Criterion

Values

 (a)

the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's natural or cultural history.

The Lesueur National Park contains an exceptional concentration of plant species richness and endemism.

The Lesueur National Park is estimated to contain over 900 plant species. This includes nine plant taxa which are endemic to the National Park and 111 taxa which are endemic to the surrounding region. A further 81 plant taxa are at the northern or southern limit of their distribution, which is significant for the evolution of new species.

The highly weathered soils of the region have driven high rates of speciation and local endemism, as plants have evolved different strategies to acquire and use available nutrients.

Plant species richness and endemism is particularly high in the Lesueur National Park due to its unusually large range of geology, soil types and topography. This supports a diverse community of shrublands and heath, as well as woodlands occurring mainly along creek lines and in lower parts of the landscape.

The National Park is one of the most important places in Australia for demonstrating species richness and endemism within the Proteaceae plant family, including the genera of Banksia, Hakea, Dryandra, Grevillea and Isopogon.

The National Park contains outstanding species richness and endemism in several other plant families such as: the Fabaceae family, including the genera of Gastrolobium (poison pea), Daviesia (bitter pea) and Jacksonia (dogwood); the Myrtaceae family, including the genera of Verticordia (feather flower) and Melaleuca (paper bark); the Haemodoraceae family (bloodroots, conostyles and kangaroo paws); the Stylidiaceae family (triggerplants); and the Droseraceae family (sundews).  

 (d)

the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of: (i) a class of Australia's natural or cultural places; or (ii) a class of Australia's natural or cultural environments.

South-west Australia is one of 35 internationally recognised 'hotspots' for biodiversity, containing high levels of plant species richness and endemism.

The Lesueur National Park is one of the best places to demonstrate the extraordinary plant life of the region. It contains over 10 per cent of the plant species found in south-west Australia, including a high number of locally endemic plants. The Lesueur National Park is therefore one of the most important reserves for plant conservation in Australia.