Landscape Context
Mt Gibson Sanctuary straddles two major bioregions at the southern margin of the uncleared rangeland country. This transitional vegetation zone, the ‘mulga-eucalypt’ line, reflects a change in climatic conditions between the south-west and arid regions of Western Australia.
Much of Mt Gibson has never been grazed or has been grazed only lightly. This contrasts with the impoverished ‘wheatbelt’ country just a few miles to the south, and differs from the majority of rangelands further to the north, which have often been severely degraded by the grazing of domestic and feral stock, particularly goats.
The region has been identified as a high priority for conservation. Other properties along the southern margin of the uncleared rangeland country have been targeted for acquisition by conservation organisations, including the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (DEC), and the Australian Bush Heritage Fund (ABHF). Negotiations are also currently underway to create an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) immediately to the north of Mt Gibson, which will be managed by traditional owners for conservation. Together, these combined areas have the capacity to provide long-term security and protection for a diverse range of flora and fauna.