Biodiversity Management How is scientific data is applied to the assessment of environmental risk in ensuring biodiversity.

SAC 3- Outcome 3: Environmental Assessment. TASK: Written response to set of 6 questions: Relative abundance (data set) Type I and Type II errors Precautionary principal Risk assessment – PVA Environmental impact conservation strategy. Conservation Agreements SAC 3: Thursday 22 nd and Friday 23 rd May 2008. Key Knowledge and skills in: Comprehensive use of scientific data and the application of simple indices to assess the level of biodiversity and the assessment of threats. Conclusions drawn from practical activities (data sets) are relevant, accurate and based on evidence.

TASK: Written response to set of 6 questions:

Relative abundance (data set)

Type I and Type II errors

Precautionary principal

Risk assessment – PVA

Environmental impact conservation strategy.

Conservation Agreements

SAC 3: Thursday 22 nd and Friday 23 rd May 2008. Key

Knowledge and skills in:

Comprehensive use of scientific data and the application of simple indices to assess the level of biodiversity and the assessment of threats.

Conclusions drawn from practical activities (data sets) are relevant, accurate and based on evidence.

Biodiversity management In Victoria an Environmental Effect Statement (EES) is prepared by the proponent (person/organisation) planning the development. The Environmental Effect Statement addresses: The projects key objectives, description of the development proposed, description of the existing environment and the likely environmental effects resulting from the proposal. Safeguards that will minimise likely environmental effects. The Environmental Effect Statement identifies potential environmental issues and proposes steps to reduce the identified environmental impacts. Environmental impact statements often require information on biodiversity. Information is collected using scientific methods (i.e. existing data and field surveys).

In Victoria an Environmental Effect Statement (EES) is prepared by the proponent (person/organisation) planning the development.

The Environmental Effect Statement addresses:

The projects key objectives, description of the development proposed, description of the existing environment and the likely environmental effects resulting from the proposal.

Safeguards that will minimise likely environmental effects.

The Environmental Effect Statement identifies potential environmental issues and proposes steps to reduce the identified environmental impacts.

Environmental impact statements often require information on biodiversity.

Information is collected using scientific methods (i.e. existing data and field surveys).

Life cycle of an Environmental Effects Statements 4. Review of information usually by a Panel (ie. VCAT, state government) 2. Environmental Effect Statement created by proponent 3. Research & Field work, survey of the site of proposed work; To identify the impact of project on the ecosystem ID: species of importance,. Water, air, soil, biodiversity. 1. Project proposed 5. Decision is made on the Environmental Effect Statement

Statistical techniques to evaluate management. How do we scientifically determine if a development has an environmental impact? Hypothesis testing. Comparison of conditions using information or data. Comparison is made between sites and within sites. In vegetation management comparisons are made using different scientific techniques: Quadrats and line transects. Species counts to identify abundance or richness.

How do we scientifically determine if a development has an environmental impact?

Hypothesis testing.

Comparison of conditions using information or data.

Comparison is made between sites and within sites.

In vegetation management comparisons are made using different scientific techniques:

Quadrats and line transects.

Species counts to identify abundance or richness.

Hypothesis testing A Hypothesis tests the difference between the conditions. Null hypothesis (H o ): That there is no difference between conditions. Alternative hypothesis (H 1 ): That there is a difference between conditions.

A Hypothesis tests the difference between the conditions.

Null hypothesis (H o ): That there is no difference between conditions.

Alternative hypothesis (H 1 ): That there is a difference between conditions.

Type I and Type II errors: When making the decision to accept or reject the null hypothesis there are two types of errors that can occur. Type I error : finding a difference between environmental conditions when there is none. Such a decision could lead to stopping development to remedy the situation when it is not necessary to do so. Type II error: when no difference between environmental conditions is found, when there is actually a difference. In this case the assessment would conclude that there has been no impact on the environment when there actually has been some impact. So that the development has had an impact.

When making the decision to accept or reject the null hypothesis there are two types of errors that can occur.

Type I error : finding a difference between environmental conditions when there is none.

Such a decision could lead to stopping development to remedy the situation when it is not necessary to do so.

Type II error: when no difference between environmental conditions is found, when there is actually a difference.

In this case the assessment would conclude that there has been no impact on the environment when there actually has been some impact. So that the development has had an impact.

Precautionary principal Precautionary Principal: Is careful evaluation to avoid serious or irreversible damage to the environment does not occur. The precautionary principal is applied when scientific information insufficient. The precautionary principal makes sure that decisions are made on a number of factors including: Shifting the burden of proof to the proponents of the activity. Taking preventative action in the face of uncertainty. Exploring a wide range of alternatives to the possibly harmful actions. Is there another way of doing things? Increasing public participation in decision making.

Precautionary Principal: Is careful evaluation to avoid serious or irreversible damage to the environment does not occur.

The precautionary principal is applied when scientific information insufficient.

The precautionary principal makes sure that decisions are made on a number of factors including:

Shifting the burden of proof to the proponents of the activity.

Taking preventative action in the face of uncertainty.

Exploring a wide range of alternatives to the possibly harmful actions. Is there another way of doing things?

Increasing public participation in decision making.

Relative abundance: Practical activity: You are apart of the Orange-bellied Parrot recovery team you are required to conduct field surveys to provide biodiversity information on three sites that a new coastal housing development is proposed on. You conduct your survey using line transects . Your survey must consider the impact on food plants Beaded Glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) on the Orange-bellied Parrot population. Compare the abundance of this plant at each of the sites and make recommendations based on your findings. Examine the number of quadrats at each site to statistically test the difference between sites. Calculate the mean species abundance of Orange-bellied Parrot food plants beaded glasswort. Mean (total) / N o of quadrats 3 . Answer the question refer to the data to justify your answers.

Practical activity:

You are apart of the Orange-bellied Parrot recovery team you are required to conduct field surveys to provide biodiversity information on three sites that a new coastal housing development is proposed on. You conduct your survey using line transects . Your survey must consider the impact on food plants Beaded Glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) on the Orange-bellied Parrot population. Compare the abundance of this plant at each of the sites and make recommendations based on your findings.

Examine the number of quadrats at each site to statistically test the difference between sites.

Calculate the mean species abundance of Orange-bellied Parrot food plants beaded glasswort.

Mean (total) / N o of quadrats

3 . Answer the question refer to the data to justify your answers.

OBP habitat survey: Beaded Glasswort plants at each site. Transect (10 m) Site A Yambuk Site B Killarney Site C Port Fairy 1 15 8 8 2 60 5 31 3 46 10 45 4 23 15 27 Total Mean No of quadrats

Using the data to find solutions: Identify the site and transect line that has the lowest number of beaded glasswort plants? Support this with data. (Ie. Low site recorded ** number of ****). Why is this site important for Orange-bellied Parrots? Support with data comparisons. (refer to ecological requirements.) Suggest two management techniques to protect and enhance the diversity at the site that recorded the lowest number of Beaded Glasswort? Which site would you recommend for the new coastal development? Discuss two supporting reasons for your decision, include references to the data. How would your interpretation of the results and recommendations change if a type 1 error occurred?

Identify the site and transect line that has the lowest number of beaded glasswort plants? Support this with data. (Ie. Low site recorded ** number of ****).

Why is this site important for Orange-bellied Parrots? Support with data comparisons. (refer to ecological requirements.)

Suggest two management techniques to protect and enhance the diversity at the site that recorded the lowest number of Beaded Glasswort?

Which site would you recommend for the new coastal development? Discuss two supporting reasons for your decision, include references to the data.

How would your interpretation of the results and recommendations change if a type 1 error occurred?

PVA Population Viability Assessment: Determining the threats faced by a species and evaluating the likelihood that it will persist for a given time into the future. PVA is used because it links planning, research and data collection, assessment of vulnerability and the ranking of management options. A PVA includes: Ecosystems: Habitat type and availability. Breeding and longevity: Birth and death rates. Demographics; age structure of populations. External influences: weather events.

Population Viability Assessment:

Determining the threats faced by a species and evaluating the likelihood that it will persist for a given time into the future.

PVA is used because it links planning, research and data collection, assessment of vulnerability and the ranking of management options.

A PVA includes:

Ecosystems: Habitat type and availability.

Breeding and longevity: Birth and death rates.

Demographics; age structure of populations.

External influences: weather events.

Actions for Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity conservation is often limited by funding actions have to prioritise actions to assist species conservation. Vitally important in the short term. Important long term action Least important Data collection for monitoring programs Education programs How do you rate this in terms of importance for the Orange-bellied Parrot?

Biodiversity conservation is often limited by funding actions have to prioritise actions to assist species conservation.

Vitally important in the short term.

Important long term action

Least important

Data collection for monitoring programs

Education programs

How do you rate this in terms of importance for the Orange-bellied Parrot?

Strategies for protecting biodiversity CITES – trade of species World Heritage Areas Ramsar convention (1993) – significant wetlands. JAMBA- migratory bird agreement between Japan and Australia. Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) Victoria Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1999).

CITES – trade of species

World Heritage Areas

Ramsar convention (1993) – significant wetlands.

JAMBA- migratory bird agreement between Japan and Australia.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999)

Victoria Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1999).