A study conducted by four scientists over a three year period has found that North Australia boasts the largest untouched savanna area in the world. It covers an area larger than Western Europe and stretches more than 2000 km across Australia, accounting for 30% of the world’s savanna. Using satellite technology the researchers mapped over 1.5 million square kilometers of Australia’s tropical north end to accurately detail the location of the savanna and its connected grasslands and trees. The report was made into a book, The Nature of Northern Australia, which documents plans for future preservation and harmonious economic growth options.

Tropical savanna is in a decline the world over due to land clearing, unsustainable grazing techniques, overpopulation and species invasion. The grasslands of Asia, Africa and South America are being damaged and cleared, in fact up to 70% of the world’s savannas are almost beyond repair, so badly have they been affected. Bio-diversity wise, this is an incredible loss as one tree in the Amazon can support up to 2000 different species of life.

That is why Professor Brendan Mackay, researcher, author and scientist, believes so strongly in protecting Australia’s savanna region, “….this vast area of Northern Australia is remarkably intact.” It remains so unaffected and preserved because some areas are within World Heritage Listed parks and other areas are protected by small Aboriginal communities. In an area just west of Arnhem Land, a habitat was studied where 170 endemic (found only in this area) plant species were discovered, along with species of python and wallaby that cannot exist elsewhere. The North Australian savanna also boasts the most intact mammal fauna in the country, which is good news considering some 22 different species of mammal have become extinct since Europeans settlers arrived 200 years ago. This last great savanna is now as environmentally important as Antarctica and the Amazon. An area so great should naturally be preserved for the importance of conserving its fragile ecological systems. Try to imagine an area four times the size of Africa’s remaining woodlands. Impressive don’t you think?

A visit to the north end of Australia is like walking back in time, the landscape and the wildlife that exists is the same as 200 years ago. Australia is one of 17 countries world wide that is now recognized as mega-diverse, because of the variance in species and ecological systems. Capital development is a major threat to Australia’s savanna, with land clearing and habitat fragmentation a means to make way for housing developments. Another more insidious threat is changes to the natural flora and fauna through species invasions. Though the first threat is more likely, species invasion can quickly wreak havoc on fragile eco-systems if plans are not taken to conserve and contain important areas.

If this is truly the world’s greatest savanna left untouched and undamaged, then obviously a priority should be made to preserve it’s beauty, it’s bio-diversity and it’s uniqueness. Some organizations are actively working to protect this biome, most notably the World Wildlife Fund which reacts to any destructive plans by working with communities to prevent clearing programs. If a chance to visit the savanna of Northern Australia is offered, seize it, if only to breathe in the beauty and take home a picture of ancient Australia.