Native vegetation

The Northern Territory (NT) covers about 1.35 million km² which is about 17 percent of the Australian land mass. 

Its native vegetation includes:

• mulga, spinifex and hummock grasslands
• open woodlands
• closed forests
• floodplains
• mangroves.

Over 4200 plant species have been identified in NT to date. Go to about NT Herbarium and native plants for more information.

Native vegetation has been described and mapped across the NT. For more information go to soil, land and vegetation mapping.

Why native vegetation is important

Native vegetation does all of the following:

• protects water resources
• forms and protects soil
• sustains biodiversity
• provides habitats for native wildlife
• stores and cycles nutrients
• provides carbon sinks
• maintains water table levels
• maintains regional weather patterns
• reduces risk of salinity and soil erosion
• provides shelter for stock and crops
• conserves genetic resources
• provides sites for tourism and recreation
• provides NT residents with a sense of place and identity.

For information on clearing native vegetation and vegetation management go to the land clearing fact sheets page.