findings by bioregion - Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

HIGHLANDS – NORTHERN FALLKEY FINDINGSTOTAL BIOREGION 1,415,346 ha• Largely-intact landscape 770,912 ha – 54.5%• Fragmented landscape 644,434 ha – 45.5%31.2%9.9%The Highlands – Northern Fall bioregion is one of themoderately cleared bioregions buffered extensively bylargely-intact landscapes. The boundary adjacent to theVictorian Alps is largely intact and contiguous with theVictorian Alps. In the fragmented landscape 68.8% of theoriginal native vegetation remains. Most (46.8% of the totalfragmented landscape) is on public land with a moderateproportion in conservation reserves (9.9%). Clearingof vegetation is confi ned to the bioregion boundariesadjacent to the Central Victorian Uplands and the NorthernInlands Slopes as well as around Omeo. Cleared areasare associated with the fl atter slopes and river valleysthat are more suitable for agriculture. Overall the sitecondition and landscape context of patches are good.However, much poorer remnants occur in the bioregionisolates surrounded by the Northern Inland Slopes,around Beechworth and Koetong in the far north whereextensive softwood plantations have been established.The proportion by area of patch size class is greater onprivate land compared to public land with the exceptionof the 1,000+ ha class which is about twice as large onpublic land.36.9%21.9%FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPE• Native vegetation extent 443, 083 ha – 68.8%• On public land [total] 301,747 ha – 46.8%In conservation reserves 64,104 ha – 9.9%In other public land categories 237,643 ha – 36.9%• On private land 141,336 ha – 21.9%• Not native vegetation 201,351 ha – 31.2%102