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:

TARKINE

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

North-west Tasmania.

Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

The geology of the area has not been mapped in significant detail and remains
poorly known. [1]

The fauna of the area is of world importance because it includes an unusually
high proportion of endemic species and relict groups of ancient lineage. The
diverse topography, geology, soils and vegetation have sombined with variable
climatic conditions to create a wide array of animla habitats. The fauna of the
area is correspondingly diverse. The insularity of Tasmania, and of parts of the
area in particular, has contributed to the uniqueness of the fauna, and has
helped to protect it from the impact of exotic species which have seriously
affected the fauna of mainland Australia.
Two main groups can be recognised in the fauna. One, including the marsupials
and burrowing freshwater crayfish, has been conserved as relict fauna of the
ancient Gondwana super-continent. The other, including rodents and bats, invaded
Australia from Asia millinons of years after the break up of Gondwana.
Of the thirty-one mammal species known to be present, four species and thirteen
of the recognised subspecies are endemic to Tasmania, including the Tasmanian
devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), the world's largest extant carnivorous marsupial.
One hundred bird species are present including nine of the eleven Tasmanian
endemics, plus two migratory bird species that breed only in Tasmania: the
endangered orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster), one of Australia's
rarest birds and the threatened swift parrot (Lathamus discolor). There are
eleven reptile species, of which one is endemic. Eight of Tasmania's eleven
amphibian species have been recorded in the area, including Tasmania's three
species of tree frogs. Three of the four species in Tasmania with restricted
distributions, are present in the area, including the brow-striped or Peron's
marsh frog which is restricted to marshes along the north-west coast, and the
green and gold tree frog, which is thought ot occur only in the eastern half and
coastal areas of northern Tasmania. Two endemic species are present in the area:
the brilliant Green Tasmanian tree frog (Litoria burrowsi) and the Tasmanian
froglet (Ranidella tasmaniensis). There are thirteen species of freshwater fish
found in the area.
The invertebrate fauna of the area is also rich and diverse. At least eight
species of talitrid amphipods are present in the area, making it one of the
richest centres of diversity in the world. Land snails, flatworms, onycophorans,
spiders, centipedes, millipedes, collembola and beetles are also well
represented in the forest floor of the area.
The freshwater crustaceans of the area are of world significance. The Arthur
River catchment is the only river system that does not drain into Bass Strait
containing the IUCN- listed giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi). This
species has been seriously affected by fishing in most of the other systems it
inhabits. The Arthur River catchment includes large sub-catchments which are
both largely undisturbed and remote from access, making the area an important
refuge. [2]

ENDANGERED SPECIES

No endangered species information is recorded for this area.
LAND USE HISTORY


Much evidence particularly of Holocene and contact period occupation is
preserved within the area. The legacy of this log asssociation is clearly
reflected in the present day distribution of many of the disclimax vegetation
communities. [3]

CONSERVATION HISTORY

No conservation history is recorded for this area.
THREATS

No threats are recorded for this area.
CONTACTS

No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1
TWS, World Heritage Nomination.

2
TWS, 1992, Tarkine World Heritage Nomination, pp 16-19.

3
TWS, 1992, p21.

Return to Contents Page