Dover Island (Tasmania)

Dover Island

Dover Island (Tasmania)
Geography
Coordinates	39°28′19″S 147°17′02″E / 39.472°S 147.284°E / -39.472; 147.284[1]Coordinates: 39°28′19″S 147°17′02″E / 39.472°S 147.284°E / -39.472; 147.284[1]
Country
Australia
State	Tasmania

Dover Island is a densely vegetated granite island, with steep slopes and an area of 295 ha, in south-eastern Australia. It is the third largest of Tasmania’s Kent Group, lying in northern Bass Strait between the Furneaux Group and Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. It is now part of the Kent Group National Park, Tasmania’s northernmost national park, which was gazetted in 2002. Unlike its companion islands, Deal and Erith, Dover has never been grazed by stock or cleared, so retaining its original cover of native vegetation and almost completely lacking exotic species.^[2]

Flora and fauna

Dover is covered by low forest dominated by Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata). Recorded breeding seabird and wader species include Little Penguin, Pacific Gull, and Sooty Oystercatcher.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Dover Island, Tasmania (Islands & Reefs)". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government. http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/gazd01?rec=213032.  Retrieved 29 December 2009.
2. ^ Parks & Wildlife Service (23 June 2008). "Kent Group National Park - Highlights". Parks & Wildlife Service - Highlights. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3441. Retrieved 29 December 2009. 
3. ^ Brothers, Nigel; Pemberton, David; Pryor, Helen; & Halley, Vanessa. (2001). Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. ISBN 0-7246-4816-X