UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

	Biosphere Reserve Information
	Australia KOSCIUSZKO	© Photo: Ian Brown


General Description	Kosciuszko Biosphere Reserve is located in the Great Dividing Range and includes the highest mountains of mainland Australia. It ranges from 213 meters above sea level to 2,228 meters. The alpine area of the park includes a Ramsar wetland. The headwaters of some the major rivers in Australia, including the Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are found within the area. The vegetation progresses from treeless alpine herb fields through sub-alpine snow gum woodlands to montane forests and riparian communities along major rivers. At lower altitudes such as in the Snowy River Valley, there are extensive dry woodlands of eucalyptus and native pines. The Biosphere Reserve supports a variety of vertebrate species such as the grey kangaroo, the red-necked wallaby and swamp wallaby and wombats. The area has a long history of human use, which includes aboriginal occupation, European exploration, livestock grazing, mining, skiing and the establishment of the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric scheme. Some of these activities have resulted in significant impacts, which lead to erosion, changes to the flora and fauna etc. There are less than 400 permanent residents in the area, including descendants of aboriginal groups. The area around the Biosphere Reserve is dominated by agriculture and forestry. More than 3,000 tourists visit the site each year.
Major ecosystem type	Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, scrubs or woodlands
Major habitats & land cover types	Alpine herbfield, heathland, feldmark and bog; sub-alpine woodland, grassland and bog; montane forests and woodlands; dry sclerophyll woodlands and shrubland; riverine corridors; and karst environments.
Location	35°20' to 37°00'S; 148°05' to 148°50'E
Area (hectares)
Total	625,525
Core area(s)	625,525
Buffer zone(s)	0
Transition area(s) when given	0
Altitude (metres above sea level)	+213 to +2,228
Year designated	1977
Administrative authorities	New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

Brief description	Threatened species recovery research and monitoring River health and ecology Effects of fire on vascular flora Aspects of sustainable tourism
*Specific variables...*
Abiotic	n.a.
Biodiversity	Ecology, fires/fire ecology, flora, freshwater/inland water, methodologies, rare/endangered/threatened species, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment.
Socio-economic	Tourism.
Integrated monitoring	Sustainable development/Sustainable use.

Contact address	Dave Darlington Kosciuszko National Park PO Box 2228 2627 Jindabyne NSW Australia
Telephone	(61.02) 6450 5555
Fax	(61.02) 6456 2291
E-mail	dave.darlington@npws.nsw.gov.au

Last updated: 4/20/2005