Threatened species of plants and animals in Byron Shire
Byron Shire is home to 71 threatened plants and 167 threatened animals.
Learn more about our biodiverse region and view our fauna and flora threatened species lists.
Species such as Albert’s Lyrebird and Fletcher’s Frog are descendants from animals that inhabited the ancient Gondwanan rainforests that covered Australia 40 million years ago.
Migratory birds like the Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper travel to our shores each year all the way from Siberia!
We are one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia. The mild wet climate, complex geology, and altitudes from sea level to 800 metres, have created a huge variety of ecosystems. This makes homes for some of the most rare and unique species in Australia.
Threatened species lists
If you have any issues accessing these documents you can request an alternative format by contacting lcaddick@byron.nsw.gov.au
Source references for flora list
- Atlas of Living Australia Accessed April 2022.
- Baker, A. 2013. Vegetation and Flora of Cape Byron State Conservation Area & Arakwal National Park. Unpublished report to the Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW). Wildsite Ecological Services Pty. Ltd., Mullumbimby.
- BioNet ATLAS
- Byron Shire Council Biodiversity Strategy 2004.
- Copeland, L. M. and Backhouse, G.N. 2022. Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
- Harden, G.J., Nicholson, H.R.W., McDonald, W.J.F., Nicholson, N.J., Tame, T. & Williams, J.B. (2016) Rainforest Plants of Australia - Rockhampton to Victoria. (Powered by Lucid). Mobile App.
- Jones, D.L. 2020. A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia Third Edition. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
Source references for fauna list
- Atlas of Living Australia Accessed June 2022.
- BioNet ATLAS Accessed June 2022.
- Kipling Will, G.B. Monteith. 2018.A Multi-Locus Phylogeny, Taxonomic Review and Description of New Species of Australian Nurus (Sensu stricto) Motschulsky, 1865 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichini). Australian Entomologist, 2018, 45 (4): 353-388.
- Landmark Ecological Services 2022 Byron Wildlife Corridor System. An unpublished report to Byron Shire Council.
- Menkhorst, P., Rogers, D., Clarke, R., Davies J., Marsack, P. and Franklin, K. 2019. The Australian Bird Guide. CSIRO Publishing, Clayton, Vic.
- Swan, G., Sadlier, R. and Shea, G. 2017. A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. Reed New Holland Publishers, Chatswood, NSW.
- Tyler, M.J. and Knight, F. 2009. Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic.
- Van Dyck, S., Gynther, I. and Baker, A. 2013. (eds) Field Companion to the Mammals of Australia. New Holland Publishers, Sydney, NSW.
Photo: Endangered Beach Stone-curlews