Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p59
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 171323–174208

typically grow on sandy or lateritic soils, often shallow and gravelly; their trees are low and widely spaced and often lose their leaves in the dry season. The forests tend to grow on deeper soils and have year-round ground moisture available to them, with taller trees which grow closer together. The lowlands are heavily influenced by seasonal factors. The wet season is a period of growth, when plants make the most of the abundant water. The dry season is a more stressful time, and the plants have adapted to cope with this long waterless period.

Lowland woodlands can change significantly within short distances; this is determined by a number of factors such as soil structure, slope and length of flooding during the wet season. The widespread and variable nature of the lowlands, plus its vast expanse, has contributed to making it the richest in plant and animal species of the park landscapes, although (in contrast to the stone country) most species also occur widely beyond Kakadu.

Values and condition

The lowlands within Kakadu:

    * are the dominant ecological fabric of the park and the one that connects all the other landscapes

    * are largely intact and represent the largest savanna protected within a reserve in the world

    * comprise a great diversity of species, with the majority of Kakadu's species existing in this landscape

    * are the primary habitat for 20 threatened species, particularly mammals

    * are the primary habitat for many culturally significant species such as billy goat plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) and other plants and animals collected for food and materials

    * are a nationally significant carbon store.

Compared with other savanna lowlands around the world, the Kakadu lowlands are largely intact but their condition is declining: the extent and impact of weeds, particularly ecosystem transforming grasses, is increasing; large and frequent fires are leading to simplification of the woodland structure; feral animals are impacting on some environments and species; and populations of some threatened species, particularly mammals, are falling rapidly.

Existing threats to values

  Fire (highly significant)
Large, hot and frequent fires remain a significant issue in the lowlands, in particular for the maintenance of habitats favoured by some currently declining animal species. The numerous unplanned and unauthorised fires that are lit along major roads and in the park each year by people travelling through and using the park is a major issue.

  Feral animals:
    * Cats (highly significant)

  While the extent of impact from cats on the lowlands fauna is not fully known, it is clear they are contributing to the decline of many species, especially small mammals. No fully effective control programme has been demonstrated for feral cats in this environment and management options remain limited.