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Transcript
Fact sheet 10 BIODIVERSITY IN LAKE MACQUARIE What is Biodiversity? Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the variety of life forms in our environment, including us. It is 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. Why is biodiversity important? Australia is home to many thousands of plants and animals. Many species are found only in Australia; 85% of flowering plants; 82% of mammals; 89% of reptiles and about 93% of our frog species are unique to this country. Conservation of biodiversity not only protects the rich variety of life we experience, but also aims to maintain ecological processes, which support human life on Earth. These processes are known as ‘ecosystem services’ and include: • Providing all of our food and many industrial products and medicines • Generating clean air, water and fertile soils through the processes of millions of interacting organisms that live in the air, water and soil • Enhancing many of our recreational pursuits such as fishing, swimming and walking • Providing a source of outstanding natural beauty and cultural history and identity • Providing the main source of economic income. A healthy environment rich in biodiversity is more productive and ensures industries such as food, medicine, timber and tourism are maintained economically in the future • Ensuring the ongoing evolution of life on Earth. Biodiversity in Lake Macquarie City (figures current as at June 2010) • A total of 527 different species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have been recorded in Lake Macquarie City. • Our estuary ecosystems support four seagrass species, 50 waterbird species, and over 240 fish species. There are approximately 88 species of benthic organisms – plants and animals that live on the seabed – such as sponges, crabs, snails and marine worms. • About 184 introduced species exist in the region, including 95 noxious weeds, 159 environmental weeds and 25 feral animal species. • 32% of the vegetation that existed in the catchment has been cleared, and a further 9% has been partially cleared. Remnant vegetation decreased by 2290 hectares in the years between 1999 and 2009. • 12% of the city is currently in National Park reserves. What are the threats to biodiversity in Lake Macquarie? Before European settlement, the area surrounding Lake Macquarie was covered in dense bushland. This vegetation protected the soil from erosion and provided shelter and food for many native animals. Today much of this vegetation has been removed or altered. The remaining bushland areas are being threatened by: • Clearing of native vegetation due to urban, rural or industrial development. This results in bushland fragmentation and the destruction of wildlife corridors. This loss of vegetation also decreases native fauna biodiversity through the loss of habitat for breeding, nesting and feeding and increased competition for existing habitat areas • Introduced animal species such as feral or domestic animals prey upon native fauna as well as competing for their natural nesting and breeding areas. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service estimate that on average one domestic cat kills 30 native animals every year • Introduced plants and weeds encroach on remnant bushland areas where they compete with native vegetation and minimise suitable natural habitats for native fauna • Reduction and degradation of wetlands decreases the diversity of species that rely on these areas for food and shelter • Other changes to natural habitats include habitat degradation and isolation, changes in natural water quality and hydrological flows, increased pedestrian or vehicular traffic, increases in pollution and changes in fire regimes. All of these factors may disturb native wildlife and force them out of their natural habitat • Climate change is predicted to bring increasing temperatures and temperature extremes, increasingly severe droughts, rising sea levels, more varied rainfall and regional flooding. The most vulnerable ecosystems in Lake Macquarie City include coastal ecosystems, rainforests, fragmented terrestrial ecosystems and areas vulnerable to fire or low freshwater availability. Climate change is also likely to increase existing threats to biodiversity including habitat loss, weeds, pest animals and drought. Threatened species - Tetratheca juncea How is biodiversity protected? Biodiversity is an important part of the environment and the economy, therefore a number of different laws and policies are in place to ensure it is protected now and in the future. Commonwealth Legislation The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was introduced to ensure protection of the environment through the promotion of ecologically sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. This is being achieved by using and promoting a co-operative approach between all levels of the government, the community, landholders and indigenous people. One ecological community, Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia, is listed under the EPBC Act as a critically endangered ecological community in Lake Macquarie. This community occurs in small pockets at Green Point and Swansea Heads. State Legislation Under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act), 11 ecological communities in Lake Macquarie City area are listed as endangered. There are 86 plant and animal species in the city that are listed as ‘threatened’ under the TSC Act, including the Squirrel Glider and the Powerful Owl. This legislation also identifies key threatening processes such as ‘clearing of native vegetation’, ‘predation by the feral cat’ and ‘invasion of native plant communities by Bitou Bush’. Other pieces of State legislation that assist in the protection of biodiversity are the Fisheries Management Act 1994, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and the Native Vegetation Act 2003. Through the Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan, Council is implementing development planning strategies to decrease the rate of land clearing and increase biodiversity conservation in Lake Macquarie City. What can I do? There are many different ways in which you can help to improve biodiversity in Lake Macquarie City. • Join a local Landcare group to help rehabilitate bushland in the Lake Macquarie area. For more information contact the Landcare Resource Centre on 4921 0392. • Plant local native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses in your garden. Native plants provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. • Install a nest box for possums or native birds, build a frog pond, or create lizard-friendly habitat using logs and leaf litter. • Remove weeds and garden plants that could invade nearby bushland and carefully dispose of waste from your garden as weeds spread quickly. Six out of 10 new environmental weeds in Australia are garden escapes. • Use fertiliser, herbicide and insecticide sparingly and carefully so that nutrients and chemicals do not enter bushlands and affect native flora and fauna. • Prevent your pets roaming in bushland or backyards especially at night. Cats kill many birds and small mammals each year, and dogs have been known to attack some native animals. Keep pets inside from dusk to dawn or tie them up, and ensure that bells are attached to collars. • When fishing, follow size and bag limits, put back small fish and don’t take more than you need. • Do not collect firewood from natural bushland areas. Firewood collection destroys the homes of many mammals, birds and reptiles. Use plantation or recycled timber instead of native forest timber. • If you find native fauna in distress call the Native Animal Trust Fund on 0418 628 483 for advice on what actions to take. • Notify your local Invasive Species Officer if you notice any noxious weeds in your local area. Weed identification brochures are available from the Council’s Customer Service Centre. • Report sightings of any illegal activities such as dumping of garden waste and other materials or trapping/hunting of native wildlife. • Join Council’s Backyard Habitat for Wildlife or Land for Wildlife programs. How can I find out more? For additional information contact Lake Macquarie City Council Email: [email protected] Website: www.lakemac.com.au Ph: 4921 0333 Community Environment Network www.cen.org.au NSW Office of Environment and Heritage www.environment.nsw.gov.au National Parks Association of NSW www.npansw.org.au Nature Conservation Council of NSW www.nccnsw.org.au Native Plants Trees in Newcastle 252 Parry St, Hamilton 2302. Ph: 4969 1500 www.treesinnewcastle.org.au Australian Plants Society, Newcastle group www.austplants-nsw.org.au Local Wildlife Search the wildlife list for flora and fauna species in your area www.wildlifeatlas.npws.nsw.gov.au Australian Native Bee Research Centre www.aussiebee.com.au Birds Australia www.birdsaustralia.com.au Hunter Bird Observers Club www.hboc.org.au Society of Frogs and Reptiles www.frogsaustralia.net.au This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.