Ecosystems

The Northern and Yorke region is particularly diverse, with several threatened ecological communities and bioregions.

Clearance of native vegetation through land use change remains one of the principal threats to biodiversity in the region, primarily relating to clearing for renewable energy infrastructure and residential development.

Since European settlement, native vegetation in the Northern and Yorke region has experienced extensive clearing for agriculture, with over 87% of vegetation cleared and only 13% of remnant vegetation remaining.

This has had a catastrophic impact on native flora and fauna in the region, with more than 75 species now listed as nationally threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.

The region is home to the following EPBC threatened or vulnerable Ecological Communities:

• Iron-grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia (Critically Endangered)
• Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa)
• Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia (Endangered)
• Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata)
• Grassy Woodland of South Australia (Critically Endangered)
• Drooping Sheoak Grassy Woodland on Calcrete of the Eyre Yorke Block Bioregion (Critically Endangered)
• Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh (Vulnerable)
• Mallee Birds Ecological Community (Priority Place)

Marine ecosystems

47% of the state’s blue carbon ecosystems are within the Northern and Yorke region. Blue carbon ecosystems are coastal vegetated areas that
capture and store carbon, such as mangrove forests, saltmarshes and seagrass meadows. The sediment, below ground biomass (roots and detritus) and
above ground biomass (branches and leaves) of blue carbon ecosystems, act as highly effective carbon sinks, storing more carbon than many terrestrial
ecosystems.

These ecosystems also play a critical role in filtering and recycling nutrients, regulating water quality, buffering coastlines against sea level extremes and acting as nursery areas for a range of commercially and recreationally important fish and crustacean species.

Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is becoming increasingly important with ongoing climate change.

Agricultural systems

The Northern and Yorke region supports a wide range of highly valued agricultural systems, including intensive horticulture, viticulture, grazing and cropping. These agricultural systems are part of, and operate within, the natural systems that support agricultural production through: • Insects providing pollination of crops and pest management
• Soil carbon and soil biota influencing soil health
• Vegetation influencing microclimates, providing shelter, preventing erosion and maintaining water quality
• Integrated pest management
• Fire management

Many agricultural properties in the region contain remnant vegetation, including threatened ecological communities. It is critical that this Plan reflects the intent to work together to support sustainable agricultural practices that deliver mutual outcomes, including improved agricultural profitability and ecosystem protection.