Watervalley Wetlands


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important 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 List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis LC resident 1995-2007 10-600 individuals A1, A4i
Musk Duck Biziura lobata LC resident 1995-2007 10-800 individuals A4i
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata VU non-breeding 1996-2007 600-4,600 individuals A4i

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2009) may differ.


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 (2016) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2016 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no unset -

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Natural system modifications happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1995 Unnamed (No.HA1005) Heritage Agreement 8

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Wetlands (inland) Permanent herbaceous swamps & bogs, Saline lakes 56
Forest Eucalypt woodlands, Melaleuca forests & woodlands 31
Shrubland Heath 7
Artificial/Terrestrial Improved grassland & pasture 6
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 100

Land ownership
The majority of the land is owned by Wetlands and Wildlife (1st Floor, 187 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000) with the rest owned by TK and PA Brinkworth of Kingston SA. All will, in due course, become the property of Wetlands and Wildlife.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Watervalley Wetlands (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/watervalley-wetlands-iba-australia on 23/11/2024.