Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p51
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 148719–151744

extremely important area for plant and animal endemism and diversity.

Values and condition

The stone country:

    * is extremely rich in endemic (restricted) plants and animals, and at least 160 plant species occur nowhere else in the world. Endemic animals include three birds, five mammals (including the black wallaroo, Barrk) and 12 reptiles (including one of Australia's largest snakes, the Oenpelli python, Nawaran)

    * comprises a high diversity of species, and some remarkable changes in species composition over very small areas

    * contains at least 30 threatened species (10 plants and 20 animals – see Appendix J), including some with only a limited distribution

    * has provided habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals secure from fire and changes in climate for millions of years

    * contains a large proportion (22.5 per cent) of the nationally endangered Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex ecological community (see Figure 4)

    * is the catchment for the major river systems in the park (and some of the largest river systems in the Northern Territory), feeding the lowlands and floodplains

    * is a spectacular and beautiful example of geomorphology that shows examples of important periods of change during the earth's formation.

In broad terms, the stone country is in good to near-pristine condition by most standards, with little development and few weeds. However, many elements of the stone country are in decline. Notably this includes the endangered Arnhem Plateau Sandstone Shrubland Complex community and more than 30 threatened species. Long-term monitoring data indicate that populations of many of these species are continuing to decline. Similar trends are evident for other significant stone country species (keystone species) not yet recognised as threatened, such as Allosyncarpia (Anbinik) and Callitris (Anlarr). There is a significant lack of knowledge about many stone country species, including their condition.

Existing threats to values

  Fire (highly significant)
Frequent, extensive and high-intensity fires are the most significant threat to the stone country environment. While plants and animals in the stone country have evolved with some fire, many species are vulnerable to frequent and intense fires. A stone country fire management programme has been implemented in the park since 2006, and this has been successful in reducing the extent and intensity of fires. However, effective fire management over this remote, rugged and generally inaccessible region remains challenging and expensive.

  Feral animals:
    * Feral cat (highly significant)

  Feral cats are thought to be associated with reductions in native animals, particularly reptiles, birds and ground-dwelling mammals such as the Arnhem rock-rat, but more information is required to understand the population and impacts of feral cats. Actions relating to feral cat management are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).

    * Cane toad