100 years ago the most degraded part of a pastoral property near Yunta (SA) was fenced off to study the recovery of vegetation once stock had been removed. The idea of fencing out stock and monitoring ecological change was a science innovation of the time.
Recovery of many species was slow until a vigilant campaign eradicated rabbits about 50 years ago which, coupled with good seasons, enabled a rapid regeneration of previously rare plants.
The centenary is being celebrated on Oct 11-12 at Yunta and Koonamore. See here for more information on the event.
For more information about the Reserve and the science from there, see:
- Koonamore: Still changing (here)
- Koonamore Reserve Project (Uni of Adelaide) here
- Video: Celebrating 100 Yrs (here). Rabbits at 48 mins – Jose Facelli.
- Video: 90 years of change (here) – Russ Sinclair
- Video: Koonamore 1925 – 2025 (here) – Dean Graetz
Rabbit-Free Australia has been pleased to support the Reserve and associated research over the years.
Koonamore Vegetation Reserve. 1928 to 2018 comparison. Vegetation didn’t respond dramatically until rabbits were removed.