Threatened species and ecological communities
Latest news
- National Threatened Species Day 2008
- New ecological community listing: Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia
- Priority Assessment List - finalised priority assessment list for the assessment period commencing 1 October 2008
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 plants, 83 per cent of mammals, and 45 per cent of birds are endemic - that is, they are only found in Australia.1
From: 1 Chapman, A. 2005. Numbers of living species in Australia and the world
Changes to the landscape and native habitat as a result of human activity have put many of these unique species at risk. Over the last two hundred years many species of plants and animals have become extinct. For the other species of plants and animals whose survival is threatened, a range of management and conservation measures are in place.
The Australian Government is working in partnership with state, territory and local governments, non-government organisations, tertiary institutions and community groups to ensure the protection of our native species.
Protecting threatened species and ecological communities
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government's principal piece of environment legislation.
The EPBC Act protects Australia's native species and ecological communities by providing for:
- identification and listing of species and ecological communities as threatened
- development of conservation advice and recovery plans for listed species and ecological communities
- development of a register of critical habitat
- recognition of key threatening processes
- where appropriate, reducing the impacts of these processes through threat abatement plans.
Finalised Priority Assessment List
Nominations that will be assessed in the assessment period commencing on 1 October 2008, and the date by which the assessments are to be completed, are set out in the Finalised Priority Assessment List.
For further information on the Finalised Priority Assessment List please email epbc.nominations@environment.gov.au
Nominations
Any person may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing under the EPBC Act. For more information on threatened species, ecological communities and key threatening processes, or making a nomination read more about:
Threatened Species Day — September 7
Every year the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources sponsors and supports many special events, including National Threatened Species Day, held annually on September 7. Find out what's on and how you can help save Australia's unique threatened species and ecological communities. More about Threatened Species Day
See also
Nominations
Recovery plans
EPBC Act lists
State and territory websites
State Governments have their own Environmental legislation and information can be found through their homepages listed below:
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window