Skip links and keyboard navigation

Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group

Access wetland mapping in PDF and KML format by selecting the desired 100K map tile below or download the data via the Queensland Government Information Service.

The below map is for visual representation purposes only. For more detailed mapping, please download the boundary KML.

Drag this bar to relocate the map on your screen

Open WetlandMaps interactive map server

Download boundary KML metadata

How to use KMLs?

Area homepage: https://desertchannels.com.au

Catchment stories info

Wetland observations

Show comparison charts

Wetland extents info metadata

Based on wetland mapping version 7.0

Display areas in

Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 2,829,779 100.0% 5.5%
Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine 2,052,649 72.5% 4.0%
Artificial and highly modified 8,019 0.3% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 443,722 15.7% 0.9%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 3,326 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 2 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 1,596,129 56.4% 3.1%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1,461 0.1% 0.0%
Riverine 777,120 27.5% 1.5%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (artificial) 4,879 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (highly modified) 2,981 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 443,722 15.7% 0.9%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 3,326 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 2 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 147 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 1,596,129 56.4% 3.1%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1,461 0.1% 0.0%
Riverine (artificial) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 10 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 776,961 27.5% 1.5%
Riverine (slightly modified) 158 0.0% 0.0%

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 2,035,392 100.0% 4.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other 0 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 421,304 20.7% 0.8%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 20,840 1.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 62,393 3.1% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 41,728 2.1% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 1,307,804 64.3% 2.6%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 37,774 1.9% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 4,163 0.2% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 68,341 3.4% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 71,032 3.5% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 2 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 11 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 421,081 20.7% 0.8%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 223 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 20,833 1.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 7 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 62,101 3.1% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 292 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 41,458 2.0% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 270 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 1,307,616 64.2% 2.6%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 189 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 37,762 1.9% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 12 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 4,021 0.2% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 142 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 68,160 3.3% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 181 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 70,696 3.5% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 336 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 2 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 11 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
pre-clear area
(ha)
2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 2,829,779 2,830,072 2,830,023 2,829,952 2,829,917 2,830,135 2,829,972 2,825,021 * 99.9%
Artificial and highly modified 8,019 8,004 7,942 7,735 7,639 7,356 6,869 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 443,722 443,725 443,725 443,725 443,735 443,736 443,736 444,120 99.9%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 3,326 3,320 3,320 3,314 3,302 3,296 3,284 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 1,596,129 1,596,333 1,596,346 1,596,330 1,596,341 1,596,433 1,596,524 1,598,421 99.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1,461 1,461 1,453 1,453 1,453 1,453 1,411 0 n/a
Riverine 777,120 777,226 777,234 777,392 777,445 777,858 778,146 782,481 99.3%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) 4,879 4,879 4,842 4,748 4,681 4,452 4,166 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) 2,981 2,967 2,943 2,829 2,800 2,746 2,565 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 443,722 443,725 443,725 443,725 443,735 443,736 443,736 444,120 99.9%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 3,326 3,320 3,320 3,314 3,302 3,296 3,284 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 147 147 147 147 147 147 137 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 1,596,129 1,596,333 1,596,346 1,596,330 1,596,341 1,596,433 1,596,524 1,598,421 99.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1,461 1,461 1,453 1,453 1,453 1,453 1,411 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 776,961 777,075 777,082 777,244 777,298 777,711 777,999 782,481 99.3%
Riverine (slightly modified) 158 152 152 148 147 147 147 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
Total 2,035,392 2,035,608 2,035,613 2,035,597 2,035,608 2,035,702 2,035,751
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salt marsh and salt flats 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 421,304 421,316 421,316 421,316 421,316 421,317 421,317
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 20,840 20,840 20,840 20,840 20,840 20,840 20,840
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 62,393 62,520 62,520 62,481 62,481 62,540 62,544
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 41,728 41,763 41,763 41,777 41,778 41,801 41,803
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 1,307,804 1,307,804 1,307,809 1,307,813 1,307,817 1,307,818 1,307,827
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 37,774 37,772 37,772 37,772 37,772 37,772 37,784
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 4,163 4,217 4,217 4,217 4,217 4,217 4,226
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 68,341 68,340 68,340 68,340 68,340 68,341 68,341
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 71,032 71,024 71,024 71,029 71,035 71,043 71,056
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 421,081 421,092 421,092 421,092 421,103 421,104 421,104
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 223 223 223 223 213 213 213
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 20,833 20,833 20,833 20,833 20,833 20,833 20,833
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 62,101 62,229 62,229 62,189 62,189 62,248 62,252
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 292 292 292 292 292 292 292
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 41,458 41,492 41,492 41,507 41,507 41,530 41,532
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 270 270 270 270 270 270 270
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 1,307,616 1,307,616 1,307,620 1,307,624 1,307,628 1,307,629 1,307,639
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 189 189 189 189 189 189 189
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 37,762 37,760 37,760 37,760 37,760 37,760 37,772
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 4,021 4,075 4,075 4,075 4,075 4,075 4,084
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 142 142 142 142 142 142 142
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 68,160 68,158 68,158 68,158 68,158 68,159 68,159
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 181 181 181 181 181 181 181
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 70,696 70,688 70,688 70,693 70,699 70,708 70,762
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 336 336 336 336 336 336 294
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 51,008,838 100.0%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 44,671,026 87.5%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 44,671,026 87.5%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 2,641,695 5.2%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 0 0.0%
6.5.2 Marsh/wetland - production 2,641,695 5.2%
1.1 Nature conservation 2,145,399 4.2%
1.1.3 National park 2,127,260 4.2%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 1,539 0.0%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 16,600 0.0%
1.2 Managed resource protection 905,180 1.8%
1.2.0 Managed resource protection 905,178 1.8%
1.2.5 Traditional indigenous uses 3 0.0%
6.1 Lake 540,648 1.1%
6.1.0 Lake 526,587 1.0%
6.1.1 Lake - conservation 14,061 0.0%
6.1.2 Lake - production 0 0.0%
1.3 Other minimal use 45,424 0.1%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 45,390 0.1%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 34 0.0%
6.3 River 20,247 0.0%
6.3.0 River 20,171 0.0%
6.3.1 River - conservation 77 0.0%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 12,975 0.0%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 12,896 0.0%
6.2.1 Reservoir 5 0.0%
6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams 74 0.0%
5.7 Transport and communication 6,494 0.0%
5.7.0 Transport and communication 2,214 0.0%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes 4,218 0.0%
5.7.2 Roads 14 0.0%
5.7.3 Railways 15 0.0%
5.7.5 Navigation and communication 33 0.0%
5.8 Mining 6,292 0.0%
5.8.0 Mining 4,963 0.0%
5.8.1 Mines 299 0.0%
5.8.2 Quarries 735 0.0%
5.8.3 Tailings 236 0.0%
5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use 59 0.0%
5.5 Services 4,990 0.0%
5.5.1 Commercial services 153 0.0%
5.5.2 Public services 512 0.0%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 4,276 0.0%
5.5.4 Defence facilities - urban 19 0.0%
5.5.5 Research facilities 31 0.0%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 4,606 0.0%
5.4.1 Urban residential 1,223 0.0%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 22 0.0%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 743 0.0%
5.4.4 Remote communities 76 0.0%
5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure 2,542 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production 1,528 0.0%
5.2.2 Feedlots 17 0.0%
5.2.3 Poultry farms 1,309 0.0%
5.2.6 Horse studs 12 0.0%
5.2.7 Saleyards/stockyards 190 0.0%
4.3 Irrigated cropping 753 0.0%
4.3.0 Irrigated cropping 609 0.0%
4.3.3 Irrigated hay and silage 144 0.0%
5.6 Utilities 530 0.0%
5.6.0 Utilities 1 0.0%
5.6.1 Fuel powered electricity generation 1 0.0%
5.6.4 Solar electricity generation 5 0.0%
5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission 18 0.0%
5.6.6 Gas treatment, storage and transmission 467 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission 38 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial 304 0.0%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial 238 0.0%
5.3.1 General purpose factory 3 0.0%
5.3.6 Oil refinery 54 0.0%
5.3.7 Sawmill 9 0.0%
2.2 Production native forests 303 0.0%
2.2.0 Production native forests 303 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal 238 0.0%
5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal 91 0.0%
5.9.1 Effluent pond 12 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill 49 0.0%
5.9.3 Solid garbage 75 0.0%
5.9.5 Sewage 12 0.0%
4.2 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 123 0.0%
4.2.3 Irrigated legume/grass mixtures 123 0.0%
3.3 Cropping 65 0.0%
3.3.0 Cropping 65 0.0%
3.4 Perennial horticulture 12 0.0%
3.4.0 Perennial horticulture 12 0.0%
3.1 Plantation forests 2 0.0%
3.1.0 Plantation forests 2 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture 2 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture < 1 0.0%
5.1.2 Shadehouses 1 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 1 0.0%
3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation 1 0.0%

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species
Rare or
threatened
species
All
TOTAL 3,583 278 317 108 3,862
Animals 841 26 133 54 867
Mammals 110 16 1 16 126
Birds 374 7 71 24 381
Reptiles 252 0 6 9 252
Amphibians 36 1 15 0 37
Ray-finned fishes 26 2 28 4 28
Insects 35 0 12 0 35
Malacostracans 3 0 0 0 3
Branchiopods 1 0 0 0 1
Arachnids 2 0 0 0 2
Snails 2 0 0 1 2
Bacteria 9 0 0 0 9
Fungi 96 0 0 0 96
Plants 2,637 252 184 54 2,890

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-nrm

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Regional NRM body—Desert Channels Group — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/nrm-desert-channels-group/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation