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:

SIMPSON-EYRE

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

Not recorded

Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

Simpson-Eyre is one of the major wilderness areas in South Australia. Consisting
of the Lake Eyre Playa complex and the Simpson Desert, it is bordered on the
east, west and south by pastoral lands. Overall, the region is low-lying, most
of it close to sea level and with much of Lake Eyre lying more than 10 metres
below sea level. Although the Simpson Desert mainly consists of extensive
parallel dunefields, there are, associated with these floodplains, alluvial
plains, gibber plains and dissected residuals. Of the non-dune systems, the
floodplains are probably the mos significant. The Goyder Lagoon area on the
lower Diamantina River is one of the most important ephemeral wetlands in Arid
Australia. The Lake Eyre Playa complex to the south of the Simpson Desert is a
vast, salt surface fringed by gypsum dunes, and surrounding plains with channels
and dunes. [1]

The varying land systems of the Simpson Desert support native vegetation ranging
from hummock grassland (Zygochloa paradoxa and Tirodia) species, low, open
woodland and chenopod shrubland. The vegetation cover of the Lake Eyre Playa
comprises chenopod shrubland and tall shrublnad with grasses and ephemeral
forbs. [2]

Little is known of the area's fauna. A reasonable level of properly recorded
information is available concerning the bird life; rare species include the
Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi) and the Australian Bustard (Ardeotis
australis). Little is known of the reptiles and mammals of the area. [3]

STATE FORESTS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY


The area is thought to have been only occasionally visited by Aborigines, during
very favourable weather conditions. [4]

CONSERVATION HISTORY

THREATS

FERAL ANIMALS
There is evidence of the impacts upon the area of feral grazing animals,
particularly rabbits. [5]

MINING
Large sections of the Simpson Desert have suffered distruvance from petroleum
exploration activities; seismic surveys have been carried out near the South
Australian-Northern Territory border from Dalhousie Springs to near Poeppel
Corner. The lasting effects of this survey activity are the free-flowing Purni
Bore in the Western Desert, and the "B" line or "French Track" into the area.
The improved vehicular access has encouraged mor use than occurs in most other
desert areas. [6]

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.

6
Prineas, 1986.

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