What Edgbaston protects
Edgbaston protects plants that are found nowhere else. Several (such as the critically endangered Tall Pipewort and Aloe Pipewort) are completely new to science. It also protects the endangered Blue Devil, Salt Pipewort, Artesian Watermilfoil and Spring grass, and the vulnerable Hydrocotlye Dipleura.
Animals: Twenty-three animal species are found nowhere else in the world, including the Red-finned Blue-eye (endangered fish), Edgbaston Goby (vulnerable fish), the only spring-endemic dragonfly described to date (Nannophya fenshami), the yet-to-be-described Edgbaston shrimp and amphipod, and the highest taxonomic diversity of springs-specific snails including 11 species (three new to science) from three different families.
In addition to the spring communities, the reserve protects species that reside across the arid zone such as the Squatter Pigeon, Brolga, Australian Bustard, and Black-headed Python.
Vegetation communities: Artesian springs community (endangered), Spinifex hummock grassland, Cane grass grassland, Mitchell grass grassland, Microcybe wattle shrubland.