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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
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Generating clean air, water and fertile soils through the processes of millions of interacting
organisms that live in the air, water and soil
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Enhancing many of our recreational pursuits such as fishing, swimming and walking
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Providing a source of outstanding natural beauty and cultural history and identity
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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
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Ensuring the ongoing evolution of life on Earth.
Biodiversity in Lake Macquarie City (figures current as at June 2010)
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A total of 527 different species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have been recorded
in Lake Macquarie City.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Plant local native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses in your garden. Native plants provide food
and shelter for birds and other wildlife.
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Install a nest box for possums or native birds, build a frog pond, or create lizard-friendly habitat
using logs and leaf litter.
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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.
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Use fertiliser, herbicide and insecticide sparingly and carefully so that nutrients and chemicals
do not enter bushlands and affect native flora and fauna.
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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.
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When fishing, follow size and bag limits, put back small fish and don’t take more than you need.
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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.
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If you find native fauna in distress call the Native Animal Trust Fund on 0418 628 483 for advice
on what actions to take.
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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.
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Report sightings of any illegal activities such as dumping of garden waste and other materials
or trapping/hunting of native wildlife.
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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.