- NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT VISION FOR THE NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL REGION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) supports approximately 7,623 native species, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, plants and micro-organisms. Approximately 6% (487 taxa) are endemic to the region, meaning they are found nowhere else.
The NAR lies within the internationally recognised Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot, an area of exceptional biological diversity and endemism that has also experienced extensive habitat loss. To qualify as a global biodiversity hotspot, a region must contain at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and have lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation.
The NAR also contains three of Australia’s 15 nationally recognised biodiversity hotspots: the Geraldton to Shark Bay Sandplains, Mount Lesueur–Eneabba, and the Central and Eastern Avon Wheatbelt. These areas support high levels of biodiversity and locally endemic species and have been identified as priorities for conservation because of the pressures affecting their biodiversity values.
Five of Australia’s 89 Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) regions occur within the NAR: Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Geraldton Sandplains and Yalgoo. IBRA classifies Australia’s terrestrial landscapes into bioregions and subregions based on features including climate, geology, landform, native vegetation and species information. Relevant subregions within the NAR include Merredin and Katanning (Avon Wheatbelt), Northern Jarrah Forest, Dandaragan Plateau and Perth (Swan Coastal Plain), Geraldton Hills and Lesueur Sandplain (Geraldton Sandplains), and Tallering (Yalgoo).
Yued Noongar and Yamatji Traditional Owners have cared for Country across the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) for countless generations. Traditional ecological knowledge, cultural practices and contemporary Aboriginal land and sea management continue to make an important contribution to biodiversity conservation in the region. Traditional Owner-led ranger programs and jointly managed conservation areas support activities including biodiversity monitoring, threatened species management, invasive species control, fire management and the protection of cultural and natural values. Bush foods, medicines and other natural resources also continue to have important cultural, social and economic significance for Aboriginal communities.
Traditional Owner organisations, Aboriginal ranger groups, conservation organisations, community groups, landholders and government agencies all contribute to caring for Country and conserving biodiversity across the NAR.
A significant area of the Northern Agricultural Region is protected through a network of national parks, nature reserves and other protected areas. These include Kalbarri National Park, Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park, Beekeepers Nature Reserve and Lesueur National Park. The region’s marine environment also contains protected areas, including Jurien Bay Marine Park.
Biodiversity in the NAR is affected by a range of interacting pressures, including:
Management responses include protecting remaining native vegetation and other important habitats; restoring degraded areas; maintaining and improving ecological connectivity; managing invasive species, diseases and other threats; applying appropriate fire management; and improving the resilience of species and ecosystems to climate change.
The NAR supports numerous species and ecological communities recognised as threatened or otherwise of conservation priority under Western Australian and Australian legislation. At the state level, threatened species and ecological communities are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, supported by recovery plans, interim recovery plans and other conservation measures where applicable. Nationally threatened species and ecological communities are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), with recovery plans and conservation advices identifying actions needed to support their recovery.
The Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan 2022–2032 provides the current national framework for threatened species action, including priority species, places and actions aimed at improving recovery and preventing further extinctions.
Around 20 amphibian species have previously been recorded in the Northern Agricultural Region, many of which are endemic to Western Australia. These include the Motorbike Frog (Ranoidea moorei), Turtle Frog (Myobatrachus gouldii) and Quacking Froglet (Crinia georgiana).
Wetlands, waterways, seasonally inundated areas and surrounding terrestrial habitats provide important habitat for amphibians in the NAR. Maintaining water quality, natural hydrological processes and suitable native vegetation around these habitats is important for supporting amphibian populations.
Species occurrence and conservation status can change as new records and assessments become available. Current conservation status should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government threatened and priority fauna listings and the Australian Government’s Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT).
Approximately 270 bird species have previously been recorded in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR), including species occurring offshore and on the region’s numerous islands. The region supports a diverse range of terrestrial, wetland, coastal, marine and migratory birds.
A number of bird taxa occurring in the NAR are endemic to Western Australia. Of particular significance is the Abrolhos Painted Button-quail (Turnix varius scintillans), a threatened subspecies found only on islands of the Houtman Abrolhos.
The beaches, tidal flats, lagoons, wetlands and estuaries of the NAR provide important habitat for migratory shorebirds travelling along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Species recorded in the region include the Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Siberian Sand Plover (Anarhynchus mongolus) and Greater Sand Plover (Anarhynchus leschenaultii). Protecting coastal and wetland feeding and roosting habitat is important for the conservation of these migratory species.
The islands off the NAR coast also provide important breeding habitat for seabirds, including species such as the Australian Lesser Noddy (Anous tenuirostris melanops) and Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis).
The NAR supports important populations and habitat for a number of nationally and state-listed threatened birds, including Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) and Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata). Other threatened and migratory bird species may occur within the region periodically or seasonally.
Bird distributions, taxonomy and conservation status can change as new records and assessments become available. Current conservation status should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government threatened and priority fauna listings and Australian Government EPBC Act species information.
Approximately 15 freshwater fish species and three native crayfish have previously been recorded in the rivers, streams and other freshwater environments of the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR). The freshwater fauna of southwestern Western Australia is notable for its high level of endemism, with many native freshwater species occurring nowhere else in Australia.
The NAR provides habitat for a number of freshwater species of conservation significance. These include the Western Mud Minnow (Galaxiella munda), which occurs in waterways including Gingin Brook, and the Golden Gudgeon (Hypseleotris aurea), which occurs within the Murchison River system. Balston’s Pygmy Perch (Nannatherina balstoni) was historically recorded from the Moore River system but is no longer known to occur there. The Golden Gudgeon (Hypseleotris aurea) occurs within the Murchison River system.
Freshwater fish and crayfish depend on healthy aquatic habitats and can be affected by altered river flows and hydrology, declining water quality, salinisation, habitat degradation, climate change and introduced aquatic species.
At least 450 coastal and marine fish species have previously been recorded within the NAR. The region encompasses a wide variety of marine habitats, including the diverse coral reef and associated marine ecosystems of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
Marine species of conservation significance occurring in or migrating through NAR waters include the west coast population of the Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) and the White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Other distinctive marine fishes recorded from the region include the Common Seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) and Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques).
Knowledge of freshwater and marine species distributions, taxonomy and conservation status continues to change as new records and assessments become available. Current conservation status should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government threatened and priority fauna information and Australian Government EPBC Act species information.
At least 1,220 invertebrate species have previously been recorded in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR), although the region’s true invertebrate diversity is likely to be considerably greater. The NAR supports particularly high species richness and endemism among a number of invertebrate groups, including trapdoor and other spiders, native bees, flies and other insects.
A number of invertebrates occurring in the region are recognised as threatened or otherwise of conservation priority. These include species such as Carter’s Freshwater Mussel (Westralunio carteri) and the Shield-backed Trapdoor Spider (Idiosoma nigrum). Some invertebrate species have highly restricted distributions, making the protection and appropriate management of their remaining habitat particularly important.
Knowledge of the NAR’s invertebrate fauna continues to develop as new species are discovered, described and reassessed. Taxonomic revisions have substantially changed understanding of some groups, particularly trapdoor spiders. Current conservation status and taxonomy should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government threatened and priority fauna information and Australian Government EPBC Act species information.
Approximately 60 mammal species have previously been recorded in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR), including terrestrial and marine mammals occurring along the coast and around the region’s numerous islands.
The NAR coastline and offshore islands provide important habitat for marine mammals. The endangered species Australian Sea Lions (Neophoca cinerea) breed at a number of locations along the Western Australian coast, including islands within the NAR. Several whale species also migrate, forage or occur seasonally in waters off the NAR, including locally listed endangered Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis), globally endangered Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and other cetaceans.
On land, the NAR supports a number of mammals of conservation significance. These include the Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer), Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis), Black-flanked Rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) and Chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii). Offshore islands in the Jurien Bay area provide important habitat for Dibblers, with populations occurring on Boullanger, Whitlock and Escape islands.
The Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) and Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) were historically more widespread and have disappeared from much of their former range. Conservation programs, including translocations and predator-managed conservation areas, have established populations at sites including Mount Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary.
Mammal distributions, taxonomy and conservation status can change as new records and assessments become available. Current conservation status should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government threatened and priority fauna information and Australian Government EPBC Act species information.
Approximately 145 reptile species have previously been recorded in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR), reflecting the region’s high reptile diversity and endemism.
The NAR provides habitat for a number of reptile species with restricted distributions or conservation significance. These include the Western Spiny-tailed Skink (Egernia stokesii badia), Lancelin Island Skink (Ctenotus lancelini), Jurien Bay Skink (Liopholis pulchra longicauda), Western Bearded Dragon (Pogona minor minima), Yuna Broad-blazed Slider (Lerista yuna) and Stripe-sided Robust Slider (Lerista axillaris). The Gilled Slender Blue-tongue (Cyclodomorphus branchialis) also occurs within the region.
Some of these reptiles have extremely restricted distributions. The Lancelin Island Skink, for example, is known primarily from Lancelin Island and has one of the smallest known geographic ranges of any Australian reptile. Protecting remaining habitat and managing threats to these restricted populations are therefore important conservation priorities.
The marine waters of the NAR also provide habitat for threatened marine reptiles, including the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), both of which are listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Marine turtles face a range of pressures, including climate change and habitat loss, interactions with fishing activities, marine debris and pollution. Protecting important marine and coastal habitats and reducing avoidable human impacts can contribute to their conservation.
Reptile distributions, taxonomy and conservation status can change as new records and assessments become available. Current conservation status should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government threatened and priority fauna information and Australian Government EPBC Act species information.
The Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) has exceptionally high plant diversity and endemism and forms part of the internationally recognised Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot. More than 5,000 plant species have previously been recorded within the region.
The NAR is particularly notable for its diversity of Acacia species and is recognised as an important centre of Acacia richness and endemism. The region also supports many plant species with restricted distributions and numerous species recognised as threatened or otherwise of conservation priority.
Threatened flora in Western Australia are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, while nationally threatened species may also be listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Western Australia’s threatened and priority flora lists are reviewed and updated as new information about species, populations, threats and taxonomy becomes available.
Extensive historical clearing has substantially altered native vegetation across parts of the NAR, particularly within the broadacre agricultural zone. Regional vegetation mapping estimated that approximately 76% of native vegetation within the broadacre agricultural zone had been cleared, compared with around 10% in the pastoral zone. The same regional assessment identified 168 vegetation associations within the NAR, 74 of which occurred only within the region, Richardson et al. (2014).
Remaining native vegetation is highly fragmented in many agricultural landscapes, increasing the importance of protecting remnant vegetation and maintaining or restoring ecological connectivity. Riparian vegetation in parts of the NAR has also been degraded and continues to face pressures including altered hydrology, salinity, grazing, invasive species and loss or fragmentation of native vegetation.
Knowledge of plant distributions, taxonomy and conservation status continues to change as new records and assessments become available. Current plant taxonomy and distribution information can be obtained from FloraBase, while current threatened and priority flora information is maintained by the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Ecological communities are naturally occurring groups of plants, animals and other organisms associated with particular habitats and environmental conditions. Ecological communities that are at risk of collapse may be recognised as Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs).
TECs may be listed under Western Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and/or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) contains a number of state and nationally listed TECs, reflecting the region’s high biodiversity and the significant pressures affecting some of its ecosystems.
Nationally listed ecological communities occurring within or extending into the NAR include the Claypans of the Swan Coastal Plain, Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt, Shrublands and Woodlands on Muchea Limestone, Shrublands and Woodlands on Perth to Gingin Ironstone, Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain, and Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh.
Western Australia also recognises Priority Ecological Communities (PECs). These include ecological communities that may be threatened but require further information or survey, as well as other communities identified as conservation priorities. TECs and PECs of conservation significance occur throughout the NAR, with areas including Gingin, the northern Swan Coastal Plain, Lesueur–Coomallo, the northern Wheatbelt and parts of the Mid West supporting communities with restricted distributions.
The conservation status, boundaries and understanding of ecological communities can change as new survey and assessment information becomes available. Current information on Western Australian TECs and PECs is maintained by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), while information on nationally listed ecological communities is maintained by the Australian Government under the EPBC Act.
More than 300 species of fungi and lichens have previously been recorded in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR). However, fungi remain relatively understudied compared with many other groups of organisms, and the true diversity of fungi within the region is likely to be considerably greater.
The NAR supports fungi and lichens of conservation significance, including species with restricted distributions in Western Australia. Examples recorded from the region include the agaric mushroom Amanita lesueurii and a number of lichen species, including species of Xanthoparmelia.
Fungi perform essential ecological functions. They are major decomposers of organic material, recycling nutrients and contributing to soil formation and ecosystem processes. Many fungi also form important relationships with plants and other organisms. Mycorrhizal fungi, for example, form mutually beneficial associations with plant roots, extending the effective reach of root systems and helping plants access water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus. This can be especially important in nutrient-poor or dry soils, where access to limited resources can influence plant growth and survival. These associations can also improve plants’ tolerance of drought and other environmental stresses and contribute to soil structure and nutrient cycling. Mycorrhizal fungi therefore play an important role in supporting healthy vegetation and the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems.
Lichens are associations between fungi and photosynthetic partners, usually green algae or cyanobacteria. They occur across a wide range of NAR environments and can contribute to processes including nutrient cycling, soil stability and the development of biological soil crusts.
Knowledge of fungal diversity, distribution, taxonomy and conservation status continues to develop as species are discovered, described and reassessed. Current conservation information should therefore be checked against Western Australian Government biodiversity and conservation databases.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW):
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA):
Richardson, J., et al. (2014). Biodiversity Assessment and Vegetation Mapping of the Northern Agricultural Region, Western Australia.
South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) Noongar information and resources
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC)
Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC):
