Flora

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Since European settlement human-induced changes to the natural environment of the Northern and Yorke Region have impacted on much of the areas native flora. The region is still floristically diverse and is thought to be home to over 1,200 of South Australia's 3,519 vascular plant species.

Jumping-jack Wattle

However, more than 20% of the plant species in the Northern and Yorke Region have a conservation rating. Of the 1,297 native plants recorded for the region, 265 species are considered threatened at the regional level, 153 are listed as threatened at the State level, and 25 species are listed as nationally threatened under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. These are the species considered to be at risk of extinction at either a National, State or Regional basis.

Spiny Daisy

Due to a lack of scientific understanding regarding non-vascular and aquatic plant species it is unclear how many of these types of plants are also threatened but it is likely to be a significant number.

The threatening process affecting the flora of the Northern and Yorke Region vary between species and populations however common threats include the clearance and modification of habitat, introduced plants, animals and diseases, and inappropriate fire regimes.

List of Nationally threatened vascular plant species found in the Northern and Yorke Region:

Endangered (Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

• Jumping-jack Wattle Acacia enterocarpa
• Spiny Daisy Acanthocladium dockeri (400Kb PDF)
• White Beauty or Common White Spider-orchid Caledenia argocalla (150Kb PDF)
• Bayonet Spider-orchid Caladenia gladiolata (250Kb PDF)
• Large Club Spider-orchid Caladenia macroclavia (150Kb PDF)
• Flinders Ranges White Caladenia Caladenia xantholeuca
• Unnamed Hopbush Dodonaea subglandulifera
• Osborn's Eyebright Euphrasia collina ssp. osbornii (150Kb PDF)
• Spalding Blown Grass Lachnagrostis limitanea (150Kb PDF) (listed under its former name Agrostis limitanea)
• Halbury Greenhood Pterostylis sp. 'Halbury'
• Lowly Greenhood Pterostylis despectans

Vulnerable (Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

• Hairy-pod Wattle Acacia glandulicarpa
• Neat Wattle or Resin Wattle Acacia rhetinocarpa
• Winter Spider-orchid Caladenia brumalis
• Woolcock's Spider-orchid Caladenia woolcockiorum (100Kb PDF)
• Trailing Hop-bush Dodonaea procumbens
• Clover Glycine Glycine latrobeana
• Bead Samphire Halosarcia flabelliformis
• Silver Daisy-bush Olearia pannosa ssp. pannosa
• Silver Candles Pleuropappus phyllocalymmeus
• Pale Leek-orchid Prasophyllum pallidum
• Mount Remarkable Leek-orchid Prasophyllum validum
• Large-fruit Groundsel Senecio macrocarpus
• Superb Groundsel Senecio megaglossus (450Kb PDF)
• Annual Candles Stackhousia annua

But in any area of the natural world, wildlife (plants and animals) does not live in isolation. All are linked through what has become known as the 'Web of Life'. Within this web, it is possible to recognise particular groups of plants and animals that are associated with each and these are called 'ecological communities'.

The goal in managing ecological communities is to conserve all species and populations within that community. A number of plant communities within the Northern and Yorke Region are recognised as being significant and in need of conservation.

List of significant plant communities in need of conservation in the Northern and Yorke Region (Source: Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan for the Northern & Yorke Agricultural District, 2003).

Low Open Forest

• Red Stringybark Eucalyptus macrorhyncha ssp. macrorhyncha

Woodland

• Peppermint Box Eucalyptus odorata with South Australian Blue Gum Eucalyptus leucoxylon with/without Pink Gum E. fasciculosa
• Mallee Box Eucalyptus porosa woodlands and low woodlands with a grassy understorey
• Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa woodland with a grassy understorey
• Red Stringybark Eucalyptus macrorhyncha ssp. macrorhyncha low open forest
• Peppermint Box Eucalyptus odorata with/without Mallee Box E. porosa woodland with a grassy understorey

Kangaroo Grass

Mallee Broad-leaf Box Eucalyptus behriana with/without E. dumosa open mallee with a sparse sclerophyllous shrub understorey Grassland Wallaby Grass Danthonia ssp. and Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra tussock grassland Scented Mat Rush Lomandra effusa with/or without Hard Mat Rush Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura tussock grassland Peppermint Box Eucalyptus odorata grassy woodlands and Iron-Grass Lomandra spp have been recently listed in the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as critically endangered ecological communities.