Download What is biodiversity? - Russell River Catchment

Opportunities in
Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
“The variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and
microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they
form.
It is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species
diversity and ecosystem diversity.”
(National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological
Diversity).
What is biodiversity?
Species Diversity
The variety of different
plant and animal species
in an area.
What is biodiversity?
Genetic diversity
This describes the variety of genetic
information contained in individual plants,
animals and microorganisms.
What is biodiversity?
Ecosystem diversity
the variety of habitats and ecological processes, as well
as the tremendous diversity present within ecosystems
in terms of habitat differences
Ecosystem Services
“The economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment” Paul
Hawkins
Ecosystem services provided by nature include:
Biological control
Predator control by prey species
Climate regulation
Greenhouse gas regulation
Cultural
Aesthetics; recreational, educational,
spiritual benefits
Disturbance regulation
Storm protection, flood control
Erosion control, sediment retention
Prevention of loss of soil
Food production
Production of fish, game, bush foods
Gas regulation
CO2 /02 balance
Genetic resources
Genes for resistance to plant pathogens and
crop pests
Ecosystem Services
Nutrient cycling
Nitrogen fixation
Pollination
Provision of pollinators
Raw materials
Production of timber, fuel or fodder
Refugia
Regional habitats for locally
harvested species
Soil formation
Accumulation of organic material
Water supply
Provision of water by watersheds,
reservoirs
Waste treatment
Pollution control
Water regulation
Provision of clean water for
agriculture
Ecosystem Services
Examples of ecosystem services supplying
Horticulture :
 Biological control
 Climate regulation
 Pollination
 Refugia
 Soil formation
 Water regulation
 Water supply
 Waste treatment
100 Ibis eat up to 25 000 insects per day. These include
Grasshoppers and Locusts which are pest species on farms.
Ecosystem processes
Economics
Aesthetics and culture
Ethics
Current Financial
Opportunities
 Rate Rebates
 Rehabilitation/restoration grants
(envirofund; Threatened species network;
water quality and landcare)
 Nature Assist
 Covenants (VCAs; NCA; EPBC (income
tax);
 Land for Wildlife
Emerging Markets
‘Success goes to those who get to the
future first.’
- Peter Ellyard, Futurist.
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Carbon Credits
Biodiversity Credits
Environmental Stewardship Program
Offsets
Carbon Credits
 Currently operating on offsetting carbon
emissions eg nrmacarbonators
 formalized when Australian Govt brings
in carbon trading framework in 2011
 Being established here with Degrees
Celcius and Terrain who are aiming to
look at covering Revegetation efforts.
Biodiversity Credits
 Not yet formally established
 Not yet included in carbon credit assessments
 Potential market for tourists and companies
looking for environmental and social credits
 Wet Tropics well placed to take advantage of
this market with unique biodiversity values
Environmental stewardship
 Aim: “to maintain and improve the quality and extent of targeted high
public value environmental assets on private land.”
 Will target environmental assets that are matters of National
Environmental Significance (NES) as listed under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:
• nationally endangered or vulnerable species and ecological
communities;
• migratory species and wetlands for which Australia has
international responsibilities; and
• natural values associated with world and national heritage
places.
 Purchase outcomes from landholders through cost-effective
contracts for up to 15 years. Tender scheme, voluntary
management agreements or covenants.
 $50M over 4 years
 Works “above regulatory responsibilities”
Offsets
 Offset the impacts of developments
 Applied to similar areas where
disturbance takes place
 Currently occurring in Wet Tropics
 State and Federal Government policy
being developed
Other emerging markets
 Marketing advantage entering into an
Environmental Management (quality
assurance) System that includes biodiversity
criteria.
 Biotechnology and indigenous plant production
 Organic or environmentally sustainable food
 Developing and selling skills in environmental
management and restoration
 Accessing Ethical Investment funds for
business development
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Patches
 Quality
 Protect the best native
vegetation first
 Size and number
 The bigger the better
 The more types of
habitat, the better
Design Principles
Shape and edges:
The more compact, the better
Consider ‘edge effects’
Include buffers
Position
Include all land classes
Sites
Local significance
Include watercourses
Provide for threatened species (rare, vulnerable,
endangered)
Design Principles
Linkages
Connectivity and corridors:
The more connected, the better. Include corridors
Provide stepping stones
Design Principles
Matrix
Mosaics
Integrate nature conservation areas with
surrounding landuse
Nature in the landscape
The three Rs
 The priority for conserving flora and
fauna is to retain the priority remnant
vegetation that remains, restore the
quality of degraded habitats and then
revegetate cleared areas.
Partnerships
Community, corporate and government partnerships are the way of
the future and not only in NRM and Landcare.
• A shared vision, developed together (at some level);
• Some common outcome (desired and/or real);
• Sharing knowledge and experiences about the past, present and
future (your grandchildren);
• Ongoing commitment – recognizing the long term nature of NRM
activities;
• Ongoing facilitation and technical support from some partner/party;
• Agreed predictable responsibilities, accountabilities and
communication activities;
• Participatory decision making processes; and
• Celebrating successes.
Partnerships
Business motivation for partnerships with
community groups includes:
• Long term business sustainability;
• Links to their core business;
• Risk management (to new and existing
development);
• Establishment of a credible track record in
environmental activities eg; greenhouse;
• Early compliance with regulatory standards; or
• Inclusion in ethical investment funds;
• Employee morale and engagement.