The impact of feral camels (Camelus dromedarius) on remote waterholes in central Australia

J.B. Box; G. McBurnie; K. Strehlow; T. Guest; M. Campbell; A. Bubb; K. McConnell; S. Willy; R. Uluru; R. Kulitja; B. Bell; S. Burke; R. James; R. Kunoth; B. Stockman

doi:10.1071/RJ15074

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The impact of feral camels (Camelus dromedarius) on remote waterholes in central Australia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The impact of feral camels (Camelus dromedarius) on remote waterholes in central Australia

J.B. Box, G. McBurnie, K. Strehlow, T. Guest, M. Campbell, A. Bubb, K. McConnell, S. Willy, R. Uluru, R. Kulitja, …

The Rangeland Journal, Vol.38(2), pp.191-200

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ15074

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Abstract

The Katiti and Petermann Aboriginal Land Trusts (KPALT) in central Australia contain significant biological and cultural assets, including the World Heritage-listed Uluu-Kata Tjua National Park. Until relatively recently, waterbodies in this remote region were not well studied, even though most have deep cultural and ecological significance to local Aboriginal people. The region also contains some of the highest densities of feral dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the nation, and was a focus area for the recently completed Australian Feral Camel Management Project. Within the project, the specific impacts of feral camels on waterholes were assessed throughout the KPALT. We found that aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity was significantly lower at camel-accessible sites, and fewer aquatic taxa considered 'sensitive' to habitat degradation were found at sites when or after camels were present. Water quality at camel-accessible sites was also significantly poorer (e.g. more turbid) than at sites inaccessible to camels. These results, in combination with emerging research and anecdotal evidence, suggest that large feral herbivores, such as feral camels and feral horses, are the main immediate threat to many waterbodies in central Australia. Management of large feral herbivores will be a key component in efforts to maintain and improve the health of waterbodies in central Australia, especially those not afforded protection within the national park system.

Details

Title: The impact of feral camels (Camelus dromedarius) on remote waterholes in central Australia
Authors/Creators: J.B. Box (Author/Creator) - Department of Land Resource Management
G. McBurnie (Author/Creator) - Department of Land Resource Management
K. Strehlow (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
T. Guest (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
M. Campbell (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
A. Bubb (Author/Creator) - Ninti One Limited, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia.
K. McConnell (Author/Creator) - Department of Land Resource Management
S. Willy (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
R. Uluru (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
R. Kulitja (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
B. Bell (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
S. Burke (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
R. James (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
R. Kunoth (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
B. Stockman (Author/Creator) - Central Land Council
Publication Details: The Rangeland Journal, Vol.38(2), pp.191-200
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Identifiers: 991005545228007891
Copyright: © Australian Rangeland Society 2016
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.62 Freshwater Fish Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology