Granite outcrops of Western Australia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A granite outcrop in the Stirling Range National Park.
A granite outcrop in the Stirling Range National Park.

Granite outcrops of Western Australia are inselbergs and monoliths made from granite that are found across much of Western Australia. Rising abruptly from the surrounding landscape they create a variety of microhabitats for plants, and provide seasonal resources and refuge for a range of animals. These areas thus have rich biodiversity and many endemic species. They are significant locations that tie in with the Aboriginal and European cultural heritage of Western Australia.

A number of animals are restricted to granite outcrops, including four species of reptile, the mygalomorph spider Teyl luculentus, and the larvae of the chironomid fly Archaeochlus. They are also an important habitat of rock-wallabies such as the Black-flanked Rock-wallaby.

Rock pools often form on the granite after winter rains and provide freshwater for at least 230 aquatic invertebrates, of which at least 50 are endemic to these pools.[1]

The variable rock surfaces and soil types create niches for many plants. At least 1300 plant species occur on granite outcrops in Western Australia, with many endemics.

Contents

[edit] Wheatbelt region of Western Australia

  • Baladgie Rock
  • Beringbooding Rock
  • Bruces's Rock
  • Corrigin Rock
  • Eaglestone Hill
  • Elachbutting Rock
  • Gorge Rock Location: 32 27 S 118 00 E
  • Hunts soak
  • Jilakin Rock Location: 32 40 S 118 19 E
  • King Rock
  • Kokerbin Rock also known as Kokerbin Hill. Location: 31°53' S. 117°42' E.
    • Wave Wall, Dog Rock, Devil’s Marbles.
  • Mount Walker Location: 32 01 S 118 45 E.
    • ANDERSON RESERVE, TWINE RESERVE & ROE DAM
  • Sandford Rocks
  • The Humps Location: 32 19 S 118 57 E.
  • Wave Rock
    • Wave Rock, a granite cliff, is 15 metres high & 110 metres long.
  • Westonia Common
    • and Boodalim Soak: all construction in a circular fashion.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Halse, Stuart (October 2000). "Small signs of a salty past". ECOS (105). CSIRO. 
  1. Bayly, I.A.E. Rock of ages : human use and natural history of Australian granites Nedlands, W.A.: Tuart House, 1999.ISBN 1-876268-29-8
  2. Granite Outcrops Symposium, September 14-15, 1996.p.87-237.Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia,vol.80, pt.3 (September 1997)

[edit] Further reading

  • Hopper, S.D., Brown, A.P. and Marchant, N.G. (1997) Plants of Western Australian granite outcrops, Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, vo.80:141-158
  • Withers, P.C. and Edward D.H. (1997) Terrestrial fauna of granite outcrops in Western Australia, Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, vol.80:159-166

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 31°53′S 117°42′E / -31.883, 117.7