Land | NSW State of the Environment

The topics in this theme describe the condition of our land and its ability to provide ecosystem services and suitable habitat for native species and ecosystems.

Land overview

For an overview of this theme, including Aboriginal perspectives click on the heading.

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Soil Condition

Soil condition and productivity are declining across NSW due to increasing acidification and the continuing decline of soil organic carbon in agricultural soils from the intensification of land use

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Loss of soil organic carbon

3.1%

of natural carbon stocks have been lost across NSW since 2006

Native Vegetation

Following the Black Summer bushfires it is estimated 31% of the ecological carrying capacity of native vegetation in NSW remains, compared to pre-European settlement.

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Intact native vegetation cover in NSW

69%

comprising 50% woody vegetation and 19% non-woody native vegetation

Protected Areas and Conservation

The NSW terrestrial reserve system covers about 7.59 million hectares or approximately 9.6% of the state.

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Public conservation reserves

9.6%

of NSW was formally protected in terrestrial public reserves in 2020–21

Fire

The 2019–20 Black Summer fire season was the most severe ever recorded in NSW, and as the climate warms and dries such fire patterns are likely to become more frequent.

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Fire interval status

62%

of all vegetation with fire history available is under pressure from too much burning following the 2019–20 Black Summer fires