THE KIMBERELEY REGION
The Kimberley covers an area of 423,517 square kilometres, twice the
size of Victoria and the same size of South Africa, encompassing
broad plains, rugged mountain ranges, wild coastline and deep gorges
disected by some of Australia’s most pristine river systems.
The region has a tropical monsoon climate, with 90% of rain falling in
November to April. The dry season runs from May to October, when
you experience hot sunny days and cool nights. Temperatures range
from 16 to 37 °C.
The tremendous variety of the Kimberley landscape has created a
wealth of biodiversity.
The dominant habitat of the region is tropical savanna, which consists
of grasslands, often with an overstory of trees such as eucalypts,
acacias and the iconic boab trees that are endemic to the region.
Savannas thrive in
the Kimberley due to the moonsoon climate
combined with frequent burning.
Animal species found in the savanna include cockatoos, lorikeets, agile
wallabies (Macropus agilis), frill-necked lizards (Chlamydosaurus
kingii) and a range of large monitor lizards.
Variations in local topography, geology and climate also provide
conditions for other significant ecosystems such as paperpark and
rivergum forests, wetlands, herbfields, grasslands and mound springs.
Overall, the Kimberley is home to 295 bird species, 178 reptile species,
76 species of native mammal, 42 frog species and over 2,000 species
of native plant.
Given the vast size of the region and the amount of research still to be
done these numbers may be underestimates, and one of the key aims
of Bush Blitz is to discover and document species that are new to
science.
The Kimberley is home to 22 Aboriginal language groups, who can
trace their heritage back tens
of thousands of years and with other
Indigenous Australians have the oldest continuing culture in human
history. The landscape is home to thousands of Aboriginal art sites,
along with Songlines, Dreaming sites and other locations of cultural
importance.
The three adjoining cattle stations where the Bush Blitz expedition will
take place - Home Valley Station, Karunjie Station and Durack River
Station - were purchased by Australia’s Indigenous Land Corporation
(ILC) on behalf of the traditional owners the Balanggarra people (Home
Valley Station) and the Nyaliga people (Karunjie and Durack River
Stations).
As a major biological research expedition, Bush Blitz is being
undertaken in consultation with traditional owners, who will accompany
research teams in the field.