findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

NORTHERN INLAND SLOPESKEY FINDINGSThis bioregion has just under half its original nativevegetation remaining, only a very small area of which islargely intact. Almost half of the remnant native vegetationis on public land (22% of the original extent) and almosthalf of this is in conservation reserves. The median sitecondition and landscape context scores on public land aregreater than those for private land. However, the overallsite condition score is much lower than those of othermoderately cleared bioregions. In all patch size classes,the proportion by area on private land is greater than thaton public land, except for the largest patches (1,000+ ha).TOTAL BIOREGION 565,808 ha• Largely-intact landscape 730 ha – less than 1%• Fragmented landscape 565,078 ha – ~100%Landscape patterns on both public and private land area mix of fragmented, variegated and better connectedlandscapes. Outliers in the west of the bioregion,surrounded by the Victorian Riverina bioregion – includingin the Mt Hope and Terrick Terrick area – are most highlyfragmented and are more relictual. Towards the east,adjacent to the Highlands – Northern Falls bioregion,more substantial patches of native vegetation of highconnectivity occur. Other signifi cant areas of extensivelyconnected landscapes include:53.2%9.7%12.4% the Warby Ranges (north-west of Wangaratta) landscapes between Beechworth and Chiltern areas south of the Murray River, east of Wodonga.24.7%FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPE• Native vegetation extent 264,187 ha – 46.8%• On public land [total] 124,476 ha – 22.1%In conservation reserves 54,650 ha – 9.7%In other public land categories 69,826 ha – 12.4%• On private land 139,711 ha – 24.7%• Not native vegetation 300,891 ha – 53.2%86