Selection of a conservation reserve network in the Mulga Biogeographic Region of South-Western Queensland, Australia

Abstract

A study was carried out to delineate key areas for the development of a reserve network to meet the specific conservation needs of the Mulga Biogeographic Region, an area in which the ecosystems were known to be very poorly preserved. Areas of high theoretical conservation value were identified, mainly using a computer-based method to analyse existing resource maps in terms of ecosystem diversity and representativeness and from existing knowledge of rare species or ecosystems. Forty-five potential conservation areas, representing 14% of the Region, were checked in the field to determine actual conservation value. Eight general and six special key areas were then delineated, primarily on the basis of maximum ecosystem diversity, representativeness and good ecosystem condition, to form the basis of a conservation network together with the single existing reserve. Although covering only 3·1% of the Region, such a network could incorporate c. 92% of the major vegetation types present in the Region, the majority of landforms and soil types with which they are associated, and most of the known species or ecosystems which are rare, uncommon, of special biogeographic value, or which represent important fauna habitats.