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:
GAMMON RANGES
Nominated by:
Not recorded
Location:
The north Flinders Ranges.
Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.
DESCRIPTION
The Gammon Ranges are located in the Northern Flinders Ranges. This is an area
of rugged relief produced by the largest single outcrop of the Pound Quartzite
in the Flinders, where a synclinal fold has given rise to an extensive upland of
flat-lying quartzite strata, with spectacular gorges along watercourses. [1]
The vegetation is dominated over most of the plateau region by shrubland and by
woodlands in the steeper gullies and perimeter areas. The plateau shrubland
consists mainly of an association of Acacia rigens, Allocasuarina muelleriana
and a relic outlier of Melaleuca uncinata. In the more dissected areas the
vegetation is dominated by various combinations of woodlands of mulga (Acacia
aneura), Blackoak (Casuarina cristata) Native Pine (Callitris collumellaris),
Hakea admeana and several species of eucalypts. [2]
Of the large animals, the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus)
occurs in the more rugged sections, while the Euro (Macropus robustus
erubescens) is common over most of the mountainous sections. There is a wide
diversity of bird and insect life. [3]
STATE FORESTS
ENDANGERED SPECIES
GAMMON RANGES contains the following endangered animals:
YELLOW-FOOTED ROCK WALLABY (PETROGALE XANTHOPUS)
LAND USE HISTORY
The region was apparently well used by Aborigines, evident in carvings,
paintings and place-names. [4]
European occupation was initially based on pastoralism and mining. Tourism is
now a major regional economic activity. The impact of these activities has
resulted in areas of wilderness quality being fragmented and restricted to the
strike ridges, hogbacks and plateaux of the higher ranges. The plateau surface
of the Gammons is still in a relatively undisturved state and retains high
wilderness quality. [5]
CONSERVATION HISTORY
THREATS
CONTACTS
No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1
Prineas, P., Lembit, R., Fisher, N., 1986, "Australia's Wilderness An
Inventory".
2
Prineas, 1986.
3
Prineas, 1986.
4
Prineas, 1986.
5
Prineas, 1986.
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