Mt Gibson Sanctuary

Mt Gibson Sanctuary is a 1,305 km² nature reserve on the northern edge of the Wheatbelt and the southern margin of uncleared rangeland country, 350 km north-east of Perth in south-west Western Australia. The nearest large town is Dalwallinu. It is in the Avon-Wheatbelt Bioregion and is owned and managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC).

History

Mt Gibson is a former pastoral lease, first granted in 1915 and used mainly for sheep grazing. More recently it was managed for its environmental values. It was acquired by AWC in 2001. Current programs include removal and control of feral animals, rehabilitation of degraded areas, and wildfire management. [http://www.australianwildlife.org.au/mtgibson.asp?Type=History Mt Gibson: History] ]

Landscape and climate

Mt Gibson contains rocky ranges, floodplains, claypans, salt-lakes and sand-plains. The climate is semi-arid with winter rainfall and hot, dry summers. Average annual rainfall is 250-300 mm. [http://www.australianwildlife.org.au/mtgibson.asp?Type=General AWC: Mt Gibson] ]

Ecosystems

Floristically, Mt Gibson contains elements of both the south-west region and the arid zone, due to its transitional location on the ‘mulga-eucalypt line’. Much of the reserve is dominated by Wheatbelt flora, largely cleared elsewhere, including extensive eucalypt woodlands, with stands of Salmon Gum, York Gum and Gimlet.

Fauna

Both Red and Western Grey Kangaroos are found on the reserve, emphasizing the transitional nature of its location. Other mammals are Mitchell's Hopping Mouse and the Little Long-tailed Dunnart. Significant bird species include Malleefowl, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo and Regent Parrot. An indicator of floristic richness is a collection of over 100 species of native bees on the property. [http://www.australianwildlife.org.au/mtgibson_wildlife.asp Mt Gibson: Wildlife] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.australianwildlife.org/ Australian Wildlife Conservancy]