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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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UNNAMED |
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| General Description | The Unnamed Biosphere Reserve is located in the central desert biogeographical region of Australia and includes part of the Great Victoria Desert. It is one of the least altered landscapes in the region and consists of a semi-desert dune system, which comprises low dunes up to 20 metres high up and up to 100 km long with clay pans, and saline areas in lakebeds. It is covered with open woodlands and scrublands of mallee, marble gum, mulga and black oak, with spinifex or a varied shrub and grassland understorey with Triodia spp., Eucalyptus goniocarpa, E. oleosa, and E. transcontinentalis. The majority of the Biosphere Reserve is identified as a core area managed by the Department of Environment and Heritage and Maralinga Tjarutja organization. Surrounding the core area, Aboriginal lands from Oak Valley, Tjuntjuntjara, Wataru and Yulata communities provide buffer zones. Some 200 people live within the Biosphere Reserve (2002), mainly engaged in hunting and foraging activities. Aboriginal communities hunt kangaroos and reptiles and some plants are used for traditional foods. More than 328 tourists (2002) visit the Biosphere Reserve between May and November for nature study. The main goal is to develop networking with other Biosphere Reserves and develop research and monitoring activities. | |||
| Major ecosystem type | Warm deserts and semideserts | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | ||||
| Location | 28°05' to 30°11'S; 129°00' to 131°00'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 2,132,600 | |||
| Core area(s) | ||||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +150 to +495 | |||
| Year designated | 1977 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Department of Environment & Heritage South Australia | |||
| Last updated: 3/14/2005 |
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