Diamantina and Astrebla Grasslands


IBA Justification

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
Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis LC resident (1995–2008) frequent A1
Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis LC resident (1995–2007) 10,000–12,000 birds A4i
White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica LC resident (1995–2007) 500–600 birds A4i
Inland Dotterel Peltohyas australis LC resident (1995–2008) frequent A3
Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus EN resident (2002) rare A1
Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis CR resident (2006) rare A1, A3
Bourke's Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii LC resident (1995–2008) uncommon A3
Black Honeyeater Sugomel nigrum LC resident (1995–2008) frequent A3
Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus LC resident (1995–2008) common A3
Gibberbird Ashbyia lovensis LC resident (1995–2008) common A3
Hall's Babbler Pomatostomus halli LC resident (1995–2008) common A3
Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax LC resident (1998–2008) rare A3
Cinnamon Quail-thrush Cinclosoma cinnamomeum LC resident (1995–2007) uncommon A3
Spinifexbird Poodytes carteri LC resident (1998–2008) rare A3

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2008) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2008 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset medium

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Agricultural expansion and intensification happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Natural system modifications happe­ning now whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) 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
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1996 Diamantina National Park (II) 66
1999 Astrebla Downs National Park (II) 23

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Desert major (>10) Semi-desert (includes gibber plains)
Grassland major (>10) Tussock grasslands
Savanna major (>10) Acacia open woodlands; Eucalypt open woodlands
Shrubland minor (<10) Chenopod shrubs, samphire shrubs and forblands; Other shrublands
Wetlands (inland) minor (<10) Riverine floodplains

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research major (>10)
rangeland/pastureland major (>10)

Land ownership
Queensland EPA; privately-owned stations.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Diamantina and Astrebla Grasslands (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/diamantina-and-astrebla-grasslands-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.