Taunton National Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 23°32′0″S 149°13′17″E / 23.53333°S 149.22139°E / -23.53333; 149.22139
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| name = Taunton National Park
| name = Taunton National Park
| iucn_category = Ia
| iucn_category = Ia
| image =
| image = Australia location map.svg
| caption =
| caption = Taunton National Park
| locator_x =
| locator_x = 242
| locator_y =
| locator_y = 95
| nearest_town_or_city =
| nearest_town_or_city = Emerald
| coordinates = {{Coord|23|32|0|S|149|13|17|E|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|23|32|0|S|149|13|17|E|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{Convert|116|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=DERM>{{cite web|last=Department of Environment and Resource Management|title=Taunton National Park (Science): Management Plan 2011|url=http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/managing/plans-strategies/pdf/mp057-taunton-np-sci-mgtplan-gic-approved-2011.pdf|work=Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing|publisher=Queensland Government|accessdate=4 April 2013}}</ref>
| area = {{Convert|116|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}}
| established = 1994
| established = 1986
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| managing_authorities = [[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service]]
| managing_authorities = [[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service]]
| official_site =
| official_site =
}}
}}

'''Taunton''' is a scientific [[national park]] in [[Australia]], 130&nbsp;km west of [[Rockhampton, Queensland|Rockhampton]], [[Central Queensland]].
'''Taunton National Park''' is situated near [[Dingo]] township, Eastern [[Central Queensland]], [[Australia]], 135 km inland from [[Rockhampton, Queensland|Rockhampton]]. The park is found in the Central Highlands Shire, within the Northern [[Brigalow Belt]] [[Bioregion]] in Queensland, a region widely recognised to contain considerable biodiversity<ref name=DERM /> (REF). The park encompasses an area of {{convert|11626|ha|abbr=on}}, following an initial land purchase in 1979 and a subsequent extension in 1984<ref name=DERM /><ref name=wallabydiet1>{{cite journal|authors=Ellis, B. A., Dawson, T. J., & Tierney, P. J.|title=The diet of the bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata), 1. Site and seasonal influences and dietary overlap with the black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis) and domestic cattle [central Queensland]|journal=Wildlife Research|year=1992|volume=19|pages=65-78}}|url=http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search/display.do?f=1996/AU/AU96005.xml;AU9204211</ref>.

Taunton National Park is designated as a strictly scientific [[nature reserve]] due to its importance in ensuring the ongoing survival and protection of the endangered [[Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby]] (''Onychogalea fraenata'') <ref name=IUCN_BNTW>{{cite web|last=McKnight|first=M|title=''Onychogalea fraenata''. In IUCN 2012: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2|url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15330/0|work=IUCN|publisher=IUCN|accessdate=10 April, 2013}}</ref>. The parks establishment and ongoing management to protect the wallaby, has facilitated natural regeneration processes within reserve boundaries, protected ecosystem communities from further agricultural disturbances in the surrounding landscape, provided habitats for native fauna and helped conserve a wide range of biodiversity <ref name=BrigForest>{{cite journal|authors=Bowen, M. E., McAlpine, C. A., Seabrook, L. M., House, A. P., & Smith, G. C.|title=The age and amount of regrowth forest in fragmented brigalow landscapes are both important for woodland dependent birds.|journal=Biological Conservation|year=2009|volume=142|issue=12|pages=3051-3059|doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2009.08.005}}</ref> .

==Region Description==
Clay soils dominate the Tropical Savannah Ecoregion, within which the park lies, and the topography ranges from open plains to undulating hills and valleys<ref name=WWF>{{cite book|last=World Wildlife Fund (Lead Author) & McGinley, M. (EOE Topic Ed.)|title=''Brigalow tropical savanna''|publisher=Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment|location=Washington, D. C.|url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Brigalow_tropical_savanna#gen0|editor=Encyclopedia of Earth (C. J. Cleveland, Encyclopedia of Earth Ed.)|accessdate=11 April, 2013|date=7 March, 2007, Revised 1 July, 2012}}</ref>.
The regions climate is described as subtropical and semi-arid, with a mean annual rainfall of 711 mm, half of which is concentrated over the Summer months; from December to February <ref name=Fairywren>{{cite journal|authors=Chan, K., & Augusteyn, J. D.|title=Relationship between bird-unit size and territory quality in three species of fairy-wrens (''Malarus'' spp.) with overlapping territories.|journal=Ecological Research|year=2003|volume=18|issue=1|pages=73-80|doi=10.1046/j.1440-1703.2003.00534.x}}</ref><ref name=VegeStructure>{{cite journal|authors=Fisher, D. O.|title=Effects of vegetation structure, food and shelter on the home range and habitat use of an endangered wallaby.|journal=Journal of Applied Ecology|year=2000|volume=37|issue=4|pages=660-671|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00518.x}}</ref>. The distribution of rainfall over such a condensed period leaves the area prone to droughts; with an average of one sustained drought event occurring every decade. The most recent drought of significance occurred between 1991 and 1995 with detrimental impacts on bridled nailtail wallaby population numbers<ref name=Drought>{{cite journal|authors=Fisher, D. O., Blomberg, S. P., & Hoyle, S. D.|title=Mechanisms of drought-induced population decline in an endangered wallaby.|journal=Biological Conservation|year=2001|volume=102|issue=1|pages=107-115|doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00200-7}}</ref> <ref name=VegeStructure />.

A combination of open, grassy Eucalypt woodlands and transitional and regrowing Acacia shrub-lands and forests comprise Taunton National Parks main vegetation zones <ref name=wallabydiet1 />. The most common vegetation associations within the park and surrounding areas, tend to be dominated by either Brigalow (''[[Acacia harpophylla]]'') or poplar box (''[[Eucalyptus populnea]]'') species, which commonly occur along with other ''Acacia'' and ''Ecualyptus'' spp. <ref name=wallabydiet1 /><ref name=Bowerdecs /><ref name=Demography>{{cite journal|authors= Pople, A., Lowry, J., Lundie-Jenkins, G., Clancy, T. F., McCallum, H. I., Sigg, D., Hoolihan, D. & Hamilton, S.|title=Demography of bridled nailtail wallabies translocated to the edge of their former range from captive and wild stock|journal=Biological Conservation|year=2001|volume=102|issue=3|page=285-299|doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00101-X}}</ref>. Water-bodies present within the park boundaries consist of 15 dams and a small number of creeks<ref name=Bowerdecs>{{cite journal|last=Madden|first=J. R|title=Bower decorations are good predictors of mating success in the spotted bowerbird|journal=Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology|year=2003|volume=53|pages=269-277|doi=10.1007/s00265-003-0583-6}}</ref>.

==Regional History==

The region in which Taunton National Park is located, was (and still is) subject to long-term, wide-scale agricultural development and associated disturbances. During the 1950's and 60's extensive clearance of Brigalow Scrub began to take place in order to establish pastoral grasses for grazing domestic sheep and cattle <ref name=Diet2>{{cite journal|authors=Dawson, T. J., Tierney, P. J., Ellis, B. A.|title=The diet of the Bridled nailtail wallaby (''Onychogalea fraenata''). II Overlap in dietry niche bredth and plant preferences with the black-striped wallaby (''Macropus dorsalis'') and domestic cattle|journal=Wildlife Research|year=1992|volume=19|issue=1|pages=79-87|doi=10.1071/WR9920079}}</ref><ref name=Rediscovery>{{cite journal|authors=Gordon, G., & Lawrie, B. C.|title=The Rediscovery of the Bridled Nail-Tailed Wallaby, ''Onychogalea fraenata'' (Gould)(Marsupialia: Macropodidae).|journal=Wildlife Research|year=1980|volume=7|issue=3|pages=339-345|doi=10.1071/WR9800339}}</ref>. Buffle Grass (''[[Cenchrus ciliaris]]'') was widely sowed for fodder in the cleared areas, and rapidly became irreversibly established<ref name=Conservation>{{cite journal|authors=Kearney, F., McAllister, R. R., & MacLeod, N. D.|title=Conservation and grazing in Australia's north-east: the bridled nailtail wallaby.|journal=Pastoralism|year=2012|volume=2|issue=1|pages=1-17|url=http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/2041-7136-2-20|accessdate=09 April 2013}}</ref>.

A governmental initiative called the 'Brigalow Development Scheme' provided great incentive for increasing agricultural development in the Brigalow region and accelerated the rate and scale of vegetation clearance for conversion to Buffle grass<ref name=Rediscovery />. The success of this scheme resulted in agricultural system adjustments so that more intensive [[land use]] practices became common, with smaller properties and higher stock numbers <ref name=Rediscovery />. The cumulative effects of this land use change resulted in a considerable reduction in remnant vegetation patch size and occurrence<ref name=Rediscovery />. This in turn reduced the availability of habitat, food and shelter for native fauna, and altered the natural vegetation composition <ref name=Rediscovery /><ref name=Conservation />.
====Park Establishment====
In 1973 a Bridled nail-tail wallaby was sighted on a cattle property named 'Taunton' and reported by the fencing contractor<ref name=Rediscovery /> . There there had been reports of a significant decline in the wallabies population numbers during the early 1900's and there were no recorded sightings since the 1930's, so subsequently the species had been presumed extinct <ref name=Demography /> <ref name=Rediscovery />. Following this sighting, Taunton was purchased in 1979 and established as a scientific reserve, solely to ensure the protection of the wallaby (<ref name=wallabydiet1 /><ref name=DERM />. Then in 1984, another cattle property 'Red Hill', situated adjacent to Taunton, was added to the reserve and the whole area later became officially named 'Taunton National Park' <ref name=wallabydiet1 /><ref name=DERM />.


==Biology and Ecology==
The park occurs in the Northern Brigalow Tropical Savannah Ecoregion, which is so named for the dominant vegetation species; Brigalow ''Acacia harpophylla''<ref name=WWF />. Despite considerable regional agricultural and pastoral development, a large proportion of the park's vegetation remained intact or was exposed to minimal disturbance prior to the reserve being established<ref name=Diet2 />. Up to and around 1975, only 17% of vegetation within the park had been cleared, resulting in the the park providing an important representation of ecosystems and vegetation communities that were regionally prevalent, with many of these communities now restricted to bush fragments and reserves<ref name=wallabydiet1 /><ref name=WWF /><ref name=DERM />.
[[File:IBRA 6.1 Brigalow Belt North.png|Thumb|IBRA 6.1 Brigalow Belt North]]

===Flora===


===Fauna===
Taunton National Park provides important habitat for a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. Over 70 species of bird and numerous reptiles have been recorded inside the park boundaries, this wide range of biodiversity also encompasses 4 of the 6 Australian snake types; (NPRS). Bird species which are particularly noteworthy due to their vulnerable, near threatened or threatened status include the Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta) and the Rainbow Bee Eater (Merops ornatus) (NPRS). In addition, the spotted bower bird ( ) behaviour () and ……. has been the focus of a considerable number of scientific research projects ( ………). Reptile species of significance which are also found within the park include the Brigalow scaly-foot lizard (Paradelma orientalis) and the arboreal (link to wiktionary) golden-tailed gecko (Strophurus taenicauda) (NPRS). Koalas are also found in the park on occasion.

=====Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby=====



==Values==
===Conservation===

===Cultural===

===Scientific Research===

==Management==
===Threats===

===Objectives===



==See also==
==See also==
Line 23: Line 71:


{{National Parks of Queensland}}
{{National Parks of Queensland}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}



[[Category:National parks of Queensland]]
[[Category:National parks of Queensland]]

Revision as of 03:27, 12 April 2013

Taunton National Park
Error: |state= not defined (help)
Taunton National Park
Taunton National Park is located in Australia
Taunton National Park
Taunton National Park
Coordinates23°32′0″S 149°13′17″E / 23.53333°S 149.22139°E / -23.53333; 149.22139
Established1986
Area116 km2 (44.8 sq mi)[1]
Error: |type= not defined (help)

Taunton National Park is situated near Dingo township, Eastern Central Queensland, Australia, 135 km inland from Rockhampton. The park is found in the Central Highlands Shire, within the Northern Brigalow Belt Bioregion in Queensland, a region widely recognised to contain considerable biodiversity[1] (REF). The park encompasses an area of 11,626 ha (28,730 acres), following an initial land purchase in 1979 and a subsequent extension in 1984[1][2].

Taunton National Park is designated as a strictly scientific nature reserve due to its importance in ensuring the ongoing survival and protection of the endangered Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) [3]. The parks establishment and ongoing management to protect the wallaby, has facilitated natural regeneration processes within reserve boundaries, protected ecosystem communities from further agricultural disturbances in the surrounding landscape, provided habitats for native fauna and helped conserve a wide range of biodiversity [4] .

Region Description

Clay soils dominate the Tropical Savannah Ecoregion, within which the park lies, and the topography ranges from open plains to undulating hills and valleys[5]. The regions climate is described as subtropical and semi-arid, with a mean annual rainfall of 711 mm, half of which is concentrated over the Summer months; from December to February [6][7]. The distribution of rainfall over such a condensed period leaves the area prone to droughts; with an average of one sustained drought event occurring every decade. The most recent drought of significance occurred between 1991 and 1995 with detrimental impacts on bridled nailtail wallaby population numbers[8] [7].

A combination of open, grassy Eucalypt woodlands and transitional and regrowing Acacia shrub-lands and forests comprise Taunton National Parks main vegetation zones [2]. The most common vegetation associations within the park and surrounding areas, tend to be dominated by either Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) or poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea) species, which commonly occur along with other Acacia and Ecualyptus spp. [2][9][10]. Water-bodies present within the park boundaries consist of 15 dams and a small number of creeks[9].

Regional History

The region in which Taunton National Park is located, was (and still is) subject to long-term, wide-scale agricultural development and associated disturbances. During the 1950's and 60's extensive clearance of Brigalow Scrub began to take place in order to establish pastoral grasses for grazing domestic sheep and cattle [11][12]. Buffle Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) was widely sowed for fodder in the cleared areas, and rapidly became irreversibly established[13].

A governmental initiative called the 'Brigalow Development Scheme' provided great incentive for increasing agricultural development in the Brigalow region and accelerated the rate and scale of vegetation clearance for conversion to Buffle grass[12]. The success of this scheme resulted in agricultural system adjustments so that more intensive land use practices became common, with smaller properties and higher stock numbers [12]. The cumulative effects of this land use change resulted in a considerable reduction in remnant vegetation patch size and occurrence[12]. This in turn reduced the availability of habitat, food and shelter for native fauna, and altered the natural vegetation composition [12][13].

Park Establishment

In 1973 a Bridled nail-tail wallaby was sighted on a cattle property named 'Taunton' and reported by the fencing contractor[12] . There there had been reports of a significant decline in the wallabies population numbers during the early 1900's and there were no recorded sightings since the 1930's, so subsequently the species had been presumed extinct [10] [12]. Following this sighting, Taunton was purchased in 1979 and established as a scientific reserve, solely to ensure the protection of the wallaby ([2][1]. Then in 1984, another cattle property 'Red Hill', situated adjacent to Taunton, was added to the reserve and the whole area later became officially named 'Taunton National Park' [2][1].


Biology and Ecology

The park occurs in the Northern Brigalow Tropical Savannah Ecoregion, which is so named for the dominant vegetation species; Brigalow Acacia harpophylla[5]. Despite considerable regional agricultural and pastoral development, a large proportion of the park's vegetation remained intact or was exposed to minimal disturbance prior to the reserve being established[11]. Up to and around 1975, only 17% of vegetation within the park had been cleared, resulting in the the park providing an important representation of ecosystems and vegetation communities that were regionally prevalent, with many of these communities now restricted to bush fragments and reserves[2][5][1]. IBRA 6.1 Brigalow Belt North

Flora

Fauna

Taunton National Park provides important habitat for a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. Over 70 species of bird and numerous reptiles have been recorded inside the park boundaries, this wide range of biodiversity also encompasses 4 of the 6 Australian snake types; (NPRS). Bird species which are particularly noteworthy due to their vulnerable, near threatened or threatened status include the Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta) and the Rainbow Bee Eater (Merops ornatus) (NPRS). In addition, the spotted bower bird ( ) behaviour () and ……. has been the focus of a considerable number of scientific research projects ( ………). Reptile species of significance which are also found within the park include the Brigalow scaly-foot lizard (Paradelma orientalis) and the arboreal (link to wiktionary) golden-tailed gecko (Strophurus taenicauda) (NPRS). Koalas are also found in the park on occasion.

Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby

Values

Conservation

Cultural

Scientific Research

Management

Threats

Objectives

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Department of Environment and Resource Management. "Taunton National Park (Science): Management Plan 2011" (PDF). Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. Queensland Government. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "The diet of the bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata), 1. Site and seasonal influences and dietary overlap with the black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis) and domestic cattle [central Queensland]". Wildlife Research. 19: 65–78. 1992. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)|url=http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search/display.do?f=1996/AU/AU96005.xml;AU9204211
  3. ^ McKnight, M. "Onychogalea fraenata. In IUCN 2012: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2". IUCN. IUCN. Retrieved 10 April, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ "The age and amount of regrowth forest in fragmented brigalow landscapes are both important for woodland dependent birds". Biological Conservation. 142 (12): 3051–3059. 2009. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2009.08.005. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  5. ^ a b c World Wildlife Fund (Lead Author) & McGinley, M. (EOE Topic Ed.) (7 March, 2007, Revised 1 July, 2012). Encyclopedia of Earth (C. J. Cleveland, Encyclopedia of Earth Ed.) (ed.). Brigalow tropical savanna. Washington, D. C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment. Retrieved 11 April, 2013. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Relationship between bird-unit size and territory quality in three species of fairy-wrens (Malarus spp.) with overlapping territories". Ecological Research. 18 (1): 73–80. 2003. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1703.2003.00534.x. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  7. ^ a b "Effects of vegetation structure, food and shelter on the home range and habitat use of an endangered wallaby". Journal of Applied Ecology. 37 (4): 660–671. 2000. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00518.x. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  8. ^ "Mechanisms of drought-induced population decline in an endangered wallaby". Biological Conservation. 102 (1): 107–115. 2001. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(00)00200-7. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  9. ^ a b Madden, J. R (2003). "Bower decorations are good predictors of mating success in the spotted bowerbird". Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology. 53: 269–277. doi:10.1007/s00265-003-0583-6.
  10. ^ a b "Demography of bridled nailtail wallabies translocated to the edge of their former range from captive and wild stock". Biological Conservation. 102 (3): 285-299. 2001. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00101-X. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  11. ^ a b "The diet of the Bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata). II Overlap in dietry niche bredth and plant preferences with the black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis) and domestic cattle". Wildlife Research. 19 (1): 79–87. 1992. doi:10.1071/WR9920079. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "The Rediscovery of the Bridled Nail-Tailed Wallaby, Onychogalea fraenata (Gould)(Marsupialia: Macropodidae)". Wildlife Research. 7 (3): 339–345. 1980. doi:10.1071/WR9800339. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  13. ^ a b "Conservation and grazing in Australia's north-east: the bridled nailtail wallaby". Pastoralism. 2 (1): 1–17. 2012. Retrieved 09 April 2013. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
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