Peter Adams

Barrow Island covers an area of 23,567 hectares and is situated 56 km off the Pilbara coast of Western Australia. It has been isolated from the mainland for approximately 6000 - 8000 years (Buckley, 1983; Sharrad and King, 1981), and as such forms an important sanctuary for its flora and fauna. In recognition of its pristine and unique nature, Barrow Island was declared a permanent reserve Class A for the protection of flora and fauna in 1910 (Cox, 1977), and is internationally recognised as a unique biodiversity repository. Introduced stock or feral animals have not grazed its vegetation and introduced predators have not affected its animal assemblages. Barrow Island Nature Reserve is probably the largest island in Australia, and one of the largest land masses in the world that has no introduced animals, making it one of the oldest and most valuable biodiversity conservation reserves in the world (CCWA, 2003; EPA, 2003).