Threatened species and ecological communities

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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