The plants around Roxby Downs have changed considerably since European settlement. Long-lived trees such as mulga (Acacia aneura) have shown limited recruitment in the presence of rabbits and cattle, and long lived plant species have been replaced by short lived annual and weed species. Grass cover has been significantly reduced by rabbit grazing leading to erosion and scalding.
Since the rabbits and stock were removed from the Arid Recovery Reserve significant plant changes have occured. Satellite imagery shows that plant cover has increased inside the Reserve significantly (red areas) compared with outside areas where cover has declined (blue areas).
Photos taken of cross fence comparisons show that vegetation cover inside the Reserve (left side of photo) is now higher than outside the Reserve (right side of photo) where rabbits are still present.
Recruitment of seedlings in being monitored to determine the impact of rabbits and domestic stock on the survival of seedlings. Seven plant species are being monitored including mulga (A.aneura), Umbrella Wattle (A.ligulata), Senna artemisioides and Native Plum (Santalum lanceolatum). Results to date suggest that survival of mulga seedlings is much higher inside the Reserve than outside where rabbits and cattle are present.
