Biodiversity surveys assist Kimberley land management

Surveys of animals and plants in key locations throughout the Kimberley are providing important information to help conserve the region's biodiversity.

The annual survey program is run by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and local Aboriginal ranger groups as part of the Liberal National Government's Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy and the Cane Toad Initiative for Western Australia 2014-19.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the importance of the work was underscored by data collected during surveys this year which revealed new populations of endangered northern quolls.

"Quolls are vulnerable to impacts such as cane toads, so it is important we have an understanding of their distribution across the Kimberley," Mr Jacob said.

"It was exciting to find a new population at Windjana Gorge National Park and also at Buckle Head on the north Kimberley coast.

"At Windjana, officers trapped rock rats and a variety of reptiles in the first of a three-year program to gather baseline information about the terrestrial biodiversity and vegetation conditions.

"Surveys were also conducted at Wire Springs near Fitzroy Crossing, Cockburn Range, Drysdale River, Walcott Inlet and Carson River Station, along with several Kimberley islands."

The Minister said it was the first time data about local animals and vegetation had been gathered from Walcott Inlet and Drysdale River.

"Parks and Wildlife staff and Balanggarra rangers camped in a remote area of the Drysdale River mouth and trapped and photographed a diverse range of mammal, reptile and amphibian species," he said.

"The highlights of this survey included finding bandicoots, water rats, very large crocodiles and an almost legless lizard known as the Kalumburu slider (Lerista kalumburu).

"At the Cockburn Range, a variety of reptiles and amphibians in four different habitat types were found, which was a very good result considering cane toads have been in the area since 2011."

Information from the department's biodiversity surveys, which involves trapping, identifying and measuring animals and vegetation studies, is used to shape management plans for specific areas.

Minister's office - 6552 5800