NATIONAL WILDERNESS RED INDEX

Published by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. 30/09/94
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144.

Name:

GULF

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

Along the coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria, 300 km north of Mt Isa.

Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

The Gulf wilderness comprises flat, featureless country stretching inland from
the Gulf of Carpentaria between the Leichhardt and Flinders Rivers. Soils have
been built up over the years by annual depositin of silt brought by rivers from
the south. The land is gradualy moving northwards as this silt is deposited. Old
beaches and dunes may now be found several kilometres inland. [1]

Extensive areas of salt marsh dominated by samphire (Arthrocnemum spp.) and
saltwater couch (Sporobolus spp.) fringed by woodlands of mangroves and Coastal
Oak (Casuarina equisitifolia) are found near the coastline. Dunes support
woodlands dominated by eucalypts and melaleucas. Freshwater swamps filled with
Nympiodes crenata and fringed by woodlands of melaleucas and Pandanus spp. are
found further inland. Open woodlands of Eucalyptus polycarpa and Eucalyptus
dichromophloia are found where alluvial deposits have built up above the
marshes.

The area's tidal estuaries provide habitat for the saltwater crocodile and for
barramundi. [2]

STATE FORESTS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY


The area is largely untouched due to seasonal or permanent flooding over much of
its extent. Some commercial fishing occurs in estuaries, whilst cattle may be
found at times in dryer parts. [3]

CONSERVATION HISTORY

THREATS

CONTACTS

No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1
Prineas, 1986.

2
Prineas, 1986.

3
Prineas, 1986.

4
Prineas, 1986.

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