Our Environment.
JEWEL OF THE SOUTH-WEST
Western Australia’s South West region lies within an internationally renowned biodiversity hotspot, featuring unique plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
The region is experiencing increasing pressures from climate change, population growth, development and water demand which will continue to test its environmental and social capital.
The future of this region, community and economy are all dependent on how citizens collectively care for and manage their environment and natural resources.
RARE BIODIVERSITY
Evolving in geographic isolation, the Terrestrial Biodiversity (all ‘land-based’ life-forms: plants, animals, micro-organisms) of the the south-west of Western Australia is some of the most unique in the country, if not the world.
This South West Biodiversity Hotspot has over 8,000 native vascular plants (species + subspecies), nearly 50% of which are endemic to the region…found nowhere else on the planet!
A staggering amount when compared to England, where the land mass is proportionate to the South West but….
A staggering amount when compared to England, where the land mass is proportionate to the South West but there are only 1,500 native vascular plants species and a mere 3% are endemic.
The South West is synonymous with wilderness, giant forests, and spectacular coastlines. This area also has many unique and endemic animals, like the Numbat and the Western Ringtail Possum.
The South West’s uniqueness along with its threats is what attracts the global hotspot status. This status is only awarded to places with extraordinarily high concentrations of endemic species, but also where these species are undergoing severe loss of habitat.
The Numbat, also called the banded anteater, is a small endangered marsupial animal native to parts of Australia. They have a long sticky tongue that allows them pick up termites, which they eat exclusively.
The Numbat is under threat from habitat loss and introduced predators like foxes and feral cats. With an estimated population of fewer than 1,000 individuals left
Thank you to the South West Catchments Council and the Numbat Project.
For more information please visit
https://southwestsnapshot.com.au
http://www.numbat.org.au/thenumbat
JARRAH AND KARRI FORESTS
Quinninup lies in the land of the giants, surrounded by old growth and regrowth Jarrah and Karri forests.
Karri is the tallest species in Western Australia and one of the tallest hardwoods on Earth.
In just under three and a half hours, you can drive south from Perth and arrive in the green serenity of Quinninup.
A staggering 80 percent of the Southern Forests region is dedicated to forest and national parks, so outdoor adventures and nature abound.
Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) is a beautiful, tall forest giant found in the Warren region near the southern coast of Western Australia.
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The Warren region near Quinninup was named after the Warren River and created to encompass the karri forest although a few remnant populations exist just outside the region.
The area at around 8500 km² is recognised internationally as an ecoregion, high in natural biodiversity. The karri forests are estimated to have covered an area of around 2000 km² within this region once.
Estimates of old-growth forest remaining is now only about 400 km², the largest stand being Warren National Park
Karri are unmistakable when mature, the only giant gum tree in WA with smooth bark except around the rough base. Their huge creamy grey trunks reaching up to the sky and when they are shedding bark other colours such as shades of yellow and pink.
Thank you to Western Australia Giant Trees.
For more information please visit
https://www.westernaustraliagianttrees.com/karri.html
Visitors are asked to please;
Whilst care has been taken to minimise risk, these sites and walk trails may be situated in state forest, plantation areas and old growth forests which are all subject to the dynamics of a living ecosystem. As such no liability is accepted by the QCA for any accident or injury.
Simply Beautiful.
JEWEL OF THE SOUTH-WEST
About
Information
© 2022 Quinninup Community Association Inc
ABN: 29 564 565 867 - IARN: A0824490U
The Quinninup Community Association acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as the original custodians of this country, recognizing their connection to land, waters and community. We respect their cultures and Elders, past and present.
"Ngala kaaditj Pibelman Noongar moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja.”
We acknowledge Pibelman Noongar people as the original custodians of the land on which we live.
Images courtesy of:
Fritz Nabholz | Mick Hill | Tom Chvojka | Wendy Eiby | Ian Grouse | Scott Frankel
© 'Quinninup Naturally' graphic and design by permission from RapidWebSites.