Artesian Springs Ecological Community in the Great Artesian Basin - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Artesian Springs Ecological Community in the Great Artesian Basin

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 17 May 2015

Profile last updated: 01 Nov 2022

Description

Naturally restricted to the artesian springs of the Great Artesian Basin in north-western NSW. The springs occur where artesian water emerges at the surface through fault-lines in the overlying rock and produce mounds from the salts and sediments as the water evaporates. The vegetation within the community frequently consists of sedges or similar vegetation, however, trees and shrubs may be adjacent to the springs or nearby.

Distribution

Occurs at the edges of the Great Artesian Basin. Mostly found in Queensland and South Australia, however, a few occur in the Mulga Lands, Darling Riverine Plains and Cobar Peneplain Bioregions of New South Wales. In New South ales the highest density of artesian springs are located around the shore of Peery Lake within the Paroo-Darling National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Flow rates, water depth, water temperature and chemistry vary within and between springs; this provides a variety of habitat types.
Vegetation structure and floristics may be influenced by grazing pressure; the persistence of some species is dependent upon grazing by native herbivores to control competitors.
Though further study is required, it is thought that fire may assist in maintaining or increasing flows from the vent and may help control the dominant plant species that out compete other plant species of conservation concern (e.g., Eriocaulon carsonii).
Springs within the Threatened Ecological Community can be classified as either artesian spring mounds (raised above surface)or as mud springs (level with surface) and can be active (permanently wet) or inactive (dry).

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Damage caused by feral pigs through rooting and wallowing.
Damage caused by feral goats through trampling and browsing and eutrophication caused by droppings.
Damage caused by rabbits through grazing, warren activity, and eutrophication caused by droppings.
Illegal hunting resulting in damage from 4WD vehicles being driven over mounds, hunting in areas causing pig movement across the TEC and piglets being deliberately released into the national park.
Alteration of habitat structure, composition, and resource availability.
Potential for domestic stock to trample and graze TEC, introducing exotic pasture; potential for excavation or inundation of springs.
TEC highly modified due to excavation works.
Reduced flows resulting from a decrease in pressure in the Great Artesian Basin.
Weed invasion.
Inappropriate grazing regimes.
Trampling by stock has caused the disappearance of some known mound springs.
Flooding of springs for long periods may negatively impact some plant species.
Springs have been excavated as ground tanks
Lack of knowledge about long-term impact of known threats and of all threats affecting individual springs.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control of feral pigs.
Encourage sustainable usage of Great Artesian Basin.
Restrict access of domestic stock to levels where minimal damage is caused by trampling.
Buffer habitat areas from the impacts of other activities (e.g., cultivation).
Control invasive weeds.
Investigate the impacts of varying fire and grazing regimes upon species composition and abundance and the physical and chemical characteristics of springs.

Information sources

Fensham R.J, Ponder, W.F. and Fairfax, R.J. (2010) Recovery plan for the community of native species dependent on natural discharge of groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin. Report to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. (Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Brisbane)
NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Artesian springs ecological community - Endangered ecological community determination - final.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Known	None

Images

Artesian Springs Ecological Community Image 1 of 4.
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