Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Keeping a watch on woodland in the central Wheatbelt
A forest in the desert could be a mirage. But the tall eucalypt woodlands of inland Western Australia are no trick of the eye - they actually do grow in this dry climate.
Unfortunately, the loamy cropping soils that the trees grow in have made the woodlands a target for clearing in the past, leaving only pockets of remnant vegetation. These have been degraded further by salinity, rising watertables, uncontrolled livestock grazing and an invasion of feral species.
WWF-Australia has been working with the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council and farmers on a project to conserve the remaining woodland by brokering legal conservation covenants and other voluntary management agreements.
Funding
The project is funded with around $400,000 from the Australian and State Governments. The State Government has also provided other cash and in-kind contributions.
Activities and achievements
Senior Project Manager Chris Curnow, of WWF, said his team of field staff was like conservation brokers, "brokering a variety of voluntary management agreements across the Wheatbelt to protect bushland on private properties."
"Our long-term vision is to help people manage threatened ecological communities under private ownership for the benefit of the area's rich ecology and long-term productivity," Chris said.
"Landholders and managers with the most viable examples of the top priority ecosystems are eligible for targeted incentive grants assistance. Woodland Watch staff help them obtain the right solutions for their patch of bush, act as brokers for funding assistance and for the covenant service providers and other voluntary management agreements, providing a one-stop shop for the managers of the priority ecosystems."
Between 2000 and 2006 more than 30 new native plant species were discovered during annual flora surveys conducted in the Wheatbelt woodland remnants (both in the Northern Agricultural Region and the Avon Catchment), confirming these temperate woodlands are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems in Australia.
Besides the 30 new species of native plants discovered, 28 new populations of rare or endangered plants and significant range extensions for at least 20 new species were also found.
"With less than three per cent of the priority eucalypt woodlands left after the majority of the area was cleared, it's crucial effective management be adopted by those that own and manage remnants," Chris said. "From this basis an effective plan for linking them can be made but the first step is ensuring long-term management of what we have left."
More information
- Chris Curnow, WWF Senior Project Manager: (08) 9442 1205 or ccurnow@wwf.org.au
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window