Biodiversity

The diverse range of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the environments they form and the genetic variety they contain is known as biodiversity.

In order to provide for better management of biodiversity both state and federal governments have worked together to develop a national system of scientifically defined biological regions, commonly known as bioregions. 

Bioregions are large, geographically distinct areas of land that have similar characteristics such as geology, landform patterns, climate, ecological features and plant and animal communities.

The biodiversity of the City of Greater Bendigo is defined by two bioregions:

• Goldfields
• Victorian Riverina  

Within Goldfields Box Ironbark Forest, Heathy Dry Forest and Grassy Dry Forest ecosystems dominate the lower slopes or poorer soils.

The granitic and sedimentary land is dominated by Grassy Woodlands, much of which has been cleared.

Occasional low-lying corridors of alluvial valleys between the uplands are dominated by Low Rises Grassy Woodland and Alluvial Terraces Herb-rich Woodland ecosystems.

Victorian Riverina is characterised by flat to gently undulating landscape with evidence of former stream channels and wide floodplain areas associated with major river systems and prior streams.

Grassy Woodlands and Grasslands are the predominant vegetation communities in this bioregion.

The Grassy Woodlands are characterised by low density tree cover with an understorey of scattered shrubs and a well developed grassy layer.

Grasslands are dominated by Wallaby and Spear Grasses with a rich mixture of herbs from the daisy, saltbush and pea families.