We are committed to improving the condition of 20 priority places under the Threatened Species Action Plan. The MacDonnell Ranges is one of these priority places.
Description
The MacDonnell Ranges are in the southern extent of the Northern Territory. The ranges run through and extend east and west of the town of Alice Springs. It is an ancient landscape made up of chasms and gorges. Although the environment is arid, there are an array of habitats in the ranges. These vary from rocky hills to scrubs and woodlands, and natural water springs. The MacDonnell Ranges is recognised for its spiritual and conservation values and tourism.
The Traditional Owners of MacDonnell Ranges are the Arrernte people, who refer to the West Ranges as Tjoritja.
The ranges are refuge to rare and threatened animal and plant species including the:
- Central Rock-Rat
- Warru/Central Australian Rock-Wallaby
- MacDonnell Ranges Cycad
- Central Australian Cabbage Palm.
Map of the MacDonnell Ranges priority place
Key threats
A number of threats affect the native plants and animals of the MacDonnell Ranges. They operate independently and together to drive species decline.
The major threats are:
- Invasive species including:
- weeds such as Buffel Grass
- cats which predate on species like the Central Rock-rat
- pest vertebrates like camels and horses, which overgraze and disturb the natural environment.
- Changes in fire intensity and frequency due to climate change and spread of invasive grasses like Buffel. Several species in the Ranges are threatened by more frequent and severe fires.
- Habitat loss and degradation from mining activities, agriculture, and clearing for housing.
Other threats affect a smaller number of threatened species and ecological communities.
Priority actions
We have considered habitat condition and threats to help inform actions to benefit threatened species in the MacDonnell Ranges.
Key actions to improve condition in this priority place include:
- targeted control of cats
- strategic management of Buffel Grass in areas of high conservation value
- management of large pest herbivores like camels and horses. This may include control and passive measures like fencing.
- strategic fire management.
Target areas will include national parks and adjacent areas. Actions will focus on improving habitat and supporting species such as:
- Central Rock-rat
- MacDonnell Ranges Cycad.
Actions may also support the return of species over time, which have disappeared from the ranges.
We will work in partnership with land and biodiversity managers to deliver these actions.
Improving condition in priority places
Priority place profiles will be updated regularly to include:
- indicators for improvement in condition
- projects to improve condition
- information on changes over time.
Read the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032.