Threatened Species in Australia Research Paper 2022

Threatened Species in Australia
The worth of biodiversity to Australia cannot be measured as it is important to both the
culture and the economy of the country. However, it has been noted that there is increased
pressure on the loss of biodiversity as a result of change in climate. This has proven to be a
threat both to animals and plants hence putting them in danger of extinction (Biodiversity,
2019). In Australia, there are at least 1700 species and eco-groups that are threatened and
threatened with extinction (Department of the Environment and Energy, n.d). The main
threats to species are loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, invasive species and
altered fire regimes while unsustainable use and management of natural resources, changes to
the aquatic environment and water flows and climate change considered as other threats
(Department of the Environment and Energy, n.d). As a principal piece of the Australian
Government’s environmental legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) plays main role in the field of Australia's native species
and ecological communities and it categorizes threatened species as extinct, extinct in the
wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and conservation dependent. According
to the EPBC Act list, in Australia, 517 fauna and 1373 flora species are registered as
threatened, amongst them 89 animal species which are 7 fishes, 15 frogs, 10 reptiles, 17
birds, 10 mammals and 30 other animals and 191 plant species are considered as critically
endangered by various factors.
2.1 Threats to Fauna
According to the report published by the United Nations, it has been mentioned that
approximately one eighth of the total animal species in the world are threatened with the
process of extinction (Burgess et al., 2017). Researchers in this opinion suggest that the
alarming rise in the rate of extinction is triggered by five causes which include alteration of

the quality of land and sea, exploitation of organisms, Climatic changes, pollution as well as
invasion by a number of alien species (Armstrong et al., 2015). In addition to this, research
reports also suggests that introduction of invasive species pose a direct threat to the
Australian flora and fauna than any other contributing factors (Davies et al., 2017).
Research studies further state that Australia is home to approximately 600,000 species
of flora as well as fauna and apart from the estimated proportion of the species, 100 of the
species have already suffered extinction. Further, more than 1770 species are listed as
vulnerable or endangered (Morris et al., 2015).
Research studies further reveal that the highest rate of mammal extinction occurs
within Australia. Current research reports suggest 22 native mammal species that include cats
and foxes have already suffered extinction (Gibson et al., 2015). A large number of cat
extinction is taking place within Northern Australia. Research studies further reveal that more
than 270 vertebrate species are threatened or marked vulnerable on account of introduction of
the invasive species (McDonald et al., 2017). As stated by Davies et al. (2017), a number of
bird species within the Norfolk Island have also been declared extinct. It should be noted in
this regard that Australia is adapting a number of biosecurity monitoring and control
measures to reduce the percentage of the invasive species. The adaption of the methods have
drastically decreased the introduction of invasive species which are the single most
threatening factor that result in extinction of vulnerable species. It should be crucially noted
in this context that recent research studies reveal that overall 1,257 of the Australian animal
species are endangered which comprise of 207 indigenous plant species and 57 animal
species that are heavily impacted by the invasive species and the introduction of pathogens
(Morris et al., 2015).

In addition to this human disturbance activities such as extensive agriculture,
overgrazing and mining activities have resulted in depletion of the forest cover which has
subsequently resulted in loss of natural habitat of the natural organisms. Research studies
further reveal that organisms such as Black flanked Rock wallaby found within the Western
Desert region is one of the endangered marsupial species in Australia (Curtis et al., 2018).
Further, Eastern Curlew which is one the largest shore birds is critically endangered primarily
on account of human activities that have led to wet land destruction (McDonald et al., 2017).
In addition to this, Gouldian Finch, Northern Quoll as well as Black footed Tree rat are other
endangered animal species that are declining from the Australian territory at a rapid rate
(Armstrong et al., 2015).
As suggested by Burgess et al. (2017), increased awareness about the rapid rate of
extinction and strategies to increase forest cover can help to promote habitat preservation
which can subsequently boost the number of the vulnerable species. In addition to this,
increased awareness among policy makers to adapt strategies to enhance the mitigation
strategies such as increase the number of biosphere reserve and wildlife conservation areas
can help to boost the number of the species (Davies et al., 2017).

2.2 Threats to Flora
Flora refers to the vegetation cover of the plants that form an integral part of every
ecosystem. Plants are known as the food manufacturing unit and the green lungs of an
ecosystem. In addition to this, plants also provide shelter as well as breeding grounds for
animals and other essential materials that include medicine, building material and clothing
materials. Despite the immense contribution to sustain humanity on the planet, recent
statistical reports suggest that the vegetation cover in Australia is declining at an alarming
rate. According to a report published by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, 19.4%
ha of the land cover is forested in Australia that houses Biodiversity
(Rainforests.mongabay.com, 2019). Considering the proportion of vegetation cover, 3.4% ha
is categorized as primary forested area which comprises of the rich biodiversity
(Rainforests.mongabay.com, 2019). Approximately 1,903,000 ha of the estimated vegetation
cover comprises of planted forest. Research studies reveal that a drastic change in forest
cover was witnessed between 1990 to 2010, which led to a loss of forest cover equivalent to
260,000 ha that can be compared equivalent to a loss of 0.17% annually
(Rainforests.mongabay.com, 2019; Curtis et al., 2018). At present, Australia has been
estimated to lose 3.4% of its forested area which can be compared to be a total loss of
5,200,000 ha (Curtis et al., 2018). As stated by Davies et al. (2017), Australian forests
comprise of million metric tons of carbon within the live biomass. In this regard it should be
noted that uninterrupted loss of native vegetation as well as fragmentation of habitats are
posing extensive threat to the diverse ecological communities. Further lack of forest cover is
directly contributing to a stark reduction in the diversity of Australian flora and fauna and
fauna including extinction of some of the most biologically significant plants and living
organisms (Burgess et al., 2017).

Human activities such as mining, quarrying, extensive grazing or agricultural
practices is contributing to the depletion and loss of forest cover. Further, the use of chemical
fertilisers is negatively impacting the quality of water and environment which is affecting the
seeding growth as well as the quality of the natural environment. In addition to this, natural
calamities such as seasonal fires or forest fire breakout also lead to mass destruction of flora
within Australian forests (Curtis et al., 2018). According to Scarlett et al. (2015), the
Gondwana rainforests that are located along the Australian eastern coast and stretch from the
Southeast Queensland to the central and eastern NSW are home to approximately 200
vulnerable species of flora. Human agricultural activities in combination with rainfall and
temperature changes has resulted in the invasion of the pest species, Phytophthora which has
threatened the existence of a large number of vulnerable plant species that include plants of
the Lambertia family. In addition to this, other plants such as Mentha species, Lychnis
species, Narcissus species and Aster species are also infected by Phytophthora. (Scarlett et
al., 2015) As stated by Armstrong et al. (2015), loss of forest cover and threat to fauna
requires immediate attention and application of mitigation strategies in order to foster
conservation of forests and preservation of biodiversity. Researchers suggests that conducting
cooperative programs by community groups and the government can help to ensure
protection of the threatened flora (McDonald et al., 2015). Further, it should also be stated
that increasing the area of biodiversity as well as protected areas can help to facilitate
preservation and help acquire the optimal balance within the ecosystem and environment
(Davies et al., 2017).

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