Native Vegetation
The Northern Territory covers an area of approximately 1.35 million square kilometres, which is equivalent to 17% of the Australian land mass.
Our diverse native vegetation communities range from the extensive mulga, Spinifex and hummock grasslands in the south to the open woodlands, closed forests, floodplains and mangroves in the north. More than 4200 species of vascular plants have been identified in the NT to date.
Native vegetation plays a pivotal role in the health of the Territory environment by protecting our water resources, forming and protecting soil, sustaining biodiversity, providing habitat for native wildlife, storing and cycling nutrients, providing carbon sinks and maintaining regional weather patterns.
Native vegetation also has economic value to the Territory by maintaining water table levels reducing the risk of salinity and soil erosion, providing shelter for stock and crops, conserving genetic resources and providing sites for tourism and recreation.
Native vegetation also provides us with a sense of place and identity.
