Scientists reveal Western Australia's global natural treasure on World Environment Day

The Wilderness Society (WA) Inc
PEW Environment Group
Gondwana Link

Media Release
5 June 2008

A new study released today on World Environment Day has found that Western
Australia has the largest, healthiest temperate woodlands remaining on Earth - a
unique habitat once widespread across Australia and other continents.

The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands report, launched with
WA Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, David Templeman,
highlights the exceptional environmental importance of the Great Western
Woodlands (GWW) and the need for a plan to protect its future.

GWW lies between Kalgoorlie, Esperance, and the Nullarbour Plain in the south of
Western Australia. It covers 16 million hectares - almost three times the size of
Tasmania. Woodlands are open forests where ancient trees are interspersed with
shrubs, grasses and wildflowers.

Report co-author and Wilderness Society ecologist Dr Alexander Watson said the
research had found that the region was globally significant for its richness of species.

The GWW contains more than 3,000 types of native plants, hundreds of which are
found nowhere else. It also provides habitat for many threatened animals, including
rare wallabies and birds like the scarlet-chested parrots he said.

Our research also found that this huge area of eucalypt woodland is a massive store
of carbon. GWW holds between one and two billion tonnes of carbon, roughly double
Australia's total annual greenhouse gas emissions.

While in generally good condition, the Great Western Woodlands is threatened by
uncontrolled fires, weeds, feral animals and pressure from the resources boom.î
Dr Watson said leadership was needed from the State Government to recognise the
values of GWW and work with all stakeholders, including conservation groups,
Traditional Owners, resource companies and local communities to develop a plan to
protect the area's future.

The Great Western Woodlands is a precious and rare environmental wonder in
Western Australia's backyard. It is of global significance. If we fail to recognise its
value and protect it future generations will lose an amazing inheritance Dr Watson said.

The full study can be downloaded from: www.gww.net.au