Biodiversity

The Mallee CMA region supports a diverse and unique array of native flora and fauna, several of which occur nowhere else in Victoria and many others at the edge of their range (e.g. representing the southernmost distribution), yet genetically distinct from their northern or southern relatives. This includes a greater diversity of reptiles than any other region in Victoria.

The Mallee is recognised nationally and internationally for the diversity and uniqueness of its natural landscape. Significant features include:

• An extensive network of national parks, state forests and crown reserves including Wyperfeld National Park, Big Desert Wilderness Park, and Big Desert State Forest; which collectively form the largest remnant of uncleared native vegetation in the agricultural areas  of south-eastern Australia.
• The Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes – recognised as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands.
• Two internationally recognised Important Bird Areas (IBAs) encompassing Murray-Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne and Wyperfeld National Parks, Big Desert Wilderness Park, and several adjacent state forests and reserves – supporting populations of three globally threatened species: Malleefowl; Black-eared Miner; and Mallee Emu-wren.

Our role

A primary threat to Mallee biodiversity is the loss of ecological processes, particularly in regard to ecosystem fragmentation, disturbed breeding and regeneration cycles; and species population imbalances. Habitat is the key to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. The size, number, connectivity and quality of remnant vegetation will determine how well ecological processes continue to function in the region. Invasive plants and animals, land and water salinisation, wind erosion, changing land use and altered fire regimes also interact with and further threaten ecological processes.

The key focus of the Mallee CMA’s Biodiversity Program is to facilitate the protection and enhancement of the region’s terrestrial biodiversity assets through the implementation of targeted on-ground interventions that address these threatening processes; and through increased community awareness of, and participation in, conservation activities.