Endangered Species Day - celebrating Banksia Woodlands

It's Endangered Species Day and we're shining a spotlight on a local threatened ecological community - the Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain.

What is a Banksia Woodland and why is it important?

The Banksia Woodland community is unique type of woodland found only in the south west of WA, including around Perth. To identify Banksia Woodland you can start by looking for a prominent layer of Banksia plants and a diverse understorey with many wildflowers.

Banksia Woodlands are an important habitat for over 20 other nationally threatened species such as Carnaby’s and forest red-tailed black cockatoos, chuditch (western quoll) and western ringtail possum; as well as many wildflowers unique to the south-west and other animals that depend on them, like the honey possum.

The Woodlands provide ecosystem services like helping cool temperatures in the area, storing carbon, filtering and maintaining Perth's groundwater, helping reduce flooding, soil loss and pollution, and of course they are a beautiful place for people to bushwalk and enjoy nature.

Why is this ecological community threatened?

This community was once common around Perth on the Swan Coastal Plain but has been reduced by about 60%.

Large amounts of this unique Banksia Woodland have been cleared and the remaining areas are very fragmented. This stops the migration of pollinators between the communities and leaves them vulnerable.

They also face other threats such as dieback diseases, invasive species, changes to fire regimes, changes to groundwater levels, climate change and other disturbances.

Find out more about our Banksia Woodlands and where to spot some by clicking here.