Assessment of Australia's Terrestrial Biodiversity 2008

316 Pages·2009·4.63 MB·English

Assessment of
Australia’s
Terrestrial
Biodiversity
2008
Number
of taxa
Jurisdiction
Assessment of
Australia’s Terrestrial Biodiversity
2008
Cataloguing-in-Publication
2009 Commonwealth of Australia
Assessment of Australia’s Terrestrial Biodiversity 2008
Bibliography
1 Environmental monitoring – Australia 2. Natural resources -- Australia. 3.Biodiversity conservation --
Australia.
Dewey number 333.950994
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
This work is copyright. It may be reproduced for study, research or training purposes subject to the inclusion
of an acknowledgement of the source and no commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than
those above requires written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests concerning reproduction and
rights should be addressed to the:
Assistant Secretary
Biodiversity Conservation Branch
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Disclaimer
The then National Land and Water Resources Audit’s Biodiversity Working Group had a major role in
providing information and oversighting the preparation of this report. The views it contains are not
necessarily those of the Commonwealth or of state and territory governments. The Commonwealth does not
accept responsibility in respect of any information or advice given in relation to or as a consequence of
anything contained herein.
Suggested Citation
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2009, Assessment of Australia’s Terrestrial
Biodiversity 2008, Report prepared by the Biodiversity Assessment Working Group of the National Land
and Water Resources Audit for the Australian Government, Canberra.
Acknowledgements
This report is the work of many people, including: the staff of the then National Land and Water Resources
Audit, the Biodiversity Assessment Working Group comprising state and territory, Australian Government
and scientific members, and Ms Penny Van Oosterzee. The Assessment was coordinated by Dr Kate Duggan
from Griffin nrm, who was also lead author. Robert Kay compiled the spatial data and mapping. The team
from Griffin nrm coordinated the case studies and carried out much of the background research.
A further list of contributors to this assessment is found in the Appendix.
Cover photographs:
Perth sunset, aquatic ecologists Bendora Reservoir ACT, kangaroo paw: Andrew Tatnell.
Ecologist at New Well SA: Mike Jensen
Editor: Biotext Pty Ltd and Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
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Contents
Executive summary ................................................................................................... 1
The objectives....................................................................................................................1
The framework ..................................................................................................................1
The key findings ................................................................................................................2
Implications for future biodiversity assessments ...............................................................8
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 10
1.1 Why assess biodiversity? ........................................................................................11
1.2 How do we assess biodiversity ...............................................................................11
1.3 The Assessment of Australia's Terrestrial Biodiversity 2008.................................13
1.3.1 Objectives ..................................................................................................13
1.3.2 Structure of the Assessment .......................................................................13
1.3.3 Case studies ................................................................................................14
2 Terrestrial ecosystems...................................................................................... 15
2.1 Key findings ...........................................................................................................16
2.2 Indicators ................................................................................................................17
2.3 Native vegetation extent and condition...................................................................17
2.3.1 Native vegetation type and extent ..............................................................18
2.3.2 Trends in native vegetation cover...............................................................19
2.3.3 Monitoring vegetation condition ................................................................28
3 Aquatic ecosystems ........................................................................................... 41
3.1 Key findings ...........................................................................................................42
3.2 Indicators for assessing aquatic ecosystems ...........................................................43
3.3 Rivers and wetlands................................................................................................43
3.3.1 The extent and distribution of wetlands .....................................................45
3.3.2 Protected wetlands, rivers and catchments. ................................................47
3.4 River and wetland condition ...................................................................................54
3.4.1 The health of rivers and wetlands as a measure of biodiversity .................55
3.4.2 Why are particular aquatic biodiversity indicators chosen? .......................56
3.4.3 Trends in river and wetland health .............................................................65
3.4.4 Multi-jurisdictional collaboration to improve national
reporting capabilities ..................................................................................74
4 Species and communities.................................................................................. 75
4.1 Key findings ...........................................................................................................76
4.2 Indicators ................................................................................................................77
4.3 Threatened species and communities......................................................................78
4.3.1 National, state and territory lists.................................................................79
4.3.2 How much of Australia’s biodiversity is threatened?.................................79
4.3.3 Where is Australia’s threatened biodiversity?............................................80
4.3.4 Interpreting the bioregional maps of threatened taxa .................................93
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4.3.5 Change in the numbers of threatened biodiversity .....................................93
4.3.6 Where are the changes occurring?..............................................................94
4.4 Trends in species and communities ........................................................................96
4.4.1 Trends in the conservation status of biodiversity .......................................96
4.4.2 Listed species with recovery plans in place..............................................118
4.4.3 Case studies of recovery of threatened species and communities ............119
4.4.4 Methodologies for monitoring recovery effectiveness .............................127
4.4.5 Modern bioregional extinctions................................................................129
4.4.6 Trends in species and communities ..........................................................133
5 Threats to Australian biodiversity ................................................................ 149
5.1 Key findings .........................................................................................................150
5.2 Indicators ..............................................................................................................151
5.3 The range and relative importance of threats to biodiversity................................152
5.4 The impacts of climate change on biodiversity ....................................................153
5.4.1 Observed impacts on natural systems and biota .......................................155
5.4.2 Case studies of the impacts of climate change on biodiversity ................155
5.5 Land use change ...................................................................................................166
5.5.1 Trends in land clearing rates ....................................................................167
5.5.2 The impacts of land use change on biodiversity.......................................168
5.6 Impacts of invasive species and pathogens on biodiversity..................................175
5.6.1 Extent and distribution of invasive species ..............................................175
5.6.2 The impacts of invasive species and pathogens on biodiversity ..............176
5.7 Impacts of grazing pressure on biodiversity .........................................................185
5.7.1 Case studies of the impacts of grazing on biodiversity ............................188
5.8 Impacts of altered fire regimes on biodiversity ....................................................195
5.8.1 The extent and frequency of fires in Australia .........................................196
5.8.2 Case studies of the impacts of fire on biodiversity...................................196
5.9 Impacts of changed hydrology on biodiversity.....................................................209
5.9.1 Trends in status and condition of aquatic systems....................................210
6 Managing the threats to Australia’s biodiversity ........................................ 213
6.1 Key findings .........................................................................................................214
6.2 Indicators ..............................................................................................................216
6.3 Policy and legislation............................................................................................216
6.3.1 Themes .....................................................................................................217
6.3.2 Strategic directions ...................................................................................218
6.3.3 Mechanisms..............................................................................................218
6.3.4 Legislation................................................................................................218
6.4 Protected areas (National Reserve System) ..........................................................219
6.4.1 Extent and distribution of reserves ...........................................................220
6.4.2 Progress towards CAR .............................................................................221
6.5 Management of at-risk biodiversity ......................................................................233
6.6 Threat abatement ..................................................................................................237
6.7 Conservation on private land ................................................................................248
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6.7.1 Case studies of institutional responses on private land ............................250
6.7.2 Industry responses and partnerships .........................................................252
6.8 Regional NRM arrangements ...............................................................................254
6.9 Enhancing biodiversity outcomes .........................................................................258

Appendix ................................................................................................................ 263
Glossary.................................................................................................................. 264
References .............................................................................................................. 274
Acronyms and abbreviations................................................................................ 303

Figures
Figure 2.1 Extent of native vegetation by major vegetation groups .....................................18
Figure 2.2 Extent of native vegetation in 2004, overlaid by Interim Biogeographic
Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) 6.1 subregional boundaries......................19
Figure 2.3 Estimated extent of pre-1750 native vegetation by major vegetation group .......20
Figure 2.4 Current distribution of eucalypt woodlands and estimated change in
extent since 1750.................................................................................................21
Figure 2.5 Forest extent and types ........................................................................................22
Figure 2.6 Extent of forest cover 1972–2006 as estimated by NCAS ..................................23
Figure 2.7 Change in percentage forest cover between 2002 and 2006 by
IBRA 6.1 regions as estimated by NCAS............................................................24
Figure 2.8 Changes in the rate of remnant clearing from 1997 to 2005 for
Queensland and the three bioregions in which clearing is concentrated .............26
Figure 2.9 Changes in the rate of clearing by IBRA 6.1 subregions from
1997 to 2005........................................................................................................27
Figure 2.10 The extent of remnant vegetation across Queensland in 2005 as
a percentage of the area of IBRA 6.1 subregions ................................................28
Figure 2.11 Probabilistic classes of native vegetation extent and native vegetation quality ..31
Figure 2.12 Volunteers on the Bushland Condition Monitoring Assessment
in coastal vegetation, Waitpinga, South Australia...............................................34
Figure 2.13 Spatial prediction from Murray Catchment Management Area
modelling: volume of fallen logs.........................................................................37
Figure 2.14 Sites in eucalypt open woodland in the Victoria River District of the Northern
Territory in ‘good’ (top) and ‘poor’ (bottom) pastoral land condition ................40
Figure 3.1 Nationally important wetlands ............................................................................47
Figure 3.2 Location of protected wetlands, rivers and river catchments .............................48
Figure 3.3 Queensland wetland mapping and classification ................................................50
Figure 3.4 AusRivAS scores for reference sites and two test sites
(Meander River and Ewart Creek).......................................................................60
Figure 3.5 Important wetlands in Tasmania .........................................................................63
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Figure 3.6 Rainfall and bird populations at Lake Dulverton 1992–2007..............................64
Figure 3.7 Waterbird populations across Tasmania..............................................................64
Figure 3.8 Map of Lake Eyre Basin......................................................................................72
Figure 4.1 Number of EPBC listed taxa by IBRA 6.1 subregion as at 30 June 2007...........82
Figure 4.2 Number of state and territory listed taxa by IBRA 6.1 subregion as at
30 June 2007 .......................................................................................................82
Figure 4.3. EPBC listed threatened taxa as a proportion of estimated total number of taxa by
IBRA 6.1 subregion as at 30 June 2007 .............................................................85
Figure 4.4. State and territory listed taxa as a proportion of estimated total number of
taxa by IBRA 6.1 subregion as at 30-6-07 .........................................................87
Figure 4.5 Nationally listed threatened ecological communities ..........................................88
Figure 4.6 Modelled distribution of EPBC listed species ....................................................89
Figure 4.7 Survey effort for major taxonomic groups by IBRA 6.1 subregion ....................91
Figure 4.8 Nationally EPBC listed taxa showing real decline between 2002 and 2007 .....100
Figure 4.9 State and territory listed taxa showing real decline between 2002 and 2007 ....102
Figure 4.10 Threats associated with real decline in EPBC listed taxa between
2002 and 2007 ...................................................................................................112
Figure 4.11 Threats associated with real decline in state and territory listed taxa between
2002 and 2007 ...................................................................................................112
Figure 4.12 Recovery actions completed and partially completed .......................................128
Figure 4.13 Categories of recovery actions completed in Victoria, 2003-06........................128
Figure 4.14 Bioregional extinctions since 1950 ...................................................................131
Figure 5.1 Habitat fragmentation and invasive species pressure on EPBC listed species
and communities ...............................................................................................152
Figure 5.2 Trends in temperature and rainfall ....................................................................154
Figure 5.3 Predicted distribution of Pimelea alpina in the Victorian alps with increasing
temperature........................................................................................................160
Figure 5.4 Location of the Coorong and Lower Lakes .......................................................161
Figure 5.5 Mapped model results for three regional ecosystems in Lamington
National Park.....................................................................................................163
Figure 5.6 Land use by major use categories, 2001–2002..................................................167
Figure 5.7 Locations where invasive species are noted as threats to nationally listed
threatened species and communities .................................................................175
Figure 5.8 Distribution of Mimosa pigra (NLWRA 2007a) ...............................................178
Figure 5.9 Trends in feral cat and Tasmanian devil counts and evidence of fox presence .182
Figure 5.10 Distance from watering points within IBRA subregions...................................187
Figure 5.11 Change in waterpoint density and distance from water between approximately
1900 and 2004 for a sample area in the southern Alice Springs
pastoral district, NT...........................................................................................190
Figure 5.12 Approximate pre-European extent of temperate grasslands and grassy
woodlands in NSW, Victoria and the ACT .......................................................194
Figure 5.13 Australian fire frequency 1997–2006................................................................196
Figure 5.14 Topographic map of Lake Johnston, Western Australia....................................201
Figure 5.15 Current and historical range of Malleefowl across Australia ............................209
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Figure 6.1 National Reserve System in 2002 and additional properties in 2006 ................220
Figure 6.2 Location of IBRA bioregions in the NRS with less than 10 per cent
representation ....................................................................................................221
Figure 6.3 Governance of Protected Areas in the NRS 2006 .............................................222
Figure 6.4 Native vegetation cover in IBRA regions and subregions.................................223
Figure 6.5 Progress towards comprehensiveness in the NRS .............................................225
Figure 6.6 Progress towards representativeness in the NRS...............................................226
Figure 6.7 Goat mustering under the Bounceback program ...............................................239
Figure 6.8 Victorian Ark project areas ...............................................................................240
Figure 6.9 Poison baits taken before and after introduction of 1080 ..................................241
Figure 6.10 Capture rates for medium-sized mammals in Julimar forest block ...................244
Figure 6.11 Fledgling success for little terns and pied oystercatchers, 2005/2006...............246
Figure 6.12 Cudgewa and Tintaldra Landcare Group (north-east Victoria): vegetation
enhancement activities ......................................................................................262

Tables
Table 1 Indicators for this Assessment...............................................................................2
Table 2 Key findings ..........................................................................................................4
Table 2.1 Indicators.............................................................................................................17
Table 3.1 Indicators.............................................................................................................43
Table 3.2 Case studies of wetland mapping and distribution ..............................................48
Table 3.3 Wetland statistics for the Queensland portion of the Murray-Darling Basin ......50
Table 3.4 Case studies using indicators of biodiversity to reflect condition .......................58
Table 3.5 Case studies of river health assessments .............................................................66
Table 3.6 Health rating and valley rankings from the Sustainable Rivers
Audit 2004-2007 .................................................................................................69
Table 3.7 Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment Overview for Water Quality,
Fish and Birds 2008.............................................................................................72
Table 4.1 Indicators.............................................................................................................78
Table 4.2 Number of EPBC listed taxa by group as at 30 June 2007..................................80
Table 4.3 State and territory distributions of threatened taxa..............................................81
Table 4.4 Total numbers of listed taxa in 2002 and 2007....................................................94
Table 4.5 Summary of change in numbers of state and territory listed species
2002–2007...........................................................................................................95
Table 4.6 Change in status and reasons for change in nationally EPBC listed flora
2002–2007...........................................................................................................96
Table 4.7 Change in status and reasons for change in nationally EPBC listed fauna
2002–2007...........................................................................................................97
Table 4.8 Change in status of state and territory listed flora taxa between
2002 and 2007 and reason(s) for change .............................................................98
Table 4.9 Change in status of state and territory listed fauna taxa between
2002 and 2007 and reason(s) for change .............................................................99
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Table 4.10 Main threats to the taxa undergoing real decline (where noted)........................103
Table 4.11 Change in conservation status of small mammals in northern Australia
2002–2007.........................................................................................................114
Table 4.12 Percentage of listed taxa with recovery plans....................................................118
Table 4.13 Results of recovery actions................................................................................121
Table 4.14 ABC Management action catagories .................................................................127
Table 4.15 Case studies of selected species and communities ............................................134
Table 4.16 Summary of case studies showing trends in significant species and
communities ......................................................................................................137
Table 5.1 Indicators...........................................................................................................151
Table 5.2 Case studies of climate change impacts on biodiversity....................................156
Table 5.3 Predicted change in regional ecosystem extent under different climate change
scenarios ............................................................................................................163
Table 5.4 Approximate clearing rates in Australian jurisdictions .....................................167
Table 5.5 Land management practices with ongoing substantial impacts on biodiversity 169
Table 5.6 Case studies of land use change impacts on biodiversity ..................................170
Table 5.7 Case studies of the impacts of invasive species and pathogens on biodiversity 176
Table 5.8 Diseases affecting wildlife in South Australia...................................................183
Table 5.9 Case studies of the impacts of total grazing pressure on biodiversity ...............188
Table 5.10 Case studies of responses in biodiversity to fire................................................197
Table 5.11 Flora monitoring methods .................................................................................203
Table 5.12 Living Murray icon sites ...................................................................................211
Table 6.1 International policy with close links to biodiversity..........................................214
Table 6.2 Indicators...........................................................................................................216
Table 6.3 Biodiversity policy in the Australian Government and states and territories ....216
Table 6.4 Setting priorities for reservation in the states and territories .............................228
Table 6.5 Progress towards comprehensiveness and representativeness in the states
and territories.....................................................................................................229
Table 6.6 Reservations since 2002 ....................................................................................231
Table 6.7 National, state and territory legislation to protect biodiversity..........................235
Table 6.8 Case studies of threat abatement programs .......................................................237
Table 6.9 Programs for biodiversity conservation on private land....................................249
Table 6.10 Examples of industry biodiversity and environment policy ..............................253

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Case studies
Case study 2.1 Queensland’s Regional Ecosystem survey and mapping program
(Butler and Accad 2008) ............................................................................25
Case study 2.2 Mapping native vegetation condition in the Murray Catchment,
New South Wales (CSIRO)........................................................................35
Case study 2.3 Land condition in rangelands and links to biodiversity (Fisher 2008) .......37
Case study 3.1 Wetland mapping in Queensland (Butler 2008) .........................................48
Case study 3.2 Wetland ecosystem extent and condition in the south-east region of
South Australia (Johnson 2008) .................................................................50
Case study 3.3 Monitoring of wetland extent and condition over time — Macquarie
Marshes and coastal wetlands in NSW (DECCW 2008)............................52
Case study 3.4 Assessing river condition in Tasmania (Jansen 2008)................................59
Case study 3.5 Riparian vegetation condition assessment in Victoria (DSE 2008)............60
Case study 3.6 Monitoring the condition of riparian zones in Australian tropical
savannas (Fisher 2008)...............................................................................61
Case study 3.7 Wetland ecosystem condition in Tasmania
(d’Arville and Blackhall 2008)...................................................................62
Case study 3.8 Sustainable Rivers Audit in the Murray-Darling Basin..............................66
Case study 3.9 Lake Eyre Basin - State of the Basin 2008: Rivers Assessment.................69
Case study 3.10 Taking the pulse of south-east Queensland waterways—
the Ecosystem Health and Monitoring Program (Guymer 2008) ...............73
Case study 4.1 The Tasmanian devil (Mooney et al 2008)...............................................113
Case study 4.2 Small mammals in northern Australia (Fisher and Woinarski 2008) .......114
Case study 4.3 The Mallee emu-wren in South Australia (Cale 2008).............................117
Case study 4.4 The mountain pygmy possum (Vic DSE 2008)........................................117
Case study 4.5 Review of New South Wales recovery planning (DECCW 2008a) .........125
Case study 4.6 Aggregate processes and reporting on recovery planning and action
in Victoria—ABC database (DSE 2008a)................................................127
Case study 5.1 Will climate change affect Australian birds? ...........................................157
Case study 5.2 Impacts of climate change on the biodiversity of the Victorian alps
(DSE 2008b).............................................................................................158
Case study 5.3 Sea level rise and biodiversity in the Coorong (Seaman 2008)................160
Case study 5.4 Predicting climate change impacts on World Heritage rainforests in
south-east Queensland (Butler and Accad 2008)......................................162
Case study 5.5 Monitoring the impact of climate change on biodiversity in Tasmania
(Quinn and d’Arville 2008)......................................................................164
Case study 5.6 Community-level modelling of climate change impacts on biodiversity
in New South Wales (DECCW 2008a) ....................................................165
Case study 5.7 The impacts of land clearing on vertebrate fauna in northern Australia
(Fisher and Woinarski 2008)....................................................................170
Case study 5.8 The impacts of vegetation clearing on Queensland’s biodiversity and
changes through time (Butler 2008a) .......................................................173
Case study 5.9 Eucalypt regeneration in agricultural landscapes in south-eastern
Australia (DSE 2008b) .............................................................................174
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