|Biosphere Reserve Information|
The Croajingolong Biosphere Reserve and National Park (including Nadgee Nature Reserve) protects some of Victoria’s most spectacular coastal environments as well as a significant representation of southeast Australia. The topography is particularly variable along the coast. Local out cropping of rocks in cliff-faces, often higher than 15 metres, break the long stretches of sandy beaches.
The tidal, brackish inlets of the larger rivers add scenic and habitat diversity. The many freshwater lakes and swamps, which have been shaped behind coastal dunes and the associated complex islands add another dimension to the diversity.
Large stands of warm temperate rainforests are present in the eastern part of Croajingolong. Coastal heathland and species diversity is comparable to that in the South African Heaths, which are regarded as one of the richest vegetation community in the world outside lowland tropical rainforests. Almost, 1,000 native plant species (90 species of orchids) and 315 animal species have been recorded within the biosphere reserve.
The abundance of artefacts and middens within the biosphere reserve indicates a history of occupation by reasonably large populations of Indigenous communities, who most probably concentrated around the inlets, estuaries and wetlands.
Mallacoota township, and smaller settlements known as Tamboon South, Peachtree and Furnell Landing are entirely surrounded by the National Park. With 1,249 inhabitants (2003) the town of Mallacoota is a popular domestic tourist destination generating most of its income from tourism and commercial fishing. The main economic activities adjoining the biosphere reserve are native forest timber harvesting, tourism, pastoral activities and commercial fishing.
Croajingolong Biosphere Reserve is managed not only for conserving biodiversity but also to provide nature based tourism opportunities. Research and monitoring is encouraged and permitted as long as it does not conflict with management objectives.
|Major ecosystem type||Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, scrubs or woodlands|
|Major habitats & land cover types|
|Location||37°27' to 37°47'S; 148°59' to 149°58'E|
|Transition area(s) when given|
|Altitude (metres above sea level)||0 to +492|
|Administrative authorities||State Government; statuary cooperation between NSW National parks and Wildlife Service and Parks Victoria|
Threatened species monitoring (recovery plans have been developed for some threatened species such as the Bristle Bird)
Impact of foxes on small mammals
Introduced carnivore studies (dingos and foxes)
Effects of fire on vegetation
Visitor satisfaction surveys
|Biodiversity||Birds, fires/fire ecology, mammals, methodologies, rare/endangered/threatened species, reintroduction, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment, vegetation studies/plant cover.|
|Integrated monitoring||Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact.|
Croajingolong National Park
P.O. Box 179
3892 Mallacoota VIC
|Web site||Parks Victoria|
|Last updated: 3/14/2005|