Loss of terrestrial biodiversity in Australia: Magnitude, causation, and response

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 381(6658), P. 622 - 631

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Australia’s biota is species rich, with high rates of endemism. This natural legacy has rapidly diminished since European colonization. The impacts invasive species, habitat loss, altered fire regimes, and changed water flows are now compounded by climate change, particularly through extreme drought, heat, wildfire, flooding. Extinction rates, already far exceeding the global average for mammals, predicted to escalate across all taxa, ecosystems collapsing. These losses symptomatic shortcomings in resourcing, law, policy, management. Informed examples advances conservation practice from control, Indigenous land management, citizen science, we describe interventions needed enhance future resilience. Many characteristics Australian biodiversity loss globally relevant, recovery requiring society reframe its relationship environment.

Language: Английский

Lights at the end of the tunnel: The incidence and characteristics of recovery for Australian threatened animals

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 279, P. 109946 - 109946

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Recovery of threatened species is a widely recognised conservation goal. We assess the incidence and characteristics recovery for Australian animals from establishment Australia's national environmental legislation in 2000 to 2022. Formal de-listings have been few, mostly not indicative actual recovery. However, we assessed that 29 taxa (1 fish, 4 frogs, 1 reptile, 8 birds 15 mammals), representing 6.5 % 446 consider were justifiably listed as threatened, recovered over this period such they no longer meet eligibility criteria listing threatened. Most are mammals whose previous decline was due introduced predators. Their has enabled by sustained management actions (establishment predator-free havens, translocations predator control). The lack invertebrates possibly because these received little investment. limited fish capacity abating threats predators exploitation degradation aquatic systems. Species habitat loss degradation, fire climate change under-represented recoveries. De-listing here would provide tangible recognition indicator success help maintain integrity list. most rapidly become eligible re-listing should their be withdrawn. Although there prevalent trend species, recoveries merit recognition.

Language: Английский

Developing geospatial tools to identify refuges from alien trout invasion in Australia to assist freshwater conservation

Marine and Freshwater Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 76(4)

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Context Introduced fish have caused significant range reductions for many native fish, with threatened species now found in headwater refuges, protected by in-stream barriers such as waterfalls, weirs and culverts. Owing to the remoteness of distribution is poorly understood despite urgency determining their because threats posed spread introduced into these refuges. Aims We investigated application emerging remote-sensing technology (LiDAR) improve our ability locate potential invasion identify Methods used LiDAR-derived digital elevation models find likely barriers, conducted surveys determine trout passability tributary headwaters. Key results Trout were rarely observed upstream waterfalls a gradient >0.82, whereas galaxiids only absence trout. Of 17 surveyed, 9 supported population upstream, 8 fishless. Implications LiDAR-based analysis an effective tool preliminary site selection prioritisation freshwater conservation. Discovery three new populations this study demonstrates technique additional trout-free streams, important other trout-sensitive aquatic species.

Language: Английский

Done but not dusted: Reflections on the first global reptile assessment and priorities for the second

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 278, P. 109879 - 109879

Published: Jan. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

Extinct Australian birds: numbers, characteristics, lessons and prospects

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124(1), P. 8 - 20

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Since European colonisation of Australia in 1788, nine Australian bird species (1.2% the total) have become extinct, along with 22 subspecies (of 16 species). Consistent global patterns, Australia's island endemic birds been particularly susceptible, comprising eight species' extinctions (38% to islands smaller than Tasmania), and 13 subspecies' extinctions. The extinction only one (Paradise Parrot Psephotellus pulcherrimus) from mainland contrasts far higher rate mammals (27 312 that occurred on mainland), is comparable other continents over this period. Extinctions were caused mainly by introduced predators (especially for taxa), habitat degradation, hunting (for some taxa). timing uncertain, but first subsequent was loss flightless White Gallinule Porphyrio albus Lord Howe Island period 1788–1790. most decades since then, recent being Norfolk Island's White-chested White-eye Zosterops albogularis decade 2000–2009. Environmental legislation, an extensive conservation reserve system, dedicated management efforts prevented However, local extirpations continue, many threatened continue decline and, without increase efforts, likely increase, due direct compounding impacts climate change.

Language: Английский

Habitat suitability maps for Australian flora and fauna under CMIP6 climate scenarios

GigaScience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Background Spatial information about the location and suitability of areas for native plant animal species under different climate futures is an important input to land use conservation planning management. Australia, renowned its abundant diversity endemism, often relies on modeled data assess distributions due country’s vast size challenges associated with conducting on-ground surveys such a large scale. The objective this article develop habitat maps Australian flora fauna futures. Results Using MaxEnt, we produced Australia-wide RCP2.6-SSP1, RCP4.5-SSP2, RCP7.0-SSP3, RCP8.5-SSP5 1,382 terrestrial vertebrates 9,251 vascular plants at 5 km2 open access. This represents 60% all mammal species, 77% amphibian 50% reptile 71% bird 44% species. We also include tabular data, which summaries total quality-weighted area scenarios time periods. Conclusions spatial supplied can help identify sensitive locations various Additionally, provide insights into impacts change biodiversity in Australia. These be used as landscape or management, particularly

Language: Английский

Monitoring threats to Australian threatened birds: climate change was the biggest threat in 2020 with minimal progress on its management

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124(1), P. 37 - 54

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Most biodiversity monitoring globally tends to concentrate on trends in species' populations and ranges rather than threats their management. Here we review the estimated impact of extent which management is understood implemented for all Australian threatened bird taxa. The assessment reports situation 2020 how this differs from 2010. most marked finding was that climate change has increased greatly over last decade, now surpasses invasive species as threat imposing heaviest load. Climate driven recent massive population declines temperatures tropical montane rainforests fire. For both direct impacts fire management, progress understanding relieve been slow patchy. Consequently, little effective occurred. By comparison, our analysis showed single successful campaign eradicate introduced mammals Macquarie Island relieved total load birds by 5%, more halved oceanic islands. Protection or rehabilitation habitat, particularly islands, also delivered measurable benefit have, longer term, controls longline fishing. Our approach can be used with other taxonomic groups understand research allow quantification potential benefits proposed actions, such national plan.

Language: Английский

Evaluating the utility of environmental DNA for detecting a large Critically Endangered lizard in tropical northern Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

It can be challenging to reliably detect rare or cryptic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging tool for detecting species and increasingly being used reptiles in terrestrial environments that are costly difficult survey monitor using traditional methods. Here, we trialled eDNA metabarcoding one of Australia’s most threatened least known reptile species, the Arnhem rock skink (Bellatorias obiri). At only site where they were persist, sampled soil from 12 crevices, including four with high levels activity target as well water three adjacent pools. We unable identify B. obiri any samples, suggesting multiple false-negative errors, despite our successful amplification incidental scat sample. able 15 non-target vertebrate taxa samples. Given samples taken a was present, technique here does not appear effective method this Whilst powerful ecology conservation, pilot study highlights challenges remain its application reptiles.

Language: Английский

The taxonomic quagmire of northern Australian snake-necked turtles (Testudines: Chelidae): Chelodina kuchlingi—Extinct or hiding in plain sight?

Vertebrate Zoology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 75, P. 127 - 145

Published: April 24, 2025

Abstract Using mitochondrial genomes and nine nuclear loci, we examined genetic variation in snake-necked turtles ( Chelodina sensu lato), with a focus on northern Australian taxa. The phylogeny of the genus is confounded by multiple introgression events, rendering subgenera stricto Chelydera non-monophyletic. However, analyses our dataset (6071 bp), recognition supported. morphologically most distinct taxa expansa , C. longicollis oblonga parkeri steindachneri ) are well differentiated genetically. many other species not or only weakly distinct, calling their validity into question. Our includes sequences from historical museum material holotype kuchlingi currently listed as Critically Endangered Biodiversity Conservation Act Western Australia. Resequencing its mitogenome using protocols optimized for formalin-preserved specimens provides evidence that formerly reported distinction was based sequencing artifact. Two genetically indistinguishable living today Ord River floodplain. In addition, walloyarrina geographically close taxon introgressed mitochondria another species, genomic level. We conclude (McCord & Joseph-Ouni, 2007) junior synonym Cann, 1997 extant floodplain conspecific. This implies morphological traits used past to diagnose involved less important than previously thought. redefined distributed sandstone plateau associated escarpments lowland coastal plains Kimberley region tropical It no longer qualifies has be downlisted, pending new status evaluation. results underline importance robust taxonomy conservation decisions. Further research warranted examine remaining taxa, which could resolved analyses.

Language: Английский

Imperilled birds and First Peoples’ land and sea Country in Australia

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124(1), P. 108 - 122

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

For First Peoples across Australia, birds have important connections to kin and Country. We draw on a recent analysis of all Australia's threatened bird taxa identify whose traditional Country they occur. Of the 201 imperilled (threatened or Near Threatened) facing threats within Australian territory (including Commonwealth waters offshore islands), 64% occur lands which at least 463 Peoples' groups connection. Fourteen only single group while 15 over 50 groups. Four groups, in north Queensland south-eastern 20 their Taxa face 78% total national threat load 75% both research management needs for relieving threats. All are consequence colonisation, suggesting that supporting manage is moral, potentially legal, responsibility. Many chosen engage actively conservation species but there numerous additional opportunities monitoring active will yield benefits. Our can help listed as under western conventions may wish conserve; assist managers who might lead become more involved management.

Language: Английский