Yathong Nature Reserve  The Yathong Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is also a nationally and internationally recognized biosphere situated in the central-western region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The reserve was listed by UNESCO in 1977 as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). The reserve is significant for its biodiversity in both native plant and animal species. Cultural heritage and historical grazing activities add to the significance of this site as a conservation area. The reserve is the most extensive in New South Wales and shares a border with the Nonbinnie Nature Reserve in the south-eastern corner, and is part of the Central NSW Mallee Important Bird Area. The reserve is situated south of the central-west town of Cobar and west from Sydney. The topography and landscape of the Yathong Nature Reserve is typical of central New South Wales in its predominance of semi-arid characteristics. The reserve is positioned within two Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) bioregions of the Cobar Peneplain and the Murray Darling Depression. The geography exhibits a mix of flat, undulating plains, ridges and ranges. The dominating ridge system is the Merrimerriwa Range, which is a prominent feature in the landscape that extends south throughout the south-east corner of the reserve. These regions are dominated by soil types that range from thin sandy/stony on the ridges to thicker colluvial, red and earthy types that exhibit texture contrast profiles. The reserve is subject to the dominating semi-arid climate of the region. Hot and dry climatic patterns give rise to hot summers and mild winters with steady rainfall averages throughout the year. Regional biospheres share uneven borders both within and in close proximity to the reserve, which greatly influences the reserve's ecological character and structure. These geographic and landscape properties provide a variety of habitats and ecosystems in which plant and animal species thrive. Sub-tropical, arid and semi-arid landscapes and subtle climatic components are an influencing factor for the rich plant communities. This is also the case for the animal population, which also exhibits a richness and diversity. The major vegetation groups include semi-arid woodlands, arid shrub-lands and grassy woodlands. Animal communities are composed of mixed mammals, birds and reptiles; some of which are listed as endangered or rare both regionally and nationally. There are a range of plant species that make up the significant mixed floral communities across the reserve.