The Kellerberrin project on fragmented landscapes: A review of current information

Overall, the wheatbelt of Western Australia occupies 14 million ha and has had 93% of its native vegetation removed over the past 100 years, much of it disappearing within the last 50 years. This rapid and extensive clearing, together with the introductions of exotic and Australian endemic species to the region, have resulted in a significant loss of native species-both plants and animals. The vegetation which remains is present as small remnant patches. The resulting collection of remnants significantly under-represents several of the major vegetation types. In addition, many of the remnants are severely degraded as a result of grazing and other disturbances (such as nutrient enrichment and other impacts from surrounding agricultural lands), and species are still being lost. The Kellerberrin area is the focus of a study by CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology into the conservation potential of remnants of native vegetation and the options available for their management. The study has centred on a 1680 km² area and examines the structure and dynamics both of individual remnants and of remnant networks within the agricultural matrix. Without active management, many remnants will be unable to continue to support native plant and animal communities. Management must be based on existing information and refined as more data become available. Research and management must, therefore, interact strongly.