HUNDREDS of Australia's leading natural scientists are calling on the Premier to save the state's travelling stock routes used by drovers for generations, saying they provide a vital refuge for native birds and animals.

"These are much more valuable than we thought," said Professor Henry Nix, from the Australian National University.

He is leading a campaign by 480 scientists against moves by the Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, to close the 600,000-hectare network that contains large tracts of natural vegetation in outback NSW. "Once we did become aware of the likely consequences of this, all hell broke loose," said Professor Nix.

In a letter to Morris Iemma and his Queensland counterpart, Anna Bligh, the scientists say the stock routes in both states "are the best remaining examples of native vegetation in highly cleared landscapes" west of the Great Dividing Range.

The routes, which went into use in the 1830s, include 2.6 million hectares in Queensland and provide critical wildlife corridors for migratory birds, rare marsupials and pollinating native bees. These corridors will become more valuable with the onset of climate change, Professor Nix said.

The scientists have formed an unlikely coalition with the Wilderness Society and scores of graziers and stockmen battling to save the routes. Yesterday about 90 local graziers and drovers met at the Dubbo saleyards to launch "Mates of the Travelling Stock Route", adding their voice to calls for the vast network to be maintained.

Chairman of the Mates, drover Robert Groth, told the Herald the group wanted the Government to suspend a decision on the future of the stock route until there is a public debate on its value.

"You are dealing with something that belongs to the Australian public," said Mr Groth. "We want something that says it is going to be there in 200 years' time for our great, great grandkids."

Mr Macdonald set up a review of the routes as part of an overhaul of the state's rural land protection boards, which manage them. The consultant's report included a finding that sounded the death knell for the stock routes when it estimated they had lost $3 million in the past few years.

Yesterday Mr Macdonald said the new land protection boards "will develop various business cases" for their section of the stock routes or cede them to the Department of Lands.

The Queensland Government has promised none of the network will be sold but the scientists are worried this may allow leasing for permanent grazing.