Western Australia's Native Flora Protection Act

With the invasion of European species, which accompanied the arrival of settlers, Australia’s indigenous flora became more and more endangered through the eigtheenth and nineteenth century. The continent’s highly unique flora, marked by a high percentage of endemic plant species, was among the most biologically diverse collections in the world. But, since the first settlers arrived in 1788, the environment had drastically changed. Due to the increasing population, growing urban development, and consumption of resources, native vegetation cover declined and the soil became increasingly salinized. By implementing the Native Flora Protection Act in 1912, the Western Australian government began to confront the ongoing diversity loss. Its new regulations restricted vegetation clearing, the introduction of weeds and feral animals, and fire clear cuts. Still today, these measures are at the core of Australian conservation concepts and concerns.