Forests and Woodlands of the Adelaide Plains in 1836

These maps show the native vegetation of the Adelaide Plains as it probably was in 1836 prior to European settlement.

Very little of the plant cover shown remains in these areas today. These maps have been created using historical botanical records, and through the examination of small pockets of remaining vegetation throughout the Adelaide Plains area.

The Northern Region map is taken from the book Pre-European Vegetation of Adelaide: A Survey from the Gawler River to Hallett Cove by Darrell Kraehenbuehl and published by the South Australian Nature Conservation Society in 1997, the map has been adapted for use as a planting guide.

The Southern Region map is based on the poster Woodlands and Shrublands of the Southern Adelaide Region in 1836. A Native Vegetation Planting Guide. Published by Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure in May 2001.

The boundaries shown on the map are approximate and indicate where different plant groups are most likely to have occurred. In reality, these boundaries would not have been as distinct, as areas such as forests, woodlands and grasslands often grade into each other. Plant groups are generally correlated to soil types, topography or landscape and water availability.