By: - Kirmi Patel (9GC)

By: - Kirmi Patel (9GC)

Interesting Facts • Kakadu is one of the few sites on the World Heritage List. • The park is located in the north of Australia, 252 kilometres east of Darwin, covering a total area of 19,000 square kilometres. • The name “Kakadu” comes from “Gagudju” the main Aboriginal language used in the northern park of the area at the start of the 20th century. • Kakadu National Park is the biggest and such a beauty in Australia. This is where the Kakadu National Park is and this map shows the regions in the park.

Native Flora and Fauna Flora • As you go through Kakadu you will notice the wide range of landscapes, which allow a richness of plants. • Some plants are in specific areas and some are found throughout the park. • Kakadu’s flora is among the richest in northern Australia more than 1700 plant species are recorded. Fauna • The Fauna of Kakadu is diverse with an extensive variety of animals and birds living in a wide range of habitats. • Many species are rare, endemic and endangered creatures. • There are so many native fauna in Kakadu national park.

Examples of Native Flora and Fauna Examples of Native Fauna Examples of Native Flora • Lotus Flower • Spinifex grass • Turkey Bush • River Red Gum • Purple water lilies • It has more than 2000 plant species

Introduced Species & • Some of the present Fauna introduced species are Asian water buffalo, cattle, pigs, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, European bees, and more recently cane toads which have had major effects on habitat. • Some of the present Flora introduced species are Para grass which displaces he native food of much birdlife in Kakadu, Brumbies also inhabit areas of the National Park including Yellow Water and much more that you don’t even know about.

Threats • These introduced species spread weeds, increase erosions and prey on native animals. • Weeds are one of the threats as they decrease food sources and habitats for animals. • Kakadu has several species threaten the native habitat, particularly in recent decades. • These species are mostly the weeds which covers a lot of the areas in the park and which also can increase fires.

Government Initiatives & • The Government has invested more than 42 million in progressing many of the report’s recommendations • The Australian Government notes that the Kakadu National Park Board of management in decision making relating to the management of Kakadu and in the preparation of the park’s management plan. • The Government also believed that the Kakadu National Park was the area where Indigenous people lived and they still do • Government also notes that these principles have been reflected in the draft management plan.

Possible Solutions • Well they can have trainer for each kind of animal which can control them and they can also tell them what to do • They should make a rule that all the tourist should have a guide or trainer • They could also have warning signs for the tourists to know that there are dangerous animals in this area • Fence the plants that are dangerous to the animals to eat

Sources • http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/publications/kakadu/pubs/tourism-brochure-response.pdf • http://www.travelaust.com.au/locations/kakadu.html • http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/tourism/kakadu/values/naturalvalues/flora.html • http://lrm.nt.gov.au/biodiversity-conservation/animals/native • http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/education/pubs/factsheets/kakadu-national-park.pdf • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakadu_National_Park

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By: - Kirmi Patel (9GC)