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The Nullarbor Plains are a vast, dry plateau that remains relatively uninhabited. The spectacular limestone Nullarbor Caves lie beneath the surface, harboring unique cave fauna. Subterranean rivers course through the caves, making their way to large underground lakes. The caves abound with small crustaceans, spiders, and beetles. Some cave animals have completely adapted to the dark environment and are blind, while others can live outside the caves as well.
Nullarbor stretches from Western Australia into South Australia, and is bordered by the Great Australian Bight to the south and by the Great Victoria Desert to the north. No trees grow in the heart of the plateau, which earned its name from nullus arbor--Latin for "no tree." Instead, the dry plain is covered with bluebush and saltbush plants--small, hardy shrubs that are drought-resistant and salt-tolerant. On the outer edges of the Nullarbor, one can find low, open woodlands of myall acacias growing over bluebush.
The largest population of southern hairy-nosed wombat are found in the Nullarbor region. This stocky, brown marsupial spends its days in a subterranean burrow, conserving water and energy by allowing its body temperature to fall. Naretha bluebonnet parrots flit about the scrub, and reddish-brown Nullarbor quail thrushes remain sheltered on the ground. The Nullarbor bearded dragon might be seen perched on a low shrub, foraging for insects. This small, brown lizard can inflate its well-developed throat pouch, or "beard," giving it a fierce appearance.
Sheep-grazing is the main industry here. Also problematic are feral and introduced animals, especially rabbits. Rabbits eat young seedlings, causing a decline in certain shrubs, which in turn affects resident bird species. In addition, increasing tourism in the Nullarbor Caves could result in damage. For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report. All text by World Wildlife Fund © 2001
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