Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve

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]

Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve
Western Australia
The reserve is an important site for the western rosella
Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve is located in Western Australia
Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve
Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve
Map
Nearest town or cityHyden
Coordinates32°45′00″S 119°02′15″E / 32.75000°S 119.03750°E / -32.75000; 119.03750
Established1979
Area32,195 hectares (79,560 acres)[1][2]
Managing authoritiesDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
See alsoList of protected areas of
Western Australia
The Lake Varley grevillea is found in the reserve

Flora and fauna edit

The reserve contains 28 different vegetation associations, including heaths, woodlands, low forests, mallee and kwongan. A large number of plant communitiess 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 edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Terrestrial CAPAD 2022 WA summary". www.dcceew.gov.au/. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Australian Protected Areas Dashboard". www.dcceew.gov.au/. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Australian Heritage Database.
  4. ^ Birdata.

Sources edit