Biodiversity

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Biodiversity Month

Biodiversity Month is held in September each year and aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity both within Australia and across the world.

The Australian Government through the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is committed to protecting Australia's unique biodiversity. A range of biodiversity programmes and initiatives are in place to help ensure our important environments and habitats are preserved for future generations of Australians to appreciate and enjoy.

What is happening this month?

National Threatened Species Day

National Threatened Species Day is held on 7 September each year to encourage the conservation of Australia's unique native fauna and flora.

What is biodiversity

Biodiversity has been described as the 'web of life', 'the variety of living things' or 'the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and ecosystems of which they are a part'.

Biodiversity encompasses every living thing that exists on our planet and the environment in which they live. From the smallest one-cell microbe to the enormous majesty of the blue whale. From the depths of the Pacific Ocean to peaks of our tallest mountains, biodiversity forms part of an intricate and interdependent web of life in which we are all a part.

Australia is home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 84 per cent of our plants, 83 per cent of our mammals, and 45 per cent of our birds are endemic - that is, they are only found in Australia.

The marine environment is home to thousands of marine species, some of which are unique to Australia and all of which contribute to making Australia the most biodiversity rich developed country in the world.

Why is biodiversity important?

Human beings are dependent for their sustenance, health, well-being and enjoyment of life on biodiversity. We derive all of our food and many medicines and industrial products from the wild and domesticated components of biological diversity. Biodiversity is the basis for much of our recreation and tourism, and includes the ecosystems which provide us with many services such as clean water.

How can I help protect biodiversity?

There are a number of ways individuals and communities can help protect biodiversity in their local area.

• Create a natural habitat in your backyard. Look at plants that are native to your region and help create a backyard sanctuary for local birds and wildlife.
• Get rid of weeds. What seems like a perfectly harmless plant can turn into a noxious weed if it jumps your back fence and heads into bushland. Check out what's considered a weed in your part of the country at www.weeds.org.au 
• Be a responsible pet owner. If you can no longer keep your pet do not release it into the wild. This includes pet fish - do not flush them down the toilet or put them into local streams. Make sure your cat is de-sexed and either keep it indoors or invest in an outdoor cat run - domestic cats can have a devastating effect on local wildlife.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle. Look at ways to reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill and the waterways. Many things can now be recycled. For more information on what you can recycle in your local area go to www.recyclingnearyou.com.au  or http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/index.html
• Start your own compost bin. Organic matter like vegetable peelings which usually ends up landfill is great for your garden. Start composting and you can reduce the need for chemicals and fertilizers in the garden and improve the health of your soil.
• Only put water down the drains. Things like oils and chemicals may start at the kitchen sink but end up in our waterways and seas and can affect animals and plants living in streams and rivers. Instead of using commercial cleaning chemicals try using white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
• Be an informed seafood eater. Don't eat threatened fish species. To find out what species you should avoid at the fish market go to http://www.fishnames.com.au/fishnames/search.php 
• Climate change affects biodiversity. Find out more about climate change and protecting biodiversity by going to http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/impacts/biodiversity.html 
• Your local school can apply for an Australian Government Green Voucher. A Green Voucher will provide up to $50,000 for every school to install solar hot water systems and a rainwater tank to improve energy and water efficiency. For more information go to www.environment.gov.au/programs/greenvouchers
• Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth so saving water is important. To help local communities and schools save water, the Australian Government has introduced Community Water Grants which provide local groups with funding of up to $50,000 to find ways of cutting down on their water use. For more information about Community Water Grants go to www.communitywatergrants.gov.au 
• About 80 per cent of the Australian population lives within 150km of the coast. Many Australians are taking direct local action to protect their patch of the coast and marine environment. If you know of someone or a group of people working to make a difference in their local patch, why not nominate them for the Minister's Award for Coastal Custodians. This award is presented by the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in Coastcare Week, the first week of December. To find out more about the award and eligibility criteria, go to: http://draft.environment.gov.au/coasts/coastalcustodians.html
• Perhaps Australia's best known marine and coastal environment is the Great Barrier Reef. Protecting this fragile environment from land-based sources of pollution is a focus of both the Australian and Queensland Governments in the Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan.
• Our coastline provides a wide range of aquatic habitats for at least 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Australians recognise the importance of these animals and work hard towards their ongoing survival within our waters and internationally. Worldwide these animals still face many threats - some species are being hunted directly; others are unintentionally caught in fishing nets. Ship strike, pollution, climate change, ocean noise, tourism, discarded fishing gear or other rubbish may also affect the population. To find out what you can do to help, go to: http://www.saveourwhales.gov.au 

What is the Australian Government doing to protect biodiversity?

The Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 promotes the conservation of biodiversity by providing strong protection for threatened species and ecological communities, migratory, marine and other protected species.

For further information see http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/index.html

The Australian Government has introduced a number of programmes and invested over $100 million in 2005-06 to help protect, conserve and improve Australia's unique biodiversity.

More information can be found by following these links:

• Maintaining Australia's Biodiversity Hotspots
• Environmental Stewardship Programme 
• Marine Protected Areas Programme
• Forest Conservation Fund (Tasmania only)
• Tasmanian Tourist programme
• Work on invasive species
• The conservation of marine species
• The Natural Heritage Trust which funds regional groups to manage and improve biodiversity in their regions
• Indigenous Protected Areas Programme which helps Indigenous people manage biodiversity on their country
• Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan 
• The conservation of threatened species and ecological communities
• The National Reserve System

As well as programmes, the Australian Government is developing strategies and policies to help assist governments and communities to work together for biodiversity results. These strategies include:

• National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity
• The Australian Weeds Strategy 
• The Australian Pest Animal Strategy
• National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas
• The National Reserves System

Publications

A full list of environmental publications is available at www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/list.html.

A list of biodiversity publications can be found at www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/list.html#biodiversity.

For further information or hard copies of publications, contact the Department's Community Information Unit on freecall 1800 803 772 or visit www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/list.html.

Resources

• Biodiversity Toolbox - a web-based collection of resources to assist biodiversity conservation planning. Particularly useful for local government and regional planners. Visit www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/toolbox/index.html.
• Firewood - a web-based collection of resources to assist the community to adopt more ecologically-aware firewood collection practices, and better storage and burning techniques. Particularly useful for school-aged children (there is an activities page) and people interested in the progression of the Certification System for Firewood Merchants. Visit www.environment.gov.au/firewood/.

Other links

MyEnvironment

MyEnvironment provides a window into the environment and heritage around your place. You can get information about:

• vulnerable and endangered plants and animals that may live near your place
• where your nearest heritage sites and important wetlands are.

see http://www.environment.gov.au/erin/myenvironment/index.html to see what is near your place.

Photo competition

To celebrate Australia's Biodiversity month Reef Check Australia is running a photography competition entitled: 'What do Australia's coral reefs mean to you?'.

For information about the competition go to: http://www.reefcheckaustralia.org/photo-gallery/photography-competition-2007/index.cfm .