Plant species and sites of botanical significance in the southern bioregions of the Northern Territory
Matthew White ... [et al.]
White, Matthew; Albrecht, David; Duguid, Angus W.; Latz, Peter; Hamilton, Mary
E-Publications; PublicationNT; E-Books
2000-12-00
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).; This report provides a benchmark for the conservation status of botanical values in the southern, predominantly arid part of the Northern Territory. It will have many and varied uses, providing information about conservation values to land holders and managers as well as government departments and conservation groups.
Volume 1 : Significant vascular plants -- Volume 2 : Significant sites
English
Plants -- Northern Territory -- Alice Springs Region; Northern Territory -- Alice Springs Region
Arid Lands Environment Centre
Alice Springs (N.T.)
2 v. : maps ; 30 cm.
application/pdf.
0724527842 (v. 1); 0724527850 (v. 2)
Check within Publication or with content Publisher.
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/243744
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/601270
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/601264; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/601266; https://hdl.handle.net/10070/601268
Volume 2 , Part 2, page 165 MacDonnell Ranges 7. MacDonnell Ranges Bioregion 7.1 OVERVIEW OF THE MACDONNELL RANGES BIOREGION The MacDonnell Ranges bioregion comprises an area of 38,600km2, all of which is located in the Northern Territory. It is predominantly a large geologically diverse upland comprising thick bands of east west oriented ranges. These ranges include the Heavitree, Chewings, Waterhouse, MacDonnell, Ooraminna, James, George Gill, Fergusson, Harts and Gardiner Ranges and associated outliers. Two large geological units are incorporated within the bioregion, the sedimentary rocks of the Amadeus Basin and the largely crystalline metamorphic rocks which characterise the Arunta Block. The ranges enclose several broad plains such as Missionary Plain in the western half of the bioregion and Paddys and Todd Plains in the east. Soils in areas of low relief range from earthy sands to deep loamy alluvium. Numerous spectacular gorges and valleys have been formed by faulting and denudation. The bioregion has a rich flora and supports a range of vegetation types, the most common being hummock grasslands (dominated by Triodia spp) and Acacia shrublands/woodlands (dominated principally by Acacia aneura and/or A.kempeana). The climate of the MacDonnell Ranges bioregion can be characterised as arid sub-tropical. However the presence of the ranges has an ameliorative effect especially in areas of low relief where run-off is concentrated and/or where the topography confers shelter from wind and sun. Frosts are common in winter at lower elevations. The botanical values of this bioregion are relatively well known and comparatively well documented. However, much of this work has focussed on conservation reserves and adjoining areas. Many areas have had little attention, of particular note are the western James Ranges and Missionary Plain. A total of 268 indigenous vascular plant taxa are currently considered to be of conservation significance in the MacDonnell Ranges bioregion. These taxa are listed in volume 1, appendix 3.