The extraordinary nature of the Great Western Woodlands

The Great Western Woodlands is an Ark for rare and threatened plants and animals, containing thousands of species found nowhere else on the planet.

The incredible biodiversity found in the Great Western Woodlands has been summarised in a report which was publicly launched in June 2008.

The prolific gums that make this region of Australia so ecologically unique. Photo: Barbara Madden

This report documents some of the natural wonders of the area and outlines the international significance of region, particularly in relation to its natural and cultural diversity.

Main findings:

• The Great Western Woodlands is the biggest and most intact remaining wilderness area of its type in the world. Nowhere else on Earth do such large trees grow in such a dry climate
• The area provides an important eastward connection between southwest forests and inland deserts (Gondwana Link) as well as linking the northwest passage all the way to Shark Bay
•  An Arc for rare and threatened plants and animals, containing thousands of species found nowhere else on the planet.  Amazingly, more than 20% of all Australia’s flora species and 30% of Australia’s eucalypt species are found in the GWW area. In addition, hundreds of species of native birds, mammals and reptiles are found in the area, and it is possible that near extinct native species like the numbat, bilby and scarlet-chested parrot still survive in this intact landscape
• Massive carbon store, holding between 1 and 2 billion tonnes of carbon in its vegetation and soils. This alone should ensure its protection and good management because it is essential to help Australia in the global fight against climate change. (More recently a study was under taken to accurately determine the carbon store of the area - & the results were astounding - click here to see the summary.)
  
• The protection and management of GWW must recognise the area’s Traditional Owners and include their cultural and land management knowledge into the management plan. Also, the management plan must incorporate, where possible, the views of all stakeholders that work, live in, and enjoy the region, including mining companies, tourism and tourists, pastoral lessees, local government and communities.

The Great Western Woodlands needs an appropriately resourced conservation management plan that relies on State Government recognition and protection of this area. Without this the amazing biodiversity found in the Great Western Woodlands, and its role as a massive carbon store, is at risk from the cumulative impacts of frequent and intense fire, feral animals, weeds, landclearing and habitat fragmentation.

The extraordinary nature of the Great Western Woodlands was written by The Wilderness Society team and has been reviewed by many of the world leading ecologists including Prof. Michael Soule, Prof. Brendan Mackey and Prof. Harry Recher and includes a foreword by Professor Steve Hopper.

Download the report (PDF, 7MB)