A Hotspot of Arid Zone Subterranean Biodiversity: The Robe Valley in Western Australia

Knowledge of subterranean fauna has mostly been derived from caves and streambeds, which are relatively easily accessed. In contrast, subterranean fauna inhabiting regional groundwater aquifers or the vadose zone (between surface soil layers and the watertable) is difficult to sample. Here we provid...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Diversity (Basel) 2021-10, Vol.13 (10), p.482
Main Authors: Clark, Huon L., Buzatto, Bruno A., Halse, Stuart A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alluvial deposits
Alluvium
Aquifers
Arid regions
arid zone
Arid zones
Biodiversity
Boreholes
Caves
conservation
Environmental impact
Exploratory drilling
Fauna
Floodplains
Ground level
Groundwater
Iron compounds
Iron ores
Legislation
Mesas
mining
Museums
Radiation
Soil layers
Soil surfaces
Species
Streambeds
stygobiont
Taxonomy
troglobiont
Underground caverns
Underground mining
Vadose water
Valleys
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Summary:Knowledge of subterranean fauna has mostly been derived from caves and streambeds, which are relatively easily accessed. In contrast, subterranean fauna inhabiting regional groundwater aquifers or the vadose zone (between surface soil layers and the watertable) is difficult to sample. Here we provide species lists for a globally significant subterranean fauna hotspot in the Robe Valley of the Pilbara region, Western Australia. This fauna was collected from up to 50 m below ground level using mining exploration drill holes and monitoring wells. Altogether, 123 subterranean species were collected over a distance of 17 km, comprising 65 troglofauna and 58 stygofauna species. Of these, 61 species were troglobionts and 48 stygobionts. The troglofauna occurs in small voids and fissures in mesas comprised mostly of an iron ore formation, while the stygofauna occurs in the alluvium of a river floodplain. The richness of the Robe Valley is not a localized aberration, but rather reflects the richness of the arid Pilbara region. While legislation in Western Australia has recognized the importance of subterranean fauna, mining is occurring in the Robe Valley hotspot with conditions of environmental approval that are designed to ensure species persistence.
ISSN:1424-2818
1424-2818
DOI:10.3390/d13100482