An inventory and condition survey of the Pilbara region, Western Australia

Authors

A M E van Vreeswyk
K A. Leighton
A L. Payne
P HennigFollow

Publication Date

2004

DPIRD Collections

Natural resources

Series Number

92

Publisher

Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

City

Perth

ISSN

0083-8675

Abstract

The inventory and condition survey of the Pilbara region, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia between 1995 and 1999, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 181 723 km². Seven towns fall within it – Port Hedland, Onslow, Pannawonica, Wittenoom, Marble Bar, Nullagine and Newman. Pastoralism is the most extensive land use. Forty-four pastoral leases fall wholly or partly within the survey area and collectively occupy about 105 240km² (58%) of the area. Mining is an important land use, which is largely confined to ironstone ranges and greenstone belts. Twenty-one broad soil groups are identified within the survey area. The most outstanding characteristic of the soils is the predominant red colour. Stony mantles and shallowness are also a feature. The flora of the area is diverse, with 1137 vascular species recorded during the survey. Of these, 1094 were native species.

Number of Pages

424

Keywords

Wittenoom region (WA), Rangelands, Marble Bar region (WA), Pilbara region (WA), Geology, Range pastures, Port Hedland region (WA), Soil, Pannawonica region (WA), Newman region (WA), Geomorphology, Range condition, Vegetation, Western Australia, Nullarbor region (WA), Onslow region (WA), Hydrogeology, Climate

Disciplines

Environmental Monitoring | Geology | Geomorphology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Physical and Environmental Geography | Soil Science | Sustainability | Systems Biology

Comments

Maps are not included as part of the complete document download. If this report contains a map, it will be available in the individual parts list below.

Recommended Citation

van Vreeswyk, A M, Leighton, K A, Payne, A L, and Hennig, P. (2004), An inventory and condition survey of the Pilbara region, Western Australia. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Perth. Technical Bulletin 92.

Maps

Maps are not included as part of the complete document download. If this bulletin contains a map, it will be available in the Individual Parts list below.