Tropical savannas are the most dominant ecosystem in the tropical north of Australia. Pastoralism is the most extensive land use as in New England. Human impact has not been as severe here as in some places but there is continued pressure to develop the Northern Territory, which creates an ever-increasing threat to biodiversity.

The main environmental issues are concerned with over grazing and fire (about 50% of the region gets burnt annually), and the long-term implications of this are not properly known.