Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve Explained

Type:protected
Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve
State:wa
Iucn Category:Ia
Local Map:yes
Zoom:9
Coordinates:-32.75°N 119.0375°W
Pushpin Label Position:top
Nearest Town Or City:Hyden
Area:32195hectare
Area Footnotes:[1] [2]
Established:1979
Managing Authorities:Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Dragon Rocks is a 322 km2 nature reserve in the south-east of the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, some 310 km east-south-east of Perth. It is surrounded by farmland. It is listed on Australia's Register of the National Estate as an area significant for rare species of plants and animals.[3]

Flora and fauna

The reserve contains 28 different vegetation associations, including heaths, woodlands, low forests, mallee and kwongan. A large number of plant communities form a complex mosaic characteristic of wheatbelt vegetation, including vegetation communities occurring on laterite. Sixteen 16 plants, including 13 eucalypts, are endemic to the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The rare Lake Varley grevillea is found in the reserve.[3]

Frog species in the reserve include Günther's toadlet and the spotted-thighed frog. Reptiles present include at least three legless lizards and three geckos. The honey possum, Gilbert's dunnart, and the red-tailed phascogale are present.[3]

The reserve has been identified as an Important Bird Area because it supports populations of the endangered Carnaby's black-cockatoo, malleefowl, western rosella, blue-breasted fairy-wren, purple-gaped honeyeater, and western yellow robin.[4]

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Terrestrial CAPAD 2022 WA summary . . www.dcceew.gov.au/ . . 8 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Australian Protected Areas Dashboard . . www.dcceew.gov.au/ . . 8 September 2023.
  3. Australian Heritage Database.
  4. Birdata.