The Western Australian Mulga shrublands is a deserts and xeric shrublands ecoregion of inland Western Australia.[2] It is one of Australia's two mulga ecoregions, characterized by dry woodlands of mulga trees (Acacia aneura and related species) interspersed with areas of grassland and scrub.[3][1][4]
| Western Australian Mulga shrublands | |
|---|---|
 Mulga tree (Acacia aneura) in mulga shrubland. | |
 Location of the Western Australian Mulga shrublands ecoregion. | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Australasian |
| Biome | deserts and xeric shrublands |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 461,958 km2 (178,363 sq mi) |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 26°30′S 119°15′E / 26.5°S 119.25°E |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Protected | 4.53%[1]</ref> |
Location and description
editThis is a hot, dry area with little rainfall.
The region consists of the Gascoyne and Murchison bioregions of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA).[5][6]
Flora and fauna
editThe predominant vegetation is mulga trees, a type of acacia adapted to the hot, dry climate by means of long tap roots. In some areas the mulga trees are surrounded by Eriachne grassland.
Wildlife of the region includes red kangaroos and birds such as emus, Australian bustards and honeyeaters.
Most of the area is uninhabited but there is some mining activity and some sheep grazing, both of which cause damage to native habitats.
Protected areas
edit4.53% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas in the ecoregion include:[1]
- Barlee Range Nature Reserve
- Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area
- Bullock Holes Timber Reserve
- Collier Range National Park
- De La Poer Range Nature Reserve
- Goongarrie National Park
- Matuwa and Kurrara-Kurrara Indigenous Protected Area
- Mount Augustus National Park
- Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve
- Toolonga Nature Reserve
- Unnamed WA46847 Nature Reserve
- Wanjarri Nature Reserve
References
edit- ^ a b c "Western Australian Mulga shrublands". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Western Australian Mulga shrublands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "Western Australian Mulga shrublands". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ Environment Australia. "Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) and Development of Version 5.1 - Summary Report". Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Australian Government. Archived from the original on 2006-09-05. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ IBRA Version 6.1 data
External links
edit
Media related to Western Australian mulga shrublands at Wikimedia Commons- "Western Australian Mulga shrublands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
