The Abba Plains covers most of the coastal plain portion of the Geographe Bay catchment. This project continues on from the vegetation condition mapping and evaluation undertaken as part of the Remnant Vegetation Strategy for Geographe Bay. This strategy identified Abba Plains vegetation communities as being seriously depleted and fragmented, and a priority for active management.
Less than 10% of vegetation remains on the Abba Plains and as low as 3% remains for some vegetation communities. The Abba Plains includes 5 Threatened Ecological Communities, including the critically endangered Southern Ironstone community, and many priority plant species. Recent updated information from the Department of Conservation and Land Management suggests that the situation is actually worse than this analysis.
99% of remnant Abba Plains vegetation is situated on private land, so it is essential that GeoCatch works closely with landholders to achieve conservation and enhancement objectives. The objectives of the project are:
Raise community awareness, appreciation and recognition of Abba Plains/Flats vegetation.
Determine priority areas and linkages of Abba Flats vegetation, and opportunities for enhancement.
Provide support and resources to landholders to protect and enhance remnant stands and linkages.
