'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' is an initiative of the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that prioritises Queensland's native species (marine, terrestrial and aquatic species of flora and fauna) to help with their conservation, management and recovery.
Previously, species were classified into categories such as ‘Critically Endangered’, Endangered’, ‘Vulnerable’, ‘Rare’ and so on. This new framework is designed to prioritise all species, regardless of their current classification under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). It is hoped that this will better reflect the level of management required to conserve Queensland's native wildlife.
There are six stages in the 'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' that contribute to determining the priority species, at both a regional and the state-wide level. The key and common threats to these priority species are identified and then workshops are organised to address these threats and focus investment or management action through using a multi-species or landscape level approach.
Species are first prioritised using multiple criteria, to help identify those that are in trouble, and those which have the highest chance of recovery.
Species are assessed against three major sets of criteria:
• Probability of extinction — assessed by an expert panel against IUCN criteria (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources also known as The World Conservation Union).
• Consequences of extinction — comprised of the species’ ecological value, how endemic it is, and its social value.
• Potential for successful recovery —based on the knowledge of threatening processes, capacity to affect recovery, and the need for ongoing management.
Species are ranked as 'Critical', 'High', 'Medium', 'Low' priority or as 'Data Deficient'. Those species ranked as 'Critical' or 'High', are used as the starting point for the regional workshop. 'Data deficient' species are reviewed to determine priorities for research.
The 'Back on Track species prioritisation framework' identifies lists of priority species for each Natural Resource Management (NRM) region in Queensland and also for the state. This allows government, NRM groups and partners to channel on-ground action, planning, monitoring, research and community engagement where it will be most effective in working to achieve species conservation.
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HUMAN IMPACT
Introduced species have been a problem ever since settlers first arrived in Australia. Some were brought in for food, some for sport and hunting, others for pest (or biological) control, and some arrived here quite by accident.
Whatever the reason, the outcome is still the same: the loss of native species; damage to the environment; and millions of dollars in costs to farming and our agricultural industries. Queensland has many invasive vertebrate species and they are pushing some of our native species towards extinction. This is due to the combined effects of direct predation, the spread of introduced diseases, and competition for food and space.
By far, the greatest threat to species survival today, is the loss of habitat. With the removal of trees and large tracts of forests, organisms lose not just a source of food, but nesting sites, protection from predators, a place to shelter from the extremes of climate, and wildlife corridors. The need for timber for housing and development is putting pressure on wildlife refuge areas. This may get worse as Queensland’s population is predicted to increase significantly over the next few decades. Solutions to the problem of habitat fragmentation include limiting land clearing and planting native vegetation to connect pockets of native bush and re-establish wildlife corridors.
Other threats to the survival of our native species come from fertiliser and pesticide runoff from farms, as well as other pollutants. These chemicals find their way into our creeks, rivers and oceans and have an effect on animals that live there. The increase in carbon dioxide produced from the burning of fossil fuels, is leading to global warming. The increase in surface sea temperatures has affected marine life and led to coral bleaching in some areas.
Humans are therefore having an impact on the physical features of the land, leading to a decrease in available habitats, a decrease in biodiversity and clean water, and an increase in atmospheric pollution. Community groups need to work together to try to lessen the impact of human activities on the environment. Local land-care groups can work to solve local environmental problems and help to conserve species.
One such example from the past was the public outcry produced by the great koala massacre of 1927. This was a significant point in the development of environmentalism in Australia. Education, the Press, and the scientific community were organised for the first time, to protect our native fauna. Concern about the koala’s possible extinction led to its total protection in the late 1920s. We owe the survival of the koala, to strict protection laws and those who have rehabilitated depleted populations.
To maintain our biodiversity, people today need to understand that resources and environments can be used, conserved, and protected by valuing and applying sustainable practices.
The Richmond Birdwing butterfly is in the first stage of recovery from the edge of extinction in coastal areas surrounding Brisbane. Its new lease of life has resulted from the efforts of students and community groups planting caterpillar food vines in reserves and backyards.
In 1870 the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly was reportedly found in great numbers in the streets of Brisbane. Today no natural breeding sites are known between Caboolture and Nerang. Extinctions have occurred between Noosa and the Mary River (Qld), and between Grafton and Richmond (NSW).
PROBLEM: Richmond Birdwing Butterflies only lay their eggs on native Pararistolochia vines. The leaves are the food for the caterpillar or larvae of this butterfly and they need these particular leaves to be able to grow into mature larvae. They then form into a pupae or chrysalis from which the adult butterfly emerges. The butterflies feed on the nectar of the flowers of the Birdwing Vine and other flowers but the larvae will only eat the leaves of this vine.
Most of these vines have disappeared with the clearing of the coastal rainforests. Remaining butterflies mistake the introduced Dutchman’s pipe vine for the native Pararistolochia vine and lay their eggs on it. The young caterpillars are killed by the toxins in this introduced plant.
RESEARCH: CSIRO Double Helix Science club and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services began a project that encouraged school students and community groups to plant thousands of native Pararistolochia vines in gardens and reserves between Grafton and Maryborough. They encouraged the removal and destruction of Dutchman’s pipe vines from gardens and bushland.
SOLUTION: Destroy all outbreaks of the Dutchman’s pipe vine. Plant a native Pararistolochia vine or a Birdwing Vine (Aristolochia praevenosa) today and encourage school, council and community groups to do the same. The vine grows best in semi-shade with protection from hot sun and wind. It can be grown on a fence or up a tree. Frequent watering, good drainage and occasional applications of native plant fertiliser are required.
Assemble a report on the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly under the following headings.
1. Description – What is it? What does it look like? 2. Distribution & Habitat – Where is it found? 3. Food – What does it eat? 4. Threats – Why is its population declining? 5. Actions – What can you do?
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CASE STUDY – Student Investigation
In Queensland there are 14 bird, 16 mammal, 15 frog, 8 reptile, 2 butterfly and 4 fish species that are currently under threat.
Investigate ONE of these species that is listed below.
Summarise your findings under the headings that you used for your report on the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly.
1. Description – What is it? What does it look like? 2. Distribution & Habitat – Where is it found? 3. Food – What does it eat? 4. Threats – Why is it threatened? 5. Actions – What can you do?
28. Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus) 29. Red-finned Blue-Eye (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis) 30. Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus)
Other examples can be found at http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/
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