In many cases these remnants still harbour endangered species of flora and fauna. Without proper and adequate conservalion of these areas, Australia can expect a continuing high level of extinctions of both plants and animals. Landholders in rural subdivisions have a unique opportunity to learn about and preserve the local vegetation and the animals, birds and other creatures dependent on it. Degraded areas may be enhanced by the planting of indigenous and introduced native species to improve the potential of the vegetation as the supermarket and habitat for native wildlife. LEFT Plants need protection Grazing animals such as horses, sheep and to some extent cattle, can quickly destroy vegetation in this quite fragile environment with its harsh climate of heavy frosts and sometimes long dry spells.
Horses eat the local wattles and can damage the bark on eucalypts.
Feral animals such as rabbits are very damaging to native plants. In dry times especially they will expose the roots of seedlings and then eat the roots. Seedlings of the local pine, Callitris endlicheri , are especially vulnerable. Rabbit warrens can start erosion. It is essential when planting Australian plants to fence them off from the rabbits and other animals.