Australia's Biodiversity: Environmental Impacts and Unique Species

COVER PAGE.
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ABSTRACT.
The report covers Australia’s biodiversity. Significant parts of the report explain the
environmental impacts on nature due to continuous climate change in Australia. Different unique
species and features found in Australia have been discussed in detail showing their possibility of
existence in the next future. Examples of the individual species explained are koalas and
northern bettongs. The report generally indicates the effects of climate change in Australia to the
environment.
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Contents
COVER PAGE......................................................................................................i
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................ii
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................1
Pressure threatening biodiversity.................................................................1
Importance of this study...............................................................................1
BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEMS FACING BIODIVERSITY..................................2
Deforestation................................................................................................2
Overgrazing..................................................................................................2
Introduction of Exotic Species......................................................................2
Pollution........................................................................................................2
Infrastructure development..........................................................................2
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION................................................................................3
Great Barrier Reef..............................................................................................4
Koalas.............................................................................................................4
Blue Mountain Water Skink..................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................
.............................................9
REFERENCES.................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Biodiversity is the various forms of life on the planet, ecosystem, or in a particular habitat
(World Meteorological Organization (2015).Biodiversity is essential to Australia in the
following ways; It helps in the production of raw materials that can be used for the manufacture
of food, and many livelihoods depend on it like farming. Biodiversity provides functioning
ecosystems that help in the production of clean water, the air we breathe and pollination of
plants(King, A. D, et al.).Many recreational activities rely on biodiversities like bird watching
and hiking. The global environment also is threatened by different factors. The factors that
threaten biodiversity include Forest fires, grazing, deforestation, clearing and fragmentation and
declining quantity of habitat. Also, the study of biodiversity is essential in many ways. Healthy
biodiversity provides several essential services for everyone to enjoy. The services can range
from ecosystem services, such as protection of water resources, soil formation, and protection,
nutrient storage, and recycling, pollution breakdown and absorption, contribution to climate
stability, Maintenance of ecosystems and Recovery from unpredictable events(Trewin, B.
(2018).Also biological resources, such as Food, Medicinal remedies, and pharmaceutical drugs,
Wood products, ornamental plants, breeding stocks, population reservoirs, future funds and
species, ecosystems, and diversity in genes. Lastly social benefits, such as education, and
monitoring, research, recreation and tourism, and cultural values. In general this study of
Australia's biodiversity is crucial as it helps us to understand the nature of the country’s
biodiversity and some of the factors affecting it.
BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEMS FACING BIODIVERSITY.
Deforestation.
Cutting down trees increases the soil salinity, which as a result can affect water sources and areas
since water than drains from such places go to streams. In Australia, it is estimated that about 7%
of the region faces the problem of logging. Studies done in the recent past show that most soils in
the area always do have restricted ability to retain enough water (IPCC, 2013, ‘Climate Change,
2013).
Overgrazing.
In central Australia, overgrazing among the residents has been identified as one of the significant
activities that pollute the environment significantly. In most places, due to this practice, less than
2% of the original grass survives. Continuous overgrazing results in increased erosion and
environmental pollution (IPCC, 2018: Global warming of 1.5°C, 2018).
Introduction of Exotic Species.
It is approximated that the region Australia acquires up to 20 new diseases and pests yearly.
They epidemics include willows, rabbits and toads.
With the existence of about 2500 different species of plants in Australia, weeds present in farms
affect the continuous growth of the plants and the environment. They destroy rainforests, deserts,
farms, and bush lands (Perkins, SE et al.)
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