The Murrumbidgee catchment is well regarded for the diversity of native vegetation types that exist, reflecting the variety of geology and landforms, altitudes and climates. 

The catchment is divided into six grouped areas of geology, landform, altitude and climate called bioregions or IBRA regions* (eg. Australian Alps, NSW South Western Slopes, Riverina).  Native vegetation types within the IBRA regions vary from alpine herbfields, native grasslands, wet forests and woodlands to semi-arid chenopod ‘saltbush’ shrublands and River Red Gum forests.  The most widespread native vegetation within the catchment is the Box-Gum and Grey Box Woodlands.

Native vegetation types provide the local identity for many areas of the catchment and in particular, provide the natural habitat for many native plants and animals.  Even isolated paddock trees are an important habitat for many native animals.

It is estimated over half the catchment has been completely cleared of native vegetation to allow highly populated centres to thrive.  Some of the areas where native vegetation remains are in a severely degraded condition.

In the Murrumbidgee there are approximately 130 threatened species of plants and animals.  Six of these threatened species are found only in the Murrumbidgee catchment and include the Wee Jasper Grevillea, Tumut Grevillea and the Northern Corroboree Frog.

Many native vegetation types in the eastern part of the catchment are well represented in conservation reserves, such as National Parks, however many vegetation types (such as the Box-Gum Woodland and native grasslands) throughout the remainder of the catchment are not well conserved.

With natural resource issues such as declining river water quality, dryland salinity, native vegetation decline, threatened plants and animals and soil erosion all requiring attention, remaining native vegetation provides the key to a healthy and productive catchment. 

*IBRA regions of the Murrumbidgee are based upon the national system, Interim Biogeographical Regional Areas of Australia (IBRA) 1995, Thackway and Cresswell.