Western Australian Mulga shrublands | |
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Ecology | |
Realm | Australasian |
Biome | deserts and xeric shrublands |
Borders | |
Geography | |
Area | 461,958 km2 (178,363 sq mi) |
Country | Australia |
State | Western Australia |
Coordinates | 26°30′S 119°15′E / 26.5°S 119.25°E |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Vulnerable |
Protected | 4.53%[1]</ref> |
The Western Australian Mulga shrublands is a deserts and xeric shrublands ecoregion of inland Western Australia.[2] It is one of Australia's two mulga ecoregions, characterized by dry woodlands of mulga trees (Acacia aneura and related species) interspersed with areas of grassland and scrub.[3][1][4]
This is a hot, dry area with little rainfall.
The region consists of the Gascoyne and Murchison bioregions of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA).[5][6]
The predominant vegetation is mulga trees, a type of acacia adapted to the hot, dry climate by means of long tap roots. In some areas the mulga trees are surrounded by Eriachne grassland.
Wildlife of the region includes red kangaroos and birds such as emus, Australian bustards and honeyeaters.
Most of the area is uninhabited but there is some mining activity and some sheep grazing, both of which cause damage to native habitats.
4.53% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas in the ecoregion include:[1]