Mt Gibson Sanctuary - Ecosystems

Mt Gibson sanctuary

Thirteen major vegetation associations are found on Mt Gibson, and of note is that:

• Every one of the 13 major vegetation associations is inadequately represented in the current government conservation reserve system.
• Five vegetation associations are not represented at all in the current government conservation reserve system
• Four vegetation associations have less than 1% of their original distribution protected in the current government conservation reserve system

Mt Gibson sanctuary has an exceptional diversity of ecosystems as a result of its location on the transition between two bioregions. The vegetation communities present are representative of the heavily cleared ‘wheatbelt’ area of Western Australia. For example, almost 60,000 ha of magnificent Eucalypt Woodlands are now protected at Mt Gibson, including impressive stands of Salmon Gum, Gimlet and York Gum.

Mt Gibson is an important repository of rare wheatbelt flora from the botanically rich southwest region. Eighteen species of declared rare and priority flora are known from the property, and it is estimated that up to 700 plant species could occur on Mt Gibson.