malanda Falls | Conservation Park (III) | <1 |
1994 | Hallorans Hill | Conservation Park (III) | <1 |
2001 | Nasser's | Nature Refuge (VI) | <1 |
2005 | Danbulla | Forest Reserve (VI) | <1 |
2008 | Mount Quincan Crater | Nature Refuge (VI) | <1 |
2008 | Curtain Fig | National Park (II) | 1 |
2013 | Mount Quincan | Nature Refuge (VI) | <1 |
2014 | Hallorans Hill | Conservation Park (III) | <1 |
2014 | Malanda Falls | Conservation Park (III) | <1 |
Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
---|---|---|
Artificial/Terrestrial | 79 | Arable land; Improved grassland & pasture; Other urban & industrial areas |
Wetlands (inland) | major (>10) | Freshwater lakes & pools |
Forest | minor (<10) | Rainforest & vine thickets |
Land use | % of IBA |
---|---|
agriculture | major (>10) |
rangeland/pastureland | major (>10) |
water management | major (>10) |
urban/industrial/transport | minor (<10) |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Atherton Tablelands (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/atherton-tablelands-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.