In recent years, our understanding of native vegetation and attitudes towards it has changed considerably. Both property managers and the general community have a growing interest in the services that native vegetation and the biological diversity (biodiversity) it supports, provide to people and nature. Native vegetation plays a key role in supporting farming and other production activities and protecting landscapes against land and water degradation. It provides places to support our cultural, spiritual and recreational needs and habitat for many of Australia’s unique plants and animals.

Private landholders manage more than two-thirds of Australia, so have a vital role to play in the management of Australia’s native vegetation and the biodiversity it supports 5. Native vegetation is a key resource for the beef and sheep industry in the rangelands. This complements the management of conservation reserves, which cover just over 10 per cent of the continent – an area not considered adequate to represent the continent’s biological diversity 6. The sustainable management of native vegetation across all land uses and tenures will help ensure the long-term viability of these systems and meet the growing expectations of the broader community.

While many people recognise the services that native vegetation provides, others may view native vegetation as a harbour for vermin and a fire hazard. These different viewpoints and preferences reflect different values, experiences and goals associated with use of and relationship with the land. Investigations of the environmental, economic, social and cultural dimensions of these perceptions can offer new perspectives on sustainable land use and assist property managers weigh up competing priorities when making management decisions.

An understanding of the pressures on native vegetation at the property scale will enable managers to better manage the values and services it provides. Being aware of a new or emerging issue such as a new weed will help managers to protect their economic and biodiversity assets. Some actions such as the use of fire or grazing as a management tool may inadvertently threaten native vegetation. At other times, the effects and their causes may be less obvious, cumulative or derive from outside a property. Knowing about the different threats to native vegetation, and how they can best be managed at the property scale, will put managers in a strong position to manage for multiple outcomes, access incentives and address the regulatory and legislative requirements that have been developed across most of Australia.